Hi Emma, When we hire something, we pay a small fee to use something for a short period of time. For example, we could hire a bicycle to cycle in a park. We could hire a rental car when we are on vacation in another city. We could also hire ourselves out by providing a service in exchange for a sum of money. Often, we say "(something) is available for hire by the hour". When we "lease" (a property), there is a written contract stating the duration of the agreement. It is used for leasing a building or land for a specific period of time. "Rent" is an amount you pay periodically for occupying a property under a rental agreement. For example, you can rent (verb) an apartment and pay a monthly rent (noun) of $600. Hope this helps. Cheers, Lance

There are regional differences in the use of these words. Here in my area, you would say that you lease it if there is an agreement for a period of time, for example 6 months or a year. Or you would say that you rent it out, if you have a written agreement, but not for a specific time. They just have to give you (usually) 2 months' notice before moving out. I hope this helps

my sense is that if you are a British English speaker, you 'rent' , but if you are an American English speaker, you 'lease' your apartment (actually a British English speaker would 'rent a flat'. I don't know anyone who uses the term ''hire' for long term accommodation. Hiring is usually a short term transaction; you hire a car, you hire a washing machine while yours is away being fixed. You also 'hire' employees.

In the US, a lease of an apartment is for a minimal term, usually for at least 6 months. Sometimes 12. A rental is a "month to month" arrangement for a minimum of 30 days at a time, which automatically renews at the end of each 30-day period unless 30 days notice to terminate is given by landlord (owner) or the tenant, the renter. It's strictly a legal question, not one of grammar. Once a lease runs out, it automatically converts to a month-to-month tenancy. That means either landlord or tenant can terminate the tenany, once the lease expires, with 30 days notice, just like with a typical rental. In the US, you don't use the term "hire out" with regard to leasing or renting apartments. The only time I've ever hear "hire" used is in Britain with regard to car rentals.