Are electronic signatures valid?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable in interstate transactions under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and under UETA where adopted. Exceptions exist for testamentary documents and certain other categories; verify whether a particular lease action requires notarization or recording under state law.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is sometimes required for leases that must be recorded or where state law demands a notary acknowledgement. Requirements vary by state; check the local recording office or notary statutes before seeking notarization.

How do I correct a signed lease?

Corrections typically require an addendum or amendment signed by all parties. For material changes, execute a written amendment dated and signed by each party rather than attempting handwriting changes on the original executed lease.

Can I revoke a signed lease?

Revocation depends on lease terms and state law. Generally, once both parties sign a binding lease, unilateral revocation is not permitted except where the lease or applicable statute provides a rescission right or cooling-off period.

What if a signer uses an incorrect name?

Mismatched or informal names can hinder enforcement. Correct via an executed amendment or signature block that identifies the signer's full legal name and capacity; for entities include title and authority evidence.

How should executed leases be stored?

Store the executed PDF with an audit trail and retain backups per retention policies. For healthcare or regulated tenants, follow HIPAA retention rules; for tax-related records follow IRS guidance and maintain reproducible electronic records.

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 Lease Agreement Is and when it applies

A Lease Agreement is a legally binding contract that sets the terms by which a landlord grants a tenant possession and use of real property for a defined period in exchange for rent. Leases specify parties, premises, term length, rent, security deposit, permitted uses, maintenance responsibilities, and termination conditions. In the United States electronic execution is generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, but state-specific rules may affect notarization, witness requirements, or recording. Properly drafted leases reduce disputes and clarify remedies.

Why a clear Lease Agreement matters

A well-drafted Lease Agreement reduces ambiguity, sets mutual expectations, and documents remedies for breach, protecting both landlord and tenant under state landlord–tenant law and federal e-signature frameworks like ESIGN and UETA.

Common users and parties to a Lease Agreement

Landlords, property managers, tenants, brokers, and legal counsel routinely prepare, review, or sign lease agreements to govern possession of residential or commercial property.

Individual landlords managing single-unit rentals or short-term leases.
Property management firms handling multi-unit portfolios and renewals.
Commercial tenants and landlords negotiating space, CAM fees, and sublease rights.

Representative signers and their roles

Landlord / Lessor

Typically the property owner or authorized manager who grants occupancy. Responsible for providing premises as described, maintaining common areas per the agreement, and complying with state disclosure and habitability laws; signs to create landlord obligations and landlord remedies.

Tenant / Lessee

The individual or business taking possession and agreeing to pay rent and follow use restrictions. Tenant signatures create payment and performance obligations and are used to enforce default remedies and security deposit procedures under applicable state law.

Core elements every Lease Agreement should include

A professional Lease Agreement organizes essential terms so parties understand obligations, risk allocation, and enforcement mechanisms; include clear, specific language to reduce later disputes.

Parties

Full legal names and entity types for landlord and tenant, including DBA or company registration details when a business is leasing; mismatched names can invalidate enforcement or complicate eviction filings.

Premises

A precise description of the leased space by address, unit number, and permitted areas (parking, storage). Attach floor plans or exhibits for commercial properties to avoid ambiguity about common-area access.

Term

Start and end dates, renewal options, and early termination clauses. Specify fixed-term lengths or month‑to‑month transitions and any notice periods required to renew or terminate the lease.

Rent & Payments

Amount, due date, accepted payment methods, late fees, grace periods, and consequences of nonpayment. Clarify who pays utilities, taxes, or common area maintenance charges for commercial leases.

Security Deposit

Amount, permitted uses, interest handling (if state law requires), and the timeframe and process for return after lease termination, including allowable deductions and required accounting.

Repairs & Maintenance

Allocate responsibility for routine maintenance, repairs, improvements, and compliance with building codes. For commercial leases define who is responsible for structural repairs versus tenant improvements.

Additional clauses frequently included in leases

These clauses address renewal mechanics, assignment rights, tenant protections, and operational details that materially affect long‑term occupancy and enforcement.

Renewal Options

Specify automatic renewal terms or required notice windows for exercising renewal options; include rent adjustment formula or market rent provisions for commercial renewals to reduce disputes at term end.

Termination Rights

Grounds for early termination, cure periods for defaults, and procedures for notice and remedy. Include specific steps for abandonment, holdover, or breach to streamline enforcement.

Subletting and Assignment

Define whether and how the tenant may assign or sublet, approval rights for the landlord, and conditions (e.g., financial screening) that must be met prior to consent.

Utilities and Services

Clarify responsibility for utilities, janitorial services, internet, and common area maintenance. For multi-tenant buildings define allocation methods for shared services or CAM charges.

Step-by-step: completing a Lease Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, execute, and store a lease with clarity and legal compliance.

01

Prepare Document: Populate core fields, attach exhibits, and check governing law selection.
02

Review Terms: Confirm rent, term, deposits, and maintenance allocations with both parties.
03

Set Signing Order: Define signers and sequencing for execution and approvals.
04

Execute and Store: Collect signatures, record audit trail, and save final PDF copy.

