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1617 Palou Ave

Bayview, SF 94124 5327049 2 units · 2 fl · 1900

This building has a substantial enforcement record over the last seven years, and our model sees a moderate chance of more in the next 12 months. Read the records below before you sign. Ask which issues were resolved, get repair commitments in writing, and inspect the unit yourself.

NOVs (7y) vs. neighborhood
Records already on file, against a typical building in Bayview — not a forecast
Above average
avg 4.6
10
FewerMore

This building has 10 novs (7y), above the Bayview average of 4.6.

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 1617 Palou 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 1900
2 or more units
2 units
Property type
Multi-Family Residential
Zoning
RH2
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 1900
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
Floors2
Year built1900
Total area2,600 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot5327049
Ownership

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

Mailing address
Juanita E Johnson, Trustee 1368 East 25Th St Oakland CA 94606
Last sale
—

Landlord portfolio

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

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Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The property at 1617 Palou Ave in Bayview is a two-unit, two-story multi-family residential building constructed in 1900, currently owned by the Juanita E Johnson Revocable Trust. The building has experienced several significant issues over the past decade, with the most recent complaints in 2023 and 2024 highlighting ongoing maintenance challenges. In 2023, there were concerns about bathroom window functionality, damaged bathroom floor, water damage, and missing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Earlier problems in 2017 involved water damage and mold/mildew issues, which were addressed by March 2017. Two heating-related complaints were documented in 2015, culminating in the installation of a new heater system, though one related permit was cancelled.

The building has undergone some infrastructure improvements, including a 200-amp electrical service upgrade and conversion from overhead to underground power in 2005, though this permit expired. More recently, there have been numerous 311 calls in 2024 regarding the property, primarily related to garbage and debris issues on the street, though there are also reports of parking violations. A sidewalk defect was reported in August 2024, noting holes, cracks, and uneven sections. The building's maintenance history suggests periodic neglect of basic systems and safety features, with multiple instances of water damage, mold issues, and heating problems over the years. The presence of lead hazard notifications in 2023 indicates potential environmental concerns, and while many of the cited violations have been marked as "Not Active," their previous existence suggests ongoing maintenance challenges.

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

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Risk rating

How 1617 Palou 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
82ndpercentile

Out of 382 buildings in this neighborhood, 69 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
65%
No DBI
violation
35%
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.

NOV rate, owner's portfolio

Per-building NOV rate across everything this owner manages — high rates signal pattern neglect.

Neighborhood location

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

Notices of Violation (past 7 years)

DBI issued Notices of Violation at this address over the last 7 years — a direct record of code enforcement activity.

12-Month risk forecast
Moderate failure risk 35%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

1617 Palou Ave apartment reviews

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On the map

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The story over time

1617 Palou Ave event timeline

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

2025
DBI Complaint Mar 14
Paint is peeling front and side.
Housing Inspection Services

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 1617 Palou Ave apartments

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

Side by side

How 1617 Palou Ave compares to the neighborhood

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