Serious doubt hangs over the future of Premier Daniel Andrews’ highly publicised overhaul of Victoria’s rental laws, with no legislation yet introduced and the state election looming.

Just weeks before the November Northcote byelection — an area with a high proportion of renters — Mr Andrews announced 14 proposals to “make renting fair”.

Plans to release bonds earlier and make it easier for renters to keep pets were among the changes widely praised by tenants, who make up more than one-quarter of the Victorian population.

But almost five months later, no legislation has been introduced into parliament and key industry and advocacy bodies say they are in the dark, with no further details released since the Greens snatched Northcote.

Heavily weighted in favour of tenants, the proposed changes include introducing a blacklist for landlords, requiring landlords to give a reason to end a tenancy, prohibiting landlords from inviting higher bids from prospective tenants and allowing renters to make minor modifications to a property.

The government has indicated more reforms are on their way but would not be drawn on when any legislation would be tabled in parliament, leading the tenants’ union and other advocacy organisations to criticise the government’s slow progress.

“We are worried that these reforms will be lost forever if not acted upon before the upcoming state election,” said Tenants Union Victoria spokeswoman Devon LaSalle.

With just 34 sitting days of parliament before the November state election, it is becoming increasingly likely the bill will be debated well into the next government’s term.

Consumer affairs minister Marlene Kairouz declined an interview. In a statement she said: “It’s a big job and we make no apologies for taking the time to do it properly and to consult widely with the community.”

The Real Estate Institute of Victoria, the peak industry body representing landlords and property workers, strongly opposed most of the reforms.

“Owning a rental property is a significant financial investment and any future legislation needs to balance the rights of all parties — not just tenants as the announced reforms do,” chief executive Gil King said.

Mr King said a petition, launched to call on the government to review the changes, had more than 12,000 signatures. The institute has spent recent months lobbying the opposition and key upper house crossbenchers.

Opposition consumer affairs spokeswoman Heidi Victoria said the proposed reforms were “radical changes” that could leave property investors unfairly disadvantaged.

“I think the government has to be very, very careful if they are going to push ahead with anything if they have not consulted the REIV and other peak bodies,” Ms Victoria said. “If reform happens, it’s got to be reform that is fair and balanced.”

Any legislation is expected to pass the lower house, where the government has a majority, but is likely to meet opposition in the upper house, where minor parties and the Greens hold the balance of power.

The Australian Conservatives’ Rachel Carling-Jenkins has previously called for a parliamentary inquiry before any changes. The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers’ Jeffrey Bourman said he hoped the legislation was “fair for both parties”.

The Greens say the reforms don’t go far enough. Member for Northcote and consumer affairs spokeswoman Lidia Thorpe said annual rent increases should be capped at 2.5 per cent.

The 14 proposed changes announced in October