Why sign a lease remotely?
Signing a lease remotely offers several practical advantages:
- Speed: the signature itself takes less than 5 minutes.
- No travel required: landlord and tenant can be in different cities.
- Legal certainty equivalent to a handwritten signature.
- Traceability: every step is timestamped and archived.
- Zero paper: no more printing or scanning.
To sign a lease without an appointment, all you need is an internet connection, an e-mail address and a means of authentication (itsme or SMS).
How to sign a lease online? The steps
Step 1: prepare the contract
The type of lease chosen (primary residence, student, shared tenancy) determines which clauses to include. You can:
- Import an existing lease in PDF format.
- Generate a compliant lease using our online lease creator.
Step 2: add the signatories
Enter each signatory’s details: first name, last name, valid e-mail address and mobile phone number. All signatories receive a secure link by e-mail.
Step 3: authentication
Each party authenticates via:
- itsme (recommended in Belgium).
- One-time SMS code.
- Biometric recognition.
This strong authentication guarantees the signatory’s identity.
Step 4: signature and receipt
The electronic signature of the lease is completed with a single click. Each signatory immediately receives a timestamped copy in PDF format, legally archived.
These steps produce a lease that is fully valid under Belgian law, just like a paper lease signed by hand.
Legal validity
A lease signed online is recognised by the Belgian Civil Code and by the European eIDAS regulation. It offers the same legal certainty as a handwritten signature, provided an advanced electronic signature is used.
For more details on the legal framework, see our guide on the electronic signature of a lease agreement.
Register the lease with FPS Finance
Once the lease is signed, the next step is registration. This procedure is mandatory for all residential leases in Belgium. The contract must be registered within 2 months of signing.
Who must register?
For a residential lease used exclusively for housing (primary residence, student), registration is the sole responsibility of the landlord. For other types of contracts (commercial, mixed-use), both parties share the responsibility.
What are the deadlines?
The landlord has 2 months (60 days) from the date of signing to register the lease agreement. After this deadline, certain protections are lost and surcharges may apply.
How to register a lease agreement online?
There are three ways to register:
- Via MyRent (FPS Finance online platform) — the fastest method.
- By registered mail to the competent registration office.
- At the local registration office — one business day.
From our platform, you can register directly via MyRent as soon as the electronic signature is complete. Online registration then takes less than 5 minutes.
Need help?
For any questions about registration, the FPS Finance helpline is available at 02 572 57 57 on business days.
| Lease type | Who registers? | Deadline | Penalty for non-registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary residence | Landlord only | 2 months | Reduced tenant notice period |
| Student lease | Landlord only | 2 months | Reduced tenant notice period |
| Commercial lease | Landlord + tenant | 4 months | Tax fine |
| Mixed-use lease | Landlord + tenant | As per allocation | Tax fine |
Why registering your lease matters
Registering the lease protects both parties:
- It gives the landlord a certified date, enforceable against third parties.
- It protects the tenant against eviction in the event the property is sold.
- It guarantees the legal certainty of the entire rental agreement.
An unregistered lease remains valid between the parties, but the tenant can then terminate it with a reduced notice period and no compensation. For the landlord, this is a significant risk.
Sign and register in one step
Our platform combines both steps:
- Electronic signature of the lease (2 minutes).
- Automated submission to MyRent for registration (5 minutes).
- Receipt of the signed lease + the registration acknowledgement.
You can also create your lease online beforehand for a complete workflow: drafting, signing and registration. To explore other lease types, see our lease agreement guide. To sign directly, visit our lease signing page.
In summary: signing and registering your lease
To be fully valid and protective, a residential lease in Belgium must follow two steps:
- Signature: electronic via itsme, SMS or biometrics, eIDAS-compliant.
- Registration: free, mandatory, the landlord’s responsibility, within 2 months.
Our solution centralises both steps. In under 15 minutes, your lease is signed remotely, without an appointment, and registered with FPS Finance. You receive the legal proof (signed copy + MyRent acknowledgement) directly by e-mail.