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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

(Mark One)

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

For the fiscal year ended December 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: 333-190983

 

 

Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Maryland   46-1722812

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

111 Corporate Drive, Suite 120, Ladera Ranch,

California 92694

(Address of principal executive offices)

(877) 327-3485

(Registrant’s telephone number)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

None   None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes   ¨     No   x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes   ¨     No   x

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 (§ 232.405 of this chapter) 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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of the Form 10-K or any amendment of this Form 10-K.   x

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 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  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    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

The aggregate market value of voting common stock held by non-affiliates was $0 assuming a market value of $10.00 per share, as of June 30, 2013.

As of March 24, 2014, there were 100 outstanding shares of common stock of the registrant.

Documents Incorporated by Reference:

None

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

             Page No.  
PART I     
  ITEM 1.  

BUSINESS

     2   
  ITEM 1A.  

RISK FACTORS

     12   
  ITEM 1B.  

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

     32   
  ITEM 2.  

PROPERTIES

     32   
  ITEM 3.  

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     32   
  ITEM 4.  

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

     32   
PART II     
  ITEM 5.  

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

     33   
  ITEM 6.  

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

     34   
  ITEM 7.  

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     35   
  ITEM 7A.  

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     39   
  ITEM 8.  

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

     39   
  ITEM 9.  

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

     39   
  ITEM 9A.  

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

     39   
  ITEM 9B.  

OTHER INFORMATION

     39   
PART III     
  ITEM 10.  

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

     40   
  ITEM 11.  

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     43   
  ITEM 12.  

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

     45   
  ITEM 13.  

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

     46   
  ITEM 14.  

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

     50   
PART IV     
  ITEM 15.  

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

     51   
  SIGNATURES      52   
  INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      F-1   


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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this Form 10-K of Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc., other than historical facts, may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). We intend for all such forward-looking statements to be covered by the applicable safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, as applicable. Such statements include, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies, and prospects and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including known and unknown risks, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. Therefore, such statements are not intended to be a guarantee of our performance in future periods. Such forward-looking statements can generally be identified by our use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “continue,” or other similar words. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date this report is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K, and we do not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Any such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors and are based on a number of assumptions involving judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic, competitive, and market conditions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately. To the extent that our assumptions differ from actual results, our ability to meet such forward-looking statements, including our ability to generate positive cash flow from operations and provide distributions to stockholders, and our ability to find suitable investment properties, may be significantly hindered.

All forward-looking statements should be read in light of the risks identified in Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K.

 

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PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Overview

Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), was formed on January 8, 2013 for the purpose of engaging in the business of investing in self storage facilities. The Company is newly formed and is subject to the general risks associated with a start-up enterprise, including the risk of business failure. The Company’s year end is December 31. As used in this report, “we” “us” and “our” refer to Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc.

Strategic Storage Holdings, LLC (our “Sponsor”), is the sponsor of our Offering (as defined below). Our Sponsor was organized in 2008 to serve as the holding company for Strategic Storage Advisor, LLC and Strategic Storage Property Management, LLC, the advisor and property manager, respectively, for Strategic Storage Trust, Inc. Our Sponsor owns 100% of Strategic Storage Realty Group, LLC, which is the sole voting member of our advisor and our property manager, Strategic Storage Advisor II, LLC (our “Advisor”) and Strategic Storage Property Management II, LLC (our “Property Manager”), respectively. We have no paid employees.

Our Advisor was formed on January 8, 2013. Our Advisor is responsible for managing our affairs on a day-to-day basis and identifying and making acquisitions and investments on our behalf under the terms of an advisory agreement we have with our Advisor (our “Advisory Agreement”).

On August 2, 2013, our Advisor purchased 100 shares of our common stock for $1,000 and became our initial stockholder. As of December 31, 2013, our Articles of Incorporation had authorized 30,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.001. Effective January 10, 2014, our Articles of Amendment and Restatement authorized 700,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.001 and 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.001. We will offer a minimum of $1,500,000 (the “Minimum Offering Amount”) and a maximum of $1,000,000,000 of common shares for sale to the public (the “Primary Offering”) and $95,000,000 of common shares for sale pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan (collectively, the “Offering”).

On January 10, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) declared our registration statement effective. As of December 31, 2013, we had not yet commenced our Offering and, accordingly, had not received any subscriptions for shares under our Offering. In addition, we had engaged only in organizational and offering related activities, and had not yet commenced operations. We intend to invest the net proceeds from the Offering primarily in self storage facilities and related self storage real estate investments. As of December 31, 2013, we had neither purchased nor contracted to purchase any properties, nor had our Advisor identified any properties in which there is a reasonable probability that we will invest.

Our operating partnership, Strategic Storage Operating Partnership II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), was formed on January 9, 2013. On August 2, 2013, our Advisor purchased a limited partnership interest in our Operating Partnership for $200,000 and on August 2, 2013, we contributed the initial $1,000 capital contribution we received to our Operating Partnership in exchange for the general partner interest. Our Operating Partnership will own, directly or indirectly through one or more special purpose entities, all of the self storage properties that we acquire in the future. We will conduct certain activities (such as tenant insurance, selling packing supplies and locks and renting trucks or other moving equipment) through our taxable REIT subsidiary, Strategic Storage TRS II, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “TRS”) formed on January 10, 2013, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of our Operating Partnership.

Our Property Manager was formed on January 8, 2013 to manage our properties. Our Property Manager will derive substantially all of its income from the property management services it will perform for us.

Our dealer manager is Select Capital Corporation (our “Dealer Manager”). Our Dealer Manager is responsible for marketing our shares being offered pursuant to the Primary Offering. Our president owns, through a wholly-owned limited liability company, a 15% non-voting equity interest in our Dealer Manager and an affiliate of our Dealer Manager owns a 2.5% non-voting interest in our Advisor.

Our financial statements and the financial statements of our Operating Partnership are consolidated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. All significant accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Industry Summary

“Self storage” refers to properties that offer do-it-yourself, month-to-month storage space rental for personal or business use. Self storage offers a cost-effective and flexible storage alternative. Customers rent fully-enclosed storage units that can vary in size according to their specific needs. We expect that customers will have access to their storage units from 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM, and some of our facilities will provide 24-hour access. Customers have responsibility for moving their items into and out of their units. Self storage unit sizes typically range from five feet by five feet to 10 feet by 30 feet.

 

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Self storage provides a convenient way for individuals and businesses to store their possessions, whether due to a life change or simply because of a need for extra storage space. According to the 2014 Self Storage Almanac, self storage facilities generally have a customer mix of approximately 70% residential, 17.5% commercial, 6.2% military and 6.3% students. The mix of residential customers using a self storage property is determined by a property’s local demographics and often includes people who are looking to downsize their living space or who are not yet settled in a large home. The items residential customers place in self storage properties range from cars, boats and recreational vehicles to furniture, household items and appliances. Commercial customers tend to include small business owners who require easy and frequent access to their goods, records or extra inventory, or storage for seasonal goods. Self storage properties provide an accessible storage alternative at a relatively low cost. Properties generally have on-site managers who supervise and run the day-to-day operations, providing customers with assistance as needed.

The six key demand drivers of self storage are: (1) population growth; (2) percentage of renter-occupied housing units; (3) average household size; (4) average household income; (5) supply constraints; and (6) economic growth. Customers choose a self storage property based largely on the convenience of the site to their home or business. Therefore, high-density, high-traffic population centers are ideal locations for a self storage property. A property’s perceived security and the general professionalism of the site managers and staff are also contributing factors to a site’s ability to secure rentals. Although most self storage properties are leased to customers on a month-to-month basis, customers tend to continue their leases for extended periods of time. However, there are seasonal fluctuations in occupancy rates for self storage properties. Generally, there is increased leasing activity at self storage properties during the summer months due to the higher number of people who relocate during this period.

As population densities have increased in the U.S., there has been an increase in self storage awareness and development. According to the Self Storage Association’s Self Storage Industry Fact Sheet (November 2013):

 

    at year-end 1984 there were 6,601 facilities with 289.7 million square feet of rentable self storage in the U.S. At year-end 2013 there were approximately 48,500 “primary” self storage facilities in the U.S. representing approximately 2.3 billion square feet;

 

    at year-end 2013 there were approximately 59,500 self storage facilities worldwide including more than 3,000 self storage facilities in Canada;

 

    the top five self storage companies own and operate just 11.9% of all facilities; and

 

    it took the self storage industry more than 25 years to build its first billion square feet of space; it added the second billion square feet in just eight years (1998-2005).

The growth in the industry has created more competition in various geographic regions. This has led to an increased emphasis on site location, property design, innovation and functionality to accommodate local planning and zoning boards and to distinguish a facility from other offerings in the market. This is especially true for new sites slated for high-density population centers.

Recently, self storage operators have placed increased emphasis on offering ancillary products which provide incremental revenues. Moving and packing supplies, such as locks and boxes, and the offering of other services, such as property insurance, truck rentals and full service mail and delivery centers, all help to increase revenues. As more sophisticated self storage operators continue to develop innovative products and services such as online rentals, 24-hour accessibility, automated kiosk rentals, climate-controlled storage, wine storage, customer-service call center access and after-hours storage, local operators may be increasingly unable to meet higher customer expectations, which could encourage consolidation in the industry.

We expect the “baby boomer” generation to have a major impact on the future of the self storage industry. During the 19-year period from 1946 to 1964, approximately 77 million babies, or “baby boomers,” were born in the U.S. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, “baby boomers” make up nearly 27% of the U.S. population. These “baby boomers” are heading towards retirement age and have accumulated valuable possessions over the years, many of which have sentimental family or historic value, such as pictures, letters and other family keepsakes. As the “baby boomers” move into retirement age and begin to downsize their households, we believe there will be a great need for self storage facilities to assist them in protecting and housing these possessions for prolonged periods of time.

 

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We also believe that the self storage industry possesses attractive characteristics not found in other commercial real estate sectors, including the following:

 

    no reliance on a “single large customer” whose vacating can have a devastating impact on rental revenue;

 

    no leasing commissions and/or tenant improvements;

 

    relatively low capital expenditures;

 

    brand names can be developed at local, regional and even national levels;

 

    opportunity for a great deal of geographic diversification, which could enhance the stability and predictability of cash flows; and

 

    the lowest loan default rate of any commercial property type.

Business Overview

Unlike many other REITs and real estate companies, we will be an operating business. We will acquire, own, operate and manage self storage facilities. Our self storage facilities will offer inexpensive, easily accessible, enclosed storage units to residential and commercial users on a month-to-month basis. Most of our facilities will be fenced with computerized gates and well lighted. Many of our properties will be single-story, thereby providing customers with the convenience of direct vehicle access to their storage units. At certain facilities, we will offer climate controlled units that offer heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. Many of our facilities will also offer outside vehicle, boat and recreational vehicle storage areas. Our facilities generally will be constructed of masonry or steel walls resting on concrete slabs and will have standing seam metal, shingle, or tar and gravel roofs. We expect that customers will have access to their storage units from 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM, and some of our facilities will provide 24-hour access. Individual storage units will be secured by a lock furnished by the customer to provide the customer with control of access to the space.

As an operating business, self storage requires a much greater focus on strategic planning and tactical operation plans. Below are some of the strategies and tactics our Sponsor and its affiliates will utilize to grow a diversified portfolio of self storage facilities that we believe will maximize cash available for distributions and potential for appreciation in the value of our properties over the long term.

Initial Growth and Branding Stage.

We will be focused on building a diversified portfolio of self storage facilities. We will brand our facilities under the “SmartStop ® Self Storage” brand. Our Sponsor also utilizes a call center, which will provide our customers with access to information regarding our self storage facilities. Additionally, our Sponsor utilizes a customer-friendly and mobile phone-friendly self storage website, www.smartstopselfstorage.com , which allows potential self storage customers to locate available units at any of our properties. We believe that implementation of these and other branding and marketing initiatives will enhance brand awareness and drive revenue growth in the future.

Focus on Increasing Revenue and Creating Greater Efficiencies.

Below are a few of the specific measures our Sponsor and its affiliates will take to maximize operating performance at our facilities:

 

    Standardized Sales Processes. Our Property Manager will put forth a standardized sales approach so that the rental experience is consistent at each of our facilities. All employees will be trained in our sales approach and techniques that facilitate the generation of business.

 

    Integrated Marketing Strategy. Our Sponsor and its affiliates will utilize an integrated marketing strategy for our online, phone and walk-in customers, which will include our Sponsor’s customer-friendly and mobile-friendly self storage website, allowing potential customers to locate available units at any of our properties. Also, our Sponsor’s web marketing tools, pay-per-click campaign to generate leads and improve brand recognition, search engine optimization process to obtain a dominant position in browser listings and social media campaigns provide us with a technological edge over competitors.

 

    Facility Monitoring Activities . Our Property Manager will seek to increase revenue and net operating income at each of our facilities by (i) closely monitoring call volume, reservation activity and occupancy in relation to the marketing activities of our Sponsor and its affiliates, (ii) analyzing market supply and demand factors, as well as occupancy trends, in setting rental rates, promotional discounts and target marketing initiatives, (iii) continuous refinement of our Property Manager’s algorithms that manage the rental rate increases to existing customers at our self storage facilities (“Revenue Optimization System”), and (iv) closely managing our controllable operating costs.

 

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    Revenue Optimization System. Our Property Manager will utilize a Revenue Optimization System which will allow us to analyze every unit at every property individually and manage our available unit inventory through a sophisticated system of algorithms which automatically triggers pricing adjustments. This system allows our Sponsor and its affiliates to instantly respond to market demand and maximize revenues.

 

    Creating Operational Efficiencies . As we grow our portfolio of self storage facilities, we will be able to consolidate and streamline a number of aspects of our operations through economies of scale. For example, we expect that size and geographic diversification, as well as institution of a blanket property and casualty insurance program over all properties managed by our Property Manager and its affiliates nationwide, will reduce our total insurance costs per property. As we acquire facilities, increased diversification will further mitigate against risk and reduce the cost of insurance per property. Our Sponsor and its affiliates will also negotiate national contracts and rates with other key vendors and service providers. To the extent we can acquire facilities in clusters within geographic regions, we will see property management efficiencies resulting in reduction of personnel and other administrative costs.

 

    Focus on Ancillary Revenues . We will focus on certain ancillary revenue opportunities. Our Property Manager will emphasize selling our customers tenant insurance to protect their belongings against loss or damage. We will offer a wide assortment of packing and moving supplies that a customer would need to properly protect their items while in storage. Our Property Manager will implement a standardized approach on how to sell these items to our customers as well. Additionally, we expect to provide truck rental capabilities at many of our facilities. Furthermore, customers will have the capability to purchase boxes, locks and packing supplies on-line through our Sponsor’s website. Users of this service will pick up the supplies at their nearest SmartStop ® facility, which increases revenue and increases the likelihood of such customers becoming self storage customers at one of our facilities.

Investment Objectives

Overview

We will invest a substantial amount of the net proceeds of the Offering in self storage facilities and related self storage real estate investments. In the event we raise the maximum offering from our Primary Offering, we anticipate that approximately 88.5% of our gross offering proceeds will be used to primarily make investments in self storage facilities and related self storage real estate investments and pay real estate-related acquisition fees and acquisition expenses, while the remaining 11.5% will be used to pay sales commissions, dealer manager fees and other offering expenses. We may also use net offering proceeds to pay down debt or make distributions if our cash flows from operations are insufficient. Our investment objectives, strategy and policies may be amended or changed at any time by our board of directors. Although we have no plans at this time to change any of our investment objectives, our board of directors may change any and all such investment objectives, including our focus on self storage facilities, if our board believes such changes are in the best interests of our stockholders. In addition, we may invest in real estate properties other than self storage facilities if our board deems such investments to be in the best interests of our stockholders. We cannot assure our stockholders that our policies or investment objectives will be attained or that the value of our common stock will not decrease.

Primary Investment Objectives

Our primary investment objectives are to:

 

    invest in income-producing real property in a manner that allows us to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes;

 

    provide regular cash distributions to our stockholders;

 

    preserve and protect our stockholders’ invested capital; and

 

    achieve appreciation in the value of our properties over the long term.

We cannot assure our stockholders that we will attain these primary investment objectives.

Exchange Listing and Other Liquidity Events

Subject to then-existing market conditions and the sole discretion of our board of directors, we intend to seek one or more of the following liquidity events within three to five years after completion of this Offering:

 

    merge, reorganize or otherwise transfer our company or its assets to another entity with listed securities;

 

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    commence the sale of all of our properties and liquidate our company;

 

    list our shares on a national securities exchange; or

 

    otherwise create a liquidity event for our stockholders.

However, we cannot assure our stockholders that we will achieve one or more of the above-described liquidity events within the time frame contemplated or at all. This time frame represents our best faith estimate of the time necessary to build a portfolio sufficient enough to effectuate one of the liquidity events listed above. Our charter does not require us to pursue a liquidity transaction at any time. Our board of directors has the sole discretion to continue operations beyond five years after completion of the Offering if it deems such continuation to be in the best interests of our stockholders. Even if we do accomplish one or more of these liquidity events, we cannot guarantee that a public market will develop for the securities listed or that such securities will trade at a price higher than what you paid for your shares in our Offering. At the time it becomes necessary for our board of directors to determine which liquidity event, if any, is in the best interests of us and our stockholders, we expect that the board will take all relevant factors at that time into consideration when making a liquidity event decision.

Our Self Storage Acquisition Strategy

We will use the net proceeds we raise in our Offering to primarily invest in a portfolio of income-producing self storage facilities and related self storage real estate investments that are expected to support sustainable stockholder distributions over the long term. In order to implement our investment strategy, we will focus on income-producing self storage facilities located in primary and secondary markets. Many of these facilities will have stabilized occupancy rates greater than 70%, but will have the opportunity for higher economic occupancy due to the property management capabilities of our Property Manager.

We may make investments in mortgage loans secured by self storage facilities, including but not limited to, senior, mezzanine, or subordinated loans. We may also invest in self storage facilities internationally.

Self storage refers to properties that offer do-it-yourself, month-to-month storage space rental for personal or business use. According to the Self Storage Association’s Self Storage Industry Fact Sheet, the self storage industry in the United States consists of approximately 2.3 billion rentable square feet at approximately 48,500 “primary” facilities (where self storage is the primary source of revenue). The industry is highly fragmented, comprised mainly of local operators and a few national owners and operators, including, we believe, only four publicly traded self storage REITs. As a result of the track record of affiliates of our Sponsor in investing in self storage facilities, our experienced management team and the fragmented nature of the self storage industry, we believe there is a significant opportunity for us to achieve market penetration and name recognition in this industry.

We intend to focus on pursuing acquisitions of self storage facilities and related self storage real estate investments in markets with varying economic and demographic characteristics, including large urban cities, densely populated suburban cities and smaller rural cities, as long as the property meets our acquisition criteria. We also intend to expand and develop certain facilities we purchase in order to capitalize on underutilization and excess demand. The development of certain facilities we purchase may include an expansion of the self storage units or the services and ancillary products offered as well as making units available for office space. However, future investments will not be limited to any geographic area, to a type of facility or to a specified percentage of our total assets. We will strategically invest in specific domestic or foreign markets when opportunities that meet our investment criteria are available. In general, when evaluating potential acquisitions of self storage facilities, the primary factor we will consider is the property’s current and projected cash flow.

General Acquisition and Investment Policies

While we intend to focus our investment strategy on self storage facilities and related self storage real estate investments, we may invest in other storage-related investments such as storage facilities for automobiles, recreation vehicles and boats. We may additionally invest in other types of commercial real estate properties if our board of directors deems appropriate; however, we have no current intention of investing more than 20% of the net proceeds of this Offering in such other commercial real estate properties. We will seek to make investments that will satisfy the primary investment objective of providing regular cash distributions to our stockholders. However, because a significant factor in the valuation of income-producing real property is its potential for future appreciation, we anticipate that some properties we acquire may have the potential for both growth in value and for providing regular cash distributions to our stockholders.

 

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Our Advisor will have substantial discretion with respect to the selection of specific properties. However, each acquisition will be approved by our board of directors. The consideration paid for a property will ordinarily be based on the fair market value of the property as determined by a majority of our board of directors. In selecting a potential property for acquisition, we and our Advisor will consider a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

    projected demand for self storage facilities in the area;

 

    a property’s geographic location and type;

 

    a property’s physical location in relation to population density, traffic counts and access;

 

    construction quality and condition;

 

    potential for capital appreciation;

 

    proposed purchase price, terms and conditions;

 

    historical financial performance;

 

    rental rates and occupancy levels for the property and competing properties in the area;

 

    potential for rent increases;

 

    demographics of the area;

 

    operating expenses being incurred and expected to be incurred, including, but not limited to property taxes and insurance costs;

 

    potential capital improvements and reserves required to maintain the property;

 

    prospects for liquidity through sale, financing or refinancing of the property;

 

    potential competitors for expanding the physical layout of the property;

 

    the potential for the construction of new properties in the area;

 

    treatment under applicable federal, state and local tax and other laws and regulations;

 

    evaluation of title and obtaining of satisfactory title insurance; and

 

    evaluation of any reasonably ascertainable risks such as environmental contamination.

There is no limitation on the number, size or type of properties that we may acquire or on the percentage of net offering proceeds that may be invested in any particular property type or single property. The number and mix of properties will depend upon real estate market conditions and other circumstances existing at the time of acquisition and the amount of proceeds raised in our Offering. In determining whether to purchase a particular property, we may obtain an option on such property. The amount paid for an option, if any, is normally surrendered if the property is not purchased and may or may not be credited against the purchase price if the property is ultimately purchased.

Our Borrowing Strategy and Policies

Although we intend to use low leverage (less than 50% loan to purchase price) to make our investments during our Offering, at certain times during our Offering, our debt leverage levels may be temporarily higher as we acquire properties in advance of funds being raised in our Offering. Our board of directors will regularly monitor our investment pipeline in relation to our projected fundraising efforts and otherwise evaluate market conditions related to our debt leverage ratios throughout our Offering.

We may incur our indebtedness in the form of bank borrowings, purchase money obligations to the sellers of properties and publicly- or privately-placed debt instruments or financing from institutional investors or other lenders. We may obtain a credit facility or a separate loan for each acquisition. Our indebtedness may be unsecured or may be secured by mortgages or other interests in our properties. We may use borrowing proceeds to finance acquisitions of new properties, to pay for capital improvements, repairs or buildouts, to refinance existing indebtedness, to pay distributions, to fund redemptions of our shares or to provide working capital.

There is no limitation on the amount we can borrow for the purchase of any property. Our aggregate borrowings, secured and unsecured, must be reasonable in relation to our net assets and must be reviewed by our board of directors at least quarterly. Our charter limits our borrowing to 300% of our net assets, as defined, (approximately 75% of the cost basis of our assets) unless any excess borrowing is approved by a majority of our independent directors and is disclosed to our stockholders in our next quarterly report, with a justification for such excess.

 

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We may borrow amounts from our Advisor or its affiliates only if such loan is approved by a majority of our directors, including a majority of our independent directors, not otherwise interested in the transaction as fair, competitive, commercially reasonable and no less favorable to us than comparable loans between unaffiliated parties under the circumstances.

Except as set forth in our charter regarding debt limits, we may re-evaluate and change our debt strategy and policies in the future without a stockholder vote. Factors that we could consider when re-evaluating or changing our debt strategy and policies include then-current economic and market conditions, the relative cost of debt and equity capital, any acquisition opportunities, the ability of our properties to generate sufficient cash flow to cover debt service requirements and other similar factors. Further, we may increase or decrease our ratio of debt to equity in connection with any change of our borrowing policies.

Acquisition Structure

Although we are not limited as to the form our investments may take, our investments in real estate will generally constitute acquiring fee title or interests in joint ventures or similar entities that own and operate real estate. We may also enter into the following types of leases relating to real property:

 

    a ground lease in which we enter into a long-term lease (generally greater than 30 years) with the owner for use of the property during the term whereby the owner retains title to the land; or

 

    a master lease in which we enter into a long-term lease (typically 10 years with multiple renewal options) with the owner in which we agree to pay rent to the owner and pay all costs of operating and maintaining the property (a net lease) and typically have an option to purchase the property in the future.

We will make acquisitions of our real estate investments directly or indirectly through our Operating Partnership. We will acquire interests in real estate either directly through our Operating Partnership or indirectly through limited liability companies or limited partnerships, or through investments in joint ventures.

Conditions to Closing Acquisitions

Generally, we will not purchase any property unless and until we obtain at least a Phase I environmental assessment and history for each property purchased and we are sufficiently satisfied with the property’s environmental status. In addition, we will generally condition our obligation to close the purchase of any investment on the delivery and verification of certain documents from the seller or other independent professionals, including, but not limited to, where appropriate:

 

    appraisals, property surveys and site audits;

 

    building plans and specifications, if available;

 

    soil reports, seismic studies, flood zone studies, if available;

 

    licenses, permits, maps and governmental approvals;

 

    historical financial statements and tax statement summaries of the properties;

 

    proof of marketable title, subject to such liens and encumbrances as are acceptable to us; and

 

    liability and title insurance policies.

Joint Venture Investments

We may acquire some of our properties in joint ventures, some of which may be entered into with affiliates of our Advisor, including Strategic Storage Trust, Inc. We may also enter into joint ventures, general partnerships, co-tenancies and other participations with real estate developers, owners and others for the purpose of owning and leasing real properties. Among other reasons, we may want to acquire properties through a joint venture with third parties or affiliates in order to diversify our portfolio of properties in terms of geographic region or property type or to co-invest with one of our property management partners. Joint ventures may also allow us to acquire an interest in a property without requiring that we fund the entire purchase price. In addition, certain properties may be available to us only through joint ventures. In determining whether to recommend a particular joint venture, our Advisor will evaluate the real property which such joint venture owns or is being formed to own under the same criteria described elsewhere in this annual report.

 

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We may enter into joint ventures with our Sponsor, Advisor or any affiliate thereof for the acquisition of properties, but only provided that:

 

    a majority of our directors, including a majority of our independent directors, not otherwise interested in the transaction approve the transaction as being fair and reasonable to us; and

 

    the investment by us and the joint venture partner are on substantially the same terms and conditions.

To the extent possible and if approved by our board of directors, including a majority of our independent directors, we will attempt to obtain a right of first refusal or option to buy if such venture partner elects to sell its interest in the property held by the joint venture. In the event that the venture partner were to elect to sell property held in any such joint venture, however, we may not have sufficient funds to exercise our right of first refusal to buy the venture partner’s interest in the property held by the joint venture. Entering into joint ventures with affiliates of our Advisor will result in certain conflicts of interest.

Government Regulations

Our business will be subject to many laws and governmental regulations. Changes in these laws and regulations, or their interpretation by agencies and courts, occur frequently.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or ADA, all public accommodations and commercial facilities are required to meet certain federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. These requirements became effective in 1992. Complying with the ADA requirements could require us to remove access barriers. Failing to comply could result in the imposition of fines by the federal government or an award of damages to private litigants. Although we intend to acquire properties that substantially comply with these requirements, we may incur additional costs to comply with the ADA. In addition, a number of additional federal, state and local laws may require us to modify any properties we purchase, or may restrict further renovations thereof, with respect to access by disabled persons. Additional legislation could impose financial obligations or restrictions with respect to access by disabled persons. Although we believe that these costs will not have a material adverse effect on us, if required changes involve a greater amount of expenditures than we currently anticipate, our ability to make expected distributions could be adversely affected.

Environmental Matters

Under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of real property may be held liable for the costs of removing or remediating hazardous or toxic substances. These laws often impose clean-up responsibility and liability without regard to whether the owner or operator was responsible for, or even knew of, the presence of the hazardous or toxic substances. The costs of investigating, removing or remediating these substances may be substantial, and the presence of these substances may adversely affect our ability to rent units or sell the property, or to borrow using the property as collateral, and may expose us to liability resulting from any release of or exposure to these substances. If we arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances at another location, we may be liable for the costs of removing or remediating these substances at the disposal or treatment facility, whether or not the facility is owned or operated by us. We may be subject to common law claims by third parties based on damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination emanating from a site that we own or operate. Certain environmental laws also impose liability in connection with the handling of or exposure to asbestos-containing materials, pursuant to which third parties may seek recovery from owners or operators of real properties for personal injury associated with asbestos-containing materials and other hazardous or toxic substances.

Other Regulations

The properties we acquire likely will be subject to various federal, state and local regulatory requirements, such as zoning and state and local fire and life safety requirements. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the imposition of fines by governmental authorities or awards of damages to private litigants. We intend to acquire properties that are in material compliance with all such regulatory requirements. However, we cannot assure you that these requirements will not be changed or that new requirements will not be imposed which would require significant unanticipated expenditures by us and could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Disposition Policies

We generally intend to hold each property we acquire for an extended period. However, we may sell a property at any time if, in our judgment, the sale of the property is in the best interests of our stockholders.

 

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The determination of whether a particular property should be sold or otherwise disposed of will generally be made after consideration of relevant factors, including prevailing economic conditions, other investment opportunities and considerations specific to the condition, value and financial performance of the property. In connection with our sales of properties, we may lend the purchaser all or a portion of the purchase price. In these instances, our taxable income may exceed the cash received in the sale.

We may sell assets to third parties or to affiliates of our Advisor. Our nominating and corporate governance committee of our board of directors, which is comprised solely of independent directors, must review and approve all transactions between us and our Advisor and its affiliates.

Investment Limitations in Our Charter

Our charter places numerous limitations on us with respect to the manner in which we may invest our funds, most of which are required by various provisions of the Statement of Policy Regarding Real Estate Investment Trusts published by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA REIT Guidelines). So long as our shares are not listed on a national securities exchange, the NASAA REIT Guidelines apply to us, and we will not:

 

    Invest in equity securities unless a majority of our directors, including a majority of our independent directors, not otherwise interested in the transaction approve such investment as being fair, competitive and commercially reasonable.

 

    Invest in commodities or commodity futures contracts, except for futures contracts when used solely for the purpose of hedging in connection with our ordinary business of investing in real estate assets and mortgages.

 

    Invest in real estate contracts of sale, otherwise known as land sale contracts, unless the contract is in recordable form and is appropriately recorded in the chain of title.

 

    Make or invest in mortgage loans unless an appraisal is obtained concerning the underlying property, except for those mortgage loans insured or guaranteed by a government or government agency. In cases where our independent directors determine, and in all cases in which the transaction is with any of our directors or our Advisor and its affiliates, we will obtain an appraisal from an independent appraiser. We will maintain such appraisal in our records for at least five years and it will be available to our stockholders for inspection and duplication. We will also obtain a mortgagee’s or owner’s title insurance policy as to the priority of the mortgage or condition of the title.

 

    Make or invest in mortgage loans, including construction loans, on any one property if the aggregate amount of all mortgage loans on such property would exceed an amount equal to 85% of the appraised value of such property, as determined by an appraisal, unless substantial justification exists for exceeding such limit because of the presence of other loan underwriting criteria.

 

    Make or invest in mortgage loans that are subordinate to any mortgage or equity interest of any of our directors, our Advisor or their respective affiliates.

 

    Make investments in unimproved property or indebtedness secured by a deed of trust or mortgage loans on unimproved property in excess of 10% of our total assets.

 

    Issue equity securities on a deferred payment basis or other similar arrangement.

 

    Issue debt securities in the absence of adequate cash flow to cover debt service.

 

    Issue equity securities that are assessable after we have received the consideration for which our board of directors authorized their issuance.

 

    Issue “redeemable securities” redeemable solely at the option of the holder, which restriction has no effect on our ability to implement our share redemption program.

 

    When applicable, grant warrants or options to purchase shares to our Advisor or its affiliates or to officers or directors affiliated with our Advisor except on the same terms as options or warrants that are sold to the general public. Further, the amount of the options or warrants cannot exceed an amount equal to 10% of outstanding shares on the date of grant of the warrants and options.

 

    Lend money to our directors, or to our Advisor or its affiliates, except for certain mortgage loans described above.

 

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Changes in Investment Policies and Limitations

Our charter requires that our independent directors review our investment policies at least annually to determine that the policies we are following are in the best interests of our stockholders. Each determination and the basis therefore is required to be set forth in the applicable meeting minutes. The methods of implementing our investment policies may also vary as new investment techniques are developed. The methods of implementing our investment objectives and policies, except as otherwise provided in our charter, may be altered by a majority of our directors, including a majority of our independent directors, without the approval of our stockholders. The determination by our board of directors that it is no longer in our best interests to continue to be qualified as a REIT shall require the concurrence of two-thirds of the board of directors. Investment policies and limitations specifically set forth in our charter, however, may only be amended by a vote of the stockholders holding a majority of our outstanding shares.

Investments in Mortgage Loans

As of December 31, 2013, we had not invested in any mortgages. While we intend to emphasize equity real estate investments and, hence, operate as what is generally referred to as an “equity REIT,” as opposed to a “mortgage REIT,” we may invest in first or second mortgage loans, mezzanine loans secured by an interest in the entity owning the real estate or other similar real estate loans consistent with our REIT status. We may make such loans to developers in connection with construction and redevelopment of self storage facilities. Such mortgages may or may not be insured or guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration or another third party. We may also invest in participating or convertible mortgages if our directors conclude that we and our stockholders may benefit from the cash flow or any appreciation in the value of the subject property. Such mortgages are similar to equity participation.

Investment Company Act of 1940 and Certain Other Policies

We intend to operate in such a manner that we will not be subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the 1940 Act. Our Advisor will continually review our investment activity to attempt to ensure that we do not come within the application of the 1940 Act. Among other things, our Advisor will attempt to monitor the proportion of our portfolio that is placed in various investments so that we do not come within the definition of an “investment company” under the 1940 Act. If at any time the character of our investments could cause us to be deemed as an investment company for purposes of the 1940 Act, we will take all necessary actions to attempt to ensure that we are not deemed to be an “investment company.” In addition, we do not intend to underwrite securities of other issuers or actively trade in loans or other investments.

Subject to the restrictions we must follow in order to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we may make investments other than as previously described, although we do not currently intend to do so. We have authority to purchase or otherwise reacquire our common shares or any of our other securities. We have no present intention of repurchasing any of our common shares except pursuant to our share redemption program, and we would only take such action in conformity with applicable federal and state laws and the requirements for qualifying as a REIT under the Code.

Employees

We have no paid employees. The employees of our Advisor provide management, acquisition, advisory and certain administrative services for us.

Competition

The extent of competition in the market area depends significantly on local market conditions. The primary factors upon which competition in the self storage industry is based are location, rental rates, suitability of the property’s design and the manner in which the property is operated and marketed. We believe we will compete successfully on these bases.

Many of our competitors are larger and have substantially greater resources than we do. Such competitors may, among other possible advantages, be capable of paying higher prices for acquisitions and obtaining financing on better terms than us.

Industry Segments

We will internally evaluate all of our properties and interests therein as one industry segment and, accordingly, we do not report segment information.

Geographic Information

As of December 31, 2013, we did not own any properties.

 

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Below are risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect our operations that we believe are material to stockholders. Other risks and uncertainties may exist that we do not consider material based on the information currently available to us at this time.

Risks Related to an Investment in Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc.

We have no prior operating history or established financing sources, and the prior performance of real estate investment programs sponsored by affiliates of our Sponsor may not be an indication of our future results.

We have no operating history, and our stockholders should not rely upon the past performance of other real estate investment programs sponsored by affiliates of our Sponsor to predict our future results. We were incorporated in January 2013. As of December 31, 2013, we had not made any investments in real estate or otherwise and do not own any properties or have any operations or independent financing.

Stockholders should consider our prospects in light of the risks, uncertainties and difficulties frequently encountered by companies that are, like us, in their early stage of development. To be successful in this market, we must, among other things:

 

    identify and acquire investments that further our investment objectives;

 

    increase awareness of the “Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc.” name within the investment products market;

 

    expand and maintain our network of participating broker-dealers;

 

    attract, integrate, motivate and retain qualified personnel to manage our day-to-day operations;

 

    respond to competition for our targeted real estate properties and other investments as well as for potential investors; and

 

    continue to build and expand our operational structure to support our business.

We cannot guarantee that we will succeed in achieving these goals, and our failure to do so could cause you to lose all or a portion of your investment.

Until we provide our first estimated valuation, we will generally use the gross offering price of a share of the common stock in our Offering as the per share estimated value thereof. Because this per share valuation method is not designed to arrive at a valuation that is related to any individual or aggregated value estimates or appraisals of the value of our assets, our stockholders will not be able to determine the net asset value of their shares on an ongoing basis during our Offering.

We expect to provide our first estimated valuation no later than the second quarterly public filing following our termination of our Primary Offering; provided, however, that in no event will such first estimated valuation occur later than 18 months following the completion of our last public offering of common stock (excluding offerings under our distribution reinvestment plan). Until the time of our first estimated valuation, we generally will use the gross offering price of a share of the common stock in our Offering as the per share estimated value thereof or, with respect to an offering of other securities from which the value of a share of common stock can be estimated, the value derived from the gross offering price of the other security as the per share estimated value of the common stock. This use of the gross offering price as the estimated value is not likely to reflect the proceeds you would receive upon our liquidation or upon the sale of our stockholders’ shares. In addition, this per share valuation method is not designed to arrive at a valuation that is related to any individual or aggregated value estimates or appraisals of the value of our assets.

We may pay distributions from sources other than cash flow from operations; therefore, we will have fewer funds available for the acquisition of properties, and our stockholders’ overall return may be reduced.

In the event we do not have enough cash from operations to fund our distributions, we may borrow, issue additional securities, or sell assets in order to fund the distributions or make the distributions out of net proceeds from our Offering. We are not prohibited from undertaking such activities by our charter, bylaws or investment policies, and we may use an unlimited amount from any source to pay our distributions, and it is likely that we will use offering proceeds to fund a    

 

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majority of our initial distributions. If we pay distributions from sources other than cash flow from operations, we will have fewer funds available for acquiring properties, which may reduce our stockholders’ overall returns. Additionally, to the extent distributions exceed cash flow from operations, a stockholder’s basis in our stock may be reduced and, to the extent distributions exceed a stockholder’s basis, the stockholder may recognize a capital gain.

We may be unable to pay or maintain cash distributions or increase distributions over time.

There are many factors that can affect the availability and timing of cash distributions to stockholders. During the term of our Offering, distributions will be based principally on distribution expectations of our potential investors and cash available from our operations. The amount of cash available for distribution will be affected by many factors, such as our ability to buy properties as offering proceeds become available, the yields on securities of other real estate programs that we invest in and our operating expense levels, as well as many other variables. Actual cash available for distribution may vary substantially from estimates. We cannot assure you that we will be able to pay or maintain distributions or that distributions will increase over time, nor can we give any assurance that rents from the properties will increase, that the securities we buy will increase in value or provide constant or increased distributions over time, or that future acquisitions of real properties will increase our cash available for distribution to stockholders. Our actual results may differ significantly from the assumptions used by our board of directors in establishing the distribution rate to stockholders.

If we, through our Advisor, are unable to find suitable investments, then we may not be able to achieve our investment objectives or pay distributions.

Our ability to achieve our investment objectives and to pay distributions is dependent upon the performance of our Advisor in selecting our investments and arranging financing. As of December 31, 2013, we do not own any properties or have any operations, financing or investments. Our stockholders will essentially have no opportunity to evaluate the terms of transactions or other economic or financial data concerning our investments prior to the time we make them. Our stockholders must rely entirely on the management ability of our Advisor and the oversight of our board of directors. We cannot be sure that our Advisor will be successful in obtaining suitable investments on financially attractive terms or that, if it makes investments on our behalf, our objectives will be achieved. If we are unable to find suitable investments, we will hold the proceeds of our Offering in an interest-bearing account or invest the proceeds in short-term, investment-grade investments. In such an event, our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders would be adversely affected.

We may suffer from delays in locating suitable investments, which could adversely affect our ability to make distributions and the value of our stockholders’ investment.

We could suffer from delays in locating suitable investments, particularly as a result of our reliance on our Advisor at times when management of our Advisor is simultaneously seeking to locate suitable investments for other affiliated programs, including Strategic Storage Trust, Inc. and Strategic Storage Growth Trust, Inc. Delays we encounter in the selection, acquisition and development of income-producing properties are likely to adversely affect our ability to make distributions and may also adversely affect the value of our stockholders’ investment. In such event, we may pay all or a substantial portion of our distributions from the proceeds of our Offering or from borrowings in anticipation of future cash flow, which may constitute a return of our stockholders’ capital. We are not prohibited from undertaking such activities by our charter, bylaws or investment policies. We have established no maximum of distributions to be paid from such funds. Distributions from the proceeds of the Offering or from borrowings also could reduce the amount of capital we ultimately invest in properties. This, in turn, would reduce the value of our stockholders’ investment. In particular, if we acquire properties prior to the start of construction or during the early stages of construction, it will typically take several months to complete construction and rent available storage space. Therefore, our stockholders could suffer delays in the receipt of cash distributions attributable to those particular properties.

If our Sponsor, Advisor or Property Manager loses or is unable to retain its executive officers, our ability to implement our investment objectives could be delayed or hindered, which could adversely affect our ability to make distributions and the value of our stockholders’ investment.

Our success depends to a significant degree upon the contributions of our executive officers and the executive officers of our Advisor and Property Manager, including H. Michael Schwartz, Paula Mathews, Michael S. McClure, Wayne Johnson, and Ken Morrison, each of whom would be difficult to replace. Neither our Advisor nor our Property Manager, as applicable, has an employment agreement with any of these key personnel and we cannot guarantee that all, or any particular one, will remain affiliated with us and/or our Advisor or our Property Manager. If any of these executive officers were to

 

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cease their affiliation with our Sponsor, our Advisor or our Property Manager, our operating results could suffer. Further, we do not intend to separately maintain key person life insurance on any of these individuals. If our Sponsor, our Advisor or our Property Manager loses or is unable to retain its executive officers or does not establish or maintain appropriate strategic relationships, our ability to implement our investment strategies could be delayed or hindered, which could adversely affect our ability to make distributions and the value of our stockholders’ investment.

Our ability to operate profitably will depend upon the ability of our Advisor to efficiently manage our day-to-day operations and the ability of our Property Manager to effectively manage our properties.

We will rely on our Advisor to manage our business and assets. Our Advisor will make all decisions with respect to our day-to-day operations. In addition, we will rely on our Property Manager to effectively manage our properties. Thus, the success of our business will depend in large part on the ability of our Advisor and Property Manager to manage our operations. Any adversity experienced by our Advisor or our Property Manager or problems in our relationship with our Advisor or Property Manager could adversely impact our operations and, consequently, our cash flow and ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

We do not own or control the intellectual property rights to the “SmartStop ® Self Storage” brand and other trademarks and intellectual property that we expect to use in connection with our self storage facilities; therefore, we could potentially lose revenues and incur significant costs if we cease to operate under this brand.

Our Sponsor owns and controls the intellectual property rights to the “SmartStop ® Self Storage” brand, the website www.smartstopselfstorage.com , the trade name “Strategic Storage,” and other intellectual property that we expect to use in connection with our business and self storage properties. We are currently authorized to use this brand and other intellectual property pursuant to a sub-license agreement with our Sponsor. In the event that we ever cease to operate under the trade name and the “SmartStop ® Self Storage” brand, which has garnered substantial value due to its goodwill and reputation associated therewith, we may lose market share and customers, which could result in lost revenues. In addition, we could incur significant costs to change the signage and otherwise change our name and brand.

We are an “emerging growth company” under the federal securities laws and will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements.

In April 2012, President Obama signed into law the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or the JOBS Act. We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from, or reduced disclosure obligations relating to, various reporting requirements that are normally applicable to public companies.

We could remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five years, or until the earliest of (1) the last day of the first fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenue of $1 billion or more, (2) December 31 of the fiscal year that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act (which would occur if the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million, measured as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, and we have been publicly reporting for at least 12 months) or (3) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three-year period. Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies are not required to (1) provide an auditor’s attestation report on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, (2) comply with new requirements adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the PCAOB, which require mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report in which the auditor must provide additional information about the audit and the issuer’s financial statements, (3) comply with new audit rules adopted by the PCAOB after April 5, 2012 (unless the SEC determines otherwise), (4) provide certain disclosures relating to executive compensation generally required for larger public companies or (5) hold shareholder advisory votes on executive compensation. If we take advantage of any of these exemptions, we do not know if some investors will find our common stock less attractive as a result.

Additionally, the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” may take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies. This means an “emerging growth company” can delay adopting certain accounting standards until such standards are otherwise applicable to private companies. However, we are electing to “opt out” of such extended transition period, and will therefore comply with new or revised accounting standards on the applicable dates on which the adoption of such standards are required for non-emerging growth companies. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that our decision to opt out of such extended transition period for compliance with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable.

 

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We may loan a portion of the proceeds of the Offering to fund the development or purchase of income-producing self storage facilities, and we may invest in mortgage or other loans, but if these loans are not fully repaid, the resulting losses could reduce the expected cash available for distribution to our stockholders and the value of our stockholders’ investment.

We will use the net proceeds of this Offering to purchase primarily income-producing self storage facilities, to repay debt financing that we may incur when acquiring properties, and to pay real estate commissions, acquisition fees and acquisition expenses relating to the selection and acquisition of properties, including amounts paid to our Advisor and its affiliates. In addition, we may loan a portion of the net offering proceeds to entities developing or acquiring self storage facilities, including affiliates of our Advisor, subject to the limitations in our charter. We may also invest in first or second mortgage loans, mezzanine loans secured by an interest in the entity owning the real estate or other similar real estate loans consistent with our REIT status. We may also invest in participating or convertible mortgages if our directors conclude that we and our stockholders may benefit from the cash flow or any appreciation in the value of the subject property. There can be no assurance that these loans will be repaid to us in part or in full in accordance with the terms of the loan or that we will receive interest payments on the outstanding balance of the loan. We anticipate that these loans will be secured by mortgages on the self storage facilities, but in the event of a foreclosure, there can be no assurances that we will recover the outstanding balance of the loan. If there are defaults under these loans, we may not be able to repossess and sell the underlying properties quickly. The resulting time delay and associated costs could reduce the value of our investment in the defaulted loans. An action to foreclose on a property securing a mortgage loan is regulated by state statutes and regulations and is subject to many of the delays and expenses of other lawsuits if the defendant raises defenses or counterclaims. In the event of default by a mortgagor, these restrictions, among other things, may impede our ability to foreclose on or sell the mortgaged property or to obtain proceeds sufficient to repay all amounts due to us on the mortgage loan.

Risks Related to Conflicts of Interest

Our Advisor, Property Manager and their officers and certain of our key personnel will face competing demands relating to their time, and this may cause our operating results to suffer.

Our Advisor, Property Manager and their officers and certain of our key personnel and their respective affiliates are key personnel, advisors, managers and sponsors of other real estate programs having investment objectives and legal and financial obligations similar to ours, including Strategic Storage Trust, Inc. and Strategic Storage Growth Trust, Inc., and may have other business interests as well. Because these persons have competing demands on their time and resources, they may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time between our business and these other activities. During times of intense activity in other programs and ventures, they may devote less time and fewer resources to our business than is necessary or appropriate. If this occurs, the returns on our stockholders’ investment may suffer.

Our officers and two of our directors face conflicts of interest related to the positions they hold with affiliated entities, which could hinder our ability to successfully implement our investment objectives and to generate returns to our stockholders.

Our executive officers and one of our directors are also officers of our Advisor, our Property Manager, and other affiliated entities, including Strategic Storage Trust, Inc. and Strategic Storage Growth Trust, Inc. In addition, one of our independent directors is also an independent director of Strategic Storage Trust, Inc. As a result, these individuals owe fiduciary duties to these other entities and their owners, which fiduciary duties may conflict with the duties that they owe to our stockholders and us. Their loyalties to these other entities could result in actions or inactions that are detrimental to our business, which could harm the implementation of our investment objectives. Conflicts with our business and interests are most likely to arise from involvement in activities related to (1) allocation of new investments and management time and services between us and the other entities, (2) our purchase of properties from, or sale of properties to, affiliated entities, (3) the timing and terms of the investment in or sale of an asset, (4) development of our properties by affiliates, (5) investments with affiliates of our Advisor, (6) compensation to our Advisor, and (7) our relationship with our Dealer Manager and Property Manager. If we do not successfully implement our investment objectives, we may be unable to generate cash needed to make distributions to you and to maintain or increase the value of our assets.

 

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Our Advisor will face conflicts of interest relating to the purchase of properties, including conflicts with Strategic Storage Trust, Inc., and such conflicts may not be resolved in our favor, which could adversely affect our investment opportunities.

We may be buying properties at the same time as one or more of the other programs managed by officers and key personnel of our Advisor, including Strategic Storage Trust, Inc., a public non-traded REIT with assets in excess of $700 million. We anticipate that Strategic Storage Trust, Inc. will have the first right to purchase certain self storage properties, and Strategic Storage Trust, Inc. may have access to significantly greater capital than us. Our Advisor and its affiliates are actively involved in eight other real estate programs (two of which invest in self storage properties) that may compete with us or otherwise have similar business interests. Our Advisor and our Property Manager will have conflicts of interest in allocating potential properties, acquisition expenses, management time, services and other functions between various existing enterprises or future enterprises with which they may be or become involved. There is a risk that our Advisor will choose a property that provides lower returns to us than a property purchased by another program sponsored by our Sponsor or its affiliates. We cannot be sure that officers and key personnel acting on behalf of our Advisor and on behalf of these other programs will act in our best interests when deciding whether to allocate any particular property to us. Such conflicts that are not resolved in our favor could result in a reduced level of distributions we may be able to pay to you and the value of your investment. If our Advisor or its affiliates breach their legal or other obligations or duties to us, or do not resolve conflicts of interest, we may not meet our investment objectives, which could reduce our expected cash available for distribution to our stockholders and the value of our stockholders’ investment.

We may face a conflict of interest if we purchase properties from, or sell properties to, affiliates of our Advisor.

We may purchase properties from, or sell properties to, one or more affiliates of our Advisor in the future. A conflict of interest may exist if such acquisition or disposition occurs. The business interests of our Advisor and its affiliates may be adverse to, or to the detriment of, our interests. Additionally, if we purchase properties from affiliates of our Advisor, the prices we pay to these affiliates for our properties may be equal to, or in excess of, the prices paid by them, plus the costs incurred by them relating to the acquisition and financing of the properties. If we sell properties to affiliates of our Advisor, the offers we receive from these affiliates for our properties may be equal to, or less than, the prices we paid for the properties. These prices will not be the subject of arm’s-length negotiations, which could mean that the acquisitions may be on terms less favorable to us than those negotiated in an arm’s-length transaction. Even though we will use an independent third-party appraiser to determine fair market value when acquiring properties from, or selling properties to, our Advisor and its affiliates, we may pay more, or may not be offered as much, for particular properties than we would have in an arm’s-length transaction, which would reduce our cash available for investment in other properties or distribution to our stockholders.

Furthermore, because any agreement that we enter into with affiliates of our Advisor will not be negotiated in an arm’s-length transaction, and as a result of the affiliation between our Advisor and its affiliates, our Advisor may be reluctant to enforce the agreements against such entities.

Our Advisor will face conflicts of interest relating to the incentive fee structure under our operating partnership agreement, which could result in actions that are not necessarily in the long-term best interests of our stockholders.

Pursuant to our operating partnership agreement, our Advisor and its affiliates will be entitled to distributions that are structured in a manner intended to provide incentives to our Advisor to perform in our best interests and in the best interests of our stockholders. The amount of such compensation has not been determined as a result of arm’s-length negotiations, and such amounts may be greater than otherwise would be payable to independent third parties. However, because our Advisor does not maintain a significant equity interest in us and is entitled to receive substantial minimum compensation regardless of performance, our Advisor’s interests will not be wholly aligned with those of our stockholders. In that regard, our Advisor could be motivated to recommend riskier or more speculative investments in order for us to generate the specified levels of performance or sales proceeds that would entitle our Advisor to distributions. In addition, our Advisor’s entitlement to distributions upon the sale of our assets and to participate in sale proceeds could result in our Advisor recommending sales of our investments at the earliest possible time at which sales of investments would produce the level of return that would entitle our Advisor to compensation relating to such sales, even if continued ownership of those investments might be in our best long-term interest.

Our operating partnership agreement will require us to pay a performance-based termination distribution to our Advisor in the event that we terminate our Advisor prior to the listing of our shares for trading on an exchange or, absent

 

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such listing, in respect of its participation in net sale proceeds. To avoid paying this distribution, our board of directors may decide against terminating the Advisory Agreement prior to our listing of our shares or disposition of our investments even if, but for the termination distribution, termination of the Advisory Agreement would be in our best interest. In addition, the requirement to pay the distribution to our Advisor at termination could cause us to make different investment or disposition decisions than we would otherwise make in order to satisfy our obligation to pay the distribution to the terminated advisor.

Our Advisor will face conflicts of interest relating to joint ventures that we may form with affiliates of our Advisor, which conflicts could result in a disproportionate benefit to other joint venture partners at our expense.

We may enter into joint ventures with other programs sponsored by our Sponsor or its affiliates for the acquisition, development or improvement of properties. Our Advisor may have conflicts of interest in determining which program should enter into any particular joint venture agreement. The co-venturer may have economic or business interests or goals that are or may become inconsistent with our business interests or goals. In addition, our Advisor may face a conflict in structuring the terms of the relationship between our interests and the interest of the affiliated co-venturer and in managing the joint venture. Since our Advisor and its affiliates will control both the affiliated co-venturer and, to a certain extent, us, agreements and transactions between the co-venturers with respect to any such joint venture will not have the benefit of arm’s-length negotiation of the type normally conducted between unrelated co-venturers, which may result in the co-venturer receiving benefits greater than the benefits that we receive. In addition, we may assume liabilities related to the joint venture that exceed the percentage of our investment in the joint venture, and this could reduce the returns on your investment.

There is no separate counsel for us and our affiliates, which could result in conflicts of interest.

Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC (Baker Donelson) acts as legal counsel to us and also represents our Sponsor, Advisor and some of their affiliates. There is a possibility in the future that the interests of the various parties may become adverse and, under the code of professional responsibility of the legal profession, Baker Donelson may be precluded from representing any one or all of such parties. If any situation arises in which our interests appear to be in conflict with those of our Advisor or its affiliates, additional counsel may be retained by one or more of the parties to assure that their interests are adequately protected. Moreover, should a conflict of interest not be readily apparent, Baker Donelson may inadvertently act in derogation of the interest of the parties, which could affect our ability to meet our investment objectives.

Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

The limit on the number of shares a person may own may discourage a takeover that could otherwise result in a premium price to our stockholders.

In order for us to qualify as a REIT, no more than 50% of our outstanding stock may be beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (including certain types of entities) at any time during the last half of each taxable year. To ensure that we do not fail to qualify as a REIT under this test, our charter restricts ownership by one person or entity to no more than 9.8% in value or number, whichever is more restrictive, of any class of our outstanding stock. This restriction may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us, including an extraordinary transaction (such as a merger, tender offer or sale of all or substantially all of our assets) that might provide a premium price for holders of our common stock.

Our charter permits our board of directors to issue stock with terms that may subordinate the rights of common stockholders or discourage a third party from acquiring us in a manner that might result in a premium price to our stockholders.

Our charter permits our board of directors to issue up to 900,000,000 shares of capital stock. In addition, our board of directors, without any action by our stockholders, may amend our charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares or the number of shares of any class or series of stock that we have authority to issue. Our board of directors may classify or reclassify any unissued common stock or preferred stock and establish the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption of any such stock. Thus, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have a priority as to distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation over the rights of the holders of our common stock. Preferred stock could also have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company, including an extraordinary transaction (such as a merger, tender offer or sale of all or substantially all of our assets) that might provide a premium price for holders of our common stock.

 

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We will not be afforded the protection of Maryland law relating to business combinations.

Under Maryland law, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:

 

    any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s shares; or

 

    an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation.

These prohibitions are intended to prevent a change of control by interested stockholders who do not have the support of our board of directors. Since our articles of incorporation, or our charter, contain limitations on ownership of 9.8% or more of our common stock, we opted out of the business combinations statute in our charter. Therefore, we will not be afforded the protections of this statute and, accordingly, there is no guarantee that the ownership limitations in our charter would provide the same measure of protection as the business combinations statute and prevent an undesired change of control by an interested stockholder.

Our stockholders’ investment returns may be reduced if we are required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. If we lose our exemption from registration under the 1940 Act, we will not be able to continue our business.

We do not intend to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act). As of December 31, 2013, we have no real estate assets, and our intended investments in real estate will represent the substantial majority of our total asset mix, which would not subject us to the 1940 Act. In order to maintain an exemption from regulation under the 1940 Act, we must engage primarily in the business of buying real estate, and these investments must be made within a year after our Offering ends. If we are unable to invest a significant portion of the proceeds of our Offering in properties within one year of the termination of our Offering, we may avoid being required to register as an investment company by temporarily investing any unused proceeds in government securities with low returns, which would reduce the cash available for distribution to investors and possibly lower our stockholders’ returns.

To maintain compliance with our 1940 Act exemption, we may be unable to sell assets we would otherwise want to sell and may need to sell assets we would otherwise wish to retain. In addition, we may be required to acquire additional income- or loss-generating assets that we might not otherwise acquire or forego opportunities to acquire interests in companies that we would otherwise want to acquire. If we are required to register as an investment company but fail to do so, we would be prohibited from engaging in our business, and criminal and civil actions could be brought against us. In addition, our contracts would be unenforceable unless a court required enforcement, and a court could appoint a receiver to take control of us and liquidate our business.

Our stockholders are bound by the majority vote on matters on which our stockholders are entitled to vote and, therefore, each stockholder’s vote on a particular matter may be superseded by the vote of other stockholders.

