King Charles and Prince William: 10 million pounds to adapt the buildings

King Charles and Prince William risk having to spend up to 10 million pounds to adapt the rented properties of their private estates, the Duchy of Lancaster and the Sandringham estate for the British sovereign and the Duchy of Cornwall for the heir to the throne, to the new energy efficiency rules.

The law being prepared in the United Kingdom will in fact require landlords to substantially raise the minimum standards for rental properties by 2030. An investigation by the Guardian into around 700 energy certificates from the three land estates found that 630 would not meet the new requirements. In Sandringham, 99% of rental properties are below the required standard, while the share exceeds 90% in the Duchy of Lancaster and 80% in that of Cornwall.

Charles and William, known for their great ecological commitment, could end up at the center of a storm if the properties are not adapted in time. It is estimated that each property could cost up to £10,000 in works, while fines reach up to £30,000 for each unit rented without the necessary improvements.

The two duchies had already ended up at the center of controversy over the so-called 'Duchy Files', documents relating to the millionaire proceeds generated through rental agreements between public institutions, including hospitals and schools.