A landlord who attempted to claim that his property was exempt from HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) licensing regulations has been fined £15,000 after Lewisham Council prosecuted him for leaving his rented property in unsafe and dangerous conditions. Dr Paul Banks who owns a supposedly ‘ethical’ housing company, The Manna Housing, is known to be involved in various Permaculture and Raw food related festivals and organisations in the UK such as Buddhafield, Festival of Life, Funky Raw and Raw Food UK. It appears that Dr Banks, who prefers to be known as Paz- Spanish for peace, has for approximately 15 years lived a double life which has caused distress to many vulnerable people including young families.

Paul Banks who owns a four-storey house in Jerningham Road Lewisham, London was prosecuted following a visit to the property in May 2009 by Council officers, following a complaint from one of the tenants. It was discovered that Banks was in the middle of converting three of the floors into self-contained flats. Fourteen people were found to be living in rented rooms even though the house resembled a building site. During the inspection of the house officers found an absence of electrical power to parts of the house, unfinished kitchens and bathrooms, waste water discharging onto the ground, open unprotected trenches and dangerous electrics. Eleven contraventions of the regulations that govern houses in multiple occupation (HMO) were found, including: an absence of safety measures; unmaintained drainage and electricity; damp; disrepair; an absence of satisfactory fire precautions; numerous health and safety hazards and failure to maintain common parts, fixtures, fittings and appliances. In his defence Banks claimed that it was exempt from HMO licensing regulations by stating the house had upgraded facilities and a rearranged layout. Having multiple occupants living in the house, however, meant that it was governed by HMO regulations, which are designed to ensure that properties being rented are fit and safe to live in. Banks is reported to have said that it was the tenants’ responsibility for not being happy in the house and that they should focus on their ‘negative energy’. Banks was fined £13,000 for failure to comply with HMO management regulations and an additional £2,000 for failure to licence the property and £2,000 in costs at Woolwich Magistrates Court recently. Cllr Susan Wise, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, said: “People who pay rent in good faith have the right to expect safe conditions in which to live. Lewisham Council is keen to work with responsible landlords, preferring to work with them to improve their properties. However, we will prosecute those landlords who fail to ensure that their properties are managed properly, putting the health and safety of their tenants at risk.” A former tenant who wished to remain anonymous said “I contacted Manna Housing and Paul Banks thinking that finally I have found an ethical-minded landlord but my experience of him and his organisation has been to the contrary. It has been one of the most distressing and frustrating periods in my life and I urge others not to be taken in with promises of ‘housing with a heart’”. Paul Banks was not available for comment. Note to Editors Rebecca Tamcken is a freelance journalist and writer. rebecca.tamcken@gmail.com For More information on Paul Banks and Manna Housing visit: http://www.themannahouse.com/index.asp