Q: We converted the top floor of our Victorian terraced house into a self-contained "granny flat" with its own entrance, for my widowed mother. The flat is a separate dwelling for Council Tax. Now that Mother has gone into long-term care and our children are at university, the flat is empty. We don't want the fuss of being landlords and responsible for repairs. Instead we wondered if we could we simply sell off the flat; and, as long as we keep paying the mortgage, is there really any need for us to go through all the paperwork and hassle of getting permission from the bank?

Q:  I have worked my employer for 13 years and 4 years ago I was asked to move departments. Last week we were all told we could apply for voluntary redundancy in accordance with funding cuts. I applied and worked out my redundancy package based on my 13 years employment. My application was accepted but the pay-off details stated that I only received a payment based on the last 4 years. I queried this and was told that my contract changed when I moved departments and that is all I am entitled to. Is this correct? .

Q.  I own a commercial property. My tenant told me he had some financial difficulties but hoped to pay owed rent the following month. Three months on he has paid nothing and has left the property. He is saying he owes me nothing, and is also refusing to hand back the keys. What should I do?.

Q:  Our son recently got into a fight at school and the head teacher called in the police.  Now it seems the police are holding an investigation into the incident and they have asked us to accompany our son to the police station as they need to ask him a few questions about what happened.  Would it be advisable for us to have a solicitor present?

Q:  My late husband and I owned our family home jointly. For tax reasons, my husband was advised to leave his share in the property directly to our four children, all of whom have "flown the nest". Although they have all promised me that the house is mine to live in for as long as I wish, why am I the only one paying the mortgage each month? The children have not heard anything from the building society and it seems unfair that their father's share has gone to them but I am left paying for it.