Hawaii Rent Increase Laws 2025: What Tenants Should Know

Hawaii’s rent increase laws for 2025 provide essential guidelines for both landlords and tenants, ensuring transparency and fairness in rental agreements. Here’s what tenants should know:

Key Regulations on Rent Increases

1. No Statewide Rent Control:
   • Hawaii does not impose statewide rent control, allowing landlords to adjust rents based on market conditions. However, landlords must adhere to notice requirements and lease terms.
2. Notice Requirements:
   • For month-to-month tenancies, landlords must provide at least 45 days’ written notice before a rent increase takes effect.
   • For week-to-week tenancies, a 15-day notice is required.
   • In fixed-term leases, rent increases are only allowed at the end of the lease term unless explicitly stated in the agreement.
3. Proposed Legislative Changes:
   • New bills introduced in 2025 (e.g., SB153 and HB464) aim to enhance tenant protections by requiring:
     • 60 days’ notice for rent increases or lease terminations for agreements over 90 days.
     • 90 days’ notice for terminating leases lasting three years or more.

Tenant Protections

1. Anti-Discrimination and Retaliation Laws:
   • Landlords cannot raise rent as retaliation against tenants exercising legal rights or in a discriminatory manner based on race, religion, gender, or other protected categories.
2. Right to Reject Rent Increases:
   • Tenants can reject a proposed increase by choosing not to renew the lease or vacating the property before the new rate takes effect, provided they adhere to the notice period.
3. Local Ordinances:
   • While Hawaii lacks statewide rent control, tenants should monitor local regulations, as counties may introduce their own rules regarding rent increases.

Practical Tips for Tenants

• Review Lease Agreements Carefully:
  Ensure that any clauses about potential rent increases are understood before signing.
• Seek Legal Advice if Needed:
  If you believe a rent increase violates state laws or lease terms, consult legal resources such as the Hawaii Residential Landlord-Tenant Information Center.
• Negotiate with Landlords:
  Tenants can negotiate lease terms or request justification for significant rent hikes, particularly in cases of market fluctuations or property upgrades.

Hawaii’s rental market remains challenging due to high living costs and housing shortages. Staying informed about these laws can help tenants protect their rights while navigating potential rent increases in 2025.

SOURCES:-

[1] https://www.steadily.com/blog/how-much-can-a-landlord-raise-rent-in-hawaii
[2] https://www.steadily.com/blog/mid-term-rental-laws-regulations-hawaii
[3] https://www.steadily.com/blog/rent-increase-laws-regulations-hawaii
[4] https://www.boloforms.com/signature/contracts/real-estate/notice-of-rent-increase/hawaii/
[5] https://legiscan.com/HI/text/SB153/id/3052556/Hawaii-2025-SB153-Introduced.html