The Minns government is seeking to cap rental increases to once a year statewide, under new reforms introduced to state parliament on Tuesday morning.

The rent reforms will also end “no ground evictions”, which would make landlords have to provide reasonable and sensible reasons for ending a fixed term or periodic lease.

Current rental laws allow for multiple rent hikes for fixed-term leases of less than two years, or when there is a change in the type of lease, such as from periodic to fixed term.

Building Minister Anoulack Chanthivong said the move would provide “greater certainty and protection for renters”, and make it harder for tenants to be evicted if they have pets or prefer to make rental payments via bank transfer or the federal government’s Centrepay platform.

“Ensuring renters can only be hit with one rent increase a year will provide greater certainty and protection for renters regardless of whether their lease type changes,” Chanthivong said.