FemaleFounderFriday: In Conversation with Mahara Haque, Founder of My Landlord Cares

Introducing Mahara Haque, the inspiring founder of My Landlord Cares, a property management company that redefines what it means to care for both properties and tenants. Coming from a background in community development and public service, Mahara’s mission is to bring her values of empathy and responsibility into the private rental sector. Through a deep commitment to tenant well-being, she’s forging a new, people-first model in an industry that often lacks this focus. This week, we’re delighted to share her journey, her challenges, and the advice she has for other aspiring entrepreneurs.

FC: Could you summarise your professional background for us?

Mahara Haque: Of course! I began my career working in community development and the public sector, mainly with councils like Sheffield and Rotherham. My work focused on managing multimillion-pound government funding programs aimed at keeping vital community services running. I worked closely with voluntary organisations, managing funding applications, and monitoring budgets to ensure resources were allocated effectively. My last position before founding My Landlord Cares was as a programme manager, overseeing 25 organisations and helping them make the most of government contracts and grants to stay afloat. This experience taught me the importance of sustainability and how to support people through financial and structural challenges—skills that I now apply to property management.

FC: That’s an impressive foundation. How did you transition from public service to founding My Landlord Cares?

MH: The transition was inspired by my own experience as a landlord. I became a landlord back in 2009, after realising during the 2008 financial crisis how vulnerable traditional investments like pensions could be. I wanted a form of income that felt more secure, so I invested in property as a way to ensure my own financial independence. However, when I started working with high-street letting agents, I quickly became frustrated with how they treated tenants. I had a background in community service, where it’s normal to go the extra mile to support people, but I didn’t see that happening in the property world. So, I decided to manage my own property, applying the same values I upheld in my day job. When I gave tenants genuine support, the results spoke for themselves—they took care of the property, stayed longer, and communicated openly with me. When the pandemic hit in 2020, I had a moment of clarity. I thought, if I were to go tomorrow, what would I regret? And the answer was not pursuing this idea I had nurtured for so long. So, I founded My Landlord Cares to bring a better standard of care to property management. The first two years were rough, especially with COVID freezing the housing market, but the learning process has been invaluable.

FC: That’s a powerful story. What would you say has been the hardest part of your journey?

MH: Everything about it has been hard, to be honest! People ask me if I’m an “accidental landlord,” but I always tell them I’m a purposeful landlord but an accidental business owner. I never set out to run a business; I just wanted a stable investment. Shifting from a stable career to the unpredictable life of an entrepreneur was a massive change. I had to give up the comfort of a regular salary and the structured work environment I was used to. As a business owner, every day is different, and nothing is guaranteed. There are days when I miss the predictability of a steady job—knowing exactly what to expect. But I’ve also realised that, deep down, I thrive on the variety and challenges. Despite the anxiety that can come with uncertainty, there’s a thrill in building something from the ground up and not knowing what each day will bring.

FC: Entrepreneurship requires resilience, as you mentioned. What other qualities do you think are essential for founders?

MH: Resilience is key, absolutely. You hear “no” a lot as a business owner, and you have to be ready to pick yourself up and keep going after each knockback. Another essential quality is knowing your numbers—financial awareness is crucial. I’m not an expert in finance, but I’ve learned the importance of knowing my cash flow, understanding my costs, and having a “rainy day fund” for unexpected situations. Businesses often face ups and downs, and having that financial cushion helps you weather the tough times. It doesn’t have to be overly complicated; just knowing what you need to survive can provide peace of mind.

FC: As a female founder, especially from a South Asian background, have you encountered any unique challenges?

MH: I’d say my biggest challenge wasn’t so much about being a woman, but more about coming from a conservative cultural background. In my family and community, stepping out into an industry like real estate, where there aren’t many people who look like me, was daunting. I was told that being a woman of colour is my unique selling point, but it wasn’t easy to embrace that initially. Putting myself out there and promoting what I do was uncomfortable and still is at times. It’s an ongoing process, learning to own my story and see it as an asset rather than a barrier. So, while I’ve faced challenges, they’ve also helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect.

