Just one vacant property owner in Laois has applied for interest free renovation loan

Owners of vacant Laois properties seem to be disinterested in getting an interest free loan to repair them to rent out as social homes.

There are more than 700 vacant Laois properties identified in the Department of Housing's GeoDirectory, but just one owner has applied for a certain incentive that provides a social home, so far in 2025.

Laois County Council CEO Michael Rainey gave an update on the uptake of the Repair and Leasing Scheme, at the April meeting in county hall, Portlaoise. 

"Under the Repair and Leasing Scheme, the Council can provide interest free funding of up to €80,000 (including VAT) per individual home delivered, to bring the property up to rental standard.

"In return, the homes are leased to the Council for between 5 and 25 years. The loan is repaid via a deduction in the monthly rent over an agreed term within the lease. Suitable properties are typically located in central locations where there is a strong demand for social housing. At 31st March, 1 application has been received in 2025," Mr Rainey said in his management report.

The council has a vacant housing team dedicated to bring vacant properties back to homes where people live.

Their job is to identify vacant and derelict properties and contact owners to tell them about the various schemes on offer. If owners cannot be found or won't engage, the team can use legislative powers to compulsory purchase properties, to sell on or reuse as houses or for community use.

Read also: PICTURES: Modern mansion in Laois on sale for €500,000

The target set for Laois County Council for 2025 under the Vacancy/Dereliction Activation Programme is to start 70 properties to enter the Programme in 2025. They had begun action on 21 by March 31.

They must start five compulsory purchases this year but by March 31 2025, no compulsory purchases were started.  An additional Staff Officer focusing on Derelict Sites was hired in early April.