Our stockholders may vote on certain matters at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, including the election of directors. However, each stockholder will be bound by the majority vote on matters requiring approval of a majority of the stockholders even if the stockholder does not vote with the majority on any such matter.

 

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If one of our stockholders does not agree with the decisions of our board of directors, the stockholder only has limited control over changes in our policies and operations and may not be able to change such policies and operations, except as provided for in our charter and under applicable law.

Our board of directors determines our major policies, including our policies regarding investments, financing, growth, REIT qualification and distributions. Our board of directors may amend or revise these and other policies without a vote of our stockholders. Under the Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter, our stockholders have a right to vote only on the following:

 

    the election or removal of directors;

 

    any amendment of our charter, except that our board of directors may amend our charter without stockholder approval to increase or decrease the aggregate number of our shares, to increase or decrease the number of our shares of any class or series that we have the authority to issue, or to classify or reclassify any unissued shares by setting or changing the preferences, conversion or other rights, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications or terms and conditions of redemption of such shares, provided however, that any such amendment does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the stockholders;

 

    our liquidation or dissolution; and

 

    any merger, consolidation or sale or other disposition of substantially all of our assets.

The board of directors must declare advisable any amendment to the charter or any merger, consolidation, transfer of assets, or share exchange, prior to such amendment or transaction, under the Maryland General Corporation Law. All other matters are subject to the discretion of our board of directors. Therefore, our stockholders are limited in their ability to change our policies and operations.

Our rights and the rights of our stockholders to recover claims against our officers, directors and our Advisor are limited, which could reduce our stockholders’ and our recovery against them if they cause us to incur losses.

Maryland law provides that a director has no liability in that capacity if he or she performs his or her duties in good faith, in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the corporation’s best interests and with the care that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances. Our charter, in the case of our directors, officers, employees and agents, and our Advisory Agreement, in the case of our Advisor, requires us to indemnify our directors, officers, employees and agents, and our Advisor and its affiliates, for actions taken by them in good faith and without negligence or misconduct. Additionally, our charter limits the liability of our directors and officers for monetary damages to the maximum extent permitted under Maryland law. As a result, we and our stockholders may have more limited rights against our directors, officers, employees and agents, and our Advisor and its affiliates, than might otherwise exist under common law, which could reduce our stockholders’ and our recovery against them. In addition, we may be obligated to fund the defense costs incurred by our directors, officers, employees and agents or our Advisor in some cases which would decrease the cash otherwise available for distribution to our stockholders.

Our board of directors may change any of our investment objectives, including our focus on self storage facilities.

Our board of directors may change any of our investment objectives, including our focus on self storage facilities. If our stockholders do not agree with a decision of our board to change any of our investment objectives, our stockholders only have limited control over such changes. Additionally, we cannot assure our stockholders that we would be successful in attaining any of these investment objectives, which may adversely impact our financial performance and ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

Our stockholders’ interests in us will be diluted as we issue additional shares, and upon purchasing shares our stockholders’ investments may immediately be diluted based on the net book value per share of our common stock.

Our stockholders will not have preemptive rights to any shares issued by us in the future. Subject to any limitations set forth under Maryland law, our board of directors may increase the number of authorized shares of stock (currently 900,000,000 shares), increase or decrease the number of shares of any class or series of stock designated, or reclassify any unissued shares without the necessity of obtaining stockholder approval. All such shares may be issued in the discretion of our board of directors. Therefore, as we (1) sell shares in the Offering or sell additional shares in the future, including those issued pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan, (2) sell securities that are convertible into shares of our common stock, (3) issue shares of our common stock in a private offering of securities to institutional investors, (4) issue shares of our common stock upon the exercise of the options granted to our independent directors, (5) issue shares to our Advisor, its successors or assigns, in payment of an outstanding fee obligation as set forth under our Advisory Agreement, or (6) issue shares of our common stock in a merger or to sellers of properties acquired by us in connection with an exchange of limited partnership interests of our Operating Partnership, existing stockholders and investors purchasing shares in the Offering will experience dilution of their equity investment in us. Because the limited partnership interests of our Operating Partnership

 

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may, in the discretion of our board of directors, be exchanged for shares of our common stock, any merger, exchange or conversion between our Operating Partnership and another entity ultimately could result in the issuance of a substantial number of shares of our common stock, thereby diluting the percentage ownership interest of other stockholders. Because of these and other reasons, our stockholders should not expect to be able to own a significant percentage of our shares.

Payment of fees to our Advisor and its affiliates will reduce cash available for investment and distribution.

Our Advisor and its affiliates will perform services for us in connection with the offer and sale of our shares, the selection and acquisition of our investments, and the management of our properties. They will be paid substantial fees for these services, which will reduce the amount of cash available for investment in properties or distribution to stockholders.

We are uncertain of our sources of debt or equity for funding our future capital needs. If we cannot obtain funding on acceptable terms, our ability to make necessary capital improvements to our properties, pay other expenses or expand our business may be impaired or delayed.

The gross proceeds of the Offering will be used to purchase real estate investments and to pay various fees and expenses. In addition, in order to continue to qualify as a REIT, we generally must distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our taxable income each year, excluding capital gains. Because of this distribution requirement, it is not likely that we will be able to fund a significant portion of our future capital needs from retained earnings. We have not identified any sources of debt or equity for future funding, and such sources of funding may not be available to us on favorable terms or at all. If we do not have access to sufficient funding in the future, we may not be able to make necessary capital improvements to our properties, pay other expenses or expand our business.

Our Advisor may receive economic benefits from its status as a special limited partner without bearing any of the investment risk.

Our Advisor is a special limited partner in our operating partnership. As the special limited partner, our Advisor is entitled to receive, among other distributions, an incentive distribution of net proceeds from the sale of properties after we have received and paid to our stockholders the threshold return. We will bear all of the risk associated with the properties but, as a result of the incentive distributions to our Advisor, we may not be entitled to all of the Operating Partnership’s proceeds from a property sale and certain other events.

Risks Related to the Self Storage Industry

Because we are focused on the self storage industry, our rental revenues will be significantly influenced by demand for self storage space generally, and a decrease in such demand would likely have a greater adverse effect on our rental revenues than if we owned a more diversified real estate portfolio.

Because our portfolio of properties will consist primarily of self storage facilities, we are subject to risks inherent in investments in a single industry. A decrease in the demand for self storage space would likely have a greater adverse effect on our rental revenues than if we owned a more diversified real estate portfolio. Demand for self storage space has been and could be adversely affected by weakness in the national, regional and local economies and changes in supply of or demand for similar or competing self storage facilities in an area. To the extent that any of these conditions occur, they are likely to affect market rents for self storage space, which could cause a decrease in our rental revenue. Any such decrease could impair our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. We do not expect to invest in other real estate or businesses to hedge against the risk that industry trends might decrease the profitability of our self storage-related investments.

We will face significant competition in the self storage industry, which may increase the cost of acquisitions or developments or impede our ability to retain customers or re-let space when existing customers vacate.

We will face intense competition in every market in which we purchase self storage facilities. We will compete with numerous national, regional, and local developers, owners and operators in the self storage industry, including other REITs, some of which own or may in the future own facilities similar to, or in the same markets as, the self storage properties we acquire, and some of which will have greater capital resources, greater cash reserves, less demanding rules governing distributions to stockholders and a greater ability to borrow funds to acquire facilities. In addition, due to the low cost of each individual self storage facility, other developers, owners and operators have the capability to build additional facilities that

 

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may compete with our facilities. This competition for investments may reduce the number of suitable investment opportunities available to us, may increase acquisition costs and may reduce demand for self storage space in certain areas where our facilities are located, all of which may adversely affect our operating results. Additionally, an economic slowdown in a particular market could have a negative effect on our self storage revenues.

If competitors build new facilities that compete with our facilities or offer space at rental rates below the rental rates we charge our customers, we may lose potential or existing customers and we may be pressured to discount our rental rates to retain customers. As a result, our rental revenues may become insufficient to make distributions to our stockholders. In addition, increased competition for customers may require us to make capital improvements to facilities that we would not otherwise make, which could reduce cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

The acquisition of new properties may give rise to difficulties in predicting revenue potential.

New acquisitions could fail to perform in accordance with our expectations. If we fail to accurately estimate occupancy levels, rental rates, operating costs or costs of improvements to bring an acquired facility up to our standards, the performance of the facility may be below expectations. Properties we acquire may have characteristics or deficiencies affecting their valuation or revenue potential that we have not yet discovered. We cannot assure our stockholders that the performance of properties we acquire will increase or be maintained under our management.

We may be unable to promptly re-let units within our facilities at satisfactory rental rates.

Generally our unit leases will be on a month-to-month basis. Delays in re-letting units as vacancies arise would reduce our revenues and could adversely affect our operating performance. In addition, lower-than-expected rental rates and rental concessions upon re-letting could adversely affect our rental revenues and impede our growth.

We will depend on our on-site personnel to maximize customer satisfaction at each of our facilities, and any difficulties our Property Manager encounters in hiring, training and retaining skilled field personnel may adversely affect our rental revenues.

The customer service, marketing skills, knowledge of local market demand and competitive dynamics of our facility managers will be contributing factors to our ability to maximize our rental income and to achieve the highest sustainable rent levels at each of our facilities. If our Property Manager is unable to successfully recruit, train and retain qualified field personnel, our rental revenues may be adversely affected, which could impair our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

Legal claims related to moisture infiltration and mold could arise in one or more of our properties, which could adversely affect our revenues.

There has been an increasing number of claims and litigation against owners and managers of rental and self storage properties relating to moisture infiltration, which can result in mold or other property damage. We cannot guarantee that moisture infiltration will not occur at one or more of our properties. When we receive a complaint concerning moisture infiltration, condensation or mold problems and/or become aware that an air quality concern exists, we will implement corrective measures in accordance with guidelines and protocols we have developed with the assistance of outside experts. We cannot assure our stockholders that material legal claims relating to moisture infiltration and the presence of, or exposure to, mold will not arise in the future. These legal claims could require significant expenditures for legal defense representation which could adversely affect our revenues.

Delays in development and lease-up of our properties would reduce our profitability.

We may acquire properties that require repositioning or redeveloping such properties with the goal of increasing cash flow, value or both. Construction delays to new or existing self storage properties due to weather, unforeseen site conditions, personnel problems, and other factors could delay our anticipated customer occupancy plan which could adversely affect our profitability. Furthermore, our estimate of the costs of repositioning or redeveloping an acquired property may prove to be inaccurate, which may result in our failure to meet our profitability goals. Additionally, we may acquire a new property that has a relatively low physical occupancy, and the cash flow from existing operations may be insufficient to pay the operating expenses associated with that property until the property is fully leased. If one or more of these properties do not perform as expected or we are unable to successfully integrate new properties into our existing operations, our financial performance and our ability to make distributions may be adversely affected.

 

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The risks associated with storage contents may increase our operating costs or expose us to potential liability that may not be covered by insurance, which may have adverse effects on our results of operations and returns to our stockholders.

The self storage facilities we intend to own and operate are leased directly to customers who store their belongings without any immediate inspections or oversight from us. We may unintentionally lease space to groups engaged in illegal and dangerous activities. Damage to storage contents may occur due to, among other occurrences, the following: war, acts of terrorism, earthquakes, floods, fires, hurricanes, pollution, environmental matters or events caused by fault of a customer, fault of a third party or fault of our own. Such damage may or may not be covered by insurance maintained by us, if any. Our Advisor will determine the amounts and types of insurance coverage that we will maintain, including any coverage over the contents of any properties in which we may invest. Such determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis by our Advisor based on the type, value, location and risks associated with each investment, as well as any lender requirements, and any other factors our Advisor may consider relevant. There is no guarantee as to the type of insurance that we will obtain for any investments that we may make and there is no guarantee that any particular damage to storage contents would be covered by such insurance, even if obtained. The costs associated with maintaining such insurance, as well as any liability imposed upon us due to damage to storage contents, may have an adverse effect on our results of operations and returns to our stockholders.

Additionally, although we will require our customers to sign an agreement stating that they will not store flammable, hazardous, illegal or dangerous contents in the self storage units, we cannot ensure that our customers will abide by such agreement. The storage of such materials might cause destruction to a facility or impose liability on us for the costs of removal or remediation if these various contents or substances are released on, from or in a facility, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations and returns to our stockholders.

Our operating results may be affected by regulatory changes that have an adverse impact on our specific facilities, which may adversely affect our results of operations and returns to our stockholders.

Certain regulatory changes may have a direct impact on our self storage facilities, including but not limited to, land use, zoning and permitting requirements by governmental authorities at the local level, which can restrict the availability of land for development, and special zoning codes which omit certain uses of property from a zoning category. These special uses (i.e., hospitals, schools, and self storage facilities) are allowed in that particular zoning classification only by obtaining a special use permit and the permission of local zoning authority. If we are delayed in obtaining or unable to obtain a special use permit where one is required, new developments or expansion of existing developments could be delayed or reduced. Additionally, certain municipalities require holders of a special use permit to have higher levels of liability coverage than is normally required. The acquisition of, or the inability to obtain, a special use permit and the possibility of higher levels of insurance coverage associated therewith may have an adverse effect on our results of operations and returns to our stockholders.

If we enter into non-compete agreements with the sellers of the self storage properties that we acquire, and the terms of those agreements expire, the sellers may compete with us within the general location of one of our self storage facilities, which could have an adverse effect on our operating results and returns to our stockholders.

We may enter into non-compete agreements with the sellers of the self storage properties that we acquire in order to prohibit the seller from owning, operating, or being employed by a competing self storage property for a predetermined time frame and within a geographic radius of a self storage facility we acquire. When these non-compete agreements expire, we may face the risk that the seller will develop, own, operate or become employed by a competing self storage facility within the general location of one of our properties, which could have an adverse effect on our operating results and returns to our stockholders.

 

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General Risks Related to Investments in Real Estate

Our operating results will be affected by economic and regulatory changes that have an adverse impact on the real estate market in general, and we cannot assure our stockholders that we will be profitable or that we will realize growth in the value of our real estate properties.

Our operating results will be subject to risks generally incident to the ownership of real estate, including:

 

    changes in general economic or local conditions;

 

    changes in supply of or demand for similar or competing properties in an area;

 

    changes in interest rates and availability of permanent mortgage funds that may render the sale of a property difficult or unattractive;

 

    changes in tax, real estate, environmental and zoning laws;

 

    changes in property tax assessments and insurance costs; and

 

    increases in interest rates and tight money supply.

These and other reasons may prevent us from being profitable or from realizing growth or maintaining the value of our real estate properties.

We may suffer reduced or delayed revenues for, or have difficulty selling, properties with vacancies.

We anticipate that the majority of the properties we acquire will have stabilized occupancy levels (at or above 70%). However, certain of the real properties we acquire may have some level of vacancy at the time of closing either because the property is in the process of being developed and constructed, it is newly constructed and in the process of obtaining customers, or because of economic or competitive or other factors. Shortly after a new property is opened, during a time of development and construction, or because of economic or competitive or other factors, we may suffer reduced revenues potentially resulting in lower cash distributions to our stockholders due to a lack of an optimum level of customers. In addition, the resale value of the real property could be diminished because the market value may depend principally upon the value of the leases of such real property. In addition, because a property’s market value depends principally upon its occupancy rate, the resale value of properties with prolonged low occupancy rates could suffer, which could further reduce our stockholders’ returns.

We may obtain only limited warranties when we purchase a property.

The seller of a property will often sell such property in its “as is” condition on a “where is” basis and “with all faults,” without any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use or purpose. In addition, purchase agreements may contain only limited warranties, representations and indemnifications that will only survive for a limited period after the closing. Also, many sellers of real estate are single purpose entities without significant other assets. The purchase of properties with limited warranties or from undercapitalized sellers increases the risk that we may lose some or all of our invested capital in the property as well as rental income from that property.

Our inability to sell a property when we desire to do so could adversely impact our ability to pay cash distributions to our stockholders.

The real estate market is affected by many factors, such as general economic conditions, availability of financing, interest rates and other factors, including supply and demand, that are beyond our control. We cannot predict whether we will be able to sell any property for the price or on the terms set by us, or whether any price or other terms offered by a prospective purchaser would be acceptable to us. We cannot predict the length of time needed to find a willing purchaser and to close the sale of a property. Real estate generally cannot be sold quickly. Also, the tax laws applicable to REITs require that we hold our facilities for investment, rather than for sale in the ordinary course of business, which may cause us to forego or defer sales of facilities that otherwise would be in our best interest. Therefore, we may not be able to dispose of facilities promptly, or on favorable terms, in response to economic or other market conditions, and this may adversely impact our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

 

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In addition, we may be required to expend funds to correct defects or to make improvements before a property can be sold. We cannot assure our stockholders that we will have funds available to correct such defects or to make such improvements.

In acquiring a property, we may agree to restrictions that prohibit the sale of that property for a period of time or impose other restrictions, such as a limitation on the amount of debt that can be placed or repaid on that property. These provisions would also restrict our ability to sell a property.

We may not be able to sell our properties at a price equal to, or greater than, the price for which we purchased such properties, which may lead to a decrease in the value of our assets.

We may be purchasing our properties at a time when capitalization rates are at historically low levels and purchase prices are high. Therefore, the value of our properties may not increase over time, which may restrict our ability to sell our properties, or in the event we are able to sell such property, may lead to a sale price less than the price that we paid to purchase the properties.

We may acquire or finance properties with lock-out provisions, which may prohibit us from selling a property, or may require us to maintain specified debt levels for a period of years on some properties.

Lock-out provisions are provisions that generally prohibit repayment of a loan balance for a certain number of years following the origination date of a loan. Such provisions are typically provided for by the Code or the terms of the agreement underlying a loan. Lock-out provisions could materially restrict us from selling or otherwise disposing of or refinancing properties. These provisions would affect our ability to turn our investments into cash and thus affect cash available for distribution to our stockholders. Lock-out provisions may prohibit us from reducing the outstanding indebtedness with respect to any properties, refinancing such indebtedness on a non-recourse basis at maturity, or increasing the amount of indebtedness with respect to such properties.

Lock-out provisions could impair our ability to take actions during the lock-out period that would otherwise be in our stockholders’ best interests and, therefore, may have an adverse impact on the value of the shares, relative to the value that would result if the lock-out provisions did not exist. In particular, lock-out provisions could preclude us from participating in major transactions that could result in a disposition of our assets or a change in control, even though that disposition or change in control might be in our stockholders’ best interests.

Rising expenses could reduce cash available for future acquisitions.

Any properties that we buy in the future will be subject to operating risks common to real estate in general, any or all of which may negatively affect us. If any property is not fully occupied or if rents are being paid in an amount that is insufficient to cover operating expenses, we could be required to expend funds for that property’s operating expenses. Our properties will be subject to increases in tax rates, utility costs, operating expenses, insurance costs, repairs and maintenance and administrative expenses.

If we are unable to offset such cost increases through rent increases, we could be required to fund those increases in operating costs which could adversely affect funds available for future acquisitions or cash available for distribution.

Adverse economic conditions will negatively affect our returns and profitability.

The following market and economic challenges may adversely affect our operating results:

 

    poor economic times may result in customer defaults under leases or bankruptcy;

 

    re-leasing may require reduced rental rates under the new leases; and

 

    increased insurance premiums, resulting in part from the increased risk of terrorism and natural disasters, may reduce funds available for distribution.

An environment of declining prices could weaken current real estate markets. Since we cannot predict when real estate markets would recover, the value of our properties may decline. Further, the results of operations for a property in any one period may not be indicative of results in future periods, and the long-term performance of such property generally may not

 

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be comparable to, and cash flows may not be as predictable as, other properties owned by third parties in the same or similar industry. Weak conditions in the real estate markets could be further exacerbated by a deterioration of national or regional economic conditions. Our property values and operations could be negatively affected to the extent that negative economic conditions are prolonged or are severe.

If we suffer losses that are not covered by insurance or that are in excess of insurance coverage, we could lose invested capital and anticipated profits.

Material losses may occur in excess of insurance proceeds with respect to any property, as insurance may not be sufficient to fund the losses. However, there are types of losses, generally of a catastrophic nature, such as losses due to wars, acts of terrorism, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, pollution or environmental matters, which are either uninsurable or not economically insurable, or may be insured subject to limitations such as large deductibles or co-payments. Insurance risks associated with potential terrorist acts could sharply increase the premiums we pay for coverage against property and casualty claims. Additionally, mortgage lenders in some cases have begun to insist that commercial property owners purchase specific coverage against terrorism as a condition for providing mortgage loans. It is uncertain whether such insurance policies will be available, or available at reasonable cost, which could inhibit our ability to finance or refinance our potential properties. In these instances, we may be required to provide other financial support, either through financial assurances or self-insurance, to cover potential losses. We cannot assure our stockholders that we will have adequate coverage for such losses. The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 is designed for a sharing of terrorism losses between insurance companies and the federal government. We cannot be certain how this act will impact us or what additional cost to us, if any, could result. If such an event damaged or destroyed one or more of our properties, we could lose both our invested capital and anticipated profits from such property.

Delays in the acquisition, development and construction of properties may have adverse effects on our results of operations and returns to our stockholders.

Delays we encounter in the selection, acquisition and development of real properties could adversely affect our stockholders’ returns. From time to time we may acquire unimproved real property, properties that are in need of redevelopment or properties that are under development or construction. Investments in such properties will be subject to the uncertainties associated with the development and construction of real property, including those related to re-zoning land for development, environmental concerns of governmental entities and/or community groups and our builders’ ability to build in conformity with plans, specifications, budgets and timetables. If a builder fails to perform, we may resort to legal action to rescind the purchase or the construction contract or to compel performance. A builder’s performance may also be affected or delayed by conditions beyond the builder’s control.

Where properties are acquired prior to the start of construction or during the early stages of construction, it will typically take several months to complete construction and lease available space. Therefore, our stockholders could suffer delays in the receipt of cash distributions attributable to those particular real properties. We may incur additional risks when we make periodic progress payments or other advances to builders before they complete construction. These and other factors can result in increased costs of a project or loss of our investment. We also must rely on rental income and expense projections and estimates of the fair market value of a property upon completion of construction when agreeing upon a purchase price at the time we acquire the property. If our projections are inaccurate, we may pay too much for a property, and the return on our investment could suffer.

Costs of complying with governmental laws and regulations, including those relating to environmental matters, may adversely affect our income and the cash available for distribution.

All real property, including any self storage properties we acquire, and the operations conducted on real property are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and human health and safety. These laws and regulations generally govern wastewater discharges, air emissions, the operation and removal of underground and above-ground storage tanks, the use, storage, treatment, transportation and disposal of solid and hazardous materials, and the remediation of contamination associated with disposals. Some of these laws and regulations may impose joint and several liabilities on customers, owners or operators for the costs to investigate or remediate contaminated properties, regardless of fault or whether the acts causing the contamination were legal. This liability could be substantial. In addition, the presence of hazardous substances, or the failure to properly remediate these substances, may adversely affect our ability to sell or rent a property, or to pledge such property as collateral for future borrowings.

 

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Some of these laws and regulations have been amended so as to require compliance with new or more stringent standards as of future dates. Compliance with new or more stringent laws or regulations or stricter interpretation of existing laws may require us to incur material expenditures. Future laws, ordinances or regulations may impose material environmental liability. Additionally, our customers’ operations, the existing condition of land when we buy it, operations in the vicinity of our properties, such as the presence of underground storage tanks, or activities of unrelated third parties may affect our properties. In addition, there are various local, state and federal fire, health, life-safety and similar regulations with which we may be required to comply, and that may subject us to liability in the form of fines or damages for noncompliance. Any material expenditures, fines, or damages we must pay will reduce our ability to make distributions to our stockholders and may reduce the value of our stockholders’ investments.

We cannot assure our stockholders that the independent third party environmental assessments we obtain prior to acquiring any properties we purchase will reveal all environmental liabilities or that a prior owner of a property did not create a material environmental condition not known to us. We cannot predict what other environmental legislation or regulations will be enacted in the future, how existing or future laws or regulations will be administered or interpreted, or what environmental conditions may be found to exist in the future. We cannot assure our stockholders that our business, assets, results of operations, liquidity or financial condition will not be adversely affected by these laws, which may adversely affect cash available for distribution, and the amount of distributions to our stockholders.

Our costs associated with complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act may affect cash available for distribution.

Our properties will be subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or ADA. Under the ADA, all places of public accommodation are required to comply with federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. The ADA has separate compliance requirements for “public accommodations” and “commercial facilities” that generally require that buildings and services, including restaurants and retail stores, be made accessible and available to people with disabilities. The ADA’s requirements could require removal of access barriers and could result in the imposition of injunctive relief, monetary penalties, or, in some cases, an award of damages. We will attempt to acquire properties that comply with the ADA or place the burden on the seller or other third party to ensure compliance with the ADA. However, we cannot assure our stockholders that we will be able to acquire properties or allocate responsibilities in this manner. If we cannot, our funds used for ADA compliance may affect cash available for distribution and the amount of distributions to our stockholders.

If we sell properties by providing financing to purchasers, defaults by the purchasers would adversely affect our cash flows.

In some instances we may sell our properties by providing financing to purchasers. When we provide financing to purchasers, we will bear the risk that the purchaser may default, which could negatively impact our cash distributions to stockholders. Additionally, the distribution of the proceeds of sales to our stockholders, or their reinvestment in other assets, will be delayed until the promissory notes or other property we may accept upon the sale are actually paid, sold, refinanced or otherwise disposed of. In some cases, we may receive initial down payments in cash and other property in the year of sale in an amount less than the selling price and subsequent payments will be spread over a number of years. If any purchaser defaults under a financing arrangement with us, it could negatively impact our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

Property taxes may increase, which will adversely affect our net operating income and cash available for distributions.

Each of our properties we acquire will be subject to real property taxes. Some local real property tax assessors may seek to reassess some of our properties as a result of our acquisition of the property. From time to time, our property taxes may increase as property values or assessment rates change or for other reasons deemed relevant by the assessors. Recent local government shortfalls in tax revenue may cause pressure to increase tax rates or assessment levels. Increases in real property taxes will adversely affect our net operating income and cash available for distributions.

We will be subject to additional risks if we make international investments.

We may acquire properties located outside the United States, and we may make or purchase loans or participations in loans secured by property located outside the United States. These investments may be affected by factors peculiar to the laws and business practices of the jurisdictions in which the properties are located. These laws and business practices may expose us to risks that are different from and in addition to those commonly found in the United States. Foreign investments pose the following risks:

 

    the burden of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws;

 

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    changing governmental rules and policies, including changes in land use and zoning laws, more stringent environmental laws or changes in such laws;

 

    existing or new laws relating to the foreign ownership of real property or loans and laws restricting the ability of foreign persons or companies to remove profits earned from activities within the country to the person’s or company’s country of origin;

 

    the potential for expropriation;

 

    possible currency transfer restrictions;

 

    imposition of adverse or confiscatory taxes;

 

    changes in real estate and other tax rates and changes in other operating expenses in particular countries;

 

    possible challenges to the anticipated tax treatment of the structures that allow us to acquire and hold investments;

 

    adverse market conditions caused by terrorism, civil unrest and changes in national or local governmental or economic conditions;

 

    the willingness of domestic or foreign lenders to make loans in certain countries and changes in the availability, cost and terms of loan funds resulting from varying national economic policies;

 

    general political and economic instability in certain regions;

 

    the potential difficulty of enforcing obligations in other countries; and

 

    the limited experience and expertise in foreign countries of our Sponsor’s employees relative to their experience and expertise in the United States.

Investments in properties or other real estate investments outside the United States subject us to foreign currency risks, which may adversely affect distributions and our REIT status.

Revenues generated from any properties or other real estate investments we acquire or ventures we enter into relating to transactions involving assets located in markets outside the United States likely will be denominated in the local currency. Therefore, any investments we make outside the United States may subject us to foreign currency risk due to potential fluctuations in exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar. As a result, changes in exchange rates of any such foreign currency to U.S. dollars may affect our revenues, operating margins and distributions and may also affect the book value of our assets and the amount of stockholders’ equity.

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates used to value a REIT’s foreign assets may be considered changes in the value of the REIT’s assets. These changes may adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT. Further, bank accounts in foreign currency which are not considered cash or cash equivalents may adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT.

Risks Associated with Debt Financing

We have broad authority to incur debt, and high debt levels could hinder our ability to make distributions and could decrease the value of our stockholders’ investments.

Our charter generally limits us to incurring debt no greater than 300% of our net assets before deducting depreciation or other non-cash reserves (equivalent to 75% leverage), unless any excess borrowing is approved by a majority of our independent directors and disclosed to our stockholders in our next quarterly report, along with a justification for such excess borrowing. High debt levels would cause us to incur higher interest charges, would result in higher debt service payments, and could be accompanied by restrictive covenants. These factors could limit the amount of cash we have available to distribute and could result in a decline in the value of our stockholders’ investments.

 

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We may incur mortgage indebtedness and other borrowings, which may increase our business risks.

We may place permanent financing on our properties or obtain a credit facility or other similar financing arrangement in order to acquire properties as funds are being raised in the Offering. We may also decide to later further leverage our properties. We may incur mortgage debt and pledge all or some of our real properties as security for that debt to obtain funds to acquire real properties. We may borrow if we need funds to pay a desired distribution rate to our stockholders. We may also borrow if we deem it necessary or advisable to assure that we maintain our qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. If there is a shortfall between the cash flow from our properties and the cash flow needed to service mortgage debt, then the amount available for distribution to our stockholders may be reduced.

We intend to incur, indebtedness secured by our properties, which may result in foreclosure.

Most of our borrowings to acquire properties will be secured by mortgages on our properties. If we default on our secured indebtedness, the lender may foreclose and we could lose our entire investment in the properties securing such loan, which could adversely affect distributions to our stockholders. To the extent lenders require us to cross-collateralize our properties, or our loan agreements contain cross-default provisions, a default under a single loan agreement could subject multiple properties to foreclosure.

High interest rates may make it difficult for us to refinance properties, which could reduce the number of properties we can acquire and the amount of cash distributions we can make.

If we place mortgage debt on our properties, we run the risk of being unable to refinance the properties when the loans come due, or of being unable to refinance on favorable terms. If interest rates are higher when the properties are refinanced, we may not be able to finance the properties and our income could be reduced. If any of these events occur, our cash flow would be reduced. This, in turn, would reduce cash available for distribution to our stockholders and may hinder our ability to raise more capital by issuing more stock or by borrowing more money.

Lenders may require us to enter into restrictive covenants relating to our operations, which could limit our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

When providing financing, a lender could impose restrictions on us that affect our distribution and operating policies and our ability to incur additional debt. Loan documents we enter into may contain covenants that limit our ability to further mortgage the property, discontinue insurance coverage or replace our Advisor or our Property Manager. These or other limitations may adversely affect our flexibility and limit our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

Increases in interest rates could increase the amount of our debt payments and adversely affect our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

We expect that we will incur indebtedness in the future. Interest we pay will reduce cash available for distribution. Additionally, if we incur variable rate debt, increases in interest rates would increase our interest costs, which could reduce our cash flows and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. In addition, if we need to repay existing debt during periods of rising interest rates, we could be required to liquidate one or more of our investments in properties at times that may not permit realization of the maximum return on such investments.

Disruptions in the credit markets could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.

Domestic and international financial markets recently experienced significant disruptions which were brought about in large part by failures in the U.S. banking system. These disruptions severely impacted the availability of credit and contributed to rising costs associated with obtaining credit. If debt financing is not available on terms and conditions we find acceptable, we may not be able to obtain financing for investments. If these disruptions in the credit markets resurface, our ability to borrow monies to finance the purchase of, or other activities related to, real estate assets will be negatively impacted. If we are unable to borrow monies on terms and conditions that we find acceptable, we may be forced to use a greater proportion of our offering proceeds to finance our acquisitions, reduce the number of properties we can purchase, and/or dispose of some of our assets. These disruptions could also adversely affect the return on the properties we do purchase. In addition, if we pay fees to lock in a favorable interest rate, falling interest rates or other factors could require us to forfeit these fees. All of these events would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and ability to pay distributions.

 

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Federal Income Tax Risks

Failure to qualify as a REIT would adversely affect our operations and our ability to make distributions as we will incur additional tax liabilities.

Baker Donelson, our legal counsel, has reviewed the federal tax summary and is of the opinion that it fairly summarizes the federal income tax considerations that are material to our stockholders. It is also the opinion of our legal counsel that we have been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code and that our proposed method of operations will enable us to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT commencing with our taxable year ending December 31 of the year preceding the taxable year in which 100 or more persons own our stock and we are not closely-held. This opinion is based upon, among other things, our representations as to the manner in which we are and will be owned and the manner in which we will invest in and operate assets. However, our qualification as a REIT will depend upon our ability to meet, through investments, actual operating results, distributions and satisfaction of specific stockholder rules, the various tests imposed by the Code. Baker Donelson will not review these operating results or compliance with the qualification standards on an ongoing basis. This means that we may fail to satisfy the REIT requirements in the future. Also, this opinion represents Baker Donelson’s legal judgment based on the law in effect as of the date of the opinion. Baker Donelson’s opinion is not binding on the IRS or the courts and we will not apply for a ruling from the IRS regarding our status as a REIT. Future legislative, judicial or administrative changes to the federal income tax laws could be applied retroactively, which could result in our disqualification as a REIT.

If we fail to qualify as a REIT for any taxable year, we will be subject to federal income tax and any applicable alternative minimum tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. If our REIT status is terminated for any reason, we would generally be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year of such termination. Losing our REIT status would reduce our net earnings available for investment or distribution to stockholders because of the additional tax liability. In addition, distributions to stockholders would no longer qualify for the distributions paid deduction, and we would no longer be required to make distributions. If this occurs, we might be required to borrow funds or liquidate some investments in order to pay the applicable tax.

To qualify as a REIT, and to avoid the payment of federal income and excise taxes and maintain our REIT status, we may be forced to borrow funds, use proceeds from the issuance of securities (including the Offering), or sell assets to pay distributions, which may result in our distributing amounts that may otherwise be used for our operations.

To obtain the favorable tax treatment accorded to REITs, we normally will be required each year to distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, generally determined without regard to the deduction for distributions paid and excluding net capital gains. We will be subject to federal income tax on our undistributed taxable income and net capital gain and subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on any amount by which distributions we pay with respect to any calendar year are less than the sum of (1) 85% of our ordinary income, (2) 95% of our capital gain net income, and (3) 100% of our undistributed income from prior years. These requirements could cause us to distribute amounts that otherwise would be spent on acquisitions of properties and it is possible that we might be required to borrow funds, use proceeds from the issuance of securities (including this Offering) or sell assets in order to distribute enough of our taxable income to maintain our REIT status and to avoid the payment of federal income and excise taxes. These methods of obtaining funding could affect future distributions by increasing operating costs and decreasing available cash. In addition, such distributions may constitute a return of capital for federal income tax purposes.

If our Operating Partnership fails to maintain its status as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, its income would be subject to taxation and our REIT status would be terminated.

We intend to maintain the status of our Operating Partnership as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. However, if the IRS were to successfully challenge the status of our Operating Partnership as a partnership, it would be taxable as a corporation. In such event, this would reduce the amount of distributions that our Operating Partnership could make to us. This would also result in our losing REIT status and becoming subject to a corporate level tax on our own income. This would substantially reduce our cash available to pay distributions and the return on our stockholders’ investments. In addition, if any of the entities through which our Operating Partnership owns its properties, in whole or in part, loses its characterization as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, the underlying entity would become subject to taxation as a corporation, thereby reducing distributions to our Operating Partnership and jeopardizing our ability to maintain REIT status.

 

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Our stockholders may have tax liability on distributions they elect to reinvest in our common stock.

If our stockholders participate in our distribution reinvestment plan, they will be deemed to have received, and for income tax purposes will be taxed on, the amount reinvested in common stock to the extent the amount reinvested was not a tax-free return of investors’ capital. As a result, unless our stockholders are a tax-exempt entity, our stockholders may have to use funds from other sources to pay their tax liability on the value of the common stock received.

In certain circumstances, we may be subject to federal and state income taxes as a REIT, which would reduce our cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

Even if we qualify and maintain our status as a REIT, we may be subject to federal income taxes or state taxes. For example, net income from a “prohibited transaction” will be subject to a 100% tax. We may not be able to make sufficient distributions to avoid excise taxes applicable to REITs. We may also decide to retain income we earn from the sale or other disposition of our property and pay income tax directly on such income. In that event, our stockholders would be treated as if they earned that income and paid the tax on it directly. However, stockholders that are tax-exempt, such as charities or qualified pension plans, would have no benefit from their deemed payment of such tax liability. We may also be subject to state and local taxes on our income or property, either directly, at the level of the Operating Partnership, or at the level of the other companies through which we indirectly own our assets. Any federal or state taxes we pay will reduce our cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

We may be required to pay some taxes due to actions of our taxable REIT subsidiary, which would reduce our cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

Any net taxable income earned directly by our taxable REIT subsidiary, or through entities that are disregarded for federal income tax purposes as entities separate from our taxable REIT subsidiaries, will be subject to federal and possibly state corporate income tax. We intend to elect to treat Strategic Storage TRS II, Inc. as a taxable REIT subsidiary, and we may elect to treat other subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries in the future. In this regard, several provisions of the laws applicable to REITs and their subsidiaries ensure that a taxable REIT subsidiary will be subject to an appropriate level of federal income taxation. For example, a taxable REIT subsidiary is limited in its ability to deduct certain interest payments made to an affiliated REIT. In addition, the REIT has to pay a 100% penalty tax on some payments that it receives or on some deductions taken by a taxable REIT subsidiary if the economic arrangements between the REIT, the REIT’s customers, and the taxable REIT subsidiary are not comparable to similar arrangements between unrelated parties. Finally, some state and local jurisdictions may tax some of our income even though as a REIT we are not subject to federal income tax on that income because not all states and localities follow the federal income tax treatment of REITs. To the extent that we and our affiliates are required to pay federal, state and local taxes, we will have less cash available for distributions to our stockholders.

Distributions to tax-exempt investors may be classified as unrelated business taxable income.

Neither ordinary or capital gain distributions with respect to our common stock, nor gain from the sale of common stock, should generally constitute unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) to a tax-exempt investor. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule. In particular:

 

    part of the income and gain recognized by certain qualified employee pension trusts with respect to our common stock may be treated as UBTI if shares of our common stock are predominately held by qualified employee pension trusts, and we are required to rely on a special look-through rule for purposes of meeting one of the REIT share ownership tests, and we are not operated in a manner to avoid treatment of such income or gain as UBTI;

 

    part of the income and gain recognized by a tax exempt investor with respect to our common stock would constitute UBTI if the investor incurs debt in order to acquire the common stock; and

 

    part or all of the income or gain recognized with respect to our common stock by social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts and qualified group legal services plans which are exempt from federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (9), (17) or (20) of the Code may be treated as UBTI.

 

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Complying with the REIT requirements may cause us to forego otherwise attractive opportunities.

To qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the sources of our income, the nature and diversification of our assets, the amounts we distribute to our stockholders and the ownership of shares of our common stock. We may be required to make distributions to stockholders at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution, or we may be required to liquidate otherwise attractive investments in order to comply with the REIT tests. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to operate solely on the basis of maximizing profits.

Legislative or regulatory action could adversely affect investors.

On January 2, 2013, President Obama signed into law the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, extending the existing 15% qualified dividend rate for 2013 and subsequent taxable years for those individuals with incomes below certain thresholds. For those with income above such thresholds, the qualified dividend rate is 20%. These tax rates are generally not applicable to distributions paid by a REIT, unless such distributions represent earnings on which the REIT itself has been taxed. As a result, distributions (other than capital gain distributions) we pay to individual investors generally will be subject to the tax rates that are otherwise applicable to ordinary income for federal income tax purposes, which currently are as high as 39.6%. This disparity in tax treatment may make an investment in our shares comparatively less attractive to individual investors than an investment in the shares of non-REIT corporations, and could have an adverse effect on the value of our common stock. Our stockholders are urged to consult with their own tax advisor with respect to the impact of recent legislation on their investment in our common stock and the status of legislative, regulatory or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on an investment in our common stock.

Foreign purchasers of our common stock may be subject to FIRPTA tax upon the sale of their shares.

A foreign person disposing of a U.S. real property interest, including shares of a U.S. corporation whose assets consist principally of U.S. real property interests, is generally subject to a tax, known as FIRPTA tax, on the gain recognized on the disposition. Such FIRPTA tax does not apply, however, to the disposition of stock in a REIT if the REIT is “domestically controlled.” A REIT is “domestically controlled” if less than 50% of the REIT’s stock, by value, has been owned directly or indirectly by persons who are not qualifying U.S. persons during a continuous five-year period ending on the date of disposition or, if shorter, during the entire period of the REIT’s existence.

We cannot assure you that we will qualify as a “domestically controlled” REIT. If we were to fail to so qualify, gain realized by foreign investors on a sale of our shares would be subject to FIRPTA tax, unless our shares were traded on an established securities market and the foreign investor did not at any time during a specified testing period directly or indirectly own more than 5% of the value of our outstanding common stock.

ERISA Risks

There are special considerations that apply to pension or profit-sharing trusts or IRAs investing in our shares which could cause an investment in our company to be a prohibited transaction and could result in additional tax consequences.

If our stockholders are investing the assets of a pension, profit-sharing, 401(k), Keogh or other qualified retirement plan or the assets of an IRA in our common stock, you should satisfy themselves that, among other things:

 

    their investment is consistent with your fiduciary obligations under ERISA and the Code;

 

    their investment is made in accordance with the documents and instruments governing their plan or IRA, including their plan’s investment policy;

 

    their investment satisfies the prudence and diversification requirements of ERISA;

 

    their investment will not impair the liquidity of the plan or IRA;

 

    their investment will not produce UBTI for the plan or IRA;

 

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    they will be able to value the assets of the plan annually in accordance with ERISA requirements; and

 

    their investment will not constitute a prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

Persons investing the assets of employee benefit plans should consider ERISA risks of investing in the shares.

ERISA and Code Section 4975 prohibit certain transactions that involve (1) certain pension, profit-sharing, employee benefit, or retirement plans or individual retirement accounts and Keogh plans, and (2) any person who is a “party-in-interest” or “disqualified person” with respect to such a plan. Consequently, the fiduciary of a plan contemplating an investment in the shares should consider whether we, any other person associated with the issuance of the shares, or any of their affiliates is or might become a “party-in-interest” or “disqualified person” with respect to the plan and, if so, whether an exception from such prohibited transaction rules is applicable. In addition, the Department of Labor plan asset regulations provide that, subject to certain exceptions, the assets of an entity in which a plan holds an equity interest may be treated as assets of an investing plan, in which event the underlying assets of such entity (and transactions involving such assets) would be subject to the prohibited transaction provisions. We intend to take such steps as may be necessary to qualify us for one or more of the exceptions available, and thereby prevent our assets as being treated as assets of any investing plan.

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

As of December 31, 2013, we did not own any properties.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

None.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not Applicable.

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

We will not sell any shares in the Offering unless we receive and accept subscriptions aggregating $1,500,000 prior to January 10, 2015 from persons who are not affiliated with us or our Advisor. Pending satisfaction of this condition, all subscription payments will be placed in an interest-bearing account held by an escrow agent for the benefit of the subscribers. If we do not receive and accept subscriptions for $1,500,000 by January 10, 2015, we will promptly return all funds in the escrow account, including interest, to the subscribers. As of March 24, 2014, we have not satisfied the initial escrow conditions of the Offering.

There is no established trading market for our common stock. Therefore, there is a risk that a stockholder may not be able to sell our stock at a time or price acceptable to the stockholder, or at all. We are currently selling shares of our common stock to the public at a price of $10.00 per share and at a price of approximately $9.50 per share pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan. Additionally, we provide discounts in our Offering for certain categories of purchasers, including based on volume discounts. Pursuant to the terms of our charter, certain restrictions are imposed on the ownership and transfer of shares.

Unless and until our shares are listed on a national securities exchange, it is not expected that a public market for our shares will develop. We expect to disclose an estimated value annually, but this estimated value is subject to significant limitations. We expect to provide the first estimated valuation no later than the second quarterly public filing following our termination of the Primary Offering; provided, however, that in no event will such first estimated valuation occur later than 18 months following the completion of our last public offering of common stock (excluding offerings under our distribution reinvestment plan). Until the time of our first estimated valuation, we generally will use the gross offering price of a share of the common stock in our most recent offering as the per share estimated value thereof or, with respect to an offering of other securities from which the value of a share of common stock can be estimated, the value derived from the gross offering price of the other security as the per share estimated value of the common stock. This estimate will be determined by our board of directors, or a committee thereof, after consultation with our Advisor or, if we are no longer advised by Strategic Storage Advisor II, LLC, our officers and employees, subject to the restrictions and limitations set forth in the valuation policy. After first publishing an estimate by the board of directors, we will repeat the process of estimating share value of the common stock periodically thereafter, generally annually.

With respect to any estimate of the value of our common stock, there can be no assurance that the estimated value, or method used to estimate value, would be sufficient to enable an ERISA fiduciary or an IRA custodian to comply with the ERISA or other regulatory requirements. The DOL or the IRS may determine that a plan fiduciary or an IRA custodian is required to take further steps to determine the value of our shares.

Declaration of Distributions

We intend to make an election to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code beginning with the taxable year ended December 31, 2014. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to currently distribute at least 90% of the REIT’s ordinary taxable income to stockholders. As a REIT, we generally will not be 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 then 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 IRS 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 will be organized and operate in such a manner as to qualify for treatment as a REIT and intend to operate in the foreseeable future in such a manner that we will remain qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.

For income tax purposes, distributions to common stockholders are characterized as ordinary dividends, capital gain dividends, or as nontaxable distributions. To the extent that we make a distribution in excess of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be a non-taxable return of capital, reducing the tax basis in each U.S. stockholder’s shares, and the amount of each distribution in excess of a U.S. stockholder’s tax basis in its shares will be taxable as gain realized from the sale of its shares.

 

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Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table provides details of our Employee and Director Long-Term Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2013, under which shares of our common stock are authorized for issuance.

 

Plan Category

  

Number of
Securities to be
Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights

    

Weighted
Average Exercise
Price of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants and
Rights

    

Number of Securities
Remaining for Future
Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans

 

Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders

     —          —          10   

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders

     —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     —          —          10   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

On August 2, 2013, our Advisor purchased 100 shares of common stock for $1,000 and became our initial stockholder. These shares were issued in a private transaction exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities

On January 10, 2014, our Initial Offering (SEC File No. 333-190983) for a maximum of 110,000,000 shares of common stock, consisting of 100,000,000 shares for sale to the public and 10,000,000 shares for sale pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan, was declared effective by the SEC. As of December 31, 2013, we had not issued any shares of our common stock in our Offering.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

As noted in Item 1, on August 2, 2013, our Advisor purchased 100 shares of common stock for $1,000 and became our initial stockholder.

Our share redemption program, which became effective January 10, 2014, will enable our stockholders to have their shares redeemed by us, subject to the significant conditions and limitations described in our prospectus. During the period from January 8, 2013 (date of inception) through December 31, 2013, our share redemption program was not yet effective and, therefore, we did not receive any redemption requests nor did we redeem any shares of common stock.

 

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected financial and operating information should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and the financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-K:

 

     For the Period January 8, 2013
(date of inception)
through December 31, 2013
 

Operating Data

  

Total revenues

   $ —     

Loss from continuing operations

     —     

Loss from continuing operations per common share-basic and diluted

     —     

Balance Sheet Data

  

Total assets

   $ 201,000   

Long-term obligations

     —     

 

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the “Selected Financial Data” above and our accompanying consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. See also “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” preceding Part I.

Overview

Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc. was formed on January 8, 2013 under the Maryland General Corporation Law for the purpose of engaging in the business of investing in self storage facilities and related self storage real estate investments. Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc. is newly formed and is subject to the general risks associated with a start-up enterprise, including the risk of business failure. Our year end is December 31. As used in this report, “we” “us” and “our” refer to Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc. We have no paid employees. Our Advisor is responsible for managing our affairs on a day-to-day basis and identifying and making acquisitions and investments on our behalf under the terms of the advisory agreement with our Advisor. Our Advisor was formed on January 8, 2013.

On August 2, 2013, our Advisor purchased 100 shares of our common stock for $1,000 and became our initial stockholder. As of December 31, 2013, our Articles of Incorporation had authorized 30,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.001. Effective January 10, 2014, our Articles of Amendment and Restatement authorized 700,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.001 and 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.001. We will offer a minimum of $1,500,000 (the “Minimum Offering Amount”) and a maximum of $1,000,000,000 of common shares for sale to the public (the “Primary Offering”) and $95,000,000 of common shares for sale pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan (collectively, the “Offering”). On January 10, 2014, the SEC declared our registration statement effective. As of December 31, 2013, we had not yet commenced our Offering and, accordingly, had not received any subscriptions for shares under our Offering.

Our results of operations for the period from January 8, 2013 (date of inception) through December 31, 2013 are not indicative of those expected in future periods as we expect that rental income, operating expenses, depreciation, and amortization expense will each increase in future periods as a result of anticipated future acquisitions of real estate assets.

Critical Accounting Policies

We have established accounting policies which conform to generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Preparing financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. Following is a discussion of the estimates and assumptions used in setting accounting policies that we consider critical in the presentation of our financial statements. Many estimates and assumptions involved in the application of GAAP may have a material impact on our financial condition or operating performance, or on the comparability of such information to amounts reported for other periods, because of the subjectivity and judgment required to account for highly uncertain items or the susceptibility of such items to change. These estimates and assumptions affect our reported amounts of assets and liabilities, our disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and our reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period covered by this report. If management’s judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions had been different, it is possible that different accounting policies would have been applied or different amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses would have been recorded, thus resulting in a materially different presentation of the financial statements or materially different amounts being reported in the financial statements. Additionally, other companies may use different estimates and assumptions that may impact the comparability of our financial condition and results of operations to those companies.

We believe that our critical accounting policies include the following: real estate purchase price allocations; the evaluation of whether any of our long-lived assets have been impaired; the determination of the useful lives of our long-lived assets; and the evaluation of the consolidation of our interests in joint ventures. The following discussion of these policies supplements, but does not supplant the description of our significant accounting policies, as contained in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this report, and is intended to present our analysis of the uncertainties involved in arriving upon and applying each policy.

 

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Real Estate Purchase Price Allocation

As of December 31, 2013, we have not yet acquired any properties. However, upon the acquisition of each of our properties, we will allocate the purchase prices of acquired properties based on a number of estimates and assumptions. We will allocate the purchase prices to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on estimated fair values. These estimated fair values are based upon comparable market sales information for land and estimates of depreciated replacement cost of equipment, building and site improvements. Acquisitions of portfolios of properties are allocated to the individual properties based upon an income approach or a cash flow analysis using appropriate risk adjusted capitalization rates which we estimate based upon the relative size, age, and location of the individual property along with actual historical and estimated occupancy and rental rate levels, and other relevant factors. If available, and determined by management to be appropriate, appraised values are used, rather than these estimated values. Because we believe that substantially all of the leases in place at properties we will acquire will be at market rates, as the majority of the leases are month-to-month contracts, we do not expect to allocate any portion of the purchase prices to above or below market leases. The determination of market rates is also subject to a number of estimates and assumptions. Our allocations of purchase prices could result in a materially different presentation of the financial statements or materially different amounts being reported in the financial statements, as such allocations may vary dramatically based on the estimates and assumptions we use.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Once we begin acquiring properties, the majority of our assets will consist of long-lived real estate assets as well as intangible assets related to our acquisitions. We will continually evaluate such assets for impairment based on events and changes in circumstances that may arise in the future and that may impact the carrying amounts of our long-lived assets. When indicators of potential impairment are present, we will assess the recoverability of the particular asset by determining whether the carrying value of the asset will be recovered, through an evaluation of the undiscounted future operating cash flows expected from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. This evaluation is based on a number of estimates and assumptions. Based on this evaluation, if the expected undiscounted future cash flows do not exceed the carrying value, we will adjust the value of the long-lived asset and recognize an impairment loss. Our evaluation of the impairment of long-lived assets could result in a materially different presentation of the financial statements or materially different amounts being reported in the financial statements, as the amount of impairment loss, if any, recognized may vary based on the estimates and assumptions we use.

Estimated Useful Lives of Long-Lived Assets

As we purchase properties, we will be required to assess the useful lives of the assets underlying our properties based upon a subjective determination of the period of future benefit for each asset. We will record depreciation expense with respect to these assets based upon the estimated useful lives we determine. Our determinations of the useful lives of the assets could result in a materially different presentation of the financial statements or materially different amounts being reported in the financial statements, as such determinations, and the corresponding amount of depreciation expense, may vary dramatically based on the estimates and assumptions we use.

Consolidation of Investments in Joint Ventures

We will evaluate the consolidation of our investments in joint ventures in accordance with relevant accounting guidance. This evaluation requires us to determine whether we have a controlling interest in a joint venture through a means other than voting rights, and, if so, such joint venture may be required to be consolidated in our financial statements. Our evaluation of our joint ventures under such accounting guidance could result in a materially different presentation of the financial statements or materially different amounts being reported in the financial statements, as the entities included in our financial statements may vary based on the estimates and assumptions we use.

REIT Qualification

We intend to make an election under Section 856(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code) to be taxed as a REIT under the Code, commencing with the taxable year ending December 31, 2014. If we qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on 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 tax 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 in which our qualification is denied. Such an event could materially and adversely affect our net income and could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. However, we believe that we are organized and will operate in a manner that will enable us to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes commencing with the year ending December 31, 2014, and we intend to continue to operate as to remain qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.

 

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Results of Operations

Overview

We had not commenced operations as of December 31, 2013. No operations will commence until we have sold $1,500,000 in shares of our common stock in connection with our Offering. Operating results in future periods will depend on the results of operations of the real estate properties that we acquire.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Short-Term Liquidity and Capital Resources

We expect to meet our short-term operating liquidity requirements initially from our Advisor or its affiliates, as we need to fund our expenses incurred before we have raised the Minimum Offering Amount of shares. After we break escrow, we generally expect that we will meet our short-term operating liquidity requirements from the combination of proceeds of our Offering, proceeds from secured or unsecured financing from banks or other lenders, net cash provided by property operations and advances from our Advisor which will be repaid, without interest, as funds are available after meeting our current liquidity requirements, subject to the limitations on reimbursement set forth in our advisory agreement with our Advisor.

Distribution Policy

As of December 31, 2013, we have no real estate investments and we have not identified any probable real estate investments. We will not make real estate investments until we identify investment opportunities and raise sufficient capital pursuant to the Offering to do so. We cannot predict when we will begin paying cash distributions to our stockholders. Until we are generating operating cash flow sufficient to make distributions to our stockholders, we may decide to make stock distributions or to make distributions using a combination of stock and cash, or to fund some or all of our distributions from the proceeds of the Offering or from borrowings in anticipation of future cash flow, which may reduce the amount of capital we ultimately invest in properties. Because substantially all of our operations will be performed indirectly through our Operating Partnership, our ability to pay distributions depends in large part on our Operating Partnership’s ability to pay distributions to its partners, including to us. In the event we do not have enough cash from operations to fund cash distributions, we may borrow, issue additional securities or sell assets in order to fund the distributions or make the distributions out of net proceeds from the Offering. Though we presently intend to pay only cash distributions, and potentially stock distributions, we are authorized by our charter to pay in-kind distributions of readily marketable securities, distributions of beneficial interests in a liquidating trust established for our dissolution and the liquidation of our assets in accordance with the terms of the charter or distributions that meet all of the following conditions: (a) our board of directors advises each stockholder of the risks associated with direct ownership of the property; (b) our board of directors offers each stockholder the election of receiving such in-kind distributions; and (c) in-kind distributions are only made to those stockholders who accept such offer.

During our Offering, when we may raise capital more quickly than we acquire income-producing assets, and for some period after our Offering, we may not be able to pay distributions from our cash flows from operations, in which case distributions may be paid in part from debt financing or from proceeds from the issuance of common stock.

Over the long-term, we expect that a greater percentage of our distributions will be paid from cash flows from operations. However, our operating performance cannot be accurately predicted and may deteriorate in the future due to numerous factors, including our ability to raise and invest capital at favorable yields, the financial performance of our investments in the current real estate and financial environment and the types and mix of investment in our portfolio. As a result, future distributions declared and paid may exceed cash flow from operations.

Distributions will be paid to our stockholders as of the record date selected by our board of directors. We declare and pay distributions monthly based on daily declaration and record dates so that investors may be entitled to distributions immediately upon purchasing our shares. We expect to continue to regularly pay distributions unless our results of operations, our general financial condition, general economic conditions, or other factors inhibit us from doing so. Distributions will be authorized at the discretion of our board of directors, which will be directed, in substantial part, by its obligation to cause us to comply with the REIT requirements of the Code. Our board of directors may increase, decrease or eliminate the distribution rate that is being paid at any time. The funds we receive from operations that are available for distribution may be affected by a number of factors, including the following:

 

    the amount of time required for us to invest the funds received in the Offering;

 

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    our operating and interest expenses;

 

    the amount of distributions or dividends received by us from our indirect real estate investments;

 

    our ability to keep our properties occupied;

 

    our ability to maintain or increase rental rates;

 

    capital expenditures and reserves for such expenditures;

 

    the issuance of additional shares; and

 

    financings and refinancings.

