Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                    to                    

Commission file number 333-160093

 

 

INDEPENDENCE REALTY TRUST, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Maryland   26-4567130

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

Cira Centre

2929 Arch St., 17th Floor

Philadelphia, PA

  19104
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

(215) 243-9000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes   x     No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes   x     No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large Accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-Accelerated filer   x    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes   ¨     No   x

As of May 8, 2013 there were 5,643,540 shares of the Registrant’s common stock issued and outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

INDEPENDENCE REALTY TRUST, INC.

INDEX

 

     Page  
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION      3   
Item 1.   Financial Statements (unaudited)      3   
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012      3   
  Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three-Month Periods ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012      4   
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three-Month Periods ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012      5   
  Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as of March 31, 2013 (unaudited)      6   
Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      14   
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      20   
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures      21   
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION      21   
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings      21   
Item 1A.   Risk Factors      21   
Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds      21   
Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities      21   
Item 4.   Mine Safety Disclosures      21   
Item 5.   Other Information      22   
Item 6.   Exhibits      22   
Signatures      23   

 

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Table of Contents

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

Independence Realty Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited and dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     As of
March 31,
2013
    As of
December 31,
2012
 

ASSETS:

    

Investments in real estate:

    

Investments in real estate at cost

   $ 153,717      $ 153,565   

Accumulated depreciation

     (13,110     (12,283
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investments in real estate, net

     140,607        141,282   

Cash and cash equivalents

     2,728        2,533   

Restricted cash

     1,176        1,150   

Accounts receivable and other assets

     284        345   

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $196 and $79, respectively

     157        274   

Deferred costs, net of accumulated amortization of $86 and $68, respectively

     595        613   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 145,547      $ 146,197   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:

    

Mortgage indebtedness

   $ 92,413      $ 92,413   

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     1,770        1,986   

Accrued interest payable

     32        32   

Dividends payable

     504        499   

Other liabilities

     456        416   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     95,175        95,346   

Equity:

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized, 125 and 125 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

     0        0   

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized, 356,558 and 345,063 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

     4        3   

Additional paid-in capital

     3,591        3,490   

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

     (448     (401
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     3,147        3,092   

Non-controlling interest

     47,225        47,759   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Equity

     50,372        50,851   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Equity

   $ 145,547      $ 146,197   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Independence Realty Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited and dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     For the Three-Month
Periods Ended March 31
 
     2013     2012  

REVENUE:

    

Rental income

   $ 4,178      $ 3,566   

Tenant reimbursement and other property income

     223        193   

Other income

     287        231   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     4,688        3,990   

EXPENSES:

    

Property operating expenses

     2,165        1,885   

General and administrative expenses

     259        305   

Acquisition expenses

     0        27   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,036        820   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

     3,460        3,037   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     1,228        953   

Interest expense

     (888     (800
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss):

     340        153   

Income allocated to preferred shares

     (4     (4

Income (loss) allocated to non-controlling interest

     (332     (175
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) allocable to common shares

   $ 4      $ (26
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share:

    

Basic

   $ 0.01      $ (0.21
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.00      $ (0.21
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares:

    

Basic

     345,910        125,495   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     5,620,810        125,495   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends declared per common share

   $ 0.15      $ 0.15   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Independence Realty Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited and dollars in thousands)

 

     For the Three-Month
Periods Ended March 31
 
     2013     2012  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income (loss)

   $ 340      $ 153   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,036        820   

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     18        12   

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable and other assets

     61        269   

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (114     (94

Other liabilities

     40        4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash from operating activities

     1,381        1,164   

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (244     (260

Increase in restricted cash

     (26     (132
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash from investing activities

     (270     (392

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock

     0        101   

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     102        3,000   

Payments for deferred financing costs

     (102     (3

Distributions on common stock

     (50     (3

Distributions to non-controlling interests

     (866     (760
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash from financing activities

     (916     2,335   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     195        3,107   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     2,533        1,107   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period

   $ 2,728      $ 4,214   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Independence Realty Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2013

(Unaudited and dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

NOTE 1: Organization

Independence Realty Trust, Inc., or the Company, was formed on March 26, 2009 as a Maryland corporation that has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, commencing with the taxable year ended December 31, 2011. We are externally managed by a subsidiary of RAIT Financial Trust, or RAIT, a publicly traded Maryland REIT whose common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “RAS.” As used herein, the terms “we,” “our” and “us” refer to the Company and, as required by context, Independence Realty Operating Partnership, LP, which we refer to as our operating partnership, and their subsidiaries. We currently hold a portfolio of apartment properties and intend to invest the net proceeds of our ongoing public offering in a diversified portfolio of apartment properties that have the potential to generate attractive returns. We own substantially all of our assets and conduct our operations through our operating partnership, of which we are the sole general partner.

We sold 20,000 shares of our common stock to Independence Realty Advisors, LLC, our advisor, on April 30, 2009. Our advisor was purchased on January 20, 2011 by a wholly owned subsidiary of RAIT. Our advisor transferred its 20,000 shares to RAIT NTR Holdings, LLC, or RAIT NTR, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of RAIT, on June 18, 2012.

On June 10, 2011, our Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-173391), or the registration statement, for a continuous offering of a minimum of 250,000 shares and a maximum of 100,000,000 shares of common stock for sale to the public at a price of $10.00 per share (subject to certain discounts) in the primary offering and $9.50 per share pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan, which we refer to collectively as our continuous offering, was declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, we satisfied the minimum offering amount of our offering as a result of our sale of 300,000 shares of our common stock for $10.00 per share for total gross proceeds of $3,000 to RAIT NTR. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we sold an additional 11,300 shares in our offering to unaffiliated investors. Through April 8, 2013, we sold common stock pursuant to this registered continuous offering carried out in a manner consistent with offerings of non-listed REITs. Subsequently, we decided to sell shares of common stock in an underwritten public offering and terminate our continuous offering. Accordingly, we amended the registration statement, or the amended registration statement, on April 26, 2013 to terminate our continuous offering and describe the anticipated underwritten public offering, or the underwritten offering. There can be no assurance that we will be able to complete the underwritten offering. While the amended registration statement has been filed with the SEC, it has not yet been declared effective by the SEC. The common stock to be registered pursuant to our amended registration statement may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the amended registration statement becomes effective. Any disclosure concerning the underwritten offering is neither an offer nor a solicitation to purchase our securities.

In order to facilitate our qualification as a REIT, on January 4, 2012, we issued and sold 125 shares of our 12.5% Series A Cumulative Non-Voting Preferred Stock to 125 accredited investors who are not affiliated with us.

Subject to certain restrictions and limitations, our business is externally managed on a day-to-day basis by our advisor, a wholly owned subsidiary of RAIT, pursuant to an advisory agreement between us and our advisor. Our advisor conducts our operations and manages our portfolio of real estate investments. We have no paid employees.

We retained Independence Realty Securities, LLC, or IR Securities, a wholly owned subsidiary of RAIT, to serve as dealer manager for our continuous offering and assume responsibility for marketing our common shares in the continuous offering. IR Securities will not participate in the underwritten offering. Because our advisor and IR Securities are indirectly owned and controlled by RAIT, they are affiliated with us and are considered related parties. IR Securities received compensation and fees for services related to our continuous offering terminated by the amended registration statement and our advisor receives compensation and fees for services related to the investment and management of our assets. The compensation levels during our offering, acquisition and operational stages are based on percentages of offering proceeds, the cost of properties acquired and the annual revenue earned from such properties, respectively.

As of March 31, 2013, we owned eight apartment properties with 2,004 units located in six states.

NOTE 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

a. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although we believe that the included disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2012 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly our consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations and cash flows are included. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year.

 

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Independence Realty Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2013

(Unaudited and dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

b. Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements reflect our accounts and the accounts of our operating partnership and other wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

c. Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

d. Organization and Offering Costs

We have incurred accounting and offering costs in connection with our continuous offering and expect to incur additional accounting and offering costs in connection with our underwritten offering. The offering and organization costs, which are primarily being incurred by our advisor, are expected to be paid or reimbursed by us with offering proceeds.

Our advisor has advanced or reimbursed, and may continue to advance or reimburse, all the organization and offering costs incurred on our behalf. We will reimburse our advisor up to 1.0% of gross offering proceeds. As of March 31, 2013, our offering proceeds were $3,293. Organization and offering costs include items such as legal and accounting fees, marketing, promotional and printing costs. All organizational cost will be expensed when incurred. All offering costs will be recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in-capital when incurred. Our advisor has incurred $4,392 of organization and offering costs from our date of inception through March 31, 2013, of which $34 have been reimbursed to our advisor.

e. Revenue Recognition

Minimum rents are recognized on an accrual basis, over the terms of the related leases on a straight-line basis. Any above-market lease values and the capitalized below-market lease values are amortized as an adjustment to rental income over the lease term. Recoveries from residential tenants for utility costs are recognized as revenue in the period that the applicable costs are incurred.

f. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Bad Debts

We make estimates of the collectability of our accounts receivable related to base rents, expense reimbursements and other revenue. We analyze accounts receivable and historical bad debt levels, tenant credit worthiness and current economic trends when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. In addition, tenants experiencing financial difficulties are analyzed and estimates are made in connection with expected uncollectible receivables. Our reported operating results are directly affected by management’s estimate of the collectability of accounts receivable.

g. Investments in Real Estate

Allocation of Purchase Price of Acquired Assets

We account for acquisitions of properties in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations”. The fair value of the real estate acquired is allocated to the acquired tangible assets, consisting of land, building and tenant improvements, and identified intangible assets and liabilities, consisting of the value of above-market and below-market leases for acquired in-place leases and the value of tenant relationships, based in each case on their fair values. Purchase accounting is applied to assets and liabilities associated with the real estate acquired. Transaction costs and fees incurred related to acquisitions are expensed as incurred. Transaction costs and fees incurred related to the acquisition of a joint venture interest, accounted for under the equity method of accounting, are capitalized as part of the cost of the investment.

Upon the acquisition of properties, we estimate the fair value of acquired tangible assets (consisting of land, building and improvements) and identified intangible assets and liabilities (consisting of above and below-market leases, in-place leases and tenant relationships), and assumed debt at the date of acquisition, based on the evaluation of information and estimates available at that date. Based on these estimates, we allocate the initial purchase price to the applicable assets and liabilities. As final information regarding fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is received and estimates are refined, appropriate adjustments will be made to the purchase price allocation, in no case later than twelve months of the acquisition date.

In determining the fair value of the identified intangible assets and liabilities of an acquired property, above-market and below-market in-place lease values are recorded based on the present value (using an interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the differences between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases and (ii) management’s estimate of fair market lease rates for the corresponding in-place leases, measured over a period equal to the remaining term of the lease. The capitalized above-market lease values and the capitalized below-market lease values are amortized as an adjustment to rental income over the lease term.

 

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Independence Realty Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2013

(Unaudited and dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

The aggregate value of in-place leases is determined by evaluating various factors, including an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods, current market conditions and similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, management includes real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses, and estimates of lost rental revenue during the expected lease-up periods based on current market demand. Management also estimates costs to execute similar leases including leasing commissions, legal and other related costs. The value assigned to this intangible asset is amortized over the remaining lease terms.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Management evaluates the recoverability of its investment in real estate assets, including related identifiable intangible assets, in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment”. This statement requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that recoverability of the assets is not assured.

Management evaluates the long-lived assets on an ongoing basis and records an impairment charge when there is an indicator of impairment. The estimated cash flows used for the impairment analysis and the determination of estimated fair value are based on our plans for the respective assets and our views of market and economic conditions. The estimates consider matters such as current and historical rental rates, occupancies for the respective and/or comparable properties, and recent sales data for comparable properties. Changes in estimated future cash flows due to changes in our plans or views of market and economic conditions could result in recognition of impairment losses, which, under the applicable accounting guidance, could be substantial.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation expense for real estate assets are computed using a straight-line method based on a life of 40 years for buildings and improvements and five to ten years for equipment and fixtures. Expenditures for tenant improvements are capitalized and amortized over the initial term of each lease.

h. Deferred Costs

We capitalize initial direct costs in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 310, “Receivables”. The costs are capitalized upon the execution of the loan or lease and amortized over the initial term of the corresponding loan or lease. Deferred loan costs are amortized to interest expense over the term of the loan. Deferred leasing costs are amortized to amortization expense over the initial term of the lease.

i. Income Taxes

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT beginning with the taxable year ended December 31, 2011. Accordingly, we recorded no income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.

To qualify as a REIT, we must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of our ordinary taxable income to stockholders. As a REIT, we generally are not subject to federal income tax on taxable income that we distribute to our stockholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to federal income taxes on our taxable income at regular corporate rates and will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for four years following the year during which qualification is lost unless the Internal Revenue Service grants us relief under certain statutory provisions. Such an event could materially adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to stockholders, however, we believe that we are organized and operate in such a manner as to qualify and maintain treatment as a REIT and intend to operate in such a manner so that we will remain qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.

j. Earnings per Share

Earnings per share is computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings per Share”, by dividing the net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the respective period. Earnings per share excludes 5,274,900 limited partnership units that are convertible into common stock as their effect would be anti-dilutive for the three-months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.

k. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

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Independence Realty Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2013

(Unaudited and dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

In June 2011, the FASB issued an accounting standard classified under FASB ASC Topic 222, “Comprehensive Income”. This accounting standard amends existing guidance to improve the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income by requiring entities to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In addition, the entity is required to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement(s) where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. In December 2011, the FASB issued an accounting standard that deferred the new presentation requirements about reclassification adjustments. Both of these accounting standards are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods with those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of these standards did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 3: Investments in Real Estate

As of March 31, 2013, our investments in real estate consisted of eight apartment properties with 2,004 units. The table below summarizes our investments in real estate as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 

     As of
March 31,
2013
    As of
December 31,
2012
 

Land

   $ 30,168      $ 30,168   

Building

     121,390        121,390   

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

     2,159        2,007   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment in real estate

     153,717        153,565   

Accumulated depreciation

     (13,110     (12,283
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investments in real estate, net

   $ 140,607      $ 141,282   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

On October 11, 2012, we acquired a fee simple interest in a 192-unit multifamily residential community located in Indianapolis, Indiana, known as Runaway Bay Apartments. We acquired the property through a wholly owned subsidiary of our operating partnership, from an unaffiliated third party, 2030 Runaway Bay Drive Holdings, LLC. We acquired the property for an aggregate purchase price of $15,750 exclusive of closing costs. We paid the purchase price with a combination of a $10,238 first mortgage loan and $5,512 in cash.

The following table summarizes the aggregate carrying value of the assets and liabilities associated with the properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2012, on the respective date of each acquisition, for the real estate accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 805.

 

Description

   Carrying Amount  

Assets acquired:

  

Investments in real estate

   $ 15,397   

Intangible asset

     353   

Liabilities assumed:

  

Mortgage indebtedness

     (10,238
  

 

 

 

Carrying amount of net assets acquired

   $ 5,512   
  

 

 

 

Our consolidated unaudited pro forma information, after including the acquisition of real estate properties, is presented below as if the acquisitions occurred on January 1, 2012. These pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the results which actually would have occurred if the acquisition had occurred on the first day of the periods presented, nor does the pro forma financial information purport to represent the results of operations for future periods:

 

Description

   For the
Three-Month
Period Ended
March 31, 2012
 

Total revenue, as reported

   $ 3,990   

Pro forma revenue

     4,529   

Net income (loss) allocable to common shares, as reported

     (26

Pro forma net income (loss) allocable to common shares

     (23

 

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Independence Realty Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2013

(Unaudited and dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

NOTE 4: Mortgage Indebtedness

Each of our properties is encumbered by a first mortgage. A summary of each mortgage, as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, is as follows:

 

     Outstanding Principal             

Property

   As of
March 31, 2013
     As of
December 31, 2012
     Current
Interest  Rate
    Maturity Date

Belle Creek Apartments

     10,575         10,575         2.5 (1)     April 28, 2021

Centrepoint Apartments

     17,600         17,600         3.7 (2)     January 1, 2019

Copper Mill Apartments

     7,350         7,350         5.7 (3)     May 1, 2021

Crestmont Apartments

     6,750         6,750         5.7 (3)     May 1, 2021

Cumberland Glen Apartments

     6,900         6,900         5.7 (3)     May 1, 2021

Heritage Trace Apartments

     5,500         5,500         5.7 (3)     May 1, 2021

Runaway Bay Apartments

     10,238         10,238         3.6 (4)     November 1, 2022

Tresa at Arrowhead

     27,500         27,500         2.5 (1)     April 28, 2021
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total /Weighted-Average

   $ 92,413       $ 92,413         3.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

(1) Fixed rate of interest at 2.5% for the first two years with a floating rate thereafter at 225 basis points over 30-day LIBOR. Interest only

 

(2) Fixed rate. Interest only payments are due monthly. Beginning February 1, 2015, principal and interest payments are required based on a 30-year amortization schedule

 

(3) Fixed rate. Interest only payments are due monthly. Beginning May 1, 2013, principal and interest payments are required based on a 30-year amortization schedule

 

(4) Fixed Rate. Interest only payments are due monthly. Beginning December 1, 2013, principal and interest payments are required based on a 30-year amortization schedule

As of March 31, 2013 RAIT holds $38,075 of our debt while $54,338 is held by third parties. For the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 we paid $238 and $241 of interest to RAIT, respectively.

NOTE 5: Shareholder Equity and Non-Controlling Interest

Stockholder Equity

Preferred Shares

On February 28, 2013, our board of directors authorized and declared distributions on our Series A Preferred Stock for the period beginning on January 1, 2013, and ending on June 30, 2013. The distributions are payable to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock of record at a rate of $0.34722222 per day, which is an amount that is equivalent to a 12.5% annualized distribution rate based on a share price of $1,000. The distributions will be aggregated and paid in cash on June 28, 2013, pursuant to the requirements of our charter.

 

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Independence Realty Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2013

(Unaudited and dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Common Shares

On February 28, 2013, our board of directors authorized and declared distributions on our common stock for the months of January through June 2013. For the months of January through March 2013, the distributions will be payable to the holders of our common stock at a rate of $0.00163934 per share per day, which is an amount that is equivalent to a 6.0% annualized distribution rate based on a share price of $10.00. For the months of April through June 2013, our board of directors authorized and declared distributions on our common stock at a rate of $0.00171233 per share per day, which is an amount that is equivalent to a 6.25% annualized distribution rate based on a share price of $10.00. The distributions for each month will be aggregated and paid on or before the fifteenth day following the completion of each respective month. All distributions will be paid in cash.

Non-controlling Interest

On February 28, 2013, our board of directors, in our capacity as the general partner of the operating partnership, authorized and declared distributions on our operating partnership’s common partnership units for the months of January through June 2013. For the months of January through March 2013, the distributions were paid to the holders of our common operating partnership units at a rate of $0.00163934 per unit per day, which is an amount that is equivalent to a 6.0% annualized distribution rate based on a unit price of $10.00. For the months of April through June 2013, our board of directors authorized and declared distributions on our operating partnership’s common units at a rate of $0.00171233 per share per day, which is an amount that is equivalent to a 6.25% annualized distribution rate based on a unit price of $10.00. The distributions for each month will be aggregated and paid on or before the fifteenth day following the completion of each respective month.

On February 28, 2013, our board of directors, in our capacity as the general partner of the operating partnership, authorized and declared distributions on our operating partnership’s Series B Preferred Units for the period of January, February and March 2013. The distributions will paid to holders of our Series B Preferred Units of record at a rate of $2.78 per unit per day.

On May 7, 2013, our board of directors, in our capacity as the general partner of the operating partnership, authorized and declared distributions on our operating partnership’s Series B Preferred Units for the period of April, May and June 2013. The distributions will paid to holders of our Series B Preferred Units of record at a rate of $2.78 per unit per day.

NOTE 6: Equity Compensation Plans

Long Term Incentive Plan

On April 5, 2011, our board of directors approved and adopted the Long Term Incentive Plan, or our incentive plan, and the Independent Directors Compensation Plan. Our incentive plan provides for the grants of awards to our directors, officers and full-time employees (in the event we ever have employees), full-time employees of our advisor and its affiliates, full-time employees of entities that provide services to our advisor, directors of our advisor or of entities that provide services to it, certain of our consultants and certain consultants to our advisor and its affiliates or to entities that provide services to our advisor. The incentive plan authorizes the grant of restricted or unrestricted shares of our common stock, non-qualified and incentive stock options, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalents and other stock- or cash-based awards. The amended registration statement contemplates that the incentive plan will be amended.

Under our Independent Directors Compensation Plan, which operates as a sub-plan of our incentive plan, each of our independent directors will receive 3,000 shares of common stock annually; provided, however, that no shares will be issued pursuant to our Independent Directors Compensation Plan until we have raised at least $2,500 in gross offering proceeds from unaffiliated persons. In addition, our independent directors may elect to receive their annual fee in the form of our common shares or a combination of common shares and cash.

We will account for stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation”. Under the fair value recognition provisions of this statement, stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense of the requisite service period, which is the vesting period. We have not granted any stock-based compensation to date. Stock-based compensation will be classified within general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations. As stock-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statement of operations will be based on awards ultimately expected to vest, the amount of expense will be reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures will be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Forfeitures will be estimated on experience of other companies in the same industry until entity-specific information is available.

Distribution Reinvestment Program

We adopted a distribution reinvestment program, or the DRP, through which our stockholders may elect to reinvest an amount equal to the distributions declared on their shares of common stock in additional shares in lieu of receiving cash distributions. The common stock available under the DRP was reallocated to the underwritten offering when the amended registration statement was filed and the DRP was subsequently terminated. No selling commissions or dealer manager fees were paid on shares sold under the DRP.

 

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Independence Realty Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2013

(Unaudited and dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

NOTE 7: Related Party Transactions and Arrangements

Fees and Expenses Paid to Our Advisor

We amended and restated our advisory agreement with our advisor as of May 7, 2013. The disclosure below describes the terms and conditions of the advisory agreement prior to May 7, 2013. For a description of the terms and conditions of the advisory agreement on and after May 7, 2013, see Note 8-Subsequent Events below.

Our advisor generally has responsibility for our day-to-day operations. Pursuant to the terms of the advisory agreement through May 7, 2013 we paid our advisor the fees described below.

 

   

We paid to our advisor an asset management fee that is payable quarterly in an amount equal to 0.1875% of the average invested assets as of the last day of the quarter, which equates to an annualized rate of 0.75% per annum. Average invested assets means the average of the aggregate book value of our assets invested in interests in, and loans secured by, real estate before reserves for depreciation or bad debt or other similar non-cash reserves. As part of the acquisition of our initial portfolio of six properties, our advisor agreed to waive any asset management fees on the initial portfolio for the first two years of our ownership. That period expired in April 2013. For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, we paid $82 and $53 of asset management fees to our advisor, respectively.

 

   

If our advisor provided services in connection with the financing of any third party debt that we obtain, we would pay the advisor a financing coordination fee equal to 1.0% of the amount available and/or outstanding under such financing, subject to certain limitations. We do not pay financing coordination fees in connection with debt provided by RAIT. The services our advisor may perform include, without limitation, searching for lenders in connection with a proposed refinancing and negotiating the terms of any proposed refinancing with such lenders. Our advisor may reallow some or all of this fee to reimburse third parties that it retains to procure any such refinancing. For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, we paid $102 and $0 of financing coordination fees to our advisor, respectively.

 

   

We may pay our advisor a disposition fee upon the sale of one or more of our properties in an amount equal to the lesser of (a) one-half of the commission that would be reasonable, customary and competitive in light of the size, type and location of the asset or (b) 1% of the sale price of the asset. Payment of such fee may be made only if the advisor provides a substantial amount of services in connection with the sale of the asset. In addition, the amount paid when added to all other commissions paid to unaffiliated parties in connection with such sale shall not exceed the lesser of the commission that would be reasonable, customary and competitive in light of the size, type and location of the asset or an amount equal to 6% of the sale price of such asset. For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, we did not pay any disposition fees to our advisor.

In addition to the fees we pay to our advisor pursuant to the advisory agreement prior to May 7, 2013, we also reimbursed our advisor and its affiliates for the costs and expenses, subject to the limitations described below under the heading “2%/25% Guidelines.” We did not reimburse the advisor or its affiliates for services for which the advisor or its affiliates are entitled to compensation in the form of a separate fee. If the advisor or its affiliates perform services that are outside of the scope of the advisory agreement, we will compensate them at rates and in amounts agreed upon by the advisor and the independent directors. We reimburse our advisor for acquisition expenses up to a maximum amount which, collectively with all acquisition fees and expenses, will not exceed, in the aggregate, 6% of the gross offering proceeds from our public offering.

 

   

We may reimburse our advisor for certain costs it incurs in connection with the services it provides to us including, but not limited to: (i) organization and offering costs in an amount up to 1% of gross offering proceeds, which include actual legal, accounting, printing and expenses attributable to preparing the SEC registration statement, qualification of the shares for sale in the states and filing fees incurred by the advisor, as well as reimbursements for salaries and direct expenses of its employees, including, without limitation, employee benefits, while engaged in registering the shares and other organization costs, other than selling commissions and the dealer manager fee; (ii) advertising expenses, expense reimbursements, and legal and accounting fees; (iii) the actual cost of goods and materials used by us and obtained from entities not affiliated with the advisor; (iv) administrative services (including personnel costs; provided, however, that no reimbursement shall be made for costs of personnel to the extent that such personnel perform services in transactions for which the advisor receives a separate fee); and (v) rent, leasehold improvement costs, utilities or other administrative items generally constituting our advisor’s overhead. We will not reimburse the advisor for any services for which we will pay the advisor a separate fee. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, our advisor incurred $201 of organization and offering costs. During the three-months ended March 31, 2013, we reimbursed our advisor for $1 of organization and offering costs.

 

   

We reimburse our advisor for expenses it incurs in connection with our purchase of an asset. The acquisition fees and expenses for any particular asset, including amounts payable to affiliates, will not exceed, in the aggregate, 6% of the contract purchase price (including any mortgage assumed) of the asset. Our advisor will be paid acquisition expenses and we will reimburse our advisor for acquisition expenses only to the extent that acquisition fees and acquisition expenses collectively do not exceed 6% of the contract price of our assets. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, we did not reimburse our advisor for any acquisition expenses.

 

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Independence Realty Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2013

(Unaudited and dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

2%/25% Guidelines

Our charter was amended on May 7, 2013. The amendments included removing the 2%/25% Guidelines. See “Subsequent Events” and Part II Item 5. “Other Events” below.

Commencing on the fourth fiscal quarter following the quarter ended June 30, 2011 through May 7, 2013 our advisor must reimburse us for the amounts, if any, by which our total REIT operating expenses paid during the previous fiscal year exceed the greater of:

 

   

2% of our average invested assets for that fiscal year; or

 

   

25% of our net income for that fiscal year;

provided, however, that only so much of the excess specified above will be required to be reimbursed as the board of directors, including a majority of the independent directors, determines should justifiably be reimbursed in light of any unanticipated, unusual or non-recurring factors. Within 60 days after the end of the quarter for which the excess occurred, the stockholders will be sent a written disclosure and explanation of the factors the independent directors considered in arriving at the conclusion that the higher total operating expenses were justified. Operating expenses are defined for this purpose as all expenses paid or incurred by us, as determined under GAAP, that are in any way related to our operation, including advisory fees, but excluding (i) the expenses of raising capital such as organization and offering expenses, legal, audit, accounting, underwriting, brokerage, listing, registration and other fees, printing and other such expenses and taxes incurred in connection with the issuance, distribution, transfer, registration and stock exchange listing of our stock; (ii) interest payments; (iii) taxes; (iv) non-cash expenditures such as depreciation, amortization and bad debt reserves; (v) reasonable incentive fees based on the gain from the sale of our assets; and (vi) acquisition fees and expenses (including expenses relating to potential investments that we do not close), disposition fees on the resale of property and other expenses connected with the acquisition, disposition and ownership of real estate interests, loans or other property (including the costs of foreclosure, insurance premiums, legal services, maintenance, repair and improvement of property).

Selling Commissions and Fees Paid to our Dealer Manager

The dealer manager for our continuous offering of common stock was IR Securities, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of RAIT. IR Securities is a licensed broker-dealer registered with FINRA. IR Securities will not participate in the underwritten offering. IR Securities was entitled to certain selling commissions, dealer manager fees and reimbursements relating to raising capital in connection with the continuous offering. Our agreement with IR Securities provided for the following compensation relating to the continuous offering:

 

   

We paid IR Securities selling commissions of up to 7.0% of the gross proceeds from our continuous offering. IR Securities reallowed all or a portion of commissions earned for those transactions that involve participating broker-dealers. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, we did not pay any selling commissions to IR Securities.

 

   

We paid IR Securities a dealer manager fee of 3.0% of the gross proceeds from our continuous offering. IR Securities, in its sole discretion, could reallow a portion of its dealer manager fee of up to 1.5% of the gross offering proceeds to be paid to such participating broker-dealers. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, we paid $3 of dealer manager fees to IR Securities.

 

   

We reimbursed IR Securities for its reasonable bona fide due diligence expenses and reimbursed it for reimbursements it could make to broker-dealers for reasonable bona fide due diligence expenses which are included in a detailed and itemized invoice. Reimbursement of these amounts, combined with the reimbursement of all other organizational and offering costs, was not to exceed 15% of the gross proceeds raised in our continuous offering. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, IR Securities incurred $0 of reimbursable due diligence expenses.

Property Management Fees Paid to Our Property Manager

We have entered into property management agreements with Jupiter Communities, LLC, or our property manager, which is majority owned by RAIT, with respect to each of our properties. Pursuant to the property management agreements, we pay our property manager property management and leasing fees on a monthly basis of an amount up to 4.0% of the gross revenues from the property for each month. Additionally, we may pay our property manager a separate fee for the one-time initial rent-up or leasing-up of newly constructed properties in an amount not to exceed the fee customarily charged in arm’s length transactions by others rendering similar services in the same geographic area for similar properties as determined by a survey of brokers and agents in such area. Each management agreement has an initial one year term, subject to automatic one-year renewals unless either party gives prior notice of its desire to terminate the management agreement. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, we paid $185 of property management and leasing fees to our property manager.

NOTE 8: Subsequent Events

Through April 8, 2013, we sold common stock pursuant to this registered continuous offering carried out in a manner consistent with offerings of non-listed REITs. Subsequently, we decided to sell shares of common stock in an underwritten public offering and terminate this continuous offering. Accordingly, we amended the registration statement, or the amended registration statement, on April 26, 2013 to terminate our continuous offering and describe the anticipated underwritten public offering, or the underwritten offering. There can be no assurance that we will be able to complete the underwritten offering. While the amended registration statement has been filed with the SEC, it has not yet been declared effective by the SEC. The common stock to be registered pursuant to our amended registration statement may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the amended registration statement becomes effective. Any disclosure concerning the underwritten offering is neither an offer nor a solicitation to purchase our securities.

On May 7, 2013, RAIT elected to convert 5,274,900 of its common limited partnership units to shares of our common stock according to the terms of the Agreement of Limited Partnership. The shares of our common stock issued were issued in reliance on an exemption from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Effective as of May 7, 2013, we entered into the Second Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement, or the amended and restated advisory agreement. The amended and restated advisory agreement was adopted primarily to adjust the advisor’s compensation and modify its duties to us.

Pursuant to the terms of the amended advisory agreement, our advisor will be compensated as follows:

 

   

Annual Base Management Fee of 0.75% of average gross real estate assets. Average gross real estate assets means the average of the aggregate book value of our real estate assets before reserves for depreciation or other similar noncash reserves. We will compute average gross real estate assets by taking the average of these book values at the end of each month during the quarter for which we are calculating the fee. The fee is payable quarterly in an amount equal to 0.1875% of average gross real estate assets as of the last day of such quarter.

 

   

We will pay our advisor an incentive fee based on our pre-incentive fee core funds from operations, or Core FFO, a non-GAAP measure as defined in the advisory agreement. The incentive fee is computed at the end of each fiscal quarter as follows:

 

   

no incentive fee in any fiscal quarter in which our pre-incentive fee Core FFO does not exceed the hurdle rate of 1.75% (7% annualized) of the cumulative gross amount of equity capital we have obtained; and

   

20% of the amount of our pre-incentive fee Core FFO that exceeds 1.75% (7% annualized) of the cumulative gross amount of equity capital we have obtained.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not historical facts (including any statements concerning investment objectives, other plans and objectives of management for future operations or economic performance, or assumptions or forecasts related thereto) are forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees. Actual events or our investments and results of operations could differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the use of terms such as “may,” “should,” “expect,” “could,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “continue,” “predict,” “potential” or the negative of such terms and other comparable terminology.

The forward-looking statements included herein are based upon our current expectations, plans, estimates, assumptions and beliefs, which involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Assumptions relating to the foregoing involve judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond our control. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, our actual results and performance could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects include, but are not limited to:

 

   

the fact that we have a limited operating history;

 

   

our ability to effectively deploy the proceeds we expect to raise in our underwritten public offering of common stock;

 

   

changes in economic conditions generally and the real estate market specifically;

 

   

legislative or regulatory changes (including changes to the laws governing the taxation of REITs);

 

   

the availability of capital;

 

   

interest rates; and

 

   

changes to generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP.

Any of the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements included herein could be inaccurate, and undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements included herein. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date this quarterly report is filed with the SEC, and the risk that actual results will differ materially from the expectations expressed herein will increase with the passage of time. Except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or any other reason.

All forward-looking statements included herein should be read in light of the factors identified in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 13, 2013, as the same may be amended and supplemented from time to time.

Overview

We are a Maryland corporation that owns well-located apartment properties in geographic submarkets that we believe support strong occupancy and have the potential for growth in rental rates. We seek to provide stockholders with attractive risk-adjusted returns, with an emphasis on distributions and capital appreciation. We are externally advised by a wholly-owned subsidiary of RAIT financial Trust (NYSE: RAS), a REIT that invests primarily in commercial mortgages and, to a lesser extent, apartment properties. We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2011.

We acquire and operate apartment properties that:

 

   

have stable occupancy rates and resident bases;

 

   

are located in submarkets that we do not expect to experience substantial new apartment construction in the foreseeable future;

 

   

in appropriate circumstances, have opportunities for repositioning or updating through capital expenditures; and

 

   

provide opportunities to apply tailored marketing and management strategies designed to attract and retain residents and enable rent increases.

 

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As of March 31, 2013, we own eight apartment properties containing an aggregate of 2,004 apartment units in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Texas and Virginia. We refer to these apartment properties as our “existing portfolio.” As of March 31, 2013, our existing portfolio had an average occupancy of 94% and an average monthly effective rent per occupied apartment unit of $791.

We were formed in 2009. Affiliates of RAIT contributed seven of the eight properties in our existing portfolio to our operating partnership in exchange for 5,111,500 common units in our operating partnership, and acquired an additional 163,200 common units for cash to fund closing costs in connection with the contributions. In 2012, we purchased the eighth property in our existing portfolio from an unaffiliated third party. In April 2013, as described in “Public Offerings” below, we terminated our continuous offering and amended our registration statement. Prior to the consummation of the underwritten offering, RAIT will exchange all of its common units for 5,274,900 shares of our common stock. RAIT is currently our largest stockholder, and, following the exchange but before consummation of our offering, will hold approximately 99.1% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. Each of our apartment properties is managed by Jupiter, a majority owned subsidiary of RAIT.

On June 10, 2011, our Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-173391), or the registration statement, for a continuous offering of a minimum of 250,000 shares and a maximum of 100,000,000 shares of common stock for sale to the public at a price of $10.00 per share (subject to certain discounts) in the primary offering and $9.50 per share pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan, which we refer to collectively as our continuous offering, was declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, we satisfied the minimum offering amount of our offering as a result of our sale of 300,000 shares of our common stock for $10.00 per share for total gross proceeds of $3,000 to RAIT NTR. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we sold an additional 11,300 shares in our offering to unaffiliated investors. Through April 8, 2013, we sold common stock pursuant to this registered continuous offering carried out in a manner consistent with offerings of non-listed REITs. Subsequently, we decided to sell shares of common stock in an underwritten public offering and terminate this continuous offering. Accordingly, we amended the registration statement, or the amended registration statement, on April 26, 2013 to terminate our continuous offering and describe the anticipated underwritten public offering, or the underwritten offering. There can be no assurance that we will be able to complete the underwritten offering. While the amended registration statement has been filed with the SEC, it has not yet been declared effective by the SEC. The common stock to be registered pursuant to our amended registration statement may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the amended registration statement becomes effective. Any disclosure concerning the underwritten offering is neither an offer nor a solicitation to purchase our securities.

 

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Our Properties

The following table presents an overview of our apartment portfolio as of March 31, 2013:

 

Property Name

   Location    Purchase
Date
     Year
Built or
Renovated  (1)
     Units  (2)     Average
Occupancy  (3)
    Average Monthly
Effective

Rent per
Occupied Unit  (4)
 

Belle Creek

   Henderson, Colorado      4/29/11         2011         162 (5)         95.7 % (5)     $ 896 (5)  

Centrepoint

   Tucson, Arizona      12/16/11         2006         320        98.1        817   

Copper Mill

   Austin, Texas      4/29/11         2010         320        95.3        719   

Crestmont

   Marietta, Georgia      4/29/11         2010         228        94.3        705   

Cumberland Glen

   Smyrna, Georgia      4/29/11         2010         222        94.6        662   

Heritage Trace

   Newport News, Virginia      4/29/11         2010         200        80.0        751   

Runaway Bay

   Indianapolis, Indiana      10/11/12         2002         192        93.8        939   

Tresa at Arrowhead

   Phoenix, Arizona      4/29/11         2006         360        96.7        836   
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
              2,004        93.6 %   $ 791   
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) All dates are for the year in which a renovation program was completed, except for Runaway Bay, which is the year construction was completed. The year construction was completed for each of the other properties is: Belle Creek - 2002; Centrepoint - 1995; Copper Mill - 1984; Crestmont - 1987; Cumberland Glen - 1987; Heritage Trace - 1973; and Tresa at Arrowhead - 1998.
(2) Units represents the total number of apartment units available for rent at March 31, 2013.
(3) Average occupancy for each of our properties is calculated as (i) total units rented as of March 31, 2013 divided by (ii) total units available as of March 31, 2013, expressed as a percentage.
(4) Average monthly effective rent per occupied unit represents the average monthly rent for all occupied units for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
(5) Does not include 6,256 square feet of retail space in six units, of which 1,010 square feet of space is occupied by Jupiter for use as the leasing office. The remaining 5,246 square feet of space is 100% occupied by five tenants with an average monthly base rent of $1,564, or $16.50 per square foot per year.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Funds from Operations and Core Funds from Operations

We believe that FFO and Core FFO, each of which is a non-GAAP measure, are additional appropriate measures of the operating performance of a REIT and us in particular. We compute FFO in accordance with the standards established by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, or NAREIT, as net income or loss allocated to common shares (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding real estate-related depreciation and amortization expense, gains or losses on sales of real estate and the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles.

Core FFO is a computation made by analysts and investors to measure a real estate company’s operating performance by removing the effect of items that do not reflect ongoing property operations, including acquisition expenses, expensed costs related to the issuance of shares of our common stock and equity-based compensation expenses, from the determination of FFO. We incur acquisition expenses in connection with acquisitions of real estate properties and expense those costs when incurred in accordance with U.S. GAAP. As these expenses are one-time and reflective of investing activities rather than operating performance, we add back these costs to FFO in determining Core FFO.

Our calculation of Core FFO differs from the methodology used for calculating Core FFO by certain other REITs and, accordingly, our Core FFO may not be comparable to Core FFO reported by other REITs. Our management utilizes FFO and Core FFO as measures of our operating performance, and believes they are also useful to investors, because they facilitate an understanding of our operating performance after adjustment for certain non-cash items, such as depreciation and amortization expenses, and acquisition expenses and pursuit costs that are required by GAAP to be expensed but may not necessarily be indicative of current operating performance and that may not accurately compare our operating performance between periods. Furthermore, although FFO, Core FFO and other supplemental performance measures are defined in various ways throughout the REIT industry, we also believe that FFO and Core FFO may provide us and our investors with an additional useful measure to compare our financial performance to certain other REITs. We will also use Core FFO for purposes of determining the quarterly incentive fee, if any, payable to our advisor after April 30, 2013. See “Our Advisor, Our Property Manager and Related Agreements—Compensation to Our Advisor and Our Property Manager.”

 

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Neither FFO nor Core FFO is equivalent to net income or cash generated from operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP. Furthermore, FFO and Core FFO do not represent amounts available for management’s discretionary use because of needed capital replacement or expansion, debt service obligations or other commitments or uncertainties. Neither FFO nor Core FFO should be considered as an alternative to net income as an indicator of our operating performance or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of our liquidity.

Set forth below is a reconciliation of net income (loss) to FFO and Core FFO for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands, except share and per share information):

 

     For the Three-Month Period
Ended

March 31, 2013
    For the Three-Month Period
Ended

March 31, 2012
 
     Amount     Per Share     Amount      Per Share  

Funds From Operations:

         

Net income (loss)

   $ 340      $ 0.06      $ 153       $ 0.03   

Adjustments:

         

Income allocated to preferred shares

     (4 )     (0.00     —           —     

Income allocated to preferred units

     (88 )     (0.02     —           —     

Real estate depreciation and amortization

     1,036        0.18        820         0.15   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Funds From Operations

   $ 1,284      $ 0.23      $ 973       $ 0.18   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares—diluted (a)

     5,620,810        5,620,810        5,400,395         5,400,395   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Core Funds From Operations:

         

Funds From Operations

   $ 1,284      $ 0.23      $ 973       $ 0.18   

Adjustments:

         

Acquisition fees and expenses

     —          —          27         0.00   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Core Funds From Operations

   $ 1,284      $ 0.23      $ 1,000       $ 0.18   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares—diluted (a)

     5,620,810        5,620,810        5,400,395         5,400,395   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Weighted-average shares—diluted includes 5,274,900 limited partnership units that are exchangeable for common stock as of March 31, 2013 and 2012.

 

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Results of Operations

Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2013 Compared to the Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2012

Our total revenue increased $0.7 million to $4.7 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 from $4.0 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2012. The increase is primarily attributable to a property we acquired on October 11, 2012 along with improved occupancy and rental rates.

Our expenses increased $0.5 million to $3.5 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 from $3.0 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2012. Expenses were comprised primarily of property operating expenses which increased $0.3 million to $2.2 million from $1.9 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2012 and depreciation and amortization which increased $0.2 million to $1.0 million from $0.8 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2012. The increase is primarily

 

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attributable to a property we acquired on October 11, 2012. We incurred certain general and administrative expenses related to audit and other professional fees, trustee fees and other federal and state filing fees during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 of $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

Our interest expense increased $0.1 million to $0.9 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 from $0.8 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2012. The increase is attributable to the mortgage indebtedness used to finance the acquisition of a property on October 11, 2012.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is a measure of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to repay borrowings, fund and maintain investments, pay distributions and other general business needs.

We believe our available cash balances, other financing arrangements and cash flows from operations will be sufficient to fund our liquidity requirements with respect to our existing portfolio for the next 12 months. We expect to raise capital in our offering, increase our borrowings and make future acquisitions, which would have a significant impact on our future results of operations. In general, we expect that our income and expenses related to our portfolio will increase in future periods as a result of anticipated future acquisitions of real estate. Should our liquidity needs exceed our available sources of liquidity, we believe that we could sell assets to raise additional cash. We may not be able to obtain additional financing when we desire to do so or on terms and conditions acceptable to us. If we fail to obtain additional financing, our ability to maintain or grow our business will be constrained.

Our primary cash requirements are to:

 

   

make investments and fund the associated costs;

 

   

repay our indebtedness;

 

   

pay our operating expenses, including fees paid to our advisor and our property manager; and

 

   

distribute a minimum of 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain) and to make investments in a manner that enables us to maintain our qualification as a REIT.

We intend to meet these liquidity requirements primarily through:

 

   

the use of our cash and cash equivalent balance of $2.7 million as of March 31, 2013;

 

   

cash generated from operating activities;

 

   

proceeds from the sale of our common stock pursuant to the offering described in the amended registration statement;

 

   

if required proceeds from future borrowings and offerings.

Through April 8, 2013, we had sold shares of our common stock pursuant to the continuous offering carried out in a manner consistent with offerings of non-listed REITs. Our board of directors subsequently determined that it would be in our best interest to sell our common stock in an underwritten offering described in the amended registration statement, and terminate our continuous offering. Through March 31, 2013 we had raised $3.3 million, including $0.3 million from unaffiliated investors, in net proceeds from our continuous offering. We will depend on the net proceeds of the offering described in the amended registration statement, and any future offerings in which we engage, together with the proceeds of debt financings, to meet our investment objectives of acquiring, owning and operating a portfolio of apartment properties. We will seek to enhance our growth through the use of prudent amounts of leverage. In general, we intend to limit our aggregate leverage to 70% of the combined initial purchase price of all of our real estate properties. During the period following the underwritten offering, we may employ greater leverage in order to more quickly build a diversified portfolio of assets

 

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Cash Flows

As of March 31, 2013 and 2012, we maintained cash and cash equivalents of approximately $2.7 million and $4.2 million, respectively. Our cash and cash equivalents were generated from the following activities (dollars in thousands):

 

     For the Three-Month Periods
Ended March 31
 
     2013     2012  

Cash flow from operating activities

   $ 1,381      $ 1,164   

Cash flow from investing activities

     (270     (392

Cash flow from financing activities

     (916     2,335   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     195        3,107   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     2,533        1,107   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 2,728      $ 4,214   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Our increased cash inflow from operating activities during the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 is due to the acquisition of a property on October 11, 2012 along with improved occupancy and rental rates.

The cash inflow from our financing activities during the three-month period ended March 31, 2012 is substantially due to the issuance of 300,000 shares of our common stock for $3.0 million in cash.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

None.

Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 contains a discussion of our critical accounting policies. Management discusses our critical accounting policies and management’s judgments and estimates with our Audit Committee.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the FASB issued an accounting standard classified under FASB ASC Topic 222, “Comprehensive Income”. This accounting standard amends existing guidance to improve the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income by requiring entities to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In addition, the entity is required to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement(s) where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. In December 2011, the FASB issued an accounting standard that deferred the new presentation requirements about reclassification adjustments. Both of these accounting standards are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods with those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of these standards did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Item 3. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosure About Market Risk.

There have been no material changes in quantitative and qualitative market risks during the three months ended March 31, 2013 from the disclosures included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. Reference is made to Item 7A included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act). Based upon, and as of the date of, the evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in our reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

None.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There have not been any material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A—“Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

During the three months ended March 31, 2013, our company did not repurchase any of our securities or issue any equity securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

On June 10, 2011, our Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-173391) for a continuous offering of a minimum of 250,000 shares and a maximum of 100,000,000 shares of common stock for sale to the public at a price of $10.00 per share (subject to certain discounts) in the primary offering and $9.50 per share pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan, which we refer to collectively as our offering, was initially declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. Independence Realty Securities, LLC, an affiliate of RAIT, is serving as the dealer manager for the offering. As of March 31, 2013, we had sold 336,300 shares of our common stock for $10.00 per share for total gross proceeds of $3,363,000, including 300,000 shares sold to RAIT NTR. Through the filing date of this report, we used $2,012,500 of the proceeds of our offering to partially fund the purchase price for Runaway Bay Apartments. As described above, we have filed the amended registration statement to terminate the continuous offering and describe a proposed underwritten offering.

From the effective date of our registration statement through March 31, 2013, we incurred actual selling commissions, dealer manager fees and organization and other offering costs in our offering in the amounts set forth below. The dealer manager reallowed all of the selling commissions and a portion of the dealer manager fee to participating broker-dealers.

 

Type of Expense

   Amount      Percentage of
Offering Proceeds
 

Selling commissions

   $ 25,410         0.76 %

Dealer manager fees

     10,890         0.32 %

Other organization and other offering costs

     33,630         1.00 %
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses related to the offering

   $ 69,930         2.08 %
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

From the commencement of the offering through March 31, 2013, the net offering proceeds to us, after deducting the total expenses related to the offering as described above, were $3,293,070. We have issued 258 shares pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan through March 31, 2013. On April 26, 2013, we filed the amended registration statement which reallocated the common stock available under the DRP to the underwritten offering and subsequently terminated the DRP.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

None.

 

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Item 5. Other Information.

The disclosure below is intended to satisfy any obligation of the Company to provide disclosure pursuant Item 1.01-“Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement” of Form 8-K.

Effective as of May 7, 2013, the operating partnership adopted the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Independence Realty Operating Partnership, LP, or the amended and restated operating partnership agreement. The amended and restated operating partnership agreement was adopted primarily to (i) eliminate the special units previously issued to RAIT NTR in connection with the amendment and restatement of the amended and restated advisory agreement described below and (ii) reflect the exchange of shares of the Company’s common stock for limited partnership common units of the operating partnership held by RAIT NTR and other wholly-owned subsidiaries of RAIT, or the RAIT subsidiaries, described below. As described in this report, the operating partnership is a subsidiary of the Company which serves as its operating partnership. A copy of the amended and restated operating partnership agreement is attached to this report as Exhibit 4.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Effective as of May 7, 2013, the Company, the operating partnership and the advisor entered into the Second Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement, or the amended and restated advisory agreement. The amended and restated advisory agreement was adopted primarily to adjust the advisor’s compensation and modify its duties to the Company. As described in this report, the advisor is a subsidiary of RAIT which serves as the Company’s advisor. A copy of the amended and restated advisory agreement is attached to this report as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The disclosure below is intended to satisfy any obligation of ours to provide disclosure pursuant (e) of Item 3.02 “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities” of Form 8-K.

On May 7, 2013, the Company contributed $1,000 to its newly formed wholly owned subsidiary, IRT Limited Partner, LLC, or the OP limited partner. The OP limited partner then contributed $1,000 to the operating partnership and the operating partnership issued the OP limited partner 100 common units of the operating partnership characterized as limited partnership interests. The common units of the operating partnership issued were issued in reliance on an exemption from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

On May 7, 2013, the Company issued an aggregate of 5,274,900 shares of its common stock to the RAIT subsidiaries in exchange for 5,274,900 common units of limited partnership interest in the operating partnership held by the RAIT subsidiaries. The exchange was effected pursuant to the terms of the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the operating partnership immediately prior to the effectiveness of the amended and restated operating partnership agreement described above. The Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the operating partnership provided that each holder of a common unit of the operating partnership had the right to cause the operating partnership to exchange the holder’s units for cash equal to the value of an equivalent number of shares of the Company’s common stock or, at the Company’s option, for shares of the Company’s common stock on a one-for-one basis. This right was not changed in the amended and restated operating partnership agreement described above. The Company exercised its option to exchange each holder’s units for the Company’s common stock. The shares of Company common stock issued were issued in reliance on an exemption from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

The disclosure below is intended to satisfy any obligation of ours to provide disclosure pursuant to Item 3.03-“Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders” and Item 5.03-“Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year” of Form 8-K.

The disclosure above concerning the amended and restated operating partnership agreement is incorporated herein by reference.

On May 7, 2013, the board of directors of the Company, or the board, adopted the Second Amendment and Restatement of the Company’s Bylaws, or the amended and restated bylaws. The changes included, among other things, removing requirements relating to the independent directors and also permitting stockholders to take action by written consent of stockholders holding the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize an action at a meeting of stockholders. A copy of the amended and restated bylaws is attached to this report as Exhibit 3.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.

On May 7, 2013, the board deemed advisable and submitted to RAIT NTR, as the holder of over 90% of the Company’s common stock, the Sixth Amendment to the Company’s charter, or the charter amendment, for approval. On May 7, 2013, RAIT NTR approved the charter amendment by written consent in accordance with the amended and restated bylaws. The changes included, among other things, removing financial requirements relating to the Company’s operations and other requirements. The charter amendment was filed with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation on May 7, 2013. A copy of the amended charter is attached to this report as Exhibit 3.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

The exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index (following the signatures section of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q) are included herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

    Independence Realty Trust, Inc.
Date: May 13, 2013     By:  

/ S / S COTT F. S CHAEFFER

      Scott F. Schaeffer
      Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President
      (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: May 13, 2013     By:  

/ S / J AMES J. S EBRA

      James J. Sebra
      Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
      (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

  

Description

    3.1    Sixth Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company, dated as of May 7, 2013.
    3.2    Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, dated as of May 7, 2013.
    4.1    Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Independence Realty Operating Partnership, LP, dated as of May 7, 2013.
  10.1   

Second Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement by and among the Company, Independence Realty Operating Partnership, LP and Independence Realty Advisors, LLC, dated as of May 7, 2013.

  31.1    Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  31.2    Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  32.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101    XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language). The following materials, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012, and (v) notes to the consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2013. As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information is furnished and not filed for purpose of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

24

Exhibit 3.1

SIXTH ARTICLES OF

AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

FOR

INDEPENDENCE REALTY TRUST, INC.

a Maryland corporation

FIRST: Independence Realty Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation, desires to amend and restate its charter as currently in effect and as hereinafter amended.

SECOND: The following provisions and Exhibit A are all the provisions of the charter currently in effect and as hereinafter amended:

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of the corporation is Independence Realty Trust, Inc. (the “ Company ”). So far as may be practicable, the business of the Company shall be conducted and transacted under that name. Under circumstances in which the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) determines that the use of the name “Independence Realty Trust, Inc.” is not practicable, it may use any other designation or name for the Company.

ARTICLE II

PURPOSES AND POWERS

The purposes for which the Company is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity (including, without limitation or obligation, qualifying and engaging in business as a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860, or any successor sections, of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”)), for which corporations may be organized under the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “ MGCL ”) and the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force.

ARTICLE III

RESIDENT AGENT AND PRINCIPAL OFFICE

The name and address of the resident agent for service of process of the Company in the State of Maryland is CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 1660, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The address of the Company’s principal office in the State of Maryland is c/o CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 1660, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The Company may have such other offices and places of business within or outside the State of Maryland as the Board may from time to time determine.

ARTICLE IV

STOCK

SECTION 4.1 AUTHORIZED SHARES. The total number of shares of stock (“ Shares ”) that the Company shall have authority to issue is 350,000,000 shares, of which (i) 300,000,000 shall be designated as common stock, $0.01 par value per Share (the “ Common Shares ”); and (ii) 50,000,000 shall be designated as preferred stock, $0.01 par value per Share (the “ Preferred Shares ”). The aggregate par value of all authorized Shares having par value is $3,500,000. If Shares of one (1) class of stock are classified or reclassified into Shares of another class of stock pursuant to Section 4.2(ii) or Section 4.3 of this Article IV, the number of authorized Shares of the former class shall be automatically decreased and the number of Shares of the latter class shall be automatically increased, in each case by the number of Shares so classified or reclassified, as the case may be, so that the aggregate number of Shares of all classes that the Company has authority to issue shall not be more than the total number of Shares set forth in the


first sentence of this Section 4.1. The Board, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board and subject to any preferential rights in favor of any class or series of Preferred Shares, and without any action by the stockholders, may amend the charter of the Company (as amended, corrected, supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the “ Charter ”) from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of Shares or the number of Shares of any class or series that the Company has authority to issue.

SECTION 4.2 COMMON SHARES.

(i) COMMON SHARES SUBJECT TO TERMS OF PREFERRED SHARES. The Common Shares shall be subject to the express terms of any class or series of Preferred Shares.

(ii) DESCRIPTION. Subject to Section 4.9 of this Article IV and except as may otherwise be specified in the Charter, each Common Share shall entitle the holder thereof to one (1) vote per share on all matters upon which stockholders are entitled to vote. The Board may classify or reclassify any unissued Common Shares from time to time into one (1) or more classes or series of stock.

(iii) DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS. The Board from time to time may authorize the Company to declare and pay to stockholders such dividends or other distributions in cash or other assets of the Company or in Securities, including in Shares of one class payable to holders of Shares of another class, or from any other source as the Board in its discretion shall determine. The Board shall endeavor to authorize the Company to declare and pay such dividends and other distributions as shall be necessary for the Company to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“ REIT ”), within the meaning of Sections 856 through 860 of the Code and any successor or other related provisions of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the Board has determined, in its sole discretion, that maintaining the Company’s qualification as a REIT is not in the best interests of the Company; provided, however, stockholders shall have no right to any dividend or other distribution unless and until authorized by the Board and declared by the Company. The exercise of the powers and rights of the Board pursuant to this section shall be subject to the provisions of any class or series of Shares at the time outstanding. As used in this Section 4.2 and throughout the Charter, “ Securities ” means any of the following issued by the Company, as the text requires: Shares, any other stock, shares or other evidences of equity or beneficial or other interests, voting trust certificates, bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in, temporary or interim certificates for, receipts for, guarantees of, or warrants, options or rights to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.

(iv) RIGHTS UPON LIQUIDATION. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or any distribution of the assets of the Company, the aggregate assets available for distribution to holders of the Common Shares shall be determined in accordance with applicable law. Each holder of Common Shares of a particular class shall be entitled to receive, ratably with each other holder of Common Shares of such class, that portion of such aggregate assets available for distribution (after payment of, or adequate provision for, the debts and liabilities of the Company) as the number of outstanding Common Shares of such class held by such holder bears to the total number of outstanding Common Shares of such class then outstanding. Other than as set forth in this Section 4.2, and subject to any preferential rights in favor of any class or series of Preferred Shares, the stockholders shall have no interest in any assets of the Company, and shall have no right to compel any partition or division of the Company or dividend or distribution of any assets of the Company.

(v) VOTING RIGHTS. Except as may be provided otherwise in the Charter, and subject to the express terms of any class or series of Preferred Shares, the holders of the Common Shares shall have the exclusive right to vote on all matters (as to which a common stockholder shall be entitled to vote pursuant to applicable law) at all meetings of the stockholders.

SECTION 4.3 PREFERRED SHARES. The Board may classify any unissued Preferred Shares and reclassify any previously classified but unissued Preferred Shares of any series from time to time, into one (1) or more classes or series of Shares.

SECTION 4.4 RESERVED.


SECTION 4.5 CLASSIFIED OR RECLASSIFIED SHARES. Prior to issuance of classified or reclassified Shares of any class or series, the Board by resolution shall: (a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of Shares; (b) specify the number of Shares to be included in the class or series; (c) set or change, subject to the provisions of Section 4.9 and the express terms of any class or series of Shares outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series of Shares; and (d) cause the Company to file articles supplementary with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland. Any of the terms of any class or series of Shares set or changed pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 4.5 may be made dependent upon facts or events ascertainable outside the Charter (including determinations by the Board or other facts or events within the control of the Company) and may vary among holders thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts, events or variations shall operate upon the terms of such class or series of Shares is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles supplementary or other charter document.

SECTION 4.6 STOCKHOLDERS’ CONSENT IN LIEU OF MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting, in writing or by electronic transmission, in any manner permitted by the MGCL and set forth in the Bylaws of the Company, as amended from time to time (the “ Bylaws ”).

SECTION 4.7 CHARTER AND BYLAWS. The rights of all stockholders and the terms of all Shares are subject to the provisions of the Charter and the Bylaws.

SECTION 4.8 RESERVED.

SECTION 4.9 RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER.

(i) DEFINITIONS. For purposes of the Charter, including this Section 4.9, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

AGGREGATE SHARE OWNERSHIP LIMIT ” means 9.8% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding Shares and 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of any class or series of Shares, or such other percentage determined by the Board in accordance with Section 4.9(ii)(h).

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP ” means ownership of Shares by a Person, whether the interest in the Shares is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Sections 856(h)(1)(B) and 856(h)(3) of the Code. The terms “ Beneficial Owner ,” “ Beneficially Owns ” and “ Beneficially Owned ” shall have the correlative meanings.

BUSINESS DAY ” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

CHARITABLE BENEFICIARY ” means one (1) or more beneficiaries of the Trust as determined pursuant to Section 4.9(iii)(f), provided that each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.

CONSTRUCTIVE OWNERSHIP ” means ownership of Shares by a Person, whether the interest in the Shares is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms “ Constructive Owner ,” “ Constructively Owns ” and “ Constructively Owned ” shall have the correlative meanings.

EXCEPTED HOLDER ” means a stockholder for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by the Board pursuant to Section 4.9(ii)(g).

EXCEPTED HOLDER LIMIT ” means, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the requirements established by the Board pursuant to Section 4.9(ii)(g), and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 4.9(ii)(h), the percentage limit established by the Board pursuant to Section 4.9(ii)(g).


MARKET PRICE ” on any date means, with respect to any class or series of outstanding Shares, the closing price for such Shares on such date. The “ closing price ” on any date shall mean the last sale price for such Shares, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such Shares, in either case as reported on the principal national securities exchange on which such Shares are Listed or admitted to trading or, if such Shares are not Listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the principal automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such Shares are not quoted by any such system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Shares selected by the Board or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Shares, the fair market value of the Shares, as determined in good faith by the Board.

NYSE ” means the New York Stock Exchange.

OFFERING ” means any public offering and sale of Shares pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act.

PERSON ” means an individual, corporation, partnership, estate, trust (including a trust qualified under Sections 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company or other legal entity and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act and a group to which an Excepted Holder Limit (as defined in Section 4.9(i) hereof) applies.

PROHIBITED OWNER ” means, with respect to any purported Transfer, any Person who, but for the provisions of Section 4.9(ii)(a), would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares, and if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of the Shares that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.

RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE ” means the first day on which the Board determines pursuant to Section 6.3 that it is no longer in the best interests of the Company to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of Shares set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Company to qualify as a REIT.

TRANSFER ” means any issuance, sale, transfer, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition, as well as any other event that causes any Person to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Shares or the right to vote or receive dividends on Shares, or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, including (a) the granting or exercise of any option (or any disposition of any option), (b) any disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Shares or any interest in Shares or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right and (c) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Shares; in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, Constructively Owned or Beneficially Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. The terms “ Transferring ” and “ Transferred ” shall have the correlative meanings.

TRUST ” means any trust provided for in Section 4.9(iii)(a).

TRUSTEE ” means any Person unaffiliated with the Company and a Prohibited Owner, that is appointed by the Company to serve as trustee of a Trust.

(ii) SHARES.

(a) OWNERSHIP LIMITATIONS. Prior to the Restriction Termination Date, but subject to Section 4.10:

(I) BASIC RESTRICTIONS.

(A)(1) No Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares in excess of the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit and (2) no Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.


(B) No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares to the extent that such Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of Shares would result in the Company being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year), or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT (including, but not limited to, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership that would result in the Company actually owning or Constructively Owning an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the Company from such tenant would cause the Company to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code).

(C) Any Transfer of Shares that, if effective, would result in Shares being Beneficially Owned by fewer than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Shares.

(II) TRANSFER IN TRUST. If any Transfer of Shares occurs which, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning Shares in violation of Section 4.9(ii)(a)(I)(A) or (B),

(A) then that number of Shares the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 4.9(ii)(a)(I)(A) or (B) (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically Transferred to a Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 4.9(iii), effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer, and such Person shall acquire no rights in such Shares; or

(B) if the Transfer to the Trust described in clause (A) of this Section 4.9(ii)(a)(II) would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 4.9(ii)(a)(I)(A) or (B) then the Transfer of that number of Shares that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 4.9(ii)(a)(I)(A) or (B) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Shares.

(III) To the extent that, upon a transfer of Shares pursuant to Section 4.9(ii)(a)(II), a violation of any provision of this Section 4.9 would nonetheless be continuing (for example where the ownership of Shares by a single Trust would violate the 100 stockholder requirement applicable to REITs), then Shares shall be transferred to that number of Trusts, each having a distinct Trustee and a Charitable Beneficiary or Beneficiaries that are distinct from those of each other Trust, such that there is not violation of any provision of this Section 4.9.

(b) REMEDIES FOR BREACH. If the Board or any duly authorized committee thereof shall at any time determine in good faith that a Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 4.9(ii)(a) or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any Shares in violation of Section 4.9(ii)(a) (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board or a committee thereof shall take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or other event, including, without limitation, causing the Company to redeem Shares, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Company or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event; provided, however, that any Transfer or attempted Transfer or other event in violation of Section 4.9(ii)(a) shall automatically result in the Transfer to the Trust described above, and, where applicable, such Transfer (or other event) shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board or a committee thereof.

(c) NOTICE OF RESTRICTED TRANSFER. Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Shares that will or may violate Section 4.9(ii)(a)(I)(A) or (B) or any Person who would have owned Shares that resulted in a Transfer to the Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.9(ii)(a)(II) shall immediately give written notice to the Company of such event, or in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Company such other information as the Company may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Company’s status as a REIT.

(d) OWNERS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION. Prior to the Restriction Termination Date:

(I) every owner of more than five percent (5%) (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) of the outstanding Shares, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the Company stating the name and address of such owner, the number


of Shares Beneficially Owned and a description of the manner in which such Shares are held. Each such owner shall provide to the Company such additional information as the Company may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership on the Company’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit; and

(II) each Person who is a Beneficial Owner or a Constructive Owner of Shares and each Person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding Shares for a Beneficial Owner or a Constructive Owner shall provide to the Company such information as the Company may request, in good faith, in order to determine the Company’s status as a REIT and to comply with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.

(e) REMEDIES NOT LIMITED. Subject to Section 6.3 of the Charter, nothing contained in this Section 4.9(ii)(e) shall limit the authority of the Board to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Company and the interests of its stockholders in preserving the Company’s status as a REIT.

(f) AMBIGUITY. In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Section 4.9(ii), Section 4.9(iii), or any definition contained in Section 4.9(i), the Board shall have the power to determine the application of the provisions of this Section 4.9(ii) or Section 4.9(iii) or any such definition with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event Section 4.9(ii) or Section 4.9(iii) requires an action by the Board and the Charter fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Section 4.9. Absent a decision to the contrary by the Board (which the Board may make in its sole and absolute discretion), if a Person would have (but for the remedies set forth in Section 4.9(ii)(b)) acquired Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Shares in violation of Section 4.9(ii)(a), such remedies (as applicable) shall apply first to the Shares which, but for such remedies, would have been actually owned by such Person, and second to Shares which, but for such remedies, would have been Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned (but not actually owned) by such Person, pro rata among the Persons who actually own such Shares based upon the relative number of the Shares held by each such Person.

(g) EXCEPTIONS.

(I) Subject to Section 4.9(ii)(a)(I)(B), the Board, in its sole discretion, may (prospectively or retroactively) exempt a Person from the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit and may establish or increase an Excepted Holder Limit for such Person if such Person agrees that any violation or attempted violation of Sections 4.9(ii)(a)(I)(B) and 4.9(ii)(a)(I)(C) or any representations or undertakings on which the Board has conditioned such exemption or Excepted Holder Limit (or other action which is contrary to the restrictions contained in Section 4.9(ii)(a) through Section 4.9(ii)(f)) will result in such Shares being automatically Transferred to a Trust in accordance with Section 4.9(ii)(A)(II) and Section 4.9(iii).

(II) Prior to granting any exception pursuant to Section 4.9(ii)(g), the Board may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board in its sole discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Company’s status as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such exception.

(III) Subject to Section 4.9(ii)(a)(I)(B), an underwriter which participates in an Offering or a private placement of Shares (or Securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares (or Securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) in excess of the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such Offering or private placement.

(IV) The Board may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an Excepted Holder: (1) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder at any time, or (2) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit.

(h) INCREASE OR DECREASE IN AGGREGATE SHARE OWNERSHIP LIMIT. Subject to Section 4.9(ii)(a)(I)(B), the Board may from time to time increase the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit for one


(1) or more Persons and decrease the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit for all other Persons; provided, however, that the decreased Aggregate Share Ownership Limit will not be effective for any Person whose percentage ownership of Shares is in excess of such decreased Aggregate Share Ownership Limit until such time as such Person’s percentage of Shares equals or falls below the decreased Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, but any further acquisition of Shares in excess of such percentage ownership of Shares will be in violation of the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit and, provided further, that the new Aggregate Share Ownership Limit would not allow five or fewer Persons to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own more than 49.9% in value of the outstanding Shares.

(i) NOTICE TO STOCKHOLDERS UPON ISSUANCE OR TRANSFER. Upon issuance or Transfer of Shares prior to the Restriction Termination Date, the Company shall provide the recipient with a notice containing information about the Shares purchased or otherwise Transferred, in lieu of issuance of a share certificate, in a form substantially similar to the following:

LEGENDS. Prior to the Restriction Termination Date, each certificate for shares of Capital Stock, if certificated, or any written statement of information in lieu of a certificate delivered to a holder of uncertificated shares of Capital Stock shall bear substantially the following legend:

The securities of Independence Realty Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) are subject to restrictions on Beneficial and Constructive Ownership and Transfer for the purpose, among others, of the Company’s maintenance of its status as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Subject to certain further restrictions and except as expressly provided in the Company’s charter, (i) no Person may Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares in excess of 9.8% of the value of the total outstanding Shares or in excess of 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of any class or series of Shares unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (ii) no Person may Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares that would result in the Company being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause the Company to fail to qualify as a REIT; and (iii) any Transfer of Shares that, if effective, would result in the Shares of the Company being owned by fewer than 100 Persons (as determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Shares. Any Person who Beneficially or Constructively Owns or attempts to Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares which causes or will cause a Person to Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares in excess or in violation of the above limitations must immediately notify the Company in writing (or, in the case of an attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice). If any of the restrictions on transfer or ownership as set forth in (i) and (ii) are violated, the Shares in excess or in violation of the above limitations will be automatically transferred to a Trustee of a Trust for the benefit of one (1) or more Charitable Beneficiaries. In addition, the Company may redeem shares upon the terms and conditions specified by the Board in its sole discretion if the Board determines that ownership or a Transfer or other event may violate the restrictions described above. Furthermore, upon the occurrence of certain events, attempted Transfers in violation of the restrictions described in (i) and (ii) above may be void ab initio . All capitalized terms in this notice have the meanings defined in the Company’s charter, as the same may be amended from time to time, a copy of which, including the restrictions on transfer and ownership, will be furnished to each holder of Shares on request and without charge. Requests for such a copy may be directed to the Secretary of the Company at its principal office.

(iii) TRANSFER OF SHARES IN TRUST.

(a) OWNERSHIP IN TRUST. Upon any purported Transfer or other event described in Section 4.9(ii)(a)(II) that would result in a Transfer of Shares to a Trust, such Shares shall be Transferred to the Trustee as trustee of a Trust for the exclusive benefit of one (1) or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such Transfer to the Trustee shall be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or other event that results in the Transfer to the Trust pursuant to Section 4.9(ii)(a)(II). The Trustee shall be appointed by the Company and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Company and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Company as provided in Section 4.9(iii)(f).

(b) STATUS OF SHARES HELD BY THE TRUSTEE. Shares held by the Trustee shall be issued and outstanding Shares. The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the Shares held in trust by the Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any Shares held in trust by the Trustee, shall


have no rights to dividends or other distributions and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the Shares held in the Trust.

(c) DIVIDEND AND VOTING RIGHTS. The Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to Shares held in the Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Company that the Shares have been Transferred to the Trustee shall be paid by the recipient of such dividend or other distribution to the Trustee upon demand and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Trustee. Any dividend or other distribution so paid to the Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares held in the Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the Shares have been Transferred to the Trustee, the Trustee shall have the authority (at the Trustee’s sole discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Company that the Shares have been Transferred to the Trustee and (ii) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary; provided, however, that if the Company has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4.9, until the Company has received notification that Shares have been Transferred into a Trust, the Company shall be entitled to rely on its stock Transfer and other stockholder records for purposes of preparing lists of stockholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of stockholders.

(d) SALE OF SHARES BY TRUSTEE. Within 20 days of receiving notice from the Company that Shares have been Transferred to the Trust, the Trustee shall sell the Shares held in the Trust to a Person, designated by the Trustee, whose ownership of the Shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 4.9(ii)(a)(I) or (II). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the Shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 4.9(iii)(d). The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the Shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the Shares in connection with the event causing the Shares to be held in the Trust (e.g., in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the Shares on the day of the event causing the Shares to be held in the Trust and (2) the price per Share received by the Trustee from the sale or other disposition of the Shares held in the Trust. The Trustee may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.9(iii)(c). Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Company that Shares have been Transferred to the Trustee, such Shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such Shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such Shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 4.9, such excess shall be paid to the Trustee upon demand.

(e) PURCHASE RIGHT IN STOCK TRANSFERRED TO THE TRUSTEE. Shares Transferred to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Company, or its designee, at a price per Share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per Share in the transaction that resulted in such Transfer to the Trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the Market Price at the time of such devise or gift) and (ii) the Market Price on the date the Company, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Company may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions which has been paid to the Prohibited Owner and is owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.9(iii)(c). The Company may pay the amount of such reduction to the Trustee for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. The Company shall have the right to accept such offer until the Trustee has sold the Shares held in the Trust pursuant to Section 4.9(iii)(d). Upon such a sale to the Company, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the Shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner.

(f) DESIGNATION OF CHARITABLE BENEFICIARIES. By written notice to the Trustee, the Company shall designate one (1) or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in the Trust such that (i) the Shares held in the Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 4.9(ii)(a)(I) or (II) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary and (ii) each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.


SECTION 4.10 SETTLEMENTS. Nothing in Section 4.9 shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall not negate the effect of any provision of Sections 4.9, and any transfer in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in Section 4.9.

SECTION 4.11 SEVERABILITY. If any provision of Section 4.9 or any application of any such provision is determined to be void, invalid or unenforceable by any court having jurisdiction over the issue, the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of Section 4.9 shall not be affected and other applications of such provision shall be affected only to the extent necessary to comply with the determination of such court.

SECTION 4.12 ENFORCEMENT. The Company is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of Section 4.9.

SECTION 4.13 NON-WAIVER. No delay or failure on the part of the Company or the Board in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Company or the Board, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.

SECTION 4.14 PREEMPTIVE AND APPRAISAL RIGHTS. Except as may be provided by the Board in setting the terms of classified or reclassified Shares pursuant to Section 4.5 or as may otherwise be provided by contract approved by the Board, no holder of Shares shall, as such holder, have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional Shares or any other Security which it may issue or sell. Holders of Shares shall not be entitled to exercise any rights of an objecting stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 or Title 3, Subtitle 7 of the MGCL or any successor statute unless the Board, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board, shall determine that such rights apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of Shares, to one (1) or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such Shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights.

SECTION 4.15 EXTRAORDINARY ACTIONS. Notwithstanding any provision of law permitting or requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of Shares entitled to cast a greater number of votes, any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable by the Board and taken or approved by the affirmative vote of holders of Shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

ARTICLE V

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 5.1 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS. The number of directors of the Company (each a “ Director ” and collectively the “ Directors ”) shall be four, which number may be increased or decreased only by the Board from time to time pursuant to the Bylaws; provided, however, that the number of Directors shall not be fewer than the minimum number required by the MGCL. The Company elects, at such time as it becomes eligible to make the election provided for under Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL, that, except as may be provided by the Board in setting the terms of any class or series of Preferred Shares, any and all vacancies on the Board may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors in office, even if the remaining Directors do not constitute a quorum, and any Director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred. No reduction in the number of Directors shall cause the removal of any Director from office prior to the expiration of his term, except as may otherwise be provided in the terms of any Preferred Shares. For the purposes of voting for Directors, each Share may be voted for as many individuals as there are Directors to be elected and for whose election the Share is entitled to be voted. Cumulative voting for Directors is prohibited.

The names of the current Directors who shall serve on the Board until the next annual meeting of the stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify are:

Scott F. Schaeffer

William C. Dunkelberg

Robert F. McCadden


DeForest B. Soaries, Jr.

SECTION 5.2 RESIGNATION, REMOVAL OR DEATH. Any Director may resign by written notice to the Board, effective upon execution and delivery to the Company of such written notice or upon any future date specified in the notice. Any Director or the entire Board may be removed from office but only for cause and then only by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of the Shares then outstanding and entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, subject to the rights of any Preferred Shares to vote for such Directors. For the purpose of this paragraph, “cause” shall mean, with respect to any particular director, conviction of a felony or a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holding that such director caused demonstrable, material harm to the Company through bad faith or active and deliberate dishonesty.

ARTICLE VI

POWERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 6.1 GENERAL. The business and affairs of the Company shall be managed under the direction of the Board. The Board may take any action that, in its sole judgment and discretion, is necessary or desirable to conduct the business of the Company. The Charter shall be construed with a presumption in favor of the grant of power and authority to the Board. Any construction of the Charter or determination made in good faith by the Board concerning its powers and authority hereunder shall be conclusive. 

SECTION 6.2 AUTHORIZATION BY BOARD OF STOCK ISSUANCE. The Board may authorize the issuance from time to time of Shares of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or Securities or rights convertible into Shares of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board may deem advisable (or without consideration in the case of a stock split or stock dividend), subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the Charter or the Bylaws.

SECTION 6.3 REIT QUALIFICATION. The Board shall use its reasonable best efforts to take such actions as are necessary or appropriate to preserve the status of the Company as a REIT; however, if the Board determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Company to continue to be qualified as a REIT, the Board may revoke or otherwise terminate the Company’s REIT election pursuant to Section 856(g) of the Code. The Board also may determine that compliance with any restriction or limitation on stock ownership and transfers set forth in Section 4.9 of Article IV is no longer required for REIT qualification.

SECTION 6.4 DETERMINATIONS BY BOARD. The determination as to any of the following matters, made by or pursuant to the direction of the Board, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Company and every holder of Shares: the amount of the net income of the Company for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, redemption of Shares or the payment of other distributions on Shares; the amount of paid-in surplus, net assets, other surplus, annual or other cash flow, funds from operations, net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged); any interpretation or resolution of any ambiguity with respect to any provision of the Charter (including the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any class or series of Shares) or the Bylaws; the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Company or any Shares; the number of Shares of any class; any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Company; any interpretation of the terms and conditions of one or more agreements with any person, corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other organization or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Company or required or permitted by applicable law, the Charter or the Bylaws or otherwise to be determined by the Board.

SECTION 6.5 ADVISOR AGREEMENTS. Subject to such approval of stockholders and other conditions, if any, as may be required by any applicable statute, rule or regulation, the Board may authorize the execution and performance by the Company of one or more agreements with any person, corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other organization whereby, subject to the supervision and control of the Board, any such other person, corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other


organization shall render or make available to the Company managerial, investment, advisory and/or related services, office space and other services and facilities (including, if deemed advisable by the Board, the management or supervision of the investments of the Company) upon such terms and conditions as may be provided in such agreement or agreements (including, if deemed fair and equitable by the Board, the compensation payable thereunder by the Company).

ARTICLE VII

LIABILITY OF STOCKHOLDERS, DIRECTORS AND THE COMPANY

SECTION 7.1 LIMITATION OF STOCKHOLDER LIABILITY. No stockholder shall be liable for any debt, claim, demand, judgment or obligation of any kind of, against or with respect to the Company by reason of being a stockholder, nor shall any stockholder be subject to any personal liability whatsoever, in tort, contract or otherwise, to any person in connection with the Company’s assets or the affairs of the Company by reason of being a stockholder.

SECTION 7.2 LIMITATION OF DIRECTOR AND OFFICER LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION.

(a) To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits the limitation of the liability of directors and officers of a corporation, no present or former Director or officer of the Company shall be liable to the Company or its stockholders for money damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Section 7.2(a), nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or Bylaws inconsistent with this Section 7.2(a), shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

(b) The Company shall have the power, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to obligate itself to indemnify, and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (i) any individual who is a present or former Director or officer of the Company and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (ii) any individual who, while a Director or officer of the Company and at the request of the Company, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, member, manager or trustee of another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise from and against any claim or liability to which such person may become subject or which such person may incur by reason of his or her service in such capacity. The rights to indemnification and advance of expenses provided hereby shall vest immediately upon election of a Director or officer. The Company shall have the power, with the approval of the Board, to provide such indemnification and advancement of expenses to a person who served a predecessor of the Company in any of the capacities described in (i) or (ii) above and to any employee or agent of the Company or a predecessor of the Company.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

The Company reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment to its Charter, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of any outstanding Shares. All rights and powers conferred by the Charter on stockholders, Directors and officers are granted subject to this reservation. All references to the Charter shall include all amendments thereto. Except for amendments permitted to be made without stockholder approval under Maryland law or by specific provision in the Charter, any amendment to the Charter shall be valid only if the Board has adopted a resolution setting forth the proposed amendment and declaring such amendment advisable and such amendment is approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

THIRD: The amendment and restatement of the charter as hereinabove set forth has been duly advised by the Board of Directors of the Company and approved by the stockholders of the Company as required by law.

FOURTH: The current address of the principal office of the Company is as set forth in Article III of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.


FIFTH: The name and address of the Company’s current resident agent are as set forth in Article III of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

SIXTH: The number of directors of the Company and the names of the Directors currently in office are as set forth in Section 5.1 of Article V of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

SEVENTH: The undersigned acknowledges these Sixth Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be the corporate act of the Company and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Independence Realty Trust, Inc. has caused these Sixth Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Chief Executive Officer and President, and attested by its Secretary, on this 7th day of May, 2013.

 

ATTEST:     INDEPENDENCE REALTY TRUST, INC.
By:  

/s/ Anders Laren

    By:  

/s/ Scott F. Schaeffer

  Anders Laren       Scott F. Schaeffer
  Secretary       Chief Executive Officer and President


EXHIBIT A

12.5% SERIES A CUMULATIVE NON-VOTING PREFERRED STOCK.

(i) DESIGNATION AND NUMBER. A series of Preferred Shares, designated the “12.5% Series A Cumulative Non-Voting Preferred Stock” (the “ Series A Preferred Stock ”), is hereby established. The total number of authorized shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be one hundred and twenty five (125).

(ii) RANK. The Series A Preferred Stock shall, with respect to dividend and redemption rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, rank senior to all classes or series of Common Shares and to all other equity securities issued by the Company from time to time which, by their terms, provide that the Series A Preferred Stock shall rank senior to such other equity securities with respect to such rights (together with the Common Shares, the “ Junior Securities ”). The term “ Equity Securities ” shall not include convertible debt securities issued by the Company.

(iii) DIVIDENDS.

(a) Each holder of the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when and as authorized by the Board and declared by the Company, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative preferential cash dividends per share of Series A Preferred Stock at the rate of 12.5% per annum of the total of $1,000.00 plus all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon. Such dividends shall accrue on outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock on a daily basis and be cumulative from the first date on which any share of Series A Preferred Stock is issued, such issue date to be contemporaneous with the receipt by the Company of subscription funds for the Series A Preferred Stock (the “ Original Issue Date ”), and shall be payable semi-annually in arrears on or before June 30 and December 31 of each year (each a “ Dividend Payment Date ”); provided , however , that if any Dividend Payment Date is not a business day, then the dividend which would otherwise have been payable on such Dividend Payment Date may be paid on the preceding business day or the following business day with the same force and effect as if paid on such Dividend Payment Date. Any dividend payable on the Series A Preferred Stock for any partial Dividend Period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months (it being understood that the dividend payable on June 30, 2012 will be for less than a full Dividend Period). A “ Dividend Period ” shall mean, with respect to the first Dividend Period, the period from and including the Original Issue Date to and including the first Dividend Payment Date, and with respect to each subsequent Dividend Period, the period from but excluding a Dividend Payment Date to and including the next succeeding Dividend Payment Date or other date as of which accrued dividends are to be calculated. Dividends will be payable to holders of record as they appear in the share records of the Company at the close of business on the applicable record date, which shall be the fifteenth day of the calendar month in which the applicable Dividend Payment Date falls or on such other date designated by the Board for the payment of dividends that is not more than 30 nor less than 10 days prior to such Dividend Payment Date (each, a “ Dividend Record Date ”).

(b) No dividends on shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be declared by the Company or paid or set apart for payment by the Company at such time as the terms and provisions of any written agreement between the Company and any party that is not an affiliate of the Company, including any agreement relating to its indebtedness, prohibit such declaration, payment or setting apart for payment or provide that such declaration, payment or setting apart for payment would constitute a breach thereof or a default thereunder, or if such declaration, payment or setting apart for payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law. For purposes hereof, “ affiliate ” shall mean any party that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock shall accrue whether or not the terms and provisions set forth in Section (iii)(b) of this Exhibit A at any time prohibit the current payment of dividends, whether or not the Company has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such dividends and whether or not such dividends are authorized or declared. Furthermore, dividends will be declared and paid when due in all events to the fullest extent permitted by law and except as provided in Section (iii)(b) of this Exhibit A. Accrued but unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock will accumulate as of the Dividend Payment Date on which they first become payable.


(d) Unless full cumulative dividends on all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment for all past Dividend Periods, no dividends (other than in Junior Securities) shall be declared and paid or declared and set apart for payment nor shall any other distribution be declared and made upon any Junior Securities, nor shall any Junior Securities be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such Junior Securities) by the Company (except by conversion into or exchange for other Junior Securities and except for transfers, redemptions or purchases made pursuant to the provisions of this Exhibit A).

(e) When dividends are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not set apart) on the Series A Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon the Series A Preferred Stock shall be declared and paid pro rata based on the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding.

(f) Any dividend payment made on shares of the Series A Preferred Stock shall first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividend due with respect to such shares which remains payable. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property or shares, in excess of full cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock as described above.

(iv) LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE.

