Benton Harbor, MI Code of Ordinances Ch. 20 Art. V Landlord-Tenant Code §§ 20-88 – 20-164 § 20-146
Effect of termination by either party
Operative Text
Except as otherwise provided in this article, whenever either party to a rental agreement rightfully elects to terminate, the duties of each party under the rental agreement shall cease and determine, and the parties shall thereupon discharge any remaining obligations as soon as practicable. (Ord. of 6-9-77, § 7.02)
Under Benton Harbor, MI Code of Ordinances § 20-146, when either a landlord or a tenant lawfully ends a rental agreement, the ongoing duties created by that agreement stop at the point of termination. However, any obligations that had already arisen before termination do not simply disappear — both parties are expected to wrap up those remaining responsibilities as soon as reasonably possible. The provision applies only when the termination is 'rightful,' meaning it must comply with the other rules set out in Article V of the Landlord-Tenant Code.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 20-146, a compliant property owner or manager who lawfully terminates a rental agreement generally ensures that any outstanding obligations — such as returning a security deposit, completing required notices, or settling utility accounts — are resolved promptly after the agreement ends. Operators typically document the termination date clearly so that the cutoff of ongoing duties is not disputed. Because the provision requires obligations to be discharged 'as soon as practicable,' timely follow-through on any remaining items is a hallmark of compliant practice under the Benton Harbor Landlord-Tenant Code.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 20-146 of the Benton Harbor Landlord-Tenant Code means that when a rental agreement is lawfully terminated, a tenant's ongoing rent obligations generally cease, but any duties that arose before termination — such as paying rent owed through the termination date — remain in effect and must be resolved promptly. Tenants may find it useful to document the termination date and any remaining obligations in writing to avoid later disputes. If a landlord fails to discharge their own remaining obligations (such as returning a deposit) after termination, tenants can explore options such as raising the violation as a defense in a legal proceeding or consulting a local tenant-rights organization familiar with the Benton Harbor Code.
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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