Tenant law in plain language
Hawaii

Landlord Won't Make Repairs in Hawaii: What Can I Do?

Published by Nazanin · October 3, 2026

This page covers what Hawaii law says your landlord must fix and how fast your landlord must start repairs. It explains what you may do if repairs are not made. It ends with how to end the rental agreement and what protects you from payback for asking.

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Not legal advice. Each answer below links to where it comes from. Read it before you act.

  1. Your landlord must make all repairs and arrangements necessary to put and keep your home fit to live in. The landlord must do this at all times during the tenancy (the time you rent the home).

    Hawaii Revised Statutes HRS § 521-42(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  2. Your landlord must keep the electrical and plumbing working. The same goes for other things the landlord supplied, like appliances. They must stay in good working order and condition, subject to reasonable wear and tear (normal use).

    Hawaii Revised Statutes HRS § 521-42(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  3. Put your repair request in writing and keep a copy. Your landlord must start repairs within 12 business days of your written notice. The notice must be about a defective condition in material noncompliance (a serious failure to follow the rules) with section 521-42(a) or your rental agreement. Sometimes the landlord cannot start in time for reasons beyond the landlord's control. Then the landlord must tell you why. The landlord must also set a reasonable tentative date (a start date that may change).

    RenterLaw editorial Hawaii Revised Statutes HRS § 521-64(c)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  4. Hawaii sets a shorter deadline for some repairs. Your landlord must start within 3 business days after you tell the landlord by speaking or in writing. If the landlord cannot start in time for reasons beyond its control, it must tell you why. It must also set a reasonable date to start. This covers repairs to electrical, plumbing, or other facilities, including major appliances the landlord provides. The repair must be needed for clean, healthy, fit to live in conditions. Repairs needed because you misused something are not covered.

    Hawaii Revised Statutes HRS § 521-64(c)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  5. Suppose the department of health or another state or county agency tells your landlord in writing about a health or safety violation in your home. Your landlord must start repairs within 7 calendar days. If that is not possible for reasons beyond the landlord's control, the landlord must tell you why. The landlord must also set a reasonable tentative date (a start date that may change). One caution: an agency inspection can lead to an order closing the home to renters.

    RenterLaw editorial Hawaii Revised Statutes HRS § 521-64(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  6. Suppose your landlord does not start repairs on time after your notice of a defective condition. You may immediately do or have done the necessary work in a competent manner. Then give your landlord receipts amounting to at least the sum deducted (taken off your rent). You may take off what you actually spent. The most is $1,000 or one month's rent, whichever is greater. Example: if your rent is $1,500, the most is $1,500. If a court later disagrees, you can owe the rent and face eviction. Get legal help first.

    RenterLaw editorial Hawaii Revised Statutes HRS § 521-64(d)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  7. Suppose your landlord does not start repairs of a health or safety violation within 7 calendar days of an agency's written notice. You may immediately do or have done the necessary repairs in a competent manner. Then give your landlord receipts amounting to at least the sum deducted (taken off your rent). You may take off what you actually spent, up to $1,000 or one month's rent, whichever is greater. If a court later disagrees, you can owe the rent and face eviction. Get legal help first.

    RenterLaw editorial Hawaii Revised Statutes HRS § 521-64(b)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  8. When you first give written notice, list every condition in noncompliance (not following the rules) that you know or should know of. Leave one off, and a 6 month limit applies. For 6 months after your first notice, you cannot make your landlord fix it. You also cannot have it fixed at the landlord's expense under this repair rule.

    Hawaii Revised Statutes HRS § 521-64(e)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  9. Under this repair rule, your landlord does not have to pay unlimited repair costs. The total repair work costs charged to the landlord cannot be more than 3 months' rent in each 6 month period. Example: if your rent is $1,500, the cap is $4,500.

    RenterLaw editorial Hawaii Revised Statutes HRS § 521-64(e)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  10. A condition in your home may take away a substantial part of the benefit and enjoyment of your bargain under the rental agreement. If it does, you may tell your landlord in writing. If the landlord does not fix it within one week, you may end the rental agreement. You may not end it for a condition caused by lack of care from you, your family, or someone there with your consent. If a court later disagrees, you can owe the rent and face eviction. Get legal help first.

    RenterLaw editorial Hawaii Revised Statutes HRS § 521-63(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  11. You do not need to give written notice before ending the rental agreement in two cases. One is when the home is uninhabitable (not fit to live in). The other is an imminent threat to the health or safety of any occupant (anyone living there). You may not end it for a condition caused by the want of due care (lack of proper care) by you. The same goes for your family or another person there with your consent. If a court later disagrees, you can owe the rent and face eviction. Get legal help first.

    RenterLaw editorial Hawaii Revised Statutes HRS § 521-63(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  12. Suppose a condition in your home takes away a large part of what your rental agreement promised. Suppose your landlord caused it on purpose or carelessly. Then you may recover money for your loss. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

    RenterLaw editorial Hawaii Revised Statutes HRS § 521-63(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  13. You may complain in good faith to the department of health, your landlord, or another agency about a health law violation. You may also in good faith request repairs under section 521-63 or 521-64. After that, your landlord cannot demand a rent increase or decrease your services. The landlord cannot cause you to leave against your will. This protects you only while you keep offering the usual rent, or receipts for rent lawfully withheld (held back). The law lists cases where your landlord can still recover possession, for example in good faith for the landlord's own home.

    Hawaii Revised Statutes HRS § 521-74(a)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

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