HIRE vs RENT

 

Usage	British English (BrE)	American English (AmE)
To use an item (short-term)	Hire	Rent
To live in/use property (long-term)	Rent (or Let)	Rent
To employ a person	Hire	Hire

Short-Term Use of Objects (Vehicles, Equipment)

This is the area where the difference is most noticeable.

Situation	British English (BrE)	American English (AmE)
Getting a car for a holiday	We hired a car for our week in Scotland. (Car hire)	We rented a car for our week in Florida. (Car rental)
Getting machinery for a job	He went to the shop to hire a large drill.	He went to the shop to rent a large drill.
Getting a bike for the day	The bikes are available for hire by the hour.	The bikes are available for rent by the hour.
Getting clothing for an event	I need to hire a tuxedo for the wedding.	I need to rent a tuxedo for the wedding.

Note: In AmE, if you say you "hired a car," it can often imply that you hired the car and a driver.

 Long-Term Use of Property (Real Estate)

This usage is consistent across both major dialects.

Situation	British English (BrE)	American English (AmE)
Living in a flat/apartment	I rent a small flat in London.	I rent a small apartment in New York.
The price of the property	The monthly rent is quite expensive.	The monthly rent is quite expensive.
The owner's perspective	The landlord decided to let his property to a student. (They rent it to someone.)	The landlord decided to rent his property to a student. (They rent it out.)

Employing a Person (A Service)

This usage is consistent across both major dialects, and usually always uses hire.

Situation	British English (BrE)	American English (AmE)
Giving someone a job	We need to hire a new marketing director.	We need to hire a new marketing director.
Getting help for a project	They hired a contractor to renovate the kitchen.	They hired a contractor to renovate the kitchen.
Getting a professional service	I might need to hire a lawyer for this case.	I might need to hire a lawyer for this case.
The action of starting a job	I was offered a job and accepted the hire immediately.	I was offered a job and accepted the hire immediately.