If you were making a claim for the fire anyway, then you were already headed down that path, just make sure the insurance adjuster agrees that the home is temp. not inhabitable due to the lack of air conditioning so that you do get the loss of rents, and extra expenses.

Credit scores are husband 630 and Wife 437.Income-is just over 3 times rent, husband retirement benefit, wife on job 6 months temp to perm.

It could also be high occupancy and low AC temps. 

Just wondering if it just wasn't heating the water hot enough (and they could have just turned up the temp on it), or if it was completely dead.

Last summer I invested in a 70liter/day dehumidifier, and you would be shocked how much this helped the situation, both by making warmer temps more comfortable and getting rid of the stickiness.  

Never need to discuss it, but it's a just-in-case thing.I'd put one of those locks on the thermostat so they can't change the temps for the entire house.  

Also, the husband is working but for a temp staffing agency.

The other issue was a bad hi-temp switch which i found with my multi-tester.

When flush with cash it can be to temping to buy in on deals or start in the middle when one needed to begin a few steps back. 

I'm not sure if in Washington I can Require renters insurance, but I want to strongly recommend it and point out that i will not be responsible for their personal items, temp housing etc. etc. etc.Can you send me a word version of what you use?