Maryland
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000-56274
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83-1268857
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(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation)
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(Commission File Number)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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Title of each class
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Trading
Symbol(s)
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Name of each exchange
on which registered
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N/A
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N/A
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Item 1.01
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Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
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Item 1.02
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Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.
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Item 2.03
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Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
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Item 3.02
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Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
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Item 3.03
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Material Modifications to Rights of Security Holders.
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Item 5.02
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Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements with Certain Officers.
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Item 5.03
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Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
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Item 9.01
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Financial Statements and Exhibits.
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Exhibit No.
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Description
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3.1
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3.2
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10.1
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10.2
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10.3
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10.4
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10.5
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10.6 | First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P., dated July 31, 2023. | |
10.7 | Consent and Sixth Amendment, dated July 31, 2023, by and among VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P. and certain of its subsidiaries, as borrowers, KeyBank National Association, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, joined by VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc., as guarantor. | |
10.8
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10.9
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10.10
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10.11
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104
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Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
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VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc.
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By:
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/s/ Brian Mitts
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Name: Brian Mitts
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Title: President, Chief Financial Officer, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer
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Exhibit 3.1
VINEBROOK HOMES TRUST, INC.
ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY ESTABLISHING AND FIXING THE RIGHTS AND PREFERENCES OF A SERIES OF PREFERRED STOCK
VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:
FIRST: Under a power contained in Article VI of the charter of the Corporation (the “Charter”) and Section 2-208 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”), by duly adopted resolutions, classified and authorized the issuance of 3,000,000 shares of authorized but unissued preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Corporation as shares of 9.50% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, with the following preferences, rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption (which, upon any restatement of the Charter, may be made a part thereof, with any necessary or appropriate changes to the numeration or lettering of the sections or subsections hereof). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Charter.
Section 1. Designation and Number. A series of Preferred Stock, designated the 9.50% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), is hereby established. The par value of the Series B Preferred Stock is $0.01 per share. The number of authorized shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be 3,000,000.
Section 2. Rank. The Series B Preferred Stock, with respect to priority of payment of dividends and other distributions and rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, shall rank (a) senior to all classes or series of Common Stock, and any other class or series of Capital Stock issued in the future, unless the terms of such stock expressly provide that it ranks senior to, or on parity with, the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to priority of payment of dividends and other distributions or rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation (together with the Common Stock, the “Junior Stock”); (b) on a parity with the Corporation’s 6.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) and any class or series of Capital Stock, the terms of which expressly provide that it ranks on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to priority of payment of dividends and other distributions or rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation (the “Parity Preferred Stock”); and (c) junior to any class or series of Capital Stock, the terms of which expressly provide that it ranks senior to the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to priority of payment of dividends and other distributions or rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation (the “Senior Stock”), and to all existing and future debt obligations of the Corporation and to the indebtedness and other liabilities of the Corporation’s existing subsidiaries and any future subsidiaries. The term “Capital Stock” does not include convertible or exchangeable debt securities.
Section 3. Dividends.
(a) Subject to the preferential rights of the holders of Senior Stock with respect to priority of dividend payments, holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized by the Board (or a duly authorized committee of the Board) and declared by the Corporation, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, as determined by the Board (or a duly authorized committee of the Board), preferential cumulative cash dividends. From the date of original issue of the Series B Preferred Stock (or the date of issue of any Series B Preferred Stock issued after such original issue date) (the “Original Issuance Date”) the Corporation shall pay cumulative cash dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock at the Dividend Rate. As used herein, the “Dividend Rate” is initially 9.50% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock) plus the amount of previously accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock. The initial Dividend Rate will increase as follows: (i) beginning on the day after the fourth anniversary of the date of original issuance of shares of Series B Preferred Stock (the “First Issuance Date”), the Dividend Rate will be 10.00% per annum; (ii) beginning on the day after the fifth anniversary of the First Issuance Date, the Dividend Rate will be 11.00% per annum; and (iii) beginning on the day after the sixth anniversary of the First Issuance Date and beginning on the day after each anniversary of the First Issuance Date thereafter, the Dividend Rate will increase by an additional 200 basis points per annum. In addition, the Dividend Rate may also increase upon a Senior Capital Leverage Ratio Default, Rating Default and FCCR Default, on the terms set forth herein. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, at no time, including in the event of the foregoing defaults that increase the Dividend Rate, will the Dividend Rate exceed the lower of (i) 17.0% per annum or (ii) the maximum rate permitted under applicable law. Dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock shall accrue and be cumulative from (and including) the Original Issuance Date or, with respect to any accrued dividends that have been paid in cash, the end of the most recent Dividend Period (as defined below) for which dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock have been paid in cash and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on January 10, April 10, July 10 and October 10 of each year or, if such date is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day, with the same force and effect as if paid on such date (each, a “Dividend Payment Date”) and the first Dividend Payment Date will be October 10, 2023. A “Dividend Period” is the respective period commencing on and including January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year and ending on and including the day preceding the first day of the next succeeding Dividend Period (other than the initial Dividend Period and the Dividend Period during which any shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Corporation). Dividends will be prorated for partial quarters. Any dividend payable on the Series B Preferred Stock for any Dividend Period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Dividends shall be payable to holders of record of the Series B Preferred Stock as they appear in the stock records of the Corporation at the close of business on the 25th day of the month preceding the applicable Dividend Payment Date, i.e., December 25, March 25, June 25 and September 25 or, if such date is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, a “Dividend Record Date”).
(b) No dividends on shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be authorized by the Board (or a duly authorized committee of the Board) or declared by the Corporation or paid or set apart for payment by the Corporation at such time as the terms and provisions of any agreement of the Corporation, including any agreement relating to its indebtedness, prohibits such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment or provides that such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment would constitute a breach thereof or a default thereunder, or if such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing Section 3(b), dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock shall accrue and, to the extent not paid in cash, compound quarterly on the last day of each Dividend Period, whether or not the Corporation has earnings, whether there are funds legally available for the payment of such dividends and whether or not such dividends are authorized by the Board (or a duly authorized committee of the Board) or declared by the Corporation. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on the Series B Preferred Stock which may be in arrears. When dividends are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart) upon the Series B Preferred Stock and the shares of any class or series of Parity Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon the Series B Preferred Stock and any class or series of Parity Preferred Stock shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share of Series B Preferred Stock and such class or series of Parity Preferred Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accumulated dividends per share on the Series B Preferred Stock and such class or series of Parity Preferred Stock (which shall not include any accrual in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods if such Parity Preferred Stock does not have a cumulative dividend) bear to each other.
(d) Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless full cumulative and compounded dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid in cash or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment for all past Dividend Periods that have ended, no dividends (other than a dividend in shares of Junior Stock or in options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase any such shares of Junior Stock) shall be declared and paid or declared and set apart for payment nor shall any other distribution be declared and made upon the Junior Stock or the Parity Preferred Stock, nor shall any shares of Junior Stock or Parity Preferred Stock be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of Junior Stock or Parity Preferred Stock) by the Corporation (except (i) by conversion into or exchange for Junior Stock, (ii) the purchase of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, Junior Stock or Parity Preferred Stock pursuant to the Charter to the extent necessary to preserve the Corporation’s qualification as a REIT or (iii) the purchase of shares of Parity Preferred Stock pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock). Holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full cumulative and compounding dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock as provided above. Any dividend payment made on shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividend due with respect to such shares which remains payable.
Section 4. Liquidation Preference. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation legally available for distribution to its stockholders, after payment of or provision for the Corporation’s debts and other liabilities, a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock), plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not earned, authorized or declared) thereon to and including the date of payment, but without interest, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Junior Stock. If the assets of the Corporation legally available for distribution to stockholders are insufficient to pay in full the liquidation preference on the Series B Preferred Stock and the liquidation preference on the shares of any class or series of Parity Preferred Stock, all assets distributed to the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock and any class or series of Parity Preferred Stock shall be distributed pro rata so that the amount of assets distributed per share of Series B Preferred Stock and such class or series of Parity Preferred Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that the liquidation preference per share on the Series B Preferred Stock and such class or series of Parity Preferred Stock bear to each other. Written notice of any distribution in connection with any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, stating the payment date or dates when, and the place or places where, the amounts distributable in such circumstances shall be payable, shall be given by first class mail, postage pre-paid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the payment date stated therein, to each record holder of the Series B Preferred Stock at the respective addresses of such holders as the same shall appear on the stock transfer records of the Corporation. After payment of the full amount of the liquidation distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Corporation. The consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into another entity, a merger of another entity with or into the Corporation, a statutory share exchange by the Corporation or a sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property or business shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation. In determining whether a distribution (other than upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation) by dividend, redemption or other acquisition of shares of stock of the Corporation or otherwise is permitted under the Maryland General Corporation Law, no effect shall be given to amounts that would be needed, if the Corporation were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of holders of the Series B Preferred Stock.
Section 5. Redemption.
(a) The Corporation may, at its option, redeem the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, from time to time, following the Original Issuance Date. For any redemption prior to the first anniversary of the First Issuance Date, the Corporation may redeem such shares at a redemption price equal to 106% multiplied by the $25.00 liquidation preference per share (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock), plus the amount of all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock (whether or not declared) to but excluding the date fixed for redemption (the “Redemption Date”), without interest. For any redemption on or after the first anniversary of the First Issuance Date and prior to the second anniversary of the First Issuance Date, the Corporation may redeem such shares at a redemption price equal to 104% multiplied by the $25.00 liquidation preference per share (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock), plus the amount of all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock (whether or not declared) to but excluding the Redemption Date, without interest. For any redemption on or after the second anniversary of the First Issuance Date and prior to the third anniversary of the First Issuance Date, the Corporation may redeem such shares at a redemption price equal to 102% multiplied by the $25.00 liquidation preference per share (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock), plus the amount of all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock (whether or not declared) to but excluding the Redemption Date, without interest. For any redemption on or after the third anniversary of the First Issuance Date, the Corporation may redeem such shares at a redemption price equal to the $25.00 liquidation preference per share (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock), plus the amount of all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock (whether or not declared) to but excluding the Redemption Date, without interest.
(b) In order to ensure that the Corporation remains qualified as a REIT under Section 856 of the Code, the Series B Preferred Stock shall be subject to the provisions of Section 7.2 of the Charter. Pursuant to Section 7.2 of the Charter, and without limitation of any provisions of such Section 7.2, the Series B Preferred Stock, together with all other Capital Stock, owned by a stockholder in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit shall automatically be transferred to a Trust for the benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries and the Corporation shall have the right to purchase such transferred shares from the Trust. For this purpose, the Market Price of Series B Preferred Stock shall equal the $25.00 liquidation preference per share (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock), plus the amount of previously accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock. The Corporation may, at its option, redeem the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, from time to time in order to remain qualified as a REIT under Section 856 of the Code. Notwithstanding Section 5(a), if the Corporation calls for redemption of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to and in accordance with this Section 5(b), then the redemption price for such shares shall be an amount in cash equal to the $25.00 liquidation preference per share (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock), plus the amount of all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock (whether or not declared) to but excluding the Redemption Date, without interest.
(c) Unless otherwise required in connection with a redemption pursuant to Section 5(b), the Redemption Date shall be selected by the Corporation and shall be no less than 30 days and no more than 60 days after the date on which the Corporation sends the notice of redemption.
(d) If fewer than all the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock are to be redeemed pursuant to this Section 5, the Corporation shall select those shares to be redeemed pro rata.
(e) Notice as to the redemption of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 5 shall be given through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), to each such record holder of such shares of Series B Preferred Stock in accordance with customary procedures of DTC. No failure to give such notice or any defect therein shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any such shares of Series B Preferred Stock except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given.
(f) Any notice of redemption shall state: (i) the Redemption Date; (ii) a calculation of the redemption price payable on the Redemption Date, including without limitation a statement as to whether or not accumulated, accrued and unpaid dividends shall be payable as part of the redemption price, or payable on the next Dividend Payment Date to the record holder at the close of business on the relevant Dividend Record Date as described in Section 3 hereof; and (iii) that dividends on the shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall cease to accrue on such Redemption Date. If less than all the shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by any holder are to be redeemed, the notice mailed to such holder also shall specify the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by such holder to be redeemed.
(g) Unless the Corporation defaults in the payment of the redemption price, if notice of redemption of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock has been given and if the funds necessary for such redemption have been set apart by the Corporation for the benefit of the holders of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock called for redemption, then, from and after the Redemption Date, dividends shall cease to accrue on such shares of Series B Preferred Stock, such shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be redeemed in accordance with the notice and shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the holders of such shares shall terminate. The redemption price for the Series B Preferred Stock called for redemption shall become due on the Redemption Date. No further action on the part of the holders of such shares shall be required.
(h) Subject to applicable law and the Charter, the Corporation may, at any time and from time to time, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of Series B Preferred Stock in the open market, by tender or by private agreement.
Section 6. Voting Rights.
(a) Holders of the Series B Preferred Stock shall not have any voting rights, except as set forth in this Section 6 and as set forth in Section 7 and Section 11(a). So long as any shares of Series B Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote on any amendment, alteration or repeal of the Charter, including the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock, that would alter only the contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of the Series B Preferred Stock, and the holders of any other classes or series of Capital Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any such amendment, alteration or repeal. Any such amendment, alteration or repeal shall require the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of two-thirds of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued and outstanding at the time. With respect to any amendment, alteration or repeal of the Charter, including the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock, that equally affects the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock and any Parity Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred, the holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock and such Parity Preferred Stock (voting together as a single class) also shall have the exclusive right to vote on any amendment, alteration or repeal of the Charter, including the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock, that would alter only the contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of the Series B Preferred Stock and such Parity Preferred Stock, and the holders of any other classes or series of Capital Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any such amendment, alteration or repeal. Any such amendment, alteration or repeal shall require the affirmative vote or consent of the holders entitled to cast two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of Series B Preferred Stock and such Parity Preferred Stock issued and outstanding at the time, voting together as a single class, with each share of Series B Preferred Stock and such Parity Preferred Stock entitled to one vote for each $25.00 of liquidation preference.
(b) The holders of the Series B Preferred Stock may take action or consent to any action by providing a consent in writing or by electronic transmission of the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock entitled to cast not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting of holders of the Series B Preferred Stock at which all stockholders entitled to vote on the action were present and voted if the Corporation gives notice of the action to each holder of the Series B Preferred Stock not later than 10 days after the effective time of the action.
Section 7. Restrictions on New Issuances. Unless the (i) holders of a majority of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding consent, or (ii) indebtedness is being incurred or an additional class or series of preferred equity of the Corporation is being issued in connection with a full redemption of the Series B Preferred Stock in accordance with Section 5, the Corporation may not: (a) issue a new class, or issue any additional shares of any existing class, of Senior Stock, (b)(i) incur any additional indebtedness or (ii) issue additional Parity Preferred Stock, solely with respect to subclauses (b)(i) and (b)(ii), if, after such incurrence or issuance, the VineBrook Segment’s (as defined below) aggregate principal amount of long-term indebtedness and accrued but unpaid dividends on each existing class or series of the Corporation’s Parity Preferred Stock would be greater than 70% of the gross value of the assets of the VineBrook Segment (such ratio, the “Senior Capital Leverage Ratio”). As used herein, “VineBrook Segment” means the legacy reportable segment of the Corporation and excludes the NexPoint Homes Segment and if in the future, the Corporation only has one reportable segment, the Corporation’s sole reportable segment. As used herein, “NexPoint Homes Segment” means the supplementary reportable segment added during 2022 comprised of homes owned directly or indirectly by NexPoint Homes Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation. For the purpose of calculating the Senior Capital Leverage Ratio, to the extent any of the Cash Flow Before Debt Service (defined below) for a particular period is used for any debt service or accrued but unpaid preferred dividends associated with the NexPoint Homes Segment, then the aggregate principal amount of the related long-term indebtedness and/or accrued but unpaid dividends on such preferred stock will be included in the calculation of the VineBrook Segment’s Senior Capital Leverage Ratio. Subject to maintaining a Senior Capital Leverage Ratio for the VineBrook Segment of 70% or less, and subject to the terms of any class or series of Preferred Stock, including the Series A Preferred Stock, the Corporation may, without consent of the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding, issue additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock or Series A Preferred Stock. The Corporation shall determine the values of all of its and its subsidiaries’ assets (including all real estate assets) in its good faith reasonable judgment, which may include (but is not required to include) input from third party valuation experts.
Further, if at any time a Senior Capital Leverage Ratio Default occurs, then:
(i) as of the date of the occurrence of the Senior Capital Leverage Ratio Default to, but not including, the date on which such Senior Capital Leverage Ratio Default is no longer continuing (as evidenced by notice to the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock, which may be by press release of any Senior Capital Leverage Ratio necessary to cure such Senior Capital Leverage Ratio Default), the Dividend Rate to be paid on the Series B Preferred Stock will increase by 50 basis points per annum;
(ii) the Corporation shall promptly, and in any event within 20 Business Days after a Senior Capital Leverage Ratio Default has occurred, notify the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock, which may be by press release, that a Senior Capital Leverage Ratio Default has occurred, which notice will confirm the effective date of the Senior Capital Leverage Ratio Default and that Dividend Rate will be increased as set forth in this Section 7 in consequence thereof; and
(iii) “Senior Capital Leverage Ratio Default” means the VineBrook Segment’s Senior Capital Leverage Ratio exceeds 70%.
Section 8. Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership of Series B Preferred Stock. The Series B Preferred Stock constitutes Capital Stock and, as such, shall be subject to all of the provisions of Article VII of the Charter applicable to Capital Stock.
Section 9. Conversion. The Series B Preferred Stock shall not be convertible into or exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Corporation.
Section 10. Status of Redeemed or Repurchased Series B Preferred Stock. All shares of Series B Preferred Stock redeemed, repurchased or otherwise acquired in any manner by the Corporation shall be retired and shall be restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without designation as to series or class.
Section 11. Rating of the Series B Preferred Stock.
(a) The Corporation must maintain a BBB- rating or higher from the Rating Company, unless holders of a majority of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock determine that the Corporation is no longer required to maintain such a rating for the Series B Preferred Stock or the Corporation is unable to engage a ratings agency that will provide a rating to the Series B Preferred Stock. “Rating Company” means Egan Jones Rating Company or, if at any time Egan Jones Rating Company is unable or no longer provides a rating with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock, any other rating agency from which the Corporation will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain a rating of the Series B Preferred Stock.
(b) If at any time a Rating Default occurs, then:
(i) as of the date of the occurrence of the Rating Default to, but not including, the date on which such Rating Default is no longer continuing (as evidenced by the receipt by the Corporation, and notice to the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock, which may be by press release of any rating necessary to cure such Rating Default), the Dividend Rate to be paid on the Series B Preferred Stock will increase by 25 basis points per annum;
(ii) the Corporation shall promptly, and in any event within 20 Business Days after a Rating Default has occurred, notify the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock, which may be by press release, that a Rating Default has occurred, which notice will confirm the effective date of the Rating Default and that the Dividend Rate will be increased as set forth in subclause (b)(i) in consequence thereof; and
(iii) “Rating Default” means the rating of the Series B Preferred Stock falls below a BBB- rating. For the avoidance of doubt, a Rating Default will not occur or be occurring if the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock determine that the Corporation no longer needs to maintain a rating for the Series B Preferred Stock or the Corporation is unable to engage a rating agency to provide a rating for the Series B Preferred Stock.
Section 12. Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.
(a) The Corporation must maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio for the VineBrook Segment (“FCCR”) of 1.25x or higher as of the last day of each fiscal quarter.
(b) “FCCR” means Cash Flow Before Debt Service for the four consecutive fiscal quarter period ending on the calculation date divided by the total of the VineBrook Segment’s consolidated debt service plus preferred payments for the four consecutive fiscal quarter period ending on the calculation date. For the avoidance of doubt, preferred payments will not include payments on preferred units of the Corporation’s operating partnership, VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P., that track preferred stock of the Corporation. For the purpose of calculating the FCCR, to the extent any of the Cash Flow Before Debt Service for a particular period is used for any debt service or preferred payments associated with the NexPoint Homes Segment, then such debt service and/or preferred payments shall be included in the calculation of the FCCR.
(c) “Cash Flow Before Debt Service” means for any fiscal quarter, the VineBrook Segment’s total revenue on a consolidated basis less (i) the VineBrook Segment’s total operating expenses on a consolidated basis, (ii) recurring capital expenditures of $87.50 per home owned (directly or indirectly) by the VineBrook Segment as of the last day of the fiscal quarter and (iii) the VineBrook Segment’s total general and administrative expenses on a consolidated basis.
(d) If at any time a FCCR Default occurs, then:
(i) as of the date of the occurrence of the FCCR Default to, but not including, the date on which such FCCR Default is no longer continuing (as evidenced by notice to the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock, which may be by press release, of a FCCR necessary to cure such FCCR Default), the Dividend Rate to be paid on the Series B Preferred Stock will increase by 50 basis points per annum;
(ii) the Corporation shall promptly, and in any event within 20 Business Days after a FCCR Default has occurred, notify the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock, which may be by press release, that a FCCR Default has occurred, which notice will confirm the effective date of the FCCR Default and that the Dividend Rate will be increased as set forth in subclause (d)(i) in consequence thereof; and
(iii) “FCCR Default” means the FCCR falls below 1.25x as of the last day of a fiscal quarter.
SECOND: The shares of Series B Preferred Stock have been classified and designated by the Board under the authority contained in the Charter.
THIRD: These Articles Supplementary have been approved by the Board in the manner and by the vote required by law.
FOURTH: The undersigned President, Chief Financial Officer, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer acknowledges these Articles Supplementary to be the corporate act of the Corporation and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned President, Chief Financial Officer, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles Supplementary to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its President, Chief Financial Officer, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer and attested to by its Executive Vice President, Chief Investment Officer and Secretary on this 31st day of July, 2023.
ATTEST: |
VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc., |
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/s/ Matt McGraner |
/s/ Brian Mitts |
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Name: Matt McGraner |
Name: Brian Mitts |
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Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Investment Officer and Secretary |
Title: President, Chief Financial Officer, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer |
Exhibit 3.2
FIRST AMENDMENT
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
VINEBROOK HOMES TRUST, INC.
On June 13, 2023, the board of directors of VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), by unanimous consent of all of the members of the board of directors given in writing or by electronic transmission, and in accordance with the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation, adopted on or as of February 22, 2023 (the “Bylaws”), and the Maryland General Corporation Law, authorized, approved and adopted the following amendment to the Bylaws to be effective on July 31, 2023:
The last sentence of Article VII, Section 2 of the Bylaws is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
Notwithstanding the foregoing, transfers of shares of any class or series of stock will be subject in all respects to the Charter and all of the terms and conditions contained therein; provided, however, the Corporation’s Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock and Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, and any Transfer (as defined in the Charter) of shares thereof, will not be subject to the limitations set forth in Section 7.5 of the Charter.
Exhibit 10.1
August 3, 2023
VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P.
c/o NexPoint Advisors, L.P.
300 Crescent Court, Suite 700
Dallas, Texas 75201
Attention: Brian Mitts
Email: BMitts@nexpointsecurities.com
RE: Amendment to Side Letter to Contribution Agreement (“Amendment”)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This Amendment amends that certain Side Letter to Contribution Agreement (the “Side Letter”), dated as of March 9, 2023, by and among each of the signatories hereto (the “Parties”) pursuant to which the Parties agreed upon, among other things, a form of Contribution Agreement (the “Original Contribution Agreement” and, as amended pursuant to this Amendment, the “Contribution Agreement”), by and among the Parties pursuant to which VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Buyer”) will purchase all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of VineBrook Homes, LLC (the “Company”) on the terms set forth therein. Capitalized terms used, but not otherwise defined, herein shall have the meaning given to such terms in the Contribution Agreement.
The Parties wish to amend the Side Letter to, among other things, address certain modifications to that certain Consent and Sixth Amendment to Credit Agreement (the “Consent”) by and among the Buyer, certain of the Buyer’s subsidiaries, as Subsidiary Borrowers, KeyBank National Association, a national banking association (in its individual capacity and as administrative agent), and the other Lenders party thereto, providing for, among other things, the consent of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to the Transaction under that certain Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2021, as amended by that certain Increase Agreement, Joinder and First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of December 9, 2021, that certain Increase Agreement, Joinder and Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of April 8, 2022, that certain Increase Agreement, Joinder and Third Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of May 20, 2022, that certain Increase Agreement, Joinder and Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of September 13, 2022, that certain Increase Agreement and Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of October 25, 2022 (and as further amended by the Consent, the “Amended Credit Agreement”).
Therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants, agreements and undertakings contained herein and in the Contribution Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each of the undersigned, intending to be legally bound, hereby agrees as follows:
1. |
Contribution; Closing Payments. |
Section 1 of the Side Letter is hereby amended by deleting Section 1 in its entirety and replacing it with the following:
“As promptly as practicable following the effectiveness of the Consent (and in any event, within three (3) Business Days thereafter), the Parties shall release from escrow their respective signature pages to the Contribution Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and take all other actions reasonably required to effectuate the consummation of the Transaction (the “Effective Closing”). The Buyer hereby represents and warrants and acknowledges and agrees that the Consent was obtained and is effective as of July 31, 2023.”
2. |
Termination. |
Section 2 of the Side Letter is hereby amended by deleting Section 2 in its entirety and replacing it with the following:
“If the Effective Closing does not take place by August 3, 2023 (the “Outside Date”), then the Contributors may, in their sole discretion, terminate this Side Letter immediately upon delivery of notice of such termination to the other Party or Parties, as applicable, in accordance with the terms of the Contribution Agreement; provided, that the Contributors shall not be entitled to terminate this Side Letter pursuant to this Section 2 if they are then in material breach of any covenants, obligations or agreements set forth in this Side Letter, which breach has prevented the consummation of the Effective Closing on or prior to the Outside Date.”
3. |
Amendment to Internalization Consideration. |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Contribution Agreement or the Side Letter, for purposes of the Effective Closing, (i) the “Cash Component” shall be $2,650,000 in lieu of the $5,300,000 amount set forth in the Original Contribution Agreement and (ii) the “OP Units” shall mean 295,206.08 Class C Units in lieu of the 250,929 Class C Units set forth in the Contribution Agreement. The additional 44,277.08 Class C Units created by the modification pursuant to prong (ii) of the forgoing sentence shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among the Contributors and Schedule A to the Contribution Agreement is hereby amended by deleting Schedule A to the Contribution Agreement in its entirety and replacing it with Exhibit A to this Amendment.
4. |
Miscellaneous. |
a. |
Except as expressly amended by this Amendment, all of the terms of the Side Letter shall remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed by the Parties in all respects. |
b. |
This Amendment may be executed in multiple counterparts which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. |
c. |
The section headings in this Amendment are for convenience of reference only and will not be deemed to alter or affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions hereof. |
d. |
This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. |
e. |
In the event of a conflict between this Side Letter, as amended by this Amendment, and the Contribution Agreement, this Side Letter, as amended by this Amendment, shall control. |
* * * *
Remainder of this page intentionally left blank
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
CONTRIBUTORS: | |||
VINEBROOK MANAGEMENT, LLC, a | |||
Delaware limited liability company | |||
By: | /s/ Ryan McGarry | ||
Name: | Ryan McGarry | ||
Title: | Manager | ||
VINEBROOK DEVELOPMENT | |||
CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation | |||
By: | /s/ Dana W. Sprong | ||
Name: | Dana W. Sprong | ||
Title: | President | ||
VINEBROOK HOMES PROPERTY | |||
MANAGEMENT COMPANY, INC., an | |||
Ohio corporation | |||
By: | /s/ Dana W. Sprong | ||
Name: | Dana W. Sprong | ||
Title: | President | ||
VINEBROOK HOMES REALTY | |||
COMPANY, INC., an Ohio corporation | |||
By: | /s/ Dana W. Sprong | ||
Name: | Dana W. Sprong | ||
Title: | Contributors’ Representative | ||
VINEBROOK HOMES SERVICES | |||
COMPANY, INC., an Ohio corporation | |||
By: | /s/ Dana W. Sprong | ||
Name: | Dana W. Sprong | ||
Title: | Contributors’ Representative |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
CONTRIBUTORS: | |||
/s/ Dana W. Sprong | |||
Dana W. Sprong | |||
/s/ Ryan McGarry | |||
Ryan McGarry | |||
/s/ Dan Bathon | |||
Dan Bathon | |||
/s/ Tom Silvia | |||
Tom Silvia | |||
CONTRIBUTORS REPRESENTATIVE: | |||
/s/ Dana W. Sprong | |||
Dana W. Sprong |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
BUYER: | |||
VINEBROOK HOMES OPERATING | |||
PARTNERSHIP, L.P., a Delaware limited | |||
partnership | |||
By: | /s/ Brian Mitts | ||
Name: | Brian Mitts | ||
Title: | Authorized Signatory |
Exhibit A
Allocation Schedule
[Omitted]
Exhibit 10.2
Execution Version
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
VINEBROOK HOMES, LLC, as Company
VINEBROOK MANAGEMENT, LLC,
VINEBROOK DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION,
VINEBROOK HOMES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY, INC.,
VINEBROOK HOMES REALTY COMPANY, INC.,
VINEBROOK HOMES SERVICES COMPANY, INC., AND
THE INDIVIDUALS SET FORTH ON SCHEDULE C, as Contributors
AND
VINEBROOK HOMES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P., as Buyer
AND
DANA W. SPRONG, as the Contributors Representative
DATED AS OF August 3, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I CONTRIBUTION; PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE | 1 | |
1.1 | CONTRIBUTION | 1 |
1.2 | DEFINITIONS | 2 |
1.3 | CLOSING DATE STATEMENT | 4 |
1.4 | CLOSING PAYMENTS | 4 |
1.5 | MECHANICS OF PAYMENTS | 4 |
1.6 | POST-CLOSING PURCHASE PRICE DETERMINATION | 4 |
1.7 | POST-CLOSING ADJUSTMENT AMOUNT | 6 |
1.8 | WITHHOLDINGS | 7 |
1.9 | TAX TREATMENT; PURCHASE PRICE ALLOCATION | 8 |
ARTICLE II CLOSING | 8 | |
2.1 | TIME AND PLACE OF CLOSING | 8 |
2.2 | DELIVERIES AT CLOSING | 9 |
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE CONTRIBUTORS | 10 | |
3.1 | CAPACITY | 10 |
3.2 | AUTHORIZATION OF TRANSACTIONS | 10 |
3.3 | ABSENCE OF CONFLICTS | 10 |
3.4 | OWNERSHIP OF THE CONTRIBUTED EQUITY INTERESTS | 11 |
3.5 | LITIGATION; PROCEEDINGS | 11 |
3.6 | SECURITIES LAWS MATTERS | 11 |
3.7 | LIABILITY FOR BROKERS’ FEES | 11 |
3.8 | AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS | 11 |
3.9 | PRE-CLOSING RESTRUCTURING | 11 |
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY | 12 | |
4.1 | ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS | 12 |
4.2 | AUTHORIZATION OF TRANSACTIONS | 12 |
4.3 | CAPITALIZATION | 12 |
4.4 | NO VIOLATION OR CONFLICT | 13 |
4.5 | ASSETS | 13 |
4.6 | SUFFICIENCY | 14 |
4.7 | FINANCIAL INFORMATION | 14 |
4.8 | ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES | 14 |
4.9 | ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES | 15 |
4.10 | TAXES | 16 |
4.11 | CONTRACTS AND COMMITMENTS | 19 |
4.12 | REAL ESTATE | 20 |
4.13 | BANK ACCOUNTS | 20 |
4.14 | PROPRIETARY RIGHTS; DATA PRIVACY | 21 |
4.15 | COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS | 22 |
4.16 | BOOKS AND CORPORATE RECORDS | 23 |
4.17 | ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS | 23 |
4.18 | EMPLOYEE BENEFIT MATTERS | 24 |
4.19 | EMPLOYMENT MATTERS | 25 |
4.20 | LITIGATION; ORDERS | 27 |
4.21 | INSURANCE | 27 |
4.22 | AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS | 28 |
4.23 | BROKERS | 28 |
4.24 | ACCURACY OF REPRESENTATIONS | 28 |
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER | 28 | |
5.1 | ORGANIZATION | 28 |
5.2 | AUTHORIZATION; ENFORCEABILITY | 28 |
5.3 | NO VIOLATION OR CONFLICT | 29 |
5.4 | OP UNITS | 29 |
5.5 | BROKERS | 29 |
ARTICLE VI COVENANTS | 29 | |
6.1 | ACCESS TO INFORMATION | 29 |
6.2 | FURTHER ASSURANCES | 29 |
6.3 | TAX MATTERS | 30 |
6.4 | NON-COMPETITION; NON-SOLICITATION AND CONFIDENTIALITY | 33 |
6.5 | CONTRIBUTORS’ NAMES | 34 |
6.6 | CREDIT SUPPORT | 34 |
ARTICLE VII INDEMNIFICATION | 35 | |
7.1 | SURVIVAL | 35 |
7.2 | INDEMNIFICATION BY THE CONTRIBUTORS | 35 |
7.3 | INDEMNIFICATION BY BUYER | 36 |
7.4 | INDEMNIFICATION PROCEDURES | 36 |
7.5 | LIMITS ON INDEMNIFICATION | 38 |
7.6 | RIGHT TO SETOFF | 38 |
7.7 | TAX TREATMENT OF INDEMNIFICATION PAYMENTS | 39 |
7.8 | MATERIALITY QUALIFIERS | 39 |
7.9 | SETOFF PRIORITY | 39 |
7.10 | EXCLUSIVE REMEDY | 39 |
ARTICLE VIII MISCELLANEOUS | 39 | |
8.1 | AMENDMENT AND WAIVER | 39 |
8.2 | NOTICES | 40 |
8.3 | BINDING AGREEMENT; ASSIGNMENT | 40 |
8.4 | SEVERABILITY | 41 |
8.5 | OTHER DEFINITIONAL PROVISIONS | 41 |
8.6 | CAPTIONS | 41 |
8.7 | ENTIRE AGREEMENT | 41 |
8.8 | COUNTERPARTS AND FACSIMILE SIGNATURES | 41 |
8.9 | PUBLIC DISCLOSURE | 42 |
8.10 | WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL | 42 |
8.11 | JURISDICTION | 42 |
8.12 | GOVERNING LAW | 42 |
8.13 | ATTORNEYS’ FEES | 42 |
8.14 | PARTIES IN INTEREST | 43 |
8.15 | RULES OF CONSTRUCTION | 43 |
8.16 | EXPENSES | 43 |
8.17 | RELEASE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE | 44 |
8.18 | NO CIRCULAR RECOVERY | 44 |
8.19 | CONTRIBUTORS REPRESENTATIVE | 45 |
EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES
Exhibit A | Defined Terms |
Schedule A | Allocation Schedule |
Schedule B | Purchase Price Allocation Methodologies |
Schedule C | Individual Contributors |
Schedule D | Pre-Closing Restructuring Documents |
Schedule E | Working Capital Calculation Principles |
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
THIS CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of August 3, 2023, by and among VineBrook Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, VineBrook Development Corporation, a Delaware corporation, VineBrook Homes Property Management Company, Inc., an Ohio corporation, VineBrook Homes Realty Company, Inc., an Ohio corporation, VineBrook Homes Services Company, Inc., an Ohio corporation, and each of the individuals set forth on Schedule C (each a “Contributor” and collectively, the “Contributors”), VineBrook Homes, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, (“Buyer”), and Dana Sprong, solely in his capacity as the representative of the Contributors (the “Contributors Representative”). Unless defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Exhibit A.
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Company currently serves as the external manager of Buyer and certain of its subsidiaries pursuant to certain Management Agreements;
WHEREAS, the Contributors collectively own all of the issued and outstanding equity of the Company (the “Contributed Equity Interests”);
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in that certain Amended and Restated Side Letter (the “Side Letter”), dated July 31, 2020, by and among (a) Buyer, (b) VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “REIT”), (c) the Company, (d) VineBrook Homes OP GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “General Partner”), (e) the Contributors and (f) Dana Sprong and Ryan McGarry, at any time following the date of the Side Letter, Buyer has the right and option (but not the obligation) to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Contributed Equity Interests from the Contributors (the “Call Right”);
WHEREAS, on June 28, 2022, Buyer elected to exercise the Call Right in accordance with the Side Letter; and
WHEREAS, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Contributors desire to contribute to Buyer all of the Contributed Equity Interests, and Buyer desires to accept such contribution.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the Recitals, the mutual representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and conditions contained herein and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
CONTRIBUTION; PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE
1.1 Contribution. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing each Contributor shall contribute, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to Buyer, and Buyer shall acquire and accept from such Contributor, the Contributed Equity Interests (free and clear of all Liens) held by such Contributor in exchange for the Closing Consideration Amount, payable to the Contributors in accordance with the Allocation Schedule (the “Transaction”);
1.2 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified:
(a) “Base Purchase Price” means $20,318,085.
(b) “Cash Component” means the portion of the Closing Consideration Amount to be paid in cash, which shall be $5,300,000.
(c) “Closing Consideration Amount” means an amount equal to: (i) the Base Purchase Price, less (ii) the Estimated Closing Debt Amount, less (iii) the Estimated Transaction Costs, plus (iv) the amount of any Estimated Working Capital Excess, less (v) the amount of any Estimated Working Capital Deficit, plus (vi) the Estimated Closing Cash Amount.
(d) “Closing Date Cash” means Company Cash as of 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the date immediately prior to the Closing Date.
(e) “Closing Date Debt” means the Debt of the Company as of 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the date immediately prior to the Closing Date.
(f) “Closing Date Working Capital” means (a) the sum of the total current assets of the Company as of 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the date immediately prior to the Closing Date minus (b) the sum of the total current liabilities of the Company as of 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the date immediately prior to the Closing Date, in each case calculated in accordance with this Agreement and, to the extent not inconsistent with this Agreement, in accordance with the working capital calculation principles described on Schedule E hereto. For the avoidance of doubt, that Closing Date Working Capital shall exclude (i) any and all Tax assets and income Tax liabilities, (ii) Closing Date Cash, Closing Date Debt, and Transaction Costs, and (iii) receivables or payables from any of the Company’s Affiliates, employees, managers, officers or equityholders and any of their respective Affiliates. The Closing Date Working Capital shall be calculated on a basis consistent with GAAP; provided that any Tax liabilities included in the computation of Closing Date Working Capital shall be calculated as of 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the Closing Date.
(g) “Company Cash” means cash and cash equivalents (to the extent convertible into cash within 30 days) of the Company in accordance with GAAP consistently applied; provided that Company Cash shall be net of the amount of outstanding checks, drafts or wire transfers (including any overdrawn accounts) and exclude any cash which is not freely usable to a subsequent purchaser or equity holder of the Company because it is subject to restrictions or limitations on use or distribution by law or contract, including amounts held in escrow or as a deposit; provided, further, that Company Cash may be less than zero.
(h) “Debt” means, without duplication, the aggregate amount of: (i) all indebtedness of the Company (including the principal amount thereof or, if applicable, the accreted amount thereof and the amount of accrued and unpaid interest, fees, prepayment penalties and other charges thereon), whether or not represented by bonds, debentures, notes or other securities, for the repayment of money borrowed; (ii) any payment obligation of the Company under any interest rate swap agreement, forward rate agreement, interest rate cap or collar agreement or other financial agreement or similar arrangement entered into for the purpose of limiting or managing interest rate risks; (iii) all indebtedness for borrowed money secured by any Lien existing on property owned by the Company, whether or not indebtedness secured thereby shall have been assumed; (iv) all obligations evidenced by a bond, note, debenture or similar instrument, or funded by a letter of credit or similar instrument; (v) all payments due and owing to Affiliates, (vi) all other short-term, current and long-term liabilities of the Company for borrowed money; (vii) all unpaid income Taxes of the Company for any Pre-Closing Tax Period (calculated on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis, with zero dollars ($0) being the lowest amount for a jurisdiction); (viii) any payroll or other employment Taxes of the Company deferred pursuant to any COVID-19 Legislation; (ix) all unpaid severance obligations that relate to the period prior to the Closing; (x) unfunded benefit plan liability under any deferred compensation plan or arrangement; (xi) the aggregate amount of all deferred revenue; (xii) deferred purchase price in respect of any property or services (including any seller notes, earn-out obligations, redemption obligations or similar payments for the deferred compensation for services (other than any current payroll period deferral and any amounts included in Transaction Costs); (xiii) all declared but unpaid dividends or any other distribution on any of the Company’s equity; (xiv) any other obligations of the Company that would be treated as indebtedness pursuant to GAAP; (xv) any accounts payable of the Company that are over sixty (60) days past due; (xvi) all guaranties, endorsements, and assumptions and other contingent obligations of the Company in respect of any of the foregoing and (xvii) all fees, expenses, premiums, penalties, breakage costs, change of control payments or make-whole or other payment obligations as a result of the Closing; provided that any Tax liabilities included in the computation of Debt shall be calculated as of 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the Closing Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the term of “Debt” include, or be deemed to include, (a) any ordinary course trade payables or (b) any current liabilities to the extent taken into account in the calculation of Closing Date Working Capital.
(i) “Fraud” means a knowing or intentional misrepresentation of material fact in the making of a representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or in the certificates and instruments delivered hereunder that constitutes common law fraud under Delaware law. For the avoidance of doubt, “Fraud” shall exclude constructive fraud and any fraud claim (including any claim based on negligence or recklessness) that does not include the element of making a knowing or intentional misrepresentation of fact with intent to induce another Party to enter into or consummate this Agreement or to act in reliance thereon.
(j) “Internalization Price Per Unit” means $59.85.
(k) “OP Units” means 250,929 Class C Units, which the Parties acknowledge and agree represents an aggregate fair market value equal to the Closing Consideration Amount less the Cash Component.
(l) “Target Working Capital” means $1,000,000.
(m) “Transaction Costs” means all unpaid fees and expenses, as of 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the date immediately prior to the Closing Date, that have been incurred by the Company or any Contributor in connection with the Transaction, the Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, including to the extent unpaid (as applicable), (i) any brokerage commissions, finders’ fees, financial advisory fees, fees for counsel or accountants, or other advisor and service provider fees and, in each case, related costs and expenses; (ii) the amount of any retention bonus, change of control payment, severance, stay or transaction bonus, incentive or phantom equity payment, discretionary bonus or other similar payment that becomes payable to any employee, officer, manager, or consultant the Company as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, whether due upon the Closing or after the Closing; and (iii) the employer’s share of Taxes attributable to the payment of the amounts referred to in the preceding clause (ii) above (including any Taxes deferred pursuant to the Cares Act).
(n) In calculating the Closing Consideration Amount and the other payments and calculations to be made pursuant to Section 1.3, Section 1.4, Section 1.6, and Section 1.7, (i) the amounts of the Closing Consideration Amount, the Estimated Closing Date Working Capital, the Estimated Closing Cash Amount, the Estimated Closing Debt Amount, the Estimated Transaction Costs and the Adjustment Amount (and all components thereof, as applicable) shall be determined in accordance with this Article I and/or the definitions thereof, as applicable, which amounts shall be final and binding on the Parties, and (ii) no single item shall be given duplicative effect.
1.3 Closing Date Statement. The Contributors Representative has delivered to Buyer the statement (the “Closing Date Statement”), setting forth or attaching, as applicable:
(a) the Company’s good faith estimate of Closing Date Working Capital (“Estimated Closing Date Working Capital”), and either (i) the amount, if any, by which such estimate exceeds Target Working Capital (any such amount, an “Estimated Working Capital Excess”) or (ii) the amount, if any, by which such estimate is less than Target Working Capital (any such amount, an “Estimated Working Capital Deficit”);
(b) the Company’s good faith estimate of the aggregate amount of the Transaction Costs (the “Estimated Transaction Costs”) (together with the name of each payee thereof that is to receive a payment of Transaction Costs at the Closing and if applicable the related invoice);
(c) the Company’s good faith estimate of Closing Date Cash (the “Estimated Closing Cash Amount”) and Closing Date Debt (the “Estimated Closing Debt Amount”); and
(d) the resulting calculation of the Closing Consideration Amount.
1.4 Closing Payments. Subject to Section 1.5, at the Closing, Buyer shall issue or pay, or shall cause the Company to pay, the following payments:
(a) to the Contributors, in accordance with the Allocation Schedule, the OP Units;
(b) to the Contributors, in accordance with the Allocation Schedule, the Cash Component; and
(c) to each payee thereof, an amount in cash equal to such payee’s applicable portion of the Transaction Costs.
1.5 Mechanics of Payments.
(a) All cash payments made under or pursuant to Section 1.4(b) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to one or more accounts designated by, and in the name of, each applicable Contributor.
(b) All cash payments made under or pursuant to Section 1.4(b) and Section 1.4(c) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to one or more accounts designated by the payee thereof.
1.6 Post-Closing Purchase Price Determination.
(a) After Closing, Buyer shall prepare and, within ninety (90) days after Closing, Buyer shall deliver to the Contributors Representative, a statement setting forth Buyer’s determination of (i) Closing Date Working Capital, (ii) Closing Date Cash, (iii) Closing Date Debt and (iv) the Transaction Costs (the “Purchase Price Adjustment Statement”).
(b) If the Contributors Representative disagrees with the Purchase Price Adjustment Statement, the Contributors Representative shall notify Buyer in writing of such disagreement within thirty (30) days after delivery of the Purchase Price Adjustment Statement, which notice shall describe in reasonable detail the nature of such disagreement, including the specific items involved, the dollar amounts thereof and the calculations associated with the disputed items (a “Purchase Price Dispute Notice”). Any component of Buyer’s Purchase Price Adjustment Statement that is not the subject of an objection by the Contributors Representative shall be final and binding on the Parties and deemed to be part of the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Statement. If the Contributors Representative does not deliver a Purchase Price Dispute Notice within such thirty (30)-day period, or if the Contributors Representative otherwise earlier notifies Buyer in writing that the Contributors Representative has no disputes or objections to the Purchase Price Adjustment Statement, the Purchase Price Adjustment Statement, as delivered by Buyer to the Contributors Representative, shall be the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Statement. If the Contributors Representative does deliver a Purchase Price Dispute Notice within such thirty (30)-day period (the aggregate amount in dispute as set forth in the Purchase Price Dispute Notice, the “Disputed Amounts”), then the Disputed Amounts shall be resolved pursuant to Section 1.6(c).
(c) Buyer and the Contributors Representative shall negotiate in good faith to resolve any Disputed Amounts and, if the Parties are able to resolve some or all Disputed Amounts (the Disputed Amounts so resolved during such period, the “Resolved Items”), such Resolved Items will be final, conclusive and binding on the Parties and the Purchase Price Adjustment Statement shall be modified to reflect such resolution of the Resolved Items (and for the avoidance of doubt, if all prior Disputed Amounts have been so resolved, then such modified Purchase Price Adjustment Statement shall be the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Statement). If Buyer and the Contributors Representative are unable to resolve all Disputed Amounts within twenty (20) days after delivery of the Contributors Representative’s Purchase Price Dispute Notice, then the unresolved Disputed Amounts shall be referred for final determination to an independent accounting firm mutually agreeable to all Parties (such firm, or another firm appointed pursuant to this Section 1.6, the “Accounting Arbitrator”), within fifteen (15) days after the end of such twenty (20)-day period. If such independent accounting firm has any material relationship with Buyer, the Contributors or any of their respective Affiliates, or is otherwise unwilling or unable to serve, Buyer and the Contributors Representative shall jointly appoint as the Accounting Arbitrator a different nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants, which does not have any material relationship with Buyer, the Contributors Representative or any of their respective Affiliates. If Buyer and the Contributors Representative are unable to agree upon an alternative Accounting Arbitrator within such fifteen (15)-day period, then the Accounting Arbitrator shall be an accounting firm of national standing designated by the American Arbitration Association (which does not have any material relationship with Buyer, the Contributors Representative or any of their respective Affiliates). The Contributors Representative and Buyer shall execute any agreement reasonably required by the Accounting Arbitrator for its engagement hereunder. The Accounting Arbitrator shall consider only those Disputed Amounts which Buyer and the Contributors Representative have been unable to resolve. The Accounting Arbitrator will act as an arbitrator (not an expert) and may select as a resolution the position of either Buyer or the Contributors Representative for each Disputed Amount (based solely on presentations and supporting material provided by the Parties and not pursuant to any independent review) or may impose an alternative resolution which cannot be higher than the highest value or lower than the lowest value presented by each Party for a disputed amount. The Accounting Arbitrator shall deliver to Buyer and the Contributors Representative, as promptly as practicable, and in any event within forty-five (45) days after its appointment, a written report setting forth the resolution of such Disputed Amounts. Such report shall be final and binding upon the Parties, and the determination of the Accounting Arbitrator shall constitute an arbitral award that is final, binding and non-appealable and upon which a judgment may be entered by a court having jurisdiction over the Party against which such determination is to be enforced. In selecting such resolution, the Accounting Arbitrator shall rely solely on the terms of this Agreement and on written submissions and supporting material provided by Buyer and the Contributors Representative, and at the Accounting Arbitrator’s election, pursuant to responses provided by Buyer and the Contributors Representative to inquiries posed by the Accounting Arbitrator’s review of the foregoing, but not pursuant to an independent review. Upon the decision of the Accounting Arbitrator, the Purchase Price Adjustment Statement, as adjusted to the extent necessary to reflect the Accounting Arbitrator’s decision (and as otherwise adjusted in accordance with this Article I), shall be the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Statement. The fees, costs and expenses of the Accounting Arbitrator shall be allocated to and borne by Buyer, on the one hand, and Contributors, on the other hand, based on the inverse of the percentage that the Accounting Arbitrator’s determination (before such allocation) bears to the Disputed Amount as originally submitted to the Accounting Arbitrator. For example, should the items in dispute total in amount to $1,000 and the Accounting Arbitrator awards $600 in favor of the Contributors Representative’s position, 60% of the costs of its review would be borne by Buyer and 40% of the costs would be borne by Contributors.
(d) Following the delivery of the Purchase Price Adjustment Statement, Buyer shall cause the Company to permit the Contributors Representative and its counsel, accountants and other advisors reasonable access (during normal business hours, with the right to make copies) to the financial and other relevant books and records of the Company (including the accounting working papers in the Company’s possession; provided that the party requesting work papers has executed and delivered any non-reliance, release or other agreements customarily required by the accounting firm that prepared such work papers) used in preparing the Closing Date Statement or the Purchase Price Adjustment Statement, and cause the personnel of the Company to cooperate with the Contributors Representative and its representatives to the extent reasonably required (including by making personnel and its and their relevant representatives available to Contributors Representative and its representatives), in each case for the purposes of the reasonable review and objection right and dispute and allocation process contemplated in this Section 1.6 and at the Contributors’ expense.
1.7 Post-Closing Adjustment Amount.
(a) The “Adjustment Amount,” which may be positive or negative, shall mean (i) the amount, if any, by which the Closing Date Working Capital as reflected on the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Statement exceeds the Estimated Closing Date Working Capital as reflected on the Closing Date Statement (it being understood that, notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Closing Date Working Capital as reflected on the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Statement exceeds the Estimated Closing Date Working Capital by less than $50,000 of the Estimated Closing Date Working Capital, there shall be no adjustment to the Adjustment Amount pursuant to this clause (i)), minus (ii) the amount, if any, by which the Closing Date Working Capital as reflected on the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Statement is less than the Estimated Closing Date Working Capital (it being understood that, notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Closing Date Working Capital as reflected on the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Statement is less than the Estimated Closing Date Working Capital by less than $50,000 of the Estimated Closing Date Working Capital, there shall be no adjustment to the Adjustment Amount pursuant to this clause (ii)) plus (iii) the Estimated Closing Debt Amount as reflected on the Closing Date Statement minus the Closing Date Debt as reflected on the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Statement, plus (iv) the Closing Date Cash as reflected on the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Statement minus the Estimated Closing Cash Amount as reflected on the Closing Date Statement, plus (v) the Estimated Transaction Costs as reflected on the Closing Date Statement minus the Transaction Costs as reflected on the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Statement.
(b) If the Adjustment Amount is a positive number or zero, then Buyer shall promptly transfer the Adjustment Amount to the accounts designated by the Contributors in accordance with the Allocation Schedule, which Adjustment Amount shall be payable, at Buyer’s election, in either cash or additional Class C Units which shall be issued at the Internalization Price Per Unit equal to the Adjustment Amount.
(c) If the Adjustment Amount is a negative number, then Contributors Representative, on behalf of Contributors, shall promptly transfer or cause to be transferred a number of OP Units to Buyer valued at the Internalization Price Per Unit equal to the absolute value of such Adjustment Amount; provided, that if Contributors Representative fails to transfer such Class C Units, Buyer may elect to exercise the remedies set forth in Section 7.6.
(d) Any amounts payable pursuant to this Section 1.7 shall be paid within three (3) Business Days after final determination pursuant to Section 1.6 of the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Statement, by either wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by the Party receiving such payment or, in the case of Buyer a transfer of additional Class C Units or in the case of any Contributor a transfer of OP Units.
(e) The Contributors and Buyer agree to treat any payment made pursuant to this Section 1.7 as an adjustment to the aggregate consideration for the Contributed Equity Interests for federal, state, local and non-U.S. income Tax purposes.
1.8 Withholdings. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, Buyer and the Company may deduct and withhold any required Taxes from any payments to be made pursuant to this Agreement (“Withholdings”) and shall timely pay over to the applicable Governmental Authority any such amounts deducted or withheld and shall comply with all applicable reporting obligations with respect thereto. Before deducting or withholding any amounts hereunder (other than with respect to amounts that are compensatory in nature or as a result of the Contributors’ failure to provide IRS Forms W-9 pursuant to Section 2.2(a)(vii)), the applicable withholding agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to notify the Contributors Representative of its intent to withhold (along with a description of the basis for such withholding) with a reasonable time prior to such withholding, and Buyer and the Company shall cooperate in good faith with the Contributors Representative to reduce or eliminate any such deductions or withholdings. To the extent that any such amounts are so withheld, such withheld amounts will be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been delivered and paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and Withholding was made. For purposes of clarity, to accomplish any such Withholding with respect to payroll or other employment Taxes, any such payment subject to Withholdings shall be made through the payroll system of the Company, after reduction in respect of such payment for applicable Withholding.
1.9 Tax Treatment; Purchase Price Allocation.
(a) The Parties agree that for U.S. federal and applicable state income Tax purposes, (i) the Transaction is intended to be treated as the merger of two (2) partnerships into one (1) partnership under the “assets-over form” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.708-1(c)(3)) with the resulting partnership being considered the continuation of Buyer pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.708-1(c)(1); (ii) pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.708-1(c)(3), the Company will be treated as contributing the assets of the Company to Buyer pursuant to a transaction governed by Section 721 of the Code; and (iii) the Company will be treated as terminating as of the Closing Date under Treasury Regulation Section 1.708-1(c)(1), and (iv) each Contributor who receives cash in the Transaction will be treated as selling a portion of their interests in the merging partnership pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.708-1(c)(4) (and each Contributor hereby consents to treat the Transaction accordingly for U.S. federal income Tax purposes) (clauses (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv), collectively, the “Intended Tax Treatment”).
(b) Within sixty (60) days of the final determination of the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Statement, Buyer shall provide to the Contributors Representative a schedule allocating the aggregate value of the consideration for the Contributed Equity Interests (including the value of the OP Units, any positive cash adjustments to the consideration for the Contributed Equity Interests, and applicable liabilities of the Company) among the assets of the Company (the “Purchase Price Allocation Schedule”). The Purchase Price Allocation Schedule will be prepared in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Code and the methodologies set forth on Schedule B. If within thirty (30) days following the delivery of a Purchase Price Allocation Schedule to the Contributors Representative, the Contributors Representative has not objected, the Purchase Price Allocation shall be final and binding. If within thirty (30) days, the Contributors Representative objects to the Purchase Price Allocation Schedule, the Contributors Representative and Buyer shall cooperate in good faith to agree on a final Purchase Price Allocation Schedule, provided that if after thirty (30) days, the Contributors Representative and Buyer are unable to agree, the parties shall retain the Accounting Arbitrator to resolve their dispute under procedures similar to those set forth in Section 1.6, provided that the Accounting Arbitrator shall be instructed to utilize the methodologies for determining fair market value as set forth on Schedule B. The determination of the Accounting Arbitrator shall be final and binding on the parties. The cost of the Accounting Arbitrator shall be borne equally by the Contributors, on the one hand, and Buyer, on the other hand.
(c) The parties hereto shall make appropriate adjustments to the Purchase Price Allocation Schedule to reflect changes in the purchase price. The parties hereto agree for all Tax reporting purposes to report the transactions in accordance with the Intended Tax Treatment and the Purchase Price Allocation Schedule, as adjusted pursuant to the preceding sentence, and to not take any position during the course of any audit or other proceeding inconsistent with the Intended Tax Treatment or the Purchase Price Allocation Schedule unless required by a “determination” within the meaning of Code Section 1313(a).
ARTICLE II
CLOSING
2.1 Time and Place of Closing. The Closing of the transactions contemplated herein will take place remotely on the date hereof by electronic exchange of documents. The date upon which the Closing actually occurs is referred to as the “Closing Date.” The Closing shall be deemed to be effective as of 12:01 a.m. Central Time on the Closing Date (the “Effective Time”). All business through the Effective Time will be for the Contributors’ accounts and all business after the Effective Time will be for Buyer’s account. Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, the Closing shall occur by overnight mail, facsimile and/or other electronic means.
2.2 Deliveries at Closing.
(a) At the Closing, the Contributors shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Buyer the following documents, each properly executed and dated:
(i) Certificates representing any Contributed Equity Interests (to the extent such Contributed Equity Interests are certificated), together with any other appropriate instruments of transfer to convey the same to Buyer, duly executed by each Contributor;
(ii) compensation arrangements (the “Compensation Arrangements”) by and between Buyer (or one or more of its Affiliates) and the persons set forth on Schedule 2.2(a)(ii), duly executed by such persons, in form and substance satisfactory to Buyer;
(iii) written resignations and releases from each of the managers and officers of the Company as designated by Buyer, in each case in his or her capacity as such;
(iv) copies of the Consents identified on Schedule 2.2(a)(iv), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer;
(v) a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 from each Contributor and the Company;
(vi) evidence reasonably acceptable to Buyer of the termination of each of the agreements described on Schedule 2.2(a)(vi);
(vii) to the extent not held at the principal office of the Company or stored electronically on a cloud-based storage system, all minute books, equity ledgers, equity transfer books, company seals, books of account, Contracts, Tax Returns and other Records of the Company;
(viii) good standing or similar certificates for the Company from the Secretary of State of the state in which the Company was formed or organized and from the appropriate state authorities in each jurisdiction in which the Company is qualified to do business, each dated not more than ten (10) days prior to the Closing;
(ix) limited power of attorney in favor of the REIT to the Buyer LP Agreement, duly executed by each Contributor (the “Powers of Attorney”);
(x) an assignment agreement, duly executed by each equityholder of the General Partner, assigning all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of the General Partner to Buyer (or its designee) in accordance with the Side Letter and the Buyer LP Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer (the “GP Assignment Agreement”);
(xi) a registration rights agreement, duly executed by each Contributor, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer (the “Registration Rights Agreement”);
(xii) such other documents and instruments as may be reasonably requested by Buyer, each in form and substance satisfactory to Buyer, to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.
(b) At the Closing, Buyer shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Contributors Representative the following documents, each properly executed and dated:
(i) the Compensation Arrangements, duly executed by Buyer or its Affiliate(s), as applicable;
(ii) the Powers of Attorney, duly executed by Buyer;
(iii) the GP Assignment Agreement, duly executed by Buyer;
(iv) the Registration Rights Agreement, duly executed by the REIT;
(v) the OP Units and Cash Component to the Contributors, as contemplated by Section 1.4 and in accordance with the Allocation Schedule;
(vi) the Mike Albert Guaranty, duly executed by Buyer; and
(vii) the Enterprise Guaranty, duly executed by Buyer.
(c) At the Closing, Buyer shall make the payments contemplated by Section 1.4.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE CONTRIBUTORS
Subject to such exceptions as are disclosed in the correspondingly numbered Section of the Disclosure Schedules, each Contributor, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:
3.1 Capacity. Each Contributor has the legal right and capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and any other Transaction Document to which such Contributor is a party, and to perform such Contributor’s respective obligations hereunder and thereunder.
3.2 Authorization of Transactions. This Agreement and all other Transaction Documents to which such Contributor is a party have been duly executed and delivered by such Contributor, and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof and thereof by the parties hereto and thereto other than such Contributor, constitute the valid and binding agreements of such Contributor, enforceable against such Contributor in accordance with their terms, except as enforceability hereof or thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and limitations on the availability of equitable remedies (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).
3.3 Absence of Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by any Contributor of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which such Contributor is a party do not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein will not, (a) violate any Order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, statute, Law, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority applicable to such Contributor or by which or to which any portion of its properties or assets is bound or subject, or (b) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon such Contributor’s Contributed Equity Interests.
3.4 Ownership of the Contributed Equity Interests. Each Contributor is the beneficial and record owner of all the Contributed Equity Interests opposite such Contributor’s name on the Allocation Schedule, and has marketable title to such Contributed Equity Interests, free and clear of all Liens. No Contributor has granted a currently effective power of attorney or proxy to any Person with respect to any of the Contributed Equity Interests held by such Contributor. At the Closing, Buyer will acquire beneficial and record ownership of such Contributed Equity Interests free and clear of all Liens.
3.5 Litigation; Proceedings. There is no Claim pending or, to the Knowledge of the Contributors, threatened against or involving any Contributor, whether at law or in equity, whether civil or criminal in nature or by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority nor are there any investigations relating to Contributor pending or threatened by or before any arbitrator or any Governmental Authority, other than (i) Claims where Buyer or its Affiliates are named as co-defendants, (ii) Claims where the demand amount is less than $50,000, (iii) Claims for which the Company or the Contributors are indemnified or otherwise defended by third party insurers; (iv) Claims listed on Schedule 3.5, or (v) where such Claims are otherwise not reasonably likely to prevent, materially delay or materially impair Contributor’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement and all other Transaction Documents to which Contributor is a party.
3.6 Securities Laws Matters. Each Contributor hereby represents and warrants that he, she or it is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Such Contributor is acquiring the OP Units for his, her or its own account for investment, and not with a view to any distribution, resale, subdivision or fractionalization thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable domestic or foreign securities Law, and such Contributor has no present plans to enter into any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement for any such distribution, resale, subdivision or fractionalization. Such Contributor is sophisticated in financial matters and is able to evaluate the risks and benefits of ownership of the OP Units and is able to bear the economic risk of its investment in the OP Units.
3.7 Liability for Brokers’ Fees. The Company shall not have any liability or obligation, as a result of any undertakings or agreements of either Contributor, for brokerage fees, finder’s fees, agent’s commissions, nor other similar forms of compensation to any broker, finder, financial advisor or investment banker in connection with the execution of this Agreement and all other Transaction Documents or the Transactions.
3.8 Affiliated Transactions. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.8, no Affiliate or family member (within four degrees of affinity or consanguinity) of any Contributor is a party to or beneficiary of any Contract, commitment or transaction with the Company, has any interest in any property used by the Company or has any interest in any Person which is a competitor, supplier, manufacturer, distributor, lessor or lender of the Company.
3.9 Pre-Closing Restructuring. The Pre-Closing Restructuring and the other transactions contemplated by the agreements entered into in connection with the Pre-Closing Restructuring were consummated prior to the Closing in accordance with the Pre-Closing Restructuring Documents and is valid and effective. The Contributors have delivered to Buyer copies of the Pre-Closing Restructuring Documents which are true, correct and complete in all material respects. The consummation of the Pre-Closing Restructuring did not and will not cause the Company to incur any liability or obligation of any kind or to lose the benefit of any Tax election or Tax asset.
3.10 Accuracy of Representations. All of the representations in this Section 3, other than the Contributor Fundamental Representations, are materially true and correct as of December 29, 2022, unless otherwise specified. The Contributor Fundamental Representations are true and correct as of the Closing Date.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
Subject to such exceptions as are disclosed in the correspondingly numbered Section of the Disclosure Schedules, the Company represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:
4.1 Organizational Matters. The Company is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under the Laws of the state of Delaware. The Company has all requisite power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets and properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. Schedule 4.1(i) sets forth each jurisdiction where the Company is licensed or qualified to do business as a foreign entity. The Company is duly licensed or qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the properties owned, operated or leased by it or the operation of its business as it has been and is currently conducted makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or be reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. The Contributors have previously made available to Buyer true and complete copies of the Charter Documents of the Company, as amended and in effect on the date of this Agreement. The current managers and officers of the Company are as set forth on Schedule 4.1(ii).
4.2 Authorization of Transactions. The Company has all necessary limited liability company power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and all other Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party, and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder, and no other proceeding or action on the part of the Company is necessary to approve and authorize the Company’s execution and delivery of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which the Company is a party or the performance of the Company’s obligations hereunder or hereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each Transaction Document to which the Company is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all requisite action on the part of the Company. This Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof and thereof by the parties hereto and thereto other than the Company, constitute the valid and binding agreements of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforceability hereof or thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and limitations on the availability of equitable remedies (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).
4.3 Capitalization.
(a) The authorized equity interests and all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of the Company held by each Contributor are set forth on Schedule 4.3(a), and such equity interests constitute the Contributed Equity Interests. All of the Contributed Equity Interests are owned of record and beneficially by the Contributors free and clear of all Liens. Upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Buyer will own all of the Contributed Equity Interests, free and clear of all Liens.
(b) The Company does not own or have any interest in any equity or have any ownership interest in any other Person.
(c) All of the Contributed Equity Interests have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. All of the Contributed Equity Interests were issued in compliance with all applicable Laws. None of the Contributed Equity Interests were issued in violation of any of the Company’s Charter Documents or in violation of any other agreement, arrangement or commitment to which any Contributor or the Company is or was a party or is or was subject to or in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any Person. There are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments of any character relating to the equity of the Company or obligating any Contributor or the Company to issue or sell any equity of, or any other interest in, the Company. Except as listed on Schedule 4.3(c), the Company does not have outstanding or authorized any equity appreciation, phantom equity, profit participation or similar rights. There are no voting trusts, equityholder agreements, proxies or other agreements or understandings in effect with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Contributed Equity Interests.
4.4 No Violation or Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, do not and will not: (a) conflict with or result in a violation or breach of, or default under, any provision of the Company’s Charter Documents; (b) conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of any Law or Order applicable to the Company; (c) except as set forth on Schedule 4.4, require the consent, notice or other action by any Person under, conflict with, result in a violation or breach of, constitute a default or an event that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of or create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify or cancel any Contract to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound or to which any of its properties and assets are subject or any Permit affecting the properties, assets or business of the Company, or (d) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien other than Permitted Liens on any properties or assets of the Company. No consent, approval, Permit, Order, declaration or filing with, or notice to, any Governmental Authority is required by or with respect to the Company in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, except, with respect to clauses (c) and (d), as would not be adverse to the Company in any material respect.
4.5 Assets.
(a) Ownership of Assets. The Company owns good and valid title to all of its tangible assets and properties, free and clear of any and all Liens of any nature whatsoever, except for Permitted Liens. The Company has a valid leasehold interest in all tangible assets leased by the Company. The tangible assets and properties of the Company owned and leased by it include all of the tangible assets and properties which are necessary for the operation of the Company’s business as now conducted. Schedule 4.5(a) sets forth a list of all Fixed Assets as of November 30, 2022. None of the Company’s tangible assets are subject to any consignment arrangement.
(b) Unclaimed Property. There is no material property or obligation of the Company, including but not limited to uncashed checks to vendors, customers or employees, non-refunded overpayments, or unclaimed subscription balances, that is escheatable to any state, municipality or other Governmental Authority under any applicable escheatment or similar Laws as of the date hereof, and the Company made all filings required under applicable Laws in respect thereof.
4.6 Sufficiency. The tangible assets and properties of the Company are in good operating condition and repair, normal wear and tear excepted, free from any defects, have been maintained consistent with industry standards, and are sufficient to carry on the Company’s business after the Closing in substantially the same manner as conducted prior to the Closing.
4.7 Financial Information.
(a) Financial Statements. Attached to this Agreement as Schedule 4.7(a) are true, correct and complete copies of the following (collectively, the “Financial Statements”): (i) true, complete and correct copies of the Company’s unaudited balance sheets, statements of income, statements of retained earnings and statements of cash flows as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 and for the fiscal years then ended, respectively, and (ii) true, complete and correct copies of the Company’s unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2022 (the “Latest Balance Sheet”) and statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows for the nine (9)-month period then ended.
(b) Preparation of Financial Statements. The Financial Statements were prepared from the books and records of the Company and are true and correct in all material respects. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7(b), the Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied through the applicable periods involved. The Financial Statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition, assets and liabilities of the Company as of the respective dates of such Financial Statements and the results of operations for the respective periods then ended.
(c) Accounting Controls. The Company has established and maintains a system of internal controls over financial reporting sufficient to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Company’s financial reporting and the preparation of its financial statements in accordance with GAAP and such system of internal control over financial reporting is effective for its intended purpose. There are no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of the internal controls of the Company which have adversely affected or could adversely affect the ability of the Company to record, process, summarize and report financial data.
4.8 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.8, the Company has no Liabilities of any kind whatsoever, whether asserted or unasserted, known or unknown, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, matured or unmatured or otherwise, except (a) those which are adequately reflected or reserved against on the Latest Balance Sheet, (b) those which have been incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since the date of the Latest Balance Sheet and which are not, individually or in the aggregate, material in amount, (c) ordinary course trade payables which are not material in amount and (d) expenses of the Company related to the negotiation, execution, and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
4.9 Absence of Certain Changes. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.9 hereto, since the date of the Latest Balance Sheet, the Company’s business has been operated in the ordinary course and consistent with past practice, and there has not been any:
(a) adverse change in any of the Company’s (financial or otherwise) revenues, operations, assets, liabilities, equity, relationships, earnings, or prospects except changes in the ordinary course of business, none of which individually or in the aggregate has been or will be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company;
(b) amendment of the Company’s Charter Documents;
(c) split, combination or reclassification of any equity of the Company;
(d) issuance, sale or other disposition of, or creation of any Lien on, any equity of the Company, or grant of any options, warrants or other rights to purchase or obtain (including upon conversion, exchange or exercise) any equity of the Company;
(e) declaration or payment of any distributions on or in respect of any equity in the Company or redemption, purchase or acquisition of any of the Company’s outstanding equity;
(f) change in the cash management practices and its policies, practices and procedures with respect to collection of accounts receivable, establishment of reserves for uncollectible accounts, accrual of accounts receivable, inventory control, prepayment of expenses, payment of trade accounts payable, accrual of other expenses, deferral of revenue and acceptance of customer deposits;
(g) entry into any Material Contract other than those entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(h) incurrence, assumption or guarantee of any Debt for borrowed money except unsecured current obligations and liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(i) transfer, assignment, sale or other disposition of any material assets or property or cancellation of any debts or entitlements other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(j) transfer, assignment or grant of any license or sublicense of any rights under or with respect to any of the Company’s Proprietary Rights;
(k) equity investment in, or any loan to, any other Person;
(l) acceleration, termination, material modification to or cancellation of any Material Contract to which the Company was or is a party or by which it was or is bound other than in the ordinary course of business;
(m) imposition of any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) upon the Company’s properties or assets, tangible or intangible, which could be reasonable expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(n) adoption, modification or termination of any: (i) employment, severance, retention or other agreement with any current or former employee, officer, or manager, (ii) Benefit Plan or (iii) collective bargaining or other similar agreement, in each case whether written or oral;
(o) loan to (or forgiveness of any loan to), or entry into any other transaction with, any of its equityholders or current or former employees, officers or managers, other than employment compensation in the ordinary course of business;
(p) adoption of any plan of merger, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation or dissolution (other than the Pre-Closing Restructuring) or filing of a petition in bankruptcy under any provisions of federal or state bankruptcy Law or consent to the filing of any bankruptcy petition against it under any similar Law;
(q) increase or grant, or promise to increase or grant, of any salary, wage, severance or other compensation or benefits payable or to become payable to any current or former employee, officer, manager, independent contractor or consultant other than in the ordinary course of business (which ordinary course of business shall include annual salary increases, profit share bonuses and similar commissions;
(r) hiring or promotion of any employee, officer, director or individual service provider of the Company (except to fill a vacancy in an existing position or in the ordinary course), or termination any of its employees other than for cause or in the ordinary course of business; or
(s) Contract to do, take any action or fail to take any action that would result in any of the foregoing.
4.10 Taxes. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.10:
(a) The Company has timely filed all material Tax Returns required to be filed by it, and all such Tax Returns are true, correct and complete in all material respects.
(b) The Company has (i) timely paid all material Taxes that have become due and payable (whether or not shown on a Tax Return); (ii) withheld and timely remitted to the appropriate Governmental Authority, or properly set aside for future remittance when due, all material Taxes required to be withheld and paid in connection with any amounts paid or owing to or collected from any employee, independent contractor, supplier, creditor, shareholder, partner, member or other person; (iii) complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to information reporting of Taxes; and (iv) collected all material sales and use or similar Taxes required to be collected, and has remitted, such amounts to the appropriate Governmental Authority, or has been furnished properly completed exemption certificates. All material Taxes of the Company have been properly accrued in the ordinary course of business, in accordance with past practice of the Company and in accordance with GAAP on the Latest Balance Sheet, and do not materially exceed comparable amounts incurred in similar periods in prior years (taking into account the Company’s operating results).
(c) Since the date of the Latest Balance Sheet, the Company has not (i) incurred any material amount of Taxes outside the ordinary course of business, (ii) changed a method of accounting for Tax purposes, (iii) entered into any agreement with any Governmental Authority (including a closing agreement within the meaning of Section 7121 of the Code or similar state, local or foreign Law) the primary subject of which relates to Tax matters, (iv) surrendered any right to a material Tax refund, (v) changed an accounting period with respect to Taxes, (vi) filed an amended Tax Return, (vii) changed or revoked any material election with respect to Taxes, or (viii) made any Tax election inconsistent with past practices, in each case except as required by Law.
