Lousy rent — raise various amounts paid in advance (9)
I believe the answer is:
retainers
'various amounts paid in advance' is the definition.
(fees paid in advance to retain someone's services)
'lousy rent raise' is the wordplay.
'lousy' is an anagram indicator.
'rent'+'raise'='rentraise'
'rentraise' anagrammed gives 'RETAINERS'.
(Other definitions for retainers that I've seen before include "Money deposits or servants to nobility" , "Financial inducements" , "Family servants" .)