Benton Harbor, MI Code of Ordinances Ch. 20 Art. V Landlord-Tenant Code §§ 20-88 – 20-164 § 20-121
Tenant to pay rent
Operative Text
(a) The landlord and tenant may agree to any consideration as rent. In the absence of such agreement, the tenant shall pay to the landlord a reasonable sum for the use and occupation of the dwelling unit. (b) Rent shall be payable at the time and place agreed to by the parties. Unless otherwise agreed, the entire rent shall be payable at the beginning of any term for one month or less, while one month’s rent shall be payable at the beginning of each month of a longer term. (c) Except for the purposes of payment, rent shall be uniformly apportionable from day to da. (Ord. of 6-9- 77, § 6.01)
Section 20-121 of the Benton Harbor Landlord-Tenant Code establishes the basic framework for how rent is set and when it is due. Landlords and tenants are free to agree on any rent amount; if no amount is agreed upon, a "reasonable sum" is owed for use of the unit. Unless the parties arrange otherwise, rent for a term of one month or less is due in full at the start of that term, while month-to-month or longer arrangements call for one month's rent at the beginning of each month. The provision also specifies that rent accrues on a day-to-day basis for purposes other than payment.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 20-121 of the Benton Harbor Landlord-Tenant Code, compliant operators typically document the agreed-upon rent amount and due date clearly in a written lease to avoid disputes over what constitutes a "reasonable sum." When a lease covers a term of one month or less, operators generally collect the full rent at the start of that term; for longer terms, one month's rent is collected at the beginning of each month unless a different schedule is mutually agreed upon. Keeping clear records of payment terms and any agreed-upon modifications helps demonstrate 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 20-121 of the Benton Harbor Landlord-Tenant Code gives tenants the right to have rent terms clearly established, and if no specific amount was agreed upon, only a "reasonable sum" is owed for occupancy. Tenants should be aware that the default payment schedule requires full payment at the start of short terms or monthly payments at the beginning of each month for longer leases, unless a different arrangement has been mutually agreed upon. If a dispute arises over rent amounts or payment timing under this provision, tenants may wish to review their lease documentation, contact a local tenant-rights organization, or consult with a housing attorney to understand 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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