A landlord has been banned in Scotland, where there is a mandatory register of all private landlords.

It is the first time that the authority in question, South Ayrshire Council, has taken such action.

Leonardo Ippolito is not considered a fit and proper person for the register. It will be a criminal offence for him to operate as a landlord once he has discharged his duties to end his current tenancies.

The council has spent several years trying to ensure that his 14 properties met legal and safety requirements. However, none had any valid gas safety certificates, almost half were below standard and every single one was in need of maintenance and repair. One property had water coming through a light socket, and another had exposed electrics.

Ippolito, said to have three convictions for operating unlicensed HMOs, failed to bring the properties up to standard.

His registration was revoked in November 2013, and a new application for registration refused last August.

Ippolito had appealed both decisions. However, at Ayr Sheriff Court he submitted an undertaking that he had exhausted his right of appeal and agreed not to pursue any further action.

Cllr Philip Saxton of South Ayrshire Council, said: “The removal of Mr Ippolito from the Register of Landlords brings to an end a long and arduous process that would have been completely unnecessary if he had only conducted himself as a fit and proper landlord – as the majority are – rather than continuing to operate these houses of horror.”

Wales is set to bring in national registration of all private landlords, and also all letting agents.