Free SF apartment background check

716-720 20Th Ave

Central Richmond, SF 94121 1662037 4 units · 2 fl · 1928

This building has a substantial enforcement record over the last seven years, and our model predicts continuing maintenance failures over the next 12 months. Read the records below before you sign. Ask which issues were resolved, get repair commitments in writing, and inspect the unit yourself.

NOVs (7y) vs. neighborhood
Records already on file, against a typical building in Central Richmond — not a forecast
Above average
avg 0.5
9
FewerMore

This building has 9 novs (7y), above the Central Richmond average of 0.5.

Rent & eviction protection

Is 716-720 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 1928
2 or more units
4 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 1928
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
Floors2
Year built1928
Total area2,480 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot1662037
Ownership

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

Mailing address
Patrick O'donnell Po Box 320065 San Francisco CA 94132
Last sale
November 27, 2012

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.

718 20th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121
716 20th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121
720 20th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121
Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The 4-unit, 2-story multi-family residential building at 716-720 20th Avenue in the Central Richmond neighborhood, constructed in 1928, has experienced several significant maintenance and compliance issues in recent years. Most concerning is a July 2023 complaint regarding possible mold and mildew issues following a large water leak, with residents reporting health concerns and building damage. In 2022, the building underwent plumbing upgrades including the installation of a tankless water heater and p-trap replacement, but experienced multiple violations and complaints related to water damage, plumbing, and appliance issues. These violations were primarily addressed by October 2022, but included concerns about water damage, a malfunctioning stove, and the need for proper water heater installation.

The building's maintenance history shows periodic attention to basic upkeep, including window replacements in 2009, reroofing in 1997, and compliance with various building codes. Significant historical violations include a 2003 case involving egress obstruction and fire proofing repair requirements, and a 2014 case regarding guardrail repairs and structural maintenance affidavit completion. More recent maintenance issues have included concerns about a large water heater's placement, stove malfunction, and electrical problems, all of which were addressed through permits and repairs, though some residents noted persistent concerns about various building systems. Historical records also indicate past challenges with noise transmission, possible pest issues in 2020, and routine inspections revealing various code compliance matters that have generally been resolved through appropriate permitting and repairs.

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 716-720 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
1stpercentile

Out of 2250 buildings in this neighborhood, 2228 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
28%
No DBI
violation
72%
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.

Number of units

The number of units affects how the model reads complaint and violation totals — more units means more potential sources.

Notices of Violation (past 7 years)

DBI issued Notices of Violation at this address over the last 7 years — a direct record of code enforcement activity.

12-Month risk forecast
High failure risk 72%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

716-720 20Th 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

716-720 20Th Ave event timeline

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

2026
DBI Complaint Apr 07
Date last observed: 06-apr-26; exact location: main bldg; building type: residence/dwelling plumbing leak; mold; work being done in dangerous manner; ; additional information: asbestos and lead in walls. plumbing leak in wall, needs containment before demolition.;
Building Inspection Division
DBI ComplaintApr 07
Date last observed: 06-apr-26; exact location: main bldg; building type: residence/dwelling plumbing leak; mold; work being done in dangerous manner; ; additional information: asbestos and lead in walls. plumbing leak in wall, needs containment before demolition.;

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 716-720 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 716-720 20Th Ave 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 716-720 20Th Ave
Get alerted the moment a new violation or complaint is filed.