Building Safety Levy
The Building Safety Levy is a charge that developers must pay when building certain new residential developments in England.
The levy will help fund repairs to building safety defects in existing residential buildings.
If you submit a building control application on or after 1 October 2026, you must provide levy information as part of your application.
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When the levy applies
The levy applies to major residential developments, which means developments of:
- 10 or more dwellings
- 30 or more purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) bedspaces
Conversions or changes of use from non-residential to residential dwellings or bedspaces may also be subject to the levy if they meet the above threshold.
Exemptions and exclusions
Social housing and supported housing that forms part or all of a development is exempt from the levy.
Other types of development, such as school accommodation and care homes, are excluded from the levy. View the full list of exemptions and exclusions (GOV.UK).
Check examples of chargeable and non-chargeable building control applications (GOV.UK).
What you will pay
Levy rates are set by central government and are based on local housing market values. In South Gloucestershire, the rates are:
- £17.77 per square metre on previously developed land
- £35.54 per square metre on non-developed land
The levy is calculated based on the chargeable floorspace of the development, measured using gross internal area (GIA).
A development that includes chargeable dwellings alongside exempt accommodation types is charged proportionately.
Find detailed information about how the levy is calculated (GOV.UK).
How to submit levy information
You need to provide levy information when submitting a building control application for one or more dwellings or one or more PBSA bedspaces.
If you are building social housing or supported housing (exempt) you still need to provide levy information.
Developments on the exclusions list do not need to provide levy information.
Refer to GOV.UK guidance for the information you must provide.
We may reject your application if you do not provide the required levy information.
Notice of commencement
You need to provide up to date levy information when you submit your commencement notice. This should be within 5 days of building work starting.
If your development includes exempt accommodation, you must provide evidence of exemption at this stage.
Refer to GOV.UK guidance for the information and evidence requirements.
What happens next
We assess the information provided to calculate the levy charge for the development. This process will include spot checks on 10% of relevant applications to ensure the accuracy of information provided and our calculations.
We will issue a levy liability notice within 5 weeks outlining the amount you need to pay. This period will be extended to 8 weeks if a spot check is arranged.
If your development is confirmed as exempt from the levy, we will issue a notice of no charge.
Pay the levy
If you are required to pay the levy you can do so via our online payment system. More details on how to pay will be included in your levy liability notice.
Once we have received payment we will issue you with a levy payment certificate within 2 weeks.
Notice of completion
You need to provide a levy liability statement when you submit your completion notice. This should be within 5 days of building work ending.
The statement should confirm that the levy has been paid in full or that a notice of no charge was issued.
We cannot issue a completion certificate until all levy requirements have been met.
Appeals
If you believe that the levy charge is incorrect or should not be charged you can request a review. This also applies to decisions on refunds or an amount refunded.
You must make the review request in writing within 28 days or receiving the levy liability notice or the refund decision is given.
Find out more about the appeals process (GOV.UK).
More information
We advise that you read the full Building Safety Levy Guidance on GOV.UK alongside The Building Safety Levy (England) Regulations 2025.
Contact us
If you have any questions, contact us by email Buildingsafetylevy@southglos.gov.uk or call 01454 868004.