Meet our Repairs and Maintenance Technician, Lee Harris | Tenant news

Habinteg is pleased to introduce one of our two new, Repairs and Maintenance Technicians, Lee Harris. Lee provides a swift response to tenants who have emergency and urgent repairs in West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and East Riding. Tenants living in those areas will recognise him by his Habinteg-branded polo shirt and van. Lee, who describes himself as a patient problem-solver, says he’s been a builder for “longer than I care to remember” years… so, a long time. Read on for what he has to say on Habinteg tenants, his secret talent and who his childhood friend was. 

What’s the most common type of repairs and maintenance work you’re seeing?

Plumbing problems are definitely the most common.

How many tenants do you think you talk to in any given week?

Totally depends on how busy I am and what kind of jobs I have, could be anything between 15 to 30.

What have the tenants’ responses been like when you turn up at their home?

They’ve been positive every time and, to be honest, a certain amount of surprise at the speed of response.

What’s the thing that tenants are most concerned about when they talk to you?

Mostly just concerned with if the issue will be fixed on that day.

What’s the nicest thing a tenant has said to you so far?

I’ve had so many lovely things said to me by tenants that it’d be unfair to choose one.

Since starting your role, what’s been the smallest repair you’ve carried out?

I suppose replacing an isolation valve.

What’s been the biggest repair?

All my jobs are small by nature, but I suppose replacing broken guttering and downpipes.

How can our tenants help you to do your job efficiently?

It’d be great if everyone was home at the agreed appointment time and had the area around the repair cleared of all items and obstructions.

What’s your favourite takeaway?

Definitely Chinese or Thai.

Are you a football, rugby or cricket kind of Repairs and Maintenance Technician?

Hmmm… ok, well, I’m Welsh, so I should say rugby, by that I mean ‘proper’ rugby – am laughing out loud (lol) - but I’m actually a football fan.

Name your team?

The mighty Swansea City!!!!

What’s your secret talent?

Being Welsh, I should say my beautiful singing voice, but that would be a lie. I think probably cooking, I love it.

What’s the one thing we’d be surprised to learn about you?

Ummm, probably that Catherine Zeta Jones was a childhood friend of mine.

It’s holiday season. Would you jet off to Spain, Barbados or Australia?

I've been to Australia. I’ve never been to Barbados, but I love Spain - as long as it’s not in one of the big resorts.

Name two well-known TV tradesmen/builders outside of Bob (the builder)?

What a question! (lol) I suppose Tommy Walsh and Ozzie (actor Jimmy Nail) from Auf Wiedersehen Pet. Let’s see how many remember that.

Favourite way to spend your weekend?

Having a lie in, good company and food.

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