Skip to main content
NEW Didit KYC Identity Verification is live, verify signers with government ID & biometrics for eIDAS Advanced signatures Learn more
🏠 Real Estate & Rentals

Free Lease Agreement Template (E-Sign Ready)

Free lease agreement template you can e-sign online—an alternative to DocuSign lease workflows. Residential or commercial clauses, ready for WordPress electronic signature with WPsigner.

Jump to template

Full Template Text

Copy the usable agreement below, replace every [BRACKET] placeholder, then customize for your situation.

Lease Agreement Template (E-Sign Ready)
RESIDENTIAL / COMMERCIAL LEASE AGREEMENT This Lease Agreement (the "Lease") is entered into as of [Effective Date] (the "Effective Date"), BETWEEN: [Landlord Name], with a mailing address at [Landlord Address] (the "Landlord"); AND [Tenant Name], with a mailing address at [Tenant Address] (the "Tenant"). The Landlord and the Tenant may be referred to individually as a "Party" and collectively as the "Parties." 1. PREMISES The Landlord leases to the Tenant, and the Tenant leases from the Landlord, the real property located at [Property Address], Unit or Suite [Unit or Suite Number] (the "Premises"), together with any appurtenances, parking spaces, and common areas described in Exhibit A (if attached). The Premises are leased for [Residential / Commercial] use only, unless otherwise agreed in writing. 2. TERM The term of this Lease begins on [Lease Start Date] and ends on [Lease End Date] (the "Term"), unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Lease. If the Tenant remains in possession after the Term with the Landlord's written consent, occupancy will continue on a month-to-month basis on the same terms, subject to rent adjustments the Landlord may give with at least thirty (30) days' notice. 3. RENT (a) Base Rent. The Tenant will pay monthly rent of [Monthly Rent Amount] (the "Rent"), due in advance on or before the [Rent Due Day of Month] day of each calendar month. (b) Payment Method. Rent is payable by [Payment Method — e.g., ACH, check, online portal] to [Payment Payee / Account Instructions]. (c) Late Fees. If Rent is not received within [Grace Period — e.g., five (5)] days after the due date, the Tenant will pay a late fee of [Late Fee Amount], plus any permitted interest or charges allowed by law. (d) Proration. If the Term begins or ends mid-month, Rent will be prorated on a daily basis. 4. SECURITY DEPOSIT Upon execution of this Lease, the Tenant will pay a security deposit of [Security Deposit Amount] (the "Deposit"). The Landlord may apply the Deposit to unpaid Rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, cleaning, or other amounts the Tenant owes under this Lease. The Landlord will return any unused portion of the Deposit within the time required by [Governing Law / Jurisdiction], together with an itemized statement of deductions, if any. 5. USE AND OCCUPANCY The Tenant will use the Premises only as a private residence / lawful business (as applicable) and will not use the Premises for illegal purposes. The Tenant will not sublet or assign the Premises without the Landlord's prior written consent. Occupancy is limited to the Tenant and the individuals listed on Exhibit B (if attached). 6. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS (a) Landlord. The Landlord will maintain structural components, roof, exterior walls, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems serving the Premises, except damage caused by the Tenant's misuse or negligence. (b) Tenant. The Tenant will keep the Premises clean and sanitary, replace batteries in smoke/CO detectors as needed, promptly report maintenance issues, and pay for damage caused by the Tenant, guests, or pets beyond normal wear and tear. (c) Access. The Tenant will permit the Landlord reasonable access to inspect, make repairs, or show the Premises to prospective tenants or buyers, with notice as required by law except in emergencies. 7. UTILITIES AND SERVICES Unless otherwise stated in Exhibit C, the Tenant is responsible for [Tenant Utilities — e.g., electricity, gas, internet]. The Landlord is responsible for [Landlord Utilities — e.g., water, trash]. The Tenant will not allow utilities to be disconnected for non-payment during the Term. 8. RULES AND RESTRICTIONS The Tenant agrees to comply with all applicable laws, HOA or building rules, and the following: no illegal activity; quiet enjoyment for neighbors; pets only as permitted in [Pet Policy]; no smoking inside the Premises unless allowed in writing; no alterations without Landlord approval; and no storage of hazardous materials. 9. INSURANCE The Tenant is encouraged to maintain renter's or commercial general liability insurance covering personal property and liability. The Landlord's insurance does not cover the Tenant's belongings. Each Party will notify the other of casualty or liability claims affecting the Premises when practical. 10. DEFAULT AND REMEDIES A material default includes failure to pay Rent when due (after applicable notice and cure periods), breach of use or assignment restrictions, or material violation of this Lease. Upon default, the Landlord may pursue remedies available under [Governing Law / Jurisdiction], including termination, possession, and recovery of amounts owed, subject to mandatory notice and cure rights. 11. EARLY TERMINATION Either Party may terminate this Lease before the end of the Term only as permitted by law or with [Notice Period for Termination] days' written notice and payment of any agreed early termination fee of [Early Termination Fee — or "N/A"]. Military, habitability, or statutory break rights apply where required by law. 12. GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTES This Lease is governed by the laws of [Governing Law / Jurisdiction], without regard to conflict-of-law rules. Disputes will be resolved in the courts of [Governing Law / Jurisdiction], unless the Parties agree to mediation first. Required landlord–tenant disclosures for the Premises are attached as exhibits where applicable. 13. GENERAL (a) Entire Agreement. This Lease and any exhibits constitute the entire agreement regarding the Premises and supersede prior oral or written understandings. (b) Amendments. Changes must be in writing signed by both Parties. (c) Severability. If any provision is unenforceable, the remainder stays in effect. (d) Notices. Notices must be in writing and delivered to the addresses above or updated addresses given in writing. (e) Counterparts and Electronic Signatures. This Lease may be executed in counterparts, including electronic signatures, each of which is deemed an original. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Lease as of the Effective Date. LANDLORD Name: [Landlord Name] Signature: _______________________________ Name of Signatory: _______________________ Title: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________________________ TENANT Name: [Tenant Name] Signature: _______________________________ Name of Signatory: _______________________ Date: ____________________________________

