Zack Polanski admits he may not have paid correct council tax on London houseboat

LocalPolitics
12 May 2026 • 4:39 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Zack Polanski admits he may not have paid correct council tax on London houseboat

  • Greens leader Zack Polanski has admitted he may not have paid the correct amount of council tax for his houseboat in London, which is under scrutiny as his potential primary residence.
  • A Green Party spokesperson described the situation as an "unintentional mistake" and stated that Mr Polanski is taking immediate steps to settle any outstanding tax.
  • This admission contradicts earlier claims by the Green Party that Mr Polanski rented a room elsewhere and used the boat only occasionally.
  • Government guidance indicates that council tax is due on a boat if it serves as an individual's "sole or main" residence, a point echoed by tax lawyer Dan Neidle's analysis.
  • The controversy emerges after Mr Polanski declared "two-party politics is dead" following significant Green Party gains in recent local elections, including two mayoral victories in London.

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