As we enter the last few weeks of the summer and the sweltering heat in Arizona, cooling units that have survived another season may need repairs. Tenants in Arizona have the right to safe, livable conditions in their rental units and property owners are responsible for keeping up with maintenance.  

The Landlord and Tenant Program, offered through the Human Services Department, aims to educate community members about their rights and responsibilities according to state law. 

“We have three landlord-tenant counselors, and they provide 50-minute-long appointments over the phone or in person,” explained Stefanie Nader, a program manager of the Landlord and Tenant Program.  

In an interview with The Arizona Republic, she discussed the numerous calls and emails the staff receives daily. 

“When I look at the numbers in July, we received 794 calls,” said Nader, who made sure to note that these were not all specifically about air conditioning. “We turn things around with (a) 24-hour period and respond to emails within three days.” 

Nader said her staff helps renters and landlords to ensure that no one is left with unanswered questions. She noted that any information given to her team is not shared and they are not responsible for contacting any party involved in a dispute.  

Here’s what you need to know about the rights granted to you by the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.  

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Are Arizona landlords required to keep apartments cool? 

Landlords in Phoenix must provide adequate cooling in rental homes. The city requires that evaporative coolers should be able to cool to 86 degrees or below, while other systems, such as HVAC units, should be able to cool to 82 degrees or below. This information is outlined in the Phoenix City Code under Chapter 39-5, dealing with electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems and health and safety conditions.  

Under B.1.b, cooling requirements are described as: “Every rental housing unit where such systems are installed shall have cooling capable of safely cooling all habitable rooms, bathrooms and flushing toilet rooms to a temperature no greater than 86 degrees Fahrenheit, if cooled by evaporative cooling, or 82 degrees Fahrenheit, if cooled by air conditioning. Temperature measurements shall be taken at a distance three feet above the floor in the center of the room. Required cooling shall be provided by permanently installed cooling facilities.” 

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Who can I call if I am having trouble getting my landlord to fix my AC unit? 

Nader invited individuals with questions about a specific problem they are dealing with or are seeking general information to reach out to her office. Community members in Phoenix can email them at landlord.tenant.hsd@phoenix.gov or call their office at 602-262-7210.  

Otherwise, the program is housed at the Travis L. Williams Family Service Center at 4732 S. Central Ave. The office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office also has Spanish speakers on staff.

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After talking with the renter, the staff refers them to the Neighborhood Services Department, which handles the violation.