Free SF apartment background check

20 Ross Aly

Financial District North, SF 94108 0193028 3 units · 3 fl · 1907

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 Financial District North — not a forecast
Above average
avg 3.2
8
FewerMore

This building has 8 novs (7y), above the Financial District North average of 3.2.

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 20 Ross Aly 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 1907
2 or more units
3 units
Property type
Multi-Family Residential
Zoning
CRNC
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 1907
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
Units3
Floors3
Year built1907
Total area3,656 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot0193028
Ownership

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

Mailing address
39 Waverly Pl San Francisco CA 94108
Last sale
—

Landlord portfolio

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

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Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The three-unit multi-family residential building at 20 Ross Alley in the Financial District North, owned by Wong Family Benev Assn, was constructed in 1907 and consists of three stories. The property has undergone several documented improvements over the past decades, including reroofing work in 2003, ventilation system improvements in 1994, and completion of a parapet safety program in 1983, demonstrating ongoing maintenance efforts. In 2019, the building received attention from code enforcement due to non-compliance with the vacant storefront ordinance, which was resolved within approximately six weeks. Prior to that, in 2004, there was a rodent control inspection that was also promptly addressed.

The building's recent history shows several public works incidents in the vicinity, particularly in 2020 when there were multiple reports of loose garbage and debris, including one incident involving medical waste (needles) that received administrative closure. Earlier infrastructure issues were documented in 2017, including problems with pavement defects and a manhole cover, though these were street-related concerns rather than building-specific issues. Historical permits indicate various commercial modifications, including a 2004 dry cleaning service installation, though the current status of commercial operations at the property is unclear. The building's maintenance record, while showing attention to safety and infrastructure needs through permits and inspections, reveals periodic challenges with street cleanliness and abandoned storefront issues, which have been consistently addressed through proper channels.

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

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Risk rating

How 20 Ross Aly'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
88thpercentile

Out of 145 buildings in this neighborhood, 17 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
85%
No DBI
violation
15%
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.

Building size

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

Neighborhood (ZIP code)

The ZIP code captures local housing market and enforcement patterns that affect all buildings in the area.

Building age

Older buildings tend to have more maintenance challenges; SF's pre-1906 earthquake housing stock carries distinct risk.

12-Month risk forecast
Low failure risk 15%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

20 Ross Aly apartment reviews

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On the map

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The story over time

20 Ross Aly event timeline

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

2026
311 Request Jun 26
Garbage and debris
other loose garbage debris yard waste

See all 1 events

Full history back to 2026 — violations, complaints, permits, buyouts, and fire incidents.

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Every record we have

Full data for 20 Ross Aly apartments

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

Side by side

How 20 Ross Aly compares to the neighborhood

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