A new state law requires landlords to notify mediation services when issuing eviction notices, giving tenants 10 days to request free mediation before court proceedings can begin. Landlords who don’t comply cannot legally enforce evictions.
- Act 278 mandates landlords notify mediation services the same day they serve eviction notices.
- Tenants have 10 days to request free mediation services, which landlords must participate in if requested.
- Landlords who fail to notify mediation services cannot take tenants to court or legally enforce evictions.
- Since February 5, Maui mediation services received about 25 landlord inquiries while Honolulu received around 250 notices.
- The two-year pilot program stems from post-fire legislation originally enacted on Maui after eviction moratoriums ended.
Source: Hawaii News Now
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