(a) Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding are entitled to be paid, or have the Company declare and set apart for payment, out of the assets of the Company legally available for distribution to its stockholders, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of any Junior Securities, a liquidation preference per share of Series A Preferred Stock equal to the sum of the following (collectively, the “ Liquidation Preference ”): (i) $1,000.00, (ii) all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon through and including the earlier of the date of payment or the date that funds are set apart for payment, and (iii) if a Redemption Premium (as defined below) would be payable upon the redemption of shares of Series A Preferred Stock in accordance with Section (iv)(a) of this Exhibit A, the per share Redemption Premium in effect on the earlier of the date of payment or the date that funds are set apart for payment of the Liquidation Preference. In the event that the Company elects to set apart the Liquidation Preference for payment, the Series A Preferred Stock shall remain outstanding until the holders thereof are paid the full Liquidation Preference therefor, which payment shall be made no later than immediately prior to the Company making its final liquidating distribution on the Common Shares. In the event that the Redemption Premium in effect on the payment date is less than the Redemption Premium on the date that the Liquidation Preference was set apart for payment, the Company may make a corresponding reduction to the funds set apart for payment of the Liquidation Preference.

(b) In the event that, upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the available assets of the Company are insufficient to pay the full amount of the Liquidation Preference on all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, then the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full Liquidation Preference to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.

(c) After payment of the full amount of the Liquidation Preference to which they are entitled, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Company.

(d) Upon the Company’s provision of written notice as to the effective date of any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, accompanied by a check in the amount of the full Liquidation Preference to which each record holder of the Series A Preferred Stock is entitled, the Series A Preferred Stock shall no longer be deemed outstanding shares of stock of the Company and all rights of the holders of such shares will terminate. Such notice shall be given by first class mail, postage pre-paid, to each record holder of the Series A Preferred Stock at the respective mailing addresses of such holders as the same shall appear on the stock transfer records of the Company.

(e) The consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other business enterprise or of any other business enterprise with or into the Company, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Company, shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.


(v) REDEMPTION.

(a) Right of Optional Redemption. The Company, at its option, may redeem shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, for cash at a redemption price per share of Series A Preferred Stock (the “ Redemption Price ”) equal to $1,000.00 plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to and including the date fixed for redemption (except as provided in Section (v)(c) of this Exhibit A), plus a redemption premium per share (each, a “ Redemption Premium ”) calculated as follows based on the date fixed for redemption:

(I) until December 31, 2013, $100, and

(II) thereafter, no Redemption Premium.

If less than all of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed may be selected by any equitable method determined by the Company provided that such method does not result in the creation of fractional shares.

(b) Limitations on Redemption. Unless full cumulative dividends on all shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have been, or contemporaneously are, declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment for all past Dividend Periods, no shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Company unless all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock are simultaneously redeemed or acquired, and the Company shall not purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any Junior Securities (except by exchange for Junior Securities); provided , however , that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase by the Company of shares transferred to a Charitable Beneficiary pursuant to this Exhibit A in order to ensure that the Company remains qualified as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes or the purchase or acquisition of shares of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock.

(c) Rights to Dividends on Shares Called for Redemption. Immediately prior to or upon any redemption of Series A Preferred Stock, the Company shall pay, in cash, any accrued and unpaid dividends to and including the redemption date, unless a redemption date falls after a Dividend Record Date and prior to the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, in which case each holder of Series A Preferred Stock at the close of business on such Dividend Record Date shall be entitled to the dividend payable on such shares on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date notwithstanding the redemption of such shares before such Dividend Payment Date.

(d) Procedures for Redemption.

(I) Upon the Company’s provision of written notice as to the effective date of the redemption, accompanied by a check in the amount of the full Redemption Price through such effective date to which each record holder of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed is entitled or, if the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed are represented by certificates, the setting apart of such amount pursuant to Section (v)(d)(III) of this Exhibit A, shares of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be redeemed and shall no longer be deemed outstanding shares of stock of the Company and all rights of the holders of such shares will terminate. Such notice shall be given by first class mail, postage pre-paid, to each record holder of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed at the respective mailing addresses of such holders as the same shall appear on the stock transfer records of the Company. No failure to give such notice or any defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given.

(II) In addition to any information required by law or by the applicable rules of any exchange upon which Series A Preferred Stock may be listed or admitted to trading, such notice shall state: (A) the redemption date; (B) the Redemption Price; (C) the place or places where the Series A Preferred Stock are to be surrendered (if so required in the notice) for payment of the Redemption Price (if not otherwise included with the notice); and (D) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such redemption date. If less than all of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by any holder are to be redeemed, the notice mailed to such holder shall also specify the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by such holder to be redeemed.


(III) If notice of redemption of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock has been given and if the funds necessary for such redemption have been set apart by the Company for the benefit of the holders of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock so called for redemption, then, from and after the redemption date, dividends will cease to accrue on such shares of Series A Preferred Stock, such shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the holders of such shares will terminate, except the right to receive the Redemption Price therefor. If the Company shall so require and the notice of redemption shall so state, holders of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall surrender the certificates representing such Series A Preferred Stock, to the extent that such shares are certificated, at the place designated in such notice and, upon surrender in accordance with said notice of the certificates representing shares of Series A Preferred Stock so redeemed (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Company shall so require and the notice shall so state), such shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be redeemed by the Company at the Redemption Price. In case less than all of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock represented by any such certificate are redeemed, a new certificate or certificates shall be issued representing the unredeemed shares of Series A Preferred Stock without cost to the holder thereof. In the event that the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed are uncertificated, such shares shall be redeemed in accordance with the notice and no further action on the part of the holders of such shares shall be required.

(IV) The deposit of funds with a bank or trust company for the purpose of redeeming Series A Preferred Stock shall be irrevocable except that:

(A) the Company shall be entitled to receive from such bank or trust company the interest or other earnings, if any, earned on any money so deposited in trust, and the holders of any shares redeemed shall have no claim to such interest or other earnings; and

(B) any balance of monies so deposited by the Company and unclaimed by the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock entitled thereto at the expiration of two years from the applicable redemption dates shall be repaid, together with any interest or other earnings thereon, to the Company, and after any such repayment, the holders of the shares entitled to the funds so repaid to the Company shall look only to the Company for payment of the Redemption Price without interest or other earnings.

(e) Application of Exhibit A. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock are subject to the provisions of this Exhibit A, including, without limitation, the provision for the redemption of shares transferred to the Trust for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary.

(f) Status of Redeemed Shares. Any shares of Series A Preferred Stock that shall at any time have been redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Company shall, after such redemption or acquisition, have the status of authorized but unissued Preferred Shares without designation as to series until such shares are once more classified and designated as part of a particular series by the Board.

(vi) VOTING RIGHTS. Except as provided in this Exhibit A, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any matter submitted to the stockholders of the Company for a vote. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, shall be required for (a) authorization or issuance of any equity security of the Company senior to or on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, (b) any reclassification of the Series A Preferred Stock or (c) any amendment to this Charter, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise (an “ Event ”), which amendment materially and adversely affects any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Series A Preferred Stock or increases the number of authorized shares of Series A Preferred Stock to a number greater than 125; provided , however , with respect to the occurrence of any Event, so long as the Series A Preferred Stock remains outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged or the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock receive Equity Securities of the successor or survivor of such Event with substantially identical rights as the Series A Preferred Stock, taking into account that, upon the occurrence of an Event, the Company may not be the surviving entity or the surviving entity may not be a corporation, the occurrence of such Event shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series A Preferred Stock and in such case the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not have any voting rights with respect to the occurrence of such Event unless the number of authorized shares of Series A Preferred Stock is increased to a number greater than 125.


(vii) EXCLUSION OF OTHER RIGHTS. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock are not convertible into or exchangeable for any other property or Securities. The Series A Preferred Stock shall have no preemptive or subscription rights. The Series A Preferred Stock shall not have any preferences or other rights other than those specifically set forth herein.

Exhibit 3.2

INDEPENDENCE REALTY TRUST, INC.

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE . The principal office of the Independence Realty Trust, Inc. (the “Corporation”) in the State of Maryland shall be located at such place as the Board of Directors may designate.

Section 2. ADDITIONAL OFFICES . The Corporation may have additional offices, including a principal executive office, at such places as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. PLACE . All meetings of stockholders shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at such other place as shall be set in accordance with these Bylaws and stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING . An annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of any business within the powers of the Corporation shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the Board of Directors.

Section 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS .

(a) General . Each of the chairman of the Board of Directors, chief executive officer, president and Board of Directors may call a special meeting of stockholders. Except as provided in subsection (b)(4) of this Section 3, a special meeting of stockholders shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the chairman of the Board of Directors, chief executive officer, president or Board of Directors, whoever has called the meeting. Subject to subsection (b) of this Section 3, a special meeting of stockholders shall also be called by the secretary of the Corporation to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting.

(b) Stockholder-Requested Special Meetings . (1) Any stockholder of record seeking to have stockholders request a special meeting shall, by sending written notice to the secretary (the “Record Date Request Notice”) by registered mail, return receipt requested, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date to determine the stockholders entitled to request a special meeting (the “Request Record Date”). The Record Date Request Notice shall set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it, shall be signed by one or more stockholders of record as of the date of signature (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the

 

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Record Date Request Notice), shall bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) and shall set forth all information relating to each such stockholder, each individual whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director and each matter proposed to be acted on at the meeting that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of directors or the election of each such individual, as applicable, in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such a solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Exchange Act”). Upon receiving the Record Date Request Notice, the Board of Directors may fix a Request Record Date. The Request Record Date shall not precede and shall not be more than ten days after the close of business on the date on which the resolution fixing the Request Record Date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors, within ten days after the date on which a valid Record Date Request Notice is received, fails to adopt a resolution fixing the Request Record Date, the Request Record Date shall be the close of business on the tenth day after the first date on which a Record Date Request Notice is received by the secretary.

(2) In order for any stockholder to request a special meeting to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders, one or more written requests for a special meeting (collectively, the “Special Meeting Request”) signed by stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the request) as of the Request Record Date entitled to cast not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting (the “Special Meeting Percentage”) shall be delivered to the secretary. In addition, the Special Meeting Request shall (a) set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it (which shall be limited to those lawful matters set forth in the Record Date Request Notice received by the secretary), (b) bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) signing the Special Meeting Request, (c) set forth (i) the name and address, as they appear in the Corporation’s books, of each stockholder signing such request (or on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is signed), (ii) the class, series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned (beneficially or of record) by each such stockholder and (iii) the nominee holder for, and number of, shares of stock of the Corporation owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, (d) be sent to the secretary by registered mail, return receipt requested, and (e) be received by the secretary within 60 days after the Request Record Date. Any requesting stockholder (or agent duly authorized in a writing accompanying the revocation of the Special Meeting Request) may revoke his, her or its request for a special meeting at any time by written revocation delivered to the secretary.

(3) The secretary shall inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing or delivering the notice of the meeting (including the Corporation’s proxy materials). The secretary shall not be required to call a special meeting upon stockholder request and such meeting shall not be held unless, in addition to the documents required by paragraph (2) of this Section 3(b), the secretary receives payment of such reasonably estimated cost prior to the preparation and mailing or delivery of such notice of the meeting.

(4) In the case of any special meeting called by the secretary upon the request of stockholders (a “Stockholder-Requested Meeting”), such meeting shall be held at such

 

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place, date and time as may be designated by the Board of Directors; provided , however, that the date of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting shall be not more than 90 days after the record date for such meeting (the “Meeting Record Date”); and provided further that if the Board of Directors fails to designate, within ten days after the date that a valid Special Meeting Request is actually received by the secretary (the “Delivery Date”), a date and time for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting, then such meeting shall be held at 2:00 p.m., local time, on the 90 th day after the Meeting Record Date or, if such 90 th day is not a Business Day (as defined below), on the first preceding Business Day; and provided further that in the event that the Board of Directors fails to designate a place for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting within ten days after the Delivery Date, then such meeting shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation. In fixing a date for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting, the Board of Directors may consider such factors as it deems relevant, including, without limitation, the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and circumstances surrounding any request for the meeting and any plan of the Board of Directors to call an annual meeting or a special meeting. In the case of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting, if the Board of Directors fails to fix a Meeting Record Date that is a date within 30 days after the Delivery Date, then the close of business on the 30 th day after the Delivery Date shall be the Meeting Record Date. The Board of Directors may revoke the notice for any Stockholder-Requested Meeting in the event that the requesting stockholders fail to comply with the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Section 3(b).

(5) If written revocations of the Special Meeting Request have been delivered to the secretary and the result is that stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in writing), as of the Request Record Date, entitled to cast less than the Special Meeting Percentage have delivered, and not revoked, requests for a special meeting on the matter to the secretary: (i) if the notice of meeting has not already been delivered, the secretary shall refrain from delivering the notice of the meeting and send to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked such requests written notice of any revocation of a request for a special meeting on the matter, or (ii) if the notice of meeting has been delivered and if the secretary first sends to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked requests for a special meeting on the matter written notice of any revocation of a request for the special meeting and written notice of the Corporation’s intention to revoke the notice of the meeting or for the chairman of the meeting to adjourn the meeting without action on the matter, (A) the secretary may revoke the notice of the meeting at any time before ten days before the commencement of the meeting or (B) the chairman of the meeting may call the meeting to order and adjourn the meeting without acting on the matter. Any request for a special meeting received after a revocation by the secretary of a notice of a meeting shall be considered a request for a new special meeting.

(6) The chairman of the Board of Directors, chief executive officer, president or Board of Directors may appoint regionally or nationally recognized independent inspectors of elections to act as the agent of the Corporation for the purpose of promptly performing a ministerial review of the validity of any purported Special Meeting Request received by the secretary. For the purpose of permitting the inspectors to perform such review, no such purported Special Meeting Request shall be deemed to have been received by the secretary until the earlier of (i) five Business Days after actual receipt by the secretary of such purported request and (ii) such date as the independent inspectors certify to the Corporation that the valid requests received by the secretary represent, as of the Request Record Date, stockholders of record entitled to cast not less than the

 

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Special Meeting Percentage. Nothing contained in this paragraph (6) shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the Corporation or any stockholder shall not be entitled to contest the validity of any request, whether during or after such five Business Day period, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution or defense of any litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in such litigation).

(7) For purposes of these Bylaws, “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

Section 4. NOTICE . Not less than ten nor more than 90 days before each meeting of stockholders, the secretary shall give to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting and to each stockholder not entitled to vote who is entitled to notice of the meeting notice in writing or by electronic transmission stating the time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise may be required by any statute, the purpose for which the meeting is called, by mail, by presenting it to such stockholder personally, by leaving it at the stockholder’s residence or usual place of business or by any other means permitted by Maryland law. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid. If transmitted electronically, such notice shall be deemed to be given when transmitted to the stockholder by an electronic transmission to any address or number of the stockholder at which the stockholder receives electronic transmissions. The Corporation may give a single notice to all stockholders who share an address, which single notice shall be effective as to any stockholder at such address, unless such stockholder objects to receiving such single notice or revokes a prior consent to receiving such single notice. Failure to give notice of any meeting to one or more stockholders, or any irregularity in such notice, shall not affect the validity of any meeting fixed in accordance with this Article II or the validity of any proceedings at any such meeting.

Subject to Section 11(a) of this Article II, any business of the Corporation may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders without being specifically designated in the notice, except such business as is required by any statute to be stated in such notice. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting of stockholders except as specifically designated in the notice. The Corporation may postpone or cancel a meeting of stockholders by making a public announcement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) of such postponement or cancellation prior to the meeting. Notice of the date, time and place to which the meeting is postponed shall be given not less than ten days prior to such date and otherwise in the manner set forth in this section.

Section 5. ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT . Every meeting of stockholders shall be conducted by an individual appointed by the Board of Directors to be chairman of the meeting or, in the absence of such appointment or appointed individual, by the chairman of the Board of Directors or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the chairman of the Board of Directors, by one of the following officers present at the meeting in the following order: the vice chairman of the Board of Directors, if there is one, the chief executive officer, the president, the vice presidents in their order of rank and seniority, the secretary or, in the absence of such officers, a chairman chosen by the stockholders by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present in person or by proxy. The secretary or, in the secretary’s absence, an assistant secretary or,

 

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in the absence of both the secretary and assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or, in the absence of such appointment, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting shall act as secretary. In the event that the secretary presides at a meeting of stockholders, an assistant secretary or, in the absence of all assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, shall record the minutes of the meeting. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting may prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and take such action as, in the discretion of the chairman and without any action by the stockholders, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, (a) restricting admission to the time set for the commencement of the meeting; (b) limiting attendance at the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized proxies and other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (c) limiting participation at the meeting on any matter to stockholders of record of the Corporation entitled to vote on such matter, their duly authorized proxies and other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (d) limiting the time allotted to questions or comments; (e) determining when and for how long the polls should be opened and when the polls should be closed; (f) maintaining order and security at the meeting; (g) removing any stockholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting procedures, rules or guidelines as set forth by the chairman of the meeting; (h) concluding a meeting or recessing or adjourning the meeting to a later date and time and at a place announced at the meeting; and (i) complying with any state and local laws and regulations concerning safety and security. Unless otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

Section 6. QUORUM . At any meeting of stockholders, the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting on any matter shall constitute a quorum; but this section shall not affect any requirement under any statute or the charter of the Corporation (the “Charter”) for the vote necessary for the approval of any matter. If such quorum is not established at any meeting of the stockholders, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting sine die or from time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date without notice other than announcement at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

The stockholders present either in person or by proxy, at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough stockholders to leave fewer than would be required to establish a quorum.

Section 7. VOTING . A plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to elect a director. Each share may be voted for as many individuals as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the share is entitled to be voted, without any right to cumulative votes. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to approve any other matter which may properly come before the meeting, unless more than a majority of the votes cast is required by statute or by the Charter. Unless otherwise provided by statute or by the Charter, each

 

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outstanding share, regardless of class, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders. Voting on any question or in any election may be viva voce unless the chairman of the meeting shall order that voting be by ballot or otherwise.

Section 8. PROXIES . A holder of record of shares of stock of the Corporation may cast votes in person or by proxy executed by the stockholder or by the stockholder’s duly authorized agent in any manner permitted by law. Such proxy or evidence of authorization of such proxy shall be filed with the secretary of the Corporation before or at the meeting. No proxy shall be valid more than eleven months after its date unless otherwise provided in the proxy.

Section 9. VOTING OF STOCK BY CERTAIN HOLDERS . Stock of the Corporation registered in the name of a corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company or other entity, if entitled to be voted, may be voted by the president or a vice president, general partner, trustee or managing member thereof, as the case may be, or a proxy appointed by any of the foregoing individuals, unless some other person who has been appointed to vote such stock pursuant to a bylaw or a resolution of the governing body of such corporation or other entity or agreement of the partners of a partnership presents a certified copy of such bylaw, resolution or agreement, in which case such person may vote such stock. Any trustee or fiduciary may vote stock registered in the name of such person in the capacity of trustee or fiduciary, either in person or by proxy.

Shares of stock of the Corporation directly or indirectly owned by it shall not be voted at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to be voted at any given time, unless they are held by it in a fiduciary capacity, in which case they may be voted and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.

The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a stockholder may certify in writing to the Corporation that any shares of stock registered in the name of the stockholder are held for the account of a specified person other than the stockholder. The resolution shall set forth the class of stockholders who may make the certification, the purpose for which the certification may be made, the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; if the certification is with respect to a record date, the time after the record date within which the certification must be received by the Corporation; and any other provisions with respect to the procedure which the Board of Directors considers necessary or desirable. On receipt by the Corporation of such certification, the person specified in the certification shall be regarded as, for the purposes set forth in the certification, the holder of record of the specified stock in place of the stockholder who makes the certification.

Section 10. INSPECTORS . The Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting may appoint, before or at the meeting, one or more inspectors for the meeting and any successor to the inspector. Except as otherwise provided by the chairman of the meeting, the inspectors, if any, shall (i) determine the number of shares of stock represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy, and the validity and effect of proxies, (ii) receive and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, (iii) report such tabulation to the chairman of the meeting, (iv) hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, and (v) do such acts as are proper to fairly conduct the election or vote. Each such report shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a

 

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majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors. The report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.

Section 11. ADVANCE NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND OTHER STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS .

(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders . (1) Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice by the stockholder as provided for in this Section 11(a) and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business and who has complied with this Section 11(a).

(2) For any nomination or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a)(1) of this Section 11, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the Corporation and any such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by the stockholders. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall set forth all information required under this Section 11 and shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 150 th day nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 120 th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, in order for notice by the stockholder to be timely, such notice must be so delivered not earlier than the 150 th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 120 th day prior to the date of such annual meeting, as originally convened, or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(3) Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth:

(i) as to each individual whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director (each, a “Proposed Nominee”), all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act (including the Proposed Nominee’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected);

 

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(ii) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a description of such business, the stockholder’s reasons for proposing such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), individually or in the aggregate, including any anticipated benefit to the stockholder or the Stockholder Associated Person therefrom;

(iii) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Proposed Nominee and any Stockholder Associated Person,

(A) the class, series and number of all shares of stock or other securities of the Corporation or any affiliate thereof (collectively, the “Company Securities”), if any, which are owned (beneficially or of record) by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, the date on which each such Company Security was acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition, and any short interest (including any opportunity to profit or share in any benefit from any decrease in the price of such stock or other security) in any Company Securities of any such person,

(B) the nominee holder for, and number of, any Company Securities owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person,

(C) whether and the extent to which such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, directly or indirectly (through brokers, nominees or otherwise), is subject to or during the last six months has engaged in any hedging, derivative or other transaction or series of transactions or entered into any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short interest, any borrowing or lending of securities or any proxy or voting agreement), the effect or intent of which is to (I) manage risk or benefit of changes in the price of (x) Company Securities or (y) any security of any entity that was listed in the Peer Group in the Stock Performance Graph in the most recent annual report to security holders of the Corporation (a “Peer Group Company”) for such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person or (II) increase or decrease the voting power of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof (or, as applicable, in any Peer Group Company) disproportionately to such person’s economic interest in the Company Securities (or, as applicable, in any Peer Group Company), and

(D) any substantial interest, direct or indirect (including, without limitation, any existing or prospective commercial, business or contractual relationship with the Corporation), by security holdings or otherwise, of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof, other than an interest arising from the ownership of Company Securities where such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person receives no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis by all other holders of the same class or series.

(iv) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Stockholder Associated Person with an interest or ownership referred to in clauses (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph (3) of this Section 11(a) and any Proposed Nominee,

 

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(A) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s stock ledger, and the current name and business address, if different, of each such Stockholder Associated Person and any Proposed Nominee and

(B) the investment strategy or objective, if any, of such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person who is not an individual and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum or similar document, if any, provided to investors or potential investors in such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person;

(v) the name and address of any person who contacted or was contacted by the stockholder giving the notice or any Stockholder Associated Person about the Proposed Nominee or other business proposal prior to the date of such stockholder’s notice; and

(vi) to the extent known by the stockholder giving the notice, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the nominee for election or reelection as a director or the proposal of other business on the date of such stockholder’s notice.

(4) Such stockholder’s notice shall, with respect to any Proposed Nominee, be accompanied by a certificate executed by the Proposed Nominee (i) certifying that such Proposed Nominee (a) is not, and will not become, a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed to the Corporation and (b) will serve as a director of the Corporation if elected; and (ii) attaching a completed Proposed Nominee questionnaire (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Corporation, upon request, to the stockholder providing the notice and shall include all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder, or would be required pursuant to the rules of any national securities exchange on which any securities of the Corporation are listed or over-the-counter market on which any securities of the Corporation are traded).

(5) Notwithstanding anything in this subsection (a) of this Section 11 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased, and there is no public announcement of such action at least 130 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) for the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 11(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the tenth day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

(6) For purposes of this Section 11, “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder shall mean (i) any person acting in concert with such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder (other than a stockholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any person that directly, or indirectly through

 

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one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such stockholder or such Stockholder Associated Person.

(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders . Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with Section 3(a) of this Article II for the purpose of electing directors, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 11 and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 11. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more individuals to the Board of Directors, any stockholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election as a director as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice, containing the information required by paragraphs (a)(3) and (4) of this Section 11, is delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 120 th day prior to such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 90 th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of a special meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(c) General . (1) If information submitted pursuant to this Section 11 by any stockholder proposing a nominee for election as a director or any proposal for other business at a meeting of stockholders shall be inaccurate in any material respect, such information may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11. Any such stockholder shall notify the Corporation of any inaccuracy or change (within two Business Days of becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change) in any such information. Upon written request by the secretary or the Board of Directors, any such stockholder shall provide, within five Business Days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (A) written verification, satisfactory, in the discretion of the Board of Directors or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11, and (B) a written update of any information (including, if requested by the Corporation, written confirmation by such stockholder that it continues to intend to bring such nomination or other business proposal before the meeting) submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11 as of an earlier date. If a stockholder fails to provide such written verification or written update within such period, the information as to which written verification or a written update was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11.

(2) Only such individuals who are nominated in accordance with this Section 11 shall be eligible for election by stockholders as directors, and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 11. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power to determine whether a

 

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nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with this Section 11.

(3) For purposes of this Section 11, “the date of the proxy statement” shall have the same meaning as “the date of the company’s proxy statement released to shareholders” as used in Rule 14a-8(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as interpreted by the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. “Public announcement” shall mean disclosure (A) in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press, Business Wire, PR Newswire or other widely circulated news or wire service or (B) in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act.

(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 11. Nothing in this Section 11 shall be deemed to affect any right of a stockholder to request inclusion of a proposal in, or the right of the Corporation to omit a proposal from, the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act. Nothing in this Section 11 shall require disclosure of revocable proxies received by the stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person pursuant to a solicitation of proxies after the filing of an effective Schedule 14A by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act.

Section 12. STOCKHOLDERS’ CONSENT IN LIEU OF MEETING . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting (a) if a unanimous consent setting forth the action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each stockholder entitled to vote on the matter and filed with the minutes of proceedings of the stockholders or (b) if the action is advised, and submitted to the stockholders for approval, by the Board of Directors and a consent in writing or by electronic transmission of stockholders entitled to cast not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting of stockholders is delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law, or any successor statute (the “MGCL”). The Corporation shall give notice of any action taken by less than unanimous consent to each stockholder not later than ten days after the effective time of such action.

Section 13. CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws, Title 3, Subtitle 7 of the MGCL or any successor statute, shall not apply to any acquisition by any person of shares of stock of the Corporation. This section may be repealed, in whole or in part, at any time, whether before or after an acquisition of control shares and, upon such repeal, may, to the extent provided by any successor bylaw, apply to any prior or subsequent control share acquisition.

 

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ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

Section 1. GENERAL POWERS . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of its Board of Directors.

Section 2. NUMBER, TENURE AND RESIGNATION . At any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, a majority of the entire Board of Directors may establish, increase or decrease the number of directors, provided that the number thereof shall never be less than the minimum number required by the MGCL, nor more than 15, and further provided that the tenure of office of a director shall not be affected by any decrease in the number of directors. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, the chairman of the Board of Directors or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation.

Section 3. ANNUAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS . An annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders, no notice other than this Bylaw being necessary. In the event such meeting is not so held, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of regular meetings of the Board of Directors without other notice than such resolution.

Section 4. SPECIAL MEETINGS . Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the chairman of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president or a majority of the directors then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any place as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of special meetings of the Board of Directors without other notice than such resolution.

Section 5. NOTICE . Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be delivered personally or by telephone, electronic mail, facsimile transmission, courier or United States mail to each director at his or her business or residence address. Notice by personal delivery, telephone, electronic mail or facsimile transmission shall be given at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Notice by United States mail shall be given at least three days prior to the meeting. Notice by courier shall be given at least two days prior to the meeting. Telephone notice shall be deemed to be given when the director or his or her agent is personally given such notice in a telephone call to which the director or his or her agent is a party. Electronic mail notice shall be deemed to be given upon transmission of the message to the electronic mail address given to the Corporation by the director. Facsimile transmission notice shall be deemed to be given upon completion of the transmission of the message to the number given to the Corporation by the director and receipt of a completed answer-back indicating receipt. Notice by United States mail shall be deemed to be given

 

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when deposited in the United States mail properly addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. Notice by courier shall be deemed to be given when deposited with or delivered to a courier properly addressed. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be stated in the notice, unless specifically required by statute or these Bylaws.

Section 6. QUORUM . A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that, if less than a majority of such directors is present at such meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice, and provided further that if, pursuant to applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws, the vote of a majority or other percentage of a particular group of directors is required for action, a quorum must also include a majority or such other percentage of such group.

The directors present at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough directors to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum.

Section 7. VOTING . The action of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws. If enough directors have withdrawn from a meeting to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum, but the meeting is not adjourned, the action of the majority of that number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum at such meeting shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws.

Section 8. ORGANIZATION . At each meeting of the Board of Directors, the chairman of the Board of Directors or, in the absence of the chairman, the vice chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, shall act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of both the chairman and vice chairman of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer or, in the absence of the chief executive officer, the president or, in the absence of the president, a director chosen by a majority of the directors present shall act as chairman of the meeting. The secretary or, in his or her absence, an assistant secretary of the Corporation or, in the absence of the secretary and all assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

Section 9. TELEPHONE MEETINGS . Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 10. CONSENT BY DIRECTORS WITHOUT A MEETING . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each director and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors.

 

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Section 11. VACANCIES . If for any reason any or all the directors cease to be directors, such event shall not terminate the Corporation or affect these Bylaws or the powers of the remaining directors hereunder. Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum. Any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies.

Section 12. COMPENSATION . Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as directors but, by resolution of the Board of Directors, may receive compensation per year and/or per meeting and/or per visit to real property or other facilities owned or leased by the Corporation and for any service or activity they performed or engaged in as directors. Directors may be reimbursed for expenses of attendance, if any, at each annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof and for their expenses, if any, in connection with each property visit and any other service or activity they perform or engage in as directors; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any directors from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

Section 13. RELIANCE . Each director and officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties with respect to the Corporation, be entitled to rely on any information, opinion, report or statement, including any financial statement or other financial data, prepared or presented by an officer or employee of the Corporation whom the director or officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented, by a lawyer, certified public accountant or other person, as to a matter which the director or officer reasonably believes to be within the person’s professional or expert competence, or, with respect to a director, by a committee of the Board of Directors on which the director does not serve, as to a matter within its designated authority, if the director reasonably believes the committee to merit confidence.

Section 14. RATIFICATION . The Board of Directors or the stockholders may ratify and make binding on the Corporation any action or inaction by the Corporation or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the stockholders could have originally authorized the matter. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any stockholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or stockholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned action or inaction had been originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the Corporation and its stockholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.

Section 15. CERTAIN RIGHTS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS . A director or officer of the Corporation shall have no responsibility to devote his or her full time to the affairs of the Corporation. Any director or officer, in his or her personal capacity or in a capacity as an affiliate, employee or agent of any other person, or otherwise, may have business interests and engage in business activities similar to, in addition to or in competition with those of or relating to the Corporation.

 

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Section 16. EMERGENCY PROVISIONS . Notwithstanding any other provision in the Charter or these Bylaws, this Section 16 shall apply during the existence of any catastrophe, or other similar emergency condition, as a result of which a quorum of the Board of Directors under Article III of these Bylaws cannot readily be obtained (an “Emergency”). During any Emergency, unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, (i) a meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof may be called by any director or officer by any means feasible under the circumstances; (ii) notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors during such an Emergency may be given less than 24 hours prior to the meeting to as many directors and by such means as may be feasible at the time, including publication, television or radio; and (iii) the number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum shall be one-third of the entire Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES

Section 1. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS . The Board of Directors may appoint from among its members committees, composed of one or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

Section 2. POWERS . The Board of Directors may delegate to committees appointed under Section 1 of this Article any of the powers of the Board of Directors, except as prohibited by law.

Section 3. MEETINGS . Notice of committee meetings shall be given in the same manner as notice for special meetings of the Board of Directors. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the committee. The act of a majority of the committee members present at a meeting shall be the act of such committee. The Board of Directors may designate a chairman of any committee, and such chairman or, in the absence of a chairman, any two members of any committee (if there are at least two members of the committee) may fix the time and place of its meeting unless the Board shall otherwise provide. In the absence of any member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint another director to act in the place of such absent member.

Section 4. TELEPHONE MEETINGS . Members of a committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 5. CONSENT BY COMMITTEES WITHOUT A MEETING . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each member of the committee and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of such committee.

 

15


Section 6. VACANCIES . Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Directors shall have the power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to fill any vacancy, to designate an alternate member to replace any absent or disqualified member or to dissolve any such committee.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

Section 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS . The officers of the Corporation shall include a president, a secretary and a treasurer and may include a chairman of the Board of Directors, a vice chairman of the Board of Directors, a chief executive officer, one or more vice presidents, a chief operating officer, a chief financial officer, one or more assistant secretaries and one or more assistant treasurers. In addition, the Board of Directors may from time to time elect such other officers with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary or desirable. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors, except that the chief executive officer or president may from time to time appoint one or more vice presidents, assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers or other officers. Each officer shall serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, or his or her resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Any two or more offices except president and vice president may be held by the same person. Election of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights between the Corporation and such officer or agent.

Section 2. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION . Any officer or agent of the Corporation may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors if in its judgment the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, the chairman of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation. Such resignation shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Corporation.

Section 3. VACANCIES . A vacancy in any office may be filled by the Board of Directors for the balance of the term.

Section 4. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER . The Board of Directors may designate a chief executive officer. In the absence of such designation, the chairman of the Board of Directors shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation. The chief executive officer shall have general responsibility for implementation of the policies of the Corporation, as determined by the Board of Directors, and for the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in

 

16


general shall perform all duties incident to the office of chief executive officer and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

Section 5. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER . The Board of Directors may designate a chief operating officer. The chief operating officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.

Section 6. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER . The Board of Directors may designate a chief financial officer. The chief financial officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.

Section 7. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD . The Board of Directors may designate from among its members a chairman of the Board of Directors, who shall not, solely by reason of these Bylaws, be an officer of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate the chairman of the Board of Directors as an executive or non-executive chairman. The chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside over the meetings of the Board of Directors. The chairman of the Board of Directors shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by these Bylaws or the Board of Directors.

Section 8. PRESIDENT . In the absence of a chief executive officer, the president shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Corporation. In the absence of a designation of a chief operating officer by the Board of Directors, the president shall be the chief operating officer. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

Section 9. VICE PRESIDENTS . In the absence of the president or in the event of a vacancy in such office, the vice president (or in the event there be more than one vice president, the vice presidents in the order designated at the time of their election or, in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such vice president by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more vice presidents as executive vice president, senior vice president, or vice president for particular areas of responsibility.

Section 10. SECRETARY . The secretary shall (a) keep the minutes of the proceedings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the Corporation; (d) keep a register of the post office address of each stockholder which shall be furnished to the secretary by such stockholder; (e) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation; and (f) in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors.

 

17


Section 11. TREASURER . The treasurer shall have the custody of the funds and securities of the Corporation, shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation, shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors and in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors. In the absence of a designation of a chief financial officer by the Board of Directors, the treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Corporation.

Section 12. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS . The assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the secretary or treasurer, respectively, or by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors.

Section 13. COMPENSATION . The compensation of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by or under the authority of the Board of Directors and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation by reason of the fact that he or she is also a director.

ARTICLE VI

CONTRACTS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

Section 1. CONTRACTS . The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Any agreement, deed, mortgage, lease or other document shall be valid and binding upon the Corporation when duly authorized or ratified by action of the Board of Directors and executed by an authorized person.

Section 2. CHECKS AND DRAFTS . All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or agent of the Corporation in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 3. DEPOSITS . All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited or invested from time to time to the credit of the Corporation as the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief financial officer or any other officer designated by the Board of Directors may determine.

ARTICLE VII

STOCK

Section 1. CERTIFICATES . Except as may be otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, stockholders of the Corporation are not entitled to certificates representing the shares of stock held by them. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock represented by

 

18


certificates, such certificates shall be in such form as prescribed by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized officer, shall contain the statements and information required by the MGCL and shall be signed by the officers of the Corporation in any manner permitted by the MGCL. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock without certificates, to the extent then required by the MGCL, the Corporation shall provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates. There shall be no differences in the rights and obligations of stockholders based on whether or not their shares are represented by certificates.

Section 2. TRANSFERS . All transfers of shares of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation, by the holder of the shares, in person or by his or her attorney, in such manner as the Board of Directors or any officer of the Corporation may prescribe and, if such shares are certificated, upon surrender of certificates duly endorsed. The issuance of a new certificate upon the transfer of certificated shares is subject to the determination of the Board of Directors that such shares shall no longer be represented by certificates. Upon the transfer of any uncertificated shares, to the extent then required by the MGCL, the Corporation shall provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates.

The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share of stock as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise expressly provided by the laws of the State of Maryland.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, transfers of shares of any class or series of stock will be subject in all respects to the Charter and all of the terms and conditions contained therein.

Section 3. REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE . Any officer of the Corporation may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated; provided, however, if such shares have ceased to be certificated, no new certificate shall be issued unless requested in writing by such stockholder and the Board of Directors has determined that such certificates may be issued. Unless otherwise determined by an officer of the Corporation, the owner of such lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, shall be required, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, to give the Corporation a bond in such sums as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation.

Section 4. FIXING OF RECORD DATE . The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of stockholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than 90 days and, in the case of a meeting of stockholders,

 

19


not less than ten days, before the date on which the meeting or particular action requiring such determination of stockholders of record is to be held or taken.

When a record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been set as provided in this section, such record date shall continue to apply to the meeting if adjourned or postponed, except if the meeting is adjourned or postponed to a date more than 120 days after the record date originally fixed for the meeting, in which case a new record date for such meeting may be determined as set forth herein.

Section 5. STOCK LEDGER . The Corporation shall maintain at its principal office or at the office of its counsel, accountants or transfer agent, an original or duplicate stock ledger containing the name and address of each stockholder and the number of shares of each class held by such stockholder.

Section 6. FRACTIONAL STOCK; ISSUANCE OF UNITS . The Board of Directors may authorize the Corporation to issue fractional stock or authorize the issuance of scrip, all on such terms and under such conditions as it may determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may issue units consisting of different securities of the Corporation. Any security issued in a unit shall have the same characteristics as any identical securities issued by the Corporation, except that the Board of Directors may provide that for a specified period securities of the Corporation issued in such unit may be transferred on the books of the Corporation only in such unit.

ARTICLE VIII

ACCOUNTING YEAR

The Board of Directors shall have the power, from time to time, to fix the fiscal year of the Corporation by a duly adopted resolution.

ARTICLE IX

DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 1. AUTHORIZATION . Dividends and other distributions upon the stock of the Corporation may be authorized by the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of law and the Charter. Dividends and other distributions may be paid in cash, property or stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of law and the Charter.

Section 2. CONTINGENCIES . Before payment of any dividends or other distributions, there may be set aside out of any assets of the Corporation available for dividends or other distributions such sum or sums as the Board of Directors may from time to time, in its absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund for contingencies, for equalizing dividends, for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall determine, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve.

 

20


ARTICLE X

INVESTMENT POLICY

Subject to the provisions of the Charter, the Board of Directors may from time to time adopt, amend, revise or terminate any policy or policies with respect to investments by the Corporation as it shall deem appropriate in its sole discretion.

ARTICLE XI

SEAL

Section 1. SEAL . The Board of Directors may authorize the adoption of a seal by the Corporation. The seal shall contain the name of the Corporation and the year of its incorporation and the words “Incorporated Maryland.” The Board of Directors may authorize one or more duplicate seals and provide for the custody thereof.

Section 2. AFFIXING SEAL . Whenever the Corporation is permitted or required to affix its seal to a document, it shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of any law, rule or regulation relating to a seal to place the word “(SEAL)” adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to execute the document on behalf of the Corporation.

ARTICLE XII

INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCE OF EXPENSES

To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, the Corporation shall indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, shall pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (a) any individual who is a present or former director or officer of the Corporation and who is made or threatened to be made a party to or witness in the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (b) any individual who, while a director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member or manager of another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to or witness in the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The rights to indemnification and advance of expenses provided by the Charter and these Bylaws shall vest immediately upon election of a director or officer. The Corporation may, with the approval of its Board of Directors, provide such indemnification and advance for expenses to an individual who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation. The indemnification and payment or reimbursement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of or limit in any way other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses may be or may become entitled under any bylaw, resolution, insurance, agreement or otherwise.

 

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Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws inconsistent with this Article, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding paragraph with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

ARTICLE XIII

WAIVER OF NOTICE

Whenever any notice of a meeting is required to be given pursuant to the Charter or these Bylaws or pursuant to applicable law, a waiver thereof in writing or by electronic transmission, given by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any meeting need be set forth in the waiver of notice of such meeting, unless specifically required by statute. The attendance of any person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened.

ARTICLE XIV

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

The Board of Directors shall have the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of these Bylaws and to make new Bylaws.

