Hire purchase is a type of installment credit under which the hire purchaser, called the hirer, agrees to take the goods on hire at a stated rental, which is inclusive of the Repayment of principal as well as interest, with an option to purchase. Under this Transaction, the hire purchaser acquires the property (goods) immediately on signing the hire purchase agreement but the ownership or title of the same is transferred only when the last installment is paid. The hire purchase system is regulated by the Hire Purchase Act 1972. This Act defines a hire purchase as "an agreement under which goods are let on hire and under which the hirer has an option to purchase them in accordance with the terms of the agreement and includes an agreement under which:

Hire purchase should be distinguished from installment sale wherein property passes to the purchaser with the payment of the first installment. But in case of HP (ownership remains with the seller until the last installment is paid) buyer gets ownership after paying the last installment.