Zack Polanski, the Deputy Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, has apologized for what he describes as an “unintentional mistake” regarding unpaid council tax linked to a houseboat he occupied in London. The admission follows a series of investigative reports that highlighted discrepancies between Polanski’s official residency claims and his actual living arrangements over the past three years.
The controversy centers on a narrowboat moored at a marina, which evidence suggests served as Polanski’s primary residence. While the Green Party initially maintained that Polanski lived in a rented room elsewhere in the city—where council tax was included in the rent—and only visited the boat occasionally, subsequent reporting has painted a different picture of his daily life.
The shift in narrative comes after The Times and The Daily Mail produced evidence suggesting the boat was more than a holiday retreat. This includes a sale advertisement for the vessel in which Polanski’s partner explicitly mentioned “moving house,” as well as testimony from a local laundrette that had regularly handled laundry for the couple between 2023 and 2025.
The residency discrepancy and the paper trail
The crux of the issue lies in the legal definition of a “main residence” for council tax purposes. Under UK law, the property where a person spends the majority of their time is typically subject to council tax, regardless of whether that property is a traditional house or a permanent mooring for a boat.
Initially, the Green Party attempted to shield Polanski from accusations of tax avoidance by stating he resided in a rented room in London. However, investigative findings suggested a more permanent tie to the marina. Beyond the laundrette’s records, The Mail reported that Polanski had been registered to vote at a nearby building used as a postal address for several boat residents, further suggesting the marina was his center of life.
The contradiction became untenable when an advertisement to sell the narrowboat appeared. In the listing, Polanski’s partner wrote, “We are moving house and so will sadly be leaving the gorgeous community behind.” The use of the phrase “moving house” strongly implies that the boat functioned as their primary home, rather than a secondary or occasional residence.
Expert analysis on tax obligations
The situation has drawn the attention of tax specialists who argue that the facts point toward a clear liability. Neidle, a prominent tax investigator known for scrutinizing the financial affairs of politicians through his Tax Policy Associates website, analyzed the available evidence this week.
Neidle concluded that if the narrowboat was indeed the couple’s primary residence, the failure to pay council tax was a significant oversight. “If, as seems likely, that was his main residence, then Mr Polanski and his partner should have paid council tax there,” Neidle wrote, noting that the “occasional stay” defense is rarely supported when voting registrations and utility-like services (such as laundry) are tied to a specific location over several years.
For a political figure within the Green Party—a party that frequently advocates for the strengthening of public services and the fair contribution of wealth to the state—the optics of a tax “mistake” are particularly damaging. Council tax is the primary funding mechanism for local services, including waste management and social care, making any avoidance of these payments a point of political vulnerability.
The Green Party’s pivot
As the evidence mounted, the Green Party’s public positioning shifted from denial to damage control. After initially insisting the boat was used only occasionally, a party spokesperson eventually provided a more candid statement to the BBC.
The spokesperson admitted that “until relatively recently, Zack was living on a houseboat,” though they added that such living arrangements come with “unique practical circumstances and considerations.” The party did not elaborate on what those specific considerations were, nor did they explain why the initial claims of a rented room were provided to the press.
The party confirmed that Polanski has now “immediately taken steps to pay any council tax he may be found to owe.” Despite the apology, the party continues to decline requests to disclose Polanski’s specific address, citing security concerns.
| Stage | Green Party Position | Evidence/Counter-Claim |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Response | Lived in rented room; boat used “occasionally.” | Laundrette records (2023-2025) showing regular use. |
| Investigation | Maintained rented room status. | Voter registration at marina postal address. |
| Public Reveal | Claimed “unique circumstances.” | Sale ad stating they were “moving house.” |
| Current Status | Admission of houseboat residency. | Steps taken to pay back-taxes. |
Why this matters for local governance
The “narrowboat loophole” is a known point of contention for local councils. While some boaters live “off-grid” and move frequently to avoid permanent mooring (and thus avoid council tax), those with permanent moorings in marinas are generally required to pay. When high-profile figures are seen to bypass these rules, it can lead to increased scrutiny and a crackdown on other residents in similar communities.
The impact of this controversy extends beyond Polanski’s personal finances. It raises questions about the internal vetting and transparency of the Green Party’s leadership, particularly regarding the consistency of information provided to the media during a crisis.
Disclaimer: This article discusses matters of tax liability and residency law. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.
The next step in this process will be the formal assessment by the relevant local authority to determine the exact amount of arrears owed. Polanski is expected to settle these payments in full, though it remains unclear if he will face additional penalties for the three-year period in question.
Do you think public figures should be held to a higher standard regarding tax “mistakes”? Share your thoughts in the comments or share this story on social media.
