Graffiti left by Johnny Rotten remains in the Sex Pistols' former residence at 6-7 Denmark Street. John Schofield, University of York The London house where the Sex Pistols once lived and recorded music was on Tuesday given special protection by government agency Historic England.

The Pistols lived in an outbuilding at the back of two 17th-century properties at Soho's 6-7 Denmark Street. The Grade II* listing, which recognises well-preserved architectural features that are considered to be of national importance, means that there is extra control over what changes can be made to the building.

"Listing doesn’t mean that it will be open to the public, the building is privately owned," Katharine Grice, Senior Corporate Communications Manager of Historic England, told Business Insider. "It means that any changes need to be given listed building consent through the planning system."

Punk icon Johnny Rotten's graffiti in the upstairs room portrays his bandmates Steve Jones, Sid Vicious, Sid's girlfriend Nancy Spungen, and manager Malcolm McLaren, as well as his own self-portrait.

"We visited the building and felt that due to the well-preserved architectural detail they should be upgraded to Grade II* and that the graffiti should be included in the listing," Grice said.

Take a look inside the Pistols' former residence below.