Royal rental properties reveal widespread breaches of energy-efficiency law
An analysis shows that over a hundred homes owned by the Duchy of Lancaster, the Duchy of Cornwall and the Sandringham estate are rated F or G, breaching the legal minimum energy-performance standards.
A review of rental homes on the Duchy of Lancaster, the Duchy of Cornwall and the Sandringham estate uncovered more than 100 properties with Energy Performance Certificate ratings of F or G, falling below the legal minimum of E for private tenancies. The audit, covering over 700 domestic units, identified that many of the substandard homes are farmhouses or long-standing rentals exempt from the 2020 Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, though most lack documented exemptions.
Tenants report cold, damp conditions, black mould and reliance on coal fires or poor electric heaters. The estates point to historic building constraints and ongoing improvement programmes, while Fuel Poverty Action and legal experts criticize the use of regulatory gaps. The Duchy of Lancaster claims 97% of its applicable rentals meet standards, and the Duchy of Cornwall notes recent £11 million upgrades, yet the overall picture reveals persistent non-compliance across royal holdings.
Why it matters
Poor energy standards in royal rentals expose vulnerable tenants to unhealthy living conditions and raise questions about compliance with climate laws.
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