Big sum given out in Laois for Vacant Home renovation grants

Owners of sixteen vacant and possibly derelict Laois properties have shared in grants totalling €853,219 so far this year, to renovate them as liveable houses.

Laois County Council has listed its progress in the popular Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant scheme which is still on offer. 

There were 49 applications to the council for the grant so far in 2024. It has paid out 16, many of which would have applied for the grant in 2023.

It has fully approved another 21, while another 12 have approval in principal while renovation work continues. Successful applicants have 18 months to complete works once grant approved in principal.

Three more applications were refused and two further were withdrawn. 

The scheme gives grants of up to €50,000 to refurbish vacant homes for use as a principal private residence, or to make available to rent, including properties that were never homes before. A top up grant of another €20,000 is available for derelict properties. To qualify, properties must be built before 2008 and be vacant for over two years.