Building Safety Levy - Information for Developers
This levy applies to building control applications and initial notices submitted on or after 1 October 2026, where the development creates new residential dwellings or purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).
The levy charging conditions include major residential development thresholds, the creation of chargeable residential floorspace and whether the client is an exempt person.
Major residential development includes:
- 10 or more new dwellings, or
- 30 or more new PBSA bedspaces.
We will collect the levy for relevant buildings located within the Guildford borough, including where building control work is being carried out by a Registered Building Control Approver or the Building Safety Regulator.
Do I need to submit information even if I think 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 Building Safety Levy 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 Guidance (opens new window).
How is the levy calculated?
The levy is calculated using the chargeable floorspace of the development and the applicable levy rate for the local authority area.
Different rates apply depending on whether the site is previously developed on land.
For developments in Guildford, the current rates are:
- £23.07 per m² for previously developed land
- £46.15 per m² for land that is not previously developed
The Government provides levy rates, calculation rules and methodology.
To review these, please refer to the Levy Rates and Calculations (opens new window) section on the Government website.
What information do I need to provide?
If the Building Safety Levy applies to my development, I 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 floorspace 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 Building Safety Levy forms or any additional information requested
I may need to provide plans or drawings to support the floorspace information provided.
The Government guidance explains what Information and evidence (opens new window) is required at each stage.
Building Safety Levy forms
Application/Information Form (PDF, 190 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, 411 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 full guidance, legislation, calculation methodology and process maps, visit:
Building Safety Levy guidance - GOV.UK (opens new window)
Building Safety Levy: Annex C - methodology (opens new window)
Guide for developers - Flipbook (opens new window)
Building Safety Levy - FAQs (opens new window)
Professional Practice guidance: RICS code of measuring (opens new window)