COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE'S ECONOMIC ADVISORS

April 2026 Rental Payment Trends: Collections Improve, Late Payments Remain Elevated

A data-driven look at where remote work has declined and expanded across US metros since 2021, revealing a sharp pullback in major office markets and continued growth across the Southeast.

On-time rent payments rose again in March 2026, extending the recovery from late-2025 lows, though late-payment pressure remains elevated and new macro risks are emerging.

National rents rose 1.2% year-over-year in February, down from 1.4% in January and 1.6% in December, marking a continued slowdown from the modest re-acceleration observed in late 2024. While rent growth remains positive, the trend has clearly softened, reflecting ongoing supply pressures and a normalization in demand following the post-pandemic surge.