Roscommon County Council is inviting applications from owners of vacant property under a new scheme called the Vacant Housing Repair and Leasing Scheme which is a key component of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. If a property requires repairs to bring it up to the Standards for Letting, Roscommon County Council or an Approved Housing Body will pay for this repair work up-front in return for the property being made available for social housing through a lease for a period of at least 10 years.

Roscommon County Council is interested in such properties in its high demand areas such as Monksland and the towns of Roscommon, Castlerea, Boyle, Ballaghaderreen & Strokestown.

There are a number of requirements in relation to the Scheme:

1. The property must be vacant for at least one year.
2. There must be a social housing demand for property in the area.
3. The maximum funding allowable is €40,000.
4. Examples of eligible works are new flooring, low grade plumbing / heating works, energy efficiency upgrades, insulation, painting/decorating, windows / doors upgrade/ replacements.
5. Significant structural works are not eligible e.g. extension, roof replacement.
6. The minimum lease term is 10 years, 15 years or 20 years depending on the cost of the works.
7. The lease payments will be based on
8. The general terms of social leasing which is set at 80% ( 85% for apartments) of the current market rental rates in the property location
9. A further adjustment to the lease payment to off-set the cost of the repair/upgrade work until the cost of the work has been repaid.
10. Property Owners must prove ownership and be tax compliant and must engage the Contractor.
11. This initiative is not available for private renting.

Further details of the Scheme and Application Form are available from the Housing Business Unit, Roscommon County Council , Áras an Chontae, Roscommon  (090) 6637100