Goa is governed by portuguese law. Under the law all living members of the family have legal rights to the property. This is done to safegaurd everyone who has a legal right on the property. Therefore, it is necessary to have signed approval from all living family members for purchase/sale of ancestral property. So if the father bought property X, then his wife and heirs have legal rights to the property. All this makes buying property all the more cumbersome in Goa. Hence it is imperative to hire the best lawyer specializing in property sale & purchase.

In the event that you decide to purchase property in Goa, it could very well have tenants claiming tenancy rights on the property. You will get this information on the 'FORM I & XIV' available with the Land Survey Department, located in Panjim, Near the Panjim Police Station. On this form will be the name of the person(s) claiming tenancy rights to the property. It is therefore necessary to purchase these tenancy rights from the tenants and get their signed legal approval.