48-58 Lafayette St, San Francisco, CA 94103

The 6-unit, 3-story multi-family residential building at 48-58 Lafayette Street, owned by Karen Lum, was constructed in 1912 and has undergone several significant changes and faced various challenges over the years. Most notably, the building has achieved compliance with its mandatory soft-story seismic retrofit requirements (Tier 3) as of 2024, completing the work and receiving its Certificate of Final Completion (CFC).

Recent building improvements include bathroom renovations in 2021 (including drywall work and flooring updates), and substantial unit renovations in 2018 that addressed multiple violations, including electrical rewiring, plumbing updates, and HVAC system improvements. The property has experienced several recurring issues over the years, particularly notable between 2018-2020 when multiple code violations and complaints were filed regarding inadequate heating, electrical problems, plumbing issues, mold, lead paint concerns, and rodent infestation. Many of these violations were addressed through the 2018 renovation work, including the replacement of the furnace, water heater, electrical components, and repairs to the bathroom and kitchen.

There was also a significant water damage incident in 2020, affecting ground floor and basement bathrooms, though this was ultimately addressed. Recent activity at the property includes several tenant buyouts, with the most recent occurring in December 2024 involving two tenants at 58 Lafayette Street for $10,000. While the building now appears to be in better structural and functional condition, with completed safety upgrades, it has faced ongoing challenges with building maintenance and environmental issues as evidenced by numerous 311 calls in 2024 regarding garbage, debris, and sidewalk maintenance.