More than 100 homes rented out on the private estates inherited by King Charles and Prince William fail to meet the legal minimum energy efficiency standards required of landlords, according to a Guardian analysis. The investigation of a large sample of domestic lets across the Duchy of Lancaster, the Duchy of Cornwall and the Sandringham estate found that roughly one in five properties carry an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of F or G, the lowest bands permitted under law.
What did the investigation find?
The review examined a substantial sample of residential properties let out by the three estates, which together generate significant income for the royal family and provide housing for tenants across England. It found that more than 100 homes fell below the minimum EPC rating of E, the legal threshold landlords in England and Wales must meet before letting a property, unless they hold a valid exemption. Properties rated F or G are considered among the least energy-efficient in the country, typically meaning higher heating costs and poorer insulation for tenants.
The Duchy of Lancaster funds the personal income of King Charles, while the Duchy of Cornwall provides income for Prince William. Sandringham, in Norfolk, is a separate private estate owned by the King. All three manage large rural property portfolios that include cottages, farmhouses and other homes let to local residents and estate workers.
Why does this matter for tenants and landlords?
Poorly insulated homes with low EPC ratings tend to be far more expensive and difficult to heat, disproportionately affecting tenants on lower incomes who often live in rural estate housing. Campaigners argue that large, wealthy landowners such as the royal estates have both the financial means and a public duty to bring their housing stock up to modern efficiency standards ahead of ordinary private landlords.
It’s archaic trying to keep these old houses warm, tenants living in the properties said.
Legal minimum energy standards were introduced to protect renters from excessive energy bills and substandard living conditions, with penalties for landlords who let out non-compliant homes without an approved exemption, such as those tied to listed building restrictions.
What happens next?
The findings raise questions about how quickly the royal estates plan to upgrade the affected properties and whether exemptions have been formally registered for older or historic buildings. Tenant advocates say the case highlights broader gaps in enforcement of energy efficiency rules across England’s rental sector, particularly among large estate landlords managing older housing stock.
