If there is a potential health or safety violation in your rental unit, you can send your landlord a letter AND/OR contact the appropriate government agency. When you call the government agency, they will send someone to inspect your rental unit to see if there is a building code/health/safety violation.
There are three primary departments you can contact: Electrical, Plumbing, and Vector Control (investigates conditions involving roaches, rats, and suspicious odors). Since staff in these departments is limited, there may be a long wait, or they may tell you that they cannot inspect. If this happens, keep a record of the date and time of your call and the name of the person.
PHONE NUMBERS TO CONTACT
| Electrical |
Plumbing |
Vector Control |
|
Oahu: 523-4391
Maui: 243-7255
Hilo: 961-8331
Kona: 329-4857
|
Oahu: 523-4396
Maui: 243-7368
Hilo: 961-8331
Kona: 329-4857 |
Oahu: 483-2535
Maui: 243-7375
Hilo: 933-4551
Honokaa: 775-9533
Kealakekua: 322-7011
Kauai: 241-3306 |
Electrical and Plumbing inspections are not available on Kauai. You must hire a contractor or electrican to do an inspection. If there are any violations, you can turn in their report as proof.
Other helpful numbers in Oahu include:
Department of Health information: 586-4400
Building Cose Inspector: 523-4276
Noise Radiation and Indoor Air Quality: 586-4700
Sanitation: 586-8000
Environmental Concern Hotline: 527-5091
Water Pollution: 586-4309
If the agency finds a violation, they will write a report and contact your landlord. Once your landlord receives notice of the violation from the government agency, s/he has 5 business days to make the necessary repars. If the landlord cannot meet this 5-day deadline, s/he can request a deadline extension. But, if your landlord does not ask for a deadline extension and does not make the repairs within 5 business days, you can do one of three things:
- Do a repair and deduct. Immediately make the necessary repairs, submit your receipts, and deduct the costs from your rent up to $500 for one month.
- Write the landlord a letter, at least 5 business days before the work begins, with written signed estimates from two qualified professionals. Your landlord can request that you use a substitute. If s/he does not make a substitude request, you can have the repairs done using the lowest-costing professional. When you give your landlord receipts, you can deduct up to $500 or one month's rent, whichever is greater, for the expenses.
- For serious health and safety violations, you may vacate on an emergency basis. We advise you to speak with Legal Aid before you do this.
