"Just take the security deposit"

[Adrian Mata]

So a friend of mine has a rental property. There's only about one month left on the tenant's lease. He and the property management company have received calls from potential landlords for the tenant already giving the tenant a good reference.

The last rent check never came though. My friend inquires with his property manager and they respond, "They haven't paid us."

"What do you mean they haven't paid?"

"We can't make them pay."

"That's why I hire you."

"They're probably just going to give us the security deposit. It happens all the time on the last month of a lease."

Is this a problem or am I nitpicking? Is there any way to solve a problem like this?

I'm assuming go start the eviction process like anyone else but I'm curious to see responses.