Can a lease be signed electronically under U.S. law?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and state UETA statutes in most jurisdictions, provided the signature demonstrates intent, consent, attribution, and the record can be retained and reproduced.

Is notarization required for a lease to be valid?

Generally no; most states do not require notarization for ordinary leases. Notarization may be used for extra evidentiary weight or when recording or specific security interests are involved; verify state or lender requirements.

When should I use remote online notarization (RON)?

Use RON when a signed document requires notarization but parties cannot meet in person. Confirm the state's RON rules and retention requirements for audio-video records before relying on remote notarization.

How do I amend an executed lease?

Create a written amendment signed by all parties referencing the original lease by date and section changed. Ensure the amendment follows the lease's amendment clause and is stored with the original.

How long should I retain executed leases?

Retain leases for the term plus a post-termination period; follow federal guidance such as IRC §6501(a) for tax records and 45 CFR §164.530(j) for healthcare-related records where applicable.

Who can sign on behalf of a company?

An authorized officer or agent with delegated authority should sign. For corporate signers, retain a board resolution or officer certificate proving authority to execute leases.

Electronic Signature
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Land and Buildings Lease Agreement

Land and Buildings Lease Agreement

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

What a Land and Buildings Lease Agreement Covers

A Land and Buildings Lease Agreement is a written contract that grants a tenant the right to possess and use real property — land, structures, or both — for a defined period in exchange for rent and other obligations. It records parties' legal names, a clear property description, the lease term, rent and payment schedule, permitted uses, maintenance and repair responsibilities, insurance and indemnity provisions, permitted improvements, assignment and subletting limits, default and cure processes, and termination procedures. Exhibits often include a legal description, site plan, or inventory of existing conditions to reduce later disputes.

Why a Clear Lease Agreement Matters

A written Land and Buildings Lease Agreement reduces ambiguity by allocating rights, duties, and financial terms, creating an enforceable record to resolve disputes and support remedies under state law.

Typical Parties and Users

Common users include landlords, commercial and residential tenants, property managers, and attorneys who prepare or review lease terms.

Landlords and owners who control the asset and set lease terms for use and payment
Commercial tenants and small businesses occupying space for offices, retail, or industrial operations
Property managers and brokers who administer rent, maintenance, and tenant communications

Core Sections Every Professional Lease Should Include

A complete Land and Buildings Lease Agreement organizes parties, property, financial terms, use limits, maintenance duties, and remedies into clear, numbered provisions.

Parties

Identify full legal names and entity types for landlord and tenant, including agent or management contacts and any guarantor information to ensure enforceability.

Property Description

Provide street address, legal description or parcel number, square footage, and any excluded areas or common areas to remove ambiguity about the leased premises.

Term & Rent

State the lease start and end dates, renewal options, base rent, escalation clauses, payment method, due date, late fees, and grace periods for nonpayment.

Permitted Use

Define allowed uses, hours of operation, any hazardous-activity restrictions, signage rules, and consequences for use outside the agreed scope to limit liability.

Maintenance & Repairs

Allocate responsibility for structural repairs, routine maintenance, utilities, and who pays for capital improvements or replacement of major systems.

Default & Remedies

Describe events of default, notice and cure periods, landlord remedies including termination and re-entry, and any liquidated damages or indemnities.

Step-by-Step: Completing and Executing a Lease

Follow these steps in order to prepare, review, and execute a Land and Buildings Lease Agreement with clear responsibilities and an audit trail.

01

Drafting: Assemble terms, exhibits, and attachments.
02

Review: Have counsel and stakeholders verify obligations.
03

Signatures: Collect signatures and dates from authorized signers.
04

Recordkeeping: Store executed lease and exhibits securely with audit trail.

Digital Workflow Settings for Online Completion

Typical online configuration options for completing and routing a lease depend on authentication, signer order, and retention preferences.

Field	Configuration
Template	Use a reusable template with required fields and standard clauses
Authentication	Choose email link, SMS code, or ID verification depending on risk
Reminder Schedule	Set automatic reminders at configurable intervals before signatures are due
Storage Location	Save signed PDF to chosen cloud folder or document management system

Typical eSigning Flow for a Lease

This four-step flow summarizes how a lease moves from upload to signed document with an audit trail for each action.

Upload: Sender uploads lease and attaches exhibits
Prepare: Place signature, initial, and date fields
Sign: Signers authenticate and apply eSignatures
Complete: All parties receive signed copies and audit trail

Platform and Integration Considerations

Confirm the eSignature platform supports required authentication, storage, and integration options before routing leases for signature.

