Arizona AG sues Tucson landlords over inadequate AC, unsafe living conditions

For Tucson residents living at Sedona Springs, Sienna Ridge and Summit Ridge, the Arizona attorney general’s lawsuit could determine whether their homes receive basic repairs, reliable cooling and safer maintenance. Attorney General Kris Mayes alleges that the three eastside apartment complexes have repeatedly failed to meet state and local housing standards, including Pima County’s requirement that rental units be capable of staying at or below 80 degrees. The properties are operated by Luxford Living and are connected to Delaware-based parent companies associated with Dasmen Residential.

The complaint describes apartments that became dangerously hot during this summer’s extreme temperatures. Indoor readings at Sedona Springs and Sienna Ridge reportedly reached 98.8 degrees, while some residents have gone without central air conditioning for extended periods. At Sedona Springs, Mayes says about half the property lost central air in March, during a record-breaking heat wave. Residents were left with portable window units, which often cooled only one room, as well as fans and other temporary measures.

A Sienna Ridge resident identified as Zach told 13 News that his air conditioner has malfunctioned since he moved in during February. He said temperatures in his apartment have approached 100 degrees, affecting his wife and two young children. The family has tried various ways to cope, including freezing wet rags and using them to cool themselves. Other tenants, according to the lawsuit, have purchased portable air conditioners and fans because the complexes did not provide sufficient cooling.

Residents also describe problems that go well beyond air conditioning. Zach reported serious structural damage, boarded windows, plumbing and water issues, and repeated break-ins at vacant apartments. He said people have kicked in doors, prompting him to install six-inch screws to keep his own door secured. Over the past year, Tucson television station 13 News received tips alleging that residents lacked running water and were dealing with roach infestations at the properties.

Mayes’ lawsuit lists a broad range of additional conditions reported at the complexes. They include recurring hot water outages, leaking and deteriorating plumbing, mold, crumbling walkways and stairs, rotting wooden balconies, poorly maintained pools and persistent pest problems. Tucson’s code enforcement division has investigated roughly 130 complaints involving the three properties since 2022. One complaint cited in the case said hot water at Sienna Ridge had been unavailable for 11 months. The lawsuit also says Sedona Springs lost air conditioning for an entire summer in 2022.

The complexes serve residents who may have limited alternatives. They are among the few properties in Pima County that accept Section 8 vouchers and other housing assistance, and their residents include veterans, older adults, people with disabilities and individuals living on fixed incomes. Mayes said that makes the alleged failures especially serious because residents may not be able to quickly relocate or pay for private cooling equipment and emergency repairs. Pima County recorded 117 heat-related deaths in 2025, including 49 deaths that occurred indoors, underscoring the risks of extreme heat inside homes.

The attorney general’s office says its concerns have continued despite years of complaints and temporary repairs. Mayes sent cease-and-desist letters to each complex earlier this year, after what her office described as three years of reported problems. The lawsuit claims the companies continued to rent units while advertising features such as in-unit air conditioning, round-the-clock maintenance, balconies and well-maintained swimming pools. Mayes alleges those representations misled prospective tenants and violated the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act, as well as the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act’s requirements for timely emergency repairs to essential services.

Mayes is asking a Maricopa County judge to issue permanent orders requiring the owners and operators to complete the repairs needed to comply with Arizona law. She also wants the companies barred from renting to new tenants at the three properties until the complexes meet required standards. In addition, the state is seeking restitution of $10,000 for each willful violation of the Consumer Fraud Act. The defendants did not respond to requests for comment from either reporting outlet, and 13 News said it contacted the owners and operators several times through multiple channels.

For residents such as Zach, the court action represents a possible path toward improvements after repeated complaints. He said tenants need functioning air conditioning, better overall living conditions, more dependable maintenance and more responsive staff. The case now places those demands before a judge, while tenants remain in apartments where cooling, water, security and structural conditions are alleged to remain unresolved.