The state's peak body for real estate agents says any bid to freeze rent payments to ease the strain on cash-strapped tenants' during the coronavirus crisis is "effectively asking the landlord to provide social housing".

In a statement released on Wednesday night, the industry body said that any government measure to temporarily remove tenants' obligations to pay rent could be exploited by occupants, amid a spike in renters fearing they could lose their homes as thousands join the welfare queue.

The NSW Tenants Union and other community organisations have called for a temporary ban on evictions. Credit:Glenn Hunt

"Once the opportunity to avoid paying rent is made available, some tenants who do not require assistance may see the opportunity to avoid their contractual obligations," the statement said.

The NSW Tenants Union and other community organisations have called for a temporary ban on evictions during a spike in renters seeking to negotiate hardship clauses or simply break their leases to avoid mounting rental arrears during a time of growing financial uncertainty.