Free SF apartment background check

519-525 Birch St

Hayes Valley, SF 94102 0794005A 4 units · 2 fl · 1901

A handful of records on file over the last seven years, and our model sees a moderate chance of more in the next 12 months. A few records worth reading before you sign. Check whether they were closed out, and ask what was actually fixed.

NOVs (7y) vs. neighborhood
Records already on file, against a typical building in Hayes Valley — not a forecast
At or below average
avg 2.2
2
FewerMore

This building has 2 novs (7y), at or below the Hayes Valley average of 2.2.

Rent & eviction protection

Is 519-525 Birch 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 1901
2 or more units
4 units
Property type
Multi-Family Residential
Zoning
RM1
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 1901
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
Units4
Floors2
Year built1901
Total area2,430 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot0794005A
Ownership

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

Mailing address
Flores Leonardo & Darlene D 469 Marietta Dr San Francisco CA 94127
Last sale
April 23, 2004

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.

523 Birch St, San Francisco, CA 94102
525 Birch St, San Francisco, CA 94102
521 Birch St, San Francisco, CA 94102
519 Birch St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The 4-unit multi-family residential building at 519-525 Birch Street in Hayes Valley has a documented history spanning several decades, with the most significant recent issues occurring between 2016-2018. In 2016, the building underwent repairs to address fungal damage on multiple decks, as documented in a permit issued in December 2016 with an estimated cost of $4,500, referencing Golden Gate Termite Report #20836. A concerning incident occurred in October 2016 regarding inadequate garbage service, with reports of overflowing waste and improper receptacles affecting the sidewalk area. The building has also faced historical maintenance challenges, including a series of violations in April 2003 related to water damage, interior surfaces, fire safety (including fire extinguisher requirements), and security issues, all of which were abated by May 20, 2003. These violations included problems with interior surfaces, water damage sources, fire extinguisher maintenance, fire escape functionality, lead paint concerns, and exterior door security.

The property has undergone several routine safety inspections over the years (2000, 2008, 2011, and 2018), indicating regular oversight by Housing Inspection Services. A notable security and maintenance issue was reported in August 2003 regarding an insecure front door and bathroom tile problems, and a separate complaint from May 2003 documented significant bathroom ceiling damage and water leaks with associated mold concerns. The building's recent history (2021-2024) primarily shows external maintenance issues related to street cleaning and sidewalk conditions, as evidenced by multiple 311 calls regarding human/animal waste, general cleaning needs, and a blocked sidewalk incident in June 2020. The most recent fire incident on record shows a false alarm with no civilian injuries. While many historical violations and complaints have been resolved, the pattern of deck repairs, water-related issues, and waste management problems suggests ongoing maintenance challenges.

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

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Risk rating

How 519-525 Birch 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
30thpercentile

Out of 1027 buildings in this neighborhood, 719 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
54%
No DBI
violation
46%
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.

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
Moderate failure risk 46%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

519-525 Birch St apartment reviews

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On the map

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Buildings nearby
8 found
The story over time

519-525 Birch St event timeline

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

2026
311 Request Jul 18
No parking
on ground on ground
311 RequestJun 28
Homelessness and supportive housing

See all 5 events

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

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Every record we have

Full data for 519-525 Birch St apartments

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

Side by side

How 519-525 Birch St compares to the neighborhood

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