Croí Cónaithe

As the owner of a vacant property, did you know of the three options available to you? 

1. Bring the property back into use as a home for you to live in or rent.
2. Sell the property to the Council to bring back into use as social housing.
3. Use a loan to refurbish the property and then lease it back to the Council.

Option 1: Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant - Croí Cónaithe 

You can get a grant of up to €50,000 and up to €70,000, if the property is derelict. The property must be vacant for 2 years and you must intend to live in it or rent it. Properties on qualifying islands may be entitled to (up to) an additional 20% grant funding. 

Option 2: Buy and Renew Scheme 

If there is demand in this area, suitable properties can be purchased by the Local Authority for Social Housing.

Option 3: Repair & Leasing Scheme

If a property requires repairs and has been vacant for at least a year, you can get a loan for repairs to a maximum of €80,000 (vat inclusive) and lease it back to the Council for social housing for 5 to 25 years. 

Galway County Council is interested in properties close to villages and towns where schools and services are readily available.

If you are interested in this scheme, please complete the form below and supply some photos of the property.

If the property is deemed to be suitable for social housing and in an area where there is demand for social housing, the Galway County Council will arrange for a site visit of the property to determine the condition of the property and asses the level of repairs that may be required to bring the property to the required standard.

The owner, if proceeding with the RLS scheme, will obtain a quote for the works and also arrange for a contractor to complete the list of scheduled works within a targeted time frame.

CHECKLIST

• The Property owner must be tax compliant. An up-to-date Tax Clearance Certificate must be provided.
• The building must be compliant with Planning  Permission granted.
• The minimum lease term is 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, depending on the cost of the works. The lease can be either  a direct lease or a Rental Availability Arrangement.
• The maximum cost of repairs under the scheme is €80,000 (inc VAT) per Unit. The cost of the repairs will be fully offset against the lease income due to the owner, over the period of the lease agreement.
• The maximum rent to be agreed with the Landlord -under direct leasing the rate is 80% (85% in the case of apartments) of the current market rent. Rent reviews will usually take place every three or four years,
• Eligible expenditure is limited to the cost of essential works required to bring the property into compliance with the Housing Standards for Rented Houses regulations.
• The property has to be vacant for at least 12 months prior to submission: proof of vacancy will be required; e.g ESB Bills.
• There has to be a social housing demand for the property in the area. The landlord does not get to nominate the tenant. The house will not be available to private tenants.
• The property has to be assessed by Galway County Council as being viable to provide social housing.
• BER certificates will be required for all properties. Minimum BER criteria may apply in some local authority areas.
• The property owner obtains quotes for the works and engages the Contractor and is responsible for the completion of the works to the standard set out in the Schedule of Works.
• The Contractor must be Tax Compliant. Please note that Galway County Council needs to have the Contractor’s tax clearance certificate on file.

What kind of repairs will be paid for under the scheme?

The ideal properties targeted under the RLS will require a low level of investment to bring them to the required standard for renting. The majority of works will include items such as, for example:

• new flooring, kitchen, furniture;
• low grade plumbing or heating works, energy efficiency upgrades;
• window and door upgrades or replacements;
• insulation;
• painting and decorating.

It is not envisaged that any level of significant structural works will be needed and in the majority of cases no planning permissions will be required.