1534-1538 Jones St, San Francisco, CA 94133

The property at 1534-1538 Jones Street is a three-unit multi-family residential building located in Nob Hill, owned by the Leonard Lew Revocable Trust and constructed in 1910. The building has experienced numerous maintenance and tenant-related issues over the past several years, with the most recent significant events occurring in 2024, including a $24,000 reroofing project and $5,000 repairs to the rear exterior staircase. Between 2021 and 2023, the building faced serious habitability concerns, including reports of mold, water intrusion, rodent infestations, and unauthorized construction work.

A particularly troubling pattern emerged in late 2022 and early 2023, when tenants reported unauthorized demolition of interior structures, removal of kitchen facilities, and issues with locked doors, leading to complaints of constructive eviction and tenant harassment, which were investigated by Housing Inspection Services and the Building Inspection Division. The building's maintenance history shows periodic attention to structural issues, including a $650 floor joist repair in 2001, though many of the 2016-2018 violation notices regarding interior surfaces, fire safety, and lead paint hazards were eventually abated. The property's compliance history reveals persistent maintenance challenges, with multiple violation notices between 2001-2016 addressing various issues such as damaged basement ceilings, lead paint hazards, fire extinguisher requirements, weatherproofing, and plumbing concerns.

A recent investigation in 2024 confirmed the presence of unauthorized exterior staircase repairs made without proper permitting processes. In addition to these building concerns, there was a documented instance of possible illegal short-term rentals involving the property in 2016, though this issue was noted as abated. Recent maintenance records from 2024 show the current owner's attention to basic structural upkeep through completed repairs and improvements, including roofing and staircase maintenance. However, the building's history suggests a recurring need for vigilant enforcement of building codes and prompt attention to maintenance issues, with particular attention required to ensure compliance with lead paint regulations and to address any potential habitability concerns that could impact tenant safety and comfort.