More than a Home: Resident Landlords’ Strategies for Socio-Economic Survival in Low-Income Settlements in Lagos, Nigeria

Housing is a very basic necessity of life, providing shelter from inclement weather and security from intruders. It also provides a base for occupants to launch into the wider world. It has also been acknowledged as a cornerstone of household wealth especially for low-income households. This paper examines the economic role of the house as source of additional household income for resident landlords in Ayobo, a predominantly low-income settlement in Lagos, Nigeria. Empirical data is drawn from a household survey of 306 landlords currently resident in the area using questionnaire, observations and interviews. Results suggest that access to homeownership creates additional opportunities for household income generation for landlords which are not available to tenants. These include opportunities for rental, establishment of home-based enterprise and sub-leasing of premises. Key words: landlords, household, income, informal settlement