What are you using for esigning of rental agreements

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What are you using for esigning of rental agreements

Terry Rossi
Member since 2022 · 6 posts · 1 vote

I have a hybrid arrangement with a property manager. I am marketing the property to prove "material participation" and they are too. They require each STR guest to sign a rental agreement. I would like to do that too but AirBNB and VBRO don't make that easy to do. So my question is how do you do it?

What software do you use,  Docusign, Pandadocs, Hellosign?  Something else?

When do you make the guest sign,  how long before the booking ?  For example I have some bookings over the xmas holidays,  should I send the rental agreement now?

Since AirBNB/VBRO doesn't supply an email address how do you do it,  do you ask for an email or send a link or something else?


Thanks in advance,  I am totally new to this and 1800 miles from my rental...ok it may be 1500 miles.  I didn't actually measure it :)

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Carolyn Fuller
Cambridge, MA · Member since 2015 · 652 posts · 736 votes
3y

I use DocuSign to create fixed term leases for my mid term rentals but these rentals do not originate on any of the STR platforms.

I do send out a PDF "Welcome" letter to all of my STR guests which requires I get their email address. I have an automatic response to bookings that includes the following:

"I would like to email you our "Welcome Letter" with details about the apartment, including directions to the house. Can you send me an email address where I can send the letter? My email address is..."

The vast majority of guests will send me their email address, in response to this request, but it isn't 100% of the guests and it frequently doesn't happen until shortly before their checkin date.

If you want 100% of your STR guests to sign an agreement before checkin, you will need to require their email and digital signature before you approve their booking. And quite frankly, since once a guest books, they have a reasonable expectation that an agreement has been made, I'm not sure they will see any reason to eSign another agreement.

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  • Luke CarlPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Tennessee Florida · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    3y

    Signnow.com

    Podcast Guest on Show From Surviving on $30/Day to 30+ Properties Thanks to Blue-Collar Skills
    0Reply
  • Paul Sandhu
    Investor · The worst town to live in, KS · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    3y

    Nothing.  Just collect the rent when they move in. Repe

    1Reply
  • Carolyn Fuller
    Cambridge, MA · Member since 2015 · 652 posts · 736 votes
    3y

    I use DocuSign to create fixed term leases for my mid term rentals but these rentals do not originate on any of the STR platforms.

    I do send out a PDF "Welcome" letter to all of my STR guests which requires I get their email address. I have an automatic response to bookings that includes the following:

    "I would like to email you our "Welcome Letter" with details about the apartment, including directions to the house. Can you send me an email address where I can send the letter? My email address is..."

    The vast majority of guests will send me their email address, in response to this request, but it isn't 100% of the guests and it frequently doesn't happen until shortly before their checkin date.

    If you want 100% of your STR guests to sign an agreement before checkin, you will need to require their email and digital signature before you approve their booking. And quite frankly, since once a guest books, they have a reasonable expectation that an agreement has been made, I'm not sure they will see any reason to eSign another agreement.

    2Reply
  • Ken Boone
    Investor · Greenville, SC · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Carolyn Fuller:

    I use DocuSign to create fixed term leases for my mid term rentals but these rentals do not originate on any of the STR platforms.

    I do send out a PDF "Welcome" letter to all of my STR guests which requires I get their email address. I have an automatic response to bookings that includes the following:

    "I would like to email you our "Welcome Letter" with details about the apartment, including directions to the house. Can you send me an email address where I can send the letter? My email address is..."

    The vast majority of guests will send me their email address, in response to this request, but it isn't 100% of the guests and it frequently doesn't happen until shortly before their checkin date.

    If you want 100% of your STR guests to sign an agreement before checkin, you will need to require their email and digital signature before you approve their booking. And quite frankly, since once a guest books, they have a reasonable expectation that an agreement has been made, I'm not sure they will see any reason to eSign another agreement.


     You do get a useable email address once the guest books on both platforms.  Vrbo provides the real address and Airbnb provides an obfuscated email address.  We use SignNow and we send this out immediately after booking.  Once the guest signs the agreement we send out all the detail info to them. 

    1Reply
  • Andrew SteffensBusiness Member
    Tampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    3y

    We are a mid sized STR PM company and our PMS (Streamline) sends it to all guests emails and our reservationists make sure it is signed through the built in software before any check in info is given. I do believe some smaller PMS have this option as well. If not, any one of the other recommended softwares such as Docusign, SignNow, etc should work.

    I am curious why your PM is requiring you to do this - this is something essential to PM duties I feel?

