Royal Scandal Over EPC/MEES Compliance at Duchy of Cornwall

The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) hit the headlines in November when the Sunday Mirror and Channel 4’s Dispatches programme investigated Prince William’s Duchy of Cornwall estate over a 15-month period. By cross-referencing data from the Land Registry with the Government’s national EPC database, they uncovered 70 rental properties with non-compliant EPC grades of F & G. Further checks against the public MEES exemption database revealed that no exemptions were registered for these properties, suggesting that they should not have been receiving rent since 2020. 

The Duchy of Cornwall estate argued to the Sunday Mirror that they believed MEES environmental legislation did not apply to them, citing unspecified reasons. This incident highlights the reputational risks for landlords, particularly high-profile figures like Prince William, who has been vocal about environmental issues through initiatives like The Earthshot Prize.

[Link to the original Sunday Mirror article: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/royals/scandal-prince-williams-mouldy-hard-34022520]

The investigation underscores the power and utility of the UK’s EPC national database, www.epcregister.com, which has been operational since the regulations were introduced in 2008. This database now contains over 22 million domestic EPCs and more than 1 million commercial EPCs, making it one of the most comprehensive energy efficiency surveys globally. Under the MEES regulations, introduced by David Cameron’s Conservative Government in 2015, the number of sub-standard commercial rental buildings has dramatically decreased from approximately 200,000 to nearly zero by the final compliance deadline in April 2023, showcasing the policy’s success in driving building upgrades.

Looking ahead, the property sector is now awaiting details on Phase 2 of the commercial MEES standard, which proposed upgrading all commercial rental buildings to at least EPC Grade C by 2027 and Grade B by 2030 under previous government plans.

Vital, a leading consultancy in EPC and MEES compliance, has been assisting commercial landlords with these standards since 2008. We pioneered the national EPC Plus upgrade service, aiding in the transition to more energy-efficient buildings.

The implications of this scandal extend beyond one estate, signalling to the industry that compliance with energy efficiency standards is not just a legal requirement but a matter of public and environmental accountability.