FC: That’s incredibly inspiring. What advice would you give to other young South Asian women considering entrepreneurship?

MH: I’d say give it a try, but do it in a way that feels safe and comfortable for you. There’s so much pressure to go all in, to be bold and fearless, but life isn’t that simple, especially when you have cultural expectations or personal circumstances to consider. Do it at a pace that works for you. If you feel comfortable going 100 miles per hour, great! But if you’re more comfortable taking it slow, that’s fine too. It’s a long journey, so taking care of yourself is crucial. I’ve had times where I went all out and ended up burning myself out, which taught me that if you’re not healthy and happy, your business won’t be either. Self-care is fundamental. The key is consistency—keep moving forward, even if it’s one small step at a time.

FC: That’s great advice. Do you have any specific self-care habits?

MH: My self-care habits are quite simple, but they work for me. I don’t believe self-care needs to be grand or complicated. For me, it’s about regular, small activities that I can do consistently, like meeting friends, going for a walk, or even just having a chat with a neighbour. These small moments of connection with others help me clear my mind and remind me that there’s more to life than my business. It’s easy to get absorbed in work and forget about the world outside, but these little breaks keep me grounded. Self-care is about finding balance, so you’re not constantly overwhelmed by work.

FC: Let’s talk fundraising. How has that experience been for you?

MH: Fundraising has been a tough learning curve. Coming into this space as a service-based entrepreneur, I had no background in fundraising, and the language was completely new to me. Terms like SEIS and cap tables were foreign concepts, and it took me a while to get comfortable. At first, I was intimidated, but over time I learned not to let the jargon scare me. The fundraising process forces you to learn on the job—you can’t understand it fully until you go through it. I received a lot of advice along the way, and although it was overwhelming at times, I found my way through it by focusing on each step and not getting discouraged by what I didn’t know. Just be patient with yourself; it’s a process.

FC: How has working with FounderCatalyst helped you on your journey?

MH: FounderCatalyst has been great. I wasn’t sure at first if I would qualify for their support since I’m not a typical tech startup. But their help has been incredibly valuable in guiding me through the assurance and completion stages, even with the unique needs of a service-based business. They made the process a lot less daunting and were there to support me every step of the way, which I didn’t expect. They made everything straightforward and understandable, even for someone like me who’s new to this world.

FC: What exciting projects or partnerships are on the horizon for My Landlord Cares?

MH: We’ve been working on some exciting partnerships, particularly with property investment firms, which is helping us expand our pipeline of quality properties. We’re also collaborating with the Prince William Foundation on their Homewards project, which is focused on addressing homelessness. About 60% of our tenants are on low incomes, so working with Homewards aligns perfectly with our mission to support those who are often overlooked in the private rental sector. It’s not easy for vulnerable tenants to secure housing, and as private landlords, I believe we have a responsibility to do more. This partnership is about creating a system that allows even those on low or uncertain incomes to access stable housing. There’s a housing crisis in the UK, and we want to play our part in helping those in need.

FC: That’s commendable! Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share?

MH: I’d like to say that every founder’s journey is unique, and just because your path looks different doesn’t mean it’s any less valuable. People told me that my approach was too niche and that it might be hard to find investors, but I stayed true to what I believed in. You don’t have to fit into a certain mould to succeed. Growth might be slower, but it’s still growth. So, don’t let others discourage you. If you’re

consistent and stay true to your values, people will recognise the impact you’re making.

Mahara Haque’s journey exemplifies resilience, compassion, and innovation in the private rental sector. Her mission to build a more ethical, tenant-focused approach to property management is inspiring and serves as a model for anyone looking to make a real difference in their industry.

A huge thank you to Mahara for sharing their story as part of Female Founders Friday. We’re here to support them throughout their fundraising journey as they work to bring sustainable fashion to the forefront.

Check out the MyLandlord Cares website here, to learn more about their vision and impact.

Click this link to let us help guide you on your own fundraising journey.

Author: Gideon Stott, Digital Marketing Executive at FounderCatalyst