What is the Association of Tenancy Relations Officers (ATRO) ?
ATRO represents Tenancy Relations Officers and other officers working in local authorities in England and Wales who enforce the Protection From Eviction Act 1977 or take other steps to prevent and deter unlawful eviction and harassment in the private rented sector.
ATRO aims to promote best practice in the use of local authority powers and duties to enforce rights and maintain standards in private sector housing in England and Wales.
ATRO will endeavour to achieve this by:
1. Providing support and training to individual members to ensure high standards of:
- advice, mediation and facilitation
- enforcement
- education and training
- monitoring
2. Campaigning:
- on issues relating to private sector housing
- to raise awareness and encourage use of local authority enforcement powers.
Membership of ATRO is currently free as is attendance at our members’ AGM
Annual General Meeting 2023
The ATRO 2023 AGM took place on line on Thursday 15 June. Our speaker was Dr, Julie Rugg of the Centre for Housing Policy at the University of York, who provided us with a an interesting and thought provoking briefing about recent research into the private rented sector in the context of the Renters (Reform) Bill as well as talking about her work in relation to landlord criminality.
There was also much discussion of the implications of the Renters (Reform) Bill which promises to make the provision of tenancy relations services more important than ever. Members provided briefings about recent enforcement work they have been involved with and discussed problems and solutions relating to our work.
Consultations and Reports
Chair’s and Secretary’s Report June 2023
ATRO believes that harassment or unlawful eviction of tenants has no place in a fair and responsible private rented sector, and that local authorities should use their powers of prosecution to deter rogue landlords from committing such acts. For further detail please see:
ATRO’s submission to the House of Commons Select Committee Inquiry.
Dave-Hickling-presentation, tackling harassment and unlawful eviction.
Training
ATRO regularly provides training for individual Local Authorities or groups of authorities around enforcement of the Protection from Eviction Act and occupancy rights. The latest training provided by members was in Manchester and Bristol, but we are unfortunately very limited as to how many courses we can provide each year. If you would like to enquire about training, please fill out a contact form.
Annual General Meeting 2022
The ATRO 2022 AGM took place on line on Thursday 9 June. Our speaker was Professor Catherine Hunter of the University of York Law School, who told us about the work she is doing along with Professor Helen Carr and Ed Kirton-Darling to reform the Protection from Eviction Act and associated legislation. The meeting fed back further ideas and comments, and there was lively debate and discussion of both these ideas and other current issues relating to tenancy relations work and the deterrence of harassment and illegal eviction in the private rented sector.
Annual General Meeting 2021
The 2021 ATRO AGM took place on line on 17 June 2021.
The speaker was Debbi Waite from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.
Annual General Meeting 2020
The 2020 ATRO AGM took place on line on 1st October 2020.
The speaker was Giles Peaker of Anthony Gold Solicitors and the excellent Nearly Legal law blog.
To get in touch with us, please complete the contact form here
Please note that ATRO is not in a position to offer advice and/or casework to tenants, landlords, other organisations or members of the public.
For more information about private tenancy rights, please see the Shelter website, or contact your local authority housing service.
For more information about issues to do with long leases (leases over 21 years) or park homes please contact the leasehold advisory service www.lease-advice.org