A Hawaii standard lease agreement details the rights and responsibilities of both parties involved in the rental arrangement of a house, apartment, condominium, or any other dwelling unit.
The landlord-tenant laws and regulations governing residential leases address various aspects of the relationship, including rent increases, security deposits, eviction procedures, habitability standards, and other relevant matters.
Considerations on Lease Length
- In Hawaii, a lease can be of any length, provided the term is specific and agreed upon in writing by both the landlord and tenant.
- Oral leases are generally limited to terms of no more than one year.
- The maximum length for a standard residential lease agreement is one year. Leases exceeding one year are allowed but must be in writing to be valid.
- In cases with no rental agreement, the tenancy is considered month-to-month by default. If the landlord rents to boarders (i.e., people who rent a part of the residence), the tenancy is considered week-to-week (Hawaii Revised Statutes §521-22).
Security Deposit
- Maximum Amount ($): One month’s rent (§ 521-44(b))
- Returning to Tenant: Within 14 days (§ 521-44(c))
Rent Grace Period
There is no rent grace period in Hawaii.
Landlord Resources
- Landlord-Tenant Laws – Residential Landlord-Tenant Code (Hawaii Revised Statutes Division 3 Title 28 Chapter 521).
- Handbook – Hawaii Landlord-Tenant Handbook.
