Yes, all the properties will be sold on a freehold basis.

The stamp duty payable will be 2% and there is also a government tax of 2% to be paid when purchasing the property.

You may use a solicitor from the UK but this may cause you many difficulties as they will not be familiar with Indian Law; we advise that you use the solicitor in India offered to all our clients.

Ludovico Ferrao & Co. Chartered Accountants CA - Ludovico Ferrao - Mobile +91 9822589353 Lawyer - Satira Britto 610, 6th Floor, Dempo Towers, Pato Plaza, Near Kadamba Bus Terminal, Panaji, Goa - 403001 Panjim Office Tel: +91 832 2438784 or 3226003 e-mail: lferrao@sify.com

If you are an NRI or have Indian Ancestry (Meaning either you, your parents, or Grandparents were born in India), then you are entitled to purchase and own property in India on a freehold basis.

If you are not an NRI or do not have Indian ancestry then there are three methods under which you may purchase the property:

i) You have to be a resident in India for 182 days in the previous 12 months in order to buy a freehold property.

ii) If you have not been resident in India for 182 days out of the previous 12 months, then you may buy the property on a leasehold basis. In such situations the developer can offer a 58 month renewable lease to the purchaser on completion and there will also be a clause that the freehold and any profits on the freehold will be given to the lessee.

iii) The purchaser can set up a company in India and purchase the property through that company. And the rent you receive from the property will be the activity the property requires.