Renovation Grants

B

Bronte

Registered User
Messages
16,709
Being unable to properly renovate with sitting tenants I decided to sell and then changed my mind. I got an offer below what I wanted due to my RPZ. So now I'm holding onto it after I realised if I wait 2 years the RPZ no longer applies. But while I was humming and hawing about what to do I decided I'd convert it back into one house. I illegally (yes Leo !) divided it into 2 about 15 years ago +/-.

Due to personal circumstances I'm unable to do the renovation myself, but I've a child ready to learn next year who I'm willing to let at it (@creemegg would be proud) particularly as I got a horrendous quote from a builder. Said builder even threw in an offer himself. During all this (personal and selling other property, plus don't get me started on Covid and the RTB) I discovered the renovation grant. 50K or 70K if derelict.

It's clear to me I can get the 50 K and will be eligible next year as the vacant rule of 2 years will be up then. So I've read this article which is relevant.

www.rte.ie

Derelict Ireland? Why so many of our properties lie empty

There are 81,712 vacant properties in Ireland according to a recent report from GeoDirectory, a data company jointly established by An Post and a number of property registration-related state entities.
www.rte.ie www.rte.ie

Derelict

The house has a badly constructed kitchen extension and shower room. Shower-room is ready to fall in now. Very old. Flat roof needs fixing, walls have damp and we think it's because tenants never opened the window when cooking etc but it could be that the extension walls are not right, probably done in the 70's. I'm changing this from kitchen to bedroom en suite . Would this qualify for derelict or does it have to be the entire building, the rest of it is ok, just needs a lot of work as I'm converting back taking out another kitchen, new-fab shower-room, pulling out a small one upstairs and new plumbing, electrics etc.

- Why if there are thousands of applications have only 3 owners been paid?
- If the incentive is to incentivise why do we keep hearing about this scheme but it's really difficult to actually get the money? Am I missing something?
- One council has a derelict rule, can the councils make up their own rules?
- coincidentally the council inspectors sent me a cc of a letter they sent the tenants about the inspection (tenants are gone) would it be a good idea to get them to inspect and state the place is in a bad way. Would that help? Place is empty more than a year and no heating last winter .....
 
A lot of chat I have seen is that the rules of the scheme mean that there is a lien put on the title to prevent selling until the prescribed time has elapsed. So a lot of people can't get a mortgage based on this.

Also I thought it was for a PPR, so you had to have sold your existing PPR last time I checked unless this has changed? So I guess the actual population who could apply for these grants is quite low and as it is new and decentralised out to local councils they are not being administered very well.
 
Yes Mise they changed the rules. I'm not referring to PPR at all. Nor mortgage rules.

Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant

www.gov.ie www.gov.ie

To qualify for the grant, you must:
  • have proof of ownership or evidence of active negotiations to buy the property (that is, confirmation of engagement from the estate agent or owner of the property) where you are seeking approval in principle for a grant
  • live in the property as your principal private residence or make it available for rent
  • have proof that the property has been vacant for at least 2 years and that it was built up to and including 2007
Rules changed recently, which is how I found out about it. So here is something on it about the changes in May.

mwmlegal.ie

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant

What is it? The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is a payment available to property owners converting a vacant house or building into a permanent home. As of 1 May 2023, the scope of the grant was expanded to include properties which will be made available for rent and properties which wer
mwmlegal.ie

Clawback is mentioned there.

I was already onto my council and printed the documents.

Anyone know which council has a rule about being on the derelict list, as that government link says OR on the derelict list.

How much for me to get an expert to do a report anyone know? Experts who want can PM me. Not Leinster or Ulster unless they can do it without visiting, as in I can do a video cam which I already have.
 
Bronte said:
Anyone know which council has a rule about being on the derelict list, as that government link says OR on the derelict list.
Click to expand...

I'd simply email them & ask whichever county your property is in. Get it in writing & be sure to explain that your question is in the context of applying for the renovation grant. Get it in writing from a Council exec. Not an administrator.

For reference the record of derelict properties by county is available online: https://www.dublincity.ie/residenti...ance with the Act,2143 to make an appointment.

just search derelict property register for your county of interest.
 
Prime Time covered this last night, might be on RTE Player already... Some property owners have even set up a WhatsApp group to update one another on progress, rules etc.
 
Coming back to this, I've spent a great deal of money on a fantastic top refurbishment and ended up with 2 fine apartments. No expense spared. Cost way over budget, but in for a penny in for a pound, couldn't control costs. The costs of renovating/building have vastly increased. But it was worth it.

My return now is 11.5%. This is based on the agreed sale price on it 3 years ago (adding about 10% for increased property prices), the renovation costs, minus the 50K grant.

The inspector has been out for the final grant (not sure how long that takes to be paid).

The property has been valued at more than the original bid and renovation costs.

Renovation took longer as my child was inexperienced (and we had some personal family issues going on). It was sometimes very difficult to get tradesmen. But thru contacts, and via each man we found others, it did help we had the cheque book, we trusted people, made a few mistakes, of course. And by gawd there were stresses ....

I'd advise anyone with a child not interested in college to go into the trades, money is fantastic. Our tiler (foreign, from the tile shop recommendation) and painter (foreign) were so good, our top notch carpenter (Irish) has them on his list for other jobs, we got carpenter via our handy man (had for years). Sparks from my sibling. Plumber from our floor man, roofer from same contractor, plasterer from I can't remember. ..... cousins paid to do odd jobs and load skips.....

Got window cleaner by googling, windows (Burgess doesn't allow me to state) . All furniture delivered from IKEA. That's VERY handy as it's much easier to get flat pack couches in if they are flat pack !

Time will tell if this works out of course.
 
Crucially one child has now experience and is off doing other things. Child 2 is hell bent saving and I've told them to get to x amount and then I'll look for a property for them, (they cannot purchase where they are as prices are ridiculous) . Knowing the location and knowing the renovation costs and knowing the tradesmen means the next renovation will be much easier. Will worry about how to get around the bank loan for them when it's more real.....

I've another project in the line too (we've bought a site) - but will wait now for the Gulf war to settle down, meanwhile the planners have been met and are positive to the development, so we will proceed to planning and if it doesn't make sense we'll sell with planning ....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top