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Hawaii Landlord - Tenant Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Hawaii on
Q: HELP!! PLEASE!! manager, MGMNT company, and board constantly harass me knowing limited income CANT SUE. they won't stop.

I am constantly harassed by property manager, mngmnt co, and members of board.

1. Parked motorcycle behind my car making me late for work stating he had been trying to get ahold of me concerning serious matter. He never sent one email text message or a phone call.

2. He took my... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 16, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about the difficulties you're facing with your property manager and board. It sounds like a very challenging situation. Given the nature of the harassment and the actions you described, it might be wise to document everything meticulously. Keep a detailed record of all... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Hawaii on
Q: If a tenant who is related to the landlord doesn't have a lease/rental agreement but pays rent what rights do they have?

My sister lives in the main house on my mom's property and my mom lives in the cottage. She does not have a rental/lease agreement but does pay monthly rent which basically covers the mortgage. Recently there have been issues with one of my sister's friends who is there almost everyday... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 31, 2024

In this situation, even though your sister is a relative and doesn't have a formal lease agreement, she is still considered a tenant because she pays rent. As a landlord, your mother has the right to set reasonable rules and expectations for the use of her property.

Here are some steps...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Hawaii on
Q: landlord has verbally demanded to move out by end of the month on the 3/4/24 without cause and we do not have a rental c

I was 3days late on rent but have not been a bother to know why I am being thrown into hardship so unexpectedly. is there anything I can do to protect my kids and I, even by giving us a few more days to least find a place to move to?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 31, 2024

I'm so sorry to hear about the difficult situation you and your family are facing. Being told to move out unexpectedly, especially with kids, is incredibly stressful. While laws vary by location, in most places, landlords cannot verbally demand that you vacate without proper written notice and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Hawaii on
Q: Landlord entered property without properly notifying the tenants.

We had scheduled maintenance for a certain time and day. On that day we were never notified that that the maintenance was moved to an earlier time and the landlord and property manager enter the premises without notifying us at all. We did not at all feel comfortable with that seeing as there was... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 30, 2024

In instances where your landlord or property manager enters your premises without proper notification, it's crucial to first consult your lease agreement. This document often outlines the notification requirements and entry rights for landlords. Generally, landlords are expected to provide... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Traffic Tickets, Civil Rights and Landlord - Tenant for Hawaii on
Q: Can a property manager have your car towed from parking lot after saying it's OK to park it there.

The plates had been removed due to vandalism Even though there are 11 other vehicles in parking lot with illegal registration? He then lies and says he asked us if it was my vehicle and I just ignored him. He also said he gave me 3 warnings to have it moved or it would be towed. So he had it... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 27, 2024

If the property manager initially gave you permission to park your car in the lot, having it towed later seems questionable, especially when other vehicles with illegal registration were not towed. The key issues here are the removal of your license plates due to vandalism and the contradictory... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Landlord - Tenant for Hawaii on
Q: Can a property manager take your clothes from laundry room and not tell you where he put them for 3 weeks?

Property manager and his boss kept making me ask each other where my laundry was for 3 weeks. It was destroyed by mold before I got it back.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 27, 2024

No, a property manager shouldn't take your clothes from the laundry room without informing you. This situation is both unfair and unprofessional. You have the right to know where your belongings are and to have them returned promptly.

The fact that they kept making you ask each other...
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1 Answer | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law, Civil Rights and Landlord - Tenant for Hawaii on
Q: Can a property manager pick and choose who he chooses to follow the rules? Or must all rules be enforced equally?

Property manager fined me for items on stairway after they had been there for years and my neighbors have items in their stairways and were never given a warning to remove them?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 27, 2024

A property manager should enforce rules consistently and fairly for all tenants. Picking and choosing who must follow the rules can be seen as discriminatory and could lead to legal issues. If you've been fined while your neighbors have not, it's understandable to feel frustrated.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Hawaii on
Q: I have a lightbulb camera outside of my apartment front door. It faces the main entry gate to our building, Is that ok?

There are 2 other units front doors in view of my camera field of vision. But that’s the only way to view the front main entrance from my unit. Is that illegal? I was told to turn it away or remove it

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 31, 2024

The legality of using a camera that captures views of neighboring units can vary depending on your location and specific circumstances. In general, you have the right to install security cameras on your property for safety purposes. However, the camera should not infringe upon the reasonable... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Personal Injury and Real Estate Law for Hawaii on
Q: Rented home,w/o alarms, fixed rotten stairs prior to moving in,nor got check 4 repair,not renting condition, able 2 sue?

investigation found zero fireworks or any known combustible items near reported start of fire location.fire investigator’s/landlords insurance determined cause unknown. First week moving in home, off and on we would smell burning wood but didn’t see smoke, (ironically the location witnesses... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 8, 2022

A Hawaii attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. Your question straddles several categories and I can only speak for the Personal Injury aspect of your question, not the L-T issues. When you mention "unscathed," it sounds like you might be referring to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Personal Injury for Hawaii on
Q: Can a Tennant sue his Landlord? And what is the viability of this?

