(LaPorte, IN) - The City of La Porte condemned two unsafe properties this week, according to Mayor Tom Dermody and Director of Code Enforcement Jeff Batchelor.

Batchelor and Code Enforcement Officer Dan Drake inspected the rental properties at 207 Grove Street and 701 Maple Avenue and identified various safety and sanitation issues at each location, including construction and electrical problems, water damage and vermin infestation. Batchelor said he and Dermody are working hard to rid the city of dangerous living conditions like the ones found at these locations.

“The mayor has made it clear that this administration will not tolerate unsafe living conditions in La Porte’s rental properties,” Batchelor said. “Our fight is not with local landlords – it is with the dangerous conditions in their rental units. Our residents deserve a safe place to call home, and we will continue our efforts to ensure this is the case.”

Dermody said the city is working with Center Township Trustee Lisa Pierzakowski to find temporary housing for tenants.

“Our hope is that the landlords will correct these issues and the tenants can return once units are fixed and cleaned,” Dermody said. “We need affordable housing in our city, but these conditions are unacceptable. We are creating a new standard for living in La Porte, and we expect all rental properties to meet that standard.”

The Grove Street property must be vacated within 60 days, and the Maple Avenue property must be vacated within 180 days. If all defects are remedied and the buildings passes City inspection, the units can be rented again.