Bill > SB1056

This bill seeks to address Hawaii's high rental costs by implementing rent increase restrictions for residential tenants. The legislation would limit landlords to increasing gross rental rates by no more than the lesser of 7% plus the cost of living change or 10% over a twelve-month period, with an additional potential 7% increase to cover operating and maintenance expenses. Landlords would be restricted to raising rent no more than twice within a twelve-month period for the same tenant, and must provide 60 days' written notice before implementing a rent increase. The bill defines specific terms like "operating and maintenance expenses" and calculates cost of living changes using the Consumer Price Index. The legislation does not apply to government-funded or operated rental housing projects. The bill's context is grounded in significant economic challenges facing Hawaii's renters, including the state's highest-in-the-nation median rent of $1,868 in 2022 and a situation where approximately 56% of renters are "rent burdened," spending more than 30% of their income on housing. The purpose is to improve housing stability and prevent tenant displacement by protecting renters from excessive and sudden rent increases.

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https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1056&year=2026