Building Safety Levy

What is the Building Safety Levy?

Important: The Building Safety Levy is separate from Building Control application charges. Where applicable, developers may be required to pay both Building Control fees and the Building Safety Levy.

The Building Safety Levy is a new government charge that applies to certain residential developments in England. The levy is established through The Building Safety Levy (England) Regulations 2025.

The levy has been introduced to help fund the remediation of historical building safety defects and improve building safety across the country. The levy is collected through the building control process and comes into force on 1 October 2026.

If your project involves creating new homes or purpose-built student accommodation, you may need to provide Building Safety Levy information as part of your building control application.

Does the levy apply to my project?

The levy generally applies to major residential developments that create:

  • 10 or more dwellings; or
  • 30 or more purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) bedspaces.

This may include:

  • New housing developments.
  • Residential conversions.
  • Office-to-residential conversions.
  • Changes of use creating new homes.
  • Purpose-built student accommodation.
  • Mixed-use developments containing residential accommodation.
  • Existing residential buildings where additional dwellings are being created.

You may still be asked to provide levy information for smaller residential developments so that we can determine whether a levy charge applies.

Exemptions

The levy does not generally apply to:

  • House extensions.
  • Loft conversions that do not create a separate dwelling.
  • Garage conversions that do not create a separate dwelling.
  • Commercial developments.
  • Industrial buildings.
  • Agricultural buildings.

In addition, some residential developments may qualify for an exemption from the levy, including:

  • Affordable housing developments (subject to qualifying criteria).
  • Children's homes.
  • Supported housing.
  • Care homes.
  • Hospitals and NHS facilities.
  • Domestic abuse shelters.
  • Accommodation for members of the armed forces.
  • Criminal justice accommodation.
  • Certain temporary accommodation for homeless people.
  • Alms-houses.
  • Certain religious residential accommodation.

If you are claiming an exemption, you may be asked to provide supporting evidence. Please refer to the Government guidance for full details of all available exemptions. See Building Safety Levy: Guidance - Section 1: Introduction - Guidance | GOV.UK.

Who pays the levy?

The levy is usually paid by the named client for the development. Depending on the type of application, this will normally be:

  • The client named on an Application for Building Control Approval with Full Plans.
  • The person intending to carry out the work shown on an Initial Notice.
  • The client named on a Higher-Risk Building application.
  • The client named on a Regulator's Notice application.

Levy rates

The levy is charged per square metre (m²) of chargeable residential floorspace. For developments within Ribble Valley, the current rates are:

  • Previously developed land (Brownfield): £12.16 per m²
  • Non-previously developed land (Greenfield): £24.32 per m²

A reduced rate applies to qualifying developments on previously developed land. Evidence may be required to support a claim that a site qualifies as previously developed land.

The levy amount payable will be calculated by Ribble Valley Borough Council, acting as the collecting authority, based on the details of your development and any supporting information provided.

Please note: Levy rates are set by Government and vary between local authority areas. Ribble Valley Borough Council cannot change or negotiate these rates. See Building Safety Levy: Guidance - Section 2: Levy rates and calculations - Guidance | GOV.UK.

What information will I need to provide?

From 1 October 2026, applications involving the creation of dwellings or purpose-built student accommodation may need to include Building Safety Levy information. This may include:

  • The number of dwellings being created.
  • The number of PBSA bedspaces.
  • Planning reference details.
  • Details of the named client.
  • Whether the development forms part of a wider residential development.
  • Whether an exemption is being claimed.
  • Whether the site is previously developed land.

Failure to provide the required information may mean that an application or notice cannot be accepted until the required information has been provided.

Levy notices

The type of notice issued will depend on the information provided and whether the development falls within the scope of the levy.

Once the information has been assessed, we will normally issue one of the following:

Levy liability notice

This notice confirms that a Building Safety Levy charge is payable and provides details of the amount due.

Notice of no charge

This notice confirms that no levy payment is required. This may be because:

  • The development falls below the relevant threshold.
  • The development is exempt.
  • No levy liability otherwise arises.

Once any levy due has been paid, a Levy Payment Certificate will be issued.

When do I need to pay?

The levy must be paid before the:

  • Occupation of the development; or
  • Completion of the development.

Whichever is earlier.

For phased developments, the full levy liability must be paid before the first plot is occupied or a Completion Certificate can be issued, unless a Notice of No Charge has been issued.

What happens if the levy is not paid?

If the levy has not been paid, the building control authority may:

  • Withhold a Completion Certificate; or
  • Reject a Final Certificate.

Completion certification cannot proceed until all Building Safety Levy requirements have been met.

Reviews and appeals

If you disagree with:

  • A levy charge.
  • A refund amount.
  • A decision not to issue a refund.

You may request a review of the decision. Reviews must normally be requested within 28 days of the relevant decision. If you remain dissatisfied following a review, you may appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.

Transitional arrangements

Applications for Building Control Approval with Full Plans, Initial Notices, Higher-Risk Building applications and Regulator's Notice applications that are submitted and accepted before 1 October 2026 will generally not be subject to the Building Safety Levy.

This protection will normally extend to related amendment notices and variation applications associated with the same development.

Important: Submitting an application before 1 October 2026 does not automatically exempt a development from the levy. Applications submitted before this date but not accepted until after 1 October 2026 may still be subject to levy requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Does the levy apply to extensions?

In most cases, no. The levy generally applies to developments that create new dwellings or purpose-built student accommodation.

Does the levy apply to office-to-residential conversions?

It may do. Conversions that create new dwellings can fall within the levy regime and may require levy information to be submitted.

We submitted our application before 1 October 2026. Will the levy apply?

Applications submitted and accepted before 1 October 2026 will generally be outside the levy regime. However, applications submitted before that date but accepted afterwards may still be subject to levy requirements.

Can I receive a Completion Certificate before paying the levy?

No. Where a levy charge is due, payment must be made before a Completion Certificate can be issued unless a Notice of No Charge has been issued.

Building Safety Levy Forms and Guidance

You may be required to provide Building Safety Levy information as part of your application and again at commencement stage.

1A) Levy Information Form - Application Form

1B) Levy Information Form - Commencement Form

Further information

For detailed guidance on the Building Safety Levy, including levy rates, exemptions, payment arrangements and transitional provisions, please visit Building Safety Levy Guidance | GOV.UK

If you are unsure whether the Building Safety Levy applies to your project, please contact the team at buildingsafetylevy@ribblevalley.gov.uk. We will be happy to help direct you to the relevant guidance and explain what information may be required as part of your application.