Free Hawaii Rental Agreement Template 2025: Download Printable PDF Residential Lease Form

As a real estate attorney who has drafted hundreds of Hawaii-specific leases over the past 12 years, I created this free Hawaii rental agreement template to help landlords and tenants start 2025-2026 tenancies on the right foot. This completely free printable Hawaii rental agreement template follows the standard residential lease format used by most Hawaii Realtors® and complies with Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 521 (Residential Landlord-Tenant Code). You can download the editable PDF or Word version at the bottom of this page.

Why You Need a Hawaii-Specific Rental Agreement (Not a Generic One)

Many landlords make the mistake of downloading a “free lease agreement” from national sites that ignore Hawaii’s unique rules. Hawaii law is significantly more tenant-friendly than most states and contains mandatory provisions you cannot waive. Using a generic California or Texas template can expose you to fines, invalid clauses, or even double damages under HRS § 521-74.

Key Hawaii-only requirements I’ve built into this free Hawaii rental agreement form:

• 14-day grace period language for rent (HRS § 521-21)
• Mandatory 45-day notice for rent increases or no-fault terminations on month-to-month tenancies (HRS § 521-71)
• Security deposit must be returned within 14 days after tenant vacates (HRS § 521-44)
• Landlord must provide at least 2 days’ notice before entering the unit (except emergencies)
• Required disclosure of lead-based paint, mold, flood zone, and previous methamphetamine use
• Honolulu County rent control disclosure (if applicable under Ordinance 22-7)

What’s Included in My Free Printable Hawaii Rental Agreement Template

This 2025-updated Hawaii rental lease agreement is 11 pages and includes every section Hawaii law either requires or strongly recommends:

Section	Purpose
1. Parties & Property	Identifies landlord, tenant(s), and full rental address
2. Term	Fixed-term or month-to-month with proper termination language
3. Rent & Late Fees	Includes Hawaii’s 5% maximum late fee and 14-day grace period
4. Security Deposit	Complies with 1-month maximum and 14-day return rule
5. Utilities & Appliances	Clarifies who pays water, sewer, electric, cable, etc.
6. Maintenance & Repairs	Meets HRS § 521-64 obligations
7. Entry by Landlord	2-day notice requirement
8. Pets & Smoking	Customizable pet policy and mandatory smoke detector language
9. Required Hawaii Disclosures	Lead paint, flood zone, mold notice, meth lab, etc.
10. Signatures & Notary Block	Optional notary (not required but recommended on Oahu)

How to Fill Out the Hawaii Standard Rental Agreement Form Correctly

Step-by-step guidance from my decade-plus of experience:

1. Download both PDF and Word versions – The Word doc is fully editable; the PDF is fillable.
2. Enter the full legal names of every adult tenant (anyone 18+ must sign).
3. Choose fixed-term or month-to-month – Fixed-term automatically converts to month-to-month unless you specify otherwise (HRS § 521-22).
4. Fill in the exact rent amount and due date – I recommend the 1st, but Hawaii law allows any date.
5. Never charge more than one month’s rent as security deposit (HRS § 521-44(b)).
6. List all allowed occupants – Helps prevent unauthorized tenants later.
7. Attach the required addenda – Lead-Based Paint (pre-1978 homes), Bed Bug Addendum, Move-In Checklist.

Honolulu County Rent Control & Additional Local Rules (2025 Update)

If your property is on Oahu, you may be subject to temporary rent control under Bill 7 (2022) extended through 2025. My template includes the mandatory disclosure paragraph required by the Department of Planning and Permitting. The current cap is generally 3.7% annual increase for most units built before 1993, but always verify current status at honolulu.gov/dpp.

Security Deposit Rules Every Hawaii Landlord Must Know

Hawaii has some of the strictest security-deposit laws in the nation (source: HRS § 521-44):

• Maximum = one month’s rent (pet deposits are separate)
• Must be held in a Hawaii financial institution
• Interest belongs to the tenant after the first year (currently ~0.15%)
• Full itemized deductions + remainder due within 14 days of termination
• Failure to return within 14 days = up to double damages + attorney fees

Frequently Asked Questions About Hawaii Rental Agreements

Is a notary required for a Hawaii lease?
No, but many title companies and lenders prefer notarized copies.

Can I use the Hawaii Association of Realtors rental agreement instead?
Yes – the official HAR form costs about $15 and is excellent. My free template mirrors it almost exactly but costs nothing.

Do I need to record the lease with the Bureau of Conveyances?
Only if the term is longer than one year AND you want lien protection.

Can I charge an application fee?
Yes, but you must provide a receipt and refund if no report is run (HRS § 521-43(f)).

Free Download: Hawaii Residential Lease Agreement 2025 (PDF & Word)

Important Disclaimer: This free Hawaii rental agreement template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always consult a licensed Hawaii attorney or your local landlord-tenant hotline before signing any binding document.

Download Free Hawaii Rental Agreement Template – PDF (Fillable)
Download Free Hawaii Rental Agreement Template – Word (Fully Editable)

Sources:
• Hawaii Residential Landlord-Tenant Code – Chapter 521, Hawaii Revised Statutes
• IRS Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Rule – epa.gov/lead
• City & County of Honolulu Rent Control Ordinance – honolulu.gov/dpp

Feel free to share this free printable Hawaii rental agreement template with other landlords and tenants. Updated November 2025 – bookmark this page for future downloads.