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ground rent

American  

noun

  1. the rent at which land is let to a tenant either for a long term or perpetually.


ground rent British  

noun

  1. law the rent reserved by a lessor on granting a lease, esp one for a long period of years

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of ground rent

First recorded in 1660–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Most said that fast rising service changes and ground rent costs make them feel they have little control over their own homes.

From BBC Jul. 7, 2026

One said their flat had become "effectively worthless" as their ground rent was now more than £500 and increasing every year, leaving them unable to move.

From BBC May 26, 2026

Occupants pay up to $55,000 upfront, plus annual ground rent and service fees.

From The Wall Street Journal May 26, 2026

Another said their flat was "unmortgageable and therefore unsaleable" because of the high ground rent, which meant they had to delay starting a family as they could not afford a second mortgage.

From BBC May 26, 2026

The park men charge a small ground rent plus fees for water and electricity.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck

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