《卫报》调查发现，查尔斯国王和威廉王子继承的王室庄园中，超过100套住房未能达到英国法定最低能源效率标准[1]。其中五分之一的能源性能证书（EPC）评级为F或G[1]。英国自2020年起禁止出租EPC评级低于E的房产，除非房东能证明豁免资格[1]，但大多数不达标的王室租赁房产未获正式豁免[1]。这些发现对标榜环保倡导者身份的查尔斯和威廉造成了尴尬[1]。
对此，王室庄园方面正在采取行动改善。康沃尔公爵领地称自2022年以来在房屋改善上花费1,100万英镑[1]，同时计划未来10年出售20%房产，投资5亿英镑用于社区发展，另有5,000万英镑用于改善现有房产效率[1]。兰开斯特公爵领地在过去一年投资超过300万英镑用于住宅物业维修和升级[1]。根据英国法律，房东必须在每处房产上花费高达3,500英镑进行改善或引用豁免理由，否则可被罚款高达5,000英镑[1]。燃料贫困行动组织认为一些房产的条件为"狄更斯式的"[1]。
An investigation has revealed that royal estates inherited by King Charles and Prince William are renting out more than 100 properties that fall below Britain's mandatory energy efficiency standards. [1] Over one-fifth of these homes carry Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings of F or G, the lowest categories. [1] Since 2020, British law has prohibited the rental of properties with EPC ratings below E unless landlords can demonstrate exemption eligibility, yet most of the substandard royal rental properties lack formal exemptions. [1] This finding presents a particular challenge for the King and Prince, who have positioned themselves as environmental advocates. [1]
The two main royal estates—the Duchy of Lancaster and the Duchy of Cornwall—have been at the center of the issue. [1] Landlords face potential fines of up to £5,000 unless they spend as much as £3,500 per property on improvements or cite an exemption reason. [1] Fuel Poverty Action has characterized some properties' conditions as "Dickensian." [1] However, both estates have committed to remedial action. [1] The Duchy of Cornwall plans to sell 20 percent of its properties over the next decade while investing £500 million in community development and allocating a separate £50 million to enhance the energy efficiency of existing properties. [1] The Duchy of Lancaster has invested over £3 million in the past year on residential property repairs and upgrades. [1] The Duchy of Cornwall reports having spent £11 million on housing improvements since 2022. [1]