King Charles and Prince William could be required to spend up to £10m to upgrade hundreds of rental properties on their private estates. This is to meet planned government energy-efficiency rules, which will mandate an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C or higher for rental properties by 2030, an increase from the current E requirement.
A Guardian investigation found that nearly nine in 10 domestic properties across the Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster, and the Sandringham estate, currently hold an EPC rating of D or lower. This analysis, which examined over 700 domestic EPCs, revealed that 99% of Sandringham estate rental properties, over 90% for the Duchy of Lancaster, and about 80% for the Duchy of Cornwall, would not meet the proposed standards.
The renovation costs could exceed £10m, which is comparable to the annual combined residential rental income of the duchies. Landlords could also face fines of £30,000 for each property rented without the necessary upgrades. A government spokesperson stated that the plans aim to lift up to half a million households out of fuel poverty by 2030.
The royal estates' properties are often older, rural, and heated by oil, coal, or wood, making them less energy efficient than most privately rented homes. The Duchy of Cornwall has stated that an additional £50m is planned for improving the condition and efficiency of its existing properties, on top of a previously announced £500m investment over the next decade.