Permission to Search
Every single piece of land in this country has an owner, and if you
want to metal detect on that land then you need the owners
permission. It is always best to get the landowners
permission in writing if you can. You can always combine a
permission to search agreement with a finds division
agreement - kill two birds with one stone.
Unfortunately there is no magic formula for getting land
to detect on and, at least where I live, it is getting
harder and harder to find detecting friendly farmers.
If you are successful in getting permission to search, remember to ask the landowner if there are scheduled
monuments on his or her property - this is particularly
important - as you cannot detect on a scheduled monument
even if you have the landowners permission. To search a
scheduled monument requires a license that you are very
unlikely to get.
Finds Division Agreements
Be sure to agree terms with the landowner on finds
division before you even think about detecting on their
land, and get this agreement in writing. A finds division agreement
could save you from a legal nightmare should you find a
valuable item or hoard.
The vast majority of farmers and landowners are honest
hardworking people who would never dream of trying to rip
you off, but the sight of gold and silver can do strange
things to people - it is better to have a finds division
agreement and not need it than to need a finds division
agreement and not have it.
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