Free SF apartment background check

517 Lyon St

North Panhandle, SF 94117 1185002 2 units · 2 fl · 1900

This building has a substantial enforcement record over the last seven years, but recent activity points to a low risk of further maintenance problems 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
10
FewerMore

This building has 10 novs (7y), above the North Panhandle average of 1.7.

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 517 Lyon 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
2 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
Units2
Floors2
Year built1900
Total area2,720 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot1185002
Ownership

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

Mailing address
564 Marlin Ct Redwood City CA 94065
Last sale
September 12, 2018

Landlord portfolio

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

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Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The two-unit residential building at 517 Lyon Street in the Park North neighborhood, currently owned by Hzhu Investment LLC, has a documented history of maintenance and safety compliance issues that were primarily addressed in early 2019. The property, constructed in 1900 and classified as Flats & Duplex, underwent an administrative review in April 2019 to confirm its occupancy as a legally recognized two-story, two-unit structure, which was successfully completed.

The building experienced significant habitability issues in late 2018, with multiple violations recorded between November 2018 and December 2018. These violations included heating system failures (with complaints about inadequate heat in living rooms and bedrooms), mold presence, malfunctioning appliances, window repairs needed, and the absence of required carbon monoxide alarms. All these violations were addressed by March 2019, as documented by the completion of associated electrical permits and building permits. More recently, the address has had multiple 311 calls regarding encampments and parking enforcement issues in 2022-2024, although these are external to the building's condition and management. The property has been free of active building violations since early 2019, with no tenant buyouts recorded at this address.

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

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Risk rating

How 517 Lyon 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
55thpercentile

Out of 797 buildings in this neighborhood, 359 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
78%
No DBI
violation
22%
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.

Building age

Older buildings tend to have more maintenance challenges; SF's pre-1906 earthquake housing stock carries distinct risk.

Estimated permit spend (past 7 years)

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

Building permits, owner's portfolio

Permits pulled across all of this owner's buildings over 7 years.

12-Month risk forecast
Low failure risk 22%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

517 Lyon St apartment reviews

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On the map

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Buildings nearby
8 found
The story over time

517 Lyon St event timeline

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

2026
311 Request Apr 14
Blocking driveway cite only
Parking Enforcement

See all 2 events

Full history back to 2024 — violations, complaints, permits, buyouts, and fire incidents.

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Every record we have

Full data for 517 Lyon St apartments

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

Side by side

How 517 Lyon St compares to the neighborhood

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

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