Louise transforms derelict family home through refurbishment grant

A Roscommon woman has brought her grandfather’s derelict house back to life through the Government’s Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, but says the process is not without its challenges.

Louise Shine, from Kiltoom in Co Roscommon, completed the full renovation of the property in late 2024 after being approved for the grant in October 2023. Working on a single income in the education sector, she said the scheme made home ownership possible at a time of rising costs and housing shortages.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity. I wouldn’t be on the property ladder if I hadn’t received this grant, which is important nowadays because of our housing crisis,” she said.

The property, which had belonged to her grandfather, was in severe disrepair when work began. Structural damage included holes in the roof, rotting floors, damp throughout, vines coming through and even a tree growing out of the roof.

“The outside was inside,” she said, describing the initial condition.

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, which aims to tackle Ireland’s housing crisis by encouraging the renovation of empty and derelict homes, provides financial support for such renovations. However, Ms Shine described the application process as complex.

“It was a bit of a minefield,” she said. “You have to organise LPT exemptions, get quotes from builders and deal with the grant office. I would say it’s heavy on paperwork but not entirely impossible either.” She also highlighted how the grant is only paid at the end of the process, requiring applicants to fund the work upfront and keep detailed records.

“You don’t get a penny until you put in all the work, kept all your receipts and make sure your invoices have your name and your Eircode on them. There’s an awful lot of paperwork,” she said.

Ms Shine credited her father, Tom Shine, who works in the trade, for helping manage the project and ease the stress of the renovation.

“He took a lot of the worry and stress out of it. He’s been in the trade a long time and people were willing to help out,” she said.

While she ultimately completed the build within the required timeframe, she believes the scheme’s 13-month deadline is too restrictive.

“The current deadline is 13 months. It is tight. It doesn’t factor into the fact that maybe you might lose a builder or there could be setbacks with bills that can be really stressful,” she said.

She also suggested increasing the grant amount for derelict homes, estimating that an additional €20,000 would better reflect the true cost of refurbishment.

Despite her positive experience, Ms Shine questioned whether the scheme is fully accessible to younger applicants.

“It’s hard for me to say if it is geared towards young people because a derelict home, you just don’t know what you’re getting into until you start to break ground,” she said. “For young people you just have to have some serious guts to get this kind of property done.” She acknowledged that her own situation had certain advantages, including inheriting the property and not having to negotiate with landowners.

“For me, the stars had aligned. My father was in the trade, the house was there, I didn’t have to play the game of who should I ask?” she said.

To keep costs down, Ms Shine carried out some work herself and sourced second-hand materials where possible.

“If you’re savvy enough and twisty enough you can really stick to your budget,” she added.

Beyond providing a pathway to home ownership, she said the project had personal significance in restoring a family home.

“I wouldn’t be in my own property if it wasn’t for this grant. There’s something lovely about bringing a derelict home back to life. They’re so delighted that the house is liveable again - so many memories,” she said.

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant continues to form part of the Government’s response to the housing crisis, though experiences like Ms Shine’s highlight both its potential and its limitations.

More information on the scheme is available on Gov.ie.