questions & answers

Question: I am currently renting a home in Tucson that has a Swamp Cooler. The swamp cooler has not been keeping the house cool. The temperature reaches between 88-91 degrees inside even with many fans throughout house. The landlord has failed to offer any way of cooling down the house. If we want an AC unit in the windows we must pay for it. He has neglected to fix things because we pay "cheap rent for the neighborhood we're in." Is the landlord legally responsible for providing livable conditions such as accurate cooling?

Answer: A landlord is required to do the following under Arizona law. A.R.S. §§ 33-1322 – 1324.
•Provide the tenant with the name and address of the property’s owner and manager
•Provide the tenant with a free copy of the Arizona Landlord and Tenant Act
•Provide the tenant with a signed copy of the lease
•Provide the tenant with possession of the residence
•Comply with applicable building codes
•Make necessary repairs so that the residence is habitable
•Keep common areas clean
•Maintain all electrical, plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning equipment
•Provide for the removal of trash
•Supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot water

For more information on the Landlord/Tenant act go to: http://www.azlawhelp.org/articles_info.cfm?mc=3&sc=24&articleid=25 or
 https://www.azag.gov/sites/default/files/sites/all/docs/civil-rights/fha/TenantRightsResponsibilities.pdf