Landlords could hike rents just once a year and the increase would be capped at the rate of inflation, under a Greens plan to strengthen the rights of NSW's burgeoning army of renters.

About twice as many Australians rent now as in 1981 – a trend dubbed "Generation Rent" – but residential tenancy laws have not kept pace with the needs of renters, Newtown Greens candidate Jenny Leong said.

Renters including those in Newtown often live in uncertainty about when they will next have to move. Credit:Christopher Pearce

"Renters across NSW often live in uncertainty about when they will next have to move, with short-term lease agreements and few protections against evictions or rapid rent increases," she said.

"The property market has been driven by the interests of big developers and speculative investors looking to make profits, and it's more difficult than ever for people to find affordable rentals or save to own their own home."