The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant applies to eligible vacant properties in cities, towns, villages and rural areas.

Properties considered for inclusion must be vacant for two years or more and built before 1993. 

The following categories of works are eligible for grant assistance, subject to a reasonable cost assessment by the local authority and to the limits for specific works as set out in the table below. The works must be approved in advance, following inspection by the local authority of the subject property.

·         Demolitions / Strip-out / Site Clearance (including removal of hazardous materials) 

·         Substructure works (including works to foundations; rising walls; beds / slabs; damp-proofing; underpinning)

·         Superstructure works (including works to internal / external walls; chimneys; upper floors; stairs; roof structure; other structural timbers)

·         Completions (including works associated with external doors and windows; internal doors and associated frames, architraves and ironmongery; balustrades; skirtings; rooflights; fascias / soffits; rainwater goods)

·         Finishes (including finishes to external / internal walls; ceiling finishes; tiling / waterproof finishes to wet areas; roof finishes)

·         Services (including plumbing; heating; ventilation; power; lighting; telecommunications; smoke / CO2 detection)

·         Fittings (including kitchen units; sanitary /bathroom fittings)

·         External Works (necessary external / site works carried out within the curtilage of the site)

·         Extension within the ambit of exempt development under planning regulations, as part of a wider refurbishment

·         Professional services associated with works (fees / surveys)

Confirmation of vacancy can be validated and verified by the use of, for example, Utility Bills, which can help determine vacancy periods (e.g. pattern of usage or disconnection) or such other proofs as are available to the satisfaction of the local authority. 

The scheme is exclusively available to individuals or households for which the property will be their principal private residence. It is not available to undertakings and/or developers, etc.

A Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Better Energy Home Scheme Grant may be available in combination with this grant. Works covered by SEAI Better Energy Homes Scheme will therefore not be covered.

Proof of both vacancy and ownership will be required to support the grant payment. In terms of ownership, it is a matter for the applicant to confirm ownership with the local authority. 

A local authority may give approval in principle to a grant application where the applicant is able to provide evidence of active negotiations to purchase a property i.e. confirmation of engagement from the estate agent or owner of the property and where the owner provides such evidence as to vacancy as is required under the scheme on behalf of the applicant.

Applicants may only avail of the grant once in keeping with the requirement that it be their principal private residence.

For further information please visit https://www.gov.ie/en/service/f8f1b-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant/