Building Safety Levy

From 1 October 2026, we will charge a Building Safety Levy on building control applications and initial notices for some new residential developments.

It is a charge that local authorities collect to give to the government.

New developments you do not have to pay the levy for

You do not have to pay the levy if you are building:

• affordable housing 
• supported housing 
• housing as a non-profit registered provider or wholly-owned subsidiary
• small developments with fewer than 10 residential units  

Find a full list of exempt types of developments in the Building Safety Levy regulations on GOV.UK.

You must pay the charge on all other new developments.

Information you must include in new applications 

You must include some information that is used to work out if the levy will apply in:

• full plans applications
• initial notices
• high rise building applications for works with at least 1 dwelling or bedspace in purpose built student accommodation

We may reject applications if you do not provide the correct information.

Developers also need to provide more information so we can work out the amount we will charge at the commencement notice stage.

Paying the levy

The levy is based on residential floor space.

There is a different rate for development on previously developed land and land that has not been developed before.

Building Safety Levy rates in Islington

• Development on previously developed land: £39.52 per square metre
• Development on non-previously developed land: £79.04 per square metre

We will tell you how much you need to pay after you submit your building control application.

When you pay the levy

You must pay the levy before occupying or completing the development.

We will not issue a completion certificate or will reject any final certificate until you have paid the levy.

How to dispute the levy

You must ask us to review the decision within 28 days if you want to dispute:

• the levy charge
• the refund amount
• our decision not to issue a refund

If after that you are not satisfied, you can appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal.

How the government uses the levy

Money from the levy supports work to fix building safety defects and help make affected buildings safer for people.

The levy is part of the government’s larger plans to make sure the industry contributes to the costs of fixing building safety defects while helping protect leaseholders and taxpayers.