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853-855 Rhode Island St

Potrero Hill, SF 94107 4095058 2 units · 3 fl · 1904

Nothing on record for this building in the last seven years. Our model still sees a moderate chance of maintenance problems in the next 12 months, from the owner's wider portfolio and the surrounding area rather than from anything recorded here. 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 853-855 Rhode Island St 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 1904
2 or more units
2 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 1904
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
Units2
Floors3
Year built1904
Total area2,355 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot4095058
Ownership

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

Owner name
Mailing address
4181 26th St San Francisco CA 94131
Last sale
March 22, 2019

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.

853 Rhode Island St, San Francisco, CA 94107
855 Rhode Island St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The 2-unit, 3-story multi-family residential building at 853-855 Rhode Island Street in Potrero Hill, owned by Bubbygelt LLC, has experienced several significant maintenance and infrastructure events since its construction in 1904. Most notably, the property has faced substantial sewer-related challenges, particularly throughout 2022, with multiple documented sewage backup incidents (including on March 8, June 10, and June 15-17) involving 4-inch sewer vents, along with flooding issues. These sewer incidents represent the most significant pattern of infrastructure problems on record. More recent improvements include the replacement of two furnaces in April 2023, and a garage door upgrade in January 2018, though two separate attempts to install solar panels in 2016-2017 were ultimately not completed, either expiring or being cancelled. The building's maintenance history shows attention to both interior systems and exterior elements, including attempts to address tree root damage to sidewalks (February 2021), though no direct resolution is recorded for this issue. Earlier records show a disapproved variance request for constructing a deck and stairs into the required rear yard, and a fire complaint related to hazardous materials in November 2013, which was referred to another agency. The property's documented history suggests ongoing maintenance efforts, particularly regarding heating systems and exterior features, while highlighting past infrastructure challenges that were concentrated in 2022.

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

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Risk rating

How 853-855 Rhode Island St'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
42ndpercentile

Out of 726 buildings in this neighborhood, 421 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
71%
No DBI
violation
29%
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.

Building age

Older buildings tend to have more maintenance challenges; SF's pre-1906 earthquake housing stock carries distinct risk.

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
Moderate failure risk 29%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

853-855 Rhode Island St apartment reviews

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The story over time

853-855 Rhode Island St event timeline

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

2025
Building Permit Jun 12
Revise permit #202502251053 - removal of all kitchen cabinetry work from original scope.
$20,000 · Complete
Building PermitJun 05
Limited to: (n) 4" concrete slab on grade; (n) wood 2nd level with (n) stair to rear yard; (n) 2 panel sliding door and fixed window on rear facade of 2nd level

See all 7 events

Full history back to 2023 — violations, complaints, permits, buyouts, and fire incidents.

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Every record we have

Full data for 853-855 Rhode Island St apartments

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

Side by side

How 853-855 Rhode Island St compares to the neighborhood

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Cancel anytime · Data sourced from SF Open Data, DBI, SFFD, SF Rent Board & Planning

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