If a tenant does not pay rent, what can the landlord do?

The option to terminate the lease and sue for damages is correct because, under lease agreements, landlords have the legal right to take action when a tenant fails to pay rent. Typically, the first step for the landlord would be to provide notice to the tenant about the nonpayment, allowing the tenant the opportunity to cure the default, depending on local laws and the terms of the lease. If the tenant still does not remedy the situation, the landlord can formally terminate the lease, which essentially ends the tenant's right to occupy the property.

Following the termination of the lease, the landlord can then pursue legal action to recover any unpaid rent or damages incurred due to the tenant's breach of contract. This process includes filing a lawsuit to obtain a judgment against the tenant for the amount owed. This option reflects the legal rights of landlords to seek restitution and ensure that their interests are protected in cases of nonpayment.

In contrast, ignoring the situation could lead to further financial loss for the landlord and is not an effective legal strategy. Evicting the tenant without notice would likely violate tenant rights and local laws that require a formal eviction process, which usually involves notification and court proceedings. Automatically renewing the lease is not relevant to nonpayment of rent, as a lease must generally