Bill > SB831

This bill amends Hawaii's Residential Landlord-Tenant Code to provide enhanced legal protections for tenants by allowing them to recover damages when they successfully sue a landlord for code violations. Specifically, the bill enables tenants who prevail in a lawsuit to be awarded either $1,000 or three times their actual sustained damages (whichever is greater), plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. The legislative findings explain that this provision is intended to help vulnerable tenants who might otherwise be unable to afford legal action against landlords who engage in unfair or unlawful practices. The bill applies to violations within Chapter 521 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, which governs residential landlord-tenant relationships. The new law will not retroactively affect rights, penalties, or legal proceedings that existed before its effective date, and it will take effect immediately upon approval by the relevant legislative body.

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https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=831&year=2026