Is my landlord responsible to repair an Air Conditioner if it breaks?

The Arizona Landlord/Tenant Act makes it clear that a landlord is obligated to maintain air-conditioning in safe working order.  If the landlord refuses to fix it, start by giving your landlord a 24-hour notice of repair.  You can send it by certified mail, but that may take several days.  It’s best to deliver the notice in person and make sure that you have witness with you who it not related to you.  If the landlord organizes the repairs to start within 24 hours, they should be completed within five days.  If you still have not received a response from the landlord after the 24 hours, you have a few other options. 

They are:

You can hire someone to fix the unit and deduct the cost of the repair from your next month’s rent.  The only stipulation is the cost of the repair should not be more than half of your rent of $300. You must use a licensed contractor.

Another option is to purchase a portable room air-condition unit.  Again, the purchase price cannot be more than your half of the rent or $300.

Thirdly, you can find another place to stay until the air-conditioning is fixed.  You cannot spend more than 125 percent of the amount you pay for daily rent.  This can be deducted from your next month’s rental payment.

Lastly, you have the right to terminate your lease because of the landlord’s failure to comply with Arizona law.  You will need to document everything in case this winds up in court.  Most importantly, do not stop paying rent and you will lose all of your rights as a renter