'Negligent' New Haven Landlord Faces $2K A Day Fines for 50 'In One Week' Building Violations: Officials

NEW HAVEN, CT — Tuesday, just after landlord Jianchao Xu was being arraigned in Housing Court, Mayor Justin Elicker and other city officials announced actions being taken to hold Xu "accountable for building code violations and housing code violations at several of his 21 "currently known" properties in New Haven.

Xu was set to appear in court to face a criminal prosecution related to the myriad violations. Among the actions taken is the revocation of the Residential Rental Licenses for all known properties owned or managed by Xu and/or companies he owns. "In just one week, over 50 housing code violations were found at several of his properties," according to the city.

Residential Rental Licenses and inspections are required by the city for rental dwellings to help ensure a property has met minimum housing standards to protect the safety, health and welfare of New Haven residents.

Xu has 30 days to satisfy city requirements and remedy these violations or risk fines and penalties of up to $2,000 per day, per property.

A media briefing was held at 56-58 Avon St., the site of three of 18 fires that have occurred at Xu-owned and/or operated properties over the last decade, Elicker said.