Arizona sues Tucson landlords over inadequate air conditioning

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has filed a lawsuit against the owners and managers of three affiliated apartment complexes in Tucson, alleging they failed to provide residents with adequate air conditioning. The lawsuit, filed on August 7, claims tenants faced significant health risks during the 2026 summer heatwaves, with indoor temperatures reportedly reaching as high as 98.9 degrees Fahrenheit.

The legal action seeks a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction, alleging patterns of neglect that may violate the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act and the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Under current state requirements, landlords must repair broken air conditioning units within five days of receiving written notice if temperatures pose a health and safety risk.

This legal move follows a legislative effort by Mayes and State Senator Lauren Kuby to introduce a bill requiring habitable indoor temperatures. The proposed legislation would mandate that rental housing temperatures do not exceed 82 degrees Fahrenheit or fall below 68 degrees Fahrenheit during extreme weather.