The duchy owns the right to mine in Cornwall, even under private homes — a right that it registered to extend as recently as eight years ago. Most extraordinarily in critics’ eyes, the duchy has the right to be consulted on any legislation that affects its interests. People like Mr. Davis own their homes there, but the duchy owns the ground on which they are built. That enables the duchy to charge small ground rents to homeowners grandfathered into long leases, like Mr. Davis. Once those leases lapse, it can also raise rents to thousands of pounds per year, making it difficult for people to sell or mortgage their homes.

Source: New York Times January 26, 2020 09:56 UTC