This is a starting template, not legal advice. Have a qualified attorney review it for your jurisdiction and use case before signing.

Looking for a free lease agreement template you can e-sign without paying DocuSign envelope fees? This customizable residential and commercial lease covers the clauses landlords and property managers need most—and it is ready for electronic signature in WordPress with WPsigner.

Free lease agreement template for e-signature

A lease agreement is the foundation of any landlord–tenant relationship. Whether you rent a single apartment or manage a portfolio, a clear written lease protects both parties. Use this template as a starting point, customize it for your property and jurisdiction, then collect signatures electronically instead of printing, scanning, or mailing paper.

If you have been searching for a DocuSign lease agreement template workflow, WPsigner gives you the same outcome—reusable template, remote signers, dated signatures—while documents stay on infrastructure you control.

What is a lease agreement?

A lease agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord (lessor) and tenant (lessee) that grants the tenant the right to occupy a property for a specified period in exchange for rent. It outlines rights and obligations for the full tenancy term.

Essential clauses in your lease agreement

1. Property description

Clearly identify the rental property including:

  • Full street address
  • Unit or apartment number
  • Included spaces (parking, storage, common areas)
  • Condition at move-in (use a move-in checklist)

2. Lease term

Define the duration of the agreement:

  • Fixed-term lease: Specific start and end dates (for example, 12 months)
  • Renewal options: Automatic renewal, month-to-month conversion, or a new lease
  • Move-in and move-out: Dates, times, and procedures

3. Rent and payment terms

Specify all financial terms:

  • Monthly rent amount
  • Due date and accepted payment methods
  • Late fees and grace periods
  • Rent increase provisions (if applicable)

4. Security deposit

Outline deposit terms clearly:

  • Deposit amount (check local maximums—many places limit deposits to 1–2 months’ rent)
  • Conditions for deductions (damage beyond normal wear and tear)
  • Timeline for return after move-out (often 14–30 days by jurisdiction)

5. Maintenance and repairs

Assign responsibilities:

  • Landlord: Structural repairs, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, code compliance
  • Tenant: Minor maintenance, reporting issues promptly, and any agreed yard care
  • Emergencies: Contact procedures and response expectations

