Meet Steven Arthur Brown, the sole proprietor of Better Property Management (BPM), a former real estate broker, and convicted felon.
He pleaded guilty in 2019 to felony wire fraud in United States v. Steven Brown for “unauthorized withdrawal of funds from Home Owners Association accounts that he managed.” He is on Federal probation until 2024 for stealing funds from homeowners’ associations.
Brown is the sole proprietor of BPM, which continues to offer property management services to homeowners and homeowners’ associations in San Francisco, California. He remains involved in day-to-day operation of the company.
Better Property Management #
BPM is the sole proprietorship of Brown #
Brown is the sole proprietor of Better Property Management (BPM). With a sole proprietorship, the individual and business are legally one and the same. BPM is registered as a “doing business as” of Brown with the San Francisco Treasurer & Tax Collector and Office of the County Clerk.
Buildings managed by BPM #
BPM manages both rental units and homeowners’ associations in San Francisco, California. On Yelp, BPM claims manages several hundred rental units and more than 20 homeowners’ associations.
HOAs that are known or thought to be managed by BPM as of 2023:
- 1843-1853 Filbert St
- 1550 Jackson St
- 1821 15th St
- 2856-2862 Washington St
- 333 Presidio Ave
- 535 Burnett St
- 757 North Point St
- 475 Tehama St
- 2303-2309 Sacramento St
- 791-797 14th Ave
- 2823-2825-2827 Pierce St
- 847 Arguello Blvd
- 875 Vermont St
- 490 33rd Ave
Fraud against HOAs #
Brown has committed fraud against HOAs in San Francisco.
In February 2018, Brown was indicted for felony fraud of HOAs in Federal Court. He pleaded guilty in November 2019 and is on probation until 2024.
Legal proceedings #
American Express National Bank v. Brown (2022) #
In September 2019, AMEX obtained a default judgement against Brown for $31,764.45 for unpaid credit card debt. $0 was recovered when The San Francisco Sheriff’s Department attempted to garnish his wages from his “employer” Better Property Management.
United States v. Brown (2018) #
In February 2018, after an investigation by the FBI, Brown was indicted on nine counts of wire fraud for embezzling from San Francisco HOAs he managed. In November 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
This case is likely to refer to buildings which were managed by BPM:
- 201 Telegraph Hill is likely “HOA #1 (located on the 200 block of Telegraph Hill Boulevard in San Francisco, California)”
- Keystone Square is likely “HOA #2 (located on Keystone Way in San Francisco, California)”
- 880 Castro is likely “HOA #3 (located on the 800 block of Castro Street in San Francisco, California)”
Department of Real Estate investigation (2017) #
In March 2017, the California Department of Real Estate accused Brown of mishandling funds kept in trust accounts on behalf of his clients. A DRE audit found $894,963.91 missing from the trust account held by Brown for other property owners.
Brown later voluntarily surrendered his real estate broker license in connection with the investigation in July 2017.
As of 2022, his real estate broker license remains suspended, yet he is still managing rental units, including 500 Fillmore St #101.
Kleid v. Brown (2016) #
In October 2016, a former investor sued Brown for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, and more.
The case was settled for an undisclosed amount by Brown prior to trial.
Stanway v. Brown (2016) #
In May 2016, a former HOA manager sued Brown and BPM for fraud, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and negligence.
Brown was found by the Court to have defrauded his client of $200,000.