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Landlord's Desk

State law guide · Checked November 14, 2026

Hawaii landlord rules: late fees, deposits and rent increases

Hawaii caps late fees as a share of the rent and limits the security deposit to one month's rent. It sets a short deadline to return deposits. Here is what chapter 521 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes says, with the section for each rule.

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The short version

  • Late fee limit: 8% of the rent due, if the rental agreement provides for a late charge.
  • The statute sets no required grace period before a late fee.
  • Deposit limit: one month's rent, plus a pet deposit of up to one more month's rent.
  • Return the deposit, with written itemized deductions, within 14 days after the rental agreement ends.
  • Raising rent on a month-to-month tenancy takes written notice 45 consecutive days before the increase starts.

Late fees in Hawaii

Limit
8% of the rent due. HRS § 521-21(f)
Grace period
None in the statute. HRS § 521-21
Other conditions
The rental agreement must provide for the late charge. The statute adds no other test for a late charge. HRS § 521-21(f)

Security deposits in Hawaii

Maximum deposit
One month's rent, plus a pet deposit of up to one more month's rent. The pet deposit doesn't apply to assistance animals. A landlord can't take other money at the start of the tenancy beyond the rent for the opening month and the deposit. HRS § 521-44(b)
Return deadline
14 days after the rental agreement ends. HRS § 521-44(c)
Itemized deductions
Required, in writing, within the same 14 days. The notice gives the particulars of and grounds for what is kept, with written evidence of the costs, such as estimates, invoices or receipts. A landlord who doesn't send it can't keep any part of the deposit. HRS § 521-44(c)
Interest
The statute doesn't require it. HRS § 521-44
How it's held
No special account or bond in the statute. The statute allows deposits to be commingled. HRS § 521-44(b)
Penalty
Up to three times the amount wrongfully and wilfully kept, plus the cost of suit. If the deposit was wrongfully kept but not wilfully, the tenant can recover the amount kept plus the cost of suit. The case goes to small claims court and must be brought within one year after the rental agreement ends. HRS § 521-44(h)

Rent increases in Hawaii

Notice to raise rent
45 consecutive days' written notice before the increase takes effect. This is for a month-to-month tenancy. For a tenancy shorter than month-to-month, the notice is 15 days. HRS § 521-21(d)
Statewide cap
None in the statute. HRS ch. 521
City rent control
The statute doesn't bar it. Chapter 521 has no ban on local rent control. Another statute says each county has the power to regulate the renting, subletting and rental conditions of property for places of abode by ordinance. HRS § 46-1.5(20)

This page covers Hawaii state law for ordinary residential rentals. Cities and counties can add their own rules, and subsidized housing and mobile home lots follow different ones.

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Questions landlords ask

What is the maximum late fee for rent in Hawaii?

8% of the rent due, and the rental agreement must provide for the late charge. The statute sets no required grace period (HRS § 521-21(f)).

What is the maximum security deposit in Hawaii?

One month's rent, plus a pet deposit of up to one more month's rent (HRS § 521-44(b)).

How long does a Hawaii landlord have to return a security deposit?

14 days after the rental agreement ends, with written notice of any deductions and the grounds for them (HRS § 521-44(c)).

Free templates you can use in Hawaii

These are plain templates that aren’t tied to one state. Fill in the numbers your statute and lease call for.

Keep Hawaii rent and deposits on one ledger

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This guide is general information, not legal advice. It summarizes state statutes as read on November 14, 2026; laws change and courts interpret them. Check the current statute (Hawaii Revised Statutes, chapter 521) or talk to a local attorney before you act.