Empty Homes Resources and Links

As part of its Empty Homes Campaign Hardware Association Ireland (HAI) is please to provide below a helpful list of relevant resources and links that will be of help to homeowners or those on the market seeking new housing opportunities.

Vacant Homes Action Plan 2023-2026: The Government’s reports on the progress that has been made and delivered to date. It also identifies the actions to be pursued in order to continue to return as many recoverable vacant properties back to viable use as possible, increase the supply of housing available, whilst also revitalising the vibrancy of local communities. – https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/df86c-vacant-homes-action-plan-2023-2026/

Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant: A payment you can get if you are turning a vacant house or building into your permanent home or a rental property. A grant of up to €50,000 is available. If the refurbishment costs exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available. https://www.gov.ie/en/service/f8f1b-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant/

Vacant Homes Tax: An annual tax that applies to residential properties in use as a dwelling for less than 30 days in a 12-month chargeable period. An exemption may be available in certain circumstances. Any liability to VHT is in addition to a liability to LPT. – https://www.revenue.ie/en/property/vacant-homes-tax/index.aspx

Repair and Lease Scheme: The Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) is targeted at owners of vacant properties who cannot afford or who do not have access to the funding required to bring those properties up to the standard for rental property. – https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/d32c4-repair-and-leasing-scheme-rls-further-information/

Help to Buy Scheme: The Help to Buy (HTB) scheme helps first-time buyers of newly-built homes to buy a new house or apartment. It also applies to once-off self-build homes. It only applies to properties costing €500,000 or less. The Help to Buy scheme gives a refund of income tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in Ireland over the previous 4 tax years. – https://www.gov.ie/en/service/bc9df-help-to-buy-htb-scheme/

SEAI Home Energy Grants: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) provide a number of energy upgrade options and grants to help homeowners manage and improve their property’s energy efficiency. Their one-stop service helps homeowners to plan and manage their home energy upgrade and grant applications – https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/