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Late rent · checked October 21, 2026

Rent late fee law in Hawaii

Limit: 8% of the rent due. Timing: none stated in the section. Rule: HRS § 521-21(f).

Check a fee All states

1234
  1. 1Cap8% of rent
  2. 2WaitNone stated
  3. 3On $1,500 rent$120
  4. 4StatuteHRS § 521-21(f)

The rule in Hawaii

Hawaii caps a residential late fee at 8% of the rent due (HRS § 521-21(f)): “Where the rental agreement provides for a late charge payable to the landlord for rent not paid when due, the late charge shall not exceed eight per cent of the amount of rent due.”

On timing, the section quoted sets no waiting period, so a late fee that the lease provides for can apply from the day after rent is due.

In dollars: $1,000 rent allows up to $80, $1,500 rent allows up to $120 and $2,000 rent allows up to $160.

At $1,500 a month, Hawaii's ceiling of $120 is 8% of the rent and ranks 2nd highest of the 10 verified states that set a dollar or percentage limit; Virginia allows the most ($150) and New York the least ($50). Late in every month of a year, the ceiling adds up to $1,440.

Hawaii has no land neighbours; the closest verified rules: Minnesota (8% of the overdue rent payment), Iowa ($12 a day up to $60 a month (rent $700 or less); $20 a day up to $100 a month (rent over $700)) and Virginia (10% of the periodic rent or 10% of the balance owed, whichever is less).

Related Hawaii rules: ending a month-to-month tenancy takes 45 days (notice rules); a security deposit is due back within 14 days of the end (deposit rules); disputes over fees go to small claims up to $5,000 (small claims).

Virginia$150Hawaii$120Minnesota$120Iowa$100Delaware$75Maryland$75Nevada$75North Carolina$75Maine$60New York$50
Largest late fee on $1,500 monthly rent in each verified state with a fixed limit, Hawaii highlighted. Bar lengths are to scale.
$80$1,000$120$1,500$160$2,000
Largest late fee in Hawaii at three example rents (columns to scale).

Source: Hawaii State Legislature, HRS § 521-21 · last checked October 21, 2026.

Reading a lease against the statute

A late fee needs a basis in the rental agreement, and the statute sets the outer limit. The guide on rent late-fee limits works the verified caps through the same rents side by side.

Questions

What is the maximum late fee for rent in Hawaii?

8% of the rent due (HRS § 521-21(f)); on $1,500 rent that is $120.

Is there a grace period for rent in Hawaii?

The section quoted states none (none stated in the section).

Where is the rule written?

HRS § 521-21(f), read on the Hawaii State Legislature, HRS § 521-21 page on October 21, 2026.

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