Is an electronic signature legally binding?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes adopted by most states. Ensure intent, consent, attribution, and reliable record retention to meet legal tests.

Do I need a notary or witnesses for a showing agreement?

Usually not for basic access agreements. Notarization or witnesses are required only if the agreement includes notary-sensitive elements or state-specific formalities. Check local rules if the agreement affects property conveyance or powers of attorney.

Can I require proof of insurance before a showing?

Yes. Requiring a certificate of insurance and additional-insured endorsement is common for higher-risk visits. Specify minimum limits and delivery timing in the agreement to avoid coverage disputes.

How do I revoke or cancel permission previously granted?

Include a cancellation clause with notice requirements and effective timing. Absent a clause, provide written notice of revocation and document delivery; consult counsel for revocations involving competing legal rights.

How should I store signed agreements securely?

Store signed copies in a secure, access-controlled system with tamper-evident records and retention policies. For sensitive healthcare data, follow HIPAA retention and security obligations (45 CFR §164.530(j)).

What if a visitor breaches confidentiality during a showing?

Follow the contract’s remedies: document the incident, preserve evidence, notify insurers as required, and consider injunctive relief or damages. Confidentiality clauses and quick documentation improve enforceability.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Business Showing Agreement

Business Showing Agreement

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

BUSINESS SHOWING AGREEMENT

This Business Showing Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into by and between Client Name: with Business Name: and Showing Agent Name: .

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Client is the owner or authorized representative of the business and/or premises located at Business Address: (the "Premises"); and

WHEREAS, Agent is engaged in procuring prospective purchasers, tenants, investors or other interested parties and has the experience and capacity to conduct in-person and virtual showings of the Premises and associated business assets; and

WHEREAS, Client desires to retain Agent to arrange and conduct showings under the terms set forth herein, and Agent is willing to provide such services on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

SCOPE OF WORK

Description of Showing Services

Agent shall schedule, conduct and accompany prospective viewers during showings, coordinate access to the Premises, provide standard information about the business operations as authorized by Client, and prepare a written showing report to be delivered to Client within days after each showing.

CLIENT OBLIGATIONS

Client represents and warrants that it has the authority to permit showings, will provide accurate information regarding the business and Premises, and will make the Premises available for showings at mutually agreed times. Client shall ensure that all employees or third parties on the Premises are notified of scheduled showings and that confidential or hazardous materials are secured prior to a showing.

PAYMENT TERMS

Showing Fee Payment Schedule Late Payment Fee

Any amounts not paid when due shall accrue a late fee of % per month, or the maximum lawful rate if lower, calculated monthly on the unpaid balance. Client will also reimburse Agent for reasonable collection costs, including attorney fees, if required to collect outstanding amounts.

TERM AND TERMINATION

Term Start Date: Term End Date: .

Either party may terminate this Agreement without cause by providing written notice to the other party at least days prior to termination. Termination will not affect Client's obligation to pay fees for showings already performed or for obligations that survive termination as set forth herein.

CONFIDENTIALITY

For purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential Information" includes all non-public business, financial, operational and customer information disclosed by Client to Agent in connection with showings, whether disclosed orally, visually, or in writing. Agent shall: (a) hold Confidential Information in strict confidence; (b) use Confidential Information solely to perform the services described in this Agreement; and (c) not disclose Confidential Information to any third party except to prospective purchasers or their advisors who have executed confidentiality obligations at least as protective as those contained herein or as required by law. Agent shall implement reasonable administrative and physical safeguards to protect Confidential Information.

The obligations under this Confidentiality section shall survive termination of this Agreement for a period of years, or for as long as the information remains confidential under applicable law, whichever is longer.

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

Access and Security: Client shall provide Agent with necessary access (keys, codes, parking instructions) and will advise Agent of any safety protocols. Agent agrees to supervise all visitors and to ensure that no hazardous conditions are caused by showings.

Indemnification: Each party shall indemnify and hold the other harmless from and against any third-party claims arising from the indemnifying party's willful misconduct, negligence, or breach of this Agreement, except to the extent caused by the indemnitee's gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Insurance: Agent shall maintain general liability insurance in an amount sufficient for the services performed and shall provide proof of insurance to Client upon request.

GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of , without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement, together with any written attachments or addenda executed by the parties, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings and representations, whether oral or written. No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties.

MISCELLANEOUS

Notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the other party at the address provided below or to such other address as a party may designate by written notice. Notices are effective upon personal delivery, or three business days after being deposited with the U.S. postal service, postage prepaid, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.

