Hawaii moves to cap rent hikes after natural disasters

Relating To Housing.

Engrossed· 2025-03-04

Who's it for

Who's it for: Everyday People

What it means for you

9/10Helps you

Good for everyday people ·

Heavily funded

Plain‑English summary, cross‑checked against the official bill text.

This bill would let disaster-struck counties cap how much landlords can raise rent each year and give landlords a tax break for offering long-term leases.

Our take

What we think, in plain words.

After the Maui wildfires, many renters faced massive rent hikes. This bill would step in to stop price gouging when people are most vulnerable. It would allow hard-hit counties to limit rent increases to match normal inflation. To keep things fair, it would also offer a tax credit to landlords who agree to sign leases that last a year or longer. This would be a huge win for renters who just want a stable place to live without fear of sudden price spikes.

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The facts

What the bill actually says, no spin.

Would let counties cap rent increases if a disaster destroys more than 1 percent of their housing.
Would tie the maximum rent increase to the Consumer Price Index, which measures normal inflation.
Would force the rent increase limit to be zero if inflation drops below zero.
Would give a state income tax credit to landlords who offer leases of one year or longer in these counties.
Would not let landlords claim the tax credit if they rent to their own family members.