×

Breaking News Alerts

We'd like to send you alerts when breaking news happens. Hide this Message

Press "Allow" to Activate

Search
Aloha, !
My Profile | Logout
Aloha, Guest!
Login | Register
  • News Topics
    • Front Page
    • Maui News
    • Business
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Maui Wildfires
    • Maui Election
    • Food & Dining
    • Real Estate
    • Hawai‘i Journalism Initiative
    • Crime Statistics
    • Local Sports
    • Opinion
  • Weather & Surf
    • Weather Forecast
    • Surf Report
  • Lifestyle & Culture
    • Maui Arts & Entertainment
    • Food & Dining
    • Obituaries
    • Real Estate
    • Visitors' Guide
  • Events Calendar
    • Upcoming Maui Events
    • Events Map
    • Post an Event
  • Job Listings
    • Maui Jobs
    • Recent Job Listings
    • Job Alerts
    • Post a Job
  • Special Sections
    • Hawaii Journalism Initiative
    • Medical Minute
  • × Close Menu
  • About Maui Now
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Get the App
  • Advertise With Us
  • Meet the Team
Choose Your Island:
  • Kauai
  • Maui
  • Big Island
  • LOADING...
Copyright © 2025 Pacific Media Group
All Rights Reserved

Privacy Policy | About Our Ads

Maui Now
Search
Aloha, !
My Profile | Logout
Aloha, Guest!
Login | Register
    Maui Now
  • Sections
  • Maui News
  • Wildfires
  • Business
  • Weather
  • Surf
  • Entertainment
  • Visitors' Guide
  • Jobs
  • Obituaries
  • HJI

Real Estate

Being a Landlord on Maui: The Legal Essentials

April 30, 2015 · 6:12 PM UTC
* Updated May 1, 2015 · 2:38 AM
Play
Listen to this Article
2 minutes
Loading Audio... Article will play after ad...
Playing in :00
A
A
A

Photo courtesy Harris Hawaii Realty Group.

Photo courtesy Harris Hawaii Realty Group.

By Alexandra Mitchell

Many Maui property owners are unaware of the legality issues regarding landlord-tenant relationships.

If you own a Maui rental, or are looking into investment property on Maui, you might want to read up on some information that could potentially help alleviate future legal issues when dealing with your tenants.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

It is important to educate yourself about your legal rights as a landlord, so that you can protect your property and your financial investment.

The best way to start a positive rental relationship is by creating a Maui rental/lease agreement. If you want to avoid the possibility of poor communication and future conflict, this is a definite must-do.

Maui Rental/Lease Agreements

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

Both written and oral Maui rental agreements are legally binding. It is highly recommended that you create a written rental agreement so that you can state the time for agreed rental, provide house rules and state all rental conditions.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

Written agreements may be for any length of time–month-to-month, six-month, one-year and longer. Any time there are any new promises or changes to a rental agreement, you should update your written lease and have it signed by both parties. In addition, landlords should always provide their tenants with a copy of their current lease agreement.*

Oral agreements are usually used for month-to-month rentals. An oral agreement may not exceed a one-year timespan. If you want to insure sure that all “the cards are on the table” regarding rental rules and promises, you are better off making a written rental agreement. This will help to protect your investment, and create a professional formality with your rental arrangement.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

Maui Rental Agreements Should Include All Provisions

A Maui rental agreement should include the deposit amount and terms, monthly rental fee and date due, penalties for late rent, terms for an exchange of services (i.e. worktrade), the term of the rental, whether the landlords consent is necessary if original tenant wants to sublet or transfer rental agreement to a new tenant, and an account of inventory (i.e. state of the house, any furnishings, etc). Landlords should review the rental agreement with the tenant present, and both should sign the contract together*

For more information and a more detailed account of Maui Landlord-Tenant Rights, read through the Hawaiʻi Residential Landlord-Tenant Code Chapter 521.

The Handbook for the Hawaiʻi Residential Landlord-Tenant Code is available to the public, and published by the Office of Consumer Protection & Communications Office of the Hawaiʻi State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. This is the best resource for both landlords and tenants to review regarding concerns and questions regarding rental rights.

Find a link to the pdf here.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sponsored Content

Maui Jobs View All Jobs Chevron Forward

Hale Makua
Physical Therapy Assistant - Hale Makua (Home Health)
Central Maui · 2 weeks ago

Ohana Care Maui
Nurse Aide or CNA - Kihei/South Maui
South Maui · 2 weeks ago

Hale Makua
Painter - Hale Makua Kahului
Central Maui · 2 weeks ago

Hale Makua
Housekeeper – Hale Makua Wailuku
Central Maui · 2 weeks ago
Looking for locally based talent?
Post a Job Listing

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Stay in-the-know with daily or weekly
headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Cancel
×
Scroll Down for Comments

Comments

This comments section is a public community forum for the purpose of free expression. Although Maui Now encourages respectful communication only, some content may be considered offensive. Please view at your own discretion. View Comments
Arrow UpBack to Top
  • Maui News
  • Maui Business
  • Weather
  • Entertainment
  • Maui Surf
  • Maui Sports
  • Crime Statistics
  • Maui Activities
  • Maui Discussion
  • Food and Dining
  • Real Estate
  • Maui Events Calendar
  • Maui Jobs
  • Official Visitors’ Guide
  • Hawai‘i Journalism Initiative
  • About Maui Now
  • Contact Information
  • Advertise with Us
  • App
  • Newsletter
  • Terms of Service

Copyright © 2025 Pacific Media Group.
All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | About Our Ads

Facebook YouTube Instagram