Landlord Entry Laws in Hawaii

How much notice does a landlord have to give in Hawaii?

Under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-53, landlords in Hawaii must give at least 48 hours' advance notice before entering your rental unit for non-emergency purposes. The statute does not require the notice to be in writing, though written notice is better practice.

Even with proper notice, entry is restricted to reasonable hours.

What is your landlord allowed to enter for in Hawaii?

Under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-53, permitted entry reasons in Hawaii include:

• Repairs and maintenance
• Inspections
• Showing to prospective tenants
• Showing to prospective buyers
• Agreed-upon services
• Emergencies

What counts as an emergency in Hawaii?

Emergency entry permitted without notice. Statute also permits entry 'where impracticable' to give notice.

What are your remedies if your landlord enters without notice in Hawaii?

If your landlord violates entry rules in Hawaii, your remedies under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-53 may include:

• Court order stopping future violations (injunction)
• Right to terminate the lease
• Actual damages
• Attorney's fees and court costs

In practice, start by documenting the unauthorized entry (photos, texts, a written log), then send a written objection citing the statute. If violations continue, consult a local tenant-rights attorney or your state's housing court.

Important Hawaii-specific notes

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-53 (part of Hawaii's URLTA-influenced Residential Landlord-Tenant Code) requires at least 2 days' (48 hours) advance notice at reasonable times only. Landlord may not abuse the right of entry or use it to harass the tenant. Most practitioner guides classify Hawaii as non-URLTA; the state enacted its own code rather than adopting the Uniform Act directly.