Rent cheat not getting off (3)
I believe the answer is:
rip
'rent' is the definition.
(rent can mean a tear in something)
'cheat not getting off' is the wordplay.
'cheat' becomes 'rip off' (to rip someone off is to cheat them).
'not getting' suggests deleting specific letters.
'ripoff' with 'off' taken away is 'RIP'.
(Other definitions for rip that I've seen before include "inscription on tomb" , "Letters on a grave stone" , "Tear (e.g. cloth)" , "often seen on tombstone" , "found on grave?" .)