How TwinSpace’s Virtual Walkthroughs Can Support EPC Compliance

TwinSpace®
Apr 25, 2024
8 min read

The UK rental sector is on the brink of significant change as new Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) upgrade requirements emerge from the Renters Reform Bill. The government is tightening minimum energy efficiency standards for rented homes in a bid to reduce carbon emissions and combat fuel poverty. In practical terms, this means that many landlords, especially those with older or multi-occupancy properties will need to invest in improvements to boost their EPC ratings. This article explains the new EPC rules, highlights which property types are most affected (from student houses and HMOs to Victorian terraces), and outlines how digital tools like TwinSpace’s virtual walkthroughs and 3D building mapping can help landlords and property managers adapt.

Properties Most Affected by EPC Upgrades

Not all properties will feel the impact of these rules equally. Many newly built flats and houses already have high energy ratings (Bands A–C), and may require little to no work. The focus will fall on the older and less efficient stock in the private rented sector. Below we highlight the types of properties likely to face the greatest challenges under the new EPC upgrade regime:

Student Housing and HMOs

Student rentals and houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) are often in older buildings that were not built with modern energy efficiency in mind. Many students live in Victorian or Edwardian era houses converted to shared accommodation, with high ceilings, older windows, and insulation that falls short of today’s standards. In one university town survey, 42% of student renters were found to be living in properties rated EPC band E, F or G far below the upcoming “C” target. These inefficient student homes frequently suffer issues like draughts, damp, and high heating costs, underscoring why upgrades are needed.

HMOs, likewise, tend to be older large homes subdivided into rooms. A significant number of HMO properties are Victorian-era buildings, which presents a challenge for meeting EPC C. Traditional construction (solid brick walls, single glazing, etc.) means these properties often have poor insulation and higher heat loss, dragging down their EPC scores. According to recent data, only about 20–30% of homes built before 1940 currently achieve EPC Band C or above meaning roughly 70–80% of pre-war properties fall short. Landlords of student HMOs in such older buildings will likely need to invest substantially (e.g. upgrading heating systems, adding insulation or double glazing) to reach the required standard.

Older Buildings (Pre-1980s Properties)

Older residential buildings in general – not just student houses – are the ones most likely to need EPC upgrades. The UK’s housing stock includes many homes built before modern building regulations, and energy data makes clear that age correlates with efficiency. Among homes built before 1919, nearly four in five have an EPC below Band C, and even those built up to the mid-20th century mostly fail to meet a C rating. By contrast, over 80% of homes constructed after 1990 are already rated C or above. The gap is stark: if your rental property is an older cottage, a Victorian terrace, or a 1960s flat, it’s statistically far more likely to need upgrades than a recently built property.

Older buildings often feature solid walls, older boilers, ageing windows, and thinner insulation, all of which contribute to lower EPC scores. For example, adding insulation to solid brick walls (common in Victorian houses) is costly and disruptive – the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) estimates solid wall insulation can cost over £20,000 for a typical house. In some parts of the North and Midlands, their research found the cost of necessary EPC improvements could amount to around a quarter of the property’s value. This illustrates the disproportionate burden on owners of low-value, older homes. While certain heritage properties or listed buildings may be exempt from EPC rules (due to preservation constraints), most landlords with older houses will have to find ways to improve energy efficiency, whether through insulation, new heating systems, or other retrofits – to comply with the upcoming standards.

Impact on Landlords: Costs and Compliance Challenges

Meeting the EPC upgrade requirement will inevitably come with costs and logistical challenges for landlords and property managers. Upgrading a property’s energy performance can range from minor tweaks (LED lighting, adding loft insulation) to major renovations (installing wall insulation, new heating systems, or energy-efficient windows). The expense varies widely depending on the property’s size, age, and current condition. Recent estimates put the nationwide cost of bringing all rental properties up to EPC C at around £17.9 billion in total. For individual landlords, the outlay per property could be anywhere from a few hundred pounds to tens of thousands.

How much might an EPC upgrade cost? A useful way to gauge this is by property type. For example, to retrofit an average one-bedroom flat from a D to a C rating might cost on the order of £3,000–£4,000, whereas for a larger detached house the necessary improvements could easily exceed £12,000. These figures are averages, actual costs can be higher if a property has multiple inefficiencies. As noted earlier, an old brick house with no insulation might need a £20k+ deep retrofit, while a modern build-to-rent flat might already be at C with no work at all. Landlords should also be aware of potential cost caps or exemptions.

Previously, the government had proposed a cap of £10,000 per property on required spending for EPC improvements, to avoid placing an excessive financial burden on landlords. It’s not confirmed if a similar cap will apply when the new rules come into force, but this might be clarified in upcoming regulations. Additionally, certain properties can register for exemption – for instance, if required works would unacceptably alter a heritage building, or if after spending up to the cap the property still can’t reach C, an exemption may be possible (as is the case under current rules for EPC E).

Aside from upgrade costs, practical compliance challenges loom. Landlords will need to arrange energy assessments, plan improvement works, and coordinate with contractors or installers. This process can be time-consuming, especially for those with multiple properties or complex HMOs. There could be disruption to tenants while works are carried out (e.g. installing insulation or a new boiler). It’s advisable for property managers to start planning early – conducting an EPC assessment to identify shortfalls, getting quotes for recommended upgrades, and scheduling works during void periods if possible. Proactive planning will also help avoid a last-minute rush closer to the 2028–2030 deadlines, when demand for retrofit contractors may surge.

