This is all really a state by state issue. But monetarily, they could just move out and just stop paying rent. The landlords’ recourse for non payment of rent is a notice to vacate the property and an eviction. They already vacated. Landlord keeps deposit.
Now, the landlord could sue them, and maybe get a judgement, or send them to collections, but it’s hard to force someone to pay you.
As a landlord, I would work with the tenants and get the place relisted, maybe keep an extra month of rent while it’s vacant, and call it even.
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