Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant - Above the Shop Grant

• Vacant for at least 2 years;
• Built before December 2007;
• Be an Individual and or sole trader - not a registered company or developer;

The commercial element may be in use or vacant at the time of application, but it must remain as a commercial element after the works are completed.

Although the scheme is called the Vacant Above the Shop Grant, it may also apply to single-storey buildings where there is a commercial element and separate vacant space within the same building that can be converted into residential use.

Applicants must:

• Have the grant application approved before works commence;
• Provide proof that the building has been vacant for at least 2 years;
• Provide proof that the building was built before December 2007;
• Provide proof that the building contains a commercial element;
• Confirm that the commercial element will remain in the building;
• Provide proof of ownership, or evidence of active negotiations to purchase the building;
• Confirm whether the completed residential units will be used as a Principal Private Residence and/or made available for rent;
• Provide evidence of tax compliance, including Tax Clearance from Revenue;
• Ensure Local Property Tax is in order where applicable;
• Ensure Commercial Rates are in order, or provide evidence of exemption/relief where applicable;
• Agree to the clawback conditions as per scheme outline;
• Provide vouched expenditure for all approved works undertaken;
• Complete the approved works within 18 months of grant approval;
• Ensure all required planning, building control, fire safety and statutory requirements are met.

Only one grant is payable PER BUILDING.

There is no maximum number of grants that an individual may apply for where they are converting entire former commercial/public use buildings into two or more residential units. However, only one grant is payable per building.

Where one or more residential units will be made available for rent, applicants must:

• Confirm this on the application form;
• Register the tenancy/tenancies with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) prior to final inspection and provide proof of RTB registration to Longford County Council before final inspection in order to draw down the grant;
• Provide annual evidence of Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) registration where required – annually for 10 years on the anniversary of the grant payment;
• Ensure rental units comply with minimum rented housing standards;
• Ensure rental units are not used for short-term letting or Airbnb.

A letter of approval will issue to applicants who are successful. The letter will include the approved grant amount and the works approved.

Approval is valid for 18 months from the date of the approval letter.

Applicants must complete the approved works within this 18-month period.

Approval in principle may be issued where an applicant is actively purchasing the building. Planning permission or a declaration of exemption under Section 5 of the Planning and Development Acts must be obtained prior to submitting the grant application. Approval in principle is not a final guarantee of payment.

The grant will only be paid when Longford County Council is satisfied that:

• Ownership has been confirmed;
• All required documentation has been provided;
• The approved works have been completed;
• All required planning permissions are in place, or a valid declaration of exemption under Section 5 of the Planning and Development Acts has been provided, to the satisfaction of Longford County Council;
• Invoices and receipts have been submitted;
• A final inspection has been carried out;
• RTB registration has been provided for rental units;
• The clawback agreement/charge document has been signed;
• All legal and financial requirements have been satisfied.

Your application may be delayed if information or documents are missing. Only clear, legible copies will be accepted. Screenshots or unclear documents may not be accepted.

The following documentation will be required:

• Completed and signed application form;
• Proof of ownership, such as folio, title deed, mortgage statement or other legal proof;
• If purchasing, evidence of active negotiations, such as confirmation from solicitor, estate agent or property owner;
• Proof that the building was fully constructed before December 2007;
• Proof that the building contains a commercial element;
• Proof that the commercial element will remain;
• Proof that the above-the-shop space or vacant space has been vacant for at least 2 years;
• Proof of Local Property Tax compliance or exemption, where applicable;
• Proof of Commercial Rates compliance, relief, credit, adjustment or exemption, where applicable;
• Applicant Tax Clearance Certificate from Revenue;
• Quotation specifying the proposed works and costs;
• Contractor Tax Clearance details and Tax Reference Number/VAT ID for all contractors;
• Supplier Set-Up Form specifying where the grant is to be paid;
• Planning permission, planning reference number or certificate/declaration of exemption, where required;
• Drawings, floor plans or other documents requested by Longford County Council;
• Appendix documents provided by Longford County Council, completed and signed;
• Any other relevant documentation requested to support the application.

Proof of vacancy may include: ESB bills showing low or no usage, ESB connection or disconnection dates, utility provider confirmation, evidence of commercial rates payment, relief, credit or adjustment, an estate agent letter, a solicitor’s affidavit, photographic evidence where the space has not previously been used as residential accommodation, or any other evidence acceptable to Longford County Council.

• Compliance with Building Regulations;
• Vouched expenditure for all approved works undertaken;
• Categorised invoices and receipts showing the works completed and their value;
• Full property folio confirming ownership registered with Tailte Éireann;
• Updated Local Property Tax compliance, where applicable;
• Updated Commercial Rates compliance or exemption, where applicable;
• Signed clawback/charge document provided by Longford County Council;
• RTB registration for each rental unit, where applicable;
• Building Control documentation, where required
• Fire safety documentation, where required
• Planning permission or a declaration of exemption under Section 5 of the Planning and Development Acts, where applicable;
• Any other compliance documents requested by Longford County Council.

Please note: Longford County Council reserves the right to carry out compliance checks during the 10-year clawback period and to request additional documentation to verify ongoing compliance with the terms of the scheme applications. Failure to provide satisfactory evidence may result in the application of clawback provisions. Compliance may be assessed through verification of documentation, including but not limited to tax records, insurance documentation, utility bills, and other relevant records relevant to the property, as may be required to confirm the authenticity of the application and continued compliance with scheme conditions.

If your application is not successful, you can appeal the decision with the local authority. You should write to them within 3 weeks of the decision, giving the reasons why you are appealing.

Your appeal will be reviewed by someone in Longford County Council who was not involved in assessing your application. The local authority will contact you with the outcome of this review. This can take up to 8 weeks.