I've heard once of a Chinese restaurant somewhere in Europe that was months in arrears with rent payments to the landlord, claiming they have financial problems.
I've also heard that when some people went over to talk to them and say that this is not nice, they paid out all the money they owed on the same day. Funny how nature does that.
If they can screw you ower, they will, and will laugh behind your back at your empathy and goodwill and see it as stupidity.