How to sign a lease online

Can a lease be signed electronically?

In most cases, yes. The federal ESIGN Act and state UETA laws say a contract can't be denied legal effect just because it's signed electronically, and leases aren't on the general list of exclusions. Two things to watch:

• Some notices are carved out. ESIGN doesn't apply to notices of default, acceleration, repossession, foreclosure or eviction, or the right to cure, under a rental agreement for someone's primary residence. Check your state's rules before you send those notices electronically.
• States add their own rules. Some states exclude extra documents or set specific requirements for leases. Look up your state on our e-signature laws by state pages.

Who needs to sign

• Every adult tenant named on the lease, each with their own signature.
• Co-signers or guarantors, if the lease has them.
• The landlord or property manager, usually last, once the tenants have signed.

Have each person initial any section that matters most, like pet rules, a late fee clause or a move-out condition, so nobody can say they missed it. Attach the addenda (pet, parking, house rules) in the same envelope, so the signed set stays together.

Set up the lease in SignMaster

Each send is an envelope: SignMaster's word for one or more documents going to one or more signers. A lease and its addenda can travel together in one envelope.

1. 1

   Upload the lease and addenda

   Start an envelope and upload the lease PDF plus any addenda. Save the set as a template if you lease the same unit or use the same form often.

2. 2

   Add tenants, co-signers and yourself

   Add each signer by name and email. Set the signing order so tenants and co-signers sign first and you sign last. Tap Add me to include yourself.

3. 3

   Place fields for each person

   Add signature, initials, date signed and text fields where each signer needs them, including initials beside key clauses.

4. 4

   Set a sign-by date

   In Message & settings, add a deadline and a note. Reminders follow up until it's signed. For tenants who'd rather read in another language, the signing page and emails come in 6 languages.

5. 5

   Everyone gets the signed lease

   When the last person signs, every signer receives the signed PDF by email, with a certificate of completion showing who signed and when.

For tenants: signing a lease you were sent

Read the whole lease before you sign, not just the highlighted fields. Check the rent, the due date, the deposit, who pays which utilities, and how and when you can end the lease. Once you agree to sign electronically and adopt your signature, it counts. When everyone has signed, keep the copy that arrives by email.