In this article we cover:

  • What is the vacant property grant
  • Who can apply
  • What you need to apply
  • How much you can get
  • Specific grant amounts for each type of work
  • Links to resources

What is the Grant?

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant provides funding so you can refurbish vacant and derelict homes in ROI. The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund and you apply through your local authority.

How much can you get?

You can get up to €50k for a vacant property and €70k for a derelict property. There’s a 20 per cent top up for off-shore properties: total grant amount €60k for vacant and €84k for derelict. You can also get the Conservation Advice Grant Scheme to cover 67 per cent of the costs (up to a maximum grant of €5,000) of having a conservation expert create a tailored report for you. The advice grant was closed for applications in 2025 at the time of writing; email [email protected] to be put on the mailing list and get notification of when the 2026 scheme opens. The grant is inclusive of the VAT cost of the works.

Can you apply for the SEAI grants at the same time?

Yes. According to Citizens Information, work covered by the SEAI scheme to make your home more energy efficient is not covered by the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. Therefore, you can apply to the SEAI to fund this work in addition to getting the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant application will ask if you are availing of an SEAI grant; this is because the local authority must make sure that the work you propose to undertake under the vacant or derelict grant isn’t already being claimed for under any other grant. Can you use the grant to demolish and rebuild? No, the grant does not cover completely demolishing a property and rebuilding a new one.

Can you use the grant to extend the property?

 Yes but it adds a layer of complexity to the application in that you will need to supply all supporting documentation in relation to planning permission, building control and health and safety.

Can you do some work yourself?

 Yes but you need to keep all VAT invoices to get the material costs reimbursed. Labour costs will not be covered where you are carrying out the work yourself. Note that some work is not suitable for DIY. Electrical work for instance must be done by a registered installer. The local authority will carry out a technical assessment at the start to give you approval in principle and then will sign off at the end during its final site inspection.

 What type of property qualifies for the grant?

In all cases, you must own the property or be in the process of buying it, and it must have been built in 2007 or earlier. All of the following three scenarios qualify:

 • A commercial property that has planning permission for conversion to residential.

 • A residential property that you will live in.

 • A residential property that you will rent out (when the work is done, you must register the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board)How long does the property need to be vacant for?

How long does the property need to be vacant for?

 Minimum two years immediately before the date you apply for the grant. How to prove this can be difficult; it’s best to get the supporting documentation you need while the sale is going through (see article on the next page). Note that the guidelines state that you will not qualify if the property has been left unreasonably or purposely vacant so you can get the grant.

How can you prove that the property is derelict?

You can either show that the property is on your local authority’s Derelict Sites Register or have an independent report prepared by an appropriately qualified professional confirming the property is derelict.

 What do you need to prove about yourself?

 • You must own the property or be in the process of buying it.

• You must have tax clearance from Revenue and your tax affairs must be in order.

• You must have paid your Local Property Tax, if applicable.

• You must not be a registered company or developer.

Can you get the grant for multiple properties?

You can only get the grant twice: once for the home you will live in, once for a home you’ll be renting out.

 What’s the timeline?

Once you get approval in principle from your local authority, based on your application outlining what you plan to do including invoices, you have 13 months to complete the work and draw down on the grant. Note that if you sell the house within 10 years of receiving the grant, you’ll have to pay the grant back.

 Who is the point of contact?

Your main point of contact is the Vacant Homes Officer in your local authority. The Housing Agency also has a Vacancy Helpline on [email protected] that you can contact.