Hawaii Lead Paint Disclosure Rules for Renters

If you’re moving into a rental home or apartment in Hawaii, it’s important to understand the rules around lead-based paint. Federal and state laws require landlords to inform renters about possible lead hazards in homes built before 1978. This guide explains your rights, what disclosures you should receive, and what to do if you have concerns about lead paint hazards in your rental.

Why Lead Paint Disclosures Matter for Hawaii Renters

Lead is a dangerous metal that was commonly used in paint before 1978. Lead exposure—especially for children or pregnant women—can cause serious health issues. To keep renters safe, the federal Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (Title X) and Hawaii law require landlords to provide specific warnings and disclosures about lead paint in affected buildings.^[1][2]

Which Rental Properties Require Lead Disclosure?

• Applies to: All rental housing built before January 1, 1978
• Exemptions: Post-1977 housing, zero-bedroom units (like studios), and some short-term or temporary housing

Landlords must provide renters with lead paint disclosures before a lease is signed—not after.

Your Right: Required Lead Paint Disclosure Forms

When you rent a unit covered by the law, your landlord must:

• Provide a completed Lead Warning Statement and federal disclosure form
• Disclose any known information about lead-based paint or lead hazards
• Give you the EPA's Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home brochure

Official Disclosure Form You Should Receive

• Form name: Lead-Based Paint Disclosure form for Rental Properties (no official state number; standardized federal form)
  When it's used: Before signing a lease for any rental built before 1978. For example, if you’re renting an older Honolulu apartment, your landlord must give you this form with the lease package so you can understand potential risks and ask questions.
  Download the official Lead Disclosure form (HUD/EPA)

If you don’t receive proper disclosure, you may have rights to cancel the lease or seek remedies. You can learn more about these rights in the Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection – Landlord-Tenant Resources.

Penalties if Landlords Fail to Disclose Lead Hazards

Failure to provide required lead disclosures exposes landlords to significant penalties under federal law. If you find that your landlord skipped this step, you may:

• File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• Refer disputes to the Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection (the primary residential tenancy regulator in Hawaii)

What the Law Says in Hawaii

Hawaii follows federal disclosure requirements, overseen at state level by the Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection. The main law governing rentals is the Hawaii Residential Landlord-Tenant Code. While this code references hazardous conditions and habitability, lead paint disclosures are specifically addressed by federal law (Title X – Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act).

Summing up, if your unit is regulated, you should expect transparency about any past or present lead hazards.

What Renters Should Do if You Suspect Lead Hazards

• Check the lease and forms provided for the required Lead Disclosure statement
• If disclosure is missing, ask your landlord directly—in writing—to provide it
• If you find peeling paint or suspect exposure, notify your landlord and contact the Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection
• You may also get further advice from HUD’s Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home brochure

This process helps ensure you and your family stay safe, and your rights as a renter are fully protected.

FAQs: Hawaii Lead Paint Disclosures for Renters

1. Do all rental homes in Hawaii require a lead paint disclosure?
   Only rental homes built prior to 1978 are covered by the federal lead paint disclosure law. Newer homes are exempt.
2. What should I do if my landlord didn’t give me a lead paint disclosure?
   Contact your landlord in writing to request the proper lead disclosure. If you still don’t receive it, file a complaint with the Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection or HUD.
3. What is the official form I should get about lead paint?
   You must receive the Lead-Based Paint Disclosure form and a copy of the EPA’s "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home" brochure before signing your lease.
4. Can I break my lease if my landlord didn’t provide a lead disclosure?
   In some situations, you may have the right to cancel your lease or seek penalties if you weren’t given the required information about lead paint in a covered property.
5. Which agency in Hawaii handles rental complaints about lead disclosures?
   The Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection manages such complaints. You can learn how to contact them in the resources section below.

Key Takeaways for Hawaii Renters

• If you’re renting in a building built before 1978, your landlord must provide a lead paint disclosure.
• Always look for the official lead warning statement and brochure before signing a lease.
• Reach out to the Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection if you have concerns about missing disclosures or unsafe lead conditions.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection – Landlord/Tenant Program: Main state office for rental disputes, disclosure complaints, and tenant resources.
• HUD – Lead-Based Paint Regulations & Complaint Info
• U.S. EPA – Lead Information for Renters and Families
• Hawaii Residential Landlord-Tenant Code

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1. Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (Title X)
2. Hawaii Residential Landlord-Tenant Code (HRS § 521)

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