Sign a French commercial lease online in 2 minutes
Commercial lease between a landlord (SCI, indivision, real-estate fund) and a commercial tenant (SARL, SAS, sole proprietor), signed electronically with the same legal value as a paper lease. Compliant with the French commercial-lease statute (Commerce Code, art. L145-1 et seq.) and the eIDAS regulation — advanced signature recommended, multi-signers (CEO + CFO tenant side, SCI manager landlord side), 9-year statutory minimum.
- Legal framework
- Commercial-lease statute
- Signature level
- AES eIDAS recommended
- Legal retention
- Lease term + 10 years
What is a French commercial lease?
A French commercial lease is a rental contract for premises used by a commerçant, industrialist or artisan registered with the RCS or trades register. It is governed by the commercial-lease statute (art. L145-1 et seq. French Commerce Code, formerly decree no. 53-960 of 30 September 1953), also known as "3-6-9". The lease has a minimum 9-year term, with triennial termination option for the tenant (unless excluded), and grants the tenant a right to renewal or to an eviction indemnity. The 2014 Pinel Act strengthened tenant protections (state-of-place, charges allocation, capped revision).
Why sign the commercial lease electronically?
Identical legal value
Article 1366 of the French Civil Code gives an electronic writing the same probative force as paper. No provision of the Commerce Code requires handwritten signature for a commercial lease sous seing privé (under private signature). Only the notarial deed requires a specific signature (qualified electronic signature).
Multi-signers (legal entities)
A commercial lease often involves several signers landlord-side (SCI managers, indivisaires) AND tenant-side (CEO + CFO, or SARL co-managers). Our flow handles sequential or parallel signing of all legal representatives, each with their individual SMS OTP.
Long-term retention
The commercial lease has a minimum 9-year term, often renewed for another 9 years. Certyneo archives the signed lease and its eIDAS audit trail for the entire lease duration (and beyond, for civil actions prescribed 5 years after the end), instantly accessible in case of litigation.
Enforceable eIDAS audit trail
Every lease ships with an evidence PDF: identity of each signer (verified by SMS OTP), qualified timestamp, SHA-256 hash, IP geolocation. Enforceable in case of dispute over clauses (rent, charges, duration, contractual use, sub-letting).
Sign a commercial lease in 4 steps
From preparing the lease to legal archiving, in less than 5 minutes.
1. Prepare the lease
Upload your existing PDF or start from a commercial-lease-compliant template: 9-year term (3-6-9), contractual use of premises, initial rent + ILC/ILAT indexation, charges allocation (Pinel annex), termination terms.
2. Add the signers
Landlord (SCI manager, indivisaires, real-estate fund) + tenant (CEO, CFO, or co-managers). For each legal entity, verify the signer's powers (recent Kbis extract). Each receives a secure link.
3. Choose the eIDAS level
Advanced electronic signature (AES) strongly recommended for a commercial lease: SMS OTP identity check, unique certificate per signer, qualified timestamp. Avoid SES for this type of commitment (9 years + potential eviction indemnity).
4. Sign and archive
Each signer signs from their phone or computer. The finalised lease and the evidence PDF are automatically archived for the lease duration, accessible at any time from the dashboard.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a French commercial lease be signed electronically?
- Yes, without restriction for a lease under private signature. The Commerce Code does not require handwritten signature. Article 1366 of the Civil Code gives an electronic signature the same value as paper once signer identification and document integrity are guaranteed. Only the notarial deed requires a qualified electronic signature.
- What is the minimum duration of a commercial lease?
- 9 years (commercial-lease statute, art. L145-4 Commerce Code). The tenant can terminate every 3 years ("3-6-9") unless excluded. For shorter terms, a derogatory lease (short-term lease, max 3 cumulative years) must be concluded, which excludes the commercial-lease statute.
- Which signature level for a commercial lease: SES, AES or QES?
- Advanced electronic signature (AES) is the professional standard for a commercial lease. It benefits from the reliability presumption (article 1367 Civil Code) and captures each signer's identity (SMS OTP + unique certificate). SES is underdimensioned for a 9-year commitment. QES is generally reserved for notarial deeds.
- How to handle multi-signer signing landlord-side and tenant-side?
- Commercial leases often involve several signers: indivisaires landlord-side (all must sign), co-managers of SARL or CEO + CFO of SAS tenant-side. Certyneo's multi-signer flow handles sequential or parallel signing, each signer receives their personal link with SMS OTP.
- What are the mandatory clauses of a commercial lease?
- Identity of the parties (Kbis extract for legal entities), precise designation of the premises, contractual use, duration, initial rent + reference index (ILC for commerce, ILAT for tertiary), charges allocation (Pinel annex), termination terms, entry state-of-place (mandatory since 2014).
- Does the derogatory lease (short-term) follow the same rules?
- Yes, a derogatory lease (max 3 cumulative years) can be signed electronically the same way. Beware: at expiration, if the tenant stays in the premises without the landlord's objection, the lease automatically transforms into a 9-year statutory commercial lease.
- Does the commercial lease grant a right to renewal or eviction indemnity?
- Yes — at the end of the lease, the tenant benefits from a right to renewal or, in case of landlord refusal, an eviction indemnity (except serious and legitimate reason, or demolition for reconstruction). This is the central stake of the commercial lease and why traceable signature is critical.
- Is the electronically-signed lease enforceable in court?
- Yes — French case law recognises eIDAS-compliant electronic signatures. Advanced electronic signature (AES) benefits from the reliability presumption (article 1367 Civil Code): the electronically-signed lease is enforceable just like a paper lease, provided the eIDAS audit trail is produced in court.
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Sign your first commercial lease online
Permanent free plan (5 envelopes / month), no credit card. Commercial-lease statute + eIDAS compliant. Audit trail and long-term archiving included.