by Hayley Robinson

A Sittingbourne businesswoman is celebrating after winning two national awards.

Hasmita Reardon, 46, who runs Reardon Properties with husband Steven, won landlord of the year and electrical safety in the Landlord and Buy To Let awards which were held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

The awards aim to recognise the rising standards in the private rented sector. Trophies were presented by TV personality Konnie Huq.

Last March Hasmita scooped the South East title in the Property Woman of the Year competition, sponsored by Bradford and Bingley.

Hasmita said: “I had to miss the awards but the National Landlords Association picked my awards up for me.

“I didn’t even know I had won until I got a call a few days later telling me I had won the electrical safety award. They never mentioned the fact I had also won the landlord of the year award.

"I only found that out when the certificates arrived in the post the following day. I’m really thrilled but it hasn’t really sunk in yet.”

Hasmita came to this country from strife-torn Uganda with her penniless family in 1971, unable to speak any English.

Through her own experience of homelessness she built up her business, which helps disadvantaged people keep a roof over their heads.

When Hasmita’s father Jim died in 1997, he left her and brother Sunil £30,000 each, and she invested in buy-to-let properties in Sittingbourne.

Single mums, domestic violence victims and the disabled have all benefited from Hasmita’s caring philosophy.

She is now heavily involved in domestic violence programmes and has worked in conjunction with Swale Borough Council.

Hasmita and Steve set up the Swale Landlords' Forum to provide a focal point for Sittingbourne landlords.