Bill > HB2105

This bill establishes a statewide limit on rent increases, capping them at 3% annually for most residential rental units under chapter 521 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, which governs landlord-tenant relations. It also prohibits any rent increases during the first 12 months of a tenancy, ensuring a period of stability for new renters. While the bill aims to prevent excessive rent hikes and protect tenants from displacement, it includes specific exemptions for certain properties, such as the initial rental rate of a new tenancy (unless the tenant was in the same unit within the last year), units already subject to stricter rent restrictions from affordable housing programs, and rentals on owner-occupied properties where the owner rents out no more than two units or bedrooms, or on a "kuleana parcel" (a traditional Hawaiian land designation) that includes the owner's primary residence. Landlords seeking to claim these exemptions must provide written notice and documentation to both the tenant and the department of commerce and consumer affairs. The bill also clarifies that any rent increase violating these provisions will be void and unenforceable, and landlords who knowingly overcharge or falsely claim an exemption will be subject to penalties for unfair or deceptive practices.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2105&year=2026