UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 30, 2021
ARES REAL ESTATE INCOME TRUST INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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Maryland |
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000-52596 |
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30-0309068 |
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
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(Commission File No.) |
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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518 Seventeenth Street, 17th Floor, Denver, CO |
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80202 |
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
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(Zip Code) |
(303) 228-2200
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Black Creek Diversified Property Fund Inc.
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Third Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement
On December 1, 2021, Ares Real Estate Income Trust Inc. (f/k/a Black Creek Diversified Property Fund Inc. and referred to herein as the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) and AREIT Operating Partnership LP (f/k/a Black Creek Diversified Property Operating Partnership LP) (the “Operating Partnership”) replaced our then-current advisory agreement by entering into a Third Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement (2021) with our external advisor, ARES Commercial Real Estate Management LLC (the “Advisor”). Other than updating our name and that of our Operating Partnership, this agreement is substantially the same as the prior version.
Fourth Amended and Restated Dealer Manager Agreement
On December 1, 2021, we and our dealer manager, Ares Wealth Management Solutions, LLC (f/k/a Black Creek Capital Markets LLC) replaced our then-current dealer manager agreement by entering into a Fourth Amended and Restated Dealer Manager Agreement. Other than updating our name and that of our dealer manager, this agreement is substantially the same as the prior version.
Eleventh Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement
On December 1, 2021, we and our Advisor replaced the then-current limited partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership by entering into an Eleventh Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement. The amended agreement clarifies that restrictions with respect to the Advisor’s ability to request that the Operating Partnership repurchase limited partnership units (“OP Units”) allocated to the Advisor as a performance allocation from any prior calendar year do not apply any OP Units awarded in the then-current year for the prior year’s performance, if any. Other than that clarification and updating our name, that of our Operating Partnership and that of our Advisor, this agreement is substantially the same as the prior version.
Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
Articles of Amendment
Effective November 30, 2021, we amended our charter by filing Articles of Amendment to change our name from “Black Creek Diversified Property Fund Inc.” to “Ares Real Estate Income Trust Inc.” The Articles of Amendment have been filed as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Ninth Amended and Restated Bylaws
Effective November 30, 2021, we adopted the Ninth Amended and Restated Bylaws. Other than updating our name, the new bylaws are unchanged from the prior version. The new bylaws have been filed as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Item 8.01. Other Events.
Third Amended and Restated Share Redemption Program
Effective December 1, 2021, we adopted a Third Amended and Restated Share Redemption Program. As amended, our ability to terminate the program has been revised. Specifically, our board of directors may modify or suspend our share redemption program if in its reasonable judgment it deems a suspension to be in our best interest and the best interest of our stockholders, such as when a redemption request would place an undue burden on our liquidity, adversely affect our operations or risk having an adverse impact on us that would outweigh the benefit of the redemption offer. In addition, we may determine to suspend the share redemption program due to regulatory changes, changes in law or if we become aware of undisclosed material information that we believe should be publicly disclosed before shares are redeemed. Once the share redemption program is suspended, our board of directors will be required to consider at least quarterly whether the continued suspension of our share redemption program is in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders. Our board of directors must affirmatively authorize the recommencement of the program if it is suspended before stockholder requests will be considered again. Our board of directors cannot terminate our share redemption program unless shares of our common stock were to list on a national securities exchange or where otherwise required by law.
The amended program also updates our named “key persons” to Rajat Dhanda, Gregory M. Moran, and James R. Mulvihill, and updates our name, that of our Operating Partnership and our Advisor.
The amended program has been filed as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
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Exhibit
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Description |
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3.1* |
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3.2* |
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4.1* |
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104 |
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Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
* Filed herewith.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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Ares Real Estate Income Trust Inc. |
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December 3, 2021 |
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By: |
/s/ LAINIE P. MINNICK |
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Lainie P. Minnick
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Exhibit 3.1
STATE OF MARYLAND
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
OF
BLACK CREEK DIVERSIFIED PROPERTY FUND INC.
(Upon acceptance hereof, Ares Real Estate Income Trust Inc.)
FIRST: Pursuant to Section 2-605 of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”), Black Creek Diversified Property Fund Inc. desires to amend its charter as currently in effect and as hereinafter amended.
SECOND:Article II of the Articles of Restatement shall be amended as follows:
The name of the corporation (which is hereinafter called the “Corporation”) is: Ares Real Estate Income Trust Inc.
THIRD: The amendment to the charter of the Corporation as set forth above has been duly approved by a majority of the entire board of directors as required by Section 2-605 of the MGCL.
FOURTH: The undersigned Co-President acknowledges these Articles of Amendment to be the corporate act of the Corporation and as to all matters and facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned Co-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 of perjury.
[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Black Creek Diversified Property Fund Inc. has caused the foregoing amendment of the charter to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Co-President and attested to by its Secretary on this 30th day of November, 2021.
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BLACK CREEK DIVERSIFIED PROPERTY FUND INC. |
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By: |
/s/ JEFFREY W. TAYLOR |
(SEAL) |
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Jeffrey W. Taylor
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ATTEST: |
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By: |
/s/ JOSHUA J. WIDOFF |
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Joshua J. Widoff
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Exhibit 3.2
ARES REAL ESTATE INCOME TRUST INC.
(dated as of November 30, 2021)
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1.PRINCIPAL OFFICE. The principal office of the Corporation in
the State of Maryland shall be located at such place or places as the Board of Directors may designate.
Section 2.ADDITIONAL OFFICES. The Corporation may have additional
offices, including a principal executive office, at such places as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1.PLACE. All meetings of stockholders shall be held at the principal
executive office of the Corporation or at such other place as shall be set by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting.
Section 2.ANNUAL MEETING. An annual meeting of the stockholders for
the election of directors and the transaction of any business within the powers of the Corporation shall be held on a date and at the time set by the Board of Directors. The annual meeting will be held upon reasonable notice and within a reasonable period (but not less than 30 days) following delivery of the annual report.
