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Writing a Hire Purchase Agreement

06/09/2023
27 min
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Note: Links to our free templates are at the bottom of this long guide.
Also note: This is not legal advice

Introduction

Entering into a hire purchase agreement can be of great benefit in today’s world. This type of financing allows an individual or business to purchase an item by paying the cost over a period of time, providing them with the ability to make smaller payments instead of having to pay the full amount upfront. It is important for parties to make sure they understand both their rights and obligations under such agreements, as they are legally binding. The tiktok˰ team have vast experience in this area and with the help of our community template library, we are here to provide step-by-step guidance on why hire purchase agreements matter and how you can use them to your advantage without having to use a lawyer or open up a tiktok˰ account.

A hire purchase agreement gives lenders assurance that regular payments will be made on time, as well as offering protection for both parties involved by outlining the terms and conditions within it. They also offer businesses cash flow flexibility; enabling them to manage their finances more effectively by only making regular payments over a set period instead of paying the full sum straight away - particularly handy when purchasing items that may not necessarily be achievable through traditional financing options such as cars or boats.

Ultimately, hire purchase agreements can be extremely useful if used correctly – providing individuals and businesses with practical financial solutions tailored specifically for their needs. Whilst every case is different and there may be certain variations depending on certain circumstances, it is important that parties understand their rights and obligations before entering into any agreement - especially those with legal implications like this one – which is why we have put together our step-by-step guide below so you can have access to all the information you need today! So read on for further guidance on understanding your hire purchase agreement!

Definitions

Creditworthiness: A measure of someone’s ability to repay a loan.
Collateral assets: An asset that is used to secure a loan.
Liability: Legal responsibility or obligation.
Contractual terms: The specifics of a legal agreement between two or more parties.
Interest rate: The cost of borrowing money, typically expressed as a percentage.
Restrictions: Rules or limits that are placed on something.
Terminations clauses: A clause in an agreement that indicates when and why the agreement can be ended.
Late payment: A payment made after the due date.
Default: When a borrower fails to make payments on a loan.
Responsibilities: Duties or obligations that are expected to be fulfilled.
Payment methods: The means of paying for something.
Mediation: A process in which an independent third party helps two or more parties reach an agreement.
Arbitration: A process in which an independent third party hears evidence from both sides of a dispute and makes a binding decision.
Notarization: The process of verifying a document or signature with the help of a notary public.

Contents

  1. Overview of a hire purchase agreement
  2. Considerations for the lender
  3. Creditworthiness of the individual or business
  4. Collateral assets
  5. Liability for the loan
  6. Considerations for the individual or business
  7. Ability to make payments
  8. Understanding of the agreement
  9. Structure of the agreement
  10. Duration and repayment schedule
  11. Contractual terms
  12. Interest rate
  13. Terms and conditions
  14. Restrictions on use and ownership
  15. Termination clauses
  16. Late payment and default policies
  17. Rights and obligations of the parties
  18. Responsibilities of the lender
  19. Responsibilities of the individual or business
  20. Payment terms
  21. Payment amount
  22. Payment schedule
  23. Payment methods
  24. Default and termination
  25. Default policies
  26. Termination clauses
  27. Interest rates
  28. Calculation of interest rates
  29. Variable and fixed interest rates
  30. Dispute resolution
  31. Mediation
  32. Arbitration
  33. Court proceedings
  34. Signing the agreement
  35. Preparation of the agreement
  36. Exchange of signatures
  37. Notarization of signatures
  38. Record keeping
  39. Maintenance of financial records
  40. Document retention policies and procedures

Get started

Overview of a hire purchase agreement

  • Understand what a hire purchase agreement is and what it entails
  • Research the different types of hire purchase agreements available
  • Learn about the different components of a hire purchase agreement, such as the hirer, the lender, and the terms of the agreement
  • Familiarize yourself with the legal requirements of a hire purchase agreement
  • When you have a good understanding of the hire purchase agreement, you can move on to the next step.

