ABSTRACT
This study examined the landlord-tenant relationship in commercial tenancy in selected properties in Oredo local government, Benin city. This was with a view of conducting detailed assessment of the quality of relationship that exist between landlord and tenant, the common causes of disputes between landlords and tenants were identified and the level of responsiveness of landlords and tenants to their responsibilities in the tenancy agreement was ascertained. In attaining the aim of the study, data was obtained from primary and secondary sources including: journals, textbook, unpublished past projects, and internet.
The population of residents was based on total number of properties in the selected area. Sample was thereafter purposively and systematically selected. Descriptive and Relative Importance Index analysis were used to analyze the questionnaire.
Findings revealed that the quality of relationship that exist between landlord and tenant in commercial tenancy is determined by ethnic, religious and monetary indicators. Similarly, the study discovered that rent, repairs, violation of rights, derogation from grant and alteration by tenants without landlords consent causes disputes. Conclusively, the study discovered that both landlord and tenant are responsive to the tenancy agreement. Hence it was recommended that Landlord and tenant must abide by the contents of the tenancy agreement as well as tenancy agreement should be written in fair languages without appearing to be oppressive in nature. Also both parties should observe their responsibilities. It is also important that landlord respect the rights of tenants and should avoid entering of property without notifying the tenants. Both parties should resort to alternative dispute resolution in case of disputes instead of litigations.
