Croí Cónaithe – Property Refurbishment Grant
The Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund is among the suite of measures under the pathway to addressing vacancy and efficient use of existing stock in Housing for All. The Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund will provide new choices for people to live in cities, towns, villages and rural part of the country in Ireland, initially through the provision of a grant to support the refurbishment of vacant properties, with priority given to areas where the level of vacancy or dereliction is high.
From 1 May 2023, a grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent and with the tenancy registered with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB), including the conversion of a property which has not been used as residential heretofore, subject to appropriate planning permission being in place. This is subject to upper limits for the types of work specified in the FAQ document (Q.23) having regard to a reasonable cost assessment by the local authority. The grant is inclusive of the VAT cost of the works.
A top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict (i.e. structurally unsound and dangerous) or if the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000. In the case of a top-up grant in respect of a derelict property not on the derelict sites register, an independent report prepared by a chartered structural engineer or character building surveyor (they must also have current Professional indemnity insurance) is required to be submitted along with the application confirming that the property is derelict.
Properties considered for inclusion must be vacant for two years or more and built before 2007. 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.
The operation of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is delegated to local authorities who administer the scheme. Steps for Assessment and Approval of the Grant application
The local authority will:
- check the application form to ensure it is fully completed, has been signed and that the required supporting documents have been submitted;
- assess the application in line with the conditions of the scheme;
- where the application is in order and required supporting documentation is provided, arrange for suitable technical staff to visit the property to check the works applied for are in order and assess the projected costs as set out in the application form;
- write to the applicant to let them know if the application has been approved and the level of grant which has been approved;
The grant process involves the local authority receiving, reviewing and validating applications and arranging for a qualified person to visit the property to check that it is possible to do the work and to assess the proposed cost. Prior to the grant being paid:
- in cases where approval in principle was granted, proof of ownership must be provided before the grant can be paid and
- in respect of a property that is being made available to rent, evidence that the applicant has registered the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) is required.
Prior to the grant being paid, the local authority will require evidence such as appropriately detailed invoice(s) for the completed works. The local authority will conduct a final property visit to review that the work has been completed in-line with grant application and as vouched in the invoiced documentation provided. Once the local authority is satisfied, the grant will be paid
Types of work covered
The following categories of works will be eligible for grant assistance, subject to a reasonable cost assessment by the local authority and to any limits for specific works as may be set out in guidance from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage:
- 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
Proof of both vacancy and ownership will be required to support the grant payment. The Council 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 agency 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.
If the property is a protected structure the applicant will have to contact Wexford Co Co planning department prior to applying for this grant to ensure the intended works can be carried out to the property. Click here for relevant information relating to protected structures.
Please see explanatory documents below. Any enquiries in relation to the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund should be directed to the Council’s Vacant Homes Office at (053) 9196000 or via e-mail to vacanthomes@wexfordcoco.ie.
Application Form - Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant