Influence of estate agents and building plan approval cost on housing affordability in developing cities

Abstract

This paper argues that housing affordability in Nigerian urban centre s largely affected by the involvement of estate agent and building plan approval cost . It aims at examining the effects of these two factors on housing affordability in Nigerian urban centre with particular reference to Ibadan urban centre. The study utilised the qualitative approach through direct observation, photographs and personal interviews with the aid of unstructured questionnaire among 45 participants. Content analyses were used to evaluate the results of the method. The study revealed that , land value is likely to increase in the future as long as estate agents continue to play an intermediary role between the buyers and suppliers. This will consequently affect housing affordability . The involvement of estate agent and high cost of building plan approval at the zonal planning authority play a significant role in housing affordability for majority of households and in the expansion of unauthorised housing settlements.