Amount: €50,000 - €70,000
Status: Preparing application
Authority: County Louth County Council
Contact: vho@louthcoco.ie
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant provides substantial funding to bring vacant properties back into use as family homes. This is the primary funding source for the essential renovation work.
✅ Property vacant for at least 2 years: YES (vacant ~10 years)
✅ Requires substantial refurbishment: YES (electrical, heating, etc.)
✅ Will be used as primary residence: YES
✅ Located in Ireland: YES (County Louth)
- Property must be refurbished to appropriate standard
- Work must be completed within timeframe specified
- Property must be occupied as primary residence after completion
- Cannot be rented or sold for specified period
Base Amount: €50,000
Enhanced Amount: €70,000 (if additional criteria met)
Check with Vacant Homes Officer if property qualifies for:
- Derelict status
- Additional structural issues
- Energy efficiency improvements
- Other enhancement criteria
- ✅ Structural repairs
- ✅ Electrical rewiring (our major need)
- ✅ Heating system restoration
- ✅ Plumbing repairs
- ✅ Roofing work
- ✅ Windows and doors
- ✅ Damp treatment
- ✅ Essential interior work
- ❌ Cosmetic improvements only
- ❌ Luxury items
- ❌ Work done before grant approval
- ❌ Insurance costs
- ❌ Personal labor costs
IMPORTANT: Cannot start ANY renovation work before grant approval
Allowed Before Approval:
- ✅ Diagnostic inspections
- ✅ Professional surveys
- ✅ Pressure testing
- ✅ Getting quotes
- ✅ Property documentation
- ✅ Planning and design
Not Allowed Before Approval:
- ❌ Actual renovation work
- ❌ Demolition
- ❌ Installation of systems
- ❌ Structural repairs
- ❌ Electrical work
Why This Matters:
Starting work before approval will disqualify the entire application.
-
Preparation: December 2024 - January 2025
- Gather all documentation
- Get professional quotes
- Complete property assessment
-
Submission: February 2025 (target)
- Submit complete application
- All supporting documents
-
Review: February - December 2025
- Council review process
- May request additional information
- Site inspections possible
-
Approval: Target March 2026
- Grant approval received
- Conditions specified
- Work can begin
-
Completion: April 2026 onwards
- Complete work within specified timeframe
- Progress reports as required
- Final inspection
Typical Process:
- Grant paid in stages (not upfront)
- Percentage paid at milestones
- Final payment on completion and inspection
- Requires contractors' invoices and receipts
Financial Planning:
- Need working capital to pay contractors
- Grant reimburses approved expenses
- Keep all receipts and documentation
- Only approved work is reimbursed
Date: Friday, December 20, 2024
Location: TBD
Contact: vho@louthcoco.ie
- Application timeline and process
- Electrical safety issues and documentation
- Enhanced grant amount eligibility
- Required documentation checklist
- Coordination with ESB Networks
- Interaction with SEAI grants
- Contractor requirements
- Payment schedule details
- What qualifies us for enhanced €70k amount?
- Specific requirements for electrical documentation?
- Timeline expectations for approval?
- How to handle ESB meter bypass in application?
- Can we combine with SEAI grants?
- What happens if costs exceed grant amount?
- Requirements for contractor quotes?
- Progress reporting during renovation?
Good News: Can combine grants for different work
Vacant Property Grant:
- Structural repairs
- Electrical rewiring
- Budget boiler installation
- Essential plumbing
- Making property habitable
SEAI Better Energy Homes Grant:
- Insulation improvements
- Heat pump upgrade (later)
- Solar panels
- Energy efficiency measures
Critical: No overlap - each grant covers different scope
See: SEAI Better Energy Homes and Grant Timeline
- Risk: Application delayed or rejected
- Mitigation: Thorough documentation, professional quotes, follow all guidelines
- Risk: Approval takes longer than expected
- Mitigation: Start preparation early, complete documentation, maintain communication
- Risk: Costs exceed grant amount
- Mitigation: Detailed quotes, contingency planning, prioritize work
Last updated: December 18, 2024