Breaking a Lease in Hawaii
Hawaii rules on breaking a lease for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: A tenant under a rental agreement of 1 year or less may terminate without penalty, fees, or liability for future rent if the tenant or a resident immediate family member was a domestic violence victim in the 90 days before notice. HRS §§ 521-80, 521-81
The rules in Hawaii
| Ending a lease: domestic violence | A tenant under a rental agreement of 1 year or less may terminate without penalty, fees, or liability for future rent if the tenant or a resident immediate family member was a domestic violence victim in the 90 days before notice. Written notice at least 14 days before the termination date, which must be no more than 104 days after the most recent act. Notice must include one of: certified restraining orders, injunctions against harassment, or criminal-case documents; documentation from a victim services or domestic violence program or shelter; or documentation from a medical or mental health provider, attorney, advocate, social worker or clergy member consulted about the violence; plus a written statement that the tenant reasonably believes the abuser knows where the tenant lives (unless the abuser lives in the same unit). Tenant owes rent through the termination date. Co-tenants stay bound if they can show ability to pay. Victims may also have locks changed. Source: HRS §§ 521-80, 521-81 |
|---|---|
| Ending a lease: military, medical, death | Servicemember: may end a lease of 1 year or less without penalty on 30 days' written notice (15 days for month-to-month) if military orders require moving into on-post government quarters, not moving would forfeit the housing allowance, and the commanding officer denied a request to keep the allowance; notice must include orders or commanding-officer verification and proof of the denial. If a servicemember dies on active duty, an adult family member may terminate on 15 days' notice with the death certificate and proof of active duty. Tenant death: the tenancy ends 15 days after the landlord notifies the tenant's designated representative or estate, or the paid-through date if later. No state statute for medical or senior moves found. Source: HRS §§ 521-83, 521-85 |
Related questions
- Can I break my lease because of domestic violence?
- Can I break my lease for military orders, medical reasons or a death?
Hawaii vs. neighboring states
| State | Ending a lease: domestic violence | Ending a lease: military, medical, death |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | A tenant under a rental agreement of 1 year or less may terminate without penalty, fees, or liability for future rent if the tenant or a resident immediate family member was a domestic violence victim in the 90 days before notice. Written notice at least 14 days before the termination date, which must be no more than 104 days after the most recent act. Notice must include one of: certified restraining orders, injunctions against harassment, or criminal-case documents; documentation from a victim services or domestic violence program or shelter; or documentation from a medical or mental health provider, attorney, advocate, social worker or clergy member consulted about the violence; plus a written statement that the tenant reasonably believes the abuser knows where the tenant lives (unless the abuser lives in the same unit). Tenant owes rent through the termination date. Co-tenants stay bound if they can show ability to pay. Victims may also have locks changed. HRS §§ 521-80, 521-81 | Servicemember: may end a lease of 1 year or less without penalty on 30 days' written notice (15 days for month-to-month) if military orders require moving into on-post government quarters, not moving would forfeit the housing allowance, and the commanding officer denied a request to keep the allowance; notice must include orders or commanding-officer verification and proof of the denial. If a servicemember dies on active duty, an adult family member may terminate on 15 days' notice with the death certificate and proof of active duty. Tenant death: the tenancy ends 15 days after the landlord notifies the tenant's designated representative or estate, or the paid-through date if later. No state statute for medical or senior moves found. HRS §§ 521-83, 521-85 |
| California | A tenant may end a lease if the tenant, a household member, or an immediate family member was the victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, elder or dependent-adult abuse, or a crime that caused bodily injury or death or involved a deadly weapon or force or the threat of force. The tenant gives written notice with one of these attached: a protective or restraining order, a police report, a qualified third-party statement (from a counselor, advocate, or licensed health practitioner, in the form set out in the statute), or other documentation that reasonably verifies the act. Notice must be given within 180 days of the order, report, or incident. The tenant owes rent for no more than 14 days after giving notice (prorated if the unit is re-rented sooner) and is not treated as having breached the lease. The deposit may not be forfeited because of the termination. If the victim is a family member who did not live with the tenant and the act did not happen within 1,000 feet of the unit, the tenant must also attach a statement explaining the relocation. Landlords must keep the information confidential and may not refuse to rent to someone because the person used this right. Violations carry actual damages plus $100 to $5,000 in statutory damages. Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.7 (as amended by SB 1017, Stats. 2022, ch. 558) | Not verified yet |
City rules that may add to state law
More Hawaii rental law
- Hawaii Security Deposit Law
- Hawaii Eviction Laws
- Hawaii Notice to Vacate Rules
- Landlord Entry Rules in Hawaii
- Hawaii Repairs & Tenant Remedies
- Hawaii Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
- Squatters' Rights in Hawaii
- Hawaii Rental Fee Rules
- Hawaii Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel
- Hawaii Mold, Pests, Heat & AC Rules
- Hawaii Privacy, Guests & Animal Rules
- Hawaii Landlord Selling the House
- Hawaii Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation
- Hawaii Subletting, Lease Endings & Tenant Death
- All Hawaii landlord-tenant rules
- Free legal help in Hawaii
Compare breaking a lease in all 50 states and DC →
Breaking a Lease in Hawaii FAQ
Can a domestic violence survivor break a lease in Hawaii?
A tenant under a rental agreement of 1 year or less may terminate without penalty, fees, or liability for future rent if the tenant or a resident immediate family member was a domestic violence victim in the 90 days before notice. Written notice at least 14 days before the termination date, which must be no more than 104 days after the most recent act. Notice must include one of: certified restraining orders, injunctions against harassment, or criminal-case documents; documentation from a victim services or domestic violence program or shelter; or documentation from a medical or mental health provider, attorney, advocate, social worker or clergy member consulted about the violence; plus a written statement that the tenant reasonably believes the abuser knows where the tenant lives (unless the abuser lives in the same unit). Tenant owes rent through the termination date. Co-tenants stay bound if they can show ability to pay. Victims may also have locks changed. (HRS §§ 521-80, 521-81)
When can a tenant break a lease without penalty in Hawaii?
Servicemember: may end a lease of 1 year or less without penalty on 30 days' written notice (15 days for month-to-month) if military orders require moving into on-post government quarters, not moving would forfeit the housing allowance, and the commanding officer denied a request to keep the allowance; notice must include orders or commanding-officer verification and proof of the denial. If a servicemember dies on active duty, an adult family member may terminate on 15 days' notice with the death certificate and proof of active duty. Tenant death: the tenancy ends 15 days after the landlord notifies the tenant's designated representative or estate, or the paid-through date if later. No state statute for medical or senior moves found. (HRS §§ 521-83, 521-85)
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.