Bringing a vacant or derelict property back to into use
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is a highly successful initiative under Housing for All which is enabling ordinary people to bring vacant properties back into use as homes. The grant, which was introduced in July 2022 and is administered and delivered by local authorities, supports the refurbishment of vacant properties and makes their purchase a more affordable option. It also supports bringing vibrancy back into towns, villages and cities.
- Under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, up to €50,000 is available to refurbish a home or an over the shop space which will be lived in or made available for rent. Where a property is derelict, a top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.
- The maximum rate of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant payable is 20% higher for eligible vacant and derelict properties on the qualifying islands. The maximum grant available is up to €60,000 for the refurbishment of vacant properties and up to €84,000 where the property is confirmed to be derelict. The maximum cost limits for the individual works categories are
also increased by 20%.
Latest figures, published on 21 October 2024, show that approximately €45 million in grant funding has been paid out by local authorities in relation to the refurbishment of more than 860 homes. Overall, since the launch of the grant just over two years ago, over 10,000 applications have been received by local authorities, with over 6,700 approvals and 867 grants paid.
Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant – Applicant Journey
1. Application
Individuals can apply for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant via their local authority. Vacant Homes Officers contacts in each local authority: www.gov.ie/en/publication/f59b3-vacant-homes-officer-contacts/
Providing all required supporting documentation on submission of your grant application will help your local authority to process your application faster. Failure to provide the required documentation will result in your application being withdrawn. If you are experiencing delays, it is advised that you contact the Vacant Homes Officer in your local authority as soon as possible.
The following documentation is required:
- Proof that the property is vacant for 2 or more years prior to date of application.
- Proof of ownership or evidence of active negotiations to purchase the property
- A quotation(s) in respect of the works proposed.
- If applying for the top-up grant for works to a derelict property, an independent report confirming the property is structurally unsound and dangerous or confirmation that it is on the Derelict Sites Register.
Evidence of planning exemption/final grant of planning permission or planning permission reference number if still under consideration by the planning authority (if applicable to your application).
2. Processing of grant application
Your local authority on receiving your application will:
- review the application and supporting documentation,
- arrange for technical staff to visit the property to check the work being applied for and costs submitted, and
- write to let you know if your application has been successful and how much of a grant has been approved.
Once you have received grant approval, the refurbishment works to be covered by the grant may commence.
Applicants have 13 months to complete the works from the date of approval. Local Authorities can at their discretion extend this timeframe on a case by case basis, therefore applicants experiencing delays completing works should contact their local authority.
Payment of Grant
When the refurbishment work has been completed the local authority will:
- ask for an invoice(s) for the completed work and arrange for suitable technical staff to visit the property and confirm the work is completed, in line with approved costs.
- ensure that the legal charge document has been signed, containing clawback provisions.
Following completion of these steps, the local authority will issue the grant payment to you.
Note:
As part of the conditions of the grant, applicant(s) must live in the qualifying property or rent it for a period of at least five years from the date of payment of the Grant. If at any time an applicant sells the property, it ceases to be their principal private residence or if the property is no longer available to rent within ten years, the local authority is reimbursed an element of the full value of the grant, as follows:
- Up to 5 years – 100% of the monetary amount of the grant.
- Over 5 years and less than or equal to 10 years – 75% of the monetary amount of the grant.
- Over 10 years – No clawback.
The charge secures the local authority’s interest in the property.
For more information visit www.gov.ie/vacancy
