@sophc,
The trick with a cryptic (at least it works for me!) is to go through the puzzle day after day. At first it seems impossible, but after a while the answers start coming. I think your brain gets a chance to "sleep on it" and the answers (or at least the clues to a solution) pop into your head
Those you have listed are all pretty simple, really, although I too, spent some time scratching my head over them.
ref rants - to a different position (anagram) = TRANSFER (move)
clean home - organised for (anagram) = CHAMELEON (lizard)
having a holiday - (on LEAVE) with (+) Mr Flanders (NED) = LEAVENED (raised)
can - be put in (literally) - pigpen (sty) - (s-can-ty) = SCANTY (barely enough)
he - gets (+) - one thousand (m) to (+) secure (lock) = HEMLOCK (poison)
Not trying to sound smart-a or pedantic, but just trying to help with tips on cryptics
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