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635-637 South Van Ness Ave

Inner Mission, SF 94110 3574040 4 units · 2 fl · 1912

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 Mission — not a forecast
At or below average
avg 2.7
2
FewerMore

This building has 2 novs (7y), at or below the Inner Mission average of 2.7.

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 635-637 South Van Ness 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 1912
2 or more units
4 units
Property type
Multi-Family Residential
Zoning
RH3
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 1912
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
Units4
Floors2
Year built1912
Total area5,100 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusHome Owners
Blocklot3574040
Ownership

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

Owner name
Mailing address
6 Divisadero St San Francisco CA 94117
Last sale
January 29, 2021

Landlord portfolio

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

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Multiple entrances & addresses

Included addresses

All street addresses sharing this blocklot that are covered by this report.

637 A South Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110
635 South Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110
635 A South Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110
637 South Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110
Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The property at 635-637 South Van Ness Avenue is a two-story, four-unit multi-family residential building constructed in 1912, currently owned by Van Ness Flats Inc. The building has undergone significant improvements and faced several challenges over recent years. Most notably, between 2020-2021, substantial renovation work was completed, including an extensive interior remodel of all four units ($185,000), bathroom fixture upgrades, fire alarm system improvements ($15,000), and the documentation of the rear building's legal use and occupancy. The property experienced some compliance issues in 2021, with multiple instances of unpermitted electrical work discovered, though these violations were subsequently addressed and resolved.

Recent maintenance and improvements include a range hood venting installation in 2023 and various plumbing upgrades throughout the building. The fire safety systems have received attention, with both automatic/manual fire alarm systems installed, though there have been recurring issues with alarm malfunctions noted in 2016 and 2021. The building faced some structural challenges, particularly regarding the rear stairs in 2013, which were repaired to address safety concerns. Recent 311 calls suggest ongoing exterior maintenance needs, particularly regarding graffiti on public surfaces in front of the property, though these are not directly related to building safety or habitability.

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

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Risk rating

How 635-637 South Van Ness 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
12thpercentile

Out of 2380 buildings in this neighborhood, 2094 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
31%
No DBI
violation
69%
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.

DBI tenant complaints (past 7 years)

Formal complaints tenants filed with DBI about this building over 7 years.

Number of units

The number of units affects how the model reads complaint and violation totals — more units means more potential sources.

Neighborhood (ZIP code)

The ZIP code captures local housing market and enforcement patterns that affect all buildings in the area.

12-Month risk forecast
High failure risk 69%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

635-637 South Van Ness Ave apartment reviews

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On the map

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The story over time

635-637 South Van Ness Ave event timeline

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

2026
311 Request Apr 22
311 service request
Encampment
311 RequestApr 01
Garbage and debris

See all 28 events

Full history back to 2019 — violations, complaints, permits, buyouts, and fire incidents.

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Every record we have

Full data for 635-637 South Van Ness Ave apartments

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

Side by side

How 635-637 South Van Ness Ave compares to the neighborhood

This building against comparable properties in Inner Mission. 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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