Rent back-up in tight time - Property Guide (Sunday Tribune) - Monday Oct 12, 2009

In the current economy, most landlords would be forgiven for wondering if they will receive their monthly rentals from financially strained tenants.

The recession has resulted in cutbacks, downsizing and retrenchments, so it is not surprising that landlords - especially those with poorly vetted tenants - are struggling to collect rent.

Recent statistics have shown worrying trends: the number of residential property tenants not paying their rent increased to 19 percent in the first quarter of this year, from 14 percent in the previous quarter.

Fourteen percent of tenants are paying late and 10 percent are only making part payments....