King Charles and Prince William could be facing a hefty bill over their rented private estates as new energy-efficiency rules loom. Their rental homes must achieve a C rating or higher by 2030, potentially requiring costly upgrades to meet the new standards.
King Charles and Prince William reportedly face royal property challenge
Previously, landlords were required to ensure their properties achieved an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E. However, the rules have since changed, with rental properties now expected to meet a C rating or higher. The change could create a costly challenge for Prince William and King Charles, who may have to spend heavily to bring their rental homes up to the new standard.
The upgrades could cost around $13,500 per property, while failing to comply could result in fines of up to $40,600. The issue could be particularly significant for the royals, given their longstanding emphasis on environmental issues and sustainability.
King Charles currently oversees the Sandringham Estate and the Duchy of Lancaster, while Prince William manages the Duchy of Cornwall, which he inherited following his father’s accession to the throne. Although the exact number of properties across the three estates has not been publicly disclosed, reports suggest their combined residential holdings could exceed 1,200 homes.
If this speculation turns out to be true, then around 1000 properties would have to be upgraded per the latest change. This will also make the overall cost rise to an estimated $13.5 million USD. This is evident given an investigation conducted by The Guardian gives an approximation of how many properties could actually meet the requirements.
“Nine in 10 domestic properties on the duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster and the Sandringham estate have had EPC ratings of D or lower,” it said.
“While improving the energy efficiency of some historic buildings is challenging, we continue to work to improve their EPC ratings. Any tenant with concerns is encouraged to contact us directly and can be assured we will address these issues promptly and constructively,” the spokesperson said, assuring that they will work with the landlords and meet the EPC requirements (via The Royal Observer).
