A temporary move offered little relief for one San Antonio family trying to get working air conditioning — the model apartment their complex provided also had broken air conditioning. The family had already spent more than two weeks without functioning cooling, with one child's bedroom reaching around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Here's what to know
The family eventually found working air conditioning in a second temporary apartment, according to KSAT 12. Krystal, a mother of two, lives at an apartment complex on San Antonio's Northwest Side.
"I'm not usually somebody who makes a big fuss about anything. But when it came to seeing my kids so uncomfortable, I had to," Krystal said.
During a visit on Sept. 10, the station measured roughly 90 degrees Fahrenheit in one of the apartment's bedrooms. Management also received a violation notice on Sept. 10 from the city's Code Enforcement Division.
Every room in the family's second replacement apartment registered approximately 70 degrees. Getting there took two moves: The complex first placed them in its model apartment on Sept. 11, but that unit's broken air conditioning forced another relocation.
"The boys are more comfortable," Krystal said about her children. "It's not their home, but, you know, as long as they're comfortable, they're fine."
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More background
On its return visit, KSAT found crews still repairing the HVAC system in Krystal's original apartment. The city of San Antonio, meanwhile, said the complex had told officials the original problem was fixed.
Management's emailed response to KSAT gave an expected completion time for additional repairs it had identified. Krystal said maintenance workers had told her the apartment needed a larger unit and that one had been ordered.
Unusually hot summer weather was putting greater demands on local air-conditioning equipment, according to a spokesperson for the complex.
What's being done?
San Antonio officials said they would return to the property within two weeks to determine whether the cooling problem had been fixed, according to KSAT.
Completed repairs would resolve the violation. However, if the air-conditioning system still did not work, the complex could receive a citation.
"We were able to identify further repairs that will help fully address the situation," management told KSAT.
Where can I learn more?
Other renters have faced sweltering rooms and disputes with landlords over air conditioning. These stories discuss cooling failures, landlord instructions, lease concerns, and Houston's rental cooling requirements.
• A Texas tenant says their landlord wants the mini-split running around the clock.
• A Las Vegas renter says their bedroom reaches 93 degrees Fahrenheit daily despite air conditioning.
• Houston requires air conditioning in rentals, establishing cooling as a housing standard.
• Phoenix tenants say cooling failed again in 117-degree heat despite earlier repairs.
• A Georgia renter asked to break their lease after indoor temperatures reached 85 degrees.
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