Marina Square has stepped up its pest control measures after a dead rat was found in a dish at a buffet restaurant in January last year.

Explaining that the rat problem is "under control", Marina Centre Holdings general manager Chan Yien Mei said daily inspections are now conducted by three pest control technicians - up from two previously.

A team from a second pest company has also been hired.

Rodent flushing, in which the rat traps are increased to catch more pests, is now a weekly exercise, instead of fortnightly. The mall operator also plans to increase the number of electronic sensors, installed in the ceilings to detect the movement of rats, from 300 to about 600 by June this year.

The mall, however, is locked in legal battles with tenants over rental arrears as well as possible suits over business lost, allegedly because of the rat issue.

Since the incident last January, at least five food and beverage outlets in the mall, including Saigon Baguette, have closed down.

At stake is the question of responsibility for the upkeep of areas that had been leased by tenants.

Marina Square is claiming damages from the management of eateries Pita Pan and Lady M, two of its former tenants, for rental arrears. The Straits Times understands that Marina Square and Saigon Times, which runs Saigon Baguette eatery, also have an outstanding rental dispute.

Earlier this month, Saigon Times was reported to be claiming damages from the mall and eight other tenants. But Ms Chan yesterday told The Straits Times that it has not received a writ from the company.