So your sister says you can run an Airbnb without actually owning a place—and suddenly you’re picturing passive income rolling in while you sip coffee and refresh your booking calendar. It sounds a little too convenient, right? The truth sits somewhere between “genius hack” and “proceed with caution”. There are ways to get involved in short-term rentals without owning property, but they come with rules, risks, and a bit more hustle than the pitch usually includes.