Considerations for the lender

  • Evaluate the creditworthiness of the individual or business seeking to enter into the hire purchase agreement
  • Assess their repayment ability and the security of the asset being purchased
  • Calculate the amount of interest payable on the overall amount borrowed
  • Ensure the hire purchase agreement is enforceable by local laws
  • When you have considered all of the above, you can move on to the next step of the guide - assessing the creditworthiness of the individual or business.

Creditworthiness of the individual or business

  • Analyze the credit history of the individual or business
  • Review financial statements to assess the ability to make payments
  • Consider the amount of debt the individual or business already has
  • Make sure the individual or business has the means to pay off the loan
  • Once you have evaluated the creditworthiness of the individual or business, you can move on to the next step.

Collateral assets

  • Identify the collateral assets that will be used to secure the hire purchase agreement
  • These assets should be valued at a minimum of the loan amount to be borrowed
  • Make sure to include a description of each asset, its make and model, and any other relevant information
  • Document the collateral assets as part of the hire purchase agreement
  • Once the collateral assets have been identified and documented, the step is considered complete and you can move on to the next step.

Liability for the loan

  • Identify the borrower and the lender of the loan.
  • Outline the duration of the loan, including the agreed-upon payment schedule, interest rate, and the total amount of the loan.
  • Specify the terms of the loan and the repayment obligations of the borrower.
  • List any additional fees or late payment penalties that may apply in the event of non-payment.
  • Include any additional clauses or conditions that may apply to the loan.
  • Have all parties to the agreement sign and date the document.

Once all of the above are completed and included in the agreement, you can check this step off your list and move on to the next step.

Considerations for the individual or business

  • Determine the creditworthiness of the individual or business.
  • Evaluate their financial assets and liabilities, income, and credit history.
  • Check if the individual or business has any other loans or debts.
  • Assess their ability to make the payments on the Hire Purchase Agreement.
  • Once all of these considerations have been taken into account, you have completed this step and can move on to the next.

Ability to make payments

  • Determine the amount of the down payment, if any, and the amount of each periodic payment
  • Decide whether the payments will be made in cash, bank transfer, or other approved forms of payment
  • Agree on when payments are due and how they should be made
  • Ensure that both parties understand what happens if a payment isn’t made on time
  • When all this is agreed upon, include the details in the hire purchase agreement

When you complete this step, you will have determined the amount and form of payments and when they will be due. You can then move on to the next step, understanding the agreement.

Understanding of the agreement

  • Understand what a hire purchase agreement is and what it entails
  • Familiarise yourself with the regulations and rules that surround hire purchase agreements
  • Research and decide on what you and the other party need to have in the agreement
  • Consult with a lawyer to discuss any legal questions or concerns you have
  • Make sure you and the other party agree on all the terms and conditions of the agreement

Once you have taken all the steps listed above, you can move on to the next step of structuring the agreement.

Structure of the agreement

  • Make sure the agreement includes all parties involved in the hire purchase agreement, such as the lender and the borrower
  • Include a detailed description of the subject property that is being purchased
  • Establish the purchase price and any applicable taxes
  • Set out the payment terms, including the deposit to be paid and any instalment payments
  • Include any other relevant details that have been agreed upon, such as insurance requirements
  • Sign and date the agreement
  • Check that all parties have a copy of the agreement

When you have completed this step, you can check it off your list and move on to the next step, which is ### Duration and repayment schedule.

Duration and repayment schedule

  • Determine the duration of the agreement, taking into account the needs of both parties.
  • Include the repayment schedule in the agreement, specifying the amount to be paid and the due date for each payment.
  • Specify any additional fees or interest to be charged in the agreement.
  • Include a provision in the agreement that allows for early or additional payments.

Once all of the above points are included in the agreement, this step can be checked off the list and the agreement can be moved to the next step.

