Having failed to pay rent for three (3) months, the landlord demanded that the

tenant pay the back rentals and vacate the premises. Afterwards, the landlord filed a

complaint for unlawful detainer. The tenant contends that the landlord refused to accept

the rents. Is the contention of the tenant a valid defense to release him from his

responsibility to pay rent? What should have been the action by the tenant to release

him from responsibility?