If a tenant skips out before paying rent, what action can the landlord take?

A landlord has the right to keep a portion of the security deposit to cover unpaid rent if a tenant leaves without paying their rent. This is permissible under many circumstances, as the security deposit is often intended to cover damages or losses incurred by the landlord from a tenant’s failure to fulfill their lease obligations. By retaining a portion of the security deposit, the landlord can recover some of the losses they incurred due to the tenant's breach of contract.

This action is in line with the lease agreement and relevant landlord-tenant laws, which typically stipulate that security deposits can be used for unpaid rent after a tenant vacates without fulfilling their payment responsibilities.

In contrast, confiscating the tenant's belongings is generally not permitted, as it could violate tenant rights and lead to legal complications. Doing nothing as the lease is terminated may not allow the landlord to seek compensation for losses incurred from unpaid rent. Automatically extending the lease is not a standard procedure in these situations since the lease is already broken by the tenant's premature departure. Therefore, retaining part of the security deposit is the most appropriate action for a landlord under these circumstances.