Client Contact Information Agent Contact Information

Client:

By:

Date:

Showing Agent:

By:

Date:

What a Business Showing Agreement Is and when it applies

A Business Showing Agreement is a written contract used when a business owner, broker, or landlord permits potential buyers, tenants, contractors, or service providers to inspect commercial premises or business operations. The agreement defines access windows, permissible areas, safety and confidentiality expectations, insurance and liability allocations, identification requirements, and any deposit or fee terms. It establishes who may attend showings, how visits are scheduled and documented, requirements for any escorts or personal protective equipment, and remedies for breach. Use it to reduce ambiguity and protect property and trade-secrets during in-person or remote visits.

Why use a Business Showing Agreement

A clear showing agreement reduces risk, sets expectations for conduct, and documents consent for access. It protects proprietary information, limits liability for accidental damage, and clarifies scheduling and cancellation rules.

Who typically completes and signs this agreement

Parties commonly involved include property owners, business sellers, commercial brokers, prospective buyers/tenants, contractors, and on-site managers.

Commercial brokers and leasing agents facilitating scheduled visits and representing owners or tenants.
Business owners or sellers permitting inspections of operations, inventory, or facilities prior to sale.
Prospective buyers, lessees, contractors, or consultants who require physical or operational access.

Each signer should have authority to bind their organization or obtain such authority in writing before access; record the individual signer and their role.

Step-by-step: completing the Business Showing Agreement

Follow this sequence to prepare a legally clear agreement and reduce friction before a showing.

01

Gather parties: Confirm legal names and contact information for all parties.
02

Define access: Specify dates, times, areas permitted, and escort requirements.
03

Allocate risk: Set insurance, indemnity, and damage responsibility terms.
04

Sign and retain: Execute signatures, deliver copies, and store for retention.

How to configure a digital workflow for showings

Set up a clear routing and authentication process so each signer receives the correct fields and the completed agreement is automatically archived.

Field	Configuration
Routing order	Sequential or parallel signing as needed
Authentication	Email+SMS code or ID check for visitors
Attachment	Require COI or ID upload before signing
Archiving	Save signed copy to cloud storage automatically

Typical flow from scheduling to signed agreement

This illustrates common operational steps so teams know when to expect actions and where responsibility shifts.

Schedule Request: Prospective visitor requests timeslot from owner or broker.
Pre-Screening: Owner or agent confirms insurance and purpose.
Agreement Delivery: Send the agreement for signature and any attachments.
Access Granted: Signed agreement returned and showing occurs under agreed terms.

Digital signing and delivery: platform considerations

Use platforms that provide audit trails, secure storage, and configurable authentication to meet legal and operational needs.

Authentication options: Email, SMS, KBA, or ID checks
Audit trail: Timestamped event history
Storage: Secure cloud with encryption

Confirm the chosen solution supports required integrations (CRM or cloud storage), preserves a tamper-evident record, and meets any industry compliance needs.

Essential clauses to include in a professional agreement

Include clear, enforceable clauses that address access scope, confidentiality, safety, insurance, cancellation, and data handling so the showing proceeds with predictable rights and responsibilities.

Access Scope

Define precisely which areas, equipment, or records are available for inspection and which are off-limits to limit disputes over permitted activity.

Confidentiality

Include non-disclosure obligations for trade secrets and proprietary information, specify permitted use of observed information, and set duration for confidentiality commitments.

Insurance & Indemnity

Require proof of insurance, set minimum coverage levels, and include indemnity language allocating responsibility for damage or injury during the showing.

Scheduling & Cancellation

State notice periods for scheduling or canceling, any deposit or fee policies, and consequences of no-shows to reduce wasted time and costs.

Safety & Conduct

Address PPE, equipment operation restrictions, escort requirements, and emergency procedures to protect staff and property during visits.

Data & Privacy

Spell out photography, recording, and data collection rules; include a law-choosing clause and specify authorized data retention and deletion practices.

Key information and security measures to record

Personal ID: Full name and government ID number

Contact Info: Phone number and email address

Insurance Details: Carrier name and policy limits

Access Times: Scheduled start and end timestamps

Visitor Role: Buyer, tenant, contractor, or agent

Recording Consent: Yes/No and permitted uses

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing the agreement

Vague access descriptions that omit specific rooms, equipment, or restricted areas and lead to disputes over scope.
Failing to require or verify insurance certificates and additional-insured endorsements before allowing potentially risky inspections.
Not capturing a signed record in a tamper-evident system, making it hard to prove consent and timing later.
Overlooking state or industry-specific requirements (privacy or witness rules) before permitting access to regulated facilities.

Potential legal and financial risks from errors

Breach Liability: Civil damages and cleanup costs

Insurance Denial: Claim refusal for unverified coverage

Confidentiality Loss: Trade-secret exposure damages

Contract Disputes: Litigation and attorney fees

Regulatory Fines: Fines for privacy or safety violations

Operational Delay: Lost deals and scheduling costs

Typical timing and response expectations

Establish clear timeframes for scheduling, confirmations, cancellations, and document exchange to prevent misunderstandings and late access.

Request Response Time:

Confirm scheduling within 24–72 hours of request

Document Delivery:

Send agreement and attachments at least 48 hours prior to showing

Cancellation Notice:

Require 24–48 hours notice for cancellations

Insurance Proof:

Provide certificate at least 24 hours before access

Post-Visit Reporting:

Submit incident or damage reports within 3 business days

Key milestones from booking to close of visit

A sequential milestone view helps teams track responsibilities and deadlines for each showing event.

01

Booking Requested

Prospective visitor submits a request with purpose and contact details.

02

Pre-Screening Completed

Owner or agent verifies insurance and identity before approval.

03

Agreement Signed

All parties sign and attachments (COI, ID) are confirmed.

04

Showing Completed

Visit occurs under agreed terms and any incidents are documented.

Comparing eSignature vendor pricing and caps for showing agreements

Vendor costs and feature caps vary; signNow appears first for direct comparison. Use plan and cap data to choose a solution that supports your volume and compliance needs.

	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	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes (Premium tier)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Varies
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies	Varies	Varies

Real-world examples of Business Showing Agreements in use

These examples illustrate how different organizations use showing agreements to manage risk and speed transactions.

Martin Properties — Showing operations

Martin Properties adopted a standardized showing agreement to streamline remote scheduling and compliance checks.

The team required COIs and ID verification before visits.
As a result, property tours proceeded with consistent escorts and documented incident reporting, reducing scheduling friction and clarifying liability for both owners and prospective tenants.

Fertility Centers of Illinois — Healthcare site access

A medical provider restricted access to operational areas and patient-adjacent spaces through a tailored showing agreement.

The agreement required HIPAA-aware conduct and no PHI collection.
This preserved patient privacy while allowing vetted vendors and evaluators to perform necessary inspections under documented supervision and audit-ready records.

Who is authorized to sign on behalf of an organization

Owner / Executive

The business owner, CEO, or an officer with delegated authority may sign to bind the business. If a manager signs, include a statement confirming they have written authorization or are signing under a designated role.

Broker / Agent

Licensed brokers or agents may sign where authorized by a principal or under a brokerage agreement. Documentation of agency authority should be retained with the signed agreement.

Notarization and witness authentication flow where required

When a showing agreement requires notarization or witnesses, follow a consistent authentication order to ensure validity and record integrity.

01

Identity verification

Confirm identity using government ID prior to signing

02

Witness presence

Arrange witnesses when state rules or parties require them

03

Notary acknowledgment

Obtain in-person or RON notarization if mandated

04

Record retention

Store notarized records and any audio-video RON logs

05

Chain of custody

Document delivery and custody of signed originals

06

Record metadata

Capture timestamps, signer IPs, and session logs

07

Verification copy

Provide signed PDF with certificate of completion

08

Backup storage

Archive in secure cloud storage for retention period

Frequently asked questions about Business Showing Agreements

Answers to common legal, practical, and technical questions when using showing agreements in the United States.

Need help? Contact support

Is an electronic signature legally binding?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes adopted by most states. Ensure intent, consent, attribution, and reliable record retention to meet legal tests.
Do I need a notary or witnesses for a showing agreement?
Usually not for basic access agreements. Notarization or witnesses are required only if the agreement includes notary-sensitive elements or state-specific formalities. Check local rules if the agreement affects property conveyance or powers of attorney.
Can I require proof of insurance before a showing?
Yes. Requiring a certificate of insurance and additional-insured endorsement is common for higher-risk visits. Specify minimum limits and delivery timing in the agreement to avoid coverage disputes.
How do I revoke or cancel permission previously granted?
Include a cancellation clause with notice requirements and effective timing. Absent a clause, provide written notice of revocation and document delivery; consult counsel for revocations involving competing legal rights.
How should I store signed agreements securely?
Store signed copies in a secure, access-controlled system with tamper-evident records and retention policies. For sensitive healthcare data, follow HIPAA retention and security obligations (45 CFR §164.530(j)).
What if a visitor breaches confidentiality during a showing?
Follow the contract’s remedies: document the incident, preserve evidence, notify insurers as required, and consider injunctive relief or damages. Confidentiality clauses and quick documentation improve enforceability.

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