Dear Mary: How can we restrict who signs our visitors’ book?

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.