Influence of Land Records Management Practices on Service Delivery in District Councils, Tanzania

Rationale of Study – Land records management practices are key to providing good services. However, quality service delivery in land registry offices remains unexplored, particularly in district councils in Tanzania. This study will assess land records management practices in providing quality services in selected districts Methodology – The study used quantitative and qualitative approaches in data collection. Questionnaires, interviewers, and observation were used as data collection tools. Purposive sampling was used to select 160 land registry staff and 19 key informants. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in data analysis. SPSS version 26 was used to analyse quantitative data, while content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Findings – The results indicate that land records management practices, particularly the storage of paper records and tracking systems, significantly affect the quality of service delivery in district councils. Although land registry staff perform well in record creation, inefficient practices in storage and tracking hinder overall service effectiveness. Implications – The study emphasises the importance of effective land records management throughout the records' life cycle from creation to disposition to ensure high-quality service delivery. According to the study, improving storage, tracking, and regular staff training practices can significantly enhance service outcomes and reduce inefficiencies. Originality – While other studies in Tanzania focus on land policy and administration, this study's attention to the operational aspects of land records management practices and their direct impact on service provision is unique and contributes valuable insights for improving land registry offices in district councils.