Overview
- An official freedom of information disclosure confirms the Crown Estate conducted no inspections of Royal Lodge across Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s 22-year occupation.
- The 2003 lease provided no ongoing rent in return for an estimated £8 million upfront refurbishment and strict maintenance rules, including repainting the interior every seven years and limits on alterations.
- The lease allowed landlord access with reasonable notice, yet the first inspection took place only after notice to surrender was given and it identified dilapidations.
- In a briefing to MPs, the Crown Estate said repairs will likely wipe out roughly £488,342 that would otherwise have been due for early surrender, subject to a full post‑occupation dilapidations survey.
- The Public Accounts Committee is preparing further scrutiny of royal leasing arrangements as the Crown Estate defends its ‘need‑only’ inspection approach as common industry practice.