Benton Harbor, MI Code of Ordinances Ch. 20 Art. V Landlord-Tenant Code §§ 20-88 – 20-164 § 20-128
Term of agreement
Operative Text
The landlord and tenant may agree in writing to any period as the term of the rental agreement. In the absence of such agreement, the tenancy shall be month to month, or in the case of a boarder, week to week. (Ord. of 6-9- 77, § 6.09)
Under Benton Harbor, MI Code of Ordinances § 20-128, a landlord and tenant are free to set any rental period they choose, provided they put that agreement in writing. If no written term is established, the law automatically treats the tenancy as month-to-month for most renters, or week-to-week for boarders. This default rule fills the gap when the parties have not formally specified a lease duration.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Section 20-128 of the Benton Harbor Landlord-Tenant Code means that compliant operators document the agreed rental term in a written rental agreement, specifying the exact period—whether a fixed term, month-to-month, or another arrangement. Without that written record, the tenancy defaults to month-to-month (or week-to-week for boarders), which affects notice requirements and other obligations tied to tenancy length. Property managers generally keep signed copies of all rental agreements to demonstrate the agreed term if a dispute arises.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 20-128 of the Benton Harbor Landlord-Tenant Code, tenants have the right to have any agreed rental period documented in writing, and if no written term exists, the law treats the tenancy as month-to-month by default—or week-to-week if the occupant is a boarder. Knowing which type of tenancy applies can matter when questions arise about notice periods or lease renewals. Tenants who are uncertain about their tenancy status may find it helpful to review their written agreement, contact a local tenant-rights organization, or consult the Benton Harbor city offices for guidance.
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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