Q&A: How can I get a vacant property refurbishment grant?

It might influence your decision-making profoundly for a purchase.

There were some unusual circumstances in the popular TV series which might have indicated, first of all, that full planning permission could follow approval for this grant (not usual). It also suggested indirectly, due to an open-hearted gesture from the builder on one episode, that the guiding contractor would cover the costs of appropriate works for the vacant property grant, accepting payment from the client when the grant was released on completion of the build. This is unlikely in most circumstances, but something that did occur in the Cashel episode of Room to Improve aired on January 14.

So, without wading into the weeds regarding one build, or adding to the virtual bashing Dermot received on social platforms like X, just what can you expect in the normal run of events if you go after this grant aid?

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is a retroactive payment made for specific approved works on a building built before 2008, that has been either vacant for two years or more, or that is in a state of dereliction (completely uninhabitable). It’s not intended to double-dip for anything covered by SEAI grant aid for energy renovations. That said, the two grants can work superbly in parallel, using the One-Stop-Shop mechanism to wring out the most comprehensive and generous figures available for deep energy retrofits.

Available grant aid with the vacant homes mechanism is up to €50,000 to renovate a vacant property, and up to €70,000 if the property is accepted as derelict. For qualifying off-shore islands, the figures are up to €84,000 to renovate a derelict building or up to €60,000 for a vacant property. 

Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien has recently indicated this island home figure may increase. If you have a vacant or derelict traditional farmhouse, for qualifying work, you could get an additional grant of up to €7,500 for expert conservation advice. Please note that it’s vital that your tax affairs are in order, and that you are not behind with any property tax due on this or any other property. Ignoring this could hang up your grant application. You can make two applications in your lifetime. One to refurbish a home, and the other to refurbish a rental. That’s it.

“Vacant” presumes the building might be even liveable, but it must not have been lived in for 24 months. Generally, the power will have been turned off, and ESB Networks can help you out here, but other proof may be acceptable depending on the case. If you buy a property and leave it sitting for two years and then apply for the grant, it is unlikely you will qualify. Don’t depend on this strategy. If you don’t yet own the property, you will need proof that you intend to buy. If the property is derelict and you’re going for additional grant aid on that basis, you must prove it is derelict. A surveyor can certify this for you.

On completion, you are expected to keep this property (a principal home or a rental property) for 10 years. This clause is there to deter profiteering. If you do sell up in less than five years, the local authority will want all of their grant money back. Sell up in over five years but less than 10, you have to repay 75% of the grant. Some buyers will doubtless treat this clause as a loan mechanism. When you complete the build, you will have to sign a charge document, giving the local authority rights over your property as security for the grant.

So what is covered? Keep in mind the maximum allowable for your building and its location will be either €50,000, €70,000 or €84,000 including VAT. You only get these retroactive payments on work that fully qualifies and is approved before any work starts. Together with serious groundwork and structural adventures, there are some surprising items on the grant list.

First up is demolition work and site clearances including removing hazardous materials. This could be useful if you find say asbestos on site. Substructure works cover work to foundations, rising walls, floor slabs, damp-proofing and underpinning — typical nightmares for a derelict property. Superstructure works include works to walls, chimneys, upper floors, stairs, roof structure and structural timbers. There’s up to €7,000 allowable for landscaping.

You can use €21,000 of the total grant amount for external completions including doors, windows and windowsills, €7,000 for doors, frames, architraves, and ironmongery, €3,500 for skirting, €7,000 for kitchen units, €4,200 for the rainwater system, €2,800 towards bathroom ware, €14,000 for roof completions, €2,800 for waterproofing and tiling, €10,500 for painting and decorating and €14,000 for roof finishes.

Plumbing, heating, ventilation, power, lighting, telecommunications, and smoke detectors can be included for grant aid. This could include some builders’ costs not allowed for by the SEAI scheme. Finally, 10% of the net construction cost including VAT or €14,000, whichever is less, can go directly to professional fees for, for instance, a surveyor on site. If it sounds like you need a quantity surveyor — you probably do.

The grant is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. Taking out an application you approach your local authority, and this generally starts online. You must include the costs you intend to cover using the grant in your own financial planning. These grants, like the individual tranche of the SEAI grants, are retroactive — that is you won’t get the funds until the building is complete and generally everyone involved is paid. You will need proper invoices from individuals with proper tax credentials. This will not suit areas of the build using any form of direct or DIY/favour labour.

Now before wasting your time waiting weeks for an answer, contact the vacant homes officer in your local authority to find out if your project is a likely candidate for review for the grant. A suitably qualified person will come for a walk around (this is free). You can see if your building is on the Derelict Property Register at this point too. If you are approved, there are just 13 months to finish the project, so you should be in the trap and ready to run. Get contacts for the right individual by calling the Housing Agency Vacancy Phone Line, 1800000024. There’s a good checklist with the application form, so ensure you know all the supporting paperwork that must be provided to apply. This includes a stipulation for planning permission where required (for instance, for an extension or replacing a standard window with an unusual one).

• For the application form and instruction sheet for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant see gov.ie