6. Rules and restrictions

Set clear expectations:

  • Pet policy (restrictions, deposits, pet rent)
  • Noise and quiet hours
  • Smoking policy
  • Guest and occupancy limits
  • Subletting and assignment
  • Property modification rules

7. Early termination

Define exit conditions:

  • Required notice period (typically 30–60 days)
  • Early termination fees
  • Protected break conditions (for example military deployment or uninhabitable conditions)
  • Eviction grounds and procedures

How to customize this template

  1. Check local laws — Landlord–tenant rules vary by state and city. Align rent control, deposit limits, and required disclosures.
  2. Add required disclosures — Examples include lead paint for pre-1978 housing, mold, flooding history, or registry notices where required.
  3. Include a move-in checklist — Document condition with photos and initials to reduce deposit disputes.
  4. Specify utilities — State what is included in rent versus paid by the tenant.
  5. Review with an attorney — Have a local real estate lawyer approve the final lease before e-signing.

DocuSign lease agreement template vs WPsigner

Many landlords search for a DocuSign lease agreement template because they want remote signing, reminders, and a finished PDF. Those goals do not require DocuSign specifically:

NeedTypical DocuSign lease flowWPsigner e-sign lease flow
Reusable lease templateCloud templatesTemplates inside WordPress
Tenant e-signaturePer-envelope / plan limitsUnlimited documents on your license
Audit trailProvider-hostedStored on your server
BrandingOften paid tiersWhite label included
Data controlVendor cloudSelf-hosted

For most standard residential and commercial leases, an esign lease agreement template executed in WPsigner is a practical WordPress-native alternative.

How to e-sign this lease with WPsigner

  1. Upload — Add this free lease agreement template to your WPsigner dashboard
  2. Add signers — Landlord, each adult tenant, and guarantors if needed
  3. Place fields — Signature, date, and initial fields on every page that requires them
  4. Send — Each party gets a secure link to review and sign
  5. Store — Keep the signed PDF and audit trail on your WordPress hosting

Create the lease once as a reusable template and send it to new tenants without rebuilding the document each time—ideal for property managers with multiple units.

View WPsigner pricing →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I e-sign a lease agreement template instead of using DocuSign?

Yes. An electronically signed lease agreement template is legally valid for most residential and commercial leases under the ESIGN Act, UETA, and eIDAS. WPsigner lets you upload this free lease template, place signature fields for landlord and tenant, and collect e-signatures on your own WordPress site—without DocuSign per-envelope fees.

What should a lease agreement include?

A comprehensive lease agreement should include the property address, lease term (start and end dates), monthly rent amount and due date, security deposit amount and conditions for return, maintenance responsibilities, rules about pets/subletting/modifications, early termination conditions, and signatures from all parties.

Is an electronically signed lease agreement legally binding?

Yes. Under the ESIGN Act, UETA, and eIDAS, electronically signed lease agreements are legally binding in most jurisdictions. Some title-transfer or notarized closing documents may still require wet ink or a notary. WPsigner provides SHA-256 audit trails and RFC 3161 timestamps to support legal validity for standard lease execution.

What is the difference between a lease and a rental agreement?

A lease is a fixed-term agreement (typically 6–12 months) where terms cannot change until the lease expires. A rental agreement is usually month-to-month and either party can modify terms or terminate with proper notice (typically 30 days). Leases provide more stability for both landlord and tenant.

How do I send a lease agreement for electronic signature with WPsigner?

Upload this free lease agreement template to WPsigner, add signature and date fields for the landlord and each tenant, then send secure signing links by email. Signers complete the e-sign lease on any device. Signed PDFs stay on your WordPress server with a full audit trail—useful if you want a DocuSign-style lease workflow without cloud lock-in.

Can I customize this lease agreement template for my state?

Yes. Customize property rules, local disclosures (for example lead paint), security deposit limits, and required state clauses. Always have a local real estate attorney review the final lease before you send it for e-signature.

Ready to send this contract for signing?

Upload to WPsigner, drag and drop signature fields, and email a secure signing link — all from your WordPress dashboard.

Get WPsigner