Two significant building safety instruments come into effect on 1 March 2026. The Building Safety Levy is confirmed for 1 October 2026. The two-staircase requirement for new residential buildings over 18 metres takes effect 30 September 2026.
Building Safety Levy: 1 October 2026
The government has confirmed that the Building Safety Levy will come into effect on 1 October 2026. The levy applies to residential developments of 10 or more dwellings and is designed to fund the remediation of historic building safety defects, including cladding removal from high-rise residential buildings.
The levy is charged per dwelling on developments above the threshold. The rate and calculation methodology are set out in the Building Safety (Levy) Act 2022 regulations.
For most landlords: no direct action required. The levy applies to developers at the point of planning or building control approval, not to existing landlords.
For portfolio landlords acquiring new-build: the levy cost may be reflected in new-build purchase prices as developers pass on additional costs. Factor this into acquisitions of off-plan or newly built properties from Q4 2026.
Two-staircase rule: 30 September 2026
From 30 September 2026, all new residential buildings over 18 metres must be designed with a second staircase. The requirement applies to buildings at planning application stage from this date.
The rule has no retrospective application: existing buildings are not affected. It is relevant to:
- Developers and investors in new-build schemes over 18 metres
- Landlords acquiring newly built tall residential buildings where the design was submitted after 30 September 2026
The two-staircase requirement will reduce lettable floor area in some tall building designs and may affect viability assessments for new schemes.
Landlord Insights — landlordinsights.co.uk — Sourced from gov.uk. Not legal advice.
This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Always verify information against the original source and seek independent professional guidance before acting on any regulatory matter.