Let new tenant sign lease out of state remotely?

[Joe Aagaard]

I'm working with an out of state tenant. He screened really well but has a weird move in time frame issue that gives me pause.

He is moving out of current home on 6/26/15 late at night due to work. Then driving from AL to vacation in Savanah GA for a 4 day vacation (rental is in Atlanta). He wants to stay the night in our house on the way there but it will be too late to meet him in person. Then he would actually move in 7/03/15.  Meanwhile his stuff would be shipped in one of those PODS things.

If I have first month rent and deposit via money order mailed beforehand is there any issues with him signing lease remotely and scanning it to me this week?  I guess my only hang up would be verifying he really is the one signing (in person I could just look at his license). Also lack of walk through checklist before moving in.

What to do?

[Travis Lloyd]

You could resolve your concern over signature authenticity by requiring him to have the lease notarized. Type the following into your lease beneath the signature, or as a separate page if needed. (Ignore the writing in the footer)