Purpose – Management factors of recalcitrant tenants in residential premises have become central
concerns of many private residential property owners in Ibadan metropolis. The purpose of this paper
is to investigate the causes and dimension of the phenomena so as to prevent the loss of rent and
encourage investment in rental housing in the city.
Design/methodology/approach – The study elicited data through personal and direct
administration of questionnaires on 51 estate surveying and valuation firms. The data collected
included companies’ profiles, years of property management experience, properties in their
management portfolio, tenants’ selection, category of recalcitrant tenants, handling techniques and
influencing factors.
Findings – Results indicated that act of non-compliance and adherence to ethics of property
management by estate surveyors and valuers (managers) in the area constitutes a major cause of
recalcitrant tenants. Also, estate surveyors and valuers disregard some relevant factors while selecting
tenants to fill vacancies such as police report, family factor, rental arrears, maintenance culture,
personal/family crisis and mental illness/addiction. These, among others, consequently affect the
objectives of investing in rental properties in the metropolis.
Practical implications – The study recommends strict compliance to ethics (rules and regulations)
put down in the constitution of NIESV (2005). Also estate surveyors and valuers (managers) should be
encouraged to attend mandatory continuing professional development (MCPD). Lease/tenancy
agreement should be clearly reached, documented and implemented. All transactions in residential
property management should be executed at “arm’s length” with transparency without bias.
Research limitations/implications – Future research is needed to undertake statistical references
through a comprehensive survey of all types of tenant: private/public tenants, commercial properties
tenants and agricultural land tenants in Ibadan land.
Originality/value – The study helps to identity categories of recalcitrant tenants in residential
properties, the rental residential properties occupied, causes of recalcitrance and treatment approaches
of recalcitrant tenants.