New levy for residential developments

From 1 October 2026, some building control applications or initial notices will be subject to the building safety levy. A levy is an extra charge or fee.

The levy will help fund the remediation of historical building safety defects, including unsafe cladding, where a responsible developer cannot be identified or held liable.

Who needs to pay?

The levy applies to developers making building control applications for eligible new residential developments from 1 October 2026.

In general, the levy applies to:

  • new housing developments
  • purpose-built student accommodation
  • certain change-of-use developments that create residential floorspace

Some developments and organisations may be exempt from the levy. Government guidance sets out the full list of exemptions and eligibility criteria.

The Annex A: process maps provide information on how levy payments and information should work across the various levy collection routes.

Levy rates

Levy rates are set by central government and vary across local authority areas. Charges are generally based on the amount of new residential floorspace created.

The applicable rate for Dorset developments can be found in the government's Building Safety Levy guidance.

Important information for developers

The levy applies to relevant building control applications submitted on or after 1 October 2026. Applications submitted before this date may not be subject to the levy, provided they remain valid.

Developers should ensure that applications are:

  • complete
  • accurate
  • submitted with all required supporting information

Applications that are rejected or invalidated and then resubmitted after 1 October 2026 may become liable for the levy.

To help developers understand the basics of the Building Safety Levy regulations, LABC has produced an online resource about how the Building Safety Levy is charged and collected.

Dorset Council's role

We will act as the collecting authority for developments within the Dorset Council area where the levy applies.

As the collecting authority, we responsible for:

  • receiving levy information from developers
  • assessing whether a levy charge applies
  • calculating the amount payable
  • issuing levy notices
  • collecting payments in line with the regulations

Funds collected through the levy are passed to central government, helping to support national building safety remediation programmes.

Further guidance

For detailed guidance, including visit: 

If you have questions about how the Building Safety Levy applies to a development in Dorset, please contact the Dorset Council Building Control team.