Here is a link to an interesting article I just read in Business Week magazine. I suppose this is just the natural step things would take during an economic downturn. There really is no reason why rents should remain high despite the fact that property values have plummeted. This is good for the renter but bad for the landlord. http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/apr2009/bw2009049_117648.htm?chan=autos_real+estate+--+lifestyle+subindex+page_real+estate+news