What DMD needs before drafting a housing disrepair bill
Transcript
Preparing a housing disrepair file for costs drafting? Start with these four checks. Four checks before the file comes to us. First, the retainer, and every variation to it. Second, dated attendance notes for the work being claimed. Third, the expert instruction letter, and the invoice that followed it. And fourth, any offers made in the case, with their dates. DMD Costs drafts housing disrepair bills for claimant firms across England and Wales. If you have a live matter, request a fixed-fee quote at dmdcosts.co.uk.
Their surveyor quote is cheaper — does it cover the same work?
Transcript
The paying party has produced a cheaper surveyor quote. Before you answer on price, ask whether it covers the same work. Say theirs covers an inspection only, and your invoice also covers a causation report and a schedule of repairs. Compare equivalent work first. That difference alone does not establish recoverability. Underneath it are two different questions. Necessity, and amount. A challenge can run them together. Necessity looks to the issues identified when the surveyor was instructed. Amount looks to comparable rates and the work actually done. And on the standard basis, costs disproportionate in amount may be reduced even if they were reasonably or necessarily incurred. Disputed costs on a live housing disrepair matter? Request a fixed-fee quote from DMD Costs.
Modest damages, substantial repairs — does the objection address both?
Transcript
Modest damages. Substantial repairs. Does their objection address both? On the standard basis, rule 44.3(5) asks whether the costs bear a reasonable relationship to a list of factors. Two of those factors sit side by side in a disrepair claim. The sums in issue are one. The value of any non-monetary relief is a separate one. The damages may be modest while the repairs sought are substantial. So read the objection and ask which of the two it actually addresses. These are factors weighed in a single assessment, not tests to be passed. Neither one on its own decides what is recovered. Disputed housing disrepair costs? Request a fixed-fee quote from DMD Costs.
Before you use the costs-only route, check its conditions
Transcript
The claim has settled before issue and the costs are not agreed. Before you rely on the costs-only route, check the conditions in rule 46.14 are met. There has to be agreement on all issues, including which party pays the costs, made or confirmed in writing. Note or confirmed — an agreement reached on the telephone can be confirmed afterwards. The amount is still unagreed, and no proceedings have been started. Check all three before you rely on it. Disputed housing disrepair costs? Request a fixed-fee quote from DMD Costs.
About These Videos
The videos are general information about civil costs in England and Wales, not legal advice on any case. The narration is a synthetic voice reading a script written and checked by DMD Costs. A video plays from YouTube (youtube-nocookie.com) only when you press play.
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