Recovery of Rent Arrears and Management of Difficult Tenants in Residential and Commercial Properties in Warri Delta State Nigeria.

References

[1] Adebisi, O. (2024). Relationship Between Tenant Characteristics and Lease Performance Indicators in Nigeria: A Case Study in Ibadan. International Journal of Real Estate Studies. https://doi.org/10.11113/intrest.v18n1.346

[2] Adedotun, A., Onyenze, M., Iroham, C., & Munyemana, S. (2025). Assessing Rental Loss in Vacancy of High-Rise Commercial Buildings in Marina, Lagos, Nigeria. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1492. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1492/1/012030

[3] Adelowo, C. (2020). Sources of technological learning among tenants of Nigeria’s incubators. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 12, 601–617. https://doi.org/10.1080/20421338.2020.1762354

[4] Afolabi, C. O., Olaniyi, O. K., & Audu, A. F. (2023). Influence of the Landlords–Tenants Relationship on Compliance with Commercial Property Lease Arrangement in Abuja, Nigeria. Asian Research Journal of Arts & Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.9734/arjass/2023/v21i3470

[5] Adesanya, S. A., & Lukuman, L. (2022). Pre-tenancy Activities’ Effects on Property Management Performance: Ibadan Experience. International Journal of Engineering Applied Sciences and Technology. https://doi.org/10.33564/ijeast.2022.v06i09.002 [Crossref]

[6] Aisekhaghe, D. (2021). A Note on Nigerian Law of Landlord and Tenant. Property. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3922616 [Crossref]

[7] Anim‐Odame, W., Philip, D., Brenni, P., & Damianov, D. (2024). Shared occupancy and property tax arrears. Real Estate Economics. https://doi.org/10.1111/1540-6229.12522

[8] Apanapudor, J., Arunaye, F., Ahad, N., Okwonu, F., & Okoloko, I. (2022). The recursive-adaptive rental subscription model (R-ARSM) in the new normal: an application to the housing sector. F1000Research. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.75360.1

[9] Ater, S. (2024). An Examination of the Meaning, Types, and Nature of Tenancy under the Nigerian Law. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4682533

[10] Barus, L., Kurniawati, R., & Adianto, J. (2021). Public Service Agency for Institutional Form of Social Housing in Jakarta. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2329-5_13

[11] Crawford, J. (2020). Evictions in the UK. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780367817022 [Crossref]

[12] De La Campa, E., & Reina, V. (2022). Landlords’ rental businesses before and after the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from a National Cross-Site Survey. Journal of Housing Economics, 59, 101904. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhe.2022.101904

[13] Decker, N. (2021). How Landlords of Small Rental Properties Decide Who Gets Housed and Who Gets Evicted. Urban Affairs Review, 59, 170–199. https://doi.org/10.1177/10780874211041513

[14] Edwards, M. (2025). Facing Eviction: Profiles, Predictors, Psychology, and Prevention. https://doi.org/10.54195/9789493296800

[15] Erekosima, M. O., & Eleboda, S. S. (2020). A Prognosis of the Interplay between Customer Relationship Management and Loyalty in the Real Estate Industry of Lagos State. Journal of Marketing and Consumer Research. https://doi.org/10.7176/jmcr/69-02

[16] Ewurum, N., Ifeanacho, K., Aguome, N., & Emoh, F. (2023). Application of Security Deposit In Residential Properties In Emerging Economies: Evidence From Nigeria. 29th Annual European Real Estate Society Conference. https://doi.org/10.15396/eres2023_53

[17] Gbadegesin, J. (2022). Does the COVID-19 affect tenants’ adherence to lease obligations in rental market? Property managers’ perspective. Journal of Facilities Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/jfm-12-2021-0165

[18] Grotenhuis, M. te, Edwards, M., van den Dries, L., Wolf, J., & Stenberg, S.-Å. (2021). Dutch tenants at risk of eviction: Identifying predictors of eviction orders. PLoS ONE, 16. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254489 [Crossref]

