Benton Harbor, MI Code of Ordinances Ch. 20 Art. V Landlord-Tenant Code §§ 20-88 – 20-164 § 20-90
Scope
Operative Text
The provisions of this article shall apply uniformly to the construction, maintenance, use and occupancy of all residential buildings and structures, where applicable, and shall apply uniformly to the alteration, repair, equipment, use, occupancy and maintenance of all existing residential buildings and structures, within the jurisdiction of the city irrespective of when or under what code or codes such buildings or structures were originally constructed or rehabilitated. It shall regulate and determine all legal rights, remedies, and obligations of the parties and beneficiaries of any rental agreement of a dwelling unit within this city wherever executed. Any agreement, whether written or oral, shall be unenforceable insofar as the agreement or any provision thereof conflicts with any provision of this article and is not expressly authorized herein. Such unenforceability shall not affect other provisions of the agreement which can be given effect without such void provision. (Ord. of 6-9-77, § 1.03)
Section 20-90 of the Benton Harbor Landlord-Tenant Code establishes that the rules in Article V apply to all residential buildings in the city, regardless of when they were built or what building code governed their original construction. The article governs the legal rights, remedies, and obligations of everyone involved in a rental agreement for a dwelling unit within Benton Harbor, no matter where the agreement was signed. Any rental agreement term—written or oral—that conflicts with Article V is unenforceable, though the rest of the agreement remains intact if it can stand without the conflicting provision.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 20-90, property owners and managers operating residential rentals in Benton Harbor are subject to Article V's standards across all their properties, whether newly built or decades old. Compliant operators generally review their lease terms to ensure no clause contradicts the Landlord-Tenant Code, since conflicting provisions are automatically void and unenforceable. Keeping lease agreements aligned with Article V helps avoid situations where key lease terms are stripped away, leaving gaps in the rental relationship.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 20-90 means that the protections of Benton Harbor's Landlord-Tenant Code apply to your rental regardless of the age of the building or where your lease was signed. If a lease clause—oral or written—conflicts with Article V, that clause is unenforceable, and tenants may be able to raise that unenforceability as a defense in a dispute. Tenants who believe a lease provision violates Article V may wish to consult a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand what options are generally available 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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