Get to know our Neighbourhood Team: meet Yvette Copping | Tenant news

Find out what South London and South East Neighbourhood Manager Yvette Copping, who joined Habinteg in April, loves about her job and what she would do if she was CEO of Habinteg for one week.

How would you describe your job?

I support and manage a team of five Neighbourhood Coordinators that cover our South London and South East schemes.

What’s the best thing about your job?

My job is extremely varied which makes it enjoyable - no two days are ever the same. Often, even if you start the day with a plan, due to the ever-changing list of priorities, things constantly change. You could never describe my role as boring!

How many tenants’ lives do you change in a week?

I think that my team and I strive to help and support as many tenants as possible, every week. I often say the best part of the job is signing up a tenant and handing over the keys to them. Living in a secure home is life-changing for anyone!

What are the challenges of your job?

The variety of the role itself can lead to multiple challenges. My team are the front-facing team of Habinteg in South East London and the South East. If any tenant dissatisfaction arises, often from a result of issues with repairs contractors, it can fall on us in the first instance. We then have to work hard in the background to find the best solution and outcome for the tenant.

If you were CEO of Habinteg for one week, name three things you’d do.

• Target first time fixes, where possible, on repairs and improve response times.
• Attend a regional tenant listening event to hear the priorities of our tenants, which our CEO Nick Apetroaie does.
• Look at how our teams work in collaboration to ensure the best service is provided for tenants.
   

Which scheme in your region would you like to live on and why?

I think my favourite scheme is in Polegate, near Eastbourne, on the south coast. I love the coast and I would live near to the sea!

You’ve got a bonus holiday for being incredibly outstanding at your job, how do you spend it?

I think I’d request that all our Neighbourhood Coordinators be given a bonus holiday, as without such an incredible team, we wouldn’t be able to do the work we do.

What qualities make a good neighbour?

Friendly, respectful, quiet, clean, and helpful.

What’s your favourite Friday night takeaway dish?

This depends on how I am feeling and the time of year, too. If I had to pick one right now, I would say Chinese, as I love a king prawn chow mein.

If you could choose, who would you most like to live next door to, and why

My daughter – she’s 20 years old and still lives at home. But when the time comes and she moves out, having her close to me would be special, as she truly is my best friend.