The Building Safety Levy comes into force today, 1 October 2026, bringing new responsibilities for residential developers and their project teams.
While the main requirements have been set out, many practical questions remain about how the levy will work across different types of developments and applications.
To explore those questions, Salus brought together Steven Cooper, Andrew Wignall, James Emery and James Tutton for an expert panel discussion hosted by Tom Snee.
From implementation to completion
The panel considers how the levy is likely to affect real projects, including:
- Applications submitted before and after 1 October
- Developments with previous planning approval
- Revised planning and building control applications
- Phased developments and plots that have not started
- Office-to-residential conversions
- Mixed-use developments
- Brownfield land and supporting evidence
- Care homes, social housing and other exemptions
- Differences between local authority areas
- Assessment and payment timescales
- The effect on development viability and cash flow
The discussion also examines the distinction between the applicant’s responsibilities, the role of the local collecting authority and the administrative role of the building control body.
Why early planning matters
One of the strongest messages from the panel is the need to bring the levy into the project programme at an early stage.
Applicants will need to establish what information is required, who is responsible for providing it and when it must be submitted. Potential levy costs and payment dates will also need to be incorporated into project and cash-flow planning.
Leaving the process until the end of a development could delay the issuing of the final certificate, occupation and the sale of completed homes.
Watch Steven Cooper’s Building Safety Levy briefing presentation:
If you need advice about how the Building Safety Levy may affect your development or building control application, contact the Salus team.