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51-55 Cortland Ave

Bernal Heights, SF 94110 5673011 3 units · 3 fl · 1908

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 Bernal Heights — not a forecast
At or below average
avg 1.2
0
FewerMore

This building has 0 novs (7y), at or below the Bernal Heights average of 1.2.

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 51-55 Cortland 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 1908
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 1908
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
Floors3
Year built1908
Total area3,600 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot5673011
Ownership

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

Mailing address
Luis Belmonte 250 Walnut St San Francisco CA 94118
Last sale
—

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.

55 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110
51 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110
53 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110
Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The 3-unit, 3-story multi-family residential building at 51-55 Cortland Ave in Bernal Heights, constructed in 1908 and currently owned by Victorian Property Co 2nd, has undergone several significant structural improvements over its lifetime. These include a reroofing project completed in 1996, the installation of foundation anchor bolts and connection of joists to beam in 1994, and multiple sidewalk repairs in 2002. A street space permit was most recently issued in 2017. The building had one violation recorded in 2008 related to fire safety, specifically concerning the proper tagging of fire extinguishers, though this was promptly addressed within ten days of being cited.

The property has experienced numerous street and sidewalk maintenance issues in 2024, with multiple 311 calls reporting general cleaning needs, debris, and waste removal. These incidents, while primarily affecting the public space around the building rather than the building itself, indicate ongoing challenges with street maintenance and cleanliness in the immediate vicinity. There is also one unresolved Shared Spaces violation from July 2023 regarding the need to maintain a clear path of travel on the sidewalk, which remains pending as of the latest data. While the building's major systems appear to have received appropriate attention over the years in terms of structural integrity, the most pressing current issues relate to external cleanliness and maintenance of the surrounding public areas.

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

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Risk rating

How 51-55 Cortland 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
22ndpercentile

Out of 1276 buildings in this neighborhood, 995 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
59%
No DBI
violation
41%
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.

Building age

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

12-Month risk forecast
Moderate failure risk 41%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

51-55 Cortland Ave apartment reviews

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On the map

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Buildings nearby
8 found
The story over time

51-55 Cortland Ave event timeline

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

2026
311 Request Jul 06
Other illegal parking
Parking Enforcement
311 RequestMay 29
Other illegal parking

See all 6 events

Full history back to 2026 — violations, complaints, permits, buyouts, and fire incidents.

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Every record we have

Full data for 51-55 Cortland Ave apartments

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

Side by side

How 51-55 Cortland Ave compares to the neighborhood

This building against comparable properties in Bernal Heights. Toggle filters to narrow the peer group.

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