Free SF apartment background check

309 29Th Ave

Central Richmond, SF 94121 1404002 3 units · 2 fl · 1910

This building has significantly more problems than most nearby buildings. Few open issues; problems get fixed quickly. A reasonable bet for a smooth tenancy.

NOVs (7y) vs. neighborhood
Compared to a typical building in Central Richmond
Above average
avg 0.5
1
FewerMore

This building has 1 novs (7y), above the Central Richmond average of 0.5.

Rent & eviction protection

Is 309 29Th 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 1910
2 or more units
3 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.

Building characteristics
Units3
Floors2
Year built1910
Total area3,250 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot1404002
Ownership

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

Owner name
Qiao Ting W & Lu Zhifen
Mailing address
Po Box 330146 San Francisco CA 94133
Last sale
120519

Landlord portfolio

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

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Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The three-unit, two-story apartment building at 309 29th Avenue in Central Richmond, built in 1910, has undergone significant changes and faced numerous compliance issues over its history. Most recently, there are active concerns from 2022 regarding unpermitted plumbing work and water shut-off issues that began in May 2022. Recent construction work includes an approved $250,000 ADU addition in 2021, adding two bedrooms, a great room, and two full baths to the first floor, along with completed renovations to the second floor including kitchen and bathroom remodels, window replacements, and exterior repairs.

The building has a documented history of unauthorized unit conversions and safety violations, including multiple instances of illegal unit construction that have required remediation. Notable violations from 2003-2006 included fire safety concerns such as unapproved fire escape ladders, missing fire sprinklers, inadequate smoke detection systems, and various habitability issues like improper occupancy of attic space, unapproved wiring, and heating system deficiencies. The property has undergone several permit-approved renovations, including electrical and plumbing work, roofing, and bathroom improvements, with the most recent significant work occurring in 2021-2022. Of particular note is the pattern of work being performed without proper permits or inspections, as evidenced by multiple complaints and violations over the years, culminating in the most recent active violation from 2022.

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

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Risk rating

How 309 29Th 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

Grade A–B — Low risk

DBI rarely finds violations here. Strong maintenance history and a clean complaint record.

Grade C — Moderate risk

Some past violations or complaints on record. Worth asking the landlord about any open issues before signing.

Grade D–F — High risk

Elevated violation and complaint history. DBI has found issues here before and is statistically likely to again.

Neighborhood percentile
12th percentile

Out of 2250 buildings in this neighborhood, 1980 are predicted to be safer.

RiskiestSafest
Predicted 12-month outcome
59%
No DBI
violation
41%
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.

DBI complaint rate, owner's portfolio

Per-building complaint rate across the owner's portfolio.

Director's hearing rate, owner's portfolio

Per-building rate of director's hearings across the owner's portfolio.

12-Month severity forecast
No violation 58.1%
Moderate concern 36.8%
Severe concern 5.1%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months at each severity level. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

309 29Th Ave apartment reviews

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The story over time

309 29Th Ave event timeline

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

2025
DBI Complaint Oct 14
There has been ongoing construction in a garage at 309 29th ave for years. today they have been banging and breaking up the pavement, yet again, and it is a saturday, and it¿s extremely loud. there is dust coming into my home. this is about the tenth time this residence has torn up the same driveway. please make this stop. it is in violation of city code, it is unhealthy for my family who have asthma, is has to stop, the workers pee all over the street.
Building Inspection Division
311 RequestOct 11
Construction private property

See all 15 events

Full history back to 2021 — violations, complaints, permits, buyouts, and fire incidents.

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Every record we have

Full data for 309 29Th Ave apartments

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

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

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