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1498 Cortland Ave

Bernal Heights, SF 94110 5689001 2 units · 2 fl · 1900

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 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.

Rent & eviction protection

Is 1498 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 1900
2 or more units
2 units
Property type
Multi-Family Residential
Zoning
RH1
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 area1,840 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusHome Owners
Blocklot5689001
Ownership

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

Mailing address
Iluminada Mea, Trustee 1498 Cortland Ave San Francisco CA 94110
Last sale
February 23, 1993

Landlord portfolio

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

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Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The two-unit residential building at 1498 Cortland Avenue in Bernal Heights, built in 1900 and currently owned by the Iluminada Mea 2011 Revocable Trust, has undergone several significant renovations and faced multiple compliance issues over the past decades. Most recently, in 2025, a new 40-gallon gas water heater was installed, continuing a series of maintenance updates including 2021 window replacements ($31,525) converting sliders to double-hung/casement styles, and a 2018 roof replacement ($10,000). The property has experienced three notable compliance incidents: in 1996, there was a complaint about over-occupancy and unauthorized use as a single-family residence; in 2011, violations for unapproved windows and lack of heat were documented and subsequently abated; and in 2018, there was a reported unauthorized dwelling unit on the first floor with kitchen and bathroom facilities, though this complaint was related to permits issued six weeks earlier. This building has maintained basic infrastructure updates including a 2011 ventilation system replacement and a 2005 underground electrical service installation.

The property's more recent history shows active maintenance and upgrading of systems, with the 2021 window improvements and pending water heater update indicating attention to building envelope and utility systems. There have been multiple parking enforcement issues recently, with several citations issued between November 2024 and January 2025 for blocked driveways, suggesting recurring challenges with parking management in the vicinity. Two instances of reported street cleaning issues in late 2024 were determined to require no work. A fire-related incident reported was classified as a "good intent call" with no civilian injuries. The structure's documented history shows periodic maintenance and upgrades typical of older buildings, with the most significant past concerns relating to unauthorized modifications and occupancy issues, all of which appear to have been resolved according to available records.

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

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Risk rating

How 1498 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
72ndpercentile

Out of 1276 buildings in this neighborhood, 357 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
80%
No DBI
violation
20%
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.

Construction spend, owner's portfolio

Estimated permit value across all of this owner's buildings.

Neighborhood location

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

Neighborhood location

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

12-Month risk forecast
Low failure risk 20%
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

1498 Cortland Ave event timeline

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

2025
Plumbing Permit Jan 10
Work category: 2pa; replacing existing gas water heater with new 40gal gas water heater - same location in the home
Complete

See all 2 events

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

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Every record we have

Full data for 1498 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 1498 Cortland Ave compares to the neighborhood

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