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Building Safety Levy - Information for Developers

The Building Safety Levy (BSL) is part of the Government's wider approach to ensure industry contributes to the costs of remediating building safety defects, while protecting leaseholders and taxpayers.
Revenue raised through the levy will support remediation efforts and help make affected buildings safer for residents.

From 1 October 2026, the BSL will apply to building control applications and initial notices for new residential development in England, unless exempt. The levy is charged on relevant building control applications and notices.

Applications and notices for works providing at least one dwelling or one bed space in Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) must include information for the purposes of the levy. Further information is required at the commencement notice stage so that the levy can be calculated.

We will act as the collecting authority for relevant buildings located within the Guildford borough, including where building control work is carried out by a Registered Building Control Approver (RBCA) or the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).

Major residential development includes:

  • 10 or more new dwellings, or
  • 30 or more new PBSA bedspaces

For example, the development of 10 or more new dwellings is classed as a major residential development and may be liable for the BSL, unless an exemption applies. Developments of fewer than 10 new dwellings are exempt from the levy charge*.

Local authorities with building control responsibility will act as levy collecting authorities. The levy is charged based on residential floor space.
Rates vary by local authority and whether the development is on previously developed land, which attracts a 50% discount.

Rates are published in the rates table Building Safety Levy:
Guidance - Section 2: Levy rates and calculations - Guidance - GOV.UK (opens new window)

Do I need to submit information if the levy charging will not apply to the development?

Yes. Information needs to be provided to the Local Authority for all works which relate to the provision of one or more new dwellings or one or more new bedspaces of PBSA, even if they do not meet the levy charging conditions.

The local authority will need to verify this.

Do I need to pay the Building Safety Levy?

The BSL applies to certain new residential development and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).
Whether you need to pay depends on whether your development meets the levy charging conditions or qualifies for an exemption.

You can check the full list of exemptions and eligibility requirements in the Government's guidance (opens new window).

How is the levy calculated?

The levy charge is calculated by collecting authorities after applicants supply levy information and evidence at commencement notice stage. Payment must be made to the collecting authority prior to the earlier of occupation or completion.

If a residential developer wishes to dispute the levy charge, a refund amount or the decision not to issue a refund, they can request a review by the collecting authority within 28 days.
If a developer remains in dispute they can appeal the matter to the First Tier Tribunal.

What information you need to provide?                

If the BSL applies to your development, you will need to provide information to the collecting authority as part of the building control process.

This includes:

  • information about the development and the number and type of dwellings or PBSA bedspaces
  • information about the development of residential floor space including the Gross Internal Area (GIA) of the dwellings and relevant communal areas
  • information about the site, including whether it is previously developed land
  • information and supporting evidence where an exemption is being claimed; and
  • any other information required by the BSL forms or any additional information requested

You may need to provide plans or drawings to support the floor space information provided.
The Government guidance explains what information and evidence (opens new window) is required at each stage.

  • failure to pay the levy will mean the building control authority will withhold the completion certificate or reject any final certificate until full payment has been received

Building Safety Levy forms

Application/Information form (PDF, 192 KB) - to be submitted with your building control application to the Local Authority or in addition to the Initial Notice (for works registered through a Registered Building Control Approver).*

Commencement form (PDF, 412 KB) - to be submitted the Local Authority once the first plot on the development commencements.

*Note that for Applications for Full Plans these can be rejected if you do not provide information for the Building Safety Levy with your application.

Where an Initial Notice is submitted to the Local Authority without Building Safety Levy application form/information, the Initial Notice may be rejected within 5 working days of receipt.

Official government guidance and useful information

For further information on the levy please see the following publications by the UK government.