Royal rental properties fail energy efficiency rules
Summary
An investigation reported that more than 100 homes across the royal estates of King Charles and Prince William are rated below current EPC standards, with around 20% of the sampled domestic lets on the duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall and the Sandringham estate rated F or G. The article says some properties may fall outside the scope of current MEES rules because of tenancy type or start date, while the estates state they are compliant and continue to invest in improvements.
Why it matters
This is directly relevant to surveyors involved in EPCs, residential lettings and compliance, as it highlights how MEES rules, exemptions and tenancy history can affect whether a property is legally lettable. It also underscores the importance of accurate energy assessment and understanding the regulatory scope when advising landlords and agents.
Key points
- Over 100 royal estate homes were reported as failing current EPC standards.
- The Guardian analysis found about 20% of sampled domestic lets rated F or G.
- MEES requires a minimum EPC rating of E for relevant private rented homes, subject to exemptions.
- Some properties may be outside the rules due to tenancy type or pre-October 2008 tenancy start dates.
- Non-compliance can lead to fines of up to £5,000.
This is an RPSA summary of a publicly available article. The full content remains with the original publisher.
