Lifestyle

What You Should Keep in Mind When Renting an Apartment?

Published

4 years ago

June 25, 2022

One of the first things you should keep in mind when renting an apartment is what the application process will entail. Many landlords and property management will require specific information from potential tenants, such as proof of income, rental history, and personal references. Some may even request your social security number to run a credit check. Be prepared for a fee, which may surprise you if it’s your first time renting an apartment. Therefore, you should apply for only those apartments you’re interested in living in.

Do I have to pay for utilities?

Some leases require tenants to pay for utilities, while others do not. Utility bills can vary depending on the type of property, age, and individual metering for each unit. Before renting an apartment, make sure the landlord transfers utilities to your name. If you do not transfer them on time, the landlord may end up with the utility bill and need to recoup the costs. Make sure you have a backup plan in case the landlord cancels your service.

To set up your utilities, contact your utility provider directly. Most utilities accept payments online, but some require a phone call or a physical address. You can find their contact information in your lease. Ideally, you contact these companies several weeks before moving in to get your utilities set up. If you find that you have to pay the bills before moving in, contact the utility provider ahead of time and request a plan for the period of your stay.

Utilities vary depending on whether your landlord will cover the costs. Some landlords choose to cover all utilities, while others charge only a portion of them. In such cases, utilities must be included in the rental payment, and the landlord will estimate the costs. If you are renting a single-family home, your landlord may be willing to cover utilities. If you have a small property with a backyard cottage, you will likely need to pay for the electricity and gas, and this is not something you should worry about, because your landlord won’t be able to charge you more.

Do I need renters insurance?

If you’re thinking of pet-friendly apartments for rent in Sacramento, the question may be: Do I need renters insurance? In many cases, you don’t. Your landlord’s insurance covers damages to their property, but not yours. Renters insurance protects your possessions from damages and liability claims. Plus, you won’t have to pay the landlord’s insurance if you get into an accident. And it’s cheaper than you might think – some renters end up paying virtually nothing at all.

The answer to the question “Do I need renters insurance when renting an apartment?” will depend on a few factors, such as your home’s value and location. A policy with a high deductible will be more expensive, so you should calculate the total value of your personal belongings beforehand. A low deductible will save you money if you need to claim. Moreover, having a policy protects you financially even if someone breaks into your apartment. Getting renters insurance gives you peace of mind if anything should happen.

Renters insurance protects you financially as well as your physical possessions. In case of a fire or burglary, it will pay to replace your belongings. And if your belongings get stolen, your insurance will reimburse you for them, which is a great benefit. You can even get renters insurance when traveling, and use the coverage to cover any additional living expenses. It’s cheap, and it protects your finances as well as your personal belongings.

Do I need a rental reference letter?

When renting an apartment, you may be asked to provide a rental reference letter. A landlord may request that you provide one to verify your reliability. The letter is not intended to be a character study, but rather a statement of your reliability as a tenant. If you do not have a landlord reference letter, you can request a letter from a landlord in your area who can provide one.

Choosing personal references is a personal choice, but it is important to choose the right people to provide them. Avoid family members or close friends because they may have skewed views of your character. Use people from your work experience to give unbiased references. A good personal reference shows the landlord your character, and a bad one could cost you the apartment. Make sure to get a reference letter from a landlord who knows you well and trusts you.

You must ensure that your rental reference letter is a positive one. If a previous landlord has a bad record, you should decline to write a rental reference letter. In this case, you should include any red flags in a positive tone, and conclude the letter with a positive recommendation for your former tenant. This will make you stand out in the rental market. Ensure that your landlord is honest and professional in the letter. It will help you if you write a positive reference letter for a former tenant.

Lifestyle

When Seasons Shift: Dr. Leeshe Grimes on Grief, Loneliness, and Finding Light Again

Published

3 hours ago

February 22, 2026

Michelle Langton

Some emotional storms arrive without warning. A sudden change in weather, a holiday approaching, or even a bright sunny day can stir feelings that don’t match the world outside. For many people, the hardest seasons are not defined by temperature; they are defined by what’s happening inside, where grief and loneliness often move quietly.

This is the emotional terrain where Dr. Leeshe Grimes has spent her career doing some of her most meaningful work. As a psychotherapist, registered play therapist, retired U.S. Army combat veteran, and founder of Elevated Minds in the DMV area, she understands how deeply seasonal shifts and unresolved grief can affect people. Her upcoming books explore this very space, guiding readers through the emotional weight that can appear during different times of the year.

What sets Dr. Grimes apart is her ability to see clearly what many people overlook. Seasonal depression, for example, is usually tied to winter months. But she often sees it appear during warm, bright seasons, the times when the world seems happiest. For someone already grieving or feeling disconnected, watching others travel, celebrate, or gather can create its own kind of heaviness. Sunshine doesn’t always lift the mood; sometimes it highlights what feels missing.

The same misunderstanding surrounds grief. Society often treats it as a short-term experience with predictable phases and a clean ending. But in her practice, Dr. Grimes sees how grief keeps evolving. It doesn’t disappear on a timeline. It weaves itself into routines, memories, and milestones. People learn to carry it differently, but they rarely leave it behind completely. And that’s not failure, it’s human.

Her approach to mental health centers on truth rather than pressure. She encourages clients to acknowledge the emotions they try to hide: sadness that lingers longer than expected, moments of joy that feel out of place, and the waves of loneliness that return even when life seems stable. Instead of pushing for quick recovery, she focuses on helping people understand how emotions shift and how to care for themselves through those changes.

Much of her insight comes from her military years, where she witnessed the emotional toll of loss, transition, and constant survival. She saw how people continued functioning while carrying pain that had nowhere to go. That experience shaped her belief that healing requires space, space to feel, to speak, and to move through emotions without judgment.

In her clinical work today at Elevated Minds, she encourages people to build small, steady habits that anchor them during difficult seasons. Journaling helps them recognize patterns and name what feels heavy. Community support breaks the cycle of isolation. Therapy creates a place where emotions don’t have to be minimized or explained away. And intentional routines, daily sunlight, mindful breaks, and calm evenings help rebuild emotional balance.

Her upcoming books expand on these ideas, offering practical guidance for navigating both grief and seasonal depression. She focuses on helping readers understand that healing is not about escaping pain. It’s about learning how to live with it in a healthier way, honoring memories, acknowledging loneliness, and still allowing room for moments of light.

What makes Dr. Leeshe Grimes a compelling voice in mental health is her ability to bring language to experiences that many struggle to explain. She reminds people that emotional seasons don’t always match the weather and that there is no single path through grief. But within those shifts, she believes there is always a way forward.

The seasons will continue to change. And with the right tools, compassion, and support, people can change with them, finding steadiness, softness, and light again, one step at a time.