Hawaii Landlord-Tenant Law

Maximum deposit

Landlords may collect a security deposit of no more than one month's rent, plus an agreed pet deposit of up to one more month's rent only for a tenant with a pet (not an assistance animal) (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44(b)). (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44(b))

• In effect since November 1, 2013.
• Before November 1, 2013: One month's rent with no separate pet deposit allowed.

Return deadline

Landlords must return the deposit, or send a written statement of deductions with written evidence of costs, within 14 days after the rental agreement ends (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44(c)). (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44(c))

Itemized deductions

A landlord keeping any part of the deposit must give the tenant written notice of the particulars and grounds, with written evidence of costs such as estimates, invoices or receipts (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44(c)). (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44(c))

Interest on deposits

Hawaii law does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44, silent). (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44 (silent on interest))

Penalty for wrongful withholding

A landlord who misses the 14-day notice loses the right to keep any of the deposit, and a court may award up to three times the amount wrongfully and willfully retained plus costs (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44(c), (h)). (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44(c), (h))

Late-fee limit

A late charge may not exceed 8% of the rent due (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-21(f)). (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-21(f))

• In effect since November 1, 2017.

Grace period

Hawaii law sets no grace period before a late charge may be imposed; rent is due when the rental agreement says (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-21(b), (f)). (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-21(b), (f))

Except in an emergency or when notice is impracticable, give the tenant at least two days' notice before entering and come only during reasonable hours (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-53(b)). (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-53)

A landlord ending a month-to-month tenancy must give at least 45 days' written notice, while the tenant needs to give only 28 days' written notice (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-71(a)–(b)). (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-71)

Rent on a month-to-month tenancy may not go up without written notice given 45 consecutive days before the increase takes effect (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-21(d)). (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-21(d)–(e))

Hawaii has no rent control on private housing; the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code limits only how rent increases are noticed (45 days for month-to-month) and bars retaliatory increases (Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 521-21, 521-74). (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-21(a), (d)-(e))

At or before move-in, give the tenant in writing the name and address of each manager and of each owner or agent for service, rents and notices; off-island landlords must name an on-island agent in the lease; give a copy of the written lease and the landlord's general excise tax number (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-43). (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-43, 40 CFR 745.107)

• Lead-based paint disclosure, lead warning statement and EPA pamphlet (Housing built before 1978 (unless exempt under 40 CFR 745.101)) — 42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 CFR Part 745 Subpart F (§ 745.107)
• Name and address of each person authorized to manage the premises and of each owner or agent for service of process and receipt of rents, notices and demands (In writing at or before the start of the tenancy (or by posted notices in multi-unit buildings under § 521-43(g)); keep current) — Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-43(a), (g)
• Agent residing on the same island as the unit (On the written rental agreement, when the owner or landlord lives out of state or on another island) — Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-43(f)
• Copy of the written lease or rental agreement (Written rental agreements) — Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-43(d)
• Landlord's general excise tax number (for the tenant's low-income tax credit) (To all tenants) — Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-43(h)

Unpaid rent

Serve a written 10-calendar-day notice to pay rent that includes the statutory contents and send a copy to a state-funded mediation center; if the tenant schedules mediation within the 10 days, the landlord may not file until 20 days after the tenant received the notice (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-68, effective Feb. 5, 2026). (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-68(a)-(d), (i) (version effective Feb. 5, 2026), Act 278, SLH 2025 (S.B. 825), §§ 2, 7)

• In effect since February 5, 2026.
• Before February 5, 2026: Notice had to give at least five business days after receipt to pay (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-68(a), version effective until Feb. 4, 2026).

Lease violations

For a tenant's material failure to maintain the unit or a breach of house rules, give written notice allowing at least 10 days to fix it before terminating, with no cure period when the breach causes or threatens irremediable harm to people or property (Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 521-69(a), 521-72(a)). (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-69(a), Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-72)