(d) Copies of all income and other material Tax Returns filed for the Company for the tax years ending on or after December 31, 2019 have been delivered or made available to representatives of Buyer, and such copies are true, correct and complete in all material respects.
(e) All material deficiencies for Taxes proposed or assessed against the Company by any Governmental Authority have been fully and timely paid or finally settled.
(f) Neither the Company nor any Person acting for or on behalf of the Company, has agreed to any extension or waiver that currently is in effect of the statute of limitations applicable to any Tax Return of the Company or with respect to any material Taxes of the Company, and no request for such extension or waiver is currently pending.
(g) There is no presently ongoing or pending audit, examination, request for information, claim or proposed adjustment with any Governmental Authority with respect to Taxes of the Company, and no Governmental Authority has contacted the Company in writing and disclosed in writing any intent to initiate any such audit, examination, claim or similar action. No written claim has been made by any Governmental Authority in any jurisdiction where the Company does not file a Tax Return that the Company is or may be subject to taxation by, or has or may have a Tax Return filing obligation in, that jurisdiction.
(h) The Company (i) is not party to or bound by any Tax indemnity, Tax allocation, Tax sharing or similar agreement with any Person, other than any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its business the primary purpose of which is not related to Taxes; (ii) is not a party to or bound by any closing agreement pursuant to Section 7121 of the Code or any similar provision of state, provincial, local or foreign Tax Law, offer in compromise or any other agreement with any Governmental Authority with respect to Taxes; and (iii) has not requested or received and is not relying upon any private letter ruling or technical advice of the IRS, request for administrative relief, a request for a change of any method of accounting, or comparable ruling of any other Governmental Authority. No power of attorney granted by or with respect to the Company relating to Taxes is currently in force.
(i) There are no Liens with respect to Taxes upon any of the assets or properties of the Company, other than Permitted Liens.
(j) The Company has never participated in a “listed transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b)(2).
(k) The Company (i) has never been a member of an affiliated group of corporations, within the meaning of Section 1504 of the Code, or a member of a combined, consolidated or unitary group for state, local or foreign Tax purposes; and (ii) does not have, individually or collectively, any liability for Taxes of any other Person under (A) Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 or Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-78, (B) any similar provision of state, provincial, local or foreign income Tax Law, (C) as a transferee or successor, or (D) by contract (other than any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its business, the primary purpose of which is not related to Taxes).
(l) The Company has correctly classified those individuals performing services as common Law employees, leased employees, independent contractors, consultants or agents of the Company.
(m) The Company is not required to include any material item of income, or exclude any material item of deduction, for any period after the Closing Date (determined with and without regard to the transactions contemplated hereby) as a result of (i) an installment sale transaction occurring on or before the Closing governed by Code Section 453 (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Laws); (ii) a transaction occurring on or before the Closing reported as an open transaction for U.S. federal income Tax purposes (or any similar doctrine under state, local, or non-U.S. Laws); (iii) any prepaid amounts received or paid on or prior to the Closing Date or deferred revenue realized or received on or prior to the Closing Date; (iv) an adjustment under Code Section 481 as a result of a change in method of accounting with respect to a Pre-Closing Tax Period (or as a result of an impermissible method used in a Pre-Closing Tax Period); or (v) an agreement entered into with any Governmental Authority (including a “closing agreement” under Code Section 7121) on or prior to the Closing Date). The Company does not currently use the cash method of accounting for income Tax purposes. The Company does not have any “long-term contracts” that are subject to a method of accounting provided for in Code Section 460 or have any deferred income pursuant to IRS Revenue Procedure 2004-34, Treasury Regulation Section 1.451-5, Section 455 of the Code, or Section 456 of the Code (or any corresponding provision of state or local Law).
(n) The Company is, and has been since formation, properly treated as a partnership for U.S. federal and applicable state income Tax purposes and no election has been made (and none is pending) to change such treatment.
(o) The Company has not made any election with respect to the Revised Partnership Audit Provisions, including, but not limited to, electing to apply any provision of the Revised Partnership Audit Provisions prior to January 1, 2018.
(p) No member (or former member of the Company) has any right to any distributions with respect to Taxes (or otherwise) from the Company that will survive the Closing.
(q) None of (i) the goodwill, (ii) going concern value, or (iii) other intangible assets of the Company that would not be amortizable prior to the enactment of Code Section 197 was held by any Contributor, the Company or any related person (within the meaning of Code Section 197(f)(9)(C)) to any Contributor or the Company on or before August 10, 1993 or could constitute anti-churning property under Code Section 197(f)(9)(A).
(r) The Company has no obligation to gross-up, indemnify or otherwise reimburse any current or former employee, manager, officer, consultant, independent contractor, contingent worker, leased employee or other service provider (or any dependents, spouses or beneficiaries thereof) of the Company for any Tax incurred by such individual, including under Section 409A or 4999 of the Code.
(s) Schedule 4.10(s) sets forth a true and complete list of elections that have been made (or are pending) or actions that have been taken (or are pending) by the Company pursuant to Sections 7001-7005 of the Families First Act.
(t) Schedule 4.10(t) sets forth the following (whether occurring or applied for, as applicable) by the Company: (i) credits claimed pursuant to Section 2301 of the CARES Act; (ii) payroll and employment Taxes deferred pursuant to Section 2302(a) of the CARES Act; (iii) elections made pursuant to Section 2306 of the CARES Act, and (iv) additional depreciation taken pursuant to Section 2307 of the CARES Act.
4.11 Contracts and Commitments.
(a) Listing. Schedule 4.11(a) hereto sets forth complete and accurate lists of each of the following Contracts to which the Company is a party (other than Contracts to which Buyer or its Affiliates are also parties) (collectively, the “Material Contracts”): (i) all leases of real and/or personal property involving annual expenditure in excess of $50,000; (ii) all Contracts relating to the use, ownership, registration, development, or enforcement of any material Proprietary Rights other than Contracts for software or information technology services involving annual expenditure less than $100,000; (iii) all other Contracts involving annual payments or expenditures in excess of $50,000, (iv) all Contracts between the Company, on the one hand, and any Contributor or with any of the Company’s officers or Affiliates on the other hand; (v) all employment Contracts and independent contractor or consultant Contracts entered into other than in the ordinary course of business; (vi) all Contracts that contain any severance, incentive or phantom equity, or change in control payments or fees payable to any current or former manager, officer, employee, independent contractor, or consultant in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (vii) all agreements that relate to Debt; (viii) all Contracts by the Company not to compete in any business or in any geographical area or to not solicit the customers or employees of any other Person, or requiring exclusive dealing by either party thereto; (ix) all partnership, joint venture, or similar arrangement involving the Company; (x) all Contracts that provide for the indemnification by the Company of any Person or the assumption of any Tax liability, material environmental liability or other material liability of any Person outside of the ordinary course of business; (xi) all Contracts that relate to the acquisition or disposition of any business, equity or a material amount of assets of any other Person or any real property (whether by merger, sale of equity, sale of assets or otherwise); (xii) all Contracts with any Governmental Authority; and (xiii) all Real Estate Leases.
(b) Absence of Breach. Except as described on Schedule 4.11(b), (i) each Material Contract is a valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Company and is in full force and effect; (ii) no Material Contract has been breached (or alleged to be in breach), cancelled (other than in accordance with the terms of such Material Contract) or repudiated by the Company or, to the Knowledge of the Company, the other party thereto, and no event has occurred or circumstance exists that (with or without notice or lapse of time) is reasonably likely to conflict with or result in a violation or breach of (or alleged breach of), or give the Company or the other party thereto the right to declare a default or exercise any remedy under, or to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to cancel, terminate or modify any Material Contract which could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) the Company has performed all material obligations required to be performed by it, in each case, to the extent such obligation is required to be performed prior to the Closing Date in connection with each Material Contract and has not received any Claim or notice of default under any Material Contract which could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iv) to the Knowledge of the Company, the counter party to each Material Contract has performed all material obligations required to be performed by it pursuant to such Material Contract, and the Company has not delivered any Claim or notice of default under any Material Contract which could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (v) no counterparty has threatened or expressed an intention to not fully perform any material obligation pursuant to any Material Contract, nor has any counter given written notice of any desire to terminate or not-renew any Material Contract which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has made available or delivered to Buyer accurate and complete copies in all material respects of all Material Contracts, including all modifications, amendments and supplements thereto and waivers thereunder.
4.12 Real Estate.
(a) Owned Real Estate. The Company does not currently own and has never owned any real property.
(b) Real Estate Leases. Schedule 4.12(b) hereto sets forth a description of all of the real property leased by the Company (the “Leased Real Estate”), including the address and the lease pertaining thereto (each, a “Real Estate Lease”), the rental amount currently being paid, the expiration of the term of the Real Estate Lease, and the current use of the real property. With respect to each Real Estate Lease: (i) the Real Estate Lease is valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect; (ii) neither the Company nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, the other party thereto is in breach or default under the Real Estate Lease, and no event has occurred or circumstance exists which, with the delivery of notice, passage of time or both, would constitute such a breach or default or permit the termination, modification, or acceleration of rent under the Real Estate Lease, and no notice has been received or given in respect thereof; (iii) the Company has paid all rent due and payable under the Real Estate Lease; (iv) the Company’s interest under the Real Estate Lease is subject to no Liens other than Permitted Liens; and (v) copies of the Real Estate Lease and of all written amendments, modifications, and supplemental agreements to the same have previously been delivered to Buyer, which copies are true, correct and complete in all material respects.
(c) Leased Real Estate. The Leased Real Estate constitutes all real property used by the Company in the conduct of the business of the Company and there are no oral agreements related to the Leased Real Estate. The Company does not own, and has never owned, any real property, and the Company does not hold any options or other rights to purchase any real property from any Person. There are no written or oral subleases, concessions or other Contracts granting to any third party the right to use or occupy the Leased Real Estate or any portion thereof. The Leased Real Estate is in no need of significant repairs or improvements, other than maintenance in the ordinary course of business, and there are no structural or mechanical defects in the Leased Real Estate. There is no violation of or nonconformance with any Law requiring or calling attention to the need for any work, repairs, construction, alteration or installation affecting the Leased Real Estate. No Governmental Authority or Order has been issued requiring repairs, alterations or correction of any existing conditions of the Leased Real Estate. There is no pending, planned or contemplated condemnation or similar action or change in any zoning or building ordinance affecting the Leased Real Estate. The improvements on the Leased Real Estate have access to such sewer, water, gas, electric, telephone and other utilities as are necessary to allow the business of the Company operated thereon to be operated in the ordinary course as currently operated. To the Knowledge of the Company, the use and operation of the Leased Real Estate does not violate any Law, Contract, covenant, condition, restriction, easement, license, Permit, agreement or insurance requirements affecting the Leased Real Estate, and no notice has been received by the Company or, to the Knowledge of the Company, the landlord or owner of the Leased Real Estate in respect thereof.
4.13 Bank Accounts. Schedule 4.13 hereto describes all checking accounts, savings accounts, custodial accounts, certificates of deposit, safe deposit boxes, money market accounts, or other similar accounts maintained by the Company. The signatories identified on Schedule 4.13 constitute the only signatories with respect to said accounts.
4.14 Proprietary Rights; Data Privacy.
(a) Listing. Schedule 4.14(a) sets forth a complete and correct list of: (i) all registered Proprietary Rights and all material unregistered trademarks that are Owned Proprietary Rights ; and (ii) all material licenses or similar agreements or arrangements to which the Company is a party as licensee or licensor for Proprietary Rights. With respect to any Owned Proprietary Rights that are subject to any issuance registration, application or other filing by, to or with any Governmental Authority or authorized private registrar in any jurisdiction (the “Registered Proprietary Rights”), Schedule 4.14(a) sets forth the application number, application date, expiration date, registration/issue number, registration/issue date, title or mark, country or other jurisdiction, and owner(s), as applicable. All documents, recordations, and certificates due prior to the date of this Agreement and necessary to maintain the Registered Proprietary Rights have been filed with the relevant Governmental Authorities in the United States and non-U.S. jurisdictions, as the case may be, for the purposes of prosecuting, maintaining and perfecting such Registered Proprietary Rights. Each registered Proprietary Right is in compliance with all applicable Laws, except where failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and all filings, payments and other actions required to be made or taken prior to the date of this Agreement to maintain each Registered Proprietary Right in full force and effect have been made by the applicable deadline. All filings, payments and other actions required to be made or taken prior to the date of this Agreement to maintain each Registered Proprietary Right in full force and effect have been made by the applicable deadline. With respect to domain name registrations, Schedule 4.14(a) sets forth each domain name, the registrant, and the date of any renewal deadlines (i.e., expiration date).
(b) Ownership. The Company is the sole owner of and possesses all right, title and interest in and to each of the Proprietary Rights owned or purported to be owned by the Company (the “Owned Proprietary Rights”), free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), and the Company has valid and enforceable rights to use all Proprietary Rights used by the Company (with the Owned Proprietary Rights, the “Company Proprietary Rights”). There are no other Proprietary Rights that are material to the operation of the business of the Company other than the Proprietary Rights set forth on Schedule 4.14(a). No loss or expiration of any of the Company Proprietary Rights shown on Schedule 4.14(a) is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, except in accordance with the normal terms of such Proprietary Rights. There are no inventorship challenges or opposition, reexamination, nullity or interference proceedings declared, commenced or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened with respect to any of the Proprietary Rights set forth on Schedule 4.14(a). No funding, facilities or personnel of any Governmental Authority were used, directly or indirectly, to develop or create, in whole or in part, any Owned Proprietary Rights by the Company. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.14(b), the Company is not subject to any outstanding Order (including any motion or petition therefor) that does or would restrict or impair the use of any Proprietary Right.
(c) Outbound Licenses. Schedule 4.14(c) sets forth list of all material Proprietary Rights licensed by the Company to any Person, and such list is true, correct and complete in all material respects.
(d) Trade Secrets. The Company has taken commercially reasonable steps to protect (i) the material trade secrets and other material confidential information that it owns or (ii) the trade secrets and other confidential information of third parties to which it owes a duty of confidentiality. No such trade secrets or other confidential information has been disclosed by the Company except pursuant to a confidentiality Contract restricting the disclosure and use thereof or to Person who is bound by a similar duty of confidentiality.
(e) Infringement. Except as listed on Schedule 4.14(e), the Company has not received from any third party any Claim, notice or demand contesting the validity, enforceability, use or ownership of any of the Company’s Proprietary Rights or relating to any infringement, misappropriation or conflict, or any alleged infringement, misappropriation or conflict, with respect to any Proprietary Rights, including any written demand that the Company license rights from any third party. There are no currently pending Claims, notices or demands of the foregoing nature. To the Knowledge of the Company, the Company is not infringing upon or otherwise violating any Proprietary Rights of any Person, nor has the Company misappropriated any Proprietary Rights of any Person. Other than as set forth on Schedule 4.14(e), to the Knowledge of the Company, no Person is engaging in any activity that infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates any Proprietary Rights of the Company, and no written threat, notice, demand or other communication to that effect has been made by the Company against any Person in the last five (5) years.
(f) Software. Schedule 4.14(f) lists all Software material to the Company’s operation of its business in which the Company has rights, whether as owner or licensee, including pursuant to agreements or arrangements described in Schedule 4.14(a). All Software that is Owned Proprietary Rights is operative for its intended purpose and free of any Malicious Code. No Person other than the Company possesses a copy, in any form (print, electronic, or otherwise), of any source code for any Software that is Owned Proprietary Rights, and all such source code has been maintained strictly confidential. The Company has no obligation to afford any Person access to any such source code.
(g) Data Privacy; Security. The Company does not sell or rent any Personal Information collected, used or disclosed to it. The Company has at all times complied with all applicable Laws regarding the collection, retention, transfer, use and protection of Personal Information, except where failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has not experienced any loss, damage or unauthorized access, disclosure, use or breach of security of any Personal Information in its possession. The Company uses commercially reasonable efforts to safeguard any personally identifiable information that it obtains. To the Knowledge of the Company, the Company is and has been in compliance in with all applicable Laws relating to loss, theft and breach of security notification obligations, in each case as they relate to Personal Information.
4.15 Compliance with Laws.
(a) Permits. The Company has all material Permits required to be held or owned by the Company to conduct its business as currently conducted pursuant to applicable Laws, and such Permits are in full force and effect and listed on Schedule 4.15(a)(i). Except as set forth in Schedule 4.15(a)(ii), no violations, notices of violations, cease and desist orders or Orders are or have been recorded and remain outstanding in respect of such Permits (other than any violations, notices, cease and desist orders or Orders in which Buyer or its Affiliates are also named) which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Set forth in attached Schedule 4.15(a)(iii) is a complete list of all complaints, citations and written notices of violations or alleged violations received by the Company with respect to Permits within the past five (5) years from any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Company which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (other than complaints, citations or written notices of violations or alleged violations in which in which Buyer or its Affiliates are also named).
(b) Compliance with Laws and Regulations. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.15(b), the Company is, and has been for the past five (5) years, in compliance, in all material respects, with all applicable Laws relating to the operation of its business, properties, assets and services, and no notice has been served upon the Company within the past five (5) years claiming a violation of or liability or responsibility under any of the foregoing, other than notices (i) where Buyer or its Affiliates are also named, (ii) where the demand amount is less than $50,000, (iii) for which the Company or the Contributors are indemnified or otherwise defended by third party insurers, or (iv) where such violations or liability would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. In the past five (5) years, the Company has not engaged in any unfair competition or trade practices or any false, deceptive, unfair or misleading advertising or promotional practices, except as would not be material to the Company. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.15(b), the Company has not received a written notification or been subject to any investigation from any Governmental Authority or any advocacy or monitoring group regarding their marketing, advertising or promotional practices.
4.16 Books and Corporate Records. The Corporate Records, all of which have been made available to Buyer, are complete and correct in all material respects, have been maintained in accordance with sound business practices, and contain materially accurate and complete records of all transactions involving the activities of the Company. The Company has not engaged in any transaction, maintained any fund, asset or bank account, or used any of its funds, except as reflected in its normally maintained books and records. At the Closing, all of the Corporate Records will be in the possession of the Company.
4.17 Environmental Matters.
(a) Compliance Generally. Except (i) as set forth on Schedule 4.17(a), the Company is currently and has been in compliance with all Environmental Laws and has not received from any Governmental Authority and/or Person any: (i) Environmental Claim (other than Claims to which the REIT, Buyer, or Buyer’s subsidiaries are also a party); or (ii) written request for information pursuant to Environmental Law (other than requests to which the REIT, Buyer, or Buyer’s subsidiaries are also a party), which, in each case, either remains pending or unresolved, or is the source of ongoing obligations or requirements as of the Closing Date. The Company has not retained or assumed by Contract or operation of Law, any liabilities or obligations of any third parties under Environmental Law. Neither the Company nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other Person for whose conduct the Company is or may be held responsible under any applicable Environmental Law, has any liability under any Environmental Law with respect to the Leased Real Estate, any other properties geologically or hydrologically connected to the Leased Real Estate, or any other real property formerly owned, leased or operated by the Company. There has been no Environmental Release of Hazardous Materials in contravention of Environmental Law with respect to the business or assets of the Company or any real property currently or formerly owned, leased or operated by the Company. To the Knowledge of the Company, Hazardous Materials are not present on, at, or under the Leased Real Estate in violation of or in excess of applicable limited pursuant to Environmental Law.
(b) Environmental Permits. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.17(b), the Company has obtained and is in compliance with all Environmental Permits (each of which is disclosed in Schedule 4.17(b)) necessary for the ownership, lease, operation or use of the business or assets of the Company, and all such Environmental Permits are in full force and effect.
4.18 Employee Benefit Matters.
(a) Benefit Plans. Schedule 4.18(a) lists the Company’s current Benefit Plans. Each Benefit Plan is and all times has been in compliance with all Laws, including ERISA. There is no accumulated funding deficiency in connection with any Benefit Plan and no reportable event has occurred in connection with any Benefit Plan. No Benefit Plan, and no trustee or administrator of any Benefit Plan, has engaged in any non-exempt “prohibited transaction” as defined in ERISA or the Code or any breach of fiduciary duty. All of the Benefit Plans that are intended to meet the requirements of Section 401(a) of the Code have been determined by the IRS and the Treasury to be “qualified” within the meaning of the Code and the Company has received a favorable determination letter, or may rely on an opinion letter, from the IRS and the Treasury with respect thereto, and there are no facts which would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the qualified status of any Benefit Plan.
(b) Termination Matters. Any past Benefit Plan that has been terminated was done so in material compliance with all applicable Laws. The Company does not have any further liability or obligation pursuant to any Benefit Plans that have been terminated.
(c) Administration. With respect to each Benefit Plan: (i) all contributions, distributions, reimbursements, and/or payments required to be made under the terms of any Benefit Plan have been timely made or have been properly accrued and reflected in the Company’s books and records in accordance with the terms of the applicable Benefit Plan and applicable Law; (ii) each Benefit Plan has been administered in accordance with applicable Law and its terms in all material respects; and (iii) there are no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened Claims (other than routine Claims for benefits) with respect to such Benefit Plan or against the assets of such Benefit Plan and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no act or omission has occurred which would reasonably be expected to result in any such Claims (other than routine Claims for benefits).
(d) Effects of Transaction. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.18(d), neither the execution nor the delivery of this Agreement nor the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will, either alone or in conjunction with any other event (whether contingent or otherwise) (i) entitle any current or former employee or other individual service provider (or any beneficiary or dependent thereof) of the Company to a stay, transaction, or change in control bonus, severance pay, or other compensation or benefits, (ii) accelerate the funding, time of payment, or vesting, or increase the amount or value of any compensation or benefits due to any current or former employee or other individual service provider (or any beneficiary or dependent thereof), (iii) with respect to any Benefit Plan, result in any prohibited transaction described in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code for which an exemption is not available, or (iv) result in an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b) of the Code (determined without regard to the exceptions provided for in Section 280G(b)(5) of the Code).
(e) Certain Plan Obligations. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.18(e), neither the Company nor any of its ERISA Affiliates currently sponsors, maintains, or has any obligation to contribute to (or any other liability, including current or potential withdrawal liability, with respect to) and neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has within the last six (6) years sponsored, maintained, or contributed to or been obligated to contribute to (i) any “multiemployer plan” (as that term is defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA), (ii) any plan or arrangement, whether or not terminated, which is a “defined benefit plan” (as that term is defined in Section 3(35) of ERISA), (iii) any “multiple employer plan” (as defined in Section 413 of the Code), or (iv) any “multiple employer welfare arrangement” (as defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA). No Benefit Plan provides post-termination medical, health, life insurance or other welfare-type benefits for current employees or current or future retired or terminated employees (except for continued medical benefit coverage required to be provided under Section 4980B of the Code or as required under applicable Law).
(f) Required Employee Compensation Accounts. The Company is not liable for any payment to any trust or other fund or to any Governmental Authority with respect to unemployment compensation, social security or other benefits or obligations for employees or former employees other than routine payments to be made in the ordinary course of business or as required by applicable Law. To the Knowledge of the Company, the Company has made all required payments to its unemployment compensation, workers’ compensation, social security or other legally required payments with the appropriate Governmental Authority.
(g) New Plans. The Company has not announced any plan or legally binding commitment to create any additional Benefit Plans or to amend or modify any existing Benefit Plan, except to the extent required by applicable Law.
(h) Copies. With respect to each Benefit Plan, the Company has made available to Buyer true and correct copies of the following as applicable: (i) the plan document, adoption agreement, and all amendments thereto (or a written description of the key terms of any Benefit Plan that is not in writing), the summary plan description and any summary of material modifications thereto, and any other governing document (including but not limited to the trust agreement and other funding arrangements maintained with respect to such plan); (ii) Form 5500 annual reports and non-discrimination testing results for the three most recent plan years; (iii) with respect to each Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, the most recent favorable determination letter or opinion letter issued by the IRS and the Treasury; and (iv) any non-routine correspondence with Governmental Authority within the last three (3) years.
(i) Debt. There are no outstanding loans with any employee or former employee of the Company other than loans provided in the ordinary course under a Benefit Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code.
4.19 Employment Matters.
(a) Listing. Schedule 4.19(a)(i) contains an accurate and complete list of all Persons who are employees (including any temporary employees) of the Company as of the date hereof, including each employee on leave of absence or layoff status, and sets forth for each such individual the following, as applicable: (i) name; (ii) title or position (including whether full or part time exempt or non-exempt for purposes of the applicable wage and hour Laws; (iii) hire or engagement date; (iv) location (city and state); (v) current annual salary, hourly rate, or fee rate; (vi) 2022 commission, bonus or other incentive-based compensation paid or payable; and (vii) accrued and unused vacation, sick and other paid time off. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.19(a)(ii), each employee of the Company is employed on an at-will basis and the Company has the right to terminate the employment of all of its employees at will. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.19(a)(ii), the Company does not have any contractual or other working arrangements with any Person otherwise employed by a staffing firm or other provider of temporary employees. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.19(a)(iii), as of December 29, 2022, no employee or group of employees of the Company has given the Company written notice of any plans to terminate his, her, or their employment or relationship with the Company. To the Knowledge of the Company, no employee is a party to, or is otherwise bound by, any agreement or arrangement, including any confidentiality, non-competition, or proprietary rights agreement, between such employee and any other Person that in any way materially inhibits (x) the performance of his or her duties as an employee of the Company, or (y) the ability of the Company to conduct its business.
(b) No Union Activity. The Company is not, and in the past has not been, a party to, bound by, or negotiating any collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with a union, works council or labor organization (collectively, “Union”), and, no Union or group of employees has sought or, to the Knowledge of the Company, is seeking to organize employees for the purpose of collective bargaining. There has never been, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, is there any threat of, any strike, slowdown, work stoppage, lockout, concerted refusal to work overtime or other similar labor disruption or dispute affecting the Company or any of its employees. The Company does not have any duty to bargain with any Union.
(c) Compliance with Employment Laws. The Company is and has been in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to the employment of personnel and labor, including without limitation those relating to labor relations, equal employment opportunities, fair employment practices, employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, reasonable accommodation, disability rights or benefits, employment and reemployment rights of members of the uniformed services, immigration, wages, hours, overtime compensation, employee classification, child labor, hiring, promotion and termination of employees, working conditions, meal and break periods, employee benefits, health and safety, the payment of social security and similar Taxes, workers’ compensation, leaves of absence, collective bargaining, leased employees, temporary employees, plant closings and layoffs, unemployment insurance, and authorization of employees to work in the United States. All employees of the Company classified as exempt or non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and state and local wage and hour Laws are properly classified as such. All individuals who are performing services for the Company and are classified as independent contractors are properly classified as such. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.19(c), the Company (i) has paid in full, or accrued in its books and records, all wages, salaries, overtime, wage premiums, commissions, bonuses, fees, severance, cash-outs of accrued unused vacation or other paid leave, and other compensation and benefits due and payable to or on behalf of its current or former employees, temporary employees, and individual independent contractors; and (ii) does not have any liability for any fines, Taxes, interest, or other penalties for any failure to pay (or delinquency in paying), or in withholding any amounts required by Law in respect of, any such compensation.
(d) Employment Claims. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.19(d), no current or former employee or temporary employee (or any Governmental Authority on behalf of, or with respect to, any of the foregoing) has any pending, or to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened Claim against the Company under applicable employment laws. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.19(d), no formal claims or allegations have been made against the Company, or any current or former manager, director, officer, employee or other agent thereof (in their capacity as such), for discrimination, sexual or other harassment, sexual misconduct or retaliation, nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, are any such claims threatened or pending nor is there any reasonable basis for such a claim. The Company has promptly and thoroughly investigated all discrimination, sexual or other harassment, sexual misconduct or retaliation allegations (including informal allegations) and, with respect to any allegation determined to have merit, taken prompt corrective action reasonably calculated to prevent further improper conduct or actions. The Company does not reasonably expect any liability with respect to any such allegations and has not entered into any settlement agreements related to allegations of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct by a manager, director, officer, employee or any other agent of the Company. There are no pending labor or employee-related investigation or audit by any Governmental Authority, either now or at any time in the last five (5) years, nor has the Company been notified by any Governmental Authority of any labor or employee-related investigation involving the Company.
(e) Immigration Matters. Each employee of the Company was hired in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 and the rules and regulations thereunder (“IRCA”) and/or any other applicable immigration related Laws (including any applicable E-Verify obligations) and the Company is in compliance with and at all times has complied with all recordkeeping and other regulatory requirements under IRCA and/or any other applicable immigration related Laws (including any applicable E-Verify obligations). Except as set forth on Schedule 4.19(e), the Company does not have any employees who hold temporary (non‑immigrant) visas, nor has it entered into any contractual obligations with any employee or prospective employee to assist in obtaining permanent residence on behalf of the employee.
(f) WARN Act; COVID-19 Impact. The Company has not taken any action that could constitute a “mass layoff,” “mass termination,” or “plant closing” within the meaning of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, as amended, or any similar state or local Law.
4.20 Litigation; Orders. Other than (i) Claims where Buyer or its Affiliates are named as co-defendants, or (ii) as set forth on Schedule 4.20, there are no Claims pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened (a) against or by the Company affecting any of its properties or assets other than (1) Claims where the demand amount is less than $50,000, (2) Claims for which the Company or the Contributors are indemnified or otherwise defended by third party insurers, or (3) where such Claims are otherwise not reasonably likely to prevent, materially delay or materially impair Contributor’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement and all other Transaction Documents to which Contributor is a party; or (b) against or by the Company that challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin or otherwise delay the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Company is not a party to, or bound by, any Order (or agreement entered into in any administrative, judicial or arbitration proceeding with any Governmental Authority) with respect to or affecting the Company, and there are no unsatisfied judgments, penalties or awards against or affecting the Company or any of its properties or assets.
4.21 Insurance. Schedule 4.21(i) contains a list of all insurance policies maintained by the Company and relating to the assets, business, operations, employees, officers or managers of the Company. The Company has delivered to Buyer copies of all such insurance policies and all pending applications by the Company for any insurance coverage, which copies are true, correct and complete in all material respects. Such insurance policies are in full force and effect and the Company has not received any written notice of any cancellation of such insurance. The Company is in compliance with its obligations pursuant to such policies. The Company currently maintains all insurance coverage required by applicable Laws or any Contract to which the Company is a party. All premiums due under all such insurance policies have been timely paid as of the Closing. No limits under any such policies have been exhausted or significantly diminished. Schedule 4.21(ii) sets forth, by year, for the current policy year and each of the three (3) preceding policy years in respect of each policy for liability, property or casualty: (a) a summary of loss experience under such policy; (b) a statement describing each Claim under each policy for an amount in excess of $10,000; and (c) a statement describing the loss experience for all Claims that were self-insured, including the number and aggregate cost of such Claims. The Company has not failed to give notice or present any Claim for an amount in excess of $10,000, either individually or in the aggregate, under any insurance policy in a due and timely fashion and has not received: (x) any refusal or dispute of coverage or notice that a defense will only be afforded with a reservation of rights; or (y) except for those policies that the Company chooses not to renew, any notice of cancellation or any other indication that any insurance policy is no longer in full force and effect or will not be renewed or that the issuer of any such policy is not willing or able to perform its obligations thereunder. The Company has never had a lapse of insurance coverage. All policies to which the Company is a party or that provide coverage to the Company or any officer or manager of the Company: (i) are “occurrence based” insurance policies and (ii) will continue in full force and effect following the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement through tail policies or otherwise.
4.22 Affiliate Transactions. Other than as specifically described on Schedule 4.22, none of the Contributors, nor any Affiliate, ancestor, sibling, descendant or spouse of any of the Contributors: (a) is or has been within the last three (3) years a party to any Contract or transaction with the Company (other than in such person’s capacity as an employee of the Company); or (b) has or has had within the last three (3) years any direct or indirect financial interest in a competitor, supplier, sales representative, distributor or customer of the Company or any other Person that (i) has or has had business dealings in excess of $10,000 in a calendar year with the Company, or (ii) is or was engaged in competition with the Company.
4.23 Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Contributors or the Company.
4.24 Accuracy of Representations. All of the representations in this Section 3, other than the Company Fundamental Representations, are materially true and correct as of December 29, 2022, unless otherwise specified. The Company Fundamental Representations are true and correct as of the Closing Date.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
Buyer represents and warrants to the Company and the Contributors as follows:
5.1 Organization. Buyer is a limited partnership duly and validly organized and existing in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware and has full limited liability company power and authority to own, operate or lease the properties and assets now owned, operated or leased by it and to carry on its business as it has been and is currently conducted.
5.2 Authorization; Enforceability. The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement by Buyer, and all of the other Transaction Documents to which Buyer is a party, are within the corporate power of Buyer and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action. This Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents to which Buyer is a party constitute, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof and thereof by the parties hereto and thereto other than Buyer, the valid and binding agreements of Buyer, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability hereof or thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and limitations on the availability of equitable remedies (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).
5.3 No Violation or Conflict. The execution, delivery, and performance by Buyer of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Buyer is a party: (a) do not and will not conflict with or violate any Law, the Charter Documents of Buyer, or any Contract to which Buyer is a party or by which Buyer is bound or give rise to a right of termination or acceleration of an obligation thereunder which would, in each case, materially adversely affect the ability of Buyer to timely consummate any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents; and (b) do not require any Consent or other action by or notice to any third parties, including any declarations or filings with any court or Person, the failure of which to be obtained or made would not materially adversely affect the ability of Buyer to timely consummate any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents.
5.4 OP Units. All of the OP Units have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Assuming the accuracy and completeness of the Contributors’ representations in Section 3.6, all of the OP Units were issued in compliance with all applicable Laws. None of the OP Units were issued in violation of any of Buyer’s Charter Documents or in violation of any other agreement, arrangement or commitment to which Buyer or any of its Affiliates is or was a party or is or was subject to or in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any Person. There are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments of any character relating to the equity of Buyer or obligating Buyer or any of its Affiliates to issue or sell any equity of, or any other interest in Buyer. Except for this Agreement, the charter of the REIT and the Buyer LP Agreement, there are no voting trusts, equityholder agreements, proxies or other agreements or understandings in effect with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Class C Units.
5.5 Brokers. No broker, finder or financial advisor or other Person is entitled to any brokerage fees, commissions, finders’ fees or financial advisory fees in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby by reason of any action taken by Buyer or any of its members, managers, officers, employees, representatives or agents.
5.6 No Restrictions on Transfer. There are no restrictions on transfer of the OP Units (or additional Class C Units issued by Buyer hereunder, as applicable) except as referenced in this Agreement, in the Buyer LP Agreement.
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS
6.1 Access to Information. Buyer shall (and shall cause the Company to) hold all the books and records of the Company existing on the Closing Date (“Closing Books and Records”) and not to destroy or dispose of any such books or records for a period of six (6) years from the Closing Date. During that six (6) year period, Buyer shall (and shall cause the Company to), during normal business hours, upon reasonable notice, make available and provide the Contributors Representative and its authorized representatives with access to such Closing Books and Records that they may reasonably require with respect to any reasonable business purpose (including, without limitation, any Tax matter). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, the access and disclosure of information contemplated by this Section 6.1 shall not be permitted to the extent that such access or disclosure is related to any dispute or pending or threatened litigation between any of the Parties (or any of their respective Affiliates).
6.2 Further Assurances. At and after the Closing, the officers and managers of the Company will be authorized to execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of the Company or Buyer, any deeds, bills of sale, assignment or assurances and to take and do, in the name and on behalf of the Company or Buyer, any other actions and things to vest, perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in the Company or Buyer any and all right, title and interest in, to and under any of the rights, properties or assets of the Company acquired or to be acquired by Buyer as a result of, or in connection with, the transactions contemplated hereby.
6.3 Tax Matters.
(a) Tax Returns.
(i) The Contributors Representative shall, at the Contributors’ sole cost and expense, prepare the IRS Form 1065 (and any comparable state and local Tax Returns) of the Company for any Tax period ending on or prior to the Closing Date (and any other Tax Return of the Company for any Tax period ending on or prior to the Closing Date with respect to which the items of Company income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit shown thereon are passed through to the Company’s owners (collectively, the “Partnership Returns”). Each Partnership Return shall be prepared in accordance with existing procedures and practices and accounting methods of the Company, except as required by applicable Law. Each Partnership Return due after the Closing Date that needs to be filed by the Company shall be submitted to Buyer for Buyer’s review at least thirty (30) days prior to the due date of the Tax Return. The Contributors Representative shall incorporate all reasonable written comments of Buyer received by the Contributors Representative at least ten (10) days prior to the due date of such Tax Return. No Partnership Return may be amended after the Closing without the prior written consent of Buyer.
(ii) Buyer shall prepare and file or cause to be prepared and filed all Tax Returns for the Company for any Pre-Closing Tax Period or Straddle Period which are due after the Closing Date and are not Partnership Returns (the “Buyer Prepared Returns”). To the extent that a Buyer Prepared Return relates solely to a Pre-Closing Tax Period, such Tax Return shall be prepared in accordance with existing procedures and practices and accounting methods of the Company, unless otherwise required by Law. Each Buyer Prepared Return that shows an Indemnified Tax shall be submitted to the Contributors Representative for its review and comment within a reasonable time prior to the due date of the Tax Return. Buyer shall incorporate any reasonable comments made by the Contributors Representative in the final Tax Return prior to filing. No failure or delay of Buyer in providing Buyer Prepared Returns for the Contributors Representative to review shall reduce or otherwise affect the obligations or liabilities of the Contributors pursuant to this Agreement, except to the extent the Contributors are actually and materially prejudiced by such failure or delay. The Contributors Representative shall deliver to Buyer, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date on which such Taxes are required to be paid, any Indemnified Taxes shown as due on a Buyer Prepared Return.
(iii) The Contributors, the Contributors Representative and Buyer agree to take all steps such that an election under Section 754 of the Code (and any similar election under state, local and, if applicable, foreign Law) with respect to the Company will be made or will be in effect for the Tax period of the Company that includes the Closing Date.
(b) Straddle Period Allocation. The parties hereto hereby agree that the Tax year of the Company shall end for federal income Tax purposes as of the end of the Closing Date and, to the extent permissible under applicable Law, the Company shall elect to have each of its other Tax years end as of the end of the Closing Date. For purposes of determining the amount of Taxes for any Straddle Period that are attributable to a Pre-Closing Tax Period, the parties hereto agree as follows:
(i) in the case of all property Taxes and other similar Taxes imposed on a periodic basis, the amount attributable to the portion of the Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date equals the amount of such Tax for the entire Tax period multiplied by the number of days in the Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date and divided by the total number of days in the entire Straddle Period;
(ii) in the case of any payroll taxes related to any bonus or severance payments arising from this transaction or any other Taxes imposed on the Company with respect to the payment of any expenses arising from this transaction, such Taxes shall be treated as Taxes of the Company for a Pre-Closing Tax Period (or portion of the Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date) to the extent any such payment was treated as deductible in a Pre-Closing Tax Period (or portion of the Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date); and
(iii) in the case of all other Taxes for a Straddle Period (including income Taxes, employment Taxes and sales and use Taxes), the amount attributable to the portion of the Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date equals the amount that would be payable if the relevant Tax period ended on the Closing Date using a “closing of the books methodology”; provided that all permitted allowances, exemptions and deductions that are normally computed on the basis of an entire year or period (such as amortization and depreciation deductions and the effect of graduated rates) will be allocated between the portion of the taxable period ending on the Closing Date and the remainder of the taxable period based on the mechanics set forth in clause (i) for periodic Taxes;
For the avoidance of doubt, any payroll or other employment Taxes of the Company for any Pre-Closing Tax Period that are deferred pursuant to Section 2302 of the CARES Act shall be treated as attributable to a Pre-Closing Tax Period.
(c) Tax Proceedings. If any Governmental Authority issues to the Company (i) a written notice of its intent to audit or conduct another legal proceeding with respect to Indemnified Taxes or Partnership Returns or (ii) a written notice of deficiency for Indemnified Taxes or with respect to Partnership Returns, Buyer shall notify the Contributors Representative of its receipt of such communication from the Governmental Authority within thirty (30) days of receipt. No failure or delay of Buyer in the performance of the foregoing shall reduce or otherwise affect the obligations or liabilities of Contributors pursuant to this Agreement, except to the extent that the Contributors are actually and materially prejudiced by such failure or delay. The Company shall control any audit or other legal proceeding in respect of any Tax Return or Taxes of the Company (a “Tax Contest”); provided, however, that (A) the Contributors Representative, at the sole cost and expense of the Contributors, shall have the right to participate in any such Tax Contest to the extent it relates to a Pre-Closing Tax Period; and (B) Buyer shall not allow the Company to settle or otherwise resolve any Tax Contest if such settlement or other resolution relates to Taxes for a Pre-Closing Tax Period without the permission of the Contributors Representative (which will not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Contributors Representative shall control the conduct of any Tax Contest relating to a Partnership Return; provided, however, that (1) the Contributors Representative shall keep Buyer and the Company reasonably informed regarding the status of such Tax Contest; (2) the Contributors Representative shall control the Tax Contest diligently and in good faith; (3) Buyer shall have the right to participate in such Tax Contest; (4) the Contributors Representative shall not settle, resolve or abandon the Tax Contest (or any portion thereof) without the prior written consent of Buyer (which will not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned); and (5) the Contributors shall bear all costs and expenses of the Contributors Representative and the Company in controlling such Tax Contest. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company shall make (or cause to be made) a “push out” election under Section 6226 of the Code (and any corresponding election available under applicable state or local law) with respect to any imputed underpayment (within the meaning of Section 6225 of the Code) for any Pre-Closing Tax Period of the Company. The Company shall in all events timely seek (and cause the partnership representative, as that term is used in the Code, to timely seek) reduction of any imputed underpayment for any Pre-Closing Tax Period of the Company to the full extent permitted by Section 6225 of the Code.
(d) Cooperation in Tax Matters. The Contributors, Buyer and the Company shall cooperate fully in connection with the preparation and filing of Tax Returns of the Company and any pending or threatened Tax audit, assessment, litigation or other legal proceeding with respect to Taxes of the Company, and each Party shall provide any information necessary or reasonably requested to allow other Parties to comply with any information reporting or withholding requirements contained in the Code or other applicable laws or to compute the amount of payroll or other employment Taxes due with respect to any payment made in connection with this Agreement. Each Party shall furnish the other Parties with copies of all relevant correspondence received from any taxing authority in connection with any Tax audit or information request with respect to any Taxes for which the other may have an indemnification obligation under this Agreement.
(e) Transfer Taxes. All federal, state, local, non-U.S. transfer, excise, sales, use, ad valorem, value added, registration, stamp, recording, property and similar Taxes or fees applicable to, imposed upon, or arising out of the transfer of the shares in the Company or any other transaction contemplated by this Agreement and all related interest and penalties (collectively, “Transfer Taxes”) shall be borne fifty percent (50%) by Buyer and fifty percent (50%) by the Contributors. The parties hereto shall cooperate in good faith to reduce or eliminate any Transfer Taxes which could apply to the Transactions.
(f) Certain Tax Distributions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, no Contributor shall retain any right to any distribution for Taxes pursuant to the terms of the Company’s operating agreement.
(g) Tax Refunds. Subject to this Section 6.3(g), all refunds of Taxes (other than refunds of Transfer Taxes, which shall be allocated in the same manner as Transfer Taxes are allocated under Section 6.3(e)) of the Company for any Pre-Closing Tax Period (determined, with respect to a Straddle Period, in accordance with the same principles provided in Section 6.3(b)), whether in the form of cash received from the applicable Governmental Authority or a direct credit against Taxes that are not Indemnified Taxes, shall be for the benefit of the Contributors. To the extent that Buyer or the Company receives a refund that is for the benefit of the Contributors, Buyer shall pay to the Contributors Representative for distribution to the Contributors the amount of such refund (without interest other than interest received from the applicable Governmental Authority), net of any reasonable costs incurred by Buyer or its Affiliates in obtaining, receiving or paying over such refunds, including Taxes). The net amount due to the Contributors shall be payable ten (10) days following actual receipt of such Tax refund (or, if the refund is in the form of direct credit, ten (10) days after filing the Tax Return claiming such credit). Nothing in this Section 6.3(g) shall require that Buyer make any payment with respect to any refund for a Tax (and such refunds shall be for the benefit of Buyer and the Company) that is with respect to (A) any refund of Tax that is the result of the carrying back of any Tax attribute or Tax credit incurred in a Tax period (or portion thereof) beginning after the Closing Date, (B) any refund of an Indemnified Tax paid after the Closing Date to the extent the Contributors have not indemnified Buyer or the Company for such Taxes, (C) any refund for Tax that is reflected as a current asset (or offset to a current liability) on the Closing Date Working Capital, as finally determined, or (D) any refund for Tax that gives rise to a payment obligation of the Company to any Person under applicable Law or pursuant to a provision of a contract or other agreement entered into (or assumed) by the Company prior to Closing.
(h) Post-Closing Tax Actions. Unless required by applicable Law, or unless such action would not result in an indemnification obligation of the Contributors under Article VII or otherwise result in additional Taxes to Contributors (or any direct or indirect equity owner of any Contributor), neither the Company nor Buyer (including its Affiliates) will (i) file or amend any Tax Returns of the Company for any Tax period ending on or prior to the Closing Date, (ii) extend or waive, or cause to be extended or waived, any statute of limitations or other period for the assessment of any Tax of the Company for any Tax period ending on or prior to the Closing Date, (iii) make or change any material Tax election or accounting method or practice of the Company with respect to, or that has retroactive effect to, any Tax period ending on or prior to the Closing Date, or (iv) enter into a voluntary disclosure agreement or make any similar voluntary disclosure to a Governmental Authority regarding Taxes of the Company for any Tax period ending on or prior to the Closing Date, in each case without the prior consent of the Contributors’ Representative, not to be unreasonably conditioned, withheld, or delayed.
(i) Transaction Costs. All Transaction Costs shall be allocated to and reported as Tax deductions in the Pre-Closing Tax Period, to the extent permitted by Law (based on a “more likely than not” or higher level of comfort).
6.4 Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation and Confidentiality.
(a) For a period of five (5) years commencing on the Closing Date, each Contributor shall not, and shall not permit any of its Affiliates to, directly or indirectly, (i) engage in or assist others in engaging in the Business in any state in which the Company is qualified or is required to be qualified to do business or any state in which the Company has otherwise taken reasonable steps to engage in the Business, in each case, as of the Closing Date (the “Territory”); (ii) be or become an officer, director, stockholder, investor, beneficiary, promoter, owner, co-owner, Affiliate, partner, joint venturer, member, employee, agent, representative, consultant, advisor, manager of or otherwise render any services to or have an interest in any Person that engages directly or indirectly in the Business in the Territory in any capacity; or (iii) intentionally interfere in any respect with the business relationships (whether formed prior to or after the date of this Agreement) between the Company and any customers or suppliers of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Contributor may (A) own, directly or indirectly, solely as an investment, securities of any Person traded on any national securities exchange if such Contributor is not a controlling Person of, or a member of a group which controls, such Person and does not, directly or indirectly, own two percent (2%) or more of any class of securities of such Person and/or (B) own equity interests in Buyer and/or the REIT or continue to be involved in the management of or be an employee of the Company or its Affiliates.
(b) For a period of five (5) years commencing on the Closing Date, each Contributor shall not, and shall not permit any of its Affiliates to, directly or indirectly, hire or solicit any employee of the Company who was employed by the Company on, or within six (6) months prior to, the date of such hiring or solicitation, or otherwise encourage any such employee to leave such employment, except pursuant to a general solicitation which is not directed specifically to any such employees.
(c) Each Contributor recognizes that by reason of (i) his or her ownership of the Contributed Equity Interests, and (ii) the information provided by Buyer to such Contributor and/or the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, such Contributor has acquired and/or will acquire Confidential Information of the Company and Buyer, the use or disclosure of which could cause Buyer, the Company and/or their respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates substantial loss and damages that could not be readily calculated and for which a remedy at Law may not be adequate. Accordingly, each Contributor covenants and agrees with Buyer that such Contributor will not, at any time, except in performance of such Contributor’s obligations to Buyer, directly or indirectly, disclose or publish, or permit other Persons within Contributor’s control (including such Contributor’s Affiliates) to disclose or publish, any Confidential Information, unless (a) such information becomes generally known to the public not resulting from breach by Contributor of this Section 6.4(d), (b) disclosure is required by Law or the order of any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction under Law, or (c) the disclosing party reasonably believes that such disclosure is required in connection with the defense of a lawsuit against the disclosing party; provided that prior to disclosing any information pursuant to clause (a) or (b) above, to the extent permitted by applicable law, such Person shall give prior written notice thereof to Buyer and provide Buyer with the opportunity to contest such disclosure and shall, but at no expense to Contributor, cooperate with efforts to prevent such disclosure.
(d) Each Contributor acknowledges and agrees that a breach or threatened breach of this Section 6.4 would give rise to irreparable harm to Buyer, for which monetary damages may not be an adequate remedy, and hereby agrees that in the event of a breach or threatened breach by any Contributor of any such obligations, Buyer shall, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies that may be available to it in respect of such breach, be entitled to seek equitable relief, including a temporary restraining order, an injunction, specific performance and any other relief that may be available from a court of competent jurisdiction (without any requirement to post bond).
(e) Each Contributor acknowledges that the restrictions contained in this Section 6.4 are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate interest of Buyer and constitute a material inducement to Buyer to enter into this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In the event that any covenant contained in this Section 6.4 should ever be adjudicated to exceed the temporal, geographic, product or service, or other limitations permitted by applicable Law in any jurisdiction, then any court is expressly empowered to reform such covenant, and such covenant shall be deemed reformed, in such jurisdiction to the maximum time, geographic, product or service, or other limitations permitted by applicable Law. The covenants contained in this Section 6.4 and each provision hereof are severable and distinct covenants and provisions. The invalidity or unenforceability of any such covenant or provision as written shall not invalidate or render unenforceable the remaining covenants or provisions hereof, and any such invalidity or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such covenant or provision in any other jurisdiction.
6.5 Contributors’ Names. Within ten (10) business days following the Closing, each Contributor that is an entity shall change its legal name in its jurisdiction of formation and each jurisdiction where it is qualified as a foreign limited liability company to a name that does not use “VineBrook” or any derivation thereof.
6.6 Credit Support. Following the Closing, Buyer shall use commercially reasonable best efforts to cause Buyer or one of its Affiliates (including the Company from and after the Closing) acceptable to PNC to be substituted in all respects for Contributors or their Affiliates, as applicable, with respect to each of the PNC Guaranties.
ARTICLE VII
INDEMNIFICATION
7.1 Survival. Subject to the limitations and other provisions of this Agreement, the representations and warranties contained herein will survive the Closing and will remain in full force and effect until the nine-month anniversary of the Closing Date (the “General Survival Date”); provided, that the Contributor Fundamental Representations, the Company Fundamental Representations and the Buyer Fundamental Representations will survive until the sixth anniversary of the Closing Date, and the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.10 (Taxes) shall survive for the full period of the applicable statutes of limitations plus sixty (60) days). All covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement that are to be performed in whole prior to the Closing shall survive the Closing Date but shall terminate on the General Survival Date. All covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement that are to be performed in whole or in part after the Closing shall survive the Closing for the period contemplated therein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Claims asserted in accordance with this Article VII prior to the expiration date of the applicable survival period will not thereafter be barred by the expiration of the relevant representation, warranty or covenant and such Claims will survive until finally resolved.
7.2 Indemnification by the Contributors.
Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 7.5 below:
(a) each Contributor shall, severally and not jointly, in accordance with their Allocation Percentage, indemnify and hold Buyer and its current and future Affiliates (including after the Closing, the Company), their successors and permitted assigns, and any of their respective equityholders, agents, employees, representatives, officers, directors and managers (collectively the “Buyer Indemnitees”) harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, expenses, liabilities, obligations, and Claims of any kind (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses) (“Damages”) asserted against and/or suffered by any Buyer Indemnitee to the extent arising out of or in connection with any of the following:
(i) any breach or inaccuracy of any of the representations and warranties made by such Contributor in Article III of this Agreement (other than the Contributor Fundamental Representations made by such Contributor);
(ii) any breach or inaccuracy of any of the Contributor Fundamental Representations made by such Contributor; and
(iii) any breach or failure by such Contributor to comply with, carry out, perform, satisfy, or discharge any of its respective covenants, agreements, undertakings, liabilities, or obligations in or pursuant to this Agreement.
(b) the Contributors shall, severally and not jointly, in accordance with their Allocation Percentage, indemnify and hold the Buyer Indemnitees harmless from and against any and all Damages asserted against and/or suffered by any Buyer Indemnitee to the extent arising out of or in connection with any of the following:
(i) any breach or inaccuracy of any of the representations and warranties made in Article IV (other than the Company Fundamental Representations);
(ii) any breach or inaccuracy of any of the Company Fundamental Representations;
(iii) any breach or failure by the Company to comply with, carry out, perform, satisfy, or discharge any covenants, agreements, undertakings, liabilities, or obligations in or pursuant to this Agreement;
(iv) any Indemnified Taxes;
(v) any Debt not paid at or prior to Closing and not otherwise accounted for in the Adjustment Amount; and
(vi) any Transaction Costs not paid at or prior to Closing.
7.3 Indemnification by Buyer.
Buyer shall indemnify and hold the Contributors their successors and permitted assigns, and any of their respective equityholders, agents, employees, representatives, officers, directors and managers (collectively the “Contributor Indemnitees”) harmless from and against any and all Damages asserted against and/or suffered by the Contributor Indemnitees, to the extent arising out of or in connection with any of the following:
(a) any breach or inaccuracy of any of the representations and warranties made by Buyer in Article V (other than the Buyer Fundamental Representations) or contained in any certificate or instrument delivered by or on behalf of Buyer;
(b) any breach or inaccuracy of any of the Buyer Fundamental Representations;
(c) any breach or failure by Buyer to comply with, carry out, perform, satisfy, or discharge any of its covenants, agreements, undertakings, liabilities, or obligations in or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Documents; and
(d) any liability under the PNC Guaranties to the extent such liability arises from or relates to any incident, occurrence, condition, claim or conduct existing, arising or accruing on or after the Closing Date.
7.4 Indemnification Procedures.
The party making a Claim under this Article VII is referred to as the “Indemnified Party”, and the party against whom such Claims are asserted under this Article VII is referred to as the “Indemnifying Party”.
(a) Third Party Claims
If any Indemnified Party receives notice of the assertion or commencement of any Claim made or brought by any Person who is not a party to this Agreement or an Affiliate of a party to this Agreement (a “Third Party Claim”) against such Indemnified Party with respect to which the Indemnifying Party is obligated to provide indemnification under this Agreement, the Indemnified Party will give the Indemnifying Party (and the Contributors Representatives on behalf of the Contributors, if applicable) prompt written notice thereof, but in any event not later than thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice of such Third Party Claim. The failure to give such prompt written notice will not, however, relieve the Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations, except and only to the extent that the Indemnifying Party can prove that it was materially prejudiced as a direct result of such failure. Such notice by the Indemnified Party (a “Claim Notice”) will describe the Third-Party Claim in reasonable detail to the extent then feasible and will indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of the Damages that have been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Party. The Indemnifying Party will have the right to participate in, or after giving written notice within ten (10) days after receipt of the Claims Notice to the Indemnified Party acknowledging in writing its obligation to indemnify the Indemnified Party against all Damages that may result from such Third Party Claim, to assume the defense of any Third Party Claim at the Indemnifying Party’s expense and by the Indemnifying Party’s own counsel, and the Indemnified Party will cooperate in good faith in such defense; provided, that if the Indemnifying Party is one or more of the Contributors, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to defend or direct the defense of any such Third Party Claim (i) that seeks an injunction or other equitable relief against the Indemnified Party, (ii) to the extent such claim involves criminal allegations against the Indemnified Party, (iii) if such claim would impose liability on the part of the Indemnified Party in excess of the liability that would be imposed on the Indemnifying Party, or (iv) if such claim gives right to one or more legal or equitable defenses available to the Indemnified Party and in the reasonable opinion of outside counsel for the Indemnified Party counsel for the Indemnifying Party could not adequately represent the Indemnified Party’s interest and assert such defenses because they conflict with the interests of the Indemnifying Party. In the event that the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of any Third-Party Claim, subject to Section 7.4(b), it will have the right to take such action as it deems necessary to avoid, dispute, defend, appeal or make counterclaims pertaining to any such Third-Party Claim in the name and on behalf of the Indemnified Party. The Indemnified Party will have the right to participate in the defense of any Third-Party Claim with counsel selected by it, subject to the Indemnifying Party’s right to control the defense thereof, and the fees and disbursements of such counsel will be at the expense of the Indemnified Party. If the Indemnifying Party elects not to compromise or defend such Third-Party Claim, fails to notify the Indemnified Party in writing of its election to defend as provided in this Agreement, or fails to diligently prosecute the defense of such Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party may, subject to Section 7.4(b), pay, compromise, defend such Third Party Claim and seek indemnification for any and all Damages based upon, arising from or relating to such Third Party Claim. The Contributors and Buyer will cooperate with each other in all reasonable respects in connection with the defense of any Third-Party Claim, including making available records relating to such Third-Party Claim and furnishing, without expense (other than reimbursement of actual out-of-pocket expenses) to the defending party, management employees of the non-defending party as may be reasonably necessary for the preparation of the defense of such Third-Party Claim.
(b) Settlement of Third-Party Claims. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Indemnifying Party will not enter into settlement of any Third-Party Claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), except as provided in this Section 7.4(b). If a firm offer is made to settle a Third Party Claim without leading to liability or the creation of a financial or other obligation on the part of the Indemnified Party and provides, in customary form, for the unconditional release of each Indemnified Party from all liabilities and obligations in connection with such Third Party Claim and the Indemnifying Party desires to accept and agree to such offer, the Indemnifying Party will give written notice to that effect to the Indemnified Party. If the Indemnified Party fails to consent to such firm offer within ten (10) days after its receipt of such notice, the Indemnified Party may continue to contest or defend such Third-Party Claim and, in such event, the maximum liability of the Indemnifying Party as to such Third-Party Claim will not exceed the amount of such settlement offer. If the Indemnified Party fails to consent to such firm offer and also fails to assume defense of such Third-Party Claim in writing within two (2) days after the expiration of the ten (10) day period, the Indemnifying Party may settle the Third-Party Claim upon the terms set forth in such firm offer to settle such Third-Party Claim. If the Indemnified Party has assumed the defense of any Third Party Claim pursuant to Section 7.4(a), it will not agree to any settlement without the written consent of the Indemnifying Party (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
(c) Direct Claims. Any Claim by an Indemnified Party on account of Damages which do not result from a Third Party Claim (a “Direct Claim”) will be asserted by the Indemnified Party giving the Indemnifying Party (and the Contributors Representatives on behalf of the Contributors, if applicable) prompt written notice thereof within the applicable survival period specified in Section 7.1. Such notice by the Indemnified Party will describe the Direct Claim in reasonable detail to the extent then feasible and will indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of the Damages that have been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Party.
(d) To the extent that there is an inconsistency between this Section 7.4 and Article VI as it relates to a Tax matter, the provisions of Article VI shall govern.
7.5 Limits on Indemnification.
Except for Claims based on Fraud, the following provisions shall apply to limit the Buyer Indemnitees’ ability to recover for Damages:
(a) No Contributor shall have any obligation to indemnify the Buyer Indemnitees with respect to any Damages pursuant to Section 7.2(a)(i) and Section 7.2(b)(i) until the Buyer Indemnitees have first suffered aggregate Damages in excess of $200,000 (the “Deductible”), at which time Contributors will be obligated to indemnify the Buyer Indemnitees with respect to the aggregate amount of all Damages described in Section 7.2(a)(i) and Section 7.2(b)(i) in excess of the Deductible, in each case subject to the limitations set forth in this Article VII.
(b) The aggregate liability of the Contributors to indemnify the Buyer Indemnitees under Section 7.2(a)(i) and Section 7.2(b)(i) shall not exceed $2,000,000.
(c) The aggregate liability of the Contributors to indemnify the Buyer Indemnitees under Section 7.2(a)(ii)-(iii) and Section 7.2(b)(ii)-(vi) shall not exceed such Contributor’s proceeds actually received (i.e., such Contributor’s allocable portion of the Closing Consideration Amount, subject to adjustment for any Adjustment Amount) hereunder.
(d) In the event that a Claim may be asserted under more than one provision of Section 7.2, then the Buyer Indemnitee shall be entitled to select the provision of Section 7.2 under which to assert such Claim.
7.6 Right to Setoff.
Subject to Section 7.9 hereof, the Contributors hereby agree that with respect to any right to indemnification under this Article VII or any other post-Closing obligations of the Contributors under this Agreement or any other Transaction Documents to the extent not timely paid in full by the Contributors or the Contributors Representative, and not subject to dispute between the Parties as to amounts owed hereunder, Buyer is hereby authorized, at its option with respect to such unpaid amount owed, to (i) set-off or cancellation against any post-Closing distributions payable by Buyer (or its Affiliates) to any Contributor that owns OP Units (or equity securities exchanged for such OP Units) (or their respective Affiliates) relative to such OP Units (or equity securities exchanged for such OP Units) and/or (ii) cancellation or forfeiture of the OP Units (or equity securities exchanged for such OP Units) held by a Contributor that owns OP Units (or its respective Affiliates), utilizing the then fair market value of such OP Units (or equity securities exchanged for such OP Units), taking into account the reduction in fair market value as a result or consequence of the Damages or the facts, circumstances or events related thereto.
7.7 Tax Treatment of Indemnification Payments.
All indemnification payments made under this Agreement will be treated by the Parties as an adjustment to the aggregate consideration for the Contributed Equity Interests for Tax purposes, unless otherwise required by Law.
7.8 Materiality Qualifiers.
For the purpose of determining whether a breach or inaccuracy of any representation or warranty has occurred and for the purpose of determining the amount of Damages under this Article VII, the representations and warranties contained in Article III and Article IV shall not be deemed qualified by any references to “material”, “materiality”, “in all material respects”, “Material Adverse Effect”, or any similar term or phrase (but, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding the term “Material Contract”), in each case to the extent such qualifiers appear in such representations and warranties, and all of which terms or phrases shall be disregarded for such purposes.
7.9 Setoff Priority. Notwithstanding anything else in this Article VII, any indemnification obligation of the Contributors pursuant to this Article VII shall be satisfied as follows: (a) first, as a set-off against the OP Units, and (b) second, paid directly by the Contributors, severally and not jointly, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, subject to the limitations and procedures herein.
7.10 Exclusive Remedy. Following the Closing, except for claims based on Fraud, the sole and exclusive remedy for the breach of any representation or warranty of this Agreement shall be the indemnification provisions set forth in this Article VII; provided, however, that nothing herein will limit or otherwise affect any Party’s rights to specific performance, injunctive or other equitable relief to enforce its rights under this Agreement or otherwise in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
8.1 Amendment and Waiver. This Agreement may only be amended if such amendment is set forth in a writing executed by Buyer and the Contributors Representative (on behalf of the Company and the Contributors). Except as otherwise set forth herein, no waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be binding unless such waiver is in writing and signed by the Party against whom such waiver is to be enforced. No failure by any Party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy with respect to a breach thereof shall constitute a waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.
8.2 Notices. All notices, demands and other communications given or delivered under this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been given when personally delivered or sent by electronic means of transmitting written documents, or sent to the Parties at the respective addresses indicated herein by private overnight mail courier service. Notices, demands and communications sent by electronic means must also be sent by regular U.S. mail or by private overnight mail courier service to the Parties in order for such notice to be effective. Notices, demands and communications to the Company, Buyer, the Contributors or the Contributors Representative must, unless another address is specified in writing, be sent to the address indicated below:
If to the Contributors or the Contributors Representative:
c/o VineBrook Homes, LLC
561 Virginia Road
Concord, Massachusetts 01742
Attn: Messrs. Sprong and McGarry
Email: dana.sprong@VineBrookhomes.com
ryan.mcgarry@VineBrookhomes.com
with a copy (which copy shall not constitute notice to the foregoing) to:
King & Spalding LLP
1180 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Attention: Spencer Johnson; Daniel Fowler
E-mail: csjohnson@kslaw.com; DFowler@kslaw.com
If to Buyer or the Company after the Closing Date:
c/o NexPoint Advisors, L.P.
300 Crescent Court, Suite 700
Dallas, Texas 75201
Attention: Brian Mitts
Email: BMitts@nexpointsecurities.com
with a copy (which copy shall not constitute notice to Buyer) to:
Winston & Strawn LLP
2121 N. Pearl Street, Suite 900
Dallas, Texas 75201
Attention: Charles T. Haag; Justin Reinus
E-mail: chaag@winston.com; jreinus@winston.com
Any of the above addresses may be changed at any time by notice given as provided above; provided, however, that any such notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
8.3 Binding Agreement; Assignment. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the Parties hereto, whether by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of all other Parties hereto. Any attempted assignment of this Agreement in violation of this Section 8.3 will be void.
8.4 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under Law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under Law, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.
8.5 Other Definitional Provisions. The terms “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and terms of similar import will refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. Article, Section, clause, subsection, subclauses, Exhibit and Schedule references contained in this Agreement are references to Articles, Sections, clauses, subsections, subclauses, Exhibits and Schedules in or attached to this Agreement, unless otherwise specified. Each defined term used in this Agreement has a comparable meaning when used in its plural or singular form. Each gender specific term used in this Agreement has a comparable meaning whether used in a masculine, feminine or gender-neutral form. Whenever the terms “include” or “including” are used in this Agreement (whether or not such terms are followed by the phrase “but not limited to” or “without limitation” or words of similar effect) in connection with a listing of items within a particular classification, that listing will be interpreted to be illustrative only and will not be interpreted as a limitation on, or an exclusive listing of, the items within that classification. Each reference in this Agreement to any Laws will be deemed to include such Laws as it hereafter may be amended, supplemented or modified from time to time and any successor thereto, unless such treatment would be contrary to the express terms of this Agreement. Any term used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning given to such term in Exhibit A, which Exhibit A is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Whenever any amount is stated in this Agreement in “Dollars” or by reference to the “$” symbol, such amount shall be United States dollars (unless a contrary intention appears) and will, when the context allows, include equivalent amounts in other currencies. The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends and such phrase shall not mean “if.”
8.6 Captions. The captions used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement and will not be deemed to limit, characterize or in any way affect any provision of this Agreement, and all provisions of this Agreement will be enforced and construed as if no caption had been used in this Agreement.
8.7 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Exhibits and the Schedules) and the other Transaction Documents contain the entire agreement between the Parties and supersede any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or between the Parties, whether written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.
8.8 Counterparts and Facsimile Signatures. This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile transmission or .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to electronic mail (any such delivery, an “Electronic Delivery”)) in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Parties, it being understood that all Parties need not sign the same counterpart. No Party hereto shall raise the use of Electronic Delivery to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of Electronic Delivery as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each Party forever waives any such defense, except to the extent such defense relates to lack of authenticity.
8.9 Public Disclosure. Except for a press release approved by the Contributors Representative and Buyer at, prior to or after the Closing, and expect as required by applicable Law or the rules of any applicable securities exchange, none of the Parties shall make any disclosure or permit any of their respective Affiliates to make any public disclosure (whether or not in response to an inquiry) of the subject matter of this Agreement unless previously approved by Buyer and the Contributors Representative in writing.
8.10 Waiver of Jury Trial. TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAWS, EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT ASSERT (WHETHER AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT OR OTHERWISE), ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY FORUM IN RESPECT OF ANY ISSUE, CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING IN WHOLE OR IN PART UNDER, RELATED TO, BASED ON, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF, WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING AND WHETHER SOUNDING IN TORT OR CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE. ANY PARTY HERETO MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION 8.10 WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF EACH SUCH PARTY TO THE WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.
8.11 Jurisdiction. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE THAT ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING SEEKING TO ENFORCE ANY PROVISION OF, OR BASED ON ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY SHALL BE BROUGHT IN THE STATE OR FEDERAL COURTS SITUATED IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY CONSENTS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS (AND OF THE APPROPRIATE APPELLATE COURTS THEREFROM) IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF THE VENUE OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY OF THOSE COURTS OR THAT ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING WHICH IS BROUGHT IN ANY OF THOSE COURTS HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. PROCESS IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE SERVED ON ANY PARTY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHETHER WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE JURISDICTION OF ANY OF THE NAMED COURTS. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, EACH PARTY AGREES THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS ON IT BY NOTICE AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 8.2 SHALL BE DEEMED EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS.
8.12 Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT, AND ALL ACTIONS, CAUSES OF ACTION, QUESTIONS OR CLAIMS OF ANY KIND (WHETHER AT LAW, IN EQUITY, IN CONTRACT, IN TORT OR OTHERWISE) THAT MAY BE BASED UPON, ARISE OUT OF OR RELATE TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE NEGOTIATION, VALIDITY, EXECUTION, ENFORCEMENT OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
8.13 Attorneys’ Fees. In any action or proceeding instituted by a Party arising in whole or in part under, related to, based on, or in connection with, this Agreement or the subject matter hereof, the prevailing Party shall be entitled to receive from the losing Party reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith, including any appeals therefrom.
8.14 Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each Party hereto and its successors and permitted assigns. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to confer upon any other Person any rights or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement except as expressly set forth herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, from and after the Closing, Article VII is made for the benefit of the Buyer Indemnitees. All of the Persons identified in the immediately preceding sentence shall be entitled to enforce such provisions and to avail themselves of the benefits of any remedy for any breach of such provisions, all to the same extent as if such Persons were signatories to this Agreement.
8.15 Rules of Construction.
(a) Any rule of Law or any legal decision that would require interpretation of any ambiguities in this Agreement against any Party that drafted it is of no application and is hereby expressly waived.
(b) The inclusion of any information on the Disclosure Schedules shall not be deemed an admission or acknowledgment, in and of itself and solely by virtue of the inclusion of such information in the Disclosure Schedules, that such information is required to be listed in the Disclosure Schedules or that such items are material to the Company. The headings, if any, of the individual sections of the Disclosure Schedules are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part thereof or a part of this Agreement. The Disclosure Schedules are arranged in sections corresponding to those contained in Article IV merely for convenience, and the disclosure of an item in one section of the Disclosure Schedule as an exception to a particular representation or warranty shall be deemed adequately disclosed as an exception with respect to all other representations or warranties to the extent that the relevance of such item to such representations or warranties is reasonably apparent on the face of such item, notwithstanding the presence or absence of an appropriate section of the Disclosure Schedules with respect to such other representations or warranties or the presence or absence of a reference thereto in either the Disclosure Schedules or in the particular representation or warranty.
(c) The specification of any dollar amount in the representations and warranties or otherwise in this Agreement or in the Disclosure Schedules is not intended and shall not be deemed to be an admission or acknowledgment of the materiality of such amounts or items, nor shall the same be used in any dispute or controversy between the Parties to determine whether any obligation, item or matter (whether or not described herein or included in any schedule) is or is not material for purposes of this Agreement (other than with respect to any representation, warranty or provision of this Agreement in which such specification occurs).
8.16 Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Company, Buyer and the Contributors shall each pay all of their own fees, costs and expenses (including fees, costs and expenses of legal counsel, investment bankers, advisors, accountants, brokers or other representatives and consultants and appraisal fees, costs and expenses) incurred by such Person in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, the performance of their respective obligations hereunder and thereunder, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
8.17 Release and Covenant Not to Sue.
(a) Effective as of the Closing, each Contributor hereby fully and unconditionally releases, acquits and forever discharges the Company, Buyer and each of their Affiliates, and their respective past and present directors, managers, officers, equityholders, partners, stockholders, controlling persons, predecessors, employees, agents, successors and assigns (individually, a “releasee” and collectively, the “releasees”), in their capacity as such, from any and all Claims, hearings, Orders, liabilities, obligations, damages, costs, expenses, compensation or other relief whatsoever (“Released Claims”), whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, contingent or otherwise, whether in Law or equity, of any kind, character or nature, which such Contributor now has or has ever had against the respective releasees, however arising and that relate in any way to such Contributor’s ownership of any equity interests issued by the Company. The scope of this release and discharge shall include, without limitation, all Released Claims (i) relating to a breach of any fiduciary duty owed by the releasees to such Contributor and arising from any such equity interest or (ii) relating to any breach of the Company’s Charter Documents, as such may be amended; provided, that the foregoing release and discharge shall not release (x) the Company, Buyer or any other releasee of their respective obligations or liabilities, if any, to such Contributor pursuant to this Agreement, (y) the Company of any indemnification obligations of the Company, as applicable, to such Contributor who is a current or former officer, manager, or employee of the Company, or (z) any obligations for employee benefits under any Benefit Plans of the Company disclosed to Buyer prior to the date of this Agreement. Each such Contributor understands and agrees that it is expressly waiving all claims against the releasees covered by this Agreement, including, but not limited to, those Released Claims that it may not know of or suspect to exist which, if known, may have materially affected the decision to provide this Agreement, and such Contributor expressly waives any rights under applicable Law that provide to the contrary. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, nothing in this Section 8.17(a) shall be read to limit any Contributor’s right to bring claims pursuant to this Agreement to enforce such Contributor’s rights thereunder.
(b) Each Contributor hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably covenants and agrees with and in favor of each releasee that it will not sue (at Law, in equity, in any regulatory proceeding or otherwise) any releasee on the basis of any Released Claim released, acquitted and discharged by such Contributor pursuant to Section 8.17(a). If any such Contributor violates the foregoing covenant, such Contributor agrees to pay, in addition to such other damages as any releasee may sustain as a result of such violation, all attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by any releasee as a result of such violation.
8.18 No Circular Recovery. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Contributors hereby agree that the Contributors shall not make any claim for indemnification against Buyer or the Company by reason of the fact that a Contributor was a controlling person, officer or manager, of the Company or was serving as such for another Person at the request of the Company (whether such claim is for Damages of any kind or otherwise and whether such claim is pursuant to any Law, organizational or governance document, contract or otherwise) with respect to any claim brought by a Buyer Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise relating to this Agreement, any other Transaction Document or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. With respect to any claim brought by a Buyer Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise relating to this Agreement, any other Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, the Contributors expressly waive any right of subrogation, contribution, advancement, indemnification or other claim against the Company with respect to any amounts owed by the Contributors hereunder.