 

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Exhibit 4.1

FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

INDEPENDENCE REALTY OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, LP


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

ARTICLE 1 DEFINED TERMS

     1   

ARTICLE 2 ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

     14   

2.1

  

Continuation

     14   

2.2

  

Name

     14   

2.3

  

Registered Office and Agent; Principal Office

     15   

2.4

  

Power of Attorney

     15   

2.5

  

Term

     16   

ARTICLE 3 PURPOSE

     17   

3.1

  

Purpose and Business

     17   

3.2

  

Powers

     17   

ARTICLE 4 CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

     18   

4.1

  

Capital Contributions of the Partners

     18   

4.2

  

Additional Funds; Restrictions on the General Partner

     18   

4.3

  

Issuance of Additional Partnership Interests; Admission of Additional Limited Partners

     20   

4.4

  

Contribution of Proceeds of Issuance of REIT Stock

     21   

4.5

  

Repurchase of REIT Stock; Shares-In-Trust

     21   

4.6

  

No Third-Party Beneficiary

     22   

4.7

  

No Interest; No Return

     23   

4.8

  

No Preemptive Rights

     23   

ARTICLE 5 DISTRIBUTIONS

     23   

5.1

  

Distributions

     23   

5.2

  

Qualification as a REIT

     23   

5.3

  

Withholding

     24   

5.4

  

Additional Partnership Interests

     24   

ARTICLE 6 ALLOCATIONS

     24   

6.1

  

Allocations

     24   

6.2

  

Revisions to Allocations to Reflect Issuance of Partnership Interests

     24   

ARTICLE 7 MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF BUSINESS

     25   

7.1

  

Management

     25   

7.2

  

Certificate of Limited Partnership

     29   

7.3

  

Reimbursement of the General Partner

     30   

7.4

  

Outside Activities of the General Partner

     31   

7.5

  

Contracts with Affiliates

     31   

7.6

  

Indemnification

     31   

7.7

  

Liability of the General Partner

     34   

7.8

  

Other Matters Concerning the General Partner

     35   

7.9

  

Title to Partnership Assets

     35   


7.10

  

Reliance by Third Parties

     36   

7.11

  

Loans By Third Parties

     36   

ARTICLE 8 RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

     37   

8.1

  

Limitation of Liability

     37   

8.2

  

Management of Business

     37   

8.3

  

Outside Activities of Limited Partners

     37   

8.4

  

Return of Capital

     37   

8.5

  

Rights of Limited Partners Relating to the Partnership

     38   

8.6

  

Exchange Rights Agreements

     38   

ARTICLE 9 BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

     39   

9.1

  

Records and Accounting

     39   

9.2

  

Fiscal Year

     39   

9.3

  

Reports

     39   

ARTICLE 10 TAX MATTERS

     40   

10.1

  

Preparation of Tax Returns

     40   

10.2

  

Tax Elections

     40   

10.3

  

Tax Matters Partner

     40   

10.4

  

Organizational Expenses

     42   

10.5

  

Withholding

     42   

ARTICLE 11 TRANSFERS AND WITHDRAWALS

     43   

11.1

  

Transfer

     43   

11.2

  

Transfer of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest

     43   

11.3

  

Limited Partners’ Rights to Transfer

     45   

11.4

  

Substituted Limited Partners

     47   

11.5

  

Assignees

     47   

11.6

  

General Provisions

     48   

ARTICLE 12 ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

     50   

12.1

  

Admission of Successor General Partner

     50   

12.2

  

Admission of Additional Limited Partners

     51   

12.3

  

Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership

     52   

ARTICLE 13 DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION

     52   

13.1

  

Dissolution

     52   

13.2

  

Winding Up

     53   

13.3

  

No Obligation to Contribute Deficit

     54   

13.4

  

Rights of Limited Partners

     54   

13.5

  

Notice of Dissolution

     55   

13.6

  

Termination of Partnership and Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership

     55   

13.7

  

Reasonable Time for Winding-Up

     55   

13.8

  

Waiver of Partition

     55   

 

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ARTICLE 14 AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS

     55   

14.1

  

Amendments

     55   

14.2

  

Meetings of the Partners

     56   

ARTICLE 15 GENERAL PROVISIONS

     58   

15.1

  

Addresses and Notice

     58   

15.2

  

Titles and Captions

     58   

15.3

  

Pronouns and Plurals

     58   

15.4

  

Further Action

     58   

15.5

  

Binding Effect

     58   

15.6

  

Creditors

     58   

15.7

  

Waiver

     58   

15.8

  

Counterparts

     59   

15.9

  

Applicable Law

     59   

15.10

  

Invalidity of Provisions

     59   

15.11

  

Entire Agreement

     59   

15.12

  

Merger

     59   

15.13

  

No Rights as Stockholders

     59   

EXHIBITS

Exhibit A – Partners’ Contributions and Partnership Interests

Exhibit B – Allocations

Exhibit C – Exchange Rights Agreement for Partnership Units

Exhibit D – Certificate of Limited Partnership

 

-iii-


FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

INDEPENDENCE REALTY OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, LP

THIS FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF INDEPENDENCE REALTY OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, LP (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of May 7, 2013 (the “ Effective Date ”), is entered into by and among INDEPENDENCE REALTY TRUST, INC., a Maryland corporation, as general partner (“ IRT ” or the “ General Partner ”), IRT Limited Partner, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and IRT as limited partners (the “ Limited Partners ”), and the Limited Partners party hereto from time to time.

WHEREAS, the General Partner formed Empire American Realty Operating Partnership, LP, now known as Independence Realty Operating Partnership, LP, (the “ Partnership ”) as a limited partnership on March 27, 2009 pursuant to the Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act of the State of Delaware and filed a certificate of limited partnership with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; and

WHEREAS, the General Partner filed a certificate of amendment to the certificate of limited partnership with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 22, 2011 in order to change the name of the Partnership to “Independence Realty Operating Partnership, LP,”

WHEREAS, the Partnership previously was governed by the terms of the Agreement of Limited Partnership of Empire American Realty Partnership, LP, dated as of January 21, 2010, as amended and restated in the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Independence Realty Operating Partnership, LP, dated as of April 29, 2011, as amended and restated in the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Independence Realty Operating Partnership, LP, dated as of January 4, 2012, as amended (the “ Third Amended and Restated Agreement ”); and

WHEREAS, the General Partner and the Limited Partners of the Partnership now wish to amend and restate the Third Amended and Restated Agreement as set forth herein, which shall, amend, restate and supersede the Third Amended and Restated Agreement in its entirety.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, and other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties do hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINED TERMS

The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.

Act ” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as amended from time to time, and any successor to such statute.

 

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Additional Limited Partner ” means a Person that has executed and delivered an additional limited partner signature page in the form attached hereto, has been admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner pursuant to Section 4.3 hereof and that is shown as such on the books and records of the Partnership.

Adjusted Capital Account Deficit ” means with respect to any Partner, the negative balance, if any, in such Partner’s Capital Account as of the end of any relevant fiscal year, determined after giving effect to the following adjustments:

(a) credit to such Capital Account any portion of such negative balance which such Partner (i) is treated as obligated to restore to the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) of the Regulations, or (ii) is deemed to be obligated to restore to the Partnership pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5) of the Regulations; and

(b) debit to such Capital Account the items described in Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6) of the Regulations.

Advisor ” means Independence Realty Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Advisory Agreement ” means the Third Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement among the Partnership and the General Partner, as advisees, and the Advisor, as advisor.

Affiliate ” means,

(a) with respect to any individual Person, any member of the Immediate Family of such Person or a trust established for the benefit of such member, or

(b) with respect to any Entity, any Person which, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, any such Entity. For purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any Person, means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Agreement ” means this Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership, as originally executed and as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time, as the context requires.

Articles of Incorporation ” means the General Partner’s Sixth Articles of Amendment Restatement, filed with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, or other organizational document governing the General Partner, as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Assignee ” means a Person to whom one or more Partnership Units have been transferred in a manner permitted under this Agreement, but who has not become a Substituted Limited Partner, and who has the rights set forth in Section 11.5.

 

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Available Cash ” means, with respect to the applicable period of measurement (i.e., any period beginning on the first day of the fiscal year, quarter or other period commencing immediately after the last day of the fiscal year, quarter or other applicable period for purposes of the prior calculation of Available Cash for or with respect to which a distribution has been made, and ending on the last day of the fiscal year, quarter or other applicable period immediately preceding the date of the calculation), the excess, if any, as of such date, of

(a) the gross cash receipts of the Partnership for such period from all sources whatsoever, including, without limitation, the following:

(i) all rents, revenues, income and proceeds derived by the Partnership from its operations, including, without limitation, distributions received by the Partnership from any Entity in which the Partnership has an interest;

(ii) all proceeds and revenues received by the Partnership on account of any sales of any Partnership property or as a refinancing of or payment of

(iii) principal, interest, costs, fees, penalties or otherwise on account of any borrowings or loans made by the Partnership or financings or refinancings of any property of the Partnership;

(iv) the amount of any insurance proceeds and condemnation awards received by the Partnership;

(v) all capital contributions and loans received by the Partnership from its Partners;

(vi) all cash amounts previously reserved by the Partnership, to the extent such amounts are no longer needed for the specific purposes for which such amounts were reserved; and

(vii) the proceeds of liquidation of the Partnership’s property in accordance with this Agreement;

over

(b) the sum of the following:

(i) all operating costs and expenses, including taxes and other expenses of the properties directly and indirectly held by the Partnership and capital expenditures made during such period (without deduction, however, for any capital expenditures, charges for Depreciation or other expenses not paid in cash or expenditures from reserves described in (viii) below);

(ii) all costs and expenses expended or paid during such period in connection with the sale or other disposition, or financing or refinancing, of the property directly or indirectly held by the Partnership or the recovery of insurance or condemnation proceeds;

 

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(iii) all fees provided for under this Agreement;

(iv) all debt service, including principal and interest, paid during such period on all indebtedness (including under any line of credit) of the Partnership;

(v) all capital contributions, advances, reimbursements, loans or similar payments made to any Person in which the Partnership has an interest;

(vi) all loans made by the Partnership in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

(vii) all reimbursements to the General Partner or its Affiliates during such period; and

(viii) the amount of any new reserve or increase in reserves established during such period which the General Partner determines is necessary or appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Available Cash shall not include any cash received or reductions in reserves, or take into account any disbursements made or reserves established, after commencement of the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership.

Business Combination ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(a)(iii)(C).

Capital Account ” means with respect to any Partner, the Capital Account maintained for such Partner in accordance with the following provisions:

(a) to each Partner’s Capital Account there shall be credited

(i) such Partner’s Capital Contributions;

(ii) such Partner’s distributive share of Net Income as determined pursuant to Paragraph 1 of Exhibit B and any items in the nature of income or gain which are specially allocated to such Partner pursuant to Paragraph 2 of Exhibit B; and

(iii) the amount of any Partnership liabilities assumed by such Partner or which are secured by any asset distributed to such Partner;

(b) to each Partner’s Capital Account there shall be debited

(i) the amount of cash and the Gross Asset Value of any property distributed to such Partner pursuant to any provision of this Agreement;

(ii) such Partner’s distributive share of Net Losses as determined pursuant to Paragraph 1 of Exhibit B and any items in the nature of expenses or losses which are specially allocated to such Partner pursuant to Paragraph 2 of Exhibit B; and

 

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(iii) the amount of any liabilities of such Partner assumed by the Partnership or which are secured by any asset contributed by such Partner to the Partnership; and

(c) in the event all or a portion of a Partnership Interest is transferred in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the transferee shall succeed to the Capital Account of the transferor to the extent it relates to the transferred Partnership Interest.

The foregoing provisions and the other provisions of this Agreement relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Sections 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2 of the Regulations, and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Regulations. In the event the General Partner shall reasonably determine that it is prudent to modify the manner in which the Capital Accounts, or any debits or credits thereto (including, without limitation, debits or credits relating to liabilities which are secured by contributed or distributed assets or which are assumed by the Partnership, the General Partner or any Limited Partner) are computed in order to comply with such Regulations, the General Partner may make such modification; provided that it would not cause the amounts distributable to any Partner pursuant to Article 13 hereof upon the dissolution of the Partnership to vary from the amount contemplated as set forth in Section 2(g) of Exhibit B.

Capital Contribution ” means, with respect to any Partner, any cash, cash equivalents or the Gross Asset Value of property which such Partner contributes or is deemed to contribute to the Partnership pursuant to Article 4 hereof.

Capital Transaction ” means any sale, or other disposition (other than a deemed disposition pursuant to Section 708(b)(1)(B) and the regulations thereunder) of all or substantially all of the assets and properties of the Partnership or a related series of transactions that, taken together, result in the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets and properties of the Partnership.

Cash Available for Distribution ” means Available Cash.

Certificate ” means the Certificate of Limited Partnership relating to the Partnership filed in the office of the Delaware Secretary of State on March 27, 2009, as amended by the Certificate of Amendment filed on February 22, 2011, and as further amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and the Act.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time, as interpreted by the applicable regulations thereunder. Any reference herein to a specific section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of future law.

Common Stock ” means a share of the common stock of the General Partner, $.01 par value per share. Common Stock may be issued in one or more classes or series in accordance with the terms of the Articles of Incorporation. If there is more than one class or series of Common Stock, the term “Common Stock” shall, as the context requires, be deemed to refer to the class or series of Common Stock that correspond to the class or series of Partnership Interests for which the reference to Common Stock is made.

Common Units means Partnership Units that are not Preferred Units.

 

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Consent ” means the consent or approval of a proposed action by a Partner given in accordance with Section 14.2 hereof.

Consent of the Limited Partners ” means the Consent of Limited Partners (excluding for this purpose any Partnership Interests held by the General Partner, any other Person of which they own or control more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests and any Person directly or indirectly owning or controlling more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting interests of the General Partner) holding Percentage Interests that are greater than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Percentage Interest of all Limited Partners who are not excluded for the purposes hereof.

Contributed Property ” means each property, partnership interest, contract right or other asset, in such form as may be permitted by the Act, contributed or deemed contributed to the Partnership by any Partner, including any interest in any successor partnership occurring as a result of a termination of the Partnership pursuant to Section 708 of Code.

Cumulative Non-Compound Return ” means the percentage resulting from dividing: (i) the total amount of dividends and distributions paid by the General Partner to the Stockholders or the total amount of distributions made by the Partnership to the Limited Partners, in each case reduced by distributions from the sale or refinancing of properties, from the Effective Date until the Distribution Date, by (ii) the product of (a) the weighted average Net Investment for such period (calculated on a daily basis), and (b) the number of years (including the fractions thereof) elapsed from the Effective Date until the Distribution Date (based on a year of 365 days).

Debt ” means, as to any Person, as of any date of determination, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services; (b) all amounts owed by such Person to banks or other Persons in respect of reimbursement obligations under letters of credit, surety bonds and other similar instruments guaranteeing payment or other performance of obligations by such Person; (c) all indebtedness for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services secured by any lien on any property owned by such Person, to the extent attributable to such Person’s interest in such property, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment thereof; and (d) obligations of such Person incurred in connection with entering into a lease which, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, should be capitalized.

Depreciation ” means, with respect to any asset of the Partnership for any fiscal year or other period, the depreciation, depletion, amortization or other cost recovery deduction, as the case may be, allowed or allowable for federal income tax purposes in respect of such asset for such fiscal year or other period; provided, however, that except as otherwise provided in Section 1.704-2 of the Regulations, if there is a difference between the Gross Asset Value (including the Gross Asset Value, as increased pursuant to paragraph (d) of the definition of Gross Asset Value) and the adjusted tax basis of such asset at the beginning of such fiscal year or other period, Depreciation for such asset shall be an amount that bears the same ratio to the beginning Gross Asset Value of such asset as the federal income tax depreciation, depletion, amortization or other cost recovery deduction for such fiscal year or other period bears to the beginning adjusted tax basis of such asset; provided, further, that if the federal income tax depreciation, depletion, amortization or other cost recovery deduction for such asset for such fiscal year or other period is zero, Depreciation of such asset shall be

 

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determined with reference to the beginning Gross Asset Value of such asset using any reasonable method selected by the General Partner.

Director ” means a member of the board of directors of the General Partner.

Distribution Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.

Effective Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in the opening recital.

Entity ” means any general partnership, limited partnership, corporation, joint venture, trust, business trust, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, cooperative or association.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding laws).

Exchange Factor ” has the meaning set forth in the Exchange Rights Agreements.

Exchange Right ” has the meaning set forth in the Exchange Rights Agreements.

Exchange Rights Agreements ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.6.

General Partner ” means Independence Realty Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and any successor as general partner of the Partnership.

General Partner Interest ” means a Partnership Interest held by the General Partner, in its capacity as general partner. A General Partner Interest may be expressed as a number of Partnership Units.

Gross Asset Value ” means, with respect to any asset of the Partnership, such asset’s adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes, except as follows:

(a) the initial Gross Asset Value of any asset contributed by a Partner to the Partnership shall be the gross fair market value of such asset, without reduction for liabilities, as determined by the contributing Partner and the Partnership on the date of contribution thereof;

(b) if the General Partner determines that an adjustment is necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Partners, the Gross Asset Values of all Partnership assets shall be adjusted in accordance with Sections 1.704- 1(b)(2)(iv)(f) and (g) of the Regulations to equal their respective gross fair market values, without reduction for liabilities, as reasonably determined by the General Partner, as of the following times:

(i) a Capital Contribution (other than a de minimis Capital Contribution) to the Partnership by a new or existing Partner as consideration for a Partnership Interest; or

 

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(ii) the distribution by the Partnership to a Partner of more than a de minimis amount of Partnership assets as consideration for the repurchase of a Partnership Interest; or

(iii) the liquidation of the Partnership within the meaning of Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g) of the Regulations;

(c) the Gross Asset Values of Partnership assets distributed to any Partner shall be the gross fair market values of such assets (taking Section 7701(g) of the Code into account) without reduction for liabilities, as determined by the General Partner as of the date of distribution; and

(d) the Gross Asset Values of Partnership assets shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the adjusted basis of such assets pursuant to Sections 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code, but only to the extent that such adjustments are taken into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Section 1.704- 1(b)(2)(iv)(m) of the Regulations (as set forth in Exhibit B); provided, however, that Gross Asset Values shall not be adjusted pursuant to this paragraph (d) to the extent that the General Partner determines that an adjustment pursuant to paragraph (b) above is necessary or appropriate in connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment pursuant to this paragraph (d).

At all times, Gross Asset Values shall be adjusted by any Depreciation taken into account with respect to the Partnership’s assets for purposes of computing Net Income and Net Loss.

Incapacity ” or “ Incapacitated ” means,

(a) as to any individual who is a Partner, death, total physical disability or entry by a court of competent jurisdiction adjudicating him incompetent to manage his person or his estate;

(b) as to any corporation which is a Partner, the filing of a certificate of dissolution, or its equivalent, for the corporation or the revocation of its charter;

(c) as to any partnership which is a Partner, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the partnership;

(d) as to any limited liability company which is a Partner, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the limited liability company;

(e) as to any estate which is a Partner, the distribution by the fiduciary of the estate’s entire interest in the Partnership;

(f) as to any trustee of a trust which is a Partner, the termination of the trust (but not the substitution of a new trustee); or

(g) as to any Partner, the bankruptcy of such Partner, which shall be deemed to have occurred when

 

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(i) the Partner commences a voluntary proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect;

(ii) the Partner is adjudged as bankrupt or insolvent, or a final and nonappealable order for relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect has been entered against the Partner;

(iii) the Partner executes and delivers a general assignment for the benefit of the Partner’s creditors;

(iv) the Partner files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the Partner in any proceeding of the nature described in clause (ii) above;

(v) the Partner seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver or liquidator for the Partner or for all or any substantial part of the Partner’s properties;

(vi) any proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief of or against such Partner under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect has not been dismissed within one hundred twenty (120) days after the commencement thereof;

(vii) the appointment without the Partner’s consent or acquiescence of a trustee, receiver or liquidator has not been vacated or stayed within ninety (90) days of such appointment; or

(viii) an appointment referred to in clause (vii) which has been stayed is not vacated within ninety (90) days after the expiration of any such stay.

Indemnitee ” means

(a) any Person made a party to a proceeding by reason of its status as

(i) the General Partner,

(ii) a Limited Partner,

(iii) an investment advisor to the General Partner,

(iv) a trustee, director or officer of the Partnership, the General Partner, or the investment advisor to the General Partner, or

(v) a director, trustee, member or officer of any other Entity, each Person serving in such capacity at the request of the Partnership or the General Partner, or

 

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(vi) his or its liabilities, pursuant to a loan guarantee or otherwise, for any indebtedness of the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership (including, without limitation, any indebtedness which the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership has assumed or taken assets subject to); and

(b) such other Persons (including Affiliates of the General Partner, a Limited Partner or the Partnership) as the General Partner may designate from time to time (whether before or after the event giving rise to potential liability), in its sole and absolute discretion.

Independent Directors ” means a Director who is an “Independent Director” as set forth in the General Partner’s Charter.

Initial Limited Partners ” means IRT Limited Partner, LLC and IRT.

IRS ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Service of the United States.

IRT ” shall mean Independence Realty Trust, Inc.

Joint Venture ” means any joint venture or general partnership arrangement in which the Partnership is a co-venturer or general partner which are established to acquire one or more Investments.

Lien ” means any lien, security interest, mortgage, deed of trust, charge, claim, encumbrance, pledge, option, right of first offer or first refusal and any other right or interest of others of any kind or nature, actual or contingent, or other similar encumbrance of any nature whatsoever.

Limited Partner ” means, prior to the admission of the first Additional Limited Partner to the Partnership, the Initial Limited Partners, and thereafter any Person named as a Limited Partner in Exhibit A, as such Exhibit may be amended from time to time by the General Partner, upon the execution and delivery by such Person of an additional limited partner signature page, or any Substituted Limited Partner or Additional Limited Partner, in such Person’s capacity as a Limited Partner of the Partnership.

Limited Partner Interest ” means a Partnership Interest of a Limited Partner in the Partnership representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Partners and includes any and all benefits to which the holder of such a Partnership Interest may be entitled, as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Person to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. A Limited Partner Interest may be expressed as a number of Partnership Units.

Liquidating Event ” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1 hereof.

Liquidator ” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.2 hereof.

Net Income ” or “ Net Loss ” means, for each fiscal year or other applicable period, an amount equal to the Partnership’s taxable income or loss for such year or period as determined for federal income tax purposes by the General Partner, determined in accordance with Section 703(a) of the Code (for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be stated separately

 

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pursuant to Section 703(a) of the Code shall be included in taxable income or loss), adjusted as follows:

(a) by including as an item of gross income any tax-exempt income received by the Partnership and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss;

(b) by treating as a deductible expense any expenditure of the Partnership described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code (or which is treated as a Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditure pursuant to Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i) of the Regulations) and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss, including amounts paid or incurred to organize the Partnership (unless an election is made pursuant to Section 709(b) of the Code) or to promote the sale of interests in the Partnership and by treating deductions for any losses incurred in connection with the sale or exchange of Partnership property disallowed pursuant to Section 267(a)(1) or 707(b) of the Code as expenditures described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code;

(c) by taking into account Depreciation in lieu of depreciation, depletion, amortization and other cost recovery deductions taken into account in computing taxable income or loss;

(d) by computing gain or loss resulting from any disposition of Partnership property with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes by reference to the Gross Asset Value of such property rather than its adjusted tax basis;

(e) in the event of an adjustment of the Gross Asset Value of any Partnership asset which requires that the Capital Accounts of the Partnership be adjusted pursuant to Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(e), (f) and (g) of the Regulations, by taking into account the amount of such adjustment as if such adjustment represented additional Net Income or Net Loss pursuant to Exhibit B; and

(f) by not taking into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss items separately allocated to the Partners pursuant to Paragraph 2 of Exhibit B.

Net Investment ” means (i) as it relates to the Stockholders, the original issue price paid by such stockholders for the purchase of Common Stock; and (ii) as it relates to the Limited Partners the total amount of Capital Contributions with respect to Common Units; in each case reduced by distributions from the sale or refinancing of properties with respect to Common Stock or Common Units.

Nonrecourse Deductions ” has the meaning set forth in Sections 1.704-2(b)(1) and 1.704-2(c) of the Regulations.

Nonrecourse Liabilities ” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.704-2(b)(3) of the Regulations.

Partner ” means the General Partner or a Limited Partner, and “Partners” means the General Partner and the Limited Partners collectively.

 

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Partner Minimum Gain ” means an amount, with respect to each Partner Nonrecourse Debt, equal to the Partnership Minimum Gain that would result if such Partner Nonrecourse Debt were treated as a Nonrecourse Liability, determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(3).

Partner Nonrecourse Debt ” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704- 2(b)(4).

Partner Nonrecourse Deductions ” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(2), and the amount of Partner Nonrecourse Deductions with respect to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt for a Partnership taxable year shall be determined in accordance with the rules of Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(2).

Partnership ” means the limited partnership formed under the Act and governed by this Agreement, and any successor thereto.

Partnership Interest ” means an ownership interest in the Partnership of a Limited Partner or the General Partner and includes any and all benefits to which the holder of such a Partnership Interest may be entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Person to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. A Partnership Interest may be expressed as a number of Partnership Units.

Partnership Minimum Gain ” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704- 2(b)(2), and the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain, as well as any net increase or decrease in a Partnership Minimum Gain, for a Partnership taxable year shall be determined in accordance with the rules of Regulations Section 1.704-2(d).

Partnership Record Date ” means the record date established by the General Partner for a distribution pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, which record date shall be the same as the record date established by the General Partner for a distribution to its stockholders of some or all of its portion of such distribution.

Partnership Unit ” means a fractional, undivided share of the Partnership Interests and includes Common Units, Preferred Units and any classes or series of Partnership Units established after the date hereof. The number of Partnership Units outstanding and the Percentage Interests in the Partnership represented by such Partnership Units are set forth in Exhibit A, as such Exhibit may be amended from time to time. The ownership of Partnership Units shall be evidenced by such form of certificate for Partnership Units as the General Partner adopts from time to time unless the General Partner determines that the Partnership Units shall be uncertificated securities.

Partnership Unit Designation has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.

Partnership Year ” means the fiscal year of the Partnership, as set forth in Section 9.2 hereof.

Percentage Interest ” means, with respect to each Partner, the product of 100% and a fraction, the numerator of which is equal to the number of Common Units owned by the Partner and the denominator of which is equal to the total number of outstanding Common Units.

 

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Permitted Transferee ” means any person to whom Partnership Units are Transferred in accordance with Section 11.3 of this Agreement.

Person ” means an individual or Entity.

Precontribution Gain ” has the meaning set forth in subparagraph 3(c) of Exhibit B.

Preferred Units means the Units described in Exhibit S-A and the Units described as Exhibit S-B that are outstanding on the date of this Agreement, and any Units issued after the date of this Agreement pursuant to Section 4.2 that are designated as Preferred Units.

Property ” means any real property or properties transferred or conveyed to the Partnership, either directly or indirectly, including through ownership interests in a Joint Venture.

Quarter ” means each of the three-month periods ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.

Registration Statement ” means the Registration Statement on Form S-11 filed by the General Partner with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and any amendments at any time made thereto.

Regulations ” means the final, temporary or proposed Income Tax Regulations promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

REIT ” means a real estate investment trust as defined in Section 856 of the Code.

REIT Requirements ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2.

REIT Stock ” means shares of the General Partner’s common stock.

REIT Stock Amount ” has the meaning set forth in the Exchange Rights Agreement.

Sale ” means (i) any transaction or series of transactions whereby: (A) the Partnership directly or indirectly (except as described in other subsections of this definition) sells, grants, transfers, conveys, or relinquishes its ownership of any Investment or portion thereof, including the transfer of any Property that is the subject of a ground lease, including any event with respect to any Investment that gives rise to a significant amount of insurance proceeds or condemnation awards, and including the issuance by one of the General Partner’s subsidiaries of any asset-backed securities or collateralized debt obligations as part of a securitization transaction; (B) the Partnership directly or indirectly (except as described in other subsections of this definition) sells, grants, transfers, conveys, or relinquishes its ownership of all or substantially all of the interest of the Partnership in any Joint Venture in which it is a partner; or (C) any Joint Venture in which the Partnership is a co-venturer or partner, sells, grants, transfers, conveys, or relinquishes its ownership of any Investment or portion thereof, including any event with respect to any Investment that gives rise to insurance claims or condemnation awards, and including the issuance by such Joint Venture or one of its subsidiaries of any asset-backed securities or collateralized debt obligations as part of a securitization transaction.

 

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Securities ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(b).

Stockholder ” means a holder of Common Stock.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which a majority of

(a) the voting power of the voting equity securities; and/or

(b) the outstanding equity interests (whether or not voting), is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.

Substituted Limited Partner ” means a Person who is admitted as a Limited Partner to the Partnership pursuant to Section 11.4 hereof.

Tax Items ” has the meaning set forth in Exhibit B.

Termination Event ” means the termination or nonrenewal of the Advisory Agreement (i) in connection with a merger, sale of assets or transaction involving the General Partner pursuant to which a majority of the Directors then in office are replaced or removed, (ii) by the Advisor for “good reason” (as defined in the Advisory Agreement) or (iii) by the General Partner other than for “cause” (as defined in the Advisory Agreement).

Transfer ” as a noun, means any sale, assignment, conveyance, pledge, hypothecation, gift, encumbrance or other transfer, and as a verb, means to sell, assign, convey, pledge, hypothecate, give, encumber or otherwise transfer.

Certain additional terms and phrases have the meanings set forth in Exhibit B.

ARTICLE 2

ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

2.1 Continuation

The Partners agree that as of the date of this Agreement (i) the Persons listed in Exhibit A are the current Partners and (ii) the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership dated as of January 4, 2012 (the “ Prior Partnership Agreement ”), that previously evidenced the Partnership is hereby amended and restated in its entirety, subject to the terms provided herein, and the Partnership is continued without interruption under and pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Act. Except as expressly provided herein to the contrary, the rights and obligations of the Partners and the administration and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Act. The Partnership Interest of each Partner shall be personal property for all purposes.

2.2 Name

The name of the Partnership is Independence Realty Operating Partnership, LP. The Partnership’s business may be conducted under any other name or names deemed advisable by the General Partner, including the name of the General Partner or any Affiliate thereof. The words

 

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“Limited Partnership,” “LP,” “Ltd.” or similar words or letters shall be included in the Partnership’s name where necessary for the purposes of complying with the laws of any jurisdiction that so requires. The General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion may change the name of the Partnership and shall notify the Limited Partners of such change in the next regular communication to the Limited Partners.

2.3 Registered Office and Agent; Principal Office

The address of the registered office of the Partnership in the State of Delaware and the name and address of the registered agent for service of process on the Partnership in the State of Delaware is the Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19808. The principal office of the Partnership shall be Cira Centre, 2929 Arch Street, 17 th Floor, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners. The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the General Partner deems advisable.

2.4 Power of Attorney

(a) Each Limited Partner and each Assignee who accepts Partnership Units (or any rights, benefits or privileges associated therewith) is deemed to irrevocably constitute and appoint the General Partner, any Liquidator, and authorized officers and attorneys-in-fact of each, and each of those acting singly, in each case with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in its name, place and stead to:

(i) execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices

(A) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including, without limitation, this Agreement and the Certificate and all amendments or restatements thereof) that the General Partner or the Liquidator deems appropriate or necessary to form, qualify or continue the existence or qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the Limited Partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware and in all other jurisdictions in which the Partnership may or plans to conduct business or own property, including, without limitation, any documents necessary or advisable to convey any Contributed Property to the Partnership;

(B) all instruments that the General Partner or any Liquidator deems appropriate or necessary to reflect any amendment, change, modification or restatement of this Agreement in accordance with its terms;

(C) all conveyances and other instruments or documents that the General Partner or any Liquidator deems appropriate or necessary to reflect the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, a certificate of cancellation;

 

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(D) all instruments relating to the admission, withdrawal, removal or substitution of any Partner pursuant to, or other events described in, Article 11, 12 or 13 hereof or the Capital Contribution of any Partner;

(E) all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the determination of the rights, preferences and privileges of Partnership Interest; and

(F) amendments to this Agreement as provided in Article 14 hereof; and

(ii) execute, swear to, seal, acknowledge and file all ballots, consents, approvals, waivers, certificates and other instruments appropriate or necessary, in the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner or any Liquidator, to make, evidence, give, confirm or ratify any vote, consent, approval, agreement or other action which is made or given by the Partners hereunder or is consistent with the terms of this Agreement or appropriate or necessary, in the sole discretion of the General Partner or any Liquidator, to effectuate the terms or intent of this Agreement.

Nothing contained herein shall be construed as authorizing the General Partner or any Liquidator to amend this Agreement except in accordance with Article 14 hereof or as may be otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement.

(b) (i) The foregoing power of attorney is hereby declared to be irrevocable and a power coupled with an interest, in recognition of the fact that each of the Partners will be relying upon the power of the General Partner and any Liquidator to act as contemplated by this Agreement in any filing or other action by it on behalf of the Partnership, and it shall survive and not be affected by the subsequent Incapacity of any Limited Partner or Assignee and the Transfer of all or any portion of such Limited Partner’s or Assignee’s Partnership Units and shall extend to such Limited Partner’s or Assignee’s heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives.

(ii) Each such Limited Partner or Assignee hereby agrees to be bound by any representation made by the General Partner or any Liquidator, acting in good faith pursuant to such power of attorney, and each such Limited Partner or Assignee hereby waives any and all defenses which may be available to contest, negate or disaffirm the action of the General Partner or any Liquidator, taken in good faith under such power of attorney.

(iii) Each Limited Partner or Assignee shall execute and deliver to the General Partner or the Liquidator, within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the General Partner’s or Liquidator’s request therefor, such further designation, powers of attorney and other instruments as the General Partner or the Liquidator, as the case may be, deems necessary to effectuate this Agreement and the purposes of the Partnership.

2.5 Term

The term of the Partnership began on March 27, 2009 and shall continue until December 31, 2099, unless the Partnership is dissolved sooner pursuant to the provisions of Article 13 or as otherwise provided by law.

 

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ARTICLE 3

PURPOSE

3.1 Purpose and Business

(a) The purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership is to conduct any business that may be lawfully conducted by a limited partnership organized pursuant to the Act including, without limitation, to engage in the following activities:

(i) to acquire, hold, own, develop, construct, improve, maintain, operate, sell, lease, transfer, encumber, convey, exchange, and otherwise dispose of or deal with real and personal property of all kinds;

(ii) to enter into any partnership, joint venture, corporation, limited liability company, trust or other similar arrangement to engage in any of the foregoing;

(iii) to undertake such other activities as may be necessary, advisable, desirable or convenient to the business of the Partnership; and

(iv) to engage in such other ancillary activities as shall be necessary or desirable to effectuate the foregoing purposes;

provided, however, that such business shall be limited to and conducted in such a manner as to permit the General Partner at all times to be qualified as a REIT, unless the General Partner determines not to qualify as a REIT or ceases to qualify as a REIT for any reason not related to the business conducted by the Partnership.

(b) The Partnership shall have all powers necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes enumerated.

3.2 Powers

(a) The Partnership is empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental to or convenient for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described herein and for the protection and benefit of the Partnership including, without limitation, full power and authority to enter into, perform, and carry out contracts of any kind, to borrow money and to issue evidences of indebtedness, whether or not secured by mortgage, trust deed, pledge or other Lien, and, directly or indirectly, to acquire, own, improve, develop and construct real property, and lease, sell, transfer and dispose of real property; provided, that the Partnership shall not take, or refrain from taking, any action which, in the judgment of the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion,

(i) could adversely affect the ability of the General Partner to continue to qualify as a REIT, unless the General Partner otherwise ceases to qualify as a REIT;

(ii) could subject the General Partner to any additional taxes under Section 857 or Section 4981 of the Code; or

 

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(iii) could violate any law or regulation of any governmental body or agency having jurisdiction over the General Partner or its securities, unless such action (or inaction) shall have been specifically consented to by the General Partner in writing.

(b) The General Partner also is empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary, appropriate or advisable to ensure that the Partnership will not be classified as a “publicly traded partnership” for the purposes of Section 7704 of the Code, including but not limited to imposing restrictions on exchanges of Partnership Units.

ARTICLE 4

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

4.1 Capital Contributions of the Partners

(a) The Partners own the Partnership Units as set forth in Exhibit A to this Agreement which were issued for Capital Contributions made by such Partners or their predecessors. The General Partner shall amend Exhibit A to reflect the admission of new Partners and issuances, redemptions and transfers of Partnership Units from time to time.

(b) To the extent the Partnership acquires any property by the merger of any other Person into the Partnership or the contribution of assets by any other Person, Persons who receive Partnership Interests in exchange for their interests in the Person merging into or contributing assets to the Partnership shall become Partners and shall be deemed to have made Capital Contributions as provided in the applicable merger agreement or contribution agreement and as set forth in Exhibit A, as amended to reflect such deemed Capital Contributions.

(c) The Partnership may issue an unlimited number of Partnership Units. Partnership Units may be issued to, acquired and owned by Limited Partners or the General Partner.

(d) The number of Partnership Units held by the General Partner, in its capacity as general partner, shall be deemed to be the General Partner Interest.

(e) Except as provided in Sections 4.2 and 10.5, the Limited Partners shall have no obligation to make any additional Capital Contributions or provide any additional funding to the Partnership (whether in the form of loans, repayments of loans or otherwise) and no Limited Partner shall have any obligation to restore any deficit that may exist in its Capital Account, either upon a liquidation of the Partnership or otherwise.

4.2 Additional Funds; Restrictions on the General Partner

(a) (i) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the General Partner is hereby authorized to cause the Partnership to issue such additional Partnership Interests in the form of Partnership Units for any Partnership purpose at any time or from time to time, to Partners (other than the General Partner) or to other Persons, for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as shall be established by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion, all without the approval of any Limited Partner. The Partnership may also from time to time issue to the General Partner additional Partnership Units in consideration of a contribution by the General Partner. Any additional Units issued pursuant to this Section 4.2 may

 

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be Common Units or Preferred Units and, if Preferred Units, may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any of such classes, with such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, powers and duties, including rights, powers and duties senior to Common or Preferred Units (subject to the terms of any existing Preferred Units) then outstanding, all as shall be determined by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion and without the approval of any Limited Partner, including, without limitation, in respect of (A) the allocations of items of Partnership income, gain, loss, deduction and credit to each such class or series of Preferred Units; (B) the right of each such class or series of Preferred Units to share in Partnership distributions; and (C) the rights of each such class or series of Preferred Units upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership; provided , that a written designation of preferences setting forth the rights, powers, duties and preferences of each class or series of Preferred Units shall be set forth as an additional Exhibit to this Agreement on or prior to the date of issuance of such Preferred Units (each a “ Partnership Unit Designation ”).

(ii) In the event additional financing is needed for any reason, the General Partner may, in its sole and absolute discretion, in such amounts and at such times as it solely shall determine to be necessary or appropriate,

(A) cause the Partnership to issue additional Partnership Interests and admit additional Limited Partners to the Partnership in accordance with Section 4.3;

(B) make additional Capital Contributions to the Partnership (subject to the provisions of Section 4.2(b));

(C) cause the Partnership to borrow money, enter into loan arrangements, issue debt securities, obtain letters of credit or otherwise borrow money on a secured or unsecured basis;

(D) make a loan or loans to the Partnership (subject to Section 4.2(b)); or

(E) sell any assets or properties directly or indirectly owned by the Partnership.

(iii) In no event shall any Limited Partners be required to make any additional Capital Contributions or any loan to, or otherwise provide any financial accommodation for the benefit of, the Partnership.

(b) The General Partner shall not issue any debt securities, any preferred stock or any common stock (including additional REIT Stock (other than (i) as payment of the REIT Stock Amount or (ii) in connection with the conversion or exchange of securities of the General Partner solely in conversion or exchange for other securities of the General Partner)) or rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities containing the right to subscribe for or purchase any of the foregoing (collectively, “ Securities ”), other than to all holders of REIT Stock, unless the General Partner shall

(i) in the case of debt securities, issued by the General Partner, lend to the Partnership the proceeds of or consideration received for such Securities on the same terms

 

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and conditions, including interest rate and repayment schedule, as shall be applicable with respect to or incurred in connection with the issuance of such Securities and the proceeds of, or consideration received from, any subsequent exercise, exchange or conversion thereof (if applicable);

(ii) in the case of equity Securities issued by the General Partner that are senior or junior to the REIT Stock as to dividends and distributions on liquidation, contribute to the Partnership the proceeds of or consideration (including any property or other non-cash assets) received for such Securities and the proceeds of, or consideration received from, any subsequent exercise, exchange or conversion thereof (if applicable), and receive from the Partnership, interests in the Partnership in consideration therefore with the same terms and conditions, including dividend, dividend priority and liquidation preference, as are applicable to such Securities; and

(iii) in the case of REIT Stock or other equity Securities on a parity with the REIT Stock as to dividends and distributions on liquidation issued by the General Partner, (including, without limitation, REIT Stock or other Securities granted as a stock award to directors and officers of the General Partner or directors, officers or employees of its Affiliates in consideration for services or future services, and REIT Stock issued a pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan or issued to enable the General Partner make distributions to satisfy the REIT Requirements), contribute to the Partnership the proceeds of or consideration (including any property or other non-cash assets, including services) received for such Securities and the proceeds of, or consideration received from, any subsequent exercise, exchange or conversion thereof (if applicable), and receive from the Partnership a number of additional Partnership Units in consideration therefore equal to the product of

(A) the number of shares of REIT Stock or other equity Securities issued by the General Partner, multiplied by

(B) a fraction the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is the Exchange Factor in effect on the date of such contribution.

4.3 Issuance of Additional Partnership Interests; Admission of Additional Limited Partners

(a) In addition to any Partnership Interests issuable by the Partnership pursuant to Section 4.2, the General Partner is authorized to cause the Partnership to issue additional Partnership Interests (or options therefor) for any Partnership purpose in the form of Partnership Units or other Partnership Interests in one or more series or classes, or in one or more series of any such class senior, on a parity with, or junior to the Partnership Units to any Persons at any time or from time to time, on such terms and conditions and with such designations, preferences and relative, participating, option and other special rights, powers and duties, all as the General Partner shall establish in each case in its sole and absolute discretion subject to Delaware law, including, without limitation, (i) the allocations of items of Partnership income, gain, loss, deduction and credit to each class or series of Partnership Interests, (ii) the right of each class or series of Partnership Interests to share in Partnership distributions, and (iii) the rights of each class or series of Partnership Interest upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership; provided, that, no such Partnership Interests shall

 

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be issued to the General Partner unless either (a) the Partnership Interests are issued in connection with the grant, award, or issuance of REIT Stock or other equity interests in the General Partner having designations, preferences and other rights such that the economic interests attributable to such REIT Stock or other equity interests are substantially similar to the designations, preferences and other rights (except voting rights) of the Partnership Interests issued to the General Partner in accordance with this Section 4.3(a) or (b) the additional Partnership Interests are issued to all Partners holding Partnership Interests in the same class in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests in such class, without any approval being required from any Limited Partner or any other Person. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the General Partner is expressly authorized to cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Units for less than fair market value, so long as the General Partner concludes in good faith that such issuance is in the best interests of the General Partner and the Partnership; provided, however, that

(i) such issuance does not cause the Partnership to become, with respect to any employee benefit plan subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, a “party in interest” (as defined in Section 3(14) of ERISA) or a “disqualified person” (as defined in Section 4975(e) of the Code); and

(ii) such issuance would not cause any portion of the assets of the Partnership to constitute assets of any employee benefit plan pursuant to Section 2510.3-101 of the regulations of the United States Department of Labor.

(b) Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 4.3(a), the General Partner may take such steps as it, in its sole and absolute discretion, deems necessary or appropriate to admit any Person as a Limited Partner of the Partnership or to issue any Partnership Interests, including, without limitation, amending the Certificate, Exhibit A or any other provision of this Agreement.

