Buying a Derelict Property: Costs, Grants, and Pitfalls
Buying a derelict property for renovation can be an excellent investment — but it’s not for the faint-hearted. Here’s a realistic guide to the process, costs, available grants, and common pitfalls.
Finding Vacant Properties
- Local authority derelict sites register: Publicly available. Lists properties the council has identified as derelict.
- Daft.ie / MyHome.ie: Filter by “fixer-upper” or low-price properties in your target area
- Local knowledge: Drive around. Many vacant properties aren’t listed anywhere
- Solicitor contacts: Probate properties (inherited, with no active owner) often go unlisted
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Due Diligence: What to Check
- Structural survey (€400–€800): Essential. A derelict property may have subsidence, rising damp, rot, or structural collapse. The survey determines whether renovation is viable.
- Planning status: Is the property habitable? Does renovation require planning permission? (Generally no for internal works; yes for extensions or change of use)
- Title: Vacant properties sometimes have unclear ownership. Your solicitor must verify clean title before purchase.
- Services: Water, electricity, gas — are they connected? Reconnection can cost €2,000–€5,000.
Realistic Renovation Budget
| Scope | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Light renovation (cosmetic + services) | €30,000–€60,000 |
| Medium renovation (new kitchen, bathroom, heating, insulation) | €60,000–€120,000 |
| Full renovation (structural + complete refit) | €120,000–€200,000+ |
Available Grants
Vacant Property Grant: up to €50,000 (€70,000 if derelict). SEAI grants: up to €25,000+ for energy upgrades. Use our Vacant Property Grant Calculator and the SEAI Grant Calculator on HomeEnergyGuide.ie.
BER: Before and After
Get a BER assessment before renovation to establish a baseline, and after to prove the improvement. This is required for SEAI grants and adds significant value if selling or renting. Book at Homerating.ie