Hawaii

Hawaii Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notices, rent control, and more for Hawaii.

How we research these summaries

Every rule on this page is drawn from state statutes and municipal codes and summarized with AI assistance. Each one cites the statute it's based on and links to a published text of that law so you can read it firsthand. Where a page says a city or county has no local rule on a topic, that means none was found for the topics covered here — not that none exists. Local governments also regulate rental housing in ways these pages don't track, including registration, licensing, inspections and habitability standards. These summaries may be incomplete or out of date, laws change often, and every property and tenancy has specifics a summary can't capture — so treat this as a starting point for your own research, not as legal advice, and check with the local jurisdiction and a qualified attorney before acting on your particular situation.

What to Know in Hawaii

Sources last checked August 2026

Hawaii’s Residential Landlord-Tenant Code (HRS Chapter 521) caps security deposits at one month’s rent (plus up to one month for a pet), requires 45 days’ written notice before a rent increase or a landlord move-out on a month-to-month tenancy, and — under a 2026 pilot (Act 278) — requires a 10 calendar-day pay-or-terminate notice with mediation for nonpayment. Hawaii has no statewide rent control.

10-day notice required before eviction for nonpayment of rent
28-day move-out notice required for month-to-month tenancies
No rent control — no statutory cap on rent increases
45-day advance written notice required for rent increases
Security deposits capped at 1 month's rent

5 rules summarized · Each linked to the law it cites

Security Deposit Limits

What is the security deposit limit in Hawaii?

Under HRS § 521-44, a landlord may not require a security deposit greater than one month’s rent. If a pet is allowed, the landlord may collect an additional pet deposit of up to one month’s rent (service and assistance animals are exempt). After the tenancy ends, the landlord must return the deposit, along with a written itemized statement of any deductions, within 14 days. A landlord who fails to provide the statement and any balance within 14 days forfeits the right to keep any part of the deposit.

HRS § 521-44

Last checked Aug 2026

Eviction Notice Requirements

What are the eviction notice requirements in Hawaii?

For nonpayment of rent, HRS § 521-68 requires the landlord to give the tenant written notice that the rental agreement will terminate unless rent is paid. Under Act 278 (a two-year pilot running February 5, 2026 through February 4, 2028) that notice period is at least 10 calendar days after the tenant receives it (previously 5 business days), and the landlord must send a copy of the notice to a state-funded mediation center. If the tenant requests mediation within the 10-day window, the landlord must wait 20 calendar days from the tenant’s receipt of the notice before filing for possession.

HRS § 521-68 (as amended by Act 278, SLH 2025)

Last checked Aug 2026

Rent Increase Notice Periods

How much notice is required for rent increases in Hawaii?

Under HRS § 521-21(d), a landlord may not increase the rent on a month-to-month tenancy without giving the tenant at least 45 consecutive days’ written notice before the increase takes effect. Rent may not be increased during the fixed term of a lease unless the lease expressly allows it.

HRS § 521-21(d)

Last checked Aug 2026

Rent Control / Rent Increase Caps

Is there rent control in Hawaii?

Hawaii has no statewide rent control and no cap on how much a landlord may increase rent, provided the required 45-day written notice is given for a month-to-month tenancy (HRS § 521-21(d)). No Hawaii county currently imposes rent control. (A statewide 3% cap was proposed in 2026 but has not become law.)

HRS Chapter 521 (Residential Landlord-Tenant Code)

Last checked Aug 2026

Move-Out & Lease Termination Notice

What is the move-out notice requirement in Hawaii?

For month-to-month tenancies, HRS § 521-71 requires a landlord to give at least 45 days’ written notice to terminate the tenancy, while a tenant must give at least 28 days’ written notice. For fixed-term leases, the lease end date serves as termination unless the agreement provides otherwise.

HRS § 521-71

Last checked Aug 2026

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