For the last 10 months I have been living in a situation that I can no longer tolerate. No longer hope that it will get better, no longer willing to compromise my health mental, psycial and emotional. I now have been experiencing PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, from being traumatized by my... View More

William Lawson
William Lawson
answered on Aug 30, 2022

Your situation sounds alarming and unsustainable. You correctly identify your claims as arising out of landlord-tenant legal responsibilities. Your complaints appear to complain of a violation of the covenants of exclusive use and quiet enjoyment by your landlord.

Frankly it will take a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Landlord - Tenant for Hawaii on
Q: Can a landlord make a police report on a tenant for criminal property damage? Tenant and guest damaged rental property.

Tenant and tenant's guest severely damaged glass windows and removed window screens of rental property. Tenant has overstayed their 45 days notice to vacate and has not paid any rent has become a nonpaying holdover tenant.

Mark Simonds
Mark Simonds
answered on Apr 25, 2022

In Hawaii, under your scenario, a person commits the offense of criminal property damage if by means other than fire (which would be arson), the person intentionally or knowingly damages the property of another without the other's consent. As the rental unit is your property you are well... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Hawaii on
Q: I have been helping someone move out. I've been here for 2 months during the eviction process. Am I considered a tenant?

It is against "house rules" to have a guest for more than 5 days without having them register with management. I was never registered a a guest, but have witnesses to show I've been here for more than 2 months. Now that my friend is almost completely moved out, management gave me one... View More

Mark Simonds
Mark Simonds
answered on Mar 23, 2022

No. As you were never on the lease, and the tenant (your friend) moved out, you have no legal right to remain in the unit. Not to be blunt, that is just the state of the law.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Appeals / Appellate Law, Civil Litigation and Civil Rights for Hawaii on
Q: Are landlord required to notify tenants when a writ of possession is issued after default summary possession

Default was granted when answer was unable to be filed do to medical emergency

Mark Simonds
Mark Simonds
answered on Mar 23, 2022

What makes this question unusual is the date of same, March 5, 2022. In July of last year, Governor Ige signed into law Act 57, which required landlords and tenants to avail themselves to mediation prior to landlords filing eviction proceedings based upon non-payment of rent. Typically, landlords... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law, Health Care Law, Personal Injury and Landlord - Tenant for Hawaii on
Q: How do you care for the elderly in your home And Keep out Dept of Health interferes.

Rental agreement is used by a caregiver/ lessor and residents/ tenants to make it legal but now Dept of Health creates all kind of rules . How do we protect ourselves from all this.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 30, 2020

A Hawaii attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for four weeks. One option, which you likely already realize, could be to sit down with a local attorney familiar with the new laws and identify issues that could arise in the future. You could also contact social workers and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Landlord - Tenant and Probate for Hawaii on
Q: After I pass away, Will my residential property give to my wife when the property is my parents and I in title.

My father, mother and I in our residential property title. How will the property split its ownership when one of us passed away. Can someone argue to fight to own the property when one of us passed away.

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Apr 21, 2020

One would have to see the deed to properly answer this question but probably it will be owned by right of survivorship, which means after first of you die, owned by other two. After the second dies, it goes solely to the last person living.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Hawaii on
Q: Stated in my lease, I can break without penalty if I find mold and I found black mold... how do I terminate

I also had requested a mold test which was denied and asked for mold remediation of the shower which took months. I’ve suffered now from sinus issues, allergies, esophagitis and had to pay to an ent out of pocket and am worried about all of the toxic spores we’ve now been exposed to. How do I... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 10, 2019

In terms of the personal injury aspect of your question, you'll have to see if you could arrange a free initial consult with a Hawaii personal injury attorney who could review your records and what information is available on the mold. The problem with these types of cases is that establishing... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Hawaii on
Q: How often can a landlord access a tenants home before it's considered abusing their rights to enter?

I've been living in the residence for 9 mo and the owner has decided to sell. I have 3 months left on my contract and the owner all ready has 3 private viewings and an open house planned this week. In addition, the real estate agent hired by the homeowner plans on having an open house every... View More

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Jul 8, 2019

Reading between the lines of this question it appears clear that you were told upfront that the owner was going to sell the house they rented to you--because your lease has a clause in it that specifically authorizes the owner to show the place to prospective buyers. Turning to the several... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Hawaii on
Q: Can an appeal be reversed and how many days do I have for a writ? Can the appeal be dismissed? Case be retried?
Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Jun 20, 2019

You have stated no operative facts and asked four very different questions--all of which collectively might require a lawyer several hours to figure out and try to respond. No thanks.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Hawaii on
Q: Can a tenant terminate a commercial lease in hawaii if the business got robbed twice in 1 year?
Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Apr 15, 2019

The answer is contained in the terms of your written lease.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Hawaii on
Q: Weve been living on a property for 25 years and just got evicted by new owners, we have 2 weeks left. Can i make a case

This land belongs to a hotel ruined in '92 hurricane and weve occupied the land since the last 25 years. New owners plan to restore it have served us eviction notice giving us 2 weeks 2 leave. Weve had verbal consent from previous owners over 20 yrs ago to utilize the land but have remained... View More

Linda Simmons Campbell
Linda Simmons Campbell
answered on Mar 4, 2018

You will need to speak to an attorney to see if you meet all of the elements of an adverse possession. This is not something that we can answer for you in this format.

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