Can a lease be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA where adopted, provided the parties demonstrate intent, consent, attribution, and retention capability.

Is notarization required for all leases?

Not usually. Most leases do not require notarization, but specific circumstances—long-term leases, assignments, or recording—may trigger notarization or witness requirements in some jurisdictions.

What happens if a party signs with the wrong name?

A mismatched or incomplete name can create enforceability issues; correct immediately with an amendment or attestation confirming the signer’s capacity and identity.

How do I amend an executed lease?

Amendments should be in writing, signed by both parties, and dated; electronic amendments follow the same ESIGN/UETA rules as the original agreement.

Where should the executed lease be stored?

Store executed originals and electronic copies in a secure, access-controlled repository with versioning and audit logs for the applicable retention period.

Can I use remote online notarization (RON)?

RON is available in many states subject to identity-proofing and recording rules; confirm the target state’s RON statutes and evidence-retention requirements before relying on RON for a lease.

Electronic Signature
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Agreement of Lease

Agreement of Lease

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

What an Agreement of Lease Is and when it’s used

An Agreement of Lease is a written contract that sets the terms under which a landlord grants a tenant the right to possess and use specified real property for a defined term. Typical elements include the parties’ names, premises description, lease term, rent amount and schedule, security deposit, permitted uses, maintenance obligations, and default remedies. Leases can be short-term or long-term, residential or commercial, and often attach exhibits such as property plans, rules, or parking allocations. Properly completed, signed, and retained, the Agreement of Lease creates enforceable obligations between landlord and tenant.

Why a clear Agreement of Lease matters

A well-drafted Agreement of Lease reduces disputes, clarifies responsibilities, and protects rights for both parties under state law and contract principles.

Who typically prepares and signs an Agreement of Lease

Landlords, property managers, tenants, brokers, and in-house counsel commonly prepare or complete lease forms before signature.

Commercial landlords and property managers preparing standardized leases for multiple tenants and units.
Individual tenants or corporate tenants reviewing lease obligations with agents or legal counsel before signing.
Real estate brokers and attorneys who negotiate terms, prepare exhibits, and verify leasing authority.

Who can sign and why their role matters

Property Manager

Property managers or authorized agents sign on behalf of a landlord when their authority is documented in management agreements. Confirm written authorization to avoid later disputes about signature validity or tenant challenges to the landlord’s representative.

Tenant Signatory

A tenant signatory must have capacity to bind the named tenant entity; corporate tenants typically require a named officer or authorized representative, and a signature block should reflect job title and authority to avoid enforceability issues.

Core components to include in a professional Agreement of Lease

Include concise, specific clauses that define rights, obligations, and remedies across typical leasing subjects to reduce ambiguity and litigation risk.

Premises

Precise description of the leased space, including unit number, square footage, address, and any excluded or shared areas.

Term

Start and end dates plus renewal options, holdover terms, and any early termination rights or penalties.

Rent

Base rent amount, payment schedule, late fees, escalation clauses, CAM charges, and accepted payment methods.

Security Deposit

Deposit amount, permissible uses, escrow or interest rules, and the timeline and conditions for return.

Maintenance

Allocation of repair and maintenance responsibilities, required notices, and standards for condition on return.

Default & Remedies

Events of default, cure periods, landlord remedies, and any limits on liability or indemnity provisions.

Step-by-step: completing and executing a lease

Follow these steps in order to prepare, review, sign, and distribute the Agreement of Lease efficiently.

01

Prepare draft: Assemble standard clauses and attach exhibits.
02

Review terms: Verify parties, dates, rent, and deposits.
03

Sign and date: Collect all required signatures and dates.
04

Distribute copies: Provide executed copies to all parties and retain originals.

How to set up an online workflow for lease execution

Configure fields, signer order, and authentication to match the lease workflow and any regulatory requirements before sending.

Field	Configuration
Signature	Required; place at each party signature block
Initials	Optional; use for multiple-page confirmations
Date	Required; use MM/DD/YYYY format
Attachment	Optional; attach exhibits or proof of authority

Where to send or file the signed lease

Deliver executed copies to all parties and retain an authoritative original; record only when required by law or contract.

Tenant: Provide fully executed copy for tenant records.
Landlord: Keep original in property file.
Broker: Supply executed copy for commission documentation.
Recorder: Record only if lease terms or local law require recording.

Digital signing and delivery considerations

Choose an eSignature platform that supports required authentication, audit trails, and file formats before collecting signatures.

File formats: PDF and DOCX accepted; preserve original format for records.
Audit trail: Capture timestamp, IP, and actions for enforceability.
Integrations: Connect to CRM, document storage, and accounting systems.

Key lease timelines and statutory deadlines to track

Monitor actionable dates such as payment due dates, notice windows, and security deposit return periods to remain compliant and avoid disputes.

Rent due date:

State the recurring payment date each period.

Notice to vacate:

Typical landlord or tenant notice windows range 30–90 days.

Security deposit return:

Many states require return within 14–60 days after tenancy ends.

Renewal deadline:

Tenant must give notice per renewal clause timing.

