New residential development levy in Ealing: who it affects

Does the new building safety charge affect an ordinary resident, the owner of an existing home, or mainly a new development? Ealing Council published guidance on 5 October about the Building Safety Levy, which took effect on 1 October 2026. It is a government charge collected through the building control process for certain new residential developments in England.

The levy is intended to help fund work addressing historic safety defects in existing residential buildings. In practice, the obligation mainly concerns organisations preparing new schemes and submitting building control documents. It is not a new bill automatically sent to every homeowner or tenant in Ealing.

According to the council’s guidance, the levy may cover new houses and flats, conversions that create new homes, purpose-built student accommodation and some mixed-use schemes containing residential development. Whether a particular project is liable depends on its details and the national regulations.

There is no single charge for every development. The amount depends on factors including the location, the type of project and the number of homes or bedspaces being created. Reduced rates may apply to previously developed, or brownfield, land. Some projects may qualify for exemptions or relief, including certain affordable housing schemes. A project description alone may not be enough to establish an exemption, as supporting evidence can be required.

The Building Safety Levy is separate from other development costs. Ealing Council makes clear that it does not replace planning application fees, the Community Infrastructure Levy, section 106 obligations or ordinary building control charges. Paying one charge does not remove the need to check whether the others apply.

The main procedural change is the requirement to provide the necessary levy information during the building control process. Missing information can delay an application, lead to a submission being rejected or create difficulty in obtaining a completion certificate when the work is finished.

Anyone planning a development should not assume either full liability or an exemption without checking the details. The council recommends contacting its Building Control team before submitting an application, particularly where a scheme combines several uses, involves a residential conversion or includes affordable housing. Enquiries can be sent to bcontrol@ealing.gov.uk.

For residents, the key distinction is between a cost arising during a new development and a charge on a home that is already occupied. The levy may affect the budget and timetable of a new project, but it does not create an automatic personal liability for existing tenants or homeowners.

Developers and professional advisers should read the national rules alongside the council’s local guidance. The final amount, any relief and the evidence required will depend on the facts of the scheme, so project-specific advice may be necessary before an application is filed.