8.19 Contributors Representative. In order to administer efficiently the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Transaction Documents, each Contributor hereby designates and appoints the Contributors Representative as its representative. Each Contributor hereby irrevocably grants the Contributors Representative full power and authority to act as agent and attorney-in-fact for such Contributor, with full power of substitution to do any and all things and execute any and all documents which may be necessary, convenient or appropriate to facilitate the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including without limitation: (a) to execute and deliver the Transaction Documents on behalf of such Contributor, (b) to give or agree to, on behalf of such Contributor, any and all consents, waivers, amendments or modifications deemed by the Contributors Representative, in its discretion, to be necessary or appropriate under this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents and the execution or delivery of any documents that may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, (c) to defend and/or settle any disputes with Buyer following the Closing and negotiate and compromise the same; provided, however, for the avoidance of doubt, each Contributor shall be responsible for their respective portion of any Damages due in connection with the settlement of such dispute, (d) to agree to the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Statement, (e) to engage attorneys, accountants, agents or consultants on behalf of such Contributor in connection with this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents and pay any fees related thereto, (f) prepare, execute and file the Partnership Returns, and otherwise take any actions relating to Tax matters as contemplated by Section 6.3, and (g) to take any and all additional action necessary or appropriate in the good faith judgment of the Contributors Representative for the accomplishment of the foregoing or as is contemplated to be taken by or on behalf of any Contributor, by the terms of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents. All decisions and actions by the Contributors Representative shall be conclusive and binding upon the Contributors, and no Contributor shall have the right to object, dissent, protest or otherwise contest the same. By execution of this Agreement, each such Contributor agrees that Buyer shall be able to rely exclusively and conclusively on the instructions and decisions of the Contributors Representative. The Contributors Representative may act on the opinion or advice of, or information obtained from, any attorney, banker, broker, accountant or other expert and shall not be responsible for any loss occasioned by so acting. The Contributors Representative shall not solely by reason of this agency arrangement have any fiduciary relationship in respect of any Contributor. In performing the functions specified in this Section 8.19, the Contributors Representative shall not be liable to any Contributor, Buyer or the Company in the absence of Fraud or willful misconduct on the part of the Contributors Representative, and each Contributor shall, and hereby does, indemnify and hold the Contributors Representative harmless from any losses arising out of it serving as agent hereunder in the absence of Fraud or willful misconduct on the part of the Contributors Representative. The provisions of this Section 8.19 shall be binding upon the executors, heirs, legal representatives, personal representatives, successor trustees and successors of each Contributor, and any references in this Agreement to such Persons shall mean and include the successors to each Person’s rights hereunder. All fees and expenses of the Contributors Representative in performing its duties pursuant to this Section 8.19 shall not be the personal obligation of the Contributors Representative but shall be payable at the Contributors Representative’s election: (i) as a Transaction Cost if incurred and ascertainable prior to the Closing, (ii) out of distributions to the Contributors pursuant to this Agreement or (iii) by the Contributors. The Contributors Representative may from time to time submit invoices to the Contributors covering such expenses and, upon request of any Contributor, shall provide such Contributor with an accounting of all expenses paid.
[Signature Pages Follow]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
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COMPANY: |
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VINEBROOK HOMES, LLC | ||
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By: | /s/ Ryan McGarry |
Name: | Ryan McGarry | |
Title: | Manager |
[Signature Page to Contribution Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
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CONTRIBUTORS: |
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VINEBROOK MANAGEMENT, LLC, a Delaware | ||||
limited liability company | ||||
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By: |
/s/ Ryan McGarry |
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Name: |
Ryan McGarry |
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Manager |
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VINEBROOK DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, a |
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Delaware corporation | ||||
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By: |
/s/ Dana W. Sprong |
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Name: |
Dana W. Sprong |
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President |
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VINEBROOK HOMES PROPERTY |
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MANAGEMENT COMPANY, INC., an Ohio | ||||
corporation | ||||
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By: |
/s/ Dana W. Sprong |
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Name: |
Dana W. Sprong |
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President |
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VINEBROOK HOMES REALTY COMPANY, INC., |
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an Ohio corporation | ||||
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By: |
/s/ Dana W. Sprong |
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Dana W. Sprong |
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President |
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VINEBROOK HOMES SERVICES COMPANY, |
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INC., an Ohio corporation | ||||
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President |
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[Signature Page to Contribution Agreement]
/s/ Ryan McGarry | |||
Ryan McGarry | |||
/s/ Daniel H. Bathon, Jr. | |||
Daniel H. Bathon, Jr. | |||
/s/ Dana W. Sprong | |||
Dana W. Sprong | |||
/s/ Thomas J. Silvia | |||
Thomas J. Silvia |
[Signature Page to Contribution Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
CONTRIBUTORS REPRESENTATIVE: | |||
/s/ Dana W. Sprong | |||
Dana W. Sprong |
[Signature Page to Contribution Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
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VINEBROOK HOMES OPERATING | ||||
PARTNERSHIP, L.P., a Delaware limited | ||||
partnership | ||||
By: | /s/ Brian Mitts | |||
Name: | Brian Mitts | |||
Title: | Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to Contribution Agreement]
EXHIBIT A
DEFINED TERMS
As used in the Agreement to which this Exhibit A is attached and incorporated by reference therein, the following terms will have the meanings specified:
“Accounting Arbitrator” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.6(c).
“Adjustment Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.7(a).
“Affiliate” of a Person means a Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the first mentioned Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, purposes of this Agreement, the REIT and its direct and indirect subsidiaries shall not be considered Affiliates of the Company.
“Allocation Percentage” means the allocation percentage set next to each Contributor’s name on the Allocation Schedule.
“Allocation Schedule” means the calculation of how the Closing Consideration Amount is to be allocated, directly or indirectly, between each Contributor, as set forth on Schedule A; provided, that, Buyer and Buyer’s Affiliates (including the Company from and after the Closing) shall be entitled to rely fully upon the Allocation Schedule for all purposes.
“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Introduction.
“ASC” means the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification.
“Base Purchase Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(a).
“Benefit Plan” means any written or unwritten pension plan, profit sharing plan, bonus plan, incentive compensation plan, deferred compensation plan, equity ownership plan, equity purchase plan, equity option plan, equity appreciation plan, retirement plan, retention plan, fringe benefit program, change-in-control plan, health, dental, life or disability plan, accident insurance plan, severance plan, sick leave plan, vacation plan, death benefit plan, supplemental unemployment plan, layoff or salary continuation plan, employee welfare plan or any other plan, program or policy, including without limitation any “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, to provide income or benefits to active or former employees, managers, individual service providers or individual equityholders of any of the Company or any of their dependents.
“Business” means the business of buying, selling, owning and operating single-family rental assets, including, but not limited to, identifying and acquiring potential acquisition targets, managing the day-to-day affairs of the properties, renovating the homes, leasing the properties, managing tenant affairs, collecting rents, paying operating expenses, managing maintenance issues, accounting for each property using GAAP, and other responsibilities customary for the management of rental properties, and any other lines of business that the REIT, Buyer, their subsidiaries or the Company are participating in, or have taken substantive steps towards participating in, as of the Closing Date.
“Business Day” means any day other than: (a) a Saturday, Sunday or federal holiday or (b) a day on which commercial banks in Dallas, Texas are authorized or required to be closed.
“Buyer” has the meaning set forth in the Introduction.
“Buyer LP Agreement” means the Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Parent Buyer, as amended or restated from time to time.
“Buyer Fundamental Representations” the representations and warranties in Section 5.1 (Organization), Section 5.2 (Authorization; Enforceability) and Section 5.4 (Brokers).
“Buyer Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(a).
“Buyer Prepared Returns” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3(a)(ii).
“Call Right” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“CARES Act” means the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (Pub. L. 116-36) and applicable rules, regulations and guidance thereunder, in each case as amended from time to time.
“CERCLA” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42 U.S.C.A. § 9601, et seq., and the rules, regulations and orders promulgated thereunder.
“Charter Documents” means (a) in the case of a Person that is a corporation, its articles or certificate of incorporation and its by-laws, regulations or similar governing instruments required by the Laws of its jurisdiction of formation or organization; (b) in the case of a Person that is a partnership, its articles or certificate of partnership, formation or association, and its partnership agreement (in each case, limited, limited liability, general or otherwise); (c) in the case of a Person that is a limited liability company, its articles or certificate of formation or organization, and its limited liability company agreement or operating agreement; and (d) in the case of a Person that is none of a corporation, partnership (limited, limited liability, general or otherwise), limited liability company or natural person, its governing instruments as required or contemplated by the Laws of its jurisdiction of organization.
“Claim” means any, action, cause of action, lawsuit, arbitration, inquiry, audit, notice of violation, proceeding, litigation, citation, summons, subpoena or investigation of any nature, civil, criminal, administrative, regulatory or otherwise, whether at Law or in equity.
“Claim Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4(a).
“Class C Units” means Class C Common Units of Buyer.
“Closing” means the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.
“Closing Books and Records” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.
“Closing Consideration Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(b).
“Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
“Closing Date Cash” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(c).
“Closing Date Debt” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(d).
“Closing Date Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3.
“Closing Date Working Capital” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(e).
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Company” has the meaning set forth in the Introduction.
“Company Cash” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(f).
“Company Fundamental Representations” means the representations and warranties in Section 4.1 (Organizational Matters), Section 4.2 (Authorization of Transactions), Section 4.3 (Capitalization) and Section 4.23 (Brokers).
“Company Proprietary Rights” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.14(a).
“Compensation Arrangements” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a)(ii).
“Consent” means any consent, Order, approval, authorization or other action of, or any filing with or notice to or other action.
“Contracts” means those contracts, purchase orders, leases, agreements and commitments, whether oral or written, to which a Person is a party or by which such Person or any of its respective assets or properties are bound.
“Confidential Information” means the terms of this Agreement, any non-public financial information relating to the Company, expansion plans for the Business, or the terms of contracts with vendors and suppliers of the Business. “Confidential Information” does not include any data or information that (i) has been voluntarily disclosed to the public (except where such public disclosure has been made by the recipient without Buyer’s written authorization), (ii) was or becomes available to the recipient from a source other than the Company or Buyer, provided that such source is not known by the recipient, after reasonable inquiry, to be in breach of a confidentiality agreement or other contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality with respect to such information, or (iii) that has been independently developed and disclosed by the recipient or others, or that otherwise enters the public domain through lawful means.
“Contributed Equity Interests” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Contributor Fundamental Representations” means the representations and warranties in Section 3.1 (Capacity), Section 3.2 (Authorization of Transactions), Section 3.4 (Ownership of the Contributed Equity Interests), and Section 3.7 (Liability for Brokers’ Fees).
“Contributors Representative” has the meaning set forth in the Introduction.
“Contributor” and “Contributors” have the meanings set forth in the Introduction.
“Corporate Records” means Charter Documents, all accounting records and all equity record books owned or used by the Company.
“COVID-19 Legislation” means the CARES Act, the Families First Act and any other U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. law relating to COVID-19, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any administrative guidance or action implementing or interpreting any COVID-19 Legislation.
“Damages” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(a).
“Debt” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(g).
“Deductible” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.5(a).
“Disclosure Schedules” means the Disclosure Schedules delivered by the Contributors and the Company to Buyer concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
“Direct Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4(c).
“Disputed Amounts” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.6(b).
“Effective Time” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
“Electronic Delivery” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.8.
“Enterprise Guaranty” means the guaranty entered into by Buyer in support of the Master Equity Lease Agreement dated October 19, 2021, by and between Enterprise FM Trust, a Delaware statutory trust, as lessor, and the Company, as lessee.
“Environmental Claim” means any and all administrative, regulatory, judicial, or third party actions, suits, demands, demand letters, directives, Claims, Liens, investigations, administrative or judicial proceedings or notices of noncompliance or violation (written or oral) by any Person alleging damage to property, personal or bodily injury, or damage, injury or other adverse effect on the environment, or potential liability (including potential liability for enforcement, investigatory costs, cleanup costs, governmental response costs, removal costs, remedial costs, injunctive relief, natural resources damages, property damages, personal injuries, contribution, penalties, fines or forfeitures), arising out of, based on or resulting from: (i) the presence, Environmental Release or threatened Environmental Release of any Hazardous Materials from or at any location, whether or not owned by the Company; or (ii) the transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of Hazardous Materials in connection with the operation of the business of the Company; or (iii) circumstances forming the basis of any violation or alleged violation of any Environmental Laws.
“Environmental Laws” means all Laws relating to the protection of human health the environment (including ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface strata), including Laws relating to Environmental Releases or threatened Environmental Releases of Hazardous Materials, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials, including: (i) the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C.A. § 6901, et seq., and the rules, regulations and orders promulgated thereunder; (ii) CERCLA; (iii) the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251, et seq., and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; (iv) the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq., and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; (v) the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. § 2601, et seq., and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; (vi) the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. § 5101, et seq., and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; (vii) the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. § 651 et seq., and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (viii) any other applicable U.S. federal, state, local or other Laws relating to pollution, human health, worker safety, or the environment.
“Environmental Permits” means any permit, license, authorization, registration, certification, or formal exemption required pursuant to Environmental Law.
“Environmental Release” means any actual or threatened release, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, abandonment, disposing or allowing of Hazardous Materials to escape or migrate into or through the environment (including, without limitation ambient air (indoor or outdoor), surface water, groundwater, land, surface, or subsurface strata.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
“ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, together with such first Person, would be treated as a single employer within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.
“Estimated Closing Cash Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(c).
“Estimated Closing Date Working Capital” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(a).
“Estimated Closing Debt Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(c).
“Estimated Transaction Costs” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(b).
“Estimated Working Capital Deficit” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(a).
“Estimated Working Capital Excess” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(a).
“Families First Act” means the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) and applicable rules, regulations and guidance thereunder, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Final Purchase Price Adjustment Statement” means, the Purchase Price Adjustment Statement as made final in accordance with Section 1.6.
“Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(a).
“Fixed Assets” means the equipment, furniture, fixtures, leasehold improvements, and all other tangible property owned by the Company.
“GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect on the date hereof.
“General Partner” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“General Survival Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.
“Governmental Authority” means (a) any government, agency, governmental department, commission, board, bureau, court, arbitration panel or instrumentality of the United States of America, any state or other political subdivision thereof (whether now or hereafter constituted and/or existing) or any foreign nation, any state or other political subdivision thereof (whether now or hereafter constituted and/or existing); or (b) any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.
“Hazardous Materials” means any material, substance, chemical, waste, hazardous waste, pollutant, contaminant, or hazardous or toxic substance as to which liabilities, restrictions or standards of conduct are imposed pursuant to any Environmental Laws, including asbestos, formaldehyde, polychlorinated biphenyls, radioactive materials, waste oil and other petroleum products.
“Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.
“Indemnified Taxes” means, without duplication, (a) all Taxes of any Contributor; (b) all Taxes of the Company for any Pre-Closing Tax Period (determined in the case of any Straddle Period pursuant to Section 6.3(b)); (c) all Taxes resulting from (i) a breach of a representation or warranty in Section 4.10 (Taxes) or, to the extent relating to Taxes, Section 4.18 (Employee Benefit Matters) (in each case, construed as if they were not qualified by “knowledge”, “material”, “material adverse effect” or similar language), (ii) a breach of a covenant or other agreement of any Contributor or the Contributors Representative contained in this Agreement, or (iii) a breach of a covenant or other agreement of the Company contained in this Agreement to be performed prior to the Closing; (d) the Contributors; share of any Transfer Taxes; (e) any Taxes of another Person (other than the Company) for which the Company is liable under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 or any similar provision of state, provincial, local or foreign income Tax Law, and (f) any Taxes of any Person (other than the Company) for which the Company is liable under any contract (other than any customary commercial contract entered into in the ordinary course of business, the primary purpose of which is not Taxes), as a transferee or successor or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Indemnified Taxes shall exclude Taxes to the extent included in the computation of the Closing Date Working Capital or Closing Date Debt or included in Transaction Costs, in each case, as finally determined. “Indemnifying Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.
“Intended Tax Treatment” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.9(a).
“IRCA” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.19(e).
“IRS” means the Internal Revenue Service.
“Knowledge” (and any derivation thereof, whether or not capitalized) means the actual knowledge and awareness, after due inquiry, of Dana Sprong and Ryan McGarry.
“Latest Balance Sheet” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(a).
“Law” means any federal, state, local, foreign, or other law, rule, regulation, or governmental specification, authorization, requirement or restriction of any kind, including any rules, regulations and orders promulgated thereunder and any final orders, decrees or judgments of any regulatory agencies, courts or other Persons, or any similar provisions having the force or effect of law.
“Leased Real Estate” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.12(b).
“Liability” means any debt, liability or obligation (whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated, or due or to become due), and including all costs and expenses related thereto.
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, Claim, restriction, reservation of title, condition, easement, lease, encroachment, title defect, imposition, security interest or other encumbrance of any kind whether imposed by Law, by Contract or otherwise, except for those arising by reason of federal securities laws and applicable state “blue sky” and comparable securities laws; and the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, financing lease or other title retention agreement relating to such asset.
“Malicious Code" means any (i) back door, time bomb, drop dead device, or other Software routine designed to disable a computer program automatically with the passage of time or under the positive control of a Person other than the user of the program; (ii) virus, Trojan horse, worm, or other Software routine or hardware component designed to permit unauthorized access, to disable, erase, or otherwise harm Software, hardware, or data; and (iii) programs with a similar function or purpose.
“Management Agreements” means all agreements pursuant to which the Company or its Affiliates are providing management, oversight or similar functions with respect to one or more properties owned by the OP or its subsidiaries.
“Material Adverse Effect” means any state of facts, effect, event, occurrence, development, or change that, when considered individually or in the aggregate with all other such effects, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, assets, properties, prospects, or condition (financial or otherwise), of the Company, the Business, or the assets used in the Business, taken as a whole; provided, however, that the following (individually or in combination) shall not constitute (or be deemed to constitute), or be taken into account in determining whether there has been or would be, a “Material Adverse Effect”: (a) the effect of any change in the United States or foreign economies or securities or financial markets in general so long as any such change does not adversely affect the Business in a materially disproportionate manner to other businesses in the industries in which the Business operates; (b) the effect of any change, including changes in technology, that generally affect the industries in which the Business operates, so long as any such change does not adversely affect the Business in a materially disproportionate manner to other businesses in the industry in which the Business operates; (c) the effect of any change arising in connection with earthquakes, epidemics or pandemics (including COVID-19), plagues, hostilities, acts of war, sabotage or terrorism or military actions or any material escalation or worsening of any such hostilities, acts of war, sabotage or terrorism or military actions existing or underway as of the date hereof, so long as any such change does not adversely affect the Business in a materially disproportionate manner to other businesses in which the Business operates; (d) the effect of any action taken by Buyer any of its Affiliates in express breach of the terms of this Agreement; (e) the effect of any changes or proposed changes in (i) applicable Laws so long as any such changes or proposed changes do not adversely affect the Business in a materially disproportionate manner to other businesses in the industries in which the Business operates or (ii) generally accepted accounting principles; (f) any effect resulting from the execution or permitted announcement of this Agreement, compliance with the terms of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions described herein; and (g) the effect of any action taken by the Contributors or the Company at the express written instruction of, or with the express written consent of, the Buyer (e-mail being sufficient).
“Material Contracts” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.11(a).
“Mike Albert Guaranty” means the guaranty entered into by Buyer in support of (a) Commercial Motor Vehicle Master Lease Agreements # 107165, 107172, and 201296, each by and between Mike Albert, Ltd. Delaware statutory trust, as lessor, and VineBrook Homes Services Company, Inc., as lessee; and (b) Services Agreements #107169, 107176, and 201298, each by and between the Company and Mike Albert, Leasing, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
“OP Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(k).
“Order” means any decision, injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, or verdict entered or issued by any Governmental Authority.
“Owned Proprietary Rights” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.14(b).
“Parties” means each signatory to this Agreement.
“Partnership Return” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3(a)(i).
“Permits” means all permits, licenses, certifications, endorsements, authorizations, grants, exemptions and approvals granted by a Governmental Authority required to operate the Company’s business including, but not limited to, Environmental Permits.
“Permitted Liens” means (a) Liens for Taxes and other governmental charges and assessments that are not yet due and payable or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which there are adequate reserves on the Financial Statements; (b) mechanics, carriers’, workmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or amounts that are not delinquent and which are not, individually or in the aggregate, material to the business of the Company; (c) Liens arising from UCC financing statements regarding operating leases of personal property or fixtures; (d) Liens on leases of real property arising from the provisions of such leases; (e) pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security; (f) the deposits to secure the performance of bids, contracts (other than for borrowed money), leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business; (g) zoning regulations and restrictive covenants and easements of record that do not detract in any material respect form the value of the property and do not materially and adversely affect, impair or interfere with the use of any property affected thereby; (h) Liens securing all or any portion of the Closing Date Debt to the extent released at Closing; (i) non-exclusive licenses of Proprietary Rights; and (j) mortgages, deeds of trust and other security instruments, and ground leases or underlying leases covering the title, interest or estate of landlords with respect to the leased real property and to which the leases with respect to the leased real property are subordinate.
“Person” means an individual, a partnership, a limited liability company, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, or any other legal entity, or any Governmental Authority.
“Personal Information” means any information that (a) relates to an identified or identifiable individual or device used by an individual; (b) is governed, regulated or protected by one or more Laws governing the collection, Processing, transfer, disclosure or other use or disposition of any personal information or personal data and any security breach notification requirements; (c) the Company receives from or on behalf of its individual customers of its business; (d) is covered by the PCI DSS; or (e) is subject to a confidentiality obligation or in which the Company has Proprietary rights.
“PNC” means PNC Bank, National Association.
“PNC Guaranties” means (1) the Guaranty Agreement dated March 26, 2020 by and among the Company, as Borrower, PNC, as Lender, and VineBrook Homes Realty Company, Inc., as Guarantor; (2) the Guaranty Agreement dated March 26, 2020 by and among the Company, as Borrower, PNC, as Lender, and VineBrook Development Corporation, as Guarantor; (3) the Guaranty Agreement dated March 26, 2020 by and among the Company, as Borrower, PNC, as Lender, and VineBrook Homes Property Management Company, LLC, as Guarantor; and (4) the Guaranty Agreement dated March 26, 2020 by and among the Company, as Borrower, PNC, as Lender, and VineBrook Homes Services Company, Inc., as Guarantor.
“Powers of Attorney” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a)(ix).
“Pre-Closing Restructuring” means the restructuring of VineBrook Management, LLC substantially in the form of the reorganization steps document included in the Pre-Closing Restructuring Documents.
“Pre-Closing Restructuring Documents” means the documents and instruments attached hereto as Schedule C and necessary for the implementation of the Pre-Closing Restructuring.
“Pre-Closing Tax Period” means any Tax period ending on or prior to the Closing Date and the portion of any Straddle Period through and including the Closing Date.
“Process” or “Processing” means the creation, collection, use (including, without limitation, for the purposes of sending telephone calls, text messages and emails), storage, maintenance, processing, recording, distribution, transfer, transmission, receipt, import, export, protection, safeguarding, access, disposal or disclosure or other activity regarding data (whether electronically or in any other form or medium).
“Proprietary Rights” means all of the following items throughout the world: (a) patents, patent applications, patent disclosures and inventions (whether or not patentable and whether or not reduced to practice) and any reissue, continuation, continuation-in-part, division, revision, extension or reexamination thereof; (b) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, logos, domain names, trade names and corporate names, and other signifiers of source or origin, together with all common law rights in and goodwill associated therewith; (c) copyrights registered or unregistered and copyrightable works; mask works; and all registrations, applications and renewals for any of the foregoing; (d) trade secrets and Confidential Information (whether or not a trade secret under applicable Laws), including know-how, product development techniques or plans, research and development information, drawings, bill of materials, work instructions, specifications, designs, plans, proposals, technical data, financial data, business and marketing plans, pricing policies, operational methods, customer and supplier lists and related information, employee data and new personnel acquisition plans, and consultant arrangements; (e) Software; and (f) licenses or other agreements to or from third parties regarding the foregoing.
“Purchase Price Adjustment Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.6(a).
“Purchase Price Allocation Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.9(b).
“Purchase Price Dispute Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.6(b).
“Real Estate Lease” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.12(b).
“Records” means all books, documents and records owned or used by the Company, including personnel, medical and accounting records, Tax records, minute and equity record books, correspondence, governmentally required records, manuals, engineering data, designs, drawings, blueprints, plans, specifications, lists, customer lists, computer media, software and software documentation, sales literature, catalogues, promotional items, advertising materials and other written materials.
“Registered Proprietary Rights” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.14(a).
“Registration Rights Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a)(xi).
“REIT” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Released Claims” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.17(a).
“releasee” and “releasees” have the meanings set forth in Section 8.17(a).
“Resolved Items” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.6(c).
“Revised Partnership Audit Provisions” means Code Sections 6221 through 6241 as originally enacted in P.L. 114-74, and as may be amended including any Treasury Regulations or other administrative guidance promulgated by the IRS or successor provisions and any comparable provision of non-U.S. or U.S. state or local Law.
“Securities Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6.
“Side Letter” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Software” means software and firmware, including source code, object code, application programming interfaces, architecture, files, records, schematics, and all other related specifications and documentation, but excluding commercially available software products under standard, “shrink wrap” license agreements.
“Straddle Period” means any Tax period that includes, but does not end on, the Closing Date.
“Subsidiary” of a Person means any corporation or other legal entity of which such Person (either alone or through or together with any other Subsidiary or Subsidiaries) is the general partner or managing entity or of which at least a majority of the stock or other equity interests the holders of which are generally entitled to vote for the election of the board of directors or others performing similar functions of such corporation or other legal entity is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person (either alone or through or together with any other Subsidiary or Subsidiaries).
“Target Working Capital” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(i).
“Tax” (and, with correlative meaning, “Taxes”, “Taxable”, “Taxation” and “Taxing”) means all federal, provincial, territorial, state, municipal, local, domestic, foreign or other taxes, imposts, and assessments including ad valorem, alternative or add-on minimum, capital, capital stock, customs and import duties, disability, documentary stamp, employment, environmental (including taxes under Section 59A of the Code), escheat, estimated, excise, franchise, gains, goods and services, gross income, gross receipts, income, intangible, inventory, license, mortgage recording, net income, occupation, payroll, personal premium, property, production, profits, real property, recording, registration, rent, sales, severance, social security, stamp, transfer, transfer gains, unclaimed or abandoned property, unemployment, use, value added, windfall profits, and withholding or other taxes, together with any interest, additions, fines or penalties with respect thereto or in respect of any failure to comply with any requirement regarding Tax Returns and any interest in respect of such additions, fines or penalties, in each case whether disputed or not.
“Tax Contest” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3(c).
“Tax Return” means any returns (including any information return or amended return), declaration, report, or Claim for refund or credit (including any related or supporting schedules, statements or information) filed or required to be filed in connection with the determination, assessment or collection of Taxes or the administration of any legal requirement relating to any Taxes.
“Territory” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(a).
“Third-Party Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4(a).
“Transaction” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1.
“Transaction Costs” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(j).
“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement and each other agreement, document, certificate or instrument referred to herein or therein or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto.
“Transfer Taxes” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3(e).
“Treasury” means the United States Department of the Treasury.
“Union” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.19(b).
“Withholdings” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.8.
SCHEDULE A
ALLOCATION SCHEDULE
[Omitted]
SCHEDULE B
PURCHASE PRICE ALLOCATION METHODOLOGIES
[Omitted]
SCHEDULE C
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS
[Omitted]
SCHEDULE D
PRE-CLOSING RESTRUCTURING DOCUMENTS
[Omitted]
SCHEDULE E
WORKING CAPITAL CALCLUATION PRINCIPLES
[Omitted]
Exhibit 10.3
Execution Version
ASSIGNMENT OF INTERESTS AGREEMENT
This Assignment of Interests Agreement (this “Agreement”) is dated August 3, 2023 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Dana Sprong, Ryan McGarry, Dan Bathon and Tom Silvia (collectively, the “Assignors”) and VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Assignee”).
WHEREAS, the Assignors are the members of VineBrook Homes OP GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”) and hold, collectively, 100% of the membership interests of the Company (collectively, the “Interests”);
WHEREAS, the Assignors, affiliates of the Assignors and affiliates of the Assignee are parties to that certain contribution agreement (the “Contribution Agreement”), dated as of the date hereof, pursuant to which the Assignors are contributing their membership interests in VineBrook Homes, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, to VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and the operating partnership of the Assignee (the “OP”) in exchange for a combination of cash and limited partnership units in the OP (such units, the “OP Units”);
WHEREAS, in connection with the entry into the Contribution Agreement, the Assignors desire to contribute, assign, convey, transfer, set over and deliver the Interests to the Assignee, and Assignee desires to accept, acquire and receive all of Assignors’ right, title and interest in the Interests in accordance with the terms set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meaning given them in the Contribution Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, warranties, and covenants set forth herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Assignment of the Interests. Each Assignor hereby contributes, assigns, conveys, transfers, sets over and delivers to the Assignee, and Assignee hereby accepts, acquires, and receives from each Assignor, all of its rights, title and interest in, to and under the Interests, including all voting, consent and financial rights now or hereafter existing and associated with ownership of the Interests, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances.
2. Delivery of the Interests. The transaction contemplated by this Agreement shall be deemed to occur on the Effective Date.
3. Representations and Warranties of Each Party. Each party hereto represents and warrants:
(a) Each party that is an entity is duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation;
(b) The execution, delivery and performance by such party of this Agreement are within such party’s legal right, power and capacity;
(c) Such party has all requisite power and authority to enter into and deliver this Agreement, to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby and to perform its obligations hereunder;
(d) This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered and, assuming due and valid authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the other parties, constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of such party and is enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights in general and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);
(e) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by such party will violate its organizational documents if such party is an entity or conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of, create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify or cancel, or require any notice under, any contract, or any franchise or permit to which such party is a party or by which such party is bound; and
(f) The assignment of the Interests by each Assignor to Assignee will not violate the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or any state securities laws or subject the Company to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, as amended.
4. Representations and Warranties of Assignors. Each Assignor, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants that:
(a) Prior to the effectiveness of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each Assignor is the owner of the Interests set forth opposite its name on Exhibit A hereto, and such Interests constitute all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of the Company.
(b) All of the Interests are owned of record and beneficially by each Assignor free and clear of any Lien, and upon effectiveness of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Assignee will own all of the Interests, free and clear of all Liens.
(c) The Company owns of record and beneficially 100% of the general partnership interests in the OP free and clear of all Liens.
(d) All of the Interests have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. All of the Interests were issued in compliance with all applicable Laws. None of the Interests were issued in violation of any of the Company’s Charter Documents or in violation of any other agreement, arrangement or commitment to which any Assignor or the Company is or was a party or is or was subject to or in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any Person. There are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments of any character relating to the equity of the Company or obligating any Assignor or the Company to issue or sell any equity of, or any other interest in, the Company. The Company does not have outstanding or authorized any equity appreciation, phantom equity, profit participation or similar rights. There are no voting trusts, equityholder agreements, proxies or other agreements or understandings in effect with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Interests.
(e) The Company has not conducted any business prior to the Effective Date except for matters incidental to operating as the general partner of the OP and executing this Agreement, and has no assets, liabilities or obligations of any nature other than those incident to its formation, operation as the general partner of the OP and pursuant to this Agreement, none of which are material.
(f) The Company has (i) filed all Tax Returns required by applicable Law to be filed by the Company, and (ii) paid all Taxes due and payable, whether or not shown or required to be shown on any such Tax Return. The Company does not have any liability for any delinquent Taxes. There are no Liens for Taxes on any assets of the Company, other than statutory Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable. The Company has properly withheld all required Taxes from payments to its employees, agents, contractors, and nonresidents and other Persons, and has properly remitted all such amounts to the proper Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law. No Tax audits or other legal proceedings are pending, or to the knowledge of the Assignors, threatened in writing with regard to any Tax Returns of the Company. The Company is (and has been for its entire existence) classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-3(b)(1)(i) and no election has been made (or is pending) to change such treatment.
5. Tax Matters.
(a) Cooperation in Tax Matters. The Assignors and the Assignee shall cooperate fully in connection with the preparation and filing of Tax Returns of the Company and any pending or threatened Tax audit, assessment, litigation or other legal proceeding with respect to Taxes of the Company, and each party shall provide any information necessary or reasonably requested to allow other parties to comply with any information reporting or withholding requirements contained in the Code or other applicable Laws. Each party shall furnish the other parties with copies of all relevant correspondence received from any taxing authority in connection with any Tax audit or information request with respect to any Taxes for which the other may have any liability or other obligation under this Agreement.
(b) Transfer Taxes. All federal, state, local and non-U.S. transfer, excise, sales, use, ad valorem, value added, registration, stamp, recording, property and similar Taxes or fees applicable to, imposed upon, or arising out of the assignment of the Interests (and all related interest and penalties) shall be borne fifty percent (50%) by the Assignee and fifty percent (50%) by the Assignors. The parties hereto shall cooperate in good faith to reduce or eliminate any such Taxes which could apply to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
6. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with the domestic laws of, the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of Delaware.
7. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
8. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any such provision to any person or circumstance shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement.
9. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same agreement. A signed copy of this Agreement delivered by facsimile, email or other means of electronic transmission shall be deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Agreement.
10. Further Assurances. At any time or from time to time after the date hereof, at the request of a party hereto and without further consideration, the other parties hereto and its successors or assigns, shall execute and deliver, or shall cause to be executed and delivered, such other instruments or documents and take such other actions as such party may reasonably request to further the purposes of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
11. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Contribution Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, representations and warranties and agreements, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter.
12. Amendment and Waiver. No amendment or waiver of this Agreement shall be effective without the prior written consent of the party against whom such amendment or waiver is sought to be enforced.
13. Successors and Assigns; Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever, under or by reason of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the OP is an intended beneficiary of each and every provision of this Agreement. This Agreement and each provision hereof will inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the OP, and each of its successors and assigns.
14. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for reference only and shall not affect the interpretations of this Agreement.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by each of the parties hereto as of the date and year first above written.
ASSIGNORS: | ||
/s/ Dana Sprong | ||
Dana Sprong | ||
/s/ Ryan McGarry | ||
Ryan McGarry | ||
/s/ Dan Bathon | ||
Dan Bathon | ||
/s/ Tom Silvia | ||
Tom Silvia | ||
ASSIGNEE: | ||
VINEBROOK HOMES TRUST, INC |
By: | /s/ Brian Mitts |
Name: Brian Mitts | ||
Title: President, Chief Financial Officer, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer |
[Signature Page to Assignment of Interests Agreement]
\
Exhibit A
The Interests
[Omitted]
Exhibit 10.4
Execution Version
THIRD
AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
OF
VINEBROOK HOMES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
a Delaware limited partnership
PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS ARE SUBJECT TO TRANSFER AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS
AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF AUGUST 3, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE 1. DEFINED TERMS | 1 | ||
ARTICLE 2. ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS | 16 | ||
Section 2.1. | Continuation | 16 | |
Section 2.2. | Name | 16 | |
Section 2.3. | Registered Office and Agent; Principal Office | 16 | |
Section 2.4. | Power of Attorney | 16 | |
Section 2.5. | Term | 17 | |
Section 2.6. | Admission of Partners | 17 | |
ARTICLE 3. PURPOSE | 18 | ||
Section 3.1. | Purpose and Business | 18 | |
Section 3.2. | Powers | 18 | |
Section 3.3. | Representations and Warranties by the Parties | 18 | |
Section 3.4. | Not Publicly Traded | 20 | |
Not Publicly Traded | 20 | ||
Section 4.1. | Capital Contributions of the Partners | 20 | |
Section 4.2. | Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests | 21 | |
Section 4.3. | Additional Funds | 21 | |
Section 4.4. | No Interest | 22 | |
Section 4.5. | Preemptive Rights | 22 | |
Section 4.6. | LTIP Units | 22 | |
Section 4.7. | Conversion of LTIP Units | 24 | |
ARTICLE 5. DISTRIBUTIONS | 26 | ||
Section 5.1. | Requirement and Characterization of Distributions | 26 | |
Section 5.2. | Amounts Withheld | 26 | |
Section 5.3. | Distributions Upon Liquidation | 27 | |
Section 5.4. | Restricted Distributions | 27 | |
ARTICLE 6. ALLOCATIONS | 27 | ||
Section 6.1. | Allocations For Capital Account Purposes | 27 | |
ARTICLE 7. MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF BUSINESS | 29 | ||
Section 7.1. | Management | 29 | |
Section 7.2. | Certificate of Limited Partnership | 32 | |
Section 7.3. | Restrictions on General Partner Authority | 33 | |
Section 7.4. | Reimbursement of the General Partner and the Company | 33 | |
Section 7.5. | Outside Activities of the General Partner | 34 | |
Section 7.6. | Contracts with Affiliates | 34 | |
Section 7.7. | Indemnification | 35 | |
Section 7.8. | Liability of the General Partner and its Affiliates | 36 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
Section 7.9. | Other Matters Concerning the General Partner | 37 | |
Section 7.10. | Title to Partnership Assets | 38 | |
Section 7.11. | Reliance by Third Parties | 38 | |
Section 7.12. | Investment Committee | 39 | |
Section 7.13. | Board of Directors of the Partnership | 40 | |
ARTICLE 8. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF LIMITED PARTNERS | 42 | ||
Section 8.1. | Limitation of Liability | 42 | |
Section 8.2. | Management of Business | 43 | |
Section 8.3. | Outside Activities of Limited Partners | 43 | |
Section 8.4. | Return of Capital | 43 | |
Section 8.5. | Rights of Limited Partners Relating to the Partnership | 43 | |
Section 8.6. | Redemption Right | 44 | |
Section 8.7. | Distribution Reinvestment Plan | 46 | |
ARTICLE 9. BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS | 47 | ||
Section 9.1. | Records and Accounting | 47 | |
Section 9.2. | Fiscal Year | 47 | |
Section 9.3. | Reports | 47 | |
ARTICLE 10. TAX MATTERS | 48 | ||
Section 10.1. | Preparation of Tax Returns | 48 | |
Section 10.2. | Tax Elections | 48 | |
Section 10.3. | Partnership Representative | 49 | |
Section 10.4. | Withholding | 50 | |
ARTICLE 11. TRANSFERS AND WITHDRAWALS | 51 | ||
Section 11.1. | Transfer | 51 | |
Section 11.2. | Transfers by the General Partner | 52 | |
Section 11.3. | Limited Partners’ Rights to Transfer | 53 | |
Section 11.4. | Substituted Limited Partners | 54 | |
Section 11.5. | Assignees | 55 | |
Section 11.6. | Drag-Along Rights | 55 | |
Section 11.7. | General Provisions | 57 | |
ARTICLE 12. ADMISSION OF PARTNERS | 57 | ||
Section 12.1. | Admission of Successor General Partner | 57 | |
Section 12.2. | Admission of Additional Limited Partners | 58 | |
Section 12.3. | Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership | 58 | |
ARTICLE 13. DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION | 59 | ||
Section 13.1. | Dissolution | 59 | |
Section 13.2. | Winding Up | 59 | |
Section 13.3. | Deficit Capital Account Restoration Obligation | 61 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
Section 13.4. | Deemed Contribution and Distribution | 61 | |
Section 13.5. | Rights of Limited Partners | 61 | |
Section 13.6. | Notice of Dissolution | 61 | |
Section 13.7. | Termination of Partnership and Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership | 62 | |
Section 13.8. | Reasonable Time for Winding Up | 62 | |
Section 13.9. | Waiver of Partition | 62 | |
ARTICLE 14. AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS | 62 | ||
Section 14.1. | Amendment of Partnership Agreement | 62 | |
Section 14.2. | Meetings of the Partners | 63 | |
ARTICLE 15. GENERAL PROVISIONS | 64 | ||
Section 15.1. | Addresses and Notice | 64 | |
Section 15.2. | Titles and Captions | 64 | |
Section 15.3. | Pronouns and Plurals | 64 | |
Section 15.4. | Further Action | 64 | |
Section 15.5. | Binding Effect | 64 | |
Section 15.6. | Creditors | 64 | |
Section 15.7. | Waiver | 65 | |
Section 15.8. | Counterparts | 65 | |
Section 15.9. | Applicable Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial | 65 | |
Section 15.10. | Invalidity of Provisions | 66 | |
Section 15.11. | Entire Agreement | 66 | |
Section 15.12. | Legal Counsel Relationships | 66 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
Exhibit A – Capital Account Maintenance | A-1 |
Exhibit B – Special Allocation Rules | B-1 |
Exhibit C – Notice of Redemption | C-1 |
Exhibit D – Constructive Ownership Definition | D-1 |
Exhibit E – Schedule of Partner’s Ownership with Respect to Tenants | E-1 |
Exhibit F – Notice of Election by Partner to Convert LTIP Units into Class C Common Units | F-1 |
Exhibit G – Notice of Election by Partnership to Force Conversion of LTIP Units into Class C Common Units | G-1 |
Annex A – Designation of Classes of Common Units | Annex A-1 |
Annex B – Designation of the Series A Preferred Units | Annex B-1 |
Annex C - Designation of the Series B Preferred Units | Annex C-1 |
THIRD
AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
OF
VINEBROOK HOMES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
THIS THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (as now or hereafter amended, restated, modified, supplemented, or replaced, this “Agreement”) of VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Partnership”), dated as of August 3, 2023, is entered into by and among VineBrook Homes OP GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “General Partner”) and the Persons who are admitted from time to time as limited partners in accordance with this Agreement and who have not subsequently withdrawn (the “Limited Partners”), such persons being identified on the books and records of the Partnership.
WHEREAS, the Partnership was formed on and the original agreement of limited partnership of the Partnership was dated as of July 12, 2018 (the “Original Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the Original Agreement was amended and restated effective as of November 1, 2018 (the “First A&R Agreement”) and the First A&R Agreement was subsequently amended by (i) that certain First Amendment thereto, dated as of November 1, 2018, (ii) that certain Second Amendment thereto, dated as of May 4, 2020 and (iii) that certain Third Amendment thereto, dated as of October 5, 2020;
WHEREAS, the First A&R Agreement was amended and restated effective as of September 7, 2021 (the “Second A&R Agreement”) and the Second A&R Agreement was subsequently amended by that certain First Amendment thereto, dated as of July 31, 2023; and
WHEREAS, the General Partner and the Limited Partners desire to amend and restate the Second A&R Agreement in its entirety as set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, and other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1.
DEFINED TERMS
The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.
“2018 VineBrook REIT Equity Incentive Plan” means the 2018 Long Term Incentive Plan of the Company.
"2023 VineBrook REIT Equity Incentive Plan" means the 2023 Long Term Incentive Plan of the Company, as hereafter amended and/or restated from time to time.
“704(c) Value” of any Contributed Property means the fair market value of such property or other consideration at the time of contribution, as determined by the General Partner using such reasonable method of valuation as the General Partner may adopt. Subject to Exhibit A hereof, the General Partner shall use such method as it deems reasonable and appropriate to allocate the aggregate of the 704(c) Values of Contributed Properties in a single or integrated transaction among the separate properties on a basis proportional to their respective fair market values.
“Act” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 6 Del. C. §17-101, et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, and any successor to such statute.
“Additional Funds” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(a).
“Additional Limited Partner” means a Person admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner pursuant to Section 12.2 hereof and who is shown as such on the books and records of the Partnership.
“Adjusted Capital Account” means the Capital Account maintained for each Partner as of the end of each Partnership taxable year (a) increased by any amounts which such Partner is obligated to restore pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704‑2(i)(5) and (b) decreased by the items described in Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), and 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6). The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended to comply with the provisions of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
“Adjusted Capital Account Deficit” means, with respect to any Partner, the deficit balance, if any, in such Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account as of the end of the relevant Partnership taxable year.
“Adjusted Property” means any property, the Carrying Value of which has been adjusted pursuant to Exhibit A hereof.
“Adviser” means NexPoint Real Estate Advisors V, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, or its successor or permitted assignee.
“Advisory Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement, dated May 4, 2020, by and between the Company and the Adviser, as now or hereafter amended, restated, modified, supplemented or replaced.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Aggregate Consideration” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.6(c).
“Agreed Value” means (a) in the case of any Contributed Property as of the time of its contribution to the Partnership, the 704(c) Value of such property, reduced by any liabilities either assumed by the Partnership upon such contribution or to which such property is subject when contributed, and (b) in the case of any property distributed to a Partner by the Partnership, the Partnership’s Carrying Value of such property at the time such property is distributed, reduced by any indebtedness either assumed by such Partner upon such distribution or to which such property is subject at the time of distribution as determined under Section 752 of the Code and the Regulations thereunder.
“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.
“Approved Sale” means a Sale of the Partnership which is approved by the Partners holding, collectively, more than 50% of the issued and outstanding Partnership Interests.
“Approving Partners” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.6(a).
“Assignee” means a Person to whom all or a portion of a Partnership Interest has been transferred in a manner permitted under this Agreement, but who has not become a Substituted Limited Partner, and who has the rights set forth in Section 11.5.
“Attorney In Fact” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a).
“Available Cash” means, with respect to any period for which such calculation is being made, all cash balances of the Partnership net of the Partnership’s working capital needs, anticipated capital expenditures, operating expenses, debt service requirements and other necessary reserves, including with respect to contingencies or commitments, as determined by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion after consultation with the Adviser.
“Bankruptcy Event” shall mean, with respect to any Person, such Person (a) is insolvent, or is generally unable to pay its debts as they become due, or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due, or makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors or (b) becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment.
“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Book-Tax Disparities” means, with respect to any item of Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, as of the date of any determination, the difference between the Carrying Value of such Contributed Property or Adjusted Property and the adjusted basis thereof for federal income tax purposes as of such date. A Partner’s share of the Partnership’s Book-Tax Disparities in all of its Contributed Property and Adjusted Property will be reflected by the difference between such Partner’s Capital Account balance as maintained pursuant to Exhibit A and the hypothetical balance of such Partner’s Capital Account computed as if it had been maintained strictly in accordance with federal income tax accounting principles.
“Book-Up Target” for a Profits LTIP Unit means (a) initially, the Company Common Unit Economic Balance as determined on the date such Profits LTIP Unit was granted less any Capital Contributions (if any) made by the Partner with respect to such Profits LTIP Unit and (b) thereafter, the remaining amount, if any, required to be allocated to such Profits LTIP Unit for the Economic Capital Account Balance of the holder of such Profits LTIP Unit, to the extent attributable to such Profits LTIP Unit, to be equal to the Company Common Unit Economic Balance.
“Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.
“Capital Account” means the Capital Account maintained for a Partner pursuant to Exhibit A.
“Capital Contribution” means, with respect to any Partner, any cash, cash equivalents or the Agreed Value of Contributed Property which such Partner contributes or is deemed to contribute to the Partnership.
“Capital LTIP Unit” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6(a).
“Carrying Value” means (a) with respect to a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, the 704(c) Value of such property reduced (but not below zero) by all Depreciation with respect to such property charged to the Partners’ Capital Accounts following the contribution of or adjustment with respect to such property, and (b) with respect to any other Partnership property, the adjusted basis of such property for federal income tax purposes, all as of the time of determination. The Carrying Value of any property shall be adjusted from time to time in accordance with Exhibit A, and to reflect changes, additions or other adjustments to the Carrying Value for dispositions and acquisitions of Partnership properties, as deemed appropriate by the General Partner.
“Cash Amount” means an amount of cash per Partnership Unit equal to the Value on the Valuation Date of the REIT Shares Amount.
“Certificate” means the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership as filed in the office of the Delaware Secretary of State on July 12, 2018, as amended, restated and/or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and the Act.
“Charter” means the Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland on June 28, 2021, as amended, restated and/or supplemented from time to time.
“Class” means a class of REIT Shares or Partnership Units, as the context may require.
“Class A Common Unitholder” means a Partner that holds Class A Common Units.
“Class A Common Units” means a Common Unit which is designated as a “Class A Common Unit” and which has the rights, preferences and other privileges designated in Annex A hereto and elsewhere in this Agreement in respect of holders of Common Units.
“Class B Common Unitholder” means a Partner that holds Class B Common Units.
“Class B Common Units” means a Common Unit which is designated as a “Class B Common Unit” and which has the rights, preferences and other privileges designated in Annex A hereto and elsewhere in this Agreement in respect of holders of Common Units.
“Class C Common Unitholder” means a Partner that holds Class C Common Units.
“Class C Common Units” means a Common Unit which is designated as a “Class C Common Unit” and which has the rights, preferences and other privileges designated in Annex A hereto and elsewhere in this Agreement in respect of holders of Common Units.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time, as interpreted by the applicable regulations thereunder. Any reference herein to a specific section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of future law.
“Common Units” means the Partnership Units, other than LTIP Units, Series A Preferred Units or any other series of units of limited partnership interests issued in the future and designated as preferred or otherwise different from the Common Units, including, but not limited to, with respect to the payment of distributions, including distributions upon liquidation.
“Company” means VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation.
“Company Common Unit Economic Balance” means (a) the Economic Capital Account Balance of the Company but only to the extent attributable to the Company’s ownership of Common Units and computed on a hypothetical basis after taking into account all allocations through the date on which any allocation is made under Section 1.H of Exhibit B divided by (b) the number of the Company’s Common Units.
“Company Designee” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.12(a)(1).
“Constructive Ownership” or “Constructively Own” means ownership under the constructive ownership rules described in Exhibit D.
“Contributed Property” means each property or other asset, in such form as may be permitted by the Act (but excluding cash), contributed or deemed contributed to the Partnership. Once the Carrying Value of a Contributed Property is adjusted pursuant to Exhibit A, such property shall no longer constitute a Contributed Property for purposes of Exhibit A, but shall be deemed an Adjusted Property for such purposes.
“Conversion Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(b).
“Conversion Factor” means 1.0, subject to adjustment as follows: (i) in case the Company shall (A) make a distribution on the outstanding REIT Shares in REIT Shares, (B) subdivide or reclassify the outstanding REIT Shares into a greater number of REIT Shares, or (C) combine or reclassify the outstanding REIT Shares into a smaller number of REIT Shares, the Conversion Factor in effect at the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such distribution or subject to such subdivision, combination or reclassification shall be proportionately adjusted so that a holder of Partnership Units shall be entitled to receive, upon exchange thereof, the number of REIT Shares which the holder would have owned at the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such determination had such Partnership Units been exchanged immediately prior to such determination; (ii) in case the Partnership shall subdivide or reclassify the outstanding Partnership Units into a greater number of Partnership Units, the Conversion Factor in effect at the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for the determination of Partnership Unit holders subject to such subdivision or reclassification shall be proportionately adjusted so that a holder of Partnership Units shall be entitled to receive, upon exchange thereof, the number of REIT Shares which the holder would have owned at the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such determination had such Partnership Units been exchanged immediately prior to such determination; (iii) in case the Company (A) shall issue rights or warrants to all holders of REIT Shares entitling them to subscribe for or purchase REIT Shares at a price per share less than the daily market price per REIT Share on the date fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants, (B) shall not issue similar rights or warrants to all holders of Partnership Units entitling them to subscribe for or purchase REIT Shares or Partnership Units at a comparable price (determined, in the case of Partnership Units, by reference to the Conversion Factor), and (C) cannot issue such rights or warrants to a Redeeming Partner as otherwise required by the definition of “REIT Shares Amount” set forth in this Article 1, then the Conversion Factor in effect at the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such determination shall be increased by multiplying such Conversion Factor by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of REIT Shares outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination plus the number of REIT Shares so offered for subscription or purchase, and of which the denominator shall be the number of REIT Shares outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination plus the number of REIT Shares which the aggregate offering price of the total number of REIT Shares so offered for subscription would purchase at such daily market price per share, such increase of the Conversion Factor to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such determination; and (iv) in case the Company shall, by distribution or otherwise, distribute to all holders of its REIT Shares, (A) capital shares of any class other than its REIT Shares, (B) evidence of its indebtedness or (C) assets (excluding any rights or warrants referred to in clause (iii) above, any cash distribution lawfully paid under the laws of the state of organization of the Company, and any distribution referred to in clause (i) above) and shall not cause a corresponding distribution to be made to all holders of Partnership Units, the Conversion Factor shall be adjusted so that the same shall equal the ratio determined by multiplying the Conversion Factor in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the date fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such distribution by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the daily market price per REIT Share on the date fixed for such determination, and of which the denominator shall be such daily market price per REIT Share less the fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and described in a Board resolution certified by the Secretary of the Company and delivered to the holders of the Partnership Units) of the portion of the capital shares or evidences of indebtedness or assets so distributed applicable to one REIT Share, such adjustment to become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such distribution.
“Conversion Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(b).
“Conversion Right” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(a).
“Covered Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(a).
“Debt” means, as to any Person, as of any date of determination, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services, (b) all amounts owed by such Person to banks or other Persons in respect of reimbursement obligations under letters of credit, surety bonds and other similar instruments guaranteeing payment or other performance of obligations by such Person, (c) all indebtedness for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services secured by any lien on any property owned by such Person, to the extent attributable to such Person’s interest in such property, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment thereof, and (d) obligations of such Person incurred in connection with entering into a lease which, in accordance with GAAP, should be capitalized.
“Delaware Courts” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.9(b).
“Depreciation” means, for each taxable year, an amount equal to the U.S. federal income tax depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction allowable with respect to an asset for such year, except that if the Carrying Value of an asset differs from its adjusted basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes at the beginning of such year or other period, Depreciation shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to such beginning Carrying Value as the U.S. federal income tax depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction for such year bears to such beginning adjusted tax basis; provided, however, that if the U.S. federal income tax depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction for such year is zero, Depreciation shall be determined with reference to such beginning Carrying Value using any reasonable method selected by the General Partner.
“Economic Capital Account Balance”, with respect to a Partner, means an amount equal to such Partner’s Capital Account balance, plus the amount of its share of any Partner Minimum Gain and Partnership Minimum Gain.
“Eligible LTIP Unit” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(a).
“Equity Incentive Plan” means any equity incentive or compensation plan adopted by the Partnership, including, without limitation, the 2018 Vinebrook REIT Equity Incentive Plan and the 2023 VineBrook REIT Equity Incentive Plan.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended and in effect from time to time, as interpreted by the applicable regulations thereunder. Any reference herein to a specific section or Title of ERISA shall be deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of future law.
“final adjustment” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3(b)(2).
“flow through entity” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(d)(3).
“Forced Conversion” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(c).
“Forced Conversion Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(c).
“GAAP” means U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, applied on a consistent basis.
“General Partner” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto and means VineBrook Homes OP GP, LLC, or its successor or permitted assignee, as general partner of the Partnership.
“General Partner Interest” means a Partnership Interest held by the General Partner, in its capacity as general partner of the Partnership, which shall in all cases be a non-economic interest. A General Partner Interest may be (but is not required to be) expressed as a number of Partnership Units.
“Incapacity” or “Incapacitated” means, (a) as to any individual Partner, death, total physical disability or entry by a court of competent jurisdiction adjudicating such Partner incompetent to manage his or her Person or estate, (b) as to any corporation which is a Partner, the filing of a certificate of dissolution, or its equivalent, for the corporation or the revocation of its charter, (c) as to any partnership or limited liability company which is a Partner, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the partnership or limited liability company, (d) as to any estate which is a Partner, the distribution by the fiduciary of the estate’s entire interest in the Partnership, (e) as to any trustee of a trust which is a Partner, the termination of the trust (but not the substitution of a new trustee), or (f) as to any Partner, the bankruptcy of such Partner. For purposes of this definition, bankruptcy of a Partner shall be deemed to have occurred when (i) the Partner commences a voluntary proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) the Partner is adjudged as bankrupt or insolvent, or a final and non-appealable order for relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect has been entered against the Partner, (iii) the Partner executes and delivers a general assignment for the benefit of the Partner’s creditors, (iv) the Partner files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the Partner in any proceeding of the nature described in clause (ii) above, (v) the Partner seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver or liquidator for the Partner or for all or any substantial part of the Partner’s properties, (vi) any proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief of or against such Partner under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect has not been dismissed within 120 days after the commencement thereof, (vii) the appointment without the Partner’s consent or acquiescence of a trustee, receiver or liquidator has not been vacated or stayed within 90 days of such appointment, or (viii) an appointment referred to in clause (vii) which has been stayed is not vacated within 90 days after the expiration of any such stay.
“Indemnitee” means: (a) any Person made a party to a proceeding by reason of (i) his or its status as the General Partner, as a trustee, director, officer, shareholder, partner, member, employee, representative or agent of the General Partner, as an officer, employee, representative or agent of the Partnership or as the partnership representative, or (ii) his, her or its liabilities, pursuant to a loan guarantee or otherwise, for any indebtedness of the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership (including, without limitation, any indebtedness which the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership has assumed or taken assets subject to); and (b) such other Persons as the General Partner may designate from time to time (whether before or after the event giving rise to potential liability).
“Initial Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.
“Investment Committee” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.12(a).
“Investment Decision” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.12(a).
“Investments” means any investments by the Company or the Partnership in Real Estate Assets or any other asset.
“IRS” means the Internal Revenue Service, which administers the internal revenue laws of the United States.
“Joint Ventures” means any joint venture or partnership arrangements (other than between the Company and the Partnership) in which the Company or the Partnership or any of their subsidiaries is a co-venturer, member or partner, which are established to own Investments.
“judicial review” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3(b)(1).
“Limited Partner” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto, including any Substituted Limited Partner or Additional Limited Partner, in such Person’s capacity as a limited partner of the Partnership. For purposes of this Agreement and the Act, the Limited Partners shall constitute a single class or group of limited partners.
“Limited Partner Interest” means a Partnership Interest of a Limited Partner in the Partnership representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners and includes any and all benefits to which the holder of such a Partnership Interest may be entitled, as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Person to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. A Limited Partner Interest may be (but is not required to be) expressed as a number of Partnership Units.
“Liquidating Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1.
“Liquidating Gains” means any net gain realized in connection with the actual or hypothetical sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership (including upon the occurrence of any event of liquidation of the Partnership), including but not limited to the net gain realized in connection with an adjustment to the Carrying Value of Partnership assets under Section 1.D of Exhibit A attached hereto.
“Liquidating Losses” means any net loss realized in connection with the actual or hypothetical sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership (including upon the occurrence of any event of liquidation of the Partnership), including but not limited to the net loss realized in connection with an adjustment to the Carrying Value of Partnership assets under Section 1.D of Exhibit A attached hereto.
“Liquidator” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.2.
“LTIP Unitholder” means a Partner that holds LTIP Units.
“LTIP Units” means a Partnership Unit which is designated as an LTIP Unit and which has the rights, preferences and other privileges designated in Section 4.6 and elsewhere in this Agreement in respect of holders of LTIP Units. The allocation of LTIP Units among the Partners shall be set forth on Exhibit A, as it may be amended and/or restated from time to time.
“Net Income” means, for any taxable period, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of income and gain for such taxable period over the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction for such taxable period. The items included in the calculation of Net Income shall be determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax accounting principles, subject to the specific adjustments provided for in Section 1.B of Exhibit A.
“Net Loss” means, for any taxable period, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction for such taxable period over the Partnership’s items of income and gain for such taxable period. The items included in the calculation of Net Loss shall be determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax accounting principles, subject to the specific adjustments provided for in Section 1.B of Exhibit A.
“Non-Approving Partners” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.6(a).
“Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(1), and the amount of Nonrecourse Deductions for a Partnership taxable year shall be determined in accordance with the rules of Regulations Section 1.704-2(c).
“Nonrecourse Liability” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.752-1(a)(2).
“Notice of Redemption” means the Notice of Redemption substantially in the form of Exhibit C.
“NREO” means NexPoint Real Estate Opportunities, LLC or any of its successors or permitted assignees.
“Partner” means a General Partner or a Limited Partner, and “Partners” means the General Partner and the Limited Partners collectively.
“Partner Minimum Gain” means an amount, with respect to each Partner Nonrecourse Debt, equal to the Partnership Minimum Gain that would result if such Partner Nonrecourse Debt were treated as a Nonrecourse Liability, determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(3).
“Partner Nonrecourse Debt” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4).
“Partner Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(2), and the amount of Partner Nonrecourse Deductions with respect to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt for a Partnership taxable year shall be determined in accordance with the rules of Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(2).
“Partnership” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.
“Partnership Board” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.13.
“Partnership Interest” means an ownership interest, including LTIP Units, in the Partnership held by either a Partner, and includes any and all benefits to which the holder of such ownership may be entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Person to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. A Partnership Interest may be (but is not required to be) expressed as a number of Partnership Units.
“Partnership Minimum Gain” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(2), and the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain, as well as any net increase or decrease in a Partnership Minimum Gain, for a Partnership taxable year shall be determined in accordance with the rules of Regulations Section 1.704-2(d).
“Partnership Record Date” means the record date established by the General Partner for the distribution of Available Cash pursuant to Section 5.1, which record date shall be the same as the record date established by the Company for a distribution to its shareholders of some or all of its portion of such distribution or such other record date established by the General Partner.
“partnership representative” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3(a).
“Partnership Unit” means a fractional, undivided share of the Partnership Interests of all Partners issued pursuant to Sections 4.1 and 4.2 and includes Common Units, LTIP Units, Series A Preferred Units and any other classes or series of Partnership Units established after the date hereof. The number of Partnership Units outstanding and the Percentage Interest in the Partnership represented by such Partnership Units are set forth on the books and records of the Partnership.
“Partnership Year” means the fiscal year of the Partnership, which shall be the calendar year.
“Percentage Interest” means, as to a Partner, its interest in the Partnership as determined by dividing the Partnership Units owned by such Partner by the total number of Partnership Units then outstanding and as specified on the books and records of the Partnership; provided, however, that, to the extent applicable in context, the term “Percentage Interest” means, as to a Partner, its interest in a specific class or series (or specified group of classes and/or series) as determined by dividing the Partnership Units of a specific class or series (or specified group of classes and/or series) owned by such Partner by the total number of Partnership Units of such specific class or series (or specified group of classes and/or series) outstanding.
“Person” means an individual or a real estate investment trust, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, estate, unincorporated organization, association or other entity.
“Profits LTIP Unit” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6(a).
“Properties” means any assets and property of the Partnership such as, but not limited to, interests in real property and personal property, including, without limitation, fee interests, interests in ground leases, easements and rights of way, interests in limited liability companies, Joint Ventures or partnerships, interests in mortgages, and Debt instruments as the Partnership may hold from time to time and “Property” means any one such asset or property.
“Publicly Traded” means listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Stock Market, or any successor to any of the foregoing.
“Purchase Agreements” means (a) those certain Partnership Interest Purchase and Sale and Contribution Agreements, dated July 18, 2018, to acquire all of the issued and outstanding partnership interests of VineBrook Annex I, LP and VineBrook Annex B, LP, (b) that certain Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated July 18, 2018, to acquire all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of Huber Funding, LLC and VineBrook Properties, LLC, and (c) those certain Partnership Merger Agreements, dated July 18, 2018, to acquire all of the issued and outstanding partnership interests of VineBrook Partners, LP and VineBrook Partners II, LP.
“Qualified REIT Subsidiary” means a qualified REIT subsidiary of the Company within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2).
“Real Estate Assets” means any investment by the Company or the Partnership (including, without limitation, reserves for capital expenditures) in unimproved and improved Real Property (including, without limitation, fee or leasehold interests, options and leases) either directly, through a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company or the Partnership or through a Joint Venture.
“Real Property” means real property owned from time to time by the Company or the Partnership, either directly, through a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company or the Partnership or through a Joint Venture, which consists of (a) land only, (b) land, including the single-family and multi-family residences located thereon, (c) single-family and multi-family residences only, (d) real estate-related securities (including preferred stock), mortgage, bridge or mezzanine loans, or (e) such Investments the General Partner or the Adviser designate as Real Property to the extent such Investments could be classified as Real Property.
“Recapture Income” means any gain recognized by the Partnership upon the disposition of any property or asset of the Partnership, which gain is characterized as ordinary income because it represents the recapture of deductions previously taken with respect to such property or asset.
“Redeeming Partner” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.6(a).
“Redemption Amount” means either the Cash Amount or the REIT Shares Amount, as determined by the General Partner; provided, however, that if the REIT Shares are not Publicly Traded at the time a Redeeming Partner exercises its Redemption Right, the Redemption Amount shall be paid only in the form of the Cash Amount unless the Redeeming Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, consents to payment of the Redemption Amount in the form of the REIT Shares Amount. A Redeeming Partner shall have no right, without the Board of Director’s consent, in its sole and absolute discretion, to receive the Redemption Amount in the form of the REIT Shares Amount.
“Redemption Right” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.6(a).
“Regulations” means the Income Tax Regulations promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).
“Reinvestment Plan” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.7.
“REIT” means a real estate investment trust under Section 856 of the Code.
“REIT Shares” means shares of Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company.
“REIT Shares Amount” means a number of REIT Shares equal to the product of the number of Partnership Units offered for redemption by a Redeeming Partner, multiplied by the Conversion Factor; provided, that in the event the Company issues to all holders of REIT Shares rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities entitling the shareholders to subscribe for or purchase REIT Shares, or any other securities or property (collectively, the “rights”), and the Company can issue such rights to the Redeeming Partner, then the REIT Shares Amount shall also include such rights that a holder of that number of REIT Shares would be entitled to receive.
“Residual Gain” or “Residual Loss” means any item of gain or loss, as the case may be, of the Partnership recognized for federal income tax purposes resulting from a sale, exchange or other disposition of Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, to the extent such item of gain or loss is not allocated pursuant to Section 2.B.(1)(a) or 2.B.(2)(a) of Exhibit B to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities.
“Sale of the Partnership” means (a) a transaction or series of related transactions of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership, not in the ordinary course of the Partnership’s business, (b) a transaction or series of related transactions in which a Person, or group of related Persons, acquires more than 50% of the outstanding Partnership Units to, or (c) the merger or consolidation of the Partnership with or into another Person that is not (i) an Affiliate of the Partnership or (ii) a Partner, in each case in clauses (b) and (c) above, under circumstances in which the holders of a majority of Partnership Units, immediately prior to such transaction, own less than a majority in voting power of the surviving or resulting Person immediately following such transaction.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Series A Preferred Units” means a Preferred Unit which is designated as a “6.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units” and which has the rights, preferences and other privileges designated in Annex B hereto and elsewhere in this Agreement in respect of holders of Preferred Units.
“Side Letter” means that certain side letter, dated November 1, 2018, by and among the General Partner, the Manager, the Company, the Partnership and other parties thereto, as was and may further be amended, restated, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time.
“Specified Redemption Date” means (i) in the case of a redemption by any Class A Common Unitholder, the day of receipt by the Partnership of a Notice of Redemption and (ii) in the case of a redemption by any holder of Common Units other than Class A Common Units, the 10th Business Day after receipt by the Partnership of a Notice of Redemption; provided, that if the Company combines its outstanding REIT Shares, no Specified Redemption Date shall occur after the record date of such combination of REIT Shares and prior to the effective date of such combination.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any real estate investment trust, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which a majority of (a) the voting power of the voting equity securities or (b) the outstanding equity interests, is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.
“Substituted Limited Partner” means a Person who is admitted as a Limited Partner to the Partnership pursuant to Section 11.4.
“Target Balance” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.H.1 of Exhibit B.
“tax audit” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3(b)(1).
“Tenant” means any tenant from which the Company derives rent either directly or indirectly through partnerships or limited liability companies, including the Partnership.
“transfer” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.1(a).
“Trading Days” means days on which the primary trading market for REIT Shares, if any, is open for trading.
“Unrealized Gain” attributable to any item of Partnership Property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of such property (as determined under Exhibit A) as of such date; over (b) the Carrying Value of such property (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Exhibit A) as of such date.
“Unrealized Loss” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the Carrying Value of such property (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Exhibit A) as of such date; over (b) the fair market value of such property (as determined under Exhibit A) as of such date.
“Unvested LTIP Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6(c)(1).
“Valuation Date” means the date of receipt by the General Partner of a Notice of Redemption or, if such date is not a Business Day, the first Business Day thereafter.
“Value” means, with respect to a REIT Share, the greater of (a) the Company’s most recent net asset value, as determined by the Board of Directors and (b) if the REIT Shares are listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the volume weighted average price for the 10 consecutive Trading Days immediately preceding the Valuation Date. If the REIT Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the volume weighted average price with respect to a REIT Share will be the volume weighted average 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 if no such 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 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 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.
“Vested LTIP Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6(c)(1).
“Vesting Agreement” means each or any, as the context implies, agreement or instrument entered into by a holder of LTIP Units upon acceptance of an award of LTIP Units under an Equity Incentive Plan.
ARTICLE 2.
ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
Section 2.1. Continuation.
The Partners hereby continue the Partnership as a limited partnership under and pursuant to the Act. Except as expressly provided herein to the contrary, the rights and obligations of the Partners and the administration and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Act. The Partnership Interest of each Partner shall be personal property for all purposes.
Section 2.2. Name.
The name of the Partnership heretofore formed and continued hereby shall be VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P. The Partnership’s business may be conducted under any other name or names deemed advisable by the General Partner. The words “Limited Partnership,” “L.P.,” “Ltd.” or similar words or letters shall be included in the Partnership’s name where necessary for the purposes of complying with the laws of any jurisdiction that so requires. The General Partner may change the name of the Partnership at any time and from time to time and shall notify the Limited Partners of such change in the next regular communication to the Limited Partners.
Section 2.3. Registered Office and Agent; Principal Office.
The address of the registered office of the Partnership in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware, 19801 and the registered agent for service of process on the Partnership in the State of Delaware shall be The Corporation Trust Company. The principal office of the Partnership shall be 300 Crescent Court, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75201 or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners. The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the General Partner deems advisable.
Section 2.4. Power of Attorney.
(a) Each Limited Partner and each Assignee hereby constitutes and appoints the General Partner, any Liquidator, and authorized officers and attorneys-in-fact of each (the “Attorney In Fact”), and each of those acting singly, in each case with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in its name, place and stead to execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices: (i) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including, without limitation, this Agreement and the Certificate and all amendments or restatements thereof) that the Attorney in Fact deems appropriate or necessary to form, qualify or continue the existence or qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the Limited Partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware and in all other jurisdictions in which the Partnership may or plans to conduct business or own property; (ii) all instruments that the Attorney In Fact deems appropriate or necessary to reflect any amendment, change, modification or restatement of this Agreement in accordance with its terms; (iii) all conveyances and other instruments or documents that the Attorney In Fact deems appropriate or necessary to reflect the dissolution and winding up of the Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, a certificate of cancellation; (iv) all conveyances and other instruments or documents that the Attorney In Fact deems appropriate or necessary to reflect the distribution or exchange of assets of the Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and (v) all instruments relating to the admission, withdrawal, removal or substitution of any Partner pursuant to Articles 11, 12 or 13 hereof or the Capital Contribution of any Partner. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as authorizing the Attorney In Fact to amend this Agreement except in accordance with Article 14 hereof or as may be otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement.
(b) The foregoing power of attorney is hereby declared to be irrevocable and a power coupled with an interest, in recognition of the fact that each of the Partners will be relying upon the power of the Attorney In Fact to act as contemplated by this Agreement in any filing or other action by it on behalf of the Partnership, and it shall survive and not be affected by the subsequent Incapacity of any Limited Partner or Assignee and the transfer of all or any portion of such Limited Partner’s or Assignee’s Partnership Units and shall extend to such Limited Partner’s or Assignee’s heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives. Each such Limited Partner or Assignee hereby agrees to be bound by any representation made by the Attorney In Fact, acting in good faith pursuant to such power of attorney, and each such Limited Partner or Assignee hereby waives any and all defenses which may be available to contest, negate or disaffirm the action of the Attorney In Fact, taken in good faith under such power of attorney. Each Limited Partner or Assignee shall execute and deliver to the General Partner or the Liquidator, within 15 days after receipt of the General Partner’s or Liquidator’s request therefor, such further designation, powers of attorney and other instruments as the General Partner or the Liquidator, as the case may be, deems necessary to effectuate this Agreement and the purposes of the Partnership.
Section 2.5. Term.
The term of the Partnership commenced on the date that the Certificate was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and shall continue until dissolved pursuant to the provisions of Article 13 or as otherwise provided by law.
Section 2.6. Admission of Partners.
Each Limited Partner being admitted to the Partnership from time to time after the date hereof shall be deemed admitted to the Partnership as a limited partner of the Partnership upon such Limited Partner’s execution and delivery of a counterpart to this Agreement or equivalent thereof, including but not limited to a power of attorney granted to the General Partner, and delivery to the Partnership of its initial Capital Contribution, such initial Capital Contribution specified on the books and records on the Partnership pursuant to Section 4.1. Each General Partner being admitted to the Partnership from time to time after the date hereof shall be deemed admitted to the Partnership as a general partner of the Partnership in accordance with Section 11.2 of this Agreement following such General Partner’s execution and delivery of a counterpart to this Agreement or equivalent thereof, and such other documentation reasonably required by the Partnership Board.
ARTICLE 3.
PURPOSE
Section 3.1. Purpose and Business.
The purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership is to conduct any business that may be lawfully conducted by a limited partnership formed pursuant to the Act.
Section 3.2. Powers.
The Partnership shall be empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental to or convenient for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described herein and for the protection and benefit of the Partnership, including, without limitation, full power and authority, directly or through its ownership interest in other entities, to enter into, perform and carry out contracts of any kind, borrow money and issue evidences of indebtedness, whether or not secured by mortgage, deed of trust, pledge or other lien, acquire, own, manage, improve and develop real property, and lease, sell, transfer and dispose of real property.
Section 3.3. Representations and Warranties by the Parties.
(a) Each Partner that is an individual represents and warrants to each other Partner that (i) such Partner has the legal capacity to enter into this Agreement and perform such Partner’s obligations hereunder, (ii) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be performed by such Partner will not result in a breach or violation of, or a default under, any agreement by which such Partner or any of such Partner’s property is or are bound, or any statute, regulation, order or other law to which such Partner is subject, (iii) such Partner is a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code, and (iv) this Agreement is binding upon, and enforceable against, such Partner in accordance with its terms.
