From janitors to the Residents of the Year
If you know Terttu and Erkki Pylkkänen, it will come as no surprise that they have been chosen to be SATO's Residents of the Year 2021. The gumption and jovial nature of this Haaga based couple has a positive effect on both their neighbours and the maintenance crew of their home building.
In a wintery Tuesday it is time for flowers, giving thanks, and sipping up a cup of coffee at Isonnevantie street in Etelä-Haaga, Helsinki. Terttu and Erkki Pylkkänen have laid out such a lovely set of coffee and cake that the photographer Sarah Karjalainen, accompanied by SATO's Service Manager Olli Eräniemi, later praises the setting to her colleagues. The reason for the celebration is that housing company SATO has chosen Terttu and Erkki to be their Residents of the Year 2021.
”Luckily it did not snow today”, Olli says. ”Erkki gave me a heads up that the festivities would have been be postponed, if there was a chance he could pick up the snow shovel”.
”Taking care of the house comes so naturally”, the couple admits. ”We tend to tidy up communal spaces and fix things in the yard if needed”.
And just like that Terttu and Erkki happen to put into words why SATO has chosen them as the Residents of the Year. With the acknowledgment SATO says, that as the experts of their home buiding the couple take care of it like it was their own. SATO also praises Terttu and Erkki for their sense of community as well as familiarizing the maintenance company and the newly started House Expert to the isonnevantie building.
”When I get my chores done well, it still gets me in such a good mood”, Terttu admits. ”That, and keeping up with the shenanigans of the birds in the backyard.”
Retired real estate professionals love their neighborhood
”We moved to Etelä-Haaga to work some 30 years ago, and soon after came here to Isonnevantie as Janitors”, Erkki recalls. ”This house is just as familiar to us as you can imagine after working here for 15 years before retiring.”
When one knows their home building like ones pockets, sharing such know-how has been very helpful for both the maintenance company and the SATO House Expert, the latter being responsible i.e. taking care of defect reports concerning SATO’s homes and properties, performing minor repairs in homes and in HVAC and plumbing equipment, and inspecting homes when people move out.
“I have just shared some tips and tricks concerning this house, and toured it with him”, says Erkki perhaps a bit too humbly. Olli however reveals that the knowledge shared by the couple has really helped both the House Expert and the maintenance service personnel to familiarize themselves with the building.
Terttu and Erkki agree that there is a need for a House Expert who knows the buildings and residents, especially in the neighborhoods with more senior citizens. Familiar faces add to the feeling of safety, and it is much easier to bring up the everyday challenges with an acquaintance than a stranger.
Keeping in touch with neighbours
As one bustles around the house and yard, one is bound to bump into neighbours. Service Manager Olli says Terttu and Erkki keep up the community spirit of their building with small gatherings and joint activities.
”“Erkki is the first to chat with our neighbours outside”, Terttu smiles. ”We of course know the long-term neighbours very well. Unfortunately, due to our own lack of language skills, it is harder to introduce oneself to the foreign-language neighbours.”
”We feel so homey and comfy in this area, we have not once thought about moving away.”
Every year the couple decorates 'the handsomest Christmas tree of the neighborhood' as Olli describes it, by the front door of Isonnevantie.
”The first time we light up the tree we have usually had some glogg for the neighbours”, Terttu says, and continues: ”This tradition has been left out due to the pandemic, and keeping in touch with the neighbours has notably decreased.”
"But come summer - if the situation allows it - we are organizing a traditional barbeque event, and all the neighbours are invited!”