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Rent increases in Hawaii

Source: HRS § 521-21(d)–(e); § 521-71(f); § 521-74 · Checked against the statute

Notice
15–45 days
Statewide cap
No statewide cap
During a lease
Not during a fixed-term lease
Local rent control
No state law on it

When can a rent increase start in Hawaii?

Choose the state and the date the notice is given.

How much notice is required

In a month-to-month tenancy the landlord must give written notice at least 45 consecutive days before a rent increase takes effect; for tenancies shorter than month-to-month, 15 consecutive days. A termination notice used to dodge these notice periods is void. (HRS § 521-21(d), (e); § 521-71(f))

Applies toWhenNotice
Month-to-month—45 days
Month-to-month or other periodic tenancy—15 days
  • The notice must be in writing.

Example: a notice handed over on November 2, 2026 in Hawaii

Earliest date the new rent can start, with rent due on the 1st, worked out from the Hawaii rule above:

  • For a month-to-month tenant of 1 year raising rent 5% or a month-to-month tenant of 3 years raising rent 12%: Thursday, December 17, 2026
  • For a week-to-week tenant raising rent 5%: Tuesday, November 17, 2026

Raising rent during a lease

In a fixed-term rental agreement the rent is set by the agreement's terms. After a lease expires no notice is required, because new terms must be negotiated. (Hawaii OCP Landlord-Tenant Handbook (2024))

City and county rent control

No statute addresses local rent control; the state consumer protection office says there is no rent control in Hawaii and no limit on the amount of an increase. (Hawaii OCP Landlord-Tenant Handbook (2024))

Retaliatory rent increases

While the tenant keeps paying rent, a landlord may not demand a rent increase after the tenant in good faith complains to a health or other agency, after an agency files a violation notice, or after a good-faith repair request. Exceptions include health-department certification of compliance, substantial tax/cost increases incurred at least 4 months before, capital improvements, tenant-caused conditions, or rent not above comparable units/market. No fixed presumption period. (HRS § 521-74)

Also good to know

  • Month-to-month termination by the landlord also needs 45 days' written notice (HRS § 521-71(a)).
  • In a court dispute over a rent increase, the tenant deposits rent at the pre-increase amount (OCP handbook).

Other Hawaii renting rules in numbers

Security deposit
One month's rent, plus an optional pet deposit of up to one more month's rent (no pet deposit for an assistance animal). At move-in the landlord may collect only the first month's rent and the deposit. Return deadline: 14 days after the tenancy terminates.
Notice for unpaid rent
10 days (pay or move out)
How a written notice is delivered (eviction-notice rules)
The 10-day rent notice may be posted in a conspicuous place on the unit or mailed by USPS (HRS § 521-68(a)). For a § 521-69 notice, if the tenant cannot be served, it may be posted in a conspicuous place on the unit.
Notice for other lease violations
10 days (fix it or move out)
Repairs
Time to repair: 12 business days; urgent: 3 business days. Repair and deduct: allowed with limits; withholding rent: not addressed by state law.
Deposit kept wrongly
Wrongful and willful retention: the court may award three times the amount wrongfully kept plus costs. Wrongful retention: the amount wrongfully kept plus costs (§ 521-44(h)).
Lawful reasons to end a lease early
Domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking; Military service (state law); Unit unlivable or landlord fails to repair; Landlord harassment or illegal entry

Sources

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 15, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; for a dispute, contact your state's legal aid. See our methodology.