The Building Safety Levy is a charge introduced under the Building Safety Act 2022 to fund remediation of building safety defects. The levy applies to major residential developments in England.
Who is affected
The levy applies to major residential developments, specifically those that:
- create 10 or more new dwellings, or
- create 30 or more purpose-built student accommodation bedspaces, and
- create new residential floor space or increase existing residential floor space
Exemptions
Certain types of development are exempt from the levy, including:
- affordable Housing
- care homes
- schools
- hospitals
- hotels and hostels
- temporary accommodation for homeless people
When the levy applies
The levy applies only to building control applications submitted on or after 1 October 2026.
Applications submitted before this date are not subjected to the levy, even if they are amended or varied later.
A Levy Liability Notice is issued when the developer submits a commencement notice for:
- a full plans application submitted to a local authority or the Building Safety Regulator
- an initial notice registered with a Registered Building Control Approver
Levy rates
Levy rates are set nationally by the government. For developments within Harlow District, the following rates apply:
- £39.75 per m² of chargeable residential floor space
- £19.87 per m² for developments on previously developed (brownfield) land
Further information
For full details on the Building Safety Levy, including legislation, guidance and implementation updates, visit GOV.UK: