Guest over using electricity via using an electric heater without permission !

[Sotiria6]

I noticed that the electricity usage has gone up from £1 a day to £10 a day and got quite alarmed ! 

I am hosting 2 friends on one room so I know it’s not them or me and the Airbnb guest last night left his door open and I heard a loud noise and realised that this is the reason why the bills are so high ! 

I informed him that the usage is unreasonably high and if he has any idea why and that I asked the girls too. I asked if the temperature is okay and asked to adjust the radiator usage to his likings and he said it is perfect ! 

How do I handle this ? 

I mean he left the door open so I know it’s him however I don’t want this to sound like an intrusion and false accusation.

i am considering asking him for half the money when he leaves and say that the rest half will be paid by the girls ! 

any suggestions would be very appreciated:) 

thanks so much ! 

[Marie8425]

@Sotiria6 

First thing, i would check. I don't know, but especially since newer appliances are all energy efficient, is a space heater your problem?

That isn't saying he isn't the cause of the sudden increase, but you have to be sure before you send a bill.  

[Sotiria6]

@Marie8425 thank you so so much !i just cannot think of anything else consuming so much energy especially when i have had a gas and electricity check recently !

how do you suggest  i check ?

thanks so much again!very much appreciated !

[Marie8425]

@Sotiria6 

As I said could be him but doing something you can't see.  Some hosts have had issues with Guests cryptomining on a computer but they rent a room to specifically abuse your power.  On the other hand, last month my husband was complaining my water bill spiked because of number of Guests that month, I said the spike seems excessive.  Two days later, he said my irrigation system out front had a leaky pipe.

We can not jump to a conclusion.  You will have to watch your electricity bill, it maybe him or it maybe something else.

If he is gone or leaving soon, I would not bill him unless I can justify a bill.

If he has a much longer stay.  If I was concerned, I would just express that sorry I need you to relocate it appears that I should have an electrician review the room.  Airbnb may block his days on your calendar but keeping him might cost you more.

[Sotiria6]

thank you so much !i was actually thinking of cryptomining and then i see your message !

thanks so much for your help!

[Kitty-and-Creek0]

@Sotiria6 

This is a concern of many hosts, I'm sure. The deal is, as I understand it, is that our guests need to be comfortable, and if that means using a heater on high, that is what they are paying us for. We have built in the cost of delivered propane at nearly $4 a gallon to keep our guests as warm as they wish. Also to heat water for their hot showers. Diesel for the generator to pump water from our deep well for their long hot showers. To run A/C in summer to keep the space chilly. It is the cost of doing business, for us, and for any hospitality business, I'm sure. What is comfortable is such an individual thing!

[Sotiria6]

Thanks so much @Kitty-and-Creek0  ! I have the radiators on and I always check in if they need more heating - it’s just that I wasn’t advised that they brought the electric heater ! 

thank you so much for your input 🙂 

[Kitty-and-Creek0]

@Sotiria6 

Ah, a surprise! 

The guests must have had cold feet in other bedrooms in the past. Also, in my memory of radiators, they take awhile to respond, and this may be why they brought the portable heater.

We provide a small electric heater, with a thermostat, for the guests' bathroom, with its tile floor.

We ask them to please leave it off when not in use, as it can actually crash the power system for the whole property if it drains the batteries and the generator fails to automatically start up. So far, so good!

The space heater in the rest of the space is quite adequate with the well-insulated walls and attic. When we go there after checkout we are always impressed by how evenly warm it is.

As @Marie8425 suggested, there could actually be a hidden issue, one never knows.

[Sotiria6]

thank you so so much :))

[Sotiria6]

@Marie8425 and @Kitty-and-Creek0 I have checked with my friends and they are not using any new appliance and as I do spend time with them in the room I know this is true.

I would of course never go to guests rooms and I could only hear it as the door was left open 

I really was wishing that my assumptions were wrong and I miscalculated:( So sad if people lie!

I have kindly asked the guest again and have gotten a response that they are only using razor and powerbank.

I switched off the fuser to check if the electricity reading is going up and it was not so no faulty meter.

I checked the specific usage and the electricity is less than £0.05 on times when the guest is working 10-8pm and then there are spikes of usage.Severe spikes and they started the exact date the guest moved in.

I am hoping this will be proof enough to ask for compensation on the bills?The guest yes will be leaving in few days.Such a lovely person,I still cannot believe it !

It is very sad as I am so helpful and so welcoming and love hosting people and making them feel like home !So sad to be lied to as unfortunately that is the only scenario that seems to be happening.

[Marie8425]

@Sotiria6 

Timing is not proof of a reason.  I would in this case think I am guessing right but my only answer would be cut my loss,

I wouldn't say I have a problem, that word can cause problems for you.  

I would notify guest and Airbnb I have a concern.  To properly review I need room vacated as soon as possible.  

Remember this you are dealing with someone being dishonest.  If someone willingly is dishonest of a stranger (you),  you have very low chances he is suddenly going to be honest and pay you.

It stinks but sometimes a Guest is bad and you just have to protect yourself not cause more harm.

He will know you identified what he is doing, he will know your actions are a result of catching him but since you aren't accusing what he knows you can't prove instead your concerned for his safety.  No ammunition to terrorize you in a review.

[Sotiria6]

thanks so much you are amazing !honestly brings me so much joy that people like you take time to contribute and be generous !

[Helen3]

What loud noise @Sotiria6 

[Alessandro2064]

What kils me about guests that want too much heat in the winter is that they are the same ones who set the air conditioner to the coldest setting in the summer. 

[Kitty-and-Creek0]

@Alessandro2064 

That is so true! It baffles me, but it is exactly what happens, every time. Alas, people are so funny! We just roll with it, and if they are happy, so are we. 😉