This means that nearly half a million landlords have had to chase rent with the typical amount outstanding being £1,649.
The NLA says this equates to nearly £850 million worth of rent arrears in the private rental sector.
The association says the findings are at odds with the public's perception that buy to let landlords have effectively created a licence to print money and that BTL is a route to quick riches.
Landlords worry about rent arrears
Most landlords questioned by the NLA said they were worried that their tenants would not be able to keep their rent payments up over the next 12 months.
The survey's findings have been released in a bid to publicise the NLA's campaign, 'Rent, Risk Resolve' which aims to help buy to let landlords minimise the potential impact and profitability on their business.
The association is targeting four areas: local landlord licensing and regulation, rent arrears, the introduction of rent controls and rising interest rates.
The NLA's chairman, Carolyn Uphill, said: “Every landlord will be affected by one of these issues or more to some extent so it's vital to keep in mind this threat to their business.
National Landlords Association launch campaign
“The impact of these risks, regardless of the size of a landlord's portfolio, can be devastating on their personal life and business.”
The campaign now aims to help landlords plan ahead and manage these potential risks effectively.
The first potential risk is that from rent arrears and the association has now produced a guide that helps landlords deal with the problem by highlighting strategies they can put in place and how to spot potential rental arrears early.
The National Landlords Association's guide on how to deal with rent arrears can be downloaded from their website.
Landlords left ‘high and dry’
Meanwhile, the Residential Landlords’ Association (RLA) is claiming that landlords in flood hit areas are being left high and dry by the government over its new Flood Re Scheme.
The scheme aims to help householders in areas that are regularly struck by floods from having to pay too much in insurance costs, this will mean that the cost of policies being capped at £540 a year, though this varies by council tax band.
The government will pay for this by introducing a levy of £10.50 on every other household insurance premium being sold in the country.
However, rental properties will not be included in the scheme and, says the RLA, some tenants could be left homeless as a result.
The organisation says that many landlords will struggle to pay for the extra insurance costs that come with having to pay for alternative accommodation in case of flood.
Alan Ward, the RLA's chairman, said: “This leaves landlords and tenants in a difficult position and it simply cannot be fair that those who can afford large houses are being subsidised for their flood insurance by the taxpayer.”
