Benton Harbor, MI Code of Ordinances Ch. 20 Art. V Landlord-Tenant Code §§ 20-88 – 20-164 § 20-123
Tenant to maintain dwelling unit
Operative Text
Each tenant shall comply with all obligations imposed upon tenants by applicable provisions of all municipal, county and state codes, regulations, ordinances and statutes, and in particular: (1) Keep that part of the premises which he occupies and uses as clean and sanitary as the conditions of the premises permit; (2) Dispose from his dwelling unit all rubbish, garbage, and other organic or flammable waste in appropriate containers in a clean, sanitary and safe manner; (3) Keep all plumbing fixtures as clean and sanitary as t heir condition permits; (4) Properly and reasonably use and operate all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air conditioning and other facilities and appliances, including elevators, on the premises; (5) Not deliberately or negligently destroy, deface, damage, impair or remove any part of the structure or dwelling unit, or the facilities, equipment or appurtenances thereto or knowingly permit any person to do so; (6) Conduct himself and require other persons on the premises with his consent conduct themselves in a manner that will not disturb his neighbor’s peaceful enjoyment of the premises; and (7) Comply with all covenants, rules, requirements, and the like which are in accordance with section 20- 130 and which the landlord can demonstrate are reasonably necessary for the preservation of the property and persons of the landlord, other tenants, or any other person. (Ord. of 6-9-77, §6.03)
Section 20-123 of the Benton Harbor Landlord-Tenant Code establishes a set of baseline maintenance and conduct obligations that apply to tenants during their occupancy. The rule requires tenants to keep their unit and shared fixtures clean, dispose of waste properly, use building systems and appliances responsibly, avoid damaging the property, and refrain from disturbing neighbors. Tenants are also expected to follow any landlord-imposed rules that are reasonably necessary for the protection of property and people, provided those rules conform to § 20-130.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 20-123 of the Benton Harbor Landlord-Tenant Code, compliant operators typically document the condition of a unit at move-in and move-out to establish a baseline for evaluating whether tenant obligations were met. Landlords who wish to enforce conduct rules or property-use requirements under subsection (7) generally ensure those rules are written, provided to tenants, and demonstrably tied to the preservation of property or the safety of occupants, as required by § 20-130. Keeping records of any reported violations, communications with tenants, and remediation steps supports a landlord's ability to demonstrate compliance with the ordinance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 20-123 of the Benton Harbor Landlord-Tenant Code outlines the responsibilities tenants carry during their tenancy, including maintaining cleanliness, proper waste disposal, careful use of appliances, and respectful conduct toward neighbors. Tenants should be aware that a landlord seeking to enforce additional rules under subsection (7) must show those rules are consistent with § 20-130 and reasonably necessary — meaning not every landlord-imposed rule automatically carries the force of this ordinance. Tenants who believe a rule is being applied unfairly or that their rights under the Landlord-Tenant Code are at issue may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization or the city of Benton Harbor for guidance on available options.
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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