We must distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our taxable income each year in order to meet the requirements for being treated as a REIT under the Code. Our directors may authorize distributions in excess of this percentage as they deem appropriate. Because we may receive income from interest or rents at various times during our fiscal year, distributions may not reflect our income earned in that particular distribution period, but may be made in anticipation of cash flow that we expect to receive during a later period and may be made in advance of actual receipt of funds in an attempt to make distributions relatively uniform. To allow for such differences in timing between the receipt of income and the payment of expenses, and the effect of required debt payments, among other things, we could be required to borrow funds from third parties on a short-term basis, issue new securities, or sell assets to meet the distribution requirements that are necessary to achieve the tax benefits associated with qualifying as a REIT. We are not prohibited from undertaking such activities by our charter, bylaws or investment policies, and we may use an unlimited amount from any source to pay our distributions. These methods of obtaining funding could affect future distributions by increasing operating costs and decreasing available cash, which could reduce the value of our stockholders’ investment in our shares. In addition, such distributions may constitute a return of investors’ capital.

Indebtedness

As of December 31, 2013, we did not have any indebtedness.

Long-Term Liquidity and Capital Resources

On a long-term basis, our principal demands for funds will be for property acquisitions, either directly or through entity interests, for the payment of operating expenses and distributions, and for the payment of interest on our outstanding indebtedness, if any.

Long-term potential future sources of capital include proceeds from secured or unsecured financings from banks or other lenders, issuance of equity instruments and undistributed funds from operations. To the extent we are not able to secure requisite financing in the form of a credit facility or other debt, we will be dependent upon proceeds from the issuance of equity instruments and cash flows from operating activities in order to meet our long-term liquidity requirements and to fund our distributions.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not currently have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships. Such entities are often referred to as structured finance or special purposes entities, which typically are established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. Further, we have not guaranteed any obligations of unconsolidated entities nor do we have any commitments or intent to provide funding to any such entities.

Subsequent Events

Please see Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this report.

Seasonality

We believe that we will experience minor seasonal fluctuations in the occupancy levels of our facilities, which we believe will be slightly higher over the summer months due to increased moving activity.

 

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk includes risks that arise from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity prices and other market changes that affect market sensitive instruments. In pursuing our business plan, we expect that the primary market risk to which we will be exposed is interest rate risk.

As of December 31, 2013, we did not have any debt and therefore, were not exposed to a market risk. In the future, we may be exposed to the effects of interest rate changes primarily as a result of borrowings used to maintain liquidity and fund acquisition, expansion, and financing of our real estate investment portfolio and operations. Our interest rate risk management objectives will be to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower overall borrowing costs. To achieve our objectives, we may borrow at fixed rates or variable rates. We may also enter into derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps and caps in order to mitigate our interest rate risk on a related financial instrument. We will not enter into derivative or interest rate transactions for speculative purposes.

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The financial statements and supplementary data filed as part of this annual report are set forth below beginning on page F-1 of this annual report.

 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file and submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file and submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. This annual report does not include a report of management’s assessment regarding internal control over financial reporting or an attestation report of the company’s registered public accounting firm due to a transition period established by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for newly public companies.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

For the period from January 8, 2013 (date of inception) through December 31, 2013, there was no information required to be disclosed in a report on Form 8-K which was not disclosed in a report on Form 8-K.

 

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PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Executive Officers and Directors

Included below is certain information regarding our executive officers and directors. All of our directors, including our two independent directors, have been nominated for re-election at the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders. All of our executive officers serve at the pleasure of our board of directors.

 

Name

   Age   

Position(s)

  

Period with
Company

H. Michael Schwartz    47    Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President    1/2013 - present
Paula Mathews    62    Secretary and Executive Vice President    1/2013 - present
Michael S. McClure    51    Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer    1/2013 - present
Wayne Johnson    56    Senior Vice President — Acquisitions    1/2013 - present
Ken Morrison    47    Senior Vice President — Property Management    1/2013 - present
James L. Berg    61    Assistant Secretary    1/2013 - present
Harold “Skip” Perry    67    Independent Director    10/2013 - present
David J. Mueller    60    Independent Director    10/2013 - present

H. Michael Schwartz. Mr. Schwartz is the Chairman of our Board of Directors and our Chief Executive Officer and President. Mr. Schwartz has been an officer and director since our initial formation in January 2013. Mr. Schwartz was appointed President of our Advisor in January 2013 and owns 100% of Strategic Capital Markets Group, LLC, which owns a 15% non-voting equity interest in Select Capital Corporation, our dealer manager. Mr. Schwartz has also served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of our Sponsor since February 2008. Mr. Schwartz has been the President of Strategic Capital Holdings, LLC, which owns a 75% interest in our Sponsor, since July 2004 and is primarily responsible for the commercial office, retail and self storage programs. Mr. Schwartz also currently serves as Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chairman of Strategic Storage Trust, Inc., a public non-traded self storage REIT sponsored by Strategic Capital Holdings, LLC, and has held these positions since August 2007 and as Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of Strategic Storage Growth Trust, Inc., a self storage growth REIT currently in registration to become a public non-traded REIT. He has also served as President of Strategic Storage Advisor, LLC since August 2007, and prior to that held the positions of Vice Chairman or Co-President of U.S. Advisor from July 2004 until April 2007. He has more than 20 years of real estate, securities and corporate financial management experience. His real estate experience includes international investment opportunities, including self storage acquisitions in Canada. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Schwartz was the Managing Director of Private Structured Offerings for Triple Net Properties, LLC (now an indirect subsidiary of Grubb & Ellis Company). In addition, he served on the board of their affiliated broker-dealer, NNN Capital Corp. (subsequently known as Grubb & Ellis Securities, Inc.). From 2000 to 2001, Mr. Schwartz was Chief Financial Officer for Futurist Entertainment, a diversified entertainment company. From 1995 to 2000, he was President and Chief Financial Officer of Spider Securities, Inc. (now Merriman Curhan Ford & Co.), a registered broker-dealer that developed one of the first online distribution outlets for fixed and variable annuity products. From 1990 to 1995, Mr. Schwartz served as the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Western Capital Financial (an affiliate of Spider Securities), and from 1994 to 1998 Mr. Schwartz was also President of Palladian Advisors, Inc. (an affiliate of Spider Securities). Mr. Schwartz holds a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance from the University of Southern California.

Paula Mathews. Ms. Mathews is our Secretary and an Executive Vice President, positions she has held since our formation in January 2013. Ms. Mathews was appointed Executive Vice President of our Advisor in January 2013. Ms. Mathews has also served as an Executive Vice President of our Sponsor since February 2008. Ms. Mathews is responsible for pre-acquisition due diligence and post-acquisition management and leasing of all commercial assets. Ms. Mathews also currently serves as an Executive Vice President and Assistant Secretary for Strategic Storage Trust, Inc., positions she has held since August 2007 and June 2011, respectively, and as Executive Vice President of Strategic Storage Advisor, LLC, a position she has held since August 2007. Ms. Mathews is also a Director, Secretary and Executive Vice President of Strategic Storage Growth Trust, Inc., positions she has held since March 2013. From August 2007 through June 2011, Ms. Mathews also served as Secretary for Strategic Storage Trust, Inc. Since 2005, she has also served as Vice President — Commercial Operations for Strategic Capital Holdings, LLC. Prior to joining Strategic Capital Holdings, LLC, Ms. Mathews was a private consultant from 2003 to 2005 providing due diligence services on the acquisition and disposition of assets for real estate firms. Prior to that, Ms. Mathews held senior level executive positions with several pension investment advisors, including the following: a real estate company specializing in 1031 transactions from 2002 to 2003 where she was the Director of Operations; KBS Realty Advisors from 1995 to 2001 where she was responsible for the management of $600 million in “value added” commercial assets in seven states; TCW Realty Advisors (now CBRE Investors) from 1985 to 1992

 

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as a Senior Vice President where her focus was retail assets within closed end equity funds; and PMRealty Advisors from 1983 to 1985 in a portfolio management role. She began her real estate career in 1977 with The Irvine Company, the largest land holder in Orange County, California, where she held several positions within the Commercial/Industrial Division structuring industrial build-to-suits, ground leases and land sales. Ms. Mathews holds a B.S. degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Michael S. McClure. Mr. McClure is our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and an Executive Vice President and has held these positions since January 2013. Mr. McClure has also been the Chief Financial Officer of our Advisor since January 2013. Mr. McClure has also served as the Chief Financial Officer of our Sponsor since February 2008. Mr. McClure is responsible for overseeing our budgeting, forecasting and financial management policies, along with directing all SEC and regulatory reporting. From January 2008 through the present, Mr. McClure has also served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Strategic Storage Trust, Inc., and has served as an Executive Vice President of such entity from June 2011 through the present. Mr. McClure also serves as Chief Financial Officer of Strategic Storage Advisor, LLC, which he joined in January 2008. Mr. McClure serves as a Director, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and an Executive Vice President of Strategic Storage Growth Trust, Inc. and has held these positions since March 2013. Prior to that time, from 2004 to June 2007, Mr. McClure held various positions, including Vice President of Finance, at the North Inland Empire Division of Pulte Homes, Inc. At Pulte Homes, he was responsible for all finance, accounting, human resources and office administration functions. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. McClure was a Director in the Audit Business Advisory Services practice for PricewaterhouseCoopers. From 1985 to 2002, Mr. McClure was with Arthur Andersen LLP, holding various positions including Partner. In his 20 years of experience in the public accounting field, Mr. McClure had extensive experience in the real estate industry working with REITs, homebuilders and land development companies and worked on numerous registration statements and public offerings. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. McClure holds a B.S.B.A. degree from California State University, Fullerton.

Ken Morrison. Mr. Morrison is our Senior Vice President — Property Management, a position he has held since January 2013. He has also been the President of our Property Manager since its initial formation in March 2013. Mr. Morrison has also served as the President of Strategic Storage Property Management, LLC since December 2011 and as Senior Vice President – Property Management of Strategic Storage Trust, Inc. since June 2013 and of Strategic Storage Growth Trust, Inc. since January 2014. Mr. Morrison’s primary responsibility is to oversee management of our self storage properties, which includes managing the day-to-day activities at our self storage facilities, maintaining and upgrading the properties in our self storage portfolio, and overseeing the Internet and Self Storage Marketing departments of our Sponsor. Prior to joining Strategic Storage Property Management, LLC, Mr. Morrison held several executive management positions with Public Storage from 1998 until November 2011, where he was responsible for the oversight of 300 self storage facilities in 11 states and supervised a staff of 37 district managers. Prior to joining Public Storage, Mr. Morrison spent eight years in management with Safeway. Mr. Morrison has completed coursework at both West Valley College in Saratoga, California and the Center for Creative Leadership in San Diego, California.

James L. Berg. Mr. Berg has been our Assistant Secretary since our formation in January 2013. Mr. Berg is also the General Counsel of our Sponsor, a position he has held since April 2011. From June 2011 through the present, Mr. Berg has served as Secretary of Strategic Storage Trust, Inc. and has served as Assistant Secretary of Strategic Storage Growth Trust, Inc. since January 2014. Mr. Berg has over 25 years of experience in general business, corporate, securities, venture capital and intellectual property law. From November 2004 to April 2011, he was General Counsel of U.S. Advisor, LLC. From March 2004 until November 2004, Mr. Berg was Senior Vice President and General Counsel of LoanCity.com, a wholesale mortgage lender based in San Jose, California. Prior to that, Mr. Berg was a partner in several laws firms in Oakland, California. Mr. Berg received a J.D. (magna cum laude) from the University of Michigan Law School in 1978 and a B.S. (with high distinction) from the University of Michigan Business School in 1975. He is a member of the State Bar of California, Business Law Section.

Wayne Johnson. Mr. Johnson is our Senior Vice President — Acquisitions, focusing on self storage acquisitions. Mr. Johnson has held the position of Senior Vice President — Acquisitions since our initial formation in January 2013. Mr. Johnson has also served as Senior Vice President — Acquisitions for our Advisor since January 2013 and as Senior Vice President — Acquisitions for our Sponsor since February 2008. Mr. Johnson has also served as Senior Vice President — Acquisitions for Strategic Storage Trust, Inc. since August 2007, as Senior Vice President — Acquisitions for Strategic Storage Advisor, LLC since August 2007, as Senior Vice President — Acquisitions for Strategic Capital Holdings, LLC since June 2006, and as Senior Vice President — Acquisitions for Strategic Storage Growth Trust, Inc. since March 2013. During this time, Mr. Johnson has overseen the acquisition of 126 self storage facilities consisting of approximately 10.5 million square feet. Prior to joining Strategic Capital Holdings, LLC, Mr. Johnson was involved in all aspects of commercial development and leasing, including office, office warehouse, retail and self storage facilities. Mr. Johnson has developed, managed and operated 14 self storage facilities in excess of one million square feet. Mr. Johnson served on the board and is

 

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the past President of the Texas Self Storage Association (TSSA), which is the trade organization for self storage development, ownership and management with approximately 3,800 members consisting of storage owners, developers, operators and vendors throughout Texas. Mr. Johnson entered the commercial real estate business in 1979 after graduating from Southern Methodist University with a B.B.A. in Finance and Real Estate.

Harold “Skip” Perry. Mr. Perry is one of our independent directors and is a member of our audit committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee of our board of directors. Mr. Perry is also an independent director of Strategic Storage Trust, Inc. Mr. Perry has over 40 years of financial accounting, management and consulting experience for domestic and international organizations in the real estate industry. He is currently the Executive Managing Director of Real Globe Advisors, LLC, a commercial real estate advisory firm which he founded. Mr. Perry also held the same position with Real Globe Advisors, LLC from July 2007 to June 2009 as well. From June 2009 to March 2011, he was the Managing Director of Alvarez & Marsal Real Estate Advisory Services. From 1995 to June 2007, Mr. Perry was a national partner in Ernst & Young LLP’s Transactional Real Estate Advisory Services Group and held a number of leadership positions within Ernst & Young. While at Ernst & Young, he handled complex acquisition and disposition due diligence matters for private equity funds and corporate clients, complex real estate portfolio optimization studies, and monetization strategies within the capital markets arena, including valuation of self storage facilities. Prior to 1995, Mr. Perry headed the Real Estate Consulting Practice of the Chicago office of Kenneth Leventhal & Co. Prior to his time with Kenneth Leventhal & Co., Mr. Perry was a senior principal with Pannell Kerr Forester, a national accounting and consulting firm specializing in the hospitality industry. He is a CPA and holds an MAI designation with the Appraisal Institute and a CRE designation with the Counselors of Real Estate. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Russian and Economics from the University of Illinois, and has a Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in finance from Loyola University in Illinois.

David J. Mueller. Mr. Mueller is one of our independent directors and is a member of the audit committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee of our board of directors. Mr. Mueller has more than 25 years of financial management experience with several firms in the financial services industry. In June 2009, Mr. Mueller founded his own CPA firm, specializing in consulting, audit, and tax services for small business and non-profits, where he continues to serve as Managing Partner. From June 2001 to May 2009, he worked for Manulife Financial Corporation, serving in several capacities including Controller of Annuities and CFO of Distribution for Manulife Wood Logan, where he was heavily involved in the company’s due diligence and subsequent integration with John Hancock Financial Services. Prior to his time with Manulife Financial Corporation, Mr. Mueller served as Chief Financial Officer of Allmerica Financial Services, the insurance and investment arm of Allmerica Financial Corporation. He began his career in the Boston office of Coopers and Lybrand, specializing in financial services, real estate, and non-profits. Mr. Mueller is a CPA and graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Finance.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Our executive officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders were not subject to the beneficial ownership reporting requirements pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act during the year-ended December 31, 2013, and therefore no reports were filed pursuant to Section 16(a) during that period.

Code of Ethics

Our board of directors adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct on March 25, 2014 (the “Code of Ethics”), which contains general guidelines applicable to our executive officers, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, our directors and employees and officers of our advisor, Strategic Storage Advisor II, LLC (“Advisor”), and its affiliates who perform material functions for us. We adopted our Code of Ethics with the purpose of promoting the following: (1) honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; (2) full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that we file with or submit to the SEC and in other public communications made by us; (3) compliance with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations; (4) the prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code of Ethics to our Code of Ethics Compliance Officer; and (5) accountability for adherence to the Code of Ethics. A copy of the Code of Ethics is available on our website at www.strategicreit.com .

Audit Committee

Our board of directors ratified the Audit Committee’s adoption of its charter on December 20, 2013 (the “Audit Committee Charter”). The Audit Committee assists our board of directors by: (1) selecting an independent registered public accounting firm to audit our annual financial statements; (2) reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm the plans and results of the audit engagement; (3) approving the audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm; (4) reviewing the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm; and (5) considering the range of audit and non-audit fees and reviewing the adequacy of our internal accounting controls. The Audit Committee fulfills these responsibilities primarily by carrying out the activities enumerated in the Audit Committee Charter and in accordance with current laws, rules and regulations.

 

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The members of the Audit Committee are our two independent directors, Harold “Skip” Perry and David J. Mueller, with Mr. Mueller serving as Chairman of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee did not hold any meetings during 2013 as we are a newly-formed company. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Mueller satisfies the requirements for an “audit committee financial expert” and has designated Mr. Mueller as the Audit Committee financial expert in accordance with applicable SEC rules.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Our board of directors ratified the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s adoption of its charter on December 20, 2013 (the “Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter”). The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s primary focus is to assist our board of directors in fulfilling its responsibilities with respect to director nominations, corporate governance, board of directors and committee evaluations and conflict resolutions. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assists our board of directors in this regard by: (1) identifying individuals qualified to serve on our board of directors, consistent with criteria approved by our board of directors, and recommending that our board of directors select a slate of director nominees for election by our stockholders at the annual meeting of our stockholders; (2) developing and implementing the process necessary to identify prospective members of our board of directors; (3) determining the advisability of retaining any search firm or consultant to assist in the identification and evaluation of candidates for membership on our board of directors; (4) overseeing an annual evaluation of our board of directors, each of the committees of our board of directors and management; (5) developing and recommending to our board of directors a set of corporate governance principles and policies; (6) periodically reviewing our corporate governance principles and policies and suggesting improvements thereto to our board of directors; and (7) considering and acting on any conflicts-related matter required by our charter or otherwise permitted by Maryland law where the exercise of independent judgment by any of our directors, who is not an independent director, could reasonably be compromised, including approval of any transaction involving our Advisor or its affiliates. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee fulfills these responsibilities primarily by carrying out the activities enumerated in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter and in accordance with current laws, rules and regulations.

The members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are our two independent directors, Harold “Skip” Perry and David J. Mueller, with Mr. Perry serving as Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee did not hold any meetings during 2013 as we are a newly-formed company.

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Executive Compensation

We do not directly compensate our executive officers, including H. Michael Schwartz, the Chairman of our board of directors and our President and Chief Executive Officer, for services rendered to us. We do not currently intend to pay any compensation directly to our executive officers. As a result, we have not established a Compensation Committee and we have not considered a compensation policy or program for our executive officers. If we determine to compensate our executive officers directly in the future, the Board of Directors, or Compensation Committee if established, will review all forms of compensation and approve all equity-based awards.

Our executive officers also are officers of our Advisor and its affiliates, and are compensated by such entities for their services to us. We will pay these entities fees and reimburse expenses pursuant to our Advisory Agreement. We did not make any such reimbursements to our Advisor for the period from January 8, 2013 (date of inception) through December 31, 2013. Based on our agreement with our Advisor, such amounts will only become reimbursable when the Minimum Offering Amount is met.

 

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Director Compensation

Summary

 

Name

   Fees
Earned
or Paid in
Cash
     Stock
Awards
     Option
Awards
     Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
     Change in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
     All Other
Compensation
     Total  

H. Michael Schwartz

   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —     

Harold “‘Skip” Perry

   $ 1,000       $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 1,000   

David J. Mueller

   $ 1,000       $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 1,000   

Compensation Committee

We have not established a Compensation Committee because our board of directors feels that it is not necessary at this time given the fact that we currently do not directly compensate any of our officers or affiliated directors and we have not issued any shares in accordance with our Employee and Director Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Currently, our independent directors fulfill all of the responsibilities with respect to officer and director compensation, but our independent directors may delegate this authority to a committee of our board of directors when they deem it appropriate. Our independent directors fulfill these responsibilities by: (1) reviewing and approving our corporate goals with respect to compensation of officers and directors; (2) establishing compensation for all non-employee directors, including board and committee retainers, meeting fees and equity-based compensation; (3) administering and granting equity-based compensation to our Advisor, employees of our Advisor and affiliates based upon recommendations from our Advisor; and (4) setting the terms and conditions of such equity-based compensation in accordance with the Plan. Our independent directors fulfill these responsibilities in accordance with current laws, rules and regulations.

Cash Compensation to Directors

Beginning in 2014, we will pay each of our independent directors a retainer of $20,000 per year plus $1,000 for each board of directors or committee meeting the independent director attends in person ($2,000 for attendance by the chairperson of a committee at each committee meeting in which the independent director is a chairperson) and $1,500 for each regularly scheduled meeting the independent director attends by telephone ($250 for special meetings conducted by telephone). In the event there were multiple meetings of our board of directors and one or more committees in a single day, the fees were limited to $2,000 per day ($2,500 for the chairperson of the audit committee if there is a meeting of such committee). For the period from January 8, 2013 (date of inception) through December 31, 2013, our board of directors had one meeting and each director earned $1,000 for such meeting.

All directors will receive reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of our board of directors.

Employee and Director Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards to Independent Directors

As of December 31, 2013, we had not issued any awards pursuant to the Plan.

The Plan was approved and adopted prior to the commencement of our Offering in order to (1) provide incentives to individuals who are granted awards because of their ability to improve our operations and increase profits; (2) encourage selected persons to accept or continue employment with us or with our Advisor or its affiliates that we deem important to our long-term success; and (3) increase the interest of our independent directors in our success through their participation in the growth in value of our stock. Pursuant to the Plan, we may issue options, stock appreciation rights, distribution equivalent rights and other equity-based awards, including, but not limited to, restricted stock.

The total number of shares of our common stock (or common stock equivalents) reserved for issuance under the Plan is equal to 10% of our outstanding shares of stock at any time, but not to exceed 10,000,000 shares. As of December 31, 2013, there were ten shares available for issuance under the Plan. The term of the Plan is 10 years. Upon our earlier dissolution or liquidation, upon our reorganization, merger or consolidation with one or more corporations as a result of which we are not the surviving corporation, or upon sale of all or substantially all of our properties, the Plan will terminate, and provisions will be made for the assumption by the successor corporation of the awards granted or the replacement of the

 

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awards with similar awards with respect to the stock of the successor corporation, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and exercise prices. Alternatively, rather than providing for the assumption of awards, the board of directors may either (1) shorten the period during which awards are exercisable, or (2) cancel an award upon payment to the participant of an amount in cash that the Compensation Committee determines is equivalent to the amount of the fair market value of the consideration that the participant would have received if the participant exercised the award immediately prior to the effective time of the transaction.

In the event our board of directors or Compensation Committee determines that any distribution, recapitalization, stock split, reorganization, merger, liquidation, dissolution or sale, transfer, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, or other similar corporate transaction or event, affects the stock such that an adjustment is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to an award, then the board of directors or Compensation Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust the number and kind of shares or the exercise price with respect to any award.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

For the period from January 8, 2013 (date of inception) through December 31, 2013, decisions regarding officer and director compensation were made by Messrs. Perry and Mueller, our independent directors, and Mr. Schwartz, the Chairman of our board of directors and our President and Chief Executive Officer. None of our executive officers or directors had relationships in the year ended December 31, 2013 that would require disclosure as a “compensation committee interlock” or “insider participation.”

Compensation Report

The board of directors has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussions, the board of directors has determined that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Executive Compensation be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

H. Michael Schwartz
Harold “Skip” Perry
David J. Mueller

March 25, 2014

The preceding Compensation Committee Report to stockholders is not “soliciting material” and is not deemed “filed” with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing .

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table provides details of our Employee and Director Long-Term Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2013, under which shares of our common stock are authorized for issuance.

 

Plan Category

   Number of
Securities to be
Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights
     Weighted
Average Exercise
Price of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants and
Rights
     Number of Securities
Remaining for Future
Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans
 

Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders

     —          —          10   

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders

     —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     —          —          10   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s Stock

The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2013, the amount of our common stock beneficially owned by: (1) any person who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock; (2) each of our directors; (3) each of our executive officers; and (4) our directors and executive officers as a group. The percentage of beneficial ownership is calculated based on 100 shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2013.

 

     Common Stock  
     Beneficially Owned (2)  

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)

  

Number of
Shares of
Common Stock

   

Percentage
of Class

 

H. Michael Schwartz, Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer

     100 (3)       100

Paula Mathews, Executive Vice President and Assistant Secretary

     —          —     

Michael S. McClure, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

     —          —     

Wayne Johnson, Senior Vice President — Acquisitions

     —          —     

Ken Morrison, Senior Vice President — Property Management

     —          —     

James L. Berg, Secretary

     —          —     

Harold “Skip” Perry, Independent Director

     —          —     

David J. Mueller, Independent Director

     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

All directors and executive officers as a group

     100        100
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)   The address of each beneficial owner listed is 111 Corporate Drive, Suite 120, Ladera Ranch, California 92694.
(2) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC rules and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities and shares issuable pursuant to options, warrants and similar rights held by the respective person or group that may be exercised within 60 days following December 31, 2013. Except as otherwise indicated by footnote, and subject to community property laws where applicable, the persons named in the table above have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock show as beneficially owned by them.
(3) Includes 100 shares owned by Strategic Storage Advisor II, LLC, which is indirectly owned and controlled by Mr. Schwartz.

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

General

Certain of our executive officers and one of our directors hold ownership interests in and are officers of our Sponsor, our Advisor, our Property Manager , our Dealer Manager and other affiliated entities. As a result, these individuals owe fiduciary duties to these other entities and their owners, which fiduciary duties may conflict with the duties that they owe to our stockholders and us. Their loyalties to these other entities could result in actions or inactions that are detrimental to our business, which could harm the implementation of our investment objectives. Conflicts with our business and interests are most likely to arise from involvement in activities related to: (1) allocation of new investments and management time and services between us and the other entities; (2) our purchase of properties from, or sale of properties to, affiliated entities; (3) the timing and terms of the investment in or sale of an asset; (4) development of our properties by affiliates; (5) investments with affiliates of our Advisor; (6) compensation to our Advisor; and (7) our relationship with our Dealer Manager and Property Manager.

We are currently a party to three types of agreements giving rise to material transactions between us and our affiliates, including our Advisory Agreement, our Property Management Agreements and our Dealer Manager Agreement. We are also party to a sub-license agreement with our Advisor with respect to trademarks. Our independent directors reviewed the material transactions between us and our affiliates arising out of these agreements during the period from January 8, 2013 (date of inception) through December 31, 2013. Set forth below is a description of the relevant transactions with our affiliates, which we believe have been executed on terms that are fair to the Company. For the period from January 8, 2013 (date of inception) through December 31, 2013, we incurred no related party fees or expenses.

 

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Advisory Agreement

Strategic Storage Holdings, LLC (“Strategic Storage Holdings”), our Sponsor, owns 100% of Strategic Storage Realty Group, LLC, which is the sole voting member of our Advisor, Strategic Storage Advisor II, LLC. H. Michael Schwartz, the Chairman of our board of directors and our President and Chief Executive Officer, and the President of our Advisor, owns a minority interest in Strategic Storage Holdings. Certain of our executives, including Mr. Schwartz, serve as officers of our Advisor and our Sponsor.

Our Advisor and its affiliates perform services for us in connection with the offer and sale of our shares and the selection, acquisition and management of our properties pursuant to our Advisory Agreement. The term of our Advisory Agreement will end on January 10, 2015, but may be renewed for an unlimited number of successive one-year periods.

Our Advisor and its officers, employees and affiliates expect to engage in other business ventures and, as a result, their resources will not be dedicated exclusively to our business. However, pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, our Advisor will be required to devote sufficient resources to our administration to discharge its obligations.

Many of the services performed by our Advisor in managing our day-to-day activities are summarized below. This summary is provided to illustrate the material functions that our Advisor performs for us as our Advisor, and it is not intended to include all of the services that may be provided to us by third parties. Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, our Advisor undertakes to use its commercially reasonable best efforts to present to us investment opportunities consistent with our investment policies and objectives as adopted by our board of directors. In its performance of this undertaking, our Advisor, either directly or indirectly by engaging an affiliate, performs the following, among other duties and subject to the authority of our board of directors:

 

    finding, evaluating, presenting and recommending to us investment opportunities consistent with our investment policies and objectives;

 

    serving as our investment and financial advisor and providing research and economic and statistical data in connection with our assets and our investment policies;

 

    acquiring properties and making investments on our behalf in compliance with our investment objectives and policies;

 

    structuring and negotiating the terms and conditions of our real estate acquisitions, sales or joint ventures;

 

    reviewing and analyzing each property’s operating and capital budget;

 

    arranging, structuring and negotiating financing and refinancing of properties;

 

    performing all operational functions for the maintenance and administration of our assets, including the servicing of mortgages;

 

    consulting with our officers and board of directors and assisting the board of directors in formulating and implementing our financial policies;

 

    preparing and reviewing on our behalf, with the participation of one designated principal executive officer and principal financial officer, all reports and returns required by the SEC, IRS and other state or federal governmental agencies;

 

    providing the daily management and performing and supervising the various administrative functions reasonably necessary for our management and operations; and

 

    investigating, selecting, and, on our behalf, engaging and conducting business with such third parties as our Advisor deems necessary to the proper performance of its obligations under the Advisory Agreement.

Organization and offering costs of our Offering may be paid by our Advisor on our behalf and will be reimbursed to our Advisor from the proceeds of the Offering. Organization and offering costs consist of all expenses (other than sales commissions and the dealer manager fee) to be paid by us in connection with the Offering, including our legal, accounting, printing, mailing and filing fees, charges of our escrow holder and other accountable offering expenses, including, but not limited to, (i) amounts to reimburse our Advisor for all marketing related costs and expenses such as salaries and direct expenses of employees of our Advisor and its affiliates in connection with registering and marketing our shares; (ii) technology costs associated with the Offering; (iii) our costs of conducting our training and education meetings; (iv) our costs of attending retail seminars conducted by participating broker-dealers; and (v) payment or reimbursement of bona fide due

 

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diligence expenses. Our Advisor must reimburse us within 60 days after the end of the month in which the Offering terminates to the extent we paid or reimbursed organization and offering costs (excluding sales commissions and dealer manager fees) in excess of 3.5% of the gross offering proceeds from the primary offering portion of the Offering (the “Primary Offering”).

Our Advisory Agreement also requires our Advisor to reimburse us to the extent that offering expenses, including sales commissions, dealer manager fees and organization and offering expenses, are in excess of 15% of gross proceeds from the Offering. Our Advisor receives acquisition fees equal to 1.75% of the contract purchase price of each property we acquire plus reimbursement of any acquisition expenses the Advisor incurs. Our Advisor also receives a monthly asset management fee equal to one-twelfth of 0.625% of the average of the aggregate asset value, as defined, of our assets. Under our Advisory Agreement, our Advisor receives fees in an amount equal to the lesser of: (a) 1% of the contract sale price for each property or (b) 50% of the competitive real estate commission for each property we sell as long as our Advisor provides substantial assistance in connection with the sale. Any disposition fee may be paid in addition to real estate commissions paid to non-affiliates, provided that the total real estate commissions (including the disposition fee) paid to all persons for each property does not exceed an amount equal to the lesser of: (i) 6% of the aggregate contract sales price of each property or (ii) the competitive real estate commission for each property. The disposition fee is paid at the time the property is sold. No such fees were paid for the period from January 8, 2013 (date of inception) through December 31, 2013. Our Advisor may also be entitled to various subordinated distributions under our operating partnership agreement if we (1) list our shares of common stock on a national exchange, (2) terminate our Advisory Agreement, (3) liquidate our portfolio, or (4) enter into an Extraordinary Transaction, as defined in the operating partnership agreement.

Our Advisory Agreement provides for reimbursement of our Advisor’s direct and indirect costs of providing administrative and management services to us. Beginning four fiscal quarters after the acquisition of our first real estate asset, our Advisor must pay or reimburse us the amount by which our aggregate annual operating expenses, as defined, exceed the greater of 2% of our average invested assets or 25% of our net income, as defined, unless a majority of our independent directors determine that such excess expenses were justified based on unusual and non-recurring factors. For any fiscal quarter for which total operating expenses for the 12 months then ended exceed the limitation, we will disclose this fact in our next quarterly report or within 60 days of the end of that quarter and send a written disclosure of this fact to our stockholders. In each case the disclosure will include an explanation of the factors that the independent directors considered in arriving at the conclusion that the excess expenses were justified.

Property Management Agreements

Similar to our Advisor, Strategic Storage Realty Group, LLC is the sole voting member of Strategic Storage Property Management II, LLC, our Property Manager.

Our Property Manager will manage our properties pursuant to separate Property Management Agreements for each property. The Property Management Agreements will generally have one or three year terms and will automatically renew unless notice is given by either us or our Property Manager. Our Property Manager will derive substantially all of its income from the property management services it performs for us. Our Property Manager may enter into Sub-Property Management Agreements with third party management companies and pay part of its management fee to such Sub-Property Managers.

Our Property Manager (or Sub-Property Manager) will be responsible for hiring, directing and establishing policies for employees who have direct responsibility for the operations of each property we acquire, which may include but not be limited to on-site managers and building and maintenance personnel. Certain employees of the Property Manager may be employed on a part-time basis and also may be employed by our Advisor or certain companies affiliated with it. Our Property Manager will also responsible for directing the purchase of equipment and supplies and supervising all maintenance activity.

Our Property Manager will receive a fee for its services in managing our properties generally equal to 6% of the gross revenues from the properties plus reimbursement of the direct costs of managing the properties under our property management agreement. Reimbursable costs and expenses will include wages and salaries and other expenses of employees engaged in operating, managing and maintaining our properties. In the event that our Property Manager assists with the development or redevelopment of a property, we may pay a separate market-based fee for such services. In addition, our Property Manager will be entitled to a construction management fee equal to 5% of the cost of construction or capital improvement work in excess of $10,000 and an administration fee equal to $0.50 a month for each insurance policy purchased by a customer at one of our properties in connection with the tenant insurance program. Additionally, there is a non-solicitation provision and a provision regarding the Property Manager’s use of trademarks and other intellectual property owned by the Sponsor.

 

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Dealer Manager Agreement

Our President, H. Michael Schwartz, owns a 15% beneficial non-voting equity interest in Select Capital Corporation, our Dealer Manager.

Our Dealer Manager serves as our Dealer Manager pursuant to our Dealer Manager Agreement. The Dealer Manager Agreement will terminate upon the termination of our Offering or upon 60 days’ written notice by either party. Our Dealer Manager provides wholesaling, sales promotional and marketing services to us in connection with our Offering. Specifically, our Dealer Manager ensures compliance with SEC rules and regulations and FINRA rules relating to the sale process and participating broker-dealer relationships, assists in the assembling of prospectus kits, assists in the due diligence process and ensures proper handling of investment proceeds.

Our Dealer Manager is entitled to receive a sales commission of up to 7% of gross proceeds from sales in the Primary Offering and a Dealer Manager fee equal to up to 3% of gross proceeds from sales in the Primary Offering. Our Dealer Manager has entered into participating dealer agreements with certain other broker-dealers authorizing them to sell our shares. Upon sale of our shares by such broker-dealers, our Dealer Manager re-allows all of the sales commissions paid in connection with sales made by these broker-dealers. Our Dealer Manager may also re-allow to these broker-dealers a portion of the 3% Dealer Manager fee as marketing fees, reimbursement of certain costs and expenses of attending training and education meetings sponsored by our Dealer Manager, payment of attendance fees required for employees of our Dealer Manager or other affiliates to attend retail seminars and public seminars sponsored by these broker-dealers, or to defray other distribution-related expenses.

In accordance with FINRA rules, in no event will our total underwriting compensation, including, but not limited to, sales commissions, the dealer manager fee and expense reimbursements to our Dealer Manager and participating broker-dealers, exceed 10% of our gross offering proceeds, in the aggregate. We expect to pay an additional amount of gross offering proceeds for bona fide accountable due diligence expenses; however, to the extent these due diligence expenses cannot be justified, any excess over actual due diligence expenses will be considered underwriting compensation subject to the above 10% limitation and, when aggregated with all other non-accountable expenses may not exceed 3% of gross offering proceeds. We may also reimburse our Advisor for all expenses incurred by our Advisor and its affiliates in connection with the Offering and our organization, but in no event will such amounts exceed (i) 3.5% of the gross offering proceeds raised by us in the terminated or completed Offering (excluding sales commissions and dealer manager fees), or (ii) 15% of the gross offering proceeds raised by us in the terminated or completed Offering (including sales commissions and dealer manager fees). If the organization and offering expenses exceed such limits, within 60 days after the end of the month in which the offering terminates or is completed, our Advisor must reimburse us for any excess amounts. FINRA and many states also limit our total organization and offering expenses to 15% of gross offering proceeds.

Trademark Sub-License Agreement

Under a separate trademark sub-license agreement, our Advisor (through our Sponsor) has granted us a non-transferable, non-sublicenseable, non-exclusive, royalty-free right and license to use the trade name “Strategic Storage Trust II” and “SmartStop® Self Storage,” as well as certain registered trademarks and trademark applications for registration (collectively, the “Marks”) solely in connection with our business until the later of (a) a change of control event (as defined in the trademark sub-license agreement), (b) termination of the trademark license agreement between our Sponsor and our Advisor, or (c) termination of our Advisory Agreement, under certain circumstances, or if we declare bankruptcy or file for dissolution or reorganization. Our Sponsor may, at its option, upon 30 days’ written notice to us, terminate the license granted if we or our subsidiaries fail to comply with the requirements relating to the Marks under the trademark sub-license agreement. In addition, we, our Sponsor or our Advisor may terminate the trademark sub-license agreement with 60 days’ notice prior to the expiration of the then-current term. The result of this temporary license is that upon the expiration of our temporary license, including any potential renewals or extensions of such license to use the trade names “Strategic Storage Trust II” and “SmartStop® Self Storage,” we will be required to change our name and re-brand our properties and would lose any value, or perceived value, associated with the use of the trade names “Strategic Storage Trust II” and “SmartStop® Self Storage.”

Tenant Reinsurance Program

Affiliates of our Sponsor, including our Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman, are participating in a tenant reinsurance program whereby customers of our self storage facilities can purchase insurance to cover damage or destruction to their property while stored at our facilities. Such affiliates have invested in a Cayman Islands company (the “Reinsurance Company”) that will reinsure a portion of the insurance required by the program insurer to cover the risks of

 

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loss at participating facilities in the program. The program insurer provides fees (approximately 50% of the tenant premium paid) to us as owner of the facilities. The Reinsurance Company may be required to fund additional capital or entitled to receive distributions of profits depending on actual losses incurred under the program. In 2013, we did not generate any revenue in connection with the tenant reinsurance program.

Storage Auction Program

Our Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President, and our Senior Vice President — Property Management and the President of our property manager, own minority interests in a company (the “Auction Company”) that serves as a web portal for self storage companies to post their auctions online instead of using live auctions conducted at the self storage facilities. Once the contents of a storage unit are sold at auction, we will pay the Auction Company a service fee based upon the sale price of the unit. Collectively, these officers own 9% of the voting interests in the Auction Company. In 2013, we did not incur any fees in connection with the Auction Company.

Director Independence

While our shares are not listed for trading on any national securities exchange, as required by our charter, a majority of the members of our board of directors and each committee of our board of directors are “independent” as determined by our board of directors by applying the definition of “independent” adopted by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), consistent with the North American Securities Administrators Association’s Statement of Policy Regarding Real Estate Investment Trusts and applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. Our board of directors has determined that Messrs. Perry and Mueller both meet the relevant definition of “independent.”

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

Relationship with Principal Auditor

Overview

During the period from January 8, 2013 (date of inception) through December 31, 2013, CohnReznick, served as our independent auditor and provided certain tax and other services.

The Audit Committee currently anticipates that it will engage CohnReznick as our independent auditor to audit our financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2014, subject to agreeing on fee estimates for the audit work. The Audit Committee reserves the right, however, to select a new auditor at any time in the future in its discretion if it deems such decision to be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. Any such decision would be disclosed to the stockholders in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Pre-Approval Policies

The Audit Committee Charter imposes a duty on the Audit Committee to pre-approve all auditing services performed for the Company by our independent auditor, as well as all permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) in order to ensure that the provision of such services does not impair the auditor’s independence. In determining whether or not to pre-approve services, the Audit Committee considers whether the service is permissible under applicable SEC rules. The Audit Committee may, in its discretion, delegate one or more of its members the authority to pre-approve any services to be performed by our independent auditor, provided such pre-approval is presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

All services rendered by CohnReznick for the period from January 8, 2013 (date of inception) through December 31, 2013 were pre-approved in accordance with the policies set forth above.

 

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Fees Paid to Principal Auditor

The Audit Committee reviewed the audit services performed by CohnReznick, as well as the fees charged by CohnReznick for such services. The aggregate fees billed to us for professional accounting services provided by CohnReznick, including the audit of our annual financial statements, for the period from January 8, 2013 (date of inception) through December 31, 2013, is set forth in the table below.

 

     2013  

Audit Fees

   $ 72,000   

Audit-Related Fees

     —     

Tax Fees

     2,400   

All Other Fees

     —     
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 74,400   
  

 

 

 

For purposes of the preceding table, the professional fees are classified as follows:

 

    Audit Fees – These are fees for professional services performed for the audit of our annual financial statements and the required review of our quarterly financial statements and other procedures performed by the independent auditors to be able to form an opinion on our consolidated financial statements. These fees also cover services that are normally provided by independent auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements, and services that generally only an independent auditor reasonably can provide, such as services associated with filing registration statements, periodic reports and other filings with the SEC.

 

    Audit-Related Fees – These are fees for assurance and related services that traditionally are performed by an independent auditor, such as due diligence related to acquisitions and dispositions, audits related to acquisitions, attestation services that are not required by statute or regulation, internal control reviews and consultation concerning financial accounting and reporting standards.

 

    Tax Fees – These are fees for all professional services performed by professional staff in our independent auditor’s tax division, except those services related to the audit of our financial statements. These include fees for tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice, including federal, state and local issues. Such services may also include assistance with tax audits and appeals before the IRS and similar state and local agencies, as well as federal, state and local tax issues related to due diligence.

 

    All Other Fees – These are fees for other permissible work performed that do not meet one of the above-described categories.

PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

  (a) List of Documents Filed.

 

  1. The list of the financial statements contained herein is set forth on page F-1 hereof.

 

  2. Financial Statement Schedule—All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the SEC are not required under the related instructions or are not applicable and therefore have been omitted.

 

  3. The Exhibits filed in response to Item 601 of Regulation S-K are listed on the Exhibit Index below.

 

  (b) See (a) 3 above.

 

  (c) See (a) 2 above.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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, in the City of Ladera Ranch, State of California, on March 31, 2014.

 

STRATEGIC STORAGE TRUST II, INC.
By:  

/s/ H. Michael Schwartz

  H. Michael Schwartz
  Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/    H. Michael Schwartz        

  

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Executive Officer)

  March 31, 2014
H. Michael Schwartz     

/s/    Michael S. McClure        

  

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  March 31, 2014
Michael S. McClure     

/s/    Harold “Skip” Perry        

  

Independent Director

  March 31, 2014
Harold “Skip” Perry     

/s/    David J. Mueller        

  

Independent Director

  March 31, 2014
David J. Mueller     

 

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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 8, 2013 (DATE OF INCEPTION) THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2013

 

Consolidated Financial Statements

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2   

Consolidated Balance Sheet

     F-3   

Consolidated Statement of Operations

     F-4   

Consolidated Statement of Stockholder’s Equity

     F-5   

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

     F-6   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-7   

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and

Stockholder of Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholder’s equity, and cash flows for the period January 8, 2013 (inception) through December 31, 2013. Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc.’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the period January 8, 2013 (inception) through December 31, 2013, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ CohnReznick LLP

Los Angeles, California

March 31, 2014

 

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STRATEGIC STORAGE TRUST II, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

December 31, 2013

 

     December 31,
2013
 
ASSETS   

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 201,000   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 201,000   
  

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY   

Liabilities

   $ —     

Commitments and contingencies (Note 4)

  

Stockholder’s Equity:

  

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 30,000 shares authorized; 100 shares issued and outstanding

     1   

Additional paid-in capital

     999   
  

 

 

 

Total Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc. stockholder’s equity

     1,000   
  

 

 

 

Noncontrolling interest in our Operating Partnership

     200,000   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity

   $ 201,000   
  

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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STRATEGIC STORAGE TRUST II, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Period from January 8, 2013 (date of inception) through December 31, 2013

 

     Period from January 8,
2013 (date of
inception) through
December 31, 2013
 

Revenues

   $ —     
  

 

 

 

Expenses

     —     
  

 

 

 

Net income

     —     
  

 

 

 

Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest in our Operating Partnership

     —     
  

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc.

   $ —     
  

 

 

 

Net loss per share—basic and diluted

   $ —     
  

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

     42   
  

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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STRATEGIC STORAGE TRUST II, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

For the Period from January 8, 2013 (date of inception) through December 31, 2013

 

            Common      Additional                       
     Number of      Stock      Paid-in      Retained      Noncontrolling         
     Shares      Par Value      Capital      Earnings      Interests      Total  

Balance as of January 8, 2013 (date of inception)

     —        $ —        $ —        $ —         $ —         $ —     

Gross proceeds from issuance of common stock

     100         1         999         —           —           1,000   

Issuance of limited partnership units in our Operating Partnership.

     —          —          —          —           200,000         200,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2013

     100       $ 1       $ 999       $ —         $ 200,000       $ 201,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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STRATEGIC STORAGE TRUST II, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the Period from January 8, 2013 (date of inception) through December 31, 2013

 

     Period from
January 8, 2013 (date
of inception) through
December 31, 2013
 

Cash flows from financing activities:

  

Issuance of common stock

   $ 1,000   

Issuance of noncontrolling interest in our Operating Partnership

     200,000   
  

 

 

 

Cash provided by financing activities

     201,000   
  

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     201,000   
  

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     —     
  

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 201,000   
  

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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STRATEGIC STORAGE TRUST II, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2013

Note 1. Organization

Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), was formed on January 8, 2013 under the Maryland General Corporation Law for the purpose of engaging in the business of investing in self storage facilities. The Company’s year-end is December 31. As used in this report, “we” “us” and “our” refer to Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc.

Strategic Storage Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (our “Sponsor”), is the sponsor of our Offering. Our Sponsor was organized in 2008 to serve as the holding company for Strategic Storage Advisor, LLC and Strategic Storage Property Management, LLC, such affiliates provide management services to Strategic Storage Trust, Inc. Strategic Storage Realty Group, LLC, which is wholly-owned by our Sponsor, is the sole voting member of our Advisor and our Property Manager.

Our advisor is Strategic Storage Advisor II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (our “Advisor”) which was formed on January 8, 2013. Our Advisor is responsible for managing our affairs on a day-to-day basis and identifying and making acquisitions and investments on our behalf under the terms of an advisory agreement we have with our Advisor (our “Advisory Agreement”). The officers of our Advisor are also officers of us, our Sponsor and of Strategic Storage Trust, Inc.

On August 2, 2013, our Advisor purchased 100 shares of our common stock for $1,000 and became our initial stockholder. As of December 31, 2013, our Articles of Incorporation had authorized 30,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.001. Effective January 10, 2014, our Articles of Amendment and Restatement authorized 700,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.001 and 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.001. We will offer a minimum of $1,500,000 (the “Minimum Offering Amount”) and a maximum of $1,000,000,000 of common shares for sale to the public (the “Primary Offering”) and $95,000,000 of common shares for sale pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan (collectively, the “Offering”).

On January 10, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) declared our registration statement effective. As of December 31, 2013, we had not yet commenced our Offering and, accordingly, had not received any subscriptions for shares under our Offering. In addition, we had engaged only in organizational and offering related activities, and had not yet commenced operations. We intend to invest the net proceeds from the Offering primarily in self storage facilities and related self storage real estate investments. As of December 31, 2013, we had neither purchased nor contracted to purchase any properties, nor had our Advisor identified any properties in which there is a reasonable probability that we will invest.

Our operating partnership, Strategic Storage Operating Partnership II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (our “Operating Partnership”), was formed on January 9, 2013. On August 2, 2013, our Advisor purchased a limited partnership interest in our Operating Partnership for $200,000 and on August 2, 2013, we contributed the initial $1,000 capital contribution we received to our Operating Partnership in exchange for the general partner interest. Our Operating Partnership will own, directly or indirectly through one or more special purpose entities, all of the self storage properties that we acquire in the future. We will conduct certain activities (such as tenant insurance, selling packing supplies and locks and renting trucks or other moving equipment) through our taxable REIT subsidiary, Strategic Storage TRS II, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “TRS”) which was formed on January 10, 2013, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of our Operating Partnership.

Our property manager will be Strategic Storage Property Management II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (our “Property Manager”), which was formed on January 8, 2013 to manage our properties. Our Property Manager will derive substantially all of its income from the property management services it performs for us.

Our dealer manager is Select Capital Corporation, a California corporation (our “Dealer Manager”). Our Dealer Manager is responsible for marketing our shares being offered pursuant to our Primary Offering. Our president owns, through a wholly-owned limited liability company, a 15% non-voting equity interest in our Dealer Manager and an affiliate of our Dealer Manager owns a 2.5% non-voting membership interest in our Advisor.

Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) as contained within the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and the rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

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STRATEGIC STORAGE TRUST II, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2013

 

Principles of Consolidation

Our financial statements, and the financial statements of our Operating Partnership, including its wholly-owned subsidiary, are consolidated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The portion of these entities not wholly-owned by us is presented as noncontrolling interests. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Consolidation Considerations for Investments in Joint Ventures

Current accounting guidance provides a framework for identifying a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and determining when a company should include the assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests, and results of activities of a VIE in its consolidated financial statements. In general, a VIE is an entity or other legal structure used to conduct activities or hold assets that either (1) has an insufficient amount of equity to carry out its principal activities without additional subordinated financial support, (2) has a group of equity owners that are unable to make significant decisions about its activities, or (3) has a group of equity owners that do not have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns generated by its operations. Generally, a VIE should be consolidated if a party with an ownership, contractual, or other financial interest in the VIE (a variable interest holder) has the power to direct the VIE’s most significant activities and the obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits of the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. A variable interest holder that consolidates the VIE is called the primary beneficiary. Upon consolidation, the primary beneficiary generally must initially record all of the VIE’s assets, liabilities, and noncontrolling interest at fair value and subsequently account for the VIE as if it were consolidated based on majority voting interest. As of December 31, 2013, we had not entered into contracts/interests that would deemed to be variable interests in VIEs.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The current economic environment has increased the degree of uncertainty inherent in these estimates and assumptions. Management will adjust such estimates when facts and circumstances dictate. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We will consider all short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to cash with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.

We may maintain cash equivalents in financial institutions in excess of insured limits, but believe this risk will be mitigated by only investing in or through major financial institutions.

Real Estate Purchase Price Allocation

We will account for acquisitions in accordance with amended accounting guidance which requires that we allocate the purchase price of the property to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on estimated fair values. This guidance will require us to make significant estimates and assumptions, including fair value estimates, as of the acquisition date and to adjust those estimates as necessary during the measurement period (defined as the period, not to exceed one year, in which we may adjust the provisional amounts recognized for an acquisition). Acquisitions of portfolios of facilities will be allocated to the individual facilities based upon an income approach or a cash flow analysis using appropriate risk adjusted capitalization rates which take into account the relative size, age, and location of the individual facility along with current and projected occupancy and rental rate levels or appraised values, if available. Allocations to the individual assets and liabilities will be based upon comparable market sales information for land and estimates of depreciated replacement cost of equipment, building and site improvements. In allocating the purchase price, we will determine whether the acquisition includes intangible assets or liabilities. Substantially all of the leases in place at acquired properties will be at market rates, as the majority of the leases will be month-to-month contracts. We will also consider whether in-place, market leases represent an intangible asset. We do not expect intangible assets for the value of customer relationships because we expect we will not have concentrations of significant customers and the average customer turnover will be fairly frequent.

Should the initial accounting for an acquisition be incomplete by the end of a reporting period that falls within the measurement period, we will report provisional amounts in our financial statements. During the measurement period, we will adjust the provisional amounts recognized at the acquisition date to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized as of that date and we record those adjustments to our financial statements. We will apply those measurement period adjustments that we determine to be significant retrospectively to comparative information in our financial statements, potentially including adjustments to interest, depreciation and amortization expense.

 

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STRATEGIC STORAGE TRUST II, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2013

 

Evaluation of Possible Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Management will continually monitor events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amounts of our long-lived assets, including those held through joint ventures, may not be recoverable. When indicators of potential impairment are present that indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable, we will assess the recoverability of the assets by determining whether the carrying value of the long-lived assets will be recovered through the undiscounted future operating cash flows expected from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. In the event that such expected undiscounted future cash flows do not exceed the carrying value, we will adjust the value of the long-lived assets to the fair value and recognize an impairment loss.

Equity Investments

Investments in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures and VIEs in which we are not the primary beneficiary, where we have significant influence, but not control, will be recorded under the equity method of accounting in our consolidated financial statements. Under the equity method, our investments in real estate ventures will be stated at cost and adjusted for our share of net earnings or losses and reduced by distributions. Equity in earnings of real estate ventures will be generally recognized based on the allocation of cash distributions upon liquidation of the investment in accordance with the joint venture agreements.

Investments representing passive preferred equity and/or minority interests will be accounted for under the cost method. Under the cost method, our investments in real estate ventures will be carried at cost and adjusted for other-than-temporary declines in fair value, distributions representing a return of capital and additional investments.

Revenue Recognition

Management expects that all of our leases will be operating leases. Rental income will be recognized in accordance with the terms of the leases, which generally are month-to-month. Revenues from any long-term operating leases will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The excess of rents received over amounts contractually due pursuant to the underlying leases will be included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet and contractually due but unpaid rent will be included in other assets.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Customer accounts receivable will be reported net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Management’s estimate of the allowance will be based upon a review of the current status of customer accounts receivable. It is reasonably possible that management’s estimate of the allowance will change in the future.

Depreciation of Real Property Assets

Our management will be required to make subjective assessments as to the useful lives of our depreciable assets. We will consider the period of future benefit of the asset to determine the appropriate useful lives.

Depreciation of our real property assets is expected to be charged to expense on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives as follows:

 

Description

  

Standard Depreciable Life

Land

   Not Depreciated

Buildings

   30 to 35 years

Site Improvements

   7 to 15 years

Depreciation of Personal Property Assets

Personal property assets are expected to consist primarily of furniture, fixtures and equipment and will be depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives generally ranging from 3 to 5 years, and will be included in other assets on our consolidated balance sheet.

 

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STRATEGIC STORAGE TRUST II, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2013

 

Intangible Assets

We will allocate a portion of our real estate purchase price to in-place leases. We will amortize in-place leases on a straight-line basis over the estimated future benefit period.

Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs

Costs incurred in connection with obtaining financing will be deferred and amortized over the term of the related loan.

Organizational and Offering Costs

Our Advisor will fund organization and offering costs on our behalf. We will be required to reimburse our Advisor for such organization and offering costs; provided, however, our Advisor must reimburse us within 60 days after the end of the month in which the initial public Offering terminates to the extent we paid or reimbursed organization and offering costs (excluding sales commissions and dealer manager fees) in excess of 3.5% of the gross offering proceeds from the Primary Offering. Such costs will be recognized as a liability when we have a present responsibility to reimburse our Advisor, which is defined in our Advisory Agreement as the date we satisfy the Minimum Offering Amount of our Offering. Such organization and offering costs as of December 31, 2013, were approximately $1,075,000. If at any point in time we determine that the total organization and offering costs are expected to exceed 3.5% of the gross proceeds anticipated to be received from the Primary Offering, we will recognize such excess as a capital contribution from our Advisor. Offering costs will be recorded as an offset to additional paid-in capital, and organization costs are recorded as an expense.

Redeemable Common Stock

We adopted a share redemption program that will enable stockholders to sell their shares to us in limited circumstances.

We will record amounts that are redeemable under the share redemption program as redeemable common stock in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet since the shares are mandatorily redeemable at the option of the holder and therefore their redemption is outside our control. The maximum amount redeemable under our share redemption program is limited to the number of shares we can repurchase with the amount of the net proceeds from the sale of shares under the distribution reinvestment plan. However, accounting guidance states that determinable amounts that can become redeemable but that are contingent on an event that is likely to occur (e.g., the passage of time) should be presented as redeemable when such amount is known. Therefore, the net proceeds from the distribution reinvestment plan will be considered to be temporary equity and will be presented as redeemable common stock in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

In addition, current accounting guidance requires, among other things, that financial instruments that represent a mandatory obligation of us to repurchase shares be classified as liabilities and reported at settlement value. Our redeemable common shares will be contingently redeemable at the option of the holder. When we determine we have a mandatory obligation to repurchase shares under the share redemption program, we will reclassify such obligations from temporary equity to a liability based upon their respective settlement values.

Fair Value Measurements

The accounting standard for fair value measurements and disclosures defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and provides for expanded disclosure about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined by the accounting standard for fair value measurements and disclosures as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. It also establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three levels. The following summarizes the three levels of inputs and hierarchy of fair value we will use when measuring fair value:

 

    Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access;

 

    Level 2 inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals; and

 

    Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the assets or liabilities that are typically based on an entity’s own assumptions as there is little, if any, related market activity.

 

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STRATEGIC STORAGE TRUST II, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2013

 

In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement will fall within the lowest level that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

The accounting guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures provides a framework for measuring fair value and establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. In determining fair value, we will utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible as well as consider counterparty credit risk in our assessment of fair value. Considerable judgment will be necessary to interpret Level 2 and 3 inputs in determining fair value of our financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the fair values we will present will be indicative of amounts that may ultimately be realized upon sale or other disposition of these assets.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, customer accounts receivable, other assets, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, distributions payable and amounts due to affiliates will approximate fair value because of the relatively short-term nature of these instruments.

