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If you're going to be out of town for a few months or longer, subletting your apartment is a way to reduce some of your living expenses during that time. However, you must go about subletting carefully to ensure you don't end up in a legal battle or with an apartment full of damaged items. Here are four tips to help protect yourself and your things when subletting an apartment.

Place anything valuable in a storage unit

You don't necessarily have to strip everything from your apartment before subletting. Leaving basic furniture behind, along with perhaps some kitchen essentials, will make the place more appealing to someone who is looking for a short-term lease. However, you do want to make sure that none of your valuables are left in the apartment you're subletting. Things like electronics, jewelry, and designer clothing are just far too easy to steal or damage. Place these items in a storage unit like American Storage if you cannot take them with you.

Make an inventory list of the items you leave in the apartment and include it in the lease

This list serves several purposes. First, it will jog your memory of what you have, so you can ensure nothing is missing when you take the apartment over again. Second, it ensures your tenant cannot claim that something was never there. Make it clear in the lease that the listed items are included as a part of the property being leased, and that if they are damaged or missing when the apartment is returned to you, the cost will be taken out of the security deposit.

Collect a security deposit

This way, you have some type of recourse if the tenant does damage the apartment or your things. Generally, security deposits are equal to one month's rent. However, if you are renting out the apartment very cheaply and have a lot of furniture you're including in the lease, you should consider asking for a few hundred dollars more as a security deposit.

Always sign a lease

No matter how nice your prospective tenant seems, or even if he or she is a friend, there's always a chance you'll run into challenges when it comes time to collect the rent or repossess the apartment. Signing a lease will prevent a lot of conflicts. Make sure you have a lawyer look over your lease to ensure it protects you and your tenant, and that it meets your state's regulations. Many lawyers charge only a nominal fee for this service, and some municipalities may even offer free lease review services.

Subletting your apartment is a great way to earn a little extra income. Just follow the advice above to make sure you don't end up losing out.