How to Sign a Lease Online Securely and Efficiently (We Cover 2 Methods)

Quick Summary

This article explains how to sign a lease online using secure digital tools like SignWell and iLovePDF, making the process faster, easier, and legally compliant for landlords and tenants alike.

Wondering How to Sign a Lease Online Without the Headaches?

Days of scheduling multiple in-person meetings just to get a lease signed are gone. With digital lease signing, you can complete your rental agreement from anywhere in the world, at any time that’s convenient for you. This modern approach saves precious time and eliminates the hassle of printing, scanning, and mailing documents back and forth between you and the party(ies) involved.

In this SignWell guide, we’re going to explain how to sign a lease online securely and efficiently using two trusted methods. 

But first…

Why Listen to Us?

SignWell is a trusted e-signature platform built for real estate and property management. Serving over 65,000 businesses with 10M+  documents signed and a 98% customer support satisfaction rate, we streamline lease agreements and ensure compliance with state laws, helping landlords and property managers simplify rental workflows nationwide.

What Does It Mean to Sign a Lease Online?

Signing a lease online means using an electronic signature tool to review, fill out, and sign a rental agreement digitally, no printing, scanning, or mailing required. Instead of sitting down with pen and paper, both parties can complete the process from their laptop or phone in just a few clicks.

Unlike traditional lease signing, which often involves in-person meetings and back-and-forth logistics, online lease signing is built for speed and convenience without compromising legality. Thanks to regulations like the ESIGN Act (U.S.) and eIDAS (EU), electronic signatures are just as legally binding as handwritten ones, so you can sign with confidence.

Who benefits from this? Everyone involved in the rental process:

• Landlords and property managers who want to streamline lease agreements.
• Tenants looking for convenience, especially when relocating from another city or state.
• Real estate agents needing a simple way to close deals quickly and professionally.

How to Sign a Lease Online

Method 1: Using SignWell’s FREE PDF or Doc Signing Tool (Recommended)

We’ve built SignWell to make lease signing fast, secure, and stress-free, whether you’re a landlord or a tenant. With just a few clicks, you can complete your agreement from anywhere.

Here is how it works:

Step 1: Prepare Your Lease Document

Make sure your lease agreement is saved to your device in either PDF or Word format. If it’s still in your email or stored in the cloud, download it first so you can upload it to SignWell.

Step 2: Open SignWell’s Free Signing Tool

You can sign leases in either format using these tools:

• For PDFs: SignWell PDF Signing Tool
• For Word docs or other file types: SignWell Document Signing Tool

Once you open the tool, you’ll see a box to drag and drop your lease or a yellow button to upload it directly. No account or sign-up required.

You can upload up to three files at once. After uploading, you’ll see two helpful options you can toggle:

• Include Audit & Lock: Adds a tamper-proof audit trail and locks the document after signing.
• Wet Sign Effect: Gives your e-signature a more traditional ink-style look (optional).

Step 3: Add Your Signature

Once your document loads, it will open in a preview screen where you can drag and drop signing fields like:

• Signature
• Initials
• Date
• Text fields
• Checkboxes

Drag the Signature field to the correct place in your lease (typically near the bottom or in the designated “Tenant Signature” section).

You’ll have three ways to sign:

• Type your name and choose from a selection of styles.
• Draw your signature using a mouse, stylus, or touchpad.
• Upload a scanned image of your handwritten signature.

Step 4: Download Your Signed Lease

Once you’ve added your signature, click Continue to Download at the top right of the screen.

SignWell will process your signed lease, it usually takes just a few seconds. When it’s ready, click the Download button to save a fully signed, secure copy to your device.

Note: All uploaded files are encrypted and automatically deleted after signing. Your personal information and signed lease stay secure and private, with nothing stored permanently on SignWell’s servers.

Also see our article on: How to Electronically Sign a PDF

Method 2: Using ILovePDF 

iLovePDF is a simple online tool that lets you quickly sign lease PDFs without creating an account. While it’s less secure than SignWell, it works well for fast, low-risk situations.

Step 1: Prepare Your Lease Document

Make sure your lease agreement is saved to your device in PDF. If it’s still in your email or stored in the cloud, download it first and save it to your device.

Step 2: Go to iLovePDF’s Sign PDF Tool

• Visit: ilovepdf.com/sign-pdf

Step 3: Upload Your Lease Document

Click on the “Select PDF file” button.

• Choose your lease document from your computer or drag and drop it into the upload area.

Step 4: Select “Sign Yourself”

After the file uploads, select “Only me” if you’re signing personally.

Step 4: Add Your Signature

• The signature modal automatically pops up on the screen.
• You’ll have three options:
  • Draw your signature using your mouse or touchscreen.
  • Type your name and choose a font.
  • Upload an image of your signature.

Step 5: Place the Signature

1. Drag your created signature to the appropriate signature field on your lease document.
2. Resize and adjust it as needed.

Step 6: Complete and Download

• Once positioned, click “Sign”.

• iLovePDF will process the document.

Click “Download signed document” to save your lease with your signature.

Simplify Lease Contract Signing With SignWell

Navigating lease contract signing shouldn’t feel like a paperwork headache. Whether you’re a landlord managing multiple tenants or a renter finalizing a new agreement, the process should be simple, secure, and stress-free.

SignWell makes that possible. It streamlines lease contract signing with legally binding e-signatures, intuitive document workflows, and detailed audit trails. You can sign and send leases in minutes, without printing, scanning, or chasing signatures. Everything stays organized and compliant, so you can focus on what matters.

Ready to simplify your lease agreements? Try SignWell for free.