Torbay Council wants the owners of the grade II listed Pavor Farmhouse in Fore Street, Barton, to fix the building which has remained derelict since being gutted by fire in 2006.
The Section 215 notice which was approved as a result of concerns expressed by members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee recently, means the owners have 12 months to carry out repairs or face legal action.
A spokeswoman for Torbay Council said: “Due to the property being in an unacceptable condition for a long period of time, we opened dialogue with the owner to find out his future intentions for the property.
“Following this, no further work was undertaken to the property, so a Section 215 enforcement notice, under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, was served.
“There is a requirement to be met by March 14, with a further 12-months for the full compliance of the notice.”
Pavor Farmhouse is one of three buildings on the Torbay Buildings at Risk Register.
The thatched cottage was due to be revamped three years ago and turned into two new houses. An original proposal was to replace the roof with slate because it was cheaper and more durable in the long term, but this was later overturned in favour of reinstalling thatch.
The plan never came to fruition and the building remained an empty burnt out shell.
The Torbay Council spokeswoman said court action could be taken if no repair work was carried out.
She added: “Non compliance with the notice can lead to prosecution.”
Ward councillor Steve Darling who has been pushing for action for some time said: “I am frustrated that it is such a long lead in time before enforcement but I am pleased action is being taken.
“Some of the wall collapsed during last winter and this winter’s weather wont have helped.
“We need to protect the long term stability of this building so it wont be lost to future generations.
“It is continuing to deteriorate.”