How to Sign a Lease Agreement Online — Tenant & Landlord Guide

Why Sign a Lease Online?

Signing a lease used to mean coordinating schedules, driving to an office, and sitting through a stack of pages. For tenants relocating to a new city, this was especially inconvenient — sometimes impossible if they had not yet arrived.

Online lease signing solves these problems. Both tenants and landlords can review, sign, and exchange lease agreements from anywhere with an internet connection. The process takes minutes instead of days.

For Tenants: How to Sign Your Lease Online

Step 1: Review the Lease Carefully

Before signing anything, read the entire lease thoroughly. Pay particular attention to:

• Rent amount and due date — Confirm the monthly amount and when payment is due
• Lease term — Verify start and end dates
• Security deposit — Note the amount and conditions for return
• Late fees — Understand penalties for late payment
• Maintenance responsibilities — Know what you are responsible for versus the landlord
• Pet policy — If applicable, check for breed restrictions, weight limits, and pet deposits
• Early termination clause — Understand the penalties if you need to break the lease
• Renewal terms — Check whether the lease auto-renews or converts to month-to-month

Do not rush through this step just because signing is easy. The convenience of digital signing should not replace careful reading.

Step 2: Sign the Lease

Once you have reviewed the document and are ready to sign:

1. Open SigPDF in your browser
2. Upload the lease PDF your landlord sent
3. Click "Add Signature" and draw your signature
4. Place your signature on the designated signature line
5. Add your initials to each page if the lease requires it
6. Add the date next to your signature
7. Download the signed PDF

Step 3: Send It Back

Email the signed PDF to your landlord or property manager. Keep a copy for your own records — you should always have your own copy of the signed lease.

For Landlords: How to Set Up Online Lease Signing

Prepare Your Lease Template

Start with a solid lease template that covers all legally required terms for your state or municipality. If you do not already have one, consult a local real estate attorney or use a state-specific template from a reputable legal resource.

Save the lease as a PDF. Most word processors (Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Pages) can export to PDF.

Send the Lease for Signing

You have two approaches:

Option A: Sequential signing

1. Send the unsigned PDF to the tenant
2. Ask them to sign using a tool like SigPDF and return it
3. Open the tenant-signed PDF and add your own signature
4. Send the fully executed copy to both parties

Option B: Sign first, then send

1. Add your signature to the lease using SigPDF
2. Send the landlord-signed PDF to the tenant
3. Ask the tenant to add their signature and return the completed document

Both approaches are valid. Option A is more common because landlords typically want to see the tenant's signature before committing their own.

Store the Signed Lease

Keep the fully signed PDF in a secure, organized location. Create a folder structure by property and tenant name for easy retrieval. Cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud work well for this purpose.

What About Multiple Tenants?

When a lease has multiple tenants (roommates), each person needs to sign. Here is the practical workflow:

1. Landlord sends the lease PDF to all tenants
2. Tenant 1 signs using SigPDF and sends to Tenant 2
3. Tenant 2 opens the partially signed PDF, adds their signature, and sends to the next tenant (or back to the landlord if they are the last one)
4. The landlord adds their signature last
5. The fully executed lease is distributed to everyone

Make sure each person signs on their designated line. Most multi-tenant leases have separate signature lines labeled with each tenant's name.

Is an Online-Signed Lease Legally Binding?

Yes. In the United States, leases signed electronically are legally binding under the ESIGN Act and UETA, which apply to residential and commercial leases alike. The same is true in the EU under eIDAS, in Canada, the UK, Australia, and most other countries.

Courts have repeatedly upheld electronically signed leases. What matters legally is:

1. Intent — Both parties intended to sign the lease (they were not tricked or coerced)
2. Consent — Both parties agreed to conduct the transaction electronically
3. Association — The signature can be associated with the signer
4. Record retention — The signed document is accessible and reproducible

A PDF signed through a browser-based tool satisfies all of these requirements.

State-Specific Notes

While e-signed leases are valid nationwide, a few states have specific landlord-tenant laws worth noting:

• California — Requires certain disclosures that must be included in the lease; electronic delivery and signing of these disclosures is permitted
• New York — Has strict rent-stabilized lease rules; electronic signing is allowed for standard leases
• Texas — Landlords must provide specific notices; these can be signed electronically

Check your state's landlord-tenant statutes for any specific requirements about disclosures or notices.

Common Concerns

"What if the tenant claims they did not sign?"

Digital signing creates a clear paper trail — email timestamps, the signed PDF file with metadata, and communication records. This is actually stronger evidence than a physical signature, where a tenant could claim the signature was forged.

"Can I still use paper leases too?"

Absolutely. Online signing is an option, not a requirement. Some landlords and tenants prefer the formality of an in-person signing, and that is perfectly fine. Many landlords use online signing for renewals and straightforward leases while doing in-person signings for new tenants they are meeting for the first time.

"Do I need a special platform for lease signing?"

No. While there are dedicated property management platforms with built-in e-signature features (which can cost $20-100+ per month), you do not need them for basic lease signing. A simple PDF signing tool like SigPDF handles the signing process affordably, with plans from €2.08/month.

"What about the security deposit receipt?"

In many states, landlords are required to provide a signed receipt for the security deposit. This receipt can also be signed electronically and delivered via email.

Best Practices for Both Parties

Always keep a fully signed copy. Both the landlord and tenant should have a copy of the lease with all signatures. After the final signature is added, the person who signed last should distribute the completed document to everyone.

Date your signatures. Always include the date next to your signature. This establishes when each party signed, which is important for determining when the lease terms take effect.

Use a clear, readable signature. While legally any mark can serve as a signature, using something that is recognizably yours helps avoid disputes later.

Initial every page. Even if the lease does not explicitly require it, initialing each page provides additional evidence that you reviewed the entire document, not just the signature page.

Confirm receipt. After sending a signed document, confirm that the other party received it. A simple "received, thanks" email closes the loop.

Sign Your Lease Now

Whether you are a tenant signing your first apartment lease or a landlord managing multiple properties, SigPDF makes the process simple. Open it in your browser, upload the lease PDF, sign, and download. No account and no software to install. Downloads from €2.08/month.

Sign Your Lease Agreement →