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The Building Safety Levy is a Government charge that applies to certain new residential developments in England. The levy has been introduced to help fund the remediation of historical building safety defects and may be payable on eligible residential developments unless an exemption applies.

As the shared building control service for Tandridge District Council, Mole Valley District Council and Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, Southern Building Control Partnership is responsible for administering the levy locally on behalf of the three councils, which act as the Building Safety Levy Collecting Authorities. The levy is set by Government and applies independently of building control charges or the building control provider appointed for the development.

To help developers understand the new requirements, we have produced guidance and practical support on the levy process, including what information may be required and when it needs to be submitted.

The Levy and Building Control Are Separate Requirements

The Building Safety Levy is a separate statutory requirement that may apply to certain residential developments. Where applicable, developers will need to provide levy-related information and may become liable to pay the levy.

While the levy process is linked to key stages within the building control process, it is separate from building control charges and the delivery of building control services. The levy is administered by the relevant local authority acting as the Building Safety Levy Authority, regardless of which building control route is chosen.

Does My Choice of Building Control Provider Affect the Levy?

The levy requirements are linked to the development itself rather than the building control route chosen.

Whether a project is overseen by a Local Authority Building Control team or a Registered Building Control Approver, developers may still need to provide levy information and comply with any levy obligations that apply to their development.

Where a Registered Building Control Approver is appointed, specific requirements apply to ensure that levy information is still provided to the relevant Building Safety Levy Authority for assessment and administration purposes.

Planning Ahead

Developers should ensure they:

  • Understand whether their development may fall within scope.
  • Provide the required levy information at the relevant stages.
  • Allow sufficient time for levy assessments and any related processes.
  • Keep levy information up to date if project details change.
We’re Here to Help at Southern Building Control

We recognise that the introduction of the Building Safety Levy represents a significant change for the development industry.

Government guidance on the Building Safety Levy is already available Building Safety Levy: Guidance. To support developers, agents and applicants working within Tandridge, Mole Valley and Reigate & Banstead, Southern Building Control Partnership has a dedicated Building Safety Levy guidance webpage. The webpage complements the Government’s published guidance to help users understand the requirements, identify what information may be needed, and navigate each stage of the levy process with confidence.

Our aim is to provide clear guidance and practical support so that developers understand their obligations and can progress their developments with confidence.