Rent nondescript houses (3)
I believe the answer is:
rip
'rent' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'nondescript houses' is the wordplay.
'houses' says the answer is hidden in the clue (part of the clue houses the answer).
'RIP' can be found hidden inside 'nondescript'.
(Other definitions for rip that I've seen before include "Letters often carved on gravestones" , "Tear roughly; turbulent water" , "Tearaway" , "Severely criticise" , "found on grave?" .)