Problems With My Landlord, Home, Or Apartment
Self-Help Information
Domestic Violence Survivors and the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code
This brochure provides information about the rights of tenants who are survivors of domestic violence under the Hawaii Residential Landlord-Tenant Code.
Know Your Rights: Sexual Harassment in Housing
Have you experienced unwanted touching, unwanted sexual advances, sexual jokes, comments, or gestures in your rental housing? Fair housing laws may help you.
Learn about Tenant Rights and Responsibilities
This handout provides an overview of the various types of housing in Hawaii and the rights of tenants in each housing type. It also provides information on how to avoid problems that may lead to the loss of a family’s housing or housing subsidy.
Residential Landlord-Tenant Handbook
This Handbook for the Hawaii Residential Landlord-Tenant Code is designed to be a useful guide for all Hawaii residents and attempts to address the questions and concerns most frequently expressed by landlords and tenants.
Tenant Rights: How to get Money Damages if your Landlord Locks you out Illegally
This self-help packet will show you how to ask the court for damages if your landlord has illegally locked you out of your unit.
Tenant Rights: How to Get Money Damages If Your Landlord Shuts Off Your Utilities Illegally
This self-help packet will show you how to ask the court for damages if your landlord has illegally shut off your utilities.
Tenant Rights: How To Stop Your Landlord From Locking You Out Illegally
This self-help packet will teach you how to file a Temporary Restraining Order (“TRO”) Against An Illegal Lockout.
Tenant Rights: How to Stop your Landlord from Shutting off your Utilities Illegally
This self-help packet will teach you how to file a Temporary Restraining Order (“TRO”) Against An Illegal Utility Shut-off.
Tenant Rights: Repair and Deduct - What To Do If Your Home Needs Repairs
This brochure describes what you need to do to get your home repaired and livable based on your rights under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code.
Your Rights as a Section 8 Tenant
What you need to do as a Section 8 Tenant (project-based and voucher) - rules, rights, and information.
Your Rights to Fair Housing
The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they are renting, buying, or securing financing for any housing The prohibitions specifically cover discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability and the presence of children.
Self-Help Centers & Access to Justice Rooms
The Hawaii Court Self-Help Centers and Access to Justice Rooms are a joint effort of the Hawaii State Judiciary, the Hawaii Access To Justice Commission, the Hawaii State Bar Association, local bar associations, and the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii to help self-represented litigants better understand their rights and the court process. This is a free program provided by the help of volunteer attorneys.
District Court Forms for Oahu
The Hawaii State Judiciary's available pleading forms for District Court of the First Circuit
Self-Help Centers & Access to Justice Rooms
The Hawaii Court Self-Help Centers and Access to Justice Rooms are a joint effort of the Hawaii State Judiciary, the Hawaii Access To Justice Commission, the Hawaii State Bar Association, local bar associations, and the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii to help self-represented litigants better understand their rights and the court process. This is a free program provided by the help of volunteer attorneys.
Self-Help Form: Motion to Set Aside
Use this interactive interview if you would like to complete the Motion to Set Aside District court form. This form asks the Judge to reopen your case and to set a hearing date for you to explain why you did not come to your hearing.
Self-Help Form: Statement of Claim, Security Deposit - Oahu (First Circuit)
Use this interactive interview if you would like to recover your security deposit from your Landlord on Oahu.
Video: Resources for Court Users
This video provides information about resources available to court users including court self-help centers, language services, mediation, and accommodations for people with disabilities.
Your Guide to Regular Claims Court
The Regular Claims Court is a division of the District Court. The Regular Claims Division hears all civil actions in which the debt, damages or value of property claimed does not exceed $40,000. This court also hears all summary possession cases regardless of the amount sought.
Mediation on Hawaii Island - Hilo
Ku'ikahi Mediation Center provides a variety of dispute prevention and resolution services to our East Hawaii community. We help individuals, families, organizations, businesses, schools, and others to find creative solutions to challenging situations.
Mediation on Hawaii Island - Kona
West Hawaii Mediation Center strives to provide an array of high quality conflict resolution services to community members and organizations throughout West Hawaii.
