Lafayette cracks down on problem landlord

Former Purdue prof Liu ordered to clean up unsafe conditions at 2 properties. Plus, Delphi breaks ground on long-awaited housing. Former US Rep Steve Buyer gets 22 months in prison for insider trading

Chaofeng Liu listens as city building inspector Phil Latshaw goes over what needs to happen at two properties Liu owns before he may rent them again. (Photo: Dave Bangert)

Landlord Chaofeng Liu, a former Purdue instructor whose dozens of rental properties have brought mounting complaints from tenants and neighbors in recent months, was slapped with orders Tuesday from a Lafayette city board, prohibiting him from renting two of his north end properties until he brings them up to code.

It was the first time the city brought a landlord in to face unsafe building law violations before the Lafayette Hearing Authority, which typically deals with questions about demolition of dilapidated or unsound vacant structures.