Zack Polanski accused of ‘squatting’ in houseboat | Politics | News

Zack Polanski has been accused of “squatting” on a houseboat after it was revealed he broke marina rules by living there with his partner. The Green Party leader lived on the narrowboat at Green Valley Marina in Springfield for three years, even though it did not grant permanent residence.

Boat owners may stay on board overnight for up to seven consecutive nights in a month if they are only working on their boat. Mr Polanski admitted he had not paid council tax on the houseboat that had been his home until recently. There is no allegation that he deliberately violated the rules.

MP Phil Brickell said: “It seems like one rule for you, another rule for me. Zack Polanski should come clean and apologize if necessary.”

A Lee Valley Park spokesman said all boat owners were required to provide proof of their home address before entering into a non-residential agreement to moor there.

But Mr. Polanski’s lawyers said he gave the address of the property where he lived just before moving to the marina.

A lawyer for Mr Polanski said: “Our client was living as a property guardian before moving into the boat in August 2022. This was one of the few affordable housing options available to him in London at a time marked by economic uncertainty, austerity and significant cost of living pressures.”

They added: “The address stated in the mooring agreement is the address of the property for which our client was the property guardian immediately before moving onto the boat.”

They continued: “It is well known that individuals often reside on moored vessels under such agreements.

But Conservative Party leader Kevin Hollinrake said: “Polanski, an apparent squatter, should know that no one is above the rules that everyone is expected to follow.”

Mr. Polanski’s lawyers said he and his partner were never “challenged or reprimanded” by the marina operators, the local government or any other party regarding his residence on the boat.

A Lee Valley Park spokesman said: “If mooring owners remain beyond the permitted seven consecutive days to carry out improvements, repairs and maintenance, the mooring agreement sets out a clear process for breach of agreement or rules, which may result in termination of the agreement.

He added: “We do not discuss details of individual bedholders.”

Mr Polanski was cleared by the Greater London Authority (GLA) last month following a complaint that he had failed to pay council tax on a houseboat in Hackney.

The issue was raised following reports that the politician was registered to vote at a marina address in east London but had not paid council tax.

Mr Polanski’s lawyers said: “Our client’s position has been clear and consistently maintained throughout. This is set out extensively in his witness statement to the GLA.

In his letter dated 10 June 2026 he says: ‘I occupied the narrowboat in accordance with the mooring agreement made with the Authority [Lee Valley Regional Park Authority]. The agreement provided for recreational anchorage rather than permanent settlement; but there is a lot of discussion on the internet that it is generally commonplace in marinas for people to live on boats moored under such agreements.’”

His lawyers added: “He genuinely believed that his residence on the boat was legitimate.”