CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF ABANDONED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES (A CASE STUDY OF BENIN CITY)

ABSTRACT

The study is on the Causes and effects of abandoned residential properties. The major objective of this research is identifying the causes of abandonment of residential properties in Benin City. Others are: To examine the effects of abandonment of residential properties in Benin City, To identify the solutions to issues of abandoned residential properties in Benin City.

Methodology: The major instrument used for this study is the questionnaire. The surveys research method was used for this study. Out of the entire populace of Benin Edo State, 50 persons were selected using the simple random sampling (srs) technique. In analyzing the data collected for the purpose of carrying out this research, the statistical tool known as the chi- square test was used. The use of sample percentage was also employed. Tables were used in presenting the data for the purpose of the simplicity and clarity.

Findings from this research revealed that: There are abandoned residential properties in Benin City. Abandoned buildings are breeding places for social vices. Poor government funding and implementation is a major residential building in Benin City. The results of this study will educate the general public on the causes and effect of abandonment of residential building in Nigeria with a view of reducing the issues of building abandonment in Nigeria.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        i

Approval Page   -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        ii

Declaration        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        iii

Dedication          -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        iv

Acknowledgement      -        -        -        -        -        -        -        v

Abstract    -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        vi

Table of Contents       -        -        -        -        -        -        -        vii

CHAPTER ONE – INTRODUCTION

1.1    Background of the Study    -        -        -        -        -       

1.2    Statement of General Problem   -        -        -        -       

1.3    Objective of the Study         -        -        -        -        -        -       

1.4    Research Questions   -        -        -        -        -        -       

1.5    Hypothesis   -      -      -      -      -      -      -        -        -       

1.6    Significance of the Study    -        -        -        -        -       

1.7    Scope of the Study      -        -        -        -        -        -       

1.8    Definition of Terms    -        -        -        -        -        -       

CHAPTER TWO – REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1    Introduction       -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -

2.2    Theoretical Framework      -        -        -        -        -        -        -

2.3 The concept of residential property abandonment      -       -       

2.4 Review of incidence of abandon property   -        -        -        -       

2.5 Causes of residential property abandonment     -        -        -       

2. 6 Effect of abandoned residential properties         -        -        -        -

2.7 The way forward -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -

CHAPTER THREE – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1    Introduction       -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -

3.2    Research Design         -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -

3.3    Area of the Study       -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -

3.4    Population of Study   -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -

3.5    Sample size and Sampling Techniques        -        -        -        -        -

3.6    Instrument for Data Collection   -        -        -        -        -        -

3.7    Validity of the Instrument -        -        -        -        -        -        -

3.8    Reliability of the Instrument       -        -        -        -        -        -

3.9    Method of Data Collection  -        -        -        -        -        -        -

3.10  Method of Data Analysis    -        -        -        -        -        -        -

CHAPTER FOUR – DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.0    Introduction       -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -

4.1    Data Presentation and Analysis -        -        -        -        -        -

4.2    Characteristics of the Respondents     -        -        -        -        -

4.3    Data Analysis    -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -

4.4    Testing Hypothesis    -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -

4.5    Summary of Findings          -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -

4.6    Discussion of Findings        -        -        -        -        -        -        -

CHAPTER FIVE – SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.0    Introduction       -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -

5.1    Summary  -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -

5.2    Conclusion         -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -

5.3    Recommendations      -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -

          References -       -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -

Appendix  -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

The unceasing abandonment of residential buildings and development projects is so shocking in the developing countries such that Nigerian has remained one of the countries in such difficulty (Ayodele and Alabi, 2011; Kotangora, 1993; Osemenan, 1987). Therefore, the significance that the incessant abandonment of residential buildings and projects would bring several effects on real properties and its values and the economy cannot be overemphasized since some of the abandoned buildings and development projects provide the basic services that should enhance the real properties developed.

Abandoned residential building is a building whose occupant has moved out basically due to poor maintenance and infrastructure, security, dilapidation, natural disaster which has made the building not to be habitable. The abandonment of residential properties and development projects is the act of isolating the building or discontinuing any activities or maintenance works on such development project within a time frame of the contract agreement and with no intention of returning back to the development (Spelman, 1993). Similarly, O’Flaherty (1993) while reflecting on property development projects suggest that it is when an owner or developer is ceasing to provide the required maintenance management to a developed property.

However, real property development and maintenance being a capital intensive undertaking should be critically analyzed to ascertain its feasibility and viability before embarking on it. But, on several occasions and as it had been observed, governments, contractors and agencies have abandoned old buildings and development projects mid-way into construction and completion.

The causes and effects of these residential building abandonments are not just peculiar to a particular reason rather cut across several reasons (Ayodele and Alabi, 2011), and as well as creating a total dwindling effects on the values of developed properties located close and within the vicinity. Most of this abandoned residential building usually turned into hideout for criminals.

Although, the location of the abandoned property and demand is equally important but accessibility and the availabilities of the infrastructures in the real property location and in the surrounding built environment should be of much more significant determinants in this study context. Values in itself are not intrinsic (Schram, 2012) rather depends on the benefits derivable from that property.

While this remained the case for real properties, it is essential for any real property to have sustained improved values, and this is assumed to be influenced by the availability of the earlier mentioned infrastructures in the real property location. So, if the needed infrastructures are imperious in determining the property values. Benin City is the State Capital of Edo State, Nigeria is characterized with lots of abandoned residential building due to urbanization, poor infrastructures and roads. Residents of Benin City living in erosion prone areas have to pack out of their houses because of flooding and fear of reptiles. Some school buildings have been abandoned due to neglect by successive government which has turned into hideout for criminals and cultists.