Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if Rental Finders Hawaii does not find a tenant for my rental? There is no charge until we find a tenant for you. 

Are utilities usually included with the rent?
Most apartment/condo listings will only include water with the rent. Unless specified, tenant will need to set up and pay electricity, telephone, and gas (if applicable). Most house listings, unless specified, do not include water with the rent. Utilities for a studio usually range from $50-$75. Utilities for a 1 br apt usually range from $75-$100. Utilities for a 2 br apt range from $100-$150. Air conditioning use is the single most contributing factor to electricity costs.

Are there any taxes added on to the rent prices? Hawaii has a general excise tax which affects everything you buy, including food and medicine, at 4.5% on Oahu, 4% on the other islands. However, unless stated in the listing, the rent listed is usually the total rent that tenant pays per month.

How is the rental market in Honolulu?
The rental market in Hawaii is not as bad as it was a year ago but Hawaii is still a small area with finite space. Everyone wants to live here and no one wants to leave. Hawaii has one of the highest costs of living in the United States. You can anticipate paying 15% to 20% more for many things than you would normally pay on the mainland. This is especially true of rentals in Hawaii. Not only are they more expensive than what you would pay elsewhere, they are also smaller. The average 1 br apt in Honolulu is about 500 sq ft. or less. The average price for a 1 br apt in Honolulu is $1000, a 2 br averages $1200. Hawaii’s rental market is more expensive than New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and California. Having said that, the price of rent did not seem to raise much in 2006 (if at all) and a number of rentals were renting for less than they were going for at the same time last year. There are more rentals and landlords (eager to find tenants as quickly as possible) seem willing to negotiate for the better tenants. The hardest areas to find decent rentals at reasonable prices are the areas around Hawaii Kai, Kailua, Diamond Head, and Kahala. Oahu Average Monthly Rent (for all rentals regardless of size) from 2001-2006 are as follows: $933 in 2001 (7.2 % inc over 2000), $1090 in 2002 (16.8% increase over 2001), $1253 in 2003 (15% inc over 2002), $1378 in 2004 (10% increas over 2003), $1628 in 2005 (18.1% increase over 2004), $1661 in 2006 (2% increase over 2005).

What about security deposits?
Most landlords and property managers require first month's rent and a security deposit equal to the amount of the rent. If rent is $1000, tenant will need $2000 to rent the unit ($1000 for the first month's rent, $1000 for the security deposit). Security deposit will be returned to tenant within 14 days after unit is vacated, minus any damages. To insure a full refund, tenant should clean the unit thoroughly, repair any damages, and return all keys on the termination date.

Why are credit reports important?
Applicants with poor credit ratings are shown to be more likely to pay the rent late, more likely to be irresponsible, and more likely to leave the unit in unsatisfactory condition.

How can a tenant check their credit? Tenant can get a free credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com so that they can see what the landlord will see. If there is any negative credit information, tenant can be prepared, when submitting their application, to show how they resolved the situation - or rebut it if a creditor has made a mistake (they do, you know). If tenant has a less than desirable credit rating, it is even more important that they get good rental references from current and former landlords stating that they were good tenants, paid the rent on time, and maintained the unit in excellent condition. Of course, if tenant's credit is quite bad, they will probably need a guarantor.

How long are most rental leases and what happens if tenant has to break a lease or leave before the term is up? Most rental leases are either 6 months or 1 yr. If tenant terminates the lease before the 6 months or 1 yr is up, they are responsible for the rent until a new tenant can be found and also for the costs to find a new tenant (fees to advertise the unit, etc.). Tenant will probably lose a portion of their security deposit to pay for this.

Where are the better public schools on Oahu? These are the better public schools on Oahu. They have met or exceeded the Hawaii State Academic Standards and are on the honor roll for the Stanford Achievement tests. The underlined schools are generally considered the top public schools on Oahu. Charter schools are normally not included with conventional public school rankings. Kaimuki, Kawananakoa, & Niu Valley, are usually considered the best middle schools.   Honolulu: Aina Haina Elementary, Ala Wai Elementary, Aliamanu Elementary, Aliiolani Elementary, Education Lab Charter School, Hahaione Elementary, Hickam Elementary, Hokulani Elementary, Kaahumanu Elementary, Ka'ewai Elementary, Kahala Elementary, Kaimuki Middle, Kaiser High, Kaiulani Elementary, Kamiloiki Elementary, Kapalama Elementary, Kawananakoa Middle, Koko Head Elementary, Kuhio Elementary, Liholiho Elementary, Lili'uokalani Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Lunalilo Elementary, Maemae Elementary, Manoa Elementary, Moanalua Elementary, Nimitz Elementary, Noelani Elementary, Niu Valley Middle, Nuuanu Elementary, Pauoa Elementary, Pearl Harbor Elementary, Pearl Harbor Kai Elementary, Puuhale Elementary, Radford High, Royal, Salt Lake Elementary, Shafter Elementary, Voyager Charter School, Waialae Elementary Charter School, Stevenson Middle, Waikiki Elementary, Wailupe Valley Elementary, Wilson Elementary   Central Oahu: Aiea Intermediate, Aliamanu Elementary, August Ahrens Elementary, Hickam Elementary, Honowai Elementary, Iliahi Elementary, Kalei'opu'u Elementary, Kanoelani Elementary, Kipapa Elementary, Lehua Elementary, Makalapa Elementary, Manana Elementary, Mililani Ike Elementary, Mililani Mauka Elementary, Mililani Uka Elementary, Moanalua Elementary, Mokulele Elementary, Nimitz Elementary, Palisades Elementary, Pearl City Elementary, Pearl City Highlands Elementary, Pearl Harbor Elementary, Pearl Harbor Kai Elementary, Pearl Ridge Elementary, Radford High, Red Hill Elementary, Salt Lake Elementary, Shafter Elementary, Scott Elementary, Solomon Elementary, Waimalu Elementary, Webling Elementary North Shore: Ka'a'awa Elementary, Kahuku Elementary, Laie Elementary, Sunset Beach Elementary, Waialua Elementary, Waiau Elementary Leeward: Barbers Point Elementary, Ewa Beach Elementary, Ewa Elementary, Holomua Elementary, Iroquois Point Elementary, Ka Waihona o ka Naauao New Century Charter School, Kaimiloa Elementary, Makakilo Elementary, Momilani Elementary, Pohakea Elementary, Waiau Elementary. Windward: Aikahi Elementary, Enchanted Lake Elementary, Heeia Elementary, Ka'elepulu Elementary, Kailua Elementary, Kainalu Elementary, Kaneohe Elementary, Kapunahala Elementary, Ka'a'awa Elementary, Lanikai Elementary Charter School, Mokapu Elementary, Maunawili Elementary

Terms of Services Rental Finders is a web based publisher and contact manager of rental properties. Rental Finders will not negotiate, manage, represent nor participate in the actual transaction between tenants and landlords; therefore we have no control over the quality, condition, or legality of the unit advertised. Further, Rental Finders does not guarantee or control whether the transaction between buyers and sellers is successfully completed. You understand and agree that Rental Finders shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages for loss of funds, rents, or other intangible losses. The information provided herein regarding rental property is deemed accurate and reliable but is not guaranteed. We cannot allow minors to use our services unless it is with and in conjunction with a parent or legal guardian.

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