Management Problems Associated with Multi-Tenanted High-Rise Commercial Buildings in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

It is globally established that, where high-rise buildings are put in to multiple occupations, certain problems arise which eventually affect the building structure, occupants and the surrounding natural environment either directly or indirectly. This paper is aimed at investigating and presenting research findings on the management problems of multi-tenanted high-rise commercial buildings in Kaduna metropolis as compared to the system practised in other countries. Field survey was carried out and eventually structured questionnaire was employed as the data collection instrument. A total of 400 questionnaires were administered to the tenants, managers and owners of the buildings in the study area. Data obtained from the study were analyzed in tabular forms, simple percentage distribution tables and narrative description. Part of the results showed that 74% of the buildings were constructed 30 years ago which turned them old for the existing demands due to lack of upgrading the facilities therein. It was further uncovered that 66% of the facilities in the high-rise buildings such as lifts, generators, water supply were not properly maintained by the managing firms due to lack of planning and also due to lack of enough fund budgeted to take good care of  maintenance activities. It was concluded that, old facilities are responsible for the void and vacant spaces in 44% of the high-rise buildings studied. It was deduced that facilities in the high-rise buildings failed to function regularly due to poor maintenance planning and ignorance of some managers to respond to repairs and maintenance request on time. Finally, part of the recommendations proffered include; property management rules of service should be adhered to, where only competent skilled workers will be employed to take care of different services provided in the multi-tenanted high-rise buildings. These competent hands should be adequately employed for effective management of the buildings.  There should be good planning in respect of assessing and responding to sudden breakdown of services so as to achieve service delivery promptly.

Keywords: Commercial Buildings, High-rise Buildings, Management Problems, Multi- tenanted Buildings and Property Management.