Vacant Above the Shop Grant

The Vacant Above the Shop Grant is a payment you can get if you are converting (or refurbishing) vacant space above a commercial premises into residential use. The commercial element of the building must be remaining.

• Have proof of ownership of the building or evidence of active negotiations to buy the property.
• Have proof that the building was built prior to 2008.
• Have proof that above the shop space has been vacant for at least two years at time of application.
• The ground floor commercial space may be in use or vacant at time of application but must be remaining in commercial use.
• The resulting residential units may be used as the applicant’s principal private residence and / or used for rent (with a tenancy / tenancies) registered with the Residential Tenancies Board).
• Applications can only be made by named owners (including sole traders). It is not available to registered companies.

The Grant applies to qualifying properties in cities, towns and villages.

Documents required to support the application form include:

1. a quotation in respect of the works proposed
2. evidence that commercial rates are paid or in order
3. a preliminary design/drawing outlining the proposed residential unit(s) to be created in the building.
4. any other supporting documentation that your local authority requests to support your application.

A grant of up to €95,000 is available for the refurbishment/conversion of the first above the shop unit, with an additional up to €20,000 payable for the second unit created and a further €20,000 where three or more residential units are created, up to a maximum of €135,000.

There is no maximum on the number of grants that an individual can apply for under the Grant, however only one grant, including top-up amounts, is payable per building.

Local authorities administer the Vacant Above the Shop Grant. You can apply to the local authority where the building is located.