A NSW Labor government would legislate an end to the practice of rent bidding, to curb the spiralling cost of tenancy.

The promise ahead of the March election comes as rents skyrocket in Sydney and in regional areas of the state.

NSW’s median weekly rent rose from $386 to $420 between 2016 and 2021.

With one in three NSW households now renters, state Opposition Leader Chris Minns said Labor had prepared legislation to ban secret rent bidding, a practice where perspective tenants are pitted against each other to secure properties.

Labor is also proposing to introduce a portable bond scheme to help relieve some of the cost pressures of moving homes by allowing renters to transfer their bond from one property to another.

“If parliament sits before the March election, we’ll have legislation ready to go to make renting fairer to end the secret bidding wars that drive up the cost of rentals, and for a portable bond scheme,” Mr Minns said on Monday.

More people were becoming lifetime renters and more than a third of renters were paying more than 30 per cent of their household income towards their weekly rent.

He has also promised to establish a rental commissioner to be an advocate and voice for tenants, who would work closely with government, consumer affairs and stakeholders.

“We’ll install a rental commissioner, whose job will be to hold landlords and agents to a high standard to ensure fairness across the rental market,” Mr Minns said.

“I know how important and difficult housing affordability has become and these measures help to ensure every person has access to a safe and affordable roof over their head, regardless of whether you rent or own your own home.”

The NSW election is on March 25.

-AAP