Late rent, not living there, what next?

[Christa P.]

I have a tenant that signed a year lease, and then moved out after two months.  The lease states that the full 12 months are due.  I verbally told him that I would pro-rate as soon as I got it re-rented.  Well, the re-renting has gone very slow.  There are a number of houses in the neighborhood for rent, and I am not just renting to anyone.  I am screening to find a good tenant.  He paid rent more or less fine for the three additional months after moving out.  But, this month, he has not paid and is not responding to emails, texts, or phone calls.  He doesn't live there anymore, so I can't evict him.  How would you go about enforcing the lease?

PS - I have a couple qualified tenants that may move in February 1.  So, my loss "should" only be January.  But, nothing is a done deal with them yet.