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Building Safety Levy

The Building Safety Levy is a charge introduced under the Building Safety Act 2022 to help fund the remediation of building safety defects. The levy applies to certain new residential developments in England.

We are preparing for the introduction of the Building Safety Levy. We are currently unable to provide detailed responses to individual scheme enquiries. However, general queries can be sent to [email protected].

What is the Building Safety Levy?

The levy is intended to ensure that the development sector contributes towards the cost of addressing historical building safety issues, including unsafe cladding. Local authorities are responsible for collecting the levy and transferring funds to central government.

The Building Safety Levy (England) Regulations 2025 were approved by Parliament and made on 19 November 2025.

When does it apply?

The levy will apply to building control applications and notices submitted on or after 1 October 2026.

Applications submitted before this date will not be subject to the levy, even where they are subsequently varied.

A levy liability notice will be issued where a developer submits a commencement notice for an:

  • application for building control approval with full plans to a local authority or the Building Safety Regulator (BSR)
  • initial notice via a Registered Building Control Approver (RBCA)

All Building Safety Levy applications should be submitted to Building Control via the usual application process.

Any Building Safety Levy enquiries should be submitted to [email protected].

The levy applies to major residential developments, defined as developments creating:

  • 10 or more dwellings
  • 30 or more bedspaces in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA)

Mixed-use developments that include residential floorspace are also within scope.

The following types of development are exempt from the levy:

  • affordable housing and supported housing
  • housing delivered by non-profit registered providers (and their wholly owned subsidiaries)
  • care homes, hospices, hotels, hostels, hospitals
  • school accommodation, almshouses
  • temporary accommodation for people experiencing homelessness

The levy is:

  • charged per square metre of chargeable residential floorspace
  • based on a locally set rate for each authority area

A 50% discount applies to developments on previously developed land (brownfield sites).

Further detail on how levy rates are set and calculated can be found in the Building Safety Levy guidance.

Payment of the levy must be made to the collecting authority before either:

  • occupation of the development
  • completion of the development

If the levy is not paid, the building control authority may withhold a completion certificate or reject a final certificate.

If a developer disagrees with the levy amount, a refund decision, or a decision not to issue a refund, they may request a review.

This must be done within 28 days of receiving the levy notice. If the matter is not resolved, an appeal can be made to the First-tier Tribunal.

Find out more about the Building Safety Levy:

Last updated 12 June 2026