Informing the Legislature that on May 28, 2024, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2132 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 032).

This bill updates Hawaii's residential landlord-tenant code to establish stricter timelines for landlords to address health, safety, and habitability issues. It requires landlords to begin repairs within seven days of official notification regarding health or safety violations and within three days for urgent issues like plumbing or electrical failures. If landlords fail to act, tenants are authorized to perform the necessary repairs themselves and deduct up to $1,000 or one month's rent from their payment, provided they submit receipts to the landlord. The law also mandates that landlords must inform tenants of any unavoidable delays and propose a new start date for the work. These changes directly affect landlords and tenants by clarifying their responsibilities and remedies when rental properties are not maintained properly.