Grants of €30k for vacant properties and €50k for derelict properties now available in remote rural areas and cities.
In this article we cover:
- Changes to the grant scheme
- Who qualifies
- How to apply
- Statistics to date
The €30,000 Croí Cónaithe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is available to refurbish a home you will live in. Where a property is derelict, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available.
The grant was originally announced in July for rural towns and villages.
Local authorities will prioritise applications in areas where the level of vacancy or dereliction is high.
The grants can also be combined with the SEAI Better Energy Home Scheme that covers works of up to €26,750.
Over 420 applications have been made since the grant was initially launched on 14 July 2022.
“The Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning Peter Burke TD added: My Department are ensuring our Local Authority teams are equipped and we now have 29 full time vacant homes officers across the country who are focused on bringing vacant stock back into productive use.”
How to apply
Local authorities administer the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. You can get the application form from them or below.
Complete the form and submit it to the Vacant Homes Officer in your local authority. They will be able to assist you with any queries you may have.
To apply for the grant, complete the application form at the bottom of this page and submit it to your relevant local authority.
The most commonly asked questions are answered below and here:
What the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is a payment you can get if you are turning a vacant house or building into your permanent home.
A grant of up to €30,000 is available.
How to qualify
To qualify for the grant, you must:
- have proof of ownership or evidence of active negotiations to buy the property (that is, confirmation of engagement from the estate agent or owner of the property) where you are seeking approval in principle for a grant
- live in the property as your principal private residence. This grant is not available to developers/undertakings or applicants who want to rent out the property
- have proof that the property has been vacant for at least 2 years and that it was built before 1993
- fall under one of the categories outlined in the Framework of Priorities. The full Framework of Priorities is on the application form
How to know if the property is eligible for the scheme
Following a recent expansion of the grant, it now applies to qualifying vacant properties in cities, towns, villages and rural parts of the country.
Other evidence and documentation you need to provide
- a quotation(s) in respect of the works proposed
- an independent report confirming the property is structurally unsound and dangerous (if seeking top up grant for works to a derelict property) or confirmation that it is on the Derelict Sites Register, where applicable
- any other supporting documentation that your local authority may request to support your application
Rates of payment
Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant
A grant of up to €30,000 is available. This is subject to upper limits for different types of work, having regard to a reasonable cost assessment by the local authority. The grant is inclusive of the VAT cost of the works.
Derelict Property Top-up Grant
If the refurbishment costs exceed the standard grant of up to €30,000, a top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available. To get this top-up grant, you must confirm that the property is derelict. This means that the property is structurally unsound and dangerous. The total grant available for a derelict property is therefore €50,000.
You must submit an independent report prepared by a qualified professional, along with the application confirming that the property is derelict.
