Rented House
House For Rent, Renting A House
noun, verbal noun
When you borrow a house it's a rented house. This could also be a house for rent.
You can use 借家 in conversation to formally refer to a rented house or a house for rent. But it's more commonly found in legal contexts, like in laws and regulations.
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji, but in this case the second kanji can be read with either the on'yomi or kun'yomi. This uses a less common kun'yomi of 家, so here's a mnemonic to help you:
If you live in a rented house, someone has to give you the keys and let you in and stuff. You're only renting, after all. And when they let you in they'll say, "Here's a shack, yah (しゃくや) house renter! Enjoy!"
By the way, in the secondary reading しゃっか, the しゃく changes to しゃっ. This reading is mostly used in legal contexts though, so しゃくや is more common.
コストメリットは借家の方が大きいんですよ。
The cost benefit is greater with renting.
お前もそろそろ家を買わないと、一生借家ぐらしになるよ？
You need to buy a house soon, too, or you'll be a renter for the rest of your life.
借家なのに、庭に勝手に小屋を建てちゃったんですよね。大丈夫かな？
I built a shed in the yard without permission, even though it's a rental property. I wonder if it's okay.