He told the Daily Post: “If you are in hardship and arrears we can negotiate. If there is a problem you cannot ignore it. We look at each case on its merits.”

But Simon Gordon, Head of Communications, NLA, speaking out against this “ill-advised practice”, said: “It is surely just a matter of time before someone gets hurts.

“This kind of behaviour will only serve to alienate the tenant and the authorities are certain to take a dim view. This practice is almost certainly illegal.

“While we understand the threat to both landlords and letting agents of tenants failing to keep up with their rental payments, this form of public humiliation is a recipe for disaster and does nothing for the reputation of the sector.

“The credit crunch affects everyone. The bottom line is if a cash-strapped tenant is consistently failing to pay the rent, then the landlord should seek possession of the property as soon as possible and cut their losses.

“It’s then up to the landlord to pursue the tenant for monies owed through the proper and legal channels.

“The NLA advises landlords and letting agents not to take the law into their own hands. Instigating some kind of medieval witch-hunt against tenants is a very bad idea. There must be a better way.”

liammurphy