What are the penalties for not having a valid EPC or DEC where required?

The penalty for failing to make an EPC available to any prospective purchaser or tenant when selling or letting commercial premises is fixed, in most cases, at 12.5% of the rateable value, with a minimum fine of £500 and a maximum fine of £5,000. Having paid the fine the EPC is still required - so it's not an option!

The penalty for failing to prominently display a DEC where required is £500 with a further fine of £1,000 for failing to possess a valid Advisory Report.