Tenant Frequently Asked Questions

Please be sure to take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions below and let us know if we can answer any additional questions by emailing us at info@cornerstonehawaii.com.

We are well-versed in the leasing and property management industry on Oahu, and make many efforts to keep our staff fully educated. We follow all local, state, federal Fair Housing laws and legislation.

• Q: What are the Cornerstone Properties office hours?+

  A: Address:
  99-122 Hapuku Street
  Aiea, HI 96701

  Office Hours:
  Monday through Friday from 8:30am – 4:30pm (Except for Holidays)

  You can call our office at (808) 484-1211 or fax us at (808) 485-1184 and speak with a representative or leave a message outside of these hours.

• Q: Who do I contact if I have a maintenance request?+

  A: Please go to the Tenant's drop-down menu and select Submit Maintenance Request and fill out the form. We will receive it by the next business day.

  Once we receive a request, a vendor will be assigned to it. They will contact you directly to schedule an appointment. If you do not hear from a vendor within 3-5 days of your request, please call and report to us that you have not been contacted. We will then follow-up with the vendor and find out what is causing the delay for your maintenance request.

  If you have an emergency (fire/flooding) and it's after hours, please call or text your property manager. Please remember to leave your name, property number, address, and contact information along with the details of your request. We will do our very best to handle the emergency, but your cooperation and complete information is very important.

• Q: When is my rent due?+

  A: Rent is due on the 1st of the month, and will be considered late after 4:30pm of the 3rd

• Q: Where do I go to pay rent?+

  Rent is due on the 1st of each month, and may be paid by personal check, cashier’s check or money order made out to Cornerstone Properties. Please keep in mind that if your payment bounces, you will be charged a $25 non-sufficient funds fine. Make your checks/money orders/cashier’s checks payable to Cornerstone Properties. You will be charged an 8% late fee if your rent is received after 4:30PM on the 3rd of the month.

  Rent may be paid through your tenant portal, dropped off to our office in person, or mailed to us at:
  
  Cornerstone Properties
  99-122 Hapuku Street
  Aiea, HI 96701
  

  *In the case that our office is closed, you can drop your payment into the black mail box/drop box in front of the office

  *Please also make sure that your property number is neatly written on the check.

• Q: How do I request to have pets?+

  A: We require all requests to be in writing. Email your Property Manager or their assistant your request for a pet and describe the type of pet you are planning to get. We will then review your request with the owner and accept or decline your request in writing. An additional screening for your pet may be required before acceptance or denial.

• Q: Can I break my lease?+

  A: You must put your request to break your lease in writing either by mail or email. Normally, we do not allow tenants to break a fixed lease. However, we will allow you to break the lease with the following conditions:

  1. You cooperate fully with us in finding a new tenant. This includes allowing us to show the property with no hassles with proper notification and keeping the interior tidy and clean.
  2. You must pay for any advertising costs involved in re-renting the property. We will start advertising when we receive the signed break lease letter and payment in the amount of $80.00 payable to Cornerstone Properties for online advertising. Additional advertising will be billed. We do not start advertising until we receive payment.
  3. You must pay the rental commission for re-renting the property (10% of the new monthly rental rate).
  4. You must pay for any lost rent. This includes vacancy. For example, if your last day is March 3, and the new tenants move in March 14, then you must pay for those 10 days. This also includes if we have to rent the unit out for less than what we are currently collecting from you.
  5. You must remain current with your rent, even if you move out. However, if we re-rent the unit, say on the 20th of the month, we will prorate your rent and give you a refund. You cannot use your security deposit for your last month's rent.

• Q: Do you honor the Military Clause?+

  Yes we do. It is part of the Hawaii Standard Lease. According to our lease page 4, section H: If TENANT receives military orders after execution of this Rental Agreement that require (i) TENANT’S change of permanent station (PCS) from a location on an island within Hawaii to any location off-island or outside Hawaii, or (ii) TENANT to deploy with a military unit or as an individual in support of a military operation for a period of not less than ninety (90) days, TENANT may end TENANT’S obligations under this Rental Agreement. To terminate this Rental Agreement, said military TENANT must deliver by hand, private business carrier, or mail with return receipt requested, written notice with a copy of the official orders to the LANDLORD. Oral notice is not sufficient. In the case of a fixed-term or a month-to-month term requiring monthly rents, the earliest termination date is thirty (30) days after the first date on which the next rental payment is due, following proper notification of termination of the Rental Agreement. For example, if rents are due on the first day of every month, and TENANT properly notifies LANDLORD on July 20th that TENANT wishes to terminate the Rental Agreement, the earliest termination date is September 1st (thirty (30) days after August 1st when the next rental payment was due after notice). In the case of all other term of lease, the termination of the Rental Agreement is effective on the last day of the month following the month in which proper notice is delivered to LANDLORD. The parties should refer to the Service Members Civil Relief Act for further guidance.