Benton Harbor, MI Code of Ordinances Ch. 20 Art. V Landlord-Tenant Code §§ 20-88 – 20-164 § 20-148
Access
Operative Text
(a) The tenant shall not unreasonably withhold his consent to the landlord to enter into the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises, make necessary repairs, decorations, alterations or improvements, supply services as agreed, or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective purchasers, mortgages or tenants. (b) The landlord shall not abuse this right of access nor use it to harass the tenant, insofar as it is practicable to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant at least two (2) days notice of his intent to enter, and shall enter only during normal business hours. (Ord. of 6-9-77, § 7.04)
Section 20-148 of the Benton Harbor Landlord-Tenant Code establishes a mutual framework governing when and how a landlord may enter a rental unit. Tenants are expected not to unreasonably block entry for legitimate purposes such as inspections, repairs, or showing the unit to prospective buyers or renters. At the same time, landlords are required to provide at least two days' notice before entering, limit entry to normal business hours, and refrain from using access rights in a harassing or abusive manner.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 20-148 of the Benton Harbor Landlord-Tenant Code, compliant property operators generally document their reasons for entry, provide written or verbal notice at least two days in advance, and schedule visits during normal business hours. Landlords avoid using access as a pretext for harassment or as a tool to pressure tenants. Keeping a record of entry notices and the purposes behind each visit supports a clear paper trail demonstrating good-faith compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 20-148 of the Benton Harbor Landlord-Tenant Code gives tenants the right to expect advance notice of at least two days before a landlord enters, and to have that entry occur only during normal business hours. Tenants also have protection against a landlord who uses access rights abusively or as a form of harassment. Tenants who believe this provision has been violated may consider documenting each instance of entry, raising the violation in any relevant housing proceeding, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general 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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