Parties
Full legal names and entity types for landlord and tenant, including business DBAs and authorized signers, to ensure enforceability and correct service of notices.
A dated lease establishes the effective start of rights and obligations, clarifies rent schedules and notice triggers, and creates a fixed record for disputes, insurance, and tax treatment. Using the exact dated form avoids ambiguity about when the lease term begins or when statutory deadlines run.
Property owners, property managers, tenants, and real estate attorneys commonly prepare or review dated lease agreements before occupancy.
The landlord or property manager signs to establish rent, permitted uses, maintenance obligations, and enforcement mechanisms. They ensure lease language aligns with state landlord–tenant statutes and local ordinances and typically retain the executed original for records and potential legal proceedings.
The tenant signs to accept the premises, rent schedule, and rules. Tenant signatures create obligations for timely payment, care of the property, and compliance with notice procedures for repairs and lease termination; tenants should confirm identity and names match IDs and payment records.
Full legal names and entity types for landlord and tenant, including business DBAs and authorized signers, to ensure enforceability and correct service of notices.
A precise description of the leased property by street address, unit number, and any included parking or storage, plus permitted uses and any exclusions.
Start and end dates using MM/DD/YYYY, renewal options, holdover rules, and proration method for partial months or early move-ins.
Monthly rent amount, due date, acceptable payment methods, late fees, returned-check fees, and whether utilities are included or billed separately.
Deposit amount, location of trust or escrow, interest requirements where applicable, allowable deductions, and the timeline for return after termination.
Responsibilities for repairs, routine maintenance, notice procedures for defects, and liability for tenant-caused damage, with remedies for noncompliance.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Signature Field | Assign signer role and required flag |
| Authentication | Use email + optional SMS code for signer verification |
| Reminders | Set automated reminders for unsigned documents |
| Delivery | Enable PDF copy to all parties after completion |
Choose a signing platform that provides audit trails, secure storage, and options for stronger signer authentication when required.
Monthly date specified in lease
State-dependent timeframe after termination
Reasonable notice required for landlord access
Notice period per lease or statutory minimums
Deadlines for tenant renewal or nonrenewal
Lease terms finalized and reviewed by parties
All parties sign and date the agreement
Tenant occupies premises on agreed start date
Security deposit accounting and disbursement after termination
Confirm all fields completed and initials on each page
Signer presents government ID or uses eID/KBA
Witnesses sign and print names if required
Notary completes certificate and signs as needed
Retain session recording where RON is used
File long-term leases with county recorder if necessary
Provide signed copies to all parties immediately
Store executed document per retention rules
Martin Properties moved lease execution online to streamline closings and tenant onboarding.
Optica Ventures standardized its lease template dated September 15, 2004 across properties for consistency.
| Criteria | Electronic Lease | Paper Lease |
|---|---|---|
| Enforceability | yes (esign/ueta) | yes (handwritten signature) |
| Audit Trail | detailed timestamps/ip | limited proof of timing |
| Remote Execution | yes (esign) | no (requires courier) |
| Storage | secure encrypted storage | physical storage required |
| 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 |
| Envelope Cap | No envelope cap | 100 envelopes/user/year limit | Varies | Varies | Varies |