Experts have dismissed claims proposed changes to Western Australia's rental tenancy laws would lead to an investment exodus.
The state government is considering a number of departmental recommendations, including removing "no grounds" evictions and allowing tenants to make minor modifications to properties without seeking the owner's consent.
The Real Estate Institute of WA has claimed the proposed changes would leave tenants and owners worse off.
A survey of more than 7000 investors, commissioned by the group and conducted by economic consultancy Synergies, has found 61 per cent would sell their properties if the changes were adopted.
WA housing advocates on Monday labelled the claim "grossly exaggerated".
A review by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute and other experts, written on behalf of Shelter WA and Circle Green Community Legal, has found the concerns are not supported by evidence in other jurisdictions.
Report co-author Chris Martin, from the City Futures Research Centre at UNSW, said the removal of no grounds evictions in Victoria except for during the first lease had not resulted in rental increases or loss of properties.
"The review concluded that the negative impacts predicted are inaccurate, exaggerated, and have not been observed in other jurisdictions where similar reforms have taken place," Dr Martin said.
"It would be fantastic to see WA come into line with Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania which have made great changes to their tenancy laws in recent years, with no ill effects on investor activity or the cost to manage the property."
Shelter WA chief executive Michelle Mackenzie said a claim the proposed changes would cost the government an extra $1.3 billion in additional social housing was "plainly ridiculous".
"Our worry is they're unnecessarily scaring the community about really wonderful changes that could bring huge benefits to renters and landlords alike," she said.
Real Estate Institute of WA president Damian Collins last month said the Synergies findings were deeply concerning and would strip investors of their rights.
"There are fewer than 2500 properties currently available for rent in Perth and vacancy rates across the state are at or near record lows," he said.
"Now is not the time to introduce reforms that would further discourage investors from buying in WA."
The McGowan government has so far declined to comment on the recommendations made by WA's consumer protections department.
