The last available data - from December - showed there were 3813 applications on the Housing Register, which excludes people already in social housing. The number had increased by 300 since the start of 2020.

The wait time to house priority applicants had decreased from 63 weeks in September to 54 weeks in December, however.

Related: More ambition needed: call for 1000 affordable houses a year for 10 years in Tasmania

The Liberals have promised 1500 more social housing premises by 2023, and another 2000 by 2027, while Labor promised 3500 in the next term of government. The Greens have committed to 8357 public housing properties by 2030 with a "housing first" approach.

Tasmanian Tenants' Union senior solicitor Ben Bartl said housing stress had continued to increase since the last election.

"There are more people in housing stress, there are more people who are homeless and there are more people waiting on the social housing waiting list," he said.

Related: What the 2020/21 budget included for housing in Tasmania

"This is one of the most fundamental asks of all of our political parties, so it's at least pleasing that all have committed to a significant increase in supply.

"But it's concerning that neither of the major parties are committing to building housing for everybody who needs one."

Both the Liberals and Labor claim that their promised changes to land tax could indirectly put downward pressure on residential rent costs in Tasmania.

The Liberals propose to increase the level at which land tax becomes payable from $25,000 to $50,000, and increase the maximum land value threshold to $400,000, while also bringing in a foreign investor land tax surcharge.

Labor promises to abolish land tax at $100,000 and below, cut it by 60 per cent between $100,000 and $150,000, and further smaller cuts up to $1 million, also with a foreign investor surcharge.

The Tenants' Union claims Tasmania has the weakest protections in the country when it comes to the rights of residential tenants, calling for a full review of the Residential Tenancy Act.

The Greens have agreed to repealing no reason end of lease evictions, to introduce rent control laws modelled on the ACT where they are linked to the consumer price index plus a percentage and to make it unlawful to prohibit assistance animals in tenancies.

Related: Few fines for Tasmanian landlords: man left homeless as rental becomes uninhabitable

They also plan to follow Victoria's model in preventing landlords from refusing tenants based on pets, introduce a standard tenancy agreement form and prioritise housing for women and families escaping family violence.

Labor agreed to review the Residential Tenancy Act when asked about each point individually, but confirmed it would provide stronger protections to victims of family violence seeking housing.

The Liberals ruled out introducing rent control measures, would not bring in a standard tenancy agreement form and was open to considering prioritising housing for victims of family violence. The party did state it would consider introducing a "pet bond".

Airbnb listings increased from 2874 in 2017 to 4459 in 2018, continuing that trajectory in subsequent years, with a University of Sydney study finding that 12 per cent of Hobart's rental market was dedicated to short-stay rentals.

Labor has promised to put an immediate pause on new short-stay accommodation permits for entire dwellings in areas of "high rental stress", and has committed to further regulation of the industry.

The Greens' promise was similar, limiting the number of whole-of-properties for short-stay in tight rental markets.

The Liberals did not make a commitment in this space, instead stating the party would "continue to monitor this sector" in considering further regulatory change.

For a chart of policies and full statements from parties, click here.