(b) Each Partner that is not an individual represents and warrants to each other Partner that (i) its execution and delivery of this Agreement and all transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be performed by it have been duly authorized by all necessary action, including without limitation, that of its general partner(s), committee(s), trustee(s), beneficiaries, director(s) and/or shareholder(s), as the case may be, as required, (ii) the consummation of such transactions shall not result in a breach or violation of, or a default under, its certificate of limited partnership, partnership agreement, trust agreement, limited liability company operating agreement, declaration of trust, charter or bylaws, as the case may be, any agreement by which such Partner or any of such Partner’s properties or any of its partners, beneficiaries, trustees or shareholders, as the case may be, is or are bound, or any statute, regulation, order or other law to which such Partner or any of its partners, trustees, beneficiaries or shareholders, as the case may be, is or are subject, (iii) such Partner is a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code and (iv) this Agreement is binding upon, and enforceable against, such Partner in accordance with its terms.
(c) Each Partner represents, warrants and agrees that it has acquired and continues to hold its interest in the Partnership for its own account for investment only and not for the purpose of, or with a view toward, the resale or distribution of all or any part thereof, nor with a view toward selling or otherwise distributing such interest or any part thereof at any particular time or under any predetermined circumstances. Each Partner further represents and warrants that it is a sophisticated investor, able and accustomed to handling sophisticated financial matters for itself, particularly real estate investments, and that it has a sufficiently high net worth that it does not anticipate a need for the funds it has invested in the Partnership in what it understands to be a highly speculative and illiquid investment.
(d) Each Partner further represents, warrants, covenants and agrees as follows:
(1) Except as provided in Exhibit E hereto, at any time such Partner actually or Constructively Owns a 25% or greater capital interest or profits interest in the Partnership, it does not and will not, without the prior written consent of the General Partner, actually own or Constructively Own (i) with respect to any Tenant that is a corporation, any stock of such Tenant, and (ii) with respect to any Tenant that is not a corporation, any interest in either the assets or net profits of such Tenant.
(2) Upon request of the General Partner, it will promptly disclose to the General Partner the amount of REIT Shares or other capital shares of the Company that it actually owns or Constructively Owns.
(3) Without the consent of the General Partner, which may be given or withheld in its sole discretion, no Partner shall take any action that would cause the Partnership at any time to have more than 100 partners (including as partners those Persons indirectly owning an interest in the Partnership through a partnership, limited liability company, S corporation or grantor trust (such entity, a “flow through entity”), but only if substantially all of the value of such person’s interest in the flow through entity is attributable to the flow through entity’s interest (direct or indirect) in the Partnership).
(e) The representations and warranties contained in this Section 3.3 shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement by each Partner and the dissolution and winding up of the Partnership.
(f) Each Partner hereby acknowledges that no representations as to potential profit, cash flows, funds from operations or yield, if any, in respect of the Partnership or the Company have been made by any Partner or any employee or representative or Affiliate of any Partner, and that projections and any other information, including, without limitation, financial and descriptive information and documentation, which may have been in any manner submitted to such Partner shall not constitute any representation or warranty of any kind or nature, express or implied.
(g) Each Partner understands that if, for any reason, (i) the representations, warranties or agreements set forth in this Section 3.3 are violated, or (ii) the Partnership’s actual or Constructive Ownership of REIT Shares or other capital shares of the Company violates the limitations set forth in the Charter, then (x) some or all of the Redemption Rights of the Partners may become non-exercisable, and (y) some or all of the REIT Shares owned by the Partners may be automatically transferred to a trust for the benefit of a charitable beneficiary, as provided in the Charter.
Section 3.4. Not Publicly Traded.
The Partners intend for the Partnership to be treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes and no election to the contrary shall be made. The General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, shall use its commercially reasonable efforts not to take any action which would result in the Partnership being a publicly traded partnership within the meaning of either Code Section 469(k)(2) or 7704(b). Subject to this Section 3.4, it is expressly acknowledged and agreed by the Partners that the General Partner may, in its sole and absolute discretion, waive or otherwise modify the application with respect to any Partner(s) or Assignee(s) of any provision herein restricting, prohibiting or otherwise relating to (a) the transfer of a Limited Partner Interest or the Partnership Units evidencing the same, (b) the admission of any Limited Partners and (c) the Redemption Rights of such Partners, and that such waivers or modifications may be made by the General Partner at any time or from time to time, including, without limitation, concurrently with the issuance of any Partnership Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 4.
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Section 4.1. Capital Contributions of the Partners.
At the time of their respective execution of this Agreement by delivery of a counterpart signature page to the same or an equivalent thereof, the Partners shall make or shall have made Capital Contributions. The Partners shall own Partnership Units of the class or series and in the amounts and shall have a Percentage Interest in the Partnership in each case as set forth on the books and records of the Partnership. The Percentage Interest shall be adjusted from time to time by the General Partner to the extent necessary to reflect accurately exchanges, redemptions, additional Capital Contributions, the issuance of additional Partnership Units (pursuant to any merger or otherwise), or similar events having an effect on any Partner’s Percentage Interest. Except as provided in Sections 4.3 and 10.4, the Partners shall have no obligation to make any additional Capital Contributions or loans to the Partnership. Each Limited Partner that contributes any Contributed Property shall promptly provide the General Partner with any information regarding such Contributed Property that is requested by the General Partner, including for Partnership tax return reporting purposes.
Section 4.2. Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests.
The General Partner is hereby authorized, without the need for any vote or approval of any Partner or any other Person who may hold Partnership Units or Partnership interests, to cause the Partnership from time to time to issue to any existing Partner (including the General Partner and the Company) or to any other Person, and to admit such Person as a limited partner in the Partnership, Partnership Units (including, without limitation, Common Units and preferred Partnership Units) or other Partnership Interests, in each case in exchange for the contribution by such Person of property or other assets, in one or more classes, or one or more series of any of such classes, or otherwise with such designations, preferences, redemption and conversion rights and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, powers and duties, including rights, powers and duties senior to Limited Partner Interests, all as shall be determined by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion subject to Delaware law, including, without limitation, (i) the allocations of items of Partnership income, gain, loss, deduction and credit to each 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. The issuance and terms of any LTIP Units shall be in accordance with Section 4.6
Section 4.3. Additional Funds.
(a) The General Partner may, at any time and from time to time, determine that the Partnership requires additional funds (“Additional Funds”) for the acquisition of additional Properties, for the redemption of Partnership Units or for such other purposes as the General Partner may determine in its sole and absolute discretion. Subject to Section 7.1(a), Additional Funds may be obtained by the Partnership, at the election of the General Partner, in any manner provided in, and in accordance with, the terms of this Section 4.3.
(b) Without the approval of any Limited Partners, the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, may obtain any Additional Funds by accepting Capital Contributions from any Partners or other Persons. In connection with any such Capital Contribution (of cash or property), the General Partner is hereby authorized, to cause the Partnership from time to time to issue additional Partnership Units (as set forth in Section 4.2 above) in consideration therefor, and the Percentage Interests of the Partners shall be adjusted to reflect the issuance of such additional Partnership Units.
(c) The General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, may obtain any Additional Funds by causing the Partnership to incur Debt to any Person upon such terms as the General Partner determines appropriate, including making such Debt convertible, redeemable or exchangeable for Partnership Units or REIT Shares; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not incur any such Debt if such Debt is recourse to any Partner (unless the Partner otherwise agrees).
(d) Subject to Section 7.12, the General Partner may obtain any Additional Funds by causing the Partnership to incur Debt with the Company; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not incur any such Debt if (i) a breach, violation or default of such Debt would be deemed to occur by virtue of the transfer of any Partnership Interest, or (ii) such Debt is recourse to any Partner (unless the Partner otherwise agrees).
Section 4.4. No Interest.
No Partner shall be entitled to interest on its Capital Contribution or on such Partner’s Capital Account.
Section 4.5. Preemptive Rights.
No Person shall have any preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to (a) additional Capital Contributions or loans to the Partnership or (b) the issuance or sale of any Partnership Units or other Partnership Interests.
Section 4.6. LTIP Units.
(a) Issuance of LTIP Units. The General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, may from time to time issue LTIP Units to Persons who provide services to the Partnership, the General Partner or the Company, for such consideration as the General Partner, may determine to be appropriate, and admit such Persons as Limited Partners. LTIP Units may be issued as either capital interests for federal income tax purposes (each, a “Capital LTIP Unit”) or profits interests for federal income tax purposes (each, a “Profits LTIP Unit”). Subject to the following provisions of this Section 4.6 and the special provisions of Sections 4.7, or as otherwise provided in this Agreement with respect to Profits LTIP Units, LTIP Units shall be treated as Class C Common Units, with all of the rights, privileges and obligations attendant thereto. For purposes of computing the Partners’ Percentage Interests, holders of LTIP Units shall be treated as Class C Common Unitholders and LTIP Units shall be treated as Class C Common Units. In particular, the Partnership shall maintain at all times a one-to-one correspondence between LTIP Units and Class C Common Units for conversion, distribution and other purposes, including, without limitation, complying with the following procedures:
(1) If an Adjustment Event (as defined below) occurs, then the General Partner shall make a corresponding adjustment to the LTIP Units to maintain a one-for-one conversion and economic equivalence (subject to the economic differences between Profits LTIP Units and Class C Common Units) ratio between Class C Common Units and LTIP Units. The following shall be “Adjustment Events”: (A) the Partnership makes a distribution on all outstanding Class C Common Units in Partnership Units, (B) the Partnership subdivides the outstanding Class C Common Units into a greater number of units or combines the outstanding Class C Common Units into a smaller number of units, or (C) the Partnership issues any Partnership Units in exchange for its outstanding Class C Common Units by way of a reclassification or recapitalization of its Class C Common Units. If more than one Adjustment Event occurs, the adjustment to the LTIP Units need be made only once using a single formula that takes into account each and every Adjustment Event as if all Adjustment Events occurred simultaneously. For the avoidance of doubt, the following shall not be Adjustment Events: (x) the issuance of Partnership Units in a financing, reorganization, acquisition (through the acquisition of equity interests or assets), merger, or other similar business combination, (y) the issuance of Partnership Units pursuant to any employee benefit or compensation plan or distribution reinvestment plan or (z) the issuance of any Partnership Units to the General Partner in respect of a Capital Contribution to the Partnership. If the Partnership takes an action affecting the Class C Common Units other than actions specifically described above as “Adjustment Events” and in the opinion of the General Partner, such action would require an adjustment to the LTIP Units to maintain the one-to-one correspondence described above, the General Partner shall have the right to make such adjustment to the LTIP Units, to the extent permitted by law and by any Equity Incentive Plan, in such manner and at such time as the General Partner, in its sole discretion, may determine to be appropriate under the circumstances. If an adjustment is made to the LTIP Units, as herein provided, the Partnership shall promptly file in the books and records of the Partnership an officer’s certificate setting forth such adjustment and a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment, which certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the correctness of such adjustment absent manifest error. Promptly after filing of such certificate, the Partnership shall mail a notice to each LTIP Unitholder setting forth the adjustment to his or her LTIP Units and the effective date of such adjustment; and
(2) The LTIP Unitholders shall, when, as and if authorized and declared by the General Partner out of assets legally available for that purpose, be entitled to receive distributions in an amount per LTIP Unit equal to the distributions per Class C Common Unit, paid to holders of Class C Common Units on such Partnership Record Date established by the General Partner with respect to such distribution.
(b) Priority. Subject to the provisions of this Section 4.6 and the special provisions of Sections 4.7 and 5.1, the LTIP Units shall rank pari passu with the Class C Common Units as to the payment of regular and special periodic or other distributions and distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. As to the payment of distributions and as to distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, any class or series of Partnership Units which by its terms specifies that it shall rank junior to, on a parity with, or senior to the Class C Common Units shall also rank junior to, or pari passu with, or senior to, as the case may be, the LTIP Units. Subject to the terms of any Vesting Agreement, an LTIP Unitholder shall be entitled to transfer his or her LTIP Units to the same extent, and subject to the same restrictions as holders of Class C Common Units are entitled to transfer their Class C Common Units pursuant to Article XI.
(c) Special Provisions. LTIP Units shall be subject to the following special provisions:
(1) Vesting Agreements. LTIP Units may, at the direction of the Board of Directors, be issued subject to vesting, forfeiture and additional restrictions on transfer pursuant to the terms of a Vesting Agreement. The terms of any Vesting Agreement may be modified by the General Partner (only with the approval of the Board of Directors) from time to time, subject to any restrictions on amendment imposed by the relevant Vesting Agreement or by the Equity Incentive Plan, if applicable. LTIP Units that have vested under the terms of a Vesting Agreement are referred to as “Vested LTIP Units”; all other LTIP Units shall be treated as “Unvested LTIP Units.”
(2) Forfeiture. Unless otherwise specified in the Vesting Agreement, upon the occurrence of any event specified in a Vesting Agreement as resulting in either the right of the Partnership to repurchase LTIP Units at a specified purchase price or some other forfeiture of any LTIP Units, then if the Partnership exercises such right to repurchase or forfeiture in accordance with the applicable Vesting Agreement, the relevant LTIP Units shall immediately, and without any further action, be treated as cancelled and no longer outstanding for any purpose. Unless otherwise specified in the Vesting Agreement, no consideration or other payment shall be due with respect to any LTIP Units that have been forfeited, other than any distributions declared with respect to a Partnership Record Date prior to the effective date of the forfeiture.
(3) Redemption. The Redemption Right provided to the holders of Class C Common Unit under Section 8.6 shall not apply with respect to Vested LTIP Units unless and until they are converted to Class C Common Units as provided in Section 4.7.
(d) Voting. Solely with respect to Vested LTIP Units, LTIP Unitholders shall have the same voting rights as the Class C Common Unitholders, with the LTIP Units voting as a single class with the Class C Common Units and having one vote per LTIP Unit.
Section 4.7. Conversion of LTIP Units.
(a) Conversion Right. An LTIP Unitholder shall have the right (the “Conversion Right”), at his or her option, at any time to convert all or a portion of his or her Vested LTIP Units into Class C Common Units; provided, however, that a holder may not exercise the Conversion Right for less than one thousand (1,000) Vested LTIP Units or, if such holder holds less than one thousand Vested LTIP Units, all of the Vested LTIP Units held by such holder; provided, further, that a holder of a Profits LTIP Unit may not exercise the Conversion Right with respect to such Profits LTIP Unit prior to the date on which the Book-Up Target for such Profits LTIP Unit becomes zero (an LTIP Unit eligible for conversion pursuant to this Section 4.7(a), an “Eligible LTIP Unit”). LTIP Unitholders shall not have the right to convert Unvested LTIP Units into Class C Common Units until they become Vested LTIP Units; provided, however, that when an LTIP Unitholder is notified of the expected occurrence of an event that will cause his or her Unvested LTIP Units to become Vested LTIP Units, such LTIP Unitholder may give the Partnership a Conversion Notice conditioned upon and effective as of the time of vesting and such Conversion Notice, unless subsequently revoked by the LTIP Unitholder, shall be accepted by the Partnership subject to such condition. The General Partner shall have the right at any time to cause a conversion of Vested LTIP Units into Class C Common Units. In all cases, the conversion of any LTIP Units into Class C Common Units shall be subject to the conditions and procedures set forth in this Section 4.7.
(b) Exercise by an LTIP Unitholder. A holder of Eligible LTIP Units may convert such Eligible LTIP Units into an equal number of fully paid and non-assessable Class C Common Units, giving effect to all adjustments (if any) made pursuant to Section 4.6. In order to exercise his or her Conversion Right, an LTIP Unitholder shall deliver a notice (a “Conversion Notice”) in the form attached as Exhibit F to this Agreement to the Partnership (with a copy to the General Partner) not less than ten nor more than 60 days prior to a date (the “Conversion Date”) specified in such Conversion Notice. A Conversion Notice shall be provided in the manner provided in Section 15.1. Each LTIP Unitholder covenants and agrees with the Partnership that all Eligible LTIP Units to be converted pursuant to this Section 4.7(b) shall be free and clear of all liens and encumbrances. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a holder of Eligible LTIP Units may deliver a Notice of Redemption pursuant to Section 8.6 relating to those Class C Common Units that will be issued to such holder upon conversion of such Eligible LTIP Units into Class C Common Units in advance of the Conversion Date; provided, however, that the redemption of such Class C Common Units by the Partnership shall in no event take place until after the Conversion Date.
(c) Forced Conversion. The General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, may cause any number of Eligible LTIP Units held by an LTIP Unitholder to be converted (a “Forced Conversion”) into an equal number of Class C Common Units, giving effect to all adjustments (if any) made pursuant to Section 4.6; provided, however, that the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, may not cause Forced Conversion of any LTIP Units that would not at the time be eligible for conversion at the option of such LTIP Unitholder pursuant to Section 4.7(b). In order to exercise its right of Forced Conversion, the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership, shall deliver a notice (a “Forced Conversion Notice”) in the form attached as Exhibit G to this Agreement to the applicable LTIP Unitholder not less than ten nor more than 60 days prior to the Conversion Date specified in such Forced Conversion Notice. A Forced Conversion Notice shall be provided in the manner provided in Section 15.1.
(d) Completion of Conversion. A conversion of Eligible LTIP Units for which the holder thereof has given a Conversion Notice or the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, has given a Forced Conversion Notice shall occur automatically after the close of business on the applicable Conversion Date without any action on the part of such LTIP Unitholder, as of which time such LTIP Unitholder shall be credited on the books and records of the Partnership with the issuance as of the opening of business on the next day of the number of Class C Common Units issuable upon such conversion. After the conversion of Eligible LTIP Units as aforesaid, the Partnership shall deliver to such LTIP Unitholder, upon his or her written request, a certificate of the General Partner certifying the number of Class C Common Units and remaining LTIP Units, if any, held by such person immediately after such conversion.
ARTICLE 5.
DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 5.1. Requirement and Characterization of Distributions.
The General Partner shall distribute at least quarterly, or more frequently if required by this Agreement, a portion of Available Cash generated by the Partnership during such quarter or shorter period, to the Partners that are Partners on the Partnership Record Date with respect to such quarter or shorter period pro rata in accordance with the following order of priority: (i) first, with respect to any Partnership Units that are entitled to any preference in distribution, in accordance with the rights of holders of such class(es) of Partnership Unit (and, within each class, among the holders of each such class, pro rata in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests of such class on such Partnership Record Date); and (ii) second, with respect to any Partnership Units that are not entitled to any preference in distribution, in accordance with the rights of holders of such class(es) of Partnership Unit (and, within each class, among the holders of each such class, pro rata in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests of such class on such Partnership Record Date); provided, that in no event may a Partner receive a distribution of Available Cash with respect to a Partnership Unit if such Partner is entitled to receive a distribution out of such Available Cash with respect to a REIT Share for which such Partnership Unit has been exchanged, and any such distribution shall be made to the Company. In accordance with Section 4.6(a), LTIP Unitholders shall be entitled to receive distributions pursuant to this Section 5.1 in an amount per LTIP Unit equal to distributions made per Class C Common Unit.
Section 5.2. Amounts Withheld.
All amounts withheld pursuant to the Code or any provisions of any state, local or non-U.S. tax law and Section 10.4 with respect to any allocation, payment or distribution to any Partner or Assignee shall be treated as amounts distributed to such Partner or Assignee pursuant to Section 5.1 for all purposes under this Agreement.
Section 5.3. Distributions Upon Liquidation.
Proceeds from a Sale of the Partnership and any other cash received or reductions in reserves made after commencement of the liquidation of the Partnership shall be distributed to the Partners in accordance with Section 13.2.
Section 5.4. Restricted Distributions.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Partnership, and the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership, shall not make a distribution to any Partner on account of its interest in the Partnership if such distribution would violate Section 17-607 of the Act or other applicable law.
ARTICLE 6.
ALLOCATIONS
Section 6.1. Allocations For Capital Account Purposes
(a) After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 1 of Exhibit B attached hereto for the applicable taxable year or other allocation period, and subject to Section 4 of Exhibit A attached hereto, Net Income for each taxable year or other allocation period shall be allocated to the Partners’ Capital Accounts in the following order of priority:
(1) First, to the General Partner until the cumulative Net Income allocated to the General Partner under this Section 6.1(a)(1) equals the cumulative Net Loss allocated to the General Partner under Section 6.1(b)(3);
(2) Second, to the holders of Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units until the cumulative Net Income allocated to such holders under this Section 6.1(a)(2) equals the cumulative Net Loss allocated to such holders under Section 6.1(b)(2) (pro rata in accordance with the excess of such Net Loss over such Net Income for each such holder);
(3) Third, to the holders of Common Units and LTIP Units until the cumulative Net Income allocated to such holders under this Section 6.1(a)(3) equals the cumulative Net Loss allocated to such holders under Section 6.1(b)(1) (pro rata in accordance with the excess of such Net Loss over such Net Income for each such holder);
(4) Fourth, 100% to the holders of Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units, pro rata in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests in the Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units, until the cumulative Net Income allocated to such holders under this Section 6.1(a)(4) is equal to the excess of (x) the cumulative amount of distributions such holders have received with respect the Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units (other than distributions of Base Liquidation Preference) for all Partnership Years or other applicable periods or to the date of redemption, to the extent such Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units are redeemed during such period, over (y) the cumulative Net Income allocated to such holders with respect to the Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units, pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(4) for all prior Partnership Years or other applicable periods; and
(5) Thereafter, to the holders of Common Units and LTIP Units pro rata in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.
(b) After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 1 of Exhibit B attached hereto for the applicable taxable year or other allocation period, and subject to Section 4 of Exhibit A attached hereto, Net Loss for each taxable year or other allocation period shall be allocated to the Partners’ Capital Accounts in the following order of priority.
(1) First, to the holders of Common Units and LTIP Units with positive balances in their Economic Capital Account Balances attributable to the Common Units and LTIP Units in accordance with such balances until their Economic Capital Account Balances attributable to the Common Units and LTIP Units are reduced to zero;
(2) Second, to the holders of Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units, pro rata in accordance with their respective Partnership Interests in the Series A Preferred Units and the Series B Preferred Units, until the Adjusted Capital Account of such holders in respect of its Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units is reduced to zero; and
(3) Thereafter, to the General Partner.
For purposes of determining allocations of Net Loss pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(1), a holder of a Profits LTIP Unit shall be treated as having a separate Economic Capital Account Balance, and for this purpose a separate Capital Account with an appropriate share of Partnership Minimum Gain and Partner Minimum Gain shall be maintained, for each tranche of Profits LTIP Units with a different issuance date that it holds and a separate Capital Account for its Common Units or Capital LTIP Units, if applicable, and the Economic Capital Account Balance of each holder of Common Units or Capital LTIP Units shall not include any Economic Capital Account Balance attributable to other series or classes of Partnership Units.
(c) It is the intention of the parties hereunder that the aggregate Capital Account balance of any holder of Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units in respect of its Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units at any date shall not exceed the amount of the original Capital Contributions made in respect of its Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units plus all accrued and unpaid distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the extent not previously distributed. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in connection with the liquidation of the Partnership or the interest of a holder of Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units, and prior to making any other allocations of Net Income or Net Loss, items of income and gain or deduction and loss shall first be allocated to each holder of Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units in respect of its Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units in such amounts as is required to cause the Adjusted Capital Account of such holders with respect to such Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units (taking into account any amounts such holder is obligated to contribute to the capital of the Partnership or is deemed obligated to contribute pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c)(2)) to equal the amount such holder is entitled to receive in respect of its Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units pursuant to the provisions of Sections 6 and 7 of Annex B and Annex C, as applicable.
ARTICLE 7.
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF BUSINESS
Section 7.1. Management.
(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership are and shall be exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no Limited Partner shall have any right to participate in or exercise control or management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership. The General Partner may be removed, with or without cause, by the Partnership Board in accordance with Sections 7.13 and 11.2. In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted to a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or which are granted to the General Partner under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to the terms of this Agreement, shall have full power and authority to do all things deemed necessary, desirable or convenient by it to conduct the business of the Partnership, to exercise all powers set forth in Section 3.2 and to effectuate the purposes set forth in Section 3.1 hereof, including, without limitation:
(1) the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money (including, without limitation, making prepayments on loans and borrowing money to permit the Partnership to make distributions to its Partners in such amounts as will permit the Company (so long as the Company desires to maintain its qualification as a REIT) to avoid the payment of any U.S. federal income tax (including, for this purpose, any excise tax pursuant to Section 4981 of the Code) and to make distributions to its shareholders in amounts sufficient to permit the Company to maintain its REIT status), the assumption or guarantee of, or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities, the issuance of evidence of indebtedness (including the securing of the same by deed, mortgage, deed of trust or other lien or encumbrance on the Partnership’s assets or any assets of its Subsidiaries);
(2) the making of tax, regulatory and other filings or elections, or rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over the business or assets of the Partnership;
(3) the acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange of any assets of the Partnership (including the exercise or grant of any conversion, option, privilege, or subscription right or other right available in connection with any assets at any time held by the Partnership) or the merger or other combination of the Partnership with or into another entity (all of the foregoing subject to any prior approval only to the extent required by Section 7.3);
(4) the mortgage, pledge, encumbrance or hypothecation of any assets of the Partnership, the use of the assets of the Partnership (including, without limitation, cash on hand) for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement and on any terms that it sees fit, including, without limitation, the financing of the conduct of the operations of the Partnership, the Company or any of the Partnership’s or the Company’s Subsidiaries, the lending of funds to other Persons (including, without limitation, the Subsidiaries of the Partnership and/or the Company) and the repayment of obligations of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries and any other Person in which it has an equity investment, and the making of capital contributions to its Subsidiaries;
(5) the negotiation, execution, delivery and performance of any contracts (including leases), conveyances or other instruments that the General Partner considers useful or necessary or convenient to the conduct of the Partnership’s operations or the implementation of the General Partner’s powers under this Agreement, including, without limitation, contracting with consultants, accountants, legal counsel, other professional advisors and other agents and the payment of their expenses and compensation out of the Partnership’s assets;
(6) the distribution of Partnership cash or other Partnership assets in accordance with this Agreement;
(7) holding, managing, investing and reinvesting cash and other assets of the Partnership;
(8) the amending, restating and/or supplementing this Agreement, any side letter contemplated by Section 15.11, or the Certificate;
(9) the establishment of one or more divisions of the Partnership, the selection and dismissal of employees of the Partnership (including, without limitation, employees who may be designated as officers with titles such as “president,” “vice president,” “secretary” and “treasurer” of the Partnership), and agents, outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors of the Partnership, and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;
(10) the formation of, or acquisition of an interest in, and the contribution of property to, any further limited or general partnerships, limited liability companies, real estate investment trusts, corporations, entities that are treated as REITs, “taxable REIT subsidiaries” or as foreign corporations for federal income tax purposes, Joint Ventures or other relationships that it deems desirable (including, without limitation, the acquisition of interests in, and the contributions of property or the making of loans to, its or the Company’s Subsidiaries and any other Person in which it has an equity investment from time to time or the incurrence of indebtedness on behalf of such Persons or the guarantee of obligations of such Persons and the making of any tax, regulatory or other filing or election with respect to any of the foregoing Persons); provided, that as long as the Company has determined to continue to qualify as a REIT, the Partnership may not engage in any such formation, acquisition or contribution that would cause the Company to fail to qualify as a REIT;
(11) the control of any matters affecting the rights and obligations of the Partnership, including the settlement, compromise, submission to arbitration or any other form of dispute resolution, or abandonment of, any claim, cause of action, liability, Debt or damages, due or owing to or from the Partnership, the commencement or defense of suits, legal proceedings, administrative proceedings, arbitrations or other forms of dispute resolution, and the representation of the Partnership in all suits or legal proceedings, administrative proceedings, arbitrations or other forms of dispute resolution, the incurrence of legal expense, and the indemnification of any Person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;
(12) the undertaking of any action in connection with the Partnership’s direct or indirect investment in any Subsidiary or any other Person (including, without limitation, the contribution or loan of funds by the Partnership to such Persons);
(13) the determination of the fair market value of any Partnership Property distributed in kind using such reasonable method of valuation as the General Partner may adopt;
(14) the enforcement of any rights against any Partner pursuant to representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities relating to such Partner’s contribution of property or assets to the Partnership;
(15) the exercise, directly or indirectly, through any attorney-in-fact acting under a general or limited power of attorney, of any right, including the right to vote, appurtenant to any asset or investment held by the Partnership;
(16) the exercise of any of the powers of the General Partner enumerated in this Agreement on behalf of or in connection with any Subsidiary of the Partnership or any other Person in which the Partnership has a direct or indirect interest, or jointly with any such Subsidiary or other Person;
(17) the exercise of any of the powers of the General Partner enumerated in this Agreement on behalf of any Person in which the Partnership does not have an interest pursuant to contractual or other arrangements with such Person;
(18) the making, execution, delivery and performance of any and all deeds, leases, notes, mortgages, deeds of trust, security agreements, conveyances, contracts, guarantees, warranties, indemnities, waivers, releases or legal instruments or agreements in writing necessary, appropriate or convenient, in the judgment of the General Partner, for the accomplishment of any of the powers of the General Partner enumerated in this Agreement; and
(19) the issuance of additional Partnership Units and other partnership interests to any Partners or other Persons.
(b) Each of the Limited Partners agrees that the General Partner is authorized to execute, deliver and perform the above-mentioned agreements and transactions on behalf of the Partnership, and otherwise to exercise any power of the General Partner under this Agreement or the Act, without any further act, approval or vote of the Partners or any other Person, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (except as provided in Section 7.3), the Act or any applicable law, rule or regulation, to the fullest extent permitted under the Act or other applicable law, rule or regulation. The execution, delivery or performance by the General Partner or the Partnership of any agreement authorized or permitted under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach by the General Partner of any duty that the General Partner may owe the Partnership or the Limited Partners or any other Persons under this Agreement or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity.
(c) At all times from and after the date hereof, the General Partner may cause the Partnership to establish and maintain working capital accounts and other cash or similar balances in such amounts as the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, deems appropriate and reasonable from time to time.
(d) At all times from and after the date hereof, the General Partner may cause the Partnership to obtain and maintain (i) casualty, liability and other insurance on the Properties and (ii) liability insurance for the Indemnitees hereunder.
(e) In exercising its authority under this Agreement, the General Partner may take into account the tax consequences to any Partner of any action taken (or not taken) by it. The General Partner and the Partnership shall not be liable to a Limited Partner under any circumstances as a result of an income tax or other tax liability incurred by such Limited Partner as a result of an action (or inaction) by the General Partner taken pursuant to its authority under this Agreement and in accordance with the terms of Section 7.3.
Section 7.2. Certificate of Limited Partnership.
The initial general partner of the Partnership filed the Certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required by the Act. The General Partner shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such other certificates or documents as may be reasonable and necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation, qualification and operation of a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware and any other state, or the District of Columbia, in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. To the extent that such action is determined by the General Partner to be reasonable and necessary or appropriate or convenient, the General Partner shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate and do all of the things to maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) under the laws of the State of Delaware and each other state, or the District of Columbia, in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. Subject to the terms of Section 8.5(a)(2), the General Partner shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate or any amendment thereto or restatement thereof to any Limited Partner.
Section 7.3. Restrictions on General Partner Authority.
The General Partner may not take any action in contravention of an express prohibition or limitation of this Agreement without the written consent of Limited Partners holding a majority of the Percentage Interests held by Limited Partners, or such other percentage of the Limited Partners as may be specifically provided for under a provision of this Agreement.
Section 7.4. Reimbursement of the General Partner and the Company.
(a) Except as provided in this Section 7.4 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 Partnership shall be responsible for and shall pay all expenses relating to the Partnership’s and the General Partner’s organization and the ownership of each of their assets and operations. The General Partner shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis for all expenditures that it reasonably incurs relating to the ownership and operation of, or for the benefit of, the Partnership; provided, that the amount of any such reimbursement shall be reduced by any interest earned by the General Partner with respect to bank accounts or other instruments or accounts held by it on behalf of the Partnership; and provided, further, that the General Partner shall not be reimbursed for any (i) trustees’/directors’ fees, (ii) income tax liabilities or (iii) filing or similar fees in connection with maintaining the General Partner’s or any such Affiliate’s continued existence that are incurred by the General Partner or an Affiliate, but the Partners acknowledge that all other expenses of the General Partner and its Affiliates are deemed to be for the benefit of the Partnership. Such reimbursement shall be in addition to any reimbursement made as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 7.7. Included among the expenditures for which the General Partner shall be entitled to reimbursement hereunder shall be any payments of debt service made by the General Partner, in its capacity as General Partner, as guarantor or otherwise, with respect to indebtedness encumbering any property held by the Partnership.
(c) In the event that the Company shall elect to purchase from its shareholders REIT Shares for the purpose of delivering such REIT Shares to satisfy an obligation under any distribution reinvestment program adopted by the Company, any employee share purchase plan adopted by the Company, or any similar obligation or arrangement undertaken by the Company in the future, the purchase price paid by the Company for such REIT Shares and any other expenses incurred by the Company in connection with such purchase shall be considered expenses of the Partnership and shall be reimbursed to the Company, subject to the condition that: (i) if such REIT Shares subsequently are sold by the Company, the Company shall pay to the Partnership any proceeds received by the Company for such REIT Shares (which sales proceeds shall include the amount of distributions reinvested under any distribution reinvestment or similar program; provided, that a transfer of REIT Shares for Partnership Units pursuant to Section 8.6 would not be considered a sale for such purposes); and (ii) if such REIT Shares are not retransferred by the Company within 30 days after the purchase thereof, the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to cancel a number of Partnership Units held by the Company equal to the product obtained by multiplying the Conversion Factor by the number of such REIT Shares (in which case such reimbursement shall be treated as a distribution in redemption of Partnership Units held by the Company).
Section 7.5. Outside Activities of the General Partner.
The General Partner shall not directly or indirectly enter into or conduct any business other than in connection with the ownership, acquisition and disposition of Partnership Interests and the management of the business of the Partnership, and such activities as are incidental thereto. The General Partner and any Affiliates of the General Partner may acquire Limited Partner Interests and shall be entitled to exercise all rights of a Limited Partner relating to such Limited Partner Interests.
Section 7.6. Contracts with Affiliates.
(a) The Partnership may lend or contribute funds or other assets to, and borrow funds from, its or the Company’s Subsidiaries or other Persons in which it or the Company has an equity or other interests and such Persons may borrow funds from, and lend or contributed funds or other assets to, 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.
(b) Except as provided in Section 7.5, the Partnership may transfer assets to Joint Ventures upon such terms and subject to such conditions consistent with this Agreement and applicable law as the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, believes are advisable.
(c) Except as expressly permitted by this Agreement, neither the General Partner nor any of its Affiliates shall sell, transfer or convey any property to, or purchase any property from, the Partnership, directly or indirectly, except pursuant to transactions that are determined by the General Partner in good faith to be fair and reasonable.
(d) The General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion and without the approval of the Limited Partners, may propose and adopt, on behalf of the Partnership, employee benefit plans, share option plans, and similar plans funded by the Partnership for the benefit of employees of the General Partner, the Company, the Partnership, Subsidiaries of the Partnership or any Affiliate of any of them in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the Partnership, the Company, the General Partner or any Subsidiaries of the Partnership.
Section 7.7. Indemnification.
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, the Partnership shall indemnify each Indemnitee from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and other legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, that relate to the operations of the Partnership or the Company as set forth in this Agreement, in which such Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, except to the extent such Indemnitee acted in bad faith, or with gross negligence or willful misconduct. Without limitation, the foregoing indemnity shall extend to any liability of any Indemnitee, pursuant to a loan guaranty or otherwise for any indebtedness of the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership (including without limitation, any indebtedness which the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership has assumed or taken subject to), and the General Partner is hereby authorized and empowered, on behalf of the Partnership, to enter into one or more indemnity agreements consistent with the provisions of this Section 7.7 in favor of any Indemnitee having or potentially having liability for any such indebtedness. Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership, and neither the General Partner nor any Limited Partner shall have any obligation to contribute to the capital of the Partnership, or otherwise provide funds, to enable the Partnership to fund its obligations under this Section 7.7.
(b) Reasonable expenses incurred by an Indemnitee who is a party to a proceeding shall be paid or reimbursed by the Partnership in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding, upon receipt by the Partnership of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in Section 7.7(a).
(c) The indemnification provided by this Section 7.7 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee or any other Person may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant to any vote of the Partners, as a matter of law or otherwise, and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity unless otherwise provided in a written agreement pursuant to which such Indemnitees are indemnified.
(d) 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.
(e) For purposes of this Section 7.7, 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 7.7; and actions taken or omitted by the Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose which is not opposed to the best interests of the Partnership.
(f) In no event may an Indemnitee subject any of the Partners to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.
(g) An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 7.7 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
(h) The provisions of this Section 7.7 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. Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.7 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the Partnership’s liability to any Indemnitee under this Section 7.7, as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification, or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.
Section 7.8. Liability of the General Partner and its Affiliates.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, none of the General Partner, its Affiliates, or any of their respective officers, trustees, directors, shareholders, partners, members, employees, representatives or agents or any officer, employee, representative or agent of the Partnership and its Affiliates (individually, a “Covered Person” and collectively, the “Covered Persons”) shall be liable for monetary damages to the Partnership, any Partners or any Assignees for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of errors in judgment or of any act or omission if the Covered Person’s conduct did not constitute bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct.
(b) The Limited Partners expressly acknowledge that the General Partner is acting on behalf of the Partnership, the Limited Partners and the shareholders of the Company collectively, that the General Partner is under no obligation to consider the separate interests of the Limited Partners (except as otherwise provided herein) 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 the shareholders of the Company on the 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 the shareholders of the Company or the Limited Partners; provided, however, that any such conflict that the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, determines cannot be resolved in a manner not adverse to either the shareholders of the Company or the Limited Partners shall be resolved in favor of the shareholders of the Company. 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 7.1(a), the General Partner may exercise any powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its employees and agents.
(d) Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.8 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the Covered Person’s liability to the Partnership and the Limited Partners under this Section 7.8 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.
(e) To the extent that, at law or in equity, a Covered Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Partnership or to the Partners, any Covered Person acting under this Agreement or otherwise shall not be liable to the Partnership or to any Partner for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of a Covered Person otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Partners to replace such other duties and liabilities of such Covered Person.
(f) Whenever in this Agreement the General Partner is permitted or required to make a decision (i) in its “sole discretion” or “discretion,” or under a similar grant of authority or latitude, the General Partner shall be entitled to consider such interests and factors as it desires and may consider its own interests, and shall have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting the Partnership or the Limited Partners, or (ii) in its “good faith” or under another express standard, the General Partner shall act under such express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different standards imposed by this Agreement or by law or any other agreement contemplated herein.
Section 7.9. Other Matters Concerning the General Partner.
(a) The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in acting, or refraining from acting, upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, or other paper or document believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
(b) The General Partner may consult with legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, management consultants, investment bankers, architects, engineers, environmental consultants and other consultants and advisers selected by it and any act taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon the opinion of such Persons as to matters which the General Partner reasonably believes to be within such Person’s professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.
(c) The General Partner shall have the right, in respect of any of its powers or obligations hereunder, to act through any of its duly authorized officers and duly appointed attorneys-in-fact. Each such attorney shall, to the extent provided by the General Partner in the power of attorney, have full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and duty which is permitted or required to be done by the General Partner hereunder.
(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 Company to continue to qualify as a REIT, or (ii) to avoid the Company incurring any taxes under Section 337(d), 857, 1374 or 4981 of the Code, is expressly authorized under this Agreement and is deemed approved by all of the Limited Partners.
Section 7.10. 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.
Section 7.11. Reliance by Third Parties.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner has full power and authority, without consent or approval of any other Partner or Person (unless set forth herein), to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Partnership and to enter into any contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and take any and all actions on behalf of the Partnership and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner as if the General Partner were the Partnership’s sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially. Each Limited Partner hereby waives any and all defenses or other remedies which may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General Partner in connection with any such dealing. In no event shall any Person dealing with the General Partner or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience of any act or action of the General Partner or its representatives. Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (a) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (b) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership, and (c) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.
Section 7.12. Investment Committee.
(a) The Partnership shall establish a committee (the “Investment Committee”), which shall be subordinate to the General Partner. The Investment Committee, shall be responsible for making all decisions and approvals, with respect to (i) potential Investments directly or indirectly by the Partnership, (ii) any potential Investments directly or indirectly by the Partnership in geographic markets that the Partnership and its Subsidiaries do not own and operate one or more Properties as of the date of this Agreement, (iii) dispositions of Investments held directly or indirectly by the Partnership, (iv) all financing arrangements relating to any existing or potential Investments and (v) asset allocation (any such determination, an “Investment Decision”). The Investment Committee shall be initially comprised of three members, and the members of the Investment Committee shall initially be Matt McGraner, Dana Sprong and Ryan McGarry. The members of the Investment Committee shall be designated as follows:
(1) one of member shall be designated from time to time by the Company, which designees may include individuals employed by the Adviser (the “Company Designee”); and
(2) two of the members shall be designated by the Limited Partners holding a majority of the Percentage Interests of the Limited Partners.
(b) If at any time the Company Designee ceases to serve on the Investment Committee (whether due to resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise), the Company shall be responsible for the designation of a replacement for such Company Designee pursuant to Section 7.12(a)(1) and shall designate a replacement for such Company Designee by written notice to the Partnership. The Company shall be entitled to remove the Company Designee, at any time and from time to time, with or without cause (subject to applicable law), in the sole and absolute discretion of the Company, and the Company shall give written notice of such removal to the Partnership.
(c) On all Investment Decisions, each member of the Investment Committee shall be entitled to one vote.
(d) Meetings of the Investment Committee may be called by any member of the Investment Committee at any time. Each Investment Committee member shall be provided with not less than one Business Day’s nor more than 30 Business Days’ advance written notice of any meeting of the Investment Committee. A majority of the total number of members of the Investment Committee shall constitute a quorum provided, that the Company Designee is present. Investment Committee meetings shall be held at such location as may be specified in the notice of meeting. Investment Committee members may participate in and hold a meeting by means of conference telephone, video conference or similar communications equipment by means of which all Persons participating at the meeting can hear each other, and participation in such meetings shall constitute presence in person at the meeting. In the event the approval or consent of the Investment Committee is required for any action to be taken by the Partnership, such approval or consent may, in lieu of a meeting of the Investment Committee, be provided in writing, executed by all members of the Investment Committee.
(e) Any reports concerning the making of potential Investments, the disposal of existing Investments, or any financing arrangements relating to existing or potential Investments that are submitted pursuant to the Advisory Agreement to the Partnership shall be distributed promptly to all members of the Investment Committee, and shall be considered by the Investment Committee in making an Investment Decision relating to the matters covered therein.
(f) The members of the Investment Committee shall seek to make Investment Decisions on a unanimous basis; provided, that if no unanimous decision is made, any Investment Decision submitted for the approval of the Investment Committee shall be deemed approved (except by written consent contemplated by Section 7.12(e)) if approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of members of the Investment Committee; provided, that such affirmative vote includes the affirmative vote of the Company Designee, unless such Investment Decision (i) involves a potential Investment by the Partnership that has a purchase price (inclusive of any necessary or planned capital expenditures) that is less than $1,000,000 and (ii) relates to an Investment that is in geographic markets that the Partnership and its Subsidiaries own and operate twenty-five or more Properties as of the date of this Agreement.
(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (i) the General Partner may overturn any Investment Decision pursuant to this Section 7.12, and (ii) any approval or consent of the Investment Committee that would cause a default under any credit facility the Company, the Partnership or any of their respective Subsidiaries is a party to or would otherwise violate any agreement to which the Partnership is a party to, shall be automatically null and void without any additional action by the General Partner or any other Person.
Section 7.13. Board of Directors of the Partnership.
The Partners hereby agree, in accordance with Section 17-403 of the Act, that the Partnership shall have a committee of the Partners’ representatives, which are elected, designated or otherwise chosen as provided in this Section 7.13 (the “Partnership Board”). The Partnership Board shall be comprised of members (the “Partnership Directors”) and constitute a “committee” for purposes of Section 17-303(b)(7) of the Act. The Partners, including the General Partner, hereby delegate and vest the Partnership Board with the exclusive responsibility and authority to select, remove and replace the General Partner, and to take such actions necessary or incidental thereto, from time to time, on the terms specified in Section 11.2 of this Agreement. Such delegation and vesting of responsibility and authority shall be irrevocable except as required by the Act and, for avoidance of doubt, includes exclusive responsibility and authority to authorize and approve the withdrawal of the General Partner, the transfer of the General Partner Interest and admission of a successor General Partner to the Partnership. The Partnership Board shall have no other authority, duties or responsibilities. For avoidance of doubt, the voting and consent rights of the holders of Common Units as provided under this Section 7.13 are subject to the terms of voting or consent rights of holders of a series or class of Common Units specified in this Agreement.
(a) Elections and Vacancies; Removal of a Partnership Director. The holders of Common Units shall be entitled to remove a Partnership Director at any time upon the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of a majority of the then-issued and outstanding Common Units, voting together a single class. If a Partnership Director resigns, is removed or otherwise ceases to be a Partnership Director, or there is otherwise a vacant directorship, the holders of Common Units shall have the power to elect a Partnership Director to fill the vacancy upon the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of a majority of the then-issued and outstanding Common Units. Each Partnership Director shall serve until the earlier of such Partnership Director’s death, incapacity, resignation, or removal. The Company shall have the sole authority to elect and appoint the initial Partnership Director of the Partnership Board.
(b) Resignation of a Partnership Director. A Partnership Director may resign as a Partnership Director by written instrument signed by the resigning Partnership Director and delivered to the Partnership Board or, if there are no other Partnership Directors, then to the General Partner. Any such resignation shall take effect upon such delivery or upon such later date as is specified in such instrument; provided, no resignation may be effective prior to the date of receipt without the unanimous consent of the Partnership Board or, if there are no other Partnership Directors, then the consent of the General Partner. Vacancies arising from resignation may be filled in accordance with Section 7.13(a).
(c) Number and Other Qualifications; Chairperson. The Partnership Board shall consist of at least one and up to three Partnership Directors, or such other number as may be changed from time to time by the written consent of the holders of a majority of the then-issued and outstanding Common Units. Any written consent must set forth the new number of Partnership Directors and shall be filed with the records of the Partnership. The number of Partnership Directors shall initially be one. A Partnership Director need not be a resident of the State of Delaware. The Partnership Board in its discretion may elect a Partnership Director as a Chairperson of the Partnership Board who shall preside at meetings of the Partnership Board. In the case of a Partnership Board with only one Partnership Director, that Partnership Director shall be the Chairperson.
(d) Meetings. The Partnership Board shall meet at such time and at such place as the Partnership Board may designate. The Chairperson or a majority of the Partnership Directors may call a special meeting of the Partnership Board. Meetings of the Partnership Board may be held either in person or by means of a telephone or video conference or other communication device that permits each Partnership Director participating in the meeting to hear each other Partnership Director, at the office of the Partnership or such other place as may be determined from time to time by the Partnership Board. Written notice of each meeting of the Partnership Board shall be given to each Partnership Director at least 48 hours prior to each such meeting. Attendance of a Partnership Director at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a Partnership Director 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. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the Partnership Board need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.
(e) Quorum; Voting. At all meetings of the Partnership Board, the presence of a majority of the Partnership Directors serving on the Partnership Board shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business unless a greater number is required by law. At a meeting at which a quorum is present, the act of a majority of all of the Partnership Directors present at the meeting shall be the act of the Partnership Board, except as otherwise provided by law or this Agreement. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Partnership Board, the Partnership Directors present at the meeting may adjourn the meeting, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present. On all actions to be taken and matters to be decided by the Partnership Board, each Partnership Director shall each be entitled to one vote.
(f) Action by Written Consent. Any action by the Partnership Board may be taken without a meeting if all of the Partnership Directors consent to the action in writing. Such written consents must set forth the action so taken and shall be filed with the records of the meetings of the Partnership Board. Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a vote taken at a meeting of the Partnership Board.
(g) Selection, Removal and Replacement of the General Partner. The General Partner shall be selected, removed and replaced by the Partnership Board on the terms specified in this Section 7.13 and Section 11.2 if this Agreement.
ARTICLE 8.
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF LIMITED PARTNERS
Section 8.1. Limitation of Liability.
No Limited Partner, acting in its capacity as such, shall have any liability under this Agreement except for liability resulting from: (a) an act or omission on the part of such Limited Partner that was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; (b) in the case of any criminal proceeding, an act or omission that such Limited Partner had reasonable cause to believe was unlawful; or (c) any transaction for which such Limited Partner actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services in violation or breach of any provision of this Agreement, or as expressly provided in this Agreement or under the Act.
Section 8.2. Management of Business.
No Limited Partner or Assignee (other than the General Partner, any of its Affiliates or any officer, trustee, director, member, employee or agent of the General Partner, the Partnership or any of their Affiliates, in their capacity as such) shall take part in the operation, management or control (within the meaning of the Act) of the Partnership’s business, transact any business in the Partnership’s name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Partnership. The transaction of any such business by the General Partner, any of its Affiliates or any officer, trustee, director, member, employee or agent of the General Partner, the Partnership or any of their Affiliates, in their capacity as such, shall not affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the liability of the Limited Partners or Assignees under this Agreement.
Section 8.3. Outside Activities of Limited Partners.
Subject to agreements entered into by a Limited Partner or its Affiliates with the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries, any Limited Partner (other than the Company) and any officer, trustee, director, member, employee, agent, trustee, Affiliate or shareholder of any Limited Partner shall be entitled to and may have business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the Partnership, including business interests and activities that are in direct competition with the Partnership or that are enhanced by the activities of the Partnership. Neither the Partnership nor any Partners shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business ventures of any Limited Partner or Assignee. None of the Limited Partners (other than the Company) nor any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement or the Partnership relationship established hereby in any business ventures of any other Person and such Person shall have no obligation pursuant to this Agreement to offer any interest in any such business ventures to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or any such other Person, even if such opportunity is of a character which, if presented to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or such other Person, could be taken by such Person.
Section 8.4. Return of Capital.
Except pursuant to the right of redemption set forth in Section 8.6, no Limited Partner shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution, except to the extent of distributions made pursuant to this Agreement or upon termination of the Partnership as provided herein. Except to the extent provided by Exhibit B hereof or as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, no Limited Partner or Assignee shall have priority over any other Limited Partner or Assignee, either as to the return of Capital Contributions or as to profits, losses or distributions.
Section 8.5. Rights of Limited Partners Relating to the Partnership.
(a) In addition to the other rights provided by this Agreement or by the Act, and except as limited by Section 8.5(c), each Limited Partner shall have the right, for a purpose reasonably related to such Limited Partner’s interest as a limited partner in the Partnership, upon written demand with a statement of the purpose of such demand and at such Limited Partner’s own expense (including such copying and administrative charges as the General Partner may establish from time to time):
(1) to obtain a copy of the Partnership’s federal, state and local income tax returns for each Partnership Year;
(2) to obtain a copy of this Agreement and the Certificate and all amendments thereto, together with executed copies of all powers of attorney pursuant to which this Agreement, the Certificate and all amendments thereto have been executed; and
(3) to obtain true and full information regarding the amount of cash and a description and statement of any other property or services contributed by each Partner and which each Partner has agreed to contribute in the future, and the date on which each became a Partner.
(b) The Partnership shall notify each Limited Partner, upon request, of the then current Conversion Factor.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 8.5, the General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners, for such period of time as the General Partner determines in its sole and absolute discretion to be reasonable, any information that (i) the General Partner reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or other information, the disclosure of which the General Partner in good faith believes is not in the best interests of the Partnership or could damage the Partnership or its business, or (ii) the Partnership is required by law or by agreements with an unaffiliated third party to keep confidential.
(d) Upon written request by any Limited Partner, the General Partner shall cause the ownership of Partnership Interests by such Limited Partner to be evidenced by a certificate in such form as the General Partner may determine with respect to any class of Partnership Interests issued from time to time under this Agreement. Any officer of the General Partner may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Partnership alleged to have been lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated. Unless otherwise determined by an officer of the General Partner, the owner of such lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, shall be required, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, to give the Partnership a bond in such sum as the General Partner may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Partnership.
Section 8.6. Redemption Right.
(a) Subject to Sections 8.6(b) and 8.6(c) at any time on or after one year following the date of the initial issuance thereof (which, in the event of the transfer of a Common Unit, shall be deemed to be the date that such Common Unit was issued to the original recipient thereof for purposes of this Section 8.6), the holder of a Common Unit (if other than the General Partner), including any LTIP Units that are converted into Common Units, shall have the right, (the “Redemption Right”) to require the Partnership to redeem, on a Specified Redemption Date all or a portion of the Partnership Units (provided that such Partnership Units constitute Common Units) held by such Limited Partner at a redemption price per Common Unit equal to and in the form of the Cash Amount to be paid by the Partnership. The Redemption Right shall be exercised pursuant to a Notice of Redemption delivered to the Partnership (with a copy to the General Partner) by the Limited Partner who is exercising the redemption right (the “Redeeming Partner”); provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be obligated to satisfy such Redemption Right if the Company elects to purchase the Partnership Units subject to the Notice of Redemption pursuant to Section 8.6(b). A Limited Partner may not exercise the Redemption Right for less than 1,000 Partnership Units at any one time or, if such Limited Partner holds less than 1,000 Partnership Units, all of the Partnership Units held by such Limited Partner. The Redeeming Partner shall have no right with respect to any Partnership Units so redeemed, to receive any distributions paid on or after the Specified Redemption Date. The Assignee of any Limited Partner may exercise the rights of such Limited Partner pursuant to this Section 8.6, and such Limited Partner shall be deemed to have assigned such rights to such Assignee and shall be bound by the exercise of such rights by such Assignee. In connection with any exercise of such rights by an Assignee on behalf of a Limited Partner, the Cash Amount shall be paid by the Partnership directly to such Assignee and not to such Limited Partner. Any Partnership Units redeemed by the Partnership pursuant to this Section 8.6(a) shall be cancelled upon such redemption.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8.6(a), a Limited Partner that exercises the Redemption Right shall be deemed to have offered to sell the Partnership Units described in the Notice of Redemption to the Company, and the Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, elect to purchase directly and acquire such Partnership Units by paying to the Redeeming Partner the Redemption Amount in the form of the Cash Amount or the REIT Shares Amount, as elected by the Company (in its sole and absolute discretion), on the Specified Redemption Date, whereupon the Company shall acquire the Partnership Units offered for redemption by the Redeeming Partner and shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as the owner of such Partnership Units. If the Company shall elect to exercise its right to purchase Partnership Units under this Section 8.6(b) with respect to a Notice of Redemption, it shall so notify the Redeeming Partner within five Business Days after the receipt by it of such Notice of Redemption. Unless the Company (in its sole and absolute discretion) shall exercise its right to purchase Partnership Units from the Redeeming Partner pursuant to this Section 8.6(b), the Company shall not have any obligation to the Redeeming Partner or the Partnership with respect to the Redeeming Partner’s exercise of the Redemption Right. In the event the Company shall exercise its right to purchase Partnership Units with respect to the exercise of a Redemption Right in the manner described in the first sentence of this Section 8.6(b), the Partnership shall have no obligation to pay any amount to the Redeeming Partner with respect to such Redeeming Partner’s exercise of such Redemption Right, and each of the Redeeming Partner, the Partnership and the Company shall treat the transaction between the Company and the Redeeming Partner, for federal income tax purposes, as a sale of the Redeeming Partner’s Partnership Units to the Company. Each Redeeming Partner agrees to execute such documents as the Company may reasonably require in connection with the issuance of REIT Shares upon exercise of the Redemption Right. In case of any reclassification of the REIT Shares (including, but not limited to, any reclassification upon a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing corporation) into securities other than REIT Shares, for purposes of this Section 8.6(b), the Company (or its successor) may thereafter exercise its right to purchase Partnership Units for the kind and amount of shares of such securities receivable upon such reclassification by a holder of the number of REIT Shares for which such Units could be purchased pursuant to this Section 8.6(b) immediately prior to such reclassification.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8.6(a) and Section 8.6(b), a Partner shall not be entitled to exercise the Redemption Right pursuant to Section 8.6(a) to the extent that the delivery of REIT Shares to such Partner on the Specified Redemption Date by the Company pursuant to Section 8.6(b) (regardless of whether or not the Company would in fact exercise its rights under Section 8.6(b)) would (i) be prohibited, as determined in the sole discretion of the Company, under the Charter or (ii) cause the acquisition of REIT Shares by such Partner to be “integrated” with any other distribution of REIT Shares for purposes of complying with the Securities Act.
(d) Each Partner covenants and agrees that all Partnership Units delivered for redemption shall be delivered to the Partnership free and clear of all liens; and, notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Partnership shall be under no obligation to acquire Partnership Units which are or may be subject to any liens. Each Partner further agrees that, if any state or local property transfer tax is payable as a result of the transfer of its Partnership Units to the Partnership, such Partner shall assume and pay such transfer tax.
(e) If a Partner exercises its Redemption Right with respect to Class B Common Units pursuant to this Section 8.6 and the Company elects to purchase directly and acquire the same, the Class B Common Units will automatically convert to Class A Common Units upon purchase and acquisition by the Company. If a Partner exercises its Redemption Right with respect to Class C Common Units pursuant to this Section 8.6 and the Company elects to purchase directly and acquire the same, the Class C Common Units will, in the discretion of the General Partner, convert to Class A Common Units upon purchase and acquisition by the Company or at such time as the General Partner determines.
Section 8.7. Distribution Reinvestment Plan.
As of the date of this Agreement, the General Partner has established a distribution reinvestment plan (the “Reinvestment Plan”). Except NREO and the Company, each Limited Partner, including an LTIP Unitholder, is automatically enrolled in the Reinvestment Plan by executing and delivering this Agreement unless such Limited Partner provides notice to the General Partner of its election not to enroll within 10 Business Days of the date hereof. Any Partner may elect to participate or withdraw at a later date upon execution and delivery of any documents requested by the General Partner.
ARTICLE 9.
BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS
Section 9.1. Records and Accounting.
The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Partnership those records and documents required to be maintained by the Act and other books and records deemed by the General Partner to be appropriate with respect to the Partnership’s business, including, without limitation, all books and records necessary to provide to the Limited Partners any information, lists and copies of documents required to be provided pursuant to Section 9.3. The books of the Partnership shall be maintained, for financial and tax reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with GAAP, or such other basis as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.
Section 9.2. Fiscal Year.
The fiscal year of the Partnership shall be the calendar year.
Section 9.3. Reports.
(a) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 75 days after the close of each Partnership Year, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed to each Limited Partner as of the close of the Partnership Year, an annual report containing financial statements of the Partnership, or of the Company if such statements are prepared solely on a consolidated basis with the Company, for such Partnership Year, presented in accordance with GAAP, such statements to be audited by a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the Company; provided, that if such financial statements of the Company are available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website, then this obligation shall be satisfied.
(b) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 105 days after the close of each calendar quarter (except the last calendar quarter of each year), the General Partner shall cause to be mailed to each Limited Partner as of the last day of the calendar quarter, a report containing unaudited financial statements of the Partnership, or of the Company, if such statements are prepared solely on a consolidated basis with the Company, and such other information as may be required by applicable law or regulation, or as the General Partner determines to be appropriate; provided that if such financial statements of the Company are available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website, then this obligation shall be satisfied.
(c) The Partnership shall also cause to be promptly prepared such reports and/or information as are necessary for the Company to determine its qualification as a REIT and its compliance with the requirements for REITs pursuant to the Code and Regulations.
ARTICLE 10.
TAX MATTERS
Section 10.1. Preparation of Tax Returns.
The General Partner shall arrange for the preparation and timely filing of all returns of Partnership income, gains, deductions, losses and other items required of the Partnership for federal and state income tax purposes and shall furnish by July 31 of the year immediately following each taxable year, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, the tax information reasonably required by Limited Partners for federal and state income tax reporting purposes.
Section 10.2. Tax Elections.
Except as otherwise provided herein, the General Partner shall, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine whether to make any available election pursuant to the Code. Notwithstanding the above, in making any such tax election the General Partner may, but shall be under no obligation to, take into account the tax consequences to the Limited Partners resulting from any such election.
The General Partner can elect to use any method permitted by Code Section 704(c) and the Regulations thereunder to take into account any variation between the adjusted basis of any property contributed (or deemed contributed) to the Partnership and such property’s initial Carrying Value; provided, however, the traditional method with curative allocations under Section 1.704-3(c) of the Treasury Regulations shall be utilized with respect to any assets deemed contributed to the Partnership for federal income tax purposes pursuant to the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreements. The General Partner shall have the right to seek to revoke any tax election it makes (including, without limitation, an election under Section 754 of the Code) upon the General Partner’s determination, in its sole and absolute discretion, that such revocation is in the best interests of the Partners.
To the extent provided for in Regulations, revenue rulings, revenue procedures and/or other IRS guidance issued after the date of this Agreement, the Partnership is hereby authorized to, and at the direction of the General Partner shall, elect a safe harbor under which the fair market value of any Partnership Interests issued in connection with the performance of services after the effective date of such Regulations or other guidance will be treated as equal to the liquidation value of such Partnership Interests (i.e., a value equal to the total amount that would be distributed with respect to such Partnership Interests if the Partnership sold all of its assets for their fair market value immediately after the issuance of such Partnership Interests, satisfied its liabilities (excluding any non-recourse liabilities to the extent the balance of such liabilities exceed the fair market value of the assets that secure them) and distributed the net proceeds to the Partners under the terms of this Agreement). In the event that the Partnership makes a safe harbor election as described in the preceding sentence, each Partner hereby agrees to comply with all safe harbor requirements with respect to transfers of such Partnership Interests while the safe harbor election remains effective.
Section 10.3. Partnership Representative.
(a) The Company or its designee shall be the “partnership representative” of the Partnership for federal income tax purposes (the “partnership representative”).
(b) The partnership representative is authorized, but not required:
(1) to enter into any settlement with the IRS with respect to any administrative or judicial proceedings for the adjustment of Partnership items required to be taken into account by a Partner for income tax purposes (such administrative proceedings being referred to as a “tax audit” and such judicial proceedings being referred to as “judicial review”), and in the settlement agreement the partnership representative may expressly state that such agreement shall bind all Partners;
(2) in the event that a notice of a final partnership adjustment at the Partnership level of any item required to be taken into account by a Partner for tax purposes (a “final adjustment”) is mailed to the partnership representative, to seek judicial review of such final adjustment, including the filing of a petition for readjustment with the Tax Court or the filing of a complaint for refund with the United States Claims Court or the District Court of the United States for the district in which the Partnership’s principal place of business is located;
(3) to intervene in any action brought by any other Partner for judicial review of a final adjustment;
(4) to file a request for an administrative adjustment with the IRS and, if any part of such request is not allowed by the IRS, to file an appropriate pleading (petition or complaint) for judicial review with respect to such request;
(5) to enter into an agreement with the IRS to extend the period for assessing any tax which is attributable to any item required to be taken account of by a Partner for tax purposes, or an item affected by such item;
(6) to make any election with respect to an “imputed underpayment,” including an election under Section 6226 of the Code; and
(7) to take any other action on behalf of the Partners or the Partnership in connection with any tax audit or judicial review proceeding to the extent permitted by applicable law or regulations.
The taking of any action and the incurring of any expense by the partnership representative in connection with any such proceeding, except to the extent required by law, is a matter in the sole and absolute discretion of the partnership representative, and the indemnification provisions set forth in Section 7.7 of this Agreement shall be fully applicable to the partnership representative in its capacity as such.
(c) The partnership representative shall receive no compensation for its services. All third party costs and expenses incurred by the partnership representative in performing its duties as such (including legal and accounting fees and expenses) shall be borne by the Partnership. Nothing herein shall be construed to restrict the Partnership from engaging an accounting and/or law firm to assist the partnership representative in discharging its duties hereunder, so long as the compensation paid by the Partnership for such services is reasonable.
(d) Each Partner and each Assignee hereby agrees to indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Partnership and the partnership representative from and against any imputed underpayment of the Partnership, to the extent attributable to the Partner’s or Assignee’s allocable share of any adjustments to items of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit of the Partnership, or any Partner’s or Assignee’s distributive share thereof, for a Partnership taxable year, required to be paid by the Partnership under the Code (after taking into account appropriate modifications and any election made under Section 6226 of the Code), including, but not limited to any interest, penalty, addition to tax, or additional amount which relates to an adjustment to any such item or share, damages, liabilities, losses, taxes, fines, penalties, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees of counsel) of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be sustained or suffered by the Partnership or the partnership representative relating thereto.
(e) The provisions of this Section 10.3 shall survive the termination of the Partnership or the termination of any Partner’s or Assignee’s interest in the Partnership and shall remain binding on the Partners and all Assignees for a period of time necessary to resolve with the IRS or the Department of the Treasury any and all matters regarding the federal income taxation of the Partnership items for the applicable tax year(s).
Section 10.4. Withholding.
Each Limited Partner hereby authorizes the Partnership to withhold from, or pay on behalf of or with respect to, such Limited Partner any amount of federal, state, local, or foreign taxes that the General Partner determines that the Partnership is required to withhold or pay with respect to any amount distributable or allocable to such Limited Partner pursuant to this Agreement (or with respect to the grant of LTIP Units), including, without limitation, any taxes required to be withheld or paid by the Partnership pursuant to Section 1441, 1442, 1445, or 1446 of the Code, and any taxes paid by the Partnership with respect to an imputed underpayment. Any amount paid on behalf of or with respect to a Limited Partner shall constitute a loan by the Partnership to such Limited Partner, which loan shall be repaid by such Limited Partner within 15 days after notice from the General Partner that such payment must be made unless (a) the Partnership withholds such payment from a distribution which would otherwise be made to the Limited Partner, or (b) the General Partner determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that such payment may be satisfied out of the available funds of the Partnership which would, but for such payment, be distributed to the Limited Partner. Any amounts withheld pursuant to the foregoing clause (a) or (b) shall be treated as having been distributed (or paid) to such Limited Partner. In the event that a Limited Partner fails to pay any amounts owed to the Partnership pursuant to this Section 10.4 when due, the General Partner may, in its sole and absolute discretion, elect to make the payment to the Partnership on behalf of such defaulting Limited Partner, and in such event shall be deemed to have loaned such amount to such defaulting Limited Partner and shall succeed to all rights and remedies of the Partnership as against such defaulting Limited Partner. Without limitation, in such event the General Partner shall have the right to receive distributions that would otherwise be distributable to such defaulting Limited Partner until such time as such loan, together with all interest thereon, has been paid in full, and any such distributions so received by the General Partner shall be treated as having been distributed to the defaulting Limited Partner and immediately paid by the defaulting Limited Partner to the General Partner in repayment of such loan. Any amounts payable by a Limited Partner hereunder 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, plus four percentage points, or (ii) the maximum lawful rate of interest on such obligation, such interest to accrue from the date such amount is due (i.e., 15 days after demand) until such amount is paid in full. Each Limited Partner shall take such actions as the Partnership or the General Partner shall request in order to perfect or enforce the security interest created hereunder. Upon a Limited Partner’s complete withdrawal from the Partnership, such Limited Partner shall be required to restore funds to the Partnership to the extent that the cumulative amount of taxes withheld from or paid on behalf of, or with respect to, such Limited Partner exceeds the sum of such amounts (A) repaid to the Partnership by such Limited Partner, (B) withheld from distributions to such Limited Partner and (C) paid by the General Partner on behalf of such Limited Partner.
ARTICLE 11.
TRANSFERS AND WITHDRAWALS
Section 11.1. Transfer.
(a) The term “transfer,” when used in this Article 11 with respect to a Partnership Unit, shall be deemed to refer to a transaction by which the General Partner purports to assign all or any part of its General Partner Interest to another Person or by which a Limited Partner purports to assign all or any part of its Limited Partner Interest to another Person, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise. The term “transfer” when used in this Article 11 does not include (a) any redemption of Partnership Interests by the Partnership from a Limited Partner, (b) any acquisition of Partnership Units from a Limited Partner by the Company pursuant to Section 8.6, or (c) any distribution of Partnership Units by a Limited Partner to its beneficial owners.
(b) No Partnership Interest shall be transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article 11. Any transfer or purported transfer of a Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article 11 shall be null and void.
(c) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article 11, the Partnership Interests of the Company may be transferred, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, to any Person that is, at the time of such transfer, a Qualified REIT Subsidiary. Upon any transfer permitted by this Section 11.1(c), the Company shall be relieved of all its obligations under this Agreement. The provisions of Sections 11.2(b), 11.3, 11.4(a) and 11.5 shall not apply to any transfer permitted by this Section 11.1(c).
Section 11.2. Transfers by the General Partner.
(a) The General Partner may not transfer any of its General Partner Interest or withdraw as General Partner, or transfer any of its Limited Partner Interest, except as provided in Sections 11.2(b), 11.2(c) and 11.2(d).
(b) Except as set forth in Section 11.2(d), the General Partner shall not withdraw from the Partnership and shall not transfer all or any portion of its Partnership Interests (whether by sale, disposition, statutory merger or consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) unless approved by the Partnership Board. In addition, the General Partner hereby agrees, upon written instruction at any time by the Partnership Board to the following effect, to immediately (or at the time specified by such instruction) withdraw from the Partnership and transfer its General Partner Interest to any Person specified by the Partnership Board. Upon any transfer of the General Partner’s Partnership Interest pursuant in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11.2, the transferee shall become a successor General Partner for all purposes herein, and shall be vested with the powers and rights of the transferor General Partner, and shall be liable for all obligations and responsible for all duties of the General Partner, once such transferee has executed such instruments as may be necessary to effectuate such admission and to confirm the agreement of such transferee to be bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement with respect to the Partnership Interest so acquired. It is a condition to any transfer by the General Partner otherwise permitted hereunder that the transferee assumes, by operation of law or express agreement, all of the obligations of the transferor General Partner under this Agreement with respect to such transferred Partnership Interest; provided, such transfer shall not relieve the transferor General Partner of its obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Partnership Board. In the event that the General Partner withdraws from the Partnership, in violation of this Agreement, the Side Letter or otherwise, the remaining Partners hereby agree to continue the business of the Partnership through the selection of a successor General Partner in accordance with the Act and this Agreement. Pursuant to Section 7.13 of this Agreement, the Partners delegated and vested their authority to select a successor General Partner exclusively in the Partnership Board.
(c) To the extent the General Partner holds or, prior to withdrawal as such, held, a Limited Partner Interest, such Limited Partner Interest may not be transferred except in accordance with Section 11.3 hereof.
Section 11.3. Limited Partners’ Rights to Transfer.
(a) Except as provided in Section 11.3(b), no Limited Partner shall transfer all or any portion of its Partnership Interest to any transferee without the written consent of the General Partner, which consent may be withheld in its sole and absolute discretion; provided, however, that if a Limited Partner is subject to Incapacity, such Incapacitated Limited Partner may transfer all or any portion of its Partnership Interest.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 11, a Limited Partner may transfer all or any portion of its Partnership Interest (1) to any of its Affiliates, unless such Affiliate does not qualify as an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D, or (2) in the case of a Limited Partner that is an individual, following written notice to the General Partner at least 3 Business Days prior to such transfer, (i) to a member of such Limited Partner’s immediate family, or (ii) to a trust established solely for the benefit of such Limited Partner or a member of such Limited Partner’s immediate family. In the event of a transfer described in the foregoing sentence, such transfer and the admission of the transferee as a Substituted Limited Partner will not require obtaining the consent of the General Partner.
(c) If a Limited Partner is subject to Incapacity, the executor, administrator, trustee, committee, guardian, conservator or receiver of such Limited Partner’s estate shall have all of the rights of a Limited Partner, but not more rights than those enjoyed by other Limited Partners, for the purpose of settling or managing the estate and such power as the Incapacitated Limited Partner possessed to transfer all or any part of his or its interest in the Partnership. The Incapacity of a Limited Partner, in and of itself, shall not dissolve or terminate the Partnership.
(d) Without limiting the generality of Section 11.3(b), the General Partner may prohibit any transfer by a Limited Partner of its Partnership Interest if, in the opinion of legal counsel to the Partnership, such transfer would require filing of a registration statement under the Securities Act or would otherwise violate any federal or state securities laws or regulations applicable to the Partnership or the Partnership Units.
(e) No transfer by a Limited Partner of its Partnership Units may be made to any Person if (i) in the opinion of legal counsel for the Partnership, it could result in the Partnership being treated as an association taxable as a corporation or a publicly traded partnership within the meaning of either Code Section 469(k)(2) or 7704(b), (ii) such transfer could be treated as effectuated through an “established securities market” or a “secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof)” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code, (iii) such transfer could cause the Partnership to become, with respect to any employee benefit plan subject to Title I of ERISA or to Section 4975 of the Code, a “party-in-interest” (as defined in Section 3(14) of ERISA) or a “disqualified person” (as defined in Section 4975(c) of the Code), (iv) such transfer could, in the opinion of legal counsel for the Partnership, cause any portion of the assets of the Partnership to constitute assets of any employee benefit plan pursuant to Department of Labor Regulations Section 2510.3-101, or (v) such transfer could subject the Partnership to be regulated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or the fiduciary responsibility provisions of ERISA.
(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 Section 1.752-4(b) of the Regulations) to any lender to the Partnership whose loan constitutes a Nonrecourse Liability, without the consent of the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion.
(g) The General Partner shall keep a register for the Partnership on which the transfer, pledge or release of Partnership Units shall be shown and pursuant to which entries shall be made to effect all transfers, pledges or releases as required by the applicable sections of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code, as amended, in effect in the State of Delaware. The General Partner shall (i) place proper entries in such register clearly showing each transfer and each pledge and grant of security interest and the transfer and assignment pursuant thereto, such entries to be endorsed by the General Partner, and (ii) maintain the register and make the register available for inspection by all of the Partners and their pledgees at all times during the term of this Agreement. Nothing herein shall be deemed a consent to any pledge or transfer otherwise prohibited under this Agreement.
(h) If a holder of Class A Common Units or Class B Common Units transfers all or any portion of such Partnership Units to any other Person, such Partnership Units will upon transfer automatically convert to Class C Common Units, unless it is otherwise determined by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion. If a holder of Class C Common Units transfers all or any portion of such Partnership Units to a holder of Class A Common Units or Class B Common Units, such Partnership Units will, in the discretion of the General Partner, convert to Class A Common Units or Class B Common Units (determined based on the class of which the transferee holds the larger number of Partnership Units) upon transfer or at such time as the General Partner determines.
