Hello Again — I’m Mahara
👋 Hello again — I’m Mahara, founder of My Landlord Cares Ltd — a two-time, award-winning ethical letting agency proudly based in South Yorkshire 🏆🏆
As we step into 2026, it feels like the right moment to properly re-introduce myself — and to remind people why this business exists.
Why My Landlord Cares Was Created
This business was born out of frustration.
Frustration that:
- Tenants were treated like numbers
- Landlords were told, “This is just how lettings works.”
- Care and accountability were seen as optional extras
As a landlord myself, with a background in local government and the charity sector, I knew something important:
👉 Care, structure, and accountability can coexist with private renting.
So instead of complaining about the system, I built a different model.
What We Stand for at My Landlord Cares
At My Landlord Cares, we don’t believe in quick fixes or transactional property management.
We focus on:
🏠 Supporting tenants, not sidelining them
📊 Helping landlords achieve stability, not churn
🤝 Building long-term relationships, not short-term solutions
💛 Embedding ethics into everyday practice, not just policies
You can learn more about how we work with landlords here:
👉 Internal link:
🔗 https://mylandlordcares.co.uk/for-landlords/
The Results of Doing Things Differently
That people-first approach has led to:
✨ Stronger, more sustainable tenancies
✨ Reduced voids and fewer disputes
✨ Trust on both sides of the tenancy
✨ And national recognition — twice
Because when housing is managed properly, everyone benefits.
Lettings Doesn’t Have to Be Combative
One of the biggest myths in the private rented sector is that landlords and tenants must be at odds.
They don’t.
Lettings can be:
- Collaborative
- Human
- Fair
- Transparent
And still commercially viable.
We see this every day in the homes we manage.
For a wider context on improving standards and professionalism in housing, you can explore guidance from industry bodies like:
👉 External link:
🔗 https://www.propertymark.co.uk/advice-and-guides/
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we move into 2026, our mission is simple:
👉 Raise standards
👉 Change culture
👉 Prove that ethical renting works
We’re here to show that the private rented sector can be better — not by accident, but by design.
Let’s Start a Real Conversation
💬 If you could change ONE thing about the private rented sector, what would it be?
Real change starts with honest conversations — and we’re always open to them.
📩 If you’d like to connect or work with us:
👉 Contact us:
🔗 https://mylandlordcares.co.uk/contact/
⚠️ Disclaimer
This blog is intended for general information and thought-leadership purposes only. It does not constitute legal, financial, or regulatory advice.
Letting Agency of the Year — Again: Why Ethical Lettings Matter More Than Ever
✨ Grateful. Proud. Energised. ✨
We’re incredibly proud to share that My Landlord Cares has once again been recognised as Letting Agency of the Year 🏆 — following our wins in 2024 and 2025.
To be recognised two years running genuinely means the world to us.
These awards aren’t automatic or symbolic. They involve independent judging, detailed reviews, and comparison against both new entrants and previous winners. To stand out again tells us one thing clearly:
💛 Ethical, people-first lettings truly matter.
What This Recognition Really Means
This award belongs to so many people:
🙌 Our team, who show up every day with care, integrity, and professionalism
🤝 Our landlords, who trust us to manage their homes ethically and transparently
🏡 Our tenants and partners, who believe the private rented sector can — and should — be better
At My Landlord Cares, we’ve always believed that lettings is about far more than properties.
It’s about:
- Fairness
- Transparency
- Accountability
- Humanity
That philosophy sits at the heart of everything we do.
👉 Learn more about how we support landlords through ethical, transparent property management:
Internal link:
🔗 https://mylandlordcares.co.uk/for-landlords/
Why Ethical Lettings Are Gaining Recognition
Across the UK, the private rented sector is under pressure — from regulation, rising costs, and changing expectations. More landlords are realising that ethical letting isn’t a “nice-to-have”; it’s essential for:
- Long-term tenancies
- Reduced disputes and voids
- Better property standards
- Stronger landlord–tenant relationships
We’re proud to be part of a wider movement pushing the sector forward — one built on trust rather than shortcuts.
👉 For broader insight into standards and professionalism in the lettings industry, see:
External link:
🔗 https://www.propertymark.co.uk/advice-and-guides/
We’re Only Just Getting Started 🚀
Winning Letting Agency of the Year again isn’t a finish line — it’s motivation to keep raising standards, challenging norms, and proving that property management can be done properly.
💬 What does “ethical renting” mean to you?
Let’s keep the conversation — and the sector — moving forward together.
If you’d like to work with an award-winning, people-first letting agency, we’d love to hear from you.
👉 Get in touch with us:
🔗 https://mylandlordcares.co.uk/contact/
⚠️ Disclaimer
This blog is for general information and brand communication purposes only. Awards referenced are based on independent judging criteria relevant to the awarding body at the time of assessment.
Rubbing Shoulders with Royalty
At My Landlord Cares, our mission has always gone beyond property management — we want to make a genuine difference in society. One of our biggest goals is to contribute to ending homelessness.
And guess who else shares this vision?
HRH The Prince of Wales — you guessed right! 🙌
When the Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales brought their Homewards campaign to Sheffield today, I was super excited to be part of such an important movement. But that wasn’t all — we also had the honour of hearing from Steven Bartlett and The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown. What a line-up!
It was incredible to speak to the Prince about how the private rented sector can play a bigger role in tackling homelessness. I also had the chance to connect with peers doing incredible work in this space, including my idol, Susan Aktemel.
Days like this remind me why I do what I do. Yes, together, we can end homelessness.
📢 About the Homewards Event
According to Homewards, the Sheffield visit marked the second year of the campaign and brought together influential voices to discuss innovative, long-term solutions to homelessness. The Prince of Wales joined a panel alongside Steven Bartlett, entrepreneur and host of The Diary of a CEO, and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown to explore how communities can work together to break the cycle of homelessness.
The Sheffield programme is already making an impact by building partnerships between local government, charities, and the private sector. With the right support, resources, and commitment, Homewards aims to ensure homelessness can be rare, brief, and non-recurrent.
Disclaimer & Credit:
This blog post contains excerpts from the article “Prince William joins panel with Steven Bartlett and former Prime Minister to mark second year of Homewards,” published on Homewards.org.uk. The original article is authored by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales – Homewards. All rights belong to the original publisher.
Tenancy Fraud – Where the Scammers Operate and What They Do
A leading tenant-referencing PropTech firm warns that the lettings industry is facing a growing threat from fraud in tenancy applications. Their research reveals that around 60 percent of rental fraud cases reported in 2024 involved false income documents or stolen identities, with fraudsters increasingly using fabricated bank statements and employment references to secure tenancies.
Landlords and agents are being urged to tighten their referencing procedures and embrace robust digital identity verification tools to safeguard against such scams.
Source: Letting Agent Today
What Happens When Tenancy Fraud Happens?
Tenancy fraud doesn’t just affect agents — it puts landlords at financial risk and undermines tenant safety. Here’s what can go wrong:
- Rent arrears: Fraudulent tenants may have no intention or ability to pay rent long-term, resulting in unpaid rent and legal costs to recover possession.
- Illegal subletting or criminal activity: Fraudsters may use the property for illegal purposes or sublet it to unsuspecting individuals, creating compliance and legal risks.
- Property damage: Individuals who gain access fraudulently may not respect the property, leading to significant repair bills.
- Eviction delays: If a tenancy is granted to someone using false documents, recovering possession can be a lengthy and costly legal process.
- Loss of insurance cover: If insurers discover that due diligence was not followed, some claims may be denied.
How My Landlord Cares Protects You
At My Landlord Cares, we take tenancy fraud seriously because it harms both landlords and tenants. Our approach includes:
✅ Robust referencing protocols – All applicants go through thorough credit, income, employment, and ID checks.
✅ Digital ID verification – We use advanced PropTech to catch fake documents before they become a problem.
✅ Ongoing monitoring – We stay connected with local authorities, the NRLA, and other key partners to keep our fraud prevention methods current.
We’re committed to protecting your property, your income, and your peace of mind.
Disclaimer & Source
This blog post includes reproduced content from “Tenancy fraud – where the scammers operate and what they do,” published on Letting Agent Today in January 2025. Authored by Letting Agent Today News Desk. All credit and rights remain with the original publisher. https://www.lettingagenttoday.co.uk/
A (physical) event for your diaries
If you are a landlord or even remotely interested in the property sector, through work or vocation, then this is the event for you. It will be held in Sheffield and is being run by the NRLA (National Residential Landlord Association)
This will be a great landlord networking event; it is a chance for you to learn about what is happening in the sector. We will be talking about how to support tenants through these tough times. There will be talks around tax, wealth management, inheritance, and much much more.
