Electronic Signature Functionality Now Available in Official NAA, TAA Leases
By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorCarrolton, Texas–The National and Texas Apartment Associations, Blue Moon Software and RealPage Inc., recently formed a partnership to integrate eSignature technology into the official leases of the National Apartment Association (NAA) and the Texas Apartment Association (TAA). With the new agreement, RealPage users can offer prospects the ability to electronically…
By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorCarrolton, Texas–The National and Texas Apartment Associations, Blue Moon Software and RealPage Inc., recently formed a partnership to integrate eSignature technology into the official leases of the National Apartment Association (NAA) and the Texas Apartment Association (TAA). With the new agreement, RealPage users can offer prospects the ability to electronically execute a secure and legally binding lease.eSignature, a component of online leasing systems from RealPage, will enable a prospective resident to complete a lease application online at his or her personal convenience. The eSignature inserted into the lease conforms to the June 2000 Electronic Signatures Act, making the signed lease legally binding and admissible in court.“Innovations in electronic signatures and online leasing are creating never-before-realized business efficiencies and cost savings for multifamily owners,” says Steve Winn, CEO and president of RealPage.Electronic signatures are widely accepted in several other industries and the leadership at the TAA is very excited to see it integrated into the leases it provides to the membership, according to David Hargrove, president of the TAA.When a password-protected account and personal information is entered through an online portal, a prospect can review a PDF version of their lease application, which cannot be edited. In order to complete the lease, the applicant authenticates an electronic signature with three easy steps.“The integration of electronic signatures into our lease forms will save our clients significant time while providing them with a fast and secure method of executing leases,” says Javier Gonzalez, president of Blue Moon Software. To ensure completed National Lease Program documents are not tampered with during the process, OneSite Document Management employs EMC’s Centra Governance Edition to provide reliable storage of electronic records and other digital information.“Our members continue to seek technologies to help them better manage their properties, improve their operations and deliver the amenities and services residents are looking for,” says Doug Culkin, president of the NAA. “The benefits delivered by this technology meet these needs and furthers our mission to serve the interests of multifamily housing owners, managers, developers and suppliers.”