Security and privacy

How to Password Protect a tenancy agreement PDF

Updated 2026-09-17 · 2 min read

The usual reason to password protect a tenancy agreement PDF is blank lines for names, rent, deposit and dates in a landlord's template.

PDF security has two separate parts: the password needed to open the file, and the permissions controlling what can be done once it is open.

PDFfont edits PDF text in the document's own embedded font — no white cover boxes.

Steps to password protect a tenancy agreement PDF

Open the document and go to the security settings.

Set an open password — this encrypts the contents with AES-256.

Choose permissions: allow or disallow printing, copying and further editing.

Export, and send the password through a different channel from the file itself.

With this kind of document, where the template has ruled lines rather than fields, place text boxes on them and match the font.

One caution worth stating plainly: both parties should keep an identical flattened copy.

Encryption is genuine protection; permissions are an instruction that well-behaved readers respect. Do not rely on permissions alone.

Yes, if you can open the file with it.

Yes, the reader prompts for the password.

Yes. The editor runs in mobile Safari and Chrome, with touch-sized controls and a share sheet for saving the finished file.

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