Section 11.4. Substituted Limited Partners.
(a) No Limited Partner shall have the right to substitute a transferee as a Limited Partner in his or its place. The General Partner shall, however, have the right to consent to the admission of a transferee of the interest of a Limited Partner pursuant to this Section 11.4 as a Substituted Limited Partner, which consent may be given or withheld by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion. The General Partner’s failure or refusal to permit a transferee of any such interests to become a Substituted Limited Partner shall not give rise to any cause of action against the Partnership or any Partner. A Person shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Substituted Limited Partner only upon the aforementioned consent of the General Partner and the furnishing to the General Partner of (i) evidence of acceptance in form satisfactory to the General Partner of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the power of attorney granted in Section 2.4 and (ii) such other documents of the General Partner in order to effect such Person’s admission as a Substituted Limited Partner. The admission of any Person as a Substituted Limited Partner shall become effective on the date upon which the name of such Person is recorded on the books and records of the Partnership, following the consent of the General Partner to such admission.
(b) A transferee who has been admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner in accordance with this Article 11 shall have all the rights and powers and be subject to all the restrictions and liabilities of a Limited Partner under this Agreement.
(c) Upon the admission of a Substituted Limited Partner, the General Partner shall update the books and records of the Partnership to reflect the name, address, number of Partnership Units and Percentage Interest (as applicable) of such Substituted Limited Partner and to eliminate or adjust, if necessary, the name, address and interest of the predecessor of such Substituted Limited Partner.
Section 11.5. Assignees.
If the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, does not consent to the admission of any permitted transferee as a Substituted Limited Partner, as described in Section 11.4, such transferee shall be considered an Assignee for purposes of this Agreement. An Assignee shall be deemed to have had assigned to it, and shall be entitled to receive distributions from the Partnership and the share of Net Income, Net Losses, Recapture Income, and any other items, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the Partnership attributable to the Partnership Interest assigned to such transferee, but shall not be deemed to be a holder of a Partnership Interest for any other purpose under this Agreement, and shall not be entitled to vote such Partnership Interest in any matter presented to the Limited Partners for a vote (such Partnership Interest being deemed to have been voted on such matter in the same proportion as all other Partnership Interest held by Limited Partners are voted). In the event any such transferee desires to make a further assignment of any such Partnership Interest, such transferee shall be subject to all of the provisions of this Article 11 to the same extent and in the same manner as any Limited Partner desiring to make an assignment of his or its Partnership Interest.
Section 11.6. Drag-Along Rights.
(a) In the event of an Approved Sale, the Partners who approved the Approved Sale (the “Approving Partners”) have the right to require each other Partner (the “Non-Approving Partners”) to transfer all Partnership Units then held by such Non-Approving Partner, free and clear of all liens, security interests or other restrictions of any kind, in accordance with this Section 11.6.
(b) In the event of an Approved Sale, the General Partner shall notify each Non-Approving Partner no more than ten Business Days after the execution and delivery by all of the parties thereto of the definitive agreement entered into with respect to the Approved Sale and, in any event, no later than 20 Business Days prior to the closing date of such Approved Sale, and each Non-Approving Partner will, subject to satisfaction of the conditions in Section 11.6(c), (i) if such transaction requires approval by the Partners, with respect to all Partnership Units that such Partner owns or over which such Partner otherwise exercises voting power, to vote (in person, by proxy or by action by written consent, as applicable) all such Partnership Units in favor of, and adopt, such Approved Sale, and to vote in opposition to any and all other proposals that could reasonably be expected to delay or impair the ability of the Partnership to consummate such Sale of the Partnership, (ii) refrain from exercising any dissenter’s rights or rights of appraisal under applicable law at any time with respect to such Approved Sale, and (iii) if the Approved Sale is structured as a sale of Partnership Units, each Non-Approving Partner will agree to sell the same proportion of Partnership Units beneficially held by such Partner as is being sold by the Approving Partners to the Person(s) to whom the Approving Partners propose to sell their Partnership Units, on the same terms and conditions as the Approving Partners.
(c) The obligations of the Partners pursuant to this Section 11.6 with respect to an Approved Sale are subject to the following conditions: (i) the aggregate consideration payable upon consummation of such Approved Sale to all of the Partners (the “Aggregate Consideration”) shall be allocated among the Partners as set forth in Section 5.3, (ii) upon the consummation of the Approved Sale, all of the Partners shall receive the same form of consideration per Partnership Unit of the same class or other equity interest, as allocated pursuant to subsection (i) hereof (except that a member of management may, with such Partner’s consent, receive securities pursuant to a management “rollover” which are not offered to all Partners), and (iii) that any indemnification, escrow, holdback and adjustment obligations undertaken by any Partner shall be pro rata among the Partners in proportion to the consideration to be received by the Partners in such Approved Sale; provided that indemnification obligations that relate solely to a particular Partner, such as indemnification with respect to representations and warranties made by a Partner with respect to such Partner (or such Partner’s ownership of Partnership Units) or covenants made by such Partner, shall be borne only by such Partner and shall not be deemed to reduce the Aggregate Consideration.
(d) Subject to the foregoing, each Partner hereby agrees to execute and deliver all related documentation and take such other action in support of the Sale of the Partnership as shall reasonably be requested by the General Partner or the Approving Partners in order to carry out the terms and provision of this Section 11.6 , including without limitation executing and delivering instruments of conveyance and transfer, and any purchase agreement, merger agreement, indemnity agreement, escrow agreement, consent, waiver, governmental filing, share certificates duly endorsed for transfer (free and clear of impermissible liens, claims and encumbrances) and any similar or related documents. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions in Section 11.6(c), for purposes each Partner (and their respective spouses, if residing in a community property state) hereby appoint the General Partner as their agent and attorney-in-fact to execute any and all documents related in connection with an Approved Sale (including documents granting customary indemnities to a buyer of assets or securities consistent with this Agreement) on their behalf and expressly bind themselves to such document by the General Partner’s execution of such document without further action on their part.
Section 11.7. General Provisions.
(a) No Limited Partner may withdraw from the Partnership other than as a result of a permitted transfer of all of such Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest in accordance with this Article 11, pursuant to redemption of all of its Partnership Units, or the acquisition thereof by the Company, under Section 8.6.
(b) Any Limited Partner who shall transfer all of its Partnership Interest in a transfer permitted pursuant to this Article 11 shall cease to be a Limited Partner upon the admission of all Assignees of such Partnership Interest as Substituted Limited Partners. Similarly, any Limited Partner who shall transfer all of its Partnership Units pursuant to a redemption of all of its Partnership Units, or the acquisition thereof by the Company under Section 8.6, shall cease to be a Limited Partner.
(c) Transfers pursuant to this Article 11 may only be made on the first day of a fiscal quarter of the Partnership, unless the General Partner otherwise agrees.
(d) If any Partnership Interest is transferred or assigned during any quarterly segment of the Partnership’s fiscal year in compliance with the provisions of this Article 11 or redeemed or transferred pursuant to Section 8.6 on any day other than the first day of a Partnership Year, then Net Income, Net Losses, each item thereof and all other items attributable to such interest for such Partnership Year shall be divided and allocated between the transferor Partner and the transferee Partner by taking into account their varying interests during the Partnership Year in accordance with Section 706(d) of the Code, using the interim closing of the books method. All distributions of Available Cash attributable to such Partnership Interest with respect to which the Partnership Record Date is before the date of such transfer, assignment, or redemption shall be made to the transferor Partner or the Redeeming Partner, as the case may be, and in the case of a transfer or assignment other than a redemption, all distributions of Available Cash thereafter attributable to such Partnership Interest shall be made to the transferee Partner.
ARTICLE 12.
ADMISSION OF PARTNERS
Section 12.1. Admission of Successor General Partner.
A successor to all of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 11.2 who is proposed to be admitted as a successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner, effective immediately prior to such transfer. Any such transferee shall carry on the business of the Partnership without dissolution. In each case, the admission shall be subject to the successor General Partner executing and delivering to the Partnership an acceptance of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect the admission. In the case of such admission on any day other than the first day of a Partnership Year, all items attributable to the General Partner Interest for such Partnership Year shall be allocated between the transferring General Partner and such successor as provided in Section 11.6(d).
Section 12.2. Admission of Additional Limited Partners.
(a) A Person who makes a Capital Contribution to the Partnership in accordance with this Agreement shall be admitted to the Partnership as an Additional Limited Partner only upon furnishing to the General Partner (i) evidence of acceptance in form satisfactory to the General Partner of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the power of attorney granted in Section 2.4 and (ii) such other documents or instruments as may be required in the discretion of the General Partner in order to effect such Person’s admission as an Additional Limited Partner.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 12.2, no Person shall be admitted as an Additional Limited Partner without the consent of the General Partner, which consent may be given or withheld in the General Partner’s sole and absolute discretion. The admission of any Person as an Additional Limited Partner shall become effective on the date upon which the name of such Person is recorded on the books and records of the Partnership, following the consent of the General Partner to such admission.
(c) If any Additional Limited Partner is admitted to the Partnership on any day other than the first day of a Partnership Year, then Net Income, Net Losses, each item thereof and all other items allocable among Partners and Assignees for such Partnership Year shall be allocated among such Additional Limited Partner and all other Partners and Assignees by taking into account their varying interests during the Partnership Year in accordance with Section 706(d) of the Code, using the interim closing of the books method. All distributions of Available Cash with respect to which the Partnership Record Date is before the date of such admission shall be made solely to Partners and Assignees, other than such Additional Limited Partner, and all distributions of Available Cash thereafter shall be made to all of the Partners and Assignees, including such Additional Limited Partner.
Section 12.3. Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership.
For the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary and appropriate under the Act to amend the records of the Partnership and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practical an amendment of this Agreement and, if required by applicable law, shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate and may for this purpose exercise the power of attorney granted pursuant to Section 2.4 hereof.
ARTICLE 13.
DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION
Section 13.1. Dissolution.
The Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of Substituted Limited Partners or Additional Limited Partners or by the admission of a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon the withdrawal of the General Partner, any successor General Partner shall continue the business of the Partnership without dissolution. The Partnership shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound up, only upon the first to occur of any of the following (“Liquidating Events”):
(a) at any time approved by the holders of a majority of the Percentage Interests of the Limited Partners;
(b) at any time that there are no limited partners of the Partnership unless the business of the Partnership is continued in accordance with the Act;
(c) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets and properties of the Partnership; or
(d) any other event sufficient under Act to cause the dissolution of the Partnership.
Section 13.2. Winding Up.
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Liquidating Event, the Partnership shall continue solely for the purposes of winding up its affairs in an orderly manner, liquidating its assets, and satisfying the claims of its creditors and Partners. No Partner shall take any action that is inconsistent with, or not necessary to or appropriate for, the winding up of the Partnership’s business and affairs. The General Partner, or, in the event there is no remaining General Partner, any Person elected by a majority of the Percentage Interests of the Limited Partners (the General Partner or such other Person being referred to herein as the “Liquidator”), shall be responsible for overseeing the winding up and dissolution of the Partnership and shall take full account of the Partnership’s liabilities and property and the Partnership property shall be liquidated as promptly as is consistent with obtaining the fair value thereof, and the proceeds therefrom (which may, to the extent determined by the Liquidator, include REIT Shares of the Company) shall be applied and distributed in the following order:
(1) First, in satisfaction of all of the Partnership’s Debts and liabilities to creditors other than the Partners (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof);
(2) Second, to the payment and discharge of all of the Partnership’s Debts and liabilities to the General Partner (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof), including, but not limited to, amounts due as reimbursements under Section 7.4;
(3) Third, to the payment and discharge of all of the Partnership’s Debts and liabilities to the other Partners; and
(4) The balance, if any, to the Partners in accordance with their Capital Accounts, after giving effect to all contributions, distributions, and allocations for all periods.
The General Partner shall not receive any additional compensation for any services performed pursuant to this Article 13.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.2(a) which require liquidation of the assets of the Partnership, but subject to the order of priorities set forth therein, if prior to or upon dissolution of the Partnership the Liquidator determines that an immediate sale of part or all of the Partnership’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners, the Liquidator may, in its sole and absolute discretion, defer for a reasonable time the liquidation of any assets except those necessary to satisfy liabilities of the Partnership (including to those Partners as creditors) and/or distribute to the Partners, in lieu of cash, as tenants in common and in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.2(a), undivided interests in such Partnership assets as the Liquidator deems not suitable for liquidation. Any such distributions in kind shall be made only if, in the good faith judgment of the Liquidator, such distributions in kind are in the best interest of the Partners, and shall be subject to such conditions relating to the disposition and management of such properties as the Liquidator deems reasonable and equitable and to any agreements governing the operation of such properties at such time. The Liquidator shall determine the fair market value of any property distributed in kind using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt.
(c) In the discretion of the Liquidator, a pro rata portion of the distributions that would otherwise be made to the Partners pursuant to this Article 13 may be:
(1) distributed to a trust established for the benefit of the General Partner and Limited Partners for the purposes of liquidating Partnership assets, collecting amounts owed to the Partnership, and paying any contingent or unforeseen liabilities or obligations of the Partnership or the General Partner arising out of or in connection with the Partnership. The assets of any such trust shall be distributed to the General Partner and Limited Partners from time to time, in the reasonable discretion of the Liquidator, in the same proportions as the amount distributed to such trust by the Partnership would otherwise have been distributed to the General Partner and Limited Partners pursuant to this Agreement; or
(2) withheld or escrowed to provide a reasonable reserve for Partnership liabilities (contingent or otherwise) and to reflect the unrealized portion of any installment obligations owed to the Partnership; provided, that such withheld or escrowed amounts shall be distributed to the General Partner and Limited Partners in the manner and order of priority set forth in Section 13.2(a) as soon as practicable.
Section 13.3. Deficit Capital Account Restoration Obligation.
If the General Partner has a deficit balance in its Capital Account at such time as the Partnership or the General Partner’s interest therein (including its interest as a Limited Partner) is “liquidated” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g) (after giving effect to all contributions, distributions and allocations for all taxable years, including the year during which such liquidation occurs), the General Partner shall contribute to the capital of the Partnership the amount necessary to restore such deficit balance to zero in compliance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(b)(3). If any Limited Partner has a deficit balance in its Capital Account (after giving effect to all contributions, distributions and allocations for all taxable years, including the year during which such liquidation occurs), such Limited Partner shall have no obligation to make any contribution to the capital of the Partnership with respect to such deficit, and such deficit at any time shall not be considered a Debt owed to the Partnership or to any other Person for any purpose whatsoever, except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed to by such Limited Partner and the Partnership.
Section 13.4. Deemed Contribution and Distribution.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 13, in the event the Partnership is “liquidated” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g), but no Liquidating Event has occurred, the Partnership’s property shall not be liquidated, the Partnership’s liabilities shall not be paid or discharged, and the Partnership’s affairs shall not be wound up. Instead, for federal income tax purposes and for purposes of maintaining Capital Accounts pursuant to Exhibit A hereto, the Partnership shall be deemed to have contributed all Partnership property and liabilities to a new limited partnership in exchange for an interest in such new limited partnership and, immediately thereafter, the Partnership will be deemed to liquidate by distributing interests in the new limited partnership to the Partners.
Section 13.5. Rights of Limited Partners.
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, each Limited Partner shall look solely to the assets of the Partnership for the return of its Capital Contributions and shall have no right or power to demand or receive property other than cash from the Partnership. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no Limited Partner shall have priority over any other Partner as to the return of its Capital Contributions, distributions, or allocations.
Section 13.6. Notice of Dissolution.
In the event a Liquidating Event occurs, or an event occurs that would result in a dissolution of the Partnership, the General Partner shall, within 30 days thereafter, provide written notice thereof to each of the Partners.
Section 13.7. Termination of Partnership and Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership.
Upon the completion of the winding up of the Partnership and liquidation of its assets, as provided in Section 13.2, the Partnership shall be terminated by filing a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, canceling all qualifications of the Partnership as a foreign limited partnership in jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware and taking such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Partnership.
Section 13.8. Reasonable Time for Winding Up.
A reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly winding-up of the business and affairs of the Partnership and the liquidation of its assets pursuant to Section 13.2, in order to minimize any losses otherwise attendant upon such winding up, and the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect among the Partners during the period of liquidation.
Section 13.9. Waiver of Partition.
No Partner nor any successor-in-interest to a Partner shall have the right while this Agreement remains in effect to have any property of the Partnership partitioned, or to file a complaint or institute any proceeding at law or in equity to have such property of the Partnership partitioned, and each Partner, on behalf of itself and its successors and assigns hereby waives any such right. It is the intention of the Partners that the rights of the parties hereto and their successors-in-interest to Partnership property, as among themselves, shall be governed by the terms of this Agreement, and that the rights of the Partners and their respective successors-in-interest shall be subject to the limitations and restrictions as set forth in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 14.
AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS
Section 14.1. Amendment of Partnership Agreement.
(a) A proposed amendment shall be adopted and be effective as an amendment hereto if it is approved by the General Partner.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 14.1(a), this Agreement shall not be amended without (i) the consent of each Partner materially adversely affected if such amendment would (1) convert a Limited Partner’s Interest in the Partnership into a General Partner Interest, (2) modify the limited liability of a Limited Partner in a manner materially adverse to such Limited Partner, (3) alter rights of such Partner to receive distributions pursuant to Article 5 or Article 13, or the allocations specified in Article 6 (except as permitted pursuant to Section 4.2) in a manner materially adverse to such Partner, or (4) amend this Section 14.1(b) or (ii) the consent of each Partner materially adversely affected if such amendment would materially adversely and disproportionately affect the Class C Common Unitholders, relative to the Class A Common Unitholders or Class B Common Unitholders; provided, however, that the consent of each Partner materially adversely affected shall not be required for any amendment or action that affects all Partners holding Common Units or the same class or series of Partnership Units other than Common Units on a uniform or pro rata basis. Any amendment consented to by any Partner shall be effective as to that Partner, notwithstanding the absence of such consent by any other Partner.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 14.1(a), none of Section 8.6 of this Agreement, the definition of “Redemption Amount” nor any other provisions regarding the Redemption Right applicable to the Class C Common Unitholders shall be amended in a manner materially adverse to the Class C Common Unitholders without the consent of a majority in interest of the Class C Common Unitholders.
Section 14.2. Meetings of the Partners.
(a) Meetings of the Partners may be called by the General Partner and shall be called upon the receipt by the General Partner of a written request by Limited Partners (other than the Company) holding 20% or more of the Partnership Interests. The request shall state the nature of the business to be transacted. Notice of any such meeting shall be given to all Partners not less than seven days nor more than 30 days prior to the date of such meeting. Partners may vote in person or by proxy at such meeting. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the consent of holders of a majority of the Percentage Interests held by Limited Partners shall control.
(b) Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Partners may be taken without a meeting if a written consent setting forth the action so taken is signed by a majority of the Percentage Interests of the Partners (or such other percentage as is expressly required by this Agreement). Such consent may be in one instrument or in several instruments, and shall have the same force and effect as a vote of a majority of the Percentage Interests of the Partners (or such other percentage as is expressly required by this Agreement). Such consent shall be filed with the General Partner. An action so taken shall be deemed to have been taken at a meeting held on the effective date so certified.
(c) Each Limited Partner may authorize any Person or Persons to act for him by proxy on all matters in which a Limited Partner is entitled to participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or participating at a meeting. Every proxy must be signed by the Limited Partner or his or its attorney-in-fact. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of 11 months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy. Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the Limited Partner executing it, such revocation to be effective upon the Partnership’s receipt of written notice of such revocation from the Limited Partner executing such proxy.
(d) Each meeting of the Partners shall be conducted by the General Partner or such other Person as the General Partner may appoint pursuant to such rules for the conduct of the meeting as the General Partner or such other Person deems appropriate. Without limitation, meetings of Partners may be conducted in the same manner as meetings of the shareholders of the Company and may be held at the same time, and as part of, meetings of the shareholders of the Company.
ARTICLE 15.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 15.1. Addresses and Notice.
Any notice, demand, request or report required or permitted to be given or made to a Partner or Assignee under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person or when sent by first class United States mail or by other means of written communication to such Partner or Assignee at the address provided by or on behalf of such Partner or Assignee or such other address of which the same shall notify the General Partner in writing.
Section 15.2. Titles and Captions.
All article or section titles or captions in this Agreement are for convenience only. They shall not be deemed part of this Agreement and in no way define, limit, extend or describe the scope or intent of any provisions hereof. Except as specifically provided otherwise, references to “Articles” and “Sections” are to Articles and Sections of this Agreement.
Section 15.3. Pronouns and Plurals.
Whenever the context may require, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neutral forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa.
Section 15.4. Further Action.
The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.
Section 15.5. Binding Effect.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.
Section 15.6. Creditors.
The provisions of this Agreement are solely for the purpose of defining the interests of the Partners, inter se; and no other Person (i.e., a party who is not a signatory hereto or a permitted successor to such signatory hereto) shall have any right, power, title or interest by way of subrogation or otherwise, in and to the rights, powers, title and provisions of this Agreement; provided, that Indemnitees are intended third-party beneficiaries of Section 7.7. 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 to the Partnership or to pursue any other right or remedy hereunder or at law or in equity. 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 any 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 any of the Partners.
Section 15.7. Waiver.
No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute a waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.
Section 15.8. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one agreement binding on all of the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing his or its signature hereto.
Section 15.9. Applicable Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.
(a) This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law. In the event of a conflict between any provision of this Agreement and any non-mandatory provision of the Act, the provisions of this Agreement shall control and take precedence.
(b) Each Partner and Assignee hereby (i) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in the State of Delaware (collectively, the “Delaware Courts”), with respect to any dispute arising out of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby to the extent such courts would have subject matter jurisdiction with respect to such dispute, (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by law, irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert by way of motion, defense, or otherwise, in any such action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of any of the Delaware Courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the action is brought in an inconvenient forum, or that the venue of the action is improper, (iii) to the fullest extent permitted by law, agrees that notice or the service of process in any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be properly served or delivered if delivered to such Partner or Assignee at such Partner’s or Assignee’s last known address as set forth in the Partnership’s books and records, and (iv) to the fullest extent permitted by law, irrevocably waives any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 15.10. Invalidity of Provisions.
If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected thereby.
Section 15.11. Entire Agreement.
This Agreement, the Purchase Agreements and the Side Letter contain the entire understanding and agreement among the Partners with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes the Initial Agreement and any other prior written or oral understandings or agreements among them with respect thereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Partners and Assignees hereby acknowledge and agree that the General Partner, on its own behalf and/or on behalf of the Partnership, without the approval of any Limited Partner, may enter into side letters or similar written agreements with Limited Partners that are not Affiliates of the General Partner, executed contemporaneously with the admission of such Limited Partner to the Partnership, which have the effect of establishing rights under, or altering or supplementing, the terms hereof, as negotiated with such Limited Partner and which the General Partner deems necessary, desirable or appropriate. The parties hereto agree that any terms, conditions or provisions contained in such side letters or similar written agreements with a Limited Partner shall govern with respect to such Limited Partner notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement.
Section 15.12. Legal Counsel Relationships.
The Partners acknowledge and agree that Winston & Strawn LLP has only represented the Adviser and the Company in connection with this Agreement and the other transactions related hereto (the “Transactions”). Each Limited Partner, other than the Company, is relying solely on his or its own tax and legal advisors, and not Winston & Strawn LLP, with respect to the tax and other legal aspects of his, her or its investment in the Partnership. Further, except for Winston & Strawn LLP’s representation of the Adviser and the Company with respect to the Transactions, or as may otherwise expressly be agreed in writing by Winston & Strawn LLP, in no event shall an attorney-client relationship exist between Winston & Strawn LLP on the one hand and any other Limited Partner and/or their Affiliates, on the other hand. The Limited Partners further agree and consent that Winston & Strawn LLP shall be permitted to render legal advice and to provide legal services to any Limited Partner or the Partnership from time to time, and each Limited Partner covenants and agrees that such representation of a Limited Partner or the Partnership by such firm from time to time shall not disqualify such firm from providing legal advice and legal services to their respective client Limited Partners or Affiliates in matters related or unrelated to this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
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GENERAL PARTNER: |
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VineBrook Homes OP GP, LLC | |||
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By: |
/s/ Brian Mitts |
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Name: |
Brian Mitts |
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Title: |
President, Chief Financial Officer, |
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Assistant Secretary and Treasurer |
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LIMITED PARTNERS: |
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All Limited Partners now and hereafter admitted | |||
pursuant to powers of attorney granted to the | |||
General Partner by each Limited Partner. | |||
VineBrook Homes OP GP, LLC | |||
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By: |
/s/ Brian Mitts |
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Name |
Brian Mitts |
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Title |
President, Chief Financial Officer, |
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Assistant Secretary and Treasurer | |||
As attorney-in-fact for the Limited Partners hereby | |||
admitted in accordance with the Agreement, to the | |||
extent not already so admitted. |
Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of
VINEBROOK HOMES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
EXHIBIT A
CAPITAL ACCOUNT MAINTENANCE
1. |
Capital Accounts of the Partners |
A. The Partnership shall maintain for each Partner (and, to the extent necessary to effectuate the provisions of this Agreement, for each Partner’s interest in a specific class or series (or specified group of classes and/or series)) a separate Capital Account in accordance with the rules of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). Such Capital Account shall be increased by (i) the amount of all Capital Contributions and any other deemed contributions made by such Partner to the Partnership pursuant to the Agreement; and (ii) all items of Partnership income and gain (including income and gain exempt from tax) computed in accordance with Section 1.B hereof and allocated to such Partner pursuant to Section 6.1(a) of the Agreement and Exhibit B of the Agreement, and decreased by (x) the amount of cash or Agreed Value of all actual and deemed distributions of cash or property made to such Partner pursuant to the Agreement, and (y) all items of Partnership deduction and loss computed in accordance with Section 1.B hereof and allocated to such Partner pursuant to Section 6.1(b) of the Agreement and Exhibit B hereof.
B. For purposes of computing the amount of any item of income, gain, deduction or loss to be reflected in the Partners’ Capital Accounts, unless otherwise specified in the Agreement, the determination, recognition and classification of any such item shall be the same as its determination, recognition and classification for federal income tax purposes determined in accordance with Section 703(a) of the Code (for this purpose all items of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Section 703(a)(1) of the Code shall be included in taxable income or loss), with the following adjustments:
(1) Except as otherwise provided in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), the computation of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be made without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code which may be made by the Partnership; provided, that the amounts of any adjustments to the adjusted bases of the assets of the Partnership made pursuant to Section 734 of the Code as a result of the distribution of property by the Partnership to a Partner (to the extent that such adjustments have not previously been reflected in the Partners’ Capital Accounts) shall be reflected in the Capital Accounts of the Partners in the manner and subject to the limitations prescribed in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4).
(2) The computation of all items of income, gain, and deduction shall be made without regard to the fact that items described in Sections 705(a)(1)(B) or 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code are not includable in gross income or are neither currently deductible nor capitalized for federal income tax purposes.
(3) Any income, gain or loss attributable to the taxable disposition of any Partnership property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property as of such date of disposition were equal in amount to the Partnership’s Carrying Value with respect to such property as of such date.
(4) In lieu of the depreciation, amortization, and other cost recovery deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into account Depreciation for such fiscal year.
(5) In the event the Carrying Value of any Partnership asset is adjusted pursuant to Section 1.D hereof, the amount of any such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from the disposition of such asset.
(6) Any income of the Partnership that is exempt from federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss pursuant to this definition shall be added to such taxable income or loss.
(7) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 1.B, any items that are specially allocated pursuant to Exhibit B of the Agreement shall not be taken into account for purposes of computing Net Income or Net Loss.
The amounts of the items of Partnership income, gain, loss or deduction available to be specially allocated pursuant to Exhibit B of the Agreement shall be determined by applying rules analogous to those set forth in Sections 1.B(1) through 1.B(5) above.
C. Generally, a transferee (including an Assignee) of a Partnership Unit shall succeed to a pro rata portion of the Capital Account of the transferor.
D. (1) Consistent with the provisions of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), and as provided in Section 1.D(2), the Carrying Value of all Partnership assets shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, as of the times of the adjustments provided in Section 1.D(2) hereof, as if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been recognized on an actual sale of each such property and allocated pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Agreement.
(2) Such adjustments shall be made as of the following times: (a) immediately prior to the acquisition of an additional interest in the Partnership by any new or existing Partner in exchange for more than a de minimis Capital Contribution; (b) immediately prior to the distribution by the Partnership to a Partner of more than a de minimis amount of property as consideration for an interest in the Partnership; (c) in connection with the grant of an interest in the Partnership (other than a de minimis interest), as consideration for the provision 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 or in anticipation of being a partner; (d) the issuance of any LTIP Units; and (e) immediately prior to the liquidation of the Partnership within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g); provided, however, that adjustments pursuant to clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) above shall be made only if the General Partner determines that such adjustments are necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Partners in the Partnership.
(3) In accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(e), the Carrying Value of Partnership assets distributed in kind shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, as of the time any such asset is distributed.
(4) The Carrying Value of Partnership assets shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the adjusted basis of such assets pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b), but only to the extent that such adjustments are taken into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m) and Section 1.B(1) hereof or Section 1.F of Exhibit B of the Agreement; provided, however, that Carrying Values shall not be adjusted pursuant to this Section 1.D(4) to the extent that an adjustment pursuant to Section 1.D(2) hereof is required in connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment pursuant to this Section 1.D(4).
(5) In determining Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss for purposes of this Exhibit A, the aggregate cash amount and fair market value of all Partnership assets (including cash or cash equivalents) shall be determined by the General Partner using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt, or in the case of a liquidating distribution pursuant to Article 13 of the Agreement, shall be determined and allocated by the Liquidator using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt. The General Partner, or the Liquidator, as the case may be, shall allocate such aggregate value among the assets of the Partnership (in such manner as it determines in its sole and absolute discretion to arrive at a fair market value for individual properties).
If the Carrying Value of an asset has been determined or adjusted pursuant to Section 1.B(2) or Section 1.B(4) of this Exhibit A, such Carrying Value shall thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation taken into account with respect to such asset, for purposes of computing Net Income and Net Loss.
E. The initial Capital Account attributable to a Capital LTIP Unit shall equal the Capital Account attributable to a Common Unit determined immediately following the adjustment to the Carrying Value of Partnership assets pursuant to Section 1.D of this Exhibit A in connection with the issuance of such Capital LTIP Unit. The initial Capital Account attributable to a Profits LTIP Unit shall equal zero.
F. The provisions of the Agreement (including this Exhibit A and other Exhibits to the Agreement) relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Regulations Section 1.704-l(b), and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Regulations. In the event the General Partner shall determine that it is prudent to modify (i) the manner in which the Capital Accounts, or any debits or credits thereto (including, without limitation, debits or credits relating to liabilities which are secured by contributed or distributed property or which are assumed by the Partnership, the General Partner, or the Limited Partners) are computed, or (ii) the manner in which items are allocated among the Partners for federal income tax purposes, in order to comply with such Regulations or to comply with Section 704(c) of the Code, the General Partner may make such modification without regard to Article 14 of the Agreement; provided, that it is not likely to have a material effect on the amounts distributable to any Person pursuant to Article 13 of the Agreement upon the dissolution of the Partnership. The General Partner also shall (i) make any adjustments that are necessary or appropriate to maintain equality between the Capital Accounts of the Partners and the amount of Partnership capital reflected on the Partnership’s balance sheet, as computed for book purposes, in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(q), and (ii) make any appropriate modifications in the event unanticipated events might otherwise cause the Agreement not to comply with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b). In addition, the General Partner may adopt and employ such methods and procedures for (i) the maintenance of book and tax capital accounts, (ii) the determination and allocation of adjustments under Sections 704(c), 734 and 743 of the Code, (iii) the determination of Net Income, Net Loss, taxable income, taxable loss and items thereof under the Agreement and pursuant to the Code, (iv) the adoption of reasonable conventions and methods for the valuation of assets and the determination of tax basis, (v) the allocation of asset value and tax basis, and (vi) conventions for the determination of cost recovery, depreciation and amortization deductions, as it determines in its sole discretion are necessary or appropriate to execute the provisions of the Agreement, to comply with federal and state tax laws, and are in the best interest of the Partners.
2. |
No Interest |
No interest shall be paid by the Partnership on Capital Contributions or on balances in Partners’ Capital Accounts.
3. |
No Withdrawal |
No Partner shall be entitled to withdraw any part of his or its Capital Contribution or his or its Capital Account or to receive any distribution from the Partnership, except as provided in Articles 4, 5, 7 and 13 of the Agreement.
4. |
Special Allocations in Connection with a Liquidating Event. |
The Partners intend that the allocation of Net Income, Net Loss and other items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit required to be allocated to the Capital Accounts of the Partners pursuant to the Agreement will result in final Capital Account balances that will permit the amount each Partner is entitled to receive upon “liquidation” of the Partnership (within the meaning of Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g) of the Treasury Regulations) to equal the amount such Partner would have received if such amount was distributable in accordance with Section 5.1 of this Agreement (other than a holder of Profits LTIP Units with respect to Profits LTIP Units for which the Target Balance has not been achieved without regard to this Section 4 of this Exhibit A). Accordingly, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.1(a) and Section 6.1(b) of the Agreement, in the taxable year of the event precipitating a Liquidating Event and thereafter, appropriate adjustments to allocations of Net Income and Net Losses (and items thereof) to the Partners shall be made to achieve such result to the maximum extent possible; provided, however, in no event shall the balance of the Capital Account balance of a holder of Profits LTIP Units (to the extent attributable to such Profits LTIP Units) for which the Target Balance has not been achieved without regard to this Section 4 of this Exhibit A be increased to an amount excess of the balance that would result without regard to this Section 4 of this Exhibit A.
EXHIBIT B
SPECIAL ALLOCATION RULES; OTHER TAX MATTERS
1. |
Special Allocation Rules |
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement or this Exhibit B, the following special allocations shall be made:
A. Minimum Gain Chargeback. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.1 of the Agreement or any other provisions of this Exhibit B, if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable year, then, subject to the exceptions set forth in Regulations Sections 1.704-2(f)(2)-(5), each Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, subsequent years) in an amount equal to such Partner’s share of the net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain, as determined under Regulations Section 1.704-2(g). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Partner pursuant thereto. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(f)(6). This Section 1.A is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirements in Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith. Solely for purposes of this Section 1.A, each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account Deficit shall be determined prior to any other allocations pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Agreement with respect to such Partnership taxable year and without regard to any decrease of Partner Minimum Gain during such Partnership taxable year.
B. Partner Minimum Gain Chargeback. Notwithstanding any other provision of Section 6.1 of the Agreement or any other provisions of this Exhibit B (except Section 1.A hereof), if there is a net decrease in Partner Minimum Gain attributable to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt during any Partnership taxable year, then, subject to the exceptions referred to in Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4), each Partner who has a share of the Partner Minimum Gain attributable to such Partner Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(5), shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, subsequent years) in an amount equal to such Partner’s share of the net decrease in Partner Minimum Gain attributable to such Partner Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(5). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Partner pursuant thereto. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4). This Section 1.B is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement in such section of the Regulations and shall be interpreted consistently therewith. Solely for purposes of this Section 1.B, each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account Deficit shall be determined prior to any other allocations pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Agreement or this Exhibit with respect to such Partnership taxable year, other than allocations pursuant to Section 1.A hereof.
C. Qualified Income Offset. In the event any Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), and after giving effect to the allocations required under Sections 1.A and 1.B hereof such Partner has an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit, items of Partnership income and gain (consisting of a pro rata portion of each item of Partnership income, including gross income and gain for the Partnership taxable year) shall be specially allocated to such Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Regulations, its Adjusted Capital Account Deficit created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 1.C shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit after all other allocations provided for in Section 6.1 of the Agreement or any other provisions of this Exhibit B have been tentatively made as if this Section 1.C were not in this Agreement. This Section 1.C is intended to constitute a qualified income offset under Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
D. Nonrecourse Deductions. Nonrecourse Deductions for any Partnership taxable year shall be allocated to the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests. If the General Partner determines in its good faith discretion that the Partnership’s Nonrecourse Deductions must be allocated in a different ratio to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of the Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the General Partner is authorized, upon notice to the Limited Partners, to revise the prescribed ratio to the numerically closest ratio for such Partnership taxable year which would satisfy such requirements.
E. Partner Nonrecourse Deductions. Any Partner Nonrecourse Deductions for any Partnership taxable year shall be specially allocated to the Partner who bears the economic risk of loss with respect to the Partner Nonrecourse Debt to which such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i).
F. Code Section 754 Adjustments. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis), and such item of gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Partners in a manner consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to such section of the Regulations.
G. Curative Allocations. The allocations set forth in Section 1.A through 1.F of this Exhibit B (the “Regulatory Allocations”) are intended to comply with certain requirements of the Regulations under Section 704(b) of the Code. The Regulatory Allocations may not be consistent with the manner in which the Partners intend to divide Partnership distributions. Accordingly, the General Partner is hereby authorized to divide other allocations of income, gain, deduction and loss among the Partners so as to prevent the Regulatory Allocations from distorting the manner in which Partnership distributions will be divided among the Partners. In general, the Partners anticipate that, if necessary, this will be accomplished by specially allocating other items of income, gain, loss and deduction among the Partners so that the net amount of the Regulatory Allocations and such special allocations to each person is zero. However, the General Partner will have discretion to accomplish this result in any reasonable manner; provided, however, that no allocation pursuant to this Section 1.G shall cause the Partnership to fail to comply with the requirements of Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d), -2(e) or -2(i).
H. Profits LTIP Unit Allocations. After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 1.A and Section 1.B of this Exhibit B, and the allocations of Net Income under Section 6.1(a)(1), Section 6.1(a)(2), Section 6.1(a)(3) and Section 6.1(a)(4) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Liquidating Gains that are a component of Net Income) of the Agreement, and subject to the other provisions of this Exhibit B, but before allocations are made under Section 6.1(a)(5) of the Agreement:
(1) Any remaining Liquidating Gains shall first be allocated among the Partners so as to cause, as nearly as possible, the Economic Capital Account Balances of the Profits LTIP Unit holders, to the extent attributable to their ownership of Profits LTIP Units, to be equal to (i) the Company Common Unit Economic Balance, multiplied by (ii) the number of their Profits LTIP Units (with respect to each Profits LTIP Unit holder, the “Target Balance”); provided that no such Liquidating Gains will be allocated with respect to any particular Profits LTIP Unit unless and to the extent that such Liquidating Gains, when aggregated with other Liquidating Gains realized since the issuance of such Profits LTIP Unit, exceed Liquidating Losses realized since the issuance of such Profits LTIP Unit. Any such allocations shall be made among the Partners in proportion to the aggregate amounts required to be allocated to each Partner under this Section 1.H.1 of this Exhibit B.
(2) After giving effect to the special allocations set forth above, if, due to distributions with respect to Common Units in which the Profits LTIP Units do not participate, forfeitures or otherwise, the Economic Capital Account Balance of any present or former holder of Profits LTIP Units attributable to such holder’s Profits LTIP Units, exceeds the Target Balance, then Liquidating Losses shall be allocated to such holder, or Liquidating Gains shall be allocated to the other Partners, to reduce or eliminate the disparity; provided, however, that if Liquidating Losses or Liquidating Gains are insufficient to completely eliminate all such disparities, such losses or gains shall be allocated among Partners in a manner reasonably determined by the General Partner.
(3) The parties agree that the intent of this Section 1.H of this Exhibit B is (i) to the extent possible to make the Economic Capital Account Balance associated with each Profits LTIP Unit economically equivalent to the Company Common Unit Economic Balance and (ii) to allow conversion of a Profits LTIP Unit (assuming prior vesting) into a Common Unit when sufficient Liquidating Gains have been allocated to such Profits LTIP Unit pursuant to Section 1.H.1 of this Exhibit B so that either its initial Book-Up Target has been reduced to zero or the parity described in the definition of Target Balance has been achieved. The General Partner shall be permitted to interpret this Section 1.H of this Exhibit B or to amend this Agreement to the extent necessary and consistent with this intention.
(4) In the event that Liquidating Gains or Liquidating Losses are allocated under this Section 1.H of this Exhibit B, Net Income allocable under Section 6.1(a)(5) of the Agreement and any Net Loss shall be recomputed without regard to the Liquidating Gains or Liquidating Losses so allocated.
I. Forfeiture Allocations.
(1) Subject to Section 1.I.2 of this Exhibit B, if any holder forfeits (or has repurchased at less than fair market value) all or a portion of such holder’s Partnership Units, the Partnership shall make forfeiture allocations to such holder in the manner and to the extent required by Proposed Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(xii) (as such Proposed Regulations may be amended or modified, including upon the issuance of temporary or final Treasury Regulations).
If a Profits LTIP Unit holder forfeits any Profits LTIP Units to which Liquidating Gain has previously be allocated pursuant to Section 1.H of this Exhibit B, (i) the portion of such holders Capital Account attributable to such Liquidating Gain allocated to such forfeited Profits LTIP Units shall be re-allocated to such holder’s remaining Profits LTIP Units that were outstanding on the date of the initial allocation of such Liquidating Gain to the extent necessary to cause such holders Economic Capital Account Balance attributable to each such Profits LTIP Unit to equal the Company Common Unit Economic Balance, and (ii) forfeiture allocations shall be made pursuant to Section 1.I.1 of this Exhibit B with respect to the amount of any such Liquidating Gain not re-allocated pursuant to clause (i) above (and the Capital Account attributable to the forfeited Profits LTIP Units that is not so reallocated or reduced to zero through forfeiture allocations shall be reduced to zero).
2. |
Allocations for Tax Purposes |
A. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 2, for federal income tax purposes, each item of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Agreement and Section 1 of this Exhibit B.
B. In an attempt to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities attributable to a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, items of income, gain, loss, and deduction shall be allocated for federal income tax purposes among the Partners as follows:
(1) (a) In the case of a Contributed Property, such items attributable thereto shall be allocated among the Partners, consistent with the principles of Section 704(c) of the Code and the Regulations thereunder, and with the procedures and methods described in Section 10.2 of the Agreement, to take into account the variation between the 704(c) Value of such property and its adjusted basis at the time of contribution; and
(b) |
any item of Residual Gain or Residual Loss attributable to a Contributed Property shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” gain or loss is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Agreement and Section 1 of this Exhibit B. |
(2) (a) In the case of an Adjusted Property, such items shall:
(1) first, be allocated among the Partners in a manner consistent with the principles of Section 704(c) of the Code and the Regulations thereunder to take into account the Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such property and the allocations thereof pursuant to Exhibit A of the Agreement; and
(2) second, in the event such property was originally a Contributed Property, be allocated among the Partners in a manner consistent with Section 2.B(1) of this Exhibit B; and
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any item of Residual Gain or Residual Loss attributable to an Adjusted Property shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” gain or loss is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Agreement and Section 1 of this Exhibit B. |
C. To the extent that the Treasury Regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 704(c) of the Code permit the Partnership to utilize alternative methods to eliminate the disparities between the Carrying Value of Property and its adjusted basis, the General Partner shall have the authority to elect the method to be used by the Partnership and such election shall be binding on all Partners.
3. |
No Withdrawal |
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 provided in Articles 4, 5, 8 and 13 of the Agreement.
EXHIBIT C
NOTICE OF REDEMPTION
The undersigned Limited Partner hereby irrevocably requests VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), to redeem Partnership Units in the Partnership in accordance with the terms of the Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the Partnership and the Redemption Right referred to therein; and the undersigned Limited Partner irrevocably (i) surrenders such Partnership Units and all right, title and interest therein, and (ii) directs that the Cash Amount or REIT Shares Amount (as determined by the Company) deliverable upon exercise of the Redemption Right be delivered to the address specified below, and if REIT Shares are to be delivered, such REIT Shares be registered or placed in the name(s) and at the address(es) specified below. The undersigned hereby represents, warrants, and certifies that the undersigned (a) has marketable and unencumbered title to such Limited Partnership Units, free and clear of the rights or interests of any other person or entity, (b) has the full right, power, and authority to request such redemption and surrender such Partnership Units as provided herein, and (c) has obtained the consent or approval of all persons or entities, if any, having the right to consent or approve such redemption and surrender of Units. The undersigned Limited Partner further agrees that, in the event that any state or local property tax is payable as a result of the transfer of its Partnership Units to the Partnership or the Company, the undersigned Limited Partner shall assume and pay such transfer tax.
Dated: | |||
Name of Limited Partner: | |||
Please Print | |||
(Signature of Limited Partner) | |||
(Street Address) | |||
(City) (State) (Zip Code) | |||
Signature Guaranteed by: | |||
If REIT Shares are to be issued, issue to: | |||
Name: | |||
Please insert social security or identifying number: |
EXHIBIT D
CONSTRUCTIVE OWNERSHIP DEFINITION
The term “Constructively Owns” means ownership determined through the application of the constructive ownership rules of Section 318 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. Generally, as of the date first set forth above, these rules provide the following:
a. an individual is considered as owning the Ownership Interest that is owned, actually or constructively, by or for his spouse, his children, his grandchildren, and his parents;
b. an Ownership Interest that is owned, actually or constructively, by or for a partnership, limited liability company or estate is considered as owned proportionately by its partners or beneficiaries;
c. an Ownership Interest that is owned, actually or constructively, by or for a trust is considered as owned by its beneficiaries in proportion to the actuarial interest of such beneficiaries (provided, however, that in the case of a “grantor trust” the Ownership Interest will be considered as owned by the grantors);
d. if ten (10) percent or more in value of the stock in a corporation is owned, actually or constructively, by or for any person, such person shall be considered as owning the Ownership Interest that is owned, actually or constructively, by or for such corporation in that proportion which the value of the stock which such person so owns bears to the value of all the stock in such corporation;
e. an Ownership Interest that is owned, actually or constructively, by or for a partner or member which actually or constructively owns a 25% or greater capital interest or profits interest in a partnership or limited liability company, or by or to or for a beneficiary of an estate or trust shall be considered as owned by the partnership, limited liability company, estate, or trust (or, in the case of a grantor trust, the grantors);
f. if ten (10) percent or more in value of the stock in a corporation is owned, actually or constructively, by or for any person, such corporation shall be considered as owning the Ownership Interest that is owned, actually or constructively, by or for such person;
g. if any person has an option to acquire an Ownership Interest (including an option to acquire an option or any one of a series of such options), such Ownership Interest shall be considered as owned by such person;
h. an Ownership Interest that is constructively owned by a person by reason of the application of the rules described in paragraphs (a) through (g) above shall, for purposes of applying paragraphs (a) through (g), be considered as actually owned by such person; provided, however, that (i) an Ownership Interest constructively owned by an individual by reason of paragraph (a) shall not be considered as owned by him for purposes of again applying paragraph (a) in order to make another person the constructive owner of such Ownership Interest, (ii) an Ownership Interest constructively owned by a partnership, estate, trust, or corporation by reason of the application of paragraphs (e) or (f) shall not be considered as owned by it for purposes of applying paragraphs (b), (c), or (d) in order to make another person the constructive owner of such Ownership Interest, (iii) if an Ownership Interest may be considered as owned by an individual under paragraph (a) or (g), it shall be considered as owned by him under paragraph (g), and (iv) for purposes of the above described rules, an S corporation shall be treated as a partnership and any shareholder of the S corporation shall be treated as a partner of such partnership except that this rule shall not apply for purposes of determining whether stock in the S corporation is constructively owned by any person.
i. For purposes of the above summary of the constructive ownership rules, the term “Ownership Interest” means the ownership of stock with respect to a corporation and, with respect to any other type of entity, the ownership of an interest in either its assets or net profits.
EXHIBIT E
SCHEDULE OF PARTNERS’ OWNERSHIP
WITH RESPECT TO TENANTS
NONE
EXHIBIT F
NOTICE OF ELECTION BY PARTNER TO CONVERT
LTIP UNITS INTO CLASS C COMMON UNITS
The undersigned holder of LTIP Units hereby irrevocably (i) elects to convert __________ LTIP Units in VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Partnership”) into Class C Common Units in accordance with the terms of the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, as amended and/or restated from time to time, and (ii) directs that any cash in lieu of Common Units that may be deliverable upon such conversion be delivered to the address specified below. The undersigned hereby represents, warrants, and certifies that the undersigned (a) has title to such LTIP Units, free and clear of the rights or interests of any other person or entity other than the Partnership, (b) has the full right, power, and authority to cause the conversion of such LTIP Units as provided herein, and (c) has obtained the consent to or approval of all persons or entities, if any, having the right to consent or approve such conversion.
Dated: |
Name of Limited Partner: |
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(Signature of Limited Partner) |
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(Street Address) |
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(City) (State) (Zip Code) |
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Signature Guaranteed by: |
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EXHIBIT G
NOTICE OF ELECTION BY PARTNERSHIP TO FORCE CONVERSION OF
LTIP UNITS INTO CLASS C COMMON UNITS
VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Partnership”) hereby irrevocably elects to cause the number of LTIP Units held by the holder of LTIP Units set forth below to be converted into Class C Common Units in accordance with the terms of the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, as amended and/or restated from time to time.
Name of Holder:
Date of this Notice:
Number of LTIP Units to be Converted:
Please Print Exact Name as Registered
with Partnership:
ANNEX A
DESIGNATION OF CLASSES OF COMMON UNITS
OF
VINEBROOK HOMES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Section 1. Designation and Number. Three classes of Common Units of the Partnership designated as the “Class A Common Units” (the “Class A Common Units”), the “Class B Common Units” (the “Class B Common Units”) and the “Class C Common Units” (the “Class C Common Units”) are hereby established in accordance with the terms of the Agreement as a subdivision of the class of Class A Units. Such class of Class A Units existing prior to the establishment of the aforementioned three classes, except solely as a subdivision into the aforementioned three classes, is hereby eliminated. The class of Class I Units existing prior to the establishment of the aforementioned three classes is also hereby eliminated.
Section 2. Voting Rights. The voting rights of each class of the Common Units are set forth as follows. When reference is made to Percentage Interest or holdings, majority or otherwise, of Partnership Units as a threshold for voting, consent, approval or any similar requirement in the Agreement, including where the same is specified to be as a single class, such reference will be adjusted to give effect to this Section 2, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement; provided, however, that the consent requirements set forth in Section 14.1(b) of the Agreement will not be affected by the terms of this Annex A.
a. Class A Common Units. The Class A Common Units represent 50% of the voting, consent, approval or similar rights of the Common Units, as allocated to Common Units under the Agreement, except as required by applicable law. Such rights for each of the Class A Common Units will be determined on the applicable date by dividing one such Partnership Unit by the number of Class A Common Units outstanding on the applicable date, multiplied by 50%; provided, however, that where applicable law requires otherwise, such determination shall by as required by applicable law. In the event there are no Class B Common Units outstanding, the Class A Common Units shall represent 100% of the voting, consent, approval or similar rights of the Common Units, with the rights per unit determined without multiplication by 50%.
b. Class B Common Units. The Class B Common Units represent 50% of the voting, consent, approval or similar rights of the Common Units, as allocated to Common Units under the Agreement, except as required by applicable law. Such rights for each of the Class B Common Units will be determined on the applicable date by dividing one such Partnership Unit by the number of Class B Common Units outstanding on the applicable date, multiplied by 50%; provided, however, that where applicable law requires otherwise, such determination shall by as required by applicable law. In the event there are no Class A Common Units outstanding, the Class B Common Units shall represent 100% of the voting, consent, approval or similar rights of the Common Units, with the rights per unit determined without multiplication by 50%.
c. Class C Common Units. The Class C Common Units have no voting, consent, approval or similar rights whatsoever under the Agreement, except as required by applicable law.
Section 3. Other rights and obligations. Except as set forth above or as expressly set forth in the Agreement, each individual Class A Common Unit, Class B Common Unit and Class C Common Unit shall have the same rights and obligations provided under the Agreement. When reference is made to Percentage Interest or holdings of Partnership Units except as specified in Section 2 of this Annex A, such reference will be adjusted to give effect to this provision, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement.
ANNEX B
DESIGNATION OF 6.50% SERIES A
CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED UNITS
OF
VINEBROOK HOMES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Section 1. Designation and Number. A series of Preferred Units (as defined below) of VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), designated the “6.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units” (the “Series A Preferred Units”), is hereby established. The number of authorized Series A Preferred Units shall be 16,000,000. The Series A Preferred Units have been created and are issued in conjunction with the issuance and sale of Series A Preferred Stock (defined below) by the Company, and as such, the Series A Preferred Units are intended to have designations, preferences and other rights and terms that are substantially the same as those of the Series A Preferred Stock, all such that the economic interests of the Series A Preferred Units and the Series A Preferred Stock are substantially identical, and the provisions, terms and conditions of the Series A Preferred Units and this Annex B shall be interpreted in a fashion consistent with this intent
Section 2. Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Agreement. The following defined terms used in this Annex B shall have the meanings specified below:
“Base Liquidation Preference” shall have the meaning provided in Section 6.
“Business Day” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).
“Distribution Period” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).
“Distribution Record Date” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).
“Junior Units” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.
“Original Issuance Date” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).
“Parity Preferred Units” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.
“Partnership” shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.
“Preferred Units” means all Partnership Interests designated as preferred units by the General Partner from time to time in accordance with Section 4.2 of the Agreement.
“Series A Preferred Distribution Payment Date” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).
“Series A Preferred Return” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).
“Series A Preferred Stock” shall have the meaning provided in the Charter.
“Series A Preferred Units” shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.
Section 3. Maturity. The Series A Preferred Units have no stated maturity and will not be subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption.
Section 4. Rank. The Series A Preferred Units will, with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership, rank (a) senior to all classes or series of Common Units of the Partnership and any class or series of Preferred Units expressly designated as ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Units as to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership (the “Junior Units”); (b) on a parity with any other class or series of Preferred Units issued by the Partnership expressly designated as ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred Units as to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership (the “Parity Preferred Units”); and (c) junior to any class or series of Preferred Units issued by the Partnership expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Units with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership. The term “Preferred Units” does not include convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Partnership, which will rank senior to the Series A Preferred Units prior to conversion or exchange. The Series A Preferred Units will also rank junior in right or payment to the Partnership’s existing and future indebtedness and to the indebtedness and other liabilities of the Partnership’s existing Subsidiaries and any future Subsidiaries.
Section 5. Distributions.
(a) Subject to the preferential rights of holders of any class or series of Preferred Units of the Partnership expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Units as to distributions, the holders of Series A Preferred Units shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized by the General Partner and declared by the Partnership, out of funds of the Partnership legally available for payment of distributions, as determined by the General Partner, preferential cumulative cash distributions at the rate of 6.50% per annum of the Base Liquidation Preference (as defined below) per unit plus the amount of previously accrued and unpaid distributions on the Series A Preferred Units (the “Series A Preferred Return”) from the date of original issue of the Series A Preferred Units (or the date of issue of any Series A Preferred Units issued after such original issue date) (the “Original Issuance Date”). Distributions on the Series A Preferred Units shall accrue and be cumulative from (and including) the Original Issuance Date of any Series A Preferred Units or, with respect to any accrued distributions that have been paid in cash, the end of the most recent Distribution Period for which distributions have been paid, and shall be payable quarterly, in equal amounts, in arrears, on or about the 10th day of each January, April, July and October of each year (or, if not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) (each a “Series A Preferred Distribution Payment Date”) for the period ending on such Series A Preferred Distribution Payment Date, commencing on January 11, 2021. A “Distribution Period” is the respective period commencing on and including January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year and ending on and including the day preceding the first day of the next succeeding Distribution Period (other than the initial Distribution Period and the Distribution Period during which any Series A Preferred Units shall be redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Partnership). The term “Business Day” shall mean each day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, which is not a day on which banks in the State of New York are required to close. Dividends will be prorated for partial quarters. The amount of any distribution payable on the Series A Preferred Units for any Distribution Period will be computed on the basis of twelve 30-day months and a 360-day year. Distributions will be payable to holders of record of the Series A Preferred Units as they appear on the records of the Partnership at the close of business on the 25th day of the month preceding the applicable Series A Preferred Distribution Payment Date, i.e., December 25, March 25, June 25 and September 25 (each, a “Distribution Record Date”).
(b) No distributions on the Series A Preferred Units shall be authorized by the General Partner or declared, paid or set apart for payment by the Partnership at such time as the terms and provisions of any agreement of the General Partner or the Partnership, including any agreement relating to the indebtedness of either of them, prohibits such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment or provides that such declaration, payment or setting apart for payment would constitute a breach thereof or a default thereunder, or if such declaration or payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, distributions on the Series A Preferred Units will accrue and, to the extent not paid in cash, compound quarterly on each Series A Preferred Distribution Payment Date, whether or not the restrictions referred to in Section 5(b) exist, whether or not the Partnership has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such distributions and whether or not such distributions are authorized or declared by the General Partner. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, will be payable in respect of any distribution on the Series A Preferred Units which may be in arrears. When distributions are not paid in full upon the Series A Preferred Units and any Parity Preferred Units (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart), all distributions declared upon the Series A Preferred Units and any Parity Preferred Units shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of distributions declared per Series A Preferred Unit and such Parity Preferred Units shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accumulated distributions per Series A Preferred Unit and such Parity Preferred Units (which shall not include any accrual in respect of unpaid distributions for prior Distribution Periods if such Parity Preferred Units do not have a cumulative distribution) bear to each other.
(d) Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless full cumulative distributions on the Series A Preferred Units have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid in cash or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment for all past Distribution Periods that have ended, no distributions (other than a distribution in Junior Units or in options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase any such Junior Units) shall be declared and paid or declared and set apart for payment nor shall any other distribution be declared and made upon the Junior Units or any Parity Preferred Units, nor shall any Junior Units or Parity Preferred Units be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such Junior Units or Parity Preferred Units) by the Partnership (except (i) by conversion into or exchange for Junior Units, (ii) the purchase of Series A Preferred Units, Junior Units or Parity Preferred Units in connection with a redemption of stock pursuant to the Charter to the extent necessary to preserve the Company’s qualification as a REIT or (iii) the purchase of Parity Preferred Units pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding Series A Preferred Units). Holders of the Series A Preferred Units shall not be entitled to any distribution, whether payable in cash, property or units, in excess of full cumulative and compounding distributions on the Series A Preferred Units as provided above. Any distribution made on the Series A Preferred Units shall first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid distribution due with respect to such units which remains payable. Accrued but unpaid distributions on the Series A Preferred Units will accrue as of the Series A Preferred Distribution Payment Date on which they first become payable.
(e) If the rate at which the Company is required to distribute to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock increases or decreases pursuant to the terms of the Charter, the rate that will be paid on the Series A Preferred Units will increase or decrease by the same amount and for the same periods.
Section 6. Liquidation Preference. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Partnership, the holders of Series A Preferred Units are entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Partnership legally available for distribution to its Partners, after payment of or provision for the Partnership’s Debts and other liabilities, a liquidation preference of $25.00 per unit (the “Base Liquidation Preference”), plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid distributions (whether or not authorized or declared) thereon to and including the date of payment, but without interest, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Junior Units. If the assets of the Partnership legally available for distribution to Partners are insufficient to pay in full the liquidation preference on the Series A Preferred Units and the liquidation preference on any Parity Preferred Units, all assets distributed to the holders of the Series A Preferred Units and any Parity Preferred Units shall be distributed pro rata so that the amount of assets distributed per Series A Preferred Units and such Parity Preferred Units shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that the liquidation preference per Series A Preferred Unit and such Parity Preferred Units bear to each other. Written notice of any distribution in connection with any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Partnership, stating the payment date or dates when, and the place or places where, the amounts distributable in such circumstances shall be payable, shall be given by first class mail, postage pre-paid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the payment date stated therein, to each record holder of the Series A Preferred Units at the respective addresses of such holders as the same shall appear on the records of the Partnership. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series A Preferred Units will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Partnership. The consolidation or merger of the Partnership with or into another entity, a merger of another entity with or into the Partnership, a statutory exchange by the Partnership or a sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of the Partnership’s Properties or business shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Partnership.
Section 7. Redemption. In connection with any redemption of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 5 of Exhibit A to the Charter, the Partnership shall redeem, on the date of such redemption, a number of outstanding Series A Preferred Units equal to the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock so redeemed.
Section 8. Voting Rights.
(a) Holders of the Series A Preferred Units will not have any voting rights.
(b) When reference is made to Percentage Interest or holdings of Partnership Units as a threshold for voting, consent, approval or any similar requirement in the Agreement, such reference will not include Series A Preferred Units, except as required by applicable law.
Section 9. Except as modified herein, all terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, including but not limited to terms and conditions requiring direction or approval by the Board prior to the General Partner taking certain actions contemplated hereby, which terms and conditions the General Partner hereby ratifies and confirms.
ANNEX C
DESIGNATION OF 9.50% SERIES B
CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED UNITS
OF
VINEBROOK HOMES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Section 1. Designation and Number. A series of Preferred Units (as defined below) of VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), designated the “9.50% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units” (the “Series B Preferred Units”), is hereby established. The number of authorized Series B Preferred Units shall be 3,000,000. The Series B Preferred Units have been created and are issued in conjunction with the issuance and sale of Series B Preferred Stock (defined below) by the Company, and as such, the Series B Preferred Units are intended to have designations, preferences and other rights and terms that are substantially the same as those of the Series B Preferred Stock, all such that the economic interests of the Series B Preferred Units and the Series B Preferred Stock are substantially identical, and the provisions, terms and conditions of the Series A Preferred Units and this Annex C shall be interpreted in a fashion consistent with this intent.
Section 2. Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Agreement. The following defined terms used in this Annex C shall have the meanings specified below:
“Base Liquidation Preference” shall have the meaning provided in Section 6.
“Business Day” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).
“Distribution Period” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).
“Distribution Record Date” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).
“Junior Units” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.
“Original Issuance Date” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).
“Parity Preferred Units” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.
“Partnership” shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.
“Preferred Units” means all Partnership Interests designated as preferred units by the General Partner from time to time in accordance with Section 4.2 of the Agreement.
“Series B Articles Supplementary” means the Articles Supplementary of VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation, filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland on July 31, 2023, designating the terms, rights and preferences of the Series B Preferred Stock.
“Series B Preferred Distribution Payment Date” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).
“Series B Preferred Return” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).
“Series B Preferred Stock” shall have the meaning provided in the Series B Articles Supplementary.
“Series B Preferred Units” shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.
Section 3. Maturity. The Series B Preferred Units have no stated maturity and will not be subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption.
Section 4. Rank. The Series B Preferred Units will, with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership, rank (a) senior to all classes or series of Common Units of the Partnership and any class or series of Preferred Units expressly designated as ranking junior to the Series B Preferred Units as to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership (the “Junior Units”); (b) on a parity with the Series A Preferred Units and any other class or series of Preferred Units issued by the Partnership expressly designated as ranking on a parity with the Series B Preferred Units as to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership (the “Parity Preferred Units”); and (c) junior to any class or series of Preferred Units issued by the Partnership expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series B Preferred Units with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership. The term “Preferred Units” does not include convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Partnership, which will rank senior to the Series B Preferred Units prior to conversion or exchange. The Series B Preferred Units will also rank junior in right or payment to the Partnership’s existing and future indebtedness and to the indebtedness and other liabilities of the Partnership’s existing Subsidiaries and any future Subsidiaries.
Section 5. Distributions.
(a) Subject to the preferential rights of holders of any class or series of Preferred Units of the Partnership expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series B Preferred Units as to distributions, the holders of Series B Preferred Units shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized by the General Partner and declared by the Partnership, out of funds of the Partnership legally available for payment of distributions, as determined by the General Partner, preferential cumulative cash distributions at the initial rate of 9.50% per annum of the Base Liquidation Preference (as defined below) per unit plus the amount of previously accrued and unpaid distributions on the Series B Preferred Units (the “Series B Preferred Return”) from the date of original issue of the Series B Preferred Units (or the date of issue of any Series B Preferred Units issued after such original issue date) (the “Original Issuance Date”). The dividend rate will increase as set forth in Section 5(e) hereto. Distributions on the Series B Preferred Units shall accrue and be cumulative from (and including) the Original Issuance Date of any Series B Preferred Units or, with respect to any accrued distributions that have been paid in cash, the end of the most recent Distribution Period for which distributions have been paid, and shall be payable quarterly, in equal amounts, in arrears, on or about the 10th day of each January, April, July and October of each year (or, if not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) (each a “Series B Preferred Distribution Payment Date”), commencing on October 10, 2023. A “Distribution Period” is the respective period commencing on and including January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year and ending on and including the day preceding the first day of the next succeeding Distribution Period (other than the initial Distribution Period and the Distribution Period during which any Series B Preferred Units shall be redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Partnership). The term “Business Day” shall mean each day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, which is not a day on which banks in the State of New York are required to close. Dividends will be prorated for partial quarters. The amount of any distribution payable on the Series B Preferred Units for any Distribution Period will be computed on the basis of twelve 30-day months and a 360-day year. Distributions will be payable to holders of record of the Series B Preferred Units as they appear on the records of the Partnership at the close of business on the 25th day of the month preceding the applicable Series B Preferred Distribution Payment Date, i.e., December 25, March 25, June 25 and September 25, or, if such date is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, a “Distribution Record Date”).
(b) No distributions on the Series B Preferred Units shall be authorized by the General Partner or declared, paid or set apart for payment by the Partnership at such time as the terms and provisions of any agreement of the General Partner or the Partnership, including any agreement relating to the indebtedness of either of them, prohibits such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment or provides that such declaration, payment or setting apart for payment would constitute a breach thereof or a default thereunder, or if such declaration or payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, distributions on the Series B Preferred Units will accrue and, to the extent not paid in cash, compound quarterly on the last day of each Dividend Period, whether or not the restrictions referred to in Section 5(b) exist, whether or not the Partnership has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such distributions and whether or not such distributions are authorized or declared by the General Partner. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, will be payable in respect of any distribution on the Series B Preferred Units which may be in arrears. When distributions are not paid in full upon the Series B Preferred Units and any Parity Preferred Units (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart), all distributions declared upon the Series B Preferred Units and any Parity Preferred Units shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of distributions declared per Series B Preferred Unit and such Parity Preferred Units shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accumulated distributions per Series B Preferred Unit and such Parity Preferred Units (which shall not include any accrual in respect of unpaid distributions for prior Distribution Periods if such Parity Preferred Units do not have a cumulative distribution) bear to each other.
(d) Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless full cumulative and compounded distributions on the Series B Preferred Units have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid in cash or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment for all past Distribution Periods that have ended, no distributions (other than a distribution in Junior Units or in options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase any such Junior Units) shall be declared and paid or declared and set apart for payment nor shall any other distribution be declared and made upon the Junior Units or any Parity Preferred Units, nor shall any Junior Units or Parity Preferred Units be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such Junior Units or Parity Preferred Units) by the Partnership (except (i) by conversion into or exchange for Junior Units, (ii) the purchase of Series B Preferred Units, Junior Units or Parity Preferred Units in connection with a redemption of stock pursuant to the Charter to the extent necessary to preserve the Company’s qualification as a REIT or (iii) the purchase of Parity Preferred Units pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding Series B Preferred Units). Holders of the Series B Preferred Units shall not be entitled to any distribution, whether payable in cash, property or units, in excess of full cumulative and compounding distributions on the Series B Preferred Units as provided above. Any distribution made on the Series B Preferred Units shall first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid distribution due with respect to such units which remains payable. Accrued but unpaid distributions on the Series B Preferred Units will accrue as of the Series B Preferred Distribution Payment Date on which they first become payable.
(e) If the rate at which the Company is required to distribute to the holders of Series B Preferred Stock increases or decreases pursuant to the terms of the Series B Articles Supplementary, the rate that will be paid on the Series B Preferred Units will increase or decrease by the same amount and for the same periods.
Section 6. Liquidation Preference. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Partnership, the holders of Series B Preferred Units are entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Partnership legally available for distribution to its Partners, after payment of or provision for the Partnership’s Debts and other liabilities, a liquidation preference of $25.00 per unit (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of a unit distribution, unit split, combination or other similar recapitalization with respect to the Series B Preferred Units) (the “Base Liquidation Preference”), plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid distributions (whether or not authorized or declared) thereon to and including the date of payment, but without interest, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Junior Units. If the assets of the Partnership legally available for distribution to Partners are insufficient to pay in full the liquidation preference on the Series B Preferred Units and the liquidation preference on any Parity Preferred Units, all assets distributed to the holders of the Series B Preferred Units and any Parity Preferred Units shall be distributed pro rata so that the amount of assets distributed per Series B Preferred Units and such Parity Preferred Units shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that the liquidation preference per Series B Preferred Unit and such Parity Preferred Units bear to each other. Written notice of any distribution in connection with any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Partnership, stating the payment date or dates when, and the place or places where, the amounts distributable in such circumstances shall be payable, shall be given by first class mail, postage pre-paid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the payment date stated therein, to each record holder of the Series B Preferred Units at the respective addresses of such holders as the same shall appear on the records of the Partnership. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series B Preferred Units will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Partnership. The consolidation or merger of the Partnership with or into another entity, a merger of another entity with or into the Partnership, a statutory exchange by the Partnership or a sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of the Partnership’s Properties or business shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Partnership.
Section 7. Redemption. In connection with any redemption of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 5 of the Series B Articles Supplementary, the Partnership shall redeem, on the date of such redemption, a number of outstanding Series B Preferred Units equal to the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock so redeemed (in each case subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization with the respect to the Series B Preferred Stock).
Section 8. Voting Rights.
(a) Holders of the Series B Preferred Units will not have any voting rights.
(b) When reference is made to Percentage Interest or holdings of Partnership Units as a threshold for voting, consent, approval or any similar requirement in the Agreement, such reference will not include Series B Preferred Units, except as required by applicable law.
Section 9. Except as modified herein, all terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, which terms and conditions the General Partner hereby ratifies and confirms.
Exhibit 10.5
Execution Version
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of August 3, 2023, is entered into by and between VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”) and the parties listed on Schedule A hereto (each, an “Initial Holder” and collectively, the “Initial Holders”).
WHEREAS, simultaneously with the execution hereof, the Initial Holders and VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P., the operating partnership of the Company (the “Operating Partnership”), are entering into a Contribution Agreement (the “Contribution Agreement”) pursuant to which the Initial Holders are contributing all of the issued and outstanding equity in VineBrook Homes, LLC to the Operating Partnership in exchange for cash and Class C Common Units of the Operating Partnership (“OP Units”).
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged by each party hereto, the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the terms set forth below have the following meanings:
“Affiliate” of any Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under common control with such Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Agreement” means this Registration Rights Agreement, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
“Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in Dallas, Texas or New York, New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
“Charter” means the Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company as filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland on June 28, 2021, as the same may be amended, modified or restated from time to time.
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common Stock” means the Class A common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share and the Class I common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.
“Company” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
“Confidential Information” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9 of this Agreement.
“Contribution Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.
“Demand Registration” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c) of this Agreement.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Holder” means any Initial Holder who is the owner of any Registrable Security, any Affiliates of the Initial Holder who are the owners of any Registrable Securities or any assignee or transferee of such Initial Holder or any of its Affiliates (x) to the extent permitted under the Charter and (y) provided such assignee or transferee agrees in writing to be bound by all the provisions hereof.
“Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6 of this Agreement.
“Indemnifying Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6 of this Agreement.
“Initial Holder” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
“Inspector” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(g) of this Agreement.
“Notice and Questionnaire” means a written notice, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A, delivered by a Holder to the Company (i) notifying the Company of such Holder’s desire to include Registrable Securities in a registration statement, (ii) containing all information about such Holder required to be included in such registration statement in accordance with applicable law, including Item 507 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act, as amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule thereto, and (iii) pursuant to which such Holder agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions hereof.
“OP Units” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.
“Operating Partnership” has the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.
“Person” means an individual or a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust, or any other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.
“Piggyback Registration” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b) of this Agreement.
“Prerequisite Offering” means an initial public offering of shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company for its own account and listing of those shares on a national securities exchange.
“Records” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(g) of this Agreement.
“Registrable Securities” means shares of Common Stock at any time beneficially owned by an Initial Holder which were received upon the redemption of such Initial Holder’s OP Units as set forth on Schedule A hereto received pursuant to the Contribution Agreement and any additional shares of Common Stock issued as a dividend, distribution or exchange for, or in respect of such shares, until the earlier to occur of:
(i) a registration statement covering such shares has been declared effective by the Commission and such shares have been disposed of pursuant to such effective registration statement;
(ii) such shares have been publicly sold under Rule 144;
(iii) all such shares held by such Person may be sold in one transaction pursuant to Rule 144; or
(iv) such shares have been otherwise transferred in a transaction that constitutes a sale thereof under the Securities Act, the Company has delivered a new certificate or other evidence of ownership for such shares not bearing the Securities Act restricted stock legend and such shares may be resold or otherwise transferred by such transferee without subsequent registration under the Securities Act;
provided, however, that “Registrable Securities” for purposes of the indemnification obligations contained in Sections 2.4 and 2.5 shall mean all shares that are registered on an applicable registration statement, notwithstanding that such shares may not otherwise be “Registrable Securities” by operation of clause (iii) above.
“Registration Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3 of this Agreement.
“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act or any similar successor rule thereto that may be promulgated by the Commission.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Selling Holder” means a Holder who is selling Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act.
“Shelf Registration” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) of this Agreement.
“Suspension Notice” means any written notice delivered by the Company pursuant to Section 2.9 of this Agreement with respect to the suspension of rights under a registration statement or any prospectus contained therein.
ARTICLE II
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Section 2.1 Registration.
(a) Shelf Registration. The Company agrees to file no later than 90 days after the one-year anniversary of the closing of the Prerequisite Offering a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 or such other form under the Securities Act then available to the Company providing for the resale of any Registrable Shares pursuant to Rule 415 from time to time by the Holders of Registrable Securities (the “Shelf Registration”) and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective as expeditiously as reasonably possible after the filing thereof (and in no event later than 120 days after the filing of such shelf registration statement); provided that if the Company shall furnish to the Holders a certificate signed by either its Chairman or President stating that in his or her good faith judgment, following consultation with legal counsel, it would be significantly disadvantageous to the Company or its shareholders for such a registration statement to be filed as expeditiously as reasonably possible, the Company shall have a period of not more than 90 days within which to file such registration statement measured from the 90th day after the one-year anniversary of the closing of the Prerequisite Offering; provided further that the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective as expeditiously as reasonably possible after the filing thereof.
