Premises
Define the leased space precisely by address, suite, and square footage, and state any common area rights or parking allocations.
A well-drafted lease reduces disputes, clarifies financial and operational responsibilities, and defines remedies for default; it protects landlord and tenant expectations and supports enforceability under state contract law.
Landlords, property managers, commercial tenants, brokers, and in-house or outside counsel commonly prepare and sign commercial leases for retail, office, industrial, and mixed-use properties.
Typically signs for the landlord or ownership entity after receiving board or owner authorization; ensures lease form compliance and coordinates tenant move-in logistics; consults counsel for unusual clauses.
Signs on behalf of the tenant entity or DBA when properly authorized by corporate resolution or operating agreement; responsible for rent, permitted use, and compliance during the lease term.
Define the leased space precisely by address, suite, and square footage, and state any common area rights or parking allocations.
Specify the lease duration, commencement and expiration dates, renewal options, and holdover provisions to avoid timing disputes.
Detail base rent, escalation method, additional rent (CAM, taxes, insurance), payment dates, and acceptable payment methods.
Describe permitted and prohibited uses, signage rules, and any exclusivity or co-tenancy conditions affecting operations.
Allocate repair and maintenance responsibilities between landlord and tenant and list required insurance coverages and waivers.
State cure periods, acceleration clauses, damages, right to relet, and any landlord self-help consistent with state law.
Keep master copies in PDF/A or DOCX for editability and long-term archiving; preserve signed PDFs as the definitive record.
Attach proof of required insurance with policy numbers and effective dates referenced in the lease.
Retain corporate resolutions, LLC authorizations, or signed powers of attorney that show signing authority.
Include move-in inspection reports and photos documenting existing conditions to reduce security deposit disputes.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Upload Document | PDF or DOCX recommended | preserve original formatting |
| Add Signer Roles | Landlord | Tenant | Guarantor |
| Authentication | Email link | SMS code | optional KBA |
| Retention & Audit | Enable audit trail | enable signed PDF certificate |
Choose a platform that supports PDF/DOCX, audit trails, and the authentication level your transaction requires.
Start of obligations and rent commencement.
Monthly or periodic due dates per lease schedule.
Timeframe and conditions for deposit accounting and return.
Required notice to cure, terminate, or nonrenew per lease.
Dates for exercising renewal or termination options.
Review and agree on principal economic and use terms.
Signatures collected and copies distributed to parties.
Tenant takes possession and rent obligations begin.
Decide on renewal, surrender, or holdover procedures.
Assemble signed lease and valid IDs for signers
Verify county or lease-specific notarization or witness rules
In-person notary or RON if the state and parties permit
Sign in notary presence or via approved remote process
Notary completes certificate and journal entry
Witness signatures if the state or lease requires them
Record lease with county recorder for long-term interests
Provide executed copies and archive originals securely
| Criteria | Commercial Lease | Residential Lease |
|---|---|---|
| Parties | businesses | individuals |
| Regulation | contract law | consumer landlord-tenant law |
| Typical Term | multi-year | often month-to-month or 1 year |
| Use | commercial operations | dwelling purposes |
| 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 (Business Premium) | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Envelope Cap | No cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor |
A regional manager reduced turnaround time for lease execution with remote signatures.
A tenant completed lease and insurance certificates online before move-in.