543 Buena Vista Ave, San Francisco, CA 94117

The 9-unit, 3-story apartment building located at 543 Buena Vista Ave was constructed in 1959 and has undergone significant renovations and faced several compliance issues over the years. Recent work includes substantial remodeling of Units 5 and 8 in December 2023 ($55,000 each) involving kitchen and bathroom upgrades, as well as ongoing exterior improvements with siding replacement completed in late 2023 ($31,400) and earlier in 2023 ($29,500). The building has experienced recurring heating system issues, with the most recent complaints from December 2023 (Units 9) citing problems with an inoperable heater that reportedly emitted carbon monoxide and caused alarm activations.

These heating system concerns appear to be part of a longer history of HVAC maintenance issues, as evidenced by previous complaints in 2018 regarding hot water availability and installed wall heaters. The property has a documented history of fire safety concerns, including recent violations from October 2024 regarding fire escape maintenance and fire extinguisher issues, though previous fire safety citations have often been promptly addressed. A significant fire incident occurred in 2022, and the building's fire escape system has required attention in multiple instances since 2012. The building's maintenance record shows significant investment in unit upgrades, including a comprehensive reroofing project completed in 2023 ($42,780) and the replacement of all wall-mounted gas furnaces in Units 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8 around the same period.

While the building completed its soft-story retrofit requirements, resolved several building code violations, and underwent a tenant buyout in 2020, recent tenant complaints suggest ongoing issues with heating systems and unit maintenance. The property underwent multiple unit renovations between 2021 and 2023, including bathroom remodels, kitchen updates, and fire safety system improvements. Recent complaints filed in late 2023 regarding heating and electrical issues in Unit 9 indicate that some maintenance concerns persist, particularly in relation to building systems and resident comfort elements. The building's management has demonstrated a pattern of addressing violations and completing required improvements, though some recent complaints regarding follow-up and inspection responses have been noted by tenants.