[19] Hardie, I. (2022). Welfare Reform and Housing Insecurity: The Impact of Universal Credit Rollout on Demand for Rent Arrears and Homelessness Advice from Citizens Advice in England. Social Policy and Society, 23, 627–650. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1474746422000379

[20] Hovmand, P., Fowler, P., & Marçal, K. (2023). Feedback dynamics of the low‐income rental housing market: exploring policy responses to COVID‐19. System Dynamics Review. https://doi.org/10.1002/sdr.1746

[21] Idaeho, R. (2020). An Analysis of Right to Property and the Housing Policy in Nigeria. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4160247

[22] Kure, C. C., Lucas, D. A., Amanyi, W., Emusa, H., & Gandu, Y. J. (2023). Assessment of the influence of managerial service quality on occupants’ satisfaction in Housing Estates in Abuja, Nigeria. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2023.19.3.1966

[23] Lee, Y.-R., & Reina, V. (2023). COVID-19 and Emergency Rental Assistance: Impact on Rent Arrears, Debt, and the Well-Being of Renters in Philadelphia. RSF, 9, 208–229. https://doi.org/10.7758/RSF.2023.9.3.09

[24] Mrva, M., Krajčovič, M., & Čentéš, J. (2020). Fraudulent Conduct in the Management Of Apartment Buildings: A Case Study. Journal of Security and Sustainability Issues, 9, 1431–1444. https://doi.org/10.9770/jssi.2020.9.4(26)

[25] Nordin, M. S. A., Idrus, M. S., Isa, M., Salleh, K. M., Jibril, J., Sulaiman, M. A., & Zainol, N. (2023). Tenancy Management: Tenant perceptions of the pre-tenancy and tenancy execution phases. Asian Journal of Environment-Behaviour Studies. https://doi.org/10.21834/aje-bs.v8i26.434

[26] Nuhu, M., Popoola, N. I., Ankeli, A., Okoh, S. O., Kemiki, O., & Omotehinshe, J. O. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Tenancy Agreement: The Lesson from an Emerging Rental Housing

[27] Market in Nigeria. Baltic Journal of Real Estate Economics and Construction Management, 9, 79–93. https://doi.org/10.2478/bjreecm-2021-0007 [Crossref]

[28] Odebode, A., Oladokun, T., Oyedele, J., & Ogunbayo, O. (2022). Effectiveness of rent recovery strategies on residential real estate in Ibadan, Nigeria. Property Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/pm-04-2021-0026

[29] Okafor, J. I., Sado, R., & Keke, O. (2020). Influence of the Novel Coronavirus Disease on Nigerian Real Estate Sector and the Way Forward. International Journal of Real Estate Studies. https://doi.org/10.11113/intrest.v14ns2.79

[30] Oladokun, T., Ojediran, A. O., & Aluko, B. (2023). Assessment of Void Management Strategies (VMS) in Multi-tenanted Office Property in Lagos State, Nigeria. Journal of African Real Estate Research. https://doi.org/10.15641/jarer.v7i2.1148

[31] Olaitan, O. A., & Adeyemo, O. I. (2024). Effective Property Management in Increasingly Urbanized Cities. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science. https://doi.org/10.47772/ijriss.2024.801171

[32] Olanrewaju, O., & Amietsenwu, B. V. (2023). Causes of Rental Delinquency in the Residential Property Market in Osogbo, Nigeria. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews. https://doi.org/10.55248/gengpi.4.1023.102839

[33] Onwuanyi, N. (2020). Evaluating the Financial and Other Implications of Lagos Multi-Year Prepaid Property Leases. Turk Turizm Arastirmalari Dergisi. https://doi.org/10.26677/tr1010.2020.424

[34] Philip, D., Brenni, P., Damianov, D., & Anim‐Odame, W. (2020). Shared Residential Occupancy and Property Tax Compliance. Development Economics: Macroeconomic Issues in Developing Economies EJournal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3734519

