Ilkley MP Kris Hopkins has confirmed the Government’s support for a new Private Members Bill which seeks to abolish the need for leaseholders to sign some important legal notices personally.

The bill would give a solicitor or someone else duly authorised on a tenant’s behalf, such as an attorney, the ability to sign the notices on their behalf.

Speaking during the Bill’s Committee stage debate in the House of Commons last week, housing minister Mr Hopkins said the Government was pleased to support the aims of the legislation.

“The Government are mindful of the difficulties faced by some leaseholders of flats who wish to benefit from the right to renew or extend their lease, or take part in collective enfranchisement, but who are, for one reason or another, unable to sign in person the notices that must be served on their landlord,” he said.

“There are perhaps good reasons why a personal signature is currently required. Serving those notices, for instance, commits the leaseholder to a financial expense which, in some cases, might be considerable. A degree of caution is therefore needed in seeking to alter the legislation, but we are satisfied that the proposed change is appropriate and proportionate.”

Mr Hopkins is concerned that leaseholders who are physically unable to sign may miss out on financial or other benefits.