SAN ANTONIO – A local family residing in the Four Thousand Horizon Hill apartment complex is facing significant challenges due to a malfunctioning air conditioning system. Since a storm on August 28, the air conditioning unit in Krystal Garcia’s apartment has failed to provide adequate cooling, particularly in the bedroom where her two young children sleep.
Krystal Garcia has made numerous maintenance requests, but despite being marked as completed, the air conditioning issues persist. “I’m paying so much money and I’m not getting what I’m paying for,” Garcia expressed, highlighting the frustration many tenants feel when their living conditions do not meet their expectations.
During a recent visit to the apartment, measurements taken with a thermometer revealed alarming temperatures. A thermometer left on the bed in the children’s room reached around 90 degrees Fahrenheit within just 15 minutes. In contrast, another room in the apartment, which had functional air conditioning, was a comfortable 74 degrees.
“I’m furious,” Garcia stated, emphasizing the discomfort her children, aged 7 and 4, have endured. To cope with the extreme heat, she has opted to keep her children at daycare for extended hours, often until around 6:30 PM, to avoid the sweltering conditions at home.
The City of San Antonio has been responsive to Garcia’s concerns. After she reported the issue, she received prompt communication from city services inquiring whether the air conditioning unit had been repaired. However, despite assurances from the apartment management, the problem remained unresolved. An employee indicated that they would pass along the information to the maintenance team, yet Garcia continued to receive notifications of completed work orders while the air conditioning remained ineffective.
“I want somebody up there who’s going to care about the residents,” Garcia said, stressing the need for management to prioritize tenant well-being.
According to ReyAnne Ristow, director of operations for Reep Residential, the management company overseeing the complex, the initial issue was identified as a tripped breaker. After a follow-up inspection, it was reported that the air conditioning was functioning. However, Ristow assured that her team would revisit the situation after learning about the continued discomfort in Garcia’s unit.
Ristow noted that the issue was only reported in Garcia’s apartment, but other residents have voiced similar complaints regarding their air conditioning systems. One resident mentioned that her family member resorted to using a temporary window unit due to persistent issues, while others indicated their air conditioning was not operating at full capacity.
Garcia’s frustrations are compounded by her past experience with maintenance issues, during which she attempted to withhold rent but was met with a $200 late fee from the management. Texas law offers tenants potential remedies when landlords neglect necessary repairs affecting health or safety. In some cases, tenants may arrange for repairs and deduct the costs from future rent, though specific legal requirements must be met.
For tenants facing similar challenges, it is crucial to thoroughly understand their rights and consider seeking legal advice before taking any actions such as withholding rent. In San Antonio, residents can report violations to the City of San Antonio’s Code Enforcement to ensure their living conditions meet safety and health standards.
