The report Disrupted: the consumer experience of renting in Australia found more than one-third of Tasmanians reported that a 10 per cent increase in rent would be either difficult or very difficult to afford.

It found nearly half of all Tasmanian rentals were in need of repairs but 44 per cent of tenants believed a request for repairs could see them evicted.

Bathrooms in particular have repair issues, as reported by nearly 80 per cent of tenants.

Tenants’ Union of Tasmania principal solicitor Meredith Barton said renting in Tasmania, and particularly in the Hobart region, was becoming increasingly uncertain for tenants.

“The tightening of the rental market is seeing this uncertainty begin immediately during the application process with more and more tenants applying for the same properties,” she said.

Ms Barton said the Residential Tenancy Act needed to be modernised.

“We call for law reform so that tenants have the security of knowing that if they pay their rent on time and keep the place in good condition, they will be able to remain in their homes long term,” she said. The report showed that 83 per cent of tenants stated they had experienced stress caused by moves not of their choosing with particular impacts on families with children.