Electronic signature of a rental lease

Can a lease be signed electronically?

Can a lease be signed electronically?

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

Recommended levelTheadvanced signature (AES)

is strongly recommended: duration of the lease (often 3-6 years), financial stake, long-term contractual relationship. Double-factor identification (email + OTP SMS) secures proof in the event of a dispute.

Documents to include in the envelope

• A complete lease includes:
• the lease itself (standard contract law of July 6, 1989 for housing)
• the obligatory diagnostics (DPE, ERP, asbestos, lead, gas, electricity depending on the case)
• the information notice (since 2015)
• the entry inventory (if done simultaneously)

any joint security deposit (with separate signature)

Everything in a single envelope to guarantee consistency.

1. Complete procedurePrepare the lease
2. from your template or business software (Apimo, Hektor)Gather the mandatory annexes
3. (valid DPE, valid diagnostics)Add the signatories ⬥⬥⬥: tenant(s), lessor, possible joint guarantee
4. Send in AESwith defined signature order
5. Followsignatures in real time
6. Archivethe lease + audit trail for the duration + 5 years

Joint guarantee

If a guarantor signs a joint guarantee, he must:

• sign in the same envelope as the lease
• include the handwritten mention of article 22-1 of the law of July 6, 1989 (maximum amount, duration, commitment)
• be authenticated in AES (strong identification required for an act of commitment)

Frequent errors

• Send the lease alone without the diagnostics (invalid)
• Use SES for the deposit (fragile proof for a commitment of this level)
• Forget the information notice
• Do not keep the audit trail

Commercial lease

The commercial lease (3-6-9 years) can also be signed electronically. Please note: three-year termination (article L145-4 Commercial Code) requires an extrajudicial act (bailiff) — electronic signature does not apply.

Use case: residential lease with guarantor

A real estate agency manages a Parisian apartment allocated to a provincial student with parental guarantee. Process:

1. File validated Tuesday
2. Sending in AES of the lease + diagnostics + joint guarantee
3. Sequential order: tenant → deposit → lessor
4. All signed Wednesday
5. Handover of keys Thursday

Savings: 5 days compared to the paper cycle traditional.

How Certyneo helps you

Certyneo offers an ALUR/ELAN compliant lease template, integration with the main real estate software (Apimo, Hektor, PERISCOPE), AES signature by default, management of the joint security deposit in the same envelope, long archiving.

Discover the Certyneo electronic signature solution

FAQ

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

Yes, subject to advanced signature and good conservation.

Do diagnostics need to be up to date?

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

Can the guarantor sign remotely?

Yes, in the same envelope, in AES.

How long to keep the lease?

Lease duration + 5 years minimum, 10 years recommended.

Can we do an electronic inventory?

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

Conclusion

Signing a lease electronically simplifies renting: less travel, more speed, reinforced proof. Agencies that have adopted it rent more quickly.

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