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E-signature software for landlords
A landlord signing leases, renewals and addenda a few times a month has a different problem than a property management company signing hundreds. Here is what actually applies to you.
Updated · 3 min read
What documents landlords actually sign this way
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules for e-signing leases and certain notices vary by jurisdiction.
New leases, renewals, addenda (pets, parking, house rules) and move-in/move-out checklists are the documents most landlords sign electronically without issue. Certain notices during a tenancy — rent increases, entry notices, non-renewal, and especially eviction-related notices — sometimes have specific service requirements by jurisdiction that a signing link doesn't automatically satisfy. Check local rules for those specifically.
What actually matters for a landlord
- A dated, verifiable record. If a tenant later disputes a term, the timestamped audit trail and certificate matter more than the signature graphic itself.
- No account required for tenants. Prospective and current tenants shouldn't need to register anywhere just to sign a lease.
- Long-term availability. You'll want the signed lease and certificate accessible for the length of the tenancy, and often well after it ends.
- No fee for months you don't lease anything. Most landlords with a handful of units don't sign every month.
Handling co-tenants and multiple signers
Signavos sends to one recipient per document today. For a lease with two or more tenants, send the same PDF separately to each — each send costs one credit, so a two-tenant lease costs two credits total, and each tenant gets their own certificate. The full walkthrough, including what to check in the PDF before sending, is in how to send a lease for electronic signature
If you regularly need everyone to sign the same envelope in a single send, that's a genuine reason to consider a subscription tool with multi-signer support instead — see the comparison pages.
Cost math for a small portfolio
| Units | Sends/year (approx.) | Signavos cost/year | $15/user/mo subscription/year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 units | ~6 | $3–$11 | $180 |
| 10 units | ~20 | $10–$36 | $180 |
| 25 units | ~50 | $25–$90 | $180 |
For a small portfolio, a per-seat subscription is close to pure overhead — you're paying for capacity you don't use most months. Past roughly 25–30 units with frequent turnover, run the numbers again; a subscription's included features (templates for a standard lease, bulk sending at renewal season) can start to outweigh the per-signature savings.
Keeping your records straight
Download the signed lease and Certificate of Completion for every tenant and file them with that unit's records — Signavos keeps the document until you delete it, but your own copy is what you'll actually hand a new property manager, your accountant, or a court if a dispute ever gets that far. Keep records at least as long as the tenancy plus your jurisdiction's relevant statute of limitations.
Send a lease for e-signature without a monthly plan: Signavos charges per signature, and tenants sign from a link without creating an account.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I e-sign a lease with a co-signer or guarantor?
- Yes — send the lease to the co-signer or guarantor as a separate recipient, the same as you would for a second tenant. Each send is a separate credit.
- Is an e-signed lease valid without a notary?
- In most jurisdictions, standard residential leases don't require notarization regardless of signing method. Check your local requirements if you're unsure — this is general information, not legal advice.
- What happens if a tenant ignores the signing link?
- The request expires after 7 days unsigned, your credit is refunded automatically, and you can resend a fresh invitation any time.
- Is Signavos cheaper than DocuSign for a small landlord?
- Usually yes below roughly 24 signatures a year for a $12/mo plan, and lower still against pricier competitor tiers — see how much does e-signature software cost?
Send your next document without a subscription.
Upload a PDF, place the fields, send. Your recipient signs without an account and you pay per signature — nothing renews.
Start paying per signature