What can a landlord do if a tenant refuses to pay rent?

When a tenant refuses to pay rent, the landlord is entitled to take steps to address the situation legally. Initiating the eviction process after providing proper notice is the correct course of action. This process typically involves serving the tenant with a written notice that specifies the unpaid rent and provides them with a deadline to pay. If the tenant does not comply within that timeframe, the landlord can then file for eviction in court. This approach ensures that the landlord adheres to legal standards while allowing for the possibility of recovering the unpaid rent through the proper channels.

Taking actions such as changing the locks immediately may violate tenant rights and could lead to legal repercussions for the landlord. Similarly, reducing the rent amount is not a solution to collecting unpaid rent and can complicate the lease agreement unless mutually agreed upon. Ignoring the issue does not resolve the financial obligation of the tenant and may lead to larger losses for the landlord, emphasizing the necessity for a structured legal approach in these circumstances.