Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant - Commercial Dwellings

Commercial Vacancy Schemes Introduction

Longford County Council administers a number of vacancy schemes under the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. These schemes support the reuse of vacant and underused buildings, including former commercial/public use buildings and vacant space above or within commercial premises.

The purpose of the schemes is to bring vacant buildings and vacant spaces back into use as residential accommodation, increase housing supply, support town and village regeneration, and make better use of existing buildings in County Longford.

The three new commercial vacancy schemes are:

  • Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant – Conversion of Former Commercial/Public Use Building
  • Vacant Above the Shop Grant
  • Expert Advice Grant for Vacant Above the Shop Conversions and Conversion of Former Commercial/Public Use Buildings to Residential Units

 

Process for Commercial Vacancy Scheme Applications

The process is as follows:

  1. Submit your completed application with all required documentation.
  2. Longford County Council will review the application to ensure the correct scheme has been selected and that the required documents have been submitted.
  3. A initial site inspection may be arranged.
  4. If the application is in order, an Approval in Principle or Approval Letter may issue.
  5. The approval period for the new commercial schemes is 18 months.
  6. Once works are completed, the applicant must contact Longford County Council to arrange a final inspection.
  7. The applicant must submit all invoices, receipts and outstanding documentation.
  8. Where rental units are created, RTB registration must be provided before final inspection.
  9. Longford County Council will issue final approval where all requirements are satisfied.
  10. The clawback/charge document must be signed, where applicable.
  11. Payment will issue when final approval, legal checks and all documentation checks are complete.

Please note: Works must not commence before grant approval has been issued.

 

Types of Works Covered by the Commercial Vacancy Schemes

The following works may be eligible where they are necessary to bring the building or vacant space into residential use and are approved by Longford County Council.

Demolition / Strip-Out / Site Clearance: Removal of internal fittings, unsafe structures, hazardous materials and site clearance as part of an overall refurbishment project.

Substructure Works: Foundations, rising walls, floor slabs, damp-proofing, underpinning and structural stabilisation works.

Superstructure Works: Internal and external walls, chimneys, upper floors, stairs, roof structures, structural timbers and associated structural repairs.

Completions: External and internal doors, windows, frames, architraves, ironmongery, balustrades, skirting, roof lights, fascia, soffits, gutters and downpipes.

Finishes: External and internal wall finishes, ceiling finishes, tiling, waterproofing, painting, decorating and roof finishes.

Services: Plumbing, heating, ventilation, electrical installations, lighting, telecommunications, smoke and carbon monoxide detection, fire alarm systems and compliance works for building and fire safety standards.

Fittings: Kitchen units, sanitary ware, bathroom fittings and essential residential fittings required to make the property habitable.

External Works: Necessary site and external works within the property curtilage associated with the approved refurbishment or conversion.

Extensions: Construction of extensions as part of a wider refurbishment project, subject to planning compliance requirements.

Professional Services: Surveys, engineering reports, architectural services, building control documentation, fire safety advice and other professional services directly related to approved works.

Demolition

The objective of the schemes is to bring existing vacant buildings and vacant spaces back into use as residential accommodation.

Demolition may form part of an application where it is required as part of a wider refurbishment or conversion project. However, demolition must not undermine the purpose of the scheme.

Where demolition, extension, change of use or major alterations are proposed, planning permission or a declaration of exemption under Section 5 of the Planning and Development Acts may be required.

Applicants should confirm planning requirements before works commence.

Other Grants Available

Applicants may be able to combine these schemes with other supports, provided the same works are not claimed under more than one grant.

Other supports may include:

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grants; SEAI-funded works cannot also be claimed under the vacancy grant.

  • Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan (where applicable);
  • Living City Initiative tax relief, where applicable;
  • Conservation advice or conservation grants, where relevant;
  • Local Enterprise Office supports for the commercial element, where applicable.