Hi renters,

It’s almost time for fall. 🍂

But we still have weeks of heat ahead of us, which is why we’re talking today about what to do if the AC in your rental goes out.

I also answer a reader’s question about rent increases and share some cool listings worth clicking on.

Rent Check PHX hits your inbox every other Wednesday evening. The next edition will be coming on Sept. 24.

If you know any renters in the area who could benefit from this newsletter, please forward it to them and let them know where they can sign up. The more the merrier!

From one renter to another,

Jessica Swarner

Newsletter Editor, Rent Check PHX

What rights do Phoenix renters have when it comes to AC trouble?

man lying on couch while woman sits on top of couch fanning herself and looking at the AC unit

Nothing’s worse than when a heat wave follows you inside your own home. (antoniodiaz/Shutterstock)

It’s a hot summer day, with temperatures over 100 degrees. You come home from work, unlock your Phoenix apartment, and—oh no—it’s way too hot inside.

You run to your thermostat and, sure enough, something is off. It’s reading in the high 80s and climbing higher.

This is a situation many Phoenix renters face—and one I faced in July—especially in the summer with AC systems straining to keep up with extreme heat.

Hopefully, you call your landlord and they get it fixed as soon as possible. Luckily, this is how things went down in my case.

We had a “smart” thermostat that was getting old, and while we were out of town, my partner noticed in the app that our apartment was 95 degrees. We called our property manager, and they replaced the thermostat the next day. Problem solved.

But if your landlord isn’t being helpful, all hope is not lost. Arizona has legal protections in place to make sure renters aren’t faced with dangerous heat just because a landlord doesn’t want to fork over money to fix the AC.

Read the full story

🤏 If you’re OK with a tiny home: This guest house has one of the lowest square footages I’ve seen in a Phoenix rental at 260 square feet. The recently renovated spot off of 11th Avenue and Indian School Road is listed for $1,200 a month with all utilities included, and a promise of a washer and dryer coming soon.

☀️ If you love an Arizona room: This home off of 19th Avenue and Osborn Road has a big area—1,882 square feet—for only $1,100 a month. The three-bed, one-bath has a big Arizona room and a room full of shelving that would easily turn into a workshop. The backyard has a covered patio and a storage shed.

🌵If you want space and style: This 1,733-square-foot townhome off Carefree Highway and the 17 has the style of a short-term rental, but its owner is looking for a tenant to sign a standard lease. The home—listed for $3,000 a month—has a theme of National Parks, with what looks to be a cool mural in the living room. Bonus: The owner has offered to cover up to $300 a month in electricity from May to September.

🚿 If you like water features: This three-bed, two-bath off of Southern and 15th avenues has a walk-in shower, soaking tub, backyard pool, and outdoor shower for $2,500 a month. The owner is offering $500 off move-in if approved by Sept. 15.

If you come across any interesting, weird, or surprisingly affordable listings that you think should be featured here, please send them my way!

Email here

Listings available as of Sept. 9. I’m not paid to share these listings, but that doesn’t mean I can personally vouch for them. Please do your research before applying and signing a lease!

This is The Tenant’s Voice, a place where we can share our renting frustrations, helpful tips, and pressing questions.

This week, I’m answering a reader question from Joe M.

💰 “Are there limits on the amount a landlord can increase your rent on either a one year renewal or a two year renewal?”

As of now, no. Arizona law actually prevents cities and counties from limiting how much landlords can raise rent.

Landlords can increase rent by any amount for any reason, as long as it’s not due to discrimination or retaliation—for example, if a tenant reported a landlord over safety concerns.

There are some rules around notice, though.

Landlords must give tenants 30 days’ notice of a rent increase in a month-to-month lease, and 10 days’ notice for week-to-week rentals.

For longer leases, there is no specified period of notice. Landlords just can’t increase rent in the middle of a lease unless it was previously agreed upon.

Democrats have introduced bills in the Arizona Legislature in support of rent control and earlier notice of increases, but the Republican majority has shot those efforts down.

I have heard of shocking rent increases happening in Phoenix, especially in the past five years.

What’s the highest rent increase you’ve ever experienced? Send me your story, and I may print it in the next edition!

Email here