DC-Tenant never paid first month's rent
My new tenant signed a lease, paid a security deposit, but never made her fist month's rent. She had some ridiculous excuses, but I gave her the benefit of the doubt. It has been a week since the start of her lease. She has not taken possession of the unit. Can I cancel the lease and keep the security deposit?
Washington DC
Note:
The lease reads "In the event that this lease shall be terminated by the Tenant prior to the expiration date, all or part of the Security Deposit aforesaid may be retained by the landlord as damages for the loss of rent resulting from such premature termination and without prejudice to the landlord's rights regarding any further obligations of the tenant."