Mesa Tenants Endure ‘Hell’ Without AC for Over a Month, Residents Speak Out

The property manager said they are working on the problem but are running into issues getting the necessary replacement parts.

MESA, Ariz. — During a record-breaking Arizona summer, many endure the heat with no air conditioning. This includes residents at Sonoran Palms Apartments located off Country Club Drive and Rio Salado Parkway in Mesa.

“It’s been hell living here,” said resident Christopher Houston.

Houston noted that the issue has persisted since the end of June. On Thursday afternoon, his apartment thermometer read 87 degrees.

“You can see how much I’m sweating in here,” Houston said.

Water appeared to be leaking from his AC system. Despite several complaints to management, he has been provided only a portable chilling system that partially cools one room.

“This apartment for me is uninhabitable. I’ve been staying with my girlfriend, my brother, or other people,” he revealed.

Inspections by 12News showed other apartments also reached 87 degrees. Catherine Ockerman’s apartment was at 78 degrees, despite her thermostat being set at 65.

“The other night when the AC went out, I had to sleep with a wet washcloth on,” Ockerman shared.

Kerri McIntire, from Apartment Management Consultants LLC, responded to 12News with a statement confirming some apartments had cooling issues but cited delays in obtaining necessary parts for repairs. “Sonoran Palms is doing everything within its power to address this situation to restore a fully functioning Chiller system as quickly as possible,” McIntire stated.

Houston expressed his frustration. “This is ridiculous,” he said. “We’ve already contacted an attorney.”

12News contacted the City of Mesa for their take on the matter. They said Arizona law mandates landlords to provide essential services like air conditioning and urged tenants to report issues to the Arizona Department of Housing and the Arizona Multihousing Association.

Attorney General Kris Mayes has recently taken legal action against a Phoenix apartment complex for not providing working air conditioning to about 400 units. Her office encourages victims of tenant-law violations to file complaints through their official channels.