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520 Scott St

Alamo Square, SF 94117 0824005A 12 units · 3 fl · 1921

A handful of records on file over the last seven years, and our model predicts a high risk of further maintenance problems 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 Alamo Square — not a forecast
At or below average
avg 2.3
0
FewerMore

This building has 0 novs (7y), at or below the Alamo Square average of 2.3.

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 520 Scott 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 1921
2 or more units
12 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 1921
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
Units12
Floors3
Year built1921
Total area8,811 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot0824005A
Ownership

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

Owner name
Mailing address
Steven C. Thrower 1 Bush St Ste 900 San Francisco CA 94104
Last sale
March 09, 2016

Landlord portfolio

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

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Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

520 Scott Street is a three-story, 12-unit multi-family residential building constructed in 1921 in the Alamo Square neighborhood, currently owned by 520 Scott 14 LLC. The building has undergone significant renovations over the past several years, with most units receiving comprehensive upgrades including kitchen and bathroom rehabilitations, and the installation of washer/dryer facilities between 2016-2023. A notable recent improvement is the fire alarm system upgrade completed in mid-2023, which included the installation of wireless low-frequency sounders in sleeping areas and modernized safety equipment throughout the building, bringing the fire safety systems into compliance with current codes.

The property has experienced some maintenance challenges, including a notable incident in September 2022 when a 2x3 area of floor in Unit 6 collapsed during construction work, though this was promptly addressed within three weeks. Historical records show various routine safety inspections, with the most recent fire safety incident occurring in 2021 being determined to have "No Merit." The building has completed its Soft Story improvements and received its Certificate of Completeness. While there have been some external maintenance issues noted through 311 calls, such as graffiti and sidewalk cleaning needs, these were generally resolved promptly. The property has a documented history of plumbing and electrical work, including a comprehensive replacement of the domestic hot water boiler and storage tank in 2020, and regular upgrades to maintain modern standards across all units.

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

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Risk rating

How 520 Scott 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
19thpercentile

Out of 305 buildings in this neighborhood, 247 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
40%
No DBI
violation
60%
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 60%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

520 Scott St apartment reviews

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On the map

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The story over time

520 Scott St event timeline

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

2023
Electrical Permit Jun 29
Upgrade the existing fire alarm for the 12 unit building to comply with 1103.7.6.1
Complete
Building PermitJun 01
Upgrade (e) fire alarm system to comply with sffc 1103.7.6.1 by installing wireless low frequency sounders in sleeping areas and like for like replacements for (e) smoke, pull and horn/strobe in common areas

See all 8 events

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

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Every record we have

Full data for 520 Scott St apartments

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

Side by side

How 520 Scott St compares to the neighborhood

This building against comparable properties in Alamo Square. Toggle filters to narrow the peer group.

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

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