Tenant Issue, what would you do?

[Jeffrey Hanlon]

Signed a lease with an interested party two weeks ago for a SFH of mine. Agreed move-in date of 11/01/2008 was agreed upon and listed on lease agreement. Several days ago I called the tenant to see what time they would like to meet for move-in/exchange of security deposit/first month rent,etc. No answer. Next day I call, finally get an answer and she says "I read in the paper that there was a home invasion on that street, so I don't wan to move in". She stated that she understood she had to pay rent until I re-rented the house and was fine with that. Obviously now she doesn't answer her phone to collect that rent. I already re-listed the property for rent and am diligently screening prospective tenants as we speak. How would you handle the tenant who signed the lease? Are they technically speaking breaking a lease since they never actually moved in and never exchanged a security deposit? Do I have any recourse to collect rent until I re-rent the house? Should I just cut my losses? Any insight would be helpful. Thanks!