Housing Management and Residents’ Satisfaction in Housing Estates in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria: Case Study of Central Bank of Nigeria Quarters, Enugu

Abstract

Some housing estates in Enugu are in a state of disrepair and poor state of maintenance. This sometimes affects the level of residents’ satisfaction. The aim of this study therefore is to evaluate the nexus between housing management and residents’ satisfaction in housing estates with a view to identifying factors that affect satisfaction level of residents in the estates and proffer solutions with which housing estates can be effectively managed in Enugu and Nigeria in general. Nigeria as well as other developing countries is known for poor maintenance culture and unsustainable practices without considerations of the consequent effects on the environment. There is the need to investigate the relationship between housing management and resident’ satisfaction in housing estates in Enugu, Nigeria and offer feedback to the housing estate developers on the poor practices in the housing estate that affect residents’ satisfaction. The study focused on Central Bank Quarters, Enugu as a case study and adopted survey research design in the methodology. Questionnaires were administered to 70 households in the estate and the analysis showed that poor maintenance of facilities in the estate, state of repair of the buildings, performance of facilities in the buildings and time taken to respond to residents’ complaints are sources of dissatisfaction in the estate. Rules and regulations guiding residency and cleanliness level of the estate were found to be sources of satisfaction to the residents. The paper concluded that professionals in estate management should be used in managing estates and freehand given to them to apply their expertise in carrying out the management functions. Also, housing developers and providers should pay more attention to maintenance of buildings and facilities in estates as well as time taken to respond to residents’ complaints, these add to sources of residents’ satisfaction in housing.