Contractual terms

  • Define the payment terms, including the date the first payment is due and the frequency of payments
  • List the goods or services being provided and the total cost of the purchase
  • Include a description of any deposit or other payment that has been made
  • Specify the ownership of the goods and whether or not the buyer has the right to sell the goods before the total amount has been paid in full
  • State the remedies available to the seller in case of non-payment or late payment
  • Outline the consequences of default, including any penalties
  • Include a statement of the buyer’s right to cancel the contract
  • Include a clause specifying which law and jurisdiction will govern the contract

You will know that this step is complete when all of the contractual terms have been included in the hire purchase agreement.

Interest rate

  • Research local and international interest rates to decide on the most suitable interest rate for the agreement.
  • Consider the lender’s credit risk when deciding on the interest rate.
  • Check the relevant regulations and laws to make sure the interest rate is compliant.
  • Decide on the type of interest rate to use (fixed, variable, or adjustable).
  • Include the interest rate in the agreement.
  • Check off this step once the interest rate has been decided upon and included in the agreement.

Terms and conditions

  • Read through the agreement carefully and make sure you understand the terms and conditions.
  • Check to make sure the hire purchase agreement you are writing is compliant with applicable laws and regulations.
  • Include a clause that outlines the goods being purchased and the amount to be paid for them.
  • Make sure to include clauses that explain the payment schedule and the interest rate.
  • Include a clause that states the rights and responsibilities of both parties.
  • Specify the procedures for terminating the agreement.
  • Include a clause that outlines the penalty fees and other charges that may be imposed if the buyer fails to comply with the agreement.

Once you have written all the terms and conditions, you can check this step off your list and move on to the next step (### Restrictions on use and ownership).

Restrictions on use and ownership

  • Identify the restrictions on the use and ownership of the asset, such as the buyer not being allowed to sell, lease or use the asset for another purpose without the seller’s permission
  • Draft the restrictions in the agreement and make sure that they are in line with what was previously agreed upon by the buyer and seller
  • Outline the consequences of not adhering to the restrictions, such as terminating the agreement
  • Ensure that the restrictions are in line with the law and that they are reasonable
  • Check that the restrictions are clear and unambiguous

Once the restrictions on use and ownership are included in the agreement, you can move on to drafting the termination clauses.

Termination clauses

  • Identify the conditions for early termination of the agreement, such as death or bankruptcy of either party
  • Specify the conditions under which either party can terminate the agreement
  • Outline the notice period for either party to give before terminating the agreement
  • Detail the consequences of defaulting on the agreement
  • Add any other clauses that may be necessary for termination of the agreement

Once all the termination clauses have been included in the hire purchase agreement, you can check this step off your list and move on to the next step: Late payment and default policies.

Late payment and default policies

  • Ensure that the agreement includes a detailed late payment and default policy that outlines the consequences of non-payment or late payment.
  • Specify the amount of time allotted for payment and the penalty for breach of non-payment or late payment.
  • Ensure that the penalty for non-payment or late payment is reasonable and fair.
  • Include a clause that allows the non-paying party to make up any late or missed payments.
  • When you are done, make sure to double check your agreement to ensure that the late payment and default policies are in compliance with the laws of your jurisdiction.

Once you have completed this step, you can move on to the next step, which is to outline the rights and obligations of the parties.

Rights and obligations of the parties

  • Outline the rights and obligations of the buyer and seller in the hire purchase agreement
  • Ensure that the agreement covers the following points:
  • The full purchase price, payment schedule and any applicable interest
  • The goods being purchased and the description of the goods
  • Details of any additional costs or fees
  • Any warranties or guarantees provided by the seller
  • The date the agreement is entered into
  • The buyer’s and seller’s names
  • Once you have outlined the rights and obligations of the buyer and seller in the hire purchase agreement, you can move on to the next step: Responsibilities of the lender.

Responsibilities of the lender

  • The lender must provide the individual or business with the full purchase price of the goods in exchange for agreed-upon installments.
  • The lender must provide clear and accurate payment terms to the individual or business.
  • The lender must ensure that the agreement is properly executed and documented.
  • The lender must provide all necessary documents for the loan, including a copy of the contract, to the individual or business.

