There are a variety of lease agreements permitted by law, the most common being residential and commercial. Across the country, the laws pertaining to lease agreements generally are uniform.

Most of these laws lack requirements for witnesses, although they are permissible.

However, as an added level of protection, many individuals and businesses prefer a witness to an agreement of lease. There are two routes to take in regard to witnessing a lease agreement.

Obtain a standard form lease agreement. Alternatively, draft a lease agreement.

Schedule a time when you and the other party to the lease agreement can come together to sign the document.

Select a location for the lease agreement signing where a solicitor is available.

Sign the document in front of a solicitor.

Have the solicitor stamp (or seal) the lease agreement, adding her own signature to the document. The act of stamping (or sealing) by a solicitor provides a legally, official witness to an agreement of lease. Keep in mind that generally speaking, there is no requirement for a lease agreement to be signed by a solicitor.

Contact another individual or individuals with no interest in, or relationship to, the lease agreement to serve as a witness or witnesses. Using this type of witness is an alternative to having the lease agreement signed by a solicitor.

Insert a signature line for a witness to the lease agreement (or lines if there are multiple witnesses).

Tip

Consider having a solicitor draft a lease agreement. Rather than taking your chances with the legality of a form lease agreement, you enjoy greater peace of mind by retaining a solicitor to prepare a lease agreement. The Law Society maintains directories of solicitors in different areas of practice, including property, and landlord and tenant law.

Warning

Having witnesses to a lease agreement is a double-edged sword. You need to keep in mind that if there is a dispute regarding the circumstances in which a lease is signed, a witness you select may end up supporting a version of facts that are not consistent with your own position.