12-03-2015, 04:43 AM
My one experience with Hawaii small claims court:
Renter owed me money, he requested that I take it out of his security deposit. I said OK.
Renter discovered the lease agreement did not specify the security deposit could be used to pay for his debt to me.
Renter took me to small claims court to get security depo money back.
Renter and I presented our cases to (bored) judge. Judge asked us to go into hallway outside the courtroom and try to work it out ourselves.
We could not agree. Judge agreed renter owed me money (I had written proof) but that this case only concerned the proper use of the security deposit.
Judge ruled in favor of renter, and told me to file another case to get my money back from the renter if I wanted to.
It's... a point of law.
Renter owed me money, he requested that I take it out of his security deposit. I said OK.
Renter discovered the lease agreement did not specify the security deposit could be used to pay for his debt to me.
Renter took me to small claims court to get security depo money back.
Renter and I presented our cases to (bored) judge. Judge asked us to go into hallway outside the courtroom and try to work it out ourselves.
We could not agree. Judge agreed renter owed me money (I had written proof) but that this case only concerned the proper use of the security deposit.
Judge ruled in favor of renter, and told me to file another case to get my money back from the renter if I wanted to.
It's... a point of law.
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves