EPC expert reveals shock at Royal rented homes’ low standards
Andrew Parkin, Technical Development Director at Elmhurst Energy, says therefore the Duchy of Cornwall properties are below the minimum legal standard.
An EPC expert featured during a Channel 4 Dispatches investigation into sub-standard housing rented out by the the Royal Family has said the properties involved did not meet minimum legal standards and therefore, by default, are being rented out illegally.
The comments have come from Andrew Parkin, Technical Development Director at Elmhurst Energy, who took part in the Dispatches programme, who says: “The EPCs that Channel 4 Dispatches presented to us on the day were very low rated.
“Two were EPC G 1, which is the lowest possible score on the scale. The EPCs estimated that these would have very high energy bills and carbon emissions, due to very inefficient heating, hot water and poor insulation levels,” he says.
“Based on the EPCs shown to us, the properties are not compliant with Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES).”
The Dispatches programme, which was a joint effort with The Sunday Times and Mirror newspapers, revealed how tenants living in rented homes owned by The Duchy of Cornwall continue to suffer from mouldy, damp and freezing conditions. The Duchy is currently run by Prince William after he recently inherited it off his father.
During the programme, it was revealed that one in seven of the Duchy of Cornwall’s 500 properties have very low EPC ratings with 50 rated F and 20 rated G, including six properties with the lowest score of one point out of 100.
Improvements promised
Following the revelations Prince William has promised to make improvements.
We are a responsible landlord committed to continuous improvement of our properties.”
A Duchy of Cornwall spokesperson said: “We are a responsible landlord committed to continuous improvement of our properties.
“We work closely with our tenants to actively address the energy efficiency of properties across our portfolio whilst minimising the impact on residents.”
Meanwhile, The Times has also published information, jointly with Dispatches, revealing the extent of the Royal Family’s property empire, showing they own more than 5,400 properties and landholdings.
Picture: Channel 4/Mirror
Join the club Prince William, until the EPC regulations are made realistic & sensible we’re all in the same boat. Don’t worry about it, we’re not. Once the Eco Mafia realise a massive proportion of PRS homes will be illegal if their ludicrous, unreasonable diktats are implemented, they will have to come to their senses or find a way to rehouse millions of tenants currently happy to be where they are!