[35] Ramos, B. (2020). Understanding the essential principles of landlord and tenant laws in Nigeria through judicial decisions. Commonwealth Law Bulletin, 46, 151–173. https://doi.org/10.1080/03050718.2020.1714456

[36] Richardson, L. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 on service charges in commercial properties. Journal of Building Survey, Appraisal & Valuation. https://doi.org/10.69554/tawb2572

[37] Shimizu, C., Kawai, K., & Suzuki, M. (2022). Discrimination against the atypical type of tenants in the Tokyo private rental housing market: Evidence from moving-in inspection and rent arrear records. Journal of Housing Economics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhe.2022.101879

[38] Toy-Cronin, B., & Bierre, S. (2022). Sustaining Tenancies or Swift Evictions: Rent Arrears in the Tenancy Tribunal. Victoria University of Wellington Law Review. https://doi.org/10.26686/vuwlr.v53i1.7585

[39] Ugonabo, C., & Emoh, F. (2023). Investigating Tenant Selection Bias and Discrimination in the Enugu Metropolitan Residential Property Market, Nigeria. International Journal of Civil Engineering, Construction and Estate Management. https://doi.org/10.37745/ijcecem.14/vol11n2102110

[40] Wainwright, T. (2022). Rental proptech platforms: Changing landlord and tenant power relations in the UK sprivate rental sector? Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space, 55, 339–358. https://doi.org/10.1177/0308518X221126522

@article{1711057,
      author = {Adah Okechukwu Uchenna, Ingonabo Idholo, Adarugo Elohor},
      title = {Recovery of Rent Arrears and Management of Difficult Tenants in Residential and Commercial Properties in Warri Delta State Nigeria.},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2025},
      volume = {9},
      number = {4},
      pages = {273-292},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1711057.pdf},
      abstract = {This study examined the recovery of rent arrears and management of difficult tenants in residential and commercial properties in Warri, Delta State. The aim of this research was to address the persistent problem of rent arrears and the management of difficult tenants which have continued to pose significant challenges to landlords and property managers in Nigeria?s urban centres. The objectives of the study are: to investigate the major reasons behind rent payment default, to identify strategies and methods used to recover rent, to evaluate the challenges associated with managing difficult tenants, to proffer practical strategies for improving rent recovery and to evaluate the challenges associated with difficult and defaulting tenants of residential and commercial properties in Warri. The study employed a descriptive research design which provided a framework for systematic data gathering and analysis. The population for the study consisted of 7,400 landlords, legal practitioners, and tenants living and operating within Warri, Delta State. A statistically valid sample size of 379 respondents was calculated using the Taro Yamane formula. The study adopted a multi-stage sampling technique involving stratified and convenience sampling to ensure that different categories of stakeholders were adequately represented. Data were gathered through the use of a structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics and questions tied directly to the research objectives. The responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, bar charts and standard deviation. The results indicated a high prevalence of rent renewal delays and default in Warri?s property market, mainly linked to economic hardship, unexpected job loss, high rent rates, weak tenancy agreement enforcement, poor property management practices, and sudden family expenses. The study found that landlords commonly rely on reminders, legal notices, professional legal services, negotiations, flexible instalment plans, and the threat of eviction to recover overdue rents, yet they still encounter challenges like costly legal actions, property damage, prolonged court processes, and reduced investment confidence. In conclusion, the research confirmed that rent arrears and the management of difficult tenants remain a major issue for landlords and property managers. To address this, stakeholders should adopt stricter tenancy agreements, employ professional managers, implement regular tenant vetting, provide reasonable payment options, pursue timely legal actions, and introduce reward schemes for prompt payments to ensure sustainable income and peaceful landlord-tenant relationships in Warri.},
      keywords = {Rent Arrears, Difficult Tenants, Rent Recovery, Property Management, Alternative Dispute Resolution},
      month = {October},
  }