Answer
Nov 05, 2025 - 03:37 PM
In Hawaii, you are not legally required to accept Zelle statements (or other peer-to-peer payment app records) as proof of income for a rental application.
However, fair housing laws require that you apply your documentation requirements consistently to all applicants. This means:
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You can set a policy stating which forms of income verification you accept such as pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, or employer letters.
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If you decide not to accept Zelle or similar app statements, you must apply that rule equally to everyone, without making exceptions based on personal preference or assumptions about the applicant.
That said, if an applicant’s primary income source is gig work, self-employment, or contract work, Zelle statements could serve as supplemental proof of income. In those cases, you may choose to review them alongside other documentation (like bank deposits, invoices, or tax filings) to get a fuller picture of their financial situation.
In short:
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You don’t have to accept Zelle statements.
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You do need to be consistent and fair in what forms of proof you accept.
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It’s smart to outline acceptable income verification methods clearly in your rental criteria or application instructions.
