Building Safety Levy pushed back to autumn 2026

The government has confirmed the Building Safety Levy will come into effect in autumn 2026.

Although the Remediation Acceleration Plan, launched in December 2024, set an implementation date of autumn 2025, the government has announced the new date in its response to the levy's technical consultation.

The Building Safety Levy aims to collect around £3.4bn over the next decade to fix unsafe buildings. Under the proposals, developers of residential buildings, regardless of their height, will have to pay the levy as part of the Building Control process. Non-payment of the levy will result in the witholding of a Building Control completion certificate, or rejection of a final certificate.

Some developments, including NHS hospitals, affordable housing, care homes, supported housing and domestic abuse shelters, will be exempt from the levy.

The levy has been subject to both a public and a technical consultation. The government said it received 80 responses to the latter, the majority (55%) from local government, 19% from developers and 26% from others. The levy regulations are expected to be laid in Parliament later this year.

The government’s response to the technical consultation also includes a table with the levy rates.

The levy will be charged on a per square metre basis, with differential rates applied based on local authority boundaries. The rates and structures will be reviewed every three years.