Mazots... talk to me

[LDN]

We have been offered a Mazot close to our place in the Alps; the owner wants 12,000 euro; it's about 4 metres by 4 metres and potentially, could house two levels.

Here's the bit I don't get - it's apparently below the threshold for any official transaction to be needed; no notarie or contract. I asked whether the piece of land that it directly sits on is included and she said 'oh no' just the structure itself - but she's happy for it to stay where it is... do these mazots change hands regularly like this? I suppose it's like buying a very large garden shed? And then needing somewhere to plonk it down. I think I could build something better for less than what she wants - so I can't see why their value is that much...

[mybrainhurts]

I don't know what you're talking about, but she's French so she'll most likely surrender. HTH...

[Bernard1973]

Is it a joke ?
In France, when you buy a house, you buy the piece of land where the house is !
It's an official transaction with notarie act.
In this act, you will find the different surfaces, road acces...
A garden shed wich is less than 20m2 just need an "autorisation" to be built. No need to pay a "liscence to built". The other condition is that your garden shed or bbq place must not fixed on the ground.
Its impossible to buy an official (declared) building without buy the piece of land....
Its a strange proposal !
I'm not very fluent in English, excuse me.
Ask me if you need more informations

[LDN]

Bernard1973 said:

Is it a joke ?
In France, when you buy a house, you buy the piece of land where the house is !
It's an official transaction with notarie act.
In this act, you will find the different surfaces, road acces...
A garden shed wich is less than 20m2 just need an "autorisation" to be built. No need to pay a "liscence to built". The other condition is that your garden shed or bbq place must not fixed on the ground.
Its impossible to buy an official (declared) building without buy the piece of land....
Its a strange proposal !
I'm not very fluent in English, excuse me.
Ask me if you need more informations

Thank you. It is as I thought. I believe she wants to sell the mazot, for it to be removed eventually... but for now, she is happy for it to stay where it is and be used. It is a strange proposal and I'm happy that you confirmed this!

[Bernard1973]

Yes !
And sure you had to pay cash and not with a cheque.....
Have a good day

[mikey77]

What's a mazot? I've looked in every dictionary I have and can't find the word. People around here use a lot of patois and bits of the old language (Limouzi) but I've never heard that one.

[LDN]

It's like an expensive shed that was used to store valuables but now we see them being converted for accommodation; they are often large enough... I think it's an Alps thing rather than a French thing:
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com...

[Frexit]

Like the others said, run a mile. If you look online it's probably on the cadastre (village plans) as an outline building and you would need some sort of permis to remove it.

[LDN]

Thanks all; we have passed on it; not sure we needed the extra space - but for the money, I couldn't resist having a look!