4.4 Contribution of Proceeds of Issuance of REIT Stock

In connection with any offering, grant, award, or issuance of REIT Stock or securities, rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities pursuant to Section 4.2, the General Partner shall make aggregate Capital Contributions to the Partnership of the proceeds (if any) raised in connection with such offering, grant, award, or issuance, including any property issued to the General Partner pursuant to a merger or contribution agreement in exchange for Common Stock; provided, however, that if the proceeds actually received by the General Partner are less than the gross proceeds of such offering, grant, award, or issuance as a result of any underwriter’s discount, commission, or fee or other expenses paid or incurred in connection with such offering, grant, award, or issuance, then the General Partner shall be deemed to have made a Capital Contribution to the Partnership in the amount of the gross proceeds of such issuance and the Partnership shall be deemed simultaneously to have paid pursuant to Section 7.3(c) for the amount of such underwriter’s discount or other expenses.

4.5 Repurchase of REIT Stock; Shares-In-Trust

(a) In the event that the General Partner shall elect to purchase from its stockholders REIT Stock for the purpose of delivering such REIT Stock to satisfy an obligation under any distribution reinvestment program adopted by the General Partner, any employee stock purchase plan

 

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adopted by the General Partner, or any other obligation or arrangement undertaken by the General Partner in the future, the purchase price paid by the General Partner for such REIT Stock and any other expenses incurred by the General Partner in connection with such purchase shall be considered expenses of the Partnership and shall be reimbursed to the General Partner, subject to the condition that:

(i) if such REIT Stock subsequently is to be sold by the General Partner, the General Partner shall pay to the Partnership any proceeds received by the General Partner from the sale of such REIT Stock (provided that an exchange of REIT Stock for Partnership Units pursuant to the applicable Exchange Rights Agreement would not be considered a sale for such purposes); and

(ii) if such REIT Stock is not re-transferred by the General Partner within 30 days after the purchase thereof, the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to cancel a number of Partnership Units held by the General Partner (as applicable) equal to the product of

(x) the number of shares of such REIT Stock, multiplied by

(y) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is the Exchange Factor in effect on the date of such cancellation.

(b) In the event the General Partner purchases shares of REIT Stock held by a trustee for the benefit of Charitable Beneficiary (as from time to time defined in the Articles of Incorporation, as may be amended from time to time), the Partnership will purchase from the General Partner a number of Partnership Units equal to the product of

(i) the number of shares of REIT Stock purchased by the General Partner, multiplied by

(ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is the Exchange Factor in effect on the date of such purchase.

4.6 No Third-Party Beneficiary

No creditor or other third party having dealings with the Partnership shall have the right to enforce the right or obligations of any Partner to make Capital Contributions or loans or to pursue any other right or remedy hereunder or at law or in equity, it being understood and agreed that the provisions of this Agreement shall be solely for the benefit of, and may be enforced solely by, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. None of the rights or obligations of the Partners herein set forth to make Capital Contributions or loans to the Partnership shall be deemed an asset of the Partnership for any purpose by any creditor or other third party, nor may such rights or obligations be sold, transferred or assigned by the Partnership or pledged or encumbered by the Partnership to secure any debt or other obligation of the Partnership or of any of the Partners. In addition, it is the intent of the parties hereto that no distribution to any Limited Partner shall be deemed a return of money or other Property in violation of the Act. However, if any court of competent jurisdiction holds that, notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement, any Limited Partner is obligated to return such money or Property, such obligation shall be the obligation of such Limited Partner and not of the General Partner. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a

 

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deficit Capital Account of a Partner shall not be deemed to be a liability of such Partner nor an asset or Property of the Partnership

4.7 No Interest; No Return

(a) No Partner shall be entitled to interest on its Capital Contribution or on such Partner’s Capital Account.

(b) Except as provided herein or by law, the General Partner shall have no obligation to return to any Partner or withdrawn Partner, and no Partner shall have any right to demand or receive the return, of any Capital Contribution from the Partnership.

4.8 No Preemptive Rights.

Subject to any preemptive rights that may be granted pursuant to Section 4.3 hereof, no Person shall have any preemptive or other similar right with respect to

(a) additional Capital Contributions or loans to the Partnership; or

(b) issuance or sale of any Partnership Units or other Partnership Interests.

ARTICLE 5

DISTRIBUTIONS

5.1 Distributions

Subject to the provisions of Sections 5.3, 5.4 and 12.2(c), the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to distribute, at such times as the General Partner shall determine (each a “ Distribution Date ”), an amount of Cash Available for Distribution, determined by the General Partner in its sole discretion to the Limited Partners and the General Partner, as of the applicable Partnership Record Date, (i) first, at the time and in the manner set forth in the applicable Partnership Unit Designation, to each holder of Preferred Units in accordance with the preferences set forth in such Partnership Unit Designation; and (ii) thereafter, to the holders of Common Units (and Preferred Units entitled pursuant to an applicable Partnership Unit Designation to participate pari passu with Common Units) pro rata in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests (and, with respect to the holders of Preferred Units, as provided in such applicable Partnership Unit Designation). In no event may any Partner receive a distribution pursuant to this Section 5.1 with respect to a Partnership Unit if such Partner is entitled to receive a distribution with respect to REIT Stock for which such a Partnership Unit has been exchanged.

5.2 Qualification as a REIT

The General Partner shall use its best efforts to cause the Partnership to distribute sufficient amounts under this Article 5 to enable the General Partner to pay dividends to the Stockholders that will enable the General Partner to

(a) satisfy the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code and Regulations (“ REIT Requirements ”), and

 

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(b) avoid any federal income or excise tax liability;

provided, however, the General Partner shall not be bound to comply with this covenant to the extent such distributions would

(x) violate applicable Delaware law or

(y) contravene the terms of any notes, mortgages or other types of debt obligations to which the Partnership may be subject in conjunction with borrowed funds.

5.3 Withholding

With respect to any withholding tax or other similar tax liability or obligation to which the Partnership may be subject as a result of any act or status of any Partner or to which the Partnership becomes subject with respect to any Partnership Unit, the Partnership shall have the right to withhold amounts distributable pursuant to this Article V to such Partner or with respect to such Partnership Units, to the extent of the amount of such withholding tax or other similar tax liability or obligation pursuant to the provisions contained in Section 10.5.

5.4 Additional Partnership Interests

If the Partnership issues Partnership Interests in accordance with Section 4.2 or 4.3, the distribution priorities set forth in Section 5.1 shall be amended, as necessary, to reflect the distribution priority of such Partnership Interests and corresponding amendments shall be made to the provisions of Exhibit B.

ARTICLE 6

ALLOCATIONS

6.1 Allocations

The Net Income, Net Loss and other Partnership items shall be allocated pursuant to the provisions of Exhibit B.

6.2 Revisions to Allocations to Reflect Issuance of Partnership Interests

If the Partnership issues Partnership Interests to the General Partner or any existing or additional Limited Partner pursuant to Article IV, the General Partner shall make such revisions to this Article 6 and Exhibit B as it deems necessary to reflect the terms of the issuance of such Partnership Interests, including making preferential allocations to classes of Partnership Interests that are entitled thereto. Such revisions shall not require the consent or approval of any other Partner.

 

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ARTICLE 7

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF BUSINESS

7.1 Management

(a) (i) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, full, complete and exclusive discretion to manage and control the business and affairs of the Partnership are and shall be vested in the General Partner, and no Limited Partner shall have any right to participate in or exercise control or management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership.

(ii) The General Partner may not be removed by the Limited Partners with or without cause.

(iii) In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or which are granted to the General Partner under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to Section 7.11, shall have full power and authority to do all things deemed necessary or desirable by it to conduct the business of the Partnership, to exercise all powers set forth in Section 3.2 hereof and to effectuate the purposes set forth in Section 3.1 hereof, including, without limitation:

(A) (1) the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money, including, without limitation, making prepayments on loans and borrowing money to permit the Partnership to make distributions to its Partners in such amounts as will permit the General Partner (so long as the General Partner qualifies as a REIT) to avoid the payment of any federal income tax (including, for this purpose, any excise tax pursuant to Section 4981 of the Code) and to make distributions to its stockholders in amounts sufficient to permit the General Partner to maintain REIT status,

(2) the assumption or guarantee of, or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities,

(3) the issuance of evidence of indebtedness (including the securing of the same by deed, mortgage, deed of trust or other lien or encumbrance on the Partnership’s assets) and

(4) the incurring of any obligations it deems necessary for the conduct of the activities of the Partnership, including the payment of all expenses associated with the General Partner;

(B) the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over the business or assets of the Partnership or the General Partner;

(C) the acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership (including the exercise or grant of any conversion, option, privilege, or subscription

 

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right or other right available in connection with any assets at any time held by the Partnership) or the merger, consolidation or other combination (each a “Business Combination”) of the Partnership with or into another Entity on such terms as the General Partner deems proper, provided that the General Partner shall be required to send to each Limited Partner a notice of such proposed Business Combination no less than 15 days prior to the record date for the vote of the General Partner’s stockholders on such Business Combination, if any;

(D) the use of the assets of the Partnership (including, without limitation, cash on hand) for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement and on any terms it sees fit, including, without limitation,

(1) the financing of the conduct of the operations of the General Partner, the Partnership or any of the Partnership’s Subsidiaries,

(2) the lending of funds to other Persons (including, without limitation, the Subsidiaries of the Partnership and/or the General Partner) and the repayment of obligations of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries and any other Person in which it has an equity investment, and

(3) the making of capital contributions to its Subsidiaries;

(E) the expansion, development, construction, leasing, repair, alteration, demolition or improvement of any property in which the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership owns an interest;

(F) the negotiation, execution, and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other instruments that the General Partner considers useful or necessary to the conduct of the Partnership’s operations or the implementation of the General Partner’s powers under this Agreement, including contracting with contractors, developers, consultants, accountants, legal counsel, other professional advisors and other agents and the payment of their expenses and compensation out of the Partnership’s assets;

(G) the distribution of Partnership cash or other Partnership assets in accordance with this Agreement;

(H) holding, managing, investing and reinvesting cash and other assets of the Partnership;

(I) the collection and receipt of revenues and income of the Partnership;

(J) the establishment of one or more divisions of the Partnership, the selection and dismissal of employees of the Partnership (including, without limitation, employees having titles such as “president,” “vice president,” “secretary” and “treasurer” of the Partnership), and agents, outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors of the Partnership, and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or engagement;

 

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(K) the maintenance of such insurance for the benefit of the Partnership and the Partners and directors and officers thereof as it deems necessary or appropriate;

(L) the formation of, or acquisition of an interest (including non-voting interests in entities controlled by Affiliates of the Partnership or third parties) in, and the contribution of property to, any further Entities or other relationships that it deems desirable, including, without limitation, the acquisition of interests in, and the contributions of funds or property to, or making of loans to, its Subsidiaries and any other Person from time to time, or the incurrence of indebtedness on behalf of such Persons or the guarantee of the obligations of such Persons; provided that, as long as the General Partner has determined to elect to qualify as a REIT or to continue to qualify as a REIT, the Partnership may not engage in any such formation, acquisition or contribution that would cause the General Partner to fail to qualify as a REIT;

(M) the control of any matters affecting the rights and obligations of the Partnership, including

(1) the settlement, compromise, submission to arbitration or any other form of dispute resolution, or abandonment of, any claim, cause of action, liability, debt or damages, due or owing to or from the Partnership,

(2) the commencement or defense of suits, legal proceedings, administrative proceedings, arbitration or other forms of dispute resolution, and

(3) the representation of the Partnership in all suits or legal proceedings, administrative proceedings, arbitrations or other forms of dispute resolution, the incurring of legal expenses, and the indemnification of any Person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;

(N) the undertaking of any action in connection with the Partnership’s direct or indirect investment in its Subsidiaries or any other Person (including, without limitation, the contribution or loan of funds by the Partnership to such Persons);

(O) the determination of the fair market value of any Partnership property distributed in kind using such reasonable method of valuation as the General Partner, in its sole discretion, may adopt;

(P) the exercise, directly or indirectly, through any attorney-in-fact acting under a general or limited power of attorney, of any right, including the right to vote, appurtenant to any asset or investment held by the Partnership;

(Q) the exercise of any of the powers of the General Partner enumerated in this Agreement on behalf of or in connection with any Subsidiary of the

 

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Partnership or any other Person in which the Partnership has a direct or indirect interest, or jointly with any such Subsidiary or other Person;

(R) the exercise of any of the powers of the General Partner enumerated in this Agreement on behalf of any Person in which the Partnership does not have an interest pursuant to contractual or other arrangements with such Person;

(S) the making, execution and delivery of any and all deeds, leases, notes, mortgages, deeds of trust, security agreements, conveyances, contracts, guarantees, warranties, indemnities, waivers, releases or legal instruments or agreements in writing necessary or appropriate, in the judgment of the General Partner, for the accomplishment of any of the foregoing;

(T) the issuance of additional Partnership Units in connection with Capital Contributions by Additional Limited Partners and additional Capital Contributions by Partners pursuant to Article 4 hereof;

(U) the opening of bank accounts on behalf of, and in the name of, the Partnership and its Subsidiaries; and

(V) the amendment and restatement of Exhibit A to reflect accurately at all times the Capital Contributions and Percentage Interests of the Partners as the same are adjusted from time to time to the extent necessary to reflect redemptions, Capital Contributions, the issuance of Partnership Units, the admission of any Additional Limited Partner or any Substituted Limited Partner or otherwise, which amendment and restatement, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, shall not be deemed an amendment of this Agreement, as long as the matter or event being reflected in Exhibit A otherwise is authorized by this Agreement.

(b) (i) Each of the Limited Partners agree that the General Partner is authorized to execute, deliver and perform the above-mentioned agreements and transactions on behalf of the Partnership without any further act, approval or vote of the Partners, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the fullest extent permitted under the Act or other applicable law, rule or regulation.

(ii) The execution, delivery or performance by the General Partner or the Partnership of any agreement authorized or permitted under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach by the General Partner of any duty that the General Partner may owe the Partnership or the Limited Partners or any other Persons under this Agreement or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity.

(c) At all times from and after the date hereof, the General Partner at the expense of the Partnership, may or may not, cause the Partnership to obtain and maintain

(i) casualty, liability and other insurance on the properties of the Partnership;

(ii) liability insurance for the Indemnitees hereunder; and

 

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(iii) such other insurance as the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, determines to be appropriate and reasonable.

(d) At all times from and after the date hereof, the General Partner may cause the Partnership to establish and maintain at any and all times working capital accounts and other cash or similar balances in such amount as the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, deems appropriate and reasonable from time to time.

(e) (i) In exercising its authority under this Agreement, the General Partner may, but shall be under no obligation to, take into account the tax consequences to any Partner (including the General Partner) of any action taken (or not taken) by it. The General Partner and the Partnership shall not have liability to any Limited Partner for monetary damages or otherwise for losses sustained, liabilities incurred or benefits not delivered by such Limited Partner in connection with such decisions, provided that the General Partner has acted in good faith pursuant to its authority under this Agreement. The Limited Partners expressly acknowledge that the General Partner is acting on behalf of the Partnership, the General Partner, and the General Partner’s stockholders, collectively.

(ii) The General Partner and the Partnership shall not have liability to the any Limited Partner under any circumstances as a result of an income tax liability incurred by such Limited Partner as a result of an action (or inaction) by the General Partner taken pursuant to its authority under and in accordance with this Agreement.

7.2 Certificate of Limited Partnership

(a) The General Partner has previously filed the Certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware as required by the Act.

(b) (i) The General Partner shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such other certificates or documents as may be reasonable and necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation, qualification and operation of a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware and any other state, or the District of Columbia, in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property.

(ii) To the extent that such action is determined by the General Partner to be reasonable and necessary or appropriate, the General Partner shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate and do all of the things to maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) under the laws of the State of Delaware and each other state, or the District of Columbia, in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property.

(iii) Subject to the terms of Section 8.5(a)(iv) hereof, the General Partner shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate or any amendment thereto to any Limited Partner.

 

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7.3 Reimbursement of the General Partner

(a) Except as provided in this Section 7.3 and elsewhere in this Agreement (including the provisions of Articles 5 and 6 regarding distributions, payments, and allocations to which it may be entitled), the General Partner shall not be compensated for its services as general partner of the Partnership.

(b) (i) The Partnership shall be responsible for and shall pay all expenses relating to the Partnership’s organization, the ownership of its assets and its operations. The General Partner shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis, or such other basis as it may determine in its sole and absolute discretion, for all expenses that it incurs on behalf of the Partnership relating to the ownership and operation of the Partnership’s assets, or for the benefit of the Partnership, including all expenses associated with compliance by the General Partner and the Initial Limited Partner with laws, rules and regulations promulgated by any regulatory body, expenses related to the operations of the General Partner and to the management and administration of any Subsidiaries of the General Partner or the Partnership or Affiliates of the Partnership, such as auditing expenses and filing fees and any and all salaries, compensation and expenses of officers and employees of the General Partner, but excluding any portion of expenses reasonably attributable to assets not owned by or for the benefit of, or to operations not for the benefit of, the Partnership or Affiliates of the Partnership; provided, that the amount of any such reimbursement shall be reduced by any interest earned by the General Partner with respect to bank accounts or other instruments or accounts held by it in its name.

(ii) Such reimbursement shall be in addition to any reimbursement made as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 7.6 hereof.

(iii) The General Partner shall determine in good faith the amount of expenses incurred by it related to the ownership and operation of, or for the benefit of, the Partnership. If certain expenses are incurred for the benefit of the Partnership and other entities (including the General Partner), such expenses will be allocated to the Partnership and such other entities in such a manner as the General Partner in its reasonable discretion deems fair and reasonable. All payments and reimbursements hereunder shall be characterized for federal income tax purposes as expenses of the Partnership incurred on its behalf, and not as expenses of the General Partner.

(c) (i) Expenses incurred by the General Partner relating to the organization or reorganization of the Partnership and the General Partner and any issuance of additional Partnership Interests, Securities or rights, options, warrants, or convertible or exchangeable securities pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof and all costs and expenses associated with the preparation and filing of any periodic reports by the General Partner under federal, state or local laws or regulations (including, without limitation, all costs, expenses, damages, and other payments resulting from or arising in connection with litigation related to any of the foregoing) are primarily obligations of the Partnership.

(ii) To the extent the General Partner pays or incurs such expenses, the General Partner shall be reimbursed for such expenses.

 

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7.4 Outside Activities of the General Partner

(a) Without the Consent of the Limited Partners, the General Partner shall not directly or indirectly enter into or conduct any business other than in connection with the ownership, acquisition, and disposition of Partnership Interests and the management of its business and the business of the Partnership, and such activities as are incidental thereto.

(b) The General Partner and any Affiliates of the General Partner may acquire Limited Partner Interests and shall be entitled to exercise all rights of a Limited Partner relating to such Limited Partner Interests.

7.5 Contracts with Affiliates

(a) (i) The Partnership may lend or contribute funds or other assets to its Subsidiaries or other Persons in which it has an equity investment and such Subsidiaries and Persons may borrow funds from the Partnership, on terms and conditions established in the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner.

(ii) The foregoing authority shall not create any right or benefit in favor of any Subsidiary or any other Person.

(b) Except as provided in Section 7.4, the Partnership may Transfer assets to Entities in which it is or thereby becomes a participant upon such terms and subject to such conditions consistent with this Agreement and applicable law as the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, may determine.

(c) Except as expressly permitted by this Agreement, neither the General Partner nor any of its Affiliates shall sell, Transfer or convey any property to, or purchase any property from, the Partnership, directly or indirectly, except pursuant to transactions that are determined by the General Partner in good faith to be fair and reasonable.

(d) The General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion and without the approval the Limited Partners, may propose and adopt, on behalf of the Partnership, employee benefit plans, stock option plans, and similar plans funded by the Partnership for the benefit of employees of the Partnership, the General Partner, any Subsidiaries of the Partnership or any Affiliate of any of them in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the Partnership, the General Partner, any Subsidiaries of the Partnership or any Affiliate of any of them.

(e) The General Partner is expressly authorized to enter into, in the name and on behalf of the Partnership, a “right of first opportunity” or “right of first offer” arrangement, non-competition agreements and other conflict avoidance agreements with various Affiliates of the Partnership and the General Partner, on such terms as the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, believes are advisable.

7.6 Indemnification

(a) (i) To the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, the Partnership shall indemnify each Indemnitee from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities,

 

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joint or several, expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and other legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (collectively, “Claims”), that relate to the operations of the Partnership or the General Partner as set forth in this Agreement, in which such Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, so long as (x) the course of conduct which gave rise to the Claim was taken, in the reasonable determination of the Indemnitee made in good faith, in the best interests of the Partnership or the General Partner, (y) such Claim was not the result of negligence or misconduct by the Indemnitee and (z) such indemnification is not satisfied or recoverable from the assets of the stockholders of the General Partner. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Indemnitee shall be indemnified for any Claim arising from or out of an alleged violation of federal or state securities laws unless (x) there has been a successful adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged securities law violations as to such Indemnitee, (y) such allegations have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction as to such Indemnitee, or (z) a court of competent jurisdiction approves a settlement of such allegations against such Indemnitee and finds that indemnification of the settlement and the related costs should be made, and the court considering the request for indemnification has been advised of the position of the Securities and Exchange Commission and of the published position of any state securities regulatory authority in which Securities were offered or sold as to indemnification for violations of securities law.

(ii) Without limitation, the foregoing indemnity shall extend to any liability of any Indemnitee, pursuant to a loan guaranty (except a guaranty by a Limited Partner of nonrecourse indebtedness of the Partnership or as otherwise provided in any such loan guaranty), contractual obligation for any indebtedness or other obligation or otherwise for any indebtedness of the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership (including, without limitation, any indebtedness which the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership has assumed or taken subject to), and the General Partner is hereby authorized and empowered, on behalf of the Partnership, to enter into one or more indemnity agreements consistent with the provisions of this Section 7.6 in favor of any Indemnitee having or potentially having liability for any such indebtedness.

(iii) Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.6 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership, and neither the General Partner nor any Limited Partner shall have any obligation to contribute to the capital of the Partnership, or otherwise provide funds, to enable the Partnership to fund its obligations under this Section 7.6.

(b) Reasonable expenses incurred by an Indemnitee who is a party to a proceeding shall be paid or reimbursed by the Partnership in advance of the final disposition of any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, civil, criminal, administrative or investigative made or threatened against an Indemnitee upon receipt by the Partnership of (i) a written affirmation by the Indemnitee of the Indemnitee’s good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Partnership as authorized in this Section 7.6 has been met; and (ii) a written undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay the amount if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct has not been met.

 

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(c) The indemnification provided by this Section 7.6 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee or any other Person may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant to any vote of the Partners, as a matter of law or otherwise, and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity unless otherwise provided in a written agreement pursuant to which such Indemnities are indemnified.

(d) The Partnership may, but shall not be obligated to, purchase and maintain insurance, on behalf of the Indemnities and such other Persons as the General Partner shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against or expenses that may be incurred by such Person in connection with the Partnership’s activities, regardless of whether the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.

(e) For purposes of this Section 7.6, the Partnership shall be deemed to have requested an Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by such Indemnitee of its duties to the Partnership also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, such Indemnitee to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute fines within the meaning of this Section 7.6; and actions taken or omitted by the Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose which is not opposed to the best interests of the Partnership.

(f) In no event may an Indemnitee subject any of the Partners (other than the General Partner) to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.

(g) An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 7.6 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.

(h) (i) The provisions of this Section 7.6 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees, their heirs, successors, assigns and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons.

(ii) Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.6 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the Partnership’s liability to any Indemnitee under this Section 7.6, as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification, or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

(i) If and to the extent any payments to the General Partner pursuant to this Section 7.6 constitute gross income to the General Partner (as opposed to the repayment of advances made on behalf of the Partnership), such amounts shall constitute guaranteed payments within the meaning of Section 707(c) of the Code, shall be treated consistently therewith by the Partnership and all Partners, and shall not be treated as distributions for purposes of computing the Partners’ Capital Accounts.

(j) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the General Partner shall not be entitled to indemnification hereunder for any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense for

 

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which the General Partner is obligated to indemnify the Partnership under any other agreement between the General Partner and the Partnership.

7.7 Liability of the General Partner

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, neither the General Partner nor the investment advisor of the General Partner, nor any of their respective officers and directors, shall be liable for monetary damages to the Partnership, any Partners or any Assignees for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of errors in judgment or mistakes of fact or law or of any act or omission unless the General Partner or its investment advisor, as the case may be, acted in bad faith and the act or omission was material to the matter giving rise to the loss, liability or benefit not derived.

(b) (i) The Limited Partners expressly acknowledge that the General Partner (and its investment advisor) is acting on behalf of the Partnership and the shareholders of the General Partner collectively, that the General Partner (and its investment advisor), subject to the provisions of Section 7.1(e) hereof, is under no obligation to consider the separate interest of the Limited Partners (including, without limitation, the tax consequences to the Limited Partners or Assignees) in deciding whether to cause the Partnership to take (or decline to take) any actions, and that the General Partner (and its investment advisor) shall not be liable for monetary damages for losses sustained, liabilities incurred, or benefits not derived by Limited Partners in connection with such decisions; provided that the General Partner (and its investment advisor) has acted in good faith.

(ii) With respect to any indebtedness of the Partnership which any Limited Partner may have guaranteed, the General Partner (and its investment advisor) shall have no duty to keep such indebtedness outstanding.

(c) (i) Subject to its obligations and duties as General Partner set forth in Section 7.1(a) hereof, the General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agent, including its investment advisor.

(ii) The General Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by the General Partner in good faith.

(d) The Limited Partners expressly acknowledge that in the event of any conflict in the fiduciary duties owed by the General Partner to its stockholders and by the General Partner, in its capacity as a general partner of the Partnership, to the Limited Partners, the General Partner may act in the best interests of the General Partner’s stockholders without violating its fiduciary duties to the Limited Partners, and that the General Partner shall not be liable for monetary damages for losses sustained, liabilities incurred, or benefits not derived by the Limited Partners in connection with any such violation.

(e) Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.7 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the General Partner’s and its officers’ and directors’ liability to the Partnership and the Limited Partners under this Section 7.7 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims

 

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arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

7.8 Other Matters Concerning the General Partner

(a) The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in acting, or refraining from acting, upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, or other paper or document believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

(b) The General Partner may consult with legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, management consultants, investment bankers, architects, engineers, environmental consultants and other consultants and advisers selected by it, and any act taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon the opinion of such Persons as to matters which such General Partner reasonably believes to be within such Person’s professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.

(c) (i) The General Partner shall have the right, in respect of any of its powers or obligations hereunder, to act through any of its duly authorized officers and duly appointed attorneys-in-fact.

(ii) Each such attorney shall, to the extent provided by the General Partner in the power of attorney, have full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and duty which is permitted or required to be done by the General Partner hereunder.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement or the Act, any action of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership or any decision of the General Partner to refrain from acting on behalf of the Partnership, undertaken in the good faith belief that such action or omission is necessary or advisable in order to protect the ability of the General Partner to continue to qualify as a REIT; or to avoid the General Partner incurring any federal income or excise taxes is expressly authorized under this Agreement and is deemed approved by all of the Limited Partners.

7.9 Title to Partnership Assets

(a) Title to Partnership assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Partnership as an entity, and no Partner, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such Partnership assets or any portion thereof.

(b) (i) Title to any or all of the Partnership assets may be held in the name of the Partnership, the General Partner or one or more nominees, as the General Partner may determine, including Affiliates of the General Partner.

(ii) The General Partner hereby declares and warrants that any Partnership asset for which legal title is held in the name of the General Partner or any nominee or Affiliate of the General Partner shall be held by the General Partner for the use and benefit of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, that the General Partner shall use its best efforts to cause beneficial and record title to such assets to be vested in the Partnership as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

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(iii) All Partnership assets shall be recorded as the property of the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which legal title to such Partnership assets is held.

7.10 Reliance by Third Parties

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner has full power and authority, without consent or approval of any other Partner or Person, to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Partnership and to enter into any contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and take any and all actions on behalf of the Partnership, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner as if the General Partner were the Partnership’s sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially.

(b) Each Limited Partner hereby waives any and all defenses or other remedies which may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General Partner in connection with any such dealing.

(c) In no event shall any Person dealing with the General Partner or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expediency of any act or action of the General Partner or its representatives.

(d) Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that

(i) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect;

(ii) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership; and

(iii) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.

7.11 Loans By Third Parties

The Partnership may incur Debt, or enter into similar credit, guarantee, financing or refinancing arrangements for any purpose (including, without limitation, in connection with any acquisition of property) with any Person upon such terms as the General Partner determines appropriate.

 

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ARTICLE 8

RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

8.1 Limitation of Liability

No Limited Partner shall have any liability under this Agreement except as expressly provided in this Agreement, including Section 10.5 hereof, or under the Act.

8.2 Management of Business

(a) No Limited Partner or Assignee (other than the General Partner, any of its Affiliates or any officer, director, employee, agent or trustee of the General Partner, the Partnership or any of their Affiliates, in their capacity as such) shall take part in the operation, management or control (within the meaning of the Act) of the Partnership’s business, transact any business in the Partnership’s name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Partnership.

(b) The transaction of any such business by the General Partner, any of its Affiliates or any officer, director, employee, partner, agent or trustee of the General Partner, the Partnership or any of their Affiliates, in their capacity as such, shall not affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the liability of the Limited Partners or Assignees under this Agreement.

8.3 Outside Activities of Limited Partners

(a) Subject to any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 7.5 hereof and any other agreements entered into by a Limited Partner or its Affiliates with the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries, and any Limited Partner and any officer, director, employee, agent, trustee, Affiliate or shareholder of any Limited Partner shall be entitled to and may have business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the Partnership, including business interests and activities that are in direct competition with the Partnership or that are enhanced by the activities of the Partnership.

(b) Neither the Partnership nor any Partners shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business ventures of any Limited Partner or Assignee.

(c) No Limited Partner nor any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement or the Partnership relationship established hereby in any business ventures of any other Person and such Person shall have no obligation pursuant to this Agreement to offer any interest in any such business ventures to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or any such other Person, even if such opportunity is of a character which, if presented to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or such other Person, could be taken by such Person.

8.4 Return of Capital

(a) Except pursuant to the Exchange Rights Agreements, no Limited Partner shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution, except to the extent of distributions made pursuant to this Agreement or upon termination of the Partnership as provided herein.

 

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(b) Except as provided in Articles 5 and 13 hereof, no Limited Partner or Assignee shall have priority over any other Limited Partner or Assignee, either as to the return of Capital Contributions or as to profits, losses or distributions.

8.5 Rights of Limited Partners Relating to the Partnership

(a) In addition to the other rights provided by this Agreement or by the Act, and except as limited by Section 8.5(b) hereof, each Limited Partner shall have the right, for a purpose reasonably related to such Limited Partner’s interest as a limited partner in the Partnership, upon written demand with a statement of the purpose of such demand and at such Limited Partner’s own expense (including such reasonable copying and administrative charges as the General Partner may establish from time to time):

(i) to obtain a copy of the most recent annual and quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the General Partner pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;

(ii) to obtain a copy of the Partnership’s federal, state and local income tax returns for each Partnership Year;

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 8.5, the General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners, for such period of time as the General Partner determines in its sole and absolute discretion to be reasonable, any information that

(i) the General Partner reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or other information, the disclosure of which the General Partner in good faith believes is not in the best interests of the Partnership or could damage the Partnership or its business; or

(ii) the Partnership is required by law or by agreement with an unaffiliated third party to keep confidential.

8.6 Exchange Rights Agreements

(a) The Limited Partners will be granted the right, but not the obligation, to exchange all or a portion of their Common Units for cash or, at the option of the General Partner, for shares of REIT Stock on the terms and subject to the conditions and restrictions contained in certain Exchange Rights Agreements between the General Partners and the Limited Partners (as amended from time to time, the “ Exchange Rights Agreements ”). The form of Exchange Rights Agreement governing the exchange of Partnership Units shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, with such changes as may be agreed to by the General Partner.

(b) The Limited Partners and all successors, assignees and transferees (whether by operation of law, including by merger or consolidation, dissolution or liquidation of an entity that is a Limited Partner, or otherwise) shall be bound by the provisions of the Exchange Rights Agreement to which they are parties.

 

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ARTICLE 9

BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

9.1 Records and Accounting

(a) The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Partnership those records and documents required to be maintained by the Act and other books and records deemed by the General Partner to be appropriate with respect to the Partnership’s business, including, without limitation, all books and records necessary for the General Partner to comply with applicable REIT Requirements and to provide to the Limited Partners any information, lists and copies of documents required to be provided pursuant to Sections 8.5(a) and 9.3 hereof.

(b) Any records maintained by or on behalf of the Partnership in the regular course of its business may be kept on, or be in the form of, punch cards, magnetic tape, photographs, micrographics or any other information storage device, provided that the records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written form within a reasonable period of time.

(c) The books of the Partnership shall be maintained, for financial and tax reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or such other basis as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

9.2 Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Partnership shall be the calendar year.

9.3 Reports

(a) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than the date on which the General Partner mails its annual report to its stockholders, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed to each Limited Partner as of the close of the Partnership Year, an annual report containing financial statements of the Partnership, or of the General Partner, if such statements are prepared on a consolidated basis with the Partnership, for such Partnership Year, presented in accordance with the standards of the Public Accounting Oversight Board (United States), such statements to be audited by a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the General Partner in its sole discretion.

(b) If and to the extent that the General Partner mails quarterly reports to its stockholders, then as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the date such reports are mailed, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed to each Limited Partner a report containing unaudited financial statements as of the last day of the calendar quarter of the Partnership, or of the General Partner, if such statements are prepared on a consolidated basis with the Partnership, and such other information as may be required by applicable law or regulation, or as the General Partner determines to be appropriate.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the General Partner may deliver to the Limited Partners each of the reports described above, as well as any other communications that it may provide hereunder, by E-mail or by any other electronic means.

 

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ARTICLE 10

TAX MATTERS

10.1 Preparation of Tax Returns

The General Partner shall arrange for the preparation and timely filing of all returns of Partnership income, gains, deductions, losses and other items required of the Partnership for federal and state income tax purposes and shall use all reasonable efforts to furnish, within ninety (90) days of the close of each taxable year, the tax information reasonably required by the Limited Partners for federal and state income tax reporting purposes.

10.2 Tax Elections

(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, the General Partner shall, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine whether to make any available election pursuant to the Code.

(b) The General Partner shall elect a permissible method (which need not be the same method for each item or property) of eliminating the disparity between the book value and the tax basis for each item of property contributed to the Partnership or to a Subsidiary of the Partnership pursuant to the regulations promulgated under the provisions of Section 704(c) of the Code.

(c) The General Partner shall have the right to seek to revoke any tax election it makes, including, without limitation, the election under Section 754 of the Code, upon the General Partner’s determination, in its sole and absolute discretion, that such revocation is in the best interests of the Partners.

(d) The General Partner may cause the Partnership to make the safe harbor election provided for by the Proposed Revenue Procedure included in Notice 2005-43, or any similar election provided in a similar final revenue procedure or other published guidance relating to the compensatory transfer or partnership interests (a “ Safe Harbor Election ”) in the manner the General Partner determines will be most advantageous to the Partnership. The Partnership and each Partner agrees to comply with all requirements of the Proposed Revenue Procedure included in Notice 2005-43, or any similar final revenue procedure or other published guidance relating to the compensatory transfer of partnership interests, if a Safe Harbor Election is made, in a similar manner consistent with such election.

10.3 Tax Matters Partner

(a) (i) The General Partner shall be the “tax matters partner” of the Partnership for federal income tax purposes.

(ii) Pursuant to Section 6230(e) of the Code, upon receipt of notice from the Internal Revenue Service of the beginning of an administrative proceeding with respect to the Partnership, the tax matters partner shall furnish the Internal Revenue Service with the name, address, taxpayer identification number, and profit interest of each of the Limited Partners and the Assignees; provided, that such information is provided to the Partnership by the Limited Partners and the Assignees.

 

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(iii) The tax matters partner is authorized, but not required:

(A) to enter into any settlement with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to any administrative or judicial proceedings for the adjustment of Partnership items required to be taken into account by a Partner for income tax purposes (such administrative proceedings being referred to as a “tax audit” and such judicial proceedings being referred to as “judicial review”), and in the settlement agreement the tax matters partner may expressly state that such agreement shall bind all Partners, except that such settlement agreement shall not bind any Partner

(1) who (within the time prescribed pursuant to the Code and Regulations) files a statement with the Internal Revenue Service providing that the tax matters partner shall not have the authority to enter into a settlement agreement on behalf of such Partner; or

(2) who is a “notice partner” (as defined in Section 6231(a)(8) of the Code) or a member of a “notice group” (as defined in Section 6223(b)(2) of the Code);

(B) in the event that a notice of a final administrative adjustment at the Partnership level of any item required to be taken into account by a Partner for tax purposes (a “final adjustment”) is mailed to the tax matters partner, to seek judicial review of such final adjustment, including the filing of a petition for readjustment with the Tax Court or the filing of a complaint for refund with the United States Claims Court or the District Court of the United States for the district in which the Partnership’s principal place of business is located;

(C) to intervene in any action brought by any other Partner for judicial review of a final adjustment;

(D) to file a request for an administrative adjustment with the Internal Revenue Service and, if any part of such request is not allowed by the Internal Revenue Service, to file an appropriate pleading (petition or complaint) for judicial review with respect to such request;

(E) to enter into an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service to extend the period for assessing any tax which is attributable to any item required to be taken account of by a Partner for tax purposes, or an item affected by such item; and

(F) to take any other action on behalf of the Partners or the Partnership in connection with any tax audit or judicial review proceeding to the extent permitted by applicable law or regulations.

The taking of any action and the incurring of any expense by the tax matters partner in connection with any such proceeding, except to the extent required by law, is a matter in the sole and absolute discretion of the tax matters partner and the provisions relating to indemnification of the General Partner set forth in Section 7.6 of this Agreement shall be fully applicable to the tax matters partner in its capacity as such.

 

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(b ) (i) The tax matters partner shall receive no compensation for its services.

(ii) All third party costs and expenses incurred by the tax matters partner in performing its duties as such (including legal and accounting fees and expenses) shall be borne by the Partnership.

(iii) Nothing herein shall be construed to restrict the Partnership from engaging an accounting firm to assist the tax matters partner in discharging its duties hereunder, so long as the compensation paid by the Partnership for such services is reasonable.

10.4 Organizational Expenses

The Partnership shall elect to deduct expenses, if any, incurred by it in organizing the Partnership ratably over a one hundred eighty (180) month period as provided in Section 709 of the Code.

10.5 Withholding

(a) Each Limited Partner hereby authorizes the Partnership to withhold from, or pay on behalf of or with respect to, such Limited Partner any amount of federal, state, local, or foreign taxes that the General Partner determines that the Partnership is required to withhold or pay with respect to any amount distributable or allocable to such Limited Partner pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, any taxes required to be withheld or paid by the Partnership pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445, or 1446 of the Code.

(b) (i) Any amount paid on behalf of or with respect to a Limited Partner shall constitute a loan by the Partnership to such Limited Partner, which loan shall be repaid by such Limited Partner as the case may be within fifteen (15) days after notice from the General Partner that such payment must be made unless

(A) the Partnership withholds such payment from a distribution which would otherwise be made to the Limited Partner; or

(B) the General Partner determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that such payment may be satisfied out of the available funds of the Partnership which would, but for such payment, be distributed to the Limited Partner.

(ii) Any amounts withheld pursuant to the foregoing clauses (i)(A) or (B) shall be treated as having been distributed to the Limited Partner.

(c) (i) Each Limited Partner hereby unconditionally and irrevocably grants to the Partnership a security interest in such Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest, as the case may be, to secure such Limited Partner’s obligation to pay to the Partnership any amounts required to be paid pursuant to this Section 10.5.

(ii) (A) In the event that a Limited Partner fails to pay when due any amounts owed to the Partnership pursuant to this Section 10.5, the General Partner may, in its sole and absolute discretion, elect to make the payment to the Partnership

 

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on behalf of such defaulting Limited Partner, and in such event shall be deemed to have loaned such amount to such defaulting Limited Partner and shall succeed to all rights and remedies of the Partnership as against such defaulting Limited Partner.

(B) Without limitation, in such event, the General Partner shall have the right to receive distributions that would otherwise be distributable to such defaulting Limited Partner until such time as such loan, together with all interest thereon, has been paid in full, and any such distributions so received by the General Partner shall be treated as having been distributed to the defaulting Limited Partner and immediately paid by the defaulting Limited Partner to the General Partner in repayment of such loan.

(iii) Any amount payable by a Limited Partner hereunder shall bear interest at the highest base or prime rate of interest published from time to time by The Wall Street Journal, plus four (4) percentage points, but in no event higher than the maximum lawful rate of interest on such obligation, such interest to accrue from the date such amount is due (i.e., fifteen (15) days after demand) until such amount is paid in full.

(iv) Each Limited Partner shall take such actions as the Partnership or the General Partner shall request in order to perfect or enforce the security interest created hereunder.

ARTICLE 11

TRANSFERS AND WITHDRAWALS

11.1 Transfer

(a) (i) The term “Transfer,” when used in this Article 11 with respect to a Partnership Interest or a Partnership Unit, shall be deemed to refer to a transaction by which the General Partner purports to assign all or any part of its General Partner Interest to another Person, or a Limited Partner purports to assign all or any part of its Limited Partner Interest to another Person, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise.

(ii) The term “Transfer” when used in this Article 11 does not include any exchange of Partnership Units for cash or REIT Stock pursuant to the Exchange Rights Agreement.

(b) (i) No Partnership Interest shall be Transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article 11.

(ii) Any Transfer or purported Transfer of a Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article 11 shall be null and void.

11.2 Transfer of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest

(a) The General Partner may not Transfer any of its General Partner Interest or withdraw as General Partner, or Transfer any of its Limited Partner Interest, except

 

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(i) if holders of at least two-thirds of the Limited Partner Interests consent to such Transfer or withdrawal;

(ii) if such Transfer is to an entity which is wholly owned by the General Partner and is a Qualified REIT Subsidiary as defined in Section 856(i) of the Code; or

(iii) in connection with a transaction described in Section 11.2(c) or 11.2(d) (as applicable)

(b) In the event the General Partner withdraws as general partner of the Partnership in accordance with Section 11.2(a), the General Partner’s General Partner Interest shall immediately be converted into a Limited Partner Interest.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in Section 11.2(d), the General Partner shall not engage in any merger, consolidation or other combination of the General Partner with or into another Person (other than a merger in which the General Partner is the surviving entity) or sale of all or substantially all of its assets, or any reclassification, or any recapitalization of outstanding REIT Stock (other than a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or as a result of a subdivision or combination of REIT Stock) (a “ Transaction ”), unless

(i) in connection with the Transaction all Limited Partners will either receive, or will have the right to elect to receive, for each Partnership Unit an amount of cash, securities, or other property equal to the product of the Exchange Factor and the amount of cash, securities or other property or value paid in the Transaction to or received by a holder of one share of REIT Stock corresponding to such Partnership Unit in consideration of one share of REIT Stock at any time during the period from and after the date on which the Transaction is consummated; provided that if, in connection with the Transaction, a purchase, tender or exchange offer (“ Offer ”) shall have been made to and accepted by the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding REIT Stock, each holder of Partnership Units shall be given the option to exchange its Partnership Units for the amount of cash, securities, or other property which a Limited Partner would have received had it

(A) exercised its Exchange Right and

(B) sold, tendered or exchanged pursuant to the Offer the REIT Stock received upon exercise of the Exchange Right immediately prior to the expiration of the Offer.