To comply with GAAP, we will incorporate credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both our own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, we will consider the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts, and guarantees.

Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Entities

We account for the noncontrolling interest in our Operating Partnership in accordance with the related accounting guidance. Due to our control through our general partnership interest in our Operating Partnership and the limited rights of the limited partner, our Operating Partnership, including its wholly-owned subsidiary, is consolidated with the Company and the limited partner interest is reflected as a noncontrolling interest in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The noncontrolling interest shall be attributed its share of income and losses, even if that attribution results in a deficit noncontrolling interest balance.

Income Taxes

We intend to make an election to be taxed as a Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”), under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2014. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to currently distribute at least 90% of the REIT’s ordinary taxable income to stockholders. As a REIT, we generally will not be 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 then 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 IRS 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 will be organized and operate in such a manner as to qualify for treatment as a REIT and intend to operate in the foreseeable future in such a manner that we will remain qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.

Even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain state and local taxes on our income and property, and federal income and excise taxes on our undistributed income.

In January 2014 we filed an election to treat our TRS as a taxable REIT subsidiary. In general, the TRS may perform additional services for our customers and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate related business. The TRS is subject to corporate federal and state income tax. The TRS will follow accounting guidance which will require the use of the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes will represent the tax effect of future differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities.

Note 3. Related Party Transactions

Fees to Affiliates

Our Advisory Agreement with our Advisor and dealer manager agreement (“Dealer Manager Agreement”) with our Dealer Manager, entitle our Advisor and our Dealer Manager to specified fees upon the provision of certain services with regard to the Offering and investment of funds in real estate properties, among other services, as well as reimbursement for organizational and offering costs incurred by our Advisor on our behalf and reimbursement of certain costs and expenses incurred by our Advisor in providing services to us.

 

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STRATEGIC STORAGE TRUST II, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2013

 

Organization and Offering Costs

Organization and offering costs of the Offering may be paid by our Advisor on our behalf and will be reimbursed to our Advisor from the proceeds of our initial public Offering. Organization and offering costs will consist of all expenses (other than sales commissions and the dealer manager fee) to be paid by us in connection with the Offering, including our legal, accounting, printing, mailing and filing fees, charges of our escrow holder and other accountable organization and offering expenses, including, but not limited to, (i) amounts to reimburse our Advisor for all marketing related costs and expenses such as salaries and direct expenses of employees of our Advisor and its affiliates in connection with registering and marketing our shares; (ii) technology costs associated with the Offering; (iii) our costs of conducting our training and education meetings; (iv) our costs of attending retail seminars conducted by participating broker-dealers; and (v) payment or reimbursement of bona fide due diligence expenses. Our Advisor must reimburse us within 60 days after the end of the month which the Offering terminates to the extent we paid or reimbursed organization and offering costs (excluding sales commissions and dealer manager fees) in excess of 3.5% of the gross offering proceeds from the Primary Offering.

Advisory Agreement

We do not have any employees. Our Advisor is primarily responsible for managing our business affairs and carrying out the directives of our board of directors. Our Advisor will receive various fees and expenses under the terms of our Advisory Agreement. As discussed above, we will be required under our Advisory Agreement to reimburse our Advisor for organization and offering costs; provided, however, our Advisor will be required to reimburse us within 60 days after the end of the month in which the initial public Offering terminates to the extent we paid or reimbursed organization and offering costs (excluding sales commissions and dealer manager fees) in excess of 3.5% of the gross offering proceeds from the Primary Offering.

Our Advisory Agreement also requires our Advisor to reimburse us to the extent that offering expenses, including sales commissions, dealer manager fees and organization and offering expenses, are in excess of 15% of gross proceeds from the Offering.

Our Advisor will receive acquisition fees equal to 1.75% of the contract purchase price of each property we acquire plus reimbursement of any acquisition expenses our Advisor incurs. Our Advisor will also receive a monthly asset management fee equal to 0.05208%, which is one-twelfth of 0.625%, of our aggregate asset value, as defined.

Under our Advisory Agreement, our Advisor will receive disposition fees in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) one-half of the competitive real estate commission or (ii) 1% of the contract sale price for each property we sell, as long as our Advisor provides substantial assistance in connection with the sale. The total real estate commissions paid (including the disposition fee paid to our Advisor) may not exceed the lesser of a competitive real estate commission or an amount equal to 6% of the contract sale price of the property and are subordinated to receipt of our stockholders of a 6% cumulative, non-compounded, annual return on such stockholders’ invested capital. Our Advisor may also be entitled to various subordinated distributions under our operating partnership agreement if we (1) list our shares of common stock on a national exchange, (2) terminate our Advisory Agreement, (3) liquidate our portfolio, or (4) enter into an Extraordinary Transaction, as defined in the operating partnership agreement.

Our Advisory Agreement provides for reimbursement of our Advisor’s direct and indirect costs of providing administrative and management services to us. Beginning four fiscal quarters after we acquire our first real estate asset, our Advisor will be required to pay or reimburse us the amount by which our aggregate annual operating expenses, as defined, exceed the greater of 2% of our average invested assets or 25% of our net income, as defined, unless a majority of our independent directors determine that such excess expenses were justified based on unusual and non-recurring factors. For any fiscal quarter for which total operating expenses for the 12 months then ended exceed the limitation, we will disclose this fact in our next quarterly report or within 60 days of the end of that quarter and send a written disclosure of this fact to our stockholders. In each case the disclosure will include an explanation of the factors that the independent directors considered in arriving at the conclusion that the excess expenses were justified.

Dealer Manager Agreement

Our Dealer Manager will receive a sales commission of up to 7.0% of gross proceeds from sales in the Primary Offering and a dealer manager fee equal to up to 3.0% of gross proceeds from sales in the Primary Offering under the terms of our Dealer Manager Agreement. Our Dealer Manager has entered into participating dealer agreements with certain other broker-dealers which authorizes them to sell our shares. Upon sale of our shares by such broker-dealers, our Dealer Manager will re-allow all of the sales commissions paid in connection with sales made by these broker-dealers. Our Dealer Manager may also re-allow to these broker-dealers a portion of the 3.0% dealer manager fee as marketing fees, reimbursement of certain costs and expenses of attending training and education meetings sponsored by our Dealer Manager, payment of attendance fees required for employees of our Dealer Manager or other affiliates to attend retail seminars and public seminars sponsored by these broker-dealers, or to defray other distribution-related expenses. Our Dealer Manager will also receive reimbursement of bona fide due diligence expenses; however, to the extent these due

 

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STRATEGIC STORAGE TRUST II, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2013

 

diligence expenses cannot be justified, any excess over actual due diligence expenses will be considered underwriting compensation subject to a 10% FINRA limitation and, when aggregated with all other non-accountable expenses may not exceed 3% of gross offering proceeds from sales in the Primary Offering.

Affiliated Dealer Manager

Our president owns, through a wholly-owned limited liability company, a 15% non-voting equity interest in our Dealer Manager and an affiliate of our Dealer Manager owns a 2.5% non-voting membership interest in our Advisor.

Property Management Agreement

Our Property Manager will receive a fee for its services in managing our properties, generally equal to 6% of the gross revenues from the properties plus reimbursement of the property manager’s costs of managing the properties. Reimbursable costs and expenses include wages and salaries and other expenses of employees engaged in operating, managing and maintaining our properties. In the event that our Property Manager assists with the development or redevelopment of a property, we may pay a separate market-based fee for such services. In addition, our Property Manager will be entitled to a construction management fee equal to 5% of the cost of construction or capital improvement work in excess of $10,000 and an administration fee equal to $0.50 a month for each insurance policy purchased by a customer at one of our properties in connection with tenant insurance program. Additionally, the agreement will include a non-solicitation provision and a provision regarding the Property Manager’s use of trademarks and other intellectual property owned by Strategic Storage Holdings, LLC.

Tenant Reinsurance Program

Affiliates of our Sponsor, including our chairman of the board of directors, chief executive officer and president, participate in a tenant reinsurance program whereby we expect that customers of our self storage facilities will be able to purchase insurance to cover damage or destruction to their property while stored at our facilities. Such affiliates have invested in a Cayman Islands company (the “Reinsurance Company”) that will insure a portion of the insurance required by the program insurer to cover the risks of loss at participating facilities in the program. The program insurer will provide fees (approximately 50% of the tenant premium paid) to us as owner of the facilities. The Reinsurance Company may be required to fund additional capital or entitled to receive distributions of profits depending on actual losses incurred under the program.

Storage Auction Program

Our Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President, and our Senior Vice President — Property Management and the President of our property manager, own minority interests in a company (the “Auction Company”) that serves as a web portal for self storage companies to post their auctions online instead of using live auctions conducted at the self storage facilities. Once the contents of a storage unit are sold at auction, we will pay the Auction Company a service fee based upon the sale price of the unit. Collectively, these officers own 9% of the voting interests in the Auction Company. In 2013, we did not incur any fees in connection with the Auction Company.

Note 4. Commitments and Contingencies

Distribution Reinvestment Plan

We adopted a distribution reinvestment plan that allows our stockholders to have distributions otherwise distributable to them invested in additional shares of our common stock. The purchase price per share is 95% of the current offering price of our shares in the Primary Offering. No sales commission or dealer manager fee will be paid on shares sold through the distribution reinvestment plan. We may amend or terminate the distribution reinvestment plan for any reason at any time upon 10 days’ prior written notice to stockholders.

Share Redemption Program

We adopted a share redemption program that enables stockholders to sell their shares to us in limited circumstances. As long as our common stock is not listed on a national securities exchange or over-the-counter market, our stockholders who have held their stock for at least one year may be able to have all or any portion of their shares of stock redeemed by us. We may redeem the shares of stock presented for redemption for cash to the extent that we have sufficient funds available to fund such redemption.

 

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STRATEGIC STORAGE TRUST II, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2013

 

Our board of directors may amend, suspend or terminate the share redemption program with 30 days’ notice to our stockholders. We may provide this notice by including such information in a Current Report on Form 8-K or in our annual or quarterly reports, all publicly filed with the SEC, or by a separate mailing to our stockholders. The complete terms of our share redemption program are described in our prospectus.

The amount that we may pay to redeem stock for redemptions is the redemption price set forth in the following table which is based upon the number of years the stock is held:

 

Number Years Held

  

Redemption Price

Less than 1    No Redemption Allowed
1 or more but less than 3    90.0% of Redemption Amount
3 or more but less than 4    95.0% of Redemption Amount
4 or more    100.0% of Redemption Amount

At any time we are engaged in an offering of shares, the Redemption Amount for shares purchased under our share redemption program will always be equal to or lower than the applicable per share offering price. As long as we are engaged in an offering, the Redemption Amount shall be the lesser of the amount the stockholder paid for their shares or the price per share in the current Offering. If we are no longer engaged in an offering, the per share Redemption Amount will be determined by our board of directors. Our board will announce any redemption price adjustment and the time period of its effectiveness as a part of its regular communications with our stockholders. At any time the redemption price during an offering is determined by any method other than the offering price, if we have sold property and have made one or more special distributions to our stockholders of all or a portion of the net proceeds from such sales, the per share redemption price will be reduced by the net sale proceeds per share distributed to investors prior to the redemption date as a result of the sale of such property in the special distribution. Our board will, in its sole discretion, determine which distributions, if any, constitute a special distribution. While our board does not have specific criteria for determining a special distribution, we expect that a special distribution will only occur upon the sale of a property and the subsequent distribution of the net sale proceeds.

There will be several limitations on our ability to redeem shares under the share redemption program including, but not limited to:

 

    Unless the shares are being redeemed in connection with a stockholder’s death, “qualifying disability” (as defined under the share redemption program) or bankruptcy, we may not redeem shares until the stockholder has held his or her shares for one year.

 

    During any calendar year, we will not redeem in excess of 5% of the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the prior calendar year.

 

    The cash available for redemption is limited to the proceeds from the sale of shares pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan.

 

    We have no obligation to redeem shares if the redemption would violate the restrictions on distributions under Maryland law, which prohibits distributions that would cause a corporation to fail to meet statutory tests of solvency.

Operating Partnership Redemption Rights

The limited partners of our Operating Partnership have the right to cause our Operating Partnership to redeem their limited partnership units for cash equal to the value of an equivalent number of our shares, or, at our option, we may purchase their limited partnership units by issuing one share of our common stock for each limited partnership unit redeemed. These rights may not be exercised under certain circumstances that could cause us to lose our REIT election. Furthermore, limited partners may exercise their redemption rights only after their limited partnership units have been outstanding for one year. Our Advisor is prohibited from exchanging or otherwise transferring its limited partnership units so long as our Sponsor is acting as our sponsor.

Note 5. Subsequent Events

Offering Status

Our Offering was declared effective by the SEC on January 10, 2014.

As of March 24, 2014, in connection with our Offering we have received subscriptions of approximately $65,000, which will be held in an escrow account until we reach our Minimum Offering Amount. Organization and offering costs incurred as of March 15, 2014, were approximately $1,600,000.

Potential Acquisition of Raleigh/Myrtle Beach Portfolio

On January 21, 2014, our Sponsor executed a purchase and sale agreement with an unaffiliated third party for the acquisition of a portfolio of five self storage facilities, consisting of three facilities located in Raleigh, North Carolina and two facilities located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (the “Raleigh/Myrtle Beach Portfolio”). Although we are not currently a party to and have no obligations under the Raleigh/Myrtle Beach Portfolio purchase agreement, our Sponsor intends to assign the Raleigh/Myrtle Beach Portfolio purchase agreement to us upon our achievement of the Minimum Offering Amount in our Offering. Our board of directors approved our potential acquisition of the Raleigh/Myrtle Beach Portfolio on March 25, 2014.

The purchase price for the Raleigh/Myrtle Beach Portfolio is $22.1 million, plus closing costs and acquisition fees. Subject to achieving the Minimum Offering Amount and approval by the current lender of our assumption of the existing loan encumbering the properties, we expect this acquisition to close in the second or third quarter of 2014 and to fund such acquisition with a combination of net proceeds from our Offering and assumption of an existing $12.8 million loan encumbering the properties in the Raleigh/Myrtle Beach Portfolio. The properties in the Raleigh/Myrtle Beach Portfolio consist of an aggregate of approximately 2,500 self storage units and approximately 355,000 rentable square feet. Upon assignment, we will only be obligated to purchase the Raleigh/Myrtle Beach Portfolio after satisfactory completion of agreed upon closing conditions. There can be no assurance that we will complete the acquisition of the Raleigh/Myrtle Beach Portfolio. If we fail to complete such acquisition, we may forfeit earnest money as a result.

Declaration of Initial Distribution Rate

On March 25, 2014, our board of directors authorized a daily distribution in the amount of $0.00164383561 per share (equivalent to an annualized distribution rate of 6.0%, assuming a purchase price of $10.00 per share) on the outstanding shares of common stock, payable to stockholders of record of such shares as shown on our books as of the close of business on each day of the fiscal quarter in which we have raised the Minimum Offering Amount, which distribution shall commence upon the date that such Minimum Offering Amount is raised and continue through the end of the then-ongoing fiscal quarter. Such distributions payable to each stockholder of record during a month will be paid on such date of the following month as our Chief Executive Officer may determine.

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

    1.1    Dealer Manager Agreement and Participating Dealer Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11, filed on December 11, 2013, Commission File No. 333-190983
    3.1*    First Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc.
    3.3    Bylaws of Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11, filed on September 4, 2013, Commission File No. 333-190983
    4.1    Form of Subscription Agreement and Subscription Agreement Signature Page (included as Appendix A to prospectus), incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11, filed on January 7, 2014, Commission File No. 333-190983
  10.1*    First Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Strategic Storage Operating Partnership II, L.P.
  10.2*    Advisory Agreement by and among Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc., Strategic Storage Operating Partnership II, L.P. and Strategic Storage Advisor, LLC
  10.3    Escrow Agreement between Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc. and UMB Bank, N.A., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11, filed on January 7, 2014, Commission File No. 333-190983
  10.4    Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc. Distribution Reinvestment Plan (included as Appendix B to prospectus), incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11, filed on January 7, 2014, Commission File No. 333-190983
  10.5*    Employee and Director Long-Term Incentive Plan of Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc.
  21.1    Subsidiaries of Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc., incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11, filed on September 4, 2013, Commission File No. 333-190983
  31.1*    Certification of Principal Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  31.2*    Certification of Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32.1*    Certification of Principal Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as created by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32.2*    Certification of Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as created by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

* Filed herewith.

Exhibit 3.1

FIRST ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

OF

STRATEGIC STORAGE TRUST II, INC.

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

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

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of the corporation is Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE

The Corporation is formed for the purpose of carrying on any lawful business or activity, which may include qualifying 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”).

ARTICLE III

PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN STATE AND RESIDENT AGENT

The name and address of the resident agent for service of process of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 351 West Camden Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. The address of the Corporation’s principal office in the State of Maryland is 351 West Camden Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. The Corporation 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

DEFINITIONS

As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context otherwise requires:

Acquisition Expenses . Expenses related to the Corporation’s sourcing, selection, evaluation and acquisition of, and investment in, properties, whether or not acquired or made, including but not limited to legal fees and expenses, travel and communications expenses, costs of financial analysis, appraisals and surveys, nonrefundable option payments on property not acquired, accounting fees and expenses, computer use-related expenses, architectural and engineering reports, environmental reports, title insurance and escrow fees.

Acquisition Fees . The total of any and all fees and commissions paid by any Person to any Person in connection with making or investing in mortgage loans or the purchase, development or construction of property by the Corporation. Included in the computation of such fees or commissions shall be any real estate commissions, selection fees, Development Fees, Construction Fees, nonrecurring


management fees, loan fees or points or any fee of a similar nature, however designated. Excluded shall be Development Fees and Construction Fees paid to any Person not affiliated with the Sponsor or Advisor in connection with the actual development and construction of any property.

Advisor . The Person responsible for directing or performing the day-to-day business affairs of the Corporation, including a Person to which an Advisor subcontracts substantially all such functions.

Advisory Agreement . The agreement, as it may be amended or restated from time to time, between the Corporation and the Advisor pursuant to which the Advisor will direct or perform the day-to-day business affairs of the Corporation.

Affiliate . An Affiliate of another Person includes any of the following:

(a) any Person directly or indirectly owning, controlling or holding, with power to vote, 10% or more of the outstanding voting securities of such other Person;

(b) any Person 10% or more of whose outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly owned, controlled or held, with power to vote, by such other Person;

(c) any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such other Person;

(d) any executive officer, director, trustee or general partner of such other Person; and

(e) any legal entity for which such Person acts as an executive officer, Director, trustee or general partner.

Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit . 9.8% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Stock. The value of the outstanding shares of Stock shall be determined by the board of directors in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes hereof.

Average Invested Assets . For a specified period, the average of the aggregate book value of the assets of the Corporation invested, directly or indirectly in equity interests in and loans secured by real estate, before reserves for depreciation, bad debts or other non-cash reserves, computed by taking the average of such values at the end of each month during such period.

Beneficial Ownership . Ownership of Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Stock 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 Section 856(h)(1)(B) of the Code. The terms “Beneficial Owner,” “Beneficially Owns,” “Beneficially Owning” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

Business Day . 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 . One or more beneficiaries of the Trust as determined pursuant to Section 6.2.6, 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.

 

2


Code . The term shall have the meaning as provided in Article II herein.

Common Stock . The term shall have the meaning as provided in Section 5.1 herein.

Common Stock Ownership Limit . 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation. The number and value of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation shall be determined by the board of directors in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes hereof.

Common Stockholders . The holders of record of Common Stock.

Competitive Real Estate Commission . A real estate or brokerage commission paid (or, if no commission is paid, the amount that customarily would be paid) for the purchase or sale of a property that is reasonable, customary and competitive in light of the size, type and location of the property.

Construction Fee . A fee or other remuneration for acting as general contractor and/or construction manager to construct, supervise and coordinate leasehold or other improvements or projects or to provide major repairs or rehabilitation on a property.

Constructive Ownership . Ownership of Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Stock 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,” “Constructively Owning” and “Constructively Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

Contract Purchase Price . The amount actually paid or allocated in respect of the purchase, development, construction or improvement of an asset or property exclusive of Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses.

Corporation . The term shall have the meaning as provided in Article I herein.

Development Fee . A fee for the packaging of the Corporation’s property, including the negotiation and approval of plans and any assistance in obtaining zoning and necessary variances and financing for a specific property, either initially or at a later date.

Director . A member of the board of directors that manages the Corporation.

Equity Securities . Equity securities that are “publicly traded” as that term is used in Rule 10b-17 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Equity Securities shall not include any investment security represented by an interest in, or secured by, one or more pools of mortgage loans.

Excepted Holder . A stockholder of the Corporation for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by this charter or by the board of directors pursuant to Section 6.1.7.

Excepted Holder Limit . The percentage limit established by the board of directors pursuant to Section 6.1.7 provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the requirements established by the board of directors pursuant to Section 6.1.7, and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 6.1.8.

 

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Independent Directors . The Directors of the Corporation who are not associated and have not been associated within the last two years, directly or indirectly, with the Sponsor or Advisor of the Corporation.

(a) A Director shall be deemed to be associated with the Sponsor or Advisor if he or she:

(i) owns an interest in the Sponsor, Advisor or any of their Affiliates;

(ii) is employed by the Sponsor, Advisor or any of their Affiliates;

(iii) is an officer or director of the Sponsor, Advisor or any of their Affiliates;

(iv) performs services, other than as a Director, for the Corporation;

(v) is a director or trustee for more than three REITs organized by the Sponsor or Advisor or advised by the Advisor; or

(vi) has any material business or professional relationship with the Sponsor, Advisor or any of their Affiliates.

(b) For purposes of determining whether or not a business or professional relationship is material pursuant to (a)(vi) above, the annual gross revenue derived by the Director from the Sponsor, Advisor and their Affiliates shall be deemed material per se if it exceeds 5% of the Director’s:

(i) annual gross revenue, derived from all sources, during either of the last two years; or

(ii) net worth, on a fair market value basis.

(c) An indirect relationship shall include circumstances in which a director’s spouse, parent, child, sibling, mother- or father-in-law, sons- or daughters-in-law or brothers- or sisters-in-law is or has been associated with the Sponsor, Advisor any of their Affiliates or the Corporation.

Independent Expert . A Person (selected by the Independent Directors) with no material current or prior business or personal relationship with the Advisor or a Director who is engaged to a substantial extent in the business of rendering opinions regarding the value of assets of the type held by the Corporation.

Initial Investment . An investment of $200,000 by the Advisor or an Affiliate thereof to acquire an equity interest in the Corporation or an Affiliate of the Corporation through which the Corporation intends to conduct substantially all of its operations.

Initial Public Offering . The initial public offering and sale of Common Stock of the Corporation pursuant to the Corporation’s first effective registration statement covering such Common Stock filed under the Securities Act of 1933.

Joint Venture . Joint venture or general partnership arrangements in which the Corporation or its subsidiaries is a co-venturer or general partner which are established to acquire properties or other real estate investments.

 

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Leverage . The aggregate amount of indebtedness of the Corporation for money borrowed (including purchase money mortgage loans) outstanding at any time, both secured and unsecured.

Listed . Approved for trading on any securities exchange registered as a national securities exchange under Section 6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The term “Listing” shall have the correlative meaning.

Market Price . With respect to any class or series of outstanding shares of Stock, the Closing Price for such Stock on such date. The “Closing Price” on any date shall mean the last sale price for such Stock, 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 Stock, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the principal national securities exchange on which such Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if such Stock is 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 NASDAQ or, if NASDAQ is no longer in use, the principal other automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such Stock is not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Stock selected by the board of directors or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Stock, the fair market value of the Stock, as determined in good faith by the board of directors.

MGCL . The Maryland General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time.

NASAA REIT Guidelines . The Statement of Policy Regarding Real Estate Investment Trusts as revised and adopted by the North American Securities Administrators Association membership on May 7, 2007, as may be amended from time to time.

Net Assets . The total assets of the Corporation (other than intangibles) at cost, before deducting depreciation or other non-cash reserves, less total liabilities, calculated quarterly by the Corporation on a basis consistently applied.

Net Income . For any period, total revenues applicable to such period, less expenses applicable to such period other than additions to reserves for depreciation, amortization, bad debt, or other non-cash reserves. If the Advisor receives an incentive fee, Net Income, for purposes of calculating Total Operating Expenses in Section 8.8, shall exclude the gain from the sale of the Corporation’s assets.

Organization and Offering Expenses . Any and all costs and expenses incurred by the Corporation, the Advisor or any Affiliate of either in connection with and in preparing the Corporation for registration of and subsequently offering and distributing its Stock to the public, which may include but are not limited to total underwriting and brokerage discounts and commissions (including fees of the underwriters’ attorneys), legal, accounting and escrow fees, expenses for printing, engraving, amending, supplementing and mailing, distribution costs, compensation to employees while engaged in registering, marketing, selling and wholesaling the Stock, telegraph and telephone costs, all advertising and marketing expenses (including the costs related to investor and broker-dealer sales meetings), charges of transfer agents, registrars, trustees, escrow holders, depositories, experts, and fees, expenses and taxes related to the filing, registration and qualification of the sale of the Stock under Federal and State laws, including accountants’ and attorneys’ fees and other accountable offering expenses. Organization and Offering Expenses may include, but are not limited to: (a) amounts to reimburse the Advisor for all marketing related costs and expenses such as compensation to and direct expenses of the Advisor’s employees or employees of the Advisor’s Affiliates in connection with registering and marketing the Stock; (b) travel and entertainment expenses related to the offering and marketing of the Stock; (c) facilities and

 

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technology costs and other costs and expenses associated with the offering and to facilitate the marketing of the Stock including web site design and management; (d) costs and expenses of conducting training and educational conferences and seminars; (e) costs and expenses of attending broker-dealer sponsored retail seminars or conferences; and (f) payment or reimbursement of bona fide due diligence expenses.

Person . An individual, corporation, association, 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, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company, partnership, limited liability company or other legal entity and also includes a “group” as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and a group to which an Excepted Holder Limit (as defined in Article VI) applies.

Preferred Stock . The term shall have the meaning as provided in Section 5.1 herein.

Prohibited Owner . With respect to any purported Transfer, any Person who but for the provisions of Section 6.1.1 would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Stock 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.

Prospectus . The term shall have the meaning as defined in Section 2(10) of the Securities Act of 1933, including a preliminary prospectus, an offering circular as described in Rule 253 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act of 1933 or, in the case of an intrastate offering, any document by whatever name known utilized for the purpose of offering and selling securities to the public.

REIT . A corporation, trust or association which is engaged in investing in equity interests in real estate (including fee ownership and leasehold interests and interests in partnerships and Joint Ventures holding real estate) or in loans secured by mortgages on real estate or both and that qualifies as a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.

Restriction Termination Date . The first day on which the Corporation determines pursuant to Section 7.7 that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation 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 of Stock set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Corporation to qualify as a REIT.

Roll-Up Entity . A partnership, REIT, corporation, trust or similar entity that would be created or would survive after the successful completion of a proposed Roll-Up Transaction.

Roll-Up Transaction . A transaction involving the acquisition, merger, conversion or consolidation, either directly or indirectly, of the Corporation and the issuance of securities of a Roll-Up Entity to the stockholders of the Corporation.

 

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Such term does not include:

(a) a transaction involving securities of the Corporation that have been Listed for at least 12 months; or

(b) a transaction involving the conversion to corporate, trust or association form of only the Corporation, if, as a consequence of the transaction, there will be no significant adverse change in any of the following:

(i) the voting rights of Common Stockholders;

(ii) the term of existence of the Corporation;

(iii) Sponsor or Advisor compensation; or

(iv) the Corporation’s investment objectives.

SDAT . The State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland.

Sponsor . Any Person directly or indirectly instrumental in organizing, wholly or in part, the Corporation or any Person who will control, manage or participate in the management of the Corporation, and any Affiliate of such Person. Not included is any Person whose only relationship with the Corporation is as that of an independent property manager of the Corporation’s assets and whose only compensation is as such. Sponsor does not include wholly independent third parties such as attorneys, accountants and underwriters whose only compensation is for professional services. A Person may also be deemed a Sponsor of the Corporation by:

(a) taking the initiative, directly or indirectly, in founding or organizing the business or enterprise of the Corporation, either alone or in conjunction with one or more other Persons;

(b) receiving a material participation in the Corporation in connection with the founding or organizing of the business of the Corporation, in consideration of services or property, or both services and property;

(c) having a substantial number of relationships and contacts with the Corporation;

(d) possessing significant rights to control the Corporation’s properties;

(e) receiving fees for providing services to the Corporation which are paid on a basis that is not customary in the industry; or

(f) providing goods or services to the Corporation on a basis which was not negotiated at arms length with the Corporation.

Stock . All classes or series of stock of the Corporation, including, without limitation, Common Stock and Preferred Stock.

Stockholders . The registered holders of the Corporation’s shares of Stock.

Stockholder List . The term shall have the meaning as provided in Section 11.6 herein.

 

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Total Operating Expenses . All expenses paid or incurred by the Corporation, as determined under generally accepted accounting principles, that are in any way related to the operation of the Corporation or to Corporation business, including advisory fees, but excluding: (a) 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 Listing of the Stock; (b) interest payments; (c) taxes; (d) non-cash expenditures such as depreciation, amortization and bad debt reserves; (e) incentive fees paid in compliance with Section 8.6, notwithstanding the next succeeding clause (f); and (f) Acquisition Fees, Acquisition Expenses, real estate commissions on the resale of property and other expenses connected with the acquisition, disposition and ownership of real estate interests, mortgage loans or other property (including the costs of foreclosure, insurance premiums, legal services, maintenance, repair and improvement of property).

Transfer . 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, or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, of Stock or the right to vote or receive distributions on Stock, 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 Stock or any interest in Stock 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 Stock; 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 . Any trust provided for in Section 6.2.1.

Trustee . The Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and a Prohibited Owner that is appointed by the Corporation to serve as trustee of the Trust.

Unimproved Real Property . The real property of the Corporation that has the following three characteristics:

(a) such property was not acquired for the purpose of producing rental or other operating income;

(b) there is no development or construction in progress on such land; and

(c) no development or construction on such land is planned in good faith to commence on such land within one year.

ARTICLE V

STOCK

Section 5.1. Authorized Shares . The Corporation has authority to issue 700,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share (“Common Stock”), and 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share (“Preferred Stock”). The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of Stock having par value is $900,000. The board of directors, without any action by the stockholders of the Corporation, may amend the charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of Stock or the number of shares of Stock of any class or series that the Corporation has the authority to issue. If shares of one class of stock are classified or reclassified into shares of another class

 

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of stock pursuant to this Article V, 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 Stock of all classes that the Corporation has authority to issue shall not be more than the total number of shares of Stock set forth in the first sentence of this Section 5.1.

Section 5.2.  Common Stock . Subject to the provisions of Article VI, each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote. The Common Stock shall be subject to the express terms of any series of Preferred Stock. Shares of a particular class of Common Stock shall have equal dividend, distribution, liquidation and other rights, and shall have no preference, cumulative, preemptive, conversion or exchange rights. The board of directors may reclassify any unissued shares of Common Stock from time to time in one or more classes or series of Stock.

Section 5.3.  Preferred Stock . The board of directors may increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding) the number of shares, or alter the designation or classify or reclassify any unissued shares of a particular series of Preferred Stock, by fixing or altering, in one or more respects, from time to time before issuing the shares, the terms, rights, restrictions and qualifications of the shares of any such series of Preferred Stock. The board of directors is granted the authority to authorize from time to time the issuance of one or more series of Preferred Stock. Prior to the issuance of each such class or series, the board of directors, by resolution, shall fix the number of shares to be included in each series, and the designation, preferences, terms, rights, restrictions, limitations, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of the shares of each class or series, if any. The authority of the board of directors with respect to each series shall include, but not be limited to, determination of the following:

(a) The designation of the series, which may be by distinguishing number, letter or title.

(b) The dividend rate on the shares of the series, if any, whether any dividends shall be cumulative and, if so, from which date or dates, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of dividends on shares of the series.

(c) The redemption rights, including conditions and the price or prices, if any, for shares of the series.

(d) The terms and amounts of any sinking fund for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series.

(e) The rights of the shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of shares of the series.

(f) Whether the shares of the series shall be convertible into shares of any other class or series or any other security of the Corporation or any other corporation or other entity, and, if so, the specification of such other class or series of such other security, the conversion price or prices or rate or rates, any adjustments thereof, the date or dates on which such shares shall be convertible and all other terms and conditions upon which such conversion may be made.

(g) Restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series.

(h) The voting rights of the holders of shares of the series subject to the limitations contained in this Section 5.3.

 

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(i) Any other relative rights, preferences and limitations on that series, subject to the express provisions of any other series of Preferred Stock then outstanding.

Section 5.4. Classified or Reclassified Shares . Prior to the issuance of classified or reclassified shares of any class or series, the board of directors by resolution shall: (a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of Stock of the Corporation; (b) specify the number of shares to be included in the class or series; (c) set or change, subject to the provisions of Article VI and subject to the express terms of any class or series of Stock of the Corporation 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; and (d) cause the Corporation to file articles supplementary with the SDAT. Any of the terms of any class or series of Stock set or changed pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 5.4 may be made dependent upon facts or events ascertainable outside the charter (including determinations by the board of directors or other facts or events within the control of the Corporation) 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 Stock is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles supplementary filed with the SDAT.

Section 5.5.  Charter and Bylaws . All Persons who shall acquire Stock in the Corporation shall acquire the same subject to the provisions of the charter and the bylaws.

Section 5.6.  No Preemptive Rights . No holder of shares of Stock of any class shall have any preemptive right to subscribe to or purchase any additional shares of any class, or any bonds or convertible securities of any nature; provided, however, that the board of directors may, in authorizing the issuance of shares of Stock of any class, confer any preemptive right that the board of directors may deem advisable in connection with such issuance.

Section 5.7.  Issuance of Shares Without Certificates . The board of directors may authorize the issuance of shares of Stock without certificates. The Corporation shall continue to treat the holder of uncertificated Stock registered on its stock ledger as the owner of the shares noted therein until the new owner delivers a properly executed form provided by the Corporation for that purpose.

Section 5.8.  Suitability and Minimum Investment of Stockholders . Until the Common Stock is Listed, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) To purchase Common Stock, the purchaser must represent to the Corporation that the purchaser meets the following suitability standards (or higher suitability standards of the state with jurisdiction over the sale if applicable):

(i) that such purchaser (or, in the case of sales to fiduciary accounts, that the beneficiary, the fiduciary account or the grantor or donor who directly or indirectly supplies the funds to purchase the shares if the grantor or donor is the fiduciary) has a minimum annual gross income of $70,000 and a net worth (excluding home, home furnishings and automobiles) of not less than $70,000; or

(ii) that such purchaser (or, in the case of sales to fiduciary accounts, that the beneficiary, the fiduciary account or the grantor or donor who directly or indirectly supplies the funds to purchase the shares if the grantor or donor is the fiduciary) has a net worth (excluding home, home furnishings and automobiles) of not less than $250,000.

(b) The Sponsor and each Person selling shares on behalf of the Sponsor or the Corporation shall make every reasonable effort to determine that the purchase of shares is a suitable and

 

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appropriate investment for each Common Stockholder. In making this determination, the Sponsor or each Person selling shares on behalf of the Sponsor or the Corporation shall ascertain that the prospective Common Stockholder: (i) meets the minimum income and net worth standards set forth in Section 5.8(a); (ii) can reasonably benefit from the Corporation based on the prospective stockholder’s overall investment objectives and portfolio structure; (iii) is able to bear the economic risk of the investment based on the prospective stockholder’s overall financial situation; and (iv) has apparent understanding of (1) the fundamental risks of the investment; (2) the risk that the stockholder may lose the entire investment; (3) the lack of liquidity of the shares; (4) the restrictions on transferability of the shares; (5) the background and qualifications of the Sponsor or the Advisor; and (6) the tax consequences of the investment. The Sponsor or each Person selling shares on behalf of the Sponsor or the Corporation shall make this determination on the basis of information it has obtained from a prospective stockholder, including information indirectly obtained from a prospective stockholder through such stockholder’s investment adviser, financial advisor or fiduciary. Relevant information for this purpose will include at least the age, investment objectives, investment experience, income, net worth, financial situation and other investments of the prospective stockholder, as well as any other pertinent factors. The Sponsor or each Person selling shares on behalf of the Sponsor or the Corporation shall maintain for at least six years records of the information used to determine that an investment in shares is suitable and appropriate for a Common Stockholder.

(c) Each issuance or transfer of shares of Common Stock shall comply with the requirements regarding minimum initial and subsequent cash investment amounts set forth in the Prospectus as of the date of such issuance or transfer or any lower applicable state requirements with respect to minimum initial and subsequent cash investment amounts in effect as of the date of the issuance or transfer.

Section 5.9.  Distribution Reinvestment Plans . The board of directors may establish, from time to time, a distribution reinvestment plan or plans. Under any distribution reinvestment plan, (a) all material information regarding distributions to the Common Stockholders and the effect of reinvesting such distributions, including the tax consequences thereof, shall be provided to the Common Stockholders not less often than annually, and (b) each Common Stockholder participating in such plan shall have a reasonable opportunity to withdraw from the plan not less often than annually after receipt of the information required in clause (a) above.

Section 5.10.  Distributions . Only the board of directors may authorize payments to stockholders in connection with their Stock. The decision to authorize a distribution, like all other board decisions, shall be made in good faith, in a manner reasonably believed to be in the best interest of the Corporation and with the care that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances. Until the board of directors determines that it is no longer in the best interest of the Corporation to qualify as a REIT, the board of directors are to authorize dividends to the extent necessary to preserve the status of the Corporation as a REIT. The exercise of the powers and rights of the board of directors pursuant to this section shall be subject to the provisions of any class or series of Stock at the time outstanding.

Distributions in kind shall not be permitted, except for distributions of readily marketable securities, distributions of beneficial interests in a liquidating trust established for the dissolution of the Corporation and the liquidation of its assets in accordance with the terms of the charter or distributions that meet all of the following conditions: (a) the board of directors advises each Common Stockholder of the risks associated with direct ownership of the property; (b) the board of directors offers each Common Stockholder the election of receiving such in-kind distributions; and (c) in-kind distributions are made only to those Common Stockholders who accept such offer.

 

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ARTICLE VI

RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP OF SHARES

Section 6.1.  Stock .

Section 6.1.1.  Ownership Limitations . Prior to the Restriction Termination Date:

(a) Basic Restrictions .

(i) (1) No Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Stock in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, (2) no Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit, and (3) no Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Stock in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.

(ii) No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Stock would result in the Corporation (1) 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 (2) otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT (including, but not limited to, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership that would result in the Corporation 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 Corporation from such tenant would cause the Corporation to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code); provided , however , that Section 6.1.1(a)(ii)(1) shall not apply to the Corporation’s first taxable year for which a REIT election is made.

(iii) Notwithstanding any other provisions contained herein, any Transfer of shares of Stock (whether or not such Transfer is the result of a transaction entered into through the facilities of any national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system) that, if effective, would result in the Stock being Beneficially Owned by less 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 of Stock; provided , however , that (1) this Section 6.1.1(a)(iii) shall not apply to a Transfer of shares of Stock occurring in the Corporation’s first taxable year for which a REIT election is made and (2) the board of directors may waive this Section 6.1.1(a)(iii) if, in the opinion of the board of directors, such Transfer would not adversely affect the Corporation’s ability to qualify as a REIT.

(b) Transfer in Trust . If any Transfer of shares of Stock (whether or not such Transfer is the result of a transaction entered into through the facilities of any national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system) occurs that, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning shares of Stock in violation of Section 6.1.1(a)(i) or Section 6.1.1(a)(ii),

(i) then that number of shares of Stock the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 6.1.1(a)(i) or Section 6.1.1(a)(ii) (rounded to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 6.2, 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; provided, however,

 

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(ii) if the Transfer to the Trust described in clause (i) of this sentence would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 6.1.1(a)(i) or Section 6.1.1(a)(ii), then the Transfer of that number of shares of Stock that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 6.1.1(a)(i) or Section 6.1.1(a)(ii) shall be void ab initio and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Stock.

Section 6.1.2.  Remedies for Breach . If the board of directors shall at any time determine in good faith that a Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 6.1.1(a) or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any shares of Stock in violation of Section 6.1.1(a) (whether or not such violation is intended), the board of directors 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 Corporation to redeem shares, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Corporation or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event; provided , however , that any Transfers or attempted Transfers or other events in violation of Section 6.1.1(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 of directors.

Section 6.1.3.  Notice of Restricted Transfer . Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Stock that will or may violate Section 6.1.1(a) or any Person who would have owned shares of Stock that resulted in a Transfer to the Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1.1(b) shall immediately give written notice to the Corporation 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 Corporation such other information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Corporation’s status as a REIT.

Section 6.1.4.  Owners Required to Provide Information . Prior to the Restriction Termination Date:

(a) every owner of 5% or more (or such higher percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) of the outstanding shares of Stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the Corporation stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of Stock and other shares of the Stock Beneficially Owned and a description of the manner in which such shares are held. Each such owner shall provide to the Corporation such additional information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership on the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit.

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

Section 6.1.5.  Remedies Not Limited . Subject to Section 7.7, nothing contained in this Section 6.1 shall limit the authority of the board of directors to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Corporation and the interests of its stockholders in preserving the Corporation’s status as a REIT.

Section 6.1.6.  Ambiguity . In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Section 6.1, Section 6.2 or any definition contained herein, the board of directors shall

 

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have the power to determine the application of the provisions of this Section 6.1 or Section 6.2 with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event Section 6.1 or Section 6.2 requires an action by the board of directors and the charter fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the board of directors shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Sections 6.1 or 6.2.

Section 6.1.7.  Exceptions .

(a) Subject to Section 6.1.1(a)(ii), the board of directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt a Person from the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit, as the case may be, and may establish or increase an Excepted Holder Limit for such Person if:

(i) the board of directors obtains such representations and undertakings from such Person as are reasonably necessary to ascertain that no Person’s Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of such shares of Stock will violate Section 6.1.1(a)(ii);

(ii) such Person does not and represents that it will not own, actually own or Constructively Own, an interest in a tenant of the Corporation (or a tenant of any entity owned or controlled by the Corporation) that would cause the Corporation to actually own or Constructively Own more than a 9.9% interest (as set forth in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in such tenant and the board of directors obtains such representations and undertakings from such Person as are reasonably necessary to ascertain this fact (for this purpose, a tenant from whom the Corporation (or an entity owned or controlled by the Corporation) derives (and is expected to continue to derive) a sufficiently small amount of revenue such that, in the opinion of the board of directors, rent from such tenant would not adversely affect the Corporation’s ability to qualify as a REIT shall not be treated as a tenant of the Corporation); and

(iii) such Person agrees that any violation or attempted violation of such representations or undertakings (or other action which is contrary to the restrictions contained in Sections 6.1.1 through 6.1.6) will result in such shares of Stock being automatically transferred to a Trust in accordance with Section 6.1.1(b) and Section 6.2.

(b) Prior to granting any exception pursuant to Section 6.1.7(a), the board of directors 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 of directors in its sole discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Corporation’s status as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the board of directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such exception.

(c) Subject to Section 6.1.1(a)(ii), an underwriter which participates in a public offering or a private placement of Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Stock) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Stock) in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, the Common Stock Ownership Limit or both such limits, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public offering or private placement.

(d) The board of directors may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an Excepted Holder: (i) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder at any time; or (ii) 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 Common Stock Ownership Limit.

 

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Section 6.1.8.  Increase in Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and Common Stock Ownership Limit . The board of directors may from time to time increase the Common Stock Ownership Limit and the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit.

Section 6.1.9.  Legend . Each certificate for shares of Stock shall bear substantially the following legend:

The shares represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfer for the purpose of the Corporation’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 Corporation’s charter: (a) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock in excess of 9.8% (in value or number of shares) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder shall be applicable); (b) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Stock of the Corporation in excess of 9.8% of the value of the total outstanding shares of Stock of the Corporation, unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder shall be applicable); (c) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Stock that would result in the Corporation being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT; and (d) other than as provided in the Corporation’s charter, no Person may Transfer shares of Stock if such Transfer would result in the Stock of the Corporation being owned by fewer than 100 Persons. Any Person who Beneficially Owns or Constructively Owns or attempts to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Stock which causes or will cause a Person to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations must immediately notify the Corporation. If any of the restrictions on Transfer or ownership are violated, the shares of Stock represented hereby will be automatically transferred to a Trustee of a Trust for the benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. In addition, upon the occurrence of certain events, attempted Transfers in violation of the restrictions described above may be void ab initio .

All capitalized terms in this legend have the meanings defined in the charter of the Corporation, 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 Stock of the Corporation on request and without charge.

At the time of issue or transfer of shares of Stock without certificates, the Corporation may send the stockholder a written statement indicating that the Corporation will furnish information about the restrictions on transfer to the stockholder on request and without charge. If the Corporation issues shares

 

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of Stock with certificates, each certificate shall either contain the legend set forth above or shall state that the Corporation will furnish information about the restrictions on transfer to the stockholder on request and without charge.

Section 6.2.  Transfer of Stock in Trust .

Section 6.2.1.  Ownership in Trust . Upon any purported Transfer or other event described in Section 6.1.1(b) that would result in a transfer of shares of Stock to a Trust, such shares of Stock shall be deemed to have been Transferred to the Trustee as trustee of a Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such Transfer to the Trustee shall be deemed to 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 6.1.1(b). The Trustee shall be appointed by the Corporation and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Corporation as provided in Section 6.2.6.

Section 6.2.2.  Status of Shares Held by the Trustee . Shares of Stock held by the Trustee shall be issued and outstanding shares of Stock of the Corporation. The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the shares held by the Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares held in trust by the Trustee and shall have no rights to dividends or other distributions attributable to the shares held in the Trust.

Section 6.2.3.  Distributions and Voting Rights . The Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to distributions with respect to shares of Stock held in the Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Stock have been transferred to the Trustee shall be paid by the recipient of such distribution to the Trustee upon demand, and any distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Trustee. Any 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 of Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, the Trustee shall have the authority with respect to the shares held in the Trust (at the Trustee’s sole discretion) (a) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Stock have been transferred to the Trustee and (b) 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 Corporation 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 Article VI, until the Corporation has received notification that shares of Stock have been transferred into a Trust, the Corporation shall be entitled to rely on its share 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.

Section 6.2.4.  Sale of Shares by Trustee . Within 20 days of receiving notice from the Corporation that shares of Stock have been transferred to the Trust, the Trustee of the Trust 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 6.1.1(a). 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 6.2.4. The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (a) 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 or (b) the price per share received by the Trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the Trust. Any net sale

 

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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 Corporation that shares of Stock 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 6.2.4, such excess shall be paid to the Trustee upon demand.

Section 6.2.5.  Purchase Right in Stock Transferred to the Trustee . Shares of Stock transferred to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Corporation, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (a) 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) or (b) the Market Price on the date the Corporation, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Corporation shall have the right to accept such offer until the Trustee has sold the shares held in the Trust pursuant to Section 6.2.4. Upon such a sale to the Corporation, 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.

Section 6.2.6.  Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries . By written notice to the Trustee, the Corporation shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in the Trust such that (a) the shares of Stock held in the Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 6.1.1(a) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary and (b) 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 6.3.  Settlement . Nothing in this Article VI shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of any national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction is so permitted shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Article VI and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Article VI.

Section 6.4.  Enforcement . The Corporation is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this Article VI.

Section 6.5.  Non-Waiver . No delay or failure on the part of the Corporation or the board of directors in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Corporation or the board of directors, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.

ARTICLE VII

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 7.1.  Number of Directors . The number of Directors of the Corporation shall be three. The number of Directors of the Corporation may be increased or decreased from time to time pursuant to the bylaws but shall never be less than three. A majority of the seats on the board of directors shall be for Independent Directors. The Independent Directors shall nominate replacements for vacancies amongst the Independent Director positions. 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 Stock issued by the Corporation. The names of the Directors who shall serve on the board until the next annual meeting of the stockholders and until their successor are duly elected and qualified, subject to the filling of vacancies or an increase in the number of Directors prior to the next annual meeting of the stockholders, are:

H. Michael Schwartz

Harold “Skip” Perry

David J. Mueller

 

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Section 7.2.  Term of Directors . Each Director shall hold office for one year, until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor is duly elected and qualified. Directors may be elected to an unlimited number of successive terms. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a Director from being reelected by the Stockholders.

Section 7.3.  Experience . Each Director who is not an Independent Director shall have at least three years of relevant experience demonstrating the knowledge and experience required to successfully acquire and manage the type of assets being acquired by the Corporation. At least one of the Independent Directors shall have three years of relevant real estate experience.

Section 7.4.  Committees . The board may establish such committees as it deems appropriate, provided that the majority of the members of each committee are Independent Directors.

Section 7.5.  Fiduciary Obligations . The Directors are fiduciaries of the Corporation and its stockholders. The Directors have a fiduciary duty to the stockholders to supervise the relationship between the Corporation and the Advisor.

Section 7.6.  Ratification of Charter . At or before the first meeting of the board of directors which includes Independent Directors, the board of directors and the Independent Directors shall each review and ratify the charter by majority vote.

Section 7.7.  REIT Qualification . If the Corporation elects to qualify for federal income tax treatment as a REIT, the board of directors shall use its reasonable best efforts to take such actions as are necessary or appropriate to preserve the status of the Corporation as a REIT; however, if the board of directors determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to continue to be qualified as a REIT, the board of directors may revoke or otherwise terminate the Corporation’s REIT election pursuant to Section 856(g) of the Code. The board of directors also may determine that compliance with any restriction or limitation on ownership and Transfers of Stock set forth in Article VI is no longer required for REIT qualification. The determination by the board of directors that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to continue to be qualified as a REIT shall require the concurrence of two-thirds of the board of directors.

Section 7.8.  Determinations by the Board . The determination as to any of the following matters, made in good faith by or pursuant to the direction of the board of directors or the Independent Directors consistent with the charter and in the absence of actual receipt of an improper benefit in money, property or services or active and deliberate dishonesty established by a court, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Corporation and every holder of shares of its Stock: (a) the amount of the net income of the Corporation for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, redemption of its Stock or the payment of other distributions on its Stock; (b) the amount of paid-in surplus, net assets, other surplus, annual or other net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; (c) 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); (d) 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 Corporation; (e) the application of any provision of this charter in the case of any ambiguity, including, without limitation: (i) any provision of the definitions of any of the following: Affiliate, Independent Director and Sponsor; (ii) which amounts

 

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paid to the Advisor or its Affiliates are property-level expenses connected with the ownership of real estate interests, mortgage loans or other property, which expenses are excluded from the definition of Total Operating Expenses; and (iii) whether expenses qualify as Organization and Offering Expenses; (f) whether substantial justification exists to invest in or make a mortgage loan contemplated by Section 9.11(b) because of the presence of other underwriting criteria; and (g) any matters relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Corporation.

Section 7.9.  Removal of Directors . Subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock to elect or remove one or more Directors, any Director, or the entire board of directors, may be removed from office at any time, but only by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of Directors. At a meeting in which there is a quorum, the holders of a majority of shares can elect to remove any Director, or the entire board of directors.

Section 7.10.  Business Combination Statute . Notwithstanding any other provision of this charter or any contrary provision of law, the Maryland Business Combination Statute, found in Title 3, subtitle 6 of the MGCL, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto, shall not apply to any “business combination” (as defined in Section 3.601(e) of the MGCL, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto) of the Corporation, and any Person, Advisor or any Affiliate of the Advisor.

Section 7.11.  Control Share Acquisition Statute . Notwithstanding any other provision of this charter or any contrary provision of law, the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Statute, found in Title 3, subtitle 7 of the MGCL, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto shall not apply to any acquisition of Stock of the Corporation by any Person.

Section 7.12 Board Action with Respect to Certain Matters . A majority of the Independent Directors must approve any Board action to which the following sections of the NASAA REIT Guidelines apply: II.A., II.C., II.F., II.G., IV.A., IV.B., IV.C., IV.D., IV.E., IV.F., IV.G., V.E., V.H., V.J., VI.A., VI.B.4, and VI.G.

ARTICLE VIII

ADVISOR

Section 8.1.  Appointment and Initial Investment of Advisor . The board of directors may appoint an Advisor to direct and/or perform the day-to-day business affairs of the Corporation. The board of directors may exercise broad discretion in allowing the Advisor to administer and regulate the operations of the Corporation, to act as agent for the Corporation, to execute documents on behalf of the Corporation and to make executive decisions that conform to general policies and principles established by the board of directors. The term of retention of any Advisor shall not exceed one year, although there is no limit to the number of times that a particular Advisor may be retained. Before the Initial Public Offering of the Corporation, the Advisor shall have made the Initial Investment. The Advisor or any such Affiliate may not sell the equity interest acquired with its Initial Investment while the Sponsor remains the sponsor to the Corporation but may transfer the interest in the Corporation acquired with its Initial Investment to its Affiliates.

Section 8.2.  Supervision of Advisor . The board of directors shall evaluate the performance of the Advisor before entering into or renewing an Advisory Agreement, and the criteria used in such evaluation shall be reflected in the minutes of the meetings of the board of directors. The board of directors may exercise broad discretion in allowing the Advisor to administer and regulate the operations of the Corporation, to act as agent for the Corporation, to execute documents on behalf of the Corporation

 

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and to make executive decisions that conform to general policies and principles established by the board. The Independent Directors shall determine at least annually whether the expenses incurred by the Corporation are reasonable in light of the investment performance of the Corporation, its Net Assets, its Net Income and the fees and expenses of other comparable unaffiliated REITs. The Independent Directors shall determine, from time to time and at least annually, that the compensation to be paid to the Advisor is reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of services performed and that such compensation is within the limits prescribed by the charter. Each such determination shall be reflected in the minutes of the meetings of the board. The Independent Directors shall also supervise the performance of the Advisor and the compensation paid to the Advisor by the Corporation to determine that the provisions of the Advisory Agreement are being met. Each such determination shall be based on factors such as: (a) the amount of the fee paid to the Advisor in relation to the size, composition and performance of the Corporation’s portfolio; (b) the success of the Advisor in generating opportunities that meet the investment objectives of the Corporation; (c) rates charged to other REITs and to investors other than REITs by advisors performing the same or similar services; (d) additional revenues realized by the Advisor and its Affiliates through their relationship with the Corporation, including loan administration, underwriting or broker commissions, servicing, engineering, inspection and other fees, whether paid by the Corporation or by others with whom the Corporation does business; (e) the quality and extent of service and advice furnished by the Advisor; (f) the performance of the Corporation’s portfolio, including income, conservation or appreciation of capital, frequency of problem investments and competence in dealing with distress situations; and (g) the quality of the Corporation’s portfolio relative to the investments generated by the Advisor for its own account. The Independent Directors may also consider all other factors that it deems relevant, and its findings on each of the factors considered shall be recorded in the minutes of the board of directors. The Corporation may not enter into, renew or amend the Advisory Agreement without the approval (by majority vote) of the Independent Directors. The board shall determine whether any successor Advisor possesses sufficient qualifications to perform the advisory function for the Corporation and whether the compensation provided for in its Advisory Agreement with the Corporation is justified.

Section 8.3.  Fiduciary Obligations . The Advisor is a fiduciary of the Corporation and its stockholders.

Section 8.4.  Termination . Either the Independent Directors (by majority vote) or the Advisor may terminate the Advisory Agreement on 60 days written notice without cause or penalty, and, in such event, the Advisor will cooperate with the Corporation and the board of directors in making an orderly transition of the advisory function.

Section 8.5.  Disposition Fee on Sale of Property . If the Advisor or a Director or Sponsor or any Affiliate thereof provides a substantial amount of the services in the effort to sell the property of the Corporation, that Person may receive an amount up to the lesser of one-half of the Competitive Real Estate Commission or an amount equal to 3% of the sales price of such property or properties; provided, however, that the amount paid when added to all other real estate commissions paid to unaffiliated parties in connection with such sale shall not exceed the lesser of the Competitive Real Estate Commission or an amount equal to 6% of the sales price of such property or properties.

Section 8.6.  Incentive Fees . An interest in the gain from the sale of assets of the Corporation (as opposed to real estate commissions, which are the subject of Section 8.5) may be paid to the Advisor or an entity affiliated with the Advisor provided that (a) the interest in the gain must be reasonable, and (b) if multiple Advisors are involved, incentive fees must be distributed by a proportional method reasonably designed to reflect the value added to the Corporation’s assets by each respective Advisor and its Affiliates. Such an interest in gain from the sale of assets of the Corporation shall be considered presumptively reasonable if it does not exceed 15% of the balance of such net proceeds remaining after

 

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payment to Common Stockholders, in the aggregate, of an amount equal to 100% of the original issue price of the Common Stock, plus an amount equal to 6% of the original issue price of the Common Stock per annum cumulative. Distribution of incentive fees to the Advisor or an entity affiliated with the Advisor in proportion to the length of time served as Advisor while such property was held by the Corporation or in proportion to the fair market value of the asset at the time of the Advisor’s termination and the fair market value of the asset upon its disposition by the Corporation shall be considered reasonable methods by which to apportion incentive fees. For purposes of this Section 8.6, the original issue price of the Common Stock shall be reduced by prior cash distributions to Common Stockholders of net proceeds from the sale of assets of the Corporation.