    [email protected]813-563-0877
    Vacation Rentals of Florida53 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
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  • Carolyn Fuller
    Cambridge, MA · Member since 2015 · 652 posts · 736 votes
    3y

    @Ken Boone Where is this obfuscated email address that Airbnb provides? Is it the at  "reply.airbnb.com" address? 

    0Reply
  • Ken Boone
    Investor · Greenville, SC · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Carolyn Fuller:

    @Ken Boone Where is this obfuscated email address that Airbnb provides? Is it the at  "reply.airbnb.com" address? 


    It’s a crazy long email @ guest.Airbnb.com.   

    0Reply
  • Leslie Anne Morris
    Real Estate Agent · Smoky Mountains, TN · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 984 votes
    3y

    Ownerrez my PMS

    0Reply
  • Terry Rossi
    OP
    Member since 2022 · 6 posts · 1 vote
    3y
    Quote from @Andrew Steffens:

    We are a mid sized STR PM company and our PMS (Streamline) sends it to all guests emails and our reservationists make sure it is signed through the built in software before any check in info is given. I do believe some smaller PMS have this option as well. If not, any one of the other recommended softwares such as Docusign, SignNow, etc should work.

    I am curious why your PM is requiring you to do this - this is something essential to PM duties I feel?


     Hi Andrew,  my property manager uses streamline too.  They are not requiring me to do it (for my private bookings) but encouraging it.  I have a particular tax situation this year where I need to be able to have the property be an active business.   Next year I will probably let them do it all.

    They gave me their rental agreement and I really like it.  Way more comprehensive that the airbnb "house rules".    In the house rules I say the guest must sign a rental agreement so AirBNB will not ding me (so I have been told) if they don't sign and I need to cancel the reservation.   Thanks for tuning in.

    0Reply
  • Terry Rossi
    OP
    Member since 2022 · 6 posts · 1 vote
    3y
    Quote from @Leslie Anne Morris:

    Ownerrez my PMS


     Are you saying ownerrez is your PMS or you are a client of theirs?

    0Reply
  • Terry Rossi
    OP
    Member since 2022 · 6 posts · 1 vote
    3y
    Quote from @Ken Boone:
    Quote from @Carolyn Fuller:

     You do get a useable email address once the guest books on both platforms.  Vrbo provides the real address and Airbnb provides an obfuscated email address.  We use SignNow and we send this out immediately after booking.  Once the guest signs the agreement we send out all the detail info to them. 


     Thanks Ken - good to know.

    0Reply
  • Terry Rossi
    OP
    Member since 2022 · 6 posts · 1 vote
    3y
    Quote from @Paul Sandhu:

    Nothing.  Just collect the rent when they move in. Repe


     very helpful - thanks

    0Reply
  • Andrew SteffensBusiness Member
    Tampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Terry Rossi:
    Quote from @Andrew Steffens:

    We are a mid sized STR PM company and our PMS (Streamline) sends it to all guests emails and our reservationists make sure it is signed through the built in software before any check in info is given. I do believe some smaller PMS have this option as well. If not, any one of the other recommended softwares such as Docusign, SignNow, etc should work.

    I am curious why your PM is requiring you to do this - this is something essential to PM duties I feel?


     Hi Andrew,  my property manager uses streamline too.  They are not requiring me to do it (for my private bookings) but encouraging it.  I have a particular tax situation this year where I need to be able to have the property be an active business.   Next year I will probably let them do it all.

    They gave me their rental agreement and I really like it.  Way more comprehensive that the airbnb "house rules".    In the house rules I say the guest must sign a rental agreement so AirBNB will not ding me (so I have been told) if they don't sign and I need to cancel the reservation.   Thanks for tuning in.


     My pleasure! Let me know if you have any other questions.  I imagine you could use their template if they are ok with it for your private bookings.  Best of luck!

    [email protected]813-563-0877
    Vacation Rentals of Florida53 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    3y

    Vrbo allows you to upload your agreement and it is digitally agreed upon during booking.

    0Reply
  • Leslie Anne Morris
    Real Estate Agent · Smoky Mountains, TN · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 984 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Terry Rossi:
    Quote from @Leslie Anne Morris:

    Ownerrez my PMS


     Are you saying ownerrez is your PMS or you are a client of theirs?

    Yes and yes 
    0Reply
  • Mark S.
    Real Estate Investor · Saint Paul, MN · Member since 2017 · 543 posts · 475 votes
    3y

    @Terry Rossi I use DocuSign. I use Guesty as my PMS. I have a link built into my welcome email that goes out automatically after the reservation is confirmed that the guest simply click on to electronically sign. It works extremely well.

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