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549-553 20Th Ave

Central Richmond, SF 94121 1563008 3 units · 2 fl · 1920

Nothing on record for this building in the last seven years, and our model puts it at a low risk of maintenance problems over the next 12 months. No public enforcement record to go on. Walk the building, ask the current tenants how repairs get handled, and get any promises in writing.

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 549-553 20Th 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 1920
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.

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 1920
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
Units3
Floors2
Year built1920
Total area2,285 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusHome Owners
Blocklot1563008
Ownership

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

Mailing address
Liang Qi Xiang & Cheong Lai 175 De Soto St San Francisco CA 94127
Last sale
December 30, 2010

Landlord portfolio

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

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Multiple entrances & addresses

Included addresses

All street addresses sharing this blocklot that are covered by this report.

551 20th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121
553 20th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121
549 20th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121
Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The multi-family residential building at 549-553 20th Avenue in the Central Richmond district, owned by the Liang/Cheong Family Trust, is a two-story flats and duplex structure built in 1920 containing three units. The property underwent significant renovations in 2013, including comprehensive interior remodeling of all three units, with work comprising kitchen and bathroom remodels, bedroom conversions, and electrical upgrades totaling approximately $113,300. These improvements included new electrical systems with 200-amp service, rewiring, and the installation of 10 smoke detectors, along with plumbing upgrades including new kitchens, bathrooms, shower pans, and water heaters. The building has maintained its structural integrity through regular maintenance, with historical records showing a reroofing project completed in 1992.

The property has experienced several routine inspections and violations, most notably in 2010 and 2014. The 2014 routine inspection revealed multiple safety concerns that were subsequently addressed, including issues with fire safety equipment, handrails, guardrails, and security features, all of which were abated by September 2014. A complaint in 2014 regarding parking space modifications and another regarding building number assignment were also filed, though both were marked as resolved. The building underwent a sidewalk repair in 2005 and has had some parking-related issues in recent months, with multiple citations issued between September 2024 and January 2025 for various parking violations. A minor fire incident involving smoke detector activation was recorded, though no injuries or actual fire were reported.

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

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Risk rating

How 549-553 20Th 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
22ndpercentile

Out of 2250 buildings in this neighborhood, 1755 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
75%
No DBI
violation
25%
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.

Permit rate, owner's portfolio

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

DBI complaint rate, owner's portfolio

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

Estimated permit spend (past 7 years)

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

12-Month risk forecast
Low failure risk 25%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

549-553 20Th Ave apartment reviews

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On the map

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The story over time

549-553 20Th Ave event timeline

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

2026
311 Request Jun 11
Abandoned vehicle
Parking Enforcement
311 RequestJun 10
Other illegal parking

See all 2 events

Full history back to 2026 — violations, complaints, permits, buyouts, and fire incidents.

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Every record we have

Full data for 549-553 20Th Ave apartments

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

Side by side

How 549-553 20Th Ave compares to the neighborhood

This building against comparable properties in Central Richmond. Toggle filters to narrow the peer group.

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

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