PHOENIX — There was food, free face-painting and raffle prizes... all for tenants living at Buenas on 32nd- an apartment complex off of Indian School Road and Grand Avenue in Phoenix. It was hosted by the complex's parent company Buenas Communities LLC.
It was to show appreciation and cooperation to residents after they dealt without proper air conditioning for two months.
That and several other issues were listed in a lawsuit filed against Buenas Communities LLC by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes.
However, the company's general contractor Steven Hernandez said on Friday, that despite numerous residents who claimed they were without cold air for two months, it wasn't that long.
"Most of those allegations were false," Hernandez said.
He claimed employees worked 19-hour days to get the issue resolved. Management said they gave out wall AC units to residents to keep temperatures relatively cool and below 82 degrees, which is the temperature limit for a residence written in Phoenix City Code.
While tenants and management can't agree on when this issue started, Hernandez said the problem has been fixed.
"The new chiller is actually ready in place," Hernandez said.
12News tested the temperature in two apartments after the announcement. Both were well below the 82-degree threshold.
"It's awesome," said Heather Boyles who has lived at the complex for five years. "The management here has really stepped up to the plate to help get us the cooling that we needed."
Boyles said her AC was out for two months and while she is thankful to management for finally getting it back up and running, she believes it should have been done a lot sooner. She said she has medical conditions and ended up going to her doctor several times because of the heat. Boyles was also disappointed that Friday's event didn't come with a formal apology from management.
“I mean we almost lost two people due to the health conditions," Boyles said. "It would have been so much better for a much bigger apology.”
When 12News asked Hernandez if they should apologize for the situation tenants faced, he said yes.
"We can issue an apology," Hernandez said. "That's why we're currently, you know, giving them a month back of rent."
As to when that rent refund will be given out was not disclosed.
While it appears the air conditioning issue has been resolved, the lawsuit with the Attorney General continues.
12News asked a spokesperson for the Attorney General's Office and Hernandez for a statement regarding the lawsuit, but both declined to comment.
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