S.B. 2834 Summary

• Adds new section to Hawaii's Residential Landlord-Tenant Code establishing procedures for handling a tenant's personal property and dwelling unit upon the tenant's death.

• Allows tenants to designate a representative in writing to collect or dispose of personal property if the tenant dies; if no representative is designated, the landlord contacts the deceased tenant's estate or an eligible family member.

• Landlord must provide written notice to the designated representative or estate containing the deceased tenant's name, death date, rent information, and statement that tenancy terminates 15 calendar days from notice or when rent is paid through, whichever is later.

• Representative may remove personal property from the dwelling unit within 15 days of notice; after termination, landlord may dispose of remaining valuable property by selling it in a commercially reasonable manner, storing it at the estate's expense, or donating it to charity.

• Proceeds from property sales are held in trust for 30 days, then forfeited to the landlord; landlord may dispose of valueless items immediately; landlord has no obligation to disclose tenant deaths to prospective tenants; takes effect November 1, 2024.