Benton Harbor, MI Code of Ordinances Ch. 20 Art. V Landlord-Tenant Code §§ 20-88 – 20-164 § 20-122
Remedy for failure to pay rent
Operative Text
A landlord may, any time after rent is due, demand payment thereof and notify the tenant in writing that unless payment is made within a time mentioned in such notice, not less than seven (7) days after receipt thereof, the rental agreement will be terminated. If the tenant remains in default, the landlord may thereafter bring a summary proceeding for possession of the dwelling unit or any other proper proceeding, action, or suit for possession. (Ord. of 6-9-77, § 6.02)
Under Benton Harbor, MI Code of Ordinances § 20-122, when a tenant fails to pay rent on time, a landlord is permitted to issue a written notice demanding payment and stating that the rental agreement will be terminated if payment is not made within the timeframe specified in the notice, which must be at least seven days after the tenant receives it. If the tenant does not pay within that period, the landlord may then pursue a legal proceeding to recover possession of the dwelling unit. This provision establishes a minimum notice period as a prerequisite before a landlord can initiate formal eviction proceedings based on nonpayment of rent.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 20-122 of the Benton Harbor Landlord-Tenant Code, compliant operators who seek to address nonpayment of rent generally issue a written notice to the tenant that clearly states the amount owed and specifies that the rental agreement will be terminated if payment is not received within the notice period, which must be no fewer than seven days from the tenant's receipt of the notice. Only after that notice period has elapsed without payment do compliant operators proceed to file a summary proceeding or other legal action for possession. Maintaining documentation of when and how the written notice was delivered is a practice commonly associated with orderly compliance under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 20-122 of the Benton Harbor, MI Code of Ordinances provides tenants with a mandatory minimum window of at least seven days after receiving a written nonpayment notice before a landlord may move forward with eviction proceedings. If a landlord attempts to pursue possession without first providing the required written notice and waiting period, that procedural gap may be relevant to any legal proceeding. Tenants who receive such a notice may wish to consult a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand the options available to them under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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