Can this template be e-signed?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA where adopted. Ensure the transaction is not one of the ESIGN/UETA exceptions (for example, certain wills or court filings) and obtain required consumer consent for consumer-facing financial agreements.

Do leases need notarization or witnesses?

Most commercial leases do not require notarization for validity, but recording or related deeds may. Witness and notary requirements vary by state and document type; check local rules before relying on notarization for evidentiary purposes.

How do I confirm signer identity?

Use layered authentication: email verification plus optional SMS code or ID credential analysis for higher assurance. For transactions requiring elevated identity proofing, combine authentication with audio-video RON where permitted.

What if a party changes after signing?

Amend the lease with a written, signed amendment executed by all original parties or via a signed assignment and assumption agreement to transfer rights and obligations to a new party.

How should I store executed copies?

Store signed PDFs with the full audit trail, records of consent, and any notarization certificates. Retain copies according to applicable retention rules (IRS, HIPAA where relevant) and your organization’s records policy.

Are electronic records admissible in court?

Electronic records and signatures are admissible when they meet ESIGN/UETA criteria: intent to sign, consent to electronic records, attribution, and reliable retention. Preserve the audit trail to support admissibility.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Real Estate Shops Template

Real Estate Shops Template

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

REAL ESTATE SHOPS TEMPLATE

Parties and Recitals

This Commercial Lease Agreement (the Agreement) is entered into between Landlord Name: and Tenant Name: .

Effective Date: . Landlord and Tenant are collectively referred to as the Parties.

Property Identification

Premises Address Parcel / APN Number Legal Description

Lease Term and Possession

Lease Commencement Date: . Lease Expiration Date: .

Possession: Tenant shall take possession on subject to Landlord's completion of agreed pre-possession work.

Financial Terms

Monthly Base Rent (USD) Rent Due Day Each Month Security Deposit Late Fee / Returned Payment Charge Common Area Maintenance (CAM) & Additional Rent

Use, Services and Utilities

Permitted Use:

Utilities and Services: Tenant responsible for payment of: Electricity Water Gas Trash

Alterations, Signage and Repairs

Tenant shall not make alterations or install signage without Landlord's prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. Tenant shall restore the Premises at termination as required by Landlord.

Alterations Approval Required

Maintenance and Repairs

Landlord Responsibilities Tenant Responsibilities

Insurance and Indemnity

Tenant shall maintain commercial general liability insurance with limits not less than per occurrence and name Landlord as additional insured. Tenant shall provide certificates of insurance prior to occupancy.

Environmental and Hazardous Materials

Hazardous Materials: Tenant shall not store, use or dispose of hazardous materials on the Premises except in compliance with law and with Landlord's prior written consent. Has the Premises been used in a manner likely to cause contamination?
Yes No

Assignment, Subletting and Transfers

Tenant shall not assign or sublet any portion of the Premises without Landlord's prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld for transfers to qualified assignees. Any permitted assignment shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement.

Default, Remedies and Cure

Events of Default include failure to pay Rent when due, failure to perform lease obligations, insolvency, or assignment for the benefit of creditors. Upon an Event of Default, Landlord may terminate this Agreement and pursue all remedies at law or in equity. Tenant shall have a cure period of days for monetary defaults and a reasonable period for non-monetary defaults.

Casualty and Condemnation

If the Premises are materially damaged by casualty, Landlord shall repair damages within a commercially reasonable time, subject to insurance proceeds. If repairs cannot be completed within days, either party may elect to terminate this Agreement.

Disclosures

Prior Structural Damage: Yes No

Lead-Based Paint (if applicable): Yes No

Mold or Water Intrusion History: Yes No

Notices

Landlord Notice Address Tenant Notice Address

Representations, Warranties and Covenants

Each party represents and warrants that it has full authority to enter this Agreement, that the execution does not violate other agreements, and that all information furnished to the other party is true and correct. Tenant covenants to operate only the Permitted Use and comply with all laws, rules and regulations.

Governing Law; Entire Agreement

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the jurisdiction of . This Agreement, including all attachments and written amendments, constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior negotiations and agreements.

General Provisions

Attorney's Fees: The prevailing party in any action to enforce this Agreement shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and costs. Waiver of any breach shall not operate as a waiver of any subsequent breach.

Additional Provisions / Special Conditions

Certifications

By signing below, each party certifies under penalty of perjury that the party is authorized to execute this Agreement and that the information contained herein is true and correct to the best of the signing party's knowledge.

Landlord Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Tenant Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What the Real Estate Shops Template Is

The Real Estate Shops Template is a standardized commercial lease and storefront agreement framework used to document terms for retail or shop spaces. It defines parties, premises, rent schedule, permitted uses, maintenance responsibilities, insurance requirements, and default provisions. The template is designed for adaptability across jurisdictions and supports electronic completion and secure eSigning under U.S. electronic signature laws, while allowing for state-specific notarization or witness steps where required.

Why a Clear, Consistent Template Matters

A well-structured Real Estate Shops Template promotes accuracy, reduces negotiation time, and clarifies obligations up front. It helps avoid disputes about rent, maintenance, or permitted use and supports compliant electronic execution under ESIGN and applicable state law.

Typical Users and Stakeholders

The Real Estate Shops Template is used by professionals who manage, lease, or review retail space agreements.

Property managers and owners who handle multiple retail leases and standardize documentation across portfolios.
Commercial brokers and leasing agents preparing offers and draft leases for shop tenants and landlords.
In-house counsel, leasing attorneys, and independent lawyers who need a consistent baseline for review and negotiation.