(b) Piggyback Registration. After a Prerequisite Offering has been completed, if the Company proposes to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to a proposed underwritten equity offering by the Company for its own account or for the account of any of its respective securityholders of any class of security, other than a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8 (or any substitute form that may be adopted by the Commission), then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing to the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable (but in no event less than 10 days before the anticipated filing date of the applicable preliminary prospectus or, if applicable, prospectus supplement; provided that in the case of a “bought deal” or an offering in which there is no (or very limited) marketing, such notice shall be given at least seven days before pricing), and such notice shall offer such Holders the opportunity to register such number of shares of Registrable Securities as each such Holder may request (a “Piggyback Registration”). Subject to Section 2.1(d), the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the managing underwriter or underwriters of a proposed underwritten offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested to be included in a Piggyback Registration to be included on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company or any other securities holders included therein.
(c) Demand Registration.
(i) Request for Registration. After the one year anniversary of the completion of the Prerequisite Offering, the Holders of Registrable Securities collectively may make two written requests for registration under the Securities Act of all or part of their Registrable Securities (each, a “Demand Registration”); provided, that Holders making such written request shall propose the sale of at least 150,000 shares of Registrable Securities (such number to be adjusted successively in the event the Company effects any stock split, stock consideration or recapitalization after the date hereof) or such lesser number of Registrable Securities if such lesser number is all of the Registrable Securities owned by the Holders. Any such request will specify the number of shares of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold and will also specify the intended method of disposition thereof. Within 10 days after receipt of such request, the Company will give written notice of such registration request to all other Holders of Registrable Securities and include in such registration all such Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within 10 Business Days after the receipt by the applicable Holder of the Company’s notice. Each such request will also specify the number of shares of Registrable Securities to be registered and the intended method of disposition thereof.
(ii) Effective Demand Registration. A registration will not count as a Demand Registration until it has become effective and has remained effective and available for at least 180 days (or such shorter period in which all Registrable Securities included in such registration have been sold).
(iii) Priority on Demand Registrations. If the Holders of a majority of shares of the Registrable Securities to be registered in a Demand Registration so elect by written notice to the Company, the offering of such Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration shall be in the form of an underwritten offering; provided, that for the offering to be in the form of an underwritten offering the Registrable Securities to be sold in the underwritten offering must have a value based on the closing price on the date of election of at least $35 million. The Company shall select the book-running managing underwriter in connection with any such Demand Registration; provided that such managing underwriter must be reasonably satisfactory to the Holders of a majority of the shares of the Registrable Securities included in such offering. The Company may select any additional investment banks and managers to be used in connection with the offering; provided that such additional investment bankers and managers must be reasonably satisfactory to the Holders of a majority of the shares of the Registrable Securities included in such offering. To the extent 25% or more of the Registrable Securities so requested to be registered are excluded from the offering in accordance with Section 2.1(d), the Holders of such Registrable Securities shall have the right to one additional Demand Registration under this Section with respect to the Registrable Securities.
(d) Reduction of Offering. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, if the managing underwriter or underwriters of an offering described in Section 2.1(b) or (c) deliver a written opinion to the Company and the Holders of the Registrable Securities included in such offering that (i) the size of the offering that the Holders, the Company and/or such other Persons intend to make or (ii) the kind of securities that the Holders, the Company and/or such other Persons intend to include in such offering, in each case, are such that the success of the offering would be materially and adversely affected by inclusion of the Registrable Securities requested to be included, then:
(i) if the size of the offering is the basis of such underwriter’s opinion, the amount of securities to be offered for the accounts of Holders shall be reduced pro rata (according to the number of Registrable Securities proposed for inclusion in the offering) to the extent necessary to reduce the total amount of securities to be included in such offering to the amount recommended by such managing underwriter or underwriters; provided that, in the case of a Piggyback Registration, if securities are being offered for the account of other Persons as well as the Company, then with respect to the Registrable Securities intended to be offered by Holders, the proportion by which the amount of such class of securities intended to be offered by Holders is reduced shall not exceed the proportion by which the amount of such class of securities intended to be offered by such other Persons is reduced, if the Company has the right to reduce such other Person’s allocation; and
(ii) if the combination of securities to be offered is the basis of such underwriter’s opinion, (x) the Registrable Securities to be included in such offering shall be reduced as described in clause (i) above (subject to the proviso in clause (i)) or (y) if the actions described in clause (x) would, in the judgment of the managing underwriter, be insufficient to substantially eliminate the adverse effect that inclusion of the Registrable Securities requested to be included would have on such offering, such Registrable Securities will be excluded from such offering.
(e) Selling Holders Become Party to Agreement. Each Holder acknowledges that by participating in its registration rights pursuant to this Agreement, such Holder will be deemed a party to this Agreement and will be bound by its terms, notwithstanding such Holder’s failure to deliver a Notice and Questionnaire; provided, that any Holder that has not delivered a duly completed and executed Notice and Questionnaire shall not be entitled to be named as a Selling Holder in, or have the Registrable Securities held by it covered by, a registration statement.
Section 2.2 Registration Procedures; Filings; Information. Subject to Section 2.9 hereof, in connection with the Shelf Registration pursuant to Section 2.1(a) hereof and any requests that Registrable Securities be registered pursuant to Section 2.1(c) hereof, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities covered thereby in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof as promptly as reasonably practicable. In connection with any such request:
(a) For any Demand Registration, the Company will, as expeditiously as reasonably possible, prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement on any form for which the Company then qualifies or which counsel for the Company shall deem appropriate and which form shall be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities to be registered thereunder in accordance with the intended method of distribution thereof and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective as expeditiously as reasonably possible after the filing thereof (and in no event later than 120 days after the Demand Registration); provided that if the Company shall furnish to the Holders making a request for a Demand Registration pursuant to Section 2.1(c) a certificate signed by either its Chairman or President stating that in his or her good faith judgment, following consultation with legal counsel, it would be significantly disadvantageous to the Company or its shareholders for such a registration statement to be filed as expeditiously as reasonably possible, the Company shall have a period of not more than 90 days within which to file such registration statement measured from the date of receipt of the request for such Demand Registration; provided further that the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective as expeditiously as reasonably possible after the filing thereof.
(b) The Company will, if requested, prior to filing a registration statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish to each Selling Holder and each underwriter, if any, of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement copies of such registration statement, prospectus, amendment or supplement as proposed to be filed, and thereafter furnish to such Selling Holder or underwriter, if any, such number of conformed copies of such registration statement, each amendment or supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and such other documents as such Selling Holder or underwriter may reasonably request to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Selling Holder.
(c) After the filing of a registration statement, the Company will promptly notify each Selling Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement of any stop order issued or threatened by the Commission and take all reasonable actions required to prevent the entry of such stop order or to remove it if entered.
(d) The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities under such other securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States (where an exemption does not apply) as any Selling Holder or managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, reasonably (in light of such Selling Holder’s intended plan of distribution) requests and (ii) cause such Registrable Securities to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Selling Holder to consummate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Selling Holder; provided that the Company will not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this paragraph (d), (B) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or (C) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction.
(e) The Company will immediately notify each Selling Holder of such Registrable Securities, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of (i) the Company’s receipt of any notification of the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities covered by a registration statement for sale in any jurisdiction; or (ii) the occurrence of an event requiring the preparation of a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and promptly make available to each Selling Holder any such supplement or amendment.
(f) The Company will enter into customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement, if any, in customary form) and take such other actions as are reasonably required to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities pursuant to a Demand Registration.
(g) The Company will make available for inspection by any Selling Holder of such Registrable Securities, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney, accountant or other professional retained by any Selling Holder or underwriter (collectively, the “Inspectors”), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and documents relating to the investments of the Company (collectively, the “Records”) as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the Company’s directors and/or officers to supply all information reasonably requested by any Inspectors in connection with such registration statement. Records which the Company determines, in good faith, to be confidential and which it notifies the Inspectors are confidential shall not be disclosed by the Inspectors unless (i) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in such registration statement or (ii) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction. Each Selling Holder of such Registrable Securities agrees that information obtained by it as a result of such inspections shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used by it as the basis for any market transactions in the securities of the Company unless and until such is made generally available to the public. Each Selling Holder of such Registrable Securities further agrees that it will, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, give written notice to the Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Records deemed confidential.
(h) The Company will furnish to each Selling Holder and to each underwriter, if any, a signed counterpart, addressed to such Selling Holder or underwriter, of (i) an opinion or opinions of counsel to the Company and (ii) if eligible under applicable auditing standards, a comfort letter or comfort letters from the Company’s independent public accountants, each in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by opinions or comfort letters, as the case may be, as the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such offering or the managing underwriter or underwriters therefor reasonably requests.
(i) The Company will otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make available to its securityholders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering a period of 12 months, beginning within three months after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 of the Commission promulgated thereunder (or any successor rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission).
(j) The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed.
(k) In addition to the Notice and Questionnaire, the Company may require each Selling Holder of Registrable Securities to promptly furnish in writing to the Company such information regarding such Selling Holder, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of distribution of the Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request and such other information as may be legally required in connection with such registration. No Holder may include Registrable Securities in any registration statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder has furnished to the Company such information. Each Holder further agrees to furnish as soon as reasonably practicable to the Company all information required to be disclosed to make information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially misleading.
(l) Each Selling Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 2.2(c) or 2.2(e) or upon receipt of a Suspension Notice, such Selling Holder will discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement covering such Registrable Securities until such Selling Holder’s receipt of written notice from the Company that such disposition may be made and, in the case of clause (ii) of Section 2.2(e) or, if applicable, Section 2.9, copies of any supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by clause (ii) of Section 2.2(e) or, if applicable, prepared under Section 2.9, and, if so directed by the Company, such Selling Holder will deliver to the Company all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Selling Holder’s possession, of the most recent prospectus covering such Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such notice. Each Selling Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that it will immediately notify the Company at any time when a prospectus relating to the registration of such Registrable Securities is required to be delivered under the Securities Act of the happening of an event as a result of which information previously furnished by such Selling Holder to the Company in writing for inclusion in such prospectus contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in which they were made.
Section 2.3 Registration Expenses. In connection with any registration statement required to be filed hereunder, the Company shall pay the following registration expenses incurred in connection with the registration hereunder (the “Registration Expenses”): (i) all fees and expenses of compliance with securities or “blue sky” laws (including registration and filing fees and reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with the registration and qualification of the Registrable Securities), (ii) printing expenses, (iii) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities, (iv) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and customary fees and expenses for independent certified public accountants retained by the Company (including the expenses of any comfort letters or costs associated with the delivery by independent certified public accountants of a comfort letter or comfort letters requested pursuant to Section 2.2(h) hereof), (v) one counsel selected by a majority of the Selling Holders whose Registrable Securities are included in such registration statement or offering (as applicable); provided, however that such expenses will not exceed a cumulative total of $50,000 and (vi) the reasonable fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with such registration. The Company shall have no obligation to pay any fees, discounts or commissions attributable to the sale of Registrable Securities, any out-of-pocket expenses of the Holders (or the agents who manage their accounts), or any transfer taxes relating to the registration or sale of the Registrable Securities.
Section 2.4 Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Selling Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers, directors and agents, and each Person, if any, who controls such Selling Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities that arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement or prospectus relating to the Registrable Securities (as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus, or that arise out of or are based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of or are based upon any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission included in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by such Selling Holder or on such Selling Holder’s behalf expressly for inclusion therein. The indemnity provided for in this Section 2.4 shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Selling Holder.
Section 2.5 Indemnification by Holders of Registrable Securities. Each Selling Holder agrees, severally but not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its officers, directors and agents and each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to such Selling Holder pursuant to Section 2.4, but only with respect to information relating to such Selling Holder included in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing by such Selling Holder or on such Selling Holder’s behalf expressly for use in any registration statement or prospectus relating to the Registrable Securities, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary prospectus.
In case any action or proceeding shall be brought against the Company or its officers, directors or agents or any such controlling person, in respect of which indemnity may be sought against such Selling Holder, such Selling Holder shall have the rights and duties given to the Company, and the Company or its officers, directors or agents or such controlling person shall have the rights and duties given to such Selling Holder, by Section 2.4.
The obligations of any Selling Holder pursuant to this Section 2.5 will be limited to an amount equal to the net proceeds to such Selling Holder (after deducting any discounts and commissions) from the disposition pursuant to such registration.
Section 2.6 Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 2.4 or 2.5, such Person (an “Indemnified Party”) shall promptly notify the Person against whom such indemnity may be sought (an “Indemnifying Party”) in writing and the Indemnifying Party shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, and shall assume the payment of all reasonable fees and expenses; provided, however, that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give such notice will not relieve such Indemnifying Party of any obligations under this Article II, except to the extent such Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by such failure. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless (i) the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood that the Indemnifying Party shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) at any time for all such Indemnified Parties, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. In the case of any such separate firm for the Indemnified Parties, such firm shall be designated in writing by (i) in the case of Persons indemnified pursuant to Section 2.4 hereof, the Selling Holders which owned a majority of the Registrable Securities sold under the applicable registration statement and (ii) in the case of Persons indemnified pursuant to Section 2.5, the Company. The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent, or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Party shall indemnify and hold harmless such Indemnified Parties from and against any loss or liability (to the extent stated above) by reason of such settlement or judgment. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such proceeding.
Section 2.7 Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in Section 2.4 or 2.5 hereof is unavailable to an Indemnified Party or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to herein, then each such Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities between the Company on the one hand and of each Selling Holder on the other, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Company and of each Selling Holder in connection with such statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of each Selling Holder on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The Company and the Selling Holders agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 2.7 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 2.7, no Selling Holder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds from the sale of the securities of such Selling Holder to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Selling Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The obligations of any Selling Holder to contribute pursuant to this Section 2.7 are several and not joint and will be limited to an amount equal to the net proceeds to such Selling Holder (after deducting any discounts and commissions) from the disposition pursuant to such registration.
Section 2.8 Rule 144. The Company covenants that it will (a) make and keep public information regarding the Company available as those terms are defined in Rule 144, (b) file in a timely manner any reports and documents required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, (c) furnish to any Holder forthwith upon request (i) a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time after it has become subject to such reporting requirements), and (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company, and (d) take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable Holders to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144.
Section 2.9 Suspension of Use of Registration Statement. If the Board of Directors of the Company determines in its good faith judgment that the filing of a registration statement under Section 2.1 or the use of any related prospectus would be materially detrimental to the Company because such action would require the disclosure of material information that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential or the disclosure of which would impede the Company’s ability to consummate a significant transaction (“Confidential Information”), and that the Company is not otherwise required by applicable securities laws or regulations to disclose, upon written notice of such determination by the Company to the Holders, the rights of the Holders to offer, sell or distribute any Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement or to require the Company to take action with respect to the registration or sale of any Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement shall be suspended; provided, however, that the Company shall not exercise its suspension rights pursuant to this Section 2.9(a) any more than 3 times in any calendar year and for no more than 45 consecutive days at any time. The Company agrees to give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable following the date that such suspension of rights is no longer necessary.
Section 2.10 Additional Shares. The Company, at its option, may register under a registration statement and include in any filings with any state securities commissions filed pursuant to this Agreement any number of unissued shares of Common Stock, any shares of Common Stock owned by any other stockholder or stockholders of the Company.
Section 2.11 Holdback Agreements; Restrictions on Public Sale by Holder of Registrable Securities. To the extent not inconsistent with applicable law, if and to the extent requested in writing by the managing underwriter or underwriters in the case of an underwritten public offering, each Holder whose securities are included in such public offering agrees not to effect any sale or distribution of Registrable Securities or a security of the same class of security as the Registrable Securities included in such public offering, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, including a sale pursuant to Rule 144, during such period of time (not to exceed 60 days) beginning on the date requested by such managing underwriter or underwriters; provided, however, any Holder who is also a director and/or officer of the Company will enter into a customary lock-up agreement in connection with an underwritten public offering regardless of whether or not such Holder is including securities in such public offering.
ARTICLE III
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 3.1 Remedies. In addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided herein and granted by law, including recovery of damages, the Holders shall be entitled to specific performance of the rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agrees to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
Section 3.2 Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, in each case without the written consent of the Company and the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities; provided, however, that the effect of any such amendment will be that the consenting Holders will not be treated more favorably than all other Holders (without regard to any differences in effect that such amendment or waiver may have on the Holders due to the differing amounts of Registrable Securities held by such Holders). No failure or delay by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon any breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.
Section 3.3 Notices. All notices and other communications in connection with this Agreement shall be made in writing by hand delivery, registered first-class mail or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery or by email:
(i) if to the Company:
VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc.
300 Crescent Court, Suite 700
Dallas, TX 75201
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Email: Bmitts@nexpoint.com
with a copy to:
Charlie Haag
Winston & Strawn LLP
2121 North Pearl Street, Suite 900
Dallas, TX 75201
Email: Chaag@winston.com
(ii) if to any Holder, initially to the address or email address indicated in such Holder’s Notice and Questionnaire or, if no Notice and Questionnaire has been delivered, to such other address or email address as any Holder shall have specified in writing.
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; when received if deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; on the next Business Day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery; or when sent, if by email.
Section 3.4 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of each of the parties. Any Holder may assign its rights under this Agreement to an Affiliate without the consent of the Company in connection with a transfer of such Holder’s Registrable Securities; provided, that the Holder satisfies all applicable transfer provisions for the Registrable Securities, and notifies the Company of such proposed transfer and assignment and the transferee or assignee of such rights assumes in writing the obligations of such Holder under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, all other assignments of rights under this Agreement by any Holder require the consent of the Company.
Section 3.5 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto.
Section 3.6 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York without regard to the choice of law provisions thereof.
Section 3.7 Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 3.8 Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to the Registrable Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.
Section 3.9 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
Section 3.10 No Third Party Beneficiaries. Nothing express or implied herein is intended or shall be construed to confer upon any Person or entity, other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, any rights, remedies or other benefits under or by reason of this Agreement.
Section 3.11 Termination. The obligations of the parties hereunder shall terminate (i) with respect to a Holder when it no longer holds Registrable Securities, and (ii) with respect to the Company when there are no longer any Registrable Securities; except, in each case, for any obligations under Sections 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6 and 2.7 and Article III that, by their terms, are intended to survive for a specific period of time.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
VINEBROOK HOMES TRUST, INC. | |||
By: | /s/ Brian Mitts | ||
Name: Brian Mitts | |||
Title: President, Chief Financial Officer, | |||
Assistant Secretary and Treasurer |
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
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INITIAL HOLDERS: |
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By: |
/s/ Daniel Bathon, Jr. |
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Daniel Bathon, Jr. |
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By: | /s/ Ryan McGarry | ||
Ryan McGarry | |||
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By: |
/s/ Dana Sprong |
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Dana Sprong | |||
By: | /s/ Tom Silvia | ||
Tom Silvia | |||
VineBrook Development Corporation, a Delaware corporation |
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By: | /s/ Dana Sprong | ||
Name: Dana Sprong | |||
Title: President | |||
VineBrook Homes Property Management Company, Inc., an Ohio corporation |
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By: | /s/ Dana Sprong | ||
Name: Dana Sprong | |||
Title: President | |||
VineBrook Homes Realty Company, Inc., an Ohio corporation |
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By: | /s/ Dana Sprong | ||
Name: Dana Sprong | |||
Title: President | |||
VineBrook Homes Services Company, Inc., an Ohio corporation |
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By: | /s/ Dana Sprong | ||
Name: Dana Sprong | |||
Title: President |
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
Schedule A
Initial Holders
[Omitted]
Exhibit A
Form of Notice and Questionnaire
[Omitted]
Exhibit 10.6
FIRST AMENDMENT
TO
SECOND
AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
OF
VINEBROOK HOMES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
This First Amendment (this “Amendment”), dated as of July 31, 2023, is to the Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Partnership”), dated September 7, 2021, by and among VineBrook Homes OP GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “General Partner”), and the Persons that are party thereto from time to time and whose names are identified on the books and record of the Partnership (as it may be amended from time to time) (as amended, the “Partnership Agreement”). All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the respective meaning given to such terms in the Partnership Agreement as amended hereby.
RECITALS
In accordance with Section 14.1(a) of the Partnership Agreement, the General Partner has approved the amendments to the Partnership Agreement set forth herein to designate the Series B Preferred Units (defined in the Annex attached hereto), among other things.
AGREEMENTS
Section 1. Terms and Conditions of Series B Preferred Units. The Partnership Agreement is hereby amended by the addition of a new annex thereto, entitled Annex C, in the form attached hereto, which sets forth the designations, allocations, preferences or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications or terms and conditions of redemption, and any other special rights, powers and duties and other terms of the Series B Preferred Units and which shall be made a part of the Partnership Agreement.
Section 2. Construction. The Series B Preferred Units have been created and are being issued in conjunction with the issuance and sale of Series B Preferred Stock by the Company, and as such, the Series B Preferred Units are intended to have designations, preferences and other rights and terms that are substantially the same as those of the Series B Preferred Stock, all such that the economic interests of the Series B Preferred Units and the Series B Preferred Stock are substantially identical, and the provisions, terms and conditions of this Amendment, including without limitation the Annex attached hereto, shall be interpreted in a fashion consistent with this intent.
Section 3. Amendment of Section 6.1. Article 6, Section 6.1 the Partnership Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
“Section 6.1. Allocations For Capital Account Purposes.
(a) After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 1 of Exhibit B attached hereto for the applicable taxable year or other allocation period, and subject to Section 4 of Exhibit A attached hereto, Net Income for each taxable year or other allocation period shall be allocated to the Partners’ Capital Accounts in the following order of priority:
(1) First, to the General Partner until the cumulative Net Income allocated to the General Partner under this Section 6.1(a)(1) equals the cumulative Net Loss allocated to the General Partner under Section 6.1(b)(3);
(2) Second, to the holders of Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units until the cumulative Net Income allocated to such holders under this Section 6.1(a)(2) equals the cumulative Net Loss allocated to such holders under Section 6.1(b)(2) (pro rata in accordance with the excess of such Net Loss over such Net Income for each such holder);
(3) Third, to the holders of Common Units and LTIP Units until the cumulative Net Income allocated to such holders under this Section 6.1(a)(3) equals the cumulative Net Loss allocated to such holders under Section 6.1(b)(1) (pro rata in accordance with the excess of such Net Loss over such Net Income for each such holder);
(4) Fourth, 100% to the holders of Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units, pro rata in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests in the Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units, until the cumulative Net Income allocated to such holders under this Section 6.1(a)(4) is equal to the excess of (x) the cumulative amount of distributions such holders have received with respect the Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units (other than distributions of Base Liquidation Preference) for all Partnership Years or other applicable periods or to the date of redemption, to the extent such Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units are redeemed during such period, over (y) the cumulative Net Income allocated to such holders with respect to the Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units, pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(4) for all prior Partnership Years or other applicable periods; and
(5) Thereafter, to the holders of Common Units and LTIP Units pro rata in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.
(b) After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 1 of Exhibit B attached hereto for the applicable taxable year or other allocation period, and subject to Section 4 of Exhibit A attached hereto, Net Loss for each taxable year or other allocation period shall be allocated to the Partners’ Capital Accounts in the following order of priority:
(1) First, to the holders of Common Units and LTIP Units with positive balances in their Economic Capital Account Balances attributable to the Common Units and LTIP Units in accordance with such balances until their Economic Capital Account Balances attributable to the Common Units and LTIP Units are reduced to zero;
(2) Second, to the holders of Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units, pro rata in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests in the Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units, until the Adjusted Capital Account of such holders in respect of its Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units is reduced to zero; and
(3) Thereafter, to the General Partner.
For purposes of determining allocations of Net Loss pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(1), a holder of a Profits LTIP Unit shall be treated as having a separate Economic Capital Account Balance, and for this purpose a separate Capital Account with an appropriate share of Partnership Minimum Gain and Partner Minimum Gain shall be maintained, for each tranche of Profits LTIP Units with a different issuance date that it holds and a separate Capital Account for its Common Units or Capital LTIP Units, if applicable, and the Economic Capital Account Balance of each holder of Common Units or Capital LTIP Units shall not include any Economic Capital Account Balance attributable to other series or classes of Partnership Units.
(c) It is the intention of the parties hereunder that the aggregate Capital Account balance of any holder of Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units in respect of its Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units at any date shall not exceed the amount of the original Capital Contributions made in respect of its Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units plus all accrued and unpaid distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the extent not previously distributed. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in connection with the liquidation of the Partnership or the interest of a holder of Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units, and prior to making any other allocations of Net Income or Net Loss, items of income and gain or deduction and loss shall first be allocated to each holder of Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units in respect of its Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units in such amounts as is required to cause the Adjusted Capital Account of such holders with respect to such Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units (taking into account any amounts such holder is obligated to contribute to the capital of the Partnership or is deemed obligated to contribute pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c)(2)) to equal the amount such holder is entitled to receive in respect of its Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units pursuant to the provisions of Sections 6 and 7 of Annex B and Annex C, as applicable.”
Section 4. Miscellaneous.
(a) Effect of Amendment. This Amendment is limited as specified and shall not constitute a modification, amendment or waiver of any other provision of the Partnership Agreement. Except as specifically amended by this Amendment, all other provisions of the Partnership Agreement are hereby ratified and remain in full force and effect.
(b) Single Document. From and after the date hereof, all references to the Partnership Agreement shall be deemed to be references to the Partnership Agreement as amended by this Amendment.
(c) Severability. In the event that any provision of this Amendment or the application of any provision of this Amendment is declared to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Amendment shall not be affected.
(d) Binding Effect. This Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.
(e) Headings. The headings in this Amendment are for convenience only. They shall not be deemed part of this Agreement and in no way define, limit, extend or describe the scope or intent of any provisions hereof.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Amendment as of the date first set forth above.
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GENERAL PARTNER: |
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VINEBROOK HOMES OP GP, LLC | |||
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By: |
/s/ Dana Sprong |
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Name: Dana Sprong |
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Title: Managing Partner |
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[Signature Page to First Amendment
to Second A&R Limited Partnership Agreement]
Annex
Annex C
DESIGNATION OF 9.50% SERIES B
CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED UNITS
OF
VINEBROOK HOMES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Section 1. Designation and Number. A series of Preferred Units (as defined below) of VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), designated the “9.50% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units” (the “Series B Preferred Units”), is hereby established. The number of authorized Series B Preferred Units shall be 3,000,000. The Series B Preferred Units have been created and are issued in conjunction with the issuance and sale of Series B Preferred Stock (defined below) by the Company, and as such, the Series B Preferred Units are intended to have designations, preferences and other rights and terms that are substantially the same as those of the Series B Preferred Stock, all such that the economic interests of the Series B Preferred Units and the Series B Preferred Stock are substantially identical, and the provisions, terms and conditions of the Series A Preferred Units and this Annex C shall be interpreted in a fashion consistent with this intent.
Section 2. Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the Partnership, dated as of September 7, 2021 (as now or hereafter amended, restated, modified, supplemented or replaced, the “Partnership Agreement”). The following defined terms used in this Annex C shall have the meanings specified below:
“Base Liquidation Preference” shall have the meaning provided in Section 6.
“Business Day” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).
“Distribution Period” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).
“Distribution Record Date” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).
“Junior Units” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.
“Original Issuance Date” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).
“Parity Preferred Units” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.
“Partnership” shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.
“Partnership Agreement” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.
“Preferred Units” means all Partnership Interests designated as preferred units by the General Partner from time to time in accordance with Section 4.2 of the Partnership Agreement.
“Series B Articles Supplementary” means the Articles Supplementary of VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation, filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland on July 31, 2023, designating the terms, rights and preferences of the Series B Preferred Stock.
“Series B Preferred Distribution Payment Date” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).
“Series B Preferred Return” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5(a).
“Series B Preferred Stock” shall have the meaning provided in the Series B Articles Supplementary.
“Series B Preferred Units” shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.
Section 3. Maturity. The Series B Preferred Units have no stated maturity and will not be subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption.
Section 4. Rank. The Series B Preferred Units will, with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership, rank (a) senior to all classes or series of Common Units of the Partnership and any class or series of Preferred Units expressly designated as ranking junior to the Series B Preferred Units as to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership (the “Junior Units”); (b) on a parity with the Series A Preferred Units and any other class or series of Preferred Units issued by the Partnership expressly designated as ranking on a parity with the Series B Preferred Units as to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership (the “Parity Preferred Units”); and (c) junior to any class or series of Preferred Units issued by the Partnership expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series B Preferred Units with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership. The term “Preferred Units” does not include convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Partnership, which will rank senior to the Series B Preferred Units prior to conversion or exchange. The Series B Preferred Units will also rank junior in right or payment to the Partnership’s existing and future indebtedness and to the indebtedness and other liabilities of the Partnership’s existing Subsidiaries and any future Subsidiaries.
Section 5. Distributions.
(a) Subject to the preferential rights of holders of any class or series of Preferred Units of the Partnership expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series B Preferred Units as to distributions, the holders of Series B Preferred Units shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized by the General Partner and declared by the Partnership, out of funds of the Partnership legally available for payment of distributions, as determined by the General Partner, preferential cumulative cash distributions at the initial rate of 9.50% per annum of the Base Liquidation Preference (as defined below) per unit plus the amount of previously accrued and unpaid distributions on the Series B Preferred Units (the “Series B Preferred Return”) from the date of original issue of the Series B Preferred Units (or the date of issue of any Series B Preferred Units issued after such original issue date) (the “Original Issuance Date”). The dividend rate will increase as set forth in Section 5(e) hereto. Distributions on the Series B Preferred Units shall accrue and be cumulative from (and including) the Original Issuance Date of any Series B Preferred Units or, with respect to any accrued distributions that have been paid in cash, the end of the most recent Distribution Period for which distributions have been paid, and shall be payable quarterly, in equal amounts, in arrears, on or about the 10th day of each January, April, July and October of each year (or, if not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) (each a “Series B Preferred Distribution Payment Date”), commencing on October 10, 2023. A “Distribution Period” is the respective period commencing on and including January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year and ending on and including the day preceding the first day of the next succeeding Distribution Period (other than the initial Distribution Period and the Distribution Period during which any Series B Preferred Units shall be redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Partnership). The term “Business Day” shall mean each day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, which is not a day on which banks in the State of New York are required to close. Dividends will be prorated for partial quarters. The amount of any distribution payable on the Series B Preferred Units for any Distribution Period will be computed on the basis of twelve 30-day months and a 360-day year. Distributions will be payable to holders of record of the Series B Preferred Units as they appear on the records of the Partnership at the close of business on the 25th day of the month preceding the applicable Series B Preferred Distribution Payment Date, i.e., December 25, March 25, June 25 and September 25, or, if such date is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, a “Distribution Record Date”).
(b) No distributions on the Series B Preferred Units shall be authorized by the General Partner or declared, paid or set apart for payment by the Partnership at such time as the terms and provisions of any agreement of the General Partner or the Partnership, including any agreement relating to the indebtedness of either of them, prohibits such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment or provides that such declaration, payment or setting apart for payment would constitute a breach thereof or a default thereunder, or if such declaration or payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, distributions on the Series B Preferred Units will accrue and, to the extent not paid in cash, compound quarterly on the last day of each Dividend Period, whether or not the restrictions referred to in Section 5(b) exist, whether or not the Partnership has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such distributions and whether or not such distributions are authorized or declared by the General Partner. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, will be payable in respect of any distribution on the Series B Preferred Units which may be in arrears. When distributions are not paid in full upon the Series B Preferred Units and any Parity Preferred Units (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart), all distributions declared upon the Series B Preferred Units and any Parity Preferred Units shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of distributions declared per Series B Preferred Unit and such Parity Preferred Units shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accumulated distributions per Series B Preferred Unit and such Parity Preferred Units (which shall not include any accrual in respect of unpaid distributions for prior Distribution Periods if such Parity Preferred Units do not have a cumulative distribution) bear to each other.
(d) Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless full cumulative and compounded distributions on the Series B Preferred Units have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid in cash or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment for all past Distribution Periods that have ended, no distributions (other than a distribution in Junior Units or in options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase any such Junior Units) shall be declared and paid or declared and set apart for payment nor shall any other distribution be declared and made upon the Junior Units or any Parity Preferred Units, nor shall any Junior Units or Parity Preferred Units be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such Junior Units or Parity Preferred Units) by the Partnership (except (i) by conversion into or exchange for Junior Units, (ii) the purchase of Series B Preferred Units, Junior Units or Parity Preferred Units in connection with a redemption of stock pursuant to the Charter to the extent necessary to preserve the Company’s qualification as a REIT or (iii) the purchase of Parity Preferred Units pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding Series B Preferred Units). Holders of the Series B Preferred Units shall not be entitled to any distribution, whether payable in cash, property or units, in excess of full cumulative and compounding distributions on the Series B Preferred Units as provided above. Any distribution made on the Series B Preferred Units shall first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid distribution due with respect to such units which remains payable. Accrued but unpaid distributions on the Series B Preferred Units will accrue as of the Series B Preferred Distribution Payment Date on which they first become payable.
(e) If the rate at which the Company is required to distribute to the holders of Series B Preferred Stock increases or decreases pursuant to the terms of the Series B Articles Supplementary, the rate that will be paid on the Series B Preferred Units will increase or decrease by the same amount and for the same periods.
Section 6. Liquidation Preference. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Partnership, the holders of Series B Preferred Units are entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Partnership legally available for distribution to its Partners, after payment of or provision for the Partnership’s Debts and other liabilities, a liquidation preference of $25.00 per unit (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of a unit distribution, unit split, combination or other similar recapitalization with respect to the Series B Preferred Units) (the “Base Liquidation Preference”), plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid distributions (whether or not authorized or declared) thereon to and including the date of payment, but without interest, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Junior Units. If the assets of the Partnership legally available for distribution to Partners are insufficient to pay in full the liquidation preference on the Series B Preferred Units and the liquidation preference on any Parity Preferred Units, all assets distributed to the holders of the Series B Preferred Units and any Parity Preferred Units shall be distributed pro rata so that the amount of assets distributed per Series B Preferred Units and such Parity Preferred Units shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that the liquidation preference per Series B Preferred Unit and such Parity Preferred Units bear to each other. Written notice of any distribution in connection with any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Partnership, stating the payment date or dates when, and the place or places where, the amounts distributable in such circumstances shall be payable, shall be given by first class mail, postage pre-paid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the payment date stated therein, to each record holder of the Series B Preferred Units at the respective addresses of such holders as the same shall appear on the records of the Partnership. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series B Preferred Units will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Partnership. The consolidation or merger of the Partnership with or into another entity, a merger of another entity with or into the Partnership, a statutory exchange by the Partnership or a sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of the Partnership’s Properties or business shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Partnership.
Section 7. Redemption. In connection with any redemption of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 5 of the Series B Articles Supplementary, the Partnership shall redeem, on the date of such redemption, a number of outstanding Series B Preferred Units equal to the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock so redeemed (in each case subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization with the respect to the Series B Preferred Stock).
Section 8. Voting Rights.
(a) Holders of the Series B Preferred Units will not have any voting rights.
(b) When reference is made to Percentage Interest or holdings of Partnership Units as a threshold for voting, consent, approval or any similar requirement in the Agreement, such reference will not include Series B Preferred Units, except as required by applicable law.
Section 9. Except as modified herein, all terms and conditions of the Partnership Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, which terms and conditions the General Partner hereby ratifies and confirms.
Exhibit 10.7
CONSENT AND SIXTH AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT
THIS CONSENT AND SIXTH AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated as of July 31, 2023 by and among VINEBROOK HOMES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Parent Borrower”), and certain of its subsidiaries, as “Subsidiary Borrowers”, KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association (in its individual capacity, “KeyBank”), as administrative agent (together with any successor appointed pursuant to Article VIII of the Credit Agreement (defined below), the “Administrative Agent”), and the Lenders party hereto.
A. The Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders are party to that certain Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2021, as amended by that certain Increase Agreement, Joinder and First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of December 9, 2021, that certain Increase Agreement, Joinder and Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of April 8, 2022, that certain Increase Agreement, Joinder and Third Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of May 20, 2022, that certain Increase Agreement, Joinder and Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of September 13, 2022, and that certain Increase Agreement and Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of October 25, 2022 (as further amended and in effect as of the date hereof, the “Credit Agreement”, and as further amended by this Agreement, the “Amended Credit Agreement”);
B. The Parent Borrower has notified the Administrative Agent that the Credit Parties desire to enter into a series of transactions (collectively, the “Internalization Transaction”) pursuant to which: (i) all of the current members of VineBrook Homes, LLC (the “Manager”) will contribute all of their interests in the Manager to Parent Borrower, in exchange for cash and Class C OP units in the Parent Borrower, such that Parent Borrower will hold 100% of the Equity Interests in the Manager, and (ii) all of the current members of the General Partner will contribute all of their interests in the General Partner to Parent for nominal consideration, such that Parent will hold 100% of the Equity Interests in the General Partner;
C. The Credit Parties acknowledge that, without the consent of the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, the consummation of the Internalization Transaction would or may (i) constitute a Change in Control under clause (h) of such definition and result in an Event of Default under Section 7.01(o) of the Credit Agreement and (ii) violate the provisions of Section 6.06 of the Credit Agreement and result in an Event of Default under Section 7.01(d) of the Credit Agreement (clauses (i) and (ii), collectively, the “Restrictions”), and have thus requested that the Agent and the Required Lenders consent thereto; and
D. The Administrative Agent has informed the Credit Parties, and by execution of this Agreement, the Credit Parties hereby acknowledge that they have failed to comply with (i) the consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio covenant set forth in Section 5.02(b) of the Credit Agreement for the quarters ended on September 30, 2022, December 31, 2022, March 30, 2023, and June 30, 2023, (ii) the tangible net worth covenant set forth in Section 5.02(c) of the Credit Agreement for the quarters ended December 31, 2021, March 31, 2022, June 30, 2022, September 30, 2022, December 31, 2022, March 31, 2023, and June 30, 2023, (iii) the payout ratio covenant set forth in Section 5.02(f) of the Credit Agreement for the quarters ended June 30, 2022, September 30, 2022, December 31, 2022, March 31, 2023, and June 30, 2023, each of which has resulted in an Event of Default under Section 7.01(d) of the Credit Agreement, (iv) the Borrowers defaulted on their obligations under the Ray J Bridge, which has resulted in an Event of Default under Section 7.01(p) of the Credit Agreement, and (v) the Total Exposure exceeded the Borrowing Base as of March 31, 2023, which has resulted in a Default under Section 7.01(a) of the Credit Agreement (the “Existing Defaults”), which are continuing on the date hereof.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein contained and for other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:
1. CREDIT AGREEMENT DEFINITIONS. Unless otherwise expressly defined herein, capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning given to such terms in the Amended Credit Agreement.
2. CONSENT. Subject to satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 7 of this Agreement, the Administrative Agent and the undersigned Lenders (which constitute the Required Lenders) hereby (i) consent to the consummation of the Internalization Transaction and (ii) agree that the consummation of the Internalization Transaction shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default under the Credit Agreement with respect to the Restrictions; provided that (a) the Internalization Transaction is consummated in accordance with the terms of (i) that certain Contribution Agreement by and among VineBrook Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Vinebrook Development Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation, Vinebrook Homes Property Management Company, Inc., an Ohio corporation, Vinebrook Homes Realty Company, Inc., an Ohio corporation, Vinebrook Homes Services Company, Inc., an Ohio corporation, and each of the individuals set forth on Schedule C, as Contributors, VineBrook Homes, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and the Parent Borrower, as Buyer, and (ii) that certain Assignment of Interests Agreement by and among Dana Sprong, Ryan McGarry, Dan Bathon and Tom Silvia, as Assignors, and VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation, as Assignee, in each case, substantially in the form approved by Administrative Agent on or prior to the date hereof, (b) the total consideration to be paid by the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries shall not exceed $20,318,084 except for changes resulting from final good faith adjustments to the working capital and cash position of Vinebrook Homes, LLC, and (c) cash consideration for the Internalization Transaction shall not exceed an aggregate amount equal to $5,300,000, with not more than $2,650,000 paid on the closing of the Internalization Transaction and up to $2,650,000 of “Internalization Transaction Deferred Payment” (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) to be paid in accordance with the terms of the Amended Credit Agreement. The foregoing consent with respect to the Internalization Transaction relates only to the Internalization Transaction described above and shall not be deemed to constitute a consent, modification or waiver of (i) the Restrictions with respect to any other transfer of partnership interests in the Parent Borrower, General Partner, or any other Credit Party or (ii) any other provisions of the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents. With the exception of the consent granted herein and the other amendments to the Loan Documents set forth in this Agreement, all of the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement and each other Loan Document shall remain in full force and effect.
3. WAIVERS. Subject to satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 7 below, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby:
3.01. Waive the Existing Defaults. The waiver specified herein is a one-time waiver only, relates only to the Existing Defaults and shall not be deemed to constitute a modification or waiver of (a) Section 5.02(c) of the Credit Agreement (except to the extent expressly amended as set forth in this Agreement), (b) Section 2.11(d) of the Credit Agreement, or (c) any other provision of the Credit Agreement or other Loan Documents. Each Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that, except as specifically provided herein with respect to the Existing Defaults, nothing in this section or anywhere in this Agreement shall be deemed or otherwise construed as a waiver by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders of any representation, covenant, or other obligation of the Borrowers under the Loan Documents or any of the Administrative Agent’s or the Lenders’ rights and remedies pursuant to the Loan Documents, applicable law, or otherwise; and
3.02. Waive the restrictions set forth in Section 6.06 of the Credit Agreement on transactions with Affiliates with respect to the July 2023 Offering, which shall include up to 300,000 shares that will be reserved for purchase by Affiliates.
4. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF INDEBTEDNESS; REDUCTION OF REVOLVING COMMITMENTS.
4.01. Each Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents, such Borrower is liable, jointly and severally with all other Borrowers, to the Agent and the Lenders for the following:
(a) Owed under the Credit Agreement and Notes as of July 31, 2023:
Principal of Loans |
$1,257,357,368.19 |
Interest |
$7,418,091.02 |
TOTAL |
$1,264,775,459.21 |
(b) For all interest accruing upon the principal balance of the Loans from and after July 31, 2023, and for all fees, filing fees, and reasonable costs, expenses and costs of collection (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) heretofore or hereafter accruing or incurred by the Agent and Lenders in connection with the Loan and/or the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, all reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement, and all documents, instruments, and agreements incidental hereto.
4.02. As of the date hereof, the current Revolving Principal Obligations is $1,257,357,368.19. Effective as of the Sixth Amendment Effective Date (as defined below), the Maximum Revolving Commitment shall be reduced to $1,257,357,368.19, and each Lender’s Revolving Commitment will be reduced as set forth on Schedule 2.01 (as amended hereby).
5. AMENDMENTS TO CREDIT AGREEMENT. Effective as of the Sixth Amendment Effective Date (as defined below):
5.01. the Credit Agreement (but not the Schedules or Exhibits attached thereto) is hereby amended to delete the stricken text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: stricken text or stricken text) and to add the double-underlined text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: double-underlined text or double-underlined text) as set forth in the Credit Agreement attached hereto as Annex A;
5.02. Schedule 2.01 to the Credit Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with Schedule 2.01 hereto as Annex B;
5.03. Exhibit B-1 to the Credit Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with Exhibit B-1 hereto as Annex C; and
5.04. Exhibit B-2 to the Credit Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with Exhibit B-2 hereto as Annex D.
6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Each Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that, as of the date hereof:
a. |
Except as set forth in Section 3, the representations and warranties of each Borrower and each other Credit Party contained in Article III of the Credit Agreement or in any other Loan Document are true and correct on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes hereof, the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.04 of the Credit Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the most recent financial statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 5.01 of the Credit Agreement. |
b. |
Except as set forth in Section 3, to such Borrower’s knowledge, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the Internalization Transaction (after giving effect to the consent in Section 2 hereof). |
c. |
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each Borrower so as to constitute the legal and binding obligation of such Borrower, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to Debtor Relief Laws and equitable principles. |
7. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT. The effectiveness of this Agreement is subject to the conditions precedent that Administrative Agent shall have received the following (the date when such conditions shall have been satisfied or waived, the “Sixth Amendment Effective Date”):
7.01. Agreement. This Agreement duly executed and delivered by each Borrower, the Administrative Agent, and each other Lender party hereto, which constitute all Lenders;
7.02. Capital Events Pledge. A pledge of all capital event net proceeds payable to Borrowers and Guarantor and their direct and indirect Subsidiaries, duly executed and delivered by each Borrower and Guarantor, in form reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.
7.03. Equity Issuance Proceeds Pledge. A pledge of all net equity issuance proceeds payable to Parent Borrower and the Guarantor, duly executed and delivered by Parent Borrower and Guarantor, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent.
7.04. Assignments of Hedging Agreements. A collateral assignment of each existing Hedging Agreement entered into by any Credit Party in respect of the Obligations with KeyBank and Mizuho Bank, as applicable, as counterparty, duly executed and delivered by the applicable Credit Party, Administrative Agent and applicable counterparty, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent.
7.05. Supplemental Fee Letter. A supplement Fee Letter duly executed and delivered by each borrower and the Administrative Agent.
7.06. Release of Claims. A general release of claims Letter duly executed and delivered by each Credit Party.
7.07. Evidence of Authority. Evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that all corporate action necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrowers of this Agreement shall have been duly and effectively taken;
7.08. Constituent Documents. A certificate from a responsible officer (not individually, but in his or her capacity as such officer) attaching the most recent versions of the of the organizational documents and certificates of each Credit Party after giving effect to the Internalization Transaction or, if applicable, certifying that its authority documents and certificates that were previously delivered to the Administrative Agent in connection with the Credit Agreement have not been amended or modified since such date; and
7.09. Compliance Certificates. Executed Compliance Certificate for quarter ending March 31, 2023 adjusted on a pro forma basis;
7.10. Ray J Bridge Amendment. The Ray J Bridge (as defined in Amended Credit Agreement) shall be in good standing and shall have been amended to extend the maturity date thereof to a date not earlier than December 31, 2023, and Borrowers have delivered copies of an amendment to such facility with conforming changes;
7.11. Cash Collateral Reserve Account Opening. The Parent Borrower shall have (a) opened that certain Cash Collateral Reserve Account (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) with KeyBank, and (b) delivered to Administrative Agent a duly executed Depository Agreement for Restricted Collateral Account;
7.12. Other Documents. The Borrowers shall deliver to Administrative Agent all other documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein, including, without limitation, uniform commercial code financing statements in respect of the Additional Collateral being granted on the date hereof; and
7.13. Fees and Expenses. In connection with this Agreement, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, and the Arranger shall have received work fee of $50,000 for each approving Lender and all other fees, expenses, and other amounts due and payable under the Loan Documents in connection with this Agreement, and, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrowers hereunder.
8. JOINDER TO THE ACCOUNT PLEDGE. By its execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Parent Borrower hereby becomes a party to that certain Amended and Restated Account Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of November 3, 2021 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Account Pledge”) as a “Pledgor” thereunder, with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Pledgor, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, hereby expressly assumes all obligations and liabilities of a Pledgor thereunder. As security for the full and punctual payment and performance of the Obligations when due and payable (whether upon stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), the Parent Borrower hereby transfers, assigns, grants, bargains, sells, conveys, hypothecates, pledges, sets over, endorses over and delivers to the Administrative Agent the deposit account listed on Annex E of this Agreement, and hereby grants, pledges, hypothecates, transfers and assigns to the Administrative Agent a continuing lien on and security interest in all of its right, title and interest in and to all other Collateral (as defined in the Account Pledge) related thereto and agrees that Annex E hereto shall supplement the existing Exhibit A to the Account Pledge.
9. DARCA. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in that certain Depository Agreement for Restricted Collateral Account executed by Parent Borrower on July 21, 2023 (the “DARCA”) with respect to the Collateral Account, Bank hereby agrees that notwithstanding the applicable provision of the DARCA, the Bank will only be permitted to withdraw any Depository Funds from the Collateral Account as contemplated in Section 5 of the DARCA to pay expenses pertaining to the Collateral Account (as defined in the DARCA) and the Loan Documents.
10. NO OTHER AMENDMENTS; RATIFICATION OF LOAN DOCUMENTS. Except for the amendments set forth in Section 3 or 5 of this Agreement, (a) the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect and (b) nothing in this Agreement is intended, or shall be construed, to constitute a novation or an accord and satisfaction of any Borrower’s or Guarantor’s Obligations under or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document. Each Credit Party hereby ratifies, confirms and reaffirms all of the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, and further acknowledges and agrees that all of the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect, in each case, except as expressly provided in this Agreement. This Agreement shall constitute a Loan Document for all purposes.
11. MISCELLANEOUS.
11.01. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
11.02. Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted by the Amended Credit Agreement.
11.03. Invalid Provisions. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during the term of this Agreement, such provision shall be fully severable and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part of this Agreement, and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement, unless such continued effectiveness of this Agreement, as modified, would be contrary to the basic understandings and intentions of the parties as expressed herein.
11.04. Headings. Section headings are for convenience of reference only and shall in no way affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
11.05. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 7 of this Agreement, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by Administrative Agent and when Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or other electronic imaging means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank
Signature Pages Follow.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
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PARENT BORROWER: |
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VINEBROOK HOMES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P., |
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By: |
/s/ Brian Mitts |
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Name: |
Brian Mitts |
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Title: |
Authorized Signatory |
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SUBSIDIARY BORROWERS:
VB OP HOLDINGS LLC, P FIN VII STL HOLDINGS, LLC, P FIN VII KC HOLDINGS, LLC, P FIN V FL HOLDINGS, LLC, P FIN V NC HOLDINGS, LLC, P FIN V NM HOLDINGS, LLC, P FIN II F HOLDINGS, LLC, P FIN VI, LLC, P FIN VII MEM, LLC, P FIN VII STL, LLC, P FIN VII KC, LLC, P FIN V FL, LLC, P FIN V NC, LLC, P FIN V NM, LLC, P FIN II F, LLC, SMP HOMES 3B LLC, VB CLOVIS, LLC, each a Delaware limited liability company |
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By: |
/s/ Brian Mitts |
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Name: |
Brian Mitts |
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Title: |
Authorized Signatory |
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HATCHWAY BROADMOOR, LLC, a Mississippi limited liability company |
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By: |
/s/ Brian Mitts |
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Name: |
Brian Mitts |
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Title: |
Authorized Signatory |
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The Guarantor joins in the execution of this Agreement to evidence its agreement to the provisions of Section 10 of this Agreement.
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VINEBROOK HOMES TRUST, INC., |
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By: |
/s/ Brian Mitts |
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Name: |
Brian Mitts |
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Title: |
President |
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ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT: |
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KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent |
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By: |
/s/ Christopher T. Neil |
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Name: Christopher T. Neil |
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LENDER: |
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KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender | |||
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By: |
/s/ Christopher T. Neil |
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Name: Christopher T. Neil |
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LENDER: |
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BMO HARRIS BANK N.A., as a Lender | |||
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By: |
/s/ Jack J. Kane |
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Name: |
Jack J. Kane |
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Title: |
Managing Director |
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LENDER:
RAYMOND JAMES BANK, as a Lender |
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By: |
/s/ Jack Robbins |
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Name: |
Jack Robbins |
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Title: |
Vice President |
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LENDER: |
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MIZUHO BANK, LTD., as a Lender |
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By: |
/s/ Donna DeMagistris |
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Name: |
Donna DeMagistris |
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Title: |
Executive Director |
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LENDER:
COMERICA BANK, as a Lender |
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By: |
/s/ Charles Weddell |
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Name: |
Charles Weddell |
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Title: |
Senior Vice President |
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LENDER:
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender |
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By: |
/s/ Kate Brown |
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Kate Brown |
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Title: |
Vice President |
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LENDER:
CITIZENS BANK, N.A., as a Lender |
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By: |
/s/ William P. Foley, Jr. |
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Name: |
William P. Foley, Jr. |
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Title: |
Senior Vice President |
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LENDER:
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as a Lender |
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By: |
/s/ Nadeige Dang |
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Name: |
Nadeige Dang |
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Title: |
Executive Director |
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LENDER:
FIRST FINANCIAL BANK, as a Lender |
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By: |
/s/ John Wilgus |
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Name: |
John Wilgus |
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Title: |
Senior Vice President |
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LENDER:
SYNOVUS BANK, as a Lender |
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By: |
/s/ Zachary Braun |
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Name: |
Zachary Braun |
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Title: |
Corporate Banker |
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LENDER:
ARVEST BANK, as a Lender |
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By: |
/s/ Rodney D. Peel |
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Name: |
Rodney D. Peel |
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Title: |
Senior Vice President |
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LENDER:
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender |
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By: |
/s/ Stephanie Mejia |
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Name: |
Stephanie Mejia |
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Title: |
Vice President |
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LENDER:
TRUIST BANK, as a Lender |
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By: |
/s/ John L. Saylor |
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Name: |
John L. Saylor |
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Title: |
Senior Vice President |
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LENDER:
S&T BANK, as a Lender |
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By: |
/s/ Sean Apicella |
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Name: |
Sean Apicella |
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Title: |
Senior Vice President |
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ANNEX A
CONFORMED CREDIT AGREEMENT
(See Attached)
AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
dated as of
November 3, 2021
among
VINEBROOK HOMES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P., as Parent Borrower
CERTAIN OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, as Subsidiary Borrowers
and
The Lenders Party Hereto
and
KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent
and
BMO CAPITAL MARKETS CORP., RAYMOND JAMES BANK, TRUIST SECURITIES, INC.,
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., CITIZENS BANK, N.A., MIZUHO BANK, LTD.,
BOFA SECURITIES, INC., and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
As Co-Syndication Agents
and
KEYBANC CAPITAL MARKETS INC., BMO CAPITAL MARKETS CORP., RAYMOND JAMES BANK,
TRUIST SECURITIES, INC., WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., MIZUHO BANK, LTD.,
CITIZENS BANK, N.A., BOFA SECURITIES, INC., and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
As Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I Definitions |
1 | |
Section 1.01 |
Defined Terms |
1 |
Section 1.02 |
Classification of Loans and Borrowings |
40 |
Section 1.03 |
Terms Generally |
40 |
Section 1.04 |
Accounting Terms; GAAP |
40 |
Section 1.05 |
Rates |
41 |
Section 1.06 |
Divisions |
41 |
Section 1.07 |
of Credit Amounts |
41 |
Section 1.08 |
Amendment and Restatement. |
41 |
ARTICLE II The Loans |
42 | |
Section 2.01 |
Revolving Commitments |
42 |
Section 2.02 |
Loans and Borrowings. |
43 |
Section 2.03 |
Requests for Borrowings |
43 |
Section 2.04 |
Funding of Borrowings. |
44 |
Section 2.05 |
Letters of Credit. |
44 |
Section 2.06 |
Swing Line Loans. |
51 |
Section 2.07 |
Cash Collateral. |
54 |
Section 2.08 |
Interest Elections. |
55 |
Section 2.09 |
Reduction or Early Termination of Revolving Commitments |
56 |
Section 2.10 |
Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt. |
57 |
Section 2.11 |
Prepayment of Loans. |
57 |
Section 2.12 |
Fees. |
60 |
Section 2.13 |
Interest. |
61 |
Section 2.14 |
Temporary Inability to Determine Rates Alternate Rate of Interest |
62 |
Section 2.15 |
Increased Costs. |
63 |
Section 2.16 |
Break Funding Payments |
64 |
Section 2.17 |
Taxes. |
65 |
Section 2.18 |
Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs. |
68 |
Section 2.19 |
Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders. |
69 |
Section 2.20 |
Defaulting Lenders. |
70 |
Section 2.21 |
Extension of Revolving Loan Maturity Date |
72 |
Section 2.22 |
Increase in the Maximum Total Commitment; Term Loan Option. |
73 |
Section 2.23 |
Borrowing Base. |
75 |
Section 2.24 |
Permanent Inability to Determine Rate; Benchmark Replacement |
78 |
ARTICLE III Representations and Warranties |
79 | |
Section 3.01 |
Organization; Powers |
79 |
Section 3.02 |
Authorization; Enforceability |
80 |
Section 3.03 |
Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts |
80 |
Section 3.04 |
Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change. |
80 |
Section 3.05 |
Properties. |
80 |
Section 3.06 |
Intellectual Property |
81 |
Section 3.07 |
Litigation and Environmental Matters. |
81 |
Section 3.08 |
Compliance with Laws and Agreements; No Default |
82 |
Section 3.09 |
Investment and Holding Company Status |
82 |
Section 3.10 |
Taxes |
82 |
Section 3.11 |
ERISA |
83 |
Section 3.12 |
Disclosure |
83 |
Section 3.13 |
Solvency |
83 |
Section 3.14 |
Margin Regulations |
83 |
Section 3.15 |
Subsidiaries; REIT Qualification |
83 |
Section 3.16 |
OFAC; Anti-Money Laundering |
84 |
Section 3.17 |
Affected Financial Institution |
84 |
Section 3.18 |
Borrowing Base Properties |
84 |
ARTICLE IV Conditions |
85 | |
Section 4.01 |
Effective Date |
85 |
Section 4.02 |
Each Borrowing |
86 |
ARTICLE V Affirmative Covenants |
87 | |
Section 5.01 |
Financial Statements; Ratings Change and Other Information |
87 |
Section 5.02 |
Financial Tests |
88 |
Section 5.03 |
Notices of Material Events |
89 |
Section 5.04 |
Existence; Conduct of Business |
90 |
Section 5.05 |
Payment of Obligations |
90 |
Section 5.06 |
Maintenance of Properties; Insurance. |
90 |
Section 5.07 |
Books and Records; Inspection Rights. |
90 |
Section 5.08 |
Compliance with Laws |
91 |
Section 5.09 |
Use of Proceeds |
91 |
Section 5.10 |
Fiscal Year |
91 |
Section 5.11 |
Environmental Matters |
91 |
Section 5.12 |
Collateral Requirement. |
91 |
Section 5.13 |
Further Assurances |
92 |
Section 5.14 |
Bank Accounts |
93 |
Section 5.15 |
Parent Covenants |
93 |
Section 5.16 |
Borrowing Base Properties |
93 |
Section 5.17 |
Environmental Matters |
94 |
Section 5.18 |
Accounts |
94 |
Section 5.19 |
Keepwell |
94 |
Section 5.20 |
Post-Closing Good Standings |
94 |
ARTICLE VI Negative Covenants |
95 | |
Section 6.01 |
Liens |
95 |
Section 6.02 |
Fundamental Changes |
96 |
Section 6.03 |
Investments, Loans, Advances and Acquisitions |
96 |
Section 6.04 |
Hedging Agreements |
97 |
Section 6.05 |
Restricted Payments |
97 |
Section 6.06 |
Transactions with Affiliates |
98 |
Section 6.07 |
Parent Negative Covenants |
98 |
Section 6.08 |
Restrictive Agreements |
98 |
Section 6.09 |
Indebtedness |
99 |
Section 6.10 |
Fees |
99 |
Section 6.11 |
Amendment to Organizational Documents |
100 |
Section 6.12 |
Sanctions |
100 |
Section 6.13 |
Borrowing Base Properties |
100 |
Section 6.14 |
[Intentionally Omitted] |
101 |
ARTICLE VII Events of Default |
101 | |
Section 7.01 |
Events of Default Generally |
101 |
Section 7.02 |
Remedies Upon an Event of Default |
103 |
Section 7.03 |
Application of Funds |
103 |
ARTICLE VIII The Administrative Agent |
104 | |
Section 8.01 |
General. |
104 |
Section 8.02 |
Administrative Agent May File Proof of Claim |
107 |
Section 8.03 |
Collateral Matters |
108 |
Section 8.04 |
Certain ERISA Matters |
108 |
Section 8.05 |
Erroneous Payments |
109 |
ARTICLE IX Miscellaneous |
112 | |
Section 9.01 |
Notices |
112 |
Section 9.02 |
Waivers; Amendments. |
113 |
Section 9.03 |
Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver. |
114 |
Section 9.04 |
Successors and Assigns |
115 |
Section 9.05 |
Survival |
119 |
Section 9.06 |
Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. |
119 |
Section 9.07 |
Severability |
119 |
Section 9.08 |
Right of Setoff |
119 |
Section 9.09 |
Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process. |
120 |
Section 9.10 |
WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL |
120 |
Section 9.11 |
Headings |
120 |
Section 9.12 |
Confidentiality |
121 |
Section 9.13 |
Interest Rate Limitation |
121 |
Section 9.14 |
USA PATRIOT Act |
122 |
Section 9.15 |
Fiduciary Duty/No Conflicts. |
122 |
Section 9.16 |
Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions |
122 |
Section 9.17 |
Multiple Borrowers; Joint and Several Liability. |
123 |
Section 9.18 |
Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs |
125 |
SCHEDULES:
Schedule 2.01 |
– |
Commitments |
Schedule 2.23 |
– |
Initial Borrowing Base Properties |
Schedule 3.07 |
– |
Litigation Disclosure |
Schedule 3.14 |
– |
Subsidiaries |
Schedule SB |
– |
Subsidiary Borrowers |
EXHIBITS:
Exhibit A |
-- |
Form of Assignment and Acceptance |
Exhibit B-1 |
– |
Form of Compliance Certificate |
Exhibit B-2 |
– |
Form of Borrowing Base Report |
Exhibit C |
– |
Form of Guaranty |
Exhibit D |
– |
Form of Revolving Note |
Exhibit E |
– |
Form of Borrowing Request/Interest Rate Election |
Exhibit F |
– |
Form of Tax Compliance Certificate |
ExhibitG |
– |
Form of Omnibus Joinder Agreement |
AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) dated as of
November 3, 2021, among
VINEBROOK HOMES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P., as Parent Borrower,
CERTAIN OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, as Subsidiary Borrowers,
the LENDERS party hereto,
KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent,
And
KEYBANC CAPITAL MARKETS INC., BMO CAPITAL MARKETS CORP., RAYMOND JAMES BANK,
TRUIST SECURITIES, INC., WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., MIZUHO BANK, LTD.,
CITIZENS BANK, N.A., BOFA SECURITIES, INC., and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A
as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners
ARTICLE I
Definitions
Section 1.01 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:
“ABR,” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.
“Acceptable Advisor” means the Advisor, any of its Affiliates, or another advisor that is acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.
“Acceptable Appraisal” means, with respect to any Real Property, (whether one or more) means a BPO or written appraisal of such Real Property by an MAI appraiser satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Each Acceptable Appraisal must comply with all Legal Requirements and, unless specifically provided to the contrary in this Agreement, must be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. BPOs from Green River Capital are deemed to be acceptable appraisals for purposes of this Agreement.
“Acceptable Manager” means the Property Manager, any of its Affiliates, or another property manager that is reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
“Acceptable Property” means a Real Property that meets the Eligibility Criteria (as determined by the Required Lenders) and is otherwise approved by Administrative Agent and Required Lenders in their reasonable discretion.
“Account Pledge” means an account pledge executed by certain of Borrowers in favor of Administrative Agent.
“Additional Borrower” means each Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower that is required to and becomes a Subsidiary Borrower hereunder after the Effective Date in accordance with Section 2.23(f).
“Additional Collateral” is defined in Section 5.12(a).
“Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR” means with respect to a Daily Simple SOFR Loan, the sum of (a) Daily Simple SOFR and (b) the applicable SOFR Index Adjustment; provided that if Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR as so determined would be less than the Floor, and no Hedging Agreement is in place, then Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR shall be deemed to be the Floor.
“Adjusted EBITDA” means (a) EBITDA for the most recently ended fiscal quarter, annualized, less (b) the Capital Expenditure Reserve. Adjusted EBITDA for any period may be adjusted on a pro forma basis to account for Real Properties acquired or sold during such period as approved by the Administrative Agent.
“Adjusted NOI” means, (a) the Net Operating Income from the Borrowing Base Properties for the most recently ended fiscal quarter, annualized, less (b) the Capital Reserve for such Borrowing Base Properties for such period. Adjusted NOI for any period may be adjusted on a pro forma basis to account for Real Properties acquired or sold during such period as approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that with respect to Real Properties that were vacant at the time of acquisition or any Initial Borrowing Base Properties that were vacant on the Effective Date, Adjusted NOI for any such Real Property for the fiscal quarter when it is first leased will be calculated based on the most recently ended calendar month, annualized, with such adjustments requested by, and subject to approval of, the Administrative Agent, and until the earlier of (i) the date such Borrowing Base Property is actually leased or (ii) six (6) months after the date when such Borrowing Base Property was first acquired, Adjusted NOI for such Borrowing Base Property shall be deemed to be $0.
“Adjusted Term SOFR” means for any Available Tenor and Interest Period with respect to a Term SOFR Loan, the sum of (a) Term SOFR for such Interest Period and (b) the Term SOFR Index Adjustment; provided that if Adjusted Term SOFR as so determined would be less than the Floor, and no Hedging Agreement is in place, then Adjusted Term SOFR shall be deemed to be the Floor.
“Administrative Agent” means KeyBank National Association, in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder.
“Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
“Advisor” means NexPoint Real Estate Advisors V, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.
“Advisory Agreement” means, collectively, that certain amended and restated advisory agreement dated May 4, 2020, by and among Advisor and VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc., as each may be amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified.
“Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.
“Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, and (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1%. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively.
“Anti-Corruption Laws” means all Legal Requirements of any jurisdiction concerning or relating to bribery or corruption, including without limitation, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977.
“Anti-Money Laundering Laws” means all Legal Requirements related to the financing of terrorism or money laundering, including without limitation, any applicable provision of the Patriot Act and The Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (also known as the “Bank Secrecy Act,” 31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5330 and 12U.S.C. §§ 1818(s), 1820(b) and 1951-1959).
“Applicable Percentage” means, (i) with respect to any Revolving Lender, the percentage of the Revolving Commitments of the Revolving Lenders represented by such Revolving Lender's Revolving Commitment, and (ii) with respect to any Term Lender, the percentage of the aggregate Outstanding Term Loans of the applicable tranche represented by such Term Lender’s Term Loans of such tranche[reserved]. If the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages for the Revolving Lenders shall be determined based upon the Revolving Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments.
“Applicable Rate” means, a rate per annum equal to the percentage set forth in the applicable table below determined by reference to the Total Leverage Ratio as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(c):(i) from the Sixth Amendment Effective Date until the first Business Day after the first date thereafter when the Borrower delivers a Borrowing Base Report evidencing that the Principal Obligation has been reduced such that the Existing Overadvance no longer exists (the “Balance Date”), (a) with respect to SOFR Loans (or Letters of Credit), 2.55% and (b) with respect to ABR Loans, 1.55%; (ii) from and after the Balance Date until the Revolving Loan Initial Maturity Date (a) with respect to SOFR Loans (or Letters of Credit), 2.50% and (b) with respect to ABR Loans, 1.50%; (iii) if the Revolving Loan Initial Maturity Date is extended to the First Extended Maturity Date pursuant to Section 2.21, from and after the Revolving Loan Initial Maturity Date (a) with respect to SOFR Loans (or Letters of Credit), 2.75% and (b) with respect to ABR Loans, 1.75%; and (iv) if the First Extended Maturity Date is extended to the Second Extended Maturity Date pursuant to Section 2.21, from and after the First Extended Maturity Date (a) with respect to SOFR Loans (or Letters of Credit), 3.0% and (b) with respect to ABR Loans, 2.0%.
(a) for any day prior to the Collateral Termination Date:
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(b) for any day from and after the Collateral Termination Date:
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Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Total Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(c); provided, however, that if, after the due date, a Compliance Certificate is not delivered within 24 hours of written notice from Administrative Agent, then Pricing Level 6 shall apply as of the first Business Day after the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered and in each case shall remain in effect until the date on which such Compliance Certificate is delivered. The Applicable Rate in effect from the Effective Date until adjusted as set forth above shall be set at Pricing Level 6.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this definition, the determination of the Applicable Rate for any period shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.13(f).
“Appraised Value” means, with respect to any Real Property, the “as-is” appraised value of such Real Property determined pursuant to the most recently obtained Acceptable Appraisal of such Real Property, as approved by the Administrative Agent.
“Approved Fund” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04(b).
“Arranger” means each of KBCM, BMO Capital Markets Corp., Raymond James Bank, Truist Securities, Inc., Mizuho Bank, Ltd. Citizens Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., BofA Securities, Inc., and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. or any successors thereto, in their capacities as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners.
“Assignment and Acceptance” means an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
“Auto-Extension Letter of Credit” is defined in Section 2.05(b).
“Available Revolving Amount” means, at any time, the lesser of: (a) the Maximum Revolving Commitment; and (b) (i) the Borrowing Base less (ii) (x) prior to the Collateral Termination Date, the Outstanding Amount of any Term Loans and (y) from after the Collateral Termination Date, all Total Unsecured Indebtedness (other than the Revolving Principal Obligation).
“Availability Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the Revolving Loan Maturity Date.
“Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, (x) if such Benchmark is a term rate, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) that is or may be used for determining the length of an interest period pursuant to this Agreement, or (y) otherwise, any payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark (or component thereof) that is or may be used for determining any frequency of making payments of interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark, in each case, as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of “Interest Period” pursuant to Section 2.24(d).
“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.
“Bail-In Legislation” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation, rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time, which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).
“Balance Date” is defined in the definition of Applicable Rate.
“Benchmark” means, initially, (a) with respect to Daily Simple SOFR Loans, Daily Simple SOFR and (b), with respect to Term SOFR Loans, the Term SOFR Reference Rate; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event has occurred with respect to the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to Section 2.24.
“Benchmark Replacement” means, with respect to any Benchmark Transition Event for the then-current Benchmark, the sum of: (i) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower as the replacement for such Benchmark giving due consideration to (A) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (B) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement for such Benchmark for syndicated credit facilities denominated in U.S. Dollars at such time and (ii) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment, if any; provided that, if such Benchmark Replacement as so determined would be less than the Floor, and no Hedging Agreement is in place, such Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
“Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of any then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for any applicable Available Tenor, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero), if any, that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower giving due consideration to (a) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body or (b) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for U.S. Dollar denominated syndicated credit facilities.
“Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earlier to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:
(a) in the case of clause (a) or (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event”, the later of (i) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (ii) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or
(b) in the case of clause (c) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event”, the first date on which such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) has been determined and announced by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be non-representative or non-compliant with or non-aligned with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Principles for Financial Benchmarks; provided that such non-representativeness, non-compliance or non-alignment will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (c) and even if any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date.
For the avoidance of doubt, the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (a) or (b) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
“Benchmark Transition Event” means, with respect to the then-current Benchmark, the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to such Benchmark:
(a) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);
(b) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or
(c) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) or the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) announcing that all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are not, or as of a specified future date will not be, representative or in compliance with or aligned with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Principles for Financial Benchmarks.
For the avoidance of doubt, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
“Benchmark Transition Start Date” means, with respect to any Benchmark, in the case of a Benchmark Transition Event, the earlier of (i) the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and (ii) if such Benchmark Transition Event is a public statement or publication of information of a prospective event, the 90th day prior to the expected date of such event as of such public statement or publication of information (or if the expected date of such prospective event is fewer than 90 days after such statement or publication, the date of such statement or publication).
“Benchmark Unavailability Period” means, with respect to any then-current Benchmark, the period (if any) (i) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to such Benchmark pursuant to clauses (a) or (b) of that definition has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.10 and (ii) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.24.
“Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, which certification shall be substantially similar in form and substance to the form of Certification Regarding Beneficial Owners of Legal Entity Customers published jointly, in May 2018, by the Loan Syndications and Trading Association and Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, or such other form as may be reasonably requested by any Lender.
“Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.
“Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.
“Borrower” means each of the Parent Borrower and each Subsidiary Borrower.
“Borrower Appraisal” means an appraisal provided by Green Street or another valuation firm selected by the Parent Borrower to serve as the Parent Borrower’s independent valuation advisor, which appraisal shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and conducted in accordance with the valuation guidelines adopted by the Parent Borrower; it being understood that any material changes to such valuation guidelines after the Effective Date shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent.
“Borrower Appraised Value” means, as of any date and with respect to any Real Property, the current fair market value of such Real Property as determined based on the most recent Borrower Appraisal of such Real Property, which shall be no more than ninety (90) days old as of such day; provided that if a Borrower Appraisal that is no more than ninety (90) days old is not available with respect to any Real Property as of such date, the Borrower Appraised Value of such Real Property as of such date shall be the undepreciated cost basis of such Real Property.
“Borrower Rent Account Bank” means a financial institution at which a Rent Account is maintained.
“Borrower Rent Account Control Agreement” means an Account Control Agreement among the applicable Borrower, a Borrower Rent Account Bank and the Administrative Agent providing for springing control by the Administrative Agent during an Event of Default only, in such form as may be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Borrower.
“Borrowing” means Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Term SOFR Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.
“Borrowing Base” means, as of any date of determination:
(a) at any time prior to the Collateral Termination Date, the lesser of (i) the product of (x) 65% times (y) the aggregate Borrowing Base Value of the Borrowing Base Properties, and (ii) the Borrowing Base Implied Loan Amount, in each case, as of such date; and
(b) at any time from and after the Collateral Termination Date, the lesser of (i) the amount of a hypothetical principal obligation that would result in an Unsecured Leverage Ratio of 60%; provided that if the Borrowers complete a Material Acquisition financed principally with Loans, the Unsecured Leverage Ratio may, on no more than two (2) occasions since the Effective Date, be increased to 65% for a period of no more than four (4) fiscal quarters immediately following the fiscal quarter in which such Material Acquisition was completed, and (ii) the amount of a hypothetical principal obligation that would result in a minimum Unsecured Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.0 to 1.0provided that, in each case, as of such date;
provided that, in each case of (a) and (b), to the extent that the aggregate Borrowing Base attributable to one or more Borrowing Base Properties located in a single MSA exceeds thirty five percent (35%) of the aggregate Borrowing Base from all Borrowing Base Properties, the Borrowing Base attributable to such Borrowing Base Properties (whether the Borrowing Base Value or the Adjusted NOI included in the calculation of the Borrowing Base Implied Loan Amount or Unsecured Interest Coverage Ratio from, such Borrowing Base Properties) in excess of such limit shall be excluded from the calculation of the Borrowing Base.
