Johnson Kampamba1
, Simon Kachepa2
, Milidzani Majingo3 and Kathata Pearl Babitseng4
Purpose: To assess the practice of property maintenance in high rise properties in the Gaborone central business district (CBD). The objectives of
this study were to; identify the maintenance practices adopted in high rise building in the CBD area, assess the challenges faced by maintenance
personnel in carrying out maintenance works and find out the most preferred maintenance practices in high rise buildings.
Methodology: Both primary and secondary sources of data were used. Primary data was collected through the use of questionnaires which
were administered to five facility managers of high rise buildings (Masa centre, iTowers, Zambezi Tower, Square Tower, and Prime Plaza) and 100
occupants of the buildings. Secondary data was collected from journal articles, published books, conference papers, periodicals and dissertations.
Microsoft Excel was used to analyse and present the data.
Findings: Based on literature reviewed, it was revealed that property maintenance is very important in high rise properties and that there are
two types of maintenance which are; planned and unplanned maintenance or predictive and emergency maintenance. It was also found out
that planned preventative maintenance is the most preferred maintenance activity. Maintenance personnel are often faced with institutional,
financial, personnel and equipment and construction and user challenges.
Research limitations/implications: The implication for this study is that if proper maintenance activities are not implemented by maintenance
personnel, building occupants will not be satisfied with their occupancy in the building and its life span will ultimately reduce.
Recommendations: Training maintenance personnel should be done in order to ensure that professionals are up-to-date with new technical
methods of carrying out maintenance activities effectively. Property owners should be actively involved in construction of high rise buildings so
that important information can be documented to eliminate the issue of facilities managers managing properties which they do not have full
details about.
Value of the Study: This study has provided a context in which maintenance procedures in high rise buildings can be effectively carried out to
improve overall building rating and performance.
