-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Rp4qOZDXpHFMgr785mfU/z5q1Vl+uZE4U3Ta6x/Wdtl6v5eB8mHeMPBMzQzyDbZr XUGw7HfEwxtwToB0kw1QBg== 0000912595-96-000003.txt : 19960514 0000912595-96-000003.hdr.sgml : 19960514 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000912595-96-000003 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-3/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 FILED AS OF DATE: 19960513 SROS: NYSE FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MID AMERICA APARTMENT COMMUNITIES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000912595 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798] IRS NUMBER: 621543819 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TN FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-03274 FILM NUMBER: 96561326 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 6584 POPLAR AVE STREET 2: STE 340 CITY: MEMPHIS STATE: TN ZIP: 38138 BUSINESS PHONE: 9016826600 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 6584 POPLAR AVE STREET 2: SUITE 340 CITY: MEMPHIS STATE: TN ZIP: 38138 S-3/A 1 As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13, 1996 Registration No. 333-3274 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 Amendment No. 4 to FORM S-3 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 MID-AMERICA APARTMENT COMMUNITIES, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) TENNESSEE (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 6021 (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) 62-1543819 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 6584 Poplar Avenue, Suite 340 Memphis, Tennessee 38138 (Address of principal executive office) George E. Cates 6584 Poplar Avenue, Suite 340 Memphis, Tennessee 38138 (901) 682-6600 (Name and address of agent for service) Copies to: Linda M. Crouch, Esq. Baker, Donelson, Bearman & Caldwell 165 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor Memphis, Tennessee 38103 Telephone (901) 577-2260 Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement. If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. [X]. If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ] If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ] If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. [ ] SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 13, 1996 PROSPECTUS MID-AMERICA APARTMENT COMMUNITIES, INC. $150,000,000 DEBT SECURITIES, PREFERRED STOCK, COMMON STOCK AND SECURITIES WARRANTS Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (the "Company") may from time to time offer and sell in one or more series (i) its unsecured debt securities (the "Debt Securities"); (ii) shares of its preferred stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Preferred Stock"); (iii) shares of its common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"); or (iv) warrants to purchase Debt Securities (the "Debt Securities Warrants"), warrants to purchase Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock Warrants") and warrants to purchase Common Stock (the "Common Stock Warrants") (the Debt Securities Warrants, Preferred Stock Warrants and Common Stock Warrants, collectively, the "Securities Warrants"), with an aggregate public offering price of up to $150,000,000. The Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock and Securities Warrants offered pursuant hereto (collectively, the "Offered Securities") may be offered separately or together, in separate series, in amounts and at prices and terms to be set forth in an accompanying supplement to this Prospectus (a "Prospectus Supplement"). The aggregate public offering price and terms of the Offered Securities will be determined by market conditions at the time such securities are offered. Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the proceeds from the sale of the Offered Securities will be received by the Company and used for general corporate purposes. The applicable Prospectus Supplement shall set forth (i) with respect to the Debt Securities, the specific title, aggregate principal amount, currency, form (which may be registered or bearer, or certificated or global), authorized denominations, maturity, rate (or manner of calculation thereof) and time of payment of interest, terms for redemption at the option of the Company or repayment at the option of the Holder, any sinking fund provisions and any conversion provisions, (ii) with respect to Preferred Stock, the specific designation and stated value per share, any dividend, liquidation, redemption, conversion, voting and other rights, and all other specific terms of the Preferred Stock, (iii) with respect to the Common Stock, the specific number of shares and issuance price per share, and (iv) with respect to the Securities Warrants, the duration, offering price, exercise price and detachability. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will also contain information, where applicable, about all material United States federal income tax considerations relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the Offered Securities covered by such Prospectus Supplement. The Offered Securities may be sold on a negotiated or competitive bid basis to or through underwriters or dealers designated from time to time or by the Company, directly or through agents, to other purchasers. Certain terms of any offering and sale of Offered Securities, including, where applicable, the names of the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, the principal amount or number of shares or Securities Warrants to be purchased, the purchase price of the Offered Securities, any applicable commissions, discounts and other compensation to underwriters, dealers and agents, and the proceeds to the Company from such sale, will be set forth in, or calculable from information contained in, a Prospectus Supplement. See "Plan of Distribution." The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "MAA." To ensure that the Company maintains its qualification as a REIT, ownership by any person is limited to 9.9% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, with certain exceptions. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK HAS NOT PASSED ON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THIS OFFERING. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL. The date of this Prospectus is May , 1996. IN CONNECTION WITH AN OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS FOR SUCH OFFERING MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE SECURITIES AT LEVELS ABOVE THOSE WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, THE OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME. No dealer, salesperson or other individual has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations not contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement in connection with the offering covered by this Prospectus. If given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Company. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any Offered Securities, in any jurisdiction where, or to any person to whom, it is unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any offer or sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create an implication that there has not been any change in the facts set forth in this Prospectus or in the affairs of the Company since the date hereof. AVAILABLE INFORMATION The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), pursuant to the Exchange Act. Such reports, proxy statements and other information filed by the Company may be examined without charge at, or copies obtained upon payment of prescribed fees from, the Public Reference Section of the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and are also available for inspection and copying at the regional offices of the Commission located at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048 and at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. The Common Stock of the Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and such material can also be inspected and copied at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. The Company has filed with the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, a Registration Statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, with respect to the securities offered pursuant to this Prospectus. This Prospectus, which is part of the Registration Statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits and financial schedules thereto. For further information concerning the Company and the securities offered hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules filed therewith, which may be examined without charge at, or copies obtained upon payment of prescribed fees from, the Commission at its regional offices at the locations listed above. Any statements contained herein concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the Commission. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE The following documents heretofore filed by America First REIT, Inc. (File No. 1-11798), which, by means of a merger with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, on June 29, 1995 became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, with the Commission are incorporated herein by reference: (a) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994; and (b) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1995. The following documents heretofore filed by the Company with the Commission (File No. 1-12762) are incorporated herein by reference: (a) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995; (b) Current Reports on Form 8-K dated February 5, 1996 and March 15, 1996, respectively; (c) pages 2 through 10 of the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1996 Annual Meeting of Shareholders; and (d) the description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on December 14, 1993. All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all Offered Securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all Offered Securities then remaining unsold shall be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and made a part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other document subsequently filed with the Commission which also is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus. The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference herein (not including the exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in such documents). Request for such copies should be directed to: Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc., 6584 Poplar Avenue, Suite 340, Memphis, Tennessee, 38138, Attention: Lynn A. Johnson, Secretary, telephone (901) 682-6600. PROSPECTUS SUMMARY The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed descriptions and the financial information and statements appearing elsewhere and incorporated in this Prospectus. As used herein, the term "Company" includes Mid- America Apartment Communities, Inc. and its predecessor and those entities owned or controlled thereby (collectively, the "Operating Subsidiaries"), including Mid-America Apartments, L.P. and its subsidiaries (the "Operating Partnership") and seven wholly owned subsidiaries that are "qualified REIT subsidiaries" for Federal tax purposes. Where used herein, the term "Funds from Operations" ("FFO") shall mean net income (computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles), excluding gains (losses) from debt restructuring, sales of property and other extraordinary items, plus depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for consolidated partnerships and joint ventures, which definition has been adopted by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT"). Effective January 1, 1996, the Company implemented the modified NAREIT definition of FFO to eliminate amortization of deferred financing costs and depreciation of non-real estate assets as items added back to net income. THE COMPANY General The Company, a Tennessee corporation, is a self- administered and self-managed equity REIT which invests in and operates multifamily residential properties. As of March 31, 1996, the Company owns 71 apartment communities containing 18,660 units in 13 states (the "Properties"), and has grown by 13,080 units since the Company's initial public offering which was completed in February 1994 (the "Initial Offering"), an increase of 234% over the number of apartment units owned at the time of the Initial Offering. The Properties are located primarily in the southeastern United States and Texas, with additional units in Arizona, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and Virginia. Since the Initial Offering, the Company has expanded geographically from having apartment communities in 4 states to its current presence in 13 states. Of the Company's properties, 48 contain more than 200 units, with the largest apartment community containing 1,031 units. As of March 1, 1996, the Properties had an average occupancy rate of 95.8%. The Properties are characterized by amenities which may include extensive landscaping, swimming pools, tennis courts, fitness centers, saunas or hot tubs. Many apartment units offer one or more additional features, such as vaulted ceilings, fireplaces and washer and dryer connections. The Company's principal executive offices are located at 6584 Poplar Avenue, Suite 340, Memphis, Tennessee, 38138 and its telephone number is (901) 682-6600. The Operating Subsidiaries of the Company The operations of the Company are conducted primarily through the Operating Subsidiaries, so that, among other things, the Company is able to comply with certain technical and complex requirements under the federal tax law relating to the assets and income that a REIT may hold or earn. The Company presently holds an 82.3% partnership interest in the Operating Partnership. The remaining 17.7% partnership interest in the Operating Partnership is owned by third parties who own units of limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership ("Units"). Units are redeemable on a one-for-one basis for shares of Common Stock or, at the Company's election, for cash, and holders of Units generally receive distributions per Unit equal to the dividend per share paid in respect of the Common Stock. The Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership (the "Partnership Agreement") provides for a special allocation of net income or loss of the Operating Partnership to holders of Units to provide such holders with the economic effect of net income or losses realized in respect of all Properties on a consolidated basis. Tax Status of the Company The Company elected to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for its taxable year ended December 31, 1994, and expects to continue to elect such status. Although the Company believes that it was organized and has been operating in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") ("REIT Qualification"), no assurance can be given that the Company will continue to qualify as a REIT. REIT Qualification involves application of highly technical and complex Code provisions for which there are only limited judicial or administrative interpretations. If in any taxable year the Company should fail to qualify as a REIT, the Company would not be allowed a deduction for distributions to shareholders for computing taxable income and would be subject to federal taxation at regular corporate rates. Unless entitled to relief under certain statutory provisions, the Company would also be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which REIT Qualification was lost. As a result, the Company's ability to make distributions to its shareholders would be adversely affected. See "Federal Income Tax Considerations." To ensure that the Company qualifies as a REIT, transfer of the Common Stock is subject to certain restrictions and ownership of the Common Stock by any single person is limited to 9.9% of the total number of shares of outstanding Common Stock, subject to certain exceptions. As provided in the Company's Charter, any purported transfer in violation of the above-described ownership limitations shall be void. PRICE AND DIVIDEND HISTORY The Common Stock has been traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "MAA" since the Company's Initial Offering. The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low sales prices per share reported on the NYSE and the Company's distribution history.
Portion of Distribution Representing Distribution Return of Period or Quarter Ended: High Low Per Share Capital 1994: First Quarter, commencing January 28 $24 1/2 $20 3/4 $.26(1) $.12(1) Second Quarter $27 $22 3/4 $.45 $.20 Third Quarter $26 7/8 $24 1/8 $.50 $.23 Fourth Quarter $26 3/4 $23 1/4 $.50 $.22 1995: First Quarter $26 $25 3/4 $.50 $.13 Second Quarter $25 $24 3/4 $.50 $.14 Third Quarter $24 3/4 $24 5/8 $.50 $.14 Fourth Quarter $24 7/8 $24 3/8 $.51 $.14 1996: First Quarter $26 3/4 $24 (1) Represents the distribution per share, including the portion representing a return of capital, paid for the 56- day period ended March 31, 1994.
On March 29, 1996 the last reported sale price of the Common Stock on the NYSE was $25.75 per share. On March 29, 1996 the Company had approximately 15,040 shareholders of record. USE OF PROCEEDS Unless otherwise described in the Prospectus Supplement which accompanies this Prospectus, the Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Offered Securities for general corporate purposes, which may include the acquisition and development of multifamily properties as suitable opportunities arise, the improvement of certain properties in the Company's portfolio and the repayment of certain then-outstanding secured or unsecured indebtedness. CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES The following table sets forth the consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges of the Company and for the predecessor to the Company prior to February 4, 1994:
Year Ended December 31, -------------------------------------- 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges .89x(1) 1.07x 1.32x 1.83x 1.52x (1) Although the Company and its predecessor have historically generated positive net cash flow, the financial statements of the predecessor reflect a net loss for 1991. Consequently, the computation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for such year indicates that earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges by approximately $906,000.
For the purpose of calculating the ratio or earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of income before minority interest and extraordinary items, and fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense, capitalized interest and amortization of deferred financing costs. To date, the Company has not issued any Preferred Stock; therefore, the ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirements are the same as the ratios of earnings to fixed charges presented above. DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE COMPANY The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 20,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock. Each outstanding share of Common Stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters presented to shareholders for a vote. Common Stock Subject to such preferential rights as may be granted by the Board of Directors in connection with the future issuance of Preferred Stock, holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted on by shareholders and are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared in respect of the Common Stock by the Board of Directors in its discretion from funds legally available therefor. ln the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of all debts and other liabilities and any liquidation preference of the holders of Preferred Stock. Holders of Common Stock have no subscription, redemption, conversion or preemptive rights. Matters submitted for shareholder approval generally require a majority vote of the shares present and voting thereon. The outstanding shares of Common Stock are fully paid and nonassessable. Preferred Stock The Board of Directors is empowered by the Company's Charter to designate and issue from time to time one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock without shareholder approval. The Board of Directors may fix the relative rights, limitations, preferences and privileges of each class or series of Preferred Stock so issued. Because the Board of Directors has the power to establish the preferences and rights of each class or series of Preferred Stock, it may afford the holders in any series or class of Preferred Stock preferences, powers and rights, voting or otherwise, senior to the rights of holders of Common Stock. The issuance of Preferred Stock could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company. As of the date hereof, no shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe each of the following terms that may be applicable in respect of any Preferred Stock offered and issued pursuant to this Prospectus: (1) the specific designation, number of shares, seniority and purchase price; (2) any liquidation preference per share; (3) any maturity date; (4) any mandatory or option redemption or repayment dates and terms or sinking fund provisions; (5) any dividend rate or rates and the dates on which any dividends will be payable (or the method by which such rates or dates will be determined); (6) any voting rights; (7) any rights to convert the Preferred Stock into other securities or rights of the Company, including a description of the securities or rights into which such Preferred Stock is convertible (which may include other Preferred Stock) and the terms and conditions upon which such conversions will be effected, including, without limitation, conversion rates or formulas, conversion periods and other related provisions; (8) the place or places where dividends and other payments with respect to the Preferred Stock will be payable; (9) any additional voting, dividend, liquidation, redemption and other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions, including restrictions imposed for the purpose of maintaining the Company's qualification as a REIT. Upon issuance and delivery against payment therefor, the Preferred Stock will be fully paid and nonassessable. Charter and Bylaw Provisions Shareholders' rights and related matters are governed by the Tennessee Business Corporation Act (the "TBCA"), the Company's Charter and its Bylaws. Certain provisions of the Charter and Bylaws of the Company, which are summarized below, may make it more difficult to change the composition of the Board of Directors and may discourage or make more difficult any attempt by a person or group to obtain control of the Company. Voting Requirement. The Company's Charter may not be amended without the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting as a single voting group. The Company's Bylaws may be amended by either the affirmative vote of a majority of all shares outstanding and entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting as a single group, or by an affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors then holding office, unless the shareholders prescribe that any such bylaw may not be amended or repealed by the Board of Directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company cannot take any action intended to terminate its qualification as a REIT without the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Special Meetings. Under the Company's Bylaws, special meetings of the shareholders may be called by shareholders only if such shareholders hold outstanding shares representing more than 50% of all votes entitled to be cast on any issue proposed to be considered at any such special meeting. Staggered Board of Directors. The Company's Board of Directors is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three year terms. A majority of the directors must be persons who are not officers of the Company. The requirements for a majority of independent directors and the provisions for staggered terms of directors may not be changed without approval of a majority of the shareholders or by 80% of the members of the Board of Directors. Certain provisions of the Company's Charter, including the use of a staggered board, may render more difficult a change in control of the Company or removal of incumbent management. Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business. The Bylaws of the Company provide that with respect to an annual meeting of shareholders, the proposal of business to be considered by shareholders may be made only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (ii) by a shareholder who has complied with the advance notice procedures set forth in the Bylaws. In addition, with respect to any meeting of shareholders, nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) by any shareholder of the Company who is entitled to vote at the meeting and has complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in the Bylaws. The advance notice provisions of the Bylaws could have the effect of discouraging a takeover or other transaction in which holders of some, or a majority, of the shares of Common Stock might receive a premium for their shares over the then prevailing market price or which such holders might believe to be otherwise in their best interests. Limitation of Directors' Liability The Company's Charter eliminates, subject to certain exceptions, the personal liability of a director to the Company or its shareholders for monetary damages for breaches of such director's duty of care or other duties as a director. The Charter does not provide for the elimination of or any limitation on the personal liability of a director for (i) any breach of a director's duty of loyalty to the Company, (ii) acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct or knowing violations of law, (iii) unlawful corporate distributions, or (iv) acts or omissions which involve transactions from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. The Charter of the Company further provides that if the TBCA is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director of the Company shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the TBCA, as amended. These provisions of the Charter will limit the remedies available to a shareholder in the event of breaches of any director's duties to such shareholder of the Company. Tennessee Anti-Takeover Statutes In addition to certain of the Company's Charter provisions discussed above, Tennessee has adopted a series of statutes which can have an anti-takeover effect and may delay or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a shareholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the Common Stock. Under the Tennessee Investor Protection Act, unless a company's board of directors has recommended a takeover offer to shareholders no offeror beneficially owning 5% or more of any class of equity securities of the offeree company, any of which was purchased within one year prior to the proposed takeover offer (unless the offeror, before making such purchase, has made a public announcement of his intention with respect to changing or influencing the management or control of the offeree company, has made a full, fair and effective disclosure of such intention to the person from whom he intends to acquire such securities and has filed with the Tennessee Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance (the "Commissioner") and the offeree company a statement signifying such intentions and containing such additional information as the Commissioner by rule prescribes), may offer to acquire any class of equity security of an offeree company pursuant to a tender offer if after the acquisition thereof the offeror would be directly or indirectly a beneficial owner of more than 10% of any class of outstanding equity securities of the company (a "Takeover Offer"). Such an offeror must provide that any equity securities of an offeree company deposited or tendered pursuant to a Takeover Offer may be withdrawn by an offeree at any time within seven days from the date the offer has become effective following filing with the Commissioner and the offeree company and public announcement of the terms or after 60 days from the date the offer has become effective. If an offeror makes a Takeover Offer for less than all the outstanding equity securities of any class, and if the number of securities tendered is greater than the number the offeror has offered to accept and make for, the securities shall be accepted pro rata. If an offeror varies the terms of a Takeover Offer before its expiration date by increasing the consideration offered to offeree, the offeror shall make the increased consideration for all equity securities accepted, whether accepted before or after the variation in the terms of the offer. Under the Tennessee Business Combination Act, subject to certain exceptions, no Tennessee corporation may engage in any "business combination" with an "interested shareholder" for a period of five years following the date that such shareholder became an interested shareholder unless prior to such date the Board of Directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder. "Business combination" is defined by the Tennessee Business Combination Act as any (i) merger or consolidation; (ii) share exchange; (iii) sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge or other transfer of assets representing 10% of more of (A) the aggregate market value of the corporation's consolidated assets, (B) the aggregate market value of the corporation's shares, or (C) the corporation's consolidated net income; (iv) issuance or transfer of shares from the corporation to the interested shareholder, (v) plan of liquidation of dissolution proposed by the interested shareholder, (vi) transaction or recapitalization which increases the proportionate share of any outstanding voting securities owned or controlled by the interested shareholder, or (vii) financing arrangement whereby any interested shareholder receives, directly or indirectly, a benefit except proportionately as a shareholder. "Interested shareholder" is defined as (i) any person that is the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of any class or series of outstanding voting stock of the corporation or (ii) an Affiliate or associate of the corporation who at any time within the five-year period immediately prior to the date in question was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting power of any class or series of the outstanding stock of the corporation. Consummation of a business combination that is subject to the five-year moratorium is permitted after such period when the transaction (a) (i) complies with all applicable charter and bylaw requirements and (ii) is approved by the holders of two-thirds of the voting stock not beneficially owned by the interested shareholder, and (b) meets certain fair price criteria. The Tennessee Greenmail Act prohibits a Tennessee corporation from purchasing, directly or indirectly, any of its shares at a price above the market value of such shares (defined as the average of the highest and lowest closing market price for such shares during the 30 trading days preceding the purchase and sale or preceding the commencement or announcement of a tender offer if the seller of such shares has commenced a tender offer or announced an intention to seek control of the corporation) from any person who holds more than 3% of the class of securities to be purchased if such person has held such shares for less than two years, unless the purchase has been approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class of voting stock issued by such corporation or the corporation makes an offer, of at least equal value per share, to all holders of shares of such class. Restrictions on Transfer Ownership Limits. The Company's Charter contains certain restrictions on the number of shares of Common Stock that an individual shareholder may own. For the Company to qualify as a REIT under the Code, no more than 50% in value of its outstanding shares of Common Stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first taxable year) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. The Common Stock must also be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Because the Company expects to continue to qualify as a REIT, the Charter of the Company contains restrictions on the acquisition of Common Stock intended to ensure compliance with these requirements. Subject to certain exceptions specified in the Charter, no holder may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Code, more than 9.9% (the "Ownership Limit") of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock. Although the Board of Directors presently has no intention of doing so, the Board of Directors could increase the Ownership Limit from time to time, but may not do so to the extent that after giving effect to such increase five beneficial owners of shares could beneficially own in the aggregate more than 49.5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. The Board of Directors may, with a ruling from the IRS or an opinion of counsel satisfactory to it, waive the Ownership Limit with respect to a holder if such holder's ownership will not then or in the future jeopardize the Company's status as a REIT. If any shareholder purports to transfer shares to a person and either the transfer would result in the Company's failing to qualify as a REIT, or the transfer would cause the transferee to hold more than the applicable Ownership Limit, the purported transfer shall be void. In addition, if any person holds shares of Common Stock in excess of the applicable Ownership Limit, such person will be deemed to hold the shares that cause the Ownership Limit to be exceeded in trust, and will not receive distributions with respect to such shares and will not be entitled to vote such shares. At the Company's option, the person will be required to sell such shares. At the Company's option, the person will be required to sell such shares on terms determined by and at the direction of the Company or the Company will redeem such shares for the lesser of the amount paid for the shares and the closing price on the date the Company exercises its right to redeem. If the Company redeems such shares, it may pay for the shares with Units, which are non transferrable except in very limited circumstances. All certificates representing shares of Common Stock will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above. Every owner of more than 5% (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or regulations thereunder) of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock must file a written notice with the Company containing the information required by applicable Treasury Regulations no later than January 30 of each year. In addition, each shareholder shall upon demand be required to disclose to the Company in writing such information as the Company may request in good faith in order to determine the Company's status as a REIT. The foregoing ownership limitations may have the effect of precluding acquisition of control of the Company without the consent of the Board of Directors. Other Matters The transfer agent and registrar for the Company's Common Stock is AmSouth Bank of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama. Pursuant to the TBCA, the Company cannot merge with or sell all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, except pursuant to a resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote on the resolution. In addition, the Partnership Agreement requires that any merger or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of or dissolution of the Operating Partnership be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding Units. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS Introductory Notes The applicable Prospectus Supplement will contain information, where applicable, about all material Federal income tax considerations relating to the Offered Securities covered by such Prospectus Supplement. The following discussion summarizes all material Federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to investors in the Offered Securities. Baker, Donelson, Bearman & Caldwell, which has acted as tax counsel to the Company, has reviewed the following discussion and is of the opinion that the descriptions of the law and the legal conclusions contained herein are correct in all material respects, and the discussion hereunder does not omit any material provision with respect to the matters covered. This discussion and such opinion are based on current law. This summary does not give a detailed discussion of any state, local, or foreign tax consideration nor does it discuss all of the aspects of Federal income taxation that may be relevant to a prospective shareholder in light of his or her particular circumstances or to certain types of shareholders (including insurance companies, tax-exempt entities, financial institutions or broker-dealers, foreign corporations and persons who are not citizens or residents of the United States) who are subject to special treatment under the Federal income tax laws. As used in this section, the term "Company" refers solely to Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. EACH PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER IS ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH HIS OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HIM OR HER OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND SALE OF THE OFFERED SECURITIES IN AN ENTITY ELECTING TO BE TAXED AS A REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INCLUDING THE FEDERAl, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN, AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP, SALE, AND ELECTION AND OF POTENTIAL CHANGES IN APPLICABLE TAX LAWS. Taxation of the Company General. The Company has made an election to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code effective for its short taxable year ending on December 31, 1994. The Company believes that it is organized and has operated in such a manner as to qualify under the Code for taxation as a REIT commencing with its 1994 taxable year, and the Company intends to continue to operate in such a manner. No assurance, however, can be given that the Company will operate in a manner so as to qualify or remain qualified as a REIT. See "Failure to Qualify" below. The Company has obtained the opinion of Baker, Donelson, Bearman & Caldwell that the Company is organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT pursuant to Sections 856 through 860 of the Code and that the Company's current and proposed method of operation will enable it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for its 1995 and subsequent taxable years. The following is a general summary of the Code provisions that govern the Federal income tax treatment of a REIT and its shareholders. The provisions of the Code are highly technical and complex. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the applicable Code provisions, the regulations promulgated thereunder ("Treasury Regulations"), and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof. If the Company qualifies for taxation as a REIT, it generally will not be subject to Federal corporate income taxes on net income that it currently distributes to shareholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the "double taxation" (at the corporate and shareholder levels) that generally results from investment in a corporation. Notwithstanding its REIT election, however, the Company will be subject to Federal income tax in the following circumstances. First, the Company will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains. Second, under certain circumstances, the Company may be subject to the "alterative minimum tax" on its items of tax preference. Third, if the Company has (i) net income from the sale or other disposition of "foreclosure property" (which is, in general, property acquired by foreclosure or otherwise on default of a loan secured by the property) which is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business or (ii) other non-qualifying income from foreclosure property, it will be subject to tax at the highest corporate rate on such income. Fourth, if the Company has net income from prohibited transactions (which are, in general, certain sales or other dispositions of property (other than foreclosure property) held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business), such income will be subject to a 100% tax. Fifth, if the Company should fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test (as discussed below), and has nonetheless maintained its qualification as a REIT because certain other requirements have been met, it will be subject to a 100% tax on the net income attributable to the greater of the amount by which the Company fails the 75% or 95% test, multiplied by a fraction intended to reflect the Company's profitability. Sixth, if the Company should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of its REIT ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of its REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from prior years, the Company would be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the amounts actually distributed. Seventh, if the Company acquires any asset from a C corporation (i.e., a corporation generally subject to full corporate level tax) in a transaction in which the basis of the asset in the Company's hands is determined by reference to the basis of the asset (or any other property) in the hands of the C corporation, and the Company recognizes gain on the disposition of such asset during the 10-year period beginning on the date on which such asset was acquired by the Company, then, to the extent of such property's "built-in" gain (the excess of the fair market value of such property at the time of acquisition by the Company over the adjusted basis of such property at such time), such gain will be subject to tax at the highest regular corporate rate applicable (as provided in IRS regulations that have not yet been promulgated). The results described above with respect to the recognition of "built- in" gain assume that the Company would have an election pursuant to IRS Notice 88-19 if it were to make any such acquisition. Requirements for Qualification. The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association (1) which is managed by one or more trustees or directors; (2) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest; (3) which would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for Sections 856 through 859 of the Code; (4) which is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to certain provisions of the Code; (5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons; (6) not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities of each taxable year) (the "5/50 Rule"); and (7) which meets certain other tests, described below, regarding the nature of its income and assets. The Code provides that conditions (1) through (4), inclusive, must be met during the entire taxable year and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months. Conditions (5) and (6) will not apply until after the first taxable year for which an election is made to be taxed as a REIT. The Company has issued sufficient shares of Common Stock with sufficient diversity of ownership to allow the Company to satisfy requirements (5) and (6). In addition, the Company's Charter contains restrictions regarding the transfer of its shares that are intended to assist the Company in continuing to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in (5) and (6) above. See "Description of the Capital Stock of the Company - Restrictions on Transfer." A corporation may not elect to become a REIT unless its taxable year is the calendar year. The Company's taxable year is the calendar year. For purposes of determining Share Ownership under the 5/50 Rule, a pension trust generally is considered an individual. However, beneficiaries of certain pension trusts are treated as holding shares of a REIT in proportion to their actual interests in the pension trust for purposes of the 5/50 Rule. In the case of a REIT which is a partner in a partnership, Treasury Regulations provide that the REIT will be deemed to own its proportionate share of the assets of the partnership and will be deemed to be entitled to the income of the partnership attributable to such share. In addition, the character of the assets and gross income of the partnership will retain the same character in the hands of the REIT for purposes of Section 856 of the Code, including satisfying the gross income tests and asset tests (as discussed below). Thus, the Company's proportionate share of the assets, liabilities and items of income of the Operating Partnership and the Subsidiary Partnerships are treated as assets, liabilities and items of the Company for purposes of applying the requirements described herein. Income Tests. In order to maintain qualification as a REIT, three gross income requirements must be satisfied annually. First, at least 75% of the REIT's gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions) for each taxable year must be derived directly or indirectly from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property (including "rents from real property" and, in certain circumstances, interest) or from certain types of temporary investments. Second, at least 95% of the REIT's gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions) for each taxable year must be derived from such real property investments described above, and from dividends, interest and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, or from any combination of the foregoing. Third, short-term gain from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities, gain from prohibited transactions and gain on the sale or other disposition of real property held for less than four years (apart from involuntary conversions and sales of foreclosure property) must represent less than 30% of the REIT's gross income (including gross income from prohibited transactions) for each taxable year. For purposes of applying the 30% gross income test the holding period of Properties held by Operating Partnership on the date of the Initial Offering will be deemed to have commenced on such date. Rents received by the Company will qualify as "rents from real property" in satisfying the above gross income tests only if several conditions are met. First, the amount of rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued generally will not be excluded from "rents from real property" solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales. Second, rents received from a resident will not qualify as "rents from real property" if the Company, or an owner of 10% or more of the Company, directly or constructively owns 10% or more of such resident (a "Related Party Tenant"). Third, if rent attributable to personal property that is leased in connection with a lease of real property is greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease, then the portion of rent attributable to such personal property will not qualify as "rents from real property." The Company does not charge, and does not anticipate charging, rent for any portion of any Property that is based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person, and the Company does not receive, and does not anticipate receiving, any rents from Related Party Tenants. The Company does not anticipate that rent attributable to personal property leased in connection with any lease of real property will exceed 15% of total rent received under such lease. Finally, for rents received to qualify as "rents from real property," the Company generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish or render services to residents, other than through an "independent contractor" who is adequately compensated and from whom the Company derives no revenue. The "independent contractor" requirement, however, does not apply to the extent the services provided by the Company are "usually or customarily rendered" in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not otherwise considered "rendered to the occupant." The Operating Partnership provides certain services with respect to its Properties and with respect to Properties of the Subsidiary Partnerships. The Operating Partnership receives fees in consideration of the performance of management, landscaping and administrative services with respect to properties that are not wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by the Operating Partnership. A portion of such fees generally will not qualify under the 75% or 95% gross income tests. The Company will also receive certain other types of non- qualifying income, such as income from coin-operated laundry machines and income from corporate and guests apartments. The Company believes, however, that the aggregate amount of such fees and other non-qualifying income in any taxable year will not cause the Company to exceed the limits on non- qualifying income under the 75% and 95% gross income tests. It is possible that, from time to time, the Company, the Operating Partnership, or a Subsidiary Partnership will enter into hedging transaction with respect to one or more of its assets or liabilities. Any such hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including interest rate swap contracts, interest rate cap or floor contracts, futures or forward contracts, and options. To the extent that the Company, the Operating Partnership, or a Subsidiary Partnership enters into an interest rate swap or cap contract to hedge any variable rate indebtedness incurred to acquire or carry real estate assets, any periodic income or gain from the disposition of such contract should be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test. Furthermore, any such contract would be considered a "security" for purposes of applying the 30% gross income test. To the extent that the Company, the Operating Partnership, or a Subsidiary Partnership hedges with other types of financial instruments or in other situations, it may not be entirely clear how the income from those transactions will be treated for purposes of the various income tests that apply to REITs under the Code. The Company intends to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize its status as a REIT. If the Company fails to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, it may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for such year if it is entitled to relief under certain provisions of the Code. These relief provisions generally will be available if the Company's failure to meet such tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, the Company attaches a schedule of the sources of its income to its return and any income information on the schedules was not due to fraud with intent to evade tax. It is not possible, however, to state whether in all circumstances the Company would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions. As discussed above in "General," even if these relief provisions were to apply, a tax would be imposed with respect to the excess net income. Asset Tests. At the close of each quarter of its taxable year, the Company must also satisfy three tests relating to the nature of its assets. First, at least 75% of the value of the Company's total assets must be represented by real estate assets (including (i) its allocable share of real estate assets held by the Operating Partnership and the Subsidiary Partnerships and (ii) stock or debt instruments held for not more than one year purchased with the proceeds of a stock offering or long-term (at least five years) debt offering of the Company), cash, cash items and government securities. Second, not more than 25% of the Company's total assets may be represented by securities other than those in the 75% asset class. Third, of the investments included in the 25% asset class, the value of any one issuer's securities owned by the Company must not exceed 5% of the value of the Company's total assets, and the Company may not own more than 10% of any one issuer's outstanding voting securities (except for its ownership interest in the Operating Partnership or the stock of a subsidiary with respect to which it has held 100% of the stock at all times during the subsidiaries existence). The Company intends to comply with the asset tests for REIT status. Annual Distribution Requirements. The Company, in order to qualify as a REIT, is required to distribute distributions (other than capital gain distributions) to its shareholders in an amount at least equal to (A) the sum of (i) 95% of the Company's "REIT taxable income" (computed without regard to the distributions paid deduction and the REIT s net capital gain) and (ii) 95% of the net income (after tax), if any, from foreclosure property, minus (B) the sum of certain items of noncash income. Such distributions must be paid in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before the Company timely files its tax return for such year and if paid on or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration. To the extent that the Company does not distribute all of its net capital gain or distributes at least 95%, but less than 100%, of its "REIT taxable income," as adjusted, it will be subject to tax on the undistributed amount at regular capital gains and ordinary corporate tax rates. Furthermore, if the Company should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of its REIT ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of its REIT capital gain income for such year, and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, the Company will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the amounts actually distributed. The Company has made and intends to continue to make timely distributions sufficient to satisfy the annual distribution requirements. In this regard, the Partnership Agreement authorizes the Company, as general partner, to take such steps as may be necessary to cause the Operating Partnership to distribute to its partners an amount sufficient to permit the Company to meet these distribution requirements. It is possible, however, that the Company, from time to time, may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet the distribution requirements due to timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses and the inclusion of such income and deduction of such expenses in arriving at taxable income of the Company, or if the amount of nondeductible expenses such as principal amortization or capital expenditures exceed the amount of noncash deductions. In the event that such timing differences occur, in order to meet the distribution requirements, the Company may cause the Operating Partnership to arrange for short- term, or possibly long-term, borrowing to permit the payment of required dividends. If the amount of nondeductible expenses exceeds noncash deductions, the Operating Partnership may refinance its indebtedness to reduce principal payments and borrow funds for capital expenditures. Under certain circumstances, the Company may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirement for a year by paying "deficiency dividends" to shareholders in a later year that may be included in the Company' deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Thus, the Company may be able to avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends; however, the Company will be required to pay interest to the IRS based upon the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends. Special Distribution Requirement. Applicable Treasury Regulations generally provide that, in the case of a corporation, such as the Company, that succeeds to earnings and profits accumulated during a non-REIT taxable year, such a corporation is eligible to elect to be taxed as a REIT for a taxable year only if, as of the close of that taxable year, it has distributed such non-REIT earnings and profits. Accordingly, to elect to be taxed as a REIT it was necessary for the Company to distribute, on or before December 31, 1994, the full amount of its current and accumulated earnings and profits attributable to the operations of The Cates Company prior to its merger with and into the Company. The Cates Company satisfied this requirement by distributing all current and accumulated earnings and profits up to and including the date of its merger with and into the Company to its shareholders immediately prior to the consummation of such merger. Annual Record Keeping Requirement. Pursuant to applicable Treasury Regulations, in order to be able to elect to be taxed as a REIT, the Company must maintain certain records and request on an annual basis certain information from its shareholders designed to disclose the actual ownership of its outstanding shares. The Company intends to comply with such requirements. Failure to Qualify. If the Company fails to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year and no relief provisions apply, the Company will be subject to tax (including any applicable alterative minimum tax) on its taxable income at regular corporate rates. Distributions to shareholders in any year in which the Company fails to qualify will not be deductible by the Company, nor will they be required to be made. In such event, to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits, all distributions to shareholders will be taxable as ordinary income, and, subject to certain limitations in the Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the distributions received deduction. Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, the Company also will be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost. It is not possible to state whether in all circumstances the Company would be entitled to such statutory relief. Taxation of Shareholders Taxation of Taxable Domestic Shareholders. As long as the Company qualifies as a REIT, distributions made to the Company's taxable domestic shareholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits (and not designated as capital gain dividends) will be taken into account by them as ordinary income, and corporate shareholders will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction as to such amounts. Distributions that are designated as capital gain dividends will be taxed as long-term capital gains (to the extent they do not exceed the Company's actual net capital gain for the taxable year) without regard to the period for which the shareholder has held his shares. However, corporate shareholders may be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain distributions as ordinary income. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to a shareholder to the extent that they do not exceed the adjusted basis of the shareholder's shares of Common Stock, but rather will reduce the adjusted basis of such shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a shareholder's shares of Common Stock, they will be included in income as long-term capital gain (or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for one year or less), assuming the shares are a capital asset in the hands of the shareholder. In addition, any dividend. declared by the Company in October, November or December of any year payable to a shareholder of record on a specific date in any such month shall be treated as both paid by the Company and received by the shareholder on December 31 of such year, provided that the dividend is actually paid by the Company during January of the following calendar year. Shareholders may not include in their individual income tax returns any net operating losses or capital losses of the Company. In general any loss upon a sale or exchange of shares of Common Stock by a shareholder who has held such shares for six months or more (after applying certain holding period rules) will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of distributions from the Company required to be treated by such shareholder as long-term capital gain. Backup Withholding. The Company will report to its domestic shareholders and the IRS the amount of distributions paid during each calendar year, and the amount of tax withheld, if any, with respect thereto. Under the backup withholding rules, a shareholder may be subject to backup withholding at the rate of 31% with respect to dividends paid unless such holder (a) is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact, or (b) provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A shareholder who does not provide the Company with its correct taxpayer identification number may also be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Any amount paid as backup withholding will be creditable against the shareholder's income tax liability. In addition, the Company may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distributions made to any shareholders who fail to certify their non- foreign status to the Company. See "Taxation of Foreign Shareholders" below. Taxation of Tax-Exempt Shareholders. The IRS has ruled that amounts distributed by a REIT to a tax-exempt employees' pension trust do not constitute "unrelated business taxable income" ("UBTI"). Based upon this ruling and the analysis therein, distributions by the Company to a shareholder that is a tax-exempt entity, including a qualified employee pension or profit sharing trust or an individual retirement account (an "Exempt Organization"), should not constitute UBTI, provided that the Exempt Organization has not financed the acquisition of its shares with "acquisition indebtedness" within the meaning of the Code and the shares of Common Stock are not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business of the Exempt Organization. Revenue rulings, however, are interpretative in nature and subject to revocation or modification by the IRS. Social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans that are exempt from taxation under paragraphs (7), (9), (17) and (20), respectively, of Code Section 501(c) are subject to different UBTI rules, which generally will require them to characterize distributions from the Company as UBTI. In addition, a pension trust owning more than 10% of a REIT is required to treat a percentage of the dividends from the REIT as UBTI (the "UBTI Percentage") under certain circumstances. The UBTI Percentage is the gross income derived from an unrelated trade or business (determined as if the REIT were a pension trust) divided by the gross income of the REIT for the year in which the dividends are paid. The UBTI rule applies only if (i) the UBTI Percentage is at least 5%, (ii) the REIT qualifies as a REIT by reason of the modification of the 5/50 Rule described above, and (iii) either (A) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of the REIT's stock or (B) a group of pension trusts individually holding more than 10% of the value of the REIT's stock collectively own more than 50% of the value of the REIT's stock. Taxation of Foreign Shareholders. The rules governing U.S. Federal income taxation of nonresident alien individuals, foreign corporations, foreign partnerships and other foreign shareholders (collectively, "Foreign Shareholders") are complex, and no attempt will be made herein to provide more than a limited summary of such rules. Prospective Foreign Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisors to determine the impact of U.S. Federal, state and local income tax laws with regard to an investment in Common Stock, including any reporting requirements. Distributions that are not attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by the Company of U.S. real property interests and not designated by the Company as capital gain dividends will be treated as distributions of ordinary income to the extent that they are made out of current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Company. Such distributions, ordinarily, will be subject to a withholding tax equal to 30% of the gross amount of the distribution unless an applicable tax treaty reduces that tax. However, if income from the investment in the shares of Common Stock is treated as effectively connected with the Foreign Shareholder's conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the Foreign Shareholder generally will be subject to a tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. shareholders are taxed with respect to such distributions (and may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax if the shareholder is a foreign corporation). The Company expects to withhold U.S. income tax at the rate of 30% on the gross amount of any distributions paid to a Foreign Shareholder that are not designated as capital gain dividends unless (i) a lower treaty rate applies and the required form evidencing eligibility for that reduced rate is filed with the Company or (ii) the Foreign Shareholder files an IRS Form 4224 with the Company claiming that the distribution is "effectively connected" income. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits of the Company will not be taxable to a shareholder to the extent that they do not exceed the adjusted basis of the shareholder's shares of Common Stock, but rather will reduce the adjusted basis of such shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a Foreign Shareholder's shares, they will give rise to tax liability if the Foreign Shareholder would otherwise be subject to tax on any gain from the sale or disposition of his shares of Common Stock as described below. Because it generally cannot be determined at the time a distribution is made whether or not such distribution will be in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits, distributions that are not exempt from withholding tax will be subject to withholding in full at the rate applicable to distributions. However, the Foreign Shareholder may seek a refund of such amounts from the IRS if it is subsequently determined that such distribution was, in fact, in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits of the Company. For any year in which the Company qualifies as a REIT, distributions that are attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by the Company of U.S. real property interests will be taxed to a Foreign Shareholder under the provisions of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 ("FIRPTA"). Under FIRPTA, these distributions are taxed to a Foreign Shareholder as if such gain were effectively connected with a U.S. business. Thus, Foreign Shareholders will be taxed on such distributions at the normal capital gain rates applicable to U.S. shareholders (subject to applicable alterative minimum tax and a special alterative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals). Also, distributions subject to FIRPTA may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a corporate Foreign Shareholder not entitled to treaty relief or exemption. The Company is required by applicable Treasury Regulations to withhold 34% of any distribution that could be designated by the Company as a capital gain dividend. However, because the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 provides for an increase in the rate of withholding for distributions made by certain domestic partnerships, trusts, and estates to 35%, it is likely that the Treasury Regulations will be amended to impose a similar withholding rate on REIT capital gain dividends. The amount withheld is creditable against the Foreign Shareholder's FIRPTA tax liability. Gain recognized by a Foreign Shareholder upon a sale of Common Stock generally will not be taxed under FIRPTA if the