Section 3.SPECIAL MEETINGS. The president, the chief executive officer,
a majority of the Board of Directors or a majority of the Independent Directors (as defined in the charter of the Corporation (the “Charter”)) may call a special meeting of the stockholders. A special meeting of stockholders shall also be called by the secretary of the Corporation upon the written request of the holders of shares entitled to cast not less than ten percent of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting. The written request must state the purpose of such meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at such meeting. Within ten days after receipt of such written request, either in person or by mail, the secretary of the Corporation shall provide all stockholders with written notice, either in person or by mail, of such meeting and the purpose of such meeting. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, such meeting shall be held not less than 15 days nor more than 60 days after the secretary’s delivery of such notice. Subject to the foregoing sentence, such meeting shall be held at the time and place specified in the shareholder request; provided, however, that if none is so specified, such meeting shall be held at a time and place convenient to the stockholders.
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Section 4.NOTICE. Except as provided otherwise in Section 3 of this
Article II, not less than ten nor more than 90 days before each meeting of stockholders, the secretary shall give to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting and to each stockholder not entitled to vote who is entitled to notice of the meeting written or printed notice stating the time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise may be required by any statute, the purpose for which the meeting is called, either by mail, by presenting it to such stockholder personally, by leaving it at the stockholder’s residence or usual place of business or by any other means permitted by Maryland law. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid.
Subject to Section 11(a) of this Article II, any business of the Corporation may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders without being specifically designated in the notice, except such business as is required by any statute to be stated in such notice. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting of stockholders except as specifically designated in the notice.
Section 5.ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT. Every meeting of
stockholders shall be conducted by an individual appointed by the Board of Directors to be chairman of the meeting or, in the absence of such appointment, by the chairman of the board or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the chairman of the board, by one of the following officers present at the meeting: the vice chairman of the board, if there be one, the president, the vice presidents in their order of rank and seniority, or, in the absence of such officers, a chairman chosen by the stockholders by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present in person or by proxy. The secretary, or, in the secretary’s absence, an assistant secretary, or in the absence of both the secretary and assistant secretaries, a person appointed by the Board of Directors or, in the absence of such appointment, a person appointed by the chairman of the meeting shall act as secretary. In the event that the secretary presides at a meeting of the stockholders, an assistant secretary, or in the absence of assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, shall record the minutes of the meeting. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting may prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and take such action as, in the discretion of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, (a) restricting admission to the time set for the commencement of the meeting; (b) limiting attendance at the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized proxies and other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (c) limiting participation at the meeting on any matter to stockholders of record of the Corporation entitled to vote on such matter, their duly authorized proxies and other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (d) limiting the time allotted to questions or comments by participants; (e) determining when the polls should be opened and closed; (f) maintaining order and security at the meeting; (g) removing any stockholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting procedures, rules or guidelines as set forth by the chairman of the meeting; and (h) concluding a meeting or recessing or adjourning the meeting to a later date and time and at a place announced at the meeting. Unless otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.
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Section 6.QUORUM. At any meeting of stockholders, the presence in
person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting on any matter shall constitute a quorum; but this section shall not affect any requirement under any statute or the Charter for the vote necessary for the adoption of any measure. If, however, such quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the stockholders, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date without notice other than announcement at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.
The stockholders present either in person or by proxy, at a meeting which has been duly called and convened, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.
Section 7.VOTING. The holders of a majority of the shares of stock of the
Corporation present in person or by proxy at an annual meeting at which a quorum is present may, without the necessity for concurrence by the Board of Directors, vote to elect a director. Each share may be voted for as many individuals as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the share is entitled to be voted. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to approve any other matter which may properly come before the meeting, unless more than a majority of the votes cast is required by statute or by the Charter. Unless otherwise provided by statute or by the Charter, each outstanding share, regardless of class, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders. Voting on any question or in any election may be viva voce unless the chairman of the meeting shall order that voting be by ballot.
Section 8.PROXIES. A stockholder may cast the votes entitled to be cast
by the shares of stock owned of record by the stockholder in person or by proxy executed by the stockholder or by the stockholder’s duly authorized agent in any manner permitted by law. Such proxy or evidence of authorization of such proxy shall be filed with the secretary of the Corporation before or at the meeting. No proxy shall be valid more than eleven months after its date of execution unless otherwise provided in the proxy.
Section 9.VOTING OF STOCK BY CERTAIN HOLDERS. Stock of the
Corporation registered in the name of a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity, if entitled to be voted, may be voted by an officer, a general partner or trustee thereof, as the case may be, or a proxy appointed by any of the foregoing individuals, unless some other person who has been appointed to vote such stock pursuant to a bylaw or a resolution of the governing body of such corporation or other entity or agreement of the partners of a partnership presents a certified copy of such bylaw, resolution or agreement, in which case such person may vote such stock. Any director or other fiduciary may vote stock registered in his or her name as such fiduciary, either in person or by proxy.
Shares of stock of the Corporation directly or indirectly owned by it shall not be voted at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to be voted at any given time, unless they are held by it in a fiduciary capacity, in which case they may be voted and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.
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The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a stockholder may certify in writing to the Corporation that any shares of stock registered in the name of the stockholder are held for the account of a specified person other than the stockholder. The resolution shall set forth the class of stockholders who may make the certification, the purpose for which the certification may be made, the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; if the certification is with respect to a record date or closing of the stock transfer books, the time after the record date or closing of the stock transfer books within which the certification must be received by the Corporation; and any other provisions with respect to the procedure which the Board of Directors considers necessary or desirable. On receipt of such certification, the person specified in the certification shall be regarded as, for the purposes set forth in the certification, the stockholder of record of the specified stock in place of the stockholder who makes the certification.
Section 10.INSPECTORS. The Board of Directors, in advance of any
meeting, may, but need not, appoint one or more individual inspectors or one or more entities that designate individuals as inspectors to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. If an inspector or inspectors are not appointed, the person presiding at the meeting may, but need not, appoint one or more inspectors. In case any person who may be appointed as an inspector fails to appear or act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made by the Board of Directors in advance of the meeting or at the meeting by the chairman of the meeting. The inspectors, if any, shall determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, the validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, determine the result, and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders. Each inspector report shall be in writing and signed by him or her or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors. The report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.
Section 11. ADVANCE NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER NOMINEES FOR
DIRECTOR AND OTHER STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS.
