Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay introduced the reforms in the Legislative Assembly in October last year, including changes to stop landlords charging above-inflation rents unless a tenant agrees or a tribunal allows it.

The changes would also allow tenants to make some minor changes to properties without formal written approval from owners, allow pets in more rental properties and put the onus on landlords to prove steep rent increases were reasonable.

But the real estate institute late last year urged the government to reconsider the changes, arguing it could see owners increase rents to help make up additional costs, at a time of rising taxes and rates.

Opposition housing spokesman Mark Parton has echoed the agents' concerns, after Canberra's median rents were found to be $560 a week, overtaking Sydney's median rents, despite lower rents for most smaller units.

Mr Parton said given the high rents Canberrans were now facing, the government had to reconsider the "more extreme elements" of the tenancy reforms, particularly those measures to limit rent increases.

While real estate agents wanted more concessions for owners, tenants rights groups have argued the changes did not go far enough, and are taking too long to implement, given the reforms stem from a discussion paper released in 2014.

But Mr Ramsay's spokesman said the changes were a balanced approach to improve tenants rights as well as considering the interests of property owners.

"The changes provide a disincentive to unfair rent increases by requiring the owner to seek approval from the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal for any increases above a prescribed amount, unless agreed to by the tenant," he said.

"This prescribed amount will be set at the rate of inflation for rentals in Canberra plus 10 per cent and will be set by regulation allowing the government to intervene if there are significant changes in the rental market."

But Mr Ramsay said owners were still able to increase rents above the inflation-plus-10 per cent level, as long as the tenant agrees or where the tribunal considers it is not excessive, based on several factors.

"Rate approvals will consider the rental rates for comparable premises, the state of repair of the premises, services provided by the owner to the tenant and the outgoings or costs of the owner in relation to the premises," he said.

While introduced last year, the legislation has not yet been passed.

Clarification: This article has been edited to reflect that the legislation has not yet been passed.