“Borrowing Base Debt Service” means, as of any date of calculation, the Borrowing Base Implied Loan Amount as of such date, multiplied by the Mortgage Constant.
“Borrowing Base DSCR” means, as of any date of calculation, the ratio of (i) Adjusted NOI for the Borrowing Base Properties divided by (ii) Borrowing Base Debt Service as of such date.
“Borrowing Base Implied Loan Amount” means, as of any date of determination, the amount of a hypothetical principal obligation that would result in a Borrowing Base DSCR of 1.35 to 1.00 at any time prior to the Collateral Termination Date..
“Borrowing Base Interest Coverage Ratio” means, as of any date of calculation, the ratio of (i) Adjusted NOI for the Borrowing Base Properties for the most recently ended fiscal quarter divided by (ii) Senior Interest Expense for such period.
“Borrowing Base Properties” means each Acceptable Property that either (a) is an Initial Borrowing Base Property or (b) becomes a Borrowing Base Property pursuant to Section 2.23, but excluding any Acceptable Properties that are subject to an Exclusion Event or have been released from the Borrowing Base pursuant to Section 2.23(h), and “Borrowing Base Property” means any one of the Borrowing Base Properties.
“Borrowing Base Property Owner” means each direct or indirect Wholly Owned Subsidiary (which Subsidiary shall be an entity formed under the laws of the United States of America or one of the several states thereof) of the Parent Borrower that owns a Borrowing Base Property.
“Borrowing Base Report” means a report in substantially the form of Exhibit B-2 (or such other form approved by Administrative Agent) certified by a Financial Officer of the Parent.
“Borrowing Base Value” means, as of any date of calculation:
(a) at any time prior to the Collateral Termination Date, the sum for each Borrowing Base Property (including any Real Property being acquired and added to the Borrowing Base on such date) of (i) if no Borrower Appraisal has been obtained for such Borrowing Base Property, the “as is” Appraised Value of such Borrowing Base Property, which shall have been determined pursuant to an Acceptable Appraisal no more than twelve (12) months old as of such date, or (ii) from and after the date when the first Borrower Appraisal for such Borrowing Base Property is obtained (including if obtained in connection with the acquisition thereof), the Borrower Appraised Value of such Borrowing Base Property; and
(b) at any time from and after the Collateral Termination Date, the quotient of (i) the aggregate Adjusted NOI from all Borrowing Base Properties in the aggregate divided by (ii) the Capitalization Rate.
“Borrowing Request” means a request by the Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.02.
“BPO” shall mean a broker’s price opinion of the estimated value of any Real Property given by a licensed real estate agent or broker familiar with the real estate market in which the applicable Real Property is located and that is reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent in conformity with customary and usual business practices for appraisals.
“Bridge Loan” means one or more bridge loans entered into the by Parent or Parent Borrower in connection with acquisitions or Investments by the Parent Borrower’s Subsidiaries (other than any other Borrower), including, without limitation, the Ray J Bridge.
“Business Day” means i) any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks in Boston, Massachusetts or New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close and (ii) with respect to any matters relating to SOFR Loans, a SOFR Business Day.
“Capital Expenditure Reserve” means, on an annual basis for each Real Property of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, an amount equal to (i) for single family residential properties, $350 per unit and (ii) for multifamily properties with 2-4 units, $250 per unit.
“Capital Event” is defined in Section 2.11(f).
“Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Capital Stock” means, collectively, all shares of capital stock (whether denominated as common or preferred stock), equity interests, partnership, limited liability company, or membership interests, joint venture interests or other ownership interests in or equivalents of or in a Person (other than an individual), whether voting or non-voting, and to the extent not included in the foregoing, any of a member’s or partner’s control rights in such Person, including the rights to manage or participate in management, voting rights, inspection rights and other rights.
“Capitalization Rate” means 7.00%.
“Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the definition of “Cash Collateralize” below and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.
“Cash Collateral Reserve Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.21.
“Cash Collateralize” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of one or more of the Letter of Credit Issuer, the Swing Line Lender and the Lenders, as collateral for the Letter of Credit Obligations, Swing Line Loans or obligations of Lenders to fund participations in respect of Letters of Credit, cash or deposit account balances, or, if Administrative Agent and the Letter of Credit Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, as applicable, shall agree in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to: (a) Administrative Agent; and (b) the Letter of Credit Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, as applicable.
“Change in Control” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder as in effect on the date hereof), of shares representing more than thirty percent (30%) of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Parent; (b) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Parent (the “Board”) by Persons who were neither (i) nominated by the Board nor (ii) appointed by directors so nominated; provided that any changes to the composition of the Board resulting from the appointment or election of independent directors in connection with the consummation of an IPO shall not constitute a “Change in Control” and the individuals constituting the Board after giving effect to such appointment or election shall be deemed to be the incumbent directors for the period commencing from and after such date; (c) the acquisition of direct or indirect Control of the Parent by any Person or group; (d) the failure of the Parent Borrower to own, directly or indirectly, free and clear of any Liens except those granted in favor of the Administrative Agent, 100% of the ownership interests in each other Borrower; (e) the replacement, removal or resignation of the Advisor as advisor to the Parent, unless replaced with another Acceptable Advisor; (f) the General Partner shall cease to be the sole general partner of the Parent Borrower; (g) the replacement, removal or resignation of VineBrook Homes, LLC as “manager” under the OP Management Agreement, unless replaced with a replacement manager that is reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; and (h) Dana Sprong and Ryan McGarry shall cease to (x) prior to consummation of the Internalization Transaction, collectively own, directly or indirectly, 80% of the Equity Interests in, and Control, the General Partner and (y) from and after the consummation of the Internalization Transaction, be actively involved in managing the day-to-day activities of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries; and (i) at any time after the consummation of the Internalization Transaction, the failure of the Parent to own, directly or indirectly, free and clear of any Liens except those granted in favor of the Administrative Agent, 100% of the ownership interests in the General Partner.
“Change in Law” means (a) the adoption of any law, rule or regulation after the date of this Agreement by any Governmental Authority, (b) any change in any law, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement or (c) compliance by any Lender (or, for purposes of Section 2.15(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender's holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (a) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (b) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.
“Closing Date Value” means, with respect to any Real Property of the Parent Borrower, Parent or their Subsidiaries (other than the Subsidiary Borrowers), the value of such asset for purposes of calculating the Total Asset Value as of the Sixth Amendment Effective Date as reported by the Borrowers and Parent in the Compliance Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent on the Sixth Amendment Effective Date.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
“Collateral” means the security interest granted to the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, in (i) all direct and indirect Equity Interests owned by the Parent Borrower and any Consolidated Owner in each Borrowing Base Property Owner , (ii) each Borrowing Base Property Owner’s Rent Account and other deposit and cash management accounts with respect to its Borrowing Base Property, (iii) the Cash Collateral Reserve Account, and (iv) all Additional Collateral.and
“Collateral Termination Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.12(c).
“Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, its Revolving Commitment or Term Loan Commitment, as applicable.
“Common Collateral” is defined in Section 5.12(a).
“Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
“Communication” has the meaning set forth in Article VIII.
“Compliance Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(c) hereof and a form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit B.
“Conforming Changes” means, with respect to either the use or administration of Daily Simple SOFR or Term SOFR, or the use, administration, adoption or implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Alternate Base Rate,” the definition of “Business Day,” the definition of “SOFR Business Day,” the definition of “Interest Period” or any similar or analogous definition (or the addition of a concept of “interest period”), timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, the applicability and length of lookback periods, the applicability of Section 2.16 and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative Agent determines in its reasonable discretion are appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of any such rate or to permit the use and administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent determines in its reasonable discretion that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of any such rate exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).
“Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.
“Consolidated Owner” means, with respect to any Borrowing Base Property Owner, each other Subsidiary of Holdings that owns any direct or indirect Equity Interest in such Borrowing Base Property Owner.
“Contamination” means the presence of Hazardous Materials in amounts exceeding regulatory action levels.
“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise, which includes the customary powers of a managing member of any limited liability company, any general partner of any limited partnership, or any board of directors of a corporation. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.
“Core Funds from Operations” means, for any period, Guarantor’s net income (or loss) (after payment of all cash dividends payable on any preferred stock) determined on a consolidated basis for the Borrowers, Guarantor, and their Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries for such period, excluding gains or losses from extraordinary items and early extinguishment of debt, impairment and other non-cash charges, acquisition fees and related expenses, non-cash share-based compensation expenses, non-cash interest expense related to acquired Indebtedness, casualty-related charges on a net basis, non-cash fair value adjustments associated with re-measuring derivative assets and liabilities to fair value, non-cash fair value adjustments associated with re-measuring participating preferred shares derivative liability to fair value, allocation of income to participating preferred shares in connection with their redemption, plus real estate depreciation and amortization. Core Funds from Operations shall be adjusted for (i) the Borrowers’ Equity Percentage of their non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries and Unconsolidated Affiliates to reflect funds from operations on the same basis, (ii) the amortization of intangibles associated with the amortization of above or below market rents, pursuant to ASC 805 (formerly FASB 141) and (iii) calculation of interest expense in accordance with FBS APB 14-1. Core Funds from Operations may be adjusted on a pro forma basis to account for Real Properties acquired or sold during such period as approved by the Administrative Agent
“Credit Extension” means each of the following: (a) a Borrowing (including any conversion or continuation of any Borrowing); and (b) an L/C Credit Extension.
“Credit Party” means each Borrower and each Guarantor.
“Daily Simple SOFR” means, for any day (a “SOFR Rate Day”), a rate per annum equal to SOFR for the day (such day, the “SOFR Determination Day”) that is five (5) SOFR Business Days (or such other period as determined by the Administrative Agent based on then prevailing market conventions) prior to (i) if such SOFR Rate Day is a SOFR Business Day, such SOFR Rate Day or (ii) if such SOFR Rate Day is not a SOFR Business Day, the SOFR Business Day immediately preceding such SOFR Rate Day, in each case, as and when SOFR for such SOFR Rate Day is published by the Daily Simple SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrator’s Website. If by 5:00 pm (New York City time) on the second (2nd) SOFR Business Day immediately following any SOFR Determination Day, SOFR in respect of such SOFR Determination Day has not been published on the SOFR Administrator’s Website and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to Daily Simple SOFR has not occurred, then SOFR for such SOFR Determination Day will be SOFR as published in respect of the first preceding SOFR Business Day for which such SOFR was published on the SOFR Administrator’s Website; provided, that any SOFR determined pursuant to this sentence shall be utilized for purposes of calculation of Daily Simple SOFR for no more than three (3) consecutive SOFR Rate Days. Any change in Daily Simple SOFR due to a change in SOFR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in SOFR without notice to the Borrower.
“Daily Simple SOFR Borrowing” means a Borrowing comprised of Daily Simple SOFR Loans.
“Daily Simple SOFR Loan” means each Loan bearing interest at a rate based upon Daily Simple SOFR.
“Debtor Relief Laws” means any applicable liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, moratorium, rearrangement, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, or similar laws affecting the rights, remedies, or recourse of creditors generally, including without limitation the Bankruptcy Code and all amendments thereto, as are in effect from time to time during the term of this Agreement.
“Default” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.
“Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that: (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two (2) Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies Administrative Agent and Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to Administrative Agent, the Letter of Credit Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans) within two (2) Business Days of the date when due;; (b) has notified a Borrower, Administrative Agent, the Letter of Credit Issuer or the Swing Line Lender that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations or has made a public statement to that effect with respect to its funding obligations hereunder (unless such notification or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan and indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular Default, if any) to funding a Loan is not or cannot be satisfied) or under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit; (c) has failed, within two (2) Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or a Borrower (and the Administrative Agent has received a copy of such request), to confirm in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that it will comply with its funding obligations hereunder; or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has: (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; (ii) had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or a custodian appointed for it; or (iii) in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, taken any material action in furtherance of, or indicated its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment; or (iv) become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority; provided, further, that such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Lender.
“Designated Jurisdiction” means any country, region, or territory to the extent that such country, region, or territory itself, or its government, is the subject or target of any Sanction.
“Division” and “Divide” means a division of a limited liability company into two or more newly formed or existing limited liability companies pursuant to a plan of division or otherwise, including, pursuant to the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.
“Dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.
“EBITDA” means an amount derived from (a) net income (before deduction of dividends with respect to any preferred partnership units or preferred stock and excluding the financial attributes of NXHT but including cash dividends, distributions, interest, or other payments (other than any repayments of principal, return of capital, or similar) in respect of the NXHT Investment), plus (b) to the extent included in the determination of net income, depreciation, amortization, interest expenseInterest Expense and income taxes, plus (c) property acquisition and related expenses, plus (d) non-recurring fees and expenses incurred during such period in connection with the consummation of an IPO or Equity Offering, plus or minus (e) to the extent included in the determination of net income, any extraordinary losses or gains, such as those resulting from sales of payment of Indebtedness, plus or minus (f) to the extent included in net income, any net income from non-cash items, such as straight line rent, amortization of in-place lease valuation and fair value adjustments on derivative instruments utilized to hedge interest rate exposure, plus (g) to the extent deducted in the determination of net income, non-cash compensation for employees and any management or advisory fees paid to the Advisor or “manager” under the OP Management Agreement to the extent paid in units of the Parent Borrower or common Equity Interests of the Parent (and not cash), in each case, as determined for the Borrowers, Guarantor, and their Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, and including (without duplication) the Equity Percentage of EBITDA for the Borrowers’ non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries and Unconsolidated Affiliates, and as set forth in more detail in Annex A to the Compliance Certificate. For purposes hereof, NXHT shall be deemed not to be a Subsidiary or Unconsolidated Affiliate of any Credit Party.
“EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent;
“EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
“EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
“Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02).
“Electronic System” has the meaning set forth in Article VIII.
“Eligibility Criteria” means, with respect to any Real Property, the following requirements as determined by the Required Lenders in their reasonable discretion:
(a) such Real Property is a completed and revenue-producing single family residential dwelling or a 2-4 unit multifamily dwelling; provided that any Initial Borrowing Base Property that is vacant on the Effective Date and any Borrowing Base Property that is acquired thereafter and is vacant on the date of acquisition will not be deemed to be ineligible under this clause (a) solely because it is not revenue-producing for a period not to exceed six (6) months after the Effective Date or such date of acquisition, respectively;
(b) such Real Property is wholly-owned in fee simple by a Borrowing Base Property Owner that is a Borrower hereunder, which may own one or more Borrowing Base Properties and other Real Properties so long as the non-Borrowing Base Properties owned by such Borrower are not subject to any Liens, other than Permitted Liens, and such Borrower has no Indebtedness other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business and, after the Collateral Termination Date, other Unsecured Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.09;
(c) such Real Property is located in one of the fifty (50) States of the United States or the District of Columbia;
(d) the subject Borrowing Base Property Owner has no other Indebtedness (other than customary trade payables and, after the Collateral Termination Date, other Unsecured Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.09) and is not subject to any material litigation, and the subject Real Property and the direct and indirect Equity Interests in the Borrowing Base Property Owner are not subject to any Liens (other than customary non-monetary encumbrances which will not reasonably impede the Borrowers’ ability to operate, refinance, or sell such Real Property);
(e) such Real Property must be free of all material environmental conditions, structural defects, mechanical defects, title or survey defects, zoning defect, fire or safety code violations, or other defects affecting the use, value or operation of such Real Property in any adverse manner, as certified by the Borrowers in writing, or otherwise insured over existing environmental issues as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent;
(f) such Real Property is insured in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.06(a) and, if such Real Property is located in a special or high hazard flood zone, the flood determination, flood insurance, and all other special or high hazard flood requirements with respect to such Real Property are in compliance with all applicable flood insurance regulation and Laws, including that such Real Property is covered by flood insurance in an amount equal to the full replacement cost or the maximum amount then available under the National Flood Insurance Program and otherwise from such providers, on such terms and in such amounts as required by the Flood Disaster Protection Act as amended from time to time or as otherwise required by the Administrative Agent;
(g) the representations set forth in Article III of this Agreement concerning such Real Property are true and correct in all material respects;
(h) such Real Property is managed under a Property Management Agreement with an Acceptable Manager; and
(i) such Real Property is otherwise reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent.
“Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 9.04(a)(ii)(D) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 9.04(a)(i)).
“Eligible Interest Hedge” means an interest rate Hedging Agreement entered into by a Credit Party in respect of the Obligations and which has been collaterally assigned to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, to secure the Obligations pursuant to documentation reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
“Environmental Claim” means any notice of violation, action, claim, Environmental Lien, demand, abatement or other order or direction (conditional or otherwise) by any Governmental Authority or any other Person for personal injury (including sickness, disease or death), tangible or intangible property damage, damage to the environment, nuisance, pollution, contamination or other adverse effects on the environment, or for fines, penalties or restriction, resulting from or based upon (i) the existence, or the continuation of the existence, of a Release (including, without limitation, sudden or non-sudden accidental or non-accidental Releases) of, or exposure to, any Hazardous Material, or other Release in, into or onto the environment (including, without limitation, the air, soil, surface water or groundwater) at, in, by, from or related to any property owned, operated or leased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any activities or operations thereof; (ii) the environmental aspects of the transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of Hazardous Materials in connection with any property owned, operated or leased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or their operations or facilities; or (iii) the violation, or alleged violation, of any Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits of or from any Governmental Authority relating to environmental matters connected with any property owned, leased or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
“Environmental Laws” means all applicable laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Material or to health and safety matters related to Hazardous Material and includes (without limitation) the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq., the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. § 1801 et seq., the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, 7 U.S.C. § 136 et seq., the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq., the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq., the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. §7401 et seq., the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq., the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. § 651 et seq., (to the extent the same relates to any Hazardous Materials), and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, 33 U.S.C. § 2701 et seq., as such laws have been amended or supplemented, and the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, and all analogous state and local statutes.
“Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of a Borrower or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) exposure to any Hazardous Materials in violation of any Environmental Law, (c) the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment in violation of any Environmental Law or (d) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
“Environmental Lien” means any lien in favor of any Governmental Authority arising under any Environmental Law.
“Environmental Permit” means any permit required under any applicable Environmental Law or under any and all supporting documents associated therewith.
“Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares, partnership or membership interests, economic and other rights, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of Capital Stock of such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of Capital Stock of such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Capital Stock of such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, membership or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.
“Equity Offering” means, any issuance and/or sale after the effective Date by Parent, Parent Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their Subsidiaries of any Equity Interests or equity securities of such Person, including, without limitation, (a) any new preferred securities, and (b) any conversion of equity interests or securities of any Subsidiary of Parent Borrower into equity interests in the Borrower.
“Equity Percentage” means the aggregate ownership percentage of the Borrowers in each non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and Unconsolidated Affiliate, which shall be calculated as the greater of (a) Borrowers’ nominal capital ownership interest in the non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or Unconsolidated Affiliate as set forth in the non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary’s or Unconsolidated Affiliate’s organizational documents, and (b) Borrowers’ economic ownership interest in the non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or Unconsolidated Affiliate, reflecting Borrowers’ share of income and expenses of the non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or Unconsolidated Affiliate.
“Exiting Lender” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 1.08.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by any Governmental Authority, as from time to time in effect.
“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with any Credit Party within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).
“ERISA Event” means (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the existence with respect to any Plan of an “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by a Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by a Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.
“Erroneous Payment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.05.
“Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.05(b).
“Erroneous Payment Impacted Class” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.05(b).
“Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.05(b).
“Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.05(b).
“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.
“Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01.
“Excess Cash Flow” means, with respect to any period, the sum of (i) Adjusted EBITDA less (ii) Fixed Charges less (iii) the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments constituting cash dividends and distributions paid to holders of common Equity Interests in the Parent or holders of units in the Parent Borrower, in each case, for such period and determined for the Borrowers, Guarantor, and their Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, and including (without duplication) the Equity Percentage of EBITDA for the Borrowers’ non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries and Unconsolidated Affiliates. For purposes hereof, NXHT shall be deemed not to be a Subsidiary or Unconsolidated Affiliate of any Credit Party.
“Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to the liability of any Borrower with respect to a Swap Obligation, including the grant of a security interest to secure such Swap Obligation, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, such Swap Obligation is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Borrower’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder at the time the liability or grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under an agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Swap Obligation or security interest is or becomes illegal.
“Excluded Taxes” means, any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or its Commitment pursuant to Legal Requirements in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or its Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrowers under Section 2.17 as a result of costs sought to be reimbursed pursuant to Section 2.17 or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.17 amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.17 and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.
“Exclusion Event” is defined in Section 2.23(i).
“Facility Increase Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.22(a).“Existing Overadvance” is defined in Section 2.11(d).
“Facility Increase Fee” means a fee agreed to between the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent in a separate fee letter dated as of the date hereof.
“Facility Increase Request” has the meaning specified in Section 2.22.
“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities and any rules implementing such intergovernmental agreements and/or Sections of the Code.
“Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for the purposes of this Agreement.
“Fee Letter” means that certain Amended and Restated Fee Letter dated as of the date hereof by and between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer or the chief accounting officer of the Parent.
“Financing Statements” means all such Uniform Commercial Code financing statements as the Administrative Agent shall require, duly authorized by a Borrower or Guarantor, to give notice of and to perfect or continue perfection of the Lenders' security interest in all Collateral.
“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means the ratio of (a) Adjusted EBITDA for the immediately preceding calendar quarter of Parent and its Subsidiaries, annualized, to (b) Fixed Charges, in each case, for the immediately preceding calendar quarter, annualized, and calculated for the Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and including (without duplication) the Borrowers’ Equity Percentage of any of the items in (a) or (b) above for their non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries and Unconsolidated Affiliates.
“Fixed Charges” means the sum of (i) all scheduled principal due and payable and actually paid on Indebtedness (other than amounts paid in connection with balloon maturities, hyper-amortization amounts and repayments and prepayments (including under Section 2.11) of principal of the Loans), plus (ii) all Interest Expense, plus (iii) the aggregate amount of all cash dividends and distributions payable by the Parent and the Parent Borrower on any preferred partnership units or preferred stock, in each case, for the immediately preceding calendar quarter, annualized, in each case, for the Parent, Borrowers and their Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and including (without duplication) the Borrowers’ Equity Percentage of any of the items in (ai) orthrough (biii) above for their non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries and Unconsolidated Affiliates (excluding the financial attributes of NXHT but including interest or other payments actually paid (other than any repayments of principal, return of capital, or similar) in respect of the NXHT Investment).
“Floor” means a rate of interest equal to 0% per annum.
“Foreign Lender” means, if a Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender that is not a U.S. Person, and if a Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which such Borrower is resident for tax purposes.
“Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Revolving Lender that is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to the Letter of Credit Issuer, such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations other than Letter of Credit Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Revolving Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to the Swing Line Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Percentage of Swing Line Loans other than Swing Line Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders in accordance with the terms hereof.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, subject to the provisions of Section 1.04.
“General Partner” means VineBrook Homes OP GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.
“Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided, that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.
“Guarantor” means the Parent and any other Person who from time to time has executed a Guaranty as required by the terms of this Agreement.
“Guaranty” means, collectively, the guaranties provided by Guarantor in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto, or such other form as may be agreed upon by the parties.
“Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law; provided, that Hazardous Materials shall not include any such substances or wastes utilized or maintained at the Real Property in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with all applicable Environmental Laws.
“Hedging Agreement” means any interest rate protection agreement (including an interest rate cap), foreign currency exchange agreement, commodity price protection agreement or other interest or currency exchange rate or commodity price hedging arrangement.
“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to the Parent, any Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Parent or a Borrower, any obligations arising under any Hedging Agreement entered into with the Administrative Agent or any Lender. Under no circumstances shall any of the Hedging Obligations secured or guaranteed by any Loan Document as to a surety or guarantor thereof include any obligation that constitutes an Excluded Swap Obligation of such Person.
“Holdings” means VB OP Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“Honor Date” is defined in Section 2.05(c)(i).
“Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, including mandatorily redeemable preferred stock, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding current accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, but excluding customary non-recourse, carveout guarantees and environmental indemnitees until such time as such guarantees or indemnitees become a recourse obligation, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, (j) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers' acceptances, and (k) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person with respect to any Hedging Agreements (calculated on a mark-to-market basis as of the reporting date). The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor. Indebtedness shall be calculated on a consolidated basis for the Borrowers, Guarantor, and their Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, and including (without duplication) the Equity Percentage of Indebtedness for the Borrowers’ non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries and Unconsolidated Affiliates.
“Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrowers under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in the immediately preceding clause (a), Other Taxes.
“Information Materials” has the meaning set forth in Article VIII.
“Initial Borrowing Base Properties” means the Borrowing Base Properties listed on Schedule 2.23 as of the date of this Agreement.
“Interest Election Request” means a request by the Borrowers to convert or continue the then outstanding amount of the Loan in accordance with Section 2.05.
“Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person, all paid, accrued or capitalized interest expense on such Person’s Indebtedness (whether direct, indirect or contingent, and including, without limitation, interest on all convertible debt), plus any cash amounts paid by such Person under any interest rate Hedging Agreements (other than any payments in respect of the termination of such Hedging Agreement), less any cash amounts received by such Person under any interest rate Hedging Agreement (other than any payments in respect of the termination of such Hedging Agreement), in each case, during such period, and including (without duplication) the Equity Percentage of Interest Expense for the Borrowers’ non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries and Unconsolidated Affiliates.
“Interest Payment Date” means the first Business Day of each calendar month, and the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, and the Maturity Date with respect to any Term Loan.
“Interest Period” means, with respect to each Term SOFR Borrowing, a period of one, three or six months as selected by the Borrower; provided, however, that (i) the initial Interest Period for any Borrowing of a Term SOFR Loans shall commence on the date of such Borrowing (the date of a Borrowing resulting from a conversion or continuation shall be the date of such conversion or continuation) and each Interest Period occurring thereafter in respect of such Borrowing shall commence on the day following the last day of the next preceding Interest Period; (ii) if any Interest Period begins on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period, such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of such calendar month; (iii) if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day; provided, however, that if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day but is a day of the month after which no further Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire on the next preceding Business Day; (iv) no Interest Period for any Term SOFR Loan may be selected that would end after the Maturity Date; and (v) if, upon the expiration of any Interest Period, the Borrower has failed to (or may not) elect a new Interest Period to be applicable to the respective Borrowing of Term SOFR Loans as provided above, the Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to convert such Borrowing to ABR Loans effective as of the expiration date of such current Interest Period.
“Internalization Transaction” means, collectively, the series of transactions pursuant to which: (i) all of the members of the Manager contributed all of their Equity Interests in the Manager to Parent Borrower, in exchange for cash compensation (including the Internalization Transaction Deferred Compensation) and Class C OP units in the Parent Borrower, and (ii) all of the members of the General Partner contributed all of their Equity Interests in the General Partner to Parent for nominal consideration.
“Internalization Transaction Deferred Compensation” means an amount not to exceed $2,650,000 to be paid by the Parent Borrower to the Persons that were members of the Manager prior to the consummation of the Internalization Transaction as compensation in connection with the Internalization Transaction.
“Internalization Transaction Payment Conditions” means each of the following: (i) the Internalization Transaction Deferred Compensation may not be paid prior to September 30, 2023, (ii) on the date when the Internalization Transaction Deferred Compensation is paid, the Revolving Principal Obligation shall not exceed the Available Revolving Amount, (iii) after giving effect to the payment of the Internalization Transaction Deferred Compensation, Liquidity shall not be less than $15,000,000; and (iv) the Borrowers shall have delivered an executed pro forma Compliance Certificate evidencing the Liquidity and that no Default or Event of Default then exist or would result from such payment of Internalization Transaction Deferred Compensation.
“IPO” means the initial public offering of the Parent’s common Equity Interests, resulting in such common Equity Interests being traded on the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq stock market, the American Stock Exchange, or another national exchange in the United States.
“Issuer Documents” means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Request for Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the Letter of Credit Issuer and a Borrower or in favor of the Letter of Credit Issuer and relating to any such Letter of Credit, including, as applicable, any documentation relating to Cash Collateral (which may include, without limitation, an Account Pledge).
“July 2023 Offering” means that certain Equity Offering of preferred Equity Interests in the Parent in the amount of $63,706,000 and expected to close on or about July 31, 2023.
“KBCM” means KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. or any successors thereto.
“KeyBank” means KeyBank National Association, in its individual capacity.
“L/C Advance” means, with respect to each Revolving Lender, such Revolving Lender’s funding of its participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.
“L/C Borrowing” means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Borrowing.
“L/C Credit Extension” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.
“Lease” means each existing or future lease, sublease (to the extent of any Borrowing Base Property Owner’s rights thereunder), license, or other agreement under the terms of which any Person has or acquires any right to occupy or use any Real Property, or any part thereof, or interest therein, and each existing or future guaranty of payment or performance thereunder.
“Legal Requirement” means any law, statute, ordinance, decree, requirement, order, judgment, rule, regulation (or interpretation of any of the foregoing) of, and the terms of any license or permit issued by, any Governmental Authority.
“Lenders” means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance; and, as the context requires or permits, includes the Swing Line Lender, Letter of Credit Issuer, each Revolving Lender,. and each Term Lender
“Lenders’ Financial Advisor” is defined in Section 5.07(d).
“Letter of Credit” means any standby letter of credit issued hereunder providing for the payment of cash upon the honoring of a presentation thereunder by the Letter of Credit Issuer pursuant to Section 2.05 either as originally issued or as the same may, from time to time, be amended or otherwise modified or extended.
“Letter of Credit Application” means an application and agreement for standby letter of credit by and between a Borrower and the Letter of Credit Issuer in a form acceptable to the Letter of Credit Issuer (and customarily used by it in similar circumstances) and conformed to the terms of this Credit Agreement, either as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented, modified, amended, renewed, or extended; provided, however, to the extent that the terms of such Letter of Credit Application are inconsistent with the terms of this Credit Agreement, the terms of this Credit Agreement shall control.
“Letter of Credit Collateralization Date” means the day that is the earliest of: (a) thirty (30) days prior to the Revolving Loan Initial Maturity Date then in effect (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day); (b) the Revolving Loan Maturity Date; or (c) the date upon which Administrative Agent declares the Obligations due and payable after the occurrence of an Event of Default.
“Letter of Credit Fee” is defined in Section 2.12(b).
“Letter of Credit Issuer” means KeyBank in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, or any successor issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, as requested by a Borrower.
“Letter of Credit Obligations” means the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts, including all L/C Borrowings. For all purposes of this Credit Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, or because a pending drawing submitted on or before the expiration date of such Letter of Credit has not yet been honored, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.
“Letter of Credit Sublimit” means, at any time, an amount equal to $25,000,000. The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Commitments.
“Lien” means, with respect to an asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien (statutory or other), pledge, hypothecation, negative pledge, collateral assignment, encumbrance, deposit arrangement, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset; (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset; (c) the filing under the Uniform Commercial Code or comparable law of any jurisdiction of any financing statement naming the owner of the asset to which such Lien relates as debtor; (d) any other preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever intended to assure payment of any Indebtedness or other obligation; and (e) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities, including any dividend reinvestment or redemption plans.
“Liquidity” means the sum of (a) unencumbered and unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of the Parent, Parent Borrower, and their Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, excluding any debt service, capital improvement or other similar reserve funds held under or required by any loan documents entered in to by the Parent, Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary plus (b) Revolving Availability; provided that Revolving Availability shall be $0 until the Specified Credit Conditions have been satisfied. For the avoidance of doubt, amounts maintained in the Cash Collateral Reserve Account shall not be included in Liquidity.
“Loan” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrowers pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Revolving Loans, and Swing Line Loans, and Term Loans.
“Loan Documents” means this Agreement, each Term Loan Amendment, the Notes, the Guaranty, the Pledge Agreement, the Account Pledge, the Borrower Rent Account Control Agreement, the Financing Statements, each Letter of Credit Application, any agreement creating or perfecting rights in Cash Collateral pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.07 of this Credit Agreement, and all other instruments, agreements and written obligations executed and delivered by any of the Credit Parties in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
“Management Agreement” means a property management agreement entered into by a Credit Party pursuant to which such Credit Party engages a Person to advise it with respect to the management of a Borrowing Base Property or to provide management services with respect to the same.
“Material Acquisition” means the completed acquisition by Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries, in one or a series of related transactions, of Real Property or Equity Interests of owners of Real Property with a total cost of more than ten percent (10%) of Total Asset Value as set forth in the Compliance Certificate delivered by Borrowers with respect to the fiscal quarter ending immediately prior to the date when such acquisition is consummated.
“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, operations, or financial condition of (i) the Parent, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of any of the Credit Parties to perform their obligations under the Loan Documents or (c) the rights of or benefits available to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders under the Loan Documents; provided, however, that none of the following shall constitute, or shall be considered in determining whether there has occurred, and no event, circumstance, change or effect resulting from or arising out of any of the following shall constitute, a Material Adverse Effect: (A) changes in the national or world economy or financial markets as a whole or changes in general economic conditions that affect the industries in which the Parent, the Borrowers, and their Subsidiaries conduct their business, so long as such changes or conditions do not adversely affect the Parent, the Borrowers, and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in a materially disproportionate manner relative to other similarly situated participants in the industries or markets in which they operate; (B) any change in applicable Law, rule or regulation or GAAP or interpretation thereof after the date hereof, so long as such changes do not adversely affect the Parent, the Borrowers, and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in a materially disproportionate manner relative to other similarly situated participants in the industries or markets in which they operate; (C) the failure, in and of itself, of the Parent or the Borrowers to meet any published or internally prepared estimates of revenues, earnings or other financial projections, performance measures or operating statistics; (D) a decline in the price, or a change in the trading volume, of the Parent; and (E) compliance with the terms of, and taking any action required by, this Agreement, or taking or not taking any actions at the request of, or with the consent of, the Administrative Agent.
“Material Contract” means any contract or other arrangement (other than Loan Documents), whether written or oral, to which any Credit Party is a party as to which the breach, nonperformance, cancellation or failure to renew by any party thereto could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
“Material Environmental Event” means, with respect to any Borrowing Base Property, (a) a violation of any Environmental Law with respect to such Borrowing Base Property, or (b) the presence of any Hazardous Materials on, about, or under such Borrowing Base Property that, under or pursuant to any Environmental Law, would require remediation, if in the case of either (a) or (b), such event or circumstance could reasonably be expected to have a Material Property Event.
“Material Property Event” means, with respect to any Borrowing Base Property, the occurrence of any event or circumstance occurring or arising after the date of this Agreement that could reasonably be expected to have a (a) material adverse effect with respect to the financial condition or the operations of such Borrowing Base Property, (b) material adverse effect on the Borrowing Base Value of such Borrowing Base Property, (c) material adverse effect on the ownership of such Borrowing Base Property, or (d) a material impairment of the Lien granted to Administrative Agent with respect to the applicable Borrowing Base Property Owners and Consolidated Owners thereof, or the related deposit and cash management accounts.
“Maturity Date” means, (i) with respect to the Revolving Commitments and Revolving Principal Obligation, the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, and (ii) with respect to any tranche of Term Loans, the maturity date for such tranche of Term Loans as set forth in the applicable Term Loan Amendment.
“Maximum Rate” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.13.
“Maximum Revolving Commitment” means an amount equal to the aggregate Revolving Commitments of the Revolving Lenders, as such amount may be increased from time to time pursuant to Section 2.22 or decreased pursuant to Section 2.09. As of the SecondSixth Amendment Effective Date, the Maximum Revolving Commitment is an amount equal to Eight Hundred Thirty-Five Million Dollars ($835,000,000)$1,257,357,368.19.
“Maximum Total Commitment” means an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Maximum Revolving Commitment plus (ii) the initial amount of any Term Loan Commitments issued from time to time pursuant to Section 2.22. As of the SecondSixth Amendment Effective Date, the Maximum Total Commitment is an amount equal to Eight Hundred Thirty-Five Million Dollars ($835,000,000)$1,257,357,368.19 .
“Minimum Collateral Amount” means, at any time: (a) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances provided to reduce or eliminate Fronting Exposure during any period when a Revolving Lender is a Defaulting Lender, an amount equal to 100% of the Fronting Exposure of the Letter of Credit Issuer with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time; (b) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances provided in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.07(a)(i), (ii), or (iii), an amount equal to 100% of the Outstanding Amount of all Letter of Credit Obligations; and (c) otherwise, an amount determined by Administrative Agent and the Letter of Credit Issuer in their reasonable discretion.
“Mortgage Constant” means, as of any date of determination, from and after January 1, 2023, the annual factor determined by the Administrative Agent by reference to a standard level constant payment table for a fully amortizing loan with a maturity of 30 years based upon an assumed per annum interest rate equal to the greatest of (i) the ten-year US Treasury rate plus 2.50%, (ii) 5.75%, and (iii) from and after the Revolving Loan Initial Maturity Date, the weighted average interest rate then applicationapplicable to the outstanding Loans under this Agreement (including the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR or Adjusted Term SOFR, as applicable, and the Applicable Rate, but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the effect of any Hedging Agreement).
“MSA” means any metropolitan statistical area (as defined from time to time by the Executive Office of the President of the United States of America, Office of Management and Budget).
“Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding six plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.
“Net Operating Income” means, for any income producing Real Property and for a given period, the difference between (a) any rentals, proceeds and other income received from such property during the determination period, less (b) an amount equal to all costs and expenses (excluding Interest Expense, depreciation and amortization expense, asset management fees, acquisition fees and expenses, self-administration and listing expenses and any expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with GAAP) incurred as a result of, or in connection with, or properly allocated to, the operation or leasing of such Real Property during the determination period. Net Operating Income shall be calculated based on the most recently ended calendar quarter, annualized, unless the Real Property is simultaneously being acquired by a Borrower or a Subsidiary thereof and added as a Borrowing Base Property, in which event annualized Net Operating Income shall be calculated based upon the historical data provided by the Borrowers, subject to adjustment by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion and thereafter until such Real Property has been owned by the Borrower or its subsidiaries for the entirety of a calendar quarter, Net Operating Income shall be grossed up for such ownership period. Net Operating Income shall be calculated on a consolidated basis for the Borrower and its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries and including (without duplication) the Equity Percentage of Net Operating Income for the Borrower’s non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries and Unconsolidated Affiliates but adjusted for non-cash operating items such as the amortization of above and below market lease assets and liability, and other non-cash items.
“Non-Defaulting Lender” means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.
“Non-Extension Notice Date” is defined in Section 2.05(b)(iii).
“Note” means a Revolving Note. “Notes” means, collectively, all of such Notes outstanding at any given time.
“NXHT” means NexPoint Homes Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation.
“NXHT Investment” means, collectively, the debt and equity investments of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries in NXHT.
“Obligations” means all liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of any Credit Party to the Administrative Agent and/or any Lender arising under or otherwise with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Credit Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding naming such person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceedings including any Erroneous Payments Subrogation Rights. For the avoidance of doubt, “Obligations” shall not include any indebtedness, liabilities, obligations, covenants or duties in respect of Hedging Obligations.
“OFAC” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.16.
“Omnibus Joinder Agreement” means a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit G attached hereto (or such other form approved by Administrative Agent) executed by the applicable Subsidiary Borrower(s) pursuant to Section 2.23(f).
“OP Management Agreement” means the Management Agreement, dated November 1, 2018, as amended on April 2019, by and among VB One and certain other Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower and VineBrook Homes, LLC, as manager, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Management Agreement dated as of April, 2019, as hereafter further amended, restated, modified, supplemented or replaced.
“Original Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2019, as amended and in effect on the date hereof, by and among each Borrower and KeyBank, as administrative agent.
“Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).
“Other Taxes” means, all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.17 as a result of costs sought to be reimbursed pursuant to Section 2.17).
“Outstanding Amount” means (a) with respect to Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of such Loans, as the case may be, occurring on such date; and (b) with respect to any Letter of Credit Obligations on any date, the amount of such Letter of Credit Obligations on such date after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the Letter of Credit Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements by the Borrowers of Unreimbursed Amounts.
“Parent” means VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation.
“Parent Borrower” means Vinebrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.
“Patriot Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.14.
“Payments Agreement” means that certain Payments Agreement dated as of June __, 2022 by and between Borrower and the Payments Entity, governing the terms by which the Payments Entity shall handle third-party service provider payments on behalf of Borrower.
“Payments Entity” means Vinebrook Homes AP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“Payout Ratio” means the ratio of cash dividends or distributions (including any redemptions) to common equityholders of the Parent paid or payable for the applicable period to Core Funds from Operations.
“Payment Recipient” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.05(a).
“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.
“Permitted Encumbrances” means:
(a) Liens imposed by law for taxes that are not yet due or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.05;
(b) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;
(c) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, purchase, construction or sales contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(d) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, restrictive covenants, encroachments, protrusions and other similar encumbrances affecting Real Property which, in the aggregate, are not substantial in amount, and which do not in any case materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person;
(e) uniform commercial code protective filings with respect to personal property leased to a Borrower or any Subsidiary;
(f) the rights of tenants under leases or subleases not interfering with the ordinary conduct of business of such Person; and
(g) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business which are not overdue for a period of more than thirty (30) days or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person;
provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness.
“Permitted Investments” means:
(a) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America), in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;
(b) investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition thereof and having an investment grade credit rating on the date of acquisition;
(c) investments in certificates of deposit, banker's acceptances and time deposits maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000;
(d) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 90 days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (c) above; and
(e) investments of a Borrower in Subsidiaries and Unconsolidated Affiliates made in accordance with this Agreement.
“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
“Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
“Plan Assets” means “plan assets” within the meaning of the Plan Assets Regulation or otherwise, subject to Title I of ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code.
“Plan Assets Regulation” means 29 C.F.R. §2510.3-101, et seq., as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA.
“Pledge Agreement” means those certain Pledge and Security Agreements executed from time to time by certain of Borrowers in favor of Administrative Agent.
“Prime Rate” means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by KeyBank National Association, as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in Cleveland, Ohio; each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective.
“Property Information” means, with respect to any Real Property proposed for addition as a Borrowing Base Property:
1. A formal written request (which may be delivered via electronic mail) from the Parent Borrower to add the proposed Real Property as a Borrowing Base Property, including a certification that to Parent Borrower’s knowledge the Real Property is free from all material environmental and material structural issues;
2. A Borrowing Base Report and Compliance Certificate from the Parent Borrower showing the revised financial covenant calculations (including reasonable detail and backup) and compliance on a pro-forma basis after giving effect to the addition of such Real Property as a Borrowing Base Property;
3. Property operating statements and rent rolls for such Real Property, as available;
4. A Borrower Appraisal with respect to such Real Property, or if such Borrower Appraisal is not available, an Acceptable Appraisal with respect thereto;
5. Customary real estate diligence documents in respect thereof to the extent in a Borrower’s possession or control, including, without limitation, title report, Phase I environmental reports, copies of leases or lease abstracts, sales information, projections, engineering reports, a survey, and a zoning report;
6. A repositioning plan, if any, to include the budgeted capital improvement costs or leasing strategy, to be reviewed and reasonably approved by Administrative Agent;
7. A certification from the Parent Borrower and the applicable Borrowing Base Property Owner that such Acceptable Property is insured in accordance with the requirements of this Agreement, including, if any building (or any contents) or structure therein is located in any federally designated “special hazard area” (including any area having special flood, mudslide and/or flood-related erosion hazards, and shown on a Flood Hazard Boundary Map or a Flood Insurance Rate Map published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as Zone A, AO, Al-30, AE, A99, AH, VO, V1-30, VE, V, M or E), flood insurance in an amount equal to the full replacement cost or the maximum amount then available under the National Flood Insurance Program and otherwise from such providers, on such terms and in such amounts as required by the Flood Disaster Protection Act as amended from time to time or as otherwise required by the Administrative Agent, and in any event in compliance with all applicable flood insurance regulation and Laws;
8. true and correct copies of all Management Agreements for such Acceptable Property: and
9. such other customary diligence materials as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, to the extent such materials are in the possession of Borrowers or are otherwise customarily obtained by Borrowers in connection with their investments.
“PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.
“Public Lender” has the meaning set forth in Article VIII.
“Qualified ECP Party” means, in respect of any interest rate cap, swap or other hedging obligation, each Person which is a Credit Party that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time another Borrower’s guarantee, mortgage and/or other credit or collateral support, of such interest rate cap, swap or other hedging obligation secured pursuant to a Loan Document becomes effective, or otherwise constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Ray J Bridge” means that certain bridge loan facility extended to the Parent Borrower and certain of its Subsidiaries (which are not Subsidiary Borrowers) an evidenced by the Ray J Bridge Credit Agreement.
“Ray J Bridge Agent” means Raymond James Bank, in its capacity as administrative agent and contractual representative of the lenders under the Ray J Bridge.
“Ray J Bridge Borrowers” means, collectively, the Parent Borrower and certain of its Subsidiaries, as borrowers under the Ray J Bridge Credit Agreement.
“Ray J Bridge Credit Agreement” means that certain Bridge Credit Agreement, dated as of December 28, 2022, as amended by that certain Increase Agreement, Joinder, and First Amendment to Bridge Credit Agreement, dated as of April 17, 2023, as further amended by that certain Consent, Waiver, and Second Amendment to Bridge Credit Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2023, and as further amended by that certain Waiver and Third Amendment, dated as of the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, by and between Parent Borrower, certain of its Subsidiaries, Parent, the Ray J Bridge Agent, and the lenders party thereto from time to time.
“Ray J Bridge Loan Capital Events Collateral” means “Capital Events Collateral” as defined in the Bridge Credit Agreement.
“Ray J Bridge Loan Event of Default” means an “Event of Default” under the Ray J Bridge Credit Agreement, whether the Ray J Bridge is accelerated or not.
“Ray J Bridge Obligations” all “Obligations” (as defined the Ray J Bridge) owed to the lenders under the Ray J Bridge.
“Real Property” means, collectively, all interest in any land and improvements located thereon (including direct financing leases of land and improvements owned by a Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries), together with all equipment, furniture, materials, supplies and personal property now or hereafter located at or used in connection with the land and all appurtenances, additions, improvements, renewals, substitutions and replacements thereof now or hereafter acquired by a Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries.
“Recipient” means Administrative Agent, any Lender, or the Letter of Credit Issuer as applicable.
“Recourse Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness in which the recourse of the applicable creditor or creditors to the obligor for non-payment is not limited solely to such creditor’s lien on an asset or assets, whether direct or indirect, subject to typical non-recourse carve-outs.
“Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04.
“REIT” means a real estate investment trust qualified as such under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person's Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.
“Release” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, pouring, dumping, emptying, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration on or into the indoor or outdoor environment or into or out of any property in violation of applicable Environmental Laws.
“Release Request” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.23(h).
“Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or any successor thereto.
“Remedial Action” means all actions, including without limitation any capital expenditures, required or necessary to (i) clean up, remove, treat or in any other way address any Hazardous Material; (ii) prevent the Release or threat of Release, or minimize the further Release, of any Hazardous Material so it does not migrate or endanger public health or the environment; (iii) perform pre-remedial studies and investigations or post-remedial monitoring and care; or (iv) bring facilities on any property owned or leased by a Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries into compliance with all Environmental Laws.
“Rent Account” means a depositary account in the name of a Borrower maintained at a Borrower Rent Account Bank into which tenants have been instructed to deposit rents, which may include a consolidated account across all Borrowers, provided that such consolidated account does not contain funds from any party that is not a Borrower.
“Request for Credit Extension” means: (a) with respect to a Borrowing (including a Swing Line Loan), conversion or continuation of Loans, a Borrowing Request; (b) with respect to an L/C Credit Extension, the related Request for Letter of Credit and Letter of Credit Application.
“Request for Letter of Credit” means a request for the issuance of a Letter of Credit substantially in the form of Exhibit C.
“Required Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, at least two (2) Lenders having more than 50% of the sum of (i) the aggregate Revolving Commitments or, if the Revolving Commitments of each Revolving Lender have been terminated pursuant to Section 7.02, at least two (2) Lenders holding in the aggregate at least 50% of the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of all Lenders, plus (ii) the Outstanding Amount of all Term Loans; provided that the Revolving Commitment of, and the portion of the Revolving Credit Exposure or Term Loans held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders; provided further that, at any time when there are two (2) or fewer Lenders, Required Lenders shall mean all Lenders that are not Defaulting Lenders.the aggregate Revolving Commitments or, if the Revolving Commitments of each Revolving Lender have been terminated pursuant to Section 7.02, at least two (2) Lenders holding in the aggregate at least 50% of the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of all Lenders; provided that the Revolving Commitment of, and the portion of the Revolving Credit Exposure held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders; provided further that, at any time when there are two (2) or fewer Lenders, Required Lenders shall mean all Lenders that are not Defaulting Lenders.
“Required Revolving Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, at least two (2) Lenders having more than 50% of the aggregate Revolving Commitments or, if the Revolving Commitments of each Revolving Lender have been terminated pursuant to Section 7.02, at least two (2) Lenders holding in the aggregate at least 50% of the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of all Lenders; provided that the Revolving Commitment of, and the portion of the Revolving Credit Exposure held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Revolving Lenders; provided further that, at any time when there are two (2) or fewer Revolving Lenders, Required Revolving Lenders shall mean all Revolving Lenders that are not Defaulting Lenders.
“Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.
“Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any ownership interests in the Parent, Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such ownership interests in the Parent or Parent Borrower or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such shares of capital stock of the Parent or the Parent Borrower.
“Revolving Availability” means, as of any date of calculation, the Available Revolving Amount minus the Revolving Principal Obligation, in each case, as of such date.
“Revolving Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Revolving Loans hereunder and purchase risk participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans as set forth on Schedule 2.01.
“Revolving Credit Exposure” means, as to any Revolving Lender at any time, the aggregate Outstanding Amount at such time of its outstanding Revolving Loans and such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of Letter of Credit Obligations and Swing Line Loans at such time.
“Revolving Loan” means any loan made by a Lender pursuant to Section 2.01.
“Revolving Loan Initial Maturity Date” means November 3, 2024.
“Revolving Loan Maturity Date” means the earlier of (i) the Revolving Loan Initial Maturity Date, as such date may be extended as provided in Section 2.21, (ii) the date on which the Revolving Loans shall become due and payable pursuant to the terms hereof, or (iii) the date upon which Borrower terminates the Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section 2.09 or otherwise.
“Revolving Note” means a promissory note in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D-1 payable to a Lender evidencing certain of the obligations of the Borrowers under the Revolving Loan to such Lender and executed by Borrowers, as the same may be amended, supplemented, modified or restated from time to time; “Revolving Notes” means, collectively, all of such Notes outstanding at any given time.
“Revolving Principal Obligation” means, as of any date of calculation, the sum of: (a) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Loans; plus (b) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Letter of Credit Obligations; plus (c) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Swing Line Loans.
“Sanction(s)” means any economic or financial sanctions, sectoral sanctions, secondary sanctions, trade embargoes and anti-terrorism laws, including but not limited to those imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by a United States Governmental Authority (including, without limitation, OFAC), a Canadian Governmental Authority, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury or other relevant sanctions authority.
“Sanctioned Person” means any Person that is (i) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by any Governmental Authority of the United States of America, including without limitation, OFAC or the U.S. Department of State, or by the United Nations Security Council, Her Majesty’s Treasury, the European Union or any other applicable Governmental Authority or otherwise the subject or target of any Sanctions, (ii) any Person located, operating, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction, (iii) an agency of the government of a Designated Jurisdiction, or (iv) any Person owned or controlled by any Person or agency described in any of the preceding clauses (i) through (iii).
“Second Amendment Effective Date” means April 8, 2022.
“Secured Indebtedness” means, as of any date of calculation, the portion of Total Indebtedness outstanding on such date that is secured by a Lien on any properties or assets, including any Real Property or Equity Interests, or that otherwise has a priority claim (structural or otherwise) with respect to assets being financed by or subject to such Indebtedness; provided that the Obligations shall not constitute Secured Indebtedness.
“Secured Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Total Secured Indebtedness to (b) Total Asset Value, in each case, as of such date.
“Secured Party” means each of the Administrative Agent, the Letter of Credit Issuer, each Lender, and each holder of Hedging Obligations.
“Secured Recourse Indebtedness” means, as of any date of calculation, the portion of Total Indebtedness outstanding on such date that is both Secured Indebtedness and Recourse Indebtedness; provided that Secured Recourse Indebtedness shall not include Indebtedness under Hedging Agreements related to interest rate hedges or under customary carve-out guaranties and environmental indemnities in connection with Secured Indebtedness of a Borrower or Subsidiary thereof, in each case, so long as no demand for payment or performance thereof has been made.
“SEMS” means the Superfund Enterprise Management System.
“Senior Interest Expense” means, as of any date of calculation and for any period, the aggregate Interest Expense paid or payable with respect to the Obligations during such period, plus any cash amounts paid by such Person under any Eligible Interest Hedge (other than any payments in respect of the termination of such Hedging Agreement), less any cash amounts received by such Person under any Eligible Interest Hedge (other than any payments in respect of the termination of such Hedging Agreement), in each case, during such period. For the avoidance of doubt, in connection with a Request for Credit Extension (which may not be made prior to the satisfaction of the Specified Credit Conditions), Senior Interest Expense shall be calculated on a pro forma basis including interest on the requested Loans accruing at the then-current interest rate hereunder (including the then-current SOFR rate requested by Borrowers and Applicable Margin), with the SOFR rate applicable to any portion of the Loans that is subject to an Eligible Interest Hedge being capped at the rate provided in such Eligible Interest Hedge.
“Sixth Amendment Effective Date” means July 31, 2023.
“SOFR” means a rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator.
“SOFR Administrator” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).
“SOFR Administrator’s Website” means the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source for the secured overnight financing rate identified as such by the SOFR Administrator from time to time.
“SOFR Borrowing” means a Term SOFR Borrowing and/or a Daily Simple SOFR Borrowing, as the context may require.
“SOFR Business Day” means any day except for (i) a Saturday, (ii) a Sunday or (iii) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.
“SOFR Determination Day” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Daily Simple SOFR”.
“SOFR Index Adjustment” means for any calculation with respect a Daily Simple SOFR Loan or a Term SOFR Loan, a percentage per annum as set forth below for the applicable Type of such Loan:
Daily Simple SOFR Loans: 0.10%
Term SOFR Loans (for all Interest Periods): 0.10%
“SOFR Loan” means each Daily Simple SOFR Loan and each Term SOFR Loan.
“SOFR Rate Day” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Daily Simple SOFR”.
“Specified Credit Conditions” means, as of any date of determination and after giving effect to the Credit Extension, dividend, or other payment requested by Borrowers, each of the following: (a) the Maximum Revolving Commitment shall have been permanently reduced to no more than $850,000,000 in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (b) the Revolving Principal Obligation shall not exceed the Available Revolving Commitment, and (c) the Borrowers have delivered an executed pro forma Compliance Certificate evidencing that no Default or Event of Default exists as of such date, that the Borrowers are in pro forma compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 5.02, and that the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is not less than 1.60 to 1.0.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”), at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent's consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held by parent, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, NXHT shall be deemed to not be a Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower for purposes of the representations, warranties, and covenants of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries under this Agreement except as otherwise explicitly set forth in this Agreement.
“Subsidiary Borrower” means, each Borrowing Base Property Owner and each Consolidated Owner thereof, including, as of the Effective Date, each Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower set forth on Schedule SB, and each Additional Borrower.
“Subsequent Lender” means a Person that becomes a Lender under this Agreement subsequent to the Effective Date in connection with a Facility Increase Request pursuant to Section 2.22.
“Swap Obligation” means, any Hedging Obligation that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
“Swing Line Borrowing” means a borrowing of a Swing Line Loan pursuant to Section 2.06(a).
“Swing Line Lender” means KeyBank in its capacity as provider of Swing Line Loans, or any successor swing line lender hereunder.
“Swing Line Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.06(a).
“Swing Line Sublimit” means an amount equal to $25,000,000. The Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Commitments.
“Tangible Net Worth” means, as of any date of calculation, for the Parent, Borrowers, and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, (including, if required by GAAP, NXHT), (1) total assets (without deduction for accumulated depreciation) less (12) all intangible assets andless (23) alltotal liabilities (including contingent and indirect liabilities), all as determined in accordance with GAAP (unless otherwise indicated herein). The term “intangibles” shall include, without limitation, (i) deferred charges and (ii) the aggregate of all amounts appearing on the assets side of such balance sheet for franchises, licenses, permits, patents, patent applications, copyrights, trademarks, trade names, goodwill, treasury stock, experimental or organizational expenses, straight-line rent accruals and other like intangibles but excluding all amounts for real property acquisitions that have been allocated to lease intangibles. The term “liabilities” shall include, without limitation, (i) Indebtedness secured by liens on property of the Person or other debt with respect to which Tangible Net Worth is being computed whether or not such Person is liable for the payment thereof, (ii) deferred liabilities and (iii) capital lease obligations, but shall exclude all amounts for real property acquisition costs which have been allocated to lease intangibles. Tangible Net Worth shall be calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (unless otherwise indicated herein).
“Taxes” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority.
“Term Lender” means any Lender or Subsequent Lender making a Term Loan pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of Section 2.22.
“Term Loan” means a term loan made by a Term Lender on any Facility Increase Date by a Term Lender pursuant to any Term Loan Amendment entered into as of such Facility Increase Date.
“Term Loan Amendment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.22(d).
“Term Loan Commitment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.22(a).
“Term Note” means a promissory note in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D-2 payable to a Lender evidencing certain of the obligations of the Borrowers under the Term Loans to such Lender and executed by Borrowers, as the same may be amended, supplemented, modified or restated from time to time; “Term Notes” means, collectively, all of such Notes outstanding at any given time.
“Term SOFR” means for any calculation with respect to a Term SOFR Loan, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period on the day (such day, the “Lookback Day”) that is two SOFR Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period (and rounded in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s customary practice), as such rate is published by the Term SOFR Administrator; provided, however, that if as of 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on any Lookback Day the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term SOFR will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term SOFR Administrator on the first preceding SOFR Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term SOFR Administrator so long as such first preceding SOFR Business Day is not more than three SOFR Business Days prior to such Lookback Day, and for any calculation with respect to an ABR Loan, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a tenor of one month on the day that is two SOFR Business Days prior to the date the Alternate Base Rate is determined, subject to the proviso provided above.
“Term SOFR Administrator” means CBA (or a successor administrator of the Term SOFR Reference Rate, as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion).
“Term SOFR Borrowing” means a Borrowing comprised of Term SOFR Loans.
“Term SOFR Loan” means each Loan bearing interest at a rate based upon Adjusted Term SOFR (other than pursuant to clause (iii) of the definition of Alternate Base Rate).
“Term SOFR Reference Rate” means the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR.
“Titled Agents” means, collectively, each Arranger and any syndication agents or documentation agent named as such on the cover page of this Agreement.
“Total Asset Value” means, as of any date of calculation, the sum of (without duplication) (i) the aggregate Borrowing Base Value of all Borrowing Base Properties, plus (ii) the aggregate Value of all of Borrowers’, Guarantor’s and their Subsidiaries’ Real Property (other than Borrowing Base Properties), plus (iii) the aggregate Value of all of Borrowers’, Guarantor’s and their Subsidiaries’ mortgage loan investments, plus (iv) the amount of any unencumbered cash and cash equivalents, excluding tenant security and other restricted deposits of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, plus (v) the undepreciated cost basis (net of impairment charges or adjustments) of the NXHT Investment. For any non-wholly owned Real Properties owned by non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries or Unconsolidated Affiliates, Total Asset Value shall be adjusted for Borrower’s, Guarantor’s and Subsidiaries’ Equity Percentage thereof. For purposes hereof, NXHT shall be deemed not to be a Subsidiary or Unconsolidated Affiliate of any Credit Party.
“Total Exposure” means, as of any date of calculation, the sum of (i) Revolving Credit Exposure plus (ii) the Outstanding Amount of all Term Loans, in each case, as of such date.
“Total Indebtedness” means, as of any date of calculation, without duplication, all Indebtedness of the Parent, the Borrowers, and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for Borrowers, Guarantor, and their Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries and including the Borrowers’ Equity Percentage of Indebtedness of the Borrower’s non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries and Unconsolidated Affiliates. For the purposes hereof, NXHT shall be deemed not to be a Subsidiary or Unconsolidated Affiliate of any Credit Party.
“Total Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of calculation, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of (a) theTotal Indebtedness of Borrower and the Indebtedness of the Guarantor (without duplication) and their Subsidiaries to (b) Total Asset Value.
“Total Secured Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, Total Indebtedness that is Secured Indebtedness of the Parent, the Borrowers, and their Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis.
“Total Secured Recourse Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, Total Indebtedness that is Secured Recourse Indebtedness of the Parent, the Borrowers, and their Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis.
“Total Unsecured Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, Total Indebtedness that is Unsecured Indebtedness of the Parent, the Borrowers, and their Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis, including, without limitation, the Obligations.
“Transactions” means the execution, delivery and performance by the Credit Parties of the Loan Documents, the borrowing of the Loans, and the use of the proceeds thereof.
“Type,” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowings, is determined by reference to the Daily Simple SOFR, Adjusted Term SOFR or the Alternate Base Rate.
“U.S. Person” means any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
“U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(f)(i)(B)(3).
“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in the State of New York and any other state, which governs creation or perfection (and the effect thereof) of security interests in any collateral for the Obligations.
“UK Financial Institution” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended form time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.
“UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.
“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
“Unconsolidated Affiliate” means, without duplication, in respect of any Person, any other Person (other than a Person whose stock is traded on a national trading exchange) in whom such Person holds, directly or indirectly, an investment consisting of a voting equity or ownership interest, which investment is accounted for in the financial statements of such Person on an equity basis of accounting.
“Unhedged Variable Rate Debt” means any Indebtedness or portion thereof which is not fixed, capped or otherwise limited pursuant to a Hedging Agreement.
“Unreimbursed Amount” is defined in Section 2.05(c).
“Unsecured Indebtedness” means Total Indebtedness that constitutes general unsecured indebtedness and is not Secured Indebtedness or supported by priority claims on any assets of the obligors thereof, including a borrowing base or exclusive pool; provided that the Obligations shall constitute Unsecured Indebtedness for all purposes hereunder.
“Unsecured Interest Coverage Ratio” means, as of any date, the ratio of (a) the aggregate Adjusted NOI from the Borrowing Base Properties to (b) Unsecured Interest Expense, in each case, for the most recent fiscal quarter, annualized.
“Unsecured Interest Expense” means, as of any date, Interest Expense on the Total Unsecured Indebtedness for the most recently ended fiscal quarter.
“Unsecured Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of calculation, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of (a) Total Unsecured Indebtedness to (b) Borrowing Base Value.
“Unused Fee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(d).
“Unused Fee Rate” means:
(a) at any time prior to the Collateral Termination Date, a rate equal to (a) twenty five basis points (0.25%) per annum if usage is less than to fifty percent (50%) and (b) twenty basis points (0.20%) per annum if usage is greater than or equal to fifty percent (50%); and
(b) at any time from and after the Collateral Termination Date, a rate equal to (a) twenty basis points (0.20%) per annum if usage is less than to fifty percent (50%) and (b) fifteen basis points (0.15%) per annum if usage is greater than or equal to fifty percent (50%).
“Value” means, as of any date of determination:
(a) at any time prior to the Collateral Termination Date, (i) with respect to any Real Property (other than any Borrowing Base Property), the Borrower Appraised Value (or if no Borrower Appraisal is available therefor, undepreciated cost basis) of such Real Property and (ii) with respect to any mortgage loan investment, the lower of the cost basis or carrying value of such mortgage loan investment; and
the lower of the cost basis or carrying value of such mortgage loan investment.(b) at any time from and after the Collateral Termination Date, (i) with respect to any Real Property (other than any Borrowing Base Property) that has been owned by a Borrower or Subsidiary thereof for at least twelve (12) months as of such date, the Adjusted NOI from such Real Property divided by the Capitalization Rate; provided that if the Value for any Real Property as calculated pursuant to this clause (i) would be less than $0, the Value of such Real Estate for the purposes hereof shall be deemed to be $0, (ii) with respect to any Real Property (other than any Borrowing Base Property) that has been owned by a Borrower or Subsidiary thereof for less than twelve (12) months as of such date, any Real Property that is under development, or any Real Property that is undeveloped land, the undepreciated cost basis of such Real Property, and (iii) with respect to any mortgage loan investment,
“VB One” means VB One, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“Wholly-Owned” means, with respect to a Subsidiary of a Person, a Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than (x) director’s qualifying shares and (y) shares issued to foreign nationals to the extent required by applicable law) are owned by such Person and/or by one or more wholly owned Subsidiaries of such Person. In determining whether a Subsidiary of a Person is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, all preferred shareholders of a Subsidiary that is organized as a real estate investment trust shall be disregarded.
“Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
“Withholding Agent” means any Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
“Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.
Section 1.02 Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g., a “Term SOFR Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g., a “Term SOFR Borrowing”).
Section 1.03 Terms Generally. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes,” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein,” “hereof,” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
Section 1.04 Accounting Terms; GAAP. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, if the Parent Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrowers request an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Parent Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, for purposes of calculating the Borrowing Base and all financial covenants (including those in Section 5.02 hereof but excluding with respect to the Tangible Net Worth) and related definitions (including the definition of “Indebtedness”), the financial attributes of NXHT (including its Indebtedness and any Real Property or other assets owned by it) shall be excluded and NXHT shall be deemed not to be a Subsidiary or Unconsolidated Affiliate of any Credit Party; provided that the foregoing shall not preclude the inclusion of the NXHT Investment in such calculations as set forth in this Agreement.
Section 1.05 Rates. The interest rate on Loans denominated in Dollars may be determined by reference to a benchmark rate that is, or may in the future become, the subject of regulatory reform or cessation. The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to (a) the continuation of, administration of, submission of, calculation of or any other matter related to the Alternate Base Rate, Daily Simple SOFR, Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR or Term SOFR, or any component definition thereof or rates referred to in the definition thereof, or any alternative, successor or replacement rate thereto (including any Benchmark Replacement), including whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, or have the same volume or liquidity as, the Alternate Base Rate, Daily Simple SOFR, Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR, Term SOFR or any other Benchmark prior to its discontinuance or unavailability, or (b) the effect, implementation or composition of any Conforming Changes. The Administrative Agent and its affiliates or other related entities may engage in transactions that affect the calculation of the Alternate Base Rate, Daily Simple SOFR, Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Term SOFR, Adjusted Term SOFR, any alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) or any relevant adjustments thereto, in each case, in a manner adverse to the Borrower. The Administrative Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain the Alternate Base Rate, Daily Simple SOFR, Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Term SOFR, Adjusted Term SOFR or any other Benchmark, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or calculation of any such rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service, unless such error was the direct result of the Administrative Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. In connection with the use or administration of Daily Simple SOFR and Term SOFR, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the effectiveness of any Conforming Changes in connection with the use or administration of Daily Simple SOFR and Term SOFR.
Section 1.06 Divisions For all purposes under the Loan Documents, in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdiction’s laws): (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person, and (b) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interests at such time.
Section 1.07 of Credit Amounts. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to mean the maximum face amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all increases thereof contemplated by such Letter of Credit or the Issuer Documents related thereto, whether or not such maximum face amount is in effect at such time.
Section 1.08 Amendment and Restatement.
(a) On the Effective Date, the commitment of each lender that is a party to the Original Credit Agreement but is not a party to this Agreement (an “Exiting Lender”) will be terminated, all outstanding obligations owing to the Exiting Lenders will be repaid in full and each Exiting Lender will cease to be a Lender under the Existing Credit Agreement and will not be a Lender under this Agreement. As of the Effective Date, the remaining “Lenders” under (and as defined in) the Original Credit Agreement shall be Lenders under this Agreement with Commitments as set forth on Schedule 2.01 hereto and by its execution and delivery of this Agreement, each such Lender hereby consents to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and to the non-pro rata reduction of commitments occurring on the Effective Date as a result of the termination of the commitments of the Exiting Lenders, and the concurrent repayment in full of all loans and other obligations owing (whether or not due) to the Exiting Lenders. The parties to this Agreement agree that, upon (i) the execution and delivery by each of the parties hereto of this Agreement and (ii) satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 4.01, the terms and provisions of the Original Credit Agreement shall be and hereby are amended, superseded and restated in their entirety by the terms and provisions of this Agreement. This Agreement is not intended to and shall not constitute a novation, payment and reborrowing or termination of the “Obligations” (as defined in the Original Credit Agreement). All “Loans” made and “Obligations” incurred under the Original Credit Agreement which are outstanding on the Effective Date, if any, shall continue as Loans and Obligations under (and shall be governed by the terms of) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the foregoing, upon the effectiveness hereof: all references in the “Loan Documents” (as defined in the Original Credit Agreement) to the “Obligations” shall be deemed to refer to the Obligations hereunder.
(b) Upon the Effective Date, unless expressly terminated or amended and restated in connection herewith, all “Loan Documents” (as defined in the Original Credit Agreement) shall remain in full force and effect and constitute Loan Documents hereunder and all references to the “Administrative Agent”, the “Credit Agreement” and the “Loan Documents” therein shall be deemed to refer to the Administrative Agent, this Agreement and the Loan Documents, respectively. Each Borrower hereby ratifies, confirms, and reaffirms all of its obligations under any such Loan Document to which it is a party and acknowledges and agrees that all Liens in any of its assets and properties created under any such Loan Documents shall continue in full force and effect and shall secure the Obligations and Hedging Obligations (each as defined hereunder).
ARTICLE II
The Loans
Section 2.01 Revolving Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender agrees to make Revolving Loans to the Borrowers from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in such Lender's Revolving Loans exceeding such Lender's Revolving Commitment, provided, however, that, after making any such Revolving Loans, (a) such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure would not exceed such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment as of such date; (b) the aggregate Revolving Principal Obligations would not exceed the Available Revolving Amount; and (c) prior to the Collateral Termination Date, the Total Exposure would not exceed the Borrowing Base; and (d) from and after the Collateral Termination Date, the Total Unsecured Indebtedness would not exceed the Borrowing Base. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Lender shall have any obligation to make any Loans from and after the Sixth Amendment Effective Date prior to the date when the Borrowers shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent evidence that the Specified Credit Conditions have been satisfied.
Section 2.02 Loans and Borrowings.
(a) Each Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Revolving Loans or Term Loans, as applicable, made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.
(b) Subject to Section 2.13, each Borrowing shall be comprised of ABR Loans, Daily Simple SOFR Loans and/or Term SOFR Loans as the Borrowers may request in accordance herewith. Each Lender at its option may make any SOFR Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrowers to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(c) Each SOFR Loan shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000 and not less than $1,000,000. Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of five (5) Term SOFR Borrowings outstanding.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.
Section 2.03 Requests for Borrowings. To request a Borrowing, the Parent Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request not less than (i) with respect to Term SOFR Borrowings, three (3) Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing and (ii) with respect to Daily Simple SOFR Borrowings or ABR Borrowings, one (1) Business Day before the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each such Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request in the form of Exhibit E attached hereto and hereby made a part hereof and signed by the Parent Borrower on behalf of the Borrowers. Each such written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information:
(a) the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;
(b) the intended use of the requested Borrowing, accompanied by such financial and other information as may be reasonably requested by Administrative Agent with respect to the Real Property and investment relating to such requested Borrowing;
(c) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;
(d) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing, Daily Simple SOFR Borrowing or Term SOFR Borrowing;
(e) in the case of a Term SOFR Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”; and
(f) the location and number of a Borrower's account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.04.
(g) If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified in the Borrowing Request, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no election is specified as to whether a SOFR Borrowing is to be a Term SOFR Loan or Daily Simple SOFR Loan, then the requested Borrowing shall be a Daily Simple SOFR Loan. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Term SOFR Loan, then the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender's Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing. The determination as to whether to fund a requested Borrowing shall be at the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent.
Section 2.04 Funding of Borrowings.
(a) If Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, has approved the making of any Loan on account of any requested Borrowing, each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 12:00 noon, Boston, Massachusetts time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrowers by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of a Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent in Boston, Massachusetts, or wire transferred to such other account or in such manner as may be designated by the Parent Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request.
(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender's share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrowers a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and each Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrowers to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrowers, the interest rate applicable to the corresponding Loan made to the Borrowers. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender's Loan included in such Borrowing.
(c) Each Lender may: (a) designate its principal office or a branch, subsidiary or Affiliate of such Lender as its lending office (and the office to whose accounts payments are to be credited) for any SOFR Loan; (b) designate its principal office or a branch, subsidiary or Affiliate as its lending office (and the office to whose accounts payments are to be credited) for any ABR Loan and (c) change its lending office from time to time by notice to Administrative Agent and Borrowers. In such event, such Lender shall continue to hold the Note, if any, evidencing its loans for the benefit and account of such branch, subsidiary or Affiliate. Each Lender shall be entitled to fund all or any portion of its Commitment in any manner it deems appropriate, consistent with the provisions of this Section 2.04, but for the purposes of this Agreement such Lender shall, regardless of such Lender’s actual means of funding, be deemed to have funded its Commitment in accordance with the interest option selected from time to time by the Borrowers for such Borrowing period.
Section 2.05 Letters of Credit.
(a) Letter of Credit Commitment.
(i) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, on any Business Day during the Availability Period: (A) the Letter of Credit Issuer agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the Revolving Lenders set forth in this Section 2.05: (1) to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower, in aggregate face amounts that shall be not less than $100,000, as the Borrower may request (except to the extent a lesser amount is requested by the Borrower and agreed by Administrative Agent and the Letter of Credit Issuer), and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it; and (2) to honor drawings under the Letters of Credit; and (B) Revolving Lenders severally agree to participate in Letters of Credit issued for the account of the Borrower and any drawings thereunder; provided, however that after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension with respect to any Letter of Credit: (1) the Revolving Principal Obligation will not exceed the Available Revolving Amount; (2) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Revolving Lender shall not exceed such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment; (3) the Letter of Credit Obligations will not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit; and (4) prior to the Collateral Termination Date, the Total Exposure would not exceed the Borrowing Base; and (5) from and after the Collateral Termination Date, the Total Unsecured Indebtedness would not exceed the Borrowing Base. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower’s ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the Borrower may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired (without any pending drawing) or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed. The Letter of Credit Issuer shall have the right to approve the form of Letter of Credit requested. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Letter of Credit Issuer shall not have any obligation to issue or amend any Letters of Credit from and after the Sixth Amendment Effective Date prior to the date when the Borrowers shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent evidence that the Specified Credit Conditions have been satisfied.
(ii) The Letter of Credit Issuer shall not issue any Letter of Credit, if: (A) subject to the proviso in clause (B) below and Section 2.05(b)(iii), the expiry date of such Letter of Credit would occur more than twelve (12) months after the date of issuance or last extension, unless the Letter of Credit Issuer has approved such expiry date in its sole discretion; or (B) the expiry date of such Letter of Credit would occur after the date that is thirty (30) days prior to the Stated Revolving Maturity Date, without the consent of the Letter of Credit Issuer, with Borrower agreeing that any such Letter of Credit with an expiry date later than thirty (30) days prior to the Stated Revolving Maturity Date shall be Cash Collateralized on the Letter of Credit Collateralization Date, and in no event shall any Letter of Credit have an expiry date later than twelve (12) months after the Revolving Maturity Date.
(iii) The Letter of Credit Issuer shall be under no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:
(A) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the Letter of Credit Issuer from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to the Letter of Credit Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the Letter of Credit Issuer shall prohibit, or request that the Letter of Credit Issuer refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the Letter of Credit Issuer with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the Letter of Credit Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Effective Date, or shall impose upon the Letter of Credit Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Effective Date and which the Letter of Credit Issuer in good faith deems material to it (for which the Letter of Credit Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder);
(B) the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate any Laws or one or more policies of the Letter of Credit Issuer applicable to letters of credit generally;
(C) such Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than Dollars;
(D) such Letter of Credit contains any provisions for automatic reinstatement of the stated amount after any drawing thereunder; or
(E) any Revolving Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, unless the Letter of Credit Issuer has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of Cash Collateral, satisfactory to the Letter of Credit Issuer (in its sole discretion) with the Borrower or such Revolving Lender to eliminate the Letter of Credit Issuer’s actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.20(a)(iv)) with respect to the Defaulting Lender arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or that Letter of Credit and all other Letter of Credit Obligations as to which the Letter of Credit Issuer has actual or potential Fronting Exposure, as it may elect in its sole discretion.
(iv) The Letter of Credit Issuer shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if: (A) the Letter of Credit Issuer would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof; or (B) the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to such Letter of Credit.
(v) The Letter of Credit Issuer shall act on behalf of Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and the Letter of Credit Issuer shall have all of the benefits and immunities: (A) provided to Administrative Agent in Article VIII with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by Letter of Credit Issuer in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and Issuer Documents pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term “Administrative Agent” as used in Article VIII included Letter of Credit Issuer with respect to such acts or omissions; and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to Letter of Credit Issuer.
(b) Procedures for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit; Auto-Extension Letters of Credit.
(i) Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of the Borrower delivered to the Letter of Credit Issuer (with a copy to Administrative Agent) in the form of a Request for Credit Extension, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Such Request for Credit Extension may be sent by fax, by United States mail, by overnight courier, by electronic transmission using the system provided by the Letter of Credit Issuer, by personal delivery or by any other means acceptable to the Letter of Credit Issuer. Such Request for Credit Extension must be received by the Letter of Credit Issuer and Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. at least five (5) Business Days prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be, of any Letter of Credit (or such later date and time as Administrative Agent and the Letter of Credit Issuer may agree in a particular instance in their sole but reasonable discretion). In the case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such Request for Credit Extension shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the Letter of Credit Issuer: (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; and (G) such other matters as the Letter of Credit Issuer may reasonably require. In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, the related Request for Credit Extension shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the Letter of Credit Issuer: (1) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (2) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (3) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (4) such other matters as the Letter of Credit Issuer may reasonably require. Additionally, the Borrower shall furnish to the Letter of Credit Issuer and Administrative Agent such other documents and information pertaining to such requested Letter of Credit issuance or amendment, including any Issuer Documents, as the Letter of Credit Issuer or Administrative Agent may reasonably require.
(ii) Promptly after receipt of any Request for Credit Extension relating to a Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Issuer will confirm with Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Request for Credit Extension from the Borrower and, if not, the Letter of Credit Issuer will provide Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the Letter of Credit Issuer has received written notice from any Revolving Lender, Administrative Agent or the Borrower, at least one (1) Business Day prior to the requested date of issuance or amendment of the applicable Letter of Credit, that one or more applicable conditions contained in Section 4 shall not then be satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Letter of Credit Issuer shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the account of the Borrower or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be, in each case in accordance with the Letter of Credit Issuer’s usual and customary business practices. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Revolving Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Letter of Credit Issuer a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Percentage times the amount of such Letter of Credit. With the approval of Administrative Agent and the Letter of Credit Issuer, the risk participation of each Revolving Lender shall terminate upon the occurrence of the Revolving Maturity Date and the full and final payment of the Obligations (other than the Cash Collateralized Letter of Credit Obligations described below), and the Issuer Documents, rather than this Credit Agreement, shall govern the rights and obligations of Administrative Agent, Letter of Credit Issuer and Borrower with respect to such Letter of Credit Obligations, so long as Borrower has Cash Collateralized all Letter of Credit Obligations then outstanding, to the satisfaction of Administrative Agent and Letter of Credit Issuer, in their respective sole discretion.
(iii) If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Request for Credit Extension, the Letter of Credit Issuer shall issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an “Auto‑Extension Letter of Credit”); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit the Letter of Credit Issuer to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “Non-Extension Notice Date”) in each such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by the Letter of Credit Issuer, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the Letter of Credit Issuer for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Revolving Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the Letter of Credit Issuer to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than thirty (30) days prior to the Stated Maturity Date (subject to Cash Collateralization in accordance with Section 2.05(a)(ii)); provided, however, that the Letter of Credit Issuer shall not permit any such extension if: (A) the Letter of Credit Issuer has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation, at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of clause (a)(i), clause (a)(ii) or clause (a)(iii) of Section 2.05 or otherwise); or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is five (5) Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date from Administrative Agent, any Revolving Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, and in each such case directing the Letter of Credit Issuer not to permit such extension.
(iv) Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the Letter of Credit Issuer will also deliver to the Borrower and Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.
(c) Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participation.
(i) Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any notice of a drawing under such Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Issuer shall notify the Borrower and Administrative Agent thereof. Not later than 11:00 a.m. on the date of any payment by the Letter of Credit Issuer under a Letter of Credit (each such date, an “Honor Date”), the Borrower shall reimburse the Letter of Credit Issuer through Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing. If the Borrower fails to so reimburse the Letter of Credit Issuer by such time, Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Lender of the Honor Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (the “Unreimbursed Amount”), and the amount of such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Percentage thereof. In such event, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Revolving Borrowing of Base Rate Loans to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.03 for the principal amount of Revolving Base Rate Loans, but subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the Available Revolving Amount and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than the delivery of a Loan Notice). Any notice given by the Letter of Credit Issuer or Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.05(c)(i) may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.
(ii) Each Revolving Lender (including the Revolving Lender acting as Letter of Credit Issuer) shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.05(c)(i) make funds available (and Administrative Agent shall apply Cash Collateral provided for this purpose) for the account of the Letter of Credit Issuer at Administrative Agent’s Office in an amount equal to its Revolving Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by Administrative Agent if notice is provided before 10:00 a.m. on such date, and otherwise on the next Business Day, whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section 2.05(c)(iii), each Revolving Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Revolving Base Rate Loan to Borrower in such amount. Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Letter of Credit Issuer.
(iii) With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Revolving Borrowing of Base Rate Loans because the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the Letter of Credit Issuer an L/C Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate. In such event, each Revolving Lender’s payment to Administrative Agent for the account of the Letter of Credit Issuer pursuant to Section 2.05(c)(ii) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such L/C Borrowing and shall constitute an L/C Advance from such Revolving Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.07. No L/C Advance shall be funded or held with Plan Assets.
(iv) Until each Revolving Lender funds its Revolving Loan or L/C Advance pursuant to this Section 2.05(c) to reimburse the Letter of Credit Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of the Letter of Credit Issuer.
(v) Each Revolving Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans or L/C Advances to reimburse the Letter of Credit Issuer for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.05(c), shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including: (A) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Revolving Lender may have against the Letter of Credit Issuer, the Borrower, or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Potential Default or Event of Default; or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Revolving Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans pursuant to this Section 2.05(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery of a Loan Notice). No such making of an L/C Advance shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the Letter of Credit Issuer for the amount of any payment made by the Letter of Credit Issuer under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.
(vi) If any Revolving Lender fails to make available to Administrative Agent for the account of the Letter of Credit Issuer any amount required to be paid by such Revolving Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.05(c) by the time specified in Section 2.05(c)(ii), then, without limiting the other provisions of this Credit Agreement, the Letter of Credit Issuer shall be entitled to recover from such Revolving Lender (acting through Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Letter of Credit Issuer at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. A certificate of the Letter of Credit Issuer submitted to any Revolving Lender (through Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d) Repayment of Participations.
(i) At any time after the Letter of Credit Issuer has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Revolving Lender such Revolving Lender’s L/C Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section 2.05(c), if Administrative Agent receives for the account of the Letter of Credit Issuer any payment in respect of the related Unreimbursed Amount or interest thereon (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by Administrative Agent), Administrative Agent will distribute to such Revolving Lender its Revolving Percentage thereof (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Revolving Lender’s L/C Advance was outstanding) in the same funds as those received by Administrative Agent.
(ii) If any payment received by Administrative Agent for the account of the Letter of Credit Issuer pursuant to Section 2.05(c)(i) is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by Administrative Agent or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, each Revolving Lender shall pay to Administrative Agent for the account of the Letter of Credit Issuer its Revolving Percentage thereof on demand of Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned by such Revolving Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect.
(e) Obligations Absolute. The obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the Letter of Credit Issuer for each drawing under each Letter of Credit and to repay each L/C Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Credit Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:
(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Credit Agreement, or any other Loan Document;
(ii) the existence of any claim, counterclaim, set-off, defense or other right that the Borrower may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the Letter of Credit Issuer or any other Person, whether in connection with this Credit Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction, except as set forth in Section 2.05(f);
(iii) any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;
(iv) waiver by the Letter of Credit Issuer of any requirement that exists for the Letter of Credit Issuer’s protection and not the protection of the Borrower or any waiver by the Letter of Credit Issuer which does not in fact materially prejudice the Borrower;
(v) honor of a demand for payment presented electronically even if such Letter of Credit requires that demand be in the form of a draft;
(vi) intentionally omitted;
(vii) any payment by the Letter of Credit Issuer under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the Letter of Credit Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; or
(viii) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrower.
The Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with the Borrower’s instructions or other irregularity, the Borrower will promptly notify the Letter of Credit Issuer. The Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived a claim related to the terms of the respective Letter of Credit, or of any amendments thereto, unless such notice is given as aforesaid.
(f) Role of Letter of Credit Issuer. Each Lender and the Borrower agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Issuer shall not have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the Letter of Credit Issuer, any of its Related Parties nor any of the respective correspondents, participants or assignees of the Letter of Credit Issuer shall be liable to any Lender for: (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Lenders or the Required Lenders; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or related Request for Credit Extension. The Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit; provided, however, that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude the Borrower’s pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None of the Letter of Credit Issuer, any of its Related Parties, nor any of the respective correspondents, participants or assignees of the Letter of Credit Issuer, shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in clauses (i) through (viii) of Section 2.05(e); provided, however, that anything in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower may have a claim against the Letter of Credit Issuer, and the Letter of Credit Issuer may be liable to the Borrower, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower proves were caused by the Letter of Credit Issuer’s willful misconduct or gross negligence or the Letter of Credit Issuer’s willful failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the Letter of Credit Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and the Letter of Credit Issuer shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason. The Letter of Credit Issuer may send a Letter of Credit or conduct any communication to or from the beneficiary via the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (known as SWIFT) message or overnight courier, or any other commercially reasonable means of communicating with a beneficiary.
(g) Conflict with Issuer Documents. In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Documents, the terms hereof shall control.
(h) Applicability of ISP; Limitation of Liability. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the Letter of Credit Issuer and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued the rules of the ISP shall apply to each Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Letter of Credit Issuer shall not be responsible to the Borrower for, and Letter of Credit Issuer’s rights and remedies against the Borrower shall not be impaired by, any action or inaction of the Letter of Credit Issuer required or permitted under any law, order, or practice that is required or permitted to be applied to any Letter of Credit or this Credit Agreement, including the Law or any order of a jurisdiction where Letter of Credit Issuer or the beneficiary is located, the practice stated in the ISP, or in the decisions, opinions, practice statements, or official commentary of the ICC Banking Commission, the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade - International Financial Services Association (BAFT-IFSA), or the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, whether or not any Letter of Credit chooses such law or practice.
Section 2.06 Swing Line Loans.
(a) The Swing Line. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swing Line Lender, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Revolving Lenders set forth in this Section 2.06, shall make loans (each such loan, a “Swing Line Loan”) to the Borrower from time to time on any Business Day during the Availability Period in Dollars in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of the Swing Line Sublimit, notwithstanding the fact that such Swing Line Loans, when aggregated with the Revolving Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations of the Revolving Lender acting as Swing Line Lender, may exceed the amount of such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment; provided, however, that after giving effect to any Swing Line Loan, (i) the Revolving Principal Obligation shall not exceed the Maximum Revolving Commitment, (ii) the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of any Revolving Lender at such time shall not exceed such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment, (iii) the Revolving Principal Obligation shall not exceed the Available Revolving Amount, and (iv) prior to the Collateral Termination Date, the Total Exposure would not exceed the Borrowing Base; and (v) from and after the Collateral Termination Date, the Total Unsecured Indebtedness would not exceed the Borrowing Base and provided, further, that the Borrower shall not use the proceeds of any Swing Line Loan to refinance any outstanding Swing Line Loan. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.06, prepay under Section 2.09, and reborrow under this Section 2.06. Each Swing Line Loan shall be a Base Rate Loan. Each Swing Line Loan shall be due and payable within ten (10) Business Days of the date such Swing Line Loan was provided and Borrower hereby agrees (to the extent not refinanced as contemplated by Section 2.08(c) below) to repay each Swing Line Loan on or before the date that is ten (10) Business Days from the date such Swing Line Loan was provided. Immediately upon the making of a Swing Line Loan, each Revolving Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Swing Line Lender a risk participation in such Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to the product of such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Swing Line Loan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Swing Line Lender shall not have any obligation to make any Swing Line Loans from and after the Sixth Amendment Effective Date prior to the date when the Borrowers shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent evidence that the Specified Credit Conditions have been satisfied.
(b) Borrowing Procedures. Each Swing Line Borrowing shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the requested borrowing date, and shall specify (i) the amount to be borrowed, which shall be a minimum of $250,000, and (ii) the requested borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day. Each such telephonic notice must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent of a written Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Promptly after receipt by the Swing Line Lender of any telephonic Loan Notice, the Swing Line Lender will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has also received such Loan Notice and, if not, the Swing Line Lender will notify the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) of the contents thereof. Unless the Swing Line Lender has received notice (by telephone or in writing) from the Administrative Agent (including at the request of any Revolving Lender) prior to 2:00 p.m. on the date of the proposed Swing Line Borrowing (A) directing the Swing Line Lender not to make such Swing Line Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in the first proviso to the first sentence of Section 2.06(a), or (B) that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Article IV is not then satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swing Line Lender will, not later than 3:00 p.m. on the borrowing date specified in such Loan Notice, make the amount of its Swing Line Loan available to the Borrower. The Swing Line Lender shall not be required to fund any Swing Line Loan to the extent any Revolving Lender is at such time a Defaulting Lender hereunder.
(c) Refinancing of Swing Line Loans.
(i) The Swing Line Lender at any time in its sole discretion may request, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably authorizes the Swing Line Lender to so request on its behalf), that each Revolving Lender make a Term SOFR Loan with an Interest Period of one month in an amount equal to such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the amount of Swing Line Loans then outstanding. Such request shall be made in writing (which written request shall be deemed to be a Loan Notice for purposes hereof) and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.02, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified therein for the principal amount of Revolving Base Rate Loans, but subject to the unutilized portion of the Revolving Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02. The Swing Line Lender shall furnish the Borrower with a copy of the applicable Loan Notice promptly after delivering such notice to the Administrative Agent. Each Revolving Lender shall make an amount equal to its Revolving Percentage of the amount specified in such Loan Notice available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds (and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral available with respect to the applicable Swing Line Loan) for the account of the Swing Line Lender at the Administrative Agent’s Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the day specified in such Loan Notice, whereupon, subject to Section 2.06(c)(ii), each Revolving Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Term SOFR Loan with an Interest Period of one month to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Swing Line Lender.
(ii) If for any reason any Swing Line Loan cannot be refinanced by such a Revolving Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.06(c)(i), the request for Term SOFR Loans submitted by the Swing Line Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be a request by the Swing Line Lender that each of the Revolving Lenders fund its risk participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan and each Revolving Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.06(c)(i) shall be deemed payment in respect of such participation.
(iii) If any Revolving Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender any amount required to be paid by such Revolving Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.08(c) by the time specified in Section 2.06(c)(i), the Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Revolving Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Swing Line Lender at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Swing Line Lender in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Swing Line Lender in connection with the foregoing. If such Revolving Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Loan included in the relevant Revolving Borrowing or funded participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan, as the case may be. A certificate of the Swing Line Lender submitted to any Revolving Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this Section 2.06(c)(iii) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(iv) Each Revolving Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans or to purchase and fund risk participations in Swing Line Loans pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Revolving Lender may have against the Swing Line Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of an Event of Default or Potential Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Revolving Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02. No such funding of risk participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to repay Swing Line Loans, together with interest as provided herein.
(d) Repayment of Participations.
(i) At any time after any Revolving Lender has purchased and funded a risk participation in a Swing Line Loan, if the Swing Line Lender receives any payment on account of such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Lender will distribute to such Revolving Lender its Revolving Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by the Swing Line Lender.
(ii) If any payment received by the Swing Line Lender in respect of principal or interest on any Swing Line Loan is required to be returned by the Swing Line Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 12.04 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Swing Line Lender in its discretion), each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Swing Line Lender its Revolving Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate. The Administrative Agent will make such demand upon the request of the Swing Line Lender. The obligations of the Revolving Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Credit Agreement.
(e) Interest for Account of Swing Line Lender. The Swing Line Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrower for interest on the Swing Line Loans. Until each Revolving Lender funds its Term SOFR Loan or risk participation pursuant to this Section 2.06 to refinance such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Percentage of any Swing Line Loan, interest in respect of such Revolving Percentage shall be solely for the account of the Swing Line Lender.
(f) Payments Directly to Swing Line Lender. The Borrower shall make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swing Line Loans directly to the Swing Line Lender.
Section 2.07 Cash Collateral.
(a) Certain Credit Support Events. If: (i) the Letter of Credit Issuer has honored any full or partial drawing request under any Letter of Credit and such drawing has resulted in an L/C Borrowing that has not been repaid in accordance with the provisions of this Credit Agreement; (ii) as of the Letter of Credit Collateralization Date, any Letter of Credit Obligations for any reason remains outstanding; (iii) the Borrower shall be required to provide Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 7.02; or (iv) there shall exist a Defaulting Lender; Borrower (in the case of clauses (i) through (iii) above) and either Borrower or Defaulting Lender (in the case of clause (iv) above) shall immediately (in the case of clause (iii) above) or within one (1) Business Day (in all other cases) following any request by Administrative Agent, the Letter of Credit Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, provide Cash Collateral in an amount not less than the applicable Minimum Collateral Amount (determined in the case of Cash Collateral provided pursuant to clause (iv) above after giving effect to Section 2.20(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).
(b) Grant of Security Interest. Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender, hereby grants to (and subjects to the control of) Administrative Agent, for the benefit of Administrative Agent, the Letter of Credit Issuer, the Swing Line Lender and the Lenders, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein, and all other property so provided as collateral pursuant hereto, and in all proceeds of the foregoing, all as security for the obligations to which such Cash Collateral may be applied pursuant to Section 2.07(c). If at any time Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than Administrative Agent or the Letter of Credit Issuer as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the Minimum Collateral Amount, Borrower o the Defaulting Lender, as applicable, will, promptly upon demand by Administrative Agent, pay or provide to Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency. All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) shall be maintained in blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts at KeyBank. Borrower shall pay on demand therefor from time to time all customary account opening, activity and other administrative fees and charges in connection with the maintenance and disbursement of Cash Collateral.
(c) Application. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Credit Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under any of this Section 2.07 or Section 2.05, Section 2.09, Section 2.11, Section 2.20, or Article VII in respect of Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific Letter of Credit Obligations, Swing Line Loans, obligations to fund participations therein (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) and other obligations for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may be provided for herein.
(d) Release. Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce Fronting Exposure or to secure other obligations shall be released to the Person providing such Cash Collateral promptly following: (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure or other obligations giving rise thereto (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender (or, as appropriate, its assignee following compliance with Section 9.04(a)(ii)(F)); or (ii) the determination by Administrative Agent and the Letter of Credit Issuer that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided, however: (x) that Cash Collateral furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower shall not be released during the continuance of a Potential Default or Event of Default (and following application as provided in this Section 2.07 may be otherwise applied in accordance with Section 7.03; and (y) the Person providing Cash Collateral and the Letter of Credit Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, as applicable, may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations. If the Borrowers shall have provided Cash Collateral due to a failure of a Defaulting Lender to provide such Cash Collateral as and when required under this Credit Agreement, the amount provided by Borrower shall be released to it upon and to the extent such Defaulting Lender shall subsequently provide all or any part of such Cash Collateral in substitution therefor.
Section 2.08 Interest Elections.
(a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Term SOFR Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrowers may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Term SOFR Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Borrowers may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.
(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Parent Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.02 if the Borrowers were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request in the form of a Borrowing Request (with proper election made for an interest rate election only) and signed by the Parent Borrower.
(c) Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.08:
(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing;
(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;
(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing, Daily SOFR Borrower, or Term SOFR Borrowing; and
(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a Term SOFR Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.
(v) If any such Interest Election Request requests a Term SOFR Loan but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrowers shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.
(d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender's portion of each resulting Borrowing.
(e) If the Parent Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Term SOFR Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Term SOFR Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Parent Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Term SOFR Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Term SOFR Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, with respect to Term SOFR Borrowings, or immediately, with respect to Daily SOFR Borrowings..
Section 2.09 Reduction or Early Termination of Revolving Commitments. So long as no Request for Credit Extension is outstanding, Borrowers may terminate the Revolving Commitments, or permanently reduce the aggregate Maximum Revolving Commitment, by giving prior irrevocable written notice to Administrative Agent of such termination or reduction three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction (which date shall be specified by Parent Borrower in such notice), provided that: (a) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of $25,000,000 or any whole multiple of $5,000,000 in excess thereof; (b) Borrowers may not reduce the Maximum Revolving Commitments to an amount below $100,000,000 except in connection with the termination of all of the Revolving Commitments, and (c) Borrowers shall not terminate or reduce the aggregate Revolving Commitments if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Revolving Principal Obligation would exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments (except that if such Revolving Principal Obligation consists solely of Letter of Credit Obligations, Borrower may provide Cash Collateral for such Letter of Credit Obligations and terminate the aggregate Revolving Commitments). Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any such notice of termination or reduction of the aggregate Revolving Commitments. Each reduction of the aggregate Revolving Commitments shall be applied to the Revolving Commitment of each Revolving Lender according to its Applicable Percentage. All fees accrued until the effective date of any termination of the aggregate Revolving Commitments shall be paid on the effective date of such termination. After any reduction of the aggregate Revolving Commitments under this Section 2.09 the Borrower shall not be permitted to request any increase to the Maximum Total Commitment under Section 2.22.
Section 2.10 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt.
(a) Each Borrower hereby unconditionally, jointly and severally, promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid Outstanding Amount of each Revolving Loan and all other Revolving Principal Obligations on the Revolving Loan Maturity Date. At the request of each Lender, the Revolving Loans made by such Lender shall be evidenced by a Revolving Note payable to such Lender in the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment.
(b) The Borrower shall repay each Swing Line Loan on the earlier to occur of (i) the date ten (10) Business Days after such Loan is made, and (ii) the Revolving Loan Maturity Date.
(c) Each Borrower hereby unconditionally, jointly and severally, promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each applicable Term Lender the then unpaid Outstanding Amount of each tranche of Term Loans on the applicable Maturity Date thereof. At the request of each Term Lender, the Term Loans made by such Lender shall be evidenced by a Term Note payable to such Lender in the amount of such Lender’s Term Loan Commitment of the applicable tranche.[Intentionally Omitted].
(d) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrowers to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.
(e) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrowers to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.
(f) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (c) or (d) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein, absent manifest error; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
Section 2.11 Prepayment of Loans.
(a) The Borrowers shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay, without penalty, any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with paragraph (b) of this Section, and subject to Section 2.15, if applicable.
(b) The Parent Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Term SOFR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Boston, Massachusetts time, three (3) Business Days before the date of prepayment, or (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing or Daily SOFR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Boston, Massachusetts time, one Business Day before the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $50,000. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.12.
(c) In connection with the prepayment of any portion of the Loan prior to the expiration of the Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrowers shall also pay any applicable expenses pursuant to Section 2.15.
(d) If, (i) on any day, the Revolving Principal Obligation exceeds the Available Revolving Amount, (ii) on any day prior to the Collateral Termination Date, the Total Exposure exceeds the Borrowing Base, or (iii) on any day from and after the Collateral Termination Date, the Total Unsecured Indebtedness exceeds the Borrowing Base, then, in each case, Borrowers shall pay within two (2) Business Days after demand such excess to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in immediately available funds by prepaying Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans, and if any portion of such excess still remains after prepaying the Outstanding Amount of all such Loans, Borrower shall Cash Collateralize the Letter of Credit Obligations and/or prepay Term Loans in the amount of such excess. The Borrowers acknowledge that on the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, the Revolving Principal Obligation exceeds the Available Revolving Amount by an amount equal to $150,889,203 (the “Existing Overadvance”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph, the Borrowers shall not be required to prepay the Existing Overadvance until the earlier of (i) two (2) Business Days after demand by Administrative Agent at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default arising after the Sixth Amendment Effective Date and (ii) December 31, 2023.
(e) As promptly as practicable (but in any event, no later than two (2) Business Days) after receipt thereof, until the Maximum Revolving Commitment has been permanently reduced to no more than $850,000,000, the Borrowers shall prepay the Loans in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the net proceeds (i) payable to any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries (after payment of usual and customary closing costs and expenses reasonably approved by Administrative Agent related to such capital event and reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent and repayment of any Indebtedness secured by such Real Property or other asset) generated by the sale, finance, refinance or other recapitalization of any Borrowing Base Property or any other Real Property owned directly or indirectly by any Subsidiary Borrower and (ii) payable to any Credit Party (after payment of usual and customary closing costs and expenses reasonably approved by Administrative Agent) in connection with the termination or unwinding of any Hedging Agreement that has been collaterally assigned to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Commitments shall be permanently reduced in accordance with Section 2.09 (without regard to any required minimum reduction amounts thereunder) concurrently with, and in the same amount as, any prepayment of Loans under this Section 2.11(e) until such time as the Maximum Revolving Commitment has been permanently reduced to $850,000,000.
(f) As promptly as practicable (but in any event, no later than two (2) Business Days) after receipt thereof, until the Maximum Revolving Commitment has been permanently reduced to no more than $850,000,000 but subject to Section 2.11(g) below, the Borrowers shall prepay the Loans and the Ray J Bridge Obligations (in the order set forth below) in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the net proceeds from any capital event in respect of the Borrowers, the Parent, and their Subsidiaries or their assets (but excluding any Real Property owned by the Subsidiary Borrowers and any Real Property constituting collateral solely for the Ray J Bridge Obligations or, if the Ray J Bridge Agent has notified the Ray J Bridge Borrowers (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) that a Ray J Bridge Loan Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Common Collateral), including any net proceeds (i) payable to any Loan Party (after payment of usual and customary closing costs and expenses) generated by any Equity Offerings (except to the extent the Ray J Bridge Agent has notified the Ray J Bridge Borrowers (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) that a Ray J Bridge Loan Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and for so long as such Ray J Bridge Loan Event of Default continues), (ii) payable to any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries (after payment of usual and customary closing costs and expenses related to such capital event and repayment of any Indebtedness secured by such Real Property or other asset) generated by the sale, finance, refinance or other recapitalization of any Real Property or other asset owned directly or indirectly by Parent Borrower (but excluding any Real Property owned by the Subsidiary Borrowers and any Real Property constituting collateral (including through a pledge of the Equity Interests in the owner thereof) solely for the Ray J Bridge Obligations or, if the Ray J Bridge Agent has notified the Ray J Bridge Borrowers (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) that a Ray J Bridge Loan Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and for so long as such Ray J Bridge Loan Event of Default continues, the Common Collateral), (iii) payable to any Credit Party (after payment of usual and customary closing costs and expenses) generated by the incurrence of any other Indebtedness (including any refinancings or replacements of existing Indebtedness, in each case, in accordance with the terms of Section 6.09 but excluding any additional borrowings hereunder or under the Ray J Bridge) of Borrower, Guarantor, or any of its Subsidiaries after the date hereof; and (iv) payable to any Credit Party (after payment of usual and customary closing costs and expenses) in connection with the termination or unwinding of any Hedging Agreement that does not constitute Collateral (collectively, “Capital Events”). Amounts to be applied to the prepayment of the Loans and the Ray J Bridge Obligations pursuant to any of the preceding subsections of this Section 2.11(f) shall be applied as follows: (i) first, until the aggregate amount of prepayments of Ray J Obligations under this Section 2.11(f) (but not including any prepayments from net proceeds of the July 2023 Offering) shall equal $20,000,000, the Loans and the Ray J Bridge Obligations shall be prepaid in equal amounts from such net proceeds (i.e. 50% of such net proceeds to each); and (ii) thereafter, 100% of such net proceeds shall be applied to prepay the Loans; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the foregoing (A) if the Ray J Bridge Agent has notified the Ray J Bridge Borrowers (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) that a Ray J Bridge Loan Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and for so long as such Ray J Bridge Loan Event of Default continues, any net proceeds from the Common Collateral (after payment of usual and customary closing costs and expenses related to such capital event) shall be applied as follows: (x) the net proceeds generated by the sale of any Real Property that constitutes Common Collateral (including a sale of the equity interests in any Subsidiary of Parent Borrower (other than the Subsidiary Borrowers)) with an aggregate Closing Date Value of $100,000,000, first, 100% to prepay the Ray J Bridge Obligations until paid in full, and thereafter, 100% to prepay the Loans; (y) the net proceeds generated by the sale of any other Real Property that constitutes Common Collateral (including a sale of the equity interests in any Subsidiary of Parent Borrower (other than the Subsidiary Borrowers)), 100% to prepay the Loans until paid in full, and thereafter, 100% to prepay the Ray J Bridge Obligations; and (z) with respect to any proceeds generated by finance, refinance or other monetization (including recapitalization but excluding any sale) of any Real Property constituting Common Collateral or any other Common Collateral, first, 100% to prepay the Ray J Bridge Obligations in full and thereafter 100% of such net proceeds to prepay the Obligations (it being agreed that if no Ray J Bridge Loan Event of Default exists, proceeds from the Common Collateral shall be applied as set forth in subclauses (i) and (ii) above); and (B) the net proceeds from the July 2023 Offering shall be applied as follows: (i) first, $20,000,000 shall be deposited into the Cash Collateral Reserve Account to be administered in accordance with Section 5.21 and (ii) then, the remaining amount of net proceeds shall be applied to prepay the Loans and the Ray J Bridge Obligations in equal amounts (i.e. 50% of such remaining net proceeds to each). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Commitments shall be permanently reduced in accordance with Section 2.09 (without regard to any required minimum reduction amounts thereunder) concurrently with, and in the same amount as, any prepayment of Loans under this Section 2.11(f) until such time as the Maximum Revolving Commitment has been permanently reduced to $850,000,000.
(g) No later than twelve (12) Business Days after the end of each calendar quarter with respect to which Liquidity is $15,000,000 or greater as of the last day of such quarter, the Borrowers shall prepay Loans under this Agreement in an amount equal to the Excess Cash Flow for such quarter until such time as the Revolving Principal Obligation has been reduced to $850,000,000. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Commitments shall be permanently reduced in accordance with Section 2.09 (without regard to any required minimum reduction amounts thereunder) concurrently with, and in the same amount as, any prepayment of Loans under this Section 2.11(g) until such time as the Maximum Revolving Commitment has been permanently reduced to $850,000,000.
(h) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, until such time as the Revolving Principal Obligation has been reduced to $850,000,000, the Borrowers shall, from time to time, prepay Loans under this Agreement in an amount such that when added to the prepayments made under Section 2.11(e), (f), and (g) (but excluding any prepayments from proceeds of the July 2023 Offering), the aggregate amount of prepayments shall be not less than $10,000,000 per month, measured on a cumulative basis as of the last day of each full calendar month from and after the Sixth Amendment Effective Date. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Commitments shall be permanently reduced in accordance with Section 2.09 (without regard to any required minimum reduction amounts thereunder) concurrently with, and in the same amount as, any prepayment of Loans under this Section 2.11(h) until such time as the Maximum Revolving Commitment has been permanently reduced to $850,000,000.
(i) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, and in addition to any other prepayments required under this Section 2.11, the Borrowers shall, from time to time, permanently reduce the Maximum Revolving Commitment in accordance with Section 2.09 such that, on and after each date listed in the table below, the Maximum Revolving Commitment shall not exceed the amount set forth across from such date in the table below, and on each such date when the Maximum Revolving Commitment is reduced, the Borrowers shall prepay the Loans in an amount necessary so that the Principal Obligation shall not exceed the Maximum Commitment on such date (after giving effect to such reduction in the Maximum Revolving Commitment):
(j) (e)
Date |
Maximum Commitment |
March 31, 2024 |
$1,000,000,000 |
September 30, 2024 |
$850,000,000.00 |
(k) Amounts to be applied to the prepayment of the Loans pursuant to any of the preceding subsections of this Section shall be applied, first, to reduce outstanding ABR Loans and next, to the extent of any remaining balance, to reduce outstanding SOFR Loans. Within the limits of each Lender’s Commitment and, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, during the Availability Period the Borrowers may prepay Loans under this Section 2.11 and reborrow under Section 2.01.
Section 2.12 Fees.
(a) Unused Fee. The Borrowers agree to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender, an unused fee (the “Unused Fee”), which shall accrue during the period from and including the date of this Agreement to, but excluding, date on which such Commitment terminates, on the actual daily unused amount of the Commitment of such Lender under the Revolving Loans or Letters of Credit at a rate equal to the Unused Fee Rate applicable for such day. Unused Fees accrued through and including the last day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable on the fifth Business Day of the month following the end of the applicable quarter. All Unused Fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day) and shall be based on the then existing Commitments of the Lenders.
(b) Letter of Credit Fee. The Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender in accordance, subject to Section 2.20, with its Revolving Percentage, a fee for each Letter of Credit (the “Letter of Credit Fee”) equal to the Applicable Rate for Term SOFR Rate Loans per annum times the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. Such fee shall be: (i) due and payable in quarterly installments in arrears on the first Business Day of each calendar quarter for the preceding calendar quarter, commencing on the first such date to occur after the issuance of any Letter of Credit, on the Revolving Maturity Date, and thereafter (if applicable) on demand; and (ii) computed quarterly in arrears. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.07. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists, such fee shall accrue at a rate equal to the Applicable Rate for Term SOFR Rate Loans plus four percent (4%).
(c) Fronting Fee and Administrative Charges. The Borrower shall pay to the Letter of Credit Issuer, for its own account, in consideration of the issuance and fronting of Letters of Credit, a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit, at a rate equal to the greater of (a) 0.125% per annum, computed on the face amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit, or (b) $500.00. Such fronting fee shall be due and payable upon the issuance of any Letter of Credit and upon any extension thereof. In addition, the Borrower shall pay directly to the Letter of Credit Issuer for its own account the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the Letter of Credit Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time to time in effect. Such customary fees and standard costs and charges are due and payable on demand and are nonrefundable.
(d) In addition to all fees specified herein, the Borrowers agree to pay to KeyBank and KBCM, for their own account, certain fees for services rendered or to be rendered in connection with the Loans as provided pursuant to the Fee Letter.
(e) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due in immediately available funds. Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.
Section 2.13 Interest.
(a) The ABR Loans shall bear interest at the lesser of (x) the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate, or (y) the Maximum Rate.
(b) The Daily Simple SOFR Loans shall bear interest at the lesser of (x) the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR plus the Applicable Rate, or (y) the Maximum Rate.
(c) The Loans comprising each Term SOFR Borrowing shall bear interest at the lesser of (a) the Adjusted Term SOFR for the Interest Period in effect for such Term SOFR Loan plus the Applicable Rate, or (b) the Maximum Rate.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) if any principal of or interest on the Loans or any portion thereof or any other amount payable by the Borrowers hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of the Loans, the lesser of (x) 4% plus the rate otherwise applicable to the Loans as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section, or (y) the Maximum Rate, or (ii) in the case of any other amount, the lesser of (x) 4% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section, or (y) the Maximum Rate; and (B) after the occurrence of any Event of Default, at the option of the Administrative Agent, or if the Administrative Agent is directed in writing by the Required Lenders to do so, the Loans shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the lesser of (x) 4% plus the rate otherwise applicable to the Loans as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section, or (y) the Maximum Rate.
(e) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Term SOFR Loan, accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and, (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Term SOFR Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Term SOFR Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion, (iv) from the Sixth Amendment Effective Date until the Balance Date only (and in any event, until the Revolving Loan Initial Maturity Date), interest attributable to the Applicable Rate in excess of 2.50% for SOFR Loans or 1.50% for ABR Loans shall not be due in cash on each Interest Payment Date during such period but shall continue to accrue at all times during such period and shall be paid in cash no later than five (5) Business Days after the Balance Date.
(f) All computations of interest on the Loans and of other fees to the extent applicable shall be based on a 360-day year and paid for the actual number of days elapsed. The applicable Alternate Base Rate, Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, Adjusted Term SOFR, Term SOFR, or SOFR shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(g) If, as a result of any restatement of or other adjustment to the financial statements of the Parent or for any other reason, Borrowers, Parent or the Lenders determine that (i) the Total Leverage Ratio as calculated by Parent as of any applicable date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Total Leverage Ratio would have resulted in higher pricing for such period, Borrowers shall immediately and retroactively be obligated to pay to Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders or the Letter of Credit Issuer, as the case may be, promptly on demand by Administrative Agent (or, after the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to a Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, automatically and without further action by Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Letter of Credit Issuer), an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest and fees that should have been paid for such period over the amount of interest and fees actually paid for such period. This paragraph shall not limit the rights of Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Letter of Credit Issuer, as the case may be, under this Agreement. Borrower’s obligations under this paragraph shall survive the termination of the Commitments and the repayment of all other Obligations hereunder[Intentionally Omitted].
Section 2.14 Temporary Inability to Determine Rates Alternate Rate of Interest. If (A) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR or Adjusted Term SOFR cannot be determined pursuant to the definition thereof and such circumstance is expected to be temporary or (B) the Required Lenders determine that for any reason in connection with any request for a SOFR Loan or a conversion thereto or a continuation thereof that Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR or Adjusted Term SOFR for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed SOFR Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan, and the Required Lenders have provided notice of such determination to the Administrative Agent, in each case of (A) and (B), on or prior to the first day of any Interest Period, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender. Upon notice thereof by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, any obligation of the Lenders to make or continue the applicable SOFR Loans or to convert ABR Loans to SOFR Loans shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected Interest Periods) until the Administrative Agent revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, (i) the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of any applicable SOFR Loans (to the extent of the affected SOFR Loans or affected Interest Periods) or, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to ABR Loans in the amount specified therein and (ii) any outstanding affected SOFR Loans will be deemed to have been converted into ABR Loans at the end of the applicable Interest Period. Upon any such conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 2.16. If the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that “Adjusted Term SOFR” cannot be determined pursuant to the definition thereof on any given day, the interest rate on ABR Loans shall be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to clause (c) of the definition of “Alternate Base Rate” until the Administrative Agent revokes such determination
Section 2.15 Increased Costs.
(a) In the event that (y) in the case of clause (i) below, the Administrative Agent or (z) in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) below, any Lender or other Recipient, shall have determined on a reasonable basis (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto):
(i) on any date for determining the interest rate applicable to any SOFR Loan for any Interest Period that, by reason of any changes arising after the Closing Date, adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable interest rate on the basis provided for in this Agreement for such SOFR Loan; or
(ii) at any time, that such Lender or other Recipient shall incur increased costs or reductions in the amounts received or receivable by it hereunder in an amount that such Lender or other Recipient deems material with respect to any SOFR Loans (other than any increased cost or reduction in the amount received or receivable resulting from the imposition of or a change in the rate of any (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) because of (x) any Change in Law since the Closing Date (including, but not limited to, a change in requirements for any reserve, special deposit, liquidity or similar requirements (including any compulsory loan requirement, insurance charge or other assessment) against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender or other Recipient) or (y) other circumstances adversely affecting the availability of Term SOFR; or
(iii) at any time, that the making or continuance of any SOFR Loan has become unlawful by compliance by such Lender in good faith with any Change in Law since the Closing Date, or would conflict with any thereof not having the force of law but with which such Lender customarily complies, or has become impracticable as a result of a contingency occurring after the Closing Date that materially adversely affects the availability of SOFR;
then, and in each such event, such Lender or other Recipient (or the Administrative Agent in the case of clause (i) above) shall (1) on or promptly following such date or time and (2) within 10 Business Days of the date on which such event no longer exists give notice (by telephone confirmed in writing) to the Borrower and to the Administrative Agent of such determination (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the other Lenders or other Recipients). Thereafter (x) in the case of clause (i) above, the affected Type of SOFR Loans shall no longer be available until such time as the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders or other Recipients that the circumstances giving rise to such notice by the Administrative Agent no longer exist, and any Borrowing Request for a conversion or continuation given by the Borrower with respect to such Type of SOFR Loans that have not yet been incurred, converted or continued shall be deemed rescinded by the Borrower or, in the case of a Borrowing Request for a Borrowing of SOFR Loans, shall, at the option of the Borrower, be deemed converted into a Borrowing Request for ABR Loans to be made on the date of Borrowing contained in such Borrowing Request, (y) in the case of clause (ii) above, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender or other Recipient, upon written demand therefor, such additional amounts (in the form of an increased rate of, or a different method of calculating, interest or otherwise as such Lender or other Recipient shall determine) as shall be required to compensate such Lender or other Recipient for such increased costs or reductions in amounts receivable hereunder (a written notice as to the additional amounts owed to such Lender or other Recipient, showing the basis for the calculation thereof, which basis must be reasonable, submitted to the Borrower by such Lender or other Recipient shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto) and (z) in the case of clause (iii) above, the Borrower shall take one of the actions specified in Section 2.15(b) as promptly as possible and, in any event, within the time period required by law.
(b) At any time that any SOFR Loan is affected by the circumstances described in Section 2.15(a)(i) or Section 2.15(a)(iii), the Borrower may (and in the case of a SOFR Loan affected pursuant to Section 2.15(a)(iii) the Borrower shall) either (i) if the affected SOFR Loan is then being made pursuant to a Borrowing, by giving the Administrative Agent telephonic notice (confirmed promptly in writing) thereof on the same date that the Borrower was notified by a Lender or other Recipient pursuant to Section 2.15(a)(ii) or Section 2.15(a)(iii), cancel said Borrowing, or, in the case of any Borrowing, convert the related Notice of Borrowing into one requesting a Borrowing of ABR Loans or require the affected Lender or other Recipient to make its requested Loan as an ABR Loan, or (ii) if the affected SOFR Loan is then outstanding, upon at least one Business Day’s notice to the Administrative Agent, require the affected Lender or other Recipient to Convert each such SOFR Loan into an ABR Loan; provided, however, that if more than one Lender or other Recipient is affected at any time, then all affected Lenders or other Recipients must be treated the same pursuant to this Section 2.15(b).
(c) A certificate of a Lender or Letter of Credit Issuer setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Parent Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Letter of Credit Issuer to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 270 days prior to the date that such Lender or Letter of Credit Issuer notifies the Borrowers of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or Letter of Credit Issuer’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 270-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.
Section 2.16 Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Term SOFR Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Term SOFR Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.09 or (d) the assignment of any Term SOFR Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.19, or (e) as a consequence of (y) any other default by the Borrower to repay or prepay any SOFR Loans when required by the terms of this Agreement or (z) an election made pursuant to Section 2.19, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for all reasonable losses, costs, expenses and liabilities (including, without limitation, any loss, cost, expense or liability incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds required by such Lender to fund its SOFR Loans) which such Lender may sustain in connection with any such event. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the Parent Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within thirty (30) days after receipt thereof.
Section 2.17 Taxes.
(a) All payments by the Borrowers hereunder and under any of the other Loan Documents shall be made without setoff or counterclaim, and free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by Legal Requirements. If any Legal Requirement (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Legal Requirements and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the Borrowers shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.17) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.
(b) The Borrowers shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Legal Requirements, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.
(c) The Borrowers shall indemnify each Recipient, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.17) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Parent Borrower by a Lender on the Letter of Credit Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error; provided that the determinations in such statement are made on a reasonable basis and in good faith.
(d) Each Lender and the Letter of Credit Issuer shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that a Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrowers to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.04(b) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender or the Letter of Credit Issuer, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender and the Letter of Credit Issuer hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender or the Letter of Credit Issuer, as the case may be, under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this subsection.
(e) As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by a Borrower to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.17, such Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(f) (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by Legal Requirements or reasonably requested by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in the immediately following clauses (ii)(2)(A), (ii)(2)(B) and (ii)(2)(D)) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
(i) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that a Borrower is a U.S. Person:
(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent), an electronic copy (or an original if requested by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent) of an executed IRS Form W-9 (or any successor form) certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;
(B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
(1) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, an electronic copy (or an original if requested by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent) of an executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;
(2) an electronic copy (or an original if requested by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent) of an executed IRS Form W-8ECI;
(3) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of a Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E; or
(4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, an electronic copy (or an original if requested by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent) of an executed IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2 or Exhibit F-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent), an electronic copy (or an original if requested by a Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent) of any other form prescribed by Legal Requirements as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by Legal Requirements to permit the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
(D) if a payment made to a Recipient under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Recipient were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Recipient shall deliver to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by Legal Requirements and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by Legal Requirements (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Recipient has complied with such Recipient’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
Each Recipient agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(g) If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 2.17 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.17), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 2.17 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all reasonable third party out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party actually incurred and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this subsection (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this subsection, in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this subsection the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund has not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This subsection shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it reasonably deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.
(h) Each party’s obligations under this Section 2.17 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender or the Letter of Credit Issuer, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.
Section 2.18 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs.
(a) The Borrowers shall make each payment required to be made by them hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or of amounts payable under Section 2.15, Section 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to 1:00 p.m., Boston, Massachusetts time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set-off or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the reasonable discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its main offices in Cleveland, Ohio, except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. If the Administrative Agent receives a payment for the account of a Lender prior to 1:00 p.m., Boston, Massachusetts time, such payment must be delivered to the Lender on the same day and if it is not so delivered due to the fault of the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall pay to the Lender entitled to the payment interest thereon for each day after payment should have been received by the Lender pursuant hereto until the Lender receives payment, at the Federal Funds Effective Rate. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder shall be made in Dollars.
(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal then due to such parties.
(c) If any Lender or Letter of Credit Issuer shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or the participations in the Letter of Credit Obligations resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans or participations and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans of other Lenders and subparticipations in the Letter of Credit Obligations and Swing Line Loans of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrowers pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement, the application of Cash Collateral provided for in Section 2.07 or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans, other than to a Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). Each Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against a Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Borrower in the amount of such participation.
(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Parent Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that the Borrowers will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrowers have made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders the amount due. In such event, if the Borrowers have not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the Federal Funds Effective Rate.
(e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(b) or Section 2.18(d), then the Administrative Agent may, in its reasonable discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.
Section 2.19 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(a) Each Lender will notify the Parent Borrower of any event occurring after the date of this Agreement which will entitle such Person to compensation pursuant to Sections 2.13 and 2.15 as promptly as practicable after it obtains knowledge thereof and determines to request such compensation, provided that such Person shall not be liable for any costs, fees, expenses, or additional interest due to the failure to provide such notice. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.13, or if a Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any such Person or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.15, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to avoid or minimize the amounts payable, including, without limitation, the designation of a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or the assignment of its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.13 or 2.15, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. Each Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable and documented costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
(b) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.13, or if a Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.15, or if any Lender defaults in its obligation to fund Loans hereunder, then such Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort (excluding any costs or expense incurred by such Defaulting Lender), upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrowers shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrowers (in the case of all other amounts), and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.13 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.15, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrowers to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.
Section 2.20 Defaulting Lenders.
(a) Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Credit Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Law:
(i) Waivers and Amendments. Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Credit Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders” and Section 9.02.
(ii) Defaulting Lender Waterfall. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Section VII or otherwise) or received by Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 9.08, shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Letter of Credit Issuer or the Swing Line Lender hereunder; third, to Cash Collateralize the Letter of Credit Issuer’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.07; fourth, as Borrower may request (so long as no Potential Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Credit Agreement, as determined by Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by Administrative Agent and Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to: (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Credit Agreement; and (y) Cash Collateralize the Letter of Credit Issuer’s future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Credit Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.07; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Letter of Credit Issuer or the Swing Line Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the Letter of Credit Issuer or the Swing Line Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Credit Agreement; seventh, so long as no Potential Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Credit Agreement; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if: (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or L/C Borrowings in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share; and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and Letter of Credit Obligations owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or Letter of Credit Obligations owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letter of Credit Obligations and Swing Line Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Revolving Credit Exposures and Revolving Percentages hereunder without giving effect to Section 2.20(a)(iv). Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.20(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.
(iii) Certain Fees.
(A) A Defaulting Lender (x) shall not be entitled to receive any unused commitment fee payable under Section 2.12 for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to such Defaulting Lender); and (y) shall be limited in its right to receive Letter of Credit Fees as provided in Section 2.12.
(B) Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive Letter of Credit Fees for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Revolving Percentage of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.07.
(C) With respect to any fee payable under Section 2.12 or any Letter of Credit Fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (A) or clause (B) above, Borrower shall: (x) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letter of Credit Obligations or Swing Line Loans that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below; (y) pay to the Letter of Credit Issuer and the Swing Line Lender, as applicable, the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such Letter of Credit Issuer’s or the Swing Line Lender’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender; and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.
(iv) Reallocation of Revolving Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure. All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letter of Credit Obligations and Swing Line Loans shall be reallocated among the Revolving Lenders that are Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Percentages (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment) but only to the extent that: (x) the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 are satisfied at the time of such reallocation (and, unless Borrower shall have otherwise notified Administrative Agent at such time, Borrower shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time); and (y) such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment. No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.
(v) Cash Collateral. If the reallocation described in clause (iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, Borrower shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under applicable Law, (x) first, prepay Swing Line Loans in an amount equal to the Swing Line Lenders’ Fronting Exposure and (y) second, Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuers’ Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.16.
(b) Defaulting Lender Cure. If Borrowers, Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender and the Letter of Credit Issuer agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.20(a)(iv)), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of Borrowers while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.
Section 2.21 Extension of Revolving Loan Maturity Date. The Borrowers shall have the right and option to extend the Revolving Loan Maturity Date on no more than two occasions, for a single one-year term, of six months each time, first to May 3, 2025 (the “First Extended Maturity Date”) and then to November 3, 2025 (the “Second Extended Maturity Date”), upon satisfaction of the following conditions precedent, which must be satisfied prior to the effectiveness of any extension of the Revolving Loan Initial Maturity Date or the First Extended Maturity Date, as applicable:
(a) Extension Request. The Parent Borrower shall deliver written notice of such request (the “Extension Request”) to the Administrative Agent not earlier than the date which is one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the Revolving Loan Initial Maturity Date or the First Extended Maturity Date, as applicable, and not later than the date which is sixty (60) days prior to the Revolving Loan Initial Maturity Date or the First Extended Maturity Date, as applicable.
(b) Payment of Extension Fee. The Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the pro rata accounts of the Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Commitments an extension fee in an amount equal to 0.200.10% of the Maximum Revolving Commitment on the Revolving Loan Initial Maturity Date and the First Extended Maturity Date, as applicable, which fee shall, when paid, be fully earned and non-refundable under any circumstances.
(c) No Default. On the date the Extension Request is given and the effective date of such extension there shall exist no Default or Event of Default and the Borrowers shall deliver executed pro forma Compliance Certificate evidencing compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 5.02 as of the Revolving Loan Initial Maturity Date or the First Extended Maturity Date, as applicable.
Section 2.22 Increase in the Maximum Total Commitment; Term Loan Option.[Intentionally Omitted].
(a) So long as no Default or Event of Default shall the exist, the Parent Borrower may request an increase in the Maximum Total Commitment (which increase may take the form of an increase to the Maximum Revolving Commitments or one or more tranches of term loan commitments (each, a “Term Loan Commitment”)) to the amount requested by Parent Borrower, which may be effected by doing any or all of the following, as applicable: (x) admitting one or more Subsequent Lenders; or (y) increasing the Revolving Commitment or Term Commitment of any Lender (each, an “Increasing Lender”); subject to the following conditions and Section 2.22(c):
(i) Parent Borrower shall have delivered to Administrative Agent a written request for such increase (the “Facility Increase Request”) specifying the requested date of the increase (the “Facility Increase Date”), the requested amount of the increase;
(ii) Borrowers shall, as applicable, execute: (A) new Notes payable to the order of each Subsequent Lender; or (B) replacement Notes payable to the order of each Increasing Lender;
(iii) after giving effect to any increase in the Lender’s Revolving Commitments and/or new or increased Term Loan Commitment, the Maximum Total Commitment will not exceed $1,700,000,000.00;
(iv) each increase in the Maximum Total Commitment (including the amounts of any Term Loans) shall be in the minimum amount of $25,000,000;
(v) no Event of Default or Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from such increase in the Maximum Total Commitment;
(vi) as of the date of such increase, the representations and warranties contained in Section 3 and in each other Loan Document are true and correct in all material respects; except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to any earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date and except that for the purposes of this Section 2.22(a)(vi) the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.04 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent financial statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 5.01;
(vii) Borrowers shall pay the applicable Facility Increase Fee;
(viii) subject to Section 2.22(b)(i), Administrative Agent can successfully syndicate the requested increase of the Maximum Revolving Commitment or the requested Term Loan Commitments; and
(ix) Borrowers shall not have, prior to the date of such Facility Increase Request or the effective date of the increase requested pursuant thereto, requested or effectuated a reduction of the Maximum Revolving Commitment pursuant to Section 2.09.
(b) With respect to each Facility Increase Request delivered pursuant to Section 2.22(a)(i), Administrative Agent agrees that:
(i) Administrative Agent will use its best efforts to syndicate the requested increase of the Maximum Revolving Commitment and/or the requested Term Loan Commitments, as applicable;
(ii) each Subsequent Lender shall be an Eligible Assignee; and
(iii) Administrative Agent shall cause: (A) each Increasing Lender to execute a confirmation of such increase in a form acceptable to Administrative Agent; and (B) each Subsequent Lender to execute a joinder to this Agreement in a form acceptable to Administrative Agent.
(c) Notwithstanding anything else in the foregoing: (i) no admission of any Subsequent Lender shall increase the Commitments of any existing Lender without such existing Lender’s consent; (ii) no Lender shall become an Increasing Lender without such Lender’s consent; and (iii) no increase will be permitted after Borrowers have decreased the Maximum Revolving Commitment under Section 2.09.
(d) Any increase under this Section 2.22 will be documented by a written confirmation issued by Administrative Agent, and no amendment agreement will be required (unless amendments other than an increase to the Maximum Revolving Commitment are being effected at the time of such increase). If Administrative Agent deems it advisable in its sole discretion, each Borrower and each Lender agree to execute an amendment to this Agreement, in form and substance acceptable to Administrative Agent, to document an increase in the Maximum Revolving Commitment, as requested by Parent Borrower, pursuant to this Section 2.22(d). Upon the effective date of any increase in the Maximum Revolving Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.22, Administrative Agent may unilaterally revise Schedule 2.01 to reflect such increase.
(e) Any increase in the Maximum Total Commitment in the form of an additional tranche of Term Loans may, if determined necessary by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders providing such Term Loans, in their reasonable discretion, be effected pursuant to one or more amendments (each a “Term Loan Amendment”) executed and delivered by the Credit Parties, the Term Lenders participating in such tranche of Term Loan Commitments, and the Administrative Agent. Each Term Loan Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are consistent with this Section 2.22 and may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, to effect the provisions of this this Section 2.22 with respect thereto. All Term Loans shall (A) mature on the applicable Maturity Date with respect thereto as set forth in the applicable Term Loan Amendment, but shall not mature earlier than the Revolving Loan Maturity Date or the latest Maturity Date for any then-existing tranche of Term Loans, (B) bear interest at such rates as are agreed upon by the Borrower and the Term Lenders providing such Term Loans, (C) not require scheduled amortization prior to the earliest Term Loan Maturity Date for any tranche of outstanding Term Loans but may permit voluntary prepayment (subject to sub-clause (D) hereof), (D) not rank higher than pari passu in right of payment and with respect to security with all Revolving Loans and any other Term Loans or have different borrower or guarantors as the Borrower and Guarantor with respect to all other Obligations; and (E) shall be treated substantially the same as (and in any event no more favorably than) the Revolving Loans and each tranche of Term Loans; provided that (I) the terms and conditions applicable to any tranche of Term Loans maturing after the latest Maturity Date for any then-existing Term Loans may provide for material additional or different financial or other covenants or prepayment requirements applicable only during periods after such Maturity Date and (II) each tranche of Term Loans may be priced differently than any other tranche of Term Loans. On any Facility Increase Date on which any Term Loan Commitments are made, subject to the satisfaction of the foregoing terms and conditions, each Term Lender shall become a Lender hereunder with respect to the Term Loans made pursuant thereto and shall fund the applicable Term Loans in accordance with the requirements of the applicable Term Loan Amendment.
Section 2.23 Borrowing Base.
(a) Initial Borrowing Base. As of the Effective Date, the Borrowing Base shall consist of the Initial Borrowing Base Properties, which Initial Borrowing Base Properties have been accepted by the Lenders.
(b) Changes in Borrowing Base Calculation. Each change in the Borrowing Base shall be effective upon receipt of a new Borrowing Base Report pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; provided that any increase in the Borrowing Base reflected in such Borrowing Base Report shall not become effective until (a) the first (1st) Business Day following admission of any new Borrowing Base Property (unless such Borrowing Base Property is being acquired on such date with a Borrowing under the Credit Agreement), and (b) the fifth (5th) Business Day following delivery of the new Borrowing Base Report in all other instances.
(c) Requests for Admission into Borrowing Base. In connection with any request by the Borrowers to add a new Borrowing Base Property, Parent Borrower shall provide Administrative Agent with the Property Information, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly furnish such Real Property Information and other information to the Lenders.
(d) Eligibility. In order for an Acceptable Property to be eligible for inclusion in the Borrowing Base, such Acceptable Property shall satisfy the following as approved by the Administrative Agent or, if such Real Property does not satisfy the eligibility conditions in this Section 2.23(d), the Required Lenders shall have approved such Acceptable Property for inclusion in the Borrowing Base:
(i) all Property Information with respect to such Acceptable Property shall be reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent;
(ii) the admission of such Acceptable Property into the Borrowing Base shall not breach any obligation of a Borrower under any contractual obligation;
(iii) any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein shall be done or omitted; and
(iv) Borrowers shall have certified to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders that (1) the subject Acceptable Property satisfies the criteria to be included in the calculation of the Borrowing Base, (2) no Default (other than a Default that would be cured by the addition of such Acceptable Property to the pool of Borrowing Base) or Event of Default exists under this Agreement and that the addition of such Acceptable Property as a Borrowing Base Property shall not result in any such Default or Event of Default, and (3) that the applicable Borrowing Base Property Owner and each Consolidated Owner thereof has not incurred, and such Borrowing Base Property Owner and the Consolidated Owners thereof and Acceptable Property are not otherwise subject to or obligated under, any Indebtedness other than the Obligations and, after the Collateral Termination Date, other Unsecured Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.09.
(e) Approval of Borrowing Base Properties. The admission of any Real Property into the Borrowing Base shall require the prior written approval of the Administrative Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed). The Administrative Agent shall respond to any such request for admission within ten (10) Business Days following submission by Parent Borrower to Administrative Agent of all of the information required pursuant to Section 2.23(e) hereof, as more particularly set forth in Section 2.23(g) below.
(f) Joinder/Property Information. An Acceptable Property shall not be admitted into the Borrowing Base until (i) each applicable Borrowing Base Property Owner and Consolidated Owner thereof shall have executed and delivered (or caused to be executed and delivered) to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, an Omnibus Joinder Agreement, and (ii) prior to the Collateral Termination Date the Administrative Agent has received such documentation as the Administrative Agent may require to properly pledge the Equity Interests in the applicable Borrowing Base Property Owner and Consolidated Owners thereof and the Rent Account with respect to such Borrowing Base Properties, which shall consist of an amendment to (or new) Security Agreement or an Omnibus Joinder Agreement with respect thereto and the items that were delivered by the Guarantors on the Effective Date pursuant to Section 4.01(b), Section 4.01(c), and Section 4.01(e); provided that no such Borrowing Base Property Owner or Consolidated Owner shall become a Subsidiary Borrower under the Loan Documents until such Person shall have delivered all documentation and other information requested by the Administrative Agent and any Lender in order for Administrative Agent or such Lender to confirm compliance with applicable “know your customer” and Anti-Money Laundering Laws, including without limitation, the PATRIOT Act, and Administrative Agent and each Lender shall have completed such compliance processes with respect to such Borrowing Base Property Owner and the Consolidated Owners thereof.
(g) Notice of Admission of New Borrowing Base Properties. If, after the date of this Agreement, the Parent Borrower has submitted to the Administrative Agent all of the information required under Section 2.23(c) of this Agreement to establish that an Acceptable Property meets all the requirements to be included in the Borrowing Base set forth in this Section 2.23, then Administrative Agent shall notify Parent Borrower and Lenders within ten (10) Business Days in writing (a) that such Acceptable Property is admitted into the Borrowing Base, and (b) of any changes to the Borrowing Base as a result of the admission of such Acceptable Property into the Borrowing Base. Section
(h) Release of Borrowing Base Property/Guarantors.
Upon the written request of Parent Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent at least ten (10) days prior to the requested release date (the “Release Request”), the Administrative Agent shall release a Borrowing Base Property from the Borrowing Base and, if applicable, (i) release any applicable Subsidiary Borrower from its Obligations hereunder solely to the extent such Subsidiary Borrower only owns the Borrowing Base Property (ies) or Equity Interests in the Borrowing Base Property Owner being released and (ii) release any security interest held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders in the Equity Interests of any Borrowing Base Property Owner that, after giving effect to the release of the relevant Borrowing Base Property, no longer owns any Real Property that is part of the Borrowing Base; provided that no Default or Event of Default exists before and after giving effect thereto (other than Defaults or Events of Default solely with respect to such Borrowing Base Property that would no longer exist after giving effect to the release of such Borrowing Base Property from the Borrowing Base); provided, further, that Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to release any such obligations without (i) a Borrowing Base Report setting forth in reasonable detail the calculations required to establish the amount of the Borrowing Base without such Borrowing Base Property as of the date of such release, and after giving effect to any such release; (ii) a Compliance Certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the calculations required to show that Borrowers are in compliance with the terms of this Agreement without the inclusion of such Borrowing Base Property in the calculation of the Borrowing Base and the various financial covenants set forth herein, as of the date of such release and after giving effect to any such release; (iii) a certificate of the Borrowers providing that the representations and warranties contained in Article 3 and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the requested release date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date; and (iv) prior to the effectiveness of such release, the Borrowers shall make any prepayments required by Section 2.11(d) in connection with such release; and (v) obtaining the consent of the Required Lenders for such Release Request, except that the consent of the Required Lenders shall not be required pursuant to this sub-clause (v) for a Release Request in connection with the sale of a Borrowing Base Properties to the extent (x) the net sales price for such Borrowing Base Property is not expected to be less than 75% of the Borrowing Base Value of such Borrowing Base Property at such time or (y) the Administrative Agent has consented in writing to a sale of a Borrowing Base Property for a net sales price expected to be less than 75% of the then-current Borrowing Base Value thereof so long as the aggregate net sales price of all Borrowing Base Properties sold and released pursuant to this sub-clause (v)(y) shall not exceed $2,000,000.
Administrative Agent shall notify Parent Borrower and Lenders in writing within five (5) days following Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Release Request, whether or not a Borrowing Base Property meets all the requirements to be released from the Borrowing Base set forth in this Section 2.23(h), and if the Borrowing Base Property meets all the requirements to be released from the Borrowing Base, then (a) that such Real Property has been released from the Borrowing Base and as applicable, the applicable Subsidiary Borrower(s) have been released from the Obligations and (b) of any changes to the Borrowing Base as a result of the release of such Real Property from the Borrowing Base.
(i) Exclusion Events. Each of the following events shall be an “Exclusion Event” with respect to a Borrowing Base Property:
(i) such Borrowing Base Property suffers a Material Environmental Event;
(ii) any required permit, license, certificate or approval with respect to such Borrowing Base Property lapses or ceases to be in full force and effect and such lapse or termination results in a Material Property Event;
(iii) the material representations and warranties made by the Credit Parties in this Agreement or any other Loan Documents with respect to such Borrowing Base Property or the Equity Interests in the applicable Borrowing Base Property Owner or Consolidated Owners thereof shall cease to be true and correct in all material respects, except (1) to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date, and (2) for purposes of this clause (i), the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.04 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent financial statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 5.01;
(iv) Administrative Agent determines in good faith that a Material Property Event has occurred with respect to any Borrowing Base Property due to Casualty, condemnation, or similar event at any Borrowing Base Property after the date such Real Property was admitted into the Borrowing Base (or in the case of an uninsured Casualty, in respect of such Borrowing Base Property, is reasonably likely to become a Material Property Event); or
(v) a Lien is established against such Borrowing Base Property not permitted by Section 6.01, or any stop notice served on the owner of such Borrowing Base Property, Administrative Agent or a Lender, remains unsatisfied or unbonded for a period of thirty (30) days after the date of filing or service, in each case resulting in a Material Property Event.
Each Borrower shall, promptly after obtaining knowledge thereof, notify the Administrative Agent of the occurrence of any Exclusion Event with respect to any Borrowing Base Property. After the occurrence of any Exclusion Event with respect to any Borrowing Base Property, for so long as such circumstance exists, such Real Property shall no longer be considered a Borrowing Base Property for purposes of determining the Borrowing Base and the Borrowers shall have five (5) Business Days after the occurrence of such Exclusion Event to comply with Section 2.11(d), unless Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders shall otherwise agree. Borrowing Base Properties which have been subject to an Exclusion Event may, at Parent Borrower’s request, be released from the Borrowing Base; provided that such release shall be subject to the conditions for release set forth in Section 2.23(h).
If such Exclusion Event no longer exists, then Parent Borrower may give Administrative Agent written notice thereof (together with reasonably detailed evidence of the cure of such condition) and such Borrowing Base Property shall, effective with the delivery by Parent Borrower of the next Borrowing Base Report, be considered a Borrowing Base Property for purposes of calculating the Borrowing Base as long as such Borrowing Base Property meets all the requirements to be included in the Borrowing Base set forth in this Section 2.23. Any Real Property that is excluded from the Borrowing Base pursuant to this Section 2.23(i) may subsequently be reinstated as a Borrowing Base Property, even if an Exclusion Event exists, upon such terms and conditions as Required Lenders may approve.
Section 2.24 Permanent Inability to Determine Rate; Benchmark Replacement.
(a) Benchmark Replacement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend this Agreement to replace the then-current Benchmark with a Benchmark Replacement. Any such amendment with respect to a Benchmark Transition Event will become effective at 5:00 p.m. on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the Administrative Agent has posted such proposed amendment to all Lenders and the Borrower so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such amendment from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders. No replacement of the then-current Benchmark with a Benchmark Replacement pursuant to this Section 2.24 will occur prior to the applicable Benchmark Transition Start Date.
(b) Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
(c) Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement and the effectiveness of any Conforming Changes. The Administrative Agent will notify the Borrower and the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or Lenders pursuant to this Section 2.24, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party hereto, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.24.
(d) Unavailability of Tenor of Benchmark. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (i) if any then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Term SOFR Reference Rate) and either (A) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion or (B) the administrator of such Benchmark or the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is not or will not be representative or in compliance with or aligned with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Principles for Financial Benchmarks, then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable, non-representative, non-compliant or non-aligned tenor and (ii) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (i) above either (A) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (B) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is not or will not be representative or in compliance with or aligned with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Principles for Financial Benchmarks for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.
(e) Benchmark Unavailability Period. Upon the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, the Borrower may revoke any request for the applicable SOFR Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of SOFR Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion ABR Loans. During any Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of Alternate Base Rate based upon Adjusted Term SOFR (or then-current Benchmark) will not be used in any determination of Alternate Base Rate.
ARTICLE III
Representations and Warranties
Each Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders, the Letter of Credit Issuer, and the Administrative Agent that:
Section 3.01 Organization; Powers. Each Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, other than VB One and True Mem2016-1, LLC as of the date hereof and prior to the date required by Section 5.20 and except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.
Section 3.02 Authorization; Enforceability. The Transactions are within the corporate, partnership or limited liability company powers (as applicable) of the respective Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership or limited liability company action. This Agreement and the Loan Documents have been duly executed and delivered by each Credit Party which is a party thereto and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of each such Person, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
Section 3.03 Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect or which shall be completed at the appropriate time for such filings under applicable securities laws, (b) will not violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon any Credit Party or Subsidiary thereof or its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any Credit Party or any Borrower’s Subsidiaries, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof, except pursuant to the Pledge AgreementAgreements, the Account Pledge, and Borrower Rent Account Control Agreement.
Section 3.04 Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change.
(a) The Borrowers have heretofore furnished to the Lenders audited financial statements from the date of the formation of Parent through December 31, 20182022 and management-prepared financial statements as of and for the quarterly fiscal period ended June 30March 31, 20192023. Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Parent and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP, subject to year-end audit adjustments.
(b) Since December 31, 20202022, no event has occurred which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.05 Properties.
(a) Each of the Borrowers and its Subsidiaries has title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real and personal property material to its business, except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes, or Liens permitted under Section 6.01.
(b) To each Credit Party’s actual knowledge, all franchises, licenses, authorizations, rights of use, governmental approvals and permits (including all certificates of occupancy and building permits) required to have been issued by Governmental Authority to enable all Real Property owned or leased by a Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to be operated as then being operated have been lawfully issued and are in full force and effect, other than those which the failure to obtain in the aggregate would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. To each Credit Party’s actual knowledge, no Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof is in violation of the terms or conditions of any such franchises, licenses, authorizations, rights of use, governmental approvals and permits, which violation would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) None of the Credit Parties has received any notice or has any actual knowledge of any pending, threatened or contemplated condemnation proceeding affecting the Borrowing Base Properties or any part thereof, or any proposed termination or impairment of any parking (except as contemplated in any approved expansion approved by Administrative Agent) at the Borrowing Base Properties or of any sale or other disposition of the Borrowing Base Properties or any part thereof in lieu of condemnation, which in the aggregate, are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.06 Intellectual Property. To the actual knowledge of each Credit Party, such Credit Party and its Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use, all patents and other intellectual property material to its business, and the use thereof by such Credit Party or such Subsidiary does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. To the actual knowledge of each Credit Party, there are no material slogans or other advertising devices, projects, processes, methods, substances, parts or components, or other material now employed, or now contemplated to be employed, by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party, with respect to the operation of any Real Property, and no claim or litigation regarding any slogan or advertising device, project, process, method, substance, part or component or other material employed, or now contemplated to be employed by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party, is pending or threatened, the outcome of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.07 Litigation and Environmental Matters.
(a) To the actual knowledge of the Borrowers, except as set forth in Schedule 3.07 attached hereto, there are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, threatened against or affecting any Credit Party or any Borrower’s Subsidiaries (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or in a Material Property Event with respect to any Borrowing Base Property or (ii) that involve this Agreement or the Transactions.
(b) Except with respect to any matters that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or in a Material Property Event with respect to any Borrowing Base Property:
(i) to the actual knowledge of the Credit Parties, all Real Property leased or owned by a Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is free from contamination by any Hazardous Material, except to the extent such contamination would not reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect or in a Material Property Event with respect to any Borrowing Base Property;
(ii) to the actual knowledge of the Credit Parties, the operations of each Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and the operations at the Real Property leased or owned by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, except to the extent such noncompliance would not reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect or in a Material Property Event with respect to any Borrowing Base Property;
(iii) neither any Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries have known liabilities with respect to Hazardous Materials and, to the knowledge of each Credit Party, no facts or circumstances exist which would reasonably be expected to give rise to liabilities with respect to Hazardous Materials, in either case, except to the extent such liabilities would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or in a Material Property Event with respect to any Borrowing Base Property;
(iv) to each Borrower’s actual knowledge, (A) each Borrower and its Subsidiaries and all Real Property owned or leased by a Borrower or its Subsidiaries have all Environmental Permits necessary for the operations at such Real Property and are in compliance with such Environmental Permits; (B) there are no legal proceedings pending nor, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened to revoke, or alleging the violation of, such Environmental Permits; and (C) none of the Credit Parties have received any notice from any source to the effect that there is lacking any Environmental Permit required in connection with the current use or operation of any such properties, in each case, except to the extent the non-obtainment or loss of an Environmental Permit would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or in a Material Property Event with respect to any Borrowing Base Property;
(v) [intentionally deleted];
(vi) to the actual knowledge of each Credit Party, none of the Credit Parties are subject to any pending legal proceeding alleging the violation of any Environmental Law nor are any such proceedings threatened, in either case, except to the extent any such proceedings would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or in a Material Property Event with respect to any Borrowing Base Property;
(vii) [intentionally deleted];
(viii) to the actual knowledge of each Credit Party, none of the operations of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or of any owner of premises currently leