SLUM landlord Mohammed Aslam has had assets seized over a six-figure bill from the council.

SLUM landlord Mohammed Aslam has had assets seized over a six-figure bill from the council.

Earlier this year, the Evening Times exposed disgraceful conditions at flats rented out by the businessman who owns dozens of properties in Govanhill and across the city.

Now all of his flats have been sequestrated after Glasgow City Council successfully sued him for council tax and other arrears totalling more than £116,000.

He could even lose his own luxury home if he fails to pay.

Mr Aslam defended the action at Glasgow Sheriff Court saying he was not liable for council tax payments.

But he also faced major bills for his share of emergency repair work at a number of closes where he operated flats.

He owed business rates of more than £16,000 on properties including office space, and a sheriff ruled he was in fact liable for the unpaid council tax.

Mr Aslam's entire estate has been placed in trust under the control of sequestrators Tenon Scotland, of Blythswood Square.

Earlier this year the Evening Times revealed squalid conditions in a flat Mr Aslam rented to a Roma family in Allison Street, Govanhill.

Council inspectors shut down the grossly overcrowded flat after finding violations, including a cooker in the toilet.

At another, also overcrowded flat, cockroaches and other insects swarmed around a sleeping baby while heaters had to be kept on full even in summer because Mr Aslam refused to replace a broken window. He left thin hardboard against the empty frame instead.

The court was shown details of nine bills for Mr Aslam's share of compulsory urgent repairs at the Allison Street close, such as repairs to drains and the roof and six back court clean-ups.

The bills totalling more than £480 ranged from £25 to £163.33 but he refused to pay any.

Sheriff Officers told the court they had visited Mr Aslam's home on a number of occasions to serve notices for non- payment.

Many people who knew the landlord believed he stayed in a former council flat in the north of Govanhill.

But when the Evening Times visited earlier this year, neighbours said it had been rented out and Mr Aslam had not been seen there for several months.

Instead, he now lives in a spacious detached villa in Crosshill where neighbours include former Lord Provost Michael Kelly.

He is only a short walk from some of the worst slum housing he rented out to tenants.

Just two properties, including the Ardbeg Street flat where he initially claimed to live, were subject to 12 summary warrants for non-payment of council tax after racking up bills totalling more than £14,000 between them in less than six years.

Local MSP Frank McAveety praised the council for taking action against what he called "an extreme case".

He said: "Mr Aslam has shown a wilful disregard for his financial responsibilities.

"A strong message has been sent out to all landlords who have ignored their responsibilities for too long."

Mr Aslam was not available for comment when the Evening Times visited his home. Sequestrators Tenon Scotland were also unavailable.

A council spokesman said: "We can confirm that the council has pursued a sequestration order in relation to unpaid debts of £116,000.

"We have been in contact with the trustee and we await his decision."

Earlier this year we revealed that Glasgow City Council was taking action against Mr Aslam after he failed to register as a landlord despite the legal requirement to do so.

He later applied to be registered and was rejected because of the condition of some of his flats.

Last week Mr Aslam was in court to challenge the council decision that effectively bars him from renting out any flat for commercial gain.

The case was continued.