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 stake, long-term contractual relationship. Dual-factor identification (email + SMS OTP) secures the evidence in case of dispute.

Documents to include in the envelope

A complete lease includes:

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

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

• information notice (since 2015)

• inventory of fixtures upon entry (if done simultaneously)

• any joint and several guarantor (with separate signature)

Everything in a single envelope to guarantee coherence.

Complete procedure

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

• Gather mandatory annexes (valid DPE, inspections in valid period)

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

• Send in AES with defined signature order

• Monitor signatures in real time

• Archive 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 notice of article 22-1 of the law of July 6, 1989 (maximum amount, duration, commitment)

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

Common mistakes

• Sending the lease alone without inspections (invalid)

• Using SES for the guarantor (fragile evidence 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. Caution: 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 a Parisian apartment assigned to a provincial student with parental guarantee. Journey:

• File validated Tuesday

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

• Sequential order: tenant → guarantor → lessor

• All signed Wednesday

• Key handover Thursday

Gain: 5 days compared to traditional paper cycle.

How Certyneo helps you

Certyneo offers an ALUR/ELAN-compliant lease template, integration with leading 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 storage.

Must the inspections be current?

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 kept?

Lease duration + 5 years minimum, 10 years recommended.

Can an inventory be dematerialized?

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

Conclusion

Signing a lease electronically simplifies property rental: fewer trips, more speed, stronger evidence. Agencies that have adopted it put properties into rental faster.

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