Electronic signature of a rental lease

Can a lease be signed electronically?

Yes, without any restriction. The ALUR (2014) and ELAN (2018) laws do not require a paper form for residential leases. Furnished, commercial and professional leases can all be signed electronically.

Recommended level

Advanced signature (AES) is strongly recommended: lease duration (often 3-6 years), financial stakes, long-term contractual relationship. Dual-factor identification (email + OTP SMS) secures proof in case of dispute.

Documents to include in the envelope

A complete lease includes:

• the lease itself (standard contract under the law of 6 July 1989 for residential property)

• mandatory diagnostics (DPE, ERP, asbestos, lead, gas, electricity as applicable)

• information notice (since 2015)

• entry condition report (if done simultaneously)

• any joint and several guarantor (with separate signature)

Everything in a single envelope to guarantee consistency.

Complete procedure

• Prepare the lease from your template or business software (Apimo, Hektor)

• Gather mandatory annexes (valid DPE, current diagnostics)

• Add signatories: tenant(s), landlord, possible joint and several guarantor

• Send in AES with defined signature order

• Track signatures in real time

• Archive the lease + audit trail for the duration + 5 years

Joint and several guarantor

If a guarantor signs as joint and several guarantor, they must:

• sign in the same envelope as the lease

• include the handwritten mention of article 22-1 of the law of 6 July 1989 (maximum amount, duration, commitment)

• be authenticated in AES (strong identification mandatory for an act of commitment)

Common mistakes

• Sending the lease alone without diagnostics (invalid)

• Using SES for the guarantor (weak proof for a commitment of this level)

• Forgetting the information notice

• Not keeping the audit trail

Commercial lease

The commercial lease (3-6-9 years) can also be signed electronically. Note: triennial termination (article L145-4 Commercial Code) requires an extrajudicial deed (bailiff) — electronic signature does not apply to it.

Use case: residential lease with guarantor

A property management agency manages an apartment in Paris assigned to a provincial student with parental guarantee. Journey:

• File validated Tuesday

• Sending in AES of lease + diagnostics + joint and several guarantor

• Sequential order: tenant → guarantor → landlord

• All signed Wednesday

• Key handover Thursday

Gain: 5 days compared to the traditional paper cycle.

How Certyneo helps you

Certyneo offers a lease template compliant with ALUR/ELAN, integration with major property management software (Apimo, Hektor, PERISCOPE), AES signature by default, joint and several guarantor management in the same envelope, long-term archiving.

Discover Certyneo's electronic signature solution

FAQ

Does an electronic lease have the same value as a paper lease?

Yes, provided advanced signature and proper storage.

Must diagnostics be up to date?

Yes, their validity period varies (DPE 10 years, ERP current, asbestos according to date).

Can the guarantor sign remotely?

Yes, in the same envelope, in AES.

How long should the lease be kept?

Lease duration + 5 years minimum, 10 years advised.

Can a condition report be dematerialised?

Yes, with photos and AES signature in situ (tablet).

Conclusion

Signing a lease electronically simplifies rental management: fewer trips, faster process, reinforced proof. Agencies that have adopted it put properties to let faster.

Try Certyneo to send, sign and track your documents online simply, quickly and securely.