Is it torn from the tenants? (4)
I believe the answer is:
rent
'it torn from the tenants?' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rent that I've seen before include "Payment for use of house" , "Tear; lodger's payment" , "Tear; hire fee" , "Payment by a tenant" , "Payment due to landlord" .)