Integrations: Common connectors include Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Box
File Types: PDF and DOCX are standard; ensure export preserves signature metadata
Authentication: Choose email, SMS, or advanced ID verification depending on enforcement needs

Align integrations with document retention and access controls so executed leases are discoverable, auditable, and stored under your compliance policies.

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Vague property descriptions that omit parcel or suite identifiers, which create later boundary or access disputes.
Failing to name the correct legal entity or authorized signer, which can render the lease unenforceable in court.
Using ambiguous rent escalation language or undefined CPI indices, producing billing disagreements and litigation risk.
Skipping exhibits such as condition reports or floor plans, making it difficult to resolve maintenance and possession disputes.

Security and Compliance Basics for Signed Leases

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest

Audit Trail: Immutable logs with timestamps and IP addresses

Access Controls: Role-based permissioning and SSO

Regulatory Certifications: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 available

Privacy Compliance: GDPR and CCPA-aligned controls

Healthcare Options: HIPAA support available with a BAA

Key Risks and Potential Consequences

Unenforceable Lease: Missing party name

Monetary Loss: Unclear rent terms

Eviction Delays: Improper notice language

Regulatory Exposure: Noncompliance with local housing law

Security Deposit Disputes: No return procedures

Recorded Liens: Failure to address tenant improvements

Key Dates and Notice Deadlines to Track

Track effective dates, rent due dates, renewal notice windows, and statutory deadlines to preserve rights and avoid penalties.

Effective Date:

Date the lease begins; use MM/DD/YYYY format

Rent Due Dates:

Monthly or periodic due dates and late fee triggers

Renewal Notice:

Timeframe for tenant/landlord renewal or termination notice

Repair Notice:

Deadlines for landlord responses to repair demands

Security Deposit Return:

State-specific window for returning deposits after termination

eSignature Vendor Pricing Snapshot for Lease Workflows

Compare typical starting prices and core capabilities relevant to signing and managing Land and Buildings Lease Agreements; signNow is listed first for parity.

	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	Yes, 7-day trial	No	No	No	No
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Real-World Examples of Lease Execution

Sample real-world outcomes show how executed leases and digital workflows shorten cycles and clarify responsibilities.

Martin Properties — Tim Martin

Tim Martin used digital lease templates to manage multiple properties and reduce signature turnaround.

The template standardized rent clauses across tenancies.
As a result, Martin Properties reports faster execution and clearer tenant communications while maintaining a paperless audit trail for each lease.

BIS — Dan Rotelli

BIS integrated electronic signing into its lease onboarding to centralize approvals and records.

Integration captured signer identity and timestamps.
The centralized system simplified landlord review, improved compliance with document retention policies, and reduced time spent retrieving executed leases for audits.

Practical Tips for Accurate Lease Completion

Follow these best practices to reduce errors, accelerate execution, and preserve legal rights under the lease.

Standardize Templates

Create a vetted template with numbered clauses, standard exhibits, and predefined fillable fields to limit drafting variation and speed review cycles.

Confirm Authorized Signers

Verify signatory authority for entities by checking formation records or board resolutions to prevent signature challenges.

Attach Exhibits

Include condition reports, floor plans, and utility responsibilities as exhibits to reduce later possession and repair disputes.

Record Audit Trail

Preserve signed PDF with timestamps and signer attribution to support enforcement and provide evidence in disputes.

FAQs and Practical Answers

Common questions about enforceability, notarization, and digital execution are answered below with practical guidance for lease workflows.

Need help? Contact support

Can a lease be signed electronically under U.S. law?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and state UETA statutes in most jurisdictions, provided the signature demonstrates intent, consent, attribution, and the record can be retained and reproduced.
Is notarization required for a lease to be valid?
Generally no; most states do not require notarization for ordinary leases. Notarization may be used for extra evidentiary weight or when recording or specific security interests are involved; verify state or lender requirements.
When should I use remote online notarization (RON)?
Use RON when a signed document requires notarization but parties cannot meet in person. Confirm the state's RON rules and retention requirements for audio-video records before relying on remote notarization.
How do I amend an executed lease?
Create a written amendment signed by all parties referencing the original lease by date and section changed. Ensure the amendment follows the lease's amendment clause and is stored with the original.
How long should I retain executed leases?
Retain leases for the term plus a post-termination period; follow federal guidance such as IRC §6501(a) for tax records and 45 CFR §164.530(j) for healthcare-related records where applicable.
Who can sign on behalf of a company?
An authorized officer or agent with delegated authority should sign. For corporate signers, retain a board resolution or officer certificate proving authority to execute leases.

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