Inexpert way to collect rent in Bury (3,2,4)
I believe the answer is:
lay to rest
'bury' is the definition.
('lay to rest' can be a synonym of 'bury')
'inexpert way to collect rent' is the wordplay.
'inexpert' becomes 'lay'.
'way' becomes 'st' (**).
'to collect' indicates putting letters inside.
'rent' becomes 'tore' ('rend' and 'tear' both mean to rip something).
'lay'+'st'='layst'
'layst' enclosing 'tore' is 'LAY TO REST'.
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for lay to rest that I've seen before include "Bury" , "Maybe put in shroud" , "Inter" , "Finally solve" .)