Free SF apartment background check

479 Potrero Ave

Potrero Hill, SF 94110 3974029 3 units · 3 fl · 1987

Nothing on record for this building in the last seven years, and our model puts it at a low risk of maintenance problems over the next 12 months. 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 Potrero Hill — not a forecast
At or below average
avg 1.1
0
FewerMore

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

Rent & eviction protection

Is 479 Potrero 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 1987
2 or more units
3 units
Property type
Multi-Family Residential
Zoning
M1
Not rent-controlled. Buildings constructed after 1978 are generally exempt from SF rent increase limits under the Costa-Hawkins Act.

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 1987
Annual rent increase cap
5% + CPI, max 10%
Just-cause eviction
After 12 months
May be covered by AB 1482. The building is old enough for the statewide rent cap (5% + regional CPI, capped at 10% per year) and just-cause protection after 12 months of tenancy.

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
Floors3
Year built1987
Total area3,175 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusHome Owners
Blocklot3974029
Ownership

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

Owner name
Mailing address
Po Box 881432 San Francisco CA 94188
Last sale
September 22, 2010

Landlord portfolio

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

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Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The three-unit, three-story multi-family residential building at 479 Potrero Avenue in Potrero Hill, owned by Alvin Lam, was constructed in 1987 and has undergone several significant improvements and maintenance work over the years. Most recently, in May 2024, the building completed the legalization of additional bathroom facilities in Unit A, which included comprehensive electrical, plumbing, and construction work valued at $55,000. This followed substantial exterior work in 2022, including garage deck repairs, siding replacement, and window upgrades, demonstrating ongoing maintenance of building envelope components. The property has maintained compliance with safety standards since addressing multiple fire safety violations in 2015, which included improvements to fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide alarms, and gas utility shutoff requirements, all of which were abated by September 2015.

Historical records show attention to various building systems, including a 2013 upgrade of underground gas lines for all units and multiple window replacements throughout the years. A notable complaint in 2017 regarding construction work on the garage concrete entry was filed, though it was marked as not active. The surrounding area has experienced typical urban maintenance issues as documented in 311 calls, including occasional graffiti, sidewalk issues, and construction-related disturbances, though these have generally been resolved promptly. The building's maintenance history shows regular updates to critical systems and prompt response to violations, with no active violations or complaints on record as of October 2023.

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

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Risk rating

How 479 Potrero 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
93rdpercentile

Out of 726 buildings in this neighborhood, 51 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
89%
No DBI
violation
11%
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.

Neighborhood location

Precise location is a proxy for neighborhood-level risk — some SF blocks have systematically higher DBI activity.

Neighborhood (ZIP code)

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

Property class: multi-family flat

2–4 unit flats (class F) are a common SF building type with their own maintenance and complaint patterns.

12-Month risk forecast
Low failure risk 11%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

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The story over time

479 Potrero Ave event timeline

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

2024
Plumbing Permit Jun 06
To legalize 2 bathrooms on grould fl with shower pans
Complete
Electrical PermitJun 06
Unit a: ref to bldg pa #202405283098. legalize 2 bathrooms on grould level

See all 6 events

Full history back to 2021 — violations, complaints, permits, buyouts, and fire incidents.

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Every record we have

Full data for 479 Potrero Ave apartments

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

Side by side

How 479 Potrero Ave compares to the neighborhood

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