The foregoing is not intended to, and does not, affect the ability of (i) a stockholder of the General Partner to sell its stock in the General Partner or (ii) the General Partner to perform its obligations (under agreement or otherwise) to such stockholders (including the fulfillment of any obligations with respect to registering the sale of stock under applicable securities laws).

(d) (i) Notwithstanding Section 11.2(c), the General Partner may merge into or consolidate with another entity if immediately after such merger or consolidation

 

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(A) substantially all of the assets of the successor or surviving entity (the “ Surviving General Partner ”), other than Partnership Units held by the General Partner, are contributed to the Partnership as a Capital Contribution in exchange for Partnership Units with a fair market value equal to the value of the assets so contributed as determined by the Surviving General Partner in good faith and

(B) the Surviving General Partner expressly agrees to assume all obligations of the General Partner hereunder.

(ii) (A) Upon such contribution and assumption, the Surviving General Partner shall have the right and duty to amend this Agreement and the Exchange Rights Agreement as set forth in this Section 11.2(d).

(B) (1) The Surviving General Partner shall in good faith arrive at a new method for the calculation of the Exchange Factor for a Partnership Unit after any such merger or consolidation so as to approximate the existing method for such calculation as closely as reasonably possible.

(2) Such calculation shall take into account, among other things, the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property that was receivable upon such merger or consolidation by a holder of REIT Stock or options, warrants or other rights relating thereto, and which a holder of Partnership Units could have acquired had such Partnership Units been redeemed for REIT Stock immediately prior to such merger or consolidation.

(C) Such amendment to this Agreement shall provide for adjustment to such method of calculation, which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for with respect to the Exchange Factor.

(iii) The above provisions of this Section 11.2(d) shall similarly apply to successive mergers or consolidations permitted hereunder.

11.3 Limited Partners’ Rights to Transfer

(a) Subject to the provisions of Sections 11.3(c), 11.3(d), 11.3(e), 11.4 and 11.6, a Limited Partner may, without the consent of the General Partner, Transfer all or any portion of its Limited Partner Interest, or any of such Limited Partner’s economic right as a Limited Partner. In order to effect such transfer, the Limited Partner must deliver to the General Partner a duly executed copy of the instrument making such transfer and such instrument must evidence the written acceptance by the assignee of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and represent that such assignment was made in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.

(b) (i) If a Limited Partner is Incapacitated, the executor, administrator, trustee, committee, guardian, conservator or receiver of such Limited Partner’s estate shall have all of the rights of a Limited Partner, but not more rights than those enjoyed by other Limited Partners, for the purpose of settling or managing the estate and such power as the

 

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Incapacitated Limited Partner possessed to Transfer all or any part of his or its interest in the Partnership.

(ii) The Incapacity of a Limited Partner, in and of itself, shall not dissolve or terminate the Partnership.

(c) The General Partner may prohibit any Transfer by a Limited Partner of its Partnership Units if it reasonably believes (based on the advice of counsel) such Transfer would require filing of a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or would otherwise violate any federal or state securities laws or regulations applicable to the Partnership or the Partnership Units.

(d) No Transfer by a Limited Partner of its Partnership Units may be made to any Person if

(i) it would adversely affect the ability of the General Partner to continue to qualify as a REIT or would subject the General Partner to any additional taxes under Section 857 or Section 4981 of the Code;

(ii) it would result in the Partnership being treated as an association taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes;

(iii) such Transfer would cause the Partnership to become, with respect to any employee benefit plan subject to Title I of ERISA, a “party-in-interest” (as defined in Section 3(14) of ERISA) or a “disqualified person” (as defined in Section 4975(c) of the Code);

(iv) such Transfer would, in the opinion of legal counsel for the Partnership, cause any portion of the assets of the Partnership to constitute assets of any employee benefit plan pursuant to Department of Labor Regulations Section 2510.2-101;

(v) such Transfer would subject the Partnership to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 or the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, each as amended;

(vi) without the consent of the General Partner, which consent may be withheld in its sole and absolute discretion, such Transfer is a sale or exchange, and such sale or exchange would, when aggregated with all other sales and exchanges during the 12-month period ending on the date of the proposed Transfer, result in fifty percent (50%) or more of the interests in Partnership capital and profits being sold or exchanged during such 12- month period; or

(vii) such Transfer is effectuated through an “established securities market” or a “secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof)” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code.

(e) No transfer of any Partnership Units may be made to a lender to the Partnership or any Person who is related (within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.752-4(b)) to any lender to the Partnership whose loan constitutes a nonrecourse liability (within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.752-1(a)(2)), without the consent of the General Partner, which may be withheld in its sole

 

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and absolute discretion, provided that as a condition to such consent the lender may be required to enter into an arrangement with the Partnership and the General Partner to exchange for the Cash Amount (as such term is defined in the Exchange Rights Agreement) any Partnership Units in which a security interest is held simultaneously with the time at which such lender would be deemed to be a partner in the Partnership for purposes of allocating liabilities to such lender under Section 752 of the Code.

(f) Any Transfer in contravention of any of the provisions of this Section 11.3 shall be void and ineffectual and shall not be binding upon, or recognized by, the Partnership.

11.4 Substituted Limited Partners

(a) (i) No Limited Partner shall have the right to substitute a Permitted Transferee for a Limited Partner in its place.

(ii) The General Partner shall, however, have the right to consent to the admission of a Permitted Transferee of the Partnership Interest of a Limited Partner pursuant to this Section 11.4 as a Substituted Limited Partner, which consent may be given or withheld by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion.

(iii) The General Partner’s failure or refusal to permit such transferee to become a Substituted Limited Partner shall not give rise to any cause of action against the Partnership or any Partner.

(b) A transferee who has been admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner in accordance with this Article 11 shall have all the rights and powers and be subject to all the restrictions and liabilities of a Limited Partner under this Agreement.

(c) (i) No Permitted Transferee will be admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner, unless such transferee has furnished to the General Partner evidence of acceptance in form satisfactory to the General Partner of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and, as it relates to the Substituted Limited Partners, the Exchange Rights Agreement, including, without limitation, the power of attorney granted in Section 2.4 hereof.

(ii) Upon the admission of a Substituted Limited Partner, the General Partner shall amend Exhibit A to reflect the name, address, number of Partnership Units, and Percentage Interest of such Substituted Limited Partner, and to eliminate or adjust, if necessary, the name, address and interest of the predecessor of such Substituted Limited Partner.

11.5 Assignees

(a) If the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, does not consent to the admission of any transferee as a Substituted Limited Partner, as described in Section 11.4(a), such transferee shall be considered an Assignee for purposes of this Agreement.

(b) An Assignee shall be deemed to have had assigned to it, and shall be entitled to receive distributions from the Partnership and the share of Net Income, Net Losses and any other

 

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items of gain, loss, deduction or credit of the Partnership attributable to the Partnership Units assigned to such transferee, but shall not be deemed to be a holder of Partnership Units for any other purpose under this Agreement, and shall not be entitled to vote such Partnership Units in any matter presented to the Limited Partners, for a vote (such Partnership Units being deemed to have been voted on such matter in the same proportion as all other Partnership Units held by Limited Partners are voted).

(c) In the event any such transferee desires to make a further assignment of any such Partnership Units, such transferee shall be subject to all of the provisions of this Article 11 to the same extent and in the same manner as any Limited Partner desiring to make an assignment of Partnership Units.

11.6 General Provisions

(a) No Limited Partner may withdraw from the Partnership other than as a result of a permitted Transfer of all of such Limited Partner’s Partnership Units in accordance with this Article 11 or, as it relates to the Limited Partners, pursuant to exchange of all of its Partnership Units pursuant to the applicable Exchange Rights Agreement.

(b) (i) Any Limited Partner which shall Transfer all of its Partnership Units in a Transfer permitted pursuant to this Article 11 shall cease to be a Limited Partner upon the admission of all Assignees of such Partnership Units as Substituted Limited Partners.

(ii) Similarly, any Limited Partner which shall Transfer all of its Partnership Units pursuant to an exchange of all of its Partnership Units pursuant to an Exchange Rights Agreement shall cease to be a Limited Partner.

(c) Other than pursuant to the Exchange Rights Agreement or with the consent of the General Partner, transfers pursuant to this Article 11 may only be made as of the first day of a fiscal quarter of the Partnership.

(d) (i) If any Partnership Interest is transferred or assigned during the Partnership’s fiscal year in compliance with the provisions of this Article 11 or exchanged pursuant to the applicable Exchange Rights Agreement on any day other than the first day of a Partnership Year, then Net Income, Net Losses, each item thereof and all other items attributable to such interest for such Partnership Year shall be divided and allocated between the transferor Partner and the transferee Partner by taking into account their varying interests during the Partnership Year in accordance with the method selected by the General Partner under Section 706(d) of the Code.

(ii) Solely for purposes of making such allocations, each of such items for the calendar month in which the Transfer or assignment occurs shall be allocated to the transferee Partner, and none of such items for the calendar month in which an exchange occurs shall be allocated to the exchanging Partner, provided, however, that the General Partner may adopt such other conventions relating to allocations in connection with transfers, assignments, or exchanges as it determines are necessary or appropriate.

 

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(iii) All distributions pursuant to Section 5.1 attributable to Partnership Units, with respect to which the Partnership Record Date is before the date of such Transfer, assignment, or exchange of such Partnership Units, shall be made to the transferor Partner or the exchanging Partner, as the case may be, and in the case of a Transfer or assignment other than an exchange, all distributions pursuant to Section 5.1 thereafter attributable to such Partnership Units shall be made to the transferee Partner.

(e) In addition to any other restrictions on transfer herein contained, including without limitation the provisions of this Article 11, in no event may any Transfer or assignment of a Partnership Interest by any Partner (including pursuant to Section 8.6) be made without the express consent of the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, (i) to any person or entity who lacks the legal right, power or capacity to own a Partnership Interest; (ii) in violation of applicable law; (iii) of any component portion of a Partnership Interest, such as the Capital Account, or rights to distributions, separate and apart from all other components of a Partnership Interest; (iv) if in the opinion of legal counsel to the Partnership such transfer would cause a termination of the Partnership for federal or state income tax purposes (except as a result of the exchange for REIT Stock of all Partnership Units held by all Limited Partners or pursuant to a transaction expressly permitted under Section 7.11 or Section 11.2); (v) if in the opinion of counsel to the Partnership, there would be a significant risk that such transfer would cause the Partnership to cease to be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes (except as a result of the exchange for REIT Stock of all Partnership Units held by all Limited Partners or pursuant to a transaction expressly permitted under Section 7.11 or Section 11.2); (vi) if such transfer requires the registration of such Partnership Interest pursuant to any applicable federal or state securities laws; (vii) if such transfer is effectuated through an “established securities market” or a “secondary market” (or the substantial equivalent thereof) within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code or such transfer causes the Partnership to become a “publicly traded partnership,” as such term is defined in Section 469(k)(2) or Section 7704(b) of the Code (provided that this clause (vii) shall not be the basis for limiting or restricting in any manner the exercise of the Exchange Right under Section 8.6 unless, and only to the extent that, outside tax counsel provides to the General Partner an opinion to the effect that, in the absence of such limitation or restriction, there is a significant risk that the Partnership will be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” and, by reason thereof, taxable as a corporation); (viii) such transfer could adversely affect the ability of the General Partner to remain qualified as a REIT; or (ix) if in the opinion of legal counsel of the transferring Partner (which opinion and counsel are reasonably satisfactory to the Partnership), or legal counsel of the Partnership, such transfer would adversely affect the ability of the General Partner to continue to qualify as a REIT or subject the General Partner to any additional taxes under Section 857 or Section 4981 of the Code, in the event that the General Partner has elected to be qualified as a REIT.

(f) The General Partner shall monitor the transfers of interests in the Partnership to determine (i) if such interests are being traded on an “established securities market” or a “secondary market” (or the substantial equivalent thereof) within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code; and (ii) whether additional transfers of interests would result in the Partnership being unable to qualify for at least one of the “safe harbors” set forth in Regulations Section 1.7704-1 (or such other guidance subsequently published by the IRS setting forth safe harbors under which interests will not be treated as “readily tradable on a secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof)” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code) (the “Safe Harbors”). The General Partner shall take all steps reasonably necessary or appropriate to prevent any trading of interests or any recognition by the

 

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Partnership of transfers made on such markets and, except as otherwise provided herein, to insure that at least one of the Safe Harbors is met; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not authorize the General Partner to limit or restrict in any manner the right of any Limited Partner to exercise the Exchange Right in accordance with the terms of the applicable Exchange Rights Agreement unless, and only to the extent that, outside tax counsel provides to the General Partner an opinion to the effect that, in the absence of such limitation or restriction, there is a significant risk that the Partnership will be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” and, by reason thereof, taxable as a corporation.

ARTICLE 12

ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

12.1 Admission of Successor General Partner

(a) (i) A successor to all of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 11 hereof who is proposed to be admitted as a successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner, effective immediately following such transfer and the admission of such successor General Partner as a general partner of the Partnership upon the satisfaction of the terms and conditions set forth in Section 12.1(b).

(ii) Any such transferee shall carry on the business of the Partnership without dissolution.

(b) A Person shall be admitted as a substitute or successor General Partner of the Partnership only if the following terms and conditions are satisfied:

(i) the Person to be admitted as a substitute or additional General Partner shall have accepted and agreed to be bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by executing a counterpart thereof and such other documents or instruments as may be required or appropriate in order to effect the admission of such Person as a General Partner;

(ii) if the Person to be admitted as a substitute or additional General Partner is a corporation or a partnership it shall have provided the Partnership with evidence satisfactory to counsel for the Partnership of such Person’s authority to become a General Partner and to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement; and

(iii) counsel for the Partnership shall have rendered an opinion (relying on such opinions from other counsel as may be necessary) that the admission of the person to be admitted as a substitute or additional General Partner is in conformity with the Act, that none of the actions taken in connection with the admission of such Person as a substitute or additional General Partner will cause

(A) the Partnership to be classified other than as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, or

(B) the loss of any Limited Partner’s limited liability.

 

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(c) In the case of such admission on any day other than the first day of a Partnership Year, all items attributable to the General Partner Interest for such Partnership Year shall be allocated between the transferring General Partner and such successor as provided in Section 11.6(d) hereof.

12.2 Admission of Additional Limited Partners

(a) A Person who makes a Capital Contribution to the Partnership in accordance with this Agreement shall be admitted to the Partnership as an Additional Limited Partner only upon furnishing to the General Partner

(i) evidence of acceptance in form satisfactory to the General Partner of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the applicable Exchange Rights Agreement, including, without limitation, the power of attorney granted in Section 2.4 hereof, and

(ii) such other documents or instruments as may be required in the discretion of the General Partner in order to effect such Person’s admission as an Additional Limited Partner.

(b) (i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 12.2, no Person shall be admitted as an Additional Limited Partner without the consent of the General Partner, which consent may be given or withheld in the General Partner’s sole and absolute discretion.

(ii) The admission of any Person as an Additional Limited Partner shall become effective on the date upon which the name of such Person is recorded on the books and records of the Partnership, following the consent of the General Partner to such admission.

(c) (i) If any Additional Limited Partner is admitted to the Partnership on any day other than the first day of a Partnership Year, then Net Income, Net Losses, each item thereof and all other items allocable among Partners and Assignees for such Partnership Year shall be allocated among such Additional Limited Partner and all other Partners and Assignees by taking into account their varying interests during the Partnership Year in accordance with the method selected by the General Partner under Section 706(d) of the Code.

(ii) (A) Solely for purposes of making such allocations, each of such items for the calendar month in which an admission of any Additional Limited Partner occurs shall be allocated among all of the Partners and Assignees, including such Additional Limited Partner.

(B) distributions pursuant to Section 5.1 with respect to which the Partnership Record Date is before the date of such admission shall be made solely to Partners and Assignees, other than the Additional Limited Partner, and all distributions pursuant to Section 5.1 thereafter shall be made to all of the Partners and Assignees, including such Additional Limited Partner.

 

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12.3 Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership

For the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary and appropriate under the Act to amend the records of the Partnership and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practical an amendment of this Agreement (including an amendment of Exhibit A) and, if required by law, shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate and may for this purpose exercise the power of attorney granted pursuant to Section 2.4 hereof.

ARTICLE 13

DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION

13.1 Dissolution

(a) The Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of Substituted Limited Partners, Additional Limited Partners or by the admission of a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon the withdrawal of the General Partner, any successor General Partner shall continue the business of the Partnership.

(b) The Partnership shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound up, only upon the first to occur of any of the following (“ Liquidating Events ”):

(i) the expiration of its term as provided in Section 2.5 hereof;

(ii) an event of withdrawal of the General Partner, as defined in the Act (other than an event of bankruptcy), unless, within ninety (90) days after such event of withdrawal, a “majority in interest” (as defined below) of the remaining Partners Consent in writing to continue the business of the Partnership and to the appointment, effective as of the date of withdrawal, of a successor General Partner;

(iii) an election to dissolve the Partnership made by the General Partner, with the Consent of the Limited Partners holding at least a majority of the Percentage Interest of the Limited Partners (including Limited Partner Interests held by the General Partner);

(iv) entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Act;

(v) a Capital Transaction;

(vi) a final and non-appealable judgment is entered by a court of competent jurisdiction ruling that the General Partner is bankrupt or insolvent, or a final and non-appealable order for relief is entered by a court with appropriate jurisdiction against the General Partner, in each case under any federal or state bankruptcy or insolvency laws as now or hereafter in effect, unless prior to the entry of such order or judgment and a “majority in interest” (as defined below) of the remaining Partners Consent in writing to continue the business of the Partnership and to the appointment, effective as of a date prior to the date of such order or judgment, of a substitute General Partner.

 

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As used herein, a “majority in interest” shall refer to Partners (excluding the General Partner) who hold more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding Percentage Interests not held by the General Partner.

13.2 Winding Up

(a) (i) Upon the occurrence of a Liquidating Event, the Partnership shall continue solely for the purposes of winding up its affairs in an orderly manner, liquidating its assets, and satisfying the claims of its creditors and Partners.

(ii) No Partner shall take any action that is inconsistent with, or not necessary to or appropriate for, the winding up of the Partnership’s business and affairs.

(iii) The General Partner, or, in the event there is no remaining General Partner, any Person elected unanimously by the Limited Partners holding at least a “majority in interest” (the General Partner or such other Person being referred to herein as the “Liquidator”), shall be responsible for overseeing the winding up and dissolution of the Partnership and shall take full account of the Partnership’s liabilities and property and the Partnership property shall be liquidated as promptly as is consistent with obtaining the fair value thereof, and the proceeds therefrom (which may, to the extent determined by the General Partner, include shares of common stock or other securities of the General Partner) shall be applied and distributed in the following order:

(A) First, to the payment and discharge of all of the Partnership’s debts and liabilities to creditors other than the Partners;

(B) Second, to the payment and discharge of all of the Partnership’s debts and liabilities to the General Partner;

(C) Third, to the payment and discharge of all of the Partnership’s debts and liabilities to the other Partners; and

(D) the balance, if any, shall be distributed to all Partners in accordance with Section 5.1.

(iv) The General Partner shall not receive any additional compensation for any services performed pursuant to this Article 13.

(v) Any distributions pursuant to this Section 13.2(a) shall be made by the end of the Partnership’s taxable year in which the liquidation occurs (or, if later, within 90 days after the date of the liquidation).

(b) (i) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.2(a) hereof which require liquidation of the assets of the Partnership, but subject to the order of priorities set forth therein, if prior to or upon dissolution of the Partnership the Liquidator determines that an immediate sale of part or all of the Partnership’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners, the Liquidator may, in its sole and absolute discretion, defer for a reasonable time the liquidation of any asset except those necessary to satisfy liabilities of the

 

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Partnership (including to those Partners as creditors) or distribute to the Partners, in lieu of cash, as tenants in common and in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.2(a) hereof, undivided interests in such Partnership assets as the Liquidator deems not suitable for liquidation.

(ii) Any such distributions in kind shall be made only if, in the good faith judgment of the Liquidator, such distributions in kind are in the best interests of the Partners, and shall be subject to such conditions relating to the disposition and management of such properties as the Liquidator deems reasonable and equitable and to any agreements governing the operation of such properties at such time.

(iii) The Liquidator shall determine the fair market value of any property distributed in kind using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt.

(c) In the discretion of the Liquidator, a pro rata portion of the distributions that would otherwise be made to the General Partner and Limited Partners pursuant to this Article 13 may be:

(A) distributed to a trust established for the benefit of the General Partner and Limited Partners for the purposes of liquidating Partnership assets, collecting amounts owed to the Partnership, and paying any contingent or unforeseen liabilities or obligations of the Partnership or the General Partner arising out of or in connection with the Partnership; the assets of any such trust shall be distributed to the General Partner and Limited Partners from time to time, in the reasonable discretion of the Liquidator, in the same proportions as the amount distributed to such trust by the Partnership would otherwise have been distributed to the General Partner and Limited Partners pursuant to this Agreement; or

(B) withheld or escrowed to provide a reasonable reserve for Partnership liabilities (contingent or otherwise) and to reflect the unrealized portion of any installment obligations owed to the Partnership, provided that such withheld or escrowed amounts shall be distributed to the General Partner and Limited Partners in the manner and order of priority set forth in Section 13.2(a), as soon as practicable.

13.3 No Obligation to Contribute Deficit

If any Partner has a deficit balance in his Capital Account (after giving effect to all contributions, distributions and allocations for all taxable years, including the year during which such liquidation occurs), such Partner shall have no obligation to make any contribution to the capital of the Partnership with respect to such deficit, and such deficit shall not be considered a debt owed to the Partnership or to any other Person for any purpose whatsoever.

13.4 Rights of Limited Partners

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, each Limited Partner shall look solely to the assets of the Partnership for the return of its Capital Contributions and shall have no right or power to demand or receive property other than cash from the Partnership.

 

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(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no Limited Partner shall have priority over any other Partner as to the return of its Capital Contributions, distributions, or allocations.

13.5 Notice of Dissolution

In the event a Liquidating Event occurs or an event occurs that would, but for the provisions of an election or objection by one or more Partners pursuant to Section 13.1, result in a dissolution of the Partnership, the General Partner shall, within thirty (30) days thereafter, provide written notice thereof to each of the Partners.

13.6 Termination of Partnership and Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership

Upon the completion of the liquidation of the Partnership’s assets, as provided in Section 13.2 hereof, the Partnership shall be terminated, a certificate of cancellation shall be filed, and all qualifications of the Partnership as a foreign limited partnership in jurisdictions other than the state of Delaware shall be canceled and such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Partnership shall be taken.

13.7 Reasonable Time for Winding-Up

A reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly winding-up of the business and affairs of the Partnership and the liquidation of its assets pursuant to Section 13.2 hereof in order to minimize any losses otherwise attendant upon such winding-up, and the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect among the Partners during the period of liquidation.

13.8 Waiver of Partition

Each Partner hereby waives any right to partition of the Partnership property.

ARTICLE 14

AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS

14.1 Amendments

(a) (i) The General Partner shall have the power, without the consent of the Limited Partners, to amend this Agreement except as set forth in Section 14.1(b) hereof.

(ii) The General Partner shall provide notice to the Limited Partners when any action under this Section 14.1(a) is taken in the next regular communication to the Limited Partners.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 14.1(a) hereof, this Agreement shall not be amended with respect to

(i) any Partner adversely affected without the Consent of such Partner adversely affected if such amendment would:

 

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(A) convert a Limited Partner’s interest in the Partnership into a General Partner Interest;

(B) modify the limited liability of a Limited Partner in a manner adverse to such Limited Partner; or

(C) amend this Section 14.1(b)(i).

(ii) any Limited Partner adversely affected without the Consent of Limited Partners holding more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding Percentage Interests of the Limited Partners adversely affected if such amendment would:

(A) alter or change Exchange Rights;

(B) create an obligation to make Capital Contributions not contemplated in this Agreement;

(C) alter or change the terms of this Agreement or the Exchange Rights Agreement regarding the rights of the Limited Partners with respect to Business Combinations;

(D) alter or change the distribution and liquidation rights provided in Section 5 and 13 hereto, except as otherwise permitted under this Agreement; or

(E) amend this Section 14.1(b)(ii).

(iii) any initial Limited Partner adversely affected without the Consent of such Partner adversely affected if such amendment would:

(A) adversely alter or change the rights under the Limited Partnership Interests held by any such Partner in the commercially reasonable judgment of such Partner; or

(B) amend this Section 14.1(b)(iii).

Section 14.1(b)(i) does not require unanimous consent of all Partners adversely affected unless the amendment is to be effective against all Partners adversely affected.

14.2 Meetings of the Partners

(a) (i) Meetings of the Partners may be called by the General Partner and shall be called upon the receipt by the General Partner of a written request by Limited Partners holding 25 percent or more of the Partnership Interests.

(ii) The request shall state the nature of the business to be transacted.

(iii) Notice of any such meeting shall be given to all Partners not less than seven (7) days nor more than thirty (30) days prior to the date of such meeting.

 

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(iv) Partners may vote in person or by proxy at such meeting.

(v) Whenever the vote or Consent of the Limited Partners is permitted or required under this Agreement, such vote or Consent may be given at a meeting of the Partners or may be given in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Section 14.2(b) hereof.

(vi) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the Consent of holders of a majority of the Percentage Interests held by Partners (including the General Partner) shall control.

(b) (i) Subject to Section 14.2(a)(vi), any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Partners may be taken without a meeting if a written consent setting forth the action so taken is signed by a majority of the Percentage Interests of the Partners (or such other percentage as is expressly required by this Agreement).

(ii) Such consent may be in one instrument or in several instruments, and shall have the same force and effect as a vote of a majority of the Percentage Interests of the Partners (or such other percentage as is expressly required by this Agreement).

(iii) Such consent shall be filed with the General Partner.

(iv) An action so taken shall be deemed to have been taken at a meeting held on the effective date of the consent as certified by the General Partner.

(c) (i) Each Limited Partner may authorize any Person or Persons to act for him by proxy on all matters in which a Limited Partner is entitled to participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or participating at a meeting.

(ii) Every proxy must be signed by the Partner or an attorney-in-fact and a copy thereof delivered to the Partnership.

(iii) No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy.

(iv) Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the Partner executing it, such revocation to be effective upon the General Partner’s receipt of written notice of such revocation from the Partner executing such proxy.

(d) (i) Each meeting of the Partners shall be conducted by the General Partner or such other Person as the General Partner may appoint pursuant to such rules for the conduct of the meeting as the General Partner or such other Person deems appropriate.

(ii) Meetings of Partners may be conducted in the same manner as meetings of the stockholders of the General Partner and may be held at the same time, and as part of, meetings of the stockholders of the General Partner.

 

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ARTICLE 15

GENERAL PROVISIONS

15.1 Addresses and Notice

Any notice, demand, request or report required or permitted to be given or made to a Partner or Assignee under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person or five days after being sent by first class United States mail or by overnight delivery or via facsimile to the Partner or Assignee at the address set forth in Exhibit A or such other address of which the Partner shall notify the General Partner in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the General Partner may elect to deliver any such notice, demand, request or report by E-mail or by any other electronic means, in which case such communication shall be deemed given or made one day after being sent.

15.2 Titles and Captions

All article or section titles or captions in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, shall not be deemed part of this Agreement and shall in no way define, limit, extend or describe the scope or intent of any provisions hereof. Except as specifically provided otherwise, references to “Articles” and “Sections” are to Articles and Sections of this Agreement.

15.3 Pronouns and Plurals

Whenever the context may require, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa.

15.4 Further Action

The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

15.5 Binding Effect

This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

15.6 Creditors

Other than as expressly set forth herein with respect to the Indemnities, none of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or shall be enforceable by, any creditor of the Partnership.

15.7 Waiver

No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a

 

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breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

15.8 Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one agreement binding on all of the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto.

15.9 Applicable Law

This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

15.10 Invalidity of Provisions

If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected thereby.

15.11 Entire Agreement

This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement among the Partners with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any other prior written or oral understandings or agreements among them with respect thereto.

15.12 Merger

Subject to Section 4.2 herein, the Partnership may merge with, or consolidate into, any Person or Entity in accordance with Section 17-211 of the Act.

15.13 No Rights as Stockholders

Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as conferring upon the holders of the Partnership Units any rights whatsoever as stockholders of the General Partner, including, without limitation, any right to receive dividends or other distributions made to shareholders or to vote or to consent or receive notice as shareholders in respect to any meeting or shareholders for the election of directors of the General Partner or any other matter.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have hereunder affixed their signatures to this Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership, all as of the date first written above.

 

GENERAL PARTNER:
INDEPENDENCE REALTY TRUST, INC.
By:  

/s/ James J. Sebra

Name:   James J. Sebra
Title:   Chief Financial Officer
INITIAL LIMITED PARTNERS:
IRT LIMITED PARTNER, LLC
By:   Independence Realty Trust, Inc., its sole member
  By:  

/s/ James J. Sebra

  Name:   James J. Sebra
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer
INDEPENDENCE REALTY TRUST, INC.
By:  

/s/ James J. Sebra

Name:   James J. Sebra
Title:   Chief Financial Officer


Corporate/Limited Liability Company Additional Limited Partner Signature Page to Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement

of Limited Partnership of Independence Realty Operating Partnership, LP, by and among the

undersigned and the other parties thereto.

 

Dated:                  , 20         [Name of Corporation/LLC]
    By:  

 

      Name:
      Title:


Individual Additional Limited Partner Signature Page to Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of

Independence Realty Operating Partnership, LP, by and among the undersigned and the

other parties thereto.

 

Dated:                  , 20      

 

 


Partnership Limited Partner Signature Page to Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Independence Realty Operating Partnership, LP, by and among the undersigned and the other

parties thereto.

 

Dated:                  , 20         [Name of Partnership]
    By:  

 

      Name:
      Title:


EXHIBIT A

Partners’ Partnership Interests

 

Name and Address of Partner

   Type of Interest    Number of Series A
Preferred Units
     Number of Series  B
Preferred Units
     Number of  Common
Partnership Units
 

General Partner :

           

Independence Realty Trust, Inc.

Cira Centre

2929 Arch Street, 17 th Floor

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

   General
Partnership
Interest
     125            5,599,923   

Limited Partners :

           

IRT Limited Partner, LLC

Cira Centre

2929 Arch Street, 17 th Floor

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

   Limited
Partnership

Interest

           100   

RAIT NTR Holdings, LLC

Cira Center

2929 Arch Street, 17 th Floor

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

   Limited

Partnership

Interest

        350      

 

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EXHIBIT B

Allocations

1. Allocation of Net Income and Net Loss . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, Net Income, Net Loss and, to the extent necessary, individual items of income, gain, loss or deduction, of the Partnership shall be allocated among the Partners in a manner such that the Capital Account of each Partner, immediately after making such allocation, is, as nearly as possible, equal proportionately to (i) the distributions that would be made to such Partner pursuant to Section 5.1if the Partnership were dissolved, its affairs wound up and its assets sold for cash equal to their Gross Asset Value, all Partnership liabilities were satisfied (limited with respect to each nonrecourse liability to the Gross Asset Value of the assets securing such liability), and the net assets of the Partnership were distributed in accordance with Section 5.1 to the Partners immediately after making such allocation, minus (ii) such Partner’s share of Partnership minimum gain (within the meaning of Regulation Section 1.704-2(d)) and Partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain (within the meaning of Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(5)), computed immediately prior to the hypothetical sale of assets.

2. Special Allocations . Notwithstanding any provisions of paragraph 1 of this Exhibit B, the following special allocations shall be made.

(a) Minimum Gain Chargeback (Nonrecourse Liabilities) . Except as otherwise provided in Section 1.704-2(f) of the Regulations, if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain for any Partnership fiscal year, each Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, subsequent years) in an amount equal to such Partner’s share of the net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain to the extent required by Regulations Section 1.704-2(f). The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Sections 1.704-2(f) and (i) of the Regulations. This subparagraph 2(a) is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement in said section of the Regulations and shall be interpreted consistently therewith. Allocations pursuant to this subparagraph 2(a) shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Partner pursuant hereto.

(b) Partner Minimum Gain Chargeback . Except as otherwise provided in Section 1.704-2(i)(4) of the Regulations, if there is a net decrease in Partner Minimum Gain attributable to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt during any fiscal year, each Partner who has a share of the Partner Minimum Gain attributable to such Partner Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Section 1.704-2(i)(5) of the Regulations, shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, subsequent years) in an amount equal to that Partner’s share of the net decrease in the Partner Minimum Gain attributable to such Partner Nonrecourse Debt to the extent and in the manner required by Section 1.704-2(i) of the Regulations. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and (j)(2) of the Regulations. This subparagraph 2(b) is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement with respect to Partner Nonrecourse Debt contained in said section of the Regulations and shall be interpreted consistently therewith. Allocations pursuant to this subparagraph 2(b) shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Partner pursuant hereto.

(c) Qualified Income Offset . In the event a Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) or (6) of the

 

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Regulations, and such Partner has an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit, items of Partnership income (including gross income) and gain shall be specially allocated to such Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate the Adjusted Capital Account Deficit as quickly as possible as required by the Regulations. This subparagraph 2(c) is intended to constitute a “qualified income offset” under Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) of the Regulations and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(d) Other Chargeback of Impermissible Negative Capital Account . To the extent any Partner has an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit at the end of any Partnership fiscal year, each such Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income (including gross income) and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible, provided that an allocation pursuant to this paragraph 2(d) shall be made if and only to the extent that such Partner would have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit after all other allocations provided for in this Exhibit B have been tentatively made as if this paragraph 2(d) were not in the Agreement.

(e) Nonrecourse Deductions . Nonrecourse Deductions for any fiscal year or other applicable period shall be allocated to the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.

(f) Partner Nonrecourse Deductions . Partner Nonrecourse Deductions for any fiscal year or other applicable period with respect to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt shall be specially allocated to the Partner that bears the economic risk of loss for such Partner Nonrecourse Debt (as determined under Sections 1.704-2(b)(4) and 1.704-2(i)(1) of the Regulations).

(g) Section 754 Adjustment . To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any asset of the Partnership pursuant to Section 734(b) of the Code or Section 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m) of the Regulations, to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) and such gain or loss shall be specially allocated among the Partners in a manner consistent with the manner in which each of their respective Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to such section of the Regulations.

(h) Gross Income Allocation . There shall be specially allocated to the General Partner an amount of Partnership income and gain during each Partnership Year or portion thereof, before any other allocations are made hereunder, which is equal to the excess, if any, of the cumulative distributions of cash made to the General Partner under Section 7.3(b) hereof over the cumulative allocations of Partnership income and gain to the General Partner pursuant to this Section 2(h) of this Exhibit B.

3. Tax Allocations .

(a) Items of Income or Loss . Except as is otherwise provided in this Exhibit B, an allocation of Partnership Net Income or Net Loss to a Partner shall be treated as an allocation to such Partner of the same share of each item of income, gain, loss, deduction and item of tax-exempt income or Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditure (or item treated as such expenditure pursuant to

 

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Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i)) (“Tax Items”) that is taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss.

(b) Section 1245/1250 Recapture . If any portion of gain from the sale of Partnership assets is treated as gain which is ordinary income by virtue of the application of Code Sections 1245 or 1250 (“Affected Gain”), then such Affected Gain shall be allocated among the Partners in the same proportion that the depreciation and amortization deductions giving rise to the Affected Gain were allocated. This subparagraph 3(b) shall not alter the amount of Net Income (or items thereof) allocated among the Partners, but merely the character of such Net Income (or items thereof). For purposes hereof, in order to determine the proportionate allocations of depreciation and amortization deductions for each fiscal year or other applicable period, such deductions shall be deemed allocated on the same basis as Net Income and Net Loss for such respective period.

(c) Precontribution Gain, Revaluations . With respect to any Contributed Property, the Partnership shall use any permissible method contained in the Regulations promulgated under Section 704(c) of the Code selected by the General Partner, in its sole discretion, to take into account any variation between the adjusted basis of such asset and the fair market value of such asset as of the time of the contribution (“Precontribution Gain”). Each Partner hereby agrees to report income, gain, loss and deduction on such Partner’s federal income tax return in a manner consistent with the method used by the Partnership. If any asset has a Gross Asset Value which is different from the Partnership’s adjusted basis for such asset for federal income tax purposes because the Partnership has revalued such asset pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704- 1(b)(2)(iv)(f), the allocations of Tax Items shall be made in accordance with the principles of Section 704(c) of the Code and the Regulations and the methods of allocation promulgated thereunder. The intent of this subparagraph 3(c) is that each Partner who contributed to the capital of the Partnership a Contributed Property will bear, through reduced allocations of depreciation, increased allocations of gain or other items, the tax detriments associated with any Precontribution Gain. This subparagraph 3(c) is to be interpreted consistently with such intent.

(d) Excess Nonrecourse Liability Safe Harbor . Pursuant to Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3), solely for purposes of determining each Partner’s proportionate share of the “excess nonrecourse liabilities” of the Partnership (as defined in Regulations Section 1.752- 3(a)(3)), the Partners’ respective interests in Partnership profits shall be determined under any permissible method reasonably determined by the General Partner; provided, however, that each Partner who has contributed an asset to the Partnership shall be allocated, to the extent possible, a share of “excess nonrecourse liabilities” of the Partnership which results in such Partner being allocated nonrecourse liabilities in an amount which is at least equal to the amount of income pursuant to Section 704(c) of the Code and the Regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Liability Shortfall”). In the event there is an insufficient amount of nonrecourse liabilities to allocate to each Partner an amount of nonrecourse liabilities equal to the Liability Shortfall, then an amount of nonrecourse liabilities in proportion to, and to the extent of, the Liability Shortfall shall be allocated to each Partner.

(e) References to Regulations . Any reference in this Exhibit B or the Agreement to a provision of proposed and/or temporary Regulations shall, in the event such provision is modified or renumbered, be deemed to refer to the successor provision as so modified or renumbered, but only to the extent such successor provision applies to the Partnership under the effective date rules applicable to such successor provision.)

 

B-3


(f) Successor Partners . For purposes of this Exhibit B, a transferee of a Partnership Interest shall be deemed to have been allocated the Net Income, Net Loss and other items of Partnership income, gain, loss, deduction and credit allocable to the transferred Partnership Interest that previously have been allocated to the transferor Partner pursuant to this Agreement.

 

B-4


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF EXCHANGE RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS EXCHANGE RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of             , 20    , is entered into by and among Independence Realty Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), Independence Realty Operating Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), and the Persons whose names are set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto (as it may be amended from time to time).

R E C I T A L S :

 

(1) The Company, together with certain other limited partners, has entered into the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership dated May 7, 2013 (as such agreement may be amended or amended and restated from time to time, the “Partnership Agreement”).

 

(2) Pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, the Limited Partners (as defined below) directly or indirectly hold common units of limited partnership interest (“Partnership Units”) in the Operating Partnership.

 

(3) The Operating Partnership has agreed to provide the Limited Partners with certain direct or indirect rights to exchange their Partnership Units for cash or, at the election of the Company, for shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “REIT Stock”).

Accordingly, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINED TERMS

The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.

Assignee ” means a Person to whom one or more Partnership Units have been transferred in a manner permitted under the Partnership Agreement, but who has not become a substituted Limited Partner in accordance therewith.

Business Day ” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.

Capital Contribution ” means, with respect to any Partner, any cash, cash equivalents or the Gross Asset Value (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) of property which such Partner contributes or is deemed to contribute to the Partnership pursuant to the terms of the Partnership Agreement.

Cash Amount ” means an amount of cash per Partnership Unit equal to the Value on the Valuation Date of the REIT Stock Amount.

 

C-1


Exchange Factor ” means 1.0, provided, that in the event that the Company (i) declares or pays a dividend on its outstanding REIT Stock in the form of shares of REIT Stock or makes a distribution to all holders of its outstanding REIT Stock in the form of shares of REIT Stock; (ii) subdivides its outstanding REIT Stock; or (iii) combines its outstanding REIT Stock into a smaller number of shares of REIT Stock, the Exchange Factor shall be adjusted by multiplying the Exchange Factor by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of REIT Stock issued and outstanding on the record date for such dividend, contribution, subdivision or combination (assuming for such purpose that such dividend, distribution, subdivision or combination has occurred as of such time), and the denominator of which shall be the actual number of shares of REIT Stock (determined without the above assumption) issued and outstanding on the record date for such dividend, distribution, subdivision or combination. Any adjustment to the Exchange Factor shall become effective immediately after the effective date of such event retroactive to the record date, if any, for such event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Exchange Factor shall not be adjusted in connection with such event if, in connection with such event, the Operating Partnership make a distribution of cash, Partnership Units, REIT Stock and/or rights, options or warrants to acquire Partnership Units and/or REIT Stock with respect to all applicable Partnership Units or effects a reverse split of, or otherwise combines, the Partnership Units, as applicable, that is comparable as a whole in all material respects with such an event.

Exchanging Partner ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 hereof.

Exchange Right ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 hereof.

Lien ” means any lien, security interest, mortgage, deed of trust, charge, claim, encumbrance, pledge, option, right of first offer or first refusal and any other right or interest of others of any kind or nature, actual or contingent, or other similar encumbrance of any nature whatsoever.

Limited Partner ” means any Person, other than the Company, named as a Limited Partner on Exhibit A, as such Exhibit may be amended from time to time.

Notice of Exchange ” means the Notice of Exchange substantially in the form of Exhibit B to this Agreement.

Person ” shall mean an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust, estate, or unincorporated organization, or other entity, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

REIT Stock Amount ” means that number of shares of REIT Stock equal to the product of the number of Partnership Units offered for exchange by an Exchanging Partner, multiplied by the Exchange Factor as of the Valuation Date, provided, that in the event the Company or the Operating Partnership issues to all holders of REIT Stock rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities entitling the stockholders to subscribe for or purchase REIT Stock, or any other securities or property (collectively, the “rights”), then the REIT Stock Amount shall also include such rights that a holder of that number of shares of REIT Stock would be entitled to receive.

