Q&A

Your property questions answered.

Sustainable heating systems and qualifying for grants

We recently built a house and during the build were very interested in the possibility of sustainable heating systems, but discounted them because they seemed an expensive option. We have now heard that there are now grants for this and typically we have missed the boat. Is there anything we can do?

You are, I think, referring to the new Greener Homes Scheme. This is a newly announced scheme (though it was flagged in the last Budget) to help and encourage householders, to obtain grants for the installation of renewable technologies, including wood pellet stoves and boilers, solar panels and geothermal heat pumps. The size of the grant depends on the technology involved - from €300 up to €5,000.

The good news for you is that it applies to both new builds and to existing houses. It is generally agreed that installing any system is an easier, less expensive process when done at the time that the house is being built, however it's never too late for homeowners to review their energy systems and most systems can be installed in a house of any age.

These systems can appear to be expensive in terms of the initial cost but the long view should always be taken when installing anything as major as a heating system and costs work out over a long period.

Geothermal heat systems, for example, are expensive to install in comparison to, say, a gas boiler, but over a period of years they can work out more cost-effective. Details of the scheme and application forms are available on the SEI website from today (www.sei.ie), or 1850 734 734.

Quick fix for overgrown garden before selling

Any quick (cheap) fix advice on dealing with the gardens of a house I am selling? Basically, it's an executor's sale of a 1950s terraced house with a scrubby, neglected front garden and bare back garden. Every other house in the estate seems to have had the landscapers in. Is it worth my while doing the same to attract buyers? The agent says not to bother.

The agent is probably right. Landscapers are not a cheap proposition and, if you went full tilt at it and had the gardens landscaped to a high level, it could make the house look shabby - which rather defeats the exercise. Do a ruthless tidy-up of both gardens - cut grass, cut back wildly overgrown hedges and weed borders and flowerbeds. Overgrown hedges can crowd a garden and make it seem much smaller. Clean patio and path areas with a power-hose to remove winter grime and any moss.

Most gardens have assorted debris - such as broken toys, past-its-best garden furniture, broken flowerpots, etc - so get rid of anything like that. If there's a sagging washing line in the back garden that can go, use it to mend any broken fences.

Gardens are only starting to come into their own so expectations are going to be fairly low in terms of planting, etc. As it's an executor's sale it's likely that there is some work to be done on the house so leave getting the landscaping makeover for the next owner.

Send your queries to Property Questions, The Irish Times, 10-16 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2 or email propertyquestions@irish-times.ie.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to respond to all questions. The above is a representative sample of queries received. This column is a readers' service and is not intended to replace professional advice. No individual correspondence will be entered into.