Blog HB 693/SB 1056

Rent Moderation

Jan. 15, 2025

Why Hawaiʻi YIMBY Support This Bill:

Moderating rent increases helps to protect renters from economic displacement from their homes. With rising operating costs and housing market shifts, renters could face steep increases in rent that force them out of their long-term home and searching in a very tight housing market.

This bill seeks to moderate rent increases for renters by limiting the percentage rent can be raised in any given 12-month period, in relation to the Consumer Price Index. To also account for rising operating costs (repairs & maintenance) to maintain these homes, an additional percentage only in the event that the initial increase does not cover the additional operating costs.

Rent moderation alone will not make more affordable housing, it will only slow the rate at which housing becomes unaffordable. So bills like this, which help stabilize existing tenants, must be coupled with others to help build more housing supply.

Bill Description:

  • Restricts how much and how often a landlord may increase rent over the course of a twelve month period.

This page will be updated periodically throughout the legislative session. For the most up-to-date status, please visit the bill's page on the Hawai'i State Legislature's website.