Hawaii rent increase law

For a month-to-month tenancy, give written notice at least 45 consecutive days before a rent increase takes effect. For a tenancy shorter than month to month, give at least 15 consecutive days' written notice.

HRS § 521-21(d), (e)

• A notice ending a tenancy that is given to get around these rent increase notice rules is void. HRS § 521-71(f)
• You may not demand a rent increase in retaliation after a tenant's good-faith complaint to a government agency or request for repairs, except in the cases the statute lists. HRS § 521-74 See Retaliation on the Hawaii page
• Chapter 521, read in full, sets no limit on how much rent may rise. HRS § 521-21(a) See Rent control and local rules on the Hawaii page

Chapter 521, read in full, sets no limit on rent amounts and no statewide rent control. The summary possession chapter does not allow an eviction contrary to a county rent control ordinance that declares a housing emergency, while that emergency lasts; no county ordinance was read for this page.

HRS § 666-20

• Rent increases still need the written notice periods Hawaii sets. HRS § 521-21(d), (e) See Rent increase notice on the Hawaii page

While the tenant continues to tender the usual rent or receipts for rent lawfully withheld, you may not evict, force the tenant out, raise the rent or cut services after the tenant complains in good faith to a government agency (or to you) about a health law or chapter 521 violation, after an agency files a violation notice, or after the tenant requests repairs in good faith.

HRS § 521-74(a)

• You may still recover possession in listed cases, including when the tenant is committing waste or a nuisance or using the unit illegally, when you in good faith need it for your own or your immediate family's home or to substantially remodel or demolish, when the tenant caused the condition, or when a notice ending a periodic tenancy was given before the complaint. HRS § 521-74(b)
• You may raise rent despite a complaint in five listed cases: the department of health certifies the unit complied when the complaint was filed; the complaint concerns only a condition caused by the lack of due care of the tenant, the household or guests; a substantial increase in property taxes or other maintenance or operating costs at least four months before the demand, excluding costs of complying with the complaint or request and limited to the prorated net increase; a completed capital improvement, up to its straight-line depreciation prorated among the units benefited; or competent evidence establishing that the proposed rent is no higher than for similar units in your building or, for a single-family home or where there is no similar unit, the market rental value. HRS § 521-74(d)
• A tenant dispossessed in violation of this rule may recover damages, costs and reasonable attorney's fees. HRS § 521-74(c)