125 Palm Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118

The three-story, 10-unit multi-family residential building at 125 Palm Avenue, owned by Jeffrey & Sophie Lau and constructed in 1964, has experienced significant maintenance and safety challenges over the past several years. The property has undergone multiple repair projects, including window replacements in 2009 and 2011, exterior siding repairs in 2018, and a fire alarm panel replacement in 2018. Of particular concern was a cluster of violations recorded in February 2016, when the property was designated as a nuisance under San Francisco Housing Code Section 1001(d), with violations including mold/mildew on ceilings, non-functioning smoke detectors, lighting issues, and problems with the fire escape system.

These violations were officially abated in June 2017. More recent issues continue to suggest ongoing maintenance challenges. As of 2023, there were multiple open 311 calls regarding the property, including sidewalk defects and tree root damage to the pavement.

The building has experienced recurring fire safety code violations, with the most recent cluster of citations in January 2023 related to alarm system maintenance, fire extinguisher service, exit obstructions, and address numbering. There have also been three fire safety violations issued between 2021-2024, though some were promptly corrected. Tenant complaints from 2017 and 2019 indicate ongoing issues with building systems, including a non-functioning intercom system and various maintenance requests that were reportedly not addressed in a timely manner. While some historical maintenance issues have been resolved through permits (including stucco repairs and window replacements), the property has a documented history of fire safety concerns, including multiple fire alarm system violations and maintenance issues requiring correction.