Airbnb guest mines $100K in crypto, leaves host with $1,500 power bill

An Airbnb host had to update her listing information with an unusual “no crypto-mining” rule after a guest used her property to mine cryptocurrency for three weeks.

The guest left the property in an “amazing state” after their several-weeks-long stay, according to superhost Ashley, who explained on TikTok her decision to implement what she called her “weirdest” Airbnb rule so far.

“Five stars all the way. No issues. Except when the electric bill came,” she said, describing how not only the guest set up an improvised electric vehicle station in the property but also used the house to mine cryptocurrency.

Ashley said she checked the video surveillance footage outside – stressing she does not have cameras inside the rental – and found the guest was “bringing out like ten different computers.”

@built.with.class Weird airbnb rules #airbnb #airbnbsuperhost #airbnbhost #crypto #electricvehicle #airbnbtips ♬ original sound - Ashley | Mama | Lifestyle

The host said “It was cheaper for them to rent a house to pay for that electricity,” which ended up costing $1,500 for the three-week stay.

Ashley said she charged the bill to the guest, who agreed to pay it after she filed the necessary documentation to Airbnb. She also said the guest was “overly honest” and revealed they made over $100,000 during the stay so a $1,500 bill was “nothing.”

The host noted that her usual electric bill averaged $150 per month, and she would only charge a guest to pay the extra if their bill went over $450.

Additionally, she claimed the guest “hired an electrician to install a Tesla box outside,” prompting her to also add “no electric vehicle charging” to her list of house rules.

Ashley’s other “weird” rules, which she previously reviewed on her TikTok channel and which are usually the result of bad guest behavior, include “no political signs in the yard” and an “8 p.m.” rule for communication beyond emergencies.