It will be held on Wednesday, 8th February 2023, from 12-4 pm at the English Institute of Sport - Sheffield
We will be sharing the stage with Sheffield Council and many other sector specialists. Do pop in and say hi! Please book onto the session asap, numbers are limited and spaces will be taken up quickly. Click [here to book]
I can’t provide you with a magic formula for property success
There are many others that can (if you really want to throw thousands away, then go ahead and check them out. )There is no magic bullet and no fast track property success. My risk appetite is low, and my ambitions are pretty modest. Yes, there are loads of property strategies that I could engage in, but I want a regular income that is regular and pretty passive. Many people are worried about the economic climate and whether people should still invest in property in 2023. I believe it is important to have a diverse income strategy, and property should definitely be one of your methods of earning income. And if that means slow and steady is the way to grow, then hey book me on. I won't give you fancy acronyms and crazy numbers. I am all about low-risk growth. I definitely play the long game. But if your aim is to be financially independent and not a millionaire, then you are the right kind of person for us. And if you want to have an opportunity to invest ethically, then you are my kinda person! It is super important to undertake a goal-setting exercise pretty early on in your financial empowerment journey. How much money do you want, and work backwards from there. This is what I will do for you if you are new to property investing. Learn how to create a steady income source. P.S. If you are looking for high growth, then I am not the right person for you, but if you want low risk and steady growth, then drop me a message#passiveincome #property # can’t provide you with a magic formula for property success
Many others can (if you really want to throw thousands away, then go ahead and check them out)
There is no magic bullet and no fast track to property success. My risk appetite is low, and my ambitions are pretty modest. Yes, there are loads of property strategies that I could engage in, but I want a regular income that is regular and pretty passive. Many people are worried about the economic climate and if people should still invest in property in 2023. I believe it is important to have a diverse income strategy, and property should definitely be of your methods of earning income.
And if that means slow and steady is the way to grow, then hey, book me on. I won't give you fancy acronyms and crazy numbers. I am all about low-risk growth. I definitely play the long game. But if your aim is to be financially independent and not a millionaire, then you are the right kind of person for us. And if you want to have an opportunity to invest ethicall,y then you are our kinda person!
It is super important to undertake a goal-setting exercise pretty early on in your financial empowerment journey. How much money do you want, and work backwards from there.
This is what I will do for you if you are new to property investing. Learn how to create a steady income source.
P.S. If you are looking for high growth, then I am not the right person for you, but if you want low risk and steady growth, then drop me a message
How to cope with stress and out tips
My positive ways of coping with stress and burnout. Now I am no expert, but I would like to share what I have learn (through some bloody awful stressful times!)
I try to meditate in the morning – now this is not something grand like sitting on a mat in a grand pose, it is more lying in bed and trying to concentrate on my breathing
Taking deep breaths to regulate blood flow
Listening to my body, it usually tells me when something is going wrong
Long hot baths – away from devices and media
Would you rather?
This is a great children’s game, but it can be applied to many sectors of our lives.
My kid’s questions usually sound something like this: ‘Would you rather eat strawberries or raspberries?’ Don’t you just love innocence?
My question to you is would you rather do something that gives you immediate joy or something that builds up great rewards over time? In the current ‘here and now’ world we are living in, it means many of us live for today. We want something; it needs to be now. But imagine if you saved up just a little every day, then wouldn’t that mean greater rewards over time?
Another question I ask my investors is, would you rather receive just profits from your investments, or would you rather receive profit and longer-term impact from your investment? Being ethical doesn’t mean compromise, but it means getting greater value. Not only do you get a regular income, but you get personal satisfaction knowing that you are helping people. By working through us, you can rest assured that your tenants are getting the best care.
Self care and mental health
‘If you treat yourself as a doormat, then everyone else will do the same to you.’ This is what I said to a friend. Now you may be thinking, ‘Gosh, you are cruel!’ But my friend has a tendency to please everyone (even people who have treated her badly) and, in her quest to be good, will quickly be the first to offer help to these types of people.
No one else will respect your boundaries if you do not respect them. I see this a lot in the people around me (they are quite a caring bunch)
Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup; recharge yourself before you help others. Then you can be there fully, rather than drained and shattered at the end of the day
Death of Queen and dealing with death
With the death of the Queen, many people are dealing with grief in a public domain
Death is always scary and shocking when it occurs (even if you have a long life and are nearing the end). As a society it is one of them subjects we barely talk about and we usually deal with it in private.
Whether you are a Royalist or not, please do spend time to listen to others who may want to express their feelings around the Queen without being quick to jump in with your opinions. Let people feel heard, especially if they are raising feelings about their emotions.
I always think if people are sharing with me, then I am lucky to have been chosen for them to open up to