Short answer: In housing disrepair (HDR) claims, you bank standard-basis interim costs by (1) ensuring the order will provide for summary assessment, (2) filing and serving Form N260 (statement of costs) in time for the hearing, (3) attaching clean proofs (counsel note, disbursements), and (4) using tight narratives and GHR-anchored rates so the judge can assess on the day. If it isn’t summarily assessed, convert to N252 → detailed assessment without losing momentum.
We’re drafting-only, B2B support for solicitors. Standard-basis (non-FRC) only. No advocacy. No lay clients.
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• Entitlement: ask for “costs in the application, summarily assessed” (or “costs follow the event”).
• N260 timing: file and serve in advance per CPR/PD (commonly ≥24 hours before the hearing; some lists require more—always check the listing email/Order).
• Content: show time by fee-earner grade, GHR-aligned rates, concise issue-based narrative, counsel’s fee note, and disbursement receipts.
• If no summary assessment: seek “costs to be subject to detailed assessment if not agreed” and move straight to N252 with a DA-ready pack.
Primary SEO terms used here: housing disrepair costs, standard basis, detailed assessment, electronic bill.
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Use N260 for:
• Interim applications (disclosure, relief, directions, access/inspection orders, strike-out/sanctions) — typical summary-assessment territory.
• Short hearings where the court expects to assess on the day.
Don’t rely on N260 for:
• Multi-track costs post-judgment that require a Bill / electronic bill (Precedent S) and detailed assessment (Part 47). In HDR, most final costs sit here.
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Add this to your draft order or invite the judge to record it:
• “The (Def/Cl) shall pay the (Cl/Def)’s costs of the application, summarily assessed in the sum to be determined, payable within 14 days.”
• Fallback if the court won’t assess:
“Costs to be paid on the standard basis, subject to detailed assessment if not agreed.”
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• Serve and file in advance per CPR/Practice Direction on summary assessment; courts commonly expect at least 24 hours before the hearing.
• Some local lists demand 2 working days; always check listing notes and any pre-hearing directions.
• Email service: attach the signed PDF, fee notes, and a short cover line confirming basis and paying party.
If late service is unavoidable, be upfront at the outset of the hearing and explain why — then ask the court to exercise discretion.
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A. Party & hearing details
• Case title/number, hearing date, application type, paying party, and which side you act for.
B. Profit costs
• Time entries grouped by fee-earner grade (A–D), with hours × rate = subtotal.
• Use GHR-anchored rates (by band & location) unless you have contractually agreed or justified higher rates.
• Narrative: 1–2 lines per activity cluster linking time to the issue (access refusals, vulnerability evidence, landlord non-compliance).
C. Disbursements
• Counsel: attach fee note; identify the hearing; mark brief/advice fees separately from travel if any.
• Experts/Process server/Court fees: attach receipts; note if any attendances were aborted and why.
• Travel/printing: be modest and evidence-based.
D. VAT & total
• Confirm client VAT status; show net + VAT + gross.
• Sign & date; name the signatory and capacity.
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• Clarity: totals by grade, neat arithmetic, no padding.
• Necessity & proportionality: short issue-based notes (e.g., “Two surveyor attends: first aborted due to access refusal; second completed after landlord engagement.”)
• Proofs: fee notes and receipts attached, not just listed.
• Realism: don’t claim the world on a simple 10-minute mention — credibility wins the day.
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• Access & vulnerability: record why extra calls/letters/visits were unavoidable (safeguarding, language, medical issues).
• Surveyor loops: explain aborted and re-inspection time; tie it to compliance and case progression.
• ADR (post-Churchill): note invitations/engagement — supports conduct-based arguments if challenged.
• Landlord conduct: late disclosure or missed appointments? One line is enough to anchor proportionality.
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• Ask for: “Costs to be paid on the standard basis, subject to detailed assessment if not agreed.”
• Then serve N252 with a Bill/e-Bill (Precedent S) and exhibits.
• Keep your N260 bundle — you’ve already done much of the groundwork for the Bill.
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• Serving N260 late → court refuses to assess; leverage lost.
• No fee notes/receipts → disbursements pared back.
• Vague narrative → “global” cuts.
• Wrong VAT treatment → reductions and re-serve.
• Over-egged time for a short hearing → credibility hit.
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Subject: N260 – [Claimant/Defendant]’s Statement of Costs – [Hearing, date]
Please find our N260, counsel’s fee note and disbursement receipts for the [application] listed [date/time]. Costs are sought on the standard basis, for summary assessment. Kind regards, [name].
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We’ll draft the bill/e-bill and run negotiations to settlement on one HDR file at no cost.
Standard-basis only. No advocacy. No lay clients.