Company is a "domestically controlled REIT," defined generally as a REIT in which at all times during a specified testing period less than 50% in value of the stock was held directly or indirectly by foreign persons. The Company believes that it currently qualifies as a "domestically controlled REIT," and that the sale of Common Stock will not therefore be subject to tax under FIRPTA. However, because the Company is publicly traded, however, no assurance can be given that the Company will continue to be a domestically controlled REIT. In addition, gain not subject to FIRPTA will be taxable to a Foreign Shareholder if (i) the investment in Common Stock is treated as effectively connected with the Foreign Shareholder's U.S. trade or business, in which case the Foreign Shareholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. shareholders with respect to such gains or (ii) the Foreign Shareholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a "tax home" in the United States, in which case the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual's capital gains. If the gain on the sale of Common Stock were to be subject to tax under FIRPTA, the Foreign Shareholder would be subject to the same treatment as U.S. shareholders with respect to such gain (subject to applicable alterative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals). Other Tax Considerations The Company, the Operating Partnership, the Subsidiary Partnerships, and the Company's and its shareholders may be subject to state or local taxation in various state or local jurisdictions, including those in which it or they own property, transact business or reside. The state and local tax treatment of the Company and its shareholders may not conform to the Federal income tax consequences discussed above. Consequently, prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect of state and local tax laws on an investment in the Common Stock of the Company. Tax Aspects of the Operating Partnership and the Subsidiary Partnerships The following discussion summarizes material Federal income tax considerations applicable to the Company's investment in the Operating Partnership and the Subsidiary Partnerships (collectively, the "Property-Owning Partnerships"). The discussion does not cover state or local tax laws or any Federal tax laws other than income tax laws. Classification as a Partnership The Company is entitled to include in its income its distributive share of the Property-Owning Partnerships' income and to deduct its distributive share of the Property- Owning Partnerships' losses only if the Property-Owning Partnerships are classified for Federal income tax purposes as partnerships rather than as associations taxable as corporations. An organization formed as a partnership will be treated as a partnership, rather than as a corporation, for Federal income tax purposes only if it has no more than two of the four corporate characteristics that the Treasury Regulations use to distinguish a partnership from a corporation for tax purposes. Those four characteristics are continuity of life, centralization of management, limited liability, and free transferability of interests. The Property-Owning Partnerships have not requested, and do not intend to request, a ruling from the IRS that they will be classified as partnerships for Federal income tax purposes. However, the Company has obtained an opinion of Baker, Donelson, Bearman & Caldwell to the effect that the Property-Owning Partnerships will be treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes and not associations taxable as corporations. For a more detailed discussion of the basis for the opinion of counsel described herein, prospective investors should refer to the complete opinion filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part. If for any reason the Operating Partnership were to be taxable as a corporation, rather than as a partnership, for Federal income tax purposes, the Company would not be able to satisfy the income and asset requirements for REIT status. See "Requirements for Qualification (Income Test)" and "Requirements for Qualification (Asset Tests). If a Subsidiary Partnership were to be taxable as a corporation for tax purposes, the Company may cease to qualify as a REIT because the value of the Company's ownership interest in such partnership would exceed 10% of the partnership's voting interests. See "Requirements for Qualification Asset Tests." In addition, any change in a Property-Owning Partnership's status for tax purposes might be treated as a taxable event, in which case the Company might incur a tax liability without any related cash distribution. See "Requirements for Qualification - Annual Distribution Requirements." Further, items of income and deduction of such partnership would not pass through to its partners, and its partners would be treated as stockholders for tax purposes. Consequently, the partnership would be required to pay income tax at corporate tax rates on its net income, and distributions to its partners would constitute dividends that would not be deductible in computing the partnership's taxable income. Income Taxation of the Operating Partnership, the Subsidiary Partnerships and their Partners Partners, Not the Partnership, Subject to Tax. A partnership is not a taxable entity for Federal income tax purposes. Rather, the Company will be required to take into account its allocable share of a Property-Owning Partnership's income, gains, losses, deductions, and credits for any taxable year of the Property-Owning Partnership ending within or with the taxable year of the Company, without regard to whether the Company has received or will receive any distribution from the Property-Owning Partnership. Partnership Allocations. Although a partnership agreement generally will determine the allocation of income and losses among partners, such allocations will be disregarded for tax purposes under Section 704(b) of the Code if they do not comply with the provisions of Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. If an allocation is not recognized for Federal income tax purposes, the item subject to the allocation will be reallocated in accordance with the partners' interest in the partnership, which will be determined by taking into account all of the facts and circumstances relating to the economic arrangement of the partners with respect to such time. Tax Allocations With Respect to Contributed Properties. Pursuant to Section 704(c) of the Code, income, gain loss, and deduction attributable to appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership must be allocated for Federal income tax purposes in a manner such that the contributor is charged with, or benefits from, the unrealized gain or unrealized loss associated with the property at the time of the contribution. The amount of such unrealized gain or unrealized loss is generally equal to the difference between the fair market value of the contributed property at the time of contribution and the adjusted tax basis of such property at the time of contribution. The Treasury Department recently issued regulations requiring partnerships to use a "reasonable method" for allowing items affected by Section 704(c) of the Code and outlining two reasonable allocation methods. Under the Partnership Agreement, the Company, as general partner of the Operating Partnership, in its sole discretion may select a method of making Code Section 704(c) allocations. The application of Section 704(c) to the Operating Partnership is not entirely clear and may be affected by Treasury Regulations promulgated in the future. Basis in Partnership Interest. The Company's adjusted tax basis in its partnership interest in a Property-Owning Partnership generally (i) will be equal to the amount of cash and the basis of any other property contributed to the partnership by the Company; (ii) will be increased by (A) its allocable share of the partnership's income and (B) its allocable share of indebtedness of the partnership and (iii) will be reduced, but not below zero, by (I) the Company's allocable share of the partnership's loss and (II) the amount of cash distributed to the Company. If the allocation of the Company's distributive share of a Property-Owning Partnership's loss would reduce the adjusted tax basis of the Company's partnership interest in the partnership below zero, the recognition of such loss will be deferred until such time as the recognition of such loss would not reduce the Company's adjusted tax basis before zero. To the extent that a Property-Owning Partnership's distributions, or any decrease in the Company's share of the indebtedness of the partnership (such decrease being considered a constructive cash distribution to the partners), would reduce the Company;s adjusted tax basis below zero, such distributions (including such construction distributions) constitute taxable income to the Company. Such distributions and constructive distributions normally will be characterized as capital gain, and, if the Company's partnership interest in a Property-Owning partnership has been held for longer than the long-term capital gain holding period (currently one year), the distributions and constructive distribution will constitute long-term capital gain. Depreciation Deductions. To the extent that the Operating Partnership acquires Properties in exchange for cash, the Operating Partnership's initial basis in the Properties for Federal income tax purposes generally is the price paid by the Operating Partnership to acquire the Properties. The Operating Partnership depreciates such depreciable property for Federal income tax purposes under either the modified accelerated cost recovery system of depreciation ("MACRS") or the alternative depreciation system of depreciation ("ADS"). The Operating Partnership uses MACRS for the furnishings and equipment in the Properties. Under MACRS, the Operating Partnership generally depreciates furnishings and equipment in service during the last three months of a taxable year, a mid- quarter depreciation convention must be used for the furnishings and equipment placed in service during that year. The Operating Partnership uses ADS for the buildings and improvements comprising the Properties. Under ADS, the Operating Partnership generally depreciates such buildings and improvements over a 40-year recovery period using a straight line method and a mid-month convention. However, to the extent that the Operating Partnership acquired the Initial Properties in exchange for Units, the Operating Partnership's initial basis in the Initial Properties for Federal income tax purposes is the same as the selling partnership's basis in the Initial Properties on the date of acquisition. The Operating Partnership depreciates such depreciable property for Federal income tax purposes under the same methods previously used by the selling partnerships. DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Indenture. The Debt Securities are to be issued under an Indenture, a copy of the form of which has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part and incorporated herein by reference, subject to such supplements and amendments as may be adopted from time to time (each ans "Indenture") and collectively, the "Indentures"). The Indentures will be executed by the Company and one or more trustees (each a "Trustee"). The Indenture is subject to, and governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "TIA"). The statements made hereunder relating to the Indenture and the Debt Securities to be issued thereunder are summaries of certain provisions thereof and do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all provisions of the Indenture and such Debt Securities. All section references appearing herein are to sections of the Indenture, and capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Indenture. General The Debt Securities will be direct and unsecured general obligations of the Company, unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus Supplement. As indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities may be either senior debt, senior to all future subordinated indebtedness of the Company and pari passu with other current and future unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company, or, in the alternative, subordinated debt subordinate in right of payment to current and future senior debt and pari passu with other future subordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Indenture provides that the Debt Securities may be issued without limit as to aggregate principal amount, in one or more series, in each case as established from time to time in or pursuant to authority granted by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company or as established in one or more indentures supplemental to the Indenture. All Debt Securities of one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series, for issuances of additional Debt Securities of such series (Section 3.1). The Indenture provides that there may be more than one Trustee hereunder, each with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities. Any Trustee under the Indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities, and a successor Trustee may be appointed to act with respect to such series (Section 6.9). In the event that two or more persons are acting as Trustee with respect to different series of Debt Securities, each such Trustee shall be a Trustee of a trust under the Indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any other Trustee (Section 6.10), and, except as otherwise indicated herein, any action described herein to be taken by the Trustee may be taken by each such Trustee with respect to, and only with respect to, the one or more series of Debt Securities for which it is Trustee under the Indenture. Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the series of Debt Securities being offered for the specific terms thereof, including: 1. the title of such Debt Securities (including whether they are senior debt or subordinated debt and whether they are convertible); 2. the aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities and any limit on such aggregate principal amount; 3. the date or dates, or the method for determining such date or dates, on which the principal of such Debt Securities will be payable; 4. the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable), or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, at which such Debt Securities will bear interest, if any; 5. the date or dates, or the method for determining such date or dates, from which any such interest will accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest will be payable, the Regular Record Dates for such Interest Payment Dates, or the method by which such dates shall be determined, the Person to whom such interest shall be payable, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30- day months; 6. the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Debt Securities will be payable, such Debt Securities may be surrendered for conversion or registration of transfer or exchange, and notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of such Debt Securities and the Indenture may be served; 7. the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which such Debt Securities may be redeemed, as a whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have such an option; 8. the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or purchase such Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which such Debt Securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased, as a whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation; 9. the percentage of the principal at which such Debt Securities will be issued and, if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, or (if applicable) the portion of the principal amount of such Debt Securities which is convertible into shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Debt Securities of another series, or the method by which any such portion shall be determined; 10. if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which such Debt Securities are denominated and payable, which may be a foreign currency or units of two or more foreign currencies or a composite currency or currencies, and the terms and conditions relating thereto; 11. whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on such Debt Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may, but need not be, based on a currency, currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies) and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined; 12. any additions to, modifications of or deletions from the terms of such Debt Securities with respect to the Events of Default or covenants set forth in the Indenture; 13. whether such Debt Securities will be issued in certificated or book-entry form; 14. whether such Debt Securities will be in registered or bearer form and, if in registered form, the denominations thereof if other than $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof and, if in bearer form, the denominations thereof and terms and conditions relating thereto; 15. the applicability, if any, of the defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions of Article XIV of the Indenture; 16. if such Debt Securities are to be issued upon the exercise of Debt Securities Warrants, the time, manner and place for such Debt Securities to be authenticated and delivered; 17. the terms, if any, upon which Debt Securities may be convertible into Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Debt Securities of another series of the Company and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion will be effected, including, without limitation, the initial conversion price or rate and the conversion period; 18. if convertible, in connection with the preservation of the Company's status as a REIT, any applicable limitations on the ownership or transferability of the Common Stock, Preferred Stock or other capital stock of the Company into which such Debt Securities are convertible; 19. whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay Additional Amounts as contemplated in the Indenture on such Debt Securities in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Debt Securities in lieu of making such payment; 20. the terms, if any, upon which such Debt Securities will be subordinate to other debt of the Company; and 21. any other terms of such Debt Securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture (Section 3.1) The Debt Securities may provide for less than the entire principal amount thereof to be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or bear no interest or bear interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates ("Original Issue Discount Securities"). Special U.S. federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable to Original Issue Discount Securities will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Indenture does not contain any other provisions that would limit the ability of the Company to incur indebtedness or that would afford holders of Debt Securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged or similar transaction involving the Company or in the event of a change of control. However, restrictions on ownership and transfers of the Company's Common Stock are designed to preserve its status as a REIT and, therefore, may act to prevent or hinder a change of control. See "Description of the Capital Stock of the Company." Reference is made to the applicable Prospectus Supplement for information with respect to any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Company that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection. Denominations, Interest, Registration and Transfer Unless otherwise described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities of any series will be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof (Section 3.2). Unless otherwise described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on any series of Debt Securities will be payable at the corporate trust office of the Trustee, provided that, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as it appears in the Security Register or by wire transfer of funds to such Person at an account maintained within the United States (Sections 3.5 and 3.7). Any interest not punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date with respect to a Debt Security ("Defaulted Interest") will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the applicable Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the person in whose name such Debt Security is registered at the close of business on a special record date (the "Special Record Date") for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to the Holder of such Debt Security not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner, all as more completely described in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations imposed upon Debt Securities issued in book-entry form, the Debt Securities of any series will be exchangeable for other Debt Securities of the same series and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor of different authorized denominations upon surrender of such Debt Securities at the corporate trust office of the Trustee. In addition, subject to certain limitations imposed upon Debt Securities issued in book-entry form, the Debt Securities of any series shall be surrendered for conversion (if applicable) or registration of transfer thereof at the corporate trust office of the Trustee. Every Debt Security surrendered for conversion, registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of any Debt Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith (Section 3.5). If the applicable Prospectus Supplement refers to any transfer agent (in addition to the Trustee) initially designated by the Company with respect to any series of Debt Securities, the Company may at any time rescind the designation of any such transfer agent or approve a change in the location through which any such transfer agent acts, except that the Company will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for such series. The Company may at any time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series of Debt Securities (Section 10.2). Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be required to (i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange Debt Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Debt Securities of that series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption; (ii) register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security, or portion thereof, called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any Debt Security being redeemed in part; or (iii) issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security which has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the holder, except the portion, if any, of such Debt Security not to be so repaid (Section 3.5). Merger, Consolidation or Sale The Company, without the consent of the Holders of any of the Debt Securities, may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of its assets to, or merge with or into, any other corporation, provided that (a) either the Company shall be the continuing corporation or, the successor corporation (if other than the Company) formed by or resulting from any such consolidation or merger or which shall have received the transfer of such assets shall expressly assume payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Debt Securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions contained in the Indenture; (b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary as a result thereof as having been incurred and be continuing; and (c) an officer's certificate and legal opinion covering such conditions shall be delivered to the Trustee (Sections 8.1 and 8.3). Certain Covenants Existence. Except as permitted under "Merger, Consolidation or Sale," the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any right or franchise if it determines that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of its business and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders of the Debt Securities (Section 10.6). Maintenance of Properties. The Company will cause all of its properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be prevented from selling or otherwise disposing for value its properties in the ordinary course of business (Section 10.7). Insurance. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep all of its insurable properties insured against loss or damage in accordance with industry practices and with insurers of recognized responsibility and of suitable financial stability (Section 10.8). Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (i) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Subsidiary; and (ii) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings (Section 10.9). Provision of Financial Information. Whether or not the Company is subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company will, to the extent permitted under the Exchange Act, file with the Commission the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents which the Company would have been required to file with the Commission pursuant to such Section 13 or 15(d) (the "Financial Statements") if the Company were so subject, such documents to be filed with the Commission on or prior to the respective dates (the "Required Filing Dates") by which the Company would have been required to file such documents if the Company were so subject. The Company will also in any event (x) within 15 days of each Required Filing Date file with the Trustee copies of the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents which the Company would have been required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if the Company were subject to such Section; and (y) if filing such documents by the Company with the Commission is not permitted under the Exchange Act, promptly upon written request and payment of the reasonable cost of duplication and delivery, supply copies of such documents to any Holder (Section 10.10). Additional Covenants. Any additional covenants of the Company with respect to any series of Debt Securities will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Events of Default, Notice and Waiver The Indenture provides that the following events are "Events of Default" with respect to any series of Debt Securities issued thereunder: (a) default for 30 days in the payment of any installment of interest on any Debt Security of such series; (b) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Debt Security of such series at its Maturity or in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when and as due by the terms of any Debt Security; (c) default in the performance of any other covenant of the Company contained in the Indenture (other than a covenant added to the Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Debt Securities issued thereunder other than such series), continued for 60 days after written notice as provided in the Indenture; (d) default in the payment of an aggregate principal amount not less than $10,000,000 of any evidence of indebtedness of the Company or any mortgage, indenture or other instrument under which such indebtedness is issued or by which such indebtedness is secured, such default having occurred after the expiration of any applicable grace period and having resulted in the acceleration of the maturity of such indebtedness, but only if such indebtedness is not discharged or such acceleration is not rescinded or annulled; (e) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or court appointment of a receiver, liquidator or trustee of the Company or for substantially all of its properties; and (f) any other Event of Default provided with respect to a particular series of Debt Securities (Section 5.1). If an Event of Default under the Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if the Debt Securities of the series are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all of the Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately by written notice thereof to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders). However, at any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Debt Securities of such series (or of all Debt Securities then Outstanding under the Indenture, as the case may be) has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee, the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of such series (or of all Debt Securities then Outstanding under the Indenture, as the case may be) may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if (a) the Company shall have deposited with the Trustee all required payments of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities of such series (or of all Debt Securities then outstanding under the Indenture, as the case may be), plus certain fees, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and (b) all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal (or specified portion thereof), with respect to Debt Securities of such series (or of all Debt Securities then outstanding under the Indenture, as the case may be) have been cured or waived as provided in the Indenture (Section 5.2). The Indenture also provides that the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series (or of all Debt Securities then Outstanding under the Indenture, as the case may be) may waive any past default with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default (x) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Security of such series or (y) in respect of a covenant or provisions contained in the Indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Debt Security affected thereby (Section 5.13). The Trustee is required to give notice to the Holders of Debt Securities within 60 days of a default under the Indenture; provided, however, that the Trustee may withhold notice to the holders of any series of Debt Securities of any default with respect to such series (except a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment in respect of any Debt Security of such series) if the Responsible Officers of the Trustee consider such withholding to be in the interest of such Holders (Section 6.2). The Indenture provides that no holders of Debt Securities of any series may institute any proceedings, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, except in the case of failure of the Trustee, for 60 days, to act after it has received a written request to institute proceedings in respect of an Event of Default from the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of such series as well as an offer of reasonable indemnity (Section 5.7). This provision will not prevent, however, any holder of Debt Securities from instituting suit for the enforcement of payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Debt Securities at the respective due dates thereof (Section 5.8). Subject to provisions in the Indenture relating to its duties in case of default, the Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any Holders of any series of Debt Securities then outstanding under the Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity (Section 6.3). The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series (or of all Debt Securities then outstanding under the Indenture, as the case may be) shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or of exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction which is in conflict with any law or the Indenture, which may involve the Trustee in personal liability or which may be unduly prejudicial to the Holders of Debt Securities of such series not joining therein (Section 5.12). Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, the Company must deliver to the Trustee a certificate, signed by one of several specified officers, stating whether or not such officer has knowledge of any default under the Indenture and, if so, specifying each such default and the nature and status thereof (Section 10.11). Modification of the Indenture Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made only with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all outstanding Debt Securities which are affected by such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each such Debt Security affected thereby, (a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest (or premium, if any) on, any such Debt Security; (b) reduce the principal amount of, or the rate or amount of interest on, or any premium on redemption of, any such Debt Security, or reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the majority thereof or would be provable in bankruptcy, or adversely affect any right of repayment of the Holder of any such Debt Security; (c) change the Place of Payment, or in the coin or currency, for payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any such Debt Security; (d) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any such Debt Security; (e) reduce the above-stated percentage of outstanding Debt Securities of any series necessary to modify or amend the Indenture, to waive compliance with certain provisions thereof or certain defaults and consequences thereunder or to reduce the quorum or voting requirements set forth in the Indenture; or (f) modify any of the foregoing provisions or any of the provisions relating to the waiver of certain past defaults or certain covenants, except to increase the required percentage to effect such action or to provide that certain other provisions may not be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of such Debt Security (Section 9.2). The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of each series of Outstanding Debt Securities have the right to waive compliance by the Company with certain covenants in the Indenture (Section 10.13). Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of any Holder of Debt Securities for any of the following purposes: (i) to evidence the succession of another person to the Company as obligor under the Indenture; (ii) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Debt Securities or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company in the Indenture; (iii) to add Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities; (iv) to add or change any provisions of the Indenture to facilitate the issuance of, or to liberalize certain terms of, Debt Securities in bearer form, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Debt Securities in uncertificated form, provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interest of the Holders of the Debt Securities of any series in any material respect; (v) to change or eliminate any provisions of the Indenture, provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there are no Debt Securities Outstanding of any series created prior thereto which are entitled to the benefit of such provision; (vi) to secure the Debt Securities; (vii) to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any series, including the provisions and procedures, if applicable, for the conversion of such Debt Securities into Common Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company; (viii) to provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee or facilitate the administration of the trusts under the Indenture, by more than one Trustee; (ix) to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision which may be defective or inconsistent or make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the Indenture, provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of Holders of Debt Securities of any series in any material respect; or (x) to supplement any of the provisions of the Indenture to the extent necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance and discharge of any series of such Debt Securities, provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Debt Securities of any series in any material respect (Section 9.1). The Indenture provides that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of a series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver thereunder or whether a quorum is present at a meeting of Holders of Debt Securities, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof; (ii) the principal amount of a Debt Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that shall be deemed outstanding shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined on the issue date for such Debt Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the U.S. dollar equivalent on the issue date of such Debt Security of the amount determined as provided in (i) above); (iii) the principal amount of an Indexed Security that shall be deemed outstanding shall be the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided with respect to such Indexed Security pursuant to Section 3.1 of the Indenture; and (iv) Debt Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded (Section 3.1). The Indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the Holders of Debt Securities of a series (Section 15.1). A meeting may be called at any time by the Trustee, and also, upon request, by the Company or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series, in any such case upon notice given as provided in the Indenture (Section 15.2). Except for any consent that must be given by the Holder of each Debt Security affected by certain modifications and amendments of the Indenture, any resolution presented at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series; provided, however, that, except as referred to above any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series. Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series duly held in accordance with the Indenture will be binding on all Holders of Debt Securities of that series. The quorum at any meeting called to adopt a resolution, and at any reconvened meeting, will be Persons holding or representing a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which may be given by the Holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series, the Persons holding or representing such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series will constitute a quorum (Section 15.4). Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, if any action is to be taken at a meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that the Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all Outstanding Debt Securities affected thereby, or of the Holders of such series and one or more additional series: (i) there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting; and (ii) the principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series that vote in favor of such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be taken into account in determining whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken under the Indenture (Section 15.4). Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance The Company may discharge certain obligations to Holders of any series of Debt Securities that have not already been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation and that either have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year (or scheduled for redemption within one year) by irrevocably depositing with the Trustee, in trust, funds in such currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such Debt Securities are payable in an amount sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on such Debt Securities in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest to the date of such deposit (if such Debt Securities have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be (Section 4.1). The Indenture provides that, if the provisions of Article Fourteen are made applicable to the Debt Securities of or within any series pursuant to Section 14.4 of the Indenture, the Company may elect either (a) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to such Debt Securities (except for the obligation to pay Additional Amounts, if any, upon the occurrence of certain events of tax, assessment or governmental charge with respect to payments on such Debt Securities and the obligations to register the transfer or exchange of such Debt Securities, to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities to maintain an office or agency in respect of such Debt Securities and to hold moneys for payment in trust) ("defeasance") (Section 14.2) or (b) to be released from its obligations with respect to such Debt Securities under Section 10.4 to 10.10, inclusive, of the Indenture (being the restrictions described under "Certain Covenants") or, if provided pursuant to Section 3.1 of the Indenture, its obligations with respect to any other covenant, and any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute a default or an Event of Default with respect to such Debt Securities ("Covenant Defeasance") (Section 14.3), in either case upon the irrevocable deposit by the Company with the Trustee, in trust, of an amount, in such currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such Debt Securities are payable at Stated Maturity, or Governmental Obligations (as defined below), or both, applicable to such Debt Securities which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Debt Securities, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon, on the scheduled due dates therefor. Such a trust may only be established if, among other things, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (as specified in the Indenture) to the effect that the Holders of such Debt Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred, and such Opinion of Counsel, in the case of defeasance, must refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable United States federal income tax law occurring after the date of the Indenture (Section 14.4). "Government Obligations" means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America or the government which issued the Foreign Currency in which the Debt Securities of a particular series are payable, for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such government which issued the Foreign Currency in which the Debt Securities of such series are payable, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, or such other government, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by the bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt (Section 1.1). Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, if after the Company has deposited funds and/or Government Obligations to effect defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to Debt Securities of any series, (a) the Holder of a Debt Security of such series is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Section 14.5 of the Indenture or the terms of such Debt Security to receive payment in a currency, currency unit or composite currency other than that in which such deposit has been made in respect of such Debt Security, or (b) a Conversion Event (as defined below) occurs in respect of the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such deposit has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Debt Security shall be deemed to have been and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Debt Security as they become due out of the proceeds yielded by converting the amount so deposited in respect of such Debt Security into the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such Debt Security becomes payable as a result of such election or such cessation of usage based on the applicable market exchange rate (Section 14.5). "Conversion Event" means the cessation of use of (i) a currency, currency unit or composite currency both by the government of the country which issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community, (ii) the ECU both within the European Monetary System and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the European Communities or (iii) any currency unit or composite currency other than the ECU for the purposes for which it was established. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, all payments of principal of (and premium if any) and interest on any Debt Security that is payable in Foreign Currency that ceases to be used by its government of issuance shall be made in U. S. dollars (Section 1.1). In the event the Company effects covenant defeasance with respect to any Debt Securities and such Debt Securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default other than the Event of Default described in clause (d) under "Events of Default, Notice and Waiver" with respect to Sections 10.4 to 10.10, inclusive, of the Indenture (which Sections would no longer be applicable to such Debt Securities) or described in clause (g) under "Events of Default, Notice and Waiver" with respect to any other covenant as to which there has been covenant defeasance, the amount in such currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such Debt Securities are payable, and Government Obligations on deposit with the Trustee, will be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities at the time of their Stated Maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities at the time of the acceleration resulting from such Event of Default. However, the Company would remain liable to make payment of such amounts due at the time of acceleration. The applicable Prospectus Supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, permitting such defeasance or covenant defeasance, including any modifications to the provision described above, with respect to the Debt Securities of or within a particular series. Conversion Rights The terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Debt Securities are convertible into Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Debt Securities of another series will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include whether such Debt Securities are convertible into Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Debt Securities of another series, the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof), the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the Holders or the Company, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of such Debt Securities. To protect the Company's status as a REIT, a Holder may not convert any Debt Security, and such Debt Security shall not be convertible by any Holder, if as a result of such conversion any person would then be deemed to own, directly or indirectly, more than 9.9% of the Company's Common Stock. Global Securities The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities (the "Global Securities") that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary (the "Depositary") identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. Global Securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of Debt Securities will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery as such securities in definitive form. Such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in Debt Securities represented by Global Securities. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WARRANTS The Company may issue Securities Warrants for the purchase of Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or Common Stock. Securities Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other Offered Securities offered by any Prospectus Supplement and may be attached to or separate from such Offered Securities. Each series of Securities Warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement (each, a "Warrant Agreement") to be entered into between the Company and a warrant agent specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement (the "Warrant Agent"). The Warrant Agent will act solely as an agent of the Company in connection with the Securities Warrants of such series and will not assume any obligations or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of beneficial owners of Securities Warrants. The following summaries of certain provisions of the Securities Warrant Agreement and the Securities Warrants do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Securities Warrant Agreement and the Securities Warrant certificates relating to each series of Securities Warrants which will be filed with the Commission and incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part at or prior to the time of the issuance of such series of Securities Warrants. If Securities Warrants are offered, the applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of Securities Warrants, including, in the case of Securities Warrants for the purchase of Debt Securities, the following where applicable: i) the offering price; ii) the denominations and terms of the series of Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of such Securities Warrants; iii) the designation and terms of any series of Debt Securities with which such Securities Warrants are being offered and the number of such Securities Warrants being offered with such Debt Securities; iv) the date, if any, on and after which such Securities Warrants and the related series of Debt Securities will be transferable separately; v) the principal amount of the series of Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of each such Securities Warrant and the price at which such principal amount od Debt Securities shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire (the "Expiration Date"); vi) the date on which the right to exercise such Securities Warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expires (the "Expiration Date"); vii) whether the Securities Warrants will be issued in registered or bearer form; viii) all materialUnited States federal income tax consequences; ix) the terms, if any, on which the Company may accelerate the date by which the Securities Warrants must be exercise; and x) any other material terms of such Securities Warrants. In the case of Securities Warrants for the purchase of Preferred Stock of Common Stock, the applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of such Securities Warrants, including the following where applicable; (i) the offering price; (ii) the aggregate number of shares purchasable upon exercise of such Securities Warrants, the exercise price, and in the case of Securities Warrants for Preferred Stock, the designation, aggregate number and terms of the series of Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of such Securities Warrants; (iii) the designation and terms of any series of Preferred Stock with which such Securities Warrants are being offered and the number of such Securities Warrants being offered with such Preferred Stock; (iv) the date, if any, on and after which such Securities Warrants and the related series of Preferred Stock or Common Stock will be transferable separately; (v) the date on which the right to exercise such Securities Warrants shall commence and the Expiration Date; (vi) any special United States federal income tax consequences; and (vii) any other material terms of such Securities Warrants. Securities Warrant certificates may be exchanged for new Securities Warrant certificates of different denominations, may (if in registered form) be presented for registration of transfer, and may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the