VPRG - Conversion of Former Commercial/Public Use Building

An Expert Advice Grant of up €5,000 will be available to owners of former commercial/public use buildings who are considering converting them into 2 or more residential units.

Engaging the services of a suitably qualified professional will assist in informing owners of the works required, building and statutory requirements to be met and indicative costs for undertaking such projects.

There is no obligation on the owner to a make a grant application after receiving the Expert Advice Grant.

The following link provides further information: www.gov.ie/vacancy. 

Applicants must provide:

• A fully completed signed application form;
• Proof that the above the shop element of the building has been vacant for two years or more;
• Proof that the building was built before 2008;
• Proof of ownership or evidence of active negotiations to purchase the building if seeking approval in principle;
• Property Folio from Land Direct
• Evidence that commercial rates are paid or in order including evidence of rates relief/credit/adjustment due to the building being vacant if applicable;
• Evidence that Local Property Tax is in order where applicable;
• Detailed quotations in respect of the individual costs for each of the works categories being applied for must be provided, as detailed in the table on page 7 of the application form.
• A preliminary design/drawing outlining the proposed residential unit(s) to be created in the building (please note the Expert Advice Grant may be used for this purpose);
• Evidence of planning permission or a certificate of exemption under the Planning Acts;
• Proof of dereliction (for a property to be deemed derelict, i.e. structurally unsound and dangerous, the applicant(s) must confirm this by submitting an independent report prepared by a suitably qualified professional [meaning a registered building surveyor, registered engineer or registered architect] along with the application form. The property can also be deemed derelict if it is on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register.)
• Agreement to the clawback conditions (agreement form to be supplied by the local authority);
• Applicants who own a building that is a protected structure or traditional building in an Architectural Conservation Area should contact an Architectural Conservation officer at Conservation@corkcity.ie.
• Any other relevant documentation to support your application as requested by the local authority;

In addition:

• Applicants who will use one of the refurbished/converted units as their principal private residence (PPR) will need to submit a signed affidavit confirming that the grant has not been applied for previously for a PPR;
• Applicants who will make the refurbished/converted units available to rent must provide a signed declaration confirming that residential units in the building will be made available for rent with a tenancy/tenancies registered with the RTB.

Further Information

Proof of vacancy

The building must be vacant for two years or more at the time of grant application. Proof of vacancy is required to support grant applications. Proof of vacancy can include, for example, utility bills, which can help determine vacancy periods (e.g. continuous and consistent low or zero electricity usage or disconnection for a period of two years) or other proofs such as are available. Confirmation of vacancy must be validated and verified by the local authority prior to grant approval. Please note that applicants cannot leave a property unreasonably and purposely vacant for the purpose of qualifying for the grant.

Planning Permission 

The refurbishment/conversion of vacant space for occupation may involve development that requires planning permission. Where appropriate, applicant(s) under the scheme will be required to submit evidence that planning permission has been attained prior to final grant approval. In cases where a question arises in relation to whether a proposed development needs planning permission or is an exempted development, applicant(s) under the scheme will be required to submit a declaration of exemption under Section 5, of the Planning and Development Act, 2000. This question may arise in particular, in the case of a change of use, properties that have been vacant for a long period of time, sub-division of a property and properties that are in a substantial state of disrepair and/or require substantial works.

A local authority may give approval in principle to a grant application where the applicant(s) is required to obtain planning permission for the development/works involved. In these circumstances the applicant(s) shall provide details of their current planning application to accompany their grant application. Any grant approval in principle shall not be confirmed as approval in full until a final decision has issued in respect of the planning application by the planning authority.

If after grant approval has issued you carry out works to your building which have not been included in the grant application, the local authority will need to satisfy themselves that planning permission is/is not required. The applicant may be required to apply for a Section 5 declaration or planning permission as appropriate. This will result in delay to payment of the grant. It is recommended that you contact your local authority if any additional works/demolitions/extensions/sub-division etc. will be undertaken to the building which have not been included in the grant application following a grant approval issuing.

Other regulations to comply with –

The Building Control Regulations 1997 to 2024 require owners, builders, and registered construction professionals to demonstrate through the Statutory Register of Building Control Activity that the works or building concerned have been designed and constructed in compliance with Building Regulations.

The responsibility for compliance with building control regulations lies with each owner, builder. Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/building-control/

Where appropriate and prior to a grant payment issuing, the local authority will seek evidence by way of a validated Certificate of Compliance on Completion for the works carried out. (A Certificate of Compliance on Completion validated and registered by the Building Control Authority confirms that the building /residential units may be used or occupied).

What properties are eligible for the grant?
A vacant residential property that was built and completed before 2008. Additionally former commercial / public use buildings that were not previously used for residential purposes may qualify for the grant (subject to meeting all grant conditions). All properties considered for inclusion must be vacant for two years or more at the time of application, evidence supporting this is required as part of the grant application. Agriculture buildings such as sheds/barns etc. are not eligible for the grant.

What application form do I complete?
Those applying for the grant to convert an entire former commercial or public use building into 2 or more residential units are required to complete the application form titled “Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant - Conversion of former Commercial/Public Use Building”.
All applicants are required to indicate on the application form if they are applying in respect of a property that will become their principal private residence or a property that will be made available for rent or both in the case of a former commercial/public use building where more than one residential unit is being created. All those applying for the grant are also required to indicate on the application forms if they are applying for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant-Commercial alone or the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant-Commercial including the Derelict Property top-up Grant. 

What is accepted as proof of vacancy?
The property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of grant application. Proof of vacancy is required to support grant applications.
Proof of can be provided by, for example, utility bills, which can help determine vacancy periods (e.g. continuous and consistent low or zero electricity usage or disconnection for a period of two years) or other appropriate evidence such as a sworn affidavit to the satisfaction of the local authority or other such proofs as are available. Confirmation of vacancy must be validated and verified by the local authority prior to grant approval. In the case of a former commercial/public use building evidence of payment of commercial rates or rates relief/credit etc. can also be used as proof of vacancy.

Do I have to own the property to avail of this grant and what are acceptable proofs of ownership?
Proof of ownership is required to support the grant application. Examples of proofs that may be submitted are: 

• Title deed or similar legal instrument proving ownership of the property:
• Evidence of payment of Commercial Rates
• Evidence of commercial rates relief/credit/adjustment due to building being vacant
• Mortgage statement dated within the last 12 months.

Where the applicant(s) does not yet own the property, a local authority may give approval in principle to the grant application where the applicant(s) is able to provide evidence of active negotiations to purchase a property i.e. confirmation of engagement from the estate agent or owner of the property and where the owner provides such evidence as to vacancy as is required under the scheme on behalf of the applicant. 

What do I need to submit if planning permission is required to complete the refurbishment works on the property?
Where appropriate, the applicant(s) must submit evidence of planning permission for the development/works proposed or a declaration of exemption under the Planning Acts. The refurbishment of a vacant property for occupation may involve development that requires planning permission. Where appropriate, an applicant(s) under the scheme will be required to submit evidence that planning permission has been attained prior to final grant approval. In cases where a question arises in relation to whether a proposed development needs planning permission or is an exempted development, an applicant(s) under the scheme will be required to submit a declaration of exemption under Section 5, of the Planning and Development Act, 2000.

How many applications can be made by an individual?

There is no maximum on the number of grants that an individual can apply for when applying for the Grant for the conversion of an entire commercial/public use building into two or more units, however only one grant, including top-up amounts, is payable per building.

Is the grant open to developers or applicants who wish to refurbish their property and rent it out?
No, it is not available to registered companies, developers, undertakings etc. Applications can only be made by named individual(s) who own the property for which the grant is being applied for or who are actively engaged in purchasing the property.

For any further questions, please see the following link to the Department's Frequently Asked Questions document: Scheme Documents

Can I avail of other grants / incentives for the conversion/refurbishment of my building? 

Yes, you can apply for other grants in combination with the "Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant - Conversion of Former Commercial/Public Use Building" Grant. Works applied for should be separate to those being applied for under this grant.  

Applicants must satisfy themselves that proposed works are not claimed for under any other grant meaning that the same works cannot be claimed under separate grants schemes.

An SEAI Home Energy Grant may be available in combination with this grant. Works covered by SEAI Better Energy Homes Scheme should be separate to those being applied for under this grant.  

The Living City Initiative provides tax relief of up to €300,000 for qualifying expenditure incurred on the refurbishment and conversion of both residential and commercial properties located within the Special Regeneration Areas of Cork City. This scheme may be available in conjunction with this Grant. Applicants availing of other grants will have the amount of the grant paid deducted from the overall eligible costs applicable for tax relief under the LCI.