As a landlord you are often swamped with paperwork – leases, rental agreements and notices that need signing.
It’s time consuming and frustrating to keep up with all the forms.
A simple solution to this is to use electronic signatures. With the ESIGN Act you can now sign and manage rental agreements and other important documents online.
In this article you’ll learn when you can use electronic signatures, how they can help and what to consider when using them.
How to Sign a Tenancy or Lease Agreement Online?
You can sign a rental or lease agreement online by uploading your document to an electronic signature software such as Signaturely, adding your signature and requesting your tenant’s signature.
Here’s how it works with Signaturely:
- Create an account or log in to Signaturely
- Upload your file
- Click “Sign” on the left.
- Choose “Who needs to sign?”
- Upload your document and name it.
- Enter the names and email addresses of all signers.
- Send your document
- Add required text, checkboxes or signatures using the editor.
- When you’re done, click “Send”
If you prefer video instructions, follow this tutorial which describes the steps needed to sign a tenancy agreement and send it for signature:
Is There a Risk to Using Electronic Signature for Landlords?
Landlords increasingly use electronic signatures for documents and contracts, but a potential risk is associated with using eSignatures in the rental business.
The greatest risk regarding eSignature technology is the potential for invalid signatures. The rental agreement or document could be considered null and void if a signature field is invalidated. Any agreement made in the document would no longer be legally binding, and either party could back out without facing penalties. Fortunately, there are ways to ensure legality when creating electronic signatures.
The first way to reduce risk is by using compliant software. Signaturely is compliant with eIDAS, which means the platform is officially recognized as providing valid signatures around the globe. This is based on the software’s compliance with AATL (Adobe Approved Trusted List), which meets the highest standards for validity and trust. By using compliant software, you can be sure that your signatures will be recognized as valid according to landlord-tenant laws.
Do eSignatures Work With Property Management Software?
When managing a property, there are many moving parts to track. From managing leases and rent payments to scheduling maintenance and repairs, there’s much to stay on top of. That’s why having reliable property management software is so important. An eSignature tool must work seamlessly with the programs you’re already using—it can be frustrating and time-consuming to constantly switch between different programs or platforms to get things done.
eSignatures are a convenient way to get electronically signed lease agreements without paper copies or in-person signatures. But do eSignatures work with property management software? In most cases, the answer is yes. Most e-signing software can integrate with popular property management systems. You can use your existing property management software to send documents to tenants, landlords, and other parties. Once a rental agreement is signed, the eSignature will be automatically recorded in your property management system. This streamlined process can save you time and eliminate the hassle of traditional paper-based contracts.
Are eSignatures Legal for Rental Agreements?
In 2000, the US Congress passed the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN) to promote the use of electronic signatures and records. This act created a clear legal framework for electronic signatures, establishing their validity and enforceability under US law.
While ESIGN applies to a wide range of documents, it’s particularly relevant to landlords, including those who offer month-to-month rental agreements. In general, eSignatures are just as legal and binding as traditional paper signatures. Electronic signatures also hold up in court, as they create an audit trail that clearly shows who signed the document and when using digital stamps. This feature makes them ideal for rental agreements that might include a series of changes.
FAQs About Electronic Signature for Landlords
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about electronic signatures for landlords.
Lease documents are a type of document that can be signed using DocuSign. Both parties must first create accounts with DocuSign. The document must be uploaded, and each party can sign it electronically. DocuSign can speed up the legal document signing process compared to more traditional methods.
Leases can be signed electronically in California. Both parties must agree to use electronic records and signatures for an electronic signature to be valid and legally binding.
There are a few different ways to get an electronic signature. Using software such as Signaturely makes sense, which allows you to create an electronic signature easily and digitally sign documents.
What You Need to Remember Electronic Signatures for Landlords
In an increasingly fast-paced world, saving time and reducing costs are more important than ever. Landlords who create customized online leases and send lease agreements digitally can achieve both goals. Now is the time to switch if you’re not already using eSignatures for your property management business.