Mediation on Kauai
Mediation Services from Kauai Economic Opportunity (KEO) can address a number of issues. Mediators from the agency facilitate dispute resolution in a confidential, informal and non-threatening manner, with the aim of avoiding court proceedings or preventing evictions.
Mediation on Maui
Maui Mediation Services, Inc. was established in 1982 to provide creative and appropriate ways of resolving disputes
Mediation on Oahu
Mediation Center of the Pacific's mission is to provide high quality mediation and dispute resolution services that are affordable and accessible on the island of Oahu.
Work Out a Dispute Through Landlord-Tenant Mediation
Anytime a dispute arises between a landlord and a tenant, mediation is a good first step to consider, before the situation becomes too emotional or the tenant is too far behind in paying the rent.
Hawaii Disability Rights Center
The sole mission of the Hawaii Disability Rights Center is to protect and promote the human, civil and legal rights of individuals with disabilities.
Accommodations for Assistance Animals
Assistance Animals as a Reasonable Accommodation for Persons with Disabilities in Housing
Assistance Animals v. Service Animals
The Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act in the Housing Context
Pets In Housing
Pets in Housing is a program to promote the successful integration of pets into a larger number of homes on Oahu. This site provides an apartment search feature for renters with pets.
Your Rights to Service Dogs and Companion Animals
Civil rights laws protect people with disabilities. These anti-discrimination protections also cover your rights related to service dogs, and, to a lesser extent, companion animals.
Know Your Rights: Sexual Harassment in Housing
Have you experienced unwanted touching, unwanted sexual advances, sexual jokes, comments, or gestures in your rental housing? Fair housing laws may help you.
How to Sue Your Landlord for Your Security Deposit
This resource provides basic information on how to represent yourself when you are suing in small claims court for your security deposit
Security Deposit - General Information
This resource provides basic information on what the landlord-tenant code rules are regarding security deposits.
Self-Help Form: Security Deposit Demand Letter
Use this interactive interview if you would like to create a demand letter to your Landlord to return your security deposit.
Self-Help Form: Statement of Claim, Security Deposit - Hawaii Island (Third Circuit)
Use this interactive interview if you would like to recover your security deposit from your Landlord in the Third Circuit, Hawaii Island.
Self-Help Form: Statement of Claim, Security Deposit - Kauai (Fifth Circuit)
Use this interactive interview if you would like to recover your security deposit from your Landlord in the Fifth Circuit, the island of Kauai.
Self-Help Form: Statement of Claim, Security Deposit - Maui (Second Circuit)
Use this interactive interview if you would like to recover your security deposit from your Landlord in the Second Circuit (Maui, Molokai, Lanai).
Self-Help Form: Statement of Claim, Security Deposit - Oahu (First Circuit)
Use this interactive interview if you would like to recover your security deposit from your Landlord on Oahu.
Video: Eviction: Private Landlord-Tenant Lease
This video explains the private landlord-tenant eviction process on Oahu; however, the information provided may be helpful for anyone in the State of Hawaii who is facing an eviction.
Video: Landlord-Tenant Basics
This video provides general information about private landlord-tenant rights and responsibilities.
Accommodations for Assistance Animals
Assistance Animals as a Reasonable Accommodation for Persons with Disabilities in Housing
Fair Housing Enforcement Program
The Fair Housing Enforcement Program promotes fair housing and works to end housing discrimination through education, advocacy, outreach, and litigation
Fair Housing Fact Sheets
Fair Housing laws can often be complex and confusing, making it difficult to answer a quick question. Review these fact sheets that answer common questions related to various Fair Housing issues.
File a Housing Discrimination Complaint with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission
This brochure discusses the process for filing a housing discrimination complaint with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission
Hawaii Disability Rights Center
The sole mission of the Hawaii Disability Rights Center is to protect and promote the human, civil and legal rights of individuals with disabilities.
Know Your Rights: Sexual Harassment in Housing
Have you experienced unwanted touching, unwanted sexual advances, sexual jokes, comments, or gestures in your rental housing? Fair housing laws may help you.
