Arizona Attorney Kris Mayes announced the issuance of a demand letter to the Elton Apartment Homes and Diamond Asset Management, LLC, demanding immediate action to address the lack of proper air conditioning in a Phoenix apartment complex.
The Attorney General’s Office found that the air conditioning system at Elton Apartment Homes began to malfunction as early as June 5, and by July 10, almost all units at Elton lacked functioning air conditioning.
A leasing manager declined to speak to The Arizona Republic on July 18 and asked them to leave the property.
Some tenants were provided portable air conditioning units that may have been incapable of adequately cooling their apartments, the Attorney General’s Office said. Temperatures inside two apartments with portable units were 87 degrees and 83 degrees, the office reported.
According to the city of Phoenix’s cooling ordinance, all air conditioning units must cool the unit to 82 degrees or below.
A pregnant tenant was hospitalized due to extreme heat, with temperatures inside her apartment reaching 97 degrees, the Attorney General’s Office said. Additionally, a 66-year-old man who was not provided a portable air conditioner died this week, according to the office. While the cause of his death is still under investigation, the letter from the Attorney General’s Office noted that lack of air conditioning during Arizona summers can be deadly.
“My message is this — please, please call my office or visit our website and file a complaint with us if this is happening to you at any apartment complex across the Valley or anywhere in Arizona,” said Attorney General Mayes. “I take this issue very seriously. We will continue to take action, if necessary, if they don’t come into compliance ASAP.”
Arizona landlords are required to repair broken air conditioners within five days of receiving written notice if temperatures reach levels that pose a health and safety risk, the Attorney General’s Office said.
This deadline may be even shorter if the indoor temperature exceeds limits set by local city codes, the office added.
Tenants whose landlord continues to fail to repair the air conditioning were encouraged to file a consumer complaint with the Attorney General’s Office in Phoenix at 602-542-5763, in Tucson at 520-628-6646, or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at 800-352-8431.
The Attorney General’s Office said it would investigate this matter and are prepared to take legal action if necessary.
Attorney General previously sent notice to another Phoenix apartment
On July 9, the Attorney General’s Office sent a similar demand letter to Urban League Manor, which is located near 43rd Avenue and Thomas Road.
Residents in the senior living home had been living without adequate air conditioning in temperatures exceeding 110 degrees, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
On July 18, the Attorney General’s Office confirmed that air conditioning had been restored at Urban League Manor.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Attorney General issues another letter over lack of air conditioning