Finally, non-compliance is not a viable option. If a property does not meet the required EPC standard by the deadline (and isn’t exempt), the landlord will likely be barred from marketing or renewing a tenancy for that property until improvements are made. Enforcement of EPC rules is expected to tighten, with fines (currently up to £5,000) remaining in place or increasing for those who ignore the regulations. In effect, an unrentable property or a hefty fine will cost far more than the upgrades themselves. Thus, while the scale of required improvements is large, it’s a necessary investment to future-proof rental portfolios and avoid lost income or legal penalties.

How TwinSpace’s Virtual Walkthroughs Can Support EPC Compliance

Adapting to these new EPC requirements doesn’t have to be an uphill struggle. Technology can play a key role in simplifying the process of assessing properties, planning upgrades, and demonstrating compliance. TwinSpace’s virtual walkthrough and 3D building mapping services offer a cutting-edge solution for landlords facing EPC upgrade tasks. By creating a precise digital twin of a property’s interior, TwinSpace helps landlords and property managers tackle energy efficiency improvements more efficiently and with greater confidence. Here’s how TwinSpace can support you amid the EPC upgrade drive:

Accurate Layouts & Space Documentation: TwinSpace creates a detailed 3D model and floor plan of your property with exact measurements. This accurate layout is invaluable during an EPC assessment, both you and the energy assessor can verify room sizes, wall areas, window placements and more without guesswork. Precise documentation of the building’s layout ensures that no “hidden” alcove or uninsulated loft space is overlooked when calculating the EPC. It essentially provides a digital record of the property’s as-built state, which is far clearer than scribbled notes or 2D plans.

Identifying Upgrade Requirements: A virtual walkthrough lets you thoroughly inspect every room and building element online, making it easier to spot features that might be dragging down the EPC rating. For example, you can visually confirm the presence (or absence) of insulation, identify single-glazed windows or older lighting and heating fixtures, and even tag these elements in the 3D model. This helps prioritise what needs upgrading. In more advanced applications, digital building models can be combined with energy data to pinpoint where efficiency gains can be made. Studies show that a calibrated digital twin can identify where energy is being wasted and virtually test different improvements (like adding insulation or upgrading windows) to see which measures would raise the EPC most effectively. In short, TwinSpace provides the canvas on which energy experts can map out upgrade options with accuracy.
Visual Evidence for Compliance: After making improvements, your TwinSpace 3D model becomes a before-and-after evidence log of compliance. You can update the virtual walkthrough to reflect upgrades (for instance, new double-glazed windows or an installed heat pump) and use this visual record as proof of works completed. This can be useful if you need to demonstrate compliance to authorities or accreditation schemes, everything is clearly documented in the walkthrough. It also helps in conversations with tenants or investors: you can show that the property has become more energy-efficient through an interactive tour. In an era when regulators are emphasising a “golden thread” of property information, maintaining a digital model with technical details could form part of showing due diligence in meeting standards.

Streamlined Communication with Contractors & Assessors: TwinSpace virtual tours make it much easier to collaborate with the professionals involved in your EPC upgrades. Rather than relying on multiple site visits, you can share the 3D walkthrough with retrofit contractors, architects, or energy assessors who can “walk” through the property remotely. This greatly streamlines discussions about what work is needed. Contractors can take measurements from the model and see specific areas (like a particular wall or the roof space) in detail, allowing them to quote more accurately and be better prepared before arriving on site. Energy assessors, too, can use the digital model to double-check details or plan their visit. By having a common visual reference, misunderstandings are reduced and everyone saves time. In effect, TwinSpace’s platform becomes a communication hub, keeping landlords, contractors, and assessors on the same page regarding the property’s layout and required upgrades.

Future-Proofing Your Portfolio: Perhaps one of the greatest advantages of using TwinSpace is the long-term benefit of digital asset management for your properties. Once you have 3D models of your buildings, they can be updated and reused whenever new regulations come along, not just for this EPC C requirement, but for future standards too. For example, if the government later raises the bar to EPC B or introduces new climate adaptation rules, you already possess a detailed digital twin to plan further improvements. Sophisticated simulations can even be run on digital models to experiment with different retrofit scenarios , helping you make informed investment decisions about where to spend money for the best energy outcome. In this way, TwinSpace’s technology makes your property portfolio resilient to rising regulatory expectations. You’ll be better prepared for whatever comes next, with documented, compliant, and efficient buildings that retain their value in a greener future.

Our Conclusion

The transition to higher EPC standards under the Renters Reform Bill marks a pivotal moment for UK landlords and property managers. It brings short-term challenges, assessing properties, financing upgrades, coordinating works but it will deliver long-term benefits in energy savings, improved property quality, and a more sustainable rental sector. Landlords who start early with compliance efforts will be best placed to avoid financial penalties and void periods once the new rules take effect.

Leveraging tools like TwinSpace’s virtual walkthroughs can make this transition far smoother. By embracing 3D mapping technology, landlords gain a powerful ally for planning upgrades and evidencing compliance, all while communicating clearly with those who will carry out the improvements. In a time of legislative change and heightened focus on energy efficiency, TwinSpace stands out as a practical solution to help property professionals not just meet the new EPC requirements, but thrive amid the change. By taking action now getting informed, upgrading properties, and utilising digital innovations landlords can future-proof their portfolios and continue providing quality, efficient homes in the years ahead.

Sources: Government and industry reports on EPC regulations and housing energy efficiency

Renters Reform Bill proposals and analyses

lendlord.io

thp.co.uk

National landlord and energy industry statistics

thp.co.uk

buyassociationgroup.com

TwinSpace’s recommended best practices drawn from digital twin technology use cases