Pre-Complaint Questionnaire For Housing Discrimination
Submitting a Pre-Complaint Questionnaire is the first step in filing a discrimination complaint with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission (HCRC). After reviewing your Pre-Complaint Questionnaire you will be contacted for an intake interview and, where appropriate, provided assistance in filing a formal complaint for housing discrimination.
Your Rights to Fair Housing
The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they are renting, buying, or securing financing for any housing The prohibitions specifically cover discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability and the presence of children.
Eviction: The Court Process
This brochure describes what a private landlord and tenant go through when the landlord is trying to evict the tenant.
How to Counterclaim If You Are Facing an Eviction
Use this brochure if you have received court papers (Complaint & Summons).
How To Stop An Eviction If You Missed Your Court Hearing
Use this self-help packet if you missed your Summary Possession hearing (Answer Date, Pre-Trial, etc.) AND if the District Court entered a default judgment against you.
Self-Help Form: Eviction Counterclaim
Use this interactive interview if you would like assistance filling out a court form to dismiss claims made by your landlord in an eviction case against you as the tenant of a rental.
Self-Help Form: Motion to Set Aside
Use this interactive interview if you would like to complete the Motion to Set Aside District court form. This form asks the Judge to reopen your case and to set a hearing date for you to explain why you did not come to your hearing.
Video: Eviction: Private Landlord-Tenant Lease
This video explains the private landlord-tenant eviction process on Oahu; however, the information provided may be helpful for anyone in the State of Hawaii who is facing an eviction.
Video: Landlord-Tenant Basics
This video provides general information about private landlord-tenant rights and responsibilities.
Self-Help Form: Form Letter and TRO for Illegal Lockout
Use this interactive interview to fill out a Form letter asking your landlord to allow you back into your rental unit or stop him/her from locking you out illegally and Court Forms asking the court to order your landlord to let you back into the unit.
Self-Help Form: Money Damages for Illegal Lockout
Use this interactive interview to assist you in filling out a Complaint of Damage and Notice of Hearing asking the court to order your landlord to pay you money ("damages") to compensate you for your trouble if you were illegally locked out of your rental property.
Tenant Rights: How to get Money Damages if your Landlord Locks you out Illegally
This self-help packet will show you how to ask the court for damages if your landlord has illegally locked you out of your unit.
Tenant Rights: How To Stop Your Landlord From Locking You Out Illegally
This self-help packet will teach you how to file a Temporary Restraining Order (“TRO”) Against An Illegal Lockout.
How to Represent Yourself
This brochure provides basic information on how to represent yourself at a court or administrative hearing.
Video: Representing Yourself in Court
This video provides general information how to represent yourself at a court or administrative hearing.
Video: Security Deposits: Private Landlord-Tenant Lease
This video provides general information about security deposits.
Fair Housing Fact Sheets
Fair Housing laws can often be complex and confusing, making it difficult to answer a quick question. Review these fact sheets that answer common questions related to various Fair Housing issues.
Know Your Rights: Sexual Harassment in Housing
Have you experienced unwanted touching, unwanted sexual advances, sexual jokes, comments, or gestures in your rental housing? Fair housing laws may help you.
Self-Help Form: Form Letter and TRO for Illegal Utilities Shut Off
Use this interactive interview to fill out a Form letter and Court Forms asking your landlord to turn the utilities that were illegally shut off back on.
Self-Help Form: Money Damages for Illegal Utilities Shut Off
Use this interactive interview to assist you in filling out a Complaint of Damage and Notice of Hearing asking the court to order your landlord to pay you money (“damages”) to compensate you for your utility shut-off.
Tenant Rights: How to Get Money Damages If Your Landlord Shuts Off Your Utilities Illegally
This self-help packet will show you how to ask the court for damages if your landlord has illegally shut off your utilities.
Tenant Rights: How to Stop your Landlord from Shutting off your Utilities Illegally
This self-help packet will teach you how to file a Temporary Restraining Order (“TRO”) Against An Illegal Utility Shut-off.
Video: Resources for Court Users
This video provides information about resources available to court users including court self-help centers, language services, mediation, and accommodations for people with disabilities.
Your Guide to Small Claims Court
This Guide is provided to you to give general information about the procedures used in the Small Claims Division of the District Courts. Security Deposit claims are usually filed in Small Claims Court.