Housing Laws

To end your rental agreement, you must give your landlord:

1.  a “notice of early termination” within 90 days after the domestic violence took place. The notice must:

• state a specific date that you want the rental agreement to end (terminate); and        
• be given to the landlord at least 14 days before the end date you specified;

2. one of the following documents:

• a certified copy of your restraining order, injunction against harassment, or criminal court documents;
• documentation from a domestic violence or victim services organization; or
• documentation from a medical professional, mental health care provider, attorney, advocate, social worker, or member of the clergy. This person must be someone that you asked for help because of the domestic violence.

3. a written statement describing your reasonable belief that the abuser knows your address – however, you do not need to do this if the abuser lives with you.¹

Note: If a tenant knowingly submits a false notice of early termination or supporting documentation to a landlord under this law, the landlord may recover an amount equal to three months’ rent or three times their actual damages, whichever is greater, from the tenant. The landlord can also get the tenant to pay their costs and reasonable attorney’s fees.²

¹ HRS § 521-80(a)
² HRS § 521-80(f)