22/09/2026
🏗️ BUILDING SAFETY LEVY – 1 OCTOBER 2026
An important change is coming for residential development in England.
From 1 October 2026, the new Building Safety Levy will come into operation and will apply to certain building control applications and notices relating to new residential development and purpose-built student accommodation, subject to the relevant charging conditions and exemptions.
For developers and project teams, understanding whether the levy applies and what it could mean for a project is an important consideration at an early stage.
Things to consider include:
✅ Does the levy apply to your development?
✅ Are any exemptions available?
✅ What could the levy mean for project costs?
✅ Has the potential liability been considered within the development programme and project planning?
The levy operates through the building control process, with relevant information required at application and commencement stages. Depending on the building control route and circumstances, the levy may need to be paid before the relevant completion certificate or final certificate can be issued.
At John Burke Associates, we provide professional building surveying and project advice to help clients understand their buildings, manage risk and make informed decisions throughout a project.
📅 The Building Safety Levy comes into operation on 1 October 2026.
For further information and the latest government guidance, visit GOV.UK.