Free SF apartment background check

5536-5540 Geary Blvd

Central Richmond, SF 94121 1451023 4 units · 3 fl · 1913

A handful of records on file over the last seven years, and our model sees a moderate chance of more 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 Central Richmond — not a forecast
At or below average
avg 0.5
0
FewerMore

This building has 0 novs (7y), at or below the Central Richmond average of 0.5.

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 5536-5540 Geary Blvd 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 1913
2 or more units
4 units
Property type
Multi-Family Residential
Zoning
NC3
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 1913
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
Units4
Floors3
Year built1913
Total area4,675 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot1451023
Ownership

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

Mailing address
Soohoo Yee Jing Trustee 1444 Union St Apt 2 San Francisco CA 94109
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.

5540 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94121
5536 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94121
5538 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94121
Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The property at 5536-5540 Geary Blvd is a three-story mixed-use building constructed in 1913 in San Francisco's Central Richmond neighborhood, containing four residential units and commercial space. The building has undergone regular maintenance and improvements over the years, including multiple roofing projects (2011, 2019, and 1999), an ADA bathroom upgrade and accessibility improvements in 2011, and significant plumbing and electrical updates between 2014-2016. Recent concerns primarily relate to the commercial portion of the building, with ongoing issues regarding unpermitted signage and awnings for the "Moscow and Tbilisi Bakery Store." This situation culminated in a 2022 complaint and subsequent compliance actions in 2023-2024, including removal of a non-conforming awning and efforts to legalize an illuminated sign. The building has also seen recent infrastructure improvements, including sewer/housetrap replacement (2018), kitchen renovations, and the installation of new electrical systems and appliances.

The property has maintained reasonably good safety records, with only three notable fire complaints in recent history: one in 2008 regarding blocked exits (which was found to have no merit), and two in late 2020 related to operating without a permit and shared spaces, both of which were resolved in 2021. Recent months have seen multiple 311 calls (October-December 2024) regarding street cleaning and debris issues, primarily relating to overflowing city garbage cans and furniture on the sidewalk, though these are external municipal service matters rather than building-specific concerns. The most significant recent building-specific activity has been the resolution of the unpermitted signage/awning issue, which involved interactions with both the Planning Department and Building Inspection Division, and is currently in the process of formal closure with the city.

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 5536-5540 Geary Blvd'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
19thpercentile

Out of 2250 buildings in this neighborhood, 1822 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
72%
No DBI
violation
28%
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.

DBI tenant complaints (past 7 years)

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

Property class: apartment building

Apartment building — this property classification influences expected violation rates.

12-Month risk forecast
Moderate failure risk 28%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

5536-5540 Geary Blvd 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

5536-5540 Geary Blvd event timeline

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

2026
311 Request Jun 01
Garbage and debris
other loose garbage debris yard waste
Building PermitApr 28
New vinyl sticky letter applied to front of the awning.

See all 14 events

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

Unlock complete timeline
Every record we have

Full data for 5536-5540 Geary Blvd apartments

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

Side by side

How 5536-5540 Geary Blvd compares to the neighborhood

This building against comparable properties in Central Richmond. 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 5536-5540 Geary Blvd
Get alerted the moment a new violation or complaint is filed.