Building Safety Levy – What Developers Need to Know

The Building Safety Levy is a new charge on residential development in England that is due to come into force in 1st October 2026. Introduced under the Building Safety Act 2022, the Levy forms part of the Government’s wider programme of building safety reform and is expected to raise approximately £3.4 billion to support building safety-related expenditure.

Following two industry consultations, implementation of the Levy was deferred by 12 months, with the new commencement date now set for 1st October 2026.

Who Will Pay the Levy?

The Levy applies to developers of new residential buildings and is linked directly to the building control process.
It will be administered by the relevant local authority, which will calculate the Levy liability and issue a Levy Liability Notice. If changes are made to the development during construction—for example, an increase in Affordable Housing provision—the authority can issue an Update Notice to amend the amount payable.

How Is the Levy Calculated?

Levy rates have been set individually for every local authority area in England and are based on local property values.

Each authority has two published rates:

• Brownfield development rate – charged per square metre of gross internal floor area (GIA)
• Greenfield development rate – charged at double the equivalent brownfield rate.

As the Levy is calculated using gross internal floor area, communal areas within apartment buildings are included, meaning charges also apply to space that is not saleable.

Exemptions

Certain developments are exempt from paying the Building Safety Levy, including:

• Affordable Housing.
• Care homes.
• Other specific development types identified within the regulations.

Developers should review the applicable exemptions carefully when planning a scheme.

Transitional Arrangements

There are important transitional provisions for projects already in the building control system.

• Initial Notices submitted before 1st October 2026 will not be liable for the Building Safety Levy, provided construction commences within an initial three-year transition period.
• If work has not commenced within that three-year period, or if the project requires re-registration of the Initial Notice, the development will become liable for the Levy.

Developers should therefore consider programme timings carefully to ensure they understand whether a project falls within the transitional arrangements.

When Is Payment Due?

The Building Safety Levy must be paid before the first Final Certificate can be issued for any dwelling on the development.
Failure to pay the Levy will prevent completion certification from being issued, potentially delaying occupation and handover of the development.

How Complete Building Control Ltd Can Help?

The introduction of the Building Safety Levy adds another important administrative requirement for residential developments. While the Levy is administered by local authorities, it is closely connected to the building control process.

Complete Building Control Ltd can help developers understand how the new requirements apply to their projects, identify whether transitional arrangements or exemptions may be available, and ensure applications progress smoothly through the building control process. Early engagement can help avoid unnecessary delays to certification and project completion.

Contact our team for more information. 

Many people think Building Control only becomes involved once construction starts. In reality, involving Building Control at the beginning of your project can help avoid unnecessary delays and costly changes later.

Early Collaboration

At Complete Building Control Ltd, our Registered Building Inspectors work closely with homeowners, architects, designers, builders and developers from the earliest stages of a project.

This allows potential Building Regulations issues to be identified before work begins.

Pre-Application Advice

We also offer pre-application advice (subject to appointment instruction), providing guidance during the design stage. This helps clients prepare compliant proposals before plans are formally submitted.

Plan Checking

Before construction starts, submitted plans are reviewed to help ensure compliance with current Building Regulations.

Working together with the design team creates a smoother approval process and reduces the likelihood of unexpected issues during construction.

Site Inspections

Throughout the build, inspections take place at key stages to help ensure work complies with the approved plans and Building Regulations.

Our inspectors remain available throughout the project to provide practical guidance and answer questions as work progresses.

Professional Support Throughout Your Project

Whether you’re planning a home extension, renovation, structural alteration or commercial development, Complete Building Control Ltd provides Building Control services from the earliest planning stages through to completion.

Our collaborative approach helps clients, builders and architects deliver compliant projects with confidence.

Building Control and Planning Permission are often confused, but they serve very different purposes. Understanding the difference can help your project progress more smoothly.

What is Building Control?

Building Control ensures that construction work complies with the Building Regulations 2010.

This includes areas such as:

• Structural stability
• Fire safety
• Energy efficiency
• Ventilation
• Drainage
• Accessibility

Building Control applies to many types of domestic and commercial building work.

What is Planning Permission?

Planning Permission relates to how land and buildings are used and how developments affect the surrounding area. Not every project requires Planning Permission, but many projects still require Building Control approval.

Why Early Advice Matters

One of the best ways to avoid delays is to involve your Building Control team as early as possible. Complete Building Control Ltd offers pre-application advice (subject to appointment instruction), allowing architects, developers and homeowners to consider Building Regulations requirements before construction begins.
Supporting Projects From Start to Finish

Our Registered Building Inspectors work alongside architects, builders and developers from the planning stage through to project completion.

This collaborative approach helps ensure compliance while keeping projects moving efficiently.

If you’re unsure whether your project requires Building Control, our experienced team will be happy to discuss your requirements. Contact our team today.

If you’re planning a house extension, one of the most common questions is whether Building Control approval is required.
In most cases, the answer is yes.

Building Control helps ensure that building work complies with the Building Regulations 2010, covering important areas such as structural stability, fire safety, drainage, insulation and ventilation.

Why Building Control Matters

Building Regulations exist to ensure that building work is carried out safely and to the required standards. Whether you’re adding a single-storey extension, a two-storey extension or altering the structure of your home, Building Control plays an important role throughout the project.

Having a Registered Building Control Approver involved from the beginning can help identify potential issues early, reducing delays once work is underway.

Working With Your Design Team

At Complete Building Control Ltd, our Registered Building Inspectors work closely with homeowners, architects and builders throughout every stage of the project.

We also offer pre-application advice (subject to appointment instruction), helping clients address Building Regulations requirements before construction begins.

Plan Checking

Before work starts, plans are reviewed to help ensure they comply with current Building Regulations.
This collaborative approach allows any issues to be resolved early, helping projects progress more efficiently.
Site Inspections

As work progresses, inspections are carried out at key stages of construction.

These inspections help ensure that work complies with the approved plans and current Building Regulations.
Choosing Complete Building Control

Whether you’re extending your family home or undertaking a larger domestic project, our experienced Registered Building Inspectors provide practical advice, plan checking and site inspections from start to finish.

If you’re planning a house extension and would like professional Building Control support, contact Complete Building Control Ltd to discuss your project.

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Within 24 hours of instruction, the content was assessed under English defamation law and a robust pre-action letter was issued, clearly setting out the inaccuracies and the harm being caused.

By acting decisively and strategically, the matter was resolved without court proceedings and the article was taken down. The case highlights how early intervention is often the most effective way to protect a business’s reputation and limit long-term damage.

Find out more here