Free SF apartment background check

3901-3909 Cesar Chavez St

Noe Valley, SF 94131 6579001 4 units · 2 fl · 1923

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 Noe Valley — not a forecast
At or below average
avg 1.2
0
FewerMore

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

Rent & eviction protection

Is 3901-3909 Cesar Chavez 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 1923
2 or more units
4 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 1923
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
Units4
Floors2
Year built1923
Total area3,368 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot6579001
Ownership

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

Owner name
Mailing address
Horn Colin A & Allan J Co-t 32 Donald Dr Orinda CA 94563
Last sale

Landlord portfolio

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

Unlock complete report
Multiple entrances & addresses

Included addresses

All street addresses sharing this blocklot that are covered by this report.

3909 Cesar Chavez St, San Francisco, CA 94131
3905 Cesar Chavez St, San Francisco, CA 94131
3903 Cesar Chavez St, San Francisco, CA 94131
3907 Cesar Chavez St, San Francisco, CA 94131
3901 Cesar Chavez St, San Francisco, CA 94131
Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The two-story, four-unit apartment building at 3901-3909 Cesar Chavez St in Noe Valley, built in 1923 and currently owned by the Colin Horn Trust I, has undergone several significant improvements and faced various maintenance challenges over its history. The building has received important infrastructure upgrades, including a complete electrical system modernization in 2006 with 200 amp service installation and four meter/circuit breaker panels, and sewer line repairs in 2017. Historical improvements include a fireproof roof deck installation in 1985 and comprehensive code compliance work completed in 1987. A notable cluster of violations was recorded in 2001, primarily related to lead paint hazards, security issues, and stair repairs, though all were successfully abated by October 2001. The building's maintenance history shows attention to critical systems, with a reroofing project documented in 1997, though this permit has since expired.

Recent concerns regarding the property's immediate surroundings have emerged, with multiple 311 calls between 2024-2025 reporting issues such as sewage discharge, garbage accumulation, and noise complaints. These cases appear mostly related to street-level conditions rather than building-specific problems, with several being promptly resolved by city services. The property's historical inspection record from the late 1990s revealed various maintenance issues, including problems with windows, kitchen cabinets, flooring, smoke detectors, and exterior conditions, though these were generally addressed through subsequent repairs. While the building has experienced periodic maintenance challenges over the years, particularly in the late 1990s and early 2000s, recent records indicate fewer building-specific violations, with most recent issues relating to external conditions rather than structural or safety concerns within the building itself.

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

Free account unlocks the full analysis — plus 2× more records across all data categories and the complete landlord portfolio.
Risk rating

How 3901-3909 Cesar Chavez 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 1879 buildings in this neighborhood, 1090 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.

Number of units

The number of units affects how the model reads complaint and violation totals — more units means more potential sources.

Building age

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

Building permits, owner's portfolio

Permits pulled across all of this owner's buildings over 7 years.

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

3901-3909 Cesar Chavez St apartment reviews

Real experiences from people who have lived here. Share yours to help other renters decide.

Share your experience — Help other renters by leaving an honest apartment review

Loading reviews…

On the map

Compare nearby alternatives

This building and nearby alternatives, color-coded by risk level. Click any marker to explore.

The story over time

3901-3909 Cesar Chavez St event timeline

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

2025
311 Request Aug 17
Garbage and debris
city garbage can overflowing
311 RequestJan 14
Sewage back-up discharge

See all 4 events

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

Unlock complete timeline
Every record we have

Full data for 3901-3909 Cesar Chavez St apartments

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

Side by side

How 3901-3909 Cesar Chavez St compares to the neighborhood

This building against comparable properties in Noe Valley. Toggle filters to narrow the peer group.

Loading comparables…
Still apartment hunting in SF?

Look up the next apartment before you sign

Search any SF address free — no account needed to see the risk rating.

Simple pricing

Get the complete picture

Every plan unlocks the complete report: all 13 SF datasets, full history, landlord portfolio, and PDF & Excel exports.

Pay once

Report Bundle

For the buildings you're deciding on right now

$10one time

3premium reports

$3.33 per report · charged once, never renews

Each credit unlocks one building's premium report for 30 days.

  • 3 premium reports — AI executive summary included
  • Live data across all 27 public record types
  • 200 records per dataset
  • PDF & Excel exports included
  • Compare up to 10 buildings side-by-side
  • Credits never expire until you use them
Pay once

Apartment Hunter

For a wide search across many buildings

$39one time

30premium reports

$1.30 per report · charged once, never renews

Each credit unlocks one building's premium report for 30 days.

  • 30 premium reports — AI executive summary included
  • Live data across all 27 public record types
  • 200 records per dataset
  • PDF & Excel exports included
  • Compare up to 10 buildings side-by-side
  • Credits never expire until you use them

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

Watch 3901-3909 Cesar Chavez St
Get alerted the moment a new violation or complaint is filed.