Key answer: The cap is 8% of the rent due. Hawaii law does not mandate a grace period — the lease determines when a fee can be charged, subject to the cap.
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fee cap | 8% of the rent due |
| Grace period | None mandated by state law |
| Must be in lease? | Recommended — safest way to enforce |
| Source | Haw. Rev. Stat. §521-21(f) |
With monthly rent $1500, the maximum late fee is $120.
What is the maximum late fee a landlord can charge in Hawaii?
The cap is 8% of the rent due.
When can a Hawaii landlord charge a late fee?
Hawaii law does not mandate a grace period — the lease determines when a fee can be charged, subject to the cap.
Does the late fee have to be in the lease in Hawaii?
Check your lease. In Hawaii the fee must be reasonable, and having it clearly written in the lease is the safest way to enforce it.
Can a Hawaii landlord charge a daily late fee?
Only if the lease allows it and the total charge stays within the legal cap — a daily fee cannot be used to get around the limit.
What happens if a Hawaii landlord charges an illegal late fee?
A fee above the legal limit can be challenged; courts may void the fee or the entire clause as unconscionable.
Hawaii caps rent increases at 3% per year (SB2539, effective 2026-07-01), with no increase in the first 12 months of a tenancy.
State guides: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming · Washington D.C.
Not legal advice. Verify against your lease and local rules.
Calculate your Hawaii late fee