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1281 5Th Ave

Inner Sunset, SF 94122 1754007 3 units · 2 fl · 1908

Nothing on record for this building in the last seven years. Our model still sees a moderate chance of maintenance problems in the next 12 months, from the owner's wider portfolio and the surrounding area rather than from anything recorded here. 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 Inner Sunset — not a forecast
At or below average
avg 1.1
0
FewerMore

This building has 0 novs (7y), at or below the Inner Sunset average of 1.1.

Rent & eviction protection

Is 1281 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 1908
2 or more units
3 units
Property type
Multi-Family Residential
Zoning
RH1
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 1908
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 built1908
Total area3,240 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusHome Owners
Blocklot1754007
Ownership

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

Mailing address
Margaret R Clark Trustee 1281 5Th Ave San Francisco CA 94122
Last sale
—

Landlord portfolio

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

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Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

1281 5th Avenue is a two-story, three-unit multi-family residential building located in San Francisco's Inner Sunset neighborhood. Built in 1908 and currently owned by Margaret R Clark 2010 Revoc, this flats and duplex-style property has undergone several significant maintenance and infrastructure upgrades over the years. The building received a furnace replacement in 2018 and underwent substantial sewer line repairs in 2008, which included both exterior and interior work. A reroofing project was attempted in 1999, though records indicate this permit expired.

The property has experienced recurring issues with parking violations and access concerns, as evidenced by numerous 311 calls, particularly in 2024. There was also a temporary sewage backup issue reported and resolved in February 2024. External maintenance matters have included an overgrown tree blocking signs (resolved in November 2024) and a blocked sidewalk due to merchandise display (as of June 2023). The building's infrastructure appears to be maintained properly, with three street space permits issued in 2007, 2012, and 2015, though these are primarily related to public space usage rather than building maintenance. A single fire incident was reported, though it was categorized as a false alarm with no civilian injuries. Recent inspections and responses to 311 calls indicate prompt attention to reported issues, particularly regarding utility concerns and external maintenance matters.

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

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Risk rating

How 1281 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
35thpercentile

Out of 1493 buildings in this neighborhood, 970 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
72%
No DBI
violation
28%
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.

Estimated permit spend (past 7 years)

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

Building permits, owner's portfolio

Permits pulled across all of this owner's buildings over 7 years.

Construction spend, owner's portfolio

Estimated permit value across all of this owner's buildings.

12-Month risk forecast
Moderate failure risk 28%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

1281 5Th Ave apartment reviews

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On the map

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8 found
The story over time

1281 5Th Ave event timeline

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

2026
311 Request Mar 20
Garbage and debris
human waste or urine

See all 1 events

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

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Every record we have

Full data for 1281 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 1281 5Th Ave compares to the neighborhood

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