Not all listed buildings are cared for by their owners.  The Council has legal powers to serve an Urgent Works Notice or Repairs Notice on a listed building owner, requiring repair works to be carried out to prevent further decay. 

The notice will specify the works, which are considered reasonably necessary for the preservation of the building. 

• An Urgent Works Notice is restricted to emergency repairs only - for example, works to keep a building wind and weather-proof and secure against vandalism. 

• A Repairs Notice is not restricted to urgent works and may include works to preserve architectural details but cannot be used to restore lost features.

In extreme cases where building owners have not taken reasonable steps to preserve a listed building, the Council can do the work at the owner's cost or compulsorily purchase a neglected building.