The influence of proximate neighbourhood facilities on residential property vacancy periods in Minna, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study sought to provide evidence on the contributory effect of neighbourhood amenities on vacancy periods for residential buildings in Minna. The research population comprised 9,008 rented residential buildings in thirteen (13) selected areas in Minna Metropolis, while a total of 1,129 housing units were sampled following the Kothari (2004) formula for sample size selection and further adopting + 10% precision (margin of error), and 90% confidence level. Stratified and random sampling techniques were adopted in order to ensure an unbiased selection of the sample from the population. The data used were generated through two sets of questionnaires which were administered to the household heads of rented dwelling units that fell within the sample group, and the managers of the sampled houses. Questionnaire which was well completed represented an overall 77% response rate were used for analysis. Data analysis involved the use of inferential statistics to address specific objectives of the study. Precisely, collated data were analysed using the optimally scaled categorical regression analysis (CATREG). Nine amenities were found to sustain residential buildings in the study area, which accounted for 32% variance in the vacancy period of tenement buildings and one-bedroom apartments; and 34% & 51% variance respectively in the vacancy period of two and three-bedroom bungalows respectively in the study area. Among other findings, the study revealed that closer distances of shopping centres and health care centres to tenement buildings significantly increased the period of vacancy. Whereas, out of all the amenities measured, only refuse dumps significantly increased the vacancy period of two-bedroom bungalows. Having established the varying degrees of impacts of neighbourhood amenities on the vacancy periods of house types in the study area, it is evident that policy makers need to ensure the equitable allocation of the amenities in question across space.