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Sweltering Deerfield Estates resident fear eviction if they use window air conditioners

Posted at 6:22 PM, Jul 19, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-19 20:21:06-04

FLAT ROCK, Mich. (WXYZ) — "My husband and I wake up sweating," said Kayla Barger who is one of a number of people living at Deerfield Estates in Flat Rock who think a rule that prohibits the use of window air conditioner units is "absurd."

"They decided it makes the place look trashy because there used to be hundreds in the park," said Jim Toombs who told 7 Action News that he and his family used the window units for 20 years.

Now, they're using portable units that sit inside the house, but Toombs and others agree that they just don't work as well as the window units.

Meghann Lorey said her central air is not working and she can't afford repairs. She's now using a portable air conditioner unit inside her home, but the thermostat still reads 81 degrees and she's worried about her dog.

"When you have an animal in there, it's tough," she says.

Jerome Ruggirello of Ajr Development owns Deerfield Estates and he told 7 Action News that it's not unusual for mobile home communities to prohibit window air conditioner units. He said the window units have never been allowed at Deerfield and it has a lot to do with aesthetics.

Ruggirello said if someone has health issues then they would consider making an exception.