Free SF apartment background check

975 Esmeralda Ave

Bernal Heights, SF 94110 5550047 3 units · 2 fl · 1965

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 Bernal Heights — not a forecast
Above average
avg 1.2
5
FewerMore

This building has 5 novs (7y), above the Bernal Heights average of 1.2.

Rent & eviction protection

Is 975 Esmeralda 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 1965
2 or more units
3 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 1965
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
Units3
Floors2
Year built1965
Total area2,886 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot5550047
Ownership

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

Mailing address
Alice J Vierra Trustee 415 Liberty St San Francisco CA 94114
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 three-unit, two-story apartment building at 975 Esmeralda Ave in Bernal Heights, owned by William R Vierra Jr Bypass, was constructed in 1965 and has undergone several notable improvements over recent years. Most significantly, in 2017, the property underwent substantial window-related work, including the replacement of four street-facing windows, with permits showing costs of $10,000 and $18,564 for both window replacement and associated stucco repair work. The building has experienced ongoing maintenance challenges, with an active complaint filed in July 2021 regarding peeling exterior wall paint, weather-proofing issues on siding, and potential lead paint concerns. Historical records show earlier violations from 2002 regarding fire safety concerns (including smoke detector and enclosure door issues) and garbage receptacle placement, though these were marked as not active by the time of their August 2021 inspection.

Recent infrastructure updates include electrical work in 2003-2008 related to PG&E service and underground pipes installation, though the 2003 permit expired. The property has generated multiple 311 calls in 2024, primarily related to sidewalk parking violations and a sewage backup discharge issue that remains open as of November 2024. The building's maintenance history shows regular routine inspections by Housing Inspection Services in 2002, 2008, and 2011, suggesting periodic oversight of building conditions, while recent complaints and violations indicate ongoing maintenance and safety concerns that require attention.

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

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Risk rating

How 975 Esmeralda 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
46thpercentile

Out of 1276 buildings in this neighborhood, 689 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.

DBI tenant complaints (past 7 years)

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

Estimated permit spend (past 7 years)

Dollar value of permits pulled at this address — large recent spend can signal deferred-maintenance catch-up.

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

975 Esmeralda Ave apartment reviews

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The story over time

975 Esmeralda Ave event timeline

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

2021
Building Violation (NOV) Jul 22 Serious
Building violation
It is the property owner's responsibility to be present or direct his/her representative to attend the re-inspection as scheduled on this n…
Building Violation (NOV)Jul 22
Building violation

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 975 Esmeralda Ave apartments

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

Side by side

How 975 Esmeralda Ave compares to the neighborhood

This building against comparable properties in Bernal Heights. 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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