New grants for refurbishing vacant properties in Ireland

Grants of €30,000 launched for the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties in Ireland

A new grant scheme has been launched by the Government of Ireland to help people renovate and refurbish vacant or derelict properties.

The grant scheme allows for up to €30,000 refurbishment of a vacant property and if the property is derelict then an additional €20,000 top up is available. This means the grant for renovating a derelict property is €50,000

The scheme is called the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund and you can download the information pack from the Government website here.

There are so many opportunities in towns right across Ireland and the help made available through this scheme might just be enough for some people to take the plunge and go for a renovation project in a vacant property.

Interestingly the SEAI home energy grant can also be attained in conjunction with this grant.

Regarding the verification of the property being vacant, the guidelines state;

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

For the purposes of this scheme, a property is deemed to be vacant if it has been vacant and unoccupied for a period of two years or more.

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.

Confirmation of vacancy must be validated and verified by the local authority prior to grant approval.”

The type of work that can be covered by this grant include;

• Substructure works, including works to foundations, rising walls, floor slabs, damp-proofing and
  underpinning
• Structural works to superstructure, including walls, party walls, chimneys, suspended timber
  floors, structural timbers
• Works to internal walls, stairs, and landings, and internal wall completions including doors,
  windows, and applied finishes
• External walls completions including doors, windows, sills, and applied finishes
• Roof completions, including flashings, fascias, soffits, gutters, downpipes
• Building services including plumbing, heating, ventilation, electrical services, telecommunications
• Painting and decoration required because of works carried out
• Extension within the ambit of exempt development under planning regulations, as part of a wider refurbishment
• Necessary external works and site development works carried out within the curtilage of the site
• Professional services associated with works