Securities Warrant Agent or any other office indicted in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Prior to the exercise of any Securities Warrant to purchase debt Securities, holders of such Securities Warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the Debt Securities purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive payments of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on such Debt Securities or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture. Prior to the exercise of any Securities Warrants to purchase Preferred Stock or Common Stock, including the right to receive payments of dividends, if any, on such Preferred Stock or Common Stock, or to exercise any applicable right to vote. Exercise of Securities Warrants Each Securities Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase such principal amount of Debt Securities or number of shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as the case may be, at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or calculable from, the Prospectus Supplement relating to the offered Securities Warrants. After the close of business on the Expiration Date (or such later date to which such Expiration Date may be extended by the Company), unexercised Securities Warrants will become void. Securities Warrants may be exercised by delivering to the Securities Warrant Agent payment as provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement of the amount required to purchase the Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon such exercise together with certain information set forth on the reverse side of the Securities Warrant certificate. Securities Warrants will be deemed to have been exercised upon receipt of payment of the exercise price, subject to the receipt within five (5) business days, of the Securities Warrant certificate evidencing such Securities Warrants. Upon receipt of such payment and the Securities Warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the Securities Warrant Agent or any other office indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver the Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the Securities Warrants represented by such Securities Warrant certificate as exercised, a new Securities Warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of Securities Warrants. Amendments and Supplements to Warrant Agreement The Warrant Agreements may be amended or supplemented without consent of the holders of the Securities Warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Securities Warrants and that do not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Securities Warrants. Adjustments Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the exercise price of, and the number of shares of Common Stock covered by, a Common Stock Warrant are subject to adjustment in certain events, including, (i) payment of a dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock and stock splits, combinations or reclassification of Common Stock; (ii) issuance to all holders of Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at less than their current market price (as defined in the Warrant Agreement for such series of Common Stock Warrants); and (iii) certain distributions of evidences of indebtedness or assets (including securities but excluding cash dividends or distributions paid out of consolidated earnings or retained earnings or dividends payable in Common Stock) or of subscription rights and warrants (excluding those referred to above). No adjustment in the exercise price of, and the number of shares of Common Stock covered by, a Common Stock Warrant will be made for regular or quarterly or other periodic or recurring cash dividends or distributions or for cash dividends or distributions to the extent paid from consolidated earnings or retained earnings. No adjustment will be required unless such adjustment would require a change of at least 1% in the exercise price then in effect. Except as stated above, the exercise price of, and the number of shares of Common Stock covered by, a Common Stock Warrant will not be adjusted for the issuance of shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock, or carrying the right or option to purchase or otherwise acquire the foregoing, in exchange for cash, other property or services. In the event of any (i) consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any entity (other than a consolidation or merger that does not result in any reclassification, conversion, exchange or cancellation of outstanding shares of Common Stock); (ii) sale, transfer, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or (iii) reclassification, capital reorganization or change of the Common Stock (other than solely a change in par value or from par value to no par value), then any holder of a Common Stock Warrant will be entitled, on or after the occurrence of any such event, to receive on exercise of such Common Stock Warrant the kind and amount of shares of stock or other securities, cash or other property (or any combination thereof) that the holder would have received had such holder exercised such holder's Common Stock Warrant immediately prior to the occurrence of such event. If the consideration to be received upon exercise of the Common Stock Warrant following any such event consists of common stock of the surviving entity, then from and after the occurrence of such event, the exercise price of such Common Stock Warrant will be subject to the same anti-dilution and other adjustments described in the second preceding paragraph, applied as if such common stock were Common Stock. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION The Securities may be sold (i) through agents, (ii) through underwriters, (iii) through dealers or (iv) directly to purchasers (through a specific bidding or auction process or otherwise). The distribution of Securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Offers to purchase the Securities may be solicited by agents designated by the Company from time to time. Any such agent involved in the offer or sale of the Securities will be named, and any commissions payable by the company to such agent will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any such agent may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the Securities so offered and sold. If an underwriter or underwriters are utilized in the sale of Securities, the Company will execute an underwriting agreement with such underwriter or underwriters at the time an agreement for such sale is reached, and the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, and the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and dealers, in any, will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, which will be used by the underwriters to make resales of the Securities. If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the Securities, the Company will sell such Securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such Securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale. The name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Offers to purchase the securities may be solicited directly by the Company and sales thereof may be made by the Company directly to institutional investors or others. The terms of any such sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction prices, if utilized, will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into with the Company to indemnification by the Company against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and any such agents, underwriters or dealers, or their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for the Company in the ordinary course of business. If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company will authorize agents and underwriters to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase Debt Securities from the Company at the public offering price set forth in the Prospectus Supplement pursuant to Delayed Delivery Contracts ("Contracts") providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the Prospectus Supplement. Such Contracts will be subject to only those conditions set forth in the Prospectus Supplement. Each Contract will be for an amount not less than, and the principal amount of Offered Securities sold pursuant to Contracts shall not be less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in such Prospectus Supplement. Institutions with which Contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but will in all cases be subject to approval of the Company. Contracts will not be subject to any conditions except (i) the purchase by an institution of the Offered Securities covered by its Contract shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which such institution is subject and (ii) the Company shall have sold to such underwriters the total principal amount of the Offered Securities less the principal amount thereof covered by Contracts. A commission indicated in the Prospectus Supplement will be paid to underwriters and agents soliciting purchases of Debt Securities pursuant to Contracts accepted by the Company. EXPERTS The Consolidated Financial Statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. The Consolidated Financial Statements of America First REIT, Inc. incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. LEGAL MATTERS The validity of the issuance of the Offered Securities offered pursuant to this Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement will be passed upon for the Company by Baker, Donelson, Bearman & Caldwell, Memphis, Tennessee. In addition, the description of federal income tax consequences contained in the section of the Prospectus entitled "Federal Income Tax Considerations" is based on the opinion of Baker, Donelson, Bearman & Caldwell. PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
Registration fee to the SEC $51,725 Printing expense 2,000 Accounting fees and expenses 10,000 Legal fees and expenses 20,000 Miscellaneous expenses 2,000 ------- Total $85,725 ======= All fees and expenses are estimates except for the registration fee to the SEC.
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers. The Charter of the Company, generally, limits the liability of the Company's directors and officers to the Company and the shareholders for money damages to the fullest extent permitted from time to time by the laws of Tennessee. The Charter also provides, generally, for the indemnification of directors and officers, among others, against judgments, settlements, penalties, fines, and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities except in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the Company in which the director was adjudged liable to the Company or in connection with any other proceeding charging a personal benefit was improperly received by him. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") may be permitted to directors and officers of the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the Company has been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act, and is, therefore, unenforceable. The Company intends to purchase director and officer liability insurance for the purpose of providing a source of funds to pay any indemnification described above. Item 16. Exhibits. Exhibits Number Description *1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Common Stock) *1.2 Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Preferred Stock) *1.3 Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Debt Securities) **4.1 Form of Common Shares Certificate, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(B) to the Company's registration statement on Form S-11, filed August 2, 1994 **4.2 Form of Indenture governing the Debt Securities *4.3 Form of Debt Security *4.4 Form of Securities Warrant Agreement *4.5 Form of Certificate of Preferences, Conversion and Other Rights of Preferred Shares of beneficial interest *4.6 Form of Preferred Share Certificate **5.1 Opinion Regarding Legality **8.1 Opinion Regarding Tax Matters 12.1 Statements regarding computation of ratios (Included in Prospectus) 24.1 Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP 24.2 Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. **24.3 Consent of Baker, Donelson (Included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1) *26.1 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification [FN] * To be filed by post-effective amendment or by a current report on Form 8-K pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as appropriate. ** Previously filed. Item 17. Undertakings. (a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: (1) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: (i) to include any Prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) to reflect in the Prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually, or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) (230.424(b) of that chapter) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement; (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement. Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement. (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (3) To remove from registration by means of a post- effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the Trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant for expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused its Amendment No. 4 the the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Memphis, State of Tennessee, on May 13, 1996. MID-AMERICA APARTMENT COMMUNITIES, INC. By: /s/ George Cates George E. Cates, President Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. SIGNATURE TITLE DATE /s/ George Cates President and Chief Executive Officer May 13, 1996 George E. Cates (principal executive officer) /s/ Simon Wadsworth Chief Financial Officer (principal May 13, 1996 Simon R. C. Wadsworth accounting and financial officer) * Director May 13, 1996 John J. Byrne, III * Director May 13, 1996 Robert F. Fogelman * Director May 13, 1996 O. Mason Hawkins * Director May 13, 1996 Michael B. Yanney [FN] *BY: /s/ Simon R. C. Wadsworth Simon R. C. Wadsworth, Attorney-in-Fact INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibits Number Description *1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Common Stock) *1.2 Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Preferred Stock) *1.3 Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Debt Securities) **4.1 Form of Common Shares Certificate, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(B) to the Company's registration statement on Form S-11, filed August 2, 1994 **4.2 Form of Indenture governing the Debt Securities *4.3 Form of Debt Security *4.4 Form of Securities Warrant Agreement *4.5 Form of Certificate of Preferences, Conversion and Other Rights of Preferred Shares of beneficial interest *4.6 Form of Preferred Share Certificate **5.1 Opinion Regarding Legality **8.1 Opinion Regarding Tax Matters 12.1 Statements regarding computation of ratios (Included in Prospectus) 24.1 Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP 24.2 Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. **24.3 Consent of Baker, Donelson (Included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1) *26.1 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification [FN] * To be filed by post-effective amendment or by a current report on Form 8-K pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as appropriate. ** Previously filed.
EX-24.1 2 EXHIBIT 24.1 ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT The Board of Directors Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.: We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statement (No. 333-3274) on Form S-3 of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. of our report dated March 2, 1996 to the consolidated balance sheets of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 1995 for the Company and the related combined statements of operations, statements of partners' and owners' deficit and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 1993 for MAC Properties Group, which report is incorporated by reference in the 1995 annual report on Form 10-K of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. and to the reference to our firm under the heading of "Experts" in the Prospectus. KPMG Peat Marwick LLP Memphis, Tennessee May 13, 1996 EX-24.2 3 EXHIBIT 24.2 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We consent to incorporation by reference in this registration statement on Form S-3 of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. of our report dated March 29, 1995, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules of America First REIT, Inc. and the company's predecessor as of December 31, 1994 and 1993, and for the three years in the period ended December 31, 1994, which report is included in America First REIT, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts". Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P. Omaha, Nebraska May 13, 1996
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----