Parties
Identify owner/operator and guest using full legal names, business entity type, and mailing addresses for notices and billing.
A precise agreement reduces disputes over rates, deposits, and guest responsibilities, protects property and revenue, and documents guest consent to house rules and fees. It also clarifies refund, cancellation, and late‑arrival policies for consistent enforcement.
Inn owners, property managers, front‑desk staff, and contracted operators first draft and maintain these agreements for everyday occupancy.
Signers often include the guest or authorized representative and an on‑site manager or authorized company signatory; corporate entities should verify signing authority before execution.
Identify owner/operator and guest using full legal names, business entity type, and mailing addresses for notices and billing.
Specify check‑in/check‑out times, nightly or weekly rate, additional guest fees, and when rates change for holidays or peak season.
State deposit amount, conditions for withholding, inspection process, and timeline for refunding under state law.
List noise, smoking, pet, occupancy, and prohibited‑activity rules plus consequences for violations, including immediate eviction for illegal conduct.
Disclose transient occupancy taxes, local registration fees, or service charges and whether they are included or added to the invoice.
Limitations of liability, guest indemnity for damage, and any required guest insurance or suggestive coverage for liability or loss.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Signer Order | Guest first, operator second |
| Required Fields | Signature, date, deposit amount |
| Authentication | Email link or SMS code |
| Notifications | Automatic reminders 48/24 hours |
Choose an eSignature platform that supports secure PDFs, audit trails, and the authentication level your jurisdiction requires.
Ensure the selected platform can store signed copies, produce tamper‑evident audit reports, and meet any industry compliance such as HIPAA when handling protected health information.
State the number of days for return after checkout and inspection
Specify cutoff (e.g., 48 hours before arrival) for refunds
Indicate when final payment is due (on arrival or in advance)
Note local transient occupancy filing schedule and remittance timing
Record retention periods per policy and regulation
Agreement sent and deposit collected before arrival.
Final balance and guest instructions due 24–72 hours before check‑in.
Complete room inspection and record any damages within 24 hours.
Return balance or itemize deductions within stated refund window.
Save a flattened, timestamped PDF/A copy for long‑term retention and court admissibility when needed.
Keep an editable DOCX or template master to record amendments or regenerate forms.
Retain the signing audit report including IP, timestamps, and signer authentication details.
Store executed files in encrypted cloud storage with access controls and routine backups.
| Criteria | Inn Rental Agreement | Residential Lease | Short‑Term Rental |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Term | nightly to weekly | month‑to‑year | nightly |
| Use of Property | transient lodging | long‑term habitation | transient lodging |
| Local Registration | often required | varies | often required |
| Eviction Path | immediate termination for illegal acts | formal eviction process | immediate reservation cancellation |
| 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 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No envelope cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |