Vacant homes grant

gazzaman22 · 10-03-2025 02:53PM #1

I know of a house for sale - Built say 2007

It hasn't been lived in since 12 July 2023 but the renter has only officially moved out in November 2023. It hasn't been lived in since.

The owner has had it painted and electricity is still connected and running.

My question is - If I bought this property which is for sale - would it qualify for any grants now?

If I bought it on the 13th July would it qualify?

If I bought this property but not actually until November 2025 would it qualify for any grants at that time?

Any other advice you could give me on it would be greatly appreciated(i along with my wife currently own a home next door to it)

BenIrishHome · 11-03-2025 02:31PM

You may be able to prove that it was unoccupied since July 2023 if the electricity bills were very low, showing no one could have been living there. Otherwise I've had vendor's solicitors sign a statement saying it was unoccupied since 'X", but they need proof of an elec bill or something to back it up.

If you went sale agreed now, you probbaly wouldn't be in until July anyway. Novemeber is a bit of a stretch, but technically if you waited that long until you occupied it.

The grant is all a bit new so i haven;t seen it tested on these scenarios (i'm an EA). Would be a bit of a punt on your end.

gazzaman22 · 11-03-2025 06:04PM

So yes, definitely it's been unoccupied since 12 July, the gent who rented had ill health and has only been back in mid Nov to collect the test of his belongings. Pretty sure he had given his notice and had to officially leave then.

Yes ESB will be low from then. But how could I show this?

If I put in an offer now, you would expect it to be concluded in July, infact that should prob be a stipulation of the sale.

Scuse my ignorance buts what's an EA?

KaneToad · 11-03-2025 06:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123254527#Comment_123254527

EA = estate agent

BenIrishHome · 11-03-2025 06:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123254527#Comment_123254527

you can ask the vendors to provide old energy bills. Might have to get from the tenant. Could be hard.

If I was the agent I wouldn’t allow it as a condition of the sale. In fact, we haven’t mentioned the vacant scheme on any of our sales. I see some others putting it in their descriptions online. I would not do this, we are no position to confirm it is viable and if you based your figures on getting the grant, you could be sorely disappointed.

Yes I’m an Estate Agent

TessC · 12-03-2025 04:46PM

If you have the MPRN of the property and the address, you can contact the ESB via the query form on their website and ask for a letter confirming low usage of electricity at the property for the two years prior. They will then send you an email confirming that. Most local authorities should accept that email as proof of vacancy, but you might want to contact yours first to confirm if that's sufficient.

Vacant homes grant

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