Section 8.7.  Acquisition Fees . The Corporation’s combined Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses shall be reasonable and shall not exceed 6% of the Contract Purchase Price or, in the case of a mortgage loan, 6% of the funds advanced, unless a majority of the Directors (including a majority of the Independent Directors) approve the Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses and determine the transaction to be commercially competitive, fair and reasonable to the Corporation. The Corporation may pay Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses in advance of acquisitions provided that the method of allocating such Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses to subsequent property or mortgage investments for purposes of the limit set forth in the preceding sentence has been approved by the Independent Directors.

Section 8.8.  Reimbursement for Total Operating Expenses . Commencing four fiscal quarters after the Corporation’s acquisition of its first real estate asset, the Independent Directors shall have the fiduciary responsibility of limiting Total Operating Expenses to amounts that do not exceed the greater of 2% of Average Invested Assets or 25% of Net Income (the “2%/25% Guidelines”) for the 12 months then ended unless it has made a finding that, based on unusual and non-recurring factors that it deems sufficient, a higher level of expenses (an “Excess Amount”) is justified. Any such finding and the reasons in support thereof shall be reflected in the minutes of the meetings. After the end of any fiscal quarter of the Corporation for which there is an Excess Amount for the 12 months then ended, such fact shall be disclosed in writing and sent to the Common Stockholders within 60 days of such quarter-end (or shall be disclosed to the Common Stockholders in the next quarterly report of the Corporation), together with an explanation of the factors the Independent Directors considered in determining that such Excess Amount was justified. In the event that the Independent Directors do not determine that excess expenses are justified (and therefore deemed excessive), the Advisor shall reimburse the Corporation at the end of the 12-month period the amount by which the aggregate annual expenses paid or incurred by the Corporation exceeded the 2%/25% Guidelines.

Section 8.9.  Corporate Opportunities . For so long as the Corporation is externally advised by the Advisor, the Corporation has no interest in any opportunity known to the Advisor or an Affiliate thereof unless it has been recommended to the Corporation by the Advisor. The preceding sentence shall be of no consequence except in connection with the application of the corporate opportunity doctrine.

ARTICLE IX

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND LIMITATIONS

Section 9.1.  Investment Objectives . The board of directors shall establish written policies on investments and borrowing and shall monitor the administrative procedures, investment operations and performance of the Corporation and the Advisor to assure that such policies are carried out. The Independent Directors shall review the investment policies of the Corporation with sufficient frequency (not less often than annually) to determine that the policies being followed by the Corporation are in the best interests of the Common Stockholders. Each such determination and the basis therefore shall be set forth in the minutes of the meetings of the board of directors.

 

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Section 9.2.  Approval of Acquisitions . The Corporation may not purchase any property without the approval of a majority of the board of directors or the approval of a majority of a committee of the board, provided that the members of the committee approving the transaction would also constitute a majority of the board. The consideration paid for any property acquired by the Corporation will ordinarily be based on the fair market value of such property as determined by a majority of the Directors. In cases in which a majority of the Independent Directors so determine, and in all cases in which assets are acquired from our Advisor, Directors, Sponsor, or Affiliates thereof, such fair market value shall be as determined by an Independent Expert selected by the Independent Directors.

Section 9.3.  Limitations on Sales to Affiliates . The Corporation shall not transfer or lease assets to a Sponsor, the Advisor, a Director or an Affiliate thereof unless approved pursuant to Section 10.2 herein.

Section 9.4.  Limitations on Joint Ventures . The Corporation shall not invest in a Joint Venture or Equity Securities unless a majority of Directors (including a majority of Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction approves such investment as being fair, competitive and commercially reasonable. The Corporation shall not invest in a Joint Venture with the Sponsor, Advisor, a Director or any Affiliate thereof unless a majority of Directors (including a majority of Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction approves the transaction as being fair and reasonable to the Corporation and the transaction is on substantially the same terms and conditions as those received by the other joint venturers.

Section 9.5.  Limitations on Other Transactions Involving Affiliates . A majority of Directors (including a majority of Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in such transactions must conclude that all other transactions between the Corporation and a Sponsor, the Advisor, a Director or an Affiliate thereof are fair and reasonable to the Corporation and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Corporation than those available from unaffiliated third parties.

Section 9.6.  Limitations on the Repurchase of Stock . The board may establish, from time to time, a program or programs by which the Corporation voluntarily repurchases shares from its stockholders; provided, however, that such repurchase does not impair the capital or operations of the corporation. The Corporation may not pay a fee to the Advisor, a Sponsor, a Director or an Affiliate thereof in connection with the Corporation’s repurchase of shares of Stock.

Section 9.7.  Limitations on Loans . The Corporation will not make any loans to a Sponsor, the Advisor, a Director or an Affiliate thereof except (a) as provided in Section 9.11 or (b) to wholly owned subsidiaries (directly or indirectly) of the Corporation. The Corporation will not borrow from such parties unless a majority of Directors (including a majority of Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction approves the transaction as being fair, competitive and commercially reasonable and no less favorable to the Corporation than comparable loans between unaffiliated parties. These restrictions on loans apply to advances of cash that are commonly viewed as loans, as determined by the board of directors. By way of example only, the prohibition on loans would not restrict advances of cash for legal expenses or other costs incurred as a result of any legal action for which indemnification is being sought nor would the prohibition limit the Corporation’s ability to advance reimbursable expenses incurred by Directors or officers or the Advisor or its Affiliates.

Section 9.8.  Limitations on Leverage . The aggregate borrowings of the Corporation, secured and unsecured, shall be reviewed by the board of directors at least quarterly. The maximum amount of such

 

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borrowings in relation to the Net Assets shall not exceed 300% in the absence of a satisfactory showing that a higher level of borrowings is appropriate. Any excess in borrowings over such 300% level shall be approved by the Independent Directors (by majority vote) and disclosed to the Common Stockholders in the next quarterly report of the Corporation, along with justification for such excess.

Section 9.9.  Limitations on the Issuance of Options and Warrants .

(a) The Corporation shall not issue options or warrants to purchase Stock (i) with an exercise price that is less than the fair market value of such Stock on the date of grant or (ii) for consideration (which may include services) that the Independent Directors conclude (by majority vote) has a fair market value that is less than the value of such option or warrant on the date of grant.

(b) The Corporation shall not issue options or warrants to purchase Stock to the Advisor, a Sponsor, a Director or an Affiliate thereof (i) on terms more favorable than the Corporation offers such options or warrants to the general public or (ii) in excess of an amount equal to 10% of the outstanding Stock on the date of grant.

Section 9.10.  Limitations on Investments in Commodities Contracts . The Corporation may not invest in commodities or commodity futures contracts, except for futures contracts used solely for the purpose of hedging in connection with the ordinary business of investing in real estate assets and mortgages.

Section 9.11.  Limitations Regarding Mortgage Loans . The Corporation may not make or invest in mortgage loans unless an appraisal is obtained concerning the underlying property, except for those mortgage loans insured or guaranteed by a government or government agency. In cases in which the Independent Directors (by majority vote) so determine, and in all cases in which the transaction is with the Advisor, a Director, a Sponsor or an Affiliate thereof, such an appraisal must be obtained from an Independent Expert concerning the underlying property. The Corporation shall keep the appraisal for at least five years and make it available for inspection and duplication by any Common Stockholder. The Corporation shall obtain a mortgagee’s or owner’s title insurance policy or commitment as to the priority of the mortgage or the condition of the title. Further, the Advisor and the board of directors shall observe the following policies in connection with investing in or making mortgage loans:

(a) The Corporation shall not invest in real estate contracts of sale, otherwise known as land sale contracts, unless such contracts of sale are in recordable form and appropriately recorded in the chain of title.

(b) The Corporation shall not make or invest in mortgage loans, including construction loans, on any one property if the aggregate amount of all mortgage loans outstanding on the property, including the loans of the Corporation, would exceed an amount equal to 85% of the appraised value of the property as determined by appraisal unless the board determines that a substantial justification exists because of the presence of other underwriting criteria. For purposes of this subsection, the “aggregate amount of all mortgage loans outstanding on the property, including the loans of the Corporation,” shall include all interest (excluding contingent participation in income and/or appreciation in value of the mortgaged property), the current payment of which may be deferred pursuant to the terms of such loans, to the extent that deferred interest on each loan exceeds 5% per annum of the principal balance of the loan.

(c) The Corporation may not make or invest in any mortgage loans that are subordinate to any mortgage or equity interest of the Advisor, a Sponsor, a Director or an Affiliate of the Corporation.

 

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Section 9.12.  Limitations on Investments in Unimproved Real Property . The Corporation may not make investments in Unimproved Real Property or mortgage loans on Unimproved Real Property in excess of 10% of the Corporation’s total assets.

Section 9.13.  Limitations on Issuances of Securities . The Corporation may not (a) issue Equity Securities on a deferred payment basis or other similar arrangement, (b) issue debt securities unless the historical debt service coverage (in the most recently completed fiscal year) as adjusted for known changes is sufficient to service that higher level of debt as determined by the board of directors or a duly authorized executive officer of the Corporation, (c) issue Equity Securities that are assessable after receipt by the Corporation of the consideration for which the board authorized their issuance, or (d) issue Equity Securities redeemable solely at the option of the holder, which restriction has no affect on the Corporation’s ability to implement a share redemption program. The Corporation may issue shares of Preferred Stock with voting rights; provided that, when a privately issued share of Preferred Stock is entitled to vote on a matter with the holders of shares of Common Stock, the relationship between the number of votes per such share of Preferred Stock and the consideration paid to the Corporation for such share shall not exceed the relationship between the number of votes per any publicly offered share of Common Stock and the book value per outstanding share of Common Stock. Nothing in this Section 9.13 is intended to prevent the Corporation from issuing Equity Securities pursuant to a plan whereby the commissions on the sales of such securities are in whole or in part deferred and paid by the purchaser thereof out of future distributions on such securities or otherwise.

Section 9.14.  Limitations on Roll-Up Transactions . In connection with any proposed Roll-Up Transaction, an appraisal of all of the Corporation’s assets shall be obtained from a competent Independent Expert. The assets shall be appraised on a consistent basis, and the appraisal shall be based on the evaluation of all relevant information and shall indicate the value of the assets as of a date immediately prior to the announcement of the proposed Roll-Up Transaction. The appraisal shall assume an orderly liquidation of the assets over a 12-month period. The terms of the engagement of the Independent Expert shall clearly state that the engagement is for the benefit of the Corporation and its stockholders. A summary of the appraisal, indicating all material assumptions underlying the appraisal, shall be included in a report to stockholders in connection with a proposed Roll-Up Transaction. If the appraisal will be included in a Prospectus used to offer the securities of the Roll-Up Entity, the appraisal shall be filed with the SEC and the states as an exhibit to the registration statement for the offering. In connection with a proposed Roll-Up Transaction, the Person sponsoring the Roll-Up Transaction shall offer to each Common Stockholder who votes against the proposed Roll-Up Transaction the choice of:

(a) accepting the securities of the Roll-Up Entity offered in the proposed Roll-Up Transaction; or

(b) one of the following:

(i) remaining as a Common Stockholder of the Corporation and preserving its interests therein on the same terms and conditions as existed previously; or

(ii) receiving cash in an amount equal to the stockholder’s pro rata share of the appraised value of the Net Assets of the Corporation.

The Corporation is prohibited from participating in any proposed Roll-Up Transaction:

(A) that would result in the Common Stockholders having voting rights in a Roll-Up Entity that are less than the rights set forth in Article XI hereof;

 

24


(B) that includes provisions that would operate as a material impediment to, or frustration of, the accumulation of shares by any purchaser of the securities of the Roll-Up Entity (except to the minimum extent necessary to preserve the tax status of the Roll-Up Entity), or that would limit the ability of an investor to exercise the voting rights of its securities of the Roll-Up Entity on the basis of the number of shares held by that investor;

(C) in which investors’ rights of access to the records of the Roll-Up Entity will be less than those described in Section 11.5 and Section 11.6 hereof; or

(D) in which any of the costs of the Roll-Up Transaction would be borne by the Corporation if the Roll-Up Transaction is not approved by the Common Stockholders.

ARTICLE X

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Section 10.1.  Sales and Leases to the Corporation . The Corporation may purchase or lease an asset or assets from the Sponsor, the Advisor, a Director, or any Affiliate thereof upon a finding by a majority of Directors (including a majority of Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction that such transaction is fair and reasonable to the Corporation and at a price to the Corporation no greater than the cost of the asset to such Sponsor, Advisor, Director or Affiliate, or, if the price to the Corporation is in excess of such cost, that substantial justification for such excess exists and such excess is reasonable. In no event shall the purchase price of any property to the Corporation exceed its current appraised value.

Section 10.2.  Sales and Leases to the Sponsor, Advisor, Directors or Affiliates . An Advisor, Sponsor, Director or Affiliate thereof may purchase or lease assets from the Corporation if a majority of Directors (including a majority of Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction determines that the transaction is fair and reasonable to the Corporation.

Section 10.3.  Other Transactions .

(a) No goods or services will be provided by the Advisor or its Affiliates to the Corporation unless a majority of the Directors (including a majority of the Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in such transaction approves such transaction as fair and reasonable to the Corporation and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Corporation than those available from unaffiliated third parties.

(b) The Corporation shall not make loans to the Sponsor, Advisor, Directors or any Affiliates thereof except mortgage loans pursuant to Section 9.11 hereof or loans to wholly owned subsidiaries of the Corporation. The Sponsor, Advisor, Directors and any Affiliates thereof shall not make loans to the Corporation, or to Joint Ventures in which the Corporation is a co-venturer, unless approved by a majority of the Directors (including a majority of the Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in such transaction as fair, competitive, and commercially reasonable, and no less favorable to the Corporation than comparable loans between unaffiliated parties.

Section 10.4.  Conflict Resolution Procedures . In the event that an investment opportunity becomes available that is suitable for both the Corporation and a public or private entity with which the Advisor or its Affiliates are affiliated, for which both entities have sufficient uninvested funds, 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. An investment opportunity will not be considered suitable for

 

25


an entity if the 2%/25% Guidelines could not be satisfied if the entity were to make the investment. In determining whether or not an investment opportunity is suitable for more than one entity, the board of directors and the Advisor will examine such factors, among others, as the cash requirements of each entity, the effect of the acquisition both on diversification of each entity’s investments by type of property and geographic area and on diversification of the tenants of its properties, the policy of each entity relating to leverage of properties, the anticipated cash flow of each entity, the income tax effects of the purchase to each entity, the size of the investment and the amount of funds available to each program and the length of time such funds have been available for investment. If a subsequent development, such as a delay in the closing of the acquisition of such investment or a delay in the construction of a property, causes any such investment, in the opinion of the board of directors and the Advisor, to be more appropriate for an entity other than the entity that committed to make the investment, the Advisor may determine that the other entity affiliated with the Advisor or its Affiliates will make the investment. It shall be the duty of the board of directors, including the Independent Directors, to ensure that the method used by the Advisor for the allocation of the acquisition of investments by two or more affiliated programs seeking to acquire similar types of assets is applied fairly to the Corporation.

ARTICLE XI

STOCKHOLDERS

Section 11.1.  Meetings of Stockholders . There shall be an annual meeting of the stockholders, to be held at such time and place as shall be determined by or in the manner prescribed in the bylaws, at which the Directors shall be elected and any other proper business may be conducted. The annual meeting will be held on a date that is a reasonable period of time following the distribution of the Corporation’s annual report to stockholders but not less than 30 days after delivery of such report; the board of directors and the Independent Directors shall take reasonable efforts to ensure that this requirement is met. Stockholders holding a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy at an annual meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present may, without the necessity for concurrence by the board, vote to elect the Directors. The presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast fifty percent (50%) of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting constitutes a quorum. Special meetings of stockholders may be called in the manner provided in the bylaws, including by the president or by a majority of the Directors or a majority of the Independent Directors, and shall be called by an officer of the Corporation upon written request of Common Stockholders holding in the aggregate not less than 10% of the outstanding shares entitled to be cast on any issue proposed to be considered at any such special meeting. Upon receipt of a written request stating the purpose of such special meeting, the Advisor shall provide all stockholders within 10 days of receipt of said request notice, whether in person or by mail, of a special meeting and the purpose of such special meeting to be held on a date not less than 15 days nor more than 60 days after the delivery of such notice. If the meeting is called by written request of stockholders as described in this Section 11.1, the special meeting shall be held at the time and place specified in the stockholder request; provided, however, that if none is so specified, at such time and place convenient to the stockholders.

Section 11.2.  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 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.

Section 11.3.  Voting Rights of Stockholders . The concurrence of the board shall not be required in order for the stockholders to remove Directors or to amend the charter or dissolve the corporation. Without the approval of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on the matter, the board of directors may

 

26


not: (a) amend the charter to adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Common Stockholders; (b) amend charter provisions relating to Director qualifications, fiduciary duties, liability and indemnification, conflicts of interest, investment policies or investment restrictions; (c) liquidate or dissolve the Corporation other than before the initial investment in a property; (d) sell all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets other than in the ordinary course of the Corporation’s business; or (e) cause the merger or other reorganization of the Corporation.

Section 11.4.  Voting Limitations on Shares Held by the Advisor, Directors and Affiliates . No shares of Common Stock may be transferred or issued to the Advisor, a Director, or any Affiliate thereof unless such prospective stockholder agrees that it will not vote or consent on matters submitted to the stockholders regarding (a) the removal of such Advisor, Director or any of its Affiliates or (b) any transaction between the Corporation and any such Advisor, Director or any of its Affiliates. To the extent permitted by the MGCL, in determining the requisite percentage in interest of shares necessary to approve a matter on which the Advisor, a Director and any of their Affiliates may not vote or consent, any shares owned by any of them shall not be included.

Section 11.5.  Right of Inspection . Any stockholder and any designated representative thereof shall be permitted access to the records of the Corporation at all reasonable times and may inspect and copy any such records for a reasonable charge. The books and records will be made available at the Corporation’s home office within seven days after a request from a stockholder or any designated representative thereof. Inspection of the Corporation’s books and records by the office or agency administering the securities laws of a jurisdiction shall be permitted upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours.

Section 11.6.  Access to Stockholder List . An alphabetical list of the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the Common Stockholders of the Corporation, along with the number of shares of Stock held by each of them (the “Stockholder List”), shall be maintained as part of the books and records of the Corporation and shall be available for inspection by any Common Stockholder or the stockholder’s designated agent at the home office of the Corporation upon the request of the Common Stockholder. The Stockholder List shall be updated at least quarterly to reflect changes in the information contained therein. A copy of such list shall be mailed to any Common Stockholder so requesting within 10 days of receipt by the Corporation of the request. The copy of the Stockholder List shall be printed in alphabetical order, on white paper and in a readily readable type size (in no event smaller than 10-point type). The Corporation may impose a reasonable charge for expenses incurred in reproduction pursuant to the stockholder request. A Common Stockholder may request a copy of the Stockholder List in connection with matters relating to stockholders’ voting rights, the exercise of stockholder rights under federal proxy laws or for any other proper and legitimate purpose. If the Advisor or the board neglects or refuses to exhibit, produce or mail a copy of the Stockholder List as requested, the Advisor and/or the board, as the case may be, shall be liable to any Common Stockholder requesting the list for the costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by that stockholder for compelling the production of the Stockholder List and for actual damages suffered by any Common Stockholder by reason of such refusal or neglect. It shall be a defense that the actual purpose and reason for the request for inspection or for a copy of the Stockholder List is to secure such list of stockholders or other information for the purpose of selling such list or copies thereof or using the same to solicit the acquisition of shares of Common Stock or for another commercial purpose other than in the interest of the applicant as a stockholder relative to the affairs of the Corporation. The Corporation may require the stockholder requesting the Stockholder List to represent that the list is not requested for a commercial purpose unrelated to the stockholder’s interest in the Corporation. The rights provided hereunder to stockholders requesting copies of the Stockholder List are in addition to and shall not in any way limit other rights available to stockholders under federal law or the laws of any state.

 

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Section 11.7.  Reports . The Corporation shall cause to be prepared and mailed or delivered to each Common Stockholder as of a record date after the end of the fiscal year and each holder of other publicly held securities of the Corporation within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which it relates an annual report for each fiscal year ending after the Initial Public Offering of its securities that shall include: (a) financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles that are audited and reported on by independent certified public accountants; (b) the ratio of the costs of raising capital during the period to the capital raised; (c) the aggregate amount of advisory fees and the aggregate amount of other fees paid to the Advisor and any Affiliate of the Advisor by the Corporation, including fees or charges paid to the Advisor and any Affiliate of the Advisor by third parties doing business with the Corporation; (d) the Total Operating Expenses of the Corporation, stated as a percentage of Average Invested Assets and as a percentage of its Net Income; (e) a report from the Independent Directors that the policies being followed by the Corporation are in the best interests of its Common Stockholders and the basis for such determination; and (f) separately stated, full disclosure of all material terms, factors and circumstances surrounding any and all transactions involving the Corporation and the Advisor, Sponsor, a Director or any Affiliate thereof occurring in the year for which the annual report is made, and the Independent Directors shall be specifically charged with a duty to examine and comment in the report on the fairness of such transactions. Alternatively, such information may be provided in a proxy statement delivered with the annual report. The board of directors, including the Independent Directors, shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the requirements of this Section 11.7 are met.

Section 11.8.  Rights of Objecting Stockholders . Holders of shares of Stock shall not be entitled to exercise any rights of an objecting stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL unless the board, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire board, shall determine that such rights shall apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of Stock, to a particular transaction or all transactions occurring after the date of such approval in connection with which holders of such shares of Stock would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights.

Section 11.9.  Liability of Stockholders . The shares of Common Stock of the Corporation shall be non-assessable by the Corporation upon receipt by the Corporation of the consideration for which the board of directors authorized their issuance.

Section 11.10.  Unsolicited Takeover Statute . So long as the Corporation is subject to the NASAA REIT Guidelines, the Corporation may not take advantage of the following permissive provisions of Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL: (i) the Corporation may not elect to be subject to a two-thirds voting requirement for removing a Director; (ii) the Corporation may not elect to be subject to a majority requirement for the calling of a special meeting of stockholders; and (iii) the Corporation may not elect to adopt a classified board.

ARTICLE XII

LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS,

OFFICERS, ADVISORS AND OTHER AGENTS

Section 12.1.  Limitation of Director and Officer Liability . Except as prohibited by the restrictions provided in Section 12.3, no Director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for money damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Section 12.1, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the charter or bylaws inconsistent with this Section 12.1, 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.

 

28


Section 12.2.  Indemnification .

(a) Except as prohibited by the restrictions provided in Section 12.2(b), Section 12.3 and Section 12.4, the Corporation shall indemnify and pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding to: (i) any individual who is a present or former Director or officer of the Corporation; (ii) any individual who, while a Director of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner or trustee of another corporation, partnership, 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 service in such capacity; or (iii) the Advisor or any of its Affiliates acting as an agent of the Corporation. Except as provided in Section 12.2(b), Section 12.3 and Section 12.4, the Corporation shall have the power with the approval of the board of directors to provide such indemnification and advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation or any employee of the Advisor or any of the Advisor’s Affiliates acting as an agent of the Corporation.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall not indemnify the Directors or the Advisors or its Affiliates or any Person acting as a broker-dealer for any loss, liability or expense arising from or out of an alleged violation of federal or state securities laws by such party unless one or more of the following conditions are met: (i) there has been a successful adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged material securities law violations as to the particular indemnitee; (ii) such claims have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction as to the particular indemnitee; or (iii) a court of competent jurisdiction approves a settlement of the claims against a particular 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 of the Corporation were offered or sold as to indemnification for violations of securities laws.

(c) No amendment of the charter or repeal of any of its provisions shall limit or eliminate the right of indemnification or advancement of expenses provided hereunder with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

Section 12.3.  Limitation on Liability and Indemnification . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall not provide for indemnification of the Directors or the Advisor or its Affiliates for any liability or loss suffered by any of them, nor shall any of them be held harmless for any loss or liability suffered by the Corporation, unless all of the following conditions are met:

(a) The Directors or the Advisor or its Affiliates have determined, in good faith, that the course of conduct that caused the loss or liability was in the best interests of the Corporation;

(b) The Directors or the Advisor or its Affiliates were acting on behalf of or performing services for the Corporation;

(c) Such liability or loss was not the result of:

(i) negligence or misconduct by the Directors (excluding the Independent Directors) or the Advisor or its Affiliates; or

(ii) gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Independent Directors; and

 

29


(d) Such indemnification or agreement to hold harmless is recoverable only out of the Corporation’s Net Assets and not from its stockholders.

Section 12.4.  Limitation on Payment of Expenses . The Corporation shall pay or reimburse reasonable legal expenses and other costs incurred by the Directors or the Advisors or its Affiliates in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding only if (in addition to the procedures required by the MGCL) all of the following are satisfied: (a) the proceeding relates to acts or omissions with respect to the performance of duties or services on behalf of the Corporation; (b) the legal proceeding was initiated by a third party who is not a stockholder or, if by a stockholder acting in his or her capacity as such, a court of competent jurisdiction approves such advancement; and (c) the Directors or the Advisor or its Affiliates undertake to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the Corporation, together with the applicable legal rate of interest thereon, if it is ultimately determined that the particular indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification.

ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENT

Subject to Section 11.3, the Corporation reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment to the 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 shares of outstanding Stock.

ARTICLE XIV

GOVERNING LAW

Section 14.1.  Governing Law . The rights of all parties and the validity, construction and effect of every provision hereof shall be subject to and construed according to the laws of the State of Maryland without regard to conflicts of laws provisions thereof; provided, however, that to the extent that the MGCL conflicts with the provisions set forth in the NASAA REIT Guidelines and the Corporation is subject to NASAA REIT Guidelines, the NASAA REIT Guidelines control to the extent any provisions of the MGCL are not mandatory. Determinations regarding the existence of any such conflict between the NASAA REIT Guidelines and the provisions of the MGCL shall be made by the board of directors in accordance with the provisions of Section 14.2 hereof.

Section 14.2  Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulations .

(a) The provisions of this charter are severable, and if the board of directors shall determine that any one or more of such provisions are in conflict with the REIT provisions of the Code, or other applicable federal or state laws, the conflicting provisions shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of this charter, even without any amendment of this charter pursuant to Article XIII hereof; provided, however, that such determination by the board of directors shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions of this charter or render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior to such determination. No Director shall be liable for making or failing to make such a determination.

(b) If any provision of this charter shall be held invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such holding shall not in any manner affect or render invalid or unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of this charter in any jurisdiction.

 

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THIRD : The amendment and restatement of the charter of the Corporation as hereinabove set forth has been duly advised by the board of directors and approved by the stockholders of the Corporation as required by law.

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

FIFTH : The name and address of the Corporation’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 Corporation and the names of those currently in office are as set forth in Section 7.1 of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

SEVENTH : The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation had authority to issue immediately prior to this amendment was 30,000 shares, par value $0.001 per share, all of one (1) class. The aggregate par value of all shares of stock having par value was $30. The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation has authority to issue pursuant to the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter is 900,000,000, consisting of 700,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. The aggregate value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $900,000.

EIGHTH : The undersigned President acknowledges the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter to be the corporate act of the Corporation and as to all matters and facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned President 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.

[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc. has caused the foregoing first articles of amendment and restatement to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its President and attested to by its Secretary on this 10th day of January, 2014.

 

ATTEST:     STRATEGIC STORAGE TRUST II, INC.
By:  

/s/ Paula Mathews

    By:   

/s/ H. Michael Schwartz

  Paula Mathews        H. Michael Schwartz
  Secretary        President

Exhibit 10.1

FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

OF

STRATEGIC STORAGE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP II, L.P.


FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

OF

STRATEGIC STORAGE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP II, L.P.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

               Page  
ARTICLE 1          DEFINED TERMS      1   
ARTICLE 2          PARTNERSHIP FORMATION AND IDENTIFICATION      9   

2.1

  

Formation

     9   

2.2

  

Name, Office and Registered Agent

     9   

2.3

  

Partners

     10   

2.4

  

Term and Dissolution

     10   

2.5

  

Filing of Certificate and Perfection of Limited Partnership

     10   

2.6

  

Certificates Describing Partnership Units

     11   
ARTICLE 3          BUSINESS OF THE PARTNERSHIP      11   
ARTICLE 4          CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACCOUNTS      11   

4.1

  

Capital Contributions

     11   

4.2

  

Additional Capital Contributions and Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests

     11   

4.3

  

Additional Funding

     13   

4.4

  

Capital Accounts

     13   

4.5

  

Percentage Interests

     14   

4.6

  

No Interest on Contributions

     14   

4.7

  

Return of Capital Contributions

     14   

4.8

  

No Third Party Beneficiary

     14   
ARTICLE 5          PROFITS AND LOSSES; DISTRIBUTIONS      15   

5.1

  

Allocation of Profit and Loss

     15   

5.2

  

Distributions

     16   

5.3

  

REIT Distribution Requirements

     20   

5.4

  

No Right to Distributions In Kind

     20   

5.5

  

Limitations of Return of Capital Contributions

     20   

5.6

  

Distributions Upon Liquidation

     20   

5.7

  

Substantial Economic Effect

     20   
ARTICLE 6          RIGHTS, OBLIGATIONS AND POWERS OF THE GENERAL PARTNER      21   

6.1

  

Management of the Partnership

     21   

6.2

  

Delegation of Authority

     23   

6.3

  

Indemnification and Exculpation of Indemnitees

     23   

6.4

  

Liability of the General Partner

     25   

6.5

  

Reimbursement of General Partner

     26   

6.6

  

Outside Activities

     26   

6.7

  

Employment or Retention of Affiliates

     26   

6.8

  

General Partner Participation

     26   

6.9

  

Title to Partnership Assets

     27   

6.10

  

Miscellaneous

     27   

 

i


ARTICLE 7          CHANGES IN GENERAL PARTNER      27   

7.1

  

Transfer of the General Partner’s Partnership Interest

     27   

7.2

  

Admission of a Substitute or Additional General Partner

     29   

7.3

  

Effect of Bankruptcy, Withdrawal, Death or Dissolution of a General Partner

     29   

7.4

  

Removal of a General Partner

     30   
ARTICLE 8          RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE LIMITED PARTNERS      30   

8.1

  

Management of the Partnership

     30   

8.2

  

Power of Attorney

     31   

8.3

  

Limitation on Liability of Limited Partners

     31   

8.4

  

Exchange Right

     31   
ARTICLE 9          TRANSFERS OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS      33   

9.1

  

Purchase for Investment

     33   

9.2

  

Restrictions on Transfer of Limited Partnership Interests

     33   

9.3

  

Admission of Substitute Limited Partner

     34   

9.4

  

Rights of Assignees of Partnership Interests

     35   

9.5

  

Effect of Bankruptcy, Death, Incompetence or Termination of a Limited Partner

     35   

9.6

  

Joint Ownership of Interests

     35   

9.7

  

Redemption of Partnership Units

     36   
ARTICLE 10        BOOKS AND RECORDS; ACCOUNTING; TAX MATTERS      36   

10.1

  

Books and Records

     36   

10.2

  

Custody of Partnership Funds; Bank Accounts

     36   

10.3

  

Fiscal and Taxable Year

     36   

10.4

  

Annual Tax Information and Report

     36   

10.5

  

Tax Matters Partner; Tax Elections; Special Basis Adjustments

     36   

10.6

  

Reports Made Available to Limited Partners

     37   
ARTICLE 11        AMENDMENT OF AGREEMENT; MERGER      37   
ARTICLE 12        GENERAL PROVISIONS      38   

12.1

  

Notices

     38   

12.2

  

Survival of Rights

     38   

12.3

  

Additional Documents

     38   

12.4

  

Severability

     38   

12.5

  

Entire Agreement

     38   

12.6

  

Pronouns and Plurals

     38   

12.7

  

Headings

     38   

12.8

  

Counterparts

     38   

12.9

  

Governing Law

     39   
EXHIBIT A   GENERAL PARTNER AND ORIGINAL LIMITED PARTNER, CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND PERCENTAGE INTERESTS      41   
EXHIBIT B   NOTICE OF EXERCISE OF EXCHANGE RIGHT      42   

 

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FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

OF

STRATEGIC STORAGE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP II, L.P.

Strategic Storage Operating Partnership II, L.P. (the “Partnership”) was formed as a limited partnership under the laws of the State of Delaware, pursuant to a Certificate of Limited Partnership filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 9, 2013. This First Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into effective as of January 10, 2014, among Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “General Partner”), the Original Limited Partner and the Special Limited Partner set forth on Exhibit A hereto, and the Limited Partners party hereto from time to time. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given them in Article 1.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, of mutual covenants between the parties hereto, and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINED TERMS

The following defined terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings specified below:

Act means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as it may be amended from time to time.

Additional Funds has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.

Additional Securities means any additional REIT Shares (other than REIT Shares issued in connection with an exchange pursuant to Section 8.4 hereof) or rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities containing the right to subscribe for or purchase REIT Shares, as set forth in Section 4.2(a)(ii).

Administrative Expenses means (i) all administrative and operating costs and expenses incurred by the Partnership, (ii) those administrative costs and expenses of the General Partner, including any salaries or other payments to directors, officers or employees of the General Partner, and any accounting and legal expenses of the General Partner, which expenses, the Partners have agreed, are expenses of the Partnership and not the General Partner, and (iii) to the extent not included in clause (ii) above, REIT Expenses; provided, however, that Administrative Expenses shall not include any administrative costs and expenses incurred by the General Partner that are attributable to Properties or partnership interests in a Subsidiary Partnership (other than this Partnership) that are owned by the General Partner directly .

Advisor or Advisors means the Person or Persons, if any, appointed, employed or contracted with by the General Partner and responsible for directing or performing the day-to-day business affairs of the General Partner, including any Person to whom the Advisor subcontracts substantially all of such functions.

Advisory Agreement means the agreement among the Partnership, the General Partner and the Advisor pursuant to which the Advisor will direct or perform the day-to-day business affairs of the General Partner and the Partnership.

 

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Affiliate or Affiliated means, as to any other Person, any of the following:

(a) any Person directly or indirectly owning, controlling or holding, with power to vote, 10% or more of the outstanding voting securities of such other Person;

(b) any Person 10% or more of whose outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly owned, controlled or held, with power to vote, by such other Person;

(c) any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such other Person;

(d) any executive officer, director, trustee or general partner of such other Person; and

(e) any legal entity for which such Person acts as an executive officer, director, trustee or general partner.

Agreed Value means the fair market value of a Partner’s non-cash Capital Contribution as of the date of contribution as agreed to by such Partner and the General Partner. The names and addresses of the General Partner and Original Limited Partner, number of Partnership Units issued to each of them, and their respective Capital Contributions as of the date of contribution is set forth on Exhibit A .

Agreement means this First Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement, as amended, modified supplemented or restated from time to time, as the context requires.

Appraised Value means value according to an appraisal made by an Independent Appraiser.

Articles of Incorporation means the General Partner’s Articles of Incorporation filed with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, as amended or restated from time to time.

Assets means the aggregate carrying value of GAAP assets including but not limited to current, fixed, tangible and intangible assets, owned or held by, or for the account of, the General Partner, whether directly or indirectly through the Partnership or any Subsidiary, excluding Properties and net deferred financing costs.

Book Value means, with respect to any Partnership asset, the asset’s adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes, except that Book Values of all Partnership assets shall be adjusted in the event of a revaluation of Partnership property under Section 4.4 of this Agreement, in accordance with the rules set forth in Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) and (g) of the Regulations.

Capital Account has the meaning provided in Section 4.4 hereof.

Capital Contribution means the total amount of cash, cash equivalents, and the Agreed Value of any Property or other asset (other than cash) contributed or agreed to be contributed, as the context requires, to the Partnership by each Partner pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Any reference to the Capital Contribution of a Partner shall include the Capital Contribution made by a predecessor holder of the Partnership Interest of such Partner.

Cash Amount means an amount of cash equal to the product of the Value of one REIT Share and the REIT Shares Amount on the date of receipt by the General Partner of a Notice of Exchange.

 

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Certificate means any instrument or document that is required under the laws of the State of Delaware, or any other jurisdiction in which the Partnership conducts business, to be signed and sworn to by the Partners of the Partnership (either by themselves or pursuant to the power-of-attorney granted to the General Partner in Section 8.2 hereof) and filed for recording in the appropriate public offices within the State of Delaware or such other jurisdiction to perfect or maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership, to effect the admission, withdrawal, or substitution of any Partner of the Partnership, or to protect the limited liability of the Limited Partners as limited partners under the laws of the State of Delaware or such other jurisdiction.

Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and as hereafter amended from time to time. Reference to any particular provision of the Code shall mean that provision in the Code at the date hereof and any successor provision of the Code.

Common Stockholders means holders of REIT Shares.

Conversion Factor means 1.0, provided that in the event that the General Partner (i) declares or pays a dividend on its outstanding REIT Shares in REIT Shares or makes a distribution to all holders of its outstanding REIT Shares in REIT Shares, (ii) subdivides its outstanding REIT Shares, or (iii) combines its outstanding REIT Shares into a smaller number of REIT Shares, the Conversion Factor shall be adjusted by multiplying the Conversion Factor by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of REIT Shares issued and outstanding on the record date for such dividend, distribution, subdivision or combination (assuming for such purposes that such dividend, distribution, subdivision or combination has occurred as of such time), and the denominator of which shall be the actual number of REIT Shares (determined without the above assumption) issued and outstanding on such date and, provided further, that in the event that an entity other than an Affiliate of the General Partner shall become General Partner pursuant to any merger, consolidation or combination of the General Partner with or into another entity (the “Successor Entity”), the Conversion Factor shall be adjusted by multiplying the Conversion Factor by the number of shares of the Successor Entity into which one REIT Share is converted pursuant to such merger, consolidation or combination, determined as of the date of such merger, consolidation or combination. Any adjustment to the Conversion Factor shall become effective immediately after the effective date of such event retroactive to the record date, if any, for such event; provided, however, that if the General Partner receives a Notice of Exchange after the record date, but prior to the effective date of such dividend, distribution, subdivision or combination, the Conversion Factor shall be determined as if the General Partner had received the Notice of Exchange immediately prior to the record date for such dividend, distribution, subdivision or combination.

Distributions means any dividends or other distributions of money or other property paid by the General Partner to the holders of its REIT Shares or preferred stock, including dividends that may constitute a return of capital for federal income tax purposes.

Event of Bankruptcy as to any Person means the filing of a petition for relief as to such Person as debtor or bankrupt under the Bankruptcy Code of 1978 or similar provision of law of any jurisdiction (except if such petition is contested by such Person and has been dismissed within 90 days); insolvency or bankruptcy of such Person as finally determined by a court proceeding; filing by such Person of a petition or application to accomplish the same or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee for such Person or a substantial part of his assets; commencement of any proceedings relating to such Person as a debtor under any other reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, adjustment of debt or liquidation law of any jurisdiction, whether now in existence or hereinafter in effect, either by such Person or by another, provided that if such proceeding is commenced by another, such Person indicates his approval of such proceeding, consents thereto or acquiesces therein, or such proceeding is contested by such Person and has not been finally dismissed within 90 days.

 

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Exchange Amount means either the Cash Amount or the REIT Shares Amount, as selected by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion pursuant to Section 8.4(b) hereof.

Exchange Right has the meaning provided in Section 8.4(a) hereof.

Exchanging Partner has the meaning provided in Section 8.4(a) hereof.

Extraordinary Transaction means, whether in one or a series of transactions, the transfer or other disposition, directly or indirectly, of all or substantially all of the business or securities of the General Partner, whether by way of a merger or consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or restructuring, tender or exchange offer, negotiated purchase, leveraged buyout or otherwise, or any other extraordinary corporate transaction involving the General Partner, excluding a Sale.

GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied as used in the United States.

General Partner means Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and any Person who becomes a substitute or additional General Partner as provided herein, and any of their successors as General Partner.

General Partnership Interest means a Partnership Interest held by the General Partner that is a general partnership interest.

Indemnitee means (i) the General Partner or a director, officer or employee of the General Partner or Partnership, (ii) the Advisor or a director, officer, manager, member, employee of the Advisor or another agent of the Advisor if such agent is an Affiliate of the Advisor and (iii) such other Persons (including Affiliates of the General Partner, the Advisor or the Partnership) as the General Partner may designate from time to time, in its sole and absolute discretion.

Independent Appraiser means a person or entity, who is not an Affiliate of the Advisor or the members of the board of directors of the General Partner, who is engaged to a substantial extent in the business of rendering opinions regarding the value of assets of the type held by the General Partner, and who is a qualified appraiser of real estate as determined by the members of the board of directors of the General Partner. Membership in a nationally recognized appraisal society such as the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers or the Society of Real Estate Appraisers shall be conclusive evidence of such qualification.

Independent Director means a director of the General Partner who is not an officer or employee of the General Partner and meets the requirements for independence as defined by the Articles of Incorporation.

Invested Capital means the amount calculated by multiplying the total number of REIT Shares purchased by Stockholders by (a) the offering price for the Stock paid by such Stockholders in an Offering or (b) for Stock not purchased in an Offering, the issue price for the Stock; in each case reduced by any Distributions attributable to Net Sale Proceeds and any amounts paid by the General Partner to repurchase shares of Stock pursuant to a plan for repurchase of the General Partner’s Stock.

Joint Venture or Joint Ventures means those joint venture or general partnership arrangements in which the General Partner or the Partnership is a co-venturer or general partner which are established to acquire Properties.

 

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Liabilities means the aggregate carrying value of GAAP liabilities owned or incurred by, or for the account of, the General Partner, whether directly or indirectly through the Partnership or any Subsidiary, including mortgage indebtedness.

Limited Partner means any Person named as a Limited Partner on Exhibit A attached hereto, and any Person who becomes a Substitute Limited Partner, in such Person’s capacity as a Limited Partner in the Partnership.

Limited Partnership Interest means the ownership interest of a Limited Partner in the Partnership at any particular time, including the right of such Limited Partner to any and all benefits to which such Limited Partner may be entitled as provided in this Agreement and in the Act, together with the obligations of such Limited Partner to comply with all the provisions of this Agreement and of such Act.

Listing means the approval of the REIT Shares, issued by the General Partner pursuant to an effective registration statement, on a National Securities Exchange. Upon Listing, the shares shall be deemed Listed.

Loss has the meaning provided in Section 5.1(f) hereof.

Market Value means the aggregate market value of all of the outstanding REIT Shares, measured by taking the average closing price or average of bid and asked price, as the case may be, during the consecutive 30-day period commencing one hundred eighty (180) days following Listing.

National Securities Exchange means any securities exchange registered with the SEC pursuant to Section 6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Net Sale Proceeds means in the case of a transaction described in clause (a) of the definition of Sale, the net proceeds of any such transaction less the amount of all real estate commissions and closing costs paid by the Partnership. In the case of a transaction described in clause (b) of such definition, Net Sale Proceeds means the net proceeds of any such transaction less the amount of any legal and other selling expenses incurred by the Partnership in connection with such transaction. In the case of a transaction described in clause (c) of such definition, Net Sale Proceeds means the net proceeds of any such transaction actually distributed to the Partnership from the Joint Venture less any expenses incurred by the Partnership in connection with such transaction. In the case of a transaction or series of transactions described in clause (d) of the definition of Sale, Net Sale Proceeds means the net proceeds of any such transaction less the amount of all commissions and closing costs paid by the Partnership. In the case of a transaction described in clause (e) of such definition, Net Sale Proceeds means the net proceeds of any such transaction less the amount of all selling costs and other expenses incurred by the Partnership in connection with such transaction. Net Sale Proceeds shall also include, in the case of any lease of a Property consisting of a building only, any amounts from tenants, borrowers or lessees that the General Partner, in its capacity as general partner of the Partnership determines, in its discretion, to be economically equivalent to the proceeds of a Sale. Net Sale Proceeds shall be calculated after repayment of any outstanding indebtedness secured by the asset disposed of in the sale.

Notice of Exchange means the Notice of Exercise of Exchange Right substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto.

Offer has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(b)(ii) hereof.

Offering means an offering of Stock that is either (a) registered with the SEC, or (b) exempt from such registration, excluding Stock offered under any employee benefit plan.

 

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Original Limited Partner means the Limited Partner designated as “Original Limited Partner” on Exhibit A hereto.

Partner means any General Partner, Limited Partner or Special Limited Partner.

Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(i). A Partner’s share of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(5).

Partnership means Strategic Storage Operating Partnership II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

Partnership Interest means an ownership interest in the Partnership held by a Limited Partner, a Special 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.

Partnership Minimum Gain has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(d). In accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(d), the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain is determined by first computing, for each Partnership nonrecourse liability, any gain the Partnership would realize if it disposed of the property subject to that liability for no consideration other than full satisfaction of the liability, and then aggregating the separately computed gains. A Partner’s share of Partnership Minimum Gain shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(g)(1).

Partnership Record Date means the record date established by the General Partner for the distribution of cash pursuant to Section 5.2 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 of all Partners issued hereunder. The allocation of Partnership Units among the Partners shall be as set forth on Exhibit A , as such Exhibit may be amended from time to time.

Percentage Interest means the percentage ownership interest in the Partnership of each Partner, as determined by dividing the Partnership Units owned by a Partner by the total number of Partnership Units then outstanding.

Person means any individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, joint venture, trust or other entity.

Profit has the meaning provided in Section 5.1(f) hereof.

Property or Properties means the real properties or real estate investments which are acquired by the General Partner either directly or through the Partnership, Joint Ventures, partnerships or other entities.

Regulations means the Federal income tax regulations promulgated under the Code, as amended and as hereafter amended from time to time. Reference to any particular provision of the Regulations shall mean that provision of the Regulations on the date hereof and any successor provision of the Regulations.

 

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Regulatory Allocations has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(i) hereof.

REIT means a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.

REIT Expenses means (i) costs and expenses relating to the formation and continuity of existence and operation of the General Partner and any Subsidiaries thereof (which Subsidiaries shall, for purposes hereof, be included within the definition of General Partner), including taxes, fees and assessments associated therewith, any and all costs, expenses or fees payable to any director, officer, or employee of the General Partner, (ii) costs and expenses relating to any Offering and registration of securities by the General Partner and all statements, reports, fees and expenses incidental thereto, including, without limitation, underwriting discounts and sales commissions applicable to any such Offering of securities, and any costs and expenses associated with any claims made by any holders of such securities or any underwriters or placement agents thereof, (iii) costs and expenses associated with any repurchase of any securities by the General Partner, (iv) costs and expenses associated with the preparation and filing of any periodic or other reports and communications by the General Partner under federal, state or local laws or regulations, including filings with the SEC, (v) costs and expenses associated with compliance by the General Partner with laws, rules and regulations promulgated by any regulatory body, including the SEC and any National Securities Exchange, (vi) costs and expenses associated with any 401(k) plan, incentive plan, bonus plan or other plan providing for compensation for the employees of the General Partner, (vii) costs and expenses incurred by the General Partner relating to any issuing or redemption of Partnership Interests, and (viii) all other operating or administrative costs of the General Partner incurred in the ordinary course of its business on behalf of or in connection with the Partnership.

REIT Share means a share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, in the General Partner (or successor entity, as the case may be), the terms and conditions of which are set forth in the Articles of Incorporation.

REIT Shares Amount means a number of REIT Shares equal to the product of the number of Partnership Units offered for exchange by an Exchanging Partner, multiplied by the Conversion Factor as adjusted to and including the Specified Exchange Date; provided that in the event the General Partner issues to all holders of REIT Shares rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities entitling the stockholders to subscribe for or purchase REIT Shares, or any other securities or property (collectively, the “rights”), and the rights have not expired at the Specified Exchange Date, then the REIT Shares Amount shall also include the rights issuable to a holder of the REIT Shares Amount of REIT Shares on the record date fixed for purposes of determining the holders of REIT Shares entitled to rights.

Sale or Sales means any transaction or series of transactions whereby: (a) the Partnership sells, grants, transfers, conveys or relinquishes its ownership of any Property or portion thereof, including the lease of any Property consisting of the building only, and including any event with respect to any Property which gives rise to a significant amount of insurance proceeds or condemnation awards; (b) the Partnership 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 co-venturer or partner; (c) any Joint Venture in which the Partnership is a co-venturer or partner sells, grants, transfers, conveys or relinquishes its ownership of any Property or portion thereof, including any event with respect to any Property which gives rise to insurance claims or condemnation awards; (d) the Partnership sells, grants, conveys, or relinquishes its interest in any asset, or portion thereof, including any event with respect to any asset which gives rise to a significant amount of insurance proceeds or similar awards; or (e) the Partnership sells or otherwise disposes of or distributes all of its assets in liquidation of the Partnership.

SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Service means the Internal Revenue Service.

Special Limited Partner means the Person designated as “Special Limited Partner” on Exhibit A hereto.

Special Limited Partner Interest means the interest of the Special Limited Partner in the Partnership representing its right as the holder of an interest in distributions described in Section 5.2 hereof (and any corresponding allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction under this Agreement).

Specified Exchange Date means the first business day of the month that is at least 60 business days after the receipt by the General Partner of the Notice of Exchange.

Stock means shares of stock of the General Partner of any class or series, including REIT Shares, preferred stock or shares-in-trust.

Stockholders means the registered holders of the General Partner’s Stock.

Stockholders’ 6% Return means, as of any date, an aggregate amount equal to a 6% cumulative, non-compounded, annual return on Invested Capital; provided, however, that for purposes of calculating the Stockholders’ 6% Return, any non-taxable stock dividend shall not be included as a Distribution; and provided further that for purposes of determining the Stockholders’ 6% Return, the return for each portion of the Invested Capital shall commence for purposes of the calculation upon the issuance of the Stock issued in connection with such capital.

Subordinated Distribution Due Upon Extraordinary Transaction means (a) 15% of the amount by which (i) the Transaction Amount, plus the total of all Distributions paid to Common Stockholders (excluding any stock dividends and Distributions paid on REIT Shares redeemed by the General Partner) from the General Partner’s inception until the date that Transaction Amount is determined, exceeds (ii) the sum of (A) Invested Capital and (B) the total Distributions required to be paid to Common Stockholders in order to pay the Stockholders’ 6% Return from inception through the date Transaction Amount is determined.

Subordinated Distribution Due Upon Termination means 15% of the amount, if any, by which (i) the Appraised Value of the Properties, plus the Assets, less the Liabilities, at the Termination Date, plus total Distributions (excluding any stock dividend and Distributions paid on REIT Shares redeemed by the General Partner pursuant to its share redemption program) through the Termination Date exceeds (ii) the sum of Invested Capital plus total Distributions required to be made to the Common Stockholders in order to pay the Stockholders’ 6% Return from inception through the Termination Date.

Subordinated Incentive Listing Distribution means 15% of the amount by which (i) the Market Value, plus the total of all Distributions paid to Common Stockholders (excluding any stock dividends and Distributions paid on REIT Shares redeemed by the General Partner) from the General Partner’s inception until the date that Market Value is determined, exceeds (ii) the sum of (A) Invested Capital and (B) the total Distributions required to be paid to Common Stockholders in order to pay the Stockholders’ 6% Return from inception through the date Market Value is determined.

Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any corporation or other entity of which a majority of (i) the voting power of the voting equity securities or (ii) the outstanding equity interests is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.

 

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Subsidiary Partnership means any partnership of which the partnership interests therein are owned by the General Partner or a direct or indirect subsidiary of the General Partner.

Substitute Limited Partner means any Person admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner pursuant to Section 9.3 hereof.

Successor Entity has the meaning provided in the definition of “Conversion Factor” contained herein.

Surviving General Partner has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(c) hereof.

Termination means the termination of the Advisory Agreement.

Termination Date means the date of termination of the Advisory Agreement.

Transaction has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(b) hereof.

Transaction Amount means the aggregate value of all of the issued and outstanding REIT Shares using a per share value equal to the per share value paid to the Stockholders in an Extraordinary Transaction.

Transfer has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2(a) hereof.

Value means, with respect to REIT Shares, the average of the daily market price of such REIT Share for the ten (10) consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date of such valuation. The market price for each such trading day shall be: (i) if the REIT Shares are Listed, the sale price, regular way, on such day, or if no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, on such day; (ii) if the REIT Shares are not Listed, the last reported sale price on such day or, 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 General Partner; or (iii) if the REIT Shares are not Listed and no such last reported sale price or closing bid and asked prices are available, the average of the reported high bid and low asked prices on such day, as reported by a reliable quotation source designated by the General Partner, or if there shall be no bid and asked prices on such day, the average of the high bid and low asked prices, as so reported, on the most recent day (not more than ten (10) days prior to the date in question) for which prices have been so reported; provided that if there are no bid and asked prices reported during the ten (10) days prior to the date in question, the value of the REIT Shares shall be determined by the General Partner acting in good faith on the basis of such quotations and other information as it considers, in its reasonable judgment, appropriate. In the event the REIT Shares Amount includes rights that a holder of REIT Shares would be entitled to receive, then the value of such rights shall be determined by the General Partner acting in good faith on the basis of such quotations and other information as it considers, in its reasonable judgment, appropriate.

ARTICLE 2

PARTNERSHIP FORMATION AND IDENTIFICATION

2.1 Formation . The Partnership was formed as a limited partnership pursuant to the Act for the purposes and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

2.2 Name, Office and Registered Agent . The name of the Partnership is Strategic Storage Operating Partnership II, L.P. The specified office and place of business of the Partnership shall be 111 Corporate Drive, Suite 120, Ladera Ranch, California 92694. The General Partner may at any time

 

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change the location of such office, provided the General Partner gives notice to the Partners of any such change. The name and address of the Partnership’s registered agent is The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The sole duty of the registered agent as such is to forward to the Partnership any notice that is served on him as registered agent.

2.3 Partners .

(a) The General Partner of the Partnership is Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc., a Maryland corporation. Its principal place of business is the same as that of the Partnership.

(b) The Limited Partners are those Persons identified as Limited Partners on Exhibit A hereto, as amended from time to time.

2.4 Term and Dissolution .

(a) The Partnership shall have perpetual duration, except that the Partnership shall be dissolved upon the first to occur of any of the following events:

(i) The occurrence of an Event of Bankruptcy as to a General Partner or the dissolution, death, removal or withdrawal of a General Partner unless the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 7.3(b) hereof; provided that if a General Partner is on the date of such occurrence a partnership, the dissolution of such General Partner as a result of the dissolution, death, withdrawal, removal or Event of Bankruptcy of a partner in such partnership shall not be an event of dissolution of the Partnership if the business of such General Partner is continued by the remaining partner or partners, either alone or with additional partners, and such General Partner and such partners comply with any other applicable requirements of this Agreement;

(ii) The passage of 90 days after the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership (provided that if the Partnership receives an installment obligation as consideration for such sale or other disposition, the Partnership shall continue, unless sooner dissolved under the provisions of this Agreement, until such time as such note or notes are paid in full);

(iii) The exchange of all Limited Partnership Interests (other than any of such interests held by the General Partner or Affiliates of the General Partner) for REIT Shares or the securities of any other entity; or

(iv) The election by the General Partner that the Partnership should be dissolved.

(b) Upon dissolution of the Partnership (unless the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 7.3(b) hereof), the General Partner (or its trustee, receiver, successor or legal representative) shall amend or cancel the Certificate and liquidate the Partnership’s assets and apply and distribute the proceeds thereof in accordance with Section 5.6 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the liquidating General Partner may either (i) defer liquidation of, or withhold from distribution for a reasonable time, any assets of the Partnership (including those necessary to satisfy the Partnership’s debts and obligations), or (ii) distribute the assets to the Partners in kind.

2.5 Filing of Certificate and Perfection of Limited Partnership . The General Partner shall execute, acknowledge, record and file at the expense of the Partnership, the Certificate any and all amendments thereto and all requisite fictitious name statements and notices in such places and

 

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jurisdictions as may be necessary to cause the Partnership to be treated as a limited partnership under, and otherwise to comply with, the laws of each state or other jurisdiction in which the Partnership conducts business.

2.6 Certificates Describing Partnership Units . At the request of a Limited Partner, the General Partner, at its option, may issue a certificate summarizing the terms of such Limited Partner’s interest in the Partnership, including the number of Partnership Units owned and the Percentage Interest represented by such Partnership Units as of the date of such certificate. Any such certificate (i) shall be in form and substance as approved by the General Partner, (ii) shall not be negotiable and (iii) shall bear a legend to the following effect:

This certificate is not negotiable. The Partnership Units represented by this certificate are governed by and transferable only in accordance with the provisions of the Limited Partnership Agreement of Strategic Storage Operating Partnership II, L.P., as amended from time to time.

ARTICLE 3

BUSINESS OF THE PARTNERSHIP

The purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership is (i) to conduct any business that may be lawfully conducted by a limited partnership organized pursuant to the Act, 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 qualify as a REIT, unless the General Partner otherwise ceases to qualify as a REIT, (ii) to enter into any partnership, joint venture or other similar arrangement to engage in any of the foregoing or the ownership of interests in any entity engaged in any of the foregoing and (iii) to do anything necessary or incidental to the foregoing. In connection with the foregoing, and without limiting the General Partner’s right in its sole and absolute discretion to cease qualifying as a REIT, the Partners acknowledge that the General Partner’s current status as a REIT and the avoidance of income and excise taxes on the General Partner inures to the benefit of all the Partners and not solely to the General Partner. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Limited Partners agree that the General Partner may terminate its status as a REIT under the Code at any time to the full extent permitted under the Articles of Incorporation. The General Partner shall also be empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary or prudent to ensure that the Partnership will not be classified as a “publicly traded partnership” for purposes of Section 7704 of the Code.

ARTICLE 4

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACCOUNTS

4.1 Capital Contributions . The General Partner, Original Limited Partner and Special Limited Partner have made Capital Contributions to the Partnership in exchange for the Partnership Interests set forth opposite their names on Exhibit A , as amended from time to time.

