hire-purchase

noun

1. US and Canadian equivalents: instalment plan.  installment plan.  HP.  h.p.. 

   1. a system for purchasing merchandise, such as cars or furniture, in which the buyer takes possession of the merchandise on payment of a deposit and completes the purchase by paying a series of regular instalments while the seller retains ownership until the final instalment is paid

   2. ( as modifier )

      hire-purchase legislation