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What is the Building Safety Levy?

The Building Safety Levy is a charge on certain new residential developments in England. It will be collected through the building control process and paid to central government to support building safety work.

Here at Peterborough City Council, we are the collecting authority for the levy for developments in Peterborough.

The levy applies to relevant building control applications and notices submitted on or after 1 October 2026. Applications submitted before this date are not affected.

Who is affected?

The levy will apply to the following:

  • Major residential development (10 or more dwellings), or
  • 30+ purpose-built student accommodation bedspaces, subject to exemptions.

This information is based on the current regulations and guidance. As the Building Safety Levy is new, we will continue to review and update this page and will make further updates as soon as possible.

Developer/agent checklist

To help developers and agents prepare for the Building Safety Levy process, we have produced a checklist covering the information, evidence and key stages linked to the building control process.

The checklist includes guidance on:

  • Building control submission requirements
  • Building Safety Levy charging information and supporting evidence
  • Floorspace calculations and gross internal area schedules
  • Previously developed land evidence
  • Exemption evidence requirements
  • Payment, certification and review processes

The checklist also explains what information may be required at different stages of the development process, including before submission, at commencement and prior to completion/final certification.

Information for agents and developers

The checklist helps developers prepare for the Building Safety Levy through the building control process.

This information is based on the current regulations and guidance. As the Building Safety Levy is new, this information may change.

Quick facts

  • Levy start date: applies to relevant building control applications and notices submitted on or after 1 October 2026.
  • Typical threshold: major residential development (for example, 10+ dwellings or 30+ purpose-built student accommodation bedspaces), subject to exemptions and “wider development” rules.
  • Peterborough City Council current levy rates (per m² of chargeable floorspace): £26.73m² standard; £13.36m² previously developed land. The levy rates may change in the future.
  • Payment: where a levy charge applies, payment must be made before the earlier of first occupation and building control completion/final certification.

Step-by-step checklist

Before working through the checklist below, developers and agents may find it helpful to refer to Annex D of the national Building Safety Levy guidance on GOV.UK website. Annex D includes suggested Government forms for providing levy information at application stage and levy charging information at commencement stage.

1) Before you submit

Confirm the building control route (Local Authority Building Control full plans / Registered Building Control Approver initial notice / Building Safety Regulator).

Check whether works are likely to be a major residential development (10+ dwellings or 30+ purpose-built student accommodation bedspaces) and whether works are part of a wider development under the same planning permission.

Identify any exemptions likely to apply (for example social/supported housing, exempt buildings, exempt persons) and start gathering evidence.

2) At building control submission / initial notice (basic levy information)

Provide planning permission reference(s) and site address details.

Provide number of dwellings and / or purpose-built student accommodation bedspaces created by the works (net increase where applicable).

Provide initial statement on whether exemptions may apply (and what evidence you will provide).

Provide initial statement on whether you believe the previously developed land discounted rate applies (evidence usually follows at commencement stage).

3) At first commencement notice (levy charging information + evidence)

Provide floorspace information (gross internal area schedules in m²) for chargeable dwellings/ purpose-built student accommodation and any communal areas for residents. Ensure measurements follow the required gross internal area approach and rounding (nearest whole m²; 0.5 rounds up).

Provide evidence to support previously developed land status if claiming the discounted rate (previously developed land is assessed against the planning redline and the regulatory definition).

Provide evidence for any exemption claims (tenure / provider status, planning obligations, supporting documents, etc.).

Registered Building Control Approver route: the client must also provide a copy of the first commencement notice and levy evidence to the collecting authority within two working days.

4) After submission of charging information

Peterborough City Council (the collecting authority) will issue either a Levy Liability Notice or a Notice of No Charge.

The determination timescale runs from the statutory ‘receipt date’ (generally when the last of the required levy information, the first compliant commencement notice and supporting evidence are received).

If selected for a levy information spot check, you may be asked for further clarification / evidence.

5) Payment and levy payment certificate

Pay the levy to Peterborough City Council (the collecting authority). Payment instructions will be provided with the levy determination.

Keep proof of payment/remittance details.

Peterborough City Council will issue a Levy Payment Certificate within two weeks of receiving the full levy payment.

6) Completion

Before completion/final certification, ensure levy position is clear: paid in full or Notice of No Charge received (and not cancelled).

Failure to pay will delay completion/final certification.

7) Changes, refunds, reviews and appeals (if applicable)

If the development changes and affects levy liability, you must notify the collecting authority.

If you disagree with a levy decision, you may request a review within 28 days of the relevant notice or decision and may be able to appeal to the first-tier tribunal.

When the Building Safety Levy applies

The Building Safety Levy is linked to the building control process and applies to relevant building control submissions made on or after 1 October 2026. Whether a charge applies depends on the development meeting the levy charging conditions (including whether it is a major residential development and whether exemptions apply).

Information developers may need to provide:

  • Number of dwellings or purpose-built student accommodation bedspaces (and whether the works are part of a wider development).
  • Relevant planning permission reference and supporting planning information.
  • Floorspace information (gross internal area schedules) and communal space information.
  • Evidence for any claimed exemptions.
  • Evidence to support use of the previously developed land rate (where claimed).

The government has published suggested Building Safety Levy information forms for the application stage and commencement stage, available in Annex D of the Building Safety Levy guidance. For more information visit the Building Safety Levy: Guidance - Annex D: levy information annexes - Guidance on the GOV.UK website.

Submitting your Building Safety Levy application

When required, the relevant Building Safety Levy information forms below should be included in your building control application with us. If needed and has not been included, we may reject the application within the 5 week statutory period for rejecting a full plans application.

If you have any questions about your application, please contact buildingcontrol@peterborough.gov.uk.

When to pay and what happens if you do not pay

Where a Building Safety Levy charge applies, payment must be made before the earlier of

  • first occupation or
  • building control completion/final certification.

Payment instructions will be provided with the levy determination. If the levy is not paid, building control completion/final certification will be withheld or rejected.

Current levy rates for Peterborough (per m² of chargeable floorspace):

  • Standard rate £26.73m²
  • Previously developed land rate £13.36m²

Previously developed land: A discounted previously developed land rate may apply where the site meets the definition of a previously developed site. Eligibility is assessed against the planning permission redline boundary and the regulatory definition of previously developed land.

The levy rates may change in the future.

Reviews, refunds and appeals

If a developer disagrees with a Building Safety Levy decision (for example, the amount charged or a refund decision), they will be able to request a review. If still dissatisfied, appeal to the First-tier tribunal within 28 days.

For further information about review, refund and appeals contact buildingcontrol@peterborough.gov.uk.

Further information

Last updated: 29 September 2026
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