Free SF apartment background check

1201 44Th Ave

Outer Sunset, SF 94122 1706001 5 units · 2 fl · 1959

This building has a substantial enforcement record over the last seven years, and our model sees a moderate chance of more in 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 Outer Sunset — not a forecast
Above average
avg 1.8
20
FewerMore

This building has 20 novs (7y), above the Outer Sunset average of 1.8.

Rent & eviction protection

Is 1201 44Th 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 1959
2 or more units
5 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 1959
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
Units5
Floors2
Year built1959
Total area3,566 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot1706001
Ownership

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

Mailing address
195 Saint Elmo Way San Francisco CA 94127
Last sale
August 15, 2001

Landlord portfolio

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

Unlock complete report
Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The 5-unit, 2-story multi-family residential building at 1201 44th Avenue in the Outer Sunset, owned by Samuel & Catherine Luk, has experienced numerous maintenance and safety issues since its construction in 1959. The property has recurring water-related problems, with multiple complaints about leaks and drainage issues between 2013 and 2016, often leading to mold formation. There are active violations from 2018 related to fire safety (including issues with smoke enclosure doors and fire extinguisher maintenance), building structure requirements, and weatherstripping seals. A 2018 complaint about bathroom mold appears to be part of ongoing moisture problems, as similar issues were reported in 2022. The building's maintenance history shows various repairs including a $14,000 re-roofing in 2018 and sidewalk repairs in 2006, but also reveals periods of deferred maintenance, such as a 2011 notice of violations regarding second-floor deck repairs.

The property has undergone several significant infrastructure upgrades, including electrical improvements in 2003 with the conversion to underground service and a 400-amp installation, though these permits have since expired. There were also two electrical wiring/equipment-related fire incidents with no civilian injuries recorded. More recently, there have been multiple 311 calls in 2024 regarding garbage and debris removal, with several reports of abandoned furniture and mattresses near the property. While some historical issues have been resolved, including a 2011 fire safety violation for blocked exits (corrected on the same day), the building continues to face challenges with water management, mold mitigation, and maintaining compliance with fire safety regulations. The most recent building complaints from 2022 regarding cracks in walls and aging carpet suggest ongoing maintenance challenges.

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 1201 44Th 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
12thpercentile

Out of 632 buildings in this neighborhood, 556 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
43%
No DBI
violation
57%
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.

NOV rate, owner's portfolio

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

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
Moderate failure risk 57%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

1201 44Th 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

1201 44Th Ave event timeline

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

2026
311 Request Jul 18
Garbage and debris
furniture
311 RequestMay 24
Infestation rodent insect

See all 12 events

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

Unlock complete timeline
Every record we have

Full data for 1201 44Th Ave apartments

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

Side by side

How 1201 44Th Ave compares to the neighborhood

This building against comparable properties in Outer Sunset. 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 1201 44Th Ave
Get alerted the moment a new violation or complaint is filed.