Defects on low cost houses a case in 20/80 condominium in Mekelle

Abstract

Ethiopia has been implementing a large-scale housing program which aims to reduce housing supply shortage and improve the living standard of the urban low and middle income households. The study focused on assessment of condominium defect, causes of defect, effects of defect on occupant and performance of the building, and the remedial actions that had been taken to rectify the defect in Mekelle condominium buildings. The study adopts descriptive research methodology and data were collected through field observations, questionnaire, and interview. Mekelle house development agency, main contractors participated in Mekelle condominium construction, and the condominium occupants were the population of the study and Results had been analyzed using qualitative and quantitative approach. The most common condominium defects were ranked using RII value and the result indicated that Leakage, Roof defect, door and window defect, defects in building service installation, and building dampness with RII value of 0.9, 0.85, 0.84, 0.78, & 0.74 were the most common condominium defects whereas use of substandard material, construction fault, maintenance problem, design fault, and occupational fault were the major causes of the condominium defects. Existence of building defect influences social, health and economic aspects of the occupant’s in addition to this aesthetic value, performance of the building, and life span of the building component were affected by the defect. Roof defect, leakage, door and window defects, dampness, and defects in building services installation were top five defects that affects both the occupant and building performance. Adopting organized maintenance, facility management, and construction of extra facility were the solution used to detect the condominium defect