The city-condemned building at 56-58 Avon on Tuesday. Fire Chief Daniel Coughlin (second from right) alongside LCI’s Mark Stroud, CAO Justin McCarthy, Fire Marshal Jerry Rynich, and Justin Elicker: “A shocking number of fires.” After finding improper wiring, exit obstructions, mice infe stations, and sewage leaks, the city has revoked the local rental licenses of Bethany-based landlord Jianchao Xu. Xu now has 30 days to address those housing-code violations or risk fines and penalties of up to $2,000 per day, per property. Mayor Justin Elicker made that announcement Tuesday morning during a press conference held outside of 56-58 Avon St., a six-unit apartment building that has caught fire three times since November 2023, including twice so far this year. The building has subsequently been condemned by the city. Standing alongside a host of alders and top city officials, Elicker described Xu as “one of the most repeated and egregious offenders” when it comes to fires and housing-code violations. He spoke out about just how many fires have taken place at Xu’s local rental properties. Xu’s various holding companies own 20 properties in the city spanning 105 units. His New Haven properties have seen 18 fires over the last decade, according to the Elicker administration. One of those fires, at 516 Elm St., resulted in the death of New Havener Kenneth Mims in 2024. After the most recent fire at 56-58 Avon St., on March 16, the Livable City Initiative (LCI) conducted inspections of properties owned by Xu. Between March 16 and March 20, LCI found more than 50 housing-code violations across eight properties during that time. Under Sec. 17-80(c) of the New Haven Code of Ordinances, LCI has the authority to revoke a residential rental property license for all properties owned or managed by a landlord if more than five unresolved housing-code violations exist simultaneously at any of their properties. So, as of April 10, the city has revoked rental licenses for all of Xu’s eligible properties. Xu was also scheduled to have his first day in court on Tuesday. He is facing a Class B misdemeanor charge stemming from building code violations and the second-latest fire at 56-58 Avon St. on Feb. 28, which displaced 17 tenants. (There was another fire at the same property just two weeks later.) Those violations, according to city Building Official Bob Dillon, include the fact that Southern Connecticut Gas Company had turned off the gas at 56-58 Avon on Feb. 28, after the first fire, but someone had managed to turn the gas back on before the March 16 fire. A Class B Misdemeanor carries with it a penalty of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. While Xu and Tracey Xu were both on the criminal housing court docket at 121 Elm St. Tuesday, the two didn’t end up showing up to court, as the hearing was rescheduled to a later date. “Your honor, it came to our attention that last night they hired counsel,” said state prosecutor Donna Parker. Xu’s attorney, Frank P. Cirillo, filed a request for continuance, as he was out of town. State Superior Court Judge Alayna Stone granted the request and continued the case to April 21. Cirillo declined to comment on the case at this time. Xu himself did not respond to a request for comment. Prosecutor Donna Parker in housing court on Tuesday. Judge Alayna Stone grants continuance for Xu’s case. After Xu’s scheduled hearing, Mayor Elicker was joined by city officials from LCI, the fire department, and the building department for a press conference outside 56-58 Avon, announcing the city’s actions against Xu — both the license revocations and the criminal housing court proceedings. “Everyone deserves a safe place to live,” Elicker said. “It’s not just irresponsible — some actions are illegal.” Elicker said that the city welcomes landlords who abide by the rules. He noted that many fail inspections because of small errors. However, he said, most landlords fix those violations. The more than 50 violations found across eight Xu-owned properties include obstructed egress at 38 Bishop Ave., mice infestations at 127 James St. and 43 Division St., a leaking furnace at 21 Shelter St., and a refrigerator plugged into an extension cord at 27 Harrison St. Read the full list here. In order for Xu to be back in compliance, he’ll need to submit new residential rental license applications to LCI; address all housing code violations and resolve outstanding civil citations; pass a full LCI inspection of each property; and obtain LCI’s written approval before resuming rental activity. Fire Marshal Jerry Rynich said that his department has seen “full cooperation from Jianchao Xu and David Kone,” Xu’s property manager, and that his department has inspections lined up for properties. Officials were not sure of the exact number of tenants who live in Xu’s 20 properties. Asst. Corporation Counsel Sinclair Williams said that the city is not ordering tenants to vacate, as Xu’s properties haven’t been deemed uninhabitable. If that changes and tenants are ordered to vacate, the city will assist with relocation, he said. “I remember every fire that has happened at this property,” said East Rock/Fair Haven Alder Caroline Tanbee Smith. She recalled a tenant jumping out of the window after seeing smoke under his door, and talking to another who had already been displaced twice from Xu’s properties. “This is the real impact of a sustained pattern of neglect,” she said. “For many of these tenants, even after today, the impact of these fires may not end.” Alana Ceppetelli, who lives next door to 56-58 Avon, said that she was home for the property’s first two fires, and that she knew some of the tenants living there. “It’s disappointing,” she said. The first time around, she and her roommates had had their windows open. They were worried for themselves and for Xu’s tenants. Even now, the smell of the latest fire lingers in the air. “We’re privileged with a good landlord,” Ceppetelli said. “I’m curious what the city is doing to protect tenants.” Still, she said, it was important for all members of the community to come together when tenants are put in harm’s way. “It’s on neighbors to step in,” she said. See below for all known Xu-owned properties that have caught on fire, including 18 over the last decade. Courtesy of city spokesperson Lenny Speiller. Currently owned properties: 56-58 Avon Street (3 fires) – 11/17/2023, 2/28/2026, 3/16/202638 Bishop Street – 1/27/2023516 Elm Street (fatality) – 10/6/202427 Harrison Street – 8/26/2020127 James Street – 2/25/2016370 Mansfield / 43 Division St (5 fires) – 3/31/2016, 7/27/2017, 8/11/2023, 10/14/2023, 11/21/2025156 Poplar Street – 8/25/2017285 Quinnipiac Ave (3 fires) – 11/5/2018, 6/30/2021, 11/14/2025126 Sheffield Ave – 1/31/2025 Previously owned property: 309 Grand Avenue – 12/4/2019 City officials, alders at Tuesday’s press conference. 56-58 Avon, boarded up. 56-58 Avon on Tuesday. The post City Cracks Down On Landlord After Finding 50+ Code Violations appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less