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Legal Information: Hawaii

Housing Laws

Updated: 
March 6, 2024

Can I ask my landlord to change my locks?

If you or one of your immediate family members have been a victim of domestic violence and you don’t want to break your rental agreement, you can instead ask your landlord to change your locks. Your landlord then has three days from the time s/he receives your request to change the locks. However, your landlord does not have to pay for the new locks – that would be your responsibility.

If the locks aren’t changed within the three-day period, you can change the locks yourself but you must give the landlord a key.

Note: If the abuser is listed on the rental agreement, the locks cannot be changed unless there is a court order telling the abuser to move out. You must give the landlord a copy of the court order before the locks can be changed.1

1 HRS § 521-81(a), (b), (c)

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