The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant through the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund is a payment you can get if you are turning a vacant house or building into your permanent home or a rental property. The original scheme was launched in July 2022 for towns and villages. It had been extended (On 15th November 2022) to include cities and rural areas.
It has now been further extended (as of 1st May 2023) to include the property as your principal private residence or make it available for rent, and proof that the property has been vacant for at least 2 years and that it was built on or before 2007.
A grant of up to €50,000.00 is available to refurbish a vacant house or building into your permanent home or a rental property. The grant is inclusive of the VAT cost of the works payable on completion of work based on vouched expenditure.
If the refurbishment costs exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000.00, a top-up grant amount of up to €20,000.00 is available. To get this top-up grant, you must confirm that the property is derelict. This means that the property is structurally unsound and dangerous. The total grant available for a derelict property is therefore €70,000.00.
You must submit an independent report prepared by a qualified professional, along with the application confirming that the property is derelict. Works covered by SEAI Better Energy Homes Scheme will not be covered.
Further details of the scheme and application forms can be found at the following link.
https://www.gov.ie/en/service/f8f1b-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant/
Applicants are advised to seek professional advice from an Architect, Engineer, or Planning Agent etc, before preparing an application under this scheme to ensure that the development complies with the relevant planning policy under Wicklow Development Plan, and with the relevant planning legislation under the Planning & Development Act, Planning & Development Regulations.
Completed Applications for Wicklow with supporting documentation can be sent to the following Address:
Vacant Homes Office,
Wicklow County Council,
County Buildings,
Wicklow Town,
Co. Wicklow.
Alternatively they can be emailed to: vacanthomes@wicklowcoco.ie