In a property market like we currently have this grant can provide great financial assistance to someone buying an eligible property.
The grant provides funding to renovate vacant and derelict properties for use as residential homes.
A grant of up to €50,000 is available to refurbish vacant properties. For properties that are derelict and structurally unsound/dangerous an additional top-up grant of up to €20,000 may be available. The grants are inclusive of the VAT costs of the works.
You can only get the grant twice. Once for a property you intend to live in and once for a property you intend to rent.
Eligibility criteria:
- The property must have been vacant for at least 2 years before you can apply. You won’t qualify if the property has been left purposely vacant so you can get the grant.
- The property must have been built before 2008 (previously it had to be built pre 1993)
- You must own the property or be a proposed purchaser of the property.
- You must either live in it after the work is finished or rent it out and if you are intending to rent it out you must register the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board.
- Your tax affairs must be in order with revenue and have tax clearance.
- You must have paid your Local Property Tax
- You must be an individual (not a company or developer).
Things to note:
- The grant does not cover work to make your home more energy efficient which is already covered by the SEAI grant. You can apply to the SEAI for a grant for this work as well as getting the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
- The grant does not cover completely demolishing a property and rebuilding one.
- When purchasing a property it is important that you obtain utility bills from the seller for the 2 year period to show the property has been vacant. If these are not available a signed Affidavit from the seller may be acceptable to the local authority but when we are acting for Purchasers we would request both the utility bills and the Affidavit signed by the Vendor.
If you require advice on any property or probate related matters do not hesitate to contact Pauline Horkan or SallyAnn McCoy on 2960666.
