The COVID-19 pandemic brought a new sense of vibrancy to the market for rural houses as auctioneers and estate agents reported an increase in demand for houses outside the large urban centres. Working from home became an acceptable option and people who lived in cities out of necessity now had an option to look further afield. It added a new sense of vibrancy to rural communities and it appears that similar is underway since the introduction of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant (VPRG). Launched in July 2022, it was initially only available for properties in towns and villages. Calls came for the net to be thrown wider and by November of that year, it was extended nationwide. It has seen increased demand in rural houses, some of which have laid vacant for a short period of time while others may not have been slept in for generations.