No. A landlord can’t confiscate the tenant’s property as “compensation” for missed rent. Under most state laws, however, a landlord can terminate the tenancy when a renter doesn’t pay rent. Termination is not the same as an eviction. When the tenancy is terminated, a renter receives a notice from the landlord, perhaps a second chance to pay rent, and a deadline by which a renter must move out. The landlord can begin an eviction lawsuit if a renter doesn’t abide by the terms of the termination notice.