Lease Agreement
The primary contract that defines term, rent, late fees, utilities allocation, and rules. It must be signed and dated by all parties to create enforceable obligations.
A complete Tenant Move In Documents packet reduces disputes, documents condition and payments, and clarifies mutual responsibilities. When properly executed it supports enforcement and is generally admissible in court; electronic signatures are legally recognized under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted.
Property owners, managers, leasing agents, and tenants all participate in preparing and signing Tenant Move In Documents at lease commencement.
Standardized packets streamline onboarding, reduce administrative friction, and create a consistent record for inspections, maintenance, and deposit reconciliation.
The primary contract that defines term, rent, late fees, utilities allocation, and rules. It must be signed and dated by all parties to create enforceable obligations.
A detailed condition checklist and photos documenting walls, floors, appliances, and damage. Use dated photos and tenant initials to reduce later disputes over security deposits.
Receipts and state-specific handling instructions that record amounts held, where funds are stored, and timing for return to comply with local law.
Statutory notices such as lead-based paint (for pre-1978 housing) and any local rent or habitability disclosures required by state or municipal law.
Pet policies, parking assignments, subletting rules, and HOA provisions appended to the lease to capture property-specific requirements and fees.
Contacts for property manager, emergency maintenance, and utility transfer instructions so the tenant can quickly report problems and establish service.
| Template Fields | Preplace signature, initials, date, and conditional fields. |
|---|---|
| Conditional Logic | Show pet addendum only when pet checkbox selected. |
| Signer Order | Landlord or manager first, tenant next. |
| Authentication Method | Choose email, SMS code, or stronger ID check. |
| Reminders & Expiry | Set automatic reminders and link expiration. |
Select a platform that supports PDFs, Word files, mobile signing, and audit trails so you can collect signatures reliably and keep an evidentiary log.
Conduct within 24–72 hours of possession.
Collect before or at lease start date.
Provide mandatory disclosures before signing.
Deliver tenant copy immediately after signing.
Return per state law, typically 14–60 days.
Lease terms finalized and move-in date scheduled.
Assemble lease, checklist, receipts, and disclosures.
Document existing condition with photos and signatures.
Distribute copies and archive electronic originals.
Martin Properties digitized its move-in packets to eliminate paper handling and speed turnarounds.
A growing small-portfolio operator standardized forms and templates across units to reduce errors.
| 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 | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |