Crossword Genius

Beastly places to live (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lairs

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'beastly places to live' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'places to live' is the wordplay.
'places' becomes 'airs' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'live' becomes 'l' (electrical abbreviation).
'airs' put after 'l' is 'LAIRS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lairs that I've seen before include "Resting places of wild animals" , "forms etc" , "Animals' dens" , "Scottish landowners" , "Habitations of wild animals" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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