Damage to the stern, possibly (5)

I believe the answer is:

rents

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'damage to' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'stern possibly' is the wordplay.
'possibly' is an anagram indicator.
'stern' anagrammed gives 'RENTS'.

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rents that I've seen before include "tears" , "Leases" , "Hires" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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