349 South Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94103

349 South Van Ness Avenue is a 5-unit, 2-story multi-family residential building constructed in 1917, currently managed by 349 South Van Ness LLC. The property has undergone significant renovations and repairs over the past 15 years, including a completed soft-story retrofit in 2017 (at a cost of $65,000) to comply with seismic safety requirements. Major improvements were made in 2019, including kitchen remodels in Units 1 and 3 ($70,000) and the replacement of bathroom fixtures across several units. The building has experienced recurring maintenance issues, particularly in 2024, with multiple active complaints regarding heating systems, window functionality, and plumbing problems.

Notable recent complaints include building safety concerns with non-functioning heating systems and water-related maintenance issues. In early 2018, the property faced several building violations related to plumbing, security, and habitability requirements, though these were subsequently addressed and abated. Regular maintenance and system upgrades have been conducted, including water heater replacements (most recently in 2022), heating system updates, and window repairs due to dry rot in 2018. Building maintenance improvements were made following violations in 2018, including the installation of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms, though some related issues reappeared in subsequent years.

The property has also experienced some ongoing issues with common area maintenance and security, as evidenced by multiple tenant complaints about common areas, garbage management, and access security. Recent records show frequent issues with driveway access that suggest ongoing challenges with parking management around the property. The building's history shows a pattern of addressing major structural and safety requirements while experiencing periodic maintenance challenges and tenant complaints about basic living conditions. While substantial improvements have been made to meet safety requirements, recent active complaints suggest ongoing maintenance issues that require attention. The property has demonstrated compliance with major safety requirements, including the completion of the soft-story retrofit program, though periodic violations and tenant complaints indicate some difficulties with maintaining consistent habitability standards.