Private renters in London may be less likely to register to vote than home owners and social renters, according to a study by the Mayor’s Office.

Boroughs with the highest proportion of private renters had the lowest level of voter registration, the research found.

Renters’ rights campaigners have said those renting privately are “effectively disenfranchised by their circumstances” because unstable tenancies and frequent moves make them less likely to register.

The proportion of private renters in London has grown from 11 per cent in 1990 to 26 per cent last year.

But rental costs have risen faster than wages, with the average one bed property in London now costing more than a three-bed in any other region of England.

Georgie Laming, campaign director for tenants organisation Generation Rent, said disconnect from communities was behind lower voter registration.

She said: “When you aren’t sure how long you’ll be living somewhere it can feel pointless to make lasting connections in your community, whether that’s registering to vote or getting to know your neighbours.”

Portia Msimang, project coordinator for Renters’ Rights London, said open-ended tenancies and a slow-down in rent hikes would help improve the situation.

She said: “It’s very worrying that so many Londoners are effectively disenfranchised by their circumstances as private renters.

“Londoners desperately need the security of tenure which open-ended tenancies would provide.

“Even then, for many years, London rents have risen much faster than wages. If this is allowed to continue, even more of us will be forced to move as a result.”

The City Hall study found Westminster had the lowest level of voter registration, with just 64 per cent of adults on the electoral role – it also had the highest proportion of private renters, 40 per cent of residents.

Meanwhile, Havering had the best record for voter registration, with 97 per cent of eligible adults enrolled – but the borough had a low renting population, making up just 11 per cent of locals.

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There were some outlying boroughs – Hammersmith and Fulham and Wandsworth both have high renting populations, with a third of people in private tenancies, but 87 per cent and 88 per cent voter signups respectively.

Sadiq Khan said the findings were further evidence that the Government should devolve rent control powers to City Hall.

Last month, the Mayor called for powers to set limits on high rents in an attempt to make London more affordable.

Mr Khan said: “London has more than two million private renters and they deserve the right to have a say in elections like everyone else.”

He added: “The private rented sector urgently needs to be overhauled so that tenants can better afford their rents and feel secure in their homes.”

But London Assembly Conservative housing spokesperson Andrew Boff said the Mayor should build more homes if he wanted to improve conditions for renters.

He said: “History shows that artificially supressing rents can deter landlords from investing in the rental market and deprive them of the money they need to adequately maintain their existing properties.

He added: “Make no mistake, introducing rent controls would lead to less security for renters.”