Configuring an online signing workflow for a Lease Agreement

A predictable workflow reduces signer friction and maintains a reproducible audit trail for each executed lease.

Field	Configuration
Document Upload	PDF, DOCX allowed \| Upload lease and exhibits
Signature Fields	Signature, Date, Initials \| Required for each signer
Authentication	Email link or SMS code \| Optional stronger KBA or SSO
Routing & Reminders	Sequential or parallel routing \| Auto reminder schedule

How electronic execution for a Lease Agreement works

Executing a lease electronically follows a standard upload, placement, delivery, and signing workflow that preserves evidence of intent and completion.

Upload Lease: Sender uploads the fully drafted lease.
Add Fields: Place signature, initial, and date fields.
Deliver to Signers: Send via email link or share a signing URL.
Complete Signing: Signer authenticates and signs; system captures audit data.

Platform and file requirements for e-signing leases

Ensure the e-signature platform supports secure authentication, PDF/DOCX file formats, audit trails, and required integrations before sending the lease.

File Formats: PDF and DOCX supported
Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
Security: Audit trail and encryption

Security and compliance features to look for

Transport Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3

Data at Rest: AES-256 encryption

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II available

HIPAA Support: BAA required

Regulatory: 21 CFR Part 11 compliance

Standards: ISO 27001 certified

Key legal risks and potential penalties

Unenforceable Clauses: May be void under state law

Security Deposit Violations: Statutory penalties possible

Improper Notices: Eviction may be delayed

Failure to Disclose: Consumer fines or rescission risk

Missing Signatures: Document may be invalid

Incorrect Dates: Affects notice and cure windows

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing a lease

Using vague language for rent, fees, or duration which creates ambiguity and increases litigation risk.
Failing to verify signatory authority for corporate tenants, which can invalidate the agreement or delay enforcement action.
Omitting required state disclosures, such as lead paint notices or rent control addenda, leading to statutory penalties or rescission rights.
Not specifying maintenance responsibilities clearly between landlord and tenant, which commonly causes disputes and unplanned expenses.

Typical timing and notice expectations for leases

Certain actions tied to a lease follow statutory or customary timing rules; confirm local requirements for precise deadlines.

Rent Due Date:

As specified in lease; late fees governed by state law

Security Deposit Return:

Varies by state, commonly 14–60 days after termination

Notice to Vacate:

Commonly 30 days for month‑to‑month tenancies

Repair Response:

Habitability-related repairs often have statutory cure deadlines

Recording Window:

If recording a long lease, follow county recording timelines

Comparing eSignature providers for executing Lease Agreements

Overview of common pricing and feature differences among major electronic signature providers; signNow is listed first per comparison conventions.

	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	Trial available	Trial available	Trial available	Trial available
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies	Varies	Varies

Real-world examples of lease execution using e-signature

These short examples show how organizations and property managers reduce turnaround time and maintain compliance when executing leases digitally.

Martin Properties

Martin Properties adopted online signing to process leases remotely and reduce in-person steps.

Streamlined remote execution for tenants and staff.
"I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security. Whether on mobile or working offline, I can get forms back to their necessary parties efficiently."

Optica Ventures

A small investment firm uses digital leases to speed tenant onboarding and centralize records.

Faster turnaround for new tenants and renewals.
"The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers." — Brian Fitzgibbons, COO, Optica Ventures LLC

Frequently asked questions about Lease Agreement execution

Answers to common questions about enforceability, signatures, notarization, corrections, and digital recordkeeping for leases.

Need help? Contact support

Are electronic signatures valid?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable in interstate transactions under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and under UETA where adopted. Exceptions exist for testamentary documents and certain other categories; verify whether a particular lease action requires notarization or recording under state law.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is sometimes required for leases that must be recorded or where state law demands a notary acknowledgement. Requirements vary by state; check the local recording office or notary statutes before seeking notarization.
How do I correct a signed lease?
Corrections typically require an addendum or amendment signed by all parties. For material changes, execute a written amendment dated and signed by each party rather than attempting handwriting changes on the original executed lease.
Can I revoke a signed lease?
Revocation depends on lease terms and state law. Generally, once both parties sign a binding lease, unilateral revocation is not permitted except where the lease or applicable statute provides a rescission right or cooling-off period.
What if a signer uses an incorrect name?
Mismatched or informal names can hinder enforcement. Correct via an executed amendment or signature block that identifies the signer's full legal name and capacity; for entities include title and authority evidence.
How should executed leases be stored?
Store the executed PDF with an audit trail and retain backups per retention policies. For healthcare or regulated tenants, follow HIPAA retention rules; for tax-related records follow IRS guidance and maintain reproducible electronic records.

Explore Templates

Johnson City Community Concert Band Donor Document Notice of Appearance and Intent to Represent Divorce Complaint UCC-3 Amendment Oklahoma Will Instructions Vermont No-Fault Agreed Uncontested Divorce

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now