4.2 Additional Capital Contributions and Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests . Except as provided in this Section 4.2 or in Section 4.3, the Partners shall have no right or obligation to make any additional Capital Contributions or loans to the Partnership. The General Partner may contribute additional capital to the Partnership, from time to time, and receive additional Partnership Interests in respect thereof, in the manner contemplated in this Section 4.2.

(a) Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests.

 

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(i) General . 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 the Partners (including 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. Any additional Partnership Interests issued thereby 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 Limited Partnership Interests, all as shall be determined by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion and without the approval of any Limited Partner, subject to Delaware law, including, without limitation: (i) the allocations of items of Partnership income, gain, loss, deduction and credit to each such class or series of Partnership Interests; (ii) the right of each such class or series of Partnership Interests to share in Partnership distributions; and (iii) the rights of each such class or series of Partnership Interests upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership; provided, however, that no additional Partnership Interests shall be issued to the General Partner unless:

(1) (A) the additional Partnership Interests are issued in connection with an issuance of REIT Shares of or other interests in the General Partner, which shares or interests have designations, preferences and other rights, all such that the economic interests are substantially similar to the designations, preferences and other rights of the additional Partnership Interests issued to the General Partner by the Partnership in accordance with this Section 4.2 and (B) the General Partner shall make a Capital Contribution to the Partnership in an amount equal to the proceeds raised in connection with the issuance of such shares of stock of or other interests in the General Partner;

(2) the additional Partnership Interests are issued in exchange for property owned by the General Partner with a fair market value, as determined by the General Partner, in good faith, equal to the value of the Partnership Interests; or

(3) additional Partnership Interests are issued to all Partners holding Partnership Units in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests.

In addition, the General Partner may acquire Partnership Interests from other Partners pursuant to this Agreement. In the event that the Partnership issues Partnership Interests pursuant to this Section 4.2(a), the General Partner shall make such revisions to this Agreement (without any requirement of receiving approval of the Limited Partners) as it deems necessary to reflect the issuance of such additional Partnership Interests and any special rights, powers, and duties associated therewith.

Without limiting 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.

(ii) Upon Issuance of Additional Securities . The General Partner shall not issue any Additional Securities other than to all holders of REIT Shares, unless (A) the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to issue to the General Partner, as the General Partner may designate, Partnership Interests or rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities of the Partnership having designations, preferences and other rights, all such that the economic interests are substantially similar to those of the Additional Securities, and (B) the General Partner contributes the net proceeds from the issuance of such Additional Securities and from any exercise of rights contained in such Additional Securities, directly and through the General Partner, to the Partnership; provided, however, that the General Partner is allowed to issue Additional Securities in connection with an

 

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acquisition of a property to be held directly by the General Partner, but if and only if, such direct acquisition and issuance of Additional Securities have been approved and determined to be in the best interests of the General Partner and the Partnership by a majority of the Independent Directors (as defined in the Articles of Incorporation). Without limiting the foregoing, the General Partner is expressly authorized to issue Additional Securities for less than fair market value, and to cause the Partnership to issue to the General Partner corresponding Partnership Interests, so long as (x) the General Partner concludes in good faith that such issuance is in the best interests of the General Partner and the Partnership, including without limitation, the issuance of REIT Shares and corresponding Partnership Units pursuant to an employee share purchase plan providing for employee purchases of REIT Shares at a discount from fair market value or employee stock options that have an exercise price that is less than the fair market value of the REIT Shares, either at the time of issuance or at the time of exercise, and (y) the General Partner contributes all proceeds from such issuance to the Partnership. For example, in the event the General Partner issues REIT Shares for a cash purchase price and contributes all of the proceeds of such issuance to the Partnership as required hereunder, the General Partner shall be issued a number of additional Partnership Units equal to the product of (A) the number of such REIT Shares issued by the General Partner, the proceeds of which were so contributed, multiplied by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is 100%, and the denominator of which is the Conversion Factor in effect on the date of such contribution.

(b) Certain Deemed Contributions of Proceeds of Issuance of REIT Shares . In connection with any and all issuances of REIT Shares, the General Partner shall make Capital Contributions to the Partnership of the proceeds therefrom, provided that if the proceeds actually received and contributed by the General Partner are less than the gross proceeds of such issuance as a result of any underwriter’s discount or other expenses paid or incurred in connection with such issuance, then the General Partner shall be deemed to have made Capital Contributions to the Partnership in the aggregate amount of the gross proceeds of such issuance and the Partnership shall be deemed simultaneously to have paid such offering expenses in accordance with Section 6.5 hereof and in connection with the required issuance of additional Partnership Units to the General Partner for such Capital Contributions pursuant to Section 4.2(a) hereof.

4.3 Additional Funding . If the General Partner determines that it is in the best interests of the Partnership to provide for additional Partnership funds (“Additional Funds”) for any Partnership purpose, the General Partner may (i) cause the Partnership to obtain such funds from outside borrowings, or (ii) elect to have the General Partner or any of its Affiliates provide such Additional Funds to the Partnership through loans or otherwise.

4.4 Capital Accounts . A separate capital account (a “Capital Account”) shall be established and maintained for each Partner in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). If (i) a new or existing Partner acquires an additional Partnership Interest in exchange for more than a de minimis Capital Contribution, (ii) the Partnership distributes to a Partner more than a de minimis amount of Partnership property as consideration for a Partnership Interest, (iii) the Partnership is liquidated within the meaning of Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g) or (iv) a Partnership Interest (other than a de minimis interest) is granted as consideration for the provisions of services to or for the benefit of the Partnership by an existing Partner acting in a partner capacity, or by a new Partner acting in a partner capacity in anticipation of being a Partner, the General Partner shall revalue the property of the Partnership to its fair market value (as determined by the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, and taking into account Section 7701(g) of the Code) in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f). When the Partnership’s property is revalued by the General Partner, the Capital Accounts of the Partners shall be adjusted in accordance with Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) and (g), which generally require such Capital Accounts to be adjusted to reflect the manner in which the unrealized gain or loss inherent in such property (that has not been reflected in the Capital Accounts

 

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previously) would be allocated among the Partners pursuant to Section 5.1 if there were a taxable disposition of such property for its fair market value (as determined by the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, and taking into account Section 7701(g) of the Code) on the date of the revaluation.

4.5 Percentage Interests . If the number of outstanding Partnership Units increases or decreases during a taxable year, each Partner’s Percentage Interest shall be adjusted by the General Partner effective as of the effective date of each such increase or decrease to a percentage equal to the number of Partnership Units held by such Partner divided by the aggregate number of Partnership Units outstanding after giving effect to such increase or decrease. If the Partners’ Percentage Interests are adjusted pursuant to this Section 4.5, the Profits and Losses for the taxable year in which the adjustment occurs shall be allocated between the part of the year ending on the day when the Partnership’s property is revalued by the General Partner and the part of the year beginning on the following day either (i) as if the taxable year had ended on the date of the adjustment or (ii) based on the number of days in each part. The General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall determine which method shall be used to allocate Profits and Losses for the taxable year in which the adjustment occurs. The allocation of Profits and Losses for the earlier part of the year shall be based on the Percentage Interests before adjustment, and the allocation of Profits and Losses for the later part shall be based on the adjusted Percentage Interests.

4.6 No Interest on Contributions . No Partner shall be entitled to interest on its Capital Contribution.

4.7 Return of Capital Contributions . No Partner shall be entitled to withdraw any part of its Capital Contribution or its Capital Account or to receive any distribution from the Partnership, except as specifically provided in this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided herein, there shall be no obligation to return to any Partner or withdrawn Partner any part of such Partner’s Capital Contribution for so long as the Partnership continues in existence.

4.8 No Third Party Beneficiary . No creditor or other third party having dealings with the Partnership shall have the right to enforce the right or obligation 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 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 and upon a liquidation within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g), if any Partner has a deficit Capital Account (after giving effect to all contributions, distributions, allocations and other Capital Account adjustments for all taxable years, including the year during which such liquidation occurs), such Partner shall have no obligation to make any Capital Contribution to reduce or eliminate the negative balance of such Partner’s Capital Account.

 

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ARTICLE 5

PROFITS AND LOSSES; DISTRIBUTIONS

5.1 Allocation of Profit and Loss .

(a) General . Profit and Loss of the Partnership for each fiscal year or other applicable period of the Partnership shall be allocated among the General Partner and the Limited Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests provided that, subject to the next sentence of this Section 5.1(a), Profit, and to the extent necessary, individual items of income or gain, shall be allocated to the Special Limited Partner until the Special Limited Partner has received aggregate allocations of Profit, income or gain for all fiscal years equal to the aggregate amount of distributions the Special Limited Partner is entitled to receive or has received with respect to the Special Limited Partnership Interest for such year and for all prior fiscal years. Items of income, gain, loss, and deduction with respect to Sales shall first be allocated among the Partners, including the Special Limited Partner, for each fiscal year in a manner that will as nearly as possible cause the Capital Account balance of each Partner at the end of such fiscal year or other applicable period to equal the amount of distributions that would be made to such Partner if the Partnership were (i) dissolved and terminated, (ii) its affairs wound up and its assets sold for cash equal to their Book Value, (iii) all Partnership liabilities were satisfied (limited with respect to each nonrecourse liability to the Book Value of the assets securing such liability); and (iv) the net assets of the Partnership were distributed in accordance with Sections 5.2 (a) and (b) hereof to the Partners immediately after giving effect to such allocation. The General Partner may, in its reasonable discretion, make such other assumptions (whether or not consistent with the above assumptions) as it deems necessary or appropriate in order to effectuate the intended economic arrangement of the Partners.

(b) Minimum Gain Chargeback . Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, (i) any expense of the Partnership that is a “nonrecourse deduction” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(1) shall be allocated in accordance with the Partners’ respective Percentage Interests, (ii) any expense of the Partnership that is a “partner nonrecourse deduction” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(2) shall be allocated to the Partner that bears the “economic risk of loss” with respect to the “partner nonrecourse debt” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4) to which such partner nonrecourse deduction is attributable in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(1), (iii) if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(f)(1) for any Partnership taxable year, then, subject to the exceptions set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(f)(2),(3), (4) and (5), items of gain and income shall be allocated among the Partners in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and the ordering rules contained in Regulations Section 1.704-2(j), and (iv) if there is a net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4) for any Partnership taxable year, then, subject to the exceptions set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-(2)(g), items of gain and income shall be allocated among the Partners in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and the ordering rules contained in Regulations Section 1.704-2(j). A Partner’s “interest in partnership profits” for purposes of determining its share of the nonrecourse liabilities of the Partnership within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3) shall be such Partner’s Percentage Interest.

(c) Qualified Income Offset . If a Partner unexpectedly receives in any taxable year an adjustment, allocation, or distribution described in subparagraphs (4), (5), or (6) of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) that causes or increases a deficit balance in such Partner’s Capital Account that exceeds the sum of such Partner’s shares of Partnership Minimum Gain and Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain, as determined in accordance with Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i), such Partner shall be allocated specially for such taxable year (and, if necessary, later taxable years) items of income and gain in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate such deficit Capital Account balance as quickly as possible as provided in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d); provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 5.1(c) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit Capital Account balance after all other allocations provided for in Article 5 have been tentatively

 

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made as if this Section 5.1(c) were not in this Agreement. This Section 5.1(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) Capital Account Deficits . Loss shall not be allocated to a Limited Partner to the extent that such allocation would cause or increase a deficit in such Partner’s Capital Account at the end of any fiscal year (after reduction to reflect the items described in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6)) in excess of the sum of such Partner’s shares of Partnership Minimum Gain and Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain, as determined in accordance with Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i).

(e) Allocations Between Transferor and Transferee . If a Partner transfers any part or all of its Partnership Interest, the distributive shares of the various items of Profit and Loss allocable among the Partners during such fiscal year of the Partnership shall be allocated between the transferor and the transferee Partner either (i) as if the Partnership’s fiscal year had ended on the date of the transfer, or (ii) based on the number of days of such fiscal year that each was a Partner without regard to the results of Partnership activities in the respective portions of such fiscal year in which the transferor and the transferee were Partners. The General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall determine which method shall be used to allocate the distributive shares of the various items of Profit and Loss between the transferor and the transferee Partner.

(f) Definition of Profit and Loss . “Profit” and “Loss” and any items of income, gain, expense, or loss referred to in this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with federal income tax accounting principles, as modified by Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv), except that Profit and Loss shall not include items of income, gain and expense that are specially allocated pursuant to Sections 5.1(b), 5.1(c) or 5.1(d). All allocations of income, Profit, gain, Loss and expense (and all items contained therein) for federal income tax purposes shall be identical to all allocations of such items set forth in this Section 5.1, except as otherwise required by Section 704(c) of the Code and Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4). The General Partner shall have the authority to elect the method to be used by the Partnership for allocating items of income, gain, and expense as required by Section 704(c) of the Code including a method that may result in a Partner receiving a disproportionately larger share of the Partnership tax depreciation deductions, and such election shall be binding on all Partners.

(g) Curative Allocations . The allocations set forth in Section 5.1(b), (c) and (d) of this Agreement (the “Regulatory Allocations”) are intended to comply with certain requirements of the Regulations. The General Partner is authorized to offset all Regulatory Allocations either with other Regulatory Allocations or with special allocations of other items of Partnership income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to this Section 5.1(g). Therefore, notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 5.1 (other than the Regulatory Allocations), the General Partner shall make such offsetting special allocations of Partnership income, gain, loss or deduction in whatever manner it deems appropriate so that, after such offsetting allocations are made, each Partner’s Capital Account is, to the extent possible, equal to the Capital Account balance such Partner would have had if the Regulatory Allocations were not part of this Agreement and all Partnership items were allocated pursuant to Section 5.1(a) and (e).

5.2 Distributions .

(a) Cash Available for Distribution . The Partnership shall distribute cash (other than Net Sale Proceeds) on a quarterly (or, at the election of the General Partner, more frequent) basis, in an amount determined by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion, to the Partners (other than the Special Limited Partner) who are Partners on the Partnership Record Date with respect to such quarter (or other distribution period) in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests on the Partnership

 

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Record Date; provided, however, that if a new or existing Partner acquires an additional Partnership Interest in exchange for a Capital Contribution on any date other than the next day after a Partnership Record Date, the cash distribution attributable to such additional Partnership Interest relating to the Partnership Record Date next following the issuance of such additional Partnership Interest (or relating to the Partnership Record Date if such Partnership Interest was acquired on a Partnership Record Date) shall be reduced in the proportion to (i) the number of days that such additional Partnership Interest is held by such Partner bears to (ii) the number of days between such Partnership Record Date (including such Partnership Record Date) and the immediately preceding Partnership Record Date.

(b) Net Sale Proceeds . Subject to Section 5.2(g), Net Sale Proceeds shall be distributed as follows:

(i) First , 100% to the Partners (other than the Special Limited Partner) who are Partners on the Partnership Record Date in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests on the Partnership Record Date until the General Partner has received cumulative distributions under Section 5.2(a) and this Section 5.2(b), plus any amounts received in redemption of Partnership Units under Section 9.7 of this Agreement or otherwise, equal to the sum of the Stockholders’ 6% Return and the aggregate Capital Contributions made by the General Partner to the Partnership, determined by taking into account the dates on which all such Capital Contributions, distributions and redemptions were made; and

(ii) Second , (A) 85% to the Partners (other than the Special Limited Partner) who are Partners on the Partnership Record Date in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests on the Partnership Record Date, and (B) 15% to the Special Limited Partner on the Partnership Record Date.

(c) Subordinated Incentive Listing Distribution . Upon Listing, and as soon as practicable following the determination of Market Value, the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to distribute to the Special Limited Partner in complete redemption of the Special Limited Partner Interest the Subordinated Incentive Listing Distribution. The Subordinated Incentive Listing Distribution shall be due and payable to the Special Limited Partner no earlier than one hundred eighty (180) days and no later than two hundred seventy (270) days after Listing in either cash, Partnership Units or REIT Shares (or any combination thereof) in the sole discretion of the Independent Directors.

(d) Subordinated Distribution Due Upon Termination . Upon a Termination, unless such Termination is a voluntary Termination by mutual assent of the General Partner and the SST Special Limited Partner (a “Voluntary Termination”) or such Termination is by the General Partner because of a material breach of the Advisory Agreement by the Advisor as a result of willful or intentional misconduct or bad faith on behalf of the Advisor, the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to distribute to the Special Limited Partner in complete redemption of the Special Limited Partner Interest the Subordinated Distribution Due Upon Termination payable in the form of a non-interest bearing promissory note (the “Termination Note”). If the Termination Note has not been paid in full on the earlier of (a) the date the REIT Shares are Listed, or (b) within three (3) years from the Termination Date, then the holder of the Termination Note, its successors or assigns, may elect to convert the balance of the distributions due under the Termination Note into Partnership Units or REIT Shares at a price per share equal to the average closing price of the REIT Shares over the ten (10) trading days immediately preceding the date of such election if the REIT Shares are Listed at such time. If the REIT Shares are not Listed within three (3) years from the Termination Date, the holder of the Termination Note, its successors or assigns, may elect to convert the balance of the distributions due under the Termination Note into Partnership Units or REIT Shares at a price per share equal to the fair market value for such REIT Shares as determined by the board of directors of the General Partner based upon the Appraised Value of the Properties, plus the

 

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Assets, less the Liabilities, on the date of election. If the General Partner consummates an Extraordinary Transaction and the Termination Note has not yet been paid in full, the Termination Note shall be paid in full on the closing date of the Extraordinary Transaction. In accordance with Section 736 of the Code, the Termination Note shall be disregarded for applicable income tax purposes and the Special Limited Partner shall continue to be treated as a partner in the Partnership in respect of its Special Limited Partner Interest for such purposes until the Partnership has satisfied all its obligations under the Termination Note. In the event of a Voluntary Termination, no Subordinated Distribution Due Upon Termination is payable to the Special Limited Partner, and the Special Limited Partner will be entitled to a redemption of the Special Limited Partner Interest in accordance with either Section 5.2(b), (c) or (e) hereof, as applicable. In the event of a Termination by the General Partner because of a material breach of the Advisory Agreement by the Advisor as a result of willful or intentional misconduct or bad faith on behalf of the Advisor, no Subordinated Distribution Due Upon Termination is payable to the Special Limited Partner, and the Special Limited Partnership Interest shall be redeemed for no consideration.

(e) Subordinated Distribution Upon Extraordinary Transaction . Upon the occurrence of an Extraordinary Transaction, the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to distribute to the Special Limited Partner in complete redemption of the Special Limited Partner Interest the Subordinated Distribution Due Upon Extraordinary Transaction. The Subordinated Distribution Due Upon Extraordinary Transaction shall be paid to the Special Limited Partner on the closing date of the Extraordinary Transaction. The Special Limited Partner may elect to receive the Subordinated Distribution Due Upon Extraordinary Transaction in cash, Partnership Units or REIT Shares (or any combination thereof) in its sole discretion.

(f) Distributions of Cash to Pay Taxes . Anything in Sections 5.2(c), (d) and (e) notwithstanding, in the event that a distribution under Sections 5.2 (c), (d), or (e) is made other than in cash, a Special Limited Partner may elect, by written notice to the General Partner, to receive in cash a portion of such distribution equal to the amount the Special Limited Partner has determined in good faith that it or its members will owe in federal or state income taxes on account of such distribution for the year in which the distribution is received. Furthermore, in the event that a Special Limited Partner has determined in good faith, or a taxing authority has determined, that the Special Limited Partner or its members is subject to federal or state income tax immediately on any deferred portion of any distribution under Sections 5.2(c), (d) or (e), the Special Limited Partner shall notify the General Partner in writing of such determination and the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to distribute, prior to the due date for payment of any such income tax, cash, in prepayment of such deferred distributions, in an amount at least equal to the amount of federal and state income tax reasonably estimated by the Special Limited Partner to be currently payable.

(g) Coordination of Special Limited Partner Distributions . The following provisions shall apply to the General Partner in connection with distributions made pursuant to Sections 5.2(b), (c), (d) or (e) herein:

(i) Any Net Sale Proceeds paid to the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 5.2(b) prior to Listing shall reduce dollar for dollar the amount of the Subordinated Incentive Listing Distribution distributed pursuant to Section 5.2(c). If the Special Limited Partner receives the Subordinated Incentive Listing Distribution pursuant to Section 5.2(c), the Special Limited Partner will no longer be entitled to receive distributions of Net Sale Proceeds pursuant to Section 5.2(b), a Termination Note pursuant to Section 5.2(d) or the Subordinated Distribution Due Upon Extraordinary Transaction pursuant to Section 5.2(e).

(ii) Any Net Sale Proceeds paid to the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 5.2(b) prior to the Termination Date shall reduce dollar for dollar the amount of the Termination

 

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Note to be issued and distributed pursuant to Section 5.2(d). If the Special Limited Partner receives a Termination Note pursuant to Section 5.2(d), (A) the Special Limited Partner will no longer be entitled to receive distributions of Net Sale Proceeds pursuant to Section 5.2(b), the Subordinated Incentive Listing Distribution pursuant to Section 5.2(c) or the Subordinated Distribution Due Upon Extraordinary Transaction pursuant to Section 5.2(e), and (B) any Net Sale Proceeds received by the Partnership after the Termination Date shall be applied first to satisfy the Partnership’s obligation to make distributions pursuant to the Termination Note.

(iii) Any Net Sale Proceeds paid to the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 5.2(b) prior to an Extraordinary Transaction shall reduce dollar for dollar the amount of the Subordinated Distribution Due Upon Extraordinary Transaction to be distributed pursuant to Section 5.2(e). If the Special Limited Partner receives the Subordinated Distribution Due Upon Extraordinary Transaction pursuant to Section 5.2(e), the Special Limited Partner will no longer be entitled to receive distributions of Net Sale Proceeds pursuant to Section 5.2(b), the Subordinated Incentive Listing Distribution pursuant to Section 5.2(c) or a Termination Note pursuant to Section 5.2(d).

(iv) If the priority distribution of Net Sale Proceeds to the Special Limited Partner pursuant to this Section 5.2(g) prevents the Partnership from being able to distribute sufficient amounts to the General Partner pursuant to Section 5.2(b) to enable the General Partner to satisfy its REIT requirements under the Code, the General Partner may in its sole discretion cause the Partnership to distribute some or all of the Net Sale Proceeds otherwise subject to the priority distribution to the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 5.2(g) to the General Partner in an amount sufficient to enable the General Partner to pay distributions to the Stockholders necessary to satisfy the REIT requirements under the Code.

(h) Withholding; Partnership Loans . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner is authorized to take any action that it determines to be necessary or appropriate to cause the Partnership to comply with any withholding requirements established under the Code or any other federal, state or local law including, without limitation, pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445 and 1446 of the Code. To the extent that the Partnership is required to withhold and pay over to any taxing authority any amount resulting from the allocation or distribution of income to any Partner or assignee (including by reason of Section 1446 of the Code), either (i) if the actual amount to be distributed to the Partner equals or exceeds the amount required to be withheld by the Partnership, the amount withheld shall be treated as a distribution of cash in the amount of such withholding to such Partner, or (ii) if the actual amount to be distributed to the Partner is less than the amount required to be withheld by the Partnership, the excess of the amount required to be withheld over the actual amount to be distributed shall be treated as a loan (a “Partnership Loan”) from the Partnership to the Partner on the day the Partnership pays over such amount to a taxing authority. A Partnership Loan shall be repaid through withholding by the Partnership with respect to subsequent distributions to the applicable Partner or assignee. In the event that a Limited Partner (a “Defaulting Limited Partner”) fails to pay any amount owed to the Partnership with respect to the Partnership Loan within 15 days after demand for payment thereof is made by the Partnership on the Limited Partner, the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, may elect to make the payment to the Partnership on behalf of such Defaulting Limited Partner. In such event, on the date of payment, the General Partner shall be deemed to have extended a loan (a “General Partner Loan”) to the Defaulting Limited Partner in the amount of the payment made by the General Partner and shall succeed to all rights and remedies of the Partnership against the Defaulting Limited Partner as to that amount. Without limitation, the General Partner shall have the right to receive any distributions that otherwise would be made by the Partnership to the Defaulting Limited Partner until such time as the General Partner Loan has been paid in full, and any such distributions so received by the General Partner shall be treated as having been received by the Defaulting Limited Partner and immediately paid to the General Partner.

 

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Any amounts treated as a Partnership Loan or a General Partner Loan pursuant to this Section 5.2(b) shall bear interest at the lesser of (i) the base rate on corporate loans at large United States money center commercial banks, as published from time to time in The Wall Street Journal, or (ii) the maximum lawful rate of interest on such obligation, such interest to accrue from the date the Partnership or the General Partner, as applicable, is deemed to extend the loan until such loan is repaid in full.

(i) Limitation on Distributions . In no event may a Partner receive a distribution of cash with respect to a Partnership Unit if such Partner is entitled to receive a cash distribution as the holder of record of a REIT Share for which all or part of such Partnership Unit has been or will be exchanged.

5.3 REIT Distribution Requirements . The General Partner shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Partnership to distribute amounts sufficient to enable the General Partner to pay stockholder dividends that will allow the General Partner to (i) meet its distribution requirement for qualification as a REIT as set forth in Section 857 of the Code and (ii) avoid any federal income or excise tax liability imposed by the Code.

5.4 No Right to Distributions In Kind . No Partner shall be entitled to demand property other than cash in connection with any distributions by the Partnership.

5.5 Limitations of Return of Capital Contributions . Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Article 5, no Partner shall have the right to receive and the General Partner shall not have the right to make, a distribution that includes a return of all or part of a Partner’s Capital Contributions, unless after giving effect to the return of a Capital Contribution, the sum of all Partnership liabilities, other than the liabilities to a Partner for the return of his Capital Contribution, does not exceed the fair market value of the Partnership’s assets.

5.6 Distributions Upon Liquidation . Upon liquidation of the Partnership, after payment of, or adequate provision for, debts and obligations of the Partnership, including any Partner loans, any remaining assets of the Partnership shall be distributed to all Partners with positive Capital Accounts in accordance with their respective positive Capital Account balances. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the Capital Account of each Partner shall be determined after all adjustments have been made in accordance with Sections 4.4, 5.1 and 5.2 resulting from Partnership operations and from all sales and dispositions of all or any part of the Partnership’s assets. To the extent deemed advisable by the General Partner, appropriate arrangements (including the use of a liquidating trust) may be made to assure that adequate funds are available to pay any contingent debts or obligations.

5.7 Substantial Economic Effect . It is the intent of the Partners that the allocations of Profit and Loss under this Agreement have substantial economic effect (or be consistent with the Partners’ interests in the Partnership in the case of the allocation of losses attributable to nonrecourse debt) within the meaning of Section 704(b) of the Code as interpreted by the Regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Article 5 and other relevant provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with such intent.

 

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ARTICLE 6

RIGHTS, OBLIGATIONS AND

POWERS OF THE GENERAL PARTNER

6.1 Management of the Partnership .

(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the General Partner shall have full, complete and exclusive discretion to manage and control the business of the Partnership for the purposes herein stated, and shall make all decisions affecting the business and assets of the Partnership. Subject to the restrictions specifically contained in this Agreement, the powers of the General Partner shall include, without limitation, the authority to take the following actions on behalf of the Partnership:

(i) to acquire, purchase, own, operate, lease and dispose of any real property and any other property or assets including, but not limited to notes and mortgages, that the General Partner determines are necessary or appropriate or in the best interests of the business of the Partnership;

(ii) to construct buildings and make other improvements on the properties owned or leased by the Partnership;

(iii) to authorize, issue, sell, redeem or otherwise purchase any Partnership Interests or any securities (including secured and unsecured debt obligations of the Partnership, debt obligations of the Partnership convertible into any class or series of Partnership Interests, or options, rights, warrants or appreciation rights relating to any Partnership Interests) of the Partnership;

(iv) to borrow or lend money for the Partnership, issue or receive evidences of indebtedness in connection therewith, refinance, increase the amount of, modify, amend or change the terms of, or extend the time for the payment of, any such indebtedness, and secure such indebtedness by mortgage, deed of trust, pledge or other lien on the Partnership’s assets;

(v) to pay, either directly or by reimbursement, for all Administrative Expenses to third parties or to the General Partner or its Affiliates as set forth in this Agreement;

(vi) to guarantee or become a co-maker of indebtedness of the General Partner or any Subsidiary thereof, refinance, increase the amount of, modify, amend or change the terms of, or extend the time for the payment of, any such guarantee or indebtedness, and secure such guarantee or indebtedness by mortgage, deed of trust, pledge or other lien on the Partnership’s assets;

(vii) to use assets of the Partnership (including, without limitation, cash on hand) for any purpose consistent with this Agreement, including, without limitation, payment, either directly or by reimbursement, of all Administrative Expenses of the General Partner, the Partnership or any Subsidiary of either, to third parties or to the General Partner as set forth in this Agreement;

(viii) to lease all or any portion of any of the Partnership’s assets, whether or not the terms of such leases extend beyond the termination date of the Partnership and whether or not any portion of the Partnership’s assets so leased are to be occupied by the lessee, or, in turn, subleased in whole or in part to others, for such consideration and on such terms as the General Partner may determine;

(ix) to prosecute, defend, arbitrate, or compromise any and all claims or liabilities in favor of or against the Partnership, on such terms and in such manner as the General Partner may reasonably determine, and similarly to prosecute, settle or defend litigation with respect to the Partners, the Partnership, or the Partnership’s assets;

 

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(x) to file applications, communicate, and otherwise deal with any and all governmental agencies having jurisdiction over, or in any way affecting, the Partnership’s assets or any other aspect of the Partnership business;

(xi) to make or revoke any election permitted or required of the Partnership by any taxing authority;

(xii) to maintain such insurance coverage for public liability, fire and casualty, and any and all other insurance for the protection of the Partnership, for the conservation of Partnership assets, or for any other purpose convenient or beneficial to the Partnership, in such amounts and such types, as it shall determine from time to time;

(xiii) to determine whether or not to apply any insurance proceeds for any property to the restoration of such property or to distribute the same;

(xiv) to establish one or more divisions of the Partnership, to hire and dismiss employees of the Partnership or any division of the Partnership, and to retain legal counsel, accountants, consultants, real estate brokers, and such other persons, as the General Partner may deem necessary or appropriate in connection with the Partnership business and to pay therefor such reasonable remuneration as the General Partner may deem reasonable and proper;

(xv) to retain other services of any kind or nature in connection with the Partnership business, and to pay therefor such remuneration as the General Partner may deem reasonable and proper;

(xvi) to negotiate and conclude agreements on behalf of the Partnership with respect to any of the rights, powers and authority conferred upon the General Partner;

(xvii) to maintain accurate accounting records and to file promptly all federal, state and local income tax returns on behalf of the Partnership;

(xviii) to distribute Partnership cash or other Partnership assets in accordance with this Agreement;

(xix) to form or acquire an interest in, and contribute property to, any further limited or general partnerships, limited liability companies, joint ventures or other relationships that it deems desirable (including, without limitation, the acquisition of interests in, and the contributions of property to, its Subsidiaries and any other Person in which it has an equity interest from time to time);

(xx) to establish Partnership reserves for working capital, capital expenditures, contingent liabilities, or any other valid Partnership purpose;

(xxi) to merge, consolidate or combine the Partnership with or into another Person;

(xxii) to do any and all acts and things necessary or prudent to ensure that the Partnership will not be classified as a “publicly traded partnership” for purposes of Section 7704 of the Code; and

 

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(xxiii) to take such other action, execute, acknowledge, swear to or deliver such other documents and instruments, and perform any and all other acts that the General Partner deems necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation and conduct of the business and affairs of the Partnership (including, without limitation, all actions consistent with allowing the General Partner at all times to qualify as a REIT unless the General Partner voluntarily terminates its REIT status) and to possess and enjoy all of the rights and powers of a general partner as provided by the Act.

(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, to the extent the duties of the General Partner require expenditures of funds to be paid to third parties, the General Partner shall not have any obligations hereunder except to the extent that partnership funds are reasonably available to it for the performance of such duties, and nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or require the General Partner, in its capacity as such, to expend its individual funds for payment to third parties or to undertake any individual liability or obligation on behalf of the Partnership.

6.2 Delegation of Authority . The General Partner may delegate any or all of its powers, rights and obligations hereunder, and may appoint, employ, contract or otherwise deal with any Person for the transaction of the business of the Partnership, which Person may, under supervision of the General Partner, perform any acts or services for the Partnership as the General Partner may approve.

6.3 Indemnification and Exculpation of Indemnitees .

(a) The Partnership shall indemnify an Indemnitee from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including reasonable 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, that relate to the operations of the Partnership as set forth in this Agreement in which any Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Partnership shall not provide for indemnification for an Indemnitee for any liability or loss suffered by any of them in contravention of Delaware law and unless all of the following conditions are met:

(i) The Indemnitee determined, in good faith, that the course of conduct that caused the loss or liability was in the best interests of the Partnership.

(ii) The Indemnitee was acting on behalf of or performing services for the Partnership.

(iii) Such liability or loss was not the result of:

(A) negligence or misconduct by the Indemnitee (excluding the Independent Directors); or

(B) gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Independent Directors.

Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 6.3 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Partnership shall not indemnify an Indemnitee or any Person acting as a broker-dealer for any loss, liability or expense arising from or out of

 

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an alleged violation of federal or state securities laws by such party unless one or more of the following conditions are met: (i) there has been a successful adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged material securities law violations as to the particular Indemnitee; (ii) such claims have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction as to the particular Indemnitee; or (iii) a court of competent jurisdiction approves a settlement of the claims against a particular 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 laws.

(c) The Partnership shall pay or reimburse reasonable legal expenses and other costs incurred by the Indemnitee in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding only if (in addition to the procedures required by the Act) all of the following are satisfied: (a) the proceeding relates to acts or omissions with respect to the performance of duties or services on behalf of the Partnership, (b) the legal proceeding was initiated by a third party who is not a Limited Partner or, if by a Limited Partner acting in his or her capacity as such, a court of competent jurisdiction approves such advancement, and (c) the Indemnitee undertakes to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the Partnership, together with the applicable legal rate of interest thereon, if it is ultimately determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification.

(d) The indemnification provided by this Section 6.3 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.

(e) The Partnership may purchase and maintain insurance, on behalf of the Indemnitees 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.

(f) For purposes of this Section 6.3, the Partnership shall be deemed to have requested an Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by it of its duties to the Partnership also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it 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 6.3; 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.

(g) In no event may an Indemnitee subject the Limited Partners to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.

(h) An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 6.3 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.

(i) The provisions of this Section 6.3 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.

 

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(j) Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Section 6.3, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Agreement inconsistent with Section 6.3, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

6.4 Liability of the General Partner .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, the General Partner shall not be liable for monetary damages to the Partnership or any Partners for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of errors in judgment or of any act or omission if the General Partner acted in good faith. The General Partner shall not be in breach of any duty that the General Partner may owe to the Limited Partners or the Partnership or any other Persons under this Agreement or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity provided the General Partner, acting in good faith, abides by the terms of this Agreement.

(b) The Limited Partners expressly acknowledge that the General Partner is acting on behalf of the Partnership, itself and its stockholders collectively, that the General Partner is under no obligation to consider the separate interests of the Limited Partners (including, without limitation, the tax consequences to Limited Partners or the tax consequences of some, but not all, of the Limited Partners) in deciding whether to cause the Partnership to take (or decline to take) any actions. In the event of a conflict between the interests of its stockholders on one hand and the Limited Partners on the other, the General Partner shall endeavor in good faith to resolve the conflict in a manner not adverse to either its stockholders or the Limited Partners; provided, however, that for so long as the General Partner directly owns a controlling interest in the Partnership, any such conflict that the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, determines cannot be resolved in a manner not adverse to either its stockholders or the Limited Partner shall be resolved in favor of the stockholders. The General Partner 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 has acted in good faith.

(c) Subject to its obligations and duties as General Partner set forth in Section 6.1 hereof, the General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it under this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents. The General Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by it in good faith.

(d) 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 (i) to protect the ability of the General Partner to continue to qualify as a REIT or (ii) to prevent the General Partner from incurring any taxes under Section 857, Section 4981, or any other provision of the Code, is expressly authorized under this Agreement and is deemed approved by all of the Limited Partners.

(e) Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 6.4 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the General Partner’s liability to the Partnership and the Limited Partners under this Section 6.4 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when claims relating to such matters may arise or be asserted.

 

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6.5 Reimbursement of General Partner .

(a) Except as provided in this Section 6.5 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) The General Partner shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis, or such other basis as the General Partner may determine in its sole and absolute discretion, for all Administrative Expenses.

6.6 Outside Activities . Subject to the Articles of Incorporation and any agreements entered into by the General Partner or its Affiliates with the Partnership or a Subsidiary, any officer, director, employee, agent, trustee, Affiliate or stockholder of the General 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 substantially similar or identical to those of the Partnership. Neither the Partnership nor any of the Limited Partners shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any such business ventures, interest or activities. None of the Limited Partners nor any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement or the partnership relationship established hereby in any such business ventures, interests or activities, and the General Partner shall have no obligation pursuant to this Agreement to offer any interest in any such business ventures, interests and activities to the Partnership or any Limited Partner, even if such opportunity is of a character which, if presented to the Partnership or any Limited Partner, could be taken by such Person.

6.7 Employment or Retention of Affiliates .

(a) Any Affiliate of the General Partner may be employed or retained by the Partnership and may otherwise deal with the Partnership (whether as a buyer, lessor, lessee, manager, furnisher of goods or services, broker, agent, lender or otherwise) and may receive from the Partnership any compensation, price, or other payment therefor which the General Partner determines to be fair and reasonable.

(b) The Partnership may lend or contribute to its Subsidiaries or other Persons in which it has an equity investment, and such Persons may borrow funds from the Partnership, on terms and conditions established in the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner. The foregoing authority shall not create any right or benefit in favor of any Subsidiary or any other Person.

(c) The Partnership may transfer assets to joint ventures, other partnerships, corporations or other business entities in which it is or thereby becomes a participant upon such terms and subject to such conditions as the General Partner deems are consistent with this Agreement and applicable law.

(d) 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 on terms that are fair and reasonable to the Partnership.

6.8 General Partner Participation . The General Partner agrees that all business activities of the General Partner, including activities pertaining to the acquisition, development or ownership of self-storage properties or other properties, shall be conducted through the Partnership or one or more Subsidiary Partnerships; provided, however, that the General Partner is allowed to make a direct acquisition, but if and only if, such acquisition is made in connection with the issuance of Additional Securities, which direct acquisition and issuance have been approved and determined to be in the best interests of the General Partner and the Partnership by a majority of the Independent Directors.

 

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6.9 Title to Partnership Assets . 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. 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. The General Partner hereby declares and warrants that any Partnership assets 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, however, 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. 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.

6.10 Miscellaneous . In the event the General Partner redeems any REIT Shares (other than REIT Shares redeemed in accordance with the share redemption program of the General Partner through proceeds received from the General Partner’s distribution reinvestment plan), then the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to purchase from the General Partner a number of Partnership Units as determined based on the application of the Conversion Factor on the same terms that the General Partner exchanged such REIT Shares. Moreover, if the General Partner makes a cash tender offer or other offer to acquire REIT Shares, then the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to make a corresponding offer to the General Partner to acquire an equal number of Partnership Units held by the General Partner. In the event any REIT Shares are exchanged by the General Partner pursuant to such offer, the Partnership shall redeem an equivalent number of the General Partner’s Partnership Units for an equivalent purchase price based on the application of the Conversion Factor.

ARTICLE 7

CHANGES IN GENERAL PARTNER

7.1 Transfer of the General Partner’s Partnership Interest .

(a) The General Partner shall not transfer all or any portion of its General Partnership Interest or withdraw as General Partner except as provided in or in connection with a transaction contemplated by Section 7.1(b), (c) or (d).

(b) Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.1(c) or (d) hereof, the General Partner shall not engage in any merger, consolidation or other combination with or into another Person or sale of all or substantially all of its assets, (other than in connection with a change in the General Partner’s state of incorporation or organizational form) in each case which results in a change of control of the General Partner (a “Transaction”), unless:

(i) the approval of the holders of a majority of the Partnership Units (including the Partnership Units held by the General Partner or an Affiliate thereof) is obtained;

(ii) as a result of such Transaction all Limited Partners will receive for each Partnership Unit an amount of cash, securities, or other property equal to the product of the Conversion Factor and the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property paid in the Transaction to a holder of one REIT Share in consideration of one REIT Share, 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

 

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more than 50% of the outstanding REIT Shares, each holder of Partnership Units shall be given the option to exchange its Partnership Units for the greatest 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 Shares received upon exercise of the Exchange Right immediately prior to the expiration of the Offer; or

(iii) the General Partner is the surviving entity in the Transaction and either (A) the holders of REIT Shares do not receive cash, securities, or other property in the Transaction or (B) all Limited Partners (other than the General Partner or any Subsidiary) receive an amount of cash, securities, or other property (expressed as an amount per REIT Share) that is no less than the product of the Conversion Factor and the greatest amount of cash, securities, or other property (expressed as an amount per REIT Share) received in the Transaction by any holder of REIT Shares.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 7.1(b), the General Partner may merge with or into or consolidate with another entity if immediately after such merger or consolidation (i) 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, directly or indirectly, 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 (ii) the Surviving General Partner expressly agrees to assume all obligations of the General Partner, as appropriate, hereunder. Upon such contribution and assumption, the Surviving General Partner shall have the right and duty to amend this Agreement as set forth in this Section 7.1(c). The Surviving General Partner shall in good faith arrive at a new method for the calculation of the Cash Amount, the REIT Shares Amount and Conversion 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. 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 Shares or options, warrants or other rights relating thereto, and to which a holder of Partnership Units could have acquired had such Partnership Units been exchanged immediately prior to such merger or consolidation. 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 Conversion Factor. The Surviving General Partner also shall in good faith modify the definition of REIT Shares and make such amendments to Section 8.4 hereof so as to approximate the existing rights and obligations set forth in Section 8.4 as closely as reasonably possible. The above provisions of this Section 7.1(c) shall similarly apply to successive mergers or consolidations permitted hereunder.

In respect of any transaction described in the preceding paragraph, the General Partner is required to use its commercially reasonable efforts to structure such transaction to avoid causing the Limited Partners to recognize a gain for federal income tax purposes by virtue of the occurrence of or their participation in such transaction, provided such efforts are consistent with the exercise of the General Partner’s board of directors’ fiduciary duties to the stockholders of the General Partner under applicable law.

(d) Notwithstanding Section 7.1(b),

(i) a General Partner may transfer all or any portion of its General Partnership Interest to (A) a wholly-owned Subsidiary of such General Partner or (B) the owner of all of the ownership interests of such General Partner, and following a transfer of all of its General Partnership Interest, may withdraw as General Partner; and

 

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(ii) the General Partner may engage in Transactions not required by law or by the rules of any National Securities Exchange on which the REIT Shares are listed to be submitted to the vote of the holders of the REIT Shares.

7.2 Admission of a Substitute or Additional General Partner . A Person shall be admitted as a substitute or additional General Partner of the Partnership only if the following terms and conditions are satisfied:

(a) 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, and a certificate evidencing the admission of such Person as a General Partner shall have been filed for recordation and all other actions required by Section 2.5 hereof in connection with such admission shall have been performed;

(b) 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

(c) counsel for the Partnership shall have rendered an opinion (relying on such opinions from other counsel and the state or any other jurisdiction 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 (i) the Partnership to be classified other than as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, or (ii) the loss of any Limited Partner’s limited liability.

7.3 Effect of Bankruptcy, Withdrawal, Death or Dissolution of a General Partner .

(a) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Bankruptcy as to a General Partner (and its removal pursuant to Section 7.4(a) hereof) or the death, withdrawal, removal or dissolution of a General Partner (except that, if a General Partner is on the date of such occurrence a partnership, the withdrawal, death, dissolution, Event of Bankruptcy as to, or removal of a partner in, such partnership shall be deemed not to be a dissolution of such General Partner if the business of such General Partner is continued by the remaining partner or partners), the Partnership shall be dissolved and terminated unless the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 7.3(b) hereof. The merger of the General Partner with or into any entity that is admitted as a substitute or successor General Partner pursuant to Section 7.2 hereof shall not be deemed to be the withdrawal, dissolution or removal of the General Partner.

(b) Following the occurrence of an Event of Bankruptcy as to a General Partner (and its removal pursuant to Section 7.4(a) hereof) or the death, withdrawal, removal or dissolution of a General Partner (except that, if a General Partner is on the date of such occurrence a partnership, the withdrawal, death, dissolution, Event of Bankruptcy as to, or removal of a partner in, such partnership shall be deemed not to be a dissolution of such General Partner if the business of such General Partner is continued by the remaining partner or partners), the Limited Partners, within 90 days after such occurrence, may elect to continue the business of the Partnership for the balance of the term specified in Section 2.4 hereof by selecting, subject to Section 7.2 hereof and any other provisions of this Agreement, a substitute General Partner by consent of a majority in interest of the Limited Partners. If the Limited Partners elect to continue the business of the Partnership and admit a substitute General Partner, the relationship with the Partners and of any Person who has acquired an interest of a Partner in the Partnership shall be governed by this Agreement.

 

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7.4 Removal of a General Partner .

(a) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Bankruptcy as to, or the dissolution of, a General Partner, such General Partner shall be deemed to be removed automatically; provided, however, that if a General Partner is on the date of such occurrence a partnership, the withdrawal, death, dissolution, Event of Bankruptcy as to or removal of a partner in such partnership shall be deemed not to be a dissolution of the General Partner if the business of such General Partner is continued by the remaining partner or partners. The Limited Partners may not remove the General Partner, with or without cause.

(b) If a General Partner has been removed pursuant to this Section 7.4 and the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 7.3 hereof, such General Partner shall promptly transfer and assign its General Partnership Interest in the Partnership to the substitute General Partner approved by a majority in interest of the Limited Partners in accordance with Section 7.3(b) hereof and otherwise admitted to the Partnership in accordance with Section 7.2 hereof. At the time of assignment, the removed General Partner shall be entitled to receive from the substitute General Partner the fair market value of the General Partnership Interest of such removed General Partner as reduced by any damages caused to the Partnership by such General Partner. Such fair market value shall be determined by an appraiser mutually agreed upon by the General Partner and a majority in interest of the Limited Partners within 10 days following the removal of the General Partner. In the event that the parties are unable to agree upon an appraiser, the removed General Partner and a majority in interest of the Limited Partners each shall select an appraiser. Each such appraiser shall complete an appraisal of the fair market value of the removed General Partner’s General Partnership Interest within 30 days of the General Partner’s removal, and the fair market value of the removed General Partner’s General Partnership Interest shall be the average of the two appraisals; provided, however, that if the higher appraisal exceeds the lower appraisal by more than 20% of the amount of the lower appraisal, the two appraisers, no later than 40 days after the removal of the General Partner, shall select a third appraiser who shall complete an appraisal of the fair market value of the removed General Partner’s General Partnership Interest no later than 60 days after the removal of the General Partner. In such case, the fair market value of the removed General Partner’s General Partnership Interest shall be the average of the two appraisals closest in value.

(c) The General Partnership Interest of a removed General Partner, during the time after default until transfer under Section 7.4(b), shall be converted to that of a special Limited Partner; provided, however, such removed General Partner shall not have any rights to participate in the management and affairs of the Partnership, and shall not be entitled to any portion of the income, expense, profit, gain or loss allocations or cash distributions allocable or payable, as the case may be, to the Limited Partners. Instead, such removed General Partner shall receive and be entitled only to retain distributions or allocations of such items that it would have been entitled to receive in its capacity as General Partner, until the transfer is effective pursuant to Section 7.4(b).

(d) All Partners shall have given and hereby do give such consents, shall take such actions and shall execute such documents as shall be legally necessary and sufficient to effect all the foregoing provisions of this Section.

ARTICLE 8

RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE LIMITED PARTNERS

8.1 Management of the Partnership . The Limited Partners shall not participate in the management or control of Partnership business nor shall they transact any business for the Partnership, nor shall they have the power to sign for or bind the Partnership, such powers being vested solely and exclusively in the General Partner.

 

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8.2 Power of Attorney . Each Limited Partner hereby irrevocably appoints the General Partner its true and lawful attorney-in-fact, who may act for each Limited Partner and in its name, place and stead, and for its use and benefit, to sign, acknowledge, swear to, deliver, file or record, at the appropriate public offices, any and all documents, certificates, and instruments as may be deemed necessary or desirable by the General Partner to carry out fully the provisions of this Agreement and the Act in accordance with their terms, which power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall survive the death, dissolution or legal incapacity of the Limited Partner, or the transfer by the Limited Partner of any part or all of its Partnership Interest. For the purposes of this Section 8.2, the term “Limited Partner” shall be deemed to include the Special Limited Partner, unless the context otherwise requires.

8.3 Limitation on Liability of Limited Partners . No Limited Partner shall be liable for any debts, liabilities, contracts or obligations of the Partnership. A Limited Partner shall be liable to the Partnership only to make payments of its Capital Contribution, if any, as and when due hereunder. After its Capital Contribution is fully paid, no Limited Partner shall, except as otherwise required by the Act, be required to make any further Capital Contributions or other payments or lend any funds to the Partnership.

8.4 Exchange Right .

(a) Subject to Sections 8.4(b), 8.4(c), 8.4(d), 8.4(e) and 8.4(f) and the provisions of any agreements between the Partnership and one or more Limited Partners with respect to Partnership Units held by them, each Limited Partner shall have the right (the “Exchange Right”) to require the Partnership to redeem 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 to be paid by the Partnership, provided that such Partnership Units shall have been outstanding for at least one year. The Exchange Right shall be exercised pursuant to a Notice of Exchange delivered to the Partnership (with a copy to the General Partner) by the Limited Partner who is exercising the Exchange Right (the “Exchanging Partner”); provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be obligated to satisfy such Exchange Right if the General Partner elects to purchase the Partnership Units subject to the Notice of Exchange pursuant to Section 8.4(b); and provided, further, that no Limited Partner may deliver more than two Notices of Exchange during each calendar year. A Limited Partner may not exercise the Exchange Right for less than 1,000 Partnership Units or, if such Limited Partner holds less than 1,000 Partnership Units, all of the Partnership Units held by such Partner. The Exchanging Partner shall have no right, with respect to any Partnership Units so exchanged, to receive any distribution paid with respect to Partnership Units if the record date for such distribution is on or after the Specified Exchange Date.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8.4(a), a Limited Partner that exercises the Exchange Right shall be deemed to have offered to sell the Partnership Units described in the Notice of Exchange to the General Partner, and the General Partner may, in its sole and absolute discretion, elect to purchase directly and acquire such Partnership Units by paying to the Exchanging Partner either the Cash Amount or the REIT Shares Amount, as elected by the General Partner (in its sole and absolute discretion), on the Specified Exchange Date, whereupon the General Partner shall acquire the Partnership Units offered for exchange by the Exchanging Partner and shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as the owner of such Partnership Units. If the General Partner shall elect to exercise its right to purchase Partnership Units under this Section 8.4(b) with respect to a Notice of Exchange, it shall so notify the Exchanging Partner within five Business Days after the receipt by the General Partner of such Notice of Exchange. Unless the General Partner (in its sole and absolute discretion) shall exercise its right to purchase Partnership Units from the Exchanging Partner pursuant to this Section 8.4(b), the General Partner shall have no obligation to the Exchanging Partner or the Partnership with respect to the Exchanging Partner’s exercise of the Exchange Right. In the event the General Partner shall exercise its right to purchase Partnership Units with respect to the exercise of an Exchange Right in the manner

 

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described in the first sentence of this Section 8.4(b), the Partnership shall have no obligation to pay any amount to the Exchanging Partner with respect to such Exchanging Partner’s exercise of such Exchange Right, and each of the Exchanging Partner, the Partnership, and the General Partner, as the case may be, shall treat the transaction between the General Partner, as the case may be, and the Exchanging Partner for federal income tax purposes as a sale of the Exchanging Partner’s Partnership Units to the General Partner, as the case may be. Each Exchanging Partner agrees to execute such documents as the General Partner may reasonably require in connection with the issuance of REIT Shares upon exercise of the Exchange Right.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8.4(a) and 8.4(b), a Limited Partner shall not be entitled to exercise the Exchange Right if the delivery of REIT Shares to such Partner on the Specified Exchange Date by the General Partner pursuant to Section 8.4(b) (regardless of whether or not the General Partner would in fact exercise its rights under Section 8.4(b)) would (i) result in such Partner or any other person owning, directly or indirectly, REIT Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit (as defined in the Articles of Incorporation and calculated in accordance therewith), except as provided in the Articles of Incorporation, (ii) result in REIT Shares being owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined without reference to any rules of attribution), except as provided in the Articles of Incorporation, (iii) result in the General Partner being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, or (iv) cause the General Partner to own, directly or constructively, 9.9% or more of the ownership interests in a tenant within the meaning of Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code. The General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, may waive the restriction on exchange set forth in this Section 8.4(c).

(d) Any Cash Amount to be paid to an Exchanging Partner pursuant to this Section 8.4 shall be paid on the Specified Exchange Date; provided, however, that the General Partner may elect to cause the Specified Exchange Date to be delayed for up to an additional 180 days to the extent required for the General Partner to cause additional REIT Shares to be issued to provide financing to be used to make such payment of the Cash Amount. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the General Partner agrees to use its best efforts to cause the closing of the acquisition of exchanged Partnership Units hereunder to occur as quickly as reasonably possible.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner shall place appropriate restrictions on the ability of the Limited Partners to exercise their Exchange Rights as and if deemed necessary to ensure that the Partnership does not constitute a “publicly traded partnership” under section 7704 of the Code. If and when the General Partner determines that imposing such restrictions is necessary, the General Partner shall give prompt written notice thereof (a “Restriction Notice”) to each of the Limited Partners, which notice shall be accompanied by a copy of an opinion of counsel to the Partnership which states that, in the opinion of such counsel, restrictions are necessary in order to avoid the Partnership being treated as a “publicly traded partnership” under section 7704 of the Code.

(f) Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement to the contrary, Strategic Storage Advisor II, LLC is prohibited from exchanging or otherwise transferring the Partnership Units purchased by it on August 2, 2013 for $200,000 cash, so long as it continues acting as the Advisor pursuant to the Advisory Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE 9

TRANSFERS OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

9.1 Purchase for Investment .

(a) Each Limited Partner hereby represents and warrants to the General Partner and to the Partnership that the acquisition of its Partnership Interests is made as a principal for its account for investment purposes only and not with a view to the resale or distribution of such Partnership Interest.

(b) Each Limited Partner agrees that it will not sell, assign or otherwise transfer its Partnership Interest or any fraction thereof, whether voluntarily or by operation of law or at judicial sale or otherwise, to any Person who does not make the representations and warranties to the General Partner set forth in Section 9.1(a) above and similarly agree not to sell, assign or transfer such Partnership Interest or fraction thereof to any Person who does not similarly represent, warrant and agree.

9.2 Restrictions on Transfer of Limited Partnership Interests .

(a) Subject to the provisions of 9.2(b), (c) and (d), no Limited Partner may offer, sell, assign, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise transfer all or any portion of its Limited Partnership Interest, or any of such Limited Partner’s economic rights as a Limited Partner, whether voluntarily or by operation of law or at judicial sale or otherwise (collectively, a “Transfer”) without the consent of the General Partner, which consent may be granted or withheld in its sole and absolute discretion. Any such purported transfer undertaken without such consent shall be considered to be null and void ab initio and shall not be given effect. The General Partner may require, as a condition of any Transfer to which it consents, that the transferor assume all costs incurred by the Partnership in connection therewith.

(b) No Limited Partner may withdraw from the Partnership other than as a result of a permitted Transfer (i.e., a Transfer consented to as contemplated by clause (a) above or clause (c) below or a Transfer pursuant to Section 9.5 below) of all of its Partnership Units pursuant to this Article 9 or pursuant to an exchange of all of its Partnership Units pursuant to Section 8.4. Upon the permitted Transfer or redemption of all of a Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest, such Limited Partner shall cease to be a Limited Partner.

(c) Subject to 9.2(d), (e) and (f) below, a Limited Partner may Transfer, with the consent of the General Partner, all or a portion of its Partnership Units to (i) a parent or parent’s spouse, natural or adopted descendant or descendants, spouse of such descendant, or brother or sister, or a trust created by such Limited Partner for the benefit of such Limited Partner and/or any such Person(s), of which trust such Limited Partner or any such Person(s) is a trustee, (ii) a corporation controlled by a Person or Persons named in (i) above, or (iii) if the Limited Partner is an entity, its beneficial owners.

(d) No Limited Partner may effect a Transfer of its Limited Partnership Interest, in whole or in part, if, in the opinion of legal counsel for the Partnership, such proposed Transfer would otherwise violate any applicable federal or state securities or blue sky law (including investment suitability standards).

(e) No Transfer by a Limited Partner of its Partnership Units, in whole or in part, may be made to any Person if (i) in the opinion of legal counsel for the Partnership, the transfer would result in the Partnership’s being treated as an association taxable as a corporation (other than a qualified REIT subsidiary within the meaning of Section 856(i) of the Code), (ii) in the opinion of legal counsel for the Partnership, it 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, or (iii) 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.

 

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(f) 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 and absolute discretion, provided that as a condition to such consent the lender will be required to enter into an arrangement with the Partnership and the General Partner to exchange or redeem for the Cash Amount 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.

(g) Any Transfer in contravention of any of the provisions of this Article 9 shall be void and ineffectual and shall not be binding upon, or recognized by, the Partnership.

(h) Prior to the consummation of any Transfer under this Article 9, the transferor and/or the transferee shall deliver to the General Partner such opinions, certificates and other documents as the General Partner shall request in connection with such Transfer.

