- Airbnb host Ashley Class banned crypto mining in her rentals after guests racked up a $1,500 electricity bill
- The guests brought in at least 10 computer rigs for mining during their three-week stay
- Class had to get Airbnb involved and provide documentation before the guests, who reportedly made $100,000, agreed to pay the extra charges
- Other Airbnb hosts have also had to explicitly ban crypto mining in their listings
- The energy-intensive process of crypto mining can lead to significantly higher electricity bills for hosts
On July 30, Airbnb host Ashley Class posted a video on TikTok saying she had banned crypto mining in her short-term rentals after a bizarre guest experience.
The guests, who stayed at one of Class’s rentals in Charlotte, North Carolina, presented no issues during their three-week stay. However, the electric bill told a different story.
Guests Racked Up $1,500 Electricity Bill
During their three-week stay, the guests ran up $1,500 in utility charges. Class went back and looked at footage from her outdoor camera, and saw that the guests had brought in at least 10 computer rigs, which she later figured out were for crypto mining.
“It was cheaper for them to rent a house than to pay for that electricity,” Class said in her video. When reached by Business Insider by phone, Class declined to share further details of the incident.
Airbnb Involvement and Documentation Required
Class messaged the guests and explained she would be charging them for the exorbitant electric bill.
According to comments she posted on the TikTok video, the guests fought her until she got Airbnb involved and shared documentation of the incident.
The guests apparently had the funds to repay her, as Class shared in the comments that they made $100,000 during their three-week stay.
Bottom Line
The incident highlights the growing need for Airbnb hosts to be aware of the potential risks associated with crypto mining and to take proactive measures to protect themselves.
By explicitly banning the practice in their listings and being vigilant about monitoring guest activities, hosts can avoid being caught off guard by unexpected electricity bills and other issues.
As the popularity of cryptocurrency continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms address this emerging challenge.
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