Which scenario exemplifies a tax lien?

A tax lien occurs when a government entity asserts a legal claim against a property due to unpaid taxes owed by the property owner. In this scenario, the city placing a claim on a property for unpaid taxes clearly demonstrates the characteristics of a tax lien, as it involves the government seeking to collect taxes that have not been paid.

The other scenarios do not involve tax liens. A homeowner skipping a mortgage payment pertains to failing to meet obligations under a mortgage, which could lead to a different type of claim by the lender. A landlord evicting a tenant for nonpayment concerns the landlord-tenant relationship and does not relate to tax obligations or liens. Lastly, a renter refusing to pay security deposits is an issue regarding tenant responsibilities and landlord expectations, and it does not create a lien situation. Therefore, the example of a city placing a claim on a property for unpaid taxes appropriately illustrates a tax lien.