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534-538 Page St

Hayes Valley, SF 94117 0842009 5 units · 3 fl · 1906

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 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.

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 534-538 Page 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 1906
2 or more units
5 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 1906
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
Units5
Floors3
Year built1906
Total area5,445 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot0842009
Ownership

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

Mailing address
John E Wai, Trustee 1333 Jones St Unit 1101 San Francisco CA 94109
Last sale
June 28, 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.

538 Page St, San Francisco, CA 94117
536 A Page St, San Francisco, CA 94117
536 Page St, San Francisco, CA 94117
534 Page St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The 5-unit, 3-story multi-family residential building at 534-538 Page Street in Hayes Valley, built in 1906 and currently owned by John E Wai 1981 Lvg Tr -res, has undergone significant recent activity centered around major renovations and improvements. As of July 2024, there are approved permits for an $840,000 project including a new 695-square-foot exclusive roof deck and interior remodeling across all floors, along with reconfigurations of basement and first-floor units. In May 2024, substantial plumbing and electrical work was completed or underway, including the installation of new furnaces for all units, complete plumbing overhauls, and new electrical systems with 150-amp service. The property has also faced multiple challenges, including several building complaints in 2022-2024 regarding unauthorized occupancy, safety concerns, and construction work compliance. Most notably, there is an active complaint from June 2024 regarding potential mandatory soft-story retrofit requirements. Previous building violations from 2002 included security and safety issues such as door self-closing devices and handrail repairs, though these were abated by August 2002. The property has experienced periods of vacancy and construction delays, leading to concerns about unauthorized access and safety, particularly in 2024. Recent renovation work, while extensive, has also generated neighborhood complaints about construction hours and dust control, particularly during 2020.

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

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Risk rating

How 534-538 Page 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
3rdpercentile

Out of 1027 buildings in this neighborhood, 996 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
15%
No DBI
violation
85%
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.

DBI tenant complaints (past 7 years)

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

Number of units

The number of units affects how the model reads complaint and violation totals — more units means more potential sources.

Director's hearing rate, owner's portfolio

Per-building rate of director's hearings across the owner's portfolio.

12-Month risk forecast
High failure risk 85%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

534-538 Page St apartment reviews

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On the map

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The story over time

534-538 Page St event timeline

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

2025
Planning Record Jul 22
Revision to BPA 202405283104 reconfigure entry of unit # 536B and new 42" open guardrails at rear.
Closed
Building PermitJul 16
Revision 202405283104- minor remodel unit 536b, added egress stair in basement rear patio, add (n) window on basement and second floor. not facing street.

See all 29 events

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

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Every record we have

Full data for 534-538 Page St apartments

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

Side by side

How 534-538 Page St compares to the neighborhood

This building against comparable properties in Hayes Valley. 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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