rack-rent

American  

[rak-rent] / ˈrækˌrɛnt /

noun

1. Also rack rent rent equal to or nearly equal to the full annual value of a property.

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verb (used with object)

1. to exact the highest possible rent for.

2. to demand rack-rent from.

rack-rent British  

noun

1. a high rent that annually equals or nearly equals the value of the property upon which it is charged

2. any extortionate rent

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verb

1. to charge an extortionate rent for (property, land, etc)

Other Word Forms

• rack-renter noun

Etymology

Origin of rack-rent

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

Is it reasonable that whilst householders can obtain no rent, and have no income save the bare means of providing a scanty subsistence, they should be assessed at the rack-rent of former valuation?

From The Life of Thomas, Lord Cochrane, Tenth Earl of Dundonald, Vol. II by Dundonald, Thomas Barnes Cochrane, Earl of

The result of such rack-rent can only be evil,—abuse and neglect of the soil, deterioration in the character of the laborers, and a widespread sense of injustice.

From The Souls of Black Folk by Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt)

He and his successors contracted to pay a full or rack-rent of xijd. of lawful English money every year and an additional vjs. viijd. as often as it might be desired to extend the lease.

From A History of Giggleswick School From its Foundation, 1499 to 1912 by Bell, Edward Allen

It is otherwise with ordinary tenements, when the tenant pays a full, or what the law terms rack-rent; the landlord is then to insure, unless it is otherwise arranged by the agreement.

From The Book of Household Management by Beeton, Mrs. (Isabella Mary)

What moral conviction is expressed in the condemnation of usurious interest and of rack-rent?

From The Social Principles of Jesus by Rauschenbusch, Walter