HRS §502-83
What happens if you don't record a property document
This law says that certain property documents, like deeds and long-term leases, must be recorded with the state. If you don't record yours, it won't count against someone who later buys, rents, or lends money on the same property in good faith and records their document first.
buyershomeownerslandlordsmortgage lendersreal estate agentstenants
The statute, as written — Effect of not recording deeds, leases, etc
All deeds, leases for a term of more than one year, mortgages of any interest in real estate, or other conveyances of real estate within the State, shall be recorded in the bureau of conveyances. Every such conveyance not so recorded is void as against any subsequent purchaser, lessee, or mortgagee, in good faith and for a valuable consideration, not having actual notice of the conveyance of the same real estate, or any portion thereof, or interest therein, whose conveyance is first duly recorded. [CC 1859, §1262; RL 1925, §3170; RL 1935, §5156; RL 1945, §12756; RL 1955, §343-49; am L 1963, c 83, §6; HRS §502-83]
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