Key facts
- Hundreds of rental properties on royal estates may require upgrades to meet new energy efficiency standards.
- King Charles and Prince William could face a bill of up to £10 million for these upgrades.
- New regulations mandate an EPC rating of C or higher for rental properties by 2030, an increase from the current E rating.
- A significant majority of properties on the Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster, and the Sandringham estate, have ratings of D or lower.
- The Duchy of Cornwall has invested £11 million in home improvements since 2022 and plans an additional £50 million.
Hundreds of rental properties on King Charles and Prince William's private estates may require significant upgrades to meet upcoming energy efficiency standards, potentially costing up to £10 million. The government plans to mandate that all rental properties achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C or higher by 2030, an increase from the current minimum of E.
A Guardian investigation revealed that a substantial majority of domestic properties across the Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster, and the Sandringham estate, currently have ratings of D or lower. Specifically, 99% of Sandringham properties examined were rated D or below, along with over 90% of those on the Duchy of Lancaster and about 80% on the Duchy of Cornwall.
These royal estates, comprising many older rural properties often heated by oil, coal, or wood, are generally less energy efficient than the average privately rented home. The potential cost for upgrading each property could reach £10,000, and landlords could face fines of £30,000 for each home that continues to be rented without meeting the new standards.
The Duchy of Cornwall has stated it is addressing these challenges through a retrofit program, having spent £11 million on home improvements since 2022 and planning an additional £50 million. However, of the 150 new energy-efficient homes delivered recently, only six were private rentals, with most having been sold. The Duchy of Lancaster also operates over 300 domestic rental properties, with more than 90% of those with available EPCs rated below C.