EFFECT OF STUDENT POPULATION ON RENTAL VALUES AROUND THE POLYTECHNIC NEIGHBOURHOOD (A CASE STUDY OF IKOT OSURUA, IKOT EKPENE)

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of student population on rental values around the Polytechnic Neighbourhood in Ikot Osurua, Ikol Ekpene Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. The objectives are: To examine the relationship between students population and rental values in the study area, to examine the level of rent passing on residential property in the study area, to investigate the effect of students population on rental values in Ikot Osurua Descriptive survey design was adopted to obtain the relevant information in the area. The technique used in this study was random sampling technique. A sample size of (150) respondents comprising landlords and tenants were randomly selected and given questionnaires for the study, out of which (120) copies were completed and retrieved for analysis in the study. Data collected were analyzed using frequency distribution tables and simple percentages. The study revealed that the establishment of Akwa Ibom State polytechnic technic has brought people from various parts of Akwa Ibom Sate and its environs to the study area and has led to increase in rental values of properties. It is therefore recommended that the Government should provide accommodation for the student in the Higher Institutions to reduce high level of rent that are imposed on the students. The Government should also enforce rent control policies to cut-off high level of rent charge by the landlords