1441 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94109

The 7-unit, 4-story apartment building at 1441 Larkin Street, built in 1912 and owned by Plum Tr, has undergone several significant safety upgrades in recent years. Most notably, the building completed a mandatory seismic retrofit as a Tier 3 soft-story building in 2017 and has now upgraded its fire alarm system to comply with San Francisco Fire Code requirements in 2024, including the installation of low-frequency sounders in sleeping areas. Recent maintenance issues have been concerning, with multiple complaints in 2023-2024 regarding hot water availability, including several reports in September-October 2023 about persistent hot water heater problems in Unit 5.

In 2023, there were also problems with drainage, including dirty water pooling in common areas that affected garbage collection areas, though this was abated in August 2023. Historical records show various maintenance needs over the years, including a significant number of building violations in 2001 that required attention to stairs, windows, fireproofing, and other elements, as well as more recent floor covering and wall repair issues reported in 2024. The building's maintenance history shows a pattern of addressing both routine and urgent repairs, with permits for improvements including aluminum window installations in the 1980s, seismic retrofitting in 2017, and various plumbing and electrical upgrades.

The property has experienced recurring issues with its hot water system, as evidenced by multiple resident complaints in recent years, and there have been several instances of plumbing-related problems requiring attention. While many past violations and complaints have been resolved, the relatively recent nature of the hot water issues and drainage problems suggests ongoing maintenance challenges. The building has met major safety requirements such as seismic retrofitting and fire alarm upgrades, though some historical violations indicate a history of deferred maintenance that has required attention over time. The property has also experienced various external issues documented through 311 calls, primarily relating to street cleaning and sanitation matters in the surrounding area, though these are not directly related to building conditions or management.