Crossword Genius

The charge for use is ripped! (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rent

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

'is ripped' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'the charge for use' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ren' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rent that I've seen before include "Lease - torn apart" , "Payment for lodgings? that's torn it" , "Tear; hire fee" , "It's paid by a tenant" , "breach" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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