One of the ways the Irish government is attempting to not only solve the housing crisis but tackle the issue of derelict properties throughout the country is by introducing the Vacant Property Grant which helps people convert empty, older properties into liveable homes. While there is financial support available, retrofitting older homes is never a simple task and often comes with unexpected challenges. Our engineers at BCE have had their fair share of experience helping clients renovate derelict or vacant properties, helping turn these empty eyesores into beautiful family homes.
The Opportunity of the Vacant Property Grant
The Vacant Property Grant offers up to €50,000 to renovate a property that has been vacant for at least two years. In order to qualify, all you need to do is provide either proof of ownership or prove that you are in the process of purchasing the vacant property. You must also confirm that you are renovating the property with the intention to either live in it or rent it out. The grant applies to all vacant properties in the Republic of Ireland, whether they are located rurally or in a city or town.
As of the end of May this year, there were 166 sites on the derelict property register in Cork City with over 200 other sites around the city under review. While that may be a large number, it also represents an incredible opportunity to acquire and refurbish a property in the city. To date, Cork County has had the second largest uptake of the vacant property grant with 1,026 applications received by Cork County Council from the start of the scheme to the end of 2024.
Accessing the grant is only the first step in the process of renovating an old house. From here, the real challenge comes in making an older property not only safe but sustainable and most importantly, comfortable to live in.
Derelict or Vacant
One of the first steps in your application process should be commissioning a structural survey. BCE has experience assisting clients with the Vacant Property Grant application process as structural surveys can point out larger issues with a property that can often be hidden. If you are applying for the grant and your property is found to have structural issues, this qualifies you to receive an additional €20,000 on top of that €50,000 as your property is now considered to be derelict.
While this additional money is a welcome boon when it comes to renovations, there are a lot of reasons to commission a structural survey. With older Irish homes, especially ones that have been vacant for at least the last two years, you can pretty much count on finding issues. Time, neglect, and the Irish weather cause issues such as damp, subsidence, and damaged or outdated wiring. These issues can compound into serious structural issues.
When you are undergoing this type of renovation, there are often so many issues to tackle that it can be hard to figure out where to start. A lot of those issues will be clear to you as you tour the property but the best way to get a full understanding of the renovation process you are about to embark on is by commissioning a structural survey. This survey is a crucial first step before work begins as it will give you an overview of the entire property, from top to bottom, inside and out. From there, with the assistance of your engineer, you can put together a plan for retrofitting your house and ensuring that the property is structurally sound and will eventually be safe for habitation.
Sustainability & Energy Efficiency
When you are buying or doing up a vacant property, chances are the BER rating is pretty low, that is if the property is even rated. This can, understandably, be off putting for buyers as heating a home with a low BER rating can be expensive and inefficient. Thankfully, however, there are lots of ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home.
Upgrading your home’s insulation and making sure that there is adequate ventilation is the first step to ensuring that your new home will stay comfortable and dry. While ventilation may seem counter intuitive when you are trying to make your home warmer, proper ventilation will help you mitigate against damp.
There are many ways to insulate an old house from pump-in loose-fill insulation which can be pumped into the wall cavities to internal or external insulation boards which line the walls of the home. You can use sustainable insulation materials like sheep’s wool or cellulose fibres to insulate your attic or any crawl spaces. These additions can increase your BER rating while simultaneously cutting down on your heating costs.
Safety is the baseline when you are retrofitting an old home but adding sustainable touches like improved insulation and ventilation are the true upgrade.
Navigating Compliance and Permissions
In essence, all of these upgrades are fairly straightforward. You are simply making a property that was once either uninhabited or even uninhabitable, once more habitable. However, depending on the location of your property and the works you are carrying out, you may need to undertake the added step of applying for planning permission.
In places like Cork, you may have to consider whether you are retrofitting a protected building or if your property is in an area of architectural significance. There are 1481 structures listed on the Record of Protected Structures as well as 44 Architectural Conservation Areas in Cork. If you are undertaking a house renovation in an area of Architectural Conservation, you may need to apply for planning permission for simple upgrades on the exterior of your home such as replacing windows, gates, fences, and doors. This whole process can be made easier by availing of our planning application services. The qualified engineers at BCE have experience working with clients in Cork City and the surrounding area, helping them navigate the complexities of upgrading period or protected homes.
Quality Assurance Through Snag Lists
Retrofitting an old house is a marathon, not a sprint. From the application for the vacant property grant, to the structural survey, potential planning permission application, and getting works done, this can be a long process. The time, energy, and of course money, put into the project can feel overwhelming, but as with most things, it is all worth it in the end when your new home is ready for you to move into and another empty property is empty no more.
There is one final step you need to take before you start moving the furniture in and that is commissioning a snag list. A professional snag list will ensure that no corners were cut and all of the grant-funded work has been finished properly. It is essentially crossing your t’s and dotting your i’s at the end of a long building process. But in commissioning a snag list, you will ensure that your property is finished to the highest standards
Conclusion
The Vacant Property Grant is an incredible opportunity to do up an old or vacant property exactly to your tastes. But the real value comes from doing the retrofit properly and the best way to do so is with the help of an engineer. They can guide you through the process, assist with applications, and advise you as to what work needs to get done. If you are considering availing of the Vacant Property Grant and want to make sure that your retrofit is safe, compliant, and sustainable, get in touch with our team of consulting engineers today.
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