An agent and landlord who pocketed deposits worth almost £7,000 has been barred from the industry.

Shaban Rehman, who ran letting agency Better Homes Glasgow, was found to be no longer a fit and proper person to be a landlord or agent.

He has now been removed from the Private Landlord’s Register by Glasgow City Council and his lettings business has gone into liquidation.

If Rehman attempts to let any of his eight flats, or the 20 that he managed through his letting agency, he is automatically committing a criminal offence and can be fined up to £50,000.

Investigators from the council’s Private Landlord Registration Unit found Rehman had failed to place two deposits totalling £6,950 with an approved tenancy deposit scheme.

Glasgow City Council has also served rent penalty notices against him, which prevent him from collecting rent on his properties.

Richard Brown, executive director of the council’s development and regeneration services, said: “This kind of appalling behaviour by a registered landlord can never be tolerated.

“Shaban Rehman has taken money from blameless tenants in bad faith and caused his victims untold distress and inconvenience.

“There is no question that he is no longer a fit and proper person to act as a landlord. By his own actions, he has ceased to be a legitimate landlord and has damaged trust in the private sector rental market.”

A question for any lawyers out there who might be reading this: Is there any equivalent mechanism in England for banning a letting agent and/or landlord?