Use the template as a baseline and adapt it to local law, zoning, and specific business terms before final execution.

Step-by-step: Completing the Template

Follow this sequence to prepare a complete and enforceable agreement.

01

Prepare document: Populate landlord, tenant, and premises fields before sharing.
02

Set financial terms: Enter rent, security deposit, payment schedule, and late fees.
03

Add clauses: Include use restrictions, maintenance, insurance, and indemnity language.
04

Sign and distribute: Collect signatures, notarize if required, then share executed copies.

How to configure a digital signing workflow

Common workflow settings when sending the template for electronic signature.

Field	Configuration
Document Type	Commercial lease template, editable fields enabled for party and financial data
Signer Order	Landlord first, then tenant; allow parallel signing where appropriate
Authentication	Email link default; use SMS code or ID verification for higher assurance
Retention	Store final PDF with audit trail for minimum statutory period

Where to send and how to route the finished document

Clear routing prevents processing delays and supports recordkeeping requirements.

Prepare and validate: Confirm all fields and attach exhibits, insurance certificates, and tenant references.
Collect signatures: Send via secure eSignature or present for in-person signing as required.
Notarize if required: Use remote online notarization or in-person notary depending on state and document type.
Distribute executed copies: Provide PDF copies to all parties, property manager, and retain primary copy for records.

Delivery formats and integration considerations

Ensure your platform supports standard file formats and the authentication levels you need before sending.

Supported formats: PDF and DOCX are standard for templates and produce reliable signed records
Integrations: Connectors to Salesforce, Microsoft 365, NetSuite, Google Workspace, Box facilitate storage and workflow
Authentication options: Email link, SMS code, or advanced ID verification for higher-assurance transactions

Choose a solution that captures an audit trail (timestamps, IP, signer attribution) and stores signed copies in a secure repository for retention and retrieval.

eSignature platform pricing and feature snapshot

Basic pricing and common enterprise features. Confirm current plan details with vendors for procurement decisions.

	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 (Business Premium+)	Verify with vendor	Verify with vendor	Verify with vendor	Verify with vendor
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Verify with vendor	Verify with vendor	Verify with vendor

Essential data items to include in the template

Party names: Full legal names

Contact details: Phone, email, mailing address

Premises ID: Street address and unit

Payment terms: Rent amount and due dates

Insurance info: Policy types and limits

Signature record: Signer name, date, and capacity

Common risks and potential consequences

Invalid signature: Missing intent or poor authentication can weaken enforceability

Incorrect legal description: Ambiguous premises details may void or complicate enforcement

Missing notarization: Local requirements for notary can affect recording or dispute resolution

Unclear rent terms: Ambiguity can lead to tenant disputes or early termination

Regulatory noncompliance: Failure to follow ESIGN/UETA consent rules risks admissibility

Late recording: Delays can affect priority or public notice for certain interests

Practical tips for accurate and efficient completion

Adopt these practices to reduce errors and speed transaction cycles.

Use full legal names consistently

Verify tenant and landlord legal names against formation documents or ID to avoid signature attribution disputes and ensure enforceability in court or title matters.

Include precise premises description

Attach Exhibit A with square footage or unit identifiers and reference it within the lease to prevent ambiguity about the leased area and permitted common-area access.

Standardize financial clauses

Use unambiguous rent, escalation, and late fee language; tie payment schedules to calendar dates and specify acceptable payment methods to avoid disputes.

Capture insurance and indemnity details

Require proof of insurance and name landlord as additional insured where necessary; set minimum coverage types and limits to manage risk exposure.

Real-world examples of the template in use

These examples illustrate practical outcomes when the template is used with eSign and digital workflows.

Martin Properties (Small portfolio)

Tim Martin used the template for multiple storefront leases to streamline execution

Template reduced in-person meetings
The firm reported consistent execution across mobile and desktop and said documents were processed remotely with full compliance and security.

Optica Ventures (Brokerage)

Optica Ventures standardized lease drafts for retail rollouts

Templates cut negotiation time
The team found standardized clauses simplified approvals, reduced revision cycles, and made it faster to issue offers to tenants.

Frequently asked questions about using the Real Estate Shops Template

Answers to common execution, legal, and technical questions when preparing and signing the template.

Need help? Contact support

Can this template be e-signed?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA where adopted. Ensure the transaction is not one of the ESIGN/UETA exceptions (for example, certain wills or court filings) and obtain required consumer consent for consumer-facing financial agreements.
Do leases need notarization or witnesses?
Most commercial leases do not require notarization for validity, but recording or related deeds may. Witness and notary requirements vary by state and document type; check local rules before relying on notarization for evidentiary purposes.
How do I confirm signer identity?
Use layered authentication: email verification plus optional SMS code or ID credential analysis for higher assurance. For transactions requiring elevated identity proofing, combine authentication with audio-video RON where permitted.
What if a party changes after signing?
Amend the lease with a written, signed amendment executed by all original parties or via a signed assignment and assumption agreement to transfer rights and obligations to a new party.
How should I store executed copies?
Store signed PDFs with the full audit trail, records of consent, and any notarization certificates. Retain copies according to applicable retention rules (IRS, HIPAA where relevant) and your organization’s records policy.
Are electronic records admissible in court?
Electronic records and signatures are admissible when they meet ESIGN/UETA criteria: intent to sign, consent to electronic records, attribution, and reliable retention. Preserve the audit trail to support admissibility.

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