In regards to the properties registered as World Heritages, the member states of the World Heritage Treaty have the duty to conserve and manage the sites. This is specified in Article 4 of the Convention. In addition, under Article 6 concerning conservation it states that it is essential the international community as a whole cooperate. This means that if a country possesses a World Heritage site, that country is required to do their utmost to permanently conserve and protect that legacy. After inclusion on the World Heritage list, regular conservation surveys are implemented.

The 'World Heritage Fund" was established as an organization for international conservation and restoration of World Heritages. The fund was founded on monies from the Convention signatories based on appropriate shares of the expense. There are occasions when international grants are given out for conservation and restoration activities on registered properties.

In this way, suitable maintenance is required for World Heritages. However, it is recognized that by not fulfilling management responsibilities, changes in the environment, or wars, that the value of the properties can be lost.