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Meaning & use

rent abatements

noun·Advancedformallegalbusiness

Last updated

UK/ˈrent əˌbeɪtmənts/
US/ˈrent əˌbeɪtmənts/

“rent abatements” is a form of “rent abatement”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. nouncountableformallegal

    Official reductions in the amount of rent a tenant has to pay, often because the home is damaged or unfit.

    Grammar: Usually plural when talking about the policy or several cases; the singular 'rent abatement' refers to one reduction.

    Patterns

    • grant rent abatements
    • seek a rent abatement
    • rent abatements for something

    The city council approved rent abatements for tenants in buildings with serious repair problems.

    After the flood, many residents asked the landlord for rent abatements while the flats dried out.

    The new law makes rent abatements easier to obtain when heating fails in winter.

  2. nouncountablelegal

    A legal right or court order allowing a tenant to pay less rent or to get some rent back.

    Grammar: Often used in legal contexts with verbs like 'claim', 'award', or 'deny'.

    Patterns

    • claim rent abatements
    • be awarded rent abatements
    • deny rent abatements

    The tenants claimed rent abatements because the roof had leaked for months.

    A judge awarded rent abatements to the families affected by the mould.

    The landlord denied all requests for rent abatements and raised the rent instead.

Word forms

singularrent abatement

Common combinations

grant rent abatements
The housing authority granted rent abatements to low-income tenants.
seek rent abatements
Tenants plan to seek rent abatements after the elevator broke down.
temporary rent abatements
The council offered temporary rent abatements during the repairs.
rent abatements for tenants
New rules provide rent abatements for tenants in unsafe buildings.

Synonyms and how they differ

rent reductions
A more general everyday term; it can be voluntary or permanent, while 'rent abatements' often suggests a legal or temporary concession.
rent relief
Often used for help during a crisis, such as a pandemic; 'rent abatements' is more common in leases and housing law.

Opposites

rent increases

Word family

abate verb
To become less severe or to reduce something, such as noise or a charge.
abatement noun
The act of reducing or ending something, especially a nuisance or a payment.

Commonly confused: rent abatements or rent allowance?

rent abatements vs rent allowance

A regular payment to help pay rent, not a reduction in the rent itself.

Practice

The tenants asked the landlord for ______ after the heating broke for three weeks.

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