Expert Advice Grant-Vacant Homes

Expert Advice Grant for Vacant Above the Shop Conversions and Conversion
of former commercial / public use buildings to residential units

The Expert Advice Grant provides funding of up to €5,000 (the total grant sought cannot exceed 67%
of the overall cost inclusive of VAT) towards having an appropriately qualified professional provide
expert advice to the owner of;

•  A building with a commercial element and vacant above the shop space who may avail of
  the Vacant Above the Shop Grant to convert / refurbish the vacant space into residential
  unit/s, with the commercial element remaining.
• A former vacant commercial / public use building who may avail of the Vacant Property
  Refurbishment Grant Conversion of former Commercial Building / public use building to
  convert the entire building into more than one residential unit2.
  Only one Expert Advice grant can be applied for per building.

Applications can only be made by named individuals who own the building for which the advice
grant is being applied, or who are actively engaged in purchasing the building. Where there is more
than one owner of the building, all owners must be included on the application form.
The Expert Advice Grant is not currently available to registered companies, developers, undertakings
etc.

Objective of the Expert Advice Grant

The aim of the Expert Advice Grant is to support the provision of expert advice to enhance the
building owner’s awareness and understanding of: - -

• The residential potential of vacant space in their building and what would be involved in
  bringing the vacant space outside of the commercial element into residential use, including
  the building standards, planning, legal and other requirements to be met, or
• The residential potential of a former commercial building, where a change of use is being
  considered, with the entire building being converted into residential use and two or more
  residential units being created.

By supporting the cost of getting expert advice at an early stage, the Expert Advice Grant helps such
owners to make an informed choice and supports value for money in the completion of their
projects. 

Expert-Advice-Grant---Application-form-pdf (size 1.8 MB)

Expert-Advice-Scheme-outline-pdf (size 584 KB)

Expert-Advice-Grant-Surveyor-Template-.docx (size 431.5 KB)

Expert-Advice-Grant-Application-form-Irish-version-pdf (size 1.8 MB)

Expert-Advice-Scheme-Outline---Irish-version-pdf (size 591.6 KB)

If you want to submit an application ,have questions about the grant or want to know if your property qualifies, you can contact the Vacant Homes Officer by emailing vacanthomes@leitrimcoco.ie.