No more energy bills that skyrocket
Heating on full blast with windows open, AC running 24/7 in summer, water heater running non-stop... Powtiva makes your tenants responsible by having them pay for what they actually consume.
A careless tenant can cost you a fortune
Without control, a rental's energy consumption can be 3 to 5 times higher than normal.
Heating on full blast
Radiators set to 28°C with windows open "for fresh air"
Non-stop AC
Air conditioning set to 18°C 24/7, even when the tenant is away
Water heater 24/7
Water heater running continuously instead of during off-peak hours
Everything left on
All appliances left running while the tenant is out
Estimated annual impact
For a 2-bedroom apartment rented 40 weeks/year with careless tenants
Source: feedback from Airbnb/Gîtes de France property owners
Real cases making headlines
Energy consumption abuse in rentals is not an isolated issue. The press regularly covers these stories.
🇫🇷 France
1 300€ de facture d'électricité : la nouvelle arnaque Airbnb
Tenants installed about ten computers to mine Bitcoin for 3 weeks. Result: a €1,300 bill for the owner, €86,000 in profits for the fraudsters.
Read the articleAirbnb : elle découvre une facture de 1 300€ après la location
Tenants had mined cryptocurrency and charged an electric vehicle. Airbnb refused to compensate some property owners who fell victim to the same scheme.
Read the articleFacture de 1 500$ : cette hôte a dû ajouter une règle étonnante
After a $1,500 bill in 3 weeks, the owner discovered through her cameras that tenants had set up a Bitcoin mining station.
Read the articleIls louent leur bien sur Airbnb et reçoivent une facture de 1 300€
The phenomenon of tenants exploiting included electricity to mine cryptocurrency is growing in France, leaving property owners helpless facing astronomical bills.
Read the articleLa fin des factures énergétiques anxiogènes pour les hôtes Airbnb
Energy costs represent 15 to 25% of a seasonal rental property's expenses. Many owners report doubled bills in winter with no recourse.
Read the articleSurconsommation électrique du locataire : que faire ?
The legal guide reminds that there is no legal threshold for overconsumption. Direct rebilling is prohibited except for short-term furnished rentals.
Read the guide🌍 International
Cryptominers made $100,000 mining at an Airbnb for three weeks
Cryptocurrency miners generated $100,000 in profits by setting up mining equipment in an Airbnb for 3 weeks, leaving a $1,500 bill for the owner.
Read the articleAirbnb guest mines $100K in crypto, leaves host with $1,500 power bill
The phenomenon of crypto mining in short-term rentals is growing. Property owners have no way to detect the abuse before receiving the bill.
Read the articleAirbnb host adds "no crypto-mining" rule after massive power bill
After falling victim to crypto miners, a property owner had to add an explicit rule banning mining. But without technical controls, the rule remains symbolic.
Read the article"Electricity Abuse or Theft" — hundreds of testimonials
On the international Airbnb forum, property owners worldwide report electricity bills multiplied by 3 to 5 after certain rentals, with no possible recourse.
See the threadCrypto miners use Airbnb to mine Bitcoin with someone else's electricity
Yahoo Finance analyzes the growing phenomenon of miners targeting Airbnb rentals to exploit included electricity, a new type of fraud that is hard to prevent.
Read the article"Facturation de l'électricité aux locataires voyageurs"
Dozens of French property owners share their difficulties managing energy consumption without any solution offered by Airbnb.
See the threadWith Powtiva, these situations are impossible
Powtiva's prepaid system prevents any unpaid overconsumption. The tenant pays before consuming. If the balance drops to 0, comfort circuits are automatically cut off. No surprises on your electricity bill, no crypto mining at your expense, no heating on full blast with windows open.
3 levels of automatic protection
Powtiva works on 3 levels to protect your profitability, without any intervention on your part.
Accountability
The tenant pays for what they consume. By seeing their balance decrease in real time, they naturally adopt responsible behavior.
Like hot water at a campsite: when you pay per token, you stop wasting.
Alerts before cutoff
When the balance is low, the tenant and the owner receive a WhatsApp message with a link to top up.
Automatic load shedding
If the balance drops to 0 despite alerts, comfort circuits are automatically cut off. The tenant must top up to restore them.