9.3 Admission of Substitute Limited Partner .

(a) Subject to the other provisions of this Article 9, an assignee of the Limited Partnership Interest of a Limited Partner (which shall be understood to include any purchaser, transferee, donee, or other recipient of any disposition of such Limited Partnership Interest) shall be deemed admitted as a Limited Partner of the Partnership only with the consent of the General Partner and upon the satisfactory completion of the following:

(i) The assignee shall have accepted and agreed to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement by executing a counterpart or an amendment thereof, including a revised Exhibit A , and such other documents or instruments as the General Partner may require in order to effect the admission of such Person as a Limited Partner.

(ii) To the extent required, an amended Certificate evidencing the admission of such Person as a Limited Partner shall have been signed, acknowledged and filed for record in accordance with the Act.

(iii) The assignee shall have delivered a letter containing the representation set forth in Section 9.1(a) hereof and the agreement set forth in Section 9.1(b) hereof.

(iv) If the assignee is a corporation, partnership or trust, the assignee shall have provided the General Partner with evidence satisfactory to counsel for the Partnership of the assignee’s authority to become a Limited Partner under the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

(v) The assignee shall have executed a power of attorney containing the terms and provisions set forth in Section 8.2 hereof.

(vi) The assignee shall have paid all legal fees and other expenses of the Partnership and the General Partner and filing and publication costs in connection with its substitution as a Limited Partner.

 

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(vii) The assignee has obtained the prior written consent of the General Partner to its admission as a Substitute Limited Partner, which consent may be given or denied in the exercise of the General Partner’s sole and absolute discretion.

(b) For the purpose of allocating Profits and Losses and distributing cash received by the Partnership, a Substitute Limited Partner shall be treated as having become, and appearing in the records of the Partnership as, a Partner upon the filing of the Certificate described in Section 9.3(a)(ii) hereof or, if no such filing is required, the later of the date specified in the transfer documents or the date on which the General Partner has received all necessary instruments of transfer and substitution.

(c) The General Partner shall cooperate with the Person seeking to become a Substitute Limited Partner by preparing the documentation required by this Section and making all official filings and publications. The Partnership shall take all such action as promptly as practicable after the satisfaction of the conditions in this Article 9 to the admission of such Person as a Limited Partner of the Partnership.

9.4 Rights of Assignees of Partnership Interests .

(a) Subject to the provisions of Sections 9.1 and 9.2 hereof, except as required by operation of law, the Partnership shall not be obligated for any purposes whatsoever to recognize the assignment by any Limited Partner of its Partnership Interest until the Partnership has received notice thereof.

(b) Any Person who is the assignee of all or any portion of a Limited Partner’s Limited Partnership Interest, but does not become a Substitute Limited Partner and desires to make a further assignment of such Limited Partnership Interest, shall be subject to all the provisions of this Article 9 to the same extent and in the same manner as any Limited Partner desiring to make an assignment of its Limited Partnership Interest.

9.5 Effect of Bankruptcy, Death, Incompetence or Termination of a Limited Partner . The occurrence of an Event of Bankruptcy as to a Limited Partner, the death of a Limited Partner or a final adjudication that a Limited Partner is incompetent (which term shall include, but not be limited to, insanity) shall not cause the termination or dissolution of the Partnership, and the business of the Partnership shall continue if an order for relief in a bankruptcy proceeding is entered against a Limited Partner, the trustee or receiver of his estate or, if he dies, his executor, administrator or trustee, or, if he is finally adjudicated incompetent, his committee, guardian or conservator, shall have the rights of such Limited Partner for the purpose of settling or managing his estate property and such power as the bankrupt, deceased or incompetent Limited Partner possessed to assign all or any part of his Partnership Interest and to join with the assignee in satisfying conditions precedent to the admission of the assignee as a Substitute Limited Partner.

9.6 Joint Ownership of Interests . A Partnership Interest may be acquired by two individuals as joint tenants with right of survivorship, provided that such individuals either are married or are related and share the same home as tenants in common. The written consent or vote of both owners of any such jointly held Partnership Interest shall be required to constitute the action of the owners of such Partnership Interest; provided, however, that the written consent of only one joint owner will be required if the Partnership has been provided with evidence satisfactory to the counsel for the Partnership that the actions of a single joint owner can bind both owners under the applicable laws of the state of residence of such joint owners. Upon the death of one owner of a Partnership Interest held in a joint tenancy with a right of survivorship, the Partnership Interest shall become owned solely by the survivor as a Limited Partner and not as an assignee. The Partnership need not recognize the death of one of the owners of a

 

35


jointly-held Partnership Interest until it shall have received notice of such death. Upon notice to the General Partner from either owner, the General Partner shall cause the Partnership Interest to be divided into two equal Partnership Interests, which shall thereafter be owned separately by each of the former owners.

9.7 Redemption of Partnership Units . The General Partner will cause the Partnership to redeem Partnership Units, to the extent it shall have legally available funds therefor, at any time the General Partner redeems shares of capital stock in itself. The number and class or series of Partnership Units redeemed and the redemption price shall equal the number (multiplied by the Conversion Factor) of shares of capital stock the General Partner redeems and the redemption price at which the General Partner redeems such shares, respectively.

ARTICLE 10

BOOKS AND RECORDS; ACCOUNTING; TAX MATTERS

10.1 Books and Records . At all times during the continuance of the Partnership, the Partners shall keep or cause to be kept at the Partnership’s specified office true and complete books of account in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, including: (a) a current list of the full name and last known business address of each Partner, (b) a copy of the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all certificates of amendment thereto, (c) copies of the Partnership’s federal, state and local income tax returns and reports, (d) copies of this Agreement and amendments thereto and any financial statements of the Partnership for the three most recent years and (e) all documents and information required under the Act. Any Partner or its duly authorized representative, upon paying the costs of collection, duplication and mailing, shall be entitled to inspect or copy such records during ordinary business hours.

10.2 Custody of Partnership Funds; Bank Accounts .

(a) All funds of the Partnership not otherwise invested shall be deposited in one or more accounts maintained in such banking or brokerage institutions as the General Partner shall determine, and withdrawals shall be made only on such signature or signatures as the General Partner may, from time to time, determine.

(b) All deposits and other funds not needed in the operation of the business of the Partnership may be invested by the General Partner in investment grade instruments (or investment companies whose portfolio consists primarily thereof), government obligations, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and municipal notes and bonds. The funds of the Partnership shall not be commingled with the funds of any other Person except for such commingling as may necessarily result from an investment in those investment companies permitted by this Section 10.2(b).

10.3 Fiscal and Taxable Year . The fiscal and taxable year of the Partnership shall be the calendar year.

10.4 Annual Tax Information and Report . Within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Partnership, the General Partner shall furnish to each person who was a Limited Partner at any time during such year the tax information necessary to file such Limited Partner’s individual tax returns as shall be reasonably required by law.

10.5 Tax Matters Partner; Tax Elections; Special Basis Adjustments .

(a) The General Partner shall be the Tax Matters Partner of the Partnership within the meaning of Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code. As Tax Matters Partner, the General Partner shall have

 

36


the right and obligation to take all actions authorized and required, respectively, by the Code for the Tax Matters Partner. The General Partner shall have the right to retain professional assistance in respect of any audit of the Partnership by the Service and all out-of-pocket expenses and fees incurred by the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership as Tax Matters Partner shall constitute Partnership expenses. In the event the General Partner receives notice of a final Partnership adjustment under Section 6223(a)(2) of the Code, the General Partner shall either (i) file a court petition for judicial review of such final adjustment within the period provided under Section 6226(a) of the Code, a copy of which petition shall be mailed to all Limited Partners on the date such petition is filed, or (ii) mail a written notice to all Limited Partners, within such period, that describes the General Partner’s reasons for determining not to file such a petition.

(b) All elections required or permitted to be made by the Partnership under the Code or any applicable state or local tax law shall be made by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion.

(c) In the event of a transfer of all or any part of the Partnership Interest of any Partner, the Partnership, at the option of the General Partner, may elect pursuant to Section 754 of the Code to adjust the basis of the Partnership’s assets. Notwithstanding anything contained in Article 5 of this Agreement, any adjustments made pursuant to Section 754 of the Code shall affect only the successor in interest to the transferring Partner and in no event shall be taken into account in establishing, maintaining or computing Capital Accounts for the other Partners for any purpose under this Agreement. Each Partner will furnish the Partnership with all information necessary to give effect to such election.

10.6 Reports Made Available to Limited Partners .

(a) As soon as practicable after the close of each fiscal quarter (other than the last quarter of the fiscal year), upon written request by a Limited Partner to the General Partner, the General Partner will make available, without cost, to each Limited Partner a quarterly report containing financial statements of the Partnership, or of the General Partner if such statements are prepared solely on a consolidated basis with the General Partner, for such fiscal quarter, presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. As soon as practicable after the close of each fiscal year, upon written request by a Limited Partner to the General Partner, the General Partner will make available, without cost, to each Limited Partner an annual report containing financial statements of the Partnership, or of the General Partner if such statements are prepared solely on a consolidated basis with the General Partner, for such fiscal year, presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

(b) Any Partner shall further have the right to a private audit of the books and records of the Partnership at the expense of such Partner, provided such audit is made for Partnership purposes and is made during normal business hours.

ARTICLE 11

AMENDMENT OF AGREEMENT; MERGER

The General Partner’s consent shall be required for any amendment to this Agreement. The General Partner, without the consent of the Limited Partners, may amend this Agreement in any respect or merge or consolidate the Partnership with or into any other partnership or business entity (as defined in Section 17-211 of the Act) in a transaction pursuant to Section 7.1(b), (c) or (d) hereof; provided, however, that the following amendments and any other merger or consolidation of the Partnership shall require the consent of the holders of a majority of the Partnership Units (excluding the Partnership Units held by the General Partner or an Affiliate thereof):

(a) any amendment affecting the operation of the Conversion Factor or the Exchange Right (except as provided in Section 8.4(d) or 7.1(c) hereof) in a manner adverse to the Limited Partners;

 

37


(b) any amendment that would adversely affect the rights of the Limited Partners to receive the distributions payable to them hereunder, other than with respect to the issuance of additional Partnership Interests pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof;

(c) any amendment that would alter the Partnership’s allocations of Profit and Loss to the Limited Partners, other than with respect to the issuance of additional Partnership Interests pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof; or

(d) any amendment that would impose on the Limited Partners any obligation to make additional Capital Contributions to the Partnership.

ARTICLE 12

GENERAL PROVISIONS

12.1 Notices . All communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered personally or upon deposit in the United States mail, registered, postage prepaid return receipt requested, to the Partners at the addresses set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto; provided, however, that any Partner may specify a different address by notifying the General Partner in writing of such different address. Notices to the Partnership shall be delivered at or mailed to its specified office.

12.2 Survival of Rights . Subject to the provisions hereof limiting transfers, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Partners and the Partnership and their respective legal representatives, successors, transferees and assigns.

12.3 Additional Documents . Each Partner agrees to perform all further acts and execute, swear to, acknowledge and deliver all further documents which may be reasonable, necessary, appropriate or desirable to carry out the provisions of this Agreement or the Act.

12.4 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared illegal, invalid, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, then such provision shall be deemed to be severable from this Agreement (to the extent permitted by law) and in any event such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the remainder hereof.

12.5 Entire Agreement . This Agreement and exhibits attached hereto constitute the entire Agreement of the Partners and supersede all prior written agreements and prior and contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations with respect to the subject matter hereof.

12.6 Pronouns and Plurals . When the context in which words are used in the Agreement indicates that such is the intent, words in the singular number shall include the plural and the masculine gender shall include the neuter or female gender as the context may require.

12.7 Headings . The Article headings or sections in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be used in construing the scope of this Agreement or any particular Article.

12.8 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original copy and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument binding on all parties hereto, notwithstanding that all parties shall not have signed the same counterpart.

 

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12.9 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware; provided, however, that causes of action for violations of federal or state securities laws shall not be governed by this Section 12.9.

[Signatures appear on next page.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have hereunder affixed their signatures to this Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement, all as of the 10th day of January, 2014.

 

GENERAL PARTNER:
STRATEGIC STORAGE TRUST II, INC.
By:  

/s/ H. Michael Schwartz

  H. Michael Schwartz, President
ORIGINAL LIMITED PARTNER:
STRATEGIC STORAGE ADVISOR II, LLC
By:  

/s/ H. Michael Schwartz

  H. Michael Schwartz, President
SPECIAL LIMITED PARTNER:

STRATEGIC STORAGE ADVISOR II, LLC

By:

 

/s/ H. Michael Schwartz

  H. Michael Schwartz, President

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

Percentage Partner Interest    Cash 
Contribution
     Agreed Value of 
Capital 
Contribution
     Partnership Units  

GENERAL PARTNER : (1)

 

Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc.

111 Corporate Drive

Suite 120

Ladera Ranch, California 92694

   $ 1,000       $ 1,000         100   

ORIGINAL LIMITED PARTNER: (1)

 

Strategic Storage Advisor II, LLC

111 Corporate Drive

Suite 120

Ladera Ranch, California 92694

   $ 200,000       $ 200,000         20,000   

SPECIAL LIMITED PARTNER:

 

Strategic Storage Advisor II, LLC

111 Corporate Drive

Suite 120

Ladera Ranch, California 92694

     None         Not applicable         None   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Totals

   $ 201,000       $ 201,000         20,100   

 

(1) The initial cash contributions of the General Partner in the amount of $1,000 and the Original Limited Partner in the amount of $200,000 were made on August 2, 2013.

 

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EXHIBIT B

NOTICE OF EXERCISE OF EXCHANGE RIGHT

In accordance with Section 8.4 of the Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement (the “Agreement”) of Strategic Storage Operating Partnership II, L.P., the undersigned hereby irrevocably (i) presents for exchange             Partnership Units in Strategic Storage Operating Partnership II, L.P. in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and the Exchange Right referred to in Section 8.4 thereof, (ii) surrenders such Partnership Units and all right, title and interest therein, and (iii) directs that the Cash Amount or REIT Shares Amount (as defined in the Agreement) as determined by the General Partner deliverable upon exercise of the Exchange Right be delivered to the address specified below, and if REIT Shares (as defined in the Agreement) are to be delivered, such REIT Shares be registered or placed in the name(s) and at the address(es) specified below.

 

Dated:                     ,         

 

(Name of Limited Partner)

 

(Signature of Limited Partner)

 

(Mailing Address)

 

(City) (State) (Zip Code)
Signature Guaranteed by:

 

If REIT Shares are to be issued, issue to:
Name:  

 

Social Security or Tax I.D. Number:

 

 

42

Exhibit 10.2

ADVISORY AGREEMENT

BY AND AMONG

STRATEGIC STORAGE TRUST II, INC.,

STRATEGIC STORAGE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP II, L.P.

AND

STRATEGIC STORAGE ADVISOR II, LLC


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          PAGE  

ARTICLE I

   DEFINITIONS      3   

ARTICLE II

   APPOINTMENT      9   

ARTICLE III

   AUTHORITY OF THE ADVISOR      9   

    Section 3.1

   General      9   

    Section 3.2

   Powers of the Advisor      10   

    Section 3.3

   Approval by Directors      10   

    Section 3.4

   Modification or Revocation of Authority of Advisor      10   

ARTICLE IV

   DUTIES OF THE ADVISOR      10   

    Section 4.1

   Organizational and Offering Services      10   

    Section 4.2

   Acquisition Services      11   

    Section 4.3

   Asset Management Services and Administrative Services      11   

ARTICLE V

   BANK ACCOUNTS      13   

ARTICLE VI

   RECORDS; ACCESS      13   

ARTICLE VII

   OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE ADVISOR      14   

    Section 7.1

   General      14   

    Section 7.2

   Policy with Respect to Allocation of Investment Opportunities      14   

ARTICLE VIII

   LIMITATIONS ON ACTIVITIES      15   

ARTICLE IX

   FEES      15   

    Section 9.1

   Advisor Acquisition Fees      15   

    Section 9.2

   Asset Management Fee      15   

    Section 9.3

   Disposition Fees      15   

    Section 9.4

   Changes to Fee Structure      16   

ARTICLE X

   EXPENSES      16   

    Section 10.1

   Reimbursable Expenses      16   

    Section 10.2

   Other Services      18   

    Section 10.3

   Timing of and Limitations on Reimbursements      18   

ARTICLE XI

   NO PARTNERSHIP OR JOINT VENTURE      19   

ARTICLE XII

   RELATIONSHIP WITH DIRECTORS      19   

ARTICLE XIII

   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES      19   

    Section 13.1

   The Company      19   

    Section 13.2

   The Operating Partnership      20   

    Section 13.3

   The Advisor      20   

ARTICLE XIV

   TERM; TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT      21   

    Section 14.1

   Term      21   

    Section 14.2

   Termination by Any Party      21   

 

i


    Section 14.3    Termination by the Advisor    21
    Section 14.4    Termination by the Company    21
    Section 14.5    Survival    21
ARTICLE XV    PAYMENTS TO AND DUTIES OF PARTIES UPON TERMINATION    21
    Section 15.1    Reimbursable Expenses and Earned Fees    21
    Section 15.2    Advisor’s Duties Upon Termination    22
    Section 15.3    Non-Solicitation    22
ARTICLE XVI    ASSIGNMENT TO AN AFFILIATE    22
ARTICLE XVII    INCORPORATION OF THE CHARTER AND THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT    22
ARTICLE XVIII    INDEMNIFICATION BY THE COMPANY AND THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP    23
ARTICLE XIX    INDEMNIFICATION BY ADVISOR    23
ARTICLE XX    LIMITATION OF LIABILITY    24
ARTICLE XXI    NOTICES    24
ARTICLE XXII    MODIFICATION    24
ARTICLE XXIII    SEVERABILITY    25
ARTICLE XXIV    CONSTRUCTION/GOVERNING LAW    25
ARTICLE XXV    ENTIRE AGREEMENT    25
ARTICLE XXVI    INDULGENCES, NOT WAIVERS    25
ARTICLE XXVII    GENDER    25
ARTICLE XXVIII    TITLES NOT TO AFFECT INTERPRETATION    25
ARTICLE XXIX    EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS    26
ARTICLE XXX    INITIAL INVESTMENT    26

 

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ADVISORY AGREEMENT

THIS ADVISORY AGREEMENT, dated as of January 10, 2014, is entered into among STRATEGIC STORAGE TRUST II, INC., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), STRATEGIC STORAGE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”) and STRATEGIC STORAGE ADVISOR II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Advisor”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-190983) (the “Registration Statement”) covering the issuance of Common Stock, and the Company may subsequently issue additional shares of Common Stock;

WHEREAS, the Company intends to qualify as a REIT, and to invest its funds in investments permitted by the terms of the Company’s charter and Sections 856 through 860 of the Code;

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 available to 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; and

WHEREAS, the Advisor is willing to undertake to render such services, subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

As used in this Advisory Agreement, the following terms have the definitions hereinafter indicated:

“Acquisition Expenses” means expenses incurred by the Company, the Operating Partnership, the Advisor or any of their affiliates in connection with the sourcing, selection, evaluation and acquisition of, and investment in, Properties, whether or not acquired or made, including but not limited to legal fees and expenses, travel and communications expenses, costs of financial analysis, appraisals and surveys, nonrefundable option payments on Property not acquired, accounting fees and expenses, computer use-related expenses, architectural and engineering reports, environmental reports, title insurance and escrow fees, and personnel and other direct expenses related to the selection and acquisition of Properties.

“Acquisition Fee” means any and all fees and commissions, exclusive of Acquisition Expenses, paid by any Person to any other Person (including any fees or commissions paid by or to any Affiliate of the Company or the Advisor) in connection with the making or investing in mortgage loans or the purchase, development or construction of a Property, including, without limitation, real estate

 

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commissions, acquisition fees, finder’s fees, selection fees, Development Fees and Construction Fees (except as provided in the following sentence), nonrecurring management fees, consulting fees, loan fees, points, or any other fees or commissions of a similar nature. Excluded shall be any commissions or fees incurred in connection with the leasing of any Property, and Development Fees or Construction Fees paid to any Person or entity not affiliated with the Advisor in connection with the actual development and construction of any Property. This fee is paid to the Advisor in the amount established pursuant to Section 9.1 for the services provided to the Company and the Operating Partnership described in Section 4.2.

“Advisor” means the Person responsible for directing or performing the day-to-day business affairs of the Company and the Operating Partnership, including a Person to which an Advisor subcontracts substantially all such functions. The Advisor is Strategic Storage Advisor II, LLC or any Person which succeeds it in such capacity.

“Advisory Agreement” means this advisory agreement between the Company, the Operating Partnership and the Advisor pursuant to which the Advisor will direct or perform the day-to-day business affairs of the Company and the Operating Partnership, as it may be further amended or restated from time to time.

“Affiliate” or “Affiliated” means, as to any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company or other legal entity (other than the Company): (a) any Person or entity, directly or indirectly owning, controlling, or holding with power to vote ten percent (10%) or more of the outstanding voting securities of another Person or entity; (b) any Person ten percent (10%) or more of whose outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly owned, controlled or held, with power to vote, by such other Person; (c) any Person or entity directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controlling, controlled by, or under common control with another Person or entity; (d) any officer, director, general partner or trustee of such Person or entity; and (e) if such other Person or entity is an officer, director, general partner, or trustee of a Person or entity, the Person or entity for which such Person or entity acts in any such capacity.

“Appraised Value” means value according to an appraisal made by an Independent Appraiser.

“Assets” means any and all GAAP assets including but not limited to all real estate investments (real, personal or otherwise), tangible or intangible, owned or held by, or for the account of, the Company or the Operating Partnership, whether directly or indirectly through another entity or entities, including Properties.

“Average Invested Assets” means, for a specified period, the average of the aggregate GAAP basis book carrying values of the Assets invested, directly or indirectly, in equity interests in and loans secured, directly or indirectly, by real estate before reserves for depreciation or bad debts or other similar non-cash reserves, computed by taking the average of such values at the end of each month during such period.

“Asset Management Fee” means the monthly fee paid to the Advisor in the amount established pursuant to Section 9.2 for the services provided to the Company and the Operating Partnership described in Section 4.3.

“Board of Directors” or “Board” means the individuals holding such office, as of any particular time, under the Charter of the Company, whether they are the Directors named therein or additional or successor Directors.

 

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“Bylaws” means the bylaws of the Company, as the same may be amended from time to time.

“Capped O&O Expenses” means all Organizational and Offering Expenses (excluding Sales Commissions and the dealer manager fee) in excess of 3.5% of the Gross Proceeds raised in a completed Offering other than Gross Proceeds from Stock sold pursuant to the Distribution Reinvestment Plan.

“Charter” means the charter of the Company, including the articles of incorporation and all articles of amendment, articles of amendment and restatement, articles supplementary and other modifications thereto as filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland.

“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.

“Common Stock” means shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share, the terms and conditions of which are set forth in the Charter.

“Common Stockholders” means holders of shares of Common Stock.

“Company” means Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Maryland.

“Competitive Real Estate Commission” means a real estate or brokerage commission paid (or, if no commission is paid, the amount that customarily would be paid) for the purchase or sale of a Property that is reasonable, customary and competitive in light of the size, type and location of the Property.

“Construction Fee” means a fee or other remuneration for acting as general contractor and/or construction manager to construct, supervise or coordinate leasehold or other improvements or projects, or to provide major repairs or rehabilitation for a Property.

“Contract Purchase Price” means the amount actually paid or allocated in respect of the purchase, development, construction, or improvement of a Property, exclusive of Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses.

“Contract Sales Price” means the total consideration provided for in the sales contract for the sale of a Property.

“Dealer Manager” means Select Capital Corporation, an Affiliate of the Advisor, or such other Person or entity selected by the Board of Directors to act as the dealer manager for the offering of the Stock. Select Capital Corporation is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

“Development Fee” means a fee for the packaging of a Property, including negotiating and approving plans, and undertaking to assist in obtaining zoning and necessary variances and financing for the specific Property, either initially or at a later date.

“Director” means an individual who is a member of the Board of Directors.

 

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“Disposition Fee” means the fee paid to the Advisor in connection with the sale of a property as described in Section 9.3 of this Advisory Agreement.

“Distribution Reinvestment Plan” means the distribution reinvestment plan of the Company approved by the Board and as set forth in the Prospectus.

“Distributions” means any dividends or other distributions of money or other property paid by the Company to the holders of Common Stock or preferred stock, including dividends that may constitute a return of capital for federal income tax purposes.

“Excess Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3(b) hereof.

“Excess Expense Guidelines” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3(b) hereof.

“Expense Year” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3(b) hereof.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied as used in the United States.

“Gross Proceeds” means the aggregate purchase price of all Stock sold for the account of the Company, including Stock sold pursuant to the Distribution Reinvestment Plan, without deduction for Sales Commissions, volume discounts, fees paid to the Dealer Manager or other Organization and Offering Expenses. Gross Proceeds does not include Stock issued in exchange for OP Units.

“Independent Appraiser” means a person or entity, who is not an Affiliate of the Advisor or the Directors, who is engaged to a substantial extent in the business of rendering opinions regarding the value of assets of the type held by the Company, and who is a qualified appraiser of real estate as determined by the Board. Membership in a nationally recognized appraisal society such as the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers or the Society of Real Estate Appraisers shall be conclusive evidence of such qualification.

“Independent Director” means a Director who is not, and within the last two (2) years has not been, directly or indirectly associated with the Advisor or the Sponsor by virtue of (a) ownership of an interest in the Advisor, the Sponsor or their Affiliates, (b) employment by the Advisor, the Sponsor or their Affiliates, (c) service as an officer or director of the Advisor, the Sponsor or their Affiliates, (d) performance of services, other than as a Director, for the Company, (e) service as a director or trustee of more than three (3) real estate investment trusts organized by the Advisor or the Sponsor or advised by the Advisor, or (f) maintenance of a material business or professional relationship with the Advisor, the Sponsor or any of their Affiliates. A business or professional relationship is considered material if the gross revenue derived by the Director from the Advisor, the Sponsor and Affiliates exceeds five percent (5%) of either the Director’s annual gross revenue during either of the last two (2) years or the Director’s net worth on a fair market value basis. An indirect relationship shall include circumstances in which a Director’s spouse, parents, children, siblings, mothers- or fathers-in-law, sons- or daughters-in-law or brothers- or sisters-in-law are or have been associated with the Advisor, the Sponsor, any of their Affiliates or the Company or the Operating Partnership.

“Initial Public Offering” means the offering and sale of Common Stock of the Company pursuant to the Company’s first effective registration statement covering such Common Stock filed under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

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“Joint Venture” or “Joint Ventures” means those joint venture or general partnership arrangements in which the Company or the Operating Partnership is a co-venturer or general partner which are established to acquire Properties.

“NASAA” means the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc.

“NASAA Net Income” means for any period, the total revenues applicable to such period, less the total expenses applicable to such period excluding additions to reserves for depreciation, bad debts or other similar non-cash reserves; provided, however, NASAA Net Income for purposes of calculating total allowable Operating Expenses shall exclude the gain from the sale of the Company’s or the Operating Partnership’s Assets.

“NASAA REIT Guidelines” means the Statement of Policy Regarding Real Estate Investment Trusts published by the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc. as revised and adopted by the NASAA membership on May 7, 2007, as may be amended from time to time.

“Offering” means an offering of Stock that is registered with the SEC, excluding Stock offered under any employee benefit plan.

“Operating Expenses” means all direct and indirect costs and expenses incurred by the Company, as determined under GAAP, which in any way are related to the operation of the Company or to Company business, including advisory fees, but excluding (a) the expenses of raising capital such as Organizational 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 listing of the Stock on a national securities exchange, (b) interest payments, (c) taxes, (d) non-cash expenditures such as depreciation, amortization and bad debt reserves, (e) Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses, (f) real estate commissions on the Sale of Property, and other expenses connected with the acquisition and ownership of real estate interests, mortgage loans, or other property (such as the costs of foreclosure, insurance premiums, legal services, maintenance, repair, and improvement of property) and (g) any incentive fees which may be paid in compliance with the NASAA REIT Guidelines. The definition of “Operating Expenses” set forth above is intended to encompass only those expenses which are required to be treated as Operating Expenses under the NASAA REIT Guidelines. As a result, and notwithstanding the definition set forth above, any expense of the Company which is not an Operating Expense under the NASAA REIT Guidelines shall not be treated as an Operating Expense for purposes hereof.

“Operating Partnership” means Strategic Storage Operating Partnership II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

“Operating Partnership Agreement” means the First Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the Operating Partnership, as amended and restated from time to time.

“OP Unit” means a unit of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership.

“Organizational and Offering Expenses” means any and all costs and expenses incurred by the Company, the Advisor or any Affiliate of either in connection with and in preparing the Company for registration of and subsequently offering and distributing its Stock to the public, which may include but are not limited to total underwriting and brokerage discounts and commissions (including fees of the underwriters’ attorneys), legal, accounting and escrow fees, expenses for printing, engraving, amending, supplementing and mailing, distribution costs, compensation to employees while engaged in registering, marketing and wholesaling the Stock, telegraph and telephone costs, all advertising and marketing

 

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expenses (including the costs related to investor and broker-dealer sales meetings), charges of transfer agents, registrars, trustees, escrow holders, depositories, experts, and fees, expenses and taxes related to the filing, registration and qualification of the sale of the Securities under Federal and State laws, including accountants’ and attorneys’ fees and other accountable offering expenses. Organization and Offering Expenses may include, but are not limited to: (a) amounts to reimburse the Advisor for all marketing related costs and expenses such as compensation to and direct expenses of the Advisor’s employees or employees of the Advisor’s Affiliates in connection with registering and marketing the Stock; (b) travel and entertainment expenses related to the offering and marketing of the Stock; (c) facilities and technology costs and other costs and expenses associated with the offering and to facilitate the marketing of the Stock including web site design and management; (d) costs and expenses of conducting training and educational conferences and seminars; (e) costs and expenses of attending broker-dealer sponsored retail seminars or conferences; and (f) payment or reimbursement of bona fide due diligence expenses.

“Person” shall mean any natural person, partnership, corporation, association, trust, limited liability company or other legal entity.

“Property” or “Properties” means the real properties or real estate investments which are acquired by the Company either directly or through the Operating Partnership, Joint Ventures, partnerships or other entities.

“Property Manager” means any entity that has been retained to perform and carry out at one or more of the Properties property management services.

“Prospectus” means any document, notice, or other communication satisfying the standards set forth in Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, and contained in a currently effective registration statement filed by the Company with, and declared effective by, the SEC, or if no registration statement is currently effective, then the Prospectus contained in the most recently effective registration statement.

“Public Offering” means the Initial Public Offering or any subsequent offering of Stock that is registered with the SEC, excluding Stock offered under any employee benefit plan.

“Registration Statement” means a registration statement filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form S-11, as amended from time to time, in connection with a Public Offering.

“REIT” means a corporation, trust or association which is engaged in investing in equity interests in real estate (including fee ownership and leasehold interests and interests in partnerships and Joint Ventures holding real estate) or in loans secured by mortgages on real estate or both and that qualifies as a real estate investment trust under the REIT Provisions of the Code.

“REIT Provisions of the Code” means Sections 856 through 860 of the Code and any successor or other provisions of the Code relating to real estate investment trusts (including provisions as to the attribution of ownership of beneficial interests therein) and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

“REIT Shares Amount” has the meaning set forth in the Operating Partnership Agreement.

“Sale” or “Sales” means any transaction or series of transactions whereby: (a) the Operating Partnership sells, grants, transfers, conveys or relinquishes its ownership of any Property or portion thereof, including the lease of any Property consisting of the building only, and including any

 

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event with respect to any Property which gives rise to a significant amount of insurance proceeds or condemnation awards; (b) the Operating Partnership sells, grants, transfers, conveys or relinquishes its ownership of all or substantially all of the interest of the Operating Partnership in any Joint Venture in which it is a co-venturer or partner; (c) any Joint Venture in which the Operating Partnership is a co-venturer or partner sells, grants, transfers, conveys or relinquishes its ownership of any Property or portion thereof, including any event with respect to any Property which gives rise to insurance claims or condemnation awards; (d) the Operating Partnership sells, grants, conveys, or relinquishes its interest in any asset, or portion thereof, including any event with respect to any asset which gives rise to a significant amount of insurance proceeds or similar awards; or (e) the Operating Partnership sells or otherwise disposes of or distributes all of its assets in liquidation of the Operating Partnership.

“Sales Commissions” means any and all commissions payable to underwriters, dealer managers or other broker-dealers in connection with the sale of Stock, including, without limitation, commissions payable to the Dealer Manager.

“Securities” means any class or series of units or shares of the Company or the Operating Partnership, including common shares or preferred units or shares and any 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.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Sponsor” means Strategic Storage Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

“Stock” means shares of stock of the Company of any class or series, including Common Stock, preferred stock or shares-in-trust.

“Stockholders” means the registered holders of the Company’s Stock.

“Termination Date” means the date of termination of this Advisory Agreement.

ARTICLE II

APPOINTMENT

The Company, through the powers vested in the Board of Directors including a majority of all Independent Directors, and the Operating Partnership, hereby appoints the Advisor to serve as its advisor and asset manager on the terms and conditions set forth in this Advisory Agreement, and the Advisor hereby accepts such appointment. The Advisor undertakes to use its commercially reasonable best efforts to present to the Company and the Operating Partnership potential investment opportunities and to provide a continuing and suitable investment program consistent with the investment objectives and policies of the Company as determined and adopted from time to time by the Board.

ARTICLE III

AUTHORITY OF THE ADVISOR

Section 3.1 General . All rights and powers to manage and control the day-to-day business and affairs of the Company and the Operating Partnership shall be vested in the Advisor. The Advisor shall have the power to delegate all or any part of its rights and powers to manage and control the

 

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business and affairs of the Company and the Operating Partnership to such officers, employees, Affiliates, agents and representatives of the Advisor, the Company or the Operating Partnership as it may from time to time deem appropriate. Any authority delegated by the Advisor to any other Person shall be subject to the limitations on the rights and powers of the Advisor specifically set forth in this Advisory Agreement, the Charter, the Bylaws and the Operating Partnership Agreement.

Section 3.2 Powers of the Advisor . Subject to the express limitations set forth in this Advisory Agreement and subject to the supervision of the Board, the power to direct the management, operation and policies of the Company and the Operating Partnership shall be vested in the Advisor, which shall have the power by itself and shall be authorized and empowered on behalf and in the name of the Company and the Operating Partnership, as applicable, to carry out any and all of the objectives and purposes of the Company and the Operating Partnership and to perform all acts and enter into and perform all contracts and other undertakings that it may in its sole discretion deem necessary, advisable or incidental thereto to perform its obligations under this Advisory Agreement.

Section 3.3 Approval by Directors . Notwithstanding the foregoing, any investment in Properties, including any acquisition of a Property by the Company or the Operating Partnership or any investment by the Company or the Operating Partnership in a joint venture, limited partnership or similar entity owning real properties, will require the prior approval of the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board constituting a majority of the Board. The Advisor will deliver to the Board of Directors all documents required by it to properly evaluate the proposed investment.

Section 3.4 Modification or Revocation of Authority of Advisor . The Board may, at any time upon the giving of notice to the Advisor, modify or revoke the authority or approvals set forth in Articles III and IV, 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.

ARTICLE IV

DUTIES OF THE ADVISOR

The Advisor undertakes to use its commercially reasonable best efforts to present to the Company and the Operating Partnership potential investment opportunities and to provide a continuing and suitable investment program consistent with the investment objectives and policies of the Company as determined and adopted from time to time by the Board. In connection therewith, the Advisor agrees to perform the following services on behalf of the Company and the Operating Partnership.

Section 4.1 Organizational and Offering Services . The Advisor shall manage and supervise:

(a) the structure and development of any Offering, including the determination of the specific terms of the Securities to be offered by the Company;

(b) the preparation of all organizational and offering related documents, and obtaining of all required regulatory approvals of such documents;

(c) along with the Dealer Manager, approval of the participating broker dealers and negotiation of the related selling agreements;

(d) coordination of the due diligence process relating to participating broker dealers and their review of the Prospectus and other Offering and Company documents;

 

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(e) preparation and approval of all marketing materials contemplated to be used by the Dealer Manager or others in an Offering;

(f) along with the Dealer Manager, negotiation and coordination with the transfer agent for the receipt, collection, processing and acceptance of subscription agreements, commissions, and other administrative support functions;

(g) creation and implementation of various technology and electronic communications related to an Offering; and

(h) all other services related to organization of the Company or the Offering, whether performed and incurred by the Advisor or its Affiliates.

Section 4.2 Acquisition Services . The Advisor shall:

(a) serve as the Company’s and the Operating Partnership’s investment and financial advisor and provide relevant market research and economic and statistical data in connection with the Company’s assets and investment objectives and policies;

(b) subject to Article III hereof and the investment objectives and policies of the Company: (i) locate, analyze and select potential investments; (ii) structure and negotiate the terms and conditions of transactions pursuant to which investments in Assets will be made; (iii) acquire Assets on behalf of the Company and the Operating Partnership; and (iv) arrange for financing related to acquisitions of Assets;

(c) perform due diligence on prospective investments and create due diligence reports summarizing the results of such work;

(d) prepare reports regarding prospective investments which include recommendations and supporting documentation necessary for the Board to evaluate the proposed investments;

(e) obtain reports (which may be prepared by the Advisor or its Affiliates), where appropriate, concerning the value of contemplated investments of the Company and the Operating Partnership; and

(f) negotiate and execute investments and other transactions approved by the Board.

Section 4.3 Asset Management Services and Administrative Services .

(a) Asset Management and Property Related Services . The Advisor shall:

(i) negotiate and service the Company’s and the Operating Partnership’s debt facilities and other financings;

(ii) monitor applicable markets and obtain reports (which may be prepared by the Advisor or its Affiliates) where appropriate, concerning the value of investments of the Company and the Operating Partnership;

(iii) monitor and evaluate the performance of investments of the Company and the Operating Partnership; provide daily management services to the Company and perform and supervise the various management and operational functions related to the Company’s and the Operating Partnership’s investments;

 

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(iv) coordinate with the Property Manager on its duties under any property management agreement and assist in obtaining all necessary approvals of major property transactions as governed by the applicable property management agreement;

(v) coordinate and manage relationships between the Company and the Operating Partnership with any joint venture partners;

(vi) consult with the officers and Directors of the Company and provide assistance with the evaluation and approval of potential property dispositions, sales or refinancings; and

(vii) provide the officers and Directors of the Company periodic reports regarding prospective investments in Properties.

(b) Accounting, SEC Compliance and Other Administrative Services . The Advisor shall:

(i) coordinate with the Company’s independent accountants and auditors to prepare and deliver to the Board an annual report covering the Advisor’s compliance with certain material aspects of this Advisory Agreement;

(ii) maintain accounting systems, records and data and any other information requested concerning the activities of the Company and the Operating Partnership as shall be required to prepare and to file all periodic financial reports and returns required to be filed with the SEC and any other regulatory agency, including annual financial statements;

(iii) provide tax and compliance services and coordinate with appropriate third parties, including independent accountants and other consultants, on related tax matters;

(iv) maintain all appropriate books and records of the Company and the Operating Partnership;

(v) provide the officers of the Company and the Board with timely updates related to the overall regulatory environment affecting the Company, as well as managing compliance with such matters, including but not limited to compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;

(vi) consult with the officers of the Company and the Board relating to the corporate governance structure and appropriate policies and procedures related thereto;

(vii) perform all reporting, record keeping, internal controls and similar matters in a manner to allow the Company to comply with applicable law including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;

(viii) investigate, select, and, on behalf of the Company and the Operating Partnership, engage and conduct business with such Persons as the Advisor deems necessary to the proper performance of its obligations hereunder, including but not limited to consultants, accountants, lenders, technical advisors, attorneys, brokers, underwriters, corporate fiduciaries, escrow agents, depositaries, custodians, agents for collection, insurers, insurance agents, banks, builders, developers, property owners, mortgagers, construction companies and any and all Persons acting in any other capacity deemed by the Advisor necessary or desirable for the performance of any of the foregoing services;

(ix) supervise the performance of such ministerial and administrative functions as may be necessary in connection with the daily operations of the Assets;

 

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(x) provide the Company and the Operating Partnership with all necessary cash management services;

(xi) consult with the officers of the Company and the Board and assist the Board in evaluating and obtaining adequate insurance coverage based upon risk management determinations;

(xii) manage and perform the various administrative functions necessary for the management of the day-to-day operations of the Company and the Operating Partnership;

(xiii) provide or arrange for administrative services and items, legal and other services, office space, office furnishings, personnel and other overhead items necessary and incidental to the Company’s and the Operating Partnership’s business and operations;

(xiv) provide financial and operational planning services and portfolio management functions; and

(xv) from time-to-time, or at any time reasonably requested by the Board, make reports to the Board on the Advisor’s performance of services to the Company and the Operating Partnership under this Advisory Agreement.

(c) Stockholder Services . The Advisor shall:

(i) have the authority, in its sole discretion, to retain a transfer agent on behalf of the Company to perform all necessary transfer agent functions;

(ii) manage and coordinate with such transfer agent, if retained by the Advisor, the distribution process and payments to Stockholders;

(iii) manage communications with Stockholders, including answering phone calls, preparing and sending written and electronic reports and other communications; and

(iv) establish technology infrastructure to assist in providing Stockholder support and service.

ARTICLE V

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 or 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 from time to time render appropriate accountings of such collections and payments to the Board and to the auditors of the Company.

ARTICLE VI

RECORDS; ACCESS

The Advisor shall maintain appropriate records of all its activities hereunder and make such records available for inspection by the Board and by counsel, auditors and authorized agents of the Company and the Operating Partnership, at any time or from time to time during normal business hours. The Advisor, in the conduct of its responsibilities to the Company and the Operating Partnership, shall

 

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maintain adequate and separate books and records for the Company’s and the Operating Partnership’s operations in accordance with GAAP, which shall be supported by sufficient documentation to ascertain that such books and records are properly and accurately recorded. Such books and records shall be the property of the Company. Such books and records shall include all information necessary to calculate and audit the fees or reimbursements paid under this Advisory Agreement. The Advisor shall utilize procedures to attempt to ensure such control over accounting and financial transactions as is reasonably required to protect the Company’s and the Operating Partnership’s assets from theft, error or fraudulent activity. All financial statements that the Advisor delivers to the Company shall be prepared on an accrual basis in accordance with GAAP, except for special financial reports which by their nature require a deviation from GAAP. The Advisor shall maintain necessary liaison with the Company’s independent accountants and shall provide such accountants with such reports and other information as the Company shall request. The Advisor shall at all reasonable times have access to the books and records of the Company and the Operating Partnership.

ARTICLE VII

OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE ADVISOR

Section 7.1 General . Nothing herein contained shall prevent the Advisor from engaging in 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 Advisor or its Affiliates; nor shall this Advisory Agreement limit or restrict the right of any director, officer, employee, or stockholder of the Advisor or its Affiliates to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other partnership, corporation, firm, individual, trust or association. 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. 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 the Operating Partnership and its obligations to or its interest in any other partnership, corporation, firm, individual, trust or association.

Section 7.2 Policy with Respect to Allocation of Investment Opportunities . Before the Advisor presents an investment opportunity that would in its judgment be suitable for the Company to another Advisor-sponsored program, the Advisor shall determine in its sole discretion that the investment opportunity is more suitable for such other program than for the Company based on factors such as the following: the investment objectives and criteria of each program; the cash requirements and anticipated cash flow of each entity; the size of the investment opportunity; the effect of the acquisition on diversification of each entity’s investments; the income tax consequences of the purchase on each entity; the policies of each program relating to leverage; the amount of funds available to each program and the length of time such funds have been available for investment. In the event that an investment opportunity becomes available that is, in the sole discretion of the Advisor, equally suitable for both the Company and another Advisor-sponsored program, then the Advisor may offer the other program the investment opportunity if it has had the longest period of time elapse since it was offered an investment opportunity. The Advisor will use its reasonable efforts to fairly allocate investment opportunities in accordance with such allocation method and will promptly disclose any material deviation from such policy or the establishment of a new policy, which shall be allowed provided (a) the Board is provided with notice of such policy at least 60 days prior to such policy becoming effective and (b) such policy provides for the reasonable allocation of investment opportunities among such programs. The Advisor shall provide the Independent Directors with any information reasonably requested so that the Independent Directors can ensure that the allocation of investment opportunities is applied fairly. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent the Advisor or an Affiliate from pursuing an investment opportunity directly rather than offering it to the Company or another Advisor-sponsored program so long as the

 

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Advisor is fulfilling its obligation to present a continuing and suitable investment program to the Company which is consistent with the investment policies and objectives of the Company. If a subsequent development, such as a delay in the closing of a property or a delay in the construction of a property, causes any such investment, in the opinion of the Board of Directors and the Advisor, to be more appropriate for an entity other than the entity which committed to make the investment, however, the Advisor has the right to agree that the other entity affiliated with the Advisors or its Affiliates may make the investment.

ARTICLE VIII

LIMITATIONS ON ACTIVITIES

Anything else in this Advisory Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the Advisor shall refrain from taking any action which, in its sole judgment made in good faith, would (a) adversely affect the status of the Company as a REIT, (b) subject the Company to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (c) violate any law, rule, regulation or statement of policy of any governmental body or agency having jurisdiction over the Company, its Stock or its other Securities, or the Operating Partnership, or (d) violate the Charter, the Bylaws or the Operating Partnership Agreement, 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Advisor, its directors, officers, employees and stockholders, and stockholders, directors and officers of the Advisor’s Affiliates shall not be liable to the Company or the Operating Partnership or to the Board or Stockholders for any act or omission by the Advisor, its directors, officers or employees, or stockholders, directors or officers of the Advisor’s Affiliates except as provided in this Advisory Agreement.

ARTICLE IX

FEES

Section 9.1 Acquisition Fees . The Company will pay the Advisor, as compensation for the services described in Section 4.2, Acquisition Fees in an amount equal to 1.75% of the Contract Purchase Price of each Property at the time and in respect of funds expended for the acquisition or development of a Property. The purchase price allocable for a Property held through a Joint Venture shall equal the product of (a) the Contract Purchase Price of the Property and (b) the direct or indirect ownership percentage in the Joint Venture held directly or indirectly by the Company or the Operating Partnership. For purposes of this Section 9.1, “ownership percentage” shall be the percentage of capital stock, membership interests, partnership interests or other equity interests held by the Company or the Operating Partnership, without regard to classification of such interests. The total of all Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses shall be limited in accordance with the Charter.

Section 9.2 Asset Management Fee . Commencing on the date hereof, for the asset management services included in the services described in Section 4.3(a), the Company shall pay the Advisor a monthly Asset Management Fee in an amount equal to one-twelfth of 0.625% of the Average Invested Assets. The Advisor may elect to receive the Asset Management Fee, in whole or in part, in shares of the Company.

Section 9.3 Disposition Fees . If the Advisor or an Affiliate provides a substantial amount of the services (as determined by a majority of the Directors, including a majority of the Independent Directors) in connection with the Sale of one or more Properties, the Advisor or such Affiliate shall receive at closing a Disposition Fee in an amount equal to the lesser of: (a) 1% of the

 

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Contract Sales Price or (b) 50% of the Competitive Real Estate Commission. Any Disposition Fee payable under this section may be paid in addition to real estate commissions paid to non-Affiliates, provided that the total real estate commissions (including such Disposition Fee) paid to all Persons by the Company or the Operating Partnership for each Property shall not exceed an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 6% of the aggregate Contract Sales Price of each Property or (ii) the Competitive Real Estate Commission for each Property. The Company or the Operating Partnership will pay the Disposition Fee for a property at the time the property is sold.

Section 9.4 Changes to Fee Structure . In the event of a listing of the Common Stock on a national securities exchange, the Company and the Advisor shall negotiate in good faith to establish a fee structure appropriate for a perpetual-life entity. A majority of the Independent Directors must approve the new fee structure negotiated with the Advisor. In negotiating a new fee structure, the Independent Directors shall consider all of the factors they deem relevant, including, but not limited to: (a) the amount of the advisory fee in relation to the asset value, composition and profitability of the Company’s portfolio; (b) the success of the Advisor in generating opportunities that meet the investment objectives of the Company; (c) the rates charged to other REITs and to investors other than REITs by advisors performing the same or similar services; (d) additional revenues realized by the Advisor and its Affiliates through their relationship with the Company, including loan administration, underwriting or broker commissions, servicing, engineering, inspection and other fees, whether paid by the REIT or by others with whom the REIT does business; (e) the quality and extent of service and advice furnished by the Advisor; (f) the performance of the investment portfolio of the REIT, including income, conversion or appreciation of capital, and number and frequency of problem investments; and (g) the quality of the Property portfolio of the Company in relationship to the investments generated by the Advisor for its own account. The new fee structure can be no more favorable to the Advisor than the current fee structure.

ARTICLE X

EXPENSES

Section 10.1 Reimbursable Expenses . In addition to the compensation paid to the Advisor pursuant to Article IX hereof, the Company or the Operating Partnership shall pay directly or reimburse the Advisor for all of the expenses paid or incurred by the Advisor (to the extent not reimbursable by another party, such as the Dealer Manager) in connection with the services it provides to the Company and the Operating Partnership pursuant to this Advisory Agreement, including, but not limited to:

(a) reimbursements for Organizational and Offering Expenses in connection with this offering, provided, however, that within 60 days after the end of the month in which an Offering terminates, the Advisor shall reimburse the Company to the extent (i) there are Capped O&O Expenses borne by the Company or (ii) Organization and Offering Expenses borne by the Company (including selling commissions, dealer manager fees and non-accountable due diligence expense allowance but not including Acquisition Fees or Acquisition Expenses) exceed 15% of the Gross Proceeds raised in a completed Offering;

(b) subject to the limitation set forth below, Acquisition Expenses incurred by the Advisor or its Affiliates;

(c) subject to the limitation set forth below, Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses payable to unaffiliated Persons incurred in connection with the selection and acquisition of Properties;

 

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(d) the actual out-of-pocket cost of goods and services used by the Company and the Operating Partnership and obtained from entities not affiliated with the Advisor including brokerage and other fees paid in connection with the purchase, operation and sale of Assets;

(e) interest and other costs for borrowed money, including discounts, points and other similar fees;

(f) taxes and assessments on income or Property and taxes as an expense of doing business and any taxes otherwise imposed on the Company and the Operating Partnership, its business or income;

(g) costs associated with insurance required in connection with the business of the Company, the Operating Partnership or by the Board;

(h) expenses of managing and operating Properties owned by the Company or the Operating Partnership, whether payable to an Affiliate of the Company or a non-affiliated Person;

(i) all expenses in connection with payments to Directors and meetings of the Directors and Stockholders;

(j) expenses associated with the listing of the Common Stock on a national securities exchange or with the issuance and distribution of Securities other than the Stock issued in a Public Offering, such as selling commissions and fees, advertising expenses, taxes, legal and accounting fees, listing and registration fees;

(k) expenses connected with payments of Distributions in cash or otherwise made or caused to be made by the Company to the Stockholders;

(l) expenses of organizing, converting, modifying, merging, liquidating or dissolving the Company, the Operating Partnership or of amending the Charter, the Bylaws or the Operating Partnership Agreement;

(m) expenses of maintaining communications with Stockholders, including the cost of preparation, printing, and mailing annual reports and other Stockholder reports, proxy statements and other reports required by governmental entities;

(n) administrative service expenses, including all direct and indirect costs and expenses incurred by Advisor in fulfilling its duties hereunder and 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 the Acquisition Fee or Disposition Fee. Such direct and indirect costs and expenses may include reasonable wages and salaries and other employee-related expenses of all employees of Advisor who are directly engaged in the operation, management, administration, and marketing of the Company, including taxes, insurance and benefits relating to such employees, and legal, travel and other out-of-pocket expenses which are directly related to their services provided by Advisor pursuant to this Advisory Agreement;

(o) audit, accounting and legal fees, and other fees for professional services relating to the operations of the Company and the Operating Partnership and all such fees incurred at the request, or on behalf of, the Independent Directors or any committee of the Board; and

 

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(p) out-of-pocket costs for the Company and the Operating Partnership to comply with all applicable laws, regulation and ordinances; and all other out-of-pocket costs necessary for the operation of the Company, the Operating Partnership and the Assets incurred by the Advisor in performing its duties hereunder.

The Company or the Operating Partnership shall also reimburse the Advisor or Affiliates of the Advisor for all direct and indirect costs and expenses incurred on behalf of the Company or the Operating Partnership prior to the execution of this Advisory Agreement.

The total of all Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses paid by the Company in connection with the purchase of a Property by the Company shall be reasonable, and shall in no event exceed an amount equal to 6% of the Contract Purchase Price, or in the case of a mortgage loan, 6% of the funds advanced; provided, however, that a majority of the Directors (including the majority of the Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction may approve fees and expenses in excess of these limits if they determine the transaction to be commercially competitive, fair and reasonable to the Company.

Section 10.2 Other Services . Should the Directors request that the Advisor or any member, manager, officer or employee thereof render services for the Company or the Operating Partnership other than set forth in Article IV, such services shall be separately compensated at such rates and in such amounts as are agreed by the Advisor and a majority of the Independent Directors, subject to the limitations contained in the Charter, and shall not be deemed to be services pursuant to the terms of this Advisory Agreement.

Section 10.3 Timing of and Limitations on Reimbursements .

(a) Expenses incurred by the Advisor on behalf of the Company and the Operating Partnership and payable pursuant to this Article X shall be reimbursed no less frequently than monthly to the Advisor. The Advisor shall prepare a statement documenting the expenses of the Company and the Operating Partnership during each quarter, and shall deliver such statement to the Company within 45 days after the end of each quarter. Subject to the Excess Expense Guidelines, the Company or the Operating Partnership may advance funds to the Advisor for expenses the Advisor anticipates will be incurred by the Advisor within the current month and any such advances shall be deducted from the amounts reimbursed by the Company or the Operating Partnership to the Advisor.

(b) Upon four fiscal quarters after the Company’s or the Operating Partnership’s acquisition of the first Property, the Company shall not reimburse the Advisor at the end of any fiscal quarter Operating Expenses that, in the four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended (the “Expense Year”) exceed (the “Excess Amount”) the greater of 2% of Average Invested Assets or 25% of NASAA Net Income (the “Excess Expense Guidelines”) for such year unless a majority of the Independent Directors determines that such excess was justified, based on unusual and nonrecurring factors which they deem sufficient. If a majority of the Independent Directors does not approve such excess as being so justified, any Excess Amount paid to the Advisor during a fiscal quarter shall be repaid to the Company. If a majority of the Independent Directors determines such excess was justified, then within 60 days after the end of any fiscal quarter of the Company for which total reimbursed Operating Expenses for the Expense Year exceed the Excess Expense Guidelines, the Advisor, at the direction of a majority of the Independent Directors, shall send to the Stockholders a written disclosure of such fact, together with an explanation of the factors a majority of the Independent Directors considered in determining that such excess expenses were justified. The Company will ensure that such determination will be reflected in the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors. All figures used in the foregoing computation shall be determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

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ARTICLE XI

NO PARTNERSHIP OR JOINT VENTURE

The parties to this Advisory Agreement are not partners or joint venturers with each other, and nothing in this Advisory Agreement shall be construed to make them such partners or joint venturers or impose any liability as such on either of them, and neither shall have the power to bind or obligate any of them except as set forth herein. In all respects, the status of the Advisor under this Advisory Agreement is that of an independent contractor.

ARTICLE XII

RELATIONSHIP WITH DIRECTORS

Subject to Article VIII of this Advisory Agreement and to restrictions set forth in the Charter or deemed advisable with respect to the qualification of the Company as a REIT, directors, officers and employees of the Advisor or an Affiliate of the Advisor or any corporate parents of an Affiliate, or directors, officers or stockholders of any director, officer or corporate parent of an Affiliate may serve as a Director and as officers of the Company, except that no officer or employee of the Advisor or its Affiliates who also is a Director or officer of the Company shall receive any compensation from the Company for serving as a Director or officer other than reasonable reimbursement for travel and related expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Directors. Directors who are not Independent Directors will be individuals nominated by the Advisor, provided that such director nominees are either directors of the Advisor or have been elected by the board of directors of the Advisor as executive officers of the Advisor.

ARTICLE XIII

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Section 13.1 The Company . To induce the Advisor to enter into this Advisory Agreement, the Company hereby represents and warrants that:

(a) The Company is a corporation, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland with all requisite corporate power and authority and all material licenses, permits and authorizations necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Advisory Agreement.

(b) The Company’s execution, delivery and performance of this Advisory Agreement has been duly authorized by the Board of Directors including a majority of all Independent Directors of the Company. This Advisory Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms. The Company’s execution and delivery of this Advisory Agreement and its fulfillment of and compliance with the respective terms hereof do not and will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, (ii) constitute a default under, (iii) result in the creation of any lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance upon the assets of the Company pursuant to, (iv) give any third party the right to modify, terminate or accelerate any obligation under, (v) result in a violation of or (vi) require any authorization, consent, approval, exception or other action by or notice to any court or administrative or governmental body pursuant to, the Charter or Bylaws or any law, statute, rule or regulation to which the Company is subject, or any agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree by which the Company is bound, in any such case in a manner that would have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to perform any of its obligations under this Advisory Agreement.

 

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Section 13.2 The Operating Partnership . To induce the Advisor to enter into this Advisory Agreement, the Operating Partnership hereby represents and warrants that:

(a) The Operating Partnership is a Delaware limited partnership, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware with all requisite power and authority and all material licenses, permits and authorizations necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Advisory Agreement.

