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

---

Etymology

Origin of ground rent

First recorded in 1660–70

Example Sentences

Another man told the BBC the annual cost of his late mother's flat was more than £11,000 a year once ground rent, council tax and services charges were combined.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

The English Housing Survey estimates the average annual ground rent in 2023/2024 was £304.

From BBC • Jan. 27, 2026

Jon from Harrogate told the BBC he felt "trapped in a nightmare" because of the ground rent on his leasehold home, which is currently £200 a year but doubles every 10 years.

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2026

Meanwhile, a freeholder can charge for ground rent and service fees.

From BBC • Dec. 17, 2025

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