Free SF apartment background check

618-628 Fell St

Hayes Valley, SF 94102 0820004 6 units · 2 fl · 1908

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 Hayes Valley — not a forecast
Above average
avg 2.2
6
FewerMore

This building has 6 novs (7y), above the Hayes Valley average of 2.2.

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 618-628 Fell 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 1908
2 or more units
6 units
Property type
Multi-Family Residential
Zoning
RH3
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 1908
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
Units6
Floors2
Year built1908
Total area4,664 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot0820004
Ownership

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

Mailing address
2000 1st Ave #2104 Seattle WA 98121
Last sale

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.

624 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
622 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
620 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
628 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
628 A Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
618 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
626 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The 6-unit multi-family residential building at 618-628 Fell Street in Hayes Valley, constructed in 1908, has undergone numerous maintenance and repair projects over the past several years, though it currently faces significant active issues. Recent permits indicate ongoing improvements, including a $38,000 re-roofing project issued in August 2024 and window replacements completed in 2023. However, the building is currently dealing with several pressing problems: multiple active violations filed in August 2024 regarding rodent infestation, water damage, lead hazard concerns, and weatherproofing issues on siding, as well as an ongoing problem with sewage backups. These maintenance challenges appear to have persisted for some time, with a tenant complaint from July 2024 documenting repeated sewer line backups, water leaks, and rodent issues. The building's history includes a significant explosion in 2013 causing substantial damage to ground-level units and requiring extensive repairs, as well as a pattern of water-related issues requiring plumbing and electrical work, including water heater replacements for multiple units and electrical rewiring projects. While some structural improvements have been made, including stair repairs (2020) and various weatherization upgrades, the building remains classified as non-compliant with soft-story seismic retrofit requirements. The property has also had routine safety inspections and various maintenance projects over the years, including a $65,000 smoke and water damage repair project in 2015, but recent complaints suggest ongoing maintenance challenges that require attention.

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

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Risk rating

How 618-628 Fell 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
63rdpercentile

Out of 1027 buildings in this neighborhood, 380 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
74%
No DBI
violation
26%
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.

DBI complaint rate, owner's portfolio

Per-building complaint rate across the owner's portfolio.

12-Month risk forecast
Low failure risk 26%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

618-628 Fell St apartment reviews

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The story over time

618-628 Fell St event timeline

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

2024
Building Permit Aug 14
Re-roofing
$38,000 · Issued
Building Violation (NOV)Aug 09
Building violation

See all 10 events

Full history back to 2020 — violations, complaints, permits, buyouts, and fire incidents.

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Every record we have

Full data for 618-628 Fell St apartments

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

Side by side

How 618-628 Fell 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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