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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Specified Exchange Date ” means the tenth (10th) Business Day after receipt by the Operating Partnership and the Company of a Notice of Exchange; provided, however, that if the Operating Partnership has more than 99 partners, as determined in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.7704-1(h), then the Specified Exchange Date shall mean the thirty-first (31st) calendar day after receipt by the Operating Partnership and the Company of a Notice of Exchange.

Valuation Date ” means the date of receipt by the Operating Partnership and the Company of a Notice of Exchange or, if such date is not a Business Day, the first Business Day thereafter.

Value ” means, with respect to shares of REIT Stock, the average of the daily market price for the five (5) consecutive trading days immediately preceding the Valuation Date. The market price for each such trading day shall be:

(i) if the REIT Stock is listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “ NYSE ”) or any other national securities exchange, the closing price on such day, or if no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day; or

(ii) if the REIT Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE or any other national securities exchange, the last reported sale price on such day; or

(iii) if no sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, as reported by a reliable quotation source designated by the Company or if the REIT Stock is not then traded on any market, as determined in good faith by the Company’s Independent Directors (as defined by the Company’s charter).

In the event the REIT Stock Amount includes rights that a holder of REIT Stock would be entitled to receive, then the Value of such rights shall be determined by the independent directors of the Company acting in good faith on the basis of such quotations and other information as they consider, in their reasonable judgment, appropriate.

ARTICLE II

EXCHANGE RIGHT

2.1 Exchange Right. (a) Subject to Sections 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 hereof, and subject to any limitations under applicable law, the Operating Partnership hereby grants to each Limited Partner and each Limited Partner hereby accepts the right (the “ Exchange Right ”), exercisable (i) on or after the date that is one year after the issuance of the Limited Partner’s Limited Partnership Interest or (ii) upon the liquidation of the Operating Partnership or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Operating Partnership, to exchange on a Specified Exchange Date all or a portion of the Partnership Units held by such Limited Partner at an exchange price equal to and in the form of the Cash Amount.

(b) The Exchange Right shall be exercised pursuant to a Notice of Exchange delivered to the Operating Partnership, with a copy delivered to the Company, by the Limited Partner who is exercising the Exchange Right (the “ Exchanging Partner ”); provided, however, that the Company, in its capacity as General Partner of the Operating Partnership, may elect,

 

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after a Notice of Exchange is delivered, to satisfy the Exchange Right which is the subject of such notice in accordance with Section 2.2.

(c) A Limited Partner may exercise the Exchange Right in accordance with the terms of this Agreement from time to time with respect to part or all of the Partnership Units that it owns, as selected by the Limited Partner, provided that, except as provided in the Agreement, a Limited Partner may not exercise the Exchange Right for less than one thousand (1,000) Partnership Units unless such Limited Partner then holds less than one thousand (1,000) Partnership Units, in which event the Limited Partner must exercise the Exchange Right for all of the Partnership Units held by such Limited Partner.

(d) An Exchanging Partner shall have no right with respect to any Partnership Units so exchanged to receive any distributions paid after the Specified Exchange Date with respect to such Partnership Units.

(e) Any Assignee of a Limited Partner may exercise the rights of such Limited Partner pursuant to this Article 2, and such Limited Partner shall be deemed to have assigned such rights to such Assignee and shall be bound by the exercise of such rights by such Assignee.

(f) In connection with any exercise of such rights by an Assignee on behalf of a Limited Partner, the Cash Amount or the REIT Stock Amount, as the case may be, shall be satisfied by the Operating Partnership or the Company, as the case may be, directly to such Assignee and not to such Limited Partner.

2.2 Option of Company to Exchange for REIT Stock . (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.1, the Company may, in its capacity as the General Partner of the Operating Partnership, in its sole and absolute discretion (subject to the limitations on ownership and transfer of REIT Stock set forth in the Company’s charter), elect to assume directly and satisfy an Exchanging Partner’s Exchange Right by exchanging REIT Stock and rights equal to the REIT Stock Amount on the Specified Exchange Date for the Partnership Units offered for exchange by the Exchanging Partner, whereupon the Company shall acquire the Partnership Units offered for exchange by the Exchanging Partner and shall be treated for all purposes of the Partnership Agreement as the owner of such Partnership Units. Unless the Company, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall exercise its right to assume directly and satisfy the Exchange Right, the Company shall not have any obligation to the Exchanging Partner or to the Operating Partnership with respect to the Exchanging Partner’s exercise of the Exchange Right. If the Company shall exercise its right to satisfy the Exchange Right in the manner described in the first sentence of this Section 2.2 and shall fully perform its obligations in connection therewith, the Operating Partnership shall have no right or obligation to pay any amount to the Exchanging Partner with respect to such Exchanging Partner’s exercise of the Exchange Right, and each of the Exchanging Partner, the Operating Partnership and the Company shall, for federal income tax purposes, treat the transaction between the Company and the Exchanging Partner as a sale of the Exchanging Partner’s Partnership Units to the Company. Nothing contained in this Section 2.2 shall imply any right of the Company to require any Limited Partner to exercise the Exchange Right afforded to such Limited Partner pursuant to Section 2.1.

 

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(b) In the event the Company shall elect to satisfy, on behalf of the Operating Partnership, an Exchanging Partner’s Exchange Right by exchanging REIT Stock for the Partnership Units offered for exchange,

(i) the Company hereby agrees so to notify the Exchanging Partner within five (5) Business Days after the receipt by the Company of such Notice of Exchange,

(ii) each Exchanging Partner hereby agrees to execute such documents and instruments as the Company may reasonably require in connection with the issuance of REIT Stock upon exercise of the Exchange Right, and

(iii) the Company hereby agrees to deliver stock certificates representing fully paid and nonassessable shares of REIT Stock.

2.3 Prohibition of Exchange for REIT Stock. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be entitled to satisfy an Exchanging Partner’s Exchange Right pursuant to Section 2.2 if the delivery of REIT Stock to such Limited Partner by the Company pursuant to Section 2.2 (regardless of the Operating Partnership’s obligations to the Limited Partner under Section 2.1)

(a) would be prohibited under the Articles of Incorporation of the Company,

(b) if the Company has elected REIT status, would otherwise jeopardize the REIT status of the Company, or

(c) would cause the acquisition of the REIT Stock by the Limited Partner to be “integrated” with any other distribution of REIT Stock by the Company for purposes of complying with the registration provisions of the Securities Act.

2.4 Payment Date . Any Cash Amount to be paid to an Exchanging Partner shall be paid on the Specified Exchange Date; provided, however, that the Operating Partnership may elect to cause the Specified Exchange Date to be delayed for up to an additional 180 days to the extent required for the Company to cause additional REIT Stock to be issued to provide financing to be used to make such payment of the Cash Amount by the Operating Partnership.

2.5 Expiration of Exchange Right. The Exchange Right shall expire with respect to any Partnership Units for which an Exchange Notice has not been delivered to the Operating Partnership and the Company on or before December 31, 2040.

2.6 Effect of Exchange . (a) Any exchange of Partnership Units pursuant to this Article 2 shall be deemed to have occurred as of the Specified Exchange Date for all purposes, including without limitation the payment of distributions or dividends in respect of Partnership Units or REIT Stock, as applicable.

(b) Any Partnership Units acquired by the Company pursuant to an exercise by any Limited Partner of an Exchange Right shall be deemed to be acquired by and reallocated or reissued to the Company.

 

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(c) The Company, as general partner of the Operating Partnership, shall amend the Partnership Agreement to reflect each such exchange and reallocation or reissuance of Partnership Units and each corresponding recalculation of the Partnership Units of the Limited Partners.

ARTICLE III

OTHER PROVISIONS

3.1 Covenants of the Company . (a) At all times during the pendency of the Exchange Right, the Company shall reserve for issuance such number of shares of REIT Stock as may be necessary to enable the Company to issue such shares in full payment of the REIT Stock Amount in regard to all Partnership Units held by Limited Partners which are from time to time outstanding.

(b) During the pendency of the Exchange Right, the Company shall deliver to Limited Partners in a timely manner all reports filed by the Company with the SEC to the extent the Company also transmits such reports to its stockholders and all other communications transmitted from time to time by the Company to its stockholders generally.

(c) The Company shall notify each Limited Partner, upon request, of the then current Exchange Factor and such notice will include a reasonable explanation of the Exchange Factor calculation to be applied at such time.

3.2 Fractional Shares . (a) No fractional shares of REIT Stock shall be issued upon exchange of Partnership Units.

(b) The number of full shares of REIT Stock which shall be issuable upon exchange of Partnership Units (or the cash equivalent amount thereof if the Cash Amount is paid) shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate amount of Partnership Units so surrendered.

(c) Instead of any fractional shares of REIT Stock which would otherwise be issuable upon exchange of any Partnership Units, the Operating Partnership shall pay a cash adjustment in respect of such fraction in an amount equal to the Cash Amount of a Partnership Unit multiplied by such fraction.

3.3 Investment Representations and Warranties . By delivering to the Company a Notice of Exchange, each Exchanging Partner will be deemed to represent and warrant to the Company and the Operating Partnership that such Exchanging Partner is aware of the Company’s option to exchange such Exchanging Partner’s Partnership Units for REIT Stock pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof and that:

(a) (i) such Exchanging Partner has reviewed (1) if the Company is required to file reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “ Exchange Act ”) copies of all reports and other filings (the “ SEC Reports ”), in the form filed on the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system, including Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, made by the Company with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and

 

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understands the risks of, and other considerations relating to, an investment in REIT Stock or (2) if the Company is not required to file SEC reports, [such information regarding the business, operations, financial condition, assets and liabilities of the Company] as the Exchanging Partner deems necessary and appropriate in connection with the receipt of REIT Stock.]

(ii) Such Exchanging Partner, by reason of its business and financial experience, together with the business and financial experience of those persons, if any, retained by it to represent or advise it with respect to its investment in REIT Stock,

(A) has such knowledge, sophistication and experience in financial and business matters and in making investment decisions of this type that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of and of making an informed investment decision with respect to an investment in REIT Stock,

(B) is capable of protecting its own interest or has engaged representatives or advisors to assist it in protecting its interests and

(C) is capable of bearing the economic risk of such investment.

(iii) (A) Such Exchanging Partner is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501 of the regulations promulgated under the Securities Act.

(B) If such Exchanging Partner has retained or retains a person to represent or advise it with respect to its investment in REIT Stock, such Exchanging Partner will advise the Company of such retention and, at the Company’s request, such Exchanging Partner shall, prior to or at delivery of the REIT Stock hereunder,

(I) acknowledge in writing such representation and

(II) cause such representative or advisor to deliver a certificate to the Company containing such representations as may be reasonably requested by the Company.

(b) (i) Such Exchanging Partner understands that an investment in the Company involves substantial risks.

(ii) Such Exchanging Partner has been given the opportunity to make a thorough investigation of the activities of the Company and has been furnished with materials relating to the Company and its activities, including, without limitation, each Prospectus and the SEC Reports.

(iii) Such Exchanging Partner has relied and is making its investment decision based upon the Prospectus/Consent Solicitation Statement relating to the Consolidation and any subsequent Prospectus, the SEC Reports and other written information provided to the Exchanging Partner by or on behalf of the Company and, as applicable, such Exchanging Partner’s position as a director or executive officer of the Company.

 

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(c) (i) The REIT Stock to be issued to such Exchanging Partner hereunder will be acquired by such Exchanging Partner for its own account, for investment only and not with a view to, or with any intention of, a distribution or resale thereof, in whole or in part, or the grant of any participation therein.

(ii) Such Exchanging Partner was not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring an interest in the Company.

(d) (i) Such Exchanging Partner acknowledges that

(A) the shares of REIT Stock to be issued to such Exchanging Partner hereunder have not been registered under the Securities Act or state securities laws by reason of a specific exemption or exemptions from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws and, the certificates representing such shares of REIT Stock will bear a legend to such effect,

(B) the Company’s and the Operating Partnership’s reliance on such exemptions is predicated in part on the accuracy and completeness of the representations and warranties of such Exchanging Partner contained herein,

(C) the REIT Stock to be issued to such Exchanging Partner hereunder may not be resold or otherwise distributed unless registered under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, or unless an exemption from registration is available,

(D) there may be no market for unregistered shares of REIT Stock, and

(E) the Company has no obligation or intention to register such REIT Stock under the Securities Act or any state securities laws or to take any action that would make available any exemption from the registration requirements of such laws, except as provided in the Registration Rights Agreement entered into by the Company and the Exchanging Partner (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”).

(ii) Such Exchanging Partner acknowledges that because of the restrictions on transfer or assignment of such REIT Stock to be issued hereunder, such Exchanging Partner may have to bear the economic risk of its investment in REIT Stock issued hereunder for an indefinite period of time, although the holder of any such REIT Stock will be afforded certain rights to have the resale of such REIT Stock registered under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

(e) The address set forth under such Exchanging Partner’s name in the Notice of Exchange is the address of the Exchanging Partner’s principal place of business or, if a natural person, the address of the Exchanging Partner’s residence, and such Exchanging Partner has no present intention of becoming a resident of any country, state or jurisdiction other than the country and state in which such principal place of business or residence is situated.

 

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ARTICLE IV

GENERAL PROVISIONS

4.1 Addresses and Notice . Any notice, demand, request or report required or permitted to be given or made to the Operating Partnership, the Company, a Limited Partner or Assignee, as the case may be, under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person or when sent by first class United States mail or by other similarly reliable means of written communication to the Operating Partnership, the Company, a Limited Partner or Assignee, as the case may be, at the address listed on the records of the Operating Partnership.

4.2 Titles and Captions . All article or section titles or captions in this Agreement are for convenience only. They shall not be deemed part of this Agreement and in no way define, limit, extend or describe the scope or intent of any provisions hereof. Except as specifically provided otherwise, references to “Articles” and “Sections” are to Articles and Sections of this Agreement.

4.3 Pronouns and Plurals . Whenever the context may require, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa.

4.4 Further Action and Additional Restrictions . The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

4.5 Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

4.6 Waiver . No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

4.7 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one agreement binding on all of the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto.

4.8 Applicable Law . This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof.

4.9 Invalidity of Provisions . If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected thereby.

4.10 Entire Agreement . This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement among the Limited Partners, the Operating Partnership and the Company with respect to the subject

 

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matter hereof and supersedes any other prior written or oral understandings or agreements among them with respect thereto.

4.11 Amendment . This Agreement may be amended from time to time with the consent of the Company by a vote of the Limited Partners in the same manner as the Partnership Agreement (in accordance with Section 14.1(a) thereof) may be amended as provided therein, provided, however, that the Company shall vote its limited partnership interests in proportion to the votes of the other Limited Partners.

[Signatures on next page]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Exchange Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

THE COMPANY:
INDEPENDENCE REALTY TRUST, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  
OPERATING PARTNERSHIP:
INDEPENDENCE REALTY OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, LP
BY:   INDEPENDENCE REALTY TRUST, INC., its general partner
  By:  

 

    Name:
    Title:

 

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Exhibit A – Exchange Rights Agreement

Name and Address of Limited Partners


Exhibit B – Exchange Rights Agreement

Notice of Exchange

The undersigned Limited Partner hereby irrevocably (i) exchanges                      Partnership Units in Independence Realty Operating Partnership, LP, in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Rights Agreement, dated as of             , 20     (the “ Exchange Rights Agreement ”), and the Exchange Right referred to therein; (ii) surrenders such Partnership Units and all right, title and interest therein; and (iii) directs that the Cash Amount or REIT Stock Amount (as determined by the Company) deliverable upon exercise of the Exchange Right be delivered to the address specified below, and if REIT Stock is to be delivered, such REIT Stock will be registered or placed in the name(s) and at the address(es) specified below. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Exchange Rights Agreement.

The undersigned hereby represents, warrants, and certifies that the undersigned (a) has marketable and unencumbered title to such Partnership Units, free and clear, other than any encumbrance arising pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, of the rights or interests of any other person or entity; (b) has the full right, power, and authority to exchange and surrender such Partnership Units as provided herein; and (c) has obtained the consent or approval of all persons or entities, if any, (other than consent or approval that may be required of the Company or the Operating Partnership) having the right to consent or approve such exchange and surrender on the part of the undersigned.

The undersigned hereby makes the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.3 of the Exchange Rights Agreement as if such representations and warranties had been set forth in full in this Notice of Exchange.

 

Dated:

 

 

   

 

      Name of Limited Partner (Please Print)

Signature guaranteed by:

     
   

 

      (Signature of Limited Partner)  

 

     
   

 

      (Street Address)  
     

 

      (City) (State)   (Zip Code)
     

 

      If REIT Stock is to be issued, issue to:  


EXHIBIT D

Certificate of Limited Partnership


EXHIBIT S-A

SERIES A PREFERRED LIMITS

The General Partner has heretofore established, and hereby continues, a series of Preferred Units designated the 12.5% Series A Preferred Units (the “Series A Preferred Units”) on the terms set forth in this Exhibit S-A. Capitalized terms used herein without definition have the meanings given to them in the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Independence Realty Operating Partnership, LP (the “ Partnership Agreement .”)

(1) NUMBER. The number of authorized units of the Series A Preferred Units shall be One Hundred Twenty-Five (125) and shall at all times be equal to the number of 12.5% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares (“Series A Preferred Shares”) issued by the General Partner and then outstanding. Series A Preferred Units shall be issued only to and held only by the General Partner.

(2) RANK. The Series A Preferred Units shall, with respect to distribution and redemption rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership, rank senior to all classes or series of Common Units and to all other equity securities issued by the Partnership from time to time which, by their terms, provide that the Series A Preferred Units shall rank senior to such other equity securities with respect to such rights (collectively, the “Junior Securities”). The term “equity securities” shall not include convertible debt securities issued by the Partnership.

(3) DISTRIBUTIONS.

 

  (a)

Each holder of the then outstanding Series A Preferred Units shall be entitled to receive, when and as authorized by the General Partner and declared by the Partnership, out of funds legally available for the payment of distributions, cumulative preferential cash distributions per Series A Preferred Unit at the rate of 12.5% per annum of the total of $1,000.00 plus all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon. Such distributions shall accrue on outstanding Series A Preferred Units on a daily basis and be cumulative from the first date on which any Series A Preferred Unit is issued, such issue date to be contemporaneous with the receipt by the Partnership of subscription funds for the Series A Preferred Units (the “Original Issue Date”), and shall be payable semi-annually in arrears on or before June 30 and December 31 of each year (each a “Distribution Payment Date”); provided, however, that if any Distribution Payment Date is not a business day, then the distribution which would otherwise have been payable on such Distribution Payment Date may be paid on the preceding business day or the following business day with the same force and effect as if paid on such Distribution Payment Date. Any distribution payable on the Series A Preferred Units for any partial distribution period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting

 

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  of twelve 30-day months (it being understood that the distribution payable on June 30, 2012 will be for less than a full distribution period). A “distribution period” shall mean, with respect to the first “distribution period,” the period from and including the Original Issue Date to and including the first Distribution Payment Date, and with respect to each subsequent “distribution period,” the period from but excluding a Distribution Payment Date to and including the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date or other date as of which accrued distributions are to be calculated. Distributions will be payable to holders of record as they appear in the share records of the Partnership at the close of business on the applicable record date, which shall be the fifteenth day of the calendar month in which the applicable Distribution Payment Date falls or on such other date designated by the General Partner for the payment of distributions that is not more than 30 nor less than 10 days prior to such Distribution Payment Date (each, a “Distribution Record Date”).

 

  (b) No distributions on Series A Preferred Units shall be declared by the Partnership or paid or set apart for payment by the Partnership at such time as the terms and provisions of any written agreement between the Partnership and any party that is not an affiliate of the Partnership, including any agreement relating to its indebtedness, prohibit such declaration, payment or setting apart for payment or provide that such declaration, payment or setting apart for payment would constitute a breach thereof or a default thereunder, or if such declaration, payment or setting apart for payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law. For purposes hereof, “affiliate” shall mean any party that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Partnership.

 

  (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, distributions on the Series A Preferred Units shall accrue whether or not the terms and provisions set forth in Section 3(b) hereof at any time prohibit the current payment of distributions, whether or not the Partnership has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such distributions and whether or not such distributions are authorized or declared. Furthermore, distributions will be declared and paid when due in all events to the fullest extent permitted by law and except as provided in Section 3(b) above. Accrued but unpaid distributions on the Series A Preferred Units will accumulate as of the Distribution Payment Date on which they first become payable.

 

  (d)

Unless full cumulative distributions on all outstanding Series A Preferred Units have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment for all past distribution periods, no distributions (other than in Junior Securities) shall be declared and paid or declared and set apart for payment nor shall any other distribution be declared and made upon any Junior Securities, nor shall any Junior Securities be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund

 

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  for the redemption of any such Junior Securities) by the Partnership (except by conversion into or exchange for other Junior Securities).

 

  (e) When distributions are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not set apart) on the Series A Preferred Units, all distributions declared upon the Series A Preferred Units shall be declared and paid pro rata based on the number of Series A Preferred Units then outstanding.

 

  (f) Any distribution payment made on the Series A Preferred Units shall first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid distribution due with respect to such Units which remains payable. Holders of the Series A Preferred Units shall not be entitled to any distribution, whether payable in cash, property or Units, in excess of full cumulative distributions on the Series A Preferred Units as described above.

 

  (g) If, for any taxable year, the Partnership elects to designate as “capital gain dividends” (as defined in Section 857 of the Code) any portion (the “Capital Gains Amount”) of the distributions paid or made available for the year to holders of all classes of Partnership Units (the “Total Distributions”), then the portion of the Capital Gains Amount that shall be allocated to the holder of the Series A Preferred Units shall be the amount that the total distributions paid or made available to the holder of the Series A Preferred Units for the year bears to the Total Distributions.

(4) LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE.

 

  (a)

Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership, the holders of Series A Preferred Units then outstanding are entitled to be paid, or have the Partnership declare and set apart for payment, out of the assets of the Partnership legally available for distribution to its Partners, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of any Junior Securities, a liquidation preference per Series A Preferred Unit equal to the sum of the following (collectively, the “Liquidation Preference”): (i) $1,000.00, (ii) all accrued and unpaid distributions thereon through and including the earlier of the date of payment or the date that funds are set apart for payment, and (iii) if a Redemption Premium (as defined below) would be payable upon the redemption of Series A Preferred Units in accordance with Section 5(a) below, the per Partnership Unit Redemption Premium in effect on the earlier of the date of payment or the date that funds are set apart for payment of the Liquidation Preference. In the event that the Partnership elects to set apart the Liquidation Preference for payment, the Series A Preferred Units shall remain outstanding until the holders thereof are paid the full Liquidation Preference therefor, which payment shall be made no later than immediately prior to the Partnership making its final liquidating distribution on the Common Units. In the event that the Redemption Premium in effect on the payment date is less than the Redemption Premium on the date that the Liquidation Preference was set apart for payment, the

 

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  Partnership may make a corresponding reduction to the funds set apart for payment of the Liquidation Preference.

 

  (b) In the event that, upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the available assets of the Partnership are insufficient to pay the full amount of the Liquidation Preference on all outstanding Series A Preferred Units, then the holders of the Series A Preferred Units shall share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full Liquidation Preference to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.

 

  (c) After payment of the full amount of the Liquidation Preference to which they are entitled, the holders of Series A Preferred Units will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Partnership.

 

  (d) Upon the Partnership’s provision of written notice as to the effective date of any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership, accompanied by a check in the amount of the full Liquidation Preference to which each record holder of the Series A Preferred Units is entitled, the Series A Preferred Units shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the holders of such Series A Preferred Units will terminate. Such notice shall be given by first class mail, postage pre-paid, to each record holder of the Series A Preferred Units at the respective mailing addresses of such holders as the same shall appear on the transfer records of the Partnership.

 

  (e) The consolidation or merger of the Partnership with or into any other business enterprise or of any other business enterprise with or into the Partnership, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Partnership, shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership.

(5) REDEMPTION.

 

  (a) Optional Redemption and Mandatory Redemption. The Partnership, at its option, may redeem the Series A Preferred Units, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time; provided, however, that, the General Partner shall exercise its right to cause the Partnership to redeem an equal number of Series A Preferred Units at any time the General Partner redeems all or any of the Series A Preferred Shares. The redemption price per Series A Preferred Unit (the “Redemption Price”) shall equal $1,000.00 in cash plus all accrued and unpaid distributions thereon to and including the date fixed for redemption (except as provided in Section 5(c) below), plus a redemption premium per unit (each, a “Redemption Premium”) calculated as follows based on the date fixed for redemption:

(1) until December 31, 2013, $100, and

(2) thereafter, no Redemption Premium.

 

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If less than all of the outstanding Series A Preferred Units are to be redeemed, the Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed may be selected by any equitable method determined by the Partnership provided that such method does not result in the creation of fractional Series A Preferred Units.

 

  (b) Limitations on Redemption. Unless full cumulative distributions on all Series A Preferred Units shall have been, or contemporaneously are, declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment for all past distribution periods, no Series A Preferred Units shall be redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Partnership unless all outstanding Series A Preferred Units are simultaneously redeemed or acquired, and the Partnership shall not purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any Junior Securities (except by exchange for Junior Securities); provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of Series A Preferred Units pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding Series A Preferred Units.

 

  (c) Rights to Distributions on Units Called for Redemption. Immediately prior to or upon any redemption of Series A Preferred Units, the Partnership shall pay, in cash, any accrued and unpaid distributions to and including the redemption date, unless a redemption date falls after a Distribution Record Date and prior to the corresponding Distribution Payment Date, in which case each holder of Series A Preferred Units at the close of business on such Distribution Record Date shall be entitled to the distribution payable on such Series A Preferred Units on the corresponding Distribution Payment Date notwithstanding the redemption of such Series A Preferred Units before such Distribution Payment Date.

 

  (d) Procedures for Redemption.

(i) Upon the Partnership’s provision of written notice as to the effective date of the redemption, accompanied by a check in the amount of the full Redemption Price through such effective date to which each record holder of Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed is entitled or, if the Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed are represented by certificates, the setting apart of such amount pursuant to Section 5(d)(iii) below, Series A Preferred Units shall be redeemed and shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the holders of such Series A Preferred Units will terminate. Such notice shall be given by first class mail, postage pre-paid, to each record holder of the Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed at the respective mailing addresses of such holders as the same shall appear on the transfer records of the Partnership. No failure to give such notice or any defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any Series A Preferred Units except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given.

(ii) In addition to any information required by law or by the applicable rules of any exchange upon which Series A Preferred Units may be listed or admitted to trading, such notice shall state: (A) the redemption date; (B) the

 

SA-5


Redemption Price; (C) the place or places where the Series A Preferred Units are to be surrendered (if so required in the notice) for payment of the Redemption Price (if not otherwise included with the notice); and (D) that distributions on the Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such redemption date. If less than all of the Series A Preferred Units held by any holder are to be redeemed, the notice mailed to such holder shall also specify the number of Series A Preferred Units held by such holder to be redeemed.

(iii) If notice of redemption of any Series A Preferred Units has been given and if the funds necessary for such redemption have been set apart by the Partnership for the benefit of the holders of any Series A Preferred Units so called for redemption, then, from and after the redemption date, distributions will cease to accrue on such Series A Preferred Units, such Series A Preferred Units shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the holders of such Series A Preferred Units will terminate, except the right to receive the Redemption Price therefor. If the Partnership shall so require and the notice of redemption shall so state, holders of Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed shall surrender the certificates representing such Series A Preferred Units, to the extent that such units are certificated, at the place designated in such notice and, upon surrender in accordance with said notice of the certificates representing Series A Preferred Units so redeemed (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Partnership shall so require and the notice shall so state), such Series A Preferred Units shall be redeemed by the Partnership at the Redemption Price. In case less than all of the Series A Preferred Units represented by any such certificate are redeemed, a new certificate or certificates shall be issued representing the unredeemed Series A Preferred Units without cost to the holder thereof. In the event that the Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed are uncertificated, such units shall be redeemed in accordance with the notice and no further action on the part of the holders of such Series A Preferred Units shall be required.

(iv) The deposit of funds with a bank or trust company for the purpose of redeeming Series A Preferred Units shall be irrevocable except that:

(A) the Partnership shall be entitled to receive from such bank or trust company the interest or other earnings, if any, earned on any money so deposited in trust, and the holders of any Series A Preferred Units redeemed shall have no claim to such interest or other earnings; and

(B) any balance of monies so deposited by the Partnership and unclaimed by the holders of the Series A Preferred Units entitled thereto at the expiration of two years from the applicable redemption dates shall be repaid, together with any interest or other earnings thereon, to the Partnership, and after any such repayment, the holders of the Series A Preferred Units entitled to the funds so repaid to the Partnership shall look only to the Partnership for payment of the Redemption Price without interest or other earnings.

 

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  (e) Status of Redeemed Units. Any Series A Preferred Units that shall at any time have been redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Partnership shall be canceled and retired after such redemption or acquisition and may not be issued to any other Person.

(6) VOTING RIGHTS. Except as provided in this Section, the holders of the Series A Preferred Units shall not be entitled to vote on any matter submitted to the Partners of the Partnership for a vote. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Series A Preferred Units, voting as a separate class, shall be required for (a) authorization or issuance of any equity security of the Partnership senior to or on a parity with the Series A Preferred Units, (b) any reclassification of the Series A Preferred Units or (c) any amendment to the Agreement, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise (an “Event”), which amendment materially and adversely affects any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Series A Preferred Units or increases the number of authorized Series A Preferred Units to a number greater than 125; provided, however , with respect to the occurrence of any Event, so long as the Series A Preferred Units remains outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged or the holders of Series A Preferred Units receive equity securities of the successor or survivor of such Event with substantially identical rights as the Series A Preferred Units, taking into account that, upon the occurrence of an Event, the Partnership may not be the surviving entity or the surviving entity may not be a corporation, the occurrence of such Event shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series A Preferred Units and in such case the holders of Series A Preferred Units shall not have any voting rights with respect to the occurrence of such Event unless the number of authorized Series A Preferred Units is increased to a number greater than 125.

(7) EXCLUSION OF OTHER RIGHTS. The Series A Preferred Units are not convertible into or exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Partnership. The Series A Preferred Units shall have no preemptive or subscription rights. The Series A Preferred Units shall not have any preferences or other rights other than those specifically set forth herein.

(8) GENERAL. The rights of the General Partner, in its capacity as holder of the Series A Preferred Units, are in addition to and not in limitation of any other rights or authority of the General Partner, in any other capacity, under the Partnership Agreement. In addition, nothing herein shall be deemed to limit or otherwise restrict any rights or authority of the general Partner other than in its capacity as the holder of the Series A Preferred Units.

 

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Exhibit S-B

SERIES B PREFERRED UNITS

The General Partner has heretofore established, and hereby continues, a series of Preferred Units designated the Series B Preferred Units (the “ Series B Preferred Units ”) on the terms set forth in this Exhibit S-B. Capitalized terms used herein without definition have the meanings given to them in the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Independence Realty Operating Partnership, LP (the “ Partnership Agreement

(1) NUMBER. The number of authorized units of the Series B Preferred Units shall be four hundred (400). Series B Preferred Units shall be issued and held by the Person or Persons set forth on Appendix A to this Exhibit S-B.

(2) RANK. The Series B Preferred Units shall, with respect to distribution and redemption rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership, rank junior to the Partnership’s 12.5% Series A Preferred Units (the “ 12.5% Series A Preferred Units ”), and senior to all classes or series of Common Units and to all other equity securities issued by the Partnership from time to time which, by their terms, provide that the Series B Preferred Units shall rank senior to such other equity securities with respect to such rights (collectively, the “ Junior Securities ”). The term “equity securities” shall not include convertible debt securities issued by the Partnership.

(3) DISTRIBUTIONS.

 

  (a)

Each holder of the then outstanding Series B Preferred Units shall be entitled to receive, when and as authorized by the General Partner and declared by the Partnership, out of funds legally available for the payment of distributions, cumulative preferential cash distributions per Series B Preferred Unit at the rate of 10% per annum of the total of $10,000.00 plus all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon. Such distributions shall accrue on outstanding Series B Preferred Units on a daily basis and be cumulative from the first date on which any Series B Preferred Unit is issued, such issue date to be contemporaneous with the receipt by the Partnership of subscription funds for the Series B Preferred Units (the “ Original Issue Date ”), and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on or before March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year (each a “ Distribution Payment Date ”); provided , however , that if any Distribution Payment Date is not a business day, then the distribution which would otherwise have been payable on such Distribution Payment Date may be paid on the preceding business day or the following business day with the same force and effect as if paid on such Distribution Payment Date. Any distribution payable on the Series B Preferred Units for any partial distribution period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months (it being understood that the distribution payable on December 31, 2012 will be for less than a full distribution period). A “ distribution period ” shall mean, with respect to the first “ distribution period ,” the period from and including the Original Issue Date to and including the first Distribution Payment Date, and with respect to each subsequent “ distribution period ,” the period from but

 

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  excluding a Distribution Payment Date to and including the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date or other date as of which accrued distributions are to be calculated. Distributions will be payable to holders of record as they appear in the transfer records of the Partnership at the close of business on the applicable record date, which shall be the fifteenth day of the calendar month in which the applicable Distribution Payment Date falls or on such other date designated by the General Partner for the payment of distributions that is not more than 30 nor less than 10 days prior to such Distribution Payment Date (each, a “ Distribution Record Date ”).

 

  (b) No distributions on Series B Preferred Units shall be declared by the Partnership or paid or set apart for payment by the Partnership at such time as the cumulative accrued distributions with respect to the 12.5% Series A Preferred Units have not been declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set apart for payment for all past distribution periods.

 

  (c) No distributions on Series B Preferred Units shall be declared by the Partnership or paid or set apart for payment by the Partnership at such time as the terms and provisions of any written agreement between the Partnership and any party that is not an affiliate of the Partnership, including any agreement relating to its indebtedness, prohibit such declaration, payment or setting apart for payment or provide that such declaration, payment or setting apart for payment would constitute a breach thereof or a default thereunder, or if such declaration, payment or setting apart for payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law. For purposes hereof, “affiliate” shall mean any party that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Partnership.

 

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  (d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, distributions on the Series B Preferred Units shall accrue whether or not the terms and provisions set forth in Sections 3(b) or 3(c) hereof at any time prohibit the current payment of distributions, whether or not the Partnership has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such distributions and whether or not such distributions are authorized or declared. Furthermore, distributions will be declared and paid when due in all events to the fullest extent permitted by law and except as provided in Sections 3(b) or 3(c) above. Accrued but unpaid distributions on the Series B Preferred Units will accumulate as of the Distribution Payment Date on which they first become payable.

 

  (e) Unless full cumulative distributions on all outstanding Series B Preferred Units have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment for all past distribution periods, no distributions (other than in Junior Securities) shall be declared and paid or declared and set apart for payment nor shall any other distribution be declared and made upon any Junior Securities, nor shall any Junior Securities be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such Junior Securities) by the Partnership (except by conversion into or exchange for other Junior Securities).

 

  (f) When distributions are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not set apart) on the Series B Preferred Units, all distributions declared upon the Series B Preferred Units shall be declared and paid pro rata based on the number of Series B Preferred Units then outstanding.

 

  (g) Any distribution payment made on the Series B Preferred Units shall first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid distribution due with respect to such Units which remains payable. Holders of the Series B Preferred Units shall not be entitled to any distribution, whether payable in cash, property or Units, in excess of full cumulative distributions on the Series B Preferred Units as described above.

 

  (h) If, for any taxable year, the Partnership elects to designate as “capital gain dividends” (as defined in Section 857 of the Code) any portion (the “Capital Gains Amount”) of the distributions paid or made available for the year to holders of all classes of Partnership Units (the “ Total Distributions ”), then the portion of the Capital Gains Amount that shall be allocated to the holder of the Series B Preferred Units shall be the amount that the total distributions paid or made available to the holder of the Series B Preferred Units for the year bears to the Total Distributions.

(4) LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE.

 

  (a)

Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership, the holders of Series B Preferred Units then outstanding are entitled to be paid, or have the Partnership declare and set apart for payment, out of the assets of the Partnership legally available for distribution to its Partners, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of any Junior Securities, a

 

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  liquidation preference per Series B Preferred Unit equal to the sum of the following (collectively, the “ Liquidation Preference ”): (i) $10,000.00, and (ii) all accrued and unpaid distributions thereon through and including the earlier of the date of payment or the date that funds are set apart for payment. In the event that the Partnership elects to set apart the Liquidation Preference for payment, the Series B Preferred Units shall remain outstanding until the holders thereof are paid the full Liquidation Preference therefor, which payment shall be made no later than immediately prior to the Partnership making its final liquidating distribution on the Common Units.

 

  (b) In the event that, upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the available assets of the Partnership are insufficient to pay the full amount of the Liquidation Preference on all outstanding Series B Preferred Units, then the holders of the Series B Preferred Units shall share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full Liquidation Preference to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.

 

  (c) After payment of the full amount of the Liquidation Preference to which they are entitled, the holders of Series B Preferred Units will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Partnership.

 

  (d) Upon the Partnership’s provision of written notice as to the effective date of any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership, accompanied by a check in the amount of the full Liquidation Preference to which each record holder of the Series B Preferred Units is entitled, the Series B Preferred Units shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the holders of such Series B Preferred Units will terminate. Such notice shall be given by first class mail, postage pre-paid, to each record holder of the Series B Preferred Units at the respective mailing addresses of such holders as the same shall appear on the transfer records of the Partnership.

 

  (e) The consolidation or merger of the Partnership with or into any other business enterprise or of any other business enterprise with or into the Partnership, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Partnership, shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership.

(5) REDEMPTION.

 

  (a) Optional Redemption . The Partnership, at its option, may redeem the Series B Preferred Units, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time. The redemption price per Series B Preferred Unit (the “ Redemption Price ”) shall equal $10,000.00 in cash plus all accrued and unpaid distributions thereon to and including the date fixed for redemption (except as provided in Section 5(c) below).

 

  (b) If less than all of the outstanding Series B Preferred Units are to be redeemed, the Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed may be selected by any equitable method determined by the Partnership provided that such method does not result in the creation of fractional Series B Preferred Units.

 

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  (c) Limitations on Redemption . Unless full cumulative distributions on all Series B Preferred Units shall have been, or contemporaneously are, declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment for all past distribution periods, no Series B Preferred Units shall be redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Partnership unless all outstanding Series B Preferred Units are simultaneously redeemed or acquired, and the Partnership shall not purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any Junior Securities (except by exchange for Junior Securities); provided , however , that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of Series B Preferred Units pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding Series B Preferred Units.

 

  (d) Rights to Distributions on Units Called for Redemption . Immediately prior to or upon any redemption of Series B Preferred Units, the Partnership shall pay, in cash, any accrued and unpaid distributions to and including the redemption date, unless a redemption date falls after a Distribution Record Date and prior to the corresponding Distribution Payment Date, in which case each holder of Series B Preferred Units at the close of business on such Distribution Record Date shall be entitled to the distribution payable on such Series B Preferred Units on the corresponding Distribution Payment Date notwithstanding the redemption of such Series B Preferred Units before such Distribution Payment Date.

 

  (e) Procedures for Redemption .

(i) Upon the Partnership’s provision of written notice as to the effective date of the redemption, accompanied by a check in the amount of the full Redemption Price through such effective date to which each record holder of Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed is entitled or, if the Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed are represented by certificates, the setting apart of such amount pursuant to Section 5(e)(iii) below, Series B Preferred Units shall be redeemed and shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the holders of such Series B Preferred Units will terminate. Such notice shall be given by first class mail, postage pre-paid, to each record holder of the Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed at the respective mailing addresses of such holders as the same shall appear on the transfer records of the Partnership. No failure to give such notice or any defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any Series B Preferred Units except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given.

(ii) In addition to any information required by law or by the applicable rules of any exchange upon which Series B Preferred Units may be listed or admitted to trading, such notice shall state: (A) the redemption date; (B) the Redemption Price; (C) the place or places where the Series B Preferred Units are to be surrendered (if so required in the notice) for payment of the Redemption Price (if not otherwise included with the notice); and (D) that distributions on the Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such redemption date. If less than all of the Series B Preferred Units held by any

 

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holder are to be redeemed, the notice mailed to such holder shall also specify the number of Series B Preferred Units held by such holder to be redeemed.

(iii) If notice of redemption of any Series B Preferred Units has been given and if the funds necessary for such redemption have been set apart by the Partnership for the benefit of the holders of any Series B Preferred Units so called for redemption, then, from and after the redemption date, distributions will cease to accrue on such Series B Preferred Units, such Series B Preferred Units shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the holders of such Series B Preferred Units will terminate, except the right to receive the Redemption Price therefor. If the Partnership shall so require and the notice of redemption shall so state, holders of Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed shall surrender the certificates representing such Series B Preferred Units, to the extent that such units are certificated, at the place designated in such notice and, upon surrender in accordance with said notice of the certificates representing Series B Preferred Units so redeemed (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Partnership shall so require and the notice shall so state), such Series B Preferred Units shall be redeemed by the Partnership at the Redemption Price. In case less than all of the Series B Preferred Units represented by any such certificate are redeemed, a new certificate or certificates shall be issued representing the unredeemed Series B Preferred Units without cost to the holder thereof. In the event that the Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed are uncertificated, such units shall be redeemed in accordance with the notice and no further action on the part of the holders of such Series B Preferred Units shall be required.

(iv) The deposit of funds with a bank or trust company for the purpose of redeeming Series B Preferred Units shall be irrevocable except that:

(A) the Partnership shall be entitled to receive from such bank or trust company the interest or other earnings, if any, earned on any money so deposited in trust, and the holders of any Series B Preferred Units redeemed shall have no claim to such interest or other earnings; and

(B) any balance of monies so deposited by the Partnership and unclaimed by the holders of the Series B Preferred Units entitled thereto at the expiration of two years from the applicable redemption dates shall be repaid, together with any interest or other earnings thereon, to the Partnership, and after any such repayment, the holders of the Series B Preferred Units entitled to the funds so repaid to the Partnership shall look only to the Partnership for payment of the Redemption Price without interest or other earnings.

 

  (f) Status of Redeemed Units . Any Series B Preferred Units that shall at any time have been redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Partnership shall be canceled and retired after such redemption or acquisition and may not be issued to any other Person.

