Bill > HB693

This bill aims to establish rent increase limits for residential properties in Hawaii by creating new restrictions on how much and how often landlords can raise rental rates. Specifically, landlords would be prohibited from increasing gross rental rates by more than the lesser of 7% plus the percentage change in the cost of living or 10% over a twelve-month period. Landlords may have an additional 7% increase if their operating and maintenance expenses are not fully covered by the initial allowable increase. The bill mandates that rent increases can occur no more than twice in a twelve-month period for the same tenant and requires landlords to provide 60 days' written notice before implementing a rate increase. The legislation defines operating and maintenance expenses to include repairs, maintenance, pest control, garbage, and water expenses, while excluding real property taxes and management expenses. The bill calculates the cost of living change using the regional Consumer Price Index published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Importantly, the rent increase limitations would not apply to rental housing projects funded or operated by government agencies. The bill is motivated by Hawaii's high median rent ($1,868 in 2022), which is significantly above the national average, and concerns about housing affordability, with approximately 56% of renters being considered "rent burdened" by spending more than 30% of their income on housing.

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https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=693&year=2026