Once these responsibilities of the lender have been met and documented, the individual or business can move on to the next step: outlining the responsibilities of the individual or business.

Responsibilities of the individual or business

  • The individual or business should provide the lender with proof of their identity and financial history
  • The individual or business should provide information on the asset they are buying
  • The individual or business should provide the lender with proof of their ability to make payments on the asset
  • The individual or business should provide the lender with any additional information they require
  • The individual or business should sign the hire purchase agreement, accepting the terms and conditions

When you have completed all of the above items, you can check this off your list and move on to the next step.

Payment terms

  • Determine the payment terms of the agreement. This could include, for example, the frequency of payments, the method of payments, and the due date of payments.
  • Check that the payment terms are agreed upon by both parties, and that the agreement has been signed by both parties.
  • Ensure that all payment terms are clearly stated in the agreement.
  • All parties involved should keep a copy of the agreement for their own records.

Once the payment terms have been agreed upon and set in the agreement, you can move on to the next step: ### Payment amount.

Payment amount

  • Determine the total price of the goods that will be purchased with the hire purchase agreement
  • Determine the deposit amount that must be paid and include this amount in the agreement
  • Calculate the remaining balance that will need to be paid and include this amount in the agreement
  • Include in the agreement the total number of payments that will be required and the length of each payment
  • Specify in the agreement the amount of each payment
  • Sign and date the hire purchase agreement

Once you have determined the total price of the goods, the deposit amount, the remaining balance, the total number of payments, and the amount of each payment, you can check this off your list and move on to the next step.

Payment schedule

  • List out the schedule of payments, including the amount and due date of each payment.
  • Make sure to include a down payment, if applicable.
  • The payment schedule should also include late payment fees and/or interest, if applicable.
  • When you’re done, you should have a comprehensive list of payments, with clear payment amounts and due dates.
  • Once the payment schedule is finalized, you can move on to the next step of the guide.

Payment methods

  • Choose the payment method that works best for both parties. This could be a lump sum payment, monthly payments, or a combination of both.
  • Make sure that both parties agree to the payment method before signing the contract.
  • Include the payment method in the agreement and how much the payments will be.
  • Agree on when payments should be made and how long the agreement will last.
  • When all the payments have been made, the hire purchase agreement should be terminated.

You can check off this step once you have chosen and agreed on the payment method and included it in the agreement.

Default and termination

  • Define the default terms of the agreement, including consequences of any missed payments.
  • Specify the termination terms, including any potential penalties or fees.
  • Include any applicable laws or regulations that apply to the agreement.
  • Review the default and termination terms with the borrower.
  • Once both parties agree to the terms, include them in the hire purchase agreement.

You can check this off your list and move on to the next step once both parties agree to the default and termination terms and they have been included in the agreement.

Default policies

  • Familiarize yourself with the legal requirements for a hire purchase agreement in your jurisdiction
  • Outline the responsibilities and obligations of the hirer and the owner
  • Specify the length of the hire period and the total amount to be paid
  • Determine the amount of deposit and the payment schedule for regular payments
  • Establish the rate and frequency of payments
  • Set out the conditions of default, including late payment fees, and the consequences of default
  • Outline the process for termination of the agreement and the return of the property
  • When all of the above points have been included, the default policies of the hire purchase agreement are complete.

Termination clauses

  • Determine when the termination clause will take effect
  • Decide who can terminate the agreement
  • Determine the notice period required for termination
  • Specify the conditions for termination of the agreement
  • Outline the process of returning goods in case of early termination
  • Specify any additional obligations on termination

Checklist when you have completed this step:

  • Have you determined when the termination clause will take effect?
  • Have you decided who can terminate the agreement?
  • Have you determined the notice period required for termination?
  • Have you specified the conditions for termination of the agreement?
  • Have you outlined the process of returning goods in case of early termination?
  • Have you specified any additional obligations on termination?

