More expensive to take a lease, we hear (6)
I believe the answer is:
higher
'more expensive' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'a lease we hear' is the wordplay.
'a lease' becomes 'hire' (I've seen this before).
'we hear' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'hire' is a homophone of 'HIGHER'.
'to take' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for higher that I've seen before include "Superior or taller" , "More lofty" , "More exalted" , "More elevated" , "Loftier" .)