Building Safety Levy

The Building Safety Levy is a government charge for some new residential developments- new housing and certain types of student accommodation.

It applies to building control applications submitted on or after 1 October 2026, whether they are made:

  • through Buckinghamshire Council
  • through a Registered Building Control Approver

Money raised through the levy will help pay for the repair of building safety defects in residential buildings across England.

The developer (client) is responsible for paying the levy.

Why the levy was introduced

The levy was introduced to support the fixing of buildings with historic building safety risks following the Grenfell Tower tragedy in June 2017.

The levy is intended to:

  • help fund building safety remediation work across England
  • make sure residential developers contribute to the cost of fixing historic safety defects
  • reduce the financial burden on leaseholders and residents
  • support a safer and more accountable construction industry

When you need to pay the levy

The developer (client) will need to pay the levy as part of building control applications for either:

  • one or more new dwellings
  • one or more purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) bedspaces

and the development:

  • is a major residential development, meaning it involves:
    • 10 or more new dwellings
    • 30 or more new bedspaces
  • creates new residential floorspace

You will also have to pay the levy for:

  • conversions
  • changes of use from non-residential to major residential developments

A completion certificate will not be issued until the levy has been paid in full.

Exempt developments

The levy does not apply to:

  • social housing
  • supported housing
  • school accommodation
  • accommodation for domestic abuse victims
  • hospitals
  • children’s homes and residential family centres
  • hotels and hostels
  • monasteries, nunneries and similar establishments
  • care homes and hospices
  • secure residential accommodation (e.g. prisons)
  • almshouses
  • temporary accommodation for homeless people
  • armed forces accommodation
  • Ministry of Defence or Crown properties

Levy rates

The levy is charged per square metre (sqm) of floorspace.

Floorspace is measured using Gross Internal Area (GIA), in line with the RICS Code of Measuring Practice.

Land type Rate (£ per sqm)
Previously developed land £19.39
Non-previously developed land £38.78

Support with the levy

If you have questions about the levy, email [email protected].