Repair response:

Landlord response times commonly set at 24–30 days for non-emergencies.

Notarization and witness steps for leases (when required)

Some leases or jurisdictional practices call for notarization or witnesses, particularly for long-term or lease-assignment documents; follow local requirements where applicable.

01

Confirm requirement

Determine if state or recording office mandates notarization.

02

Arrange notary

Schedule in-person or RON session as allowed.

03

Identity proofing

Provide ID and, for RON, multi-factor authentication.

04

Witnesses

If required, obtain correct number and signatures.

05

Record A/V

For RON, retain audio-video recording per state rules.

06

Notary journal

Ensure notary logs the transaction per statutes.

07

Attach acknowledgement

Include notary acknowledgement with the executed lease.

08

File copy

Store notarized original in central records.

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing a lease

Using informal or ambiguous language for rent increases or escalation formulas, which creates disagreements about calculation and timing.
Failing to confirm signatory authority for corporate tenants or absent management authority for a landlord agent, risking unenforceability.
Omitting specific maintenance or repair responsibilities, leading to differing expectations and potential litigation over habitability or repairs.
Neglecting to attach referenced exhibits and schedules, making the lease incomplete and difficult to interpret during disputes.

Consequences of errors or missing information

Enforceability risk: Blank or incorrect parties

Financial exposure: Unclear rent/fees

Regulatory fines: Security deposit violations

Record defects: Missing notarization if required

Dispute costs: Litigation and attorney fees

Tenant claims: Habitability and retention disputes

Compare common eSignature options for lease signing (overview)

Vendor pricing and feature availability vary by plan and billing term. The table summarizes typical starting prices and common feature checks for lease workflows.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

How an Agreement of Lease differs from a rental agreement or lease option

Different document types allocate rights and duration differently; use the right form to reflect the intended legal relationship and remedies.

Criteria	Lease Agreement	Rental Agreement	Lease Option
Typical Term	fixed term months/years	month-to-month	option period then purchase option
Transferability	often restricts assignment	usually more flexible	subject to option terms
Formality	more formal, detailed	simpler, short-form	complex, includes purchase terms
Recording	recorded if long-term or required	rarely recorded	option may be recorded if material

Supporting documents and export options

Attach and store common supporting items and export executed leases in standard formats for audit and retention.

Supporting Documents

Attach exhibits, floor plans, rules, tenant ID, proof of insurance, and any landlord-authority documents required for enforcement.

Export Formats

Save executed leases as PDF/A for archival, and keep a DOCX copy for editable templates and internal workflows.

Storage Options

Keep records in secure cloud storage with versioning and restricted access controls for compliance and retrieval.

Integration

Link lease records to property management, accounting, and CRM systems to automate rent billing and renewals.

Best practices for accurate and efficient lease completion

Adopt consistent templates, review authority, and digital workflows to minimize mistakes and accelerate execution while preserving legal integrity.

Use standard templates

Maintain vetted templates that include jurisdictional defaults and optional clauses to reduce drafting errors and ensure consistent terms across properties.

Verify signer authority

Collect proof of authority for entities and maintain a signed management agreement for agents signing on behalf of landlords.

Track key dates

Record rent due dates, renewal deadlines, and notice windows in a central system to avoid missed actions and financial exposure.

Preserve audit trails

Store executed copies with audit logs showing signer identity, timestamps, and IP addresses to support enforceability.

Real-world lease scenarios

These examples show how different organizations use Agreement of Lease templates and digital signing to streamline transactions.

Martin Properties

A regional property manager used an online lease template to standardize new-tenant paperwork and reduce execution time.

The platform captured signatures and audit trails quickly.
The result was consistent files, faster move-ins, and fewer follow-up disputes about missing clauses or exhibits.

Xerox NetSuite Integration

An enterprise team integrated lease signing with their ERP to automate billing and approvals.

The integration linked executed leases to invoicing.
That reduced manual entry and reconciliation, and improved visibility into lease obligations across departments.

Frequently asked questions about Agreement of Lease execution

Answers to common questions about electronic signing, notarization, revising, and recordkeeping for leases.

Need help? Contact support

Can a lease be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA where adopted, provided the parties demonstrate intent, consent, attribution, and retention capability.
Is notarization required for all leases?
Not usually. Most leases do not require notarization, but specific circumstances—long-term leases, assignments, or recording—may trigger notarization or witness requirements in some jurisdictions.
What happens if a party signs with the wrong name?
A mismatched or incomplete name can create enforceability issues; correct immediately with an amendment or attestation confirming the signer’s capacity and identity.
How do I amend an executed lease?
Amendments should be in writing, signed by both parties, and dated; electronic amendments follow the same ESIGN/UETA rules as the original agreement.
Where should the executed lease be stored?
Store executed originals and electronic copies in a secure, access-controlled repository with versioning and audit logs for the applicable retention period.
Can I use remote online notarization (RON)?
RON is available in many states subject to identity-proofing and recording rules; confirm the target state’s RON statutes and evidence-retention requirements before relying on RON for a lease.

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