(b) The Operating Partnership’s execution, delivery and performance of this Advisory Agreement has been duly authorized. This Advisory Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the Operating Partnership, enforceable against the Operating Partnership in accordance with its terms. The Operating Partnership’s execution and delivery of this Advisory Agreement and its fulfillment of and compliance with the respective terms hereof do not and will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, (ii) constitute a default under, (iii) result in the creation of any lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance upon the assets of the Operating Partnership pursuant to, (iv) give any third party the right to modify, terminate or accelerate any obligation under, (v) result in a violation of or (vi) require any authorization, consent, approval, exception or other action by or notice to any court or administrative or governmental body pursuant to, the Operating Partnership Agreement or any law, statute, rule or regulation to which the Operating Partnership is subject, or any agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree by which the Operating Partnership is bound, in any such case in a manner that would have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Operating Partnership to perform any of its obligations under this Advisory Agreement.

Section 13.3 The Advisor . To induce the Company and the Operating Partnership to enter into this Advisory Agreement, the Advisor represents and warrants that:

(a) The Advisor is a limited liability company, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware with all requisite company power and authority and all material licenses, permits and authorizations necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Advisory Agreement.

(b) The Advisor’s execution, delivery and performance of this Advisory Agreement has been duly authorized. This Advisory Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Advisor, enforceable against the Advisor in accordance with its terms. The Advisor’s execution and delivery of this Advisory Agreement and its fulfillment of and compliance with the respective terms hereof do not and will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, (ii) constitute a default under, (iii) result in the creation of any lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance upon the Advisor’s assets pursuant to, (iv) give any third party the right to modify, terminate or accelerate any obligation under, (v) result in a violation of or (vi) require any authorization, consent, approval, exemption or other action by or notice to any court or administrative or governmental body pursuant to, the Advisor’s articles of incorporation or bylaws, or any law, statute, rule or regulation to which the Advisor is subject, or any agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree by which the Advisor is bound, in any such case in a manner that would have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Advisor to perform any of its obligations under this Advisory Agreement.

(c) The Advisor has received copies of the Charter, the Bylaws, the Registration Statement and the Operating Partnership Agreement and is familiar with the terms thereof, including without limitation the investment limitations included therein. The Advisor warrants that it will use reasonable care to avoid any act or omission that would conflict with the terms of the Charter, the Bylaws, the Registration Statement, or the Operating Partnership Agreement in the absence of the express direction of a majority of the Independent Directors.

 

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ARTICLE XIV

TERM; TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT

Section 14.1 Term . This Advisory Agreement shall continue in force until the first anniversary of the date hereof. Thereafter, this Advisory Agreement may be renewed for an unlimited number of successive one-year terms upon mutual consent of the parties. The Company, acting through the Board, will evaluate the performance of the Advisor annually before renewing the Agreement, and each such renewal shall be for a term of no more than one year.

Section 14.2 Termination by Any Party . This Advisory Agreement may be terminated upon 60 days’ written notice without cause or penalty, by any party (by a majority of the Independent Directors of the Company or the manager of the Advisor).

Section 14.3 Termination by the Advisor . This Advisory Agreement may be terminated immediately by the Advisor in the event of any material breach of this Advisory Agreement by the Company or the Operating Partnership not cured within 30 days after written notice thereof.

Section 14.4 Termination by the Company . This Advisory Agreement may be terminated immediately by the Company or the Operating Partnership in the event of (a) any material breach of this Advisory Agreement by the Advisor not cured by the Advisor within 30 days after written notice thereof; (b) a decree or order is rendered by a court having jurisdiction (i) adjudging Advisor as bankrupt or insolvent, or (ii) approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, readjustment, arrangement, composition or similar relief for Advisor under the federal bankruptcy laws or any similar applicable law or practice, or (iii) appointing a receiver or liquidator or trustee or assignee in bankruptcy or insolvency of Advisor or a substantial part of the property of Advisor, or for the winding up or liquidation of its affairs; or (c) Advisor (i) institutes proceedings to be adjudicated a voluntary bankrupt or an insolvent, (ii) consents to the filing of a bankruptcy proceeding against it, (iii) files a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization, readjustment, arrangement, composition or relief under any similar applicable law or practice, (iv) consents to the filing of any such petition, or to the appointment of a receiver or liquidator or trustee or assignee in bankruptcy or insolvency for it or for a substantial part of its property, (v) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, (vi) is unable to or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due unless such inability shall be the fault of the Operating Partnership, or (vii) takes company or other action in furtherance of any of the aforesaid purposes.

Section 14.5 Survival . The provisions of Articles I, VI, VII and XV through XX survive termination of this Advisory Agreement.

ARTICLE XV

PAYMENTS TO AND DUTIES OF

PARTIES UPON TERMINATION

Section 15.1 Reimbursable Expenses and Earned Fees . 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, including all unpaid reimbursable expenses and all earned but unpaid fees payable to the Advisor prior to termination of this Advisory Agreement.

 

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Section 15.2 Advisor’s Duties Upon Termination . The Advisor shall promptly upon termination:

(a) 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 Advisory Agreement, after deducting any accrued compensation and reimbursement for its expenses to which it is then entitled;

(b) 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;

(c) deliver to the Board all assets, including Properties, and documents of the Company and the Operating Partnership then in the custody of the Advisor; and

(d) cooperate with the Company and the Operating Partnership to provide an orderly management transition.

Section 15.3 Non-Solicitation . During the period commencing on the effective date of this Advisory Agreement and ending two years following the Termination Date, the Company shall not, without the Advisor’s prior written consent, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit or encourage any employee, consultant, contractor or other Person performing services on behalf of the Advisor or its Affiliates to leave the employment or other service of the Advisor or any of its Affiliates, or (ii) hire or pay, directly or indirectly, any compensation to, on behalf of the Company or any other Person, any employee, consultant, contractor or other Person performing services on behalf of the Advisor or its Affiliates who has left the employment of, or engagement by, the Advisor or any of its Affiliates within the two-year period following the termination of that person’s employment with, or engagement by, the Advisor or any of its Affiliates. During the period commencing on the effective date of this Advisory Agreement and ending two years following the Termination Date, the Company will not, whether for its own account or for the account of any other Person, intentionally interfere with the relationship of the Advisor or any of its Affiliates with, or endeavor to entice away from the Advisor or any of its Affiliates, any Person who during the term of this Advisory Agreement is, or during the preceding two-year period was, a tenant, co-investor, co-developer, joint venturer or other customer of the Advisor or any of its Affiliates.

ARTICLE XVI

ASSIGNMENT TO AN AFFILIATE

This Advisory 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 Advisory Agreement without obtaining the approval of the Directors. This Advisory 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, as the case may be, to a legal entity that is a successor to all of the assets, rights and obligations of the Company or the Operating Partnership, as the case may be, in which case such successor organization shall be bound hereunder and by the terms of said assignment in the same manner as the Company or the Operating Partnership, as the case may be, is bound by this Advisory Agreement.

ARTICLE XVII

INCORPORATION OF THE CHARTER AND THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP

AGREEMENT

To the extent that the Charter or the Operating Partnership Agreement as in effect on the date hereof impose obligations or restrictions on the Advisor or grant the Advisor certain rights which are not set forth in this Advisory Agreement, the Advisor shall abide by such obligations or restrictions and such rights shall inure to the benefit of the Advisor with the same force and effect as if they were set forth herein.

 

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ARTICLE XVIII

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, directors, partners and employees, 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, subject to any limitations imposed by the laws of the State of Maryland and the State of Delaware, as applicable, and only if all of the following conditions are met:

(a) The directors or the Advisor or its Affiliates have determined, in good faith, that the course of conduct that caused the loss or liability was in the best interests of the Company and the Operating Partnership, as applicable;

(b) The Advisor or its Affiliates were acting on behalf of or performing services for the Company or the Operating Partnership;

(c) Such liability or loss was not the result of negligence or misconduct by the Advisor or its Affiliates; and

(d) Such indemnification or agreement to hold harmless is recoverable only out of the Company’s net assets, including insurance proceeds, and not from its Stockholders.

(e) With respect to losses, liabilities or expenses arising from or out of an alleged violation of federal or state securities laws, one or more of the following conditions are met: (i) there has been a successful adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged securities law violations as to the particular indemnitee; (ii) such claims have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction as to the particular indemnitee; or (iii) a court of competent jurisdiction approves a settlement of the claims against a particular 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 SEC and of the published position of any state securities regulatory authority in which securities of the Company were offered or sold as to indemnification for violations of securities laws. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Advisor shall not be entitled to indemnification or be held harmless pursuant to this Article XVIII for any activity which the Advisor shall be required to indemnify or hold harmless the Company and the Operating Partnership pursuant to Article XIX.

ARTICLE XIX

INDEMNIFICATION BY ADVISOR

The Advisor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Operating Partnership from contract or other liability, claims, damages, taxes or losses and related expenses including attorneys’ fees, to the extent that such liability, claims, damages, taxes or losses and related expenses are not fully reimbursed by insurance and are incurred by reason of the Advisor’s gross negligence, bad faith, fraud, willful misfeasance, misconduct, or reckless disregard of its duties, but Advisor shall not be held responsible for any action of the Board in declining to follow any advice or recommendation given by the Advisor.

 

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ARTICLE XX

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

In no event will the parties be liable for damages based on loss of income, profit or savings or indirect, incidental, consequential, exemplary, punitive or special damages of the other party or person, including third parties, even if such party has been advised of the possibility of such damages in advance, and all such damages are expressly disclaimed.

ARTICLE XXI

NOTICES

Any notice in this Advisory Agreement permitted to be given, made or accepted by either party to the other, must be in writing and may be given or served by (1) overnight courier, (2) depositing the same in the United States mail, postpaid, certified, return receipt requested, or (3) facsimile transfer. Notice deposited in the United States mail shall be deemed given when mailed. Notice given in any other manner shall be effective when received at the address of the addressee. For purposes hereof the addresses of the parties, until changed as hereafter provided, shall be as follows:

 

To the Company:    Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc.
   Attention: H. Michael Schwartz
   111 Corporate Drive, Suite 120
   Ladera Ranch, California 92694
   Fax: 949-429-6606
With a copy to:    Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
   111 Corporate Drive, Suite 120
   Ladera Ranch, California 92694
   Fax: 949-429-6606
To the Operating Partnership:    Strategic Storage Operating Partnership II, L.P.
   Attention: H. Michael Schwartz
   111 Corporate Drive, Suite 120
   Ladera Ranch, California 92694
   Fax: 949-429-6606
To the Advisor:    Strategic Storage Advisor II, LLC
   Attention: H. Michael Schwartz
   111 Corporate Drive, Suite 120
   Ladera Ranch, California 92694
   Fax: 949-429-6606

Any party may at any time give notice in writing to the other party of a change in its address for the purposes of this Article XXI.

ARTICLE XXII

MODIFICATION

This Advisory Agreement shall not be changed, 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.

 

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ARTICLE XXIII

SEVERABILITY

The provisions of this Advisory 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.

ARTICLE XXIV

CONSTRUCTION/GOVERNING LAW

The provisions of this Advisory Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

ARTICLE XXV

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Advisory 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 and/or usage of the trade inconsistent with any of the terms hereof. This Advisory Agreement may not be modified or amended other than by an agreement in writing.

ARTICLE XXVI

INDULGENCES, NOT WAIVERS

Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of a party to exercise any right, remedy, power or privilege under this Advisory 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.

ARTICLE XXVII

GENDER

Words used herein regardless of the number and gender specifically used, shall be deemed and construed to include any other number, singular or plural, and any other gender, masculine, feminine or neuter, as the context requires.

ARTICLE XXVIII

TITLES NOT TO AFFECT INTERPRETATION

The titles of paragraphs and subparagraphs contained in this Advisory Agreement are for convenience only, and they neither form a part of this Advisory Agreement nor are they to be used in the construction or interpretation hereof.

 

25


ARTICLE XXIX

EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS

This Advisory 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 Advisory Agreement shall become binding when the counterparts hereof, taken together, bear the signatures of all of the parties reflected hereon as the signatories.

ARTICLE XXX

INITIAL INVESTMENT

The Advisor has purchased 100 shares of Common Stock for $1,000.00. The Advisor has purchased 20,000 OP Units for $200,000. In addition, the Advisor may not sell any of the OP Units while the Advisor acts in such advisory capacity to the Company or the Operating Partnership, provided, that such OP Units may be transferred to Affiliates of the Advisor. Affiliates of the Advisor may not sell any of the OP Units while the Advisor acts in such advisory capacity to the Company or the Operating Partnership, provided, that such OP Units may be transferred to the Advisor or other Affiliates of the Advisor. The restrictions included above shall not apply to any other Securities acquired by the Advisor or its Affiliates. With respect to any Securities owned by the Advisor, the Directors, or any of their Affiliates, neither the Advisor, nor the Directors, nor any of their Affiliates may vote or consent on matters submitted to the Stockholders regarding the removal of the Advisor, Directors or any of their Affiliates or any transaction between the Company and any of them. In determining the requisite percentage in interest of Securities necessary to approve a matter on which the Advisor, Directors and any of their Affiliates may not vote or consent, any Securities owned by any of them shall not be included.

[SIGNATURES APPEAR ON NEXT PAGE]

 

26


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Advisory Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

 

THE COMPANY:
STRATEGIC STORAGE TRUST II, INC.
By:  

/s/ H. Michael Schwartz

  H. Michael Schwartz
  President and Chief Executive Officer
THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP:
STRATEGIC STORAGE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP II, L.P.
BY:   STRATEGIC STORAGE TRUST II, INC., ITS
  GENERAL PARTNER
By:  

/s/ H. Michael Schwartz

  H. Michael Schwartz
  President and Chief Executive Officer
THE ADVISOR:
STRATEGIC STORAGE ADVISOR II, LLC
By:  

/s/ H. Michael Schwartz

  H. Michael Schwartz
  President

 

27

Exhibit 10.5

EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

OF

STRATEGIC STORAGE TRUST II, INC.

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1.  

PURPOSES OF THE PLAN AND DEFINITIONS

     1   
  1.1    P URPOSES      1   
  1.2    D EFINITIONS      1   
2.  

ELIGIBLE PERSONS

     6   
3.  

SHARES OF STOCK SUBJECT TO THIS PLAN

     6   
4.  

ADMINISTRATION

     7   
  4.1    C OMMITTEE      7   
  4.2    D URATION , R EMOVAL , E TC      7   
  4.3    M EETINGS AND A CTIONS OF C OMMITTEE      7   
  4.4     C OMMITTEE S P OWERS      8   
  4.5    T ERM OF P LAN      9   
5.  

GRANT OF OPTIONS

     9   
  5.1    W RITTEN A GREEMENT      9   
  5.2    A NNUAL $100,000 L IMITATION ON ISO S      9   
6.  

CERTAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS AND OTHER AWARDS

     9   
  6.1    A LL A WARDS      10   
  6.2    T ERMS AND C ONDITIONS TO W HICH O NLY NQO S A RE S UBJECT      13   
  6.3    T ERMS AND C ONDITIONS TO W HICH O NLY ISO S A RE S UBJECT      13   
  6.4    S URRENDER OF O PTIONS      13   
7.  

RESTRICTED STOCK

     14   
  7.1    G RANT      14   
  7.2    R ESTRICTIONS      14   
  7.3    D ISTRIBUTIONS      14   
  7.4    A UTOMATIC G RANTS TO N ON -E MPLOYEE D IRECTORS      14   
8.  

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

     15   
9.  

DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS

     15   
  9.1    G ENERAL      15   
  9.2    R IGHTS AND O PTIONS      15   
  9.3    P AYMENTS      15   
10.  

OTHER EQUITY-BASED AWARDS

     16   
  10.1    G RANT      16   
  10.2    T ERMS AND C ONDITIONS      16   
  10.3    P AYMENT OR S ETTLEMENT      16   
11.  

COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS

     16   
12.  

EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER RELATIONSHIP

     17   
13.  

AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION AND TERMINATION OF THIS PLAN

     17   
14.  

LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION OF THE COMMITTEE

     17   
15.  

SECURITIES LAW LEGENDS

     17   
16.  

SEVERABILITY

     18   
17.  

EFFECTIVE DATE AND STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL

     18   
18.  

MISCELLANEOUS

     18   
  18.1    L OANS      18   
  18.2    F ORFEITURE P ROVISIONS      18   
  18.3    L IMITATIONS A PPLICABLE TO S ECTION 16      18   

 

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  18.4    E FFECT OF P LAN U PON O THER I NCENTIVE AND C OMPENSATION P LANS      19   
  18.5    S ECTION 83( B ) E LECTION P ROHIBITED      19   

 

ii


EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

OF

STRATEGIC STORAGE TRUST II, INC.

 

1. PURPOSES OF THE PLAN AND DEFINITIONS

1.1. Purposes . The purposes of the Employee and Director Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) of Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc. (the “Company”) are to:

(a) provide incentives to individuals chosen to receive share-based awards because of their ability to improve operations and increase profits;

(b) encourage selected persons to accept or continue employment or other service relationship with the Company or any Advisor or Affiliate of the Company; and

(c) increase the interest of Directors in the Company’s welfare through their participation in the growth in value of the Company’s Stock.

To accomplish these purposes, this Plan provides a means whereby Employees of the Company or any Advisor or its Affiliates that the Committee deems important to the Company’s long-term success, Directors and other enumerated persons may receive Awards.

1.2. Definitions . For purposes of this Plan, the following terms have the following meanings:

“Advisor” means the Person or Persons, if any, appointed, employed or contracted with by the Company responsible for directing or performing the day-to-day business affairs of the Company, including any Person to whom the Advisor subcontracts substantially all of such functions. The initial Advisor is Strategic Storage Advisor II, LLC.

“Affiliate” means any Person (other than an Advisor), whose employees (as such term is defined in the Form S-8 registration statement under the Securities Act) are eligible to receive Awards under the Plan. The determination of whether a Person is an Affiliate shall be made by the Committee acting in its sole and absolute discretion.

“Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of Awards under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. Federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the shares of Stock are listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan.

“Articles of Incorporation” means the articles of incorporation of the Company as the same may be amended from time to time.

“Award” means any award under this Plan, including any grant of Options, Restricted Shares, Stock Appreciation Rights, Distribution Equivalent Rights or Other Equity-Based Awards.

 

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“Award Agreement” means, with respect to each Award, the written agreement executed by the Company and the Participant or other written document approved by the Committee setting forth the terms and conditions of the Award.

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

“Cause,” unless otherwise defined in an Employee’s employment agreement, means (i) gross negligence or willful misconduct, (ii) an uncured breach of any of the Employee’s material duties under his or her employment agreement, (iii) fraud or other conduct against the material best interests of his or her employer or the Company, or (iv) a conviction of a felony, if such conviction has a material adverse effect on his or her employer. If “Cause” is otherwise defined in an Employee’s employment agreement, the definition in the employment agreement shall be effective for purposes of the Plan with respect to the Employee in question.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

“Committee” has the meaning given it in Section 4.1.

“Common Stock” or “Stock” means common shares of capital stock of the Company, $0.001 par value per share.

“Company” has the meaning given it in Section 1.1.

“Director” means a person elected or appointed and serving as director of the Company in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation and the Maryland General Corporation Law.

“Distribution Equivalent Right” means an Award of rights pursuant to Section 8.

“Effective Date” has the meaning given it in Section 16.

“Employee” has the meaning ascribed to it for purposes of Section 3401(c) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations adopted under that Section. An employee includes an officer or a Director who is an employee of the Company.

“Employment Termination” means that a Participant has ceased, for any reason and with or without Cause, to be an Employee or Director of, or a consultant to, the Company, the Advisor or any Affiliate of the Company. However, the term “Employment Termination” shall not include a Non-Employee Director’s ceasing to be a Director or a transfer of a Participant from the Company to the Advisor or an Affiliate or vice versa, or from one Affiliate to another, or a leave of absence duly authorized by the Company unless the Committee has provided otherwise.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

“Exercise Notice” has the meaning given it in Section 6.1(f).

 

2


“Fair Market Value” means with respect to Stock:

(i) if the Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including, without limitation, the NASDAQ National Market System, the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock shall be the closing sales price for the Stock, or the mean between the high bid and low asked prices if no sales were reported, as quoted on such system or exchange (or, if the Stock is listed on more than one exchange, then on the largest such exchange) for the date the value is to be determined (or if there are no sales or bids for such date, then for the last preceding business day on which there were sales or bids), as reported in The Wall Street Journal or similar publication; or

(ii) if the Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, or if there is no market for the Stock, the Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock shall be determined in good faith by the Committee by the reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method, with reference to all information material to the value of the Company, including by way of example, the Company’s net worth, prospective earning power, distribution-paying capacity and other relevant factors, including the goodwill of the Company, the economic outlook in the Company’s industry, the Company’s position in the industry and its management, and the values of stock of other enterprises in the same or similar lines of business;

provided, however, that for purposes of granted Nonqualified Share Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, Fair Market Value of Stock shall be determined in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A, and for purposes of granting Incentive Stock Options, Fair Market Value of Stock shall be determined in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 422.

“Grant Date” has the meaning given it in Section 6.1(c).

“Incentive Stock Option” or “ISO” means any Option intended to be and designated as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, and any successor provision.

“Non-Employee Director” means a person who is a non-employee director as defined in Rule 16b-3 or a person who is an outside director as defined in Treasury Regulation 1.162-27(e)(3).

“Non-Qualified Share Option” or “NQO” means any Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

“Option” means an option granted under Section 5.

“Other Equity-Based Award” means any award other than an Option, Stock Appreciation Right or Distribution Equivalent Right Award which, subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Committee, entitles a Participant to receive shares of Common Stock or rights or units valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, shares of Common Stock or distributions on shares of Common Stock.

“Participant” means an eligible person who is granted an Award.

“Performance Goals” means any one or more of the following performance goals, intended by the Committee to constitute objective goals for purposes of Code Section 162(m), either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as

 

3


a whole or to a business unit or Affiliate, either individually, alternatively or in combination, and measured either quarterly, annually or cumulatively over a period of quarters or years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous quarter’s or years’ results or to a designated comparison group, any of which may be measured on an aggregate or per share basis, in each case as specified by the Committee in the Award Agreement:

(i) earnings before any one or more of the following: interest, taxes, depreciation or amortization,

(ii) net income (loss) (either before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization),

(iii) changes in the market price of the Stock (on a per share or aggregate basis),

(iv) economic value added,

(v) funds from operations or similar measure,

(vi) sales or revenue,

(vii) acquisitions or strategic transactions,

(viii) operating income (loss),

(ix) cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow),

(x) return on capital, assets, equity, or investment,

(xi) stockholder returns (including total returns calculated to include aggregate Stock appreciation and total dividends paid, assuming full reinvestment of dividends, during the applicable period),

(xii) cash available,

(xiii) return on sales,

(xiv) gross or net profit levels,

(xv) productivity,

(xvi) expense levels or management,

(xvii) margins,

(xviii) operating efficiency,

(xix) customer/tenant satisfaction,

(xx) working capital,

 

4


(xxi) earnings (loss) per share of Stock,

(xxii) revenue or earnings growth,

(xxiii) number of securities sold,

(xxiv) the Company’s ranking against selected peer groups,

(xxv) “same-store” performance from period to period,

(xxvi) leasing or occupancy rates,

(xxvii) objectively determinable capital deployment,

(xxviii) objectively determined expense management,

(xxix) sales or market shares,

(xxx) number of customers,

(xxxi) productivity of employees as measured by revenues, cost, or earnings per employee,

(xxxii) establishment of a trading market for the Company’s Stock, and

(xxxiii) any combination of the foregoing.

The Committee may appropriately adjust any evaluation of performance under a Performance Goal to remove the effect of equity compensation expense under FAS 123R, amortization of acquired technology and intangibles, asset write-downs; litigation or claim judgments or settlements; the effect of changes in or provisions under tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results; accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs; discontinued operations; and any items that are extraordinary, unusual in nature, non-recurring or infrequent in occurrence, except where such action would result in the loss of the otherwise available exemption of the Award under Section 162(m) of the Code, if applicable.

“Performance Period” means, with respect to an Award, a period of time within which the Performance Goals relating to such Award are to be measured. The Performance Period will be established by the Committee at the time the Award is granted.

“Person” means a corporation, partnership, trust, association or any other entity.

“Plan” means this Employee and Director Long-Term Incentive Plan of Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc.

“Related Corporation” means a parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code.

“Restricted Stock” means an Award granted under Section 7.

“Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 adopted under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or any successor rule, as it may be amended from time to time, and references to paragraphs

 

5


or clauses of Rules 16b-3 refer to the corresponding paragraphs or clauses of Rule 16b-3 as it exists at the Effective Date or the comparable paragraph or clause of Rule 16b-3 or successor rule, as that paragraph or clause may thereafter be amended.

“Section 16(b)” means Section 16(b) under the Exchange Act.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

“Stock Appreciation Right” means an Award granted under Section 8.

“Ten Percent Stockholder” means any person who, at the time this definition is being applied, owns, directly or indirectly (or is treated as owning by reason of attribution rules currently set forth in Code Section 424 or any successor statute), shares of the Company constituting more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of outstanding capital stock of the Company or any Related Corporation.

 

2. ELIGIBLE PERSONS

Every person who, at or as of the Grant Date, is (a) a full-time Employee of the Company, (b) a Director of the Company, (c) is an executive officer or full-time employee of the Advisor or its Affiliates who provides services to the Company and who does not have any beneficial ownership of the Advisor and its Affiliates, or (d) someone whom the Committee designates as eligible for an Award (other than for Incentive Stock Options) because the person (i) performs bona fide consulting or advisory services for the Company, the Advisor or any Affiliate of the Company pursuant to a written agreement (other than services in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction), and (ii) has a direct and significant effect on the financial development of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, shall be eligible to receive Awards hereunder; provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options may only be granted to an Employee of the Company or a Related Corporation.

 

3. SHARES OF STOCK SUBJECT TO THIS PLAN

The total number of shares of Stock that may be issued under Awards is a number of shares equal to ten percent (10%) of the Company’s outstanding Stock, but may never exceed ten million (10,000,000) shares. The maximum number of shares of Stock with respect to which ISOs may be granted under the Plan is the lesser of the total number of shares of Stock that may be issued under Awards or ten million (10,000,000) shares. Such shares of Stock may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Stock or shares of Stock reacquired in private transactions or open market purchases, but all shares of Stock issued under the Plan, regardless of their source, shall be counted against the Stock limitation. Any shares of Stock that are retained by the Company upon exercise or settlement of an Award in order to satisfy the exercise price in whole or in part, or to pay withholding taxes due with respect to such exercise or settlement, shall be treated as issued to the Participant and will thereafter not be available under the Plan. Any shares of Stock subject to unexercised portions of Options granted under the Plan which shall have been terminated, cancelled or that have expired may again be subject to Options hereunder. Awards settled in cash will not reduce the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan. The number of shares of Stock reserved for issuance under this Plan is subject to adjustment in accordance with the provisions for adjustment in Section 6.1. To the extent required under Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations thereunder, as applicable, for compensation to be treated as qualified performance-based

 

6


compensation, subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 6.1, the maximum number of shares of Stock with respect to which (a) Options, (b) Stock Appreciation Rights, or (c) other Awards to the extent they are granted with the intent that they qualify as qualified performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code may be granted during any calendar year to any employee may not exceed one million (1,000,000). If, after grant, an Option is cancelled, the cancelled Option shall continue to be counted against the maximum number of shares for which options may be granted to an employee during any calendar year as described in this Section 3. If, after grant, the exercise price of an Option is reduced or the base amount on which a Stock Appreciation Right is calculated is reduced, the transaction shall be treated as the cancellation of the Option or the Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, and the grant of a new Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable. If an Option or Stock Appreciation Right is deemed to be cancelled as described in the preceding sentence, the Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is deemed to be canceled and the Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is deemed to be granted shall both be counted against the maximum number of shares for which Options or Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to an employee during any calendar year as described in this Section 3.

 

4. ADMINISTRATION

4.1. Committee .

(a) In General. This Plan shall be administered by the compensation committee (the “Committee”) appointed by the Board. The number of persons who shall constitute the Committee shall be determined from time to time by a majority of all the members of the Board; provided, however, that the Committee shall not consist of fewer than two persons.

(b) Section 162(m). To the extent the Board desires to qualify Awards granted under this Plan as “performance based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Plan shall be administered by a Committee of two or more “outside directors” as defined in Treasury Regulation 1.162-27(e)(3).

(c) Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions under this Plan as exempt under Rule 16b-3, a Committee consisting solely of two or more “non-employee directors” as defined in Rule 16b-3, must approve such transactions.

4.2. Duration, Removal, Etc . The members of the Committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board, which shall have the power, at any time and from time to time, to remove members from or add members to the Committee. Removal from the Committee may be with or without cause. Any individual serving as a member of the Committee shall have the right to resign from the Committee by giving at least three days’ prior written notice to the Board. The Board, and not the remaining members of the Committee, shall have the power and authority to fill vacancies on the Committee, however caused. The Board shall promptly fill any vacancy that causes the number of members of the Committee to be fewer than two or any other minimum number required to comply with Rule 16b-3 or Section 162(m) of the Code, (unless the Board expressly determines not to have Awards under the Plan comply with Rule 16b-3 or Section 162(m) of the Code, respectively).

4.3. Meetings and Actions of Committee . The Board shall designate which of the Committee members shall be the chairperson of the Committee. If the Board fails to designate a chairperson for the Committee, the members of the Committee shall elect one of the Committee members as chairperson, who shall act as chairperson until he or she ceases to be a member of the

 

7


Committee or until the Board (or the Committee) elects a new chairperson. The Committee may make any rules and regulations for the conduct of its business that are not inconsistent with this Plan, the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws of the Company or Applicable Laws.

4.4. Committee’s Powers . Subject to the express provisions of this Plan, the Committee shall have the authority, in its sole discretion:

(a) to grant Awards upon such terms and conditions (not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan), as the Committee may consider appropriate;

(b) to adopt, amend and rescind administrative and interpretive rules and regulations relating to the Plan;

(c) to determine the eligible persons to whom, and the time or times at which, Awards shall be granted;

(d) to determine the number of shares of Stock that shall be the subject of each Award;

(e) to determine the terms and provisions of each Award Agreement (which need not be identical) and any amendments thereto, including provisions defining or otherwise relating to:

(i) the period or periods and extent of exercisability of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right;

(ii) the methods by which the exercise price of an Option may be paid, the form of payment, including, without limitation, cash, Stock, or other property (including “cashless exercise” arrangements), and the methods by which Stock shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants; provided, however, that if Stock is used to pay the exercise price of an Option, such Stock must have been held by the Participant for at least six months;

(iii) the extent to which the transferability of shares of Stock issued or transferred pursuant to any Award is restricted;

(iv) the effect of Employment Termination on an Award; and

(v) the effect of approved leaves of absence;

(f) to accelerate the time of exercisability of any Option, Distribution Equivalent Right, Stock Appreciation Right or Other Equity-Based Award;

(g) to construe the respective Award Agreements and the Plan;

(h) to make determinations of the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock;

(i) to waive any provision, condition or limitation set forth in an Award Agreement;

(j) to delegate its duties under the Plan to such agents as it may appoint from time to time; provided, however, that the Committee may not delegate its duties with respect to making or exercising discretion with respect to Awards to eligible persons if such delegation

 

8


would cause Awards not to qualify for the exemptions provided by Rule 16b-3 or Section 162(m) of the Code (unless the Board expressly determines not to have Awards under the Plan comply with Rule 16b-3 or Section 162(m) of the Code, respectively); and

(k) to make all other determinations, perform all other acts and exercise all other powers and authority necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.

The Committee may discriminate among Participants and among Awards granted to a Participant in exercising its discretion pursuant to this Plan. The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan, in any Award or in any Award Agreement in the manner and to the extent it deems necessary or desirable to implement the Plan, and the Committee shall be the sole and final judge of that necessity or desirability. The determinations of the Committee on the matters referred to in this Section 4.4 shall be final and conclusive.

4.5. Term of Plan . No Awards shall be granted under this Plan after 10 years from the Effective Date of this Plan.

 

5. GRANT OF OPTIONS

5.1. Written Agreement . Each Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. The Award Agreement shall specify whether each Option it evidences is an NQO or an ISO.

5.2. Annual $100,000 Limitation on ISOs . To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of shares of Stock with respect to which ISOs first become exercisable by a Participant in any calendar year exceeds $100,000, taking into account ISOs granted under this Plan and any other plan of the Company or any Related Corporation, the Options covering such additional shares of Stock becoming exercisable in that year shall cease to be ISOs and thereafter be NQOs. For this purpose, the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock subject to Options shall be determined as of the date the Options were granted. In reducing the number of Options treated as ISOs to meet this $100,000 limit, the most recently granted Options shall be reduced first.

 

6. CERTAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS AND OTHER AWARDS

Each Option shall be designated as an ISO or an NQO and shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 6.1. The Committee may provide for different terms and conditions in any Award Agreement or amendment thereto as provided in Section 4.4 to the extent not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.

 

9


6.1. All Awards . All Options and other Awards shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

(a) Changes in Capital Structure. If the number of outstanding shares of Stock is increased or decreased by means of a nonreciprocal transaction between an entity and its shareholders that causes the per-share Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock underlying an Award to change, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spinoff, rights offering, or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, (each an “Equity Restructuring”) then, from and after the record date for such Equity Restructuring, the number of shares of Stock and class of Stock subject to this Plan and each outstanding Award shall be adjusted in proportion to such increase or decrease in outstanding Stock and the then-applicable exercise price of each outstanding Award shall be correspondingly decreased or increased, as applicable.

(b) Certain Corporate Transactions. In the case of any reclassification or change of outstanding Stock issuable upon exercise of an outstanding Award or in the case of any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into another entity (other than a merger in which the Company is the surviving entity and which does not result in any reclassification or change in the then-outstanding Stock) or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another entity of the property of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, in each case that is not an Equity Restructuring, then, as a condition of such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance, the Company or such successor or purchasing entity, as the case may be, shall make lawful and adequate provision whereby the holder of each outstanding Award shall thereafter have the right, on exercise of such Award, to receive the kind and amount of securities, property and/or cash receivable upon such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance by a holder of the number of securities issuable upon exercise of such Award immediately before such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance. Such provision shall include adjustments that shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in Section 6.1(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such a transaction occurs, in lieu of causing such rights to be substituted for outstanding Awards, the Committee may, upon 20 days’ prior written notice to Participants in its sole discretion: (i) shorten the period during which Awards are exercisable, provided they remain exercisable, to the extent otherwise exercisable, for at least 20 days after the date the notice is given, or (ii) cancel an Award upon payment to the Participant in cash, with respect to each Award to the extent then exercisable, of an amount which, in the sole discretion of the Committee, is determined to be equivalent to the amount, if any, by which the Fair Market Value (at the effective time of the transaction) of the consideration that the Participant would have received if the Award had been exercised before the effective time exceeds the exercise price of the Award. The actions described in this Section 6.1(b) may be taken without regard to any resulting tax consequences to the Participant Grant Date. Each Award Agreement shall specify the date as of which it shall be effective (the “Grant Date”), which shall not be earlier than the date on which the Committee has approved the terms and conditions of the Award and has determined the recipient of the Award and the number of shares, if any, covered by the Award, and has taken all such other actions necessary to complete the grant of the Award.

(c) Time of Exercise; Vesting. Awards may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be exercisable or may vest, and restrictions may lapse, including without limitation, upon the achievement of any Performance Goals, if any, that may be established by the Committee as a condition to vesting or settlement of the Award, as the case may be, at such times and in such amounts as may be specified by the Committee in the grant of the Award Performance Goals, if any, shall be established before twenty-five percent (25%) of the Performance Period has elapsed, but in no event later than within ninety (90) days after the first day of a Performance Period. At the time any Performance Goals are established, the outcome as to whether the Performance Goals will be met must be substantially uncertain. If any Performance Goals are established as a condition to vesting or settlement of an Award and such

 

10


Performance Goal is not based solely on the increase in the Fair Market Value of the Stock, the Committee shall certify in writing that the applicable Performance Goals were in fact satisfied before such Award is vested or settled, as applicable. To the extent an Award is subject to Performance Goals with the intent that the Award constitute performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m), the Committee shall comply with all applicable requirements under Code Section 162(m) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder in granting, modifying, and settling such Award. The Committee may, but is not required to, structure any Award so as to qualify as performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m) and may establish other performance criteria that do not qualify as Performance Goals hereunder.

(d) Nonassignability of Rights. Awards shall not be transferable other than with the consent of the Committee (which consent will not be granted in the case of ISOs unless the conditions for transfer of ISOs specified in the Code have been satisfied) or by will or the laws of the descent and distribution. Awards requiring exercise shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant; or in the event the Participant is disabled (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), by the legal representative of the Participant; or in the event of death of the Participant, by the legal representative of the Participant’s estate or if no legal representative has been appointed within ninety (90) days of the Participant’s death, by the person(s) taking under the laws of descent and distribution governing the State in which the Participant was domiciled at the time of the Participant’s death; except to the extent that the Committee may provide otherwise as to any Awards other than Incentive Stock Options.

(e) Notice and Payment. To the extent it is exercisable, an Award shall be exercisable only by written or recorded electronic notice of exercise, in the manner specified by the Committee from time to time, delivered to the Company or its designated agent during the term of the Award (the “Exercise Notice”). The Exercise Notice shall: (i) state the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the Award is being exercised; (ii) be signed by the holder of the Award or by the person authorized to exercise the Award pursuant to Section 6.1(e); and (iii) include such other information, instruments and documents as may be required to satisfy any other condition to exercise set forth in the Award Agreement. Except as provided below, payment in full, in cash or check, shall be made for all shares of Stock purchased at the time notice of exercise of an Award is given to the Company. The proceeds of any payment shall constitute general funds of the Company. At the time an Award is granted or before it is exercised, the Committee, in the exercise of its sole discretion, may authorize any one or more of the following additional methods of payment:

(i) for all Participants other than officers of the Company and Directors, acceptance of each such Participant’s full recourse promissory note for some or all (to the extent permitted by law) of the exercise price of the Stock being acquired, payable on such terms and rate of interest as determined by the Committee, and secured in such manner, if at all, as the Committee shall approve, including, without limitation, by a security interest in the Stock which are the subject of the Award or other securities;

(ii) for all Participants, delivery by each such Participant of Stock already owned by such Participant for all or part of the exercise price of the Award being exercised, provided that the Fair Market Value of such Stock is equal on the date of exercise to the exercise price of the Award being exercised, or such portion thereof as the Participant is authorized to pay and elects to pay by delivery of such shares of Stock;

(iii) for all Participants, surrender by each such Participant, or withholding by the Company from the Stock issuable upon exercise of the Award, of a number of

 

11


shares of Stock subject to the Award being exercised with a Fair Market Value equal to some or all of the exercise price of the Stock being acquired, together with such documentation as the Committee and the broker, if applicable, shall require; or

(iv) for all Participants, payment may be made pursuant to a cashless exercise arrangement approved by the Committee.

(f) Termination of Employment from the Company, the Advisor or any Affiliate of the Company; Removal of a Director for Cause. The Committee shall establish, in respect of each Award when granted, the effect of an Employment Termination on the rights and benefits thereunder and in so doing may, but need not, make distinctions based upon the cause of termination (such as retirement, death, disability or other factors) or which party effected the termination (the employer or the Employee). All Awards granted to a Director whether or not an Employee will lapse on the date the Director ceases to be a Director of the Company as a result of his removal for Cause. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan or the Award Agreement, the Committee may decide in its discretion at the time of any Employment Termination (or within a reasonable time thereafter) to extend the exercise period of an Award (but not beyond the period specified in Section 6.2(b) or 6.3(b), as applicable) and not decrease the number of shares of Stock covered by the Award with respect to which the Award is exercisable or vested. A transfer of a Participant from the Company to the Advisor or an Affiliate or vice versa, or from one Affiliate to another, or a leave of absence duly authorized by the Company, shall not be deemed an Employment Termination or a break in continuous employment unless the Committee has provided otherwise.

(g) Other Provisions. Each Award Agreement may contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with this Plan, as may be determined by the Committee, and each ISO granted under this Plan shall include such provisions and conditions as are necessary to qualify such Option as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

(h) Withholding and Employment Taxes. At the time of exercise of an Award, the lapse of restrictions on an Award, the Participant shall remit to the Company in cash all applicable Federal and state withholding and employment taxes. If and to the extent authorized and approved by the Committee in its sole discretion, a Participant may elect, by means of a form of election to be prescribed by the Committee, to have shares of Stock which are acquired upon exercise of an Award withheld by the Company or tender other shares of Stock owned by the Participant to the Company at the time that the amount of such taxes is determined, in order to pay the amount of such tax obligations, subject to any limitations as the Committee determines are necessary or appropriate. Any shares of Stock so withheld or tendered shall be valued by the Company as of the date they are withheld or tendered.

(i) Employee Status. If the terms of any Award provides that it may be earned or exercised only during employment or continued service or within a specified period of time after termination of employment or continued service, the Committee may decide to what extent leaves of absence for governmental or military service, illness, temporary disability or other reasons shall not be deemed interruptions of continuous employment or service.

(j) Stockholder Rights. A Participant, as a result of receiving an Award, shall not have any rights as a stockholder until, and then only to the extent that, the Award is earned and settled in shares of Common Stock.

 

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6.2. Terms and Conditions to Which Only NQOs Are Subject . Options granted under this Plan which are designated as NQOs shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

(a) Exercise Price. The exercise price of an NQO shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that the exercise price of an NQO shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of the Stock subject to the Option on the Grant Date.

(b) Option Term. Unless the Committee specifies an earlier expiration date at the Grant Date, each NQO shall expire 10 years after the Grant Date.

6.3. Terms and Conditions to Which Only ISOs Are Subject . Options granted under this Plan which are designated as ISOs shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

(a) Exercise Price. The exercise price of an ISO shall be determined in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Code and shall in no event be less than the Fair Market Value of the Stock covered by the ISO at the Grant Date; provided, however, that the exercise price of an ISO granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder shall not be less than 110% of such fair market value.

(b) Option Term. Unless an earlier expiration date is specified by the Committee at the Grant Date, each ISO shall expire 10 years after the Grant Date; provided, however, that an ISO granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder shall expire no later than five years after the Grant Date.

(c) Disqualifying Dispositions. If shares of Stock acquired by exercise of an ISO are disposed of within two years after the Grant Date or within one year after the transfer of the Stock to the optionee, the holder of the Stock immediately before the disposition shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the date and terms of the disposition, shall provide such other information regarding the disposition as the Company may reasonably require.

(d) Termination of Employment. All vested ISOs must be exercised within three months of the Employment Termination of the optionee, or at any time specified in the Award Agreement that is otherwise permissible in the case of a Participant who dies while employed or within three months of Employment Termination, unless such Employment Termination is due to the employee’s being disabled (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), in which case the ISO shall be exercised within one year of the Employment Termination; provided, however, that such time limits may be exceeded by the Committee under the terms of the Award, in which case, the ISO will be a NQO if it is exercised after the time limits that would otherwise apply.

6.4. Surrender of Options . The Committee, acting in its sole discretion, may include a provision in an Award Agreement allowing the optionee to surrender the Option covered by the agreement, in whole or in part in lieu of exercise in whole or in part, on any date that the Fair Market Value of the Stock subject to the Option exceeds the exercise price and the Option is exercisable (to the extent being surrendered). The surrender shall be effected by the delivery of the Award Agreement, together with a signed statement which specifies the number of shares of Stock as to which the optionee is surrendering the Option, together with a request for such type of payment. Upon such surrender, the optionee shall receive (subject to any limitations imposed by Rule 16b-3), at the election of the Committee, payment in cash or shares of Stock, or

 

13


a combination of the two, equal to (or equal in Fair Market Value to) the excess of the Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock covered by the portion of the Option being surrendered on the date of surrender over the exercise price for such shares of Stock. The Committee, acting in its sole discretion, shall determine the form of payment, taking into account such factors as it deems appropriate. To the extent necessary to satisfy Applicable Laws, the Committee may terminate an optionee’s rights to receive payments in cash for fractional shares of Stock. Any Award Agreement providing for such surrender privilege shall also incorporate such additional restrictions on the exercise or surrender of Options as may be necessary to satisfy Applicable Law.

 

7. RESTRICTED STOCK

Restricted Stock shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

7.1. Grant . The Committee may grant one or more Awards of Restricted Stock to any Participant. Each Award of Restricted Stock shall specify the number of shares of Stock to be issued to the Participant, the date of issuance and the restrictions imposed on the shares of Stock including the conditions of release or lapse of such restrictions. Pending the lapse of restrictions, certificates evidencing Restricted Stock (if any) shall bear a legend referring to the restrictions and shall be held by the Company. Prior to the issuance of any Restricted Stock, the Participant receiving such Restricted Stock shall pay to the Company an amount of cash equal to the exercise price of the Restricted Stock, if any, specified by the Committee in the Award Agreement. Upon the issuance of Restricted Stock, the Participant may be required to furnish such additional documentation or other assurances as the Committee may require in order to enforce the restrictions applicable thereto.

7.2. Restrictions . Except as specifically provided elsewhere in this Plan or the Award Agreement regarding Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of or encumbered, either voluntarily or involuntarily, until the restrictions have lapsed and the rights to the shares of Restricted Stock have vested. The Committee may in its sole discretion provide for the lapse of such restrictions in installments and may accelerate or waive such restrictions, in whole or in part, based on service, performance or such other factors or criteria as the Committee may determine.

7.3. Distributions . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, cash distributions with respect to Restricted Stock shall be paid to the recipient of the Award of Restricted Stock on the normal distribution payment dates, and distributions payable in shares of Stock shall be paid in the form of Restricted Stock having the same terms as the Restricted Stock upon which such distribution is paid. Each Award Agreement for Awards of Restricted Stock shall specify whether and, if so, the extent to which the Participant shall be obligated to return to the Company any cash distributions paid with respect to any shares of Restricted Stock which are subsequently forfeited.

7.4. Automatic Grants to Non-Employee Directors . Each individual who is elected or re-elected to the Board (whether through stockholder meeting or by Directors to fill a vacancy on the Board) shall be granted 1,000 shares of Restricted Stock (the “Director Restricted Stock”) on the date of such election or re-election. The Director Restricted Stock shall fully vest if the Non-Employee Director completes the term or partial term for which he or she was elected. Except as provided otherwise in this Section 7.4, such Director Restricted Stock shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as are applicable to Restricted Stock.

 

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8. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

The Committee may grant Stock Appreciation Rights to eligible persons. A Stock Appreciation Right shall entitle its holder to receive from the Company, at the time of exercise of the right, an amount in cash equal to (or, at the Committee’s discretion, shares of Stock equal in Fair Market Value to) the excess of the Fair Market Value (at the date of exercise) of a share of Stock over a specified price fixed by the Committee in the governing Award Agreement multiplied by the number of shares of Stock as to which the holder is exercising the Stock Appreciation Right. The specified price fixed by the Committee shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock on the Grant Date of the Stock Appreciation Right. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted in tandem with any previously or contemporaneously granted Option or independent of any Option. The specified price of a tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be the exercise price of the related Option. Any Stock Appreciation Rights granted in connection with an ISO shall contain such terms as may be required to comply with Section 422 of the Code.

 

9. DISTRIBUTION EQUIVALENT RIGHTS

9.1. General . The Committee shall have the authority to grant Distribution Equivalent Rights to Participants upon such terms and conditions as it shall establish, subject in all events to the following limitations and provisions of general application set forth in this Plan. Each Distribution Equivalent Right shall entitle a holder to receive, for a period of time to be determined by the Committee, a payment equal to the periodic distributions declared and paid by the Company on one share of Stock. If the Distribution Equivalent Right relates to a specific Option, the period shall not extend beyond the earliest of the date the Option is exercised, the date any Stock Appreciation Right related to the Option is exercised, or the expiration date set forth in the Option. To the extent the Committee deems advisable, it shall structure the Distribution Equivalent Rights such that they are either exempt from or compliant with Code Section 409A.

9.2. Rights and Options . Each Distribution Equivalent Right may relate to a specific Option granted under this Plan and may be granted to the optionee either concurrently with the grant of such Option or at such later time as determined by the Committee, or each Distribution Equivalent Right may be granted independent of any Option.

9.3. Payments . The Committee shall determine at the time of grant whether payment pursuant to a Distribution Equivalent Right shall be immediate or deferred and if immediate, the Company shall make payments pursuant to each Distribution Equivalent Right concurrently with the payment of the periodic distributions to holders of Common Stock. If deferred, the payments shall not be made until a date or the occurrence of an event specified by the Committee and then shall be made within 30 days after the occurrence of the specified date or event, unless the Distribution Equivalent Right is forfeited under the terms of the Plan or applicable Award Agreement; provided, however, that the Committee may not make payment of a Distribution Equivalent Right contingent upon the exercise of the related Option or Stock Appreciation Right, to the extent the Committee desires to preserve such Option’s or Stock Appreciation Right’s exemption from Section 409A of the Code. The Committee shall also determine in its sole discretion whether any portion of any payment shall be made in shares of Stock.

 

15


10. OTHER EQUITY-BASED AWARDS

10.1. Grant . The Committee may grant one or more Other Equity-Based Awards to any Participant. Each Award will specify the number of shares of Common Stock or other equity interests covered by such awards.

10.2. Terms and Conditions . The Committee, at the time an Other Equity-Based Award is made, shall specify the terms and conditions that govern the award. The terms and conditions of an Other Equity-Based Award may prescribe that a Participant’s rights in the Other Equity-Based Award shall be forfeitable, nontransferable or otherwise restricted for a period of time or subject to such other conditions as may be determined by the Committee, in its discretion and set forth in the Agreement. Other Equity-Based Awards may be granted to Participants, either alone or in addition to other awards granted under the Plan, and Other Equity-Based Awards may be granted in the settlement of other Awards granted under the Plan. To the extent the Committee deems advisable, it shall structure such Other Equity-Based Awards such that they are either exempt from or compliant with Code Section 409A.

10.3. Payment or Settlement . Other Equity-Based Awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, shares of Common Stock, shall be payable or settled in shares of Common Stock, cash or a combination of Common Stock and cash, as determined by the Committee in its discretion. Other Equity-Based Awards denominated as equity interests other than shares of Common Stock may be paid or settled in shares or units of such equity interests or cash or a combination of both as determined by the Committee in its discretion.

 

11. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS

This Plan, the granting and vesting of Awards under this Plan, the issuance and delivery of Stock, and the payment of money or other consideration allowable under this Plan or under Awards awarded hereunder are subject to compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations (including, but not limited to, state and federal securities laws and federal margin requirements) and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Committee, the Board or the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, rescind, limit, amend, suspend, or alter any Award or limit a Participant’s ability to exercise, or refuse to settle, any Award hereunder to the extent that the granting, issuance, or exercise of such Award (or any settlement thereof) or any term of such Award would jeopardize the status of the Company as a “real estate investment trust” under the Code or other applicable state or federal laws. Any securities delivered under this Plan shall be subject to such restrictions, and the person acquiring such securities shall, if requested by the Company, provide such assurances and representations to the Company as the Committee, the Board or the Company may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all applicable legal requirements. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. Nothing in this Plan or in any Award or Award Agreement shall require the Company to issue any Stock with respect to any Award if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, that issuance could constitute a violation of any Applicable Laws. As a condition to the grant or exercise of any Award, the Company may require the Participant (or, in the event of the Participant’s death, the Participant’s legal representatives, heirs, legatees or distributes) to provide written representations concerning the Participant’s (or such other person’s) intentions with regard to the retention or disposition of the Stock covered by the Award and written covenants as to the manner of disposal of such Stock as may be necessary or useful to ensure that the grant, exercise or disposition thereof will not

 

16


violate the Securities Act, any other law or any rule of any applicable securities exchange or securities association then in effect. The Company shall not be required to register any Stock under the Securities Act or register or qualify any Stock under any state or other securities laws.

 

12. EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER RELATIONSHIP

Nothing in this Plan or any Award shall in any way interfere with or limit the right of the Company, the Advisor or any Affiliate of the Company to terminate any Participant’s employment or status as a consultant or Director at any time, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ of, or as a Director or consultant of, the Company, the Advisor or any Affiliate of the Company.

 

13. AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION AND TERMINATION OF THIS PLAN

The Board may at any time amend, suspend or discontinue this Plan provided that such amendment, suspension or discontinuance meets the requirements of Applicable Laws, including without limitation, the requirements for stockholder approval. Notwithstanding the above, an amendment, alteration, suspension or discontinuation shall not be made if it would impair the rights of any Participant under any Award previously granted, without the Participant’s consent, except to conform this Plan and Awards granted to the requirements of Applicable Laws or as permitted under Section 11 hereof.

 

14. LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION OF THE COMMITTEE

No person constituting, or member of the group constituting, the Committee shall be liable for any act or omission on such person’s part, including but not limited to the exercise of any power or discretion given to such member under this Plan, except for those acts or omissions resulting from such member’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Company shall indemnify each present and future person constituting, or member of the group constituting, the Committee against, and each person or member of the group constituting the Committee shall be entitled without further act on his or her part to indemnity from the Company for, all expenses (including the amount of judgments and the amount of approved settlements made with a view to the curtailment of costs of litigation) reasonably incurred by such person in connection with or arising out of any action, suit or proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by law and by the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company.

 

15. SECURITIES LAW LEGENDS

Certificates of shares of Stock and Restricted Stock, if issued, may have the following legend and statements of other applicable restrictions endorsed thereon:

THE SHARES OF STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE LAWS. THE SHARES MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, PLEDGED, TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF UNTIL THE HOLDER HEREOF PROVIDES EVIDENCE SATISFACTORY TO OF THE ISSUER (WHICH, IN THE SOLE DISCRETION THE ISSUER, MAY INCLUDE AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER) THAT SUCH OFFER,

 

17


SALE, PLEDGE, TRANSFER OR OTHER DISPOSITION WILL NOT VIOLATE ANY APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

This legend shall not be required for any shares of Stock issued pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.

 

16. SEVERABILITY

If any provision of this Plan is held to be illegal or invalid for any reason, that illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions of the Plan, but such provision shall be fully severable and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had never been included in this Plan. Such an illegal or invalid provision shall be replaced by a revised provision that most nearly comports to the substance of the illegal or invalid provision. If any of the terms or provisions of this Plan or any Award Agreement conflict with the requirements of Applicable Laws, those conflicting terms or provisions shall be deemed inoperative to the extent they conflict with Applicable Law.

 

17. EFFECTIVE DATE

The effective date of this Plan is the earlier of the date this Plan was originally approved by the Company’s Board (December 20, 2013) or the date it was approved in that form by the holders of a majority of the Company’s voting stock (December 20, 2013) (the “Effective Date”).

 

18. MISCELLANEOUS

18.1. Loans . An employer may, in its discretion, extend one or more loans to Employees in connection with the exercise or receipt of an Award granted under this Plan, to the extent not prohibited by law or the terms of the Plan. The terms and conditions of any such loan shall be set by the board of directors of the employer.

18.2. Forfeiture Provisions . Pursuant to its general authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to Awards granted under the Plan, the Committee shall have the right (to the extent consistent with the applicable exemptive conditions of Rule 16b-3) to provide, in the terms of an Award Agreement, or by separate written instrument, that (i) any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by a Participant upon the receipt or exercise of the Award, or upon the receipt or resale of any Stock underlying such Award, must be paid to the Company, and (ii) the Award shall terminate and any unexercised portion of such Award (whether or not vested) shall be forfeited, if (a) Employment Termination occurs prior to a specified date, or within a specified time period following receipt or exercise of the Award, or (b) the Participant, at any time, or during a specified time period, engages in any activity in competition with his employer or the Company, or which is inimical, contrary or harmful to the interests of his employer or the Company, as may be further defined from time to time by the Committee.

18.3. Limitations Applicable to Section 16 . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, this Plan, and any Award granted to any individual who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

 

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18.4. Effect of Plan Upon Other Incentive and Compensation Plans . The adoption of this Plan shall not affect any other options or compensation or incentive plans in effect for the Company. Nothing in this Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company (i) to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for employees of the Company, the Advisor or its Affiliates, or (ii) to grant or assume options or other rights or awards otherwise than under this Plan in connection with any proper corporate purpose including, but not by way of limitation, the grant or assumption of options in connection with the acquisition by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise of the business, stock or assets of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm or association.

18.5. Section 83(b) Election Prohibited . No Participant may make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to any Award granted under this Plan without the Company’s consent. Each Award for which an election under Section 83(b) of the Code could be made without regard to this Section 18.5 shall, to the extent the Committee deems advisable, contain an acknowledgment by the Participant that such election may not be made without the Company’s consent.

[End of Plan.]

 

19

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, H. Michael Schwartz, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Strategic Storage Trust II, 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 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. Intentionally omitted;

 

  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 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.

 

March 31, 2014

    By:  

/s/    H. Michael Schwartz        

Date

     

H. Michael Schwartz

President, CEO and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Michael S. McClure, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Strategic Storage Trust II, 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 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. Intentionally omitted;

 

  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 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.

 

March 31, 2014

    By:  

/s/    Michael S. McClure        

Date

     

Michael S. McClure

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as created by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned officer of Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc., or the Company, in connection with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2013 (the “Report”) hereby certifies, to his knowledge, that:

(i) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(ii) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

March 31, 2014

    By:  

/s/    H. Michael Schwartz        

Date

     

H. Michael Schwartz

President, CEO and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as created by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned officer of Strategic Storage Trust II, Inc., or the Company, in connection with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2013 (the “Report”) hereby certifies, to his knowledge, that:

(i) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(ii) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

March 31, 2014

    By:  

/s/    Michael S. McClure        

Date

     

Michael S. McClure

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and

Treasurer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)