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 impose 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. Two-factor identification (email + SMS OTP) secures evidence 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 properties)

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

• the information notice (since 2015)

• the entry inventory report (if done simultaneously)

• the possible joint and several guarantee (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 the mandatory annexes (valid DPE, inspections within validity period)

• 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 (mandatory strong identification for a commitment act)

Common errors

• Sending the lease alone without inspections (invalid)

• Using SES for the guarantor (fragile evidence for a commitment at this level)

• Forgetting the information notice

• Not retaining the audit trail

Commercial lease

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

Use case: residential lease with guarantor

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

• File validated Tuesday

• Sending in AES of lease + inspections + joint and several guarantee

• 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 an ALUR/ELAN compliant lease template, integration with major real estate 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 retention.

Must inspections be up to date?

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

Can the guarantor sign remotely?

Yes, in the same envelope, in AES.

How long should the lease be retained?

Lease duration + 5 years minimum, 10 years recommended.

Can an inventory report be dematerialised?

Yes, with photos and AES signature on site (tablet).

Conclusion

Signing a lease electronically simplifies rental management: fewer trips, faster process, reinforced evidence. Agencies that have adopted it rent out faster.

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