The Blubber

A popular Airbnb host recently had to introduce an unusual new rule for her rental property: no crypto-mining. The decision came after guests left her with a $1,500 electric bill during their stay, having brought in at least ten computers and even setting up an impromptu electric vehicle charging station.

The host, Ashley, shared her experience on TikTok, calling it “the weirdest Airbnb rule I had to implement as a host.” While the guests left the property spotless and even gave her a five-star review after their three-week stay, the shock came when she received the massive electric bill.

Upon reviewing security footage, Ashley saw the guests packing up at least ten computers when they left, confirming her suspicion of crypto-mining. They had also rigged up a charging station for their electric vehicle, adding to the power consumption.

Ashley filed a claim with Airbnb, requesting that the guests cover the electric bill, though the process was not straightforward. She submitted the necessary documentation, and the guests ultimately admitted to what they had done. In a follow-up comment on her TikTok video, Ashley revealed that the miners claimed to have made over $100,000 from their crypto-mining activities, so she didn’t feel bad about making them pay the $1,500 bill.

While the $100K profit figure is unverified, it highlights a growing issue for hosts. Some miners are using Airbnb rentals to access cheaper electricity, exploiting the situation for profit. Ashley pointed out, “It was cheaper for them to rent a house to pay for that electricity.” Since then, she’s added "no crypto-mining" and "no electric vehicle charging" to her property's house rules.

Others on social media shared similar stories. One commenter mentioned being shocked that people could get away with mining crypto in Airbnb properties.

Cryptocurrency mining is known for being energy-intensive, with reports showing that just 137 crypto miners use 2.3% of the total electricity produced in the U.S. To reduce costs, some miners turn to renting vacation homes or apartments to use the electricity there, posing new challenges for property owners.