Free SF apartment background check

434-438 Vallejo St

Telegraph Hill, SF 94133 0133015 6 units · 2 fl · 1908

This building has a substantial enforcement record over the last seven years, but recent activity points to a low risk of further maintenance problems in the next 12 months. Read the records below before you sign. Ask which issues were resolved, get repair commitments in writing, and inspect the unit yourself.

NOVs (7y) vs. neighborhood
Records already on file, against a typical building in Telegraph Hill — not a forecast
Above average
avg 1.2
15
FewerMore

This building has 15 novs (7y), above the Telegraph Hill average of 1.2.

The bar and the rating point different ways because they measure different things: the bar counts DBI violations already on file, the rating forecasts the next 12 months.

Rent & eviction protection

Is 434-438 Vallejo St rent-controlled?

San Francisco's Rent Ordinance caps rent increases and provides eviction protection for most residential units built before 1979 with 2+ units. Here's how this building scores.

Built before 1979
Built 1908
2 or more units
6 units
Property type
Multi-Family Residential
Zoning
RH3
Likely rent-controlled. Building age and unit count suggest this property falls under San Francisco's Rent Ordinance.

Based on SF Assessor records. Not legal advice — confirm with the SF Rent Board.

Statewide backstop · AB 1482

California Tenant Protection Act of 2019

Even when a building isn't covered by local rent stabilization, the statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) may still apply. It caps annual rent increases and requires the landlord to state a legal reason to end most tenancies.

15+ years since occupancy
Built 1908
Annual rent increase cap
5% + CPI, max 10%
Just-cause eviction
After 12 months
Local rent control likely takes priority. This building appears to fall under the local ordinance above, which is stronger than AB 1482. Where a local just-cause ordinance applies, its rules govern instead of the state cap.

AB 1482 does not apply to single-family homes and condos unless owned by a corporation, REIT, or an LLC with a corporate member; to owner-occupied duplexes; or to deed-restricted affordable housing. The Act is in effect until January 1, 2030. Not legal advice — see the California landlord–tenant guide.

Building characteristics
Units6
Floors2
Year built1908
Total area3,864 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot0133015
Ownership

Registered owner per SF Assessor-Recorder (secured roll).

Owner name
Mailing address
1524 Pacific Ave Alameda CA 94501
Last sale

Landlord portfolio

Other SF properties this owner holds, with a risk rating for each.

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Multiple entrances & addresses

Included addresses

All street addresses sharing this blocklot that are covered by this report.

434 Vallejo St, San Francisco, CA 94133
436 A Vallejo St, San Francisco, CA 94133
438 Vallejo St, San Francisco, CA 94133
436 Vallejo St, San Francisco, CA 94133
438 A Vallejo St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The 6-unit residential building at 434-438 Vallejo Street in Telegraph Hill, owned by Thomas W. Payne Jr., has undergone significant renovations and faced several compliance issues since 2012. Built in 1908, this two-story flats building has seen substantial unit improvements including multiple bathroom and kitchen remodels, electrical upgrades, and plumbing work between 2013-2018, with project costs totaling over $175,000. The property faced several building code violations between 2015-2016, including issues with mechanical ventilation, window repairs, weatherproofing, and heating systems, most of which were abated by March 2016. There were multiple complaints about unauthorized construction work and related noise disturbances during 2015-2018, including concerns about work being done without proper permits. Notably, there is an active complaint from 2016 regarding an allegedly illegal unit (434A) in the rear structure.

Recent developments include proposed seismic upgrades and vertical/horizontal additions to the property, as well as basement conversions to habitable space, with plans currently under review. The property has also been involved in short-term rental violations, with a notice of violation issued in 2017 for operating multiple short-term rentals on Airbnb/VRBO without proper authorization, though this issue was subsequently resolved with penalty fees paid. The building's infrastructure has been notably improved, with a 400-amp service installation with multiple meters and various unit-specific upgrades, suggesting significant investment in modernizing the property's systems and addresses many previous compliance issues. The building's history shows a pattern of necessary improvements being addressed, although often following notices of violation or complaints, indicating some initial non-compliance with building codes and regulations.

AI-generated · may contain errors · check the source data tables below

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Risk rating

How 434-438 Vallejo St's risk score is calculated

We trained a model on 7 years of SF DBI inspection data — notice of violation filings, complaint history, and owner track records. It estimates the probability that DBI inspectors will issue a Notice of Violation at this address in the next 12 months. Lower % = safer.

What the score means for you

Lower risk — safer than most nearby

DBI rarely finds violations here. Strong maintenance history and a clean complaint record.

Typical — about average for the neighborhood

Some past violations or complaints on record. Worth asking the landlord about any open issues before signing.

Higher risk — riskier than most nearby

Elevated violation and complaint history. DBI has found issues here before and is statistically likely to again.

Neighborhood percentile
73rdpercentile

Out of 684 buildings in this neighborhood, 185 are predicted to be safer. The band is relative to this neighborhood, so a share of every neighborhood falls in each colour.

RiskiestSafest
Predicted 12-month outcome
89%
No DBI
violation
11%
DBI violation
likely
Model explanation

What's driving this score

The three data points that most influenced this building's risk rating — ranked by the weight the model placed on each one.

Number of units

The number of units affects how the model reads complaint and violation totals — more units means more potential sources.

Building size

Total floor area — a proxy for building scale and the number of systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) that can fail.

Building permits, owner's portfolio

Permits pulled across all of this owner's buildings over 7 years.

12-Month risk forecast
Low failure risk 11%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

434-438 Vallejo St apartment reviews

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The story over time

434-438 Vallejo St event timeline

Violations, complaints, fire incidents, permits, and buyouts — most recent records in order.

2024
Planning Record Jul 02
Variance pursuant to Planning Code Section 130.135, 140 for seismic upgrade: vertical and horizontal addition. Convert existing basement areas to habitable space. New foundations. Re-construct existing property line retaining walls, ramp and steps for 2 rear units' compliant access. Remodel unit interiors and exterior finishes & fenestration. Total excavation = 121.7 cu yds. Fully sprinkler per nfpa13r under separate permit.
Closed - Withdrawn
Planning RecordMay 14
Seismic upgrade: vertical and horizontal addition. Convert existing basement areas to habitable space. New foundations. Re-construct existing property line retaining walls, ramp and steps for 2 rear units' compliant access. Remodel unit interiors and exterior finishes & fenestration. Total excavation = 121.7 cu yds. Fully sprinkler per nfpa13r under separate permit.

See all 3 events

Full history back to 2024 — violations, complaints, permits, buyouts, and fire incidents.

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Every record we have

Full data for 434-438 Vallejo St apartments

13 SF public datasets for this parcel — permits, violations, complaints, fire records, 311 calls, planning records, and buyouts.

Side by side

How 434-438 Vallejo St compares to the neighborhood

This building against comparable properties in Telegraph Hill. Toggle filters to narrow the peer group.

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Cancel anytime · Data sourced from SF Open Data, DBI, SFFD, SF Rent Board & Planning

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