Lighting and outlets are never cut off (legal obligation respected).
Before vs After Powtiva
Concrete example for a 2-bedroom apartment in Bordeaux, rented on Airbnb, 40 weeks per year. Energy quota included: €50/week in the nightly rate.
Without Powtiva
Energy included in the rent, no control
"My quota covers €50/week, but some tenants consume double. I lose over €2,000 per year in overconsumption."
— Airbnb property owner, Bordeaux
With Powtiva
Included quota + prepaid beyond
"Since Powtiva, my tenants naturally pay attention. The included quota is enough in 80% of cases. And when they exceed it, they top up themselves."
— Gîte de France property owner, Dordogne
Who is most affected by abuse?
All types of furnished rentals are concerned, but some are more exposed.
Airbnb / Booking
High riskPassing travelers don't care about your electricity bill. They pay their nightly rate and consider energy as included.
Gîtes de France
Medium-high riskLonger stays (1-2 weeks), often in winter with intensive heating. Large properties (3+ bedrooms) consume enormously.
Furnished rental
Recurring riskFurnished leases often include utilities. Over 12 months, a careless tenant can cost thousands of euros.
Everything is automated
Install once, Powtiva handles the rest. Zero manual intervention.
Real-time monitoring
Consumption in kWh and euros, updated every 5 minutes. Owner dashboard + tenant portal.
Tenant QR portal
The tenant scans a QR code to see their balance, consumption, and top up in 30 seconds.
Stripe top-up
Online card payment. Credit is instantly added to the prepaid account.
WhatsApp alerts
Automatic notifications: low balance, load shedding activated, top-up received. For both the tenant AND the owner.
Total transparency
Detailed history of every kWh consumed. No more disputes possible, everything is traceable.
Proven savings
Average 30% reduction in consumption thanks to tenant accountability.
Powtiva watches over your properties, even while you sleep
Our modules run 24/7. Powtiva analyzes data and automatically alerts you in case of anomalies.
Smart alerts
Your property is consuming energy when it should be empty. Squatters? Heating left on? You are notified immediately.
Sudden consumption 3x higher than normal. Faulty appliance? Crypto mining? Immediate alert.
The tenant has left but the heating is still running. You are alerted to avoid waste.
The device is offline. Grid failure? Tripped breaker? You know before your tenant does.
Auto cutoff between bookings
When your property is empty between two bookings, why heat an empty space? Powtiva automatically cuts comfort circuits and turns them back on before the next tenant arrives.
Heating, AC, water heater: automatically cut off
X hours before the next check-in, everything turns back on
The property is warm, ready, with no waste in between
A property empty 12 weeks per year with forgotten heating = €300 to €600 in waste avoided.
Abnormal consumption alert
Your property "T2 Paris 11e" is consuming 12 W (a lamp left on?) while no booking is currently active.
Last booking ended 3 days ago. Expected consumption: 0 W.
17:42
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to cut a tenant's heating?
Yes, within the framework of a prepaid system with clear conditions in the lease/rental agreement. Lighting and outlets are never cut off (legal obligation). The tenant can always restore heating by topping up their balance.
Can the tenant bypass the system?
No. The control modules are installed in the electrical panel by an electrician. They are not accessible to the tenant. Control is handled through a secure local protocol.
What happens if the tenant refuses to top up?
Comfort circuits remain cut off. Lighting and outlets always work. The owner is notified via WhatsApp and can decide to manually credit the account if necessary.
How to set the kWh price for the tenant?
You can apply the actual electricity rate (approx. €0.25/kWh) or add a margin to cover the fixed electricity subscription. Each property can have its own rate.
What if the tenant consumes normally?
Perfect! They get their remaining balance back at check-out (for short-term rentals) or their prepaid serves as a utility deposit (for leases). Powtiva is fair: the thrifty tenant is rewarded.
How much does installation cost?
The kit starts at €112 (meter + 2 relays). SaaS subscription from €19/month. Return on investment in less than 3 months for most property owners.
Protect your profitability today
Join property owners who have regained control of their energy costs. Installation in 1 hour, return on investment in less than 3 months.