Interest rates

  • Identify the interest rate to be applied to the hire purchase agreement.
  • Specify whether the interest rate is fixed or variable.
  • State the periodic rate of interest, if applicable.
  • Calculate the applicable interest rate for each instalment in the agreement.
  • Include in the agreement a statement detailing the calculation of the interest for each instalment.
  • When you are finished calculating and specifying the interest rate, you can check this off your list and move on to the next step.

Calculation of interest rates

  • Determine the nominal interest rate of the agreement - this is the rate the borrower pays before any fees or other costs are taken into account
  • Calculate the effective interest rate - this is the rate which takes into account all costs, fees, and other charges associated with the hire purchase agreement
  • Calculate the amount of interest to be paid on the agreement - this is done by multiplying the loan amount by the effective interest rate
  • Do a final check of the agreement to ensure all calculations are accurate

Once you have calculated the interest rates and checked the agreement for accuracy, you can move on to the next step, which is to discuss variable and fixed interest rates.

Variable and fixed interest rates

  • Identify the rate applied to the customer, whether it is fixed or variable.
  • Determine the length of the agreement and what type of rate will apply for the duration.
  • Consider any conditions or special considerations that may apply to the agreement and incorporate them into the hire purchase agreement.
  • Calculate the interest rate for the agreement and include it in the hire purchase agreement.
  • Review the hire purchase agreement to ensure all information is accurate and complete.

Once all the necessary information is included in the hire purchase agreement, and it has been reviewed and approved, this step can be marked as completed and you can move on to the next step.

Dispute resolution

  • List the different methods of dispute resolution that the parties can use in the agreement, such as arbitration, mediation, or litigation.
  • Make sure to include the details for each of the dispute resolution methods, such as which court or tribunal will handle the dispute and how it will be handled.
  • Be sure to include a clause that states that the parties must try to resolve their disputes through the dispute resolution methods listed in the agreement before taking any legal action.
  • Once you’ve listed the different methods of dispute resolution and included the details, you can check this off your list and move on to the next step.

Mediation

  • Make sure both parties are aware that mediation is a voluntary process and that either party can choose to opt out at any time
  • Mediation can be conducted by a third-party mediator or the parties can choose to settle the dispute without a mediator
  • Ensure that both parties can agree on a mediator, if one is needed, who is impartial and unbiased
  • Make sure that the mediator is aware of the facts of the case and the law that applies
  • Have the mediator create a timeline for the mediation process and ensure that both parties are aware of the timeline
  • The mediator should facilitate discussions between the parties and allow them to come to an agreement that is mutually acceptable
  • Once all parties have agreed to the terms of the hire purchase agreement, the mediator should draft a document that outlines the agreed-upon terms and sign off on it

You will know when you can check this off your list and move on to the next step when all parties have signed the document that outlines the agreed-upon terms.

Arbitration

  • Agree on an arbitrator who is suitable for both parties
  • The arbitrator will review the information provided by both parties and make a decision
  • The arbitrator’s decision is legally binding and must be followed
  • Once the arbitrator has made their decision, the hire purchase agreement is finalized and can be implemented
  • This step is complete when the arbitrator has reached a decision that is satisfactory to both parties and the hire purchase agreement is finalized.

Court proceedings

  • Research and understand the legal implications of a hire purchase agreement in your jurisdiction.
  • Determine the court that will hear your case, as it may vary based on the amount of money in dispute.
  • File the required paperwork with the court to initiate a lawsuit.
  • Gather evidence to support your case, including documents and witness testimony.
  • Attend court proceedings and present your case.
  • Follow the court’s orders if the defendant is found liable.

Once you have completed all the court proceedings, you can move on to the next step of signing the agreement.

Signing the agreement

  • Obtain consent from both buyer and seller to enter into the hire purchase agreement
  • Ensure that all parties involved in the hire purchase agreement are present for the signing
  • Have the hire purchase agreement reviewed and signed by all parties
  • Once the hire purchase agreement is signed, have the original copy of the agreement stored safely in a secure location
  • Once all parties have signed the agreement, you can check this step off your list and move on to the next step.

Preparation of the agreement

    Written by

    Alex Denne
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