Free SF apartment background check

655-657 5Th Ave

Inner Richmond, SF 94118 1639013 2 units · 2 fl · 1907

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 Inner Richmond — not a forecast
Above average
avg 0.9
1
FewerMore

This building has 1 novs (7y), above the Inner Richmond average of 0.9.

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 655-657 5Th 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 1907
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 1907
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 built1907
Total area2,330 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusHome Owners
Blocklot1639013
Ownership

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

Mailing address
Massmann Russell Trustee 655 5Th Ave San Francisco CA 94118
Last sale
April 02, 2018

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.

655 05th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118
657 05th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118
Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The two-story, two-unit multi-family residential building at 655-657 5th Avenue in the Inner Richmond, owned by Russell Massmann Sprt Prpt, was constructed in 1907 and has undergone several significant modifications and improvements over the years. Most notably, in 2020, the property faced enforcement actions requiring the replacement of 10 improperly installed vinyl windows and two doors on the front facade, which were successfully completed at a cost of $20,000 to restore the historic configuration with proper wood materials. The building has undergone substantial maintenance and upgrades including a kitchen and bathroom remodel in 2010 ($18,000), roof replacement in 2017 ($13,950), and sewer lateral replacement in 2014. A significant physical inspection report in 2020 (#CC8438) prompted various improvements, including electrical and plumbing upgrades, though some proposed work in 2020 to create new living space in the attic and basement was withdrawn.

The property has maintained generally good compliance with building codes, though it experienced two fire safety violations in 2006 related to combustible storage and exit obstruction, which were subsequently resolved. Recent maintenance includes the replacement of a backflow device in 2023, though this permit has now expired. The building's location has seen typical urban issues in the surrounding area, as evidenced by 311 calls, mostly relating to street cleaning, parking enforcement, and occasional sewer-related concerns, none of which appear to directly impact the building's habitability or safety. The property has undergone appropriate historical preservation measures as required by the city, including the restoration of its original window configuration and detailing, though it retains some modern improvements such as the upgraded 200-amp electrical service installed in 2010.

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 655-657 5Th 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
97thpercentile

Out of 1723 buildings in this neighborhood, 52 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
94%
No DBI
violation
6%
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.

NOV rate, owner's portfolio

Per-building NOV rate across everything this owner manages — high rates signal pattern neglect.

Building age

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

12-Month risk forecast
Low failure risk 6%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

655-657 5Th Ave 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

655-657 5Th Ave event timeline

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

2023
Plumbing Permit Aug 16
Work category: 11p; remove and replace standard service backflow device serial #b22659
Expired

See all 10 events

Full history back to 2020 — violations, complaints, permits, buyouts, and fire incidents.

Unlock complete timeline
Every record we have

Full data for 655-657 5Th Ave apartments

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

Side by side

How 655-657 5Th Ave compares to the neighborhood

This building against comparable properties in Inner 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 655-657 5Th Ave
Get alerted the moment a new violation or complaint is filed.