pay the rent

Meaning

This phrase means to make a regular payment to a landlord in exchange for living in their property. It is a fundamental daily-life term used by tenants and renters worldwide, carrying a highly practical and neutral tone.

Examples

• I need to go to the bank to withdraw money to pay the rent.

  I need to go to the bank to withdraw money to pay the rent.

• If you don't pay the rent on time, the landlord might charge a late fee.

  If you don't pay the rent on time, the landlord might charge a late fee.

• Working two jobs was the only way he could afford to pay the rent.

  Working two jobs was the only way he could afford to pay the rent.

• We usually pay the rent on the first day of every month.

  We usually pay the rent on the first day of every month.

• She forgot to pay the rent this month because she was so busy at work.

  She forgot to pay the rent this month because she was so busy at work.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I have to give the rent to my landlord tomorrow.

  ✓ I have to pay the rent to my landlord tomorrow.

  While 'give' is understandable, the standard natural collocation in English is 'pay the rent'.

• ✗ He paid the rent of this month yesterday.

  ✓ He paid this month's rent yesterday.

  Instead of 'rent of this month', use the possessive form 'this month's rent' or the preposition 'for' ('rent for this month').

Related Expressions

Practice

• Don't forget to ___ before the fifth of the month to avoid any penalties.

  💡 Make your monthly housing payment.

  Show answer

  pay the rent

• It is hard to ___ when living costs are rising so quickly.

  💡 Hand over the money for your apartment to the landlord.

  Show answer

  pay the rent