The dangers of extreme summer heat do not stop when someone steps indoors. In Arizona, state officials are warning landlords that failing to provide adequate cooling can constitute a housing violation.
On Aug. 7, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed a lawsuit against the owners and managers of three Tucson apartment complexes. They are Sedona Springs, Sienna Ridge, and Summit Ridge.
According to Smart Cities Dive, the state alleges residents were left without adequate air conditioning during triple-digit summer heat. The state’s complaint says indoor temperatures collected inside some homes reached as high as 98.9 degrees Fahrenheit. Pima County generally requires cooling systems in applicable rental units to keep occupied spaces at or below 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
The lawsuit also alleges the cooling problems were part of a broader pattern of neglect that also included plumbing problems, leaks, mold concerns, deteriorating walkways and balconies, and pest infestations. The state is seeking court orders requiring repairs, along with restitution and civil penalties.
Arizona Law Requires Habitable Rental Homes
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Arizona’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Act requires landlords to “do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition.” Local rules can get even more specific with what they require of landlords. The Arizona Attorney General’s Office says air-conditioned rental units in Phoenix and Tucson generally cannot exceed 82 degrees Fahrenheit in habitable rooms.
Meanwhile, Pima County has yet another different standard. The state’s complaint cites a county-wide rule requiring qualifying cooling systems to maintain occupied spaces at 80 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
The complaint alleges Sedona Springs and Sienna Ridge lacked adequate air conditioning that met their respective standards for months during the 2026 summer. It also says Arizona sent cease-and-desist letters to all three complexes in July before filing the lawsuit.
The Tucson case has not yet established that the defendants violated the law; those are allegations being made by the state.
Other Options When Cooling Fails
Arizona officials advise tenants with failed cooling systems to notify their landlords in writing. According to the Attorney General’s Office, landlords generally must act within five days when the temperature presents a health and safety risk, although local codes can require faster action.
Now, say a landlord does not respond. In that case, state law may give qualifying renters several options. Those can include arranging certain repairs and deducting a certain sum from rent, terminating the lease, or suing for damages. The qualifying course of action depends on the circumstances.
“Extreme heat poses a serious health risk,” warned Mayes, as reported by Multifamily Dive, “and it is unacceptable for tenants to be without proper cooling. Landlords and management companies must take swift action when cooling systems fail so that tenants have safe and habitable living conditions in accordance with the law.”