Vacant Property Grant 2026: Up to €120,000 for Derelict Homes
Ireland’s Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant offers up to €70,000 for vacant homes and €120,000 for derelict homes. Combined with SEAI energy grants, you could access over €145,000 in funding to bring a property back to life.
Grant Amounts
| Property Status | Maximum Grant |
|---|---|
| Vacant (empty 2+ years) | €50,000 |
| Vacant + extension/conversion needed | €70,000 |
| Derelict (on Derelict Sites Register or structurally unsound) | €70,000 |
| Derelict + extension/conversion needed | €120,000 |
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Who Can Apply?
The grant is open to anyone — owner-occupiers, landlords, and investors. The property must be in Ireland, vacant for at least 2 years (or on the Derelict Sites Register), and built before 2008. The catch: the refurbished property must be used as a principal private residence or made available for rent for at least 5 years.
Stacking with SEAI Energy Grants
This is where it gets powerful. You can claim the Vacant Property Grant AND SEAI energy upgrade grants on the same property. That means:
- Vacant property grant: up to €70,000
- Heat pump grant: up to €6,500
- External wall insulation: up to €8,000
- Internal wall insulation: up to €3,500
- Attic insulation: up to €1,500
- Windows and doors: up to €5,600
- Solar PV: up to €1,800
- Mechanical ventilation: up to €1,500
Total potential funding: €98,400+
For derelict properties with extensions, the combined total can exceed €145,000. Check our SEAI Grant Calculator for the exact energy grant amounts for your planned upgrades.
Application Process
- Check eligibility — property must be vacant 2+ years, built pre-2008
- Get a before-works BER assessment — required for both the vacant property grant and SEAI grants
- Get quotes from contractors — at least two quotes for each area of work
- Apply to your local authority — submit the application form with quotes, proof of vacancy, and BER cert
- Wait for approval — typically 4–8 weeks
- Complete the works — must be done within 13 months of approval
- Get a post-works BER and submit completion evidence
- Receive the grant — paid after verification
What Costs Are Covered?
The grant covers most refurbishment works including structural repairs, damp treatment, roof repair/replacement, rewiring, replumbing, new windows and doors, kitchen and bathroom fitting, plastering, flooring, and external works. It does not cover furniture, appliances, landscaping, or professional fees (architect, engineer).
Vacant Property Tax — The Stick
Since 2023, properties on the Local Property Tax register that are vacant for 12+ months face an additional Vacant Homes Tax equal to 5 times the basic LPT rate. For a €350,000 property, that’s approximately €2,450 per year on top of normal LPT. This makes doing nothing increasingly expensive.
The Business Case
For investors, the numbers can be compelling. Buy a derelict property for €150,000–€200,000, spend €120,000 on refurbishment (funded largely by grants), and end up with a property worth €350,000+ with a BER A rating. The net investment could be as low as €80,000–€120,000 for a €350,000 asset.
For landlords, the combination of the vacant property grant, SEAI grants, and the Section 97A tax deduction (up to €10,000 per property) makes retrofitting vacant stock financially attractive.