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734-738 Larkin St

Tenderloin, SF 94109 0321025 20 units · 3 fl · 1909

This building has a substantial enforcement record over the last seven years, and our model predicts continuing maintenance failures over 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 Tenderloin — not a forecast
Above average
avg 12.1
16
FewerMore

This building has 16 novs (7y), above the Tenderloin average of 12.1.

This building's 82% risk is high in absolute terms; it still rates lower-risk here because buildings in Tenderloin generally score worse. The colour is relative to the neighborhood, the percentage is not.

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 734-738 Larkin 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 1909
2 or more units
20 units
Property type
Multi-Family Residential
Zoning
RC4
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 1909
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
Units20
Floors3
Year built1909
Total area10,286 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot0321025
Ownership

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

Mailing address
Chan Douglas To 1534 40Th Ave San Francisco CA 94112
Last sale
August 31, 2018

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.

736 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94109
734 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94109
738 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The three-story, 20-unit apartment building at 734-738 Larkin Street in the Tenderloin, owned by Douglas To Chan 2007 Revoc, was constructed in 1909 and has experienced several significant maintenance and safety issues over its history. The most recent permit, issued in February 2024, involves tenant improvements including new shelves, a bathroom addition, and new entry door installation. The building has undergone various infrastructure improvements, including reroofing in 2016, and multiple fire safety system upgrades, particularly in 2007 when a new fire alarm system was installed along with additional safety devices. Recent fire safety compliance issues have been recurring, with violations noted in 2024 related to alarm system maintenance and 2022 for extinguisher service requirements.

The property has experienced several maintenance challenges, including multiple instances of water damage and plumbing issues, most notably in 2017 when water damage from leaking pipes was reported. Building inspections have identified various concerns over the years, including electrical violations in 2000, with multiple citations for inadequate lighting, fire safety equipment, and maintenance issues, though these were abated by September 2000. More recent tenant complaints from 2021 reported issues with peeling paint and carpet smells, as well as a complaint about non-functioning windows and wall damage. The building's ground floor has undergone some commercial transitions, with recent planning records indicating a change to retail grocery store use. Recent street-level conditions have been documented through numerous 311 calls in late 2024, primarily related to debris and waste removal, though these are external to the building itself. A vacant store situation was noted in January 2023, and as of September 2024, there is an active complaint regarding affidavit submissions.

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

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Risk rating

How 734-738 Larkin 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
68thpercentile

Out of 172 buildings in this neighborhood, 55 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
18%
No DBI
violation
82%
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.

DBI tenant complaints (past 7 years)

Formal complaints tenants filed with DBI about this building over 7 years.

12-Month risk forecast
High failure risk 82%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

734-738 Larkin St apartment reviews

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The story over time

734-738 Larkin St event timeline

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

2026
311 Request Aug 04
Garbage and debris
furniture
Building PermitJul 01
Recommencement and completion of work approved under pa#202402135840 & 202505055837

See all 24 events

Full history back to 2021 — violations, complaints, permits, buyouts, and fire incidents.

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Every record we have

Full data for 734-738 Larkin St apartments

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

Side by side

How 734-738 Larkin St compares to the neighborhood

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

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