Nine units in a 62+ apartment complex in Gaithersburg have been without air conditioning “this year during heat exceeding 100 degrees,” according to an email sent to MCM from a tenant.
Following an investigation by County Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles and the City of Gaithersburg, temporary air conditioning units were provided to eight of the units. A resident of one of the units did not accept the temporary air conditioner.
The management of the Hillside Senior Apartment Homes on Skidmore Boulevard has until July 18 to provide air conditioning to those nine units.
Under county law enacted in May of 2021, landlords must provide and maintain air-conditioning units in good working condition in each habitable space from June 1 through Sept. 30. The temperature must be maintained at no more than 80 degrees.
This applies to apartments, townhouses and condominiums.
When Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman learned of the matter this week, he asked a city employee to investigate. That employee went to the complex and then sent a letter to Ashman, noting, “We proceeded to issue the property management a notice of violation with a compliance date of July 18.”
After being notified, the property owner “contracted with a licensed HVAC contractor to begin replacements and repairs,” according to the Gaithersburg employee. That employee said the owner would first service the unit where the tenant turned down the temporary air conditioner and then would complete a few units each day.
“All units are scheduled to be fully replaced by the middle of next week.” the employee stated in the letter to Ashman.
According to the anonymous letter sent to MCM, a lack of air conditioning and other issues have persisted for a while.
“Complaints are received with a promise that the AC units will be replaced yet elderly tenants have lived with in home temperatures of 90+ for far too long,” the tenant wrote, adding the heat has affected the health of residents.
Gaithersburg officials promised to stay on top of the problem and will “continue to monitor and ensure compliance until all permanent repairs are completed.”
