Factors influencing choice of rental houses among middle class residents of Nairobi county Kenya
Abstract
The study set out to establish factors influencing choice of rental houses among middle class
residents of Nairobi County, Kenya. The objectives of the study are to establish the extent to
which housing features influence the choice of rental house among middle class residents of
Nairobi County, Kenya, to determine the influence of the physical environment on the choice of
rental house among middle class residents of Nairobi County, Kenya, to establish the extent to
which social factors influence the choice of rental house among middle class residents of Nairobi
County, Kenya, to determine the influence oflevel of income on the choice of rental house
among middle class residents of Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was conducted as a cross
section survey. The target population was middle class residents of Highridge, Parklands, Ngara,
Pangani, Avenue Park, Fedha, Pipeline, Donholm, Greenfields, Nyayo, Taasia, Baraka, Nairobi
West, Madaraka, Siwaka, South B, South C, Mugoya, Riverbank, Hazina, Buru Buru, Uhuru,
Harambee Civil Servants', Akiba, Kimathi, Pioneer, Koma Rock and Kasarani. To facilitate
analysis, the estates were grouped into three groups namely Zone A, Zone B and Zone C which
is based on the former Nairobi North, Nairobi East and Nairobi West Districts which was my
strata. Stratified random sampling was used in this study. Data was collected by the researcher
over a period of four weeks by the use of self-administered questionnaires which were given to
the sampled participants after reading out the letter of transmittal to them. This was done after
authority is granted by the administration of the learning institution .All questionnaires were
edited and responses coded before data was entered into the computer by the use of the Statistical
Program for Social Scientists (SPSS), version 20.0.Cross tabulation was the main method for
data analysis. After analysis, data was summarised and presented in form of frequency tables and
percentages. The study found out that no single factor can be considered as the only important
factor in choosing a rental house among the middle class residents of Nairobi county. It was also
noted that the preferences for each of the three zones were unique. From this research we can
with a high degree of certainty conclude that security and level of income are the two most
important factors to consider in choosing a rental because they were ranked as very important
with a percentage of 90.3% and 80.3% respectively. The recommendations given by the
researcher were that the Kenyan government and stakeholders in the housing sector should work
together to ensure security is maintained in the estates and that houses built should be affordable
and of good quality. Considering that one of the reasons given by those who intend to move was
owning their own house, the researcher recommends that a study be done on the most preferred
home ownership option.
Citation
Degree of Masters of Arts Degree in Project Planning and Management of the University of NairobiPublisher
Project Planning and Management
Description
A Research Project Report submitted in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Arts in Project
Planning and Management of the University of Nairobi
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- Faculty of Education (FEd) [6011]