You’re confusing “contract rent” (an amount paid on a recurring basis for the temporary use of goods, services, or property) with “economic rent” (an amount tha

You’re confusing “contract rent” (an amount paid on a recurring basis for the temporary use of goods, services, or property) with “economic rent” (an amount that is paid on top of the “natural” price due to a distortion in the market). Rent-seeking refers to the latter definition of rent. Renting property is not rent-seeking. Wielding the power of local government to prevent new housing from being built is rent-seeking.