Croí Cónaithe · Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant
Up to €70,000 to refurbish a vacant or derelict property
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant — known as Croí Cónaithe — funds refurbishment of long-vacant and derelict homes you intend to live in or rent out. €50,000 for a vacant property, with an extra €20,000 (so €70,000 in total) where the property is also derelict. This is the independent guide to who qualifies, what the grant actually covers, and how it interacts with SEAI energy grants.
Last verified May 2026 against Department of Housing & local authority guidance. Independent guide — not affiliated with the Department or SEAI.
How much is the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant?
The grant has a vacant band and a derelict top-up. The derelict band is not a separate grant — it is an additional amount on top of the vacant band when the property is also classified as derelict.
Up to €50,000
Vacant property
Property vacant for 2+ years and built before 2008
Up to €70,000
Derelict property
Vacant property top-up where the home is also on a Derelict Sites Register or independently assessed as derelict
Yes
Stacks with SEAI
Croí Cónaithe is administered by your local authority; SEAI energy grants are separate. The two can be combined for the same property.
Grant rates based on SEAI published figures (last verified 2026-05-06). Always verify at seai.ie.
Who qualifies
- The property has been vacant for at least 2 years at the time of application.
- The property was built up to and including 2007.
- You own or are buying the property (proof of ownership or sale agreed required).
- You intend to live in the property as your principal private residence OR make it available to rent.
- You have tax compliance (current Tax Clearance Certificate).
- You have not previously received this grant for another property (one per applicant).
What the grant covers (and doesn't)
Covered
- Structural repairs (roof, walls, foundations, floors).
- Re-wiring and re-plumbing.
- Windows and doors (note: SEAI Windows & Doors grant is a separate scheme — pick one funding source per measure).
- Kitchens and bathrooms.
- Energy efficiency works not already funded by SEAI (avoid double-funding the same measure).
- Insulation, where not claimed under SEAI.
Not covered
- Work that has already started before your grant is approved.
- Cosmetic-only redecoration (painting alone, soft furnishings).
- Garden / landscaping works.
- The cost of the property purchase itself.
- VAT, where you can reclaim it elsewhere.
Combining schemes
Can I combine Croí Cónaithe with SEAI grants?
Yes — Croí Cónaithe (local authority) and SEAI energy grants (national) are separate schemes and can fund the same property. The hard rule is no double-funding of the same measure: if SEAI is paying for your attic insulation, Croí Cónaithe cannot also pay for that attic. In practice, route the energy-efficiency works through SEAI (it has the right contractor list) and use Croí Cónaithe for the structural, electrical, plumbing and finish works it is designed for.
How to apply (step by step)
Do not start works before written approval. Croí Cónaithe follows the same hard rule as SEAI grants — starting works early disqualifies them.
- 1
Identify a vacant or derelict property and confirm it has been vacant 2+ years (council can help via the Derelict Sites Register or vacancy data).
- 2
Get a professional cost estimate or itemised quotes for the works — this becomes the basis for your grant application.
- 3
Apply through your local authority Vacant Homes Officer. Each council has its own application form and submission portal.
- 4
Wait for approval. Approval can take 8–12 weeks from a complete application. Do not start works until you have written approval.
- 5
Carry out the approved works. Keep every VAT invoice, photo, and milestone record — the council requires these for the draw-down.
- 6
Submit the draw-down with proof of payment and BER (where energy works were grant-funded). Payment lands in stages, with the final tranche after a post-works inspection.
Timeline — what to expect
From a clean application to first draw-down typically takes 3–6 months — sometimes longer for derelict-band applications where structural surveys are needed. Plan for 6 months minimum to your first payment, and 12–18 months total to project completion.
Frequently asked questions
›How much is the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant in Ireland in 2026?
The grant is up to €50,000 for a vacant property and up to €70,000 where the property is also derelict (the derelict top-up adds up to €20,000 on top of the vacant amount). Always confirm the current rate with your local authority Vacant Homes Officer before applying.
›How long does the property have to be vacant?
At least 2 years immediately before the application. The local authority will ask for evidence — utility records, sworn affidavits, vacant-property register entries, or a Vacant Homes Officer statement are common forms of proof.
›Can I combine the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant with SEAI grants?
Yes. Croí Cónaithe (local authority) and SEAI grants (national, including Better Energy Homes, One Stop Shop, Heat Pump, Solar PV, Warmer Homes) are separate schemes and can fund the same property. The rule is no double-funding of the same measure — pick one funding source per cost line.
›Does the property have to be my principal private residence?
Either a principal private residence OR a property you make available to rent. Investment properties intended to be left vacant or used as short-term lets do not qualify. The local authority can require evidence of occupancy / lettings post-completion.
›How long does the Croí Cónaithe application take?
Plan for 3–6 months from a complete application to your first grant draw-down, and 12–18 months total to project completion. Derelict-band applications can take longer because of the additional structural assessment.
›Can I start the works before getting grant approval?
No. Starting work before written approval disqualifies the works from grant support — exactly the same hard rule as SEAI energy grants. Wait for the approval letter from your local authority before paying any contractor deposits.