Problems With My Landlord, Home, Or Apartment

Self-Help Information

Other Housing Problems

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Small Claims Court Rules

Important rules that govern Small Claims Court.

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.

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