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855-859 Oak St

Hayes Valley, SF 94117 0844027 3 units · 3 fl · 1908

This building has a substantial enforcement record over the last seven years, and our model sees a moderate chance of more 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
14
FewerMore

This building has 14 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 855-859 Oak 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
3 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 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
Units3
Floors3
Year built1908
Total area4,680 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot0844027
Ownership

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

Owner name
Mailing address
2029 Carolyn Way Novato CA 94945
Last sale
August 21, 2006

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.

857 Oak St, San Francisco, CA 94117
855 Oak St, San Francisco, CA 94117
859 Oak St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The three-unit residential building at 855-859 Oak Street in Hayes Valley, owned by Leslie Handler, is a three-story flats and duplex structure built in 1908. The property has a significant history of permit violations and building code concerns, most notably an active violation filed in 2016 regarding an unauthorized additional dwelling unit in the basement (Unit A), which allegedly lacks proper safety features like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and adequate ventilation, along with various other safety concerns. Major structural and safety issues emerged in 2007-2008, including problems with the foundation and drainage leading to dry rot, unauthorized excavation work potentially compromising structural stability, and unpermitted kitchen and bathroom renovations. While some repairs were completed in 2018 addressing sheetrock and window dry rot, multiple active violations remain on record from 2007-2016 that were not fully resolved, including foundation issues and unauthorized construction. Recent maintenance records show the building has had recurring issues with garbage and debris management in the vicinity, as evidenced by multiple 311 calls throughout 2024, though these are external to the building itself. The most recent significant internal issue was a sewer backup discharge reported in October 2024, which was subsequently resolved. The building's permit history shows regular attempts to address various maintenance and safety issues, including stair repairs in 2016 and various remodeling work, though many of these projects were initiated in response to complaints and violations rather than as routine maintenance.

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

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Risk rating

How 855-859 Oak 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
54thpercentile

Out of 1027 buildings in this neighborhood, 472 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
69%
No DBI
violation
31%
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.

Neighborhood location

Precise location is a proxy for neighborhood-level risk — some SF blocks have systematically higher DBI activity.

Estimated permit spend (past 7 years)

Dollar value of permits pulled at this address — large recent spend can signal deferred-maintenance catch-up.

Construction spend, owner's portfolio

Estimated permit value across all of this owner's buildings.

12-Month risk forecast
Moderate failure risk 31%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

855-859 Oak St apartment reviews

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On the map

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The story over time

855-859 Oak St event timeline

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

2025
311 Request Sep 05
Not offensive
building other
311 RequestAug 02
Other reallocate

See all 3 events

Full history back to 2025 — violations, complaints, permits, buyouts, and fire incidents.

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Every record we have

Full data for 855-859 Oak St apartments

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

Side by side

How 855-859 Oak 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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