Can a lease be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and in most states under UETA; ensure the transaction is not an exception and obtain consent to electronic records.

Are notarization or witnesses required?

Typically no for standard residential leases, but some states or specific transactions may require a notary or witnesses; confirm local law before notarizing or recording the lease.

What tenant disclosures are required?

Common requirements include lead-based paint for properties built before 1978 and state-specific security deposit and habitability disclosures; consult state statutes for exact language.

How long must I keep the executed lease?

Retain the lease for the term plus a minimum of three years; IRS-related documents should be kept per IRC §6501(a), and healthcare records per 45 CFR §164.530(j) where applicable.

Can I change the lease after signing?

Only by written amendment signed by all parties. Oral modifications are risky; document changes, initialed pages, or an executed amendment are recommended.

What if a tenant disputes deductions?

Provide itemized deductions and receipts, follow state timing rules for deposit return, and document condition with move-in/move-out inventories to reduce litigation risk.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Standard Form Residential Tenancy Agreement

Standard Form Residential Tenancy Agreement

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

What the Standard Form Residential Tenancy Agreement Is

A Standard Form Residential Tenancy Agreement is a written contract that sets out the rights and responsibilities of a landlord and tenant for a residential property. It typically identifies the parties and premises, states the lease term, rent and payment schedule, security deposit terms, permitted uses, maintenance obligations, utilities, notice and termination procedures, and remedies for breach. Using a standardized form reduces ambiguity, creates a clear record of agreed terms, and helps both parties and regulators determine obligations over the tenancy lifecycle.

Why a Standard Form Helps Manage Rental Relationships

A standard agreement clarifies expectations, reduces disputes, and documents compliance with state tenant-landlord laws and required disclosures.

Who Typically Uses This Tenancy Agreement

Common users include individual landlords, property managers, nonprofit housing providers, and tenants completing a residential lease.

Individual landlords managing one or a few units who need a clear, repeatable lease template.
Professional property managers and management companies handling multiple leases and renewals.
Tenants reviewing obligations and protections, including security deposit and habitability terms.

Core Sections to Include in a Professional Tenancy Agreement

A complete residential tenancy agreement groups essential terms so rights and obligations are easy to find and legally enforceable.

Parties & Premises

Full legal names of landlord and tenant plus complete street address and unit identifier for the leased premises.

Term & Rent

Lease start and end dates, rent amount, due date, accepted payment methods, late fees, and grace periods.

Security Deposit

Deposit amount, permitted uses, required holding method, interest rules where applicable, and refund timing and deductions.

Maintenance & Repairs

Division of repair responsibilities, emergency procedures, and tenant notice obligations for damage or health/safety conditions.

Utilities & Services

Who pays utilities and services, billing/sharing method, and consequences for nonpayment of tenant-responsible charges.

Termination & Notices

Notice periods for nonrenewal, breach, early termination, subletting rules, and statutory eviction procedures.

Quick Steps to Complete the Tenancy Agreement

Follow a short, consistent process to prepare, execute, and store the completed agreement.

01

Prepare Template: Select a state-compliant form and update premises and party details.
02

Complete Fields: Fill required fields, check dates and money amounts for accuracy.
03

Sign & Initial: Obtain signatures and initials on all required pages.
04

Distribute Copies: Provide executed copies to all parties and retain originals for records.

Typical Digital Workflow Settings for eSigning and Routing

Configure a consistent digital workflow so each tenancy agreement follows the same authentication and routing steps.

Field	Configuration
Authentication method	Email plus optional SMS code for signer verification
Signing order	Landlord signs first, then tenant, or simultaneous signing if agreed
Reminders	Automated reminders at 3 days and 24 hours before expiration
Attachments	Include move-in inventory and disclosures as PDF exhibits

Where the Agreement Goes After Execution

Understand the typical routing so the executed lease is enforceable and readily available for operational use.

Signatures Collected: All parties eSign or wet-sign as required.
Copies Distributed: Provide each party an executed PDF copy with audit trail.
Recordkeeping: Store the executed agreement in the property management record system.
Optional Recording: Record leases only where statutory recording is required or beneficial.

Technical and Integration Considerations for Online Completion

Choose a platform that supports common formats, signer authentication, and your required integrations.

File Formats: PDF, Word DOCX, HTML and Excel supported
Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace
Authentication: Email, SMS code, or advanced verifier

eSignature Vendor Pricing: quick comparison for tenancy agreements

Pricing and feature availability vary by vendor and plan; signNow appears first for comparison. Confirm terms and HIPAA/BAA availability for your use case.

	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 by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Security and Compliance Essentials to Protect Tenancy Agreements

Encryption In Transit: TLS 1.2/1.3

Encryption At Rest: AES-256

Audit Trail: Comprehensive event logs

HIPAA Support: BAA available

ESIGN / UETA: Compliant with U.S. e-signature law

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001

Penalties and Legal Risks from Incomplete or Incorrect Agreements

Unenforceable Terms: Improper form or missing signature

Security Deposit Fines: Statutory penalties vary by state

Wrongful Eviction Claims: Improper notice or procedure

Recordkeeping Violations: Failure to retain required documents

Tax Reporting Risk: Incorrect rental income reporting

Consumer Disclosure Breach: Missing state-mandated notices

Common Errors to Avoid When Preparing a Tenancy Agreement

Using informal or incomplete names that do not match government identification or the leasing entity.
Omitting required state disclosures, such as lead-based paint notices for older properties.
Failing to set clear termination provisions or early-termination fees, creating dispute risk.
Not tracking or documenting security deposit handling, interest, and itemized deductions properly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tenancy Agreement Execution

Answers to common legal and practical questions about signing, electronic execution, notarization, and recordkeeping for tenancy agreements.

Need help? Contact support

Can a lease be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and in most states under UETA; ensure the transaction is not an exception and obtain consent to electronic records.
Are notarization or witnesses required?
Typically no for standard residential leases, but some states or specific transactions may require a notary or witnesses; confirm local law before notarizing or recording the lease.
What tenant disclosures are required?
Common requirements include lead-based paint for properties built before 1978 and state-specific security deposit and habitability disclosures; consult state statutes for exact language.
How long must I keep the executed lease?
Retain the lease for the term plus a minimum of three years; IRS-related documents should be kept per IRC §6501(a), and healthcare records per 45 CFR §164.530(j) where applicable.
Can I change the lease after signing?
Only by written amendment signed by all parties. Oral modifications are risky; document changes, initialed pages, or an executed amendment are recommended.
What if a tenant disputes deductions?
Provide itemized deductions and receipts, follow state timing rules for deposit return, and document condition with move-in/move-out inventories to reduce litigation risk.

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