AG Kris Mayes sends letter demanding Glendale apartment complex fix air conditioning

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes sent a formal demand letter Wednesday ordering a Glendale apartment complex to repair its air conditioning systems while summer heat causes temperatures to soar.

The cease and desist letter was addressed to Asset Living and Spectra West Apartments, which is located off 59th Avenue and Bethany Home Road, and came after consumer reports as well as an AZFamily article that stated a majority of the complex’s apartments lacked functioning air conditioning, causing temperatures inside them to reportedly climb to over 100 degrees.

It was noted that the temperature threshold considered safe for indoor living is 82 degrees.

The letter also highlighted there were 111 cases of heat-related indoor deaths in Maricopa County last year that involved non-functioning or under-functioning air conditioning.

“We are in the middle of extreme summer heat with temperatures climbing over 100 degrees across the metro-Phoenix area,” Mayes said in a news release. “It is unacceptable for residents to be without proper cooling in this dangerous weather.”

There was an extreme heat warning in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday due to temperatures being expected to reach around 114 degrees.

What else did Kris Mayes’ letter to the Glendale apartment complex say?

The letter alleged that Spectra West’s actions might violate the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act and landlord-tenant law due to its failure to disclose ongoing problems with its air conditioning as well as advertising amenities including air conditioning and on-site maintenance.

Civil penalties for violating the Consumer Fraud Act can carry up to a $10,000 fine per violation along with relinquishment of profits and reimbursement to affected tenants.

The letter’s demands included:

• Air conditioning systems be repaired in all units by a licensed technician by 5 p.m. Friday with written proof of compliance submitted to the Mayes’ office.
• Interim relief, such as portable air conditioning units capable of cooling units to 82 degrees or lower, or alternative housing be provided to affected tenants until repairs are complete.
• Preservation of all maintenance requests, air conditioning and marketing material records going back to May 2024.

Spectra West was also reminded about its obligation under the Arizona Civil Rights Act that actions taken to fix the problem be done without discrimination and that tenants with disabilities who are effected by the heat be provided reasonable accommodations.

People who believe they have been affected by unsafe housing conditions or deceptive advertising practices can file a complaint with the attorney general’s office.

Related

Phoenix weekly forecast includes extreme heat warning, possible monsoon activityPre-summer prep: Why your air conditioning needs more than just a quick lookHarkins adds late-night showings of ‘The Odyssey’ in Arizona’s only IMAX 70mm theaterPop-punk band All Time Low to perform at Arizona State FairJudge in case brought by Arizona, 11 other states temporarily blocks Paramount-Warner mergerHomicide suspect who was injured during arrest in Mesa has been booked into jail