(6) VOTING RIGHTS. Except as provided in this Section, the holders of the Series B Preferred Units shall not be entitled to vote on any matter submitted to the Partners of the Partnership for a vote. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the approval of the holders of a majority

 

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of the outstanding Series B Preferred Units, voting as a separate class, shall be required for (a) authorization or issuance of any equity security of the Partnership senior to or on a parity with the Series B Preferred Units, (b) any reclassification of the Series B Preferred Units or (c) any amendment to the Agreement, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise (an “ Event ”), which amendment materially and adversely affects any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Series B Preferred Units or increases the number of authorized Series B Preferred Units to a number greater than 400; provided, however , with respect to the occurrence of any Event, so long as the Series B Preferred Units remain outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged or the holders of Series B Preferred Units receive equity securities of the successor or survivor of such Event with substantially identical rights as the Series B Preferred Units, taking into account that, upon the occurrence of an Event, the Partnership may not be the surviving entity or the surviving entity may not be a partnership, the occurrence of such Event shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series B Preferred Units and in such case the holders of Series B Preferred Units shall not have any voting rights with respect to the occurrence of such Event unless the number of authorized Series B Preferred Units is increased to a number greater than 400.

(7) EXCHANGE RIGHTS.

 

  (a) The holders of the Series B Preferred Units have the right, but not the obligation, to exchange all or a portion of their Series B Preferred Units for cash or, at the option of the General Partner, for shares of REIT Stock on the terms and subject to the conditions and restrictions contained in the Preferred Exchange Rights Agreement, the form of which governing the exchange of Series B Preferred Units shall be substantially in the form attached to this Exhibit S-B as Exhibit A, with such changes as may be agreed to by the General Partner.

 

  (b) The holders of the Series B Preferred Units and all successors, assignees and transferees (whether by operation of law, including by merger or consolidation, dissolution or liquidation of an entity that is a holder of Series B Preferred Units Partners, or otherwise) shall be bound by the provisions of the Preferred Exchange Rights Agreement to which they are parties.

(8) EXCLUSION OF OTHER RIGHTS. The Series B Preferred Units shall have no preemptive or subscription rights. The Series B Preferred Units shall not have any preferences or other rights other than those specifically set forth herein.

 

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Appendix A to Exhibit S-B

List of Series B Preferred Unit Holders

RAIT NTR Holdings, LLC

 

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SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED ADVISORY AGREEMENT

BY AND AMONG

INDEPENDENCE REALTY TRUST, INC.,

INDEPENDENCE REALTY OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, LP,

AND

INDEPENDENCE REALTY ADVISORS, LLC


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

           Page  
1.  

DEFINITIONS

     1   
2.  

APPOINTMENT

     5   
3.  

DUTIES OF THE ADVISOR

     5   
4.  

AUTHORITY OF ADVISOR

     8   
5.  

NO PARTNERSHIP OR JOINT VENTURE

     8   
6.  

BANK ACCOUNTS

     8   
7.  

RECORDS; ACCESS

     8   
8.  

LIMITATIONS ON ACTIVITIES

     9   
9.  

COMPENSATION

     9   
10.  

EXPENSES

     10   
11.  

OTHER SERVICES

     10   
12.  

OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE ADVISOR

     11   
13.  

TERM AND TERMINATION

     11   
14.  

ASSIGNMENT TO AN AFFILIATE

     12   
15.  

PAYMENTS AND DUTIES UPON TERMINATION

     12   
16.  

INDEMNIFICATION BY THE COMPANY AND THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP

     13   
17.  

INDEMNIFICATION BY ADVISOR

     13   
18.  

NOTICES

     13   
19.  

MODIFICATION

     14   
20.  

SEVERABILITY

     14   
21.  

GOVERNING LAW

     14   
22.  

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

     14   
23.  

NO WAIVER

     14   
24.  

PRONOUNS AND PLURALS

     14   
25.  

HEADINGS

     14   
26.  

EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS

     14   


SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED ADVISORY AGREEMENT

THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED ADVISORY AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of May 7, 2013, is entered into by and among Independence Realty Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), Independence Realty Operating Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ”), and Independence Realty Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Advisor ”).

WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, the Company is a Maryland corporation created in accordance with Maryland General Corporation Law and has elected to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

WHEREAS, the Company is the general partner of the Operating Partnership;

WHEREAS, the Company and the Operating Partnership desire to avail themselves of the experience, sources of information, advice, assistance and certain facilities of the Advisor and its Affiliates and to have the Advisor undertake the duties and responsibilities hereinafter set forth, on behalf of, and subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors of the Company, all as provided herein;

WHEREAS, the Advisor is willing to render such services, subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors of the Company, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and

WHEREAS, the parties entered into that certain Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement dated April 7, 2011 and now desire to amend and restate such agreement pursuant to the terms hereof.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the definitions set forth below:

Advisor ” means Independence Realty Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, any successor advisor to the Company and the Operating Partnership, or any Person to which Independence Realty Advisors, LLC or any successor advisor subcontracts substantially all of its functions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Person hired or retained by Independence Realty Advisors, LLC to perform property management and related services for the Company or the Operating Partnership that is not hired or retained to perform substantially all of the functions of Independence Realty Advisors, LLC with respect to the Company or the Operating Partnership as a whole shall not be deemed to be an Advisor.

Advisor Change of Control ” means the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition, in one or a series of related transactions, of interests in the Advisor which will transfer to any Person other than an Affiliate of RAIT the power to direct or control the Advisor; provided, however, that Advisor Change of Control shall not include (i) any public offering of the equity interests of the Advisor, or (ii) any assignment of this Agreement by the Advisor as permitted hereby and in accordance with the terms hereof.

Affiliate ” or “ Affiliated ” means with respect to any Person, (i) any Person directly or indirectly owning, controlling or holding, with the power to vote, ten percent (10%) or more of the outstanding voting securities of such other Person; (ii) any Person ten percent (10%) or more of whose outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly owned, controlled or held, with the power to vote, by such other Person; (iii) any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such other Person; (iv) any executive officer, director, trustee or general partner of such other Person; and (v) any legal entity for which such Person acts as an executive officer, director, trustee or general partner. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controls,” “is controlled by,” or “is under common control with” shall mean the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the


management and policies of an entity, whether through ownership or voting rights, by contract or otherwise.

Articles of Incorporation ” means the Sixth Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company, as hereafter amended from time to time.

Average Gross Real Estate Assets ” means the average of the aggregate book value of the Company’s Real Estate Assets before reserves for depreciation or other non-cash reserves, computed by taking the average of such book values at the end of each month during the quarter for which any fee under this Agreement is calculated.

Base Management Fee” means a quarterly fee payable to the Advisor equal to 0.1875% of Average Gross Real Estate Assets as of last day of such quarter, determined in accordance with Section 9(a).

Board of Directors ” or “ Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

Bylaws ” means the bylaws of the Company, as amended and as the same are in effect from time to time.

Cause” means (x) conviction of a felony, fraud, willful misconduct or illegal or negligent breach of fiduciary duty by the Advisor or a breach of this Agreement by the Advisor; or (y) if any of the following events occur: (i) the Advisor shall violate any material provision of this Agreement, and after written notice of such violation, shall not cure such default within thirty (30) days or have begun action within thirty (30) days to cure the default which shall be completed with reasonable diligence, (ii) the Advisor shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent by a court of competent jurisdiction, or an order shall be made by a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, or trustee of the Advisor, for all or substantially all of its property by reason of the foregoing, or if a court of competent jurisdiction approves any petition filed against the Advisor for reorganization, and such adjudication or order shall remain in force or unstayed for a period of thirty (30) days, (iii) the Advisor shall institute proceedings for voluntary bankruptcy or shall file a petition seeking reorganization under the federal bankruptcy laws, or for relief under any law for relief of debtors, or shall consent to the appointment of a receiver for itself or for all or substantially all of its property, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts, generally, as they become due, (iv) the Advisor is unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement or (v) there is a dissolution of the Advisor.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto. Reference to any provision of the Code shall mean such provision as in effect from time to time, as the same may be amended and any successor provision thereto, as interpreted by any applicable regulations as in effect from time to time.

Company Change of Control ” means a change of control of the Company of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to the disclosure requirements of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act, as enacted and in force on the date hereof, whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirements; provided, however , that, without limitation, a Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred if: (i) any “person” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, as enacted and in force on the date hereof), other than RAIT Financial Trust or its affiliates, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as that term is defined in Rule 13d-3, as enacted and in force on the date hereof, under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company representing 9.8% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s securities then outstanding; (ii) there occurs a merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company which is not approved by the Board of Directors; (iii) there occurs a sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition of substantially all of the assets of the Company to another entity, which disposition is not approved by the Board of Directors; or (iv) there occurs a

 

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contested proxy solicitation of the Stockholders that results in the contesting party electing candidates to a majority of the Board of Directors’ positions next up for election.

Director ” means a member of the Board of Directors.

Effective Date ” means May 7, 2013.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

GAAP ” means accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Good Reason ” means (x) any failure to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor to the Company or the Operating Partnership to assume and agree to perform obligations under this Agreement; or (y) any material breach of this Agreement of any nature whatsoever by the Company or the Operating Partnership.

Incentive Fee means a quarterly fee payable to the Advisor calculated as follows:

 

  (i) no incentive fee in any calendar quarter in which the Company’s pre-incentive fee Core FFO does not exceed 1.75% of the cumulative gross proceeds from issuance of the Company’s equity securities the Company has obtained as of the end of such quarter;

 

  (ii) 20% of the amount of the Company’s pre-incentive fee Core FFO that exceeds 1.75% of the cumulative gross proceeds from issuance of the Company’s equity securities the Company has obtained as of the end of any calendar quarter.

For the purposes of determining the Incentive Fee, Core FFO means funds from operations as such term is from time to time defined by The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, adjusted for items that do not reflect ongoing property operations, such as acquisition expenses, expensed costs related to the issuance of equity securities of the Company and equity-based compensation expenses, but including any realized gains or losses on the Company’s Real Estate Assets.

Indemnitee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 21 .

Independent Director has the meaning set forth in the Articles of Incorporation.

Investment Guidelines ” means the investment guidelines and other investment parameters for Investments, financing activities and other operations established from time to time by the Board.

Investments ” means any investments by the Company or the Operating Partnership in Real Estate Assets or any other asset.

Joint Ventures ” means any joint venture or partnership arrangements (other than between the Company and the Operating Partnership) in which the Company or the Operating Partnership or any of their subsidiaries is a co-venturer or general partner which are established to own Investments.

Loans ” means any indebtedness or obligations in respect of borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures, deeds of trust, letters of credit or similar instruments, including mortgages and mezzanine loans.

NYSE ” means the New York Stock Exchange.

Offering ” means any public offering of equity securities of the Company registered with the SEC that is consummated subsequent to the date of this Agreement, excluding Shares offered under any employee benefit plan of the Company.

 

- 3 -


Offering Expenses ” means any and all expenses (other than underwriters’ discounts) paid or to be paid by the Company in connection with an Offering, including, without limitation, the Company’s legal, accounting, printing, mailing and filing fees and other documented offering expenses.

Operating Expenses” means all out-of-pocket expenses of the Advisor in performing services for the Company, excluding salaries and other compensation of the Advisor’s personnel, but including legal, accounting, financial, due diligence and other services that outside professionals or outside consultants would otherwise perform. Operating Expenses also include the Company’s pro rata share of rent, telephone, utilities, office furniture, equipment, machinery and other office, internal and overhead expenses of the Advisor required for the Company’s operations.

Operating Partnership Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership, among the Company, the Operating Partnership and RAIT NTR Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as amended from time to time.

OP Units ” means units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership.

Person ” means an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, company (whether of limited liability or otherwise), trust, bank or other entity, or government or any agency or political subdivision of a government.

RAIT Change of Control” means any merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, issuance of securities, direct or indirect acquisition of securities, tender offer, exchange offer or other similar transaction or series of related transactions in which (A) any Person or “Group” (as defined in the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder) of Persons, other than Affiliates of RAIT, directly or indirectly acquires actual ownership of securities representing more than 50% of the outstanding securities of any class of voting securities of RAIT, or (B) RAIT issues securities representing more than 50% of the outstanding securities of any class of voting securities of RAIT to any Person or “Group” (as defined in the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder) of Persons which is not an Affiliate of RAIT; provided, however, that RAIT Change of Control shall not include any public offering of the capital stock or other voting securities of RAIT.

Real Estate Assets ” means any investment by the Company or the Operating Partnership in unimproved and improved Real Property (including, without limitation, fee or leasehold interests, options and leases) either directly , through a direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company or the Operating Partnership or through a Joint Venture.

Real Property ” means real property owned from time to time by the Company or the Operating Partnership, either directly, through a direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company or the Operating Partnership or through a Joint Venture, which consists of (i) land only, (ii) land, including the buildings located thereon, (iii) buildings only or (iv) such investments the Board or the Advisor designate as Real Property to the extent such investments could be classified as Real Property.

REIT means a “real estate investment trust” within the meaning of Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.

Sale ” means any transaction or series of transactions whereby: (A) the Company or the Operating Partnership directly or indirectly (except as described in other subsections of this definition) sells, grants, transfers, conveys, or relinquishes its ownership of any Investment or portion thereof, and including any event with respect to any Real Estate Assets which gives rise to a significant amount of insurance proceeds or condemnation awards; (B) the Company or the Operating Partnership directly or indirectly (except as described in other subsections of this definition) sells, grants, transfers, conveys, or relinquishes its ownership of all or substantially all of the interest of the Company or the Operating Partnership in any Joint Venture in which it is a co-venturer or partner; (C) any Joint Venture directly or indirectly (except as described in other subsections of this definition) in which the Company or the Operating Partnership as a

 

- 4 -


co-venturer or partner sells, grants, transfers, conveys, or relinquishes its ownership of any Real Estate Assets or portion thereof, including any event with respect to any Real Estate Assets which gives rise to insurance claims or condemnation awards; or (D) the Company or the Operating Partnership directly or indirectly (except as described in other subsections of this definition) sells, grants, transfers, conveys, or relinquishes its ownership of any other asset not previously described in this definition or any portion thereof, but not including any transaction or series of transactions specified in clauses (A) through (D) above in which the proceeds of such transaction or series of transactions are reinvested by the Company in one or more assets within 180 days thereafter.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Shares ” means the shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

RAIT ” means RAIT Financial Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust.

Stockholders ” means the registered holders of the Shares.

Termination Date ” means the date of termination of this Agreement.

Termination Fee ” means an amount equal to four times the sum of (i) the average annual Base Management Fee and (ii) the average annual Incentive Fee, in each case calculated based upon the applicable fee earned by the Advisor during eight full calendar quarters immediately preceding the Termination Date.

2. APPOINTMENT. The Company and the Operating Partnership hereby appoint the Advisor to serve as their advisor to perform the services set forth herein on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the Advisor hereby accepts such appointment.

3. DUTIES OF THE ADVISOR. The Advisor, in its capacity as manager of the assets and the day-to-day operations of the Company and the Operating Partnership, at all times will be subject to the supervision of the Company’s Board of Directors and will have only such functions and authority as the Company may delegate to it including, without limitation, the functions and authority identified herein and delegated to the Advisor hereby. The Advisor will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Company and will perform (or cause to be performed) such services and activities relating to the assets and operations of the Company as may be appropriate, including, without limitation:

(a) serve as the Company’s and the Operating Partnership’s investment and financial advisor;

(b) provide the daily management for the Company and the Operating Partnership and perform and supervise the various administrative functions necessary for the day-to-day management of the operations of the Company and the Operating Partnership;

(c) investigate, select, and, on behalf of the Company and the Operating Partnership, engage and conduct business with and supervise the performance of such Persons as the Advisor deems necessary to the proper performance of its obligations hereunder, including, but not limited to, consultants, accountants, correspondents, lenders, technical advisors, attorneys, brokers, underwriters, corporate fiduciaries, escrow agents, depositaries, custodians, agents for collection, insurers, insurance agents, banks, builders, developers, property owners, real estate management companies, real estate operating companies, securities investment advisors, mortgagors, the registrar and the transfer agent and any and all agents for any of the foregoing, including Affiliates of the Advisor, and Persons acting in any other capacity deemed by the Advisor necessary or desirable for the performance of any of the foregoing services, including, but not limited to, entering into contracts in the name of the Company and the Operating Partnership with any of the foregoing;

 

- 5 -


(d) consult with the officers and Directors of the Company and assist the Directors in the formulation and implementation of the Company’s financial policies, and, as necessary, furnish the Board with advice and recommendations with respect to the making of investments consistent with the investment objectives and policies of the Company and in connection with any borrowings proposed to be undertaken by the Company or the Operating Partnership;

(e) subject to the provisions of Section 4 hereof, (i) participate in formulating an investment strategy and asset allocation framework, (ii) locate, analyze and select potential Investments, (iii) structure and negotiate the terms and conditions of transactions pursuant to which acquisitions and dispositions of Investments will be made; (iv) research, identify, review and recommend acquisitions and dispositions of Investments to the Board and make Investments on behalf of the Company and the Operating Partnership in compliance with the investment objectives and policies of the Company; (v) negotiate the terms of and arrange for financing and refinancing and make other changes in the asset or capital structure of, and dispose of, reinvest the proceeds from the sale of, or otherwise deal with, Investments; (vi) negotiate and enter into leases and service contracts for Real Estate Assets and, to the extent necessary, perform all other operational functions for the maintenance and administration of such Real Estate Assets; (vii) actively oversee and manage Investments for purposes of meeting the Company’s investment objectives and reviewing and analyzing financial information for each of the Investments and the overall portfolio; (viii) select Joint Venture partners, structure and negotiate corresponding agreements and oversee and monitor these relationships; (ix) engage, oversee, supervise and evaluate Affiliated and non-Affiliated property managers who perform services for the Company or the Operating Partnership; (x) engage, oversee, supervise and evaluate Affiliated and non-Affiliated Persons with whom the Advisor contracts to perform certain of the services required to be performed under this Agreement; (xi) manage accounting and other record-keeping functions for the Company and the Operating Partnership, including reviewing and analyzing the capital and operating budgets for the Real Estate Assets and generating an annual budget for the Company; and (xii) recommend various liquidity events to the Board when appropriate;

(f) upon request, but no less than quarterly, provide the Board with periodic reports regarding prospective investments;

(g) negotiate the terms of and make investments in, and dispositions of, Investments within the discretionary limits and authority as granted by the Board;

(h) negotiate on behalf of the Company and the Operating Partnership with banks or other lenders for Loans to be made to the Company and the Operating Partnership, and negotiate on behalf of the Company and the Operating Partnership with investment banking firms and broker-dealers or negotiate private sales of Shares or obtain Loans for the Company and the Operating Partnership, but in no event in such a manner so that the Advisor shall be acting as broker-dealer or underwriter; provided , further, that any fees and costs payable to third parties incurred by the Advisor in connection with the foregoing shall be the responsibility of the Company or the Operating Partnership;

(i) at least quarterly, and at any other time reasonably requested by the Board, obtain reports (which may, but are not required to, be prepared by the Advisor or its Affiliates), where appropriate, concerning the value of Investments or contemplated investments of the Company and the Operating Partnership;

(j) at least quarterly, and at any other time reasonably requested by the Board, make reports to the Board of its performance of services to the Company and the Operating Partnership under this Agreement (including reports with respect to potential conflicts of interest involving the Advisor or any of its Affiliates), the composition and characteristics of the Company’s portfolio, and compliance with the Company’s Investment Guidelines and other policies approved from time to time by the Board;

(k) provide the Company and the Operating Partnership with all necessary cash management services;

 

- 6 -


(l) deliver to, or maintain on behalf of, the Company copies of all appraisals obtained in connection with the investments in any Real Estate Assets as may be required to be obtained by the Board;

(m) notify the Board of all proposed transactions outside of the Advisor’s delegated authority before they are completed;

(n) negotiate and effect any private placement of OP Units, tenancy-in-common (TIC) or other interests in Investments as may be approved by the Board;

(o) perform investor-relations and Stockholder communications functions for the Company;

(p) render such services as may be reasonably determined by the Board of Directors consistent with the terms and conditions herein;

(q) maintain the Company’s accounting and other records and assist the Company in filing all reports required to be filed by it with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Internal Revenue Service and other regulatory agencies;

(r) do all things necessary to assure its ability to render the services described in this Agreement;

(s) counsel the Company and the Operating Partnership regarding the maintenance of the Company’s qualification as a REIT and monitor the Company’s compliance with the various REIT qualification requirements and other rules set forth in the Code and any applicable treasury regulations promulgated under the Code, as amended from time to time, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Company to maintain its qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

(t) counsel the Company and the Operating Partnership regarding the maintenance of their exemptions from the status of an investment company required to register under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and monitor compliance with the requirements for maintaining such exemptions and using commercially reasonable efforts to cause them to maintain such exemptions from such status;

(u) assist the Company and the Operating Partnership in qualifying to do business in all applicable jurisdictions in which the Company, the Operating Partnership or their subsidiaries to business, and ensure that the Company, the Operating Partnership and their respective subsidiaries obtain and maintain all applicable licenses;

(v) assist the Company and the Operating Partnership in complying with all regulatory requirements applicable to them with respect to their business activities, including preparing or causing to be prepared all financial statements required under applicable regulations and contractual undertakings and all reports and documents, if any, required under the Exchange Act, the Securities Act or the NYSE;

(w) if requested by the Company, provide, or cause another qualified third party to provide, such internal audit, compliance and control services as may be required for the Company, the Operating Partnership and their subsidiaries to comply with applicable law (including the Securities Act and the Exchange Act), regulation (including SEC regulations) and the rules and requirements of the NYSE or such other securities exchange on which the Shares are listed, and as otherwise requested by the Board;

(x) handle and resolve on behalf of the Company and the Operating Partnership (including their respective subsidiaries) all claims, disputes or controversies, including all litigation, arbitration, settlement or other proceedings or negotiations, in which the Company, the Operating Partnership or their respective subsidiaries may be involved or to which they may become subject, subject to such limitations or parameters as may be imposed from time to time by the Board; and

(y) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Company, the Operating Partnership and their respective subsidiaries to comply with all applicable laws.

 

- 7 -


Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Advisor may delegate any of the foregoing duties to any Person so long as the Advisor or its Affiliate remains responsible for the performance of the duties set forth in this Section 3 ; provided , however , that the delegation by the Advisor of any of the foregoing duties to another Person shall not result in an increased Base Management Fee or additional expenses payable hereunder.

4. AUTHORITY OF ADVISOR.

(a) Pursuant to the terms of this Agreement (including the restrictions included in this Section 4 and in Section 8 ), and subject to the continuing and exclusive authority of the Board over the management of the Company, the Company, acting on the authority of the Board of Directors, hereby delegates to the Advisor the authority to perform the services described in Section 3 .

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Advisor shall obtain the prior approval of the Board, any particular Directors specified by the Board or any committee of the Board, as the case may be, in connection with (i) any Investment for which the portion of the consideration paid out of the Company’s Equity (defined below) equals or exceeds $25,000,000, or (ii) any investment that is inconsistent with the Company’s publicly disclosed Investment Guidelines as in effect from time to time, or, if none are then publicly disclosed, as otherwise adopted by the Board from time to time. “Equity” means the Company’s cash on hand, exclusive of the proceeds of any debt financing incurred or to be incurred in connection with the relevant Investment.

(c) If a transaction requires approval by the Independent Directors, the Advisor will deliver to the Independent Directors all documents and other information required by them to properly evaluate the proposed transaction.

(d) For the period and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company, the Operating Partnership and each of their respective subsidiaries hereby constitutes, appoints and authorizes the Advisor as its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, in its name, place and stead, to negotiate, execute, deliver and enter into agreements, instruments and authorizations on their behalf, on such terms and conditions as the Advisor, acting in its sole and absolute discretion, deems necessary or appropriate (subject to any limitations imposed by the Board). This power of attorney is deemed to be coupled with an interest.

(e) The Board may, at any time upon the giving of notice to the Advisor, modify or revoke the authority set forth in this Section 4 ; provided, however , that such modification or revocation shall be effective upon receipt by the Advisor and shall not be applicable to investment transactions to which the Advisor has committed the Company or the Operating Partnership prior to the date of receipt by the Advisor of such notification.

5. NO PARTNERSHIP OR JOINT VENTURE. The parties to this Agreement are not partners or joint venturers with each other and nothing herein shall be construed to make them partners or joint venturers or impose any liability as such on either of them.

6. BANK ACCOUNTS. The Advisor may establish and maintain one or more bank accounts in its own name for the account of the Company or the Operating Partnership or in the name of the Company and the Operating Partnership and may collect and deposit into any such account or accounts, and disburse from any such account or accounts, any money on behalf of the Company or the Operating Partnership, under such terms and conditions as the Board may approve, provided that no funds shall be commingled with the funds of the Advisor; and the Advisor shall upon request render appropriate accountings of such collections and payments to the Board and to the auditors of the Company.

7. RECORDS; ACCESS; CONFIDENTIALITY. The Advisor shall maintain appropriate books of accounts and records of all its activities hereunder

 

- 8 -


and make such records available for inspection by the Directors and by counsel, auditors and authorized agents of the Company, at any time and from time to time. The Advisor shall at all reasonable times have access to the books and records of the Company and the Operating Partnership. The Advisor shall keep confidential any and all information obtained in connection with the services rendered under this Agreement and shall not disclose any such information (or use the same except in furtherance of its duties under this Agreement) to unaffiliated third parties except (i) with the prior written consent of the Board, (ii) to legal counsel, accountants or other professional advisors or consultants engaged by the Company, (iii) to appraisers, financing sources and others in the ordinary course of the Company’s business, (iv) to governmental officials having jurisdiction over the Company and the Operating Partnership (including their respective subsidiaries), (v) in connection with any governmental or regulatory filings of the Company, the Operating Partnership or of their subsidiaries, or disclosure or presentations to Company investors, (vi) as required by law or legal process to which the Advisor or any Person to whom disclosure is permitted hereunder is a party, or (vii) to the extent such information is otherwise publicly available through the actions of a Person other than the Advisor not resulting from Advisor’s violation of this Section 7. The confidentiality provisions of this Section 7 shall survive for a period of one year after the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.

8. LIMITATIONS ON ACTIVITIES. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Advisor shall refrain from taking any action which, in its sole judgment, or in the sole judgment of the Board, made in good faith, would (a) adversely affect the maintenance of the Company’s qualification as a REIT under the Code, unless the Board has determined that the maintenance of the Company’s REIT qualification is not in the best interests of the Company and its Stockholders, (b) subject the Company to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (c) be contrary to or inconsistent with the Company’s Investment Guidelines or (d) violate any law, rule, regulation or statement of policy of any governmental body or agency having jurisdiction over the Company or its Shares, or otherwise not be permitted by the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, except if such action shall be ordered by the Board, in which case the Advisor shall notify promptly the Board of the Advisor’s judgment of the potential impact of such action and shall refrain from taking such action until it receives further clarification or instructions from the Board. In such event, the Advisor shall have no liability for acting in accordance with the specific instructions of the Board so given.

9. COMPENSATION.

(a) During the term hereof, as the same may be extended from time to time, the Company shall pay the Advisor the Base Management Fee, quarterly in arrears (with the Base Management Fee for any partial quarter being apportioned based upon the number of days in the quarter for which the Base Management Fee is being paid, and the Average Gross Real Estate Assets being based upon the book values of the Real Estate Assets at the end of each month within the partial period). The Advisor shall compute each installment of the Base Management Fee within fifteen (15) business days after the end of the quarter with respect to which such installment is payable. A copy of the computations made by the Advisor to calculate such installment shall thereafter, for informational purposes only, promptly be delivered to the Board of Directors and, upon such delivery, payment of such installment of the Base Management Fee shown therein shall be due and payable no later than the date which is twenty (20) business days after the end of the quarter with respect to which such installment is payable. The Base Management Fee shall be paid in cash unless the Advisor elects, in its sole discretion, to receive all or a portion of the Base Management Fee in Shares; provided, that (i) such election to receive all or a portion of the fee in Shares shall be made by notice to the Board (the “ Election Notice ”) at the time the Advisor delivers to the Board the computation of the Base Management Fee for such fiscal quarter and (ii) the Advisor’s ability receive Shares in payment of all or a portion of the Base Management Fee shall be subject to Section 9(c). To the extent that the Advisor elects to receive Shares in payment of all or a portion of the Base Management Fee for any particular fiscal quarter, the number of Shares payable to the Advisor for such fiscal quarter shall equal (i) the dollar amount of the portion of the quarterly installment of the Base Management Fee payable in Shares (as set forth in the Election Notice) divided by (ii) the volume weighted average closing price per Share for the ten trading days prior to the end of the quarter for which the Base Management Fee will be paid. The Base Management Fee shall be payable independent of the performance of the Company, the Operating Partnership or the Investments.

 

- 9 -


(b) In addition to the Base Management Fee otherwise payable hereunder, the Company shall pay the Advisor a quarterly Incentive Fee. The Incentive Fee calculation and payment shall be made for each fiscal quarter in arrears. The Advisor shall compute each installment of the Incentive Fee within 30 days after the end of each quarter with respect to which such installment is payable. A copy of the computations made by the Advisor to calculate such installment shall thereafter promptly be delivered to the Board of Directors and payment of such Incentive Fee, or such other amount as may be determined pursuant to the last sentence of this Section 9(b), shall be due and payable no later than the date which is five (5) business days after the date of delivery to the Board of Directors of such computations. The amount of Incentive Fee may be increased or decreased, if the Advisor agrees and if a majority of the Independent Directors determines in the exercise of reasonable discretion that the amount so calculated is not equitable based upon facts and circumstances that may include, without limitation, dividend payments, market conditions, managerial performance or other factors. The Incentive Fee shall be paid in cash unless the Advisor elects, in its sole discretion, to receive all or a portion of the Incentive Fee in Shares; provided, that (i) the Advisor delivers an Election Notice to the Board at the time the Advisor delivers to the Board the computation of the Incentive Fee for such fiscal quarter and (ii) the Advisor’s ability receive Shares in payment of all or a portion of the Incentive Fee shall be subject to Section 9(c). To the extent that the Advisor elects to receive Shares in payment of all or a portion of the Incentive Fee for any particular fiscal quarter, the number of Shares payable to the Advisor for such fiscal quarter shall equal (i) the dollar amount of the portion of the quarterly installment of the Base Management Fee payable in Shares (as set forth in the Election Notice) divided by (ii) the volume weighted average closing price per Share for the ten trading days prior to the end of the quarter for which the Incentive Fee will be paid.

(c) The Advisor’s ability to receive Shares in payment of all or a portion of the Base Management Fee, Incentive Fee or Termination Fee due to the Advisor under this Agreement shall be subject to the following: (i) the ownership of such Shares by the Advisor shall not violate the limit on ownership of Shares set forth in the Articles of Incorporation, after giving effect to any exception from such limit that the Board may grant to the Advisor or its Affiliates; and (ii) the Company’s issuance of such Shares to the Advisor shall comply with all applicable restrictions under the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules of the NYSE.

(d) As a component of the Advisor’s compensation, the Company may issue to personnel of the Advisor equity-based compensation under the Company’s equity compensation plan or plans.

10. EXPENSES.

(a) In addition to the compensation paid to the Advisor pursuant to Section 9 , the Company or the Operating Partnership shall pay directly or reimburse the Advisor for all of the documented Operating Expenses and Offering Expenses (together, “ Expenses ”) paid or incurred by the Advisor or its Affiliates in connection with the services it provides to the Company and the Operating Partnership pursuant to this Agreement. Any Expenses payable by the Company or reimbursable to the Advisor pursuant to this Agreement shall not be in amounts greater than those which would be payable to outside professionals or consultants engaged to perform such services pursuant to agreements negotiated on an arm’s length basis.

(b) The Advisor shall prepare a statement documenting all Expenses incurred during each month, and shall deliver such statement to the Company within 15 days after the end of each month. Expenses incurred by the Advisor on behalf of the Company and the Operating Partnership and payable pursuant to this Section 10 shall be reimbursed no later than the 15th business day immediately following the date of delivery of such statement of Expenses to the Company.

11. OTHER SERVICES. Should the Board request that the Advisor or any director, officer or employee thereof render services for the Company and the Operating Partnership other than set forth in Section 3 , such services shall be separately compensated at such customary rates and in such customary amounts as are agreed upon by the Advisor and the Board,

 

- 10 -


including a majority of the Independent Directors, subject to the limitations contained in the Articles of Incorporation, and shall not be deemed to be services pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

12. OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE ADVISOR. Except as set forth in this Section 12, nothing herein contained shall prevent the Advisor or any of its Affiliates from engaging in or earning fees from other activities, including, without limitation, the rendering of advice to other Persons (including other REITs) and the management of other programs advised, sponsored or organized by the RAIT or its Affiliates; nor shall this Agreement limit or restrict the right of any director, officer, member, partner, employee, or stockholder of the Advisor or its Affiliates to engage in or earn fees from any other business or to render services of any kind to any other partnership, corporation, firm, individual, trust or association and earn fees for rendering such services; provided, however , that the Advisor must devote sufficient resources to the Company’s business to discharge its obligations to the Company under this Agreement. The Advisor may, with respect to any investment in which the Company is a participant, also render advice and service to each and every other participant therein, and earn fees for rendering such advice and service. Specifically, it is contemplated that the Company may enter into Joint Ventures or other similar co-investment arrangements with certain Persons, and pursuant to the agreements governing such Joint Ventures or arrangements, the Advisor may be engaged to provide advice and service to such Persons, in which case the Advisor will earn fees for rendering such advice and service. Before the Advisor of its Affiliates may take advantage of an investment opportunity for its own account or recommend it to others, the Advisor is obligated to present such opportunity to the Company if (a) such opportunity is a fee simple interest in a multifamily property and compatible with the Company’s investment objectives and policies, (b) such opportunity is of a character which could be taken by the Company, and (c) the Company has financial resources to take advantage of such opportunity. In the event that an investment opportunity becomes available that is suitable for both the Company and a public or private entity with which the Advisor or its Affiliate is affiliated for which both entities have sufficient uninvested funds, and the requirements of the preceding sentence have been satisfied, then the entity that has had the longest period of time elapse since it was offered an investment opportunity will first be offered the investment opportunity.

The Advisor shall report to the Board the existence of any condition or circumstance, existing or anticipated, of which it has knowledge, which creates or could create a conflict of interest between the Advisor’s obligations to the Company and its obligations to or its interest in any other partnership, corporation, firm, individual, trust or association. If the Advisor, Director or Affiliates thereof have sponsored other investment programs with similar investment objectives which have investment funds available at the same time as the Company, the Advisor shall inform the Board of the method to be applied by the Advisor in allocating investment opportunities among the Company and competing investment entities and shall provide annual updates to the Board of the investment opportunities provided by the Advisor to competing programs in order for the Board (including the Independent Directors) to fulfill its duty to ensure that the Advisor and its Affiliates use their best efforts to apply such method fairly to the Company.

13. TERM AND TERMINATION.

(a) Until this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, this Agreement shall be in effect until May 7, 2017 (the “ Initial Term ”) and shall be automatically renewed for a one-year term on that date and each anniversary date thereafter (a “ Renewal Term ”) unless the Independent Directors or the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Shares determine not to renew this Agreement. If the Company elects not to renew this Agreement at the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term as set forth above, the Company shall deliver to the Advisor prior written notice (the “ Termination Notice ”) of the Company’s intention not to renew this Agreement not less than 180 days prior to the expiration of the then existing term. If the Company so elects not to renew this Agreement, the Company shall designate the date (the “ Effective Termination Date ”), not less than 180 days from the date of the notice, on which the Advisor shall cease to provide services under this Agreement and this Agreement shall terminate on such date.

 

- 11 -


(b) This Agreement may be terminated before the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term (i) by the Independent Directors or the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Shares for Cause, (ii) if there is a RAIT Change of Control or an Advisor Change of Control and the Independent Directors reasonably determine that such RAIT Change of Control or Advisor Change of Control, as the case may be, is materially detrimental to the Company and its subsidiaries or (iii) by the Advisor for Good Reason or upon a Company Change of Control. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 13(b), the terminating party shall delivery a Termination Notice not less than 180 days prior to the date specified for termination.

(c) If this Agreement is terminated in accordance with the provisions of Section 13(a) or Section 13(b)(iii), the Company shall pay to the Advisor, on the date on which such termination is effective, the Termination Fee. The Termination Fee shall be paid in cash; however, at the Advisor’s sole election, the Termination Fee may be paid wholly or partially in Shares, valued at the volume weighted average closing price per Share for the ten trading days prior to the Termination Date; provided, however, that the Advisor’s ability receive Shares in payment of all or a portion of the Termination Fee shall be subject to Section 9(c). The obligation of the Company to pay the Termination Fee shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

(d) No later than 180 days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, the Advisor may deliver written notice to the Company informing it of the Advisor’s intention to decline to renew this Agreement, whereupon this Agreement shall not be renewed and extended and this Agreement shall terminate effective upon expiration of the then current term.

14. ASSIGNMENT TO AN AFFILIATE. This Agreement may be assigned by the Advisor to an Affiliate with the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors. The Advisor may assign any rights to receive fees or other payments under this Agreement to any Person without obtaining the approval of the Directors. This Agreement shall not be assigned by the Company or the Operating Partnership without the consent of the Advisor, except in the case of an assignment by the Company or the Operating Partnership to a corporation, limited partnership or other organization which is a successor to all of the assets, rights and obligations of the Company or the Operating Partnership, in which case such successor organization shall be bound hereunder and by the terms of said assignment in the same manner as the Company and the Operating Partnership are bound by this Agreement.

15. PAYMENTS AND DUTIES UPON TERMINATION.

(a) Amounts Owed . After the Termination Date, the Advisor shall be entitled to receive from the Company or the Operating Partnership within thirty (30) days after the effective date of such termination all amounts then accrued and owing to the Advisor other than the Termination Fee.

(b) Advisor’s Duties . The Advisor shall promptly upon termination of this Agreement:

(i) pay over to the Company and the Operating Partnership all money collected and held for the account of the Company and the Operating Partnership pursuant to this Agreement, after deducting any accrued compensation and reimbursement for its expenses to which it is then entitled;

(ii) deliver to the Board a full accounting, including a statement showing all payments collected by it and a statement of all money held by it, covering the period following the date of the last accounting furnished to the Board;

(iii) deliver to the Board all assets, including all Investments, and documents of the Company and the Operating Partnership then in the custody of the Advisor; and

(iv) cooperate with the Company and the Operating Partnership to provide an orderly management transition.

 

- 12 -


16. INDEMNIFICATION BY THE COMPANY AND THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP. The Company and the Operating Partnership shall indemnify and hold harmless the Advisor and its Affiliates, including their respective officers and directors, from all liability, claims, damages or losses arising in the performance of their duties hereunder, and related expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, to the extent such liability, claims, damages or losses and related expenses are not fully reimbursed by insurance, and to the extent that such indemnification would not be inconsistent with the laws of the State of New York.

17. INDEMNIFICATION BY ADVISOR. The Advisor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Operating Partnership and their Affiliates, including their officers and directors, from all liability, claims, damages or losses and related expenses including reasonable attorneys’ fees, to the extent that such liability, claims, damages or losses and related expenses are not fully reimbursed by insurance and are incurred by reason of the Advisor’s bad faith, fraud, willful misfeasance, intentional misconduct, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its duties; provided, however , that the Advisor shall not be held responsible for any action of the Board in following or declining to follow any advice or recommendation given by the Advisor.

18. NOTICES. Any notice, report or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing unless some other method of giving such notice, report or other communication is required by the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws, or accepted by the party to whom it is given, and shall be given by being delivered by hand, by courier or overnight carrier or by registered or certified mail to the addresses set forth below:  

 

To the Company:  

Independence Realty Trust, Inc.

Cira Centre

2929 Arch Street

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

Attention: President

 

with a copy to:

 

Ledgewood

1900 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Attention: J. Baur Whittlesey, Esq.

To the Operating Partnership:  

Independence Realty Operating Partnership, LP

Cira Centre

2929 Arch Street

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

Attention: President, Independence Realty Trust, Inc.

 

with a copy to:

 

Ledgewood

1900 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Attention: J. Baur Whittlesey, Esq.

To the Advisor:  

Independence Realty Advisors, LLC

Cira Centre

2929 Arch Street

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

 

- 13 -


 

Attention: President

 

with a copy to:

 

Ledgewood

1900 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Attention: J. Baur Whittlesey, Esq.

Any party may at any time give notice in writing to the other parties of a change in its address for the purposes of this Section 22 .

19. MODIFICATION. This Agreement shall not be amended, supplemented, modified, terminated, or discharged, in whole or in part, except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto, or their respective successors or assignees.

20. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement are independent of and severable from each other, and no provision shall be affected or rendered invalid or unenforceable by virtue of the fact that for any reason any other or others of them may be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part.

21. GOVERNING LAW . The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York as at the time in effect, without regard to the principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

22. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, inducements and conditions, express or implied, oral or written, of any nature whatsoever with respect to the subject matter hereof. The express terms hereof control and supersede any course of performance or usage of the trade inconsistent with any of the terms hereof.

23. NO WAIVER. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of a party to exercise any right, remedy, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right, remedy, power or privilege, nor shall any waiver of any right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any occurrence be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any other occurrence. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and is signed by the party asserted to have granted such waiver.

24. PRONOUNS AND PLURALS . Whenever the context may require, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa.

25. HEADINGS. The titles of Sections and Subsections contained in this Agreement are for convenience only, and they neither form a part of this Agreement nor are they to be used in the construction or interpretation hereof.

26. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become binding when one or more counterparts hereof, individually or taken together, shall bear the signatures of all of the parties reflected hereon as the signatories.

 

- 14 -


[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

- 15 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

INDEPENDENCE REALTY TRUST, INC.
By:   /s/ James J. Sebra
  James J. Sebra
  Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

INDEPENDENCE REALTY OPERATING

PARTNERSHIP, LP

  By:  

Independence Realty Trust, Inc.,

its General Partner

 

    By:   /s/ James J. Sebra
      James J. Sebra
      Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

INDEPENDENCE REALTY ADVISORS, LLC
By:   /s/ Raphael Licht
  Raphael Licht
  Manager

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement]

Exhibit 31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to

Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Scott F. Schaeffer, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Independence Realty Trust, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 13, 2013

 

By:  

/s/ Scott F. Schaeffer

  Scott F. Schaeffer
  Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President
  (Principal Executive Officer)

Exhibit 31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to

Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, James J. Sebra, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Independence Realty Trust, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 13, 2013

 

By:  

/s/ J AMES J. S EBRA

  James J. Sebra
  Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
  (Principal Financial Officer and Principal
Accounting Officer)

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE

SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and in connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Independence Realty Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended March 31, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned, the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, certifies, to his knowledge, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: May 13, 2013

 

By:  

/s/ Scott F. Schaeffer

  Scott F. Schaeffer
  Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
and President
  (Principal Executive Officer)

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE

SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and in connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Independence Realty Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended March 31, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned, the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company, certifies, to his knowledge, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: May 13, 2013

 

By:  

/s/ J AMES J. S EBRA

  James J. Sebra
  Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
  (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)