Hawaii has no statewide rent control in 2026, allowing landlords flexibility on increase amounts but strict rules on timing and notice. Tenants enjoy protections against unfair practices under the Hawaii Residential Landlord-Tenant Code (HRS Chapter 521).
Notice Requirements
Landlords must provide 45 days’ written notice for month-to-month tenancies before any rent hike takes effect. Fixed-term leases (e.g., one-year) prohibit increases mid-term unless the lease explicitly allows it—instead, hikes apply at renewal with proper notice.
Weekly tenancies require just 15 days’ notice, and the notice must detail the new amount and effective date clearly.
No Caps on Amounts
Without rent control, increases can match market rates—potentially 10-20% or more in high-demand areas like Honolulu—provided they follow notice rules. During emergencies (per HRS § 127A-30), hikes may be paused if declared by the governor.
Prohibited Increases
Rent raises are illegal if retaliatory (e.g., after habitability complaints), discriminatory (race, age, HIV status, etc., under Fair Housing Act and state law), or on uninhabitable properties. Security deposits remain capped at one month’s rent, with no specific increase rules.
| Tenancy Type | Minimum Notice | Mid-Term Allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| Month-to-Month | 45 days | N/A |
| Fixed-Term | 45 days at renewal | No, unless in lease |
| Week-to-Week | 15 days | N/A |
Tenant Rights and Recourse
Tenants can challenge via the Office of Consumer Protection (844-808-3222) or circuit court if notice fails or motives seem improper—no 2026 changes alter this.
Negotiate at renewal, document communications, and know eviction moratoriums (like Act 202) have lapsed.
SOURCES :
- https://www.steadily.com/blog/how-much-can-a-landlord-raise-rent-in-hawaii
- https://www.hemlane.com/resources/hawaii-rent-control-laws/
