HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — The City of Hot Springs is looking at cracking down on policies that allow landlords to avoid or up-charge for one very important thing, especially during hot summers like this one— air conditioning.
This has been a hot topic, especially after Greenbriar Apartments were having these issues last summer. Tenants struggled when air conditioning was not available in their homes. The property owner said tenants would be charged for using an a/c unit.
In August of last year, the city council considered requiring landlords to provide adequate air conditioning at least 15 degrees lower than the outdoor temperature. It was tabled.
Now, the city council is considering cracking down on renter's rights again. Including requiring property owners to have hot and cold running water, electricity, safe drinking water, and proper building, but air conditioning is still not included.
"C'mon we all go home, we ride in our cars, and we have a/c. There's people out there that it's hard enough for them to make rent. And then you're going to tell them they need to pay more for a/c that's not fair," said Donna Gibson, a resident of Hot Springs.
Gibson voiced her frustrations about not including air conditioning in the ordinance, and members from a committee who helped draft this said there's a reason they didn't require it.
"There are some groups out there that do not use it and many of them being elderly, often Hispanic families, are not accustomed to that from their home country," said Russell Thomas, one of the committee members.
There is a provision that landlords would be required to provide a disclosure statement on whether or not air conditioning would be on the premises and who is responsible for the maintenance and payment of that.
However, some still didn't agree with that, including Hot Springs Director Phyllis Beard. She said Hot Springs is not following the International Property Maintenance Code.
After discussion, directors took a vote and passed the ordinance.