Electronic Signing of Renewal Tenancy Agreements

[EmmaDoo]

Hello

This is my first post so hope I'm in the right place!

I work for a lettings agency and my manager has given me the job of getting electronic signing set up to end the frustrating and time consuming process of getting tenants in to sign paper renewal documents.

Obviously I will be speaking to companies such as Docusign but would love to hear from those of you who use electronic signing and how it works for you.

Many thanks in advance.

Emma

[theartfullodger]

Explain to manager that almost all informed landlords & many tenants hugely prefer periodic agreements, no paperwork, no renewal fees, less work for agency, nothing to get wrong!

[leaseholder64]

The current preferred technology for electronic signatures is that used to authenticate web sites and email. As far as I know, the service you mentioned does not use that technology. You will need to determine whether it provides an equivalent level of assurance that the signature is genuine.

(Note that the preferred method involves both signers possessing secrets that they never reveal to the intermediaries involved, so signatures cannot be forged by the intermediary, although they still have a weak point in initially confirming the identities of the parties involved.)

[jpkeates]

I've looked at it and decided against it.
It's not a commonly used technology and a number of tenants won't be comfortable with it - as they'll only have to use it very infrequently.
It also requires them to have access to technology, be able to sign up and retain access credentials and be prepared to do something different.
Plus, I'd hate to go to court and have to explain the process to a judge if I needed to rely on it.

You might be better off looking at a specialist provider - who specialise in UK letting rather than a generic service like docusign.

[JK0]

Didn't someone (Maybe JPK) recently point out that AST's need to be signed on the day they start?

In view of this, is Docusign appropriate at all?

[EmmaDoo]

Didn't someone (Maybe JPK) recently point out that AST's need to be signed on the day they start?

Not so. We always get ASTs signed up in advance, esp renewals. Regarding tenants being reluctant, I've had many complaints from tenants regarding the inconvenience of having to come in to sign their renrwal agreement as most of them work when we're open or don't want to give up their time at the weekend. It's also hassle for us chasing them up and scanning in signed documents. The intention I believe is to get them to sign in person at the beginning of the tenancy, not least so we get to meet them. This is for renewals.

Are there any agents out there using this system? According to some of our tenants "everyone" is doing it 😂

[JK0]

[cymro123]

Hi Emma, We have been using electronic signing for a couple of years now having sat on the fence for many years on this and have a simple process for managing it I would be willing to share.
Pluses:
1. Save approximately 25 sheets of paper and 50 pages of printing per tenancy
2. Better customer (tenant) experience as they can sign the agreement when it suits them on any device and do not need to present themselves to sign
3. Because we no longer sign agreements at the Check-In not all tenants need to be present and the Check-In is shorter.
Minuses:
1. The service you use for managing the document/ electrinic signatures costs money
2. Not all customers are willing/able to sign online
3. Takes slightly longer to set up agreement for signing than it does to print agreement

It's not perfect but it's a positive from me

[EmmaDoo]

Thank you cymro. May I ask what system you are using?

[theartfullodger]

Also cymro has the validity ever been tested in court (for yours only, obviously).

My agent started this year likewise

[JK0]

Pointless arguing with agents Artful. They'll carry on in their own sweet way, as any consequences of their failings don't affect them.

[cymro123]

Thank you cymro. May I ask what system you are using?

Signable - very easy to use

[cymro123]

Also cymro has the validity ever been tested in court (for yours only, obviously).

My agent started this year likewise

Hi Artful - no my decision was based on research