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159 9Th Ave

Lake Street, SF 94118 1369005 2 units · 2 fl · 1909

A handful of records on file over the last seven years, and our model puts this building at a low 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.

Rent & eviction protection

Is 159 9Th Ave 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 1909
2 or more units
2 units
Property type
Multi-Family Residential
Zoning
RH2
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 1909
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 built1909
Total area3,216 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot1369005
Ownership

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

Mailing address
Shifs Ruth L, Trustee 159 9Th Ave San Francisco CA 94118
Last sale
—

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 159 9th Avenue in the Lake-Presidio neighborhood, constructed in 1909, has experienced several significant maintenance and safety events in recent years. Most notably, in March 2023, there was a complaint regarding heating issues and a modified safety cutoff valve detector, though this complaint is marked as "Not Active." In the same year, between June and July, substantial repairs were conducted to address termite and fungus damage in both units, completed at a cost of $20,000. The building underwent important safety improvements in 2022, including the replacement of wood stairs serving as a second means of egress, which was a $20,000 project completed in March, followed by a revision to reflect the as-built guardrail condition in November.

The property's maintenance history shows attention to building envelope improvements, with vinyl window installations in 1998 and reroofing work, though some of these earlier permits have since expired. A sidewalk permit was issued in 2009. The building's surroundings have experienced various parking-related issues, with multiple enforcement actions taken between 2018 and 2021 for vehicles blocking driveways and parking on sidewalks, all of which were resolved through citations. Recently, on January 16, 2024, there was a recorded tenant buyout at 161 9th Avenue for $94,583.09 involving one tenant. While the building has required various repairs and improvements over the years, most recent permits suggest ongoing maintenance attention by ownership, particularly regarding safety systems and structural integrity.

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

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Risk rating

How 159 9Th Ave'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
91stpercentile

Out of 660 buildings in this neighborhood, 59 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
91%
No DBI
violation
9%
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.

DBI tenant complaints (past 7 years)

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

Building age

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

Notices of Violation, owner's portfolio

DBI NOVs across all buildings this owner is registered on — a signal of systemic maintenance issues across the portfolio.

12-Month risk forecast
Low failure risk 9%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

159 9Th Ave apartment reviews

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On the map

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Buildings nearby
8 found
The story over time

159 9Th Ave event timeline

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

2026
Building Permit Feb 19
Addition of 2 adu¿s @ unoccupied 1st flr storage & garage area under local planning code section 207.1 inclusive of voluntary seismic upgrade. (e) garge door will be removed. renovation of the 2 (e) units @ 2nd & 3rd floors. renovation of the kitchen & addition of 1 (n)bedrm. & bath rm @ each unit.
$475,000 · Filed
Planning ProjectJan 29
THE SCOPE OF WORK INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF (1) NEW DETACHED ADU IN THE REAR YARD UNDER LOCAL PLANNING CODE SECTION 207.1 CONSISTING OF (2) BEDROMMS, (2) BATHS, LIVING/DINING & KITCHEN. UNIT TO BE FULLY SPRINKLERED.  [EXISTING (2) DWELLING UNIT BUILDING AT THE FRONT + (2)  NEW ADU'S, INCLUSIVE OF VOLUNTARY SEISMIC UPGRADE UNDER SEPARATE PERMIT - PLANNING RECORD No. 2025-003970PRJ]

See all 7 events

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

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Every record we have

Full data for 159 9Th Ave apartments

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

Side by side

How 159 9Th Ave compares to the neighborhood

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