Difference between to let and to rent

You see these signs everywhere you go: To Let, To Rent, For Sale, etc. But what’s the difference between to let and to rent? Isn’t letting the same as renting?

To Let

To let is only used by the owner of a property. For example, the owner of a house or an apartment may want to give the possession and use of it to somebody else for a fixed period. The owner then receives periodic payment in return for letting out the property.

To Rent

The infinitive verb to rent can be used in the same situation as to let, but with a more general sense. The verb to rent can be used by someone who will allow somebody else to use whatever it is that they are giving. Be it a house, a bicycle, a video, etc. Another example: we want to rent a car for a holiday. As you can see, it’s very easy to use this verb in different situations.

Rent is also a noun for the payment a tenant dispenses to their landlord / landlady.

Another view on this (in terms of property) is that a landlord / landlady lets and a tenant rents.

These are easy to confuse with one another. Now you know why!