Ashley, who shared her experience on TikTok, noted that the guests left the property in excellent condition and even provided a positive review. However, the significant spike in the electricity bill raised concerns, prompting her to review the security camera footage. It was then that she discovered the guests' mining setup. Ashley approached Airbnb to seek reimbursement for the unusually high electricity charges. The process required her to submit documentation proving the excessive usage, and the guests eventually acknowledged their activities. They disclosed that they had earned over $100,000 from cryptocurrency mining during their stay, making the $1,500 bill negligible in comparison. Ashley reflected that it was more economical for the guests to rent a property and use its electricity than to bear the costs directly.
In response to this incident, Ashley has added explicit prohibitions on crypto-mining and electric vehicle charging to her property's house rules. This experience has resonated with others, as some commenters on her video reported similar instances of guests exploiting Airbnb properties for energy-intensive activities like cryptocurrency mining.
Cryptocurrency mining is known for its high energy consumption. Recent data indicates that a small number of miners, around 137, are responsible for 2.3% of the total electricity usage in the U.S. To reduce costs, some miners may opt to rent vacation homes or apartments through platforms like Airbnb, shifting the financial burden of electricity to the property owners.
Source: tomshardware
