Q. We own an estate and house in Devon. It is mostly used by family members but we do let several prime weeks. Our last tenant has annoyed us by writing in the family visitors’ book (a very personal and historic archive). She listed ‘improvements’ we could make, such as installing Sky television and providing more Thermos flasks, and clearly encouraged the rest of her party to sign and also contribute comments. We get well-remunerated for these lets and my husband says we mustn’t snub them but how, without striking the wrong note, can I make it clear that this is a family-only visitors’ book?

– Name and address withheld

A. This inexperienced tenant is probably in the habit of providing Tripadvisor-type comments wherever she goes. Hide your visitors’ book and purchase a separate one for paying guests. Leave a note beside it encouraging punters to write descriptions of their visit. Most will gush with positive feedback. This can be useful should a future renter try it on – e.g. by asking for a refund on a bogus pretext. You can take a photocopy of the positive praise and send it back to confound their allegations.

Q. My boss is planning a treat for those in the office who form a team that has just won a big contract. We are being asked to put a deposit down from our own pockets to secure a gin palace in the Med which we will occupy for an autumn weekend. However I have secretly accepted a job offer from a rival firm and shall hand in my notice in six weeks. How can I avoid having to pay the £750 without arousing suspicion?

– Name and address withheld

A. It is sensible to stay on good terms with former colleagues. Pay the £750 and, when you give in your notice, ask guilelessly if you can still go on the jaunt anyway. If your boss says no – he may understandably not want a rival firm’s representative on board – at least you will have shown goodwill and the pressure will be on him to reimburse you.

Q. I work in a small design firm with mainly other women. A colleague has had her hair cut far too short, exposing a large skin tag on the back of her neck. We assume that she doesn’t know it’s there – but how do we tell her without undermining her self-esteem?

– G.J., London W1

A. Suddenly walk purposefully towards her from behind, crooning: ‘Don’t panic and don’t move but I think you’ve got a tick on the back of your neck. Let’s photograph it and blow it up so we can see if the head is embedded.’ You can then show the result as you gasp: ‘Oh phew. It’s not a tick. It’s just one of those things they can cut off in Harley Street while you wait. I had one taken off myself last week.’