Free SF apartment background check

639-643 Baker St

North Panhandle, SF 94117 1177002 3 units · 2 fl · 1900

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 North Panhandle — not a forecast
Above average
avg 1.7
8
FewerMore

This building has 8 novs (7y), above the North Panhandle average of 1.7.

Rent & eviction protection

Is 639-643 Baker 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 1900
2 or more units
3 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 1900
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
Floors2
Year built1900
Total area3,070 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot1177002
Ownership

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

Owner name
Mailing address
714 Van Ness Ave San Francisco CA 94102
Last sale

Landlord portfolio

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

Unlock complete report
Multiple entrances & addresses

Included addresses

All street addresses sharing this blocklot that are covered by this report.

639 Baker St, San Francisco, CA 94117
641 Baker St, San Francisco, CA 94117
643 Baker St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The three-unit multi-family residential building at 639-643 Baker Street, located in the Park North neighborhood, was constructed in 1900 and is owned by Andrew H. Tarnowka. The property has undergone several significant modifications and faced various challenges over the past few decades. Most notably, in 2023, the building experienced multiple water-related issues resulting in violations for mold/mildew on ceilings, water damage, window glazing seals, and heating problems - all of which were abated by February 28, 2023. More recent activity includes a tenant buyout at 641 Baker Street for $67,500 in April 2024 and another at 643 Baker Street for $5,000 in July 2024. Current proposed improvements include an interior remodel of the 2nd and 3rd levels with new stairs and a dormer, as indicated in a permit filed in December 2024.

The building has seen various infrastructure improvements over the years, including a 200-amp electrical service upgrade and common area panel installation in 2009, and new gas line and water heater installation in the ground floor/garage area in 2010. Earlier records show roofing work in 1993 and asbestos removal in 1994. The property has experienced recurring heating issues, as evidenced by complaints in both 2023 and 2024 regarding non-functioning heaters. Recent tenant exits and buyouts suggest possible significant changes in occupancy, with the most substantial buyout occurring in April 2024. The building's maintenance history shows a pattern of addressing various systems and structural elements, though the recurrence of heating and moisture-related issues indicates ongoing challenges with these systems.

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

Free account unlocks the full analysis — plus 2× more records across all data categories and the complete landlord portfolio.
Risk rating

How 639-643 Baker 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
27thpercentile

Out of 797 buildings in this neighborhood, 582 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
61%
No DBI
violation
39%
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.

NOV rate, owner's portfolio

Per-building NOV rate across everything this owner manages — high rates signal pattern neglect.

DBI tenant complaints (past 7 years)

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

Notices of Violation (past 7 years)

DBI issued Notices of Violation at this address over the last 7 years — a direct record of code enforcement activity.

12-Month risk forecast
Moderate failure risk 39%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

639-643 Baker St apartment reviews

Real experiences from people who have lived here. Share yours to help other renters decide.

Share your experience — Help other renters by leaving an honest apartment review

Loading reviews…

On the map

Compare nearby alternatives

This building and nearby alternatives, color-coded by risk level. Click any marker to explore.

The story over time

639-643 Baker St event timeline

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

2026
Building Permit Jul 16
Replace/sistered damaged wood joist and post at existing rear deck, replace wood planks/boards and existing guardrailing systems. less than 50%
$21,500 · Issued
311 RequestMar 23
Offensive

See all 22 events

Full history back to 2023 — violations, complaints, permits, buyouts, and fire incidents.

Unlock complete timeline
Every record we have

Full data for 639-643 Baker St apartments

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

Side by side

How 639-643 Baker St compares to the neighborhood

This building against comparable properties in North Panhandle. Toggle filters to narrow the peer group.

Loading comparables…
Still apartment hunting in SF?

Look up the next apartment before you sign

Search any SF address free — no account needed to see the risk rating.

Simple pricing

Get the complete picture

Every plan unlocks the complete report: all 13 SF datasets, full history, landlord portfolio, and PDF & Excel exports.

Pay once

Report Bundle

For the buildings you're deciding on right now

$10one time

3premium reports

$3.33 per report · charged once, never renews

Each credit unlocks one building's premium report for 30 days.

  • 3 premium reports — AI executive summary included
  • Live data across all 27 public record types
  • 200 records per dataset
  • PDF & Excel exports included
  • Compare up to 10 buildings side-by-side
  • Credits never expire until you use them
Pay once

Apartment Hunter

For a wide search across many buildings

$39one time

30premium reports

$1.30 per report · charged once, never renews

Each credit unlocks one building's premium report for 30 days.

  • 30 premium reports — AI executive summary included
  • Live data across all 27 public record types
  • 200 records per dataset
  • PDF & Excel exports included
  • Compare up to 10 buildings side-by-side
  • Credits never expire until you use them

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

Watch 639-643 Baker St
Get alerted the moment a new violation or complaint is filed.