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1221 Funston Ave

Inner Sunset, SF 94122 1737014 24 units · 3 fl · 1959

A handful of records on file over the last seven years, and our model predicts a high 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 Sunset — not a forecast
At or below average
avg 1.1
1
FewerMore

This building has 1 novs (7y), at or below the Inner Sunset average of 1.1.

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 1221 Funston 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
24 units
Property type
Multi-Family Residential
Zoning
RM4
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
Units24
Floors3
Year built1959
Total area18,858 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot1737014
Ownership

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

Owner name
Mailing address
Grant Thornton, Llp (tax Ag Po Box 4747 Oak Brook IL 60522
Last sale
September 26, 2012

Landlord portfolio

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

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Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The three-story, 24-unit apartment building at 1221 Funston Avenue in the Inner Sunset, owned by Essex Portfolio LP, has undergone significant renovations and faced several regulatory challenges since its 1959 construction. In recent years, the building has seen substantial unit improvements, including multiple washer/dryer installations and kitchen/bathroom renovations in various units (C106, C108, and C302) between 2017 and 2023, with the most recent renovation completed in July 2023 costing over $50k. Safety systems have received considerable attention, with a comprehensive fire alarm system upgrade implemented in 2021 costing over $57k, though recent fire violations issued in 2024 related to the alarm system, sprinkler maintenance, and sleeping area requirements indicate ongoing compliance challenges.

The building has experienced several notable issues requiring attention over the years. Three boiler permit violations were recorded in 2019 and again in 2022, though these were eventually abated in 2023. More recently, complaints about improper storage of hazardous materials (paint and solvents) near the property and an unprotected electrical junction box in the mechanical room were reported in 2023-2024, both of which have been marked as not active. The property underwent significant infrastructure improvements in 2016-2018, including electrical sub-panel replacements in multiple units and the addition of a leasing office. Historical records show routine complaints dating back to 2005, and a troubling incident in 2015 regarding unauthorized asbestos removal during construction work while tenants occupied their apartments.

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

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Risk rating

How 1221 Funston 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
0thpercentile

Out of 1493 buildings in this neighborhood, 1493 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
11%
No DBI
violation
89%
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.

Building size

Total floor area — a proxy for building scale and the number of systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) that can fail.

NOV rate, owner's portfolio

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

12-Month risk forecast
High failure risk 89%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

1221 Funston Ave apartment reviews

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On the map

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The story over time

1221 Funston Ave event timeline

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

2026
Fire Complaint Feb 03
Alarm Systems
Violation Issued
DBI ComplaintFeb 02
Date last observed: 29-jan-25; time last observed: 01/30/2026; floor: ground flo; exact location: main bldg; building type: residence/dwelling fire safety/fire escape; ; additional information: fire/smoke alarm for building has been going off for over a year, the building owner is not fixing it and it beeps constantly. tenants fear if there was a real fire, no one would respond. ;

See all 23 events

Full history back to 2021 — violations, complaints, permits, buyouts, and fire incidents.

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Every record we have

Full data for 1221 Funston Ave apartments

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

Side by side

How 1221 Funston Ave compares to the neighborhood

This building against comparable properties in Inner Sunset. 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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