ARPM Clients can now benefit from faster AST sign-up times!

With ARPM outsourced property management declaring this month that their new ‘electronic signatures’ will help to speed up AST sign-up times, we wanted to find out more.  Below, Dave Hunt, Business Development Director looks to answer some common questions:

What are electronic signatures?

Electronic signatures are deemed to be an ‘electronic sound, symbol or process, attached to or logically associated with a contract or other record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record’. 

Are electronic signatures legally binding?

Electronic signatures have the same effects as traditional paper documents and handwritten signatures.  Our electronic signature service is legally admissible and enforceable in the European Union.

How do you know that the correct person has signed an AST?

There are various ways in which we can determine that the correct person has signed, however in the main the process is fairly simply.  ARPM will send the documents to the relevant landlord and tenants email addresses.  Once the document is electronically signed, the signers IP address and timestamp of the signing activity is taken.  In addition, a signer can opt to provide geo-location information at the point of signing. 

Are there any additional costs for your Clients who elect to benefit from the electronic signature service?

No, we have not passed on the cost for setting up this service to our Clients and likewise, there are no charges made to the signers of the documents.

Why are electronic signatures of benefit to ARPM Clients?

Quite simply our clients rely on agreed lets proceeding.  Whilst the practice of scanning and emailing documents to landlords and tenants for signature has sped up the process of documents being received, there is still the requirement for the signers to print off the documentation, sign and look to return it, which causes delays.  Delays can be detrimental to Clients as move in dates can slip and consequently targets may be compromised.  Documents which have the facility to be signed by electronic signature are returned, in 40% of cases, within one hour and almost all get returned the same day.  Once returned, our Pre Tenancy Administration Department are notified by email.

If you would like to find out how your business can benefit from partnering with ARPM, contact them today for a without obligation consultation.  Tel: 01923 775705 or email info@arpm.co.uk