(a)Annual Meetings of Stockholders. (1) Nominations of individuals for
election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice by the stockholder as provided for in this Section 11(a) and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with this Section 11(a).
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(4)For purposes of this Section 11, “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder shall mean (i) any person controlling, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder and (iii) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Stockholder Associated Person.
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Section 12. CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws, Title 3, Subtitle 7 of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”) (or any successor statute) shall not apply to any acquisition by any person of shares of stock of the Corporation. This section may be repealed, in whole or in part, at any time, whether before or after an acquisition of control shares and, upon such repeal, may, to the extent provided by any successor bylaw, apply to any prior or subsequent control share acquisition.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
Section 1.GENERAL POWERS. The business and affairs of the
Corporation shall be managed under the direction of its Board of Directors.
Section 2. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS. At any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, a majority of the entire Board of Directors may establish, increase or decrease the number of directors, provided that the number thereof shall never be less than three, nor more than 15, and further provided that the tenure of office of a director shall not be affected by any decrease in the number of directors. The foregoing shall be the exclusive means of fixing the number of directors.
Section 3. ANNUAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS. An annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders, no notice other than this Bylaw being necessary. In the event such meeting is not so held, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of regular meetings of the Board of Directors without other notice than such resolution.
Section 4.SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board of
Directors may be called by or at the request of the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or by a majority of the directors then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any place as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of special meetings of the Board of Directors without other notice than such resolution.
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Section 5.NOTICE. Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be delivered personally or by telephone, electronic mail, facsimile transmission, United States mail or courier to each director at his or her business or residence address. Notice by personal delivery, telephone, electronic mail or facsimile transmission shall be given at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Notice by United States mail shall be given at least three days prior to the meeting. Notice by courier shall be given at least two days prior to the meeting.
Telephone notice shall be deemed to be given when the director or his or her agent is personally given such notice in a telephone call to which the director or his or her agent is a party.
Electronic mail notice shall be deemed to be given upon transmission of the message to the electronic mail address given to the Corporation by the director. Facsimile transmission notice shall be deemed to be given upon completion of the transmission of the message to the number given to the Corporation by the director and receipt of a completed answer-back indicating receipt. Notice by United States mail shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail properly addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. Notice by courier shall be deemed to be given when deposited with or delivered to a courier properly addressed. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be stated in the notice, unless specifically required by statute or these Bylaws.
Section 6.QUORUM. A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum
for transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that, if less than a majority of such directors are present at said meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice, and provided further that if, pursuant to applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws, the vote of a majority of a particular group of directors is required for action, a quorum must also include a majority of such group.
The directors present at a meeting which has been duly called and convened may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough directors to leave less than a quorum.
Section 7.VOTING. The action of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws. If enough directors have withdrawn from a meeting to leave less than a quorum but the meeting is not adjourned, the action of the majority of that number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum at such meeting shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws.
Section 8.ORGANIZATION. At each meeting of the Board of Directors, the chairman of the board or, in the absence of the chairman, the vice chairman of the board, if any, shall act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of both the chairman and vice chairman of the board, the chief executive officer or in the absence of the chief executive officer, the president or in the absence of the president, a director chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall act as chairman of the meeting. The secretary or, in his or her absence, an assistant secretary of the Corporation, or in the absence of the secretary and all assistant secretaries, a person appointed by the Chairman, shall act as secretary of the meeting.
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Section 9.TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Directors may participate in a meeting
by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
Section 10. CONSENT BY DIRECTORS WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each director and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors.
Section 11. VACANCIES. If for any reason any or all the directors cease to be directors, such event shall not terminate the Corporation or affect these Bylaws or the powers of the remaining directors hereunder (even if fewer than three directors remain). Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of stock, any vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum. Independent Directors shall
nominate replacements for vacancies among the Independent Directors’ positions. Any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies.
Section 12. COMPENSATION. Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as directors but, by resolution of the Board of Directors, may receive compensation per year and/or per meeting and/or per visit to real property or other facilities owned or leased by the Corporation and for any service or activity they performed or engaged in as directors. Directors may be reimbursed for expenses of attendance, if any, at each annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof and for their expenses, if any, in connection with each property visit and any other service or activity they performed or engaged in as directors; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any directors from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
Section 13. LOSS OF DEPOSITS. No director shall be liable for any loss which may occur by reason of the failure of the bank, trust company, savings and loan association, or other institution with whom moneys or stock have been deposited.
Section 14. SURETY BONDS. Unless required by law, no director shall be obligated to give any bond or surety or other security for the performance of any of his or her duties.
Section 15. RELIANCE. Each director, officer, employee and agent of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties with respect to the Corporation, be fully justified and protected with regard to any act or failure to act in reliance in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Corporation, upon an opinion of counsel or upon reports made to the Corporation by any of its officers or employees or by the adviser, accountants, appraisers or other experts or consultants selected by the Board of Directors or officers of the Corporation, regardless of whether such counsel or expert may also be a director.
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Section 16. CERTAIN RIGHTS OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS. The directors, officers and employees shall have no responsibility to devote their full time to the affairs of the Corporation. Any director or officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, in his or her personal capacity or in a capacity as an affiliate, employee, or agent of any other person, or otherwise, may have business interests and engage in business activities similar to, in addition to or in competition with those of or relating to the Corporation.
ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
Section 1. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS. The Board of Directors may appoint from among its members committees, composed of one or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The majority of the members of each committee shall be Independent Directors.
Section 2.POWERS. The Board of Directors may delegate to committees appointed under Section 1 of this Article any of the powers of the Board of Directors, except as prohibited by law.
Section 3.MEETINGS. Notice of committee meetings shall be given in the same manner as notice for special meetings of the Board of Directors. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the committee. The act of a majority of the committee members present at a meeting shall be the act of such committee. The Board of Directors may designate a chairman of any committee, and such chairman or, in the absence of a chairman, any two members of any committee (if there are at least two members of the Committee) may fix the time and place of its meeting unless the Board shall otherwise provide. In the absence of any member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint another director to act in the place of such absent member. Each committee shall keep minutes of its proceedings.
Section 4.TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Members of a committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
Section 5. CONSENT BY COMMITTEES WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each member of the committee and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of such committee.
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Section 6.VACANCIES. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of
Directors shall have the power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to fill all vacancies, to designate alternate members to replace any absent or disqualified member or to dissolve any such committee.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 1.GENERAL PROVISIONS. The officers of the Corporation shall include a president, a secretary and a treasurer and may include a chairman of the board, a vice chairman of the board, a chief executive officer, one or more vice presidents, a chief operating officer, a chief financial officer, one or more assistant secretaries and one or more assistant treasurers. In addition, the Board of Directors may from time to time elect such other officers with such powers and duties as they shall deem necessary or desirable. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors, except that the chief executive officer or president may from time to time appoint one or more vice presidents, assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers or other officers. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, or his or her resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Any two or more offices except president and vice president may be held by the same person. Election of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights between the Corporation and such officer or agent.
Section 2.REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION. Any officer or agent of the
Corporation may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors if in its judgment the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Any officer, other than an executive officer, subordinate to the chief executive officer may be removed by the chief executive officer with or without cause. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the notice of resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation. Such resignation shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Corporation.
Section 3.VACANCIES. A vacancy in any office may be filled by the Board of Directors for the balance of the term.
Section 4.CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a chief executive officer. In the absence of such designation, the chairman of the board shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation. The chief executive officer shall have general responsibility for implementation of the policies of the Corporation, as determined by the Board of Directors, and for the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of chief executive officer and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.
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Section 5.CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. The Board of Directors may
designate a chief operating officer. The chief operating officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as set forth by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.
Section 6.CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. The Board of Directors may
designate a chief financial officer. The chief financial officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as set forth by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.
Section 7.CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Board of Directors shall
designate a chairman of the board. The chairman of the board shall preside over the meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders at which he or she shall be present. The chairman of the board shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors.
Section 8.PRESIDENT. In the absence of a chief executive officer, the
president shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Corporation. In the absence of a designation of a chief operating officer by the Board of Directors, the president shall be the chief operating officer. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.
Section 9.VICE PRESIDENTS. In the absence of the president or in the
event of a vacancy in such office, the vice president (or in the event there be more than one vice president, the vice presidents in the order designated at the time of their election or, in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such vice president by the president or by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more vice presidents as executive vice president, senior vice president, or as vice president for particular areas of responsibility.
Section 10.SECRETARY. The secretary shall (a) keep the minutes of the proceedings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the Corporation; (d) keep a register of the post office address of each stockholder which shall be furnished to the secretary by such stockholder; (e) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation; and (f) in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer, the president or by the Board of Directors.
Section 11.TREASURER. The treasurer shall have the custody of the funds and securities of the Corporation and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. In the absence of a designation of a chief financial officer by the Board of Directors, the treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Corporation.
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The treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and Board of Directors, at the regular meetings of the Board of Directors or whenever it may so require, an account of all his or her transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation.
If required by the Board of Directors, the treasurer shall give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board of Directors for the faithful performance of the duties of his or her office and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of his or her death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, moneys and other property of whatever kind in his or her possession or under his or her control belonging to the Corporation.
Section 12. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS. The assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the secretary or treasurer, respectively, or by the president or the Board of Directors. The assistant treasurers shall, if required by the Board of Directors, give bonds for the faithful performance of their duties in such sums and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board of Directors.
Section 13. SALARIES. The salaries and other compensation of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such salary or other compensation by reason of the fact that he or she is also a director.
ARTICLE VI
CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS
Section 1.CONTRACTS. The Board of Directors or any committee of the
Board of Directors within the scope of its delegated authority may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Any agreement, deed, mortgage, lease or other document shall be valid and binding upon the Corporation when duly authorized or ratified by action of the Board of Directors or such committee and executed by an authorized person.
Section 2.CHECKS AND DRAFTS. All checks, drafts or other orders for
the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or agent of the Corporation in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 3.DEPOSITS. All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed
shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Directors may designate.
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ARTICLE VII
STOCK
Section 1.CERTIFICATES; REQUIRED INFORMATION. Except as may
be otherwise provided by the Board of Directors or required by the Charter, stockholders of the Corporation are not entitled to certificates representing the shares of stock held by them. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock represented by certificates, such certificates shall be signed by the officers of the Corporation in the manner permitted by the MGCL and contain the statements and information required by the MGCL. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock without certificates, the Corporation shall provide to record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates.
Section 2.TRANSFERS WHEN CERTIFICATES ISSUED. Upon surrender
to the Corporation or the transfer agent of the Corporation of a stock certificate duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, the Corporation shall issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.
The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share of stock as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Maryland.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, transfers of shares of any class of stock will be subject in all respects to the Charter and all of the terms and conditions contained therein.
Section 3.REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE. Any officer designated by the
Board of Directors may direct a new certificate to be issued in place of any certificate previously issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing the issuance of a new certificate, an officer designated by the Board of Directors may, in his or her discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or the owner’s legal representative to advertise the same in such manner as he shall require and/or to give bond, with sufficient surety, to the Corporation to indemnify it against any loss or claim which may arise as a result of the issuance of a new certificate.
Section 4. CLOSING OF TRANSFER BOOKS OR FIXING OF RECORD DATE. The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of stockholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than 90 days and, in the case of a meeting of stockholders, not less than ten days, before the date on which the meeting or particular action requiring such determination of stockholders of record is to be held or taken.
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In lieu of fixing a record date, the Board of Directors may provide that the stock transfer books shall be closed for a stated period but not longer than 20 days. If the stock transfer books are closed for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders, such books shall be closed for at least ten days before the date of such meeting.
If no record date is fixed and the stock transfer books are not closed for the determination of stockholders, (a) the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day on which the notice of meeting is mailed or the 30th day before the meeting, whichever is the closer date to the meeting; and (b) the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend or an allotment of any other rights shall be the close of business on the day on which the resolution of the directors, declaring the dividend or allotment of rights, is adopted.
When a determination of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been made as provided in this section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof, except when (i) the determination has been made through the closing of the transfer books and the stated period of closing has expired or (ii) the meeting is adjourned to a date more than 120 days after the record date fixed for the original meeting, in either of which case a new record date shall be determined as set forth herein.
Section 5.STOCK LEDGER. The Corporation shall maintain at its principal
office or at the office of its counsel, accountants or transfer agent, an original or duplicate share ledger containing the name and address of each stockholder and the number of shares of each class held by such stockholder.
Section 6.FRACTIONAL STOCK; ISSUANCE OF UNITS. The Board of
Directors may issue fractional stock or provide for the issuance of scrip, all on such terms and under such conditions as they may determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may issue units consisting of different securities of the Corporation. Any security issued in a unit shall have the same characteristics as any identical securities issued by the Corporation, except that the Board of Directors may provide that for a specified period securities of the Corporation issued in such unit may be transferred on the books of the Corporation only in such unit.
ARTICLE VIII
ACCOUNTING YEAR
The Board of Directors shall have the power, from time to time, to fix the fiscal year of the Corporation by a duly adopted resolution, provided that the fiscal year of the Corporation shall be the calendar year for all taxable periods following the Corporation’s qualification as, and prior to any termination or revocation of the qualification of the Corporation as, a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
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ARTICLE IX
DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 1.AUTHORIZATION. Dividends and other distributions upon the
stock of the Corporation may be authorized by the Board of Directors and declared by the Corporation, subject to the provisions of law and the Charter. Dividends and other distributions may be paid in cash, property or stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of law and the Charter.
Section 2.CONTINGENCIES. Before payment of any dividends or other
distributions, there may be set aside out of any assets of the Corporation available for dividends or other distributions such sum or sums as the Board of Directors may from time to time, in its absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund for contingencies, for equalizing dividends or other distributions, for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall determine to be in the best interest of the Corporation, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve.
ARTICLE X
INVESTMENT POLICY
Subject to the provisions of the Charter, the Board of Directors may from time to time adopt, amend, revise or terminate any policy or policies with respect to investments by the Corporation as it shall deem appropriate in its sole discretion.
ARTICLE XI
SEAL
Section 1.SEAL. The Board of Directors may authorize the adoption of a
seal by the Corporation. The seal shall contain the name of the Corporation and the year of its incorporation and the words “Incorporated Maryland.” The Board of Directors may authorize one or more duplicate seals and provide for the custody thereof.
Section 2.AFFIXING SEAL. Whenever the Corporation is permitted or
required to affix its seal to a document, it shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of any law, rule or regulation relating to a seal to place the word “(SEAL)” adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to execute the document on behalf of the Corporation.
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ARTICLE XII
WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever any notice is required to be given pursuant to the Charter or these Bylaws or pursuant to applicable law, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any meeting need be set forth in the waiver of notice, unless specifically required by statute. The attendance of any person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
The Board of Directors shall have the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of these Bylaws and to make new Bylaws; provided, however, that Article XV of these Bylaws may not be altered, amended or repealed except by the affirmative vote of a majority of all votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Corporation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the provision in the preceding sentence governing the amendment of Article XV of these Bylaws may not be altered, amended or repealed except by the affirmative vote of a majority of all votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Corporation.
ARTICLE XIV
EXCLUSIVE FORUM FOR CERTAIN LITIGATION
Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or to the stockholders of the Corporation, (c) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL or the Charter or Bylaws of the Corporation, or (d) any action asserting a claim that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine, and any record or beneficial stockholder of the Corporation who commences such an action shall cooperate in a request that the action be assigned to the Court’s Business and Technology Case Management Program. The provisions of this Article XIV do not apply to claims brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.
ARTICLE XV
CHARTER RESTRICTIONS TO CONTINUE UPON LISTING
Although the Articles of Restatement of the Corporation, filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland on March 20, 2012, provide that the restrictions set forth in Sections 10.3 and 10.4 therein shall only apply until such time as the Corporation’s shares of common stock are Listed (as such term is defined therein), pursuant to these Bylaws the Corporation shall continue to comply with such restrictions even after the Corporation’s shares of common stock are Listed.
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Exhibit 4.1
ARES REAL ESTATE INCOME TRUST INC.
Third Amended and Restated Share Redemption Program
Effective as of December 1, 2021
Definitions
Advisor – Shall mean Ares Commercial Real Estate Management LLC.
Advisory Agreement – The advisory agreement between the Advisor and the Company.
Class D shares – Shall mean the shares of the Company’s common stock classified as Class D.
Class E shares – Shall mean the shares of the Company’s common stock classified as Class E.
Class I shares– Shall mean the shares of the Company’s common stock classified as Class I.
Class S shares – Shall mean the shares of the Company’s common stock classified as Class S.
Class T shares – Shall mean the shares of the Company’s common stock classified as Class T.
Company – Shall mean Ares Real Estate Income Trust Inc., a Maryland corporation. The Company may be referred to as “we” or “our” within the context of this document.
Code – Shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
DST Program – Shall mean the Company’s program to raise capital in private placements exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the “Securities Act” through the sale of beneficial interests in specific Delaware statutory trusts holding real properties, including properties currently indirectly owned by the Operating Partnership.
Early Redemption Deduction – Shall mean have the meaning set forth below.
NAV – Shall mean the net asset value of the Company or a class of its shares, as the context requires, determined in accordance with the Company’s valuation policies and procedures.
Operating Partnership – Shall mean AREIT Operating Partnership LP.
Operating Partnership Agreement – Shall mean the Sixth Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the Operating Partnership, as amended from time to time.
OP Units – Shall mean limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership.
Offering – Shall mean any ongoing public offering of Class T, Class S, Class D or Class I shares, whether in a primary offering or pursuant to the Company’s distribution reinvestment plan.
Redemption Date – Shall mean have the meaning set forth below.
Stockholders or stockholders – Shall mean the holders of Class E, Class T, Class S, Class D or Class I shares. Stockholders may be referred to as “you” or “your” within the context of this document.
Transaction Price – Shall mean the price at which a share will be redeemed, which will generally be equal to the most recently disclosed monthly NAV per share for the applicable class of shares. The Company may use a Transaction Price other than the most recently disclosed monthly NAV in cases where the Company believes there has been a material change (positive or negative) to the Company’s NAV per share relative to the most recently disclosed monthly NAV per share.
We expect that there will be no regular secondary trading market for shares of our common stock. While you should view your investment as long term with limited liquidity, we have adopted this share redemption program, whereby stockholders may request that we redeem all or any portion of their shares in accordance with the procedures and subject to certain conditions and
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limitations described below. All references herein to the classes of our shares mean our Class E, Class T, Class S, Class D, and Class I shares, and not the OP Units issued by our Operating Partnership, unless the context otherwise requires.
Due to the illiquid nature of investments in real property, we may not have sufficient liquid resources to fund redemption requests. In addition, we have established limitations on the amount of funds we may use for redemptions during any calendar month and quarter. See “Redemption Limitations” below. Further, our board of directors has the right to modify or suspend this share redemption program if it deems such action to be in the best interest of our stockholders.
A stockholder’s request for redemption in accordance with any of the special treatment described below in the event of the death or qualifying disability of a stockholder must be submitted within 18 months of the death of the stockholder or the initial determination of the stockholder’s disability (which we define as such term is defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the Code), as further described below.
You may request that we redeem shares of our common stock through your financial advisor or directly with our transfer agent. We will generally adhere to the following procedures relating to the redemption of shares of our common stock:
Corporate investors and other non-individual entities must have an appropriate certification on file authorizing redemptions. A signature guarantee may be required.
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Minimum Account Redemptions
In the event that any stockholder fails to maintain the minimum balance of $2,000 of shares of our common stock, we may redeem all of the shares held by that stockholder at the redemption price in effect on the date we determine that the stockholder has failed to meet the minimum balance, less any Early Redemption Deduction. Minimum account redemptions will apply even in the event that the failure to meet the minimum balance is caused solely by a decline in our NAV. Minimum account redemptions are subject to Early Redemption Deduction.
Sources of Funds for Redemptions
We may, in the Advisor’s discretion, after taking the interests of our company as a whole and the interests of our remaining stockholders into consideration, use proceeds from any available sources at our disposal to satisfy redemption requests, subject to the limitation on the amount of funds we may use described below under “Redemption Limitations.” Potential sources of funding redemptions include, but are not limited to, cash on hand, cash available from borrowings, cash from the sale of shares of our common stock and cash from liquidations of investments, to the extent that such funds are not otherwise dedicated to a particular use, such as working capital, cash distributions to stockholders, purchases of real property, debt-related or other investments or redemption of OP Units.
Although the vast majority of our assets consist of properties that cannot generally be readily liquidated on short notice without impacting our ability to realize full value upon their disposition, we intend to maintain a number of sources of liquidity including (i) cash equivalents (e.g. money market funds), other short-term investments, U.S. government securities, agency securities and liquid real estate-related securities and (ii) one or more borrowing facilities. We may fund redemptions from any available source of funds, including operating cash flows, borrowings, proceeds from the Offering and/or sales of our assets.
This share redemption program may limit our ability to make new investments or increase the current distribution rate if we experience redemption demand in excess of capacity over any two-year period. This share redemption program requires that if during any consecutive 24-month period (the “Pro-Rata Period”), we do not have at least one month in which we fully satisfy 100% of properly submitted redemption requests or accept all properly submitted tenders in a self-tender offer for our shares, we will not make any new investments (excluding short-term cash management investments under 30 days in duration) and we will use all investable assets to satisfy redemption requests (subject to the limitations under this program) until all outstanding requests are satisfied. “Investable assets” includes net proceeds from new subscription agreements, unrestricted cash, proceeds from marketable securities,
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proceeds from the distribution reinvestment plan, and net cash flows after any payment, accrual, allocation, or liquidity reserve associated with costs in the normal course of owning, operating and selling real estate, debt service, redemption of holders of OP Units, repayment of debt, debt financing costs, current or anticipated debt covenants associated with existing debt, funding commitments related to real estate (provided that, any such funding commitments related to the acquisition of property were made prior to the second half of the Pro-Rata Period), master lease payments pursuant to the DST Program, general and administrative expenses, organizational and offering costs, asset management and advisory fees, performance or actions under existing contracts, obligations under our organizational documents or those of our subsidiaries (provided that any such obligation, other than an immaterial obligation or an obligation or change requested by a federal or state regulatory body, existed prior to such Pro-Rata Period), obligations imposed by law, regulations, courts or arbitration, or distributions (whether for stockholders or other investors in the company or its subsidiaries) or establishment of an adequate liquidity reserve as determined by our board of directors. The Advisor will also defer its incentive fee until all redemption requests are satisfied. Furthermore, our board of directors and management will consider additional ways to improve shareholder liquidity through this share redemption program or otherwise. The purpose of this provision is to use all available investable assets to satisfy redemption requests in such a situation as described above. Exceptions to the limitations of this paragraph may be made to complete like-kind exchanges under Section 1031 of the Code necessary to avoid adverse tax consequences, or to take actions necessary to maintain our qualification as a real estate investment trust under the Code.
Redemption Limitations
We may redeem fewer shares than have been requested in any particular month to be redeemed under this share redemption program, or none at all, in our discretion at any time. The total amount of aggregate redemptions of Class E, Class T, Class S, Class D, and Class I shares (based on the price at which the shares are redeemed) will be limited during each calendar month to 2% of the aggregate NAV of all classes as of the last calendar day of the previous quarter and in each calendar quarter will be limited to 5% of the aggregate NAV of all classes of shares as of the last calendar day of the previous calendar quarter; provided, however, that every month and quarter each class of our common stock will be allocated capacity within such aggregate limit to allow stockholders in such class to either (a) redeem shares (based on the price at which the shares are redeemed) equal to at least 2% of the aggregate NAV of such share class as of the last calendar day of the previous quarter, or, if more limiting, (b) redeem shares (based on the price at which the shares are redeemed) over the course of a given quarter equal to at least 5% of the aggregate NAV of such share class as of the last calendar day of the previous quarter, which in the second and third months of a quarter could be less than 2% of the NAV of such share class. In the event that we determine to redeem some but not all of the shares submitted for redemption during any month, shares redeemed at the end of the month will be redeemed on a pro rata basis. Even if the class-specific allocations are exceeded for a class, the program may offer such class additional capacity under the aggregate program limits. Redemptions and pro rata treatment, if necessary, will first be applied within the class-specific limits and then applied on an aggregate basis in a second step. All unsatisfied redemption requests must be resubmitted after the start of the next month or quarter, or upon the recommencement of this share redemption program, as applicable.
For both the aggregate and class-specific allocations described above, (i) provided that this share redemption program has been operating and not suspended for the first month of a given quarter and that all properly submitted redemption requests were satisfied, any unused capacity for that month will carry over to the second month and (ii) provided that this share redemption program has been operating and not suspended for the first two months of a given quarter and that all properly submitted redemption requests were satisfied, any unused capacity for those two months will carry over to the third month. In no event will such carry-over capacity permit the redemption of shares with aggregate value (based on the redemption price per share for the month the redemption is effected) in excess of 5% of the combined NAV of all classes of shares as of the last calendar day of the previous calendar quarter (provided that for these purposes redemptions may be measured on a net basis as described in the paragraph below).
We currently measure the foregoing redemption allocations and limitations based on net redemptions during a month or quarter, as applicable. The term “net redemptions” means, during the applicable period, the excess of our share redemptions (capital outflows) over the proceeds from the sale of our shares (capital inflows). Net redemptions for the class-specific allocations will be based only on the capital inflows and outflows of that class, while net redemptions for the overall program limits would be based on capital inflows and outflows of all classes. Thus, for any given calendar quarter, the maximum amount of redemptions during that quarter will be equal to (1) 5% of the combined NAV of all classes of shares as of the last calendar day of the previous calendar quarter, plus (2) proceeds from sales of new shares in the Offering (including purchases pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan) and the Class E distribution reinvestment plan offering since the beginning of the current calendar quarter. The same would apply for a given month, except that redemptions in a month would be subject to the 2% limit described above (subject to potential carry-over capacity), and netting would be measured on a monthly basis. With respect to future periods, our board of directors may choose whether the allocations and limitations will be applied to “gross redemptions,” i.e., without netting against capital inflows, rather than to net redemptions. If redemptions for a given month or quarter are measured on a gross basis rather than on a net basis, the redemption limitations could limit the amount of shares redeemed in a given month or quarter despite our receiving a net capital inflow for that month or quarter. In order for our board of directors to change the application of the allocations and limitations from net redemptions to gross redemptions or vice versa, we will provide notice to stockholders in a prospectus supplement or special or
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periodic report filed by us, as well as in a press release or on our website, at least 10 days before the first business day of the quarter for which the new test will apply. The determination to measure redemptions on a gross basis, or vice versa, will only be made for an entire quarter, and not particular months within a quarter.
If the Transaction Price for the applicable month is not made available by the tenth business day prior to the last business day of the month (or is changed after such date), then no redemption requests will be accepted for such month and stockholders who wish to have their shares redeemed the following month must resubmit their redemption requests.
Should redemption requests, in our judgment, place an undue burden on our liquidity, adversely affect our operations or risk having an adverse impact on the company as a whole, or should we otherwise determine that investing our liquid assets in real properties or other illiquid investments rather than repurchasing our shares is in the best interests of the company as a whole, we may choose to redeem fewer shares in any particular month than have been requested to be redeemed, or none at all. Further, our board of directors may modify or suspend our share redemption program if in its reasonable judgment it deems a suspension to be in our best interest and the best interest of our stockholders, such as when a redemption request would place an undue burden on our liquidity, adversely affect our operations or risk having an adverse impact on the Company that would outweigh the benefit of the redemption offer. Material modifications, including any amendment to the 2% monthly or 5% quarterly limitations on redemptions, to and suspensions of the share redemption program will be promptly disclosed to stockholders in a prospectus supplement (or post-effective amendment if required by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) or special or periodic report filed by us. Material modifications will also be disclosed on our website. In addition, we may determine to suspend the share redemption program due to regulatory changes, changes in law or if we become aware of undisclosed material information that we believe should be publicly disclosed before shares are redeemed. Once the share redemption program is suspended, our board of directors will be required to consider at least quarterly whether the continued suspension of our share redemption program is in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders. Our board of directors must affirmatively authorize the recommencement of the program if it is suspended before stockholder requests will be considered again. Our board of directors cannot terminate our share redemption program unless shares of our common stock were to list on a national securities exchange or where otherwise required by law.
Early Redemption Deduction
There is no minimum holding period for shares of our common stock and stockholders can request that we redeem their shares at any time. However, subject to limited exceptions, shares that have not been outstanding for at least one year will be redeemed at 95% of the Transaction Price (the “Early Redemption Deduction”).
The Early Redemption Deduction will inure indirectly to the benefit of our remaining stockholders and is intended to offset the trading costs, market impact and other costs associated with short-term trading in our common stock. We may, from time to time, waive the Early Redemption Deduction in the following circumstances:
| ● | redemptions resulting from death or qualifying disability; |
| ● | in the event that a stockholder’s shares are redeemed because the stockholder has failed to maintain the $2,000 minimum account balance; or |
| ● | with respect to shares purchased through our distribution reinvestment plan. |
In addition, the Early Redemption Deduction may not apply to transactions initiated by the trustee or adviser to a donor-advised charitable gift fund, collective trust fund, common trust fund, fund of fund(s) or other institutional accounts, strategy funds or programs if management determines, in its sole discretion, such account, fund or program has an investment strategy or policy that is reasonably likely to control short-term trading. Further, shares of our common stock may be sold to certain employer sponsored plans, bank or trust company accounts and accounts of certain financial institutions or intermediaries for which we may not apply the Early Redemption Deduction to underlying stockholders, often because of administrative or systems limitations. The Early Redemption Deduction shall also not apply to shares taken by our Advisor in lieu of fees or expense reimbursements under the Advisory Agreement.
The Early Redemption Deduction will also not apply in certain situations following the departure of certain key persons to our company, unless replaced as described below. The currently designated key persons are Rajat Dhanda, Gregory M. Moran, and James R. Mulvihill and any individual appointed by a majority of our independent directors to replace such key persons as described below. If two or more of such key persons have died, resigned, been removed, become disabled (meaning the earlier of (a) the date on which a key person’s healthcare provider states in writing that that such key person will be unable, or can reasonably be expected to be unable, to perform the essential functions of his/her regular duties and responsibilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, due to a medically determinable physical or mental illness or injury for a period of at least 60 consecutive days, or (b) the 60th
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consecutive day in which such key person has actually been unable to perform the essential functions of his/her regular duties and responsibilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, due to a medically determinable physical or mental illness or injury), or are otherwise unable or unwilling to exercise the authority and discharge those day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to our company as are currently exercised and discharged by such key persons, and our independent directors have not, within 60 days of such situations having arisen with respect to two more of such key persons, approved the appointment of one or more replacements who will fulfill substantially all of the duties of at least all but one of such key persons (meaning one key person position may remain unfilled for longer than 60 days) (a “Key Man Triggering Event”), then the Early Redemption Deduction will be waived with respect to all shares purchased prior to the expiration of five business days after the public disclosure of the occurrence of such Key Man Triggering Event (“Exempt Shares”) from the time the Key Man Triggering Event is publicly disclosed until the completion of three full calendar months; provided, that if not all properly submitted redemption requests are satisfied during such three full calendar months, then such Early Redemption Deduction waiver for Exempt Shares will continue until there has been a subsequent calendar month in which all properly submitted redemption requests were satisfied. We will publicly disclose a Key Man Triggering Event and the associated waiver of the Early Redemption Deduction promptly upon its occurrence, and also promptly publicly disclose when the associated waiver of the Early Redemption Deduction has ended. Any such public disclosure will be made to stockholders in a prospectus supplement or special or periodic report filed by us, as well as in a press release or on our website.
From time to time, our board of directors may also authorize waivers of the Early Redemption Deduction for specified periods of time with respect to future redemptions for all investors upon the occurrence of specific circumstances other than personal circumstances (e.g. significant corporate changes, natural disasters) that it determines, in its sole discretion, do not raise concerns over short-term trading. Any such waivers will be publicly disclosed promptly following their approval. Any such waivers will apply to all investors and apply on a prospective basis only, and will remain effective for at least three full calendar months. Any such public disclosure will be made to stockholders in a prospectus supplement or special or periodic report filed by us, as well as in a press release or on our website.
As set forth above, we may waive the Early Redemption Deduction in respect of redemption of shares resulting from the death of a stockholder who is a natural person, subject to the conditions and limitations described above, including shares held by such stockholder through a revocable grantor trust or an IRA or other retirement or profit-sharing plan, after receiving written notice from the estate of the stockholder, the recipient of the shares through bequest or inheritance, or, in the case of a revocable grantor trust, the trustee of such trust, who shall have the sole ability to request redemption on behalf of the trust. We must receive the written redemption request within 18 months after the death of the stockholder in order for the requesting party to rely on any of the special treatment described above that may be afforded in the event of the death of a stockholder. Such a written request must be accompanied by a certified copy of the official death certificate of the stockholder. If spouses are joint registered holders of shares, the request to have the shares redeemed may be made if either of the registered holders dies. If the stockholder is not a natural person, such as certain trusts or a partnership, corporation or other similar entity, the right of redemption upon death does not apply.
Furthermore, as set forth above, we may waive the Early Redemption Deduction in respect of redemption of shares held by a stockholder who is a natural person who is deemed to have a qualifying disability (as such term is defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the Code), subject to the conditions and limitations described above, including shares held by such stockholder through a revocable grantor trust, or an IRA or other retirement or profit-sharing plan, after receiving written notice from such stockholder, provided that the condition causing the qualifying disability was not pre-existing on the date that the stockholder became a stockholder. We must receive the written redemption request within 18 months of the initial determination of the stockholder’s disability in order for the stockholder to rely on any of the waivers described above that may be granted in the event of the disability of a stockholder. If spouses are joint registered holders of shares, the request to have the shares redeemed may be made if either of the registered holders acquires a qualifying disability. If the stockholder is not a natural person, such as certain trusts or a partnership, corporation or other similar entity, the right of redemption upon disability does not apply.
Items of Note
When you make a request to have shares redeemed, you should note the following:
| ● | if you are requesting that some but not all of your shares be redeemed, keep your balance above $2,000 to avoid minimum account redemption, if applicable; |
| ● | you will not receive interest on amounts represented by uncashed redemption checks; |
| ● | under applicable anti-money laundering regulations and other federal regulations, redemption requests may be suspended, restricted or canceled and the proceeds may be withheld; and |
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| ● | all shares of our common stock requested to be redeemed must be beneficially owned by the stockholder of record making the request or his or her estate, heir or beneficiary, or the party requesting the redemption must be authorized to do so by the stockholder of record of the shares or his or her estate, heir or beneficiary, and such shares of common stock must be fully transferable and not subject to any liens or encumbrances. In certain cases, we may ask the requesting party to provide evidence satisfactory to us that the shares requested for redemption are not subject to any liens or encumbrances. If we determine that a lien exists against the shares, we will not be obligated to redeem any shares subject to the lien. |
IRS regulations require us to determine and disclose on Form 1099-B the adjusted cost basis for shares of our stock sold or redeemed. Although there are several available methods for determining the adjusted cost basis, unless you elect otherwise, which you may do by checking the appropriate box on the redemption form or calling our customer service number at (888) 310-9352, we will utilize the first-in-first-out method.
Mail and Telephone Instructions
We and our transfer agent will not be responsible for the authenticity of mail or phone instructions or losses, if any, resulting from unauthorized stockholder transactions if they reasonably believe that such instructions were genuine. We and our transfer agent have established reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions are genuine including requiring the stockholder to provide certain specific identifying information on file and sending written confirmation to stockholders of record no later than five days following execution of the instruction. Stockholders, or their designated custodian or fiduciary, should carefully review such correspondence to ensure that the instructions were properly acted upon. If any discrepancies are noted, the stockholder, or its agent, should contact his, her or its financial advisor as well as our transfer agent in a timely manner, but in no event more than 60 days from receipt of such correspondence. Failure to notify such entities in a timely manner will relieve us, our transfer agent and the financial advisor of any liability with respect to the discrepancy.
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