That's actually how I got into landlording. I was planning a big trip/work hiatus for when I turned 30. So a year prior after casually talking to a coworker at work, I offered to rent it out to her and her fiancé while I lived with family. It worked out and they stayed for two years, and I got to leave the country for several months and just work part time for six months before going back into full-time work. As soon as Soon as they moved out, I had more friends who heard from word-of-mouth that I had a place and they wanted to move in, and they are still there now.
If you have a trusted friend who is currently renting, I would offer it to them for a very low rent, and advertise it as an opportunity for them to save a lot of cash, and have their own space. With my coworker, I trusted her and I actually courted her into renting my house. It didn't take much convincing since it was walking distance from work, but I overheard her and her fiancé were looking for a place and I knew him also and trusted them.You'll be surprised at what people would do for an opportunity to save some money. I wouldn't be surprised if you were able to convince someone to leave a lease and move in.