Nicole Richie is getting a nice baby shower gift from her dad Lionel - he's buying her a house.

The veteran singer is keen to see Nicole and boyfriend Joel Madden set up home properly as they await the birth of their first child, so he on the hunt for a suitable house in a gated community.

A source tells In Touch Weekly, "She recently leased out her West Hollywood condo, and, while she likes living at Joel's bachelor pad in Glendale, she doesn't want to raise her baby in the Valley.

"Nicole wants to live close to both of her parents while she gets ready to have the baby.

"Lionel wants Nicole to be safe, and he thinks a gated community is best."