Recently completed Derelict Home Grant Project in Cashel
This project involved the complete renovation of a derelict home under the Derelict Home Grant Scheme. The project included structural repairs, roof replacement, installation of new windows and doors, electrical and plumbing work, insulation, and interior finishing. The result is a beautifully restored home that meets modern standards while preserving its historical character.
What is the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant?
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant provides funding so you can refurbish a vacant or derelict home.
It can also be used to renovate vacant and derelict properties that have not been used as residential properties before. However, this only applies if the non-residential properties were used for commercial or public use before and now have the correct planning permission.
You can get the grant if you are refurbishing the vacant property either:
- To live in yourself
- To rent the property out
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund and you apply to your local authority.
Extension of grant to include above the shop
The Government has announced it will extend the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant in early 2026 to include a Vacant Above the Shop Grant. You will be able to use this grant to convert vacant spaces above shops, so they can be used as homes.
If you adapt the space above a shop into more than 1 home, you may qualify for a larger grant. There is also an additional grant of €5,000 to get expert advice about how to convert these spaces.
Do I qualify for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant?
To qualify for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, you must meet the following criteria:
- The property must have been vacant for at least 2 years immediately before the date you apply for the grant. You will not qualify if the property has been left unreasonably or purposely vacant so you can get the grant.
- The property must have been built before 2008. (Before 1 May 2023, only homes built before 1993 qualified.)
- The property must be in the State.
- You must own the property or be in the process of buying it.
- You must live in the property as your principal private residence when the work is completed or make it available for rent. If you are going to rent the property when the work is done, you must register the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board.
- You must have tax clearance from Revenue and your tax affairs must be in order.
- You must have paid your Local Property Tax, if applicable.
- You must not be a registered company or developer.
- You can only get the grant twice. You can get one grant to refurbish a home to live in, and another for a home you are going to rent out.
How much is the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant?
You can get a grant of up to:
- €50,000 to renovate a vacant property
- €70,000 if the property is derelict
The grant is inclusive of the VAT cost of the works. If the renovation costs more than the grant, you will have to pay for this.
