The Building Safety Act: What Developers Need to Know in 2026

The Building Safety Act 2022 continues to reshape UK construction, with 2026 bringing critical regulatory changes. For developers, contractors and asset owners, staying ahead is essential to avoid delays and penalties.

Key Changes Coming in 2026:

The Building Safety Levy launches on 1 October 2026, charging most new developments of 10+ dwellings to raise £3.4 billion for unsafe building remediation. Exemptions include social housing, with discounts for brownfield sites. Developers must factor levy costs into land appraisals immediately—no transitional provisions exist for late applications.

Expanded registration requirements will extend Building Safety Regulator oversight to residential buildings between 11–18 metres, significantly increasing compliance obligations for building owners.

The government has shifted "from encouragement to enforcement" on remediation, with new legal duties requiring landlords to remove unsafe cladding from higher-risk buildings, backed by statutory deadlines and criminal penalties.

Gateway Process Challenges:

The Act's three gateway checkpoints continue causing project delays, particularly at Gateway 2, where high rejection rates and BSR backlogs create programme uncertainty. The government has recruited 100 additional staff and introduced fast-track processes to address bottlenecks.

How Procter Street Helps:

We support developers and contractors with work winning bid support, project management and P6 Planner services.

Get in touch: hello@procterandstreet.co.uk | 0161 560 1138