Damage to the stern? (5)

I believe the answer is:

rents

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'damage to' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'stern?' is the wordplay.
'stern' can be anagrammed to 'RENTS'.
But, I'm not sure how this is indicated.

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rents that I've seen before include "Leases" , "tears" , "Hires" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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