Each grant has different rules about who can apply. You must usually be over 18 and own or rent the property. Housing Executive tenants and Housing Association tenants can't apply for a home improvement grant.

• General rules
  
• Private tenants
  
• Homeowners
  
• Landlords
  
• Targeted areas
  

General rules

Home improvement grants are only available for residential properties. The Housing Executive also targets grant aid at areas and types of properties that need most help.

You will only be eligible for a grant if you own or rent the property, and:

• the property was built or converted more than ten years ago
• the property is in one of the targeted geographical areas
• a grant is the best option to take to improve the property.

The Housing Executive won't usually consider your application if:

• you are a Housing Executive or housing association tenant
• it is for a second home or a holiday home (unless you are a landlord)
• the work isn't essential.

Housing Executive and housing association tenants should ask their landlord to carry out repairs.

Due to a funding shortfall, the Housing Executive is currently prioritising grants awards. This means that some grants may be generally unavailable until further funds are secured. Find out more about 'prioritisation of grants'.

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Private tenants

Private tenants can apply for a home improvement grant in certain circumstances. Private tenants may be able to apply for:

• a renovation grant
  
• a repairs grant
  
• a disabled facilities grant
  
• a home repairs assistance grant
  
• a common parts grant.
  

You can usually only apply for a grant if you can prove that you are responsible for carrying out repairs to the property. If you are applying for a 'home repairs assistance grant' or a 'disabled facilities grant' you only need to prove that you are a tenant.

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Homeowners

Homeowners can apply for a home improvement grant in certain circumstances. Homeowners may be able to apply for:

• a renovation grant
• a replacement grant
  
• a disabled facilities grant
• a home repairs assistance grant.

You can only apply for a grant if you can prove to the Housing Executive that you own the property, or that you intend to purchase the property. There must be at least 10 years left on your lease if you own a leasehold property.

The Housing Executive will accept:

• the deeds to the property
• a letter of confirmation from the building society
• a letter of confirmation from your solicitor.

If you intend to purchase the property you must be able to prove this to the Housing Executive. For example, a letter from an estate agent stating that your offer has been accepted and that the sale has been agreed.

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Landlords

Landlords can apply for:

• a renovation grant
• a replacement grant in a Rural Priority Area
• a disabled facility grant
• a house in multiple occupation grant
  
• a repairs grant
• a common parts grant.

Landlords must show that the property is being rented, or will be rented out, for at least five years. You don't have to rent the property to the same tenant for five years.

You won't be eligible for a grant if you rent the property to a family member. Landlords can usually only apply for a house in multiple occupation (HMO) grant if the property is in a HMO Action Area.

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Targeted areas

It is possible that you can get a grant in one area while a similar property in a different area would not be eligible. Each grant has different rules about which properties should be targeted. For example:

• House in multiple occupation (HMO) grants are only available in HMO Action Areas
• Home repair assistance grants are more widely available in Urban Priority Areas.

Contact your local Housing Executive Grants Office for more information on which areas are targeted by the Housing Executive for help with grants.

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