How is Rental Finders different from a Broker? We cannot rent or offer to rent, lease or offer to lease, any real estate for you. We cannot negotiate contracts, negotiate to rent or transact the renting of the property between yourself and the landlord. We cannot contact the landlord for the purpose of representing you or to be the “in between”. We do not get involved with the Rental Agreement. We do not represent either renter or landlord. We cannot attempt to persuade any landlord to agree to rent to a particular tenant. We do not require a contract. We provide information and material facts but do not interpret them for you or give out opinions requiring a real estate broker’s license. You have to make your own opinions and decisions based upon the information provided. The registration charge/subscription price is based on the average number of hours needed to research & provide information to you and is not dependant or based upon a percentage of your rent. You work directly with the landlord or owner. It will be your responsibility, after looking at the information, to let the landlord know that you are interested in their rental.  Disseminated information provided verbatim by published listings, landlords, property managers, & licensed realtor sources.

How is Rental Finders different from the newspaper rental classifieds? A number of our listings come straight from property managers and landlords so you get them before they even appear in the classifieds. We also have multiple sources other than the ones most commonly accessed. Standard newspaper classifieds have abbreviated 1 or 2 line listings that barely give you any information. We make all the calls and do all the contacts to find out everything you need to know about the properties so you don't have to. We also go out to these properties to take digital photos and email them to you. You will see only the rentals that fit your search, not hundreds of listings that are not what you are interested in.

How often do I receive updates on apartment listings? Rental Finders provides Instant and Automatic updates on all new apartments that match your profile as they come in!  You will receive all your available listings, including the most recent updates, building photos & neighborhood profile.

Are utilities included with the rent? Most apartment/condo listings will only include water with the rent. Unless specified, you 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.

I have never rented an apartment on my own before. Do you have any literature to help me get started and organized? Once you have signed up for our service, we suggest you read our "Guide to Renting An Apartment or House in Hawaii“. This guide will help give you some strategies for successful searching and give you detailed tips on how to handle numerous situations and is provided free with our service. Our 'Rental Checklist" will help you get organized and give you an advantage over everyone else applying for the same rental.

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 you see listed is usually the total rent that you pay per month.

How do I sign up for your service? Go to the "Services/Rates" page, scroll down, click on the "Rental Finders Form" link, complete and email, fax, or mail to us. We will begin your service immediately after receiving the form. You can also sign up for the rental search and tracking service by clicking here.

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.

Do you have any information on 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, you will need $2000 to rent the unit ($1000 for the first month's rent, $1000 for the security deposit). Your security deposit will be returned to you within 14 days after you have vacated the unit, minus any damages. To insure a full refund, clean the unit thoroughly, repair any damages, and return all keys on the termination date.

Why do some landlords require credit reports? 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.

I'm not sure if my credit is good. Over the years, I have occasionally been a little late with some credit card payments. Will this hurt my chances of renting? Get a free credit report on yourself (and your guarantor, if you need one) at www.annualcreditreport.com so that you can see what the landlord will see. If there is any negative credit information on you, you can be prepared, when you submit your application, to show how you resolved the situation - or rebut it if a creditor has made a mistake (they do, you know). If you have a less than desirable credit rating, it is even more important that you get good rental references from your current and former landlords stating that you were good tenants, paid the rent on time, and maintained the unit in excellent condition. Of course, if your credit is quite bad, you will probably need a guarantor.

What is a guarantor? How do I find one? What if I don't have one? Once you have signed up for our service, we suggest you read our "Guide to Renting An Apartment or House in Hawaii”. Here you will find the answers to these and other questions.

What should I have ready for the landlord when I apply for an apartment? There are a number of items you should have ready. Prepare your rental application documents using out "Rental Checklist". This checklist will detail the kind of information that the landlord looks for from an applicant (they seldom tell you what they are looking for). To maximize your chances of getting a desirable apartment, have all your (and your guarantor's, if necessary) application information properly organized in advance as per our recommendations. Use the Standard Rental Application forms (provided with your first update) and the Rental Checklist we provide you with our "Guide to Renting An Apartment or House in Hawaii".

How do I know that this service will help me? When we help you find the best apartment, we know you will tell your friends and coworkers. Satisfied customers are our best source of advertising! Our guarantee (see "Services/Rates' page) insures that you will find this service helpful. We have an excellent customer satisfaction and reliability record with the Better Business Bureau (www.hawaii.bbb.org) and get an unusually high number of unsolicited letters from satisfied customers (see "Comments" page for acutal, unedited letters).

How long are most rental leases and what happens if I have to break a lease or leave before the term is up? Most rental leases are either 6 months or 1 yr. If you terminate the lease before the 6 months or 1 yr is up, you 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.). You will probably lose a portion of your 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.

Anti-Discrimination Policy-

Rental Finders will not knowingly include advertising that can be considered as discriminatory, nor shall it infringe on any rights nor violate any law, statute, ordinance or regulations. This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Hawaii.

Indemnification

We do not guarantee continuous, uninterrupted, secure access to our services due to circumstances beyond our control. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Rental Finders affiliates, officers, agents, partners, and employees from any and all losses, liabilities, claims, suits, damages, fines, penalties, and any costs of remediation in connection with the use of our services. Should you object to any of the terms contained herein, or become dissatisfied with our service in any way, your sole recourse is to immediately discontinue use of our service. Failure to enforce any of the provisions of this agreement or rights shall in no way be considered a waiver of such provisions or rights or in any way effect the validity of this agreement.

Privacy-

We respect your personal right to privacy. Rental Finders is strongly committed to protecting your privacy in the use of our interactive products and services. We have controls in place to protect your confidentiality and maintain security. We will not knowingly supply your contact information to any parties unless directed to do so by you.