City of Phoenix (Ordinance G-6008)

• Phoenix’s Cooling Ordinance sets a minimum temperature for cooling and ventilation in rental units. Rental units need to safely cool all habitable rooms to a temperature of no greater than 86 degrees if cooled by evaporative cooling; and no greater than 82 degrees if cooled by air conditioning.  
• Call the Phoenix Human Services Department at (602) 262-7210 to file a complaint or learn more about your rights as a renter. 

City of Tempe (Tempe City Code Section 21-34)

• Every rental housing unit shall have cooling, under the tenant’s control, capable of safely cooling all habitable rooms, bathrooms and flush toilet rooms located therein to a temperature no greater than 88 degrees, if cooled by evaporative cooling, or 82 degrees, if cooled by air conditioning.  

City of Tucson and South Tucson (Tucson City Code Section 16-11(b)(2))

• Air conditioners shall be capable of producing ambient temperatures at or below 82 degrees. Evaporative coolers shall be capable of producing ambient temperatures below 86 degrees.

• Provide your landlord with a written notice of the repairs that are needed. 
• Your landlord must make repairs within ten days of the written notice. 
• If your landlord fails to make repairs within ten days, you may be able to use the self-help repair statute (A.R.S. §33-1363). This allows you to notify your landlord that you will be fixing an issue yourself and deducting the cost from your rent if they have failed to fix the problem after ten days. Be sure to keep receipts of the repair work. 

If your landlord does not make the repair within the allotted time, you may also have other options. Landlord-tenant laws in Arizona may allow you to terminate your lease or sue for damages under certain circumstances (such as medical bills or paid rent, per A.R.S. §33-1364). It is always recommended that you speak with an attorney before attempting to terminate your own lease, deducting the cost for any rental repairs, or asking for damages.