Why Most Abuja Properties Deteriorate Faster Than Expected
Many property owners in Abuja are surprised at how quickly their buildings start to look old, worn out, or problematic. A house that looked perfect two or three years ago suddenly begins to develop faults. Walls crack, water systems fail, generators break down, and tenants start to complain.
This does not happen by chance. In most cases, it is the result of poor facility management.
1. Maintenance Is Treated as an Emergency, Not a Routine
In many Abuja properties, repairs only happen when something breaks down completely.
– A leaking pipe is often ignored until it causes a flood.
– A generator is used until it stops working.
– Electrical faults are overlooked until they become dangerous.
Without routine checks and planned maintenance, small issues grow into expensive problems. Over time, this causes faster wear and tear on the property.
2. Service Charges Are Poorly Managed
In estates and serviced apartments, service charges are intended to cover the maintenance of shared facilities, including water systems, generators, security, and common areas.
The problem is that in many properties:
- There is no clear breakdown of what the service charge covers
- Funds are poorly managed
- Maintenance is reactive instead of planned
When service charges are mismanaged, facilities suffer, and the property starts to deteriorate quickly.
3. No Professional Facility Management Structure
Many landlords rely on caretakers or untrained personnel to manage facilities. While caretakers are useful, they are not facility managers.
A professional facility management structure includes:
- Routine inspections
- Preventive maintenance schedules
- Proper record keeping
- Vendor supervision
- Clear response systems for faults
Without this structure, maintenance becomes inconsistent and ineffective.
4. Water, Power, and Drainage Systems Are Neglected
In Abuja, water supply, power backup, and drainage systems are critical. When these systems are not properly maintained:
- Boreholes fail
- Pumps burn out
- Drainage blocks during the rainy season
- Generators suffer repeated faults
These systems are expensive to replace, and neglecting them speeds up property deterioration.
5. Poor Communication Between Landlords and Tenants
When tenants report issues, and nothing is done in a timely manner, problems worsen. Delayed response leads to:
- More damage
- Higher repair costs
- Tenant dissatisfaction
- Early tenant exit
Over time, this cycle reduces the quality and value of the property.
6. Focus Is Placed on Rent, Not Asset Preservation
Many property owners focus mainly on rent collection, while maintenance is treated as a secondary issue. This approach is short-term.
A building is an asset. If it is not preserved properly, its value drops, even if rent is increased. Well-maintained properties attract better tenants and retain value longer.
Most Abuja properties deteriorate faster than expected because facility management is ignored or poorly handled.
Regular maintenance, proper planning, and professional oversight are what keep properties functional, attractive, and valuable over time. A well-managed property does not announce itself. It shows in uninterrupted water supply, stable power, clean common areas, working systems, and satisfied tenants.
If your property is deteriorating faster than it should, the issue is rarely the building itself. It is almost always the management. Reach out to us at Starzij Realtors to help you handle your properties with utmost professionalism.
