AN EXAMINATION OF THE IMPACT OF CRIME RATES ON PROPERTY VALUES IN GWALLAMEJI, BAUCHI

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to examine the impact of crime rate on property values in Gwallameji, Bauchi LGA. The objectives of the study are to study the types of crime activities conducted in Gwallameji, Bauchi LGA, to assess the relationship between crime rates and property values in the study area and to examine how crime influences rental income, property demand, and investment decisions in Gwallameji. The study examined three research questions which are; what are the types of crime activities conducted in Gwallameji, Bauchi LGA? What is the relationship between crime rates and property values in the study area? And how does crime influence rental income, property demand, and investment decisions in Gwallameji. This study focuses on Gwallameji, a residential area within Bauchi Metropolis, Nigeria. This study adopts a quantitative research design, 159 tenants and 21 landlords were selected as the study sample. This study employed a stratified random sampling technique. The study employed a structured questionnaire designed based on the research objectives. The collected data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics with the aid of SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). The research concludes that crime constitutes both a social and economic problem in Gwallameji. Beyond endangering residents’ lives, it directly undermines the real estate sector by reducing property values, depressing rental income, and discouraging demand from tenants and potential buyers. Based on the findings of the study it was recommended that community policing, local vigilante groups, and modern surveillance systems should be reinforced to reduce burglary, robbery, and cult activities, and secure estate designs such as gated communities and controlled access points should be encouraged to boost tenants’ and buyers’ confidence.