Free SF apartment background check

550 Lake St

Lake Street, SF 94118 1352021L 15 units · 3 fl · 1925

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 Lake Street — not a forecast
At or below average
avg 0.6
0
FewerMore

This building has 0 novs (7y), at or below the Lake Street average of 0.6.

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 550 Lake 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 1925
2 or more units
15 units
Property type
Multi-Family Residential
Zoning
RM2
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 1925
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
Units15
Floors3
Year built1925
Total area14,043 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot1352021L
Ownership

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

Owner name
Mailing address
12 Macomber Rd Danville CA 94526
Last sale
August 12, 1999

Landlord portfolio

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

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Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The 15-unit apartment building at 550 Lake Street, owned by Alex Bush, was constructed in 1925 and has undergone several significant maintenance and safety improvements over its lifetime. Most recently, there have been serious moisture and mold issues reported in 2023, with tenants documenting black mold growth around windows and plumbing fixtures, as well as problems with water intrusion and potentially compromised building materials. The building has a history of heating system issues, with multiple complaints about inadequate heat between 2003 and 2007, and more recent concerns about water damage and plumbing problems. In response to safety concerns, the property underwent voluntary seismic retrofitting in 2013, including the installation of steel moment frames, and has received various electrical and plumbing upgrades including a new boiler installation in 2013 and kitchen renovations in multiple units.

The building's maintenance history shows regular attention to building systems, with several routine inspections and remediation of identified problems. However, there have been multiple fire safety-related complaints and violations, particularly in 2003 when several fire safety systems required repairs, including smoke enclosure doors and fire escape ladders. The property has experienced frequent false alarms and system malfunctions, particularly related to smoke detectors and fire alarms, though no actual fires or civilian injuries have been recorded. Recent improvements include water system upgrades as of 2023 and various unit-specific renovations, though the persistent moisture and mold issues reported in Fall 2023 suggest ongoing building envelope or plumbing challenges. The building underwent a significant modification in 2010 when an off-street parking space was removed to provide a lobby area, and several routine maintenance and repair projects have been completed over the years, including roof replacement (1999) and various interior renovations.

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

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Risk rating

How 550 Lake 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
6thpercentile

Out of 660 buildings in this neighborhood, 620 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
42%
No DBI
violation
58%
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.

Number of units

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

Building size

Total floor area — a proxy for building scale and the number of systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) that can fail.

DBI tenant complaints (past 7 years)

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

12-Month risk forecast
High failure risk 58%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

550 Lake St apartment reviews

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On the map

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The story over time

550 Lake St event timeline

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

2024
311 Request Aug 01
Water leak
fire hydrant

See all 6 events

Full history back to 2022 — violations, complaints, permits, buyouts, and fire incidents.

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Every record we have

Full data for 550 Lake St apartments

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

Side by side

How 550 Lake St compares to the neighborhood

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