PHOENIX — It's a situation no one in Arizona wants to be in the middle of the summer.
The Arizona Attorney General's office said residents of 400 units at one Phoenix apartment complex have been without AC for more than a month.
“That’s a major problem for everybody not just me,” said Michael Channel Sr. who lives at the Buenas on 32nd Apartments.
Channel said he's lived at the complex near Grand Avenue and Indian School Road for about four months now. It was shortly after he got settled in that he noticed his air conditioning wasn't working.
“It’s like going into a steam room,” Channel said.
Management gave Channel two portable A/C units he said are keeping his apartment relatively cool. About 80 degrees, according to a temperature reader device that was used Tuesday evening. Several other apartments also appeared to have the same or similar devices hanging out of their windows.
Still, if those devices go out, Channel said the heat would be unbearable.
“We need our freaking air back on in here,” Channel said.
Earlier that day, Attorney General Kris Mayes announced she sent the complex's parent company, Buenas Communities LLC, a cease and desist letter stating they are violating several state laws. Mayes gave the company until Friday to get all air-conditioning units working.
“Thank God that the attorney general stepped in,” Channel said.
A spokesperson for the City of Phoenix said they are aware of the issue and the apartment complex currently has 39 citations against them for violating the city's cooling ordinance that requires rental housing units with HVAC systems to not get any warmer than 82 degrees. For EVAP coolers, they mandated not to get any hotter than 86 degrees.
Arraignments have been scheduled for next month.
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