in fact, not all properties inside favelas are registered with the city's prefecture, and a standard deed may not be available. 

many houses in these communities were built unregulated on land that is now owned via a 'posse', a document attesting to a type of legalized semi-official occupation of a portion of land.

furthermore, being 'posses' the most common form of documentation within favelas, all real estate transactions have to be examined and approved by the council of the community board -associação dos moradores.

though the process can be a bit complicated, owning a small brick house on a hill with a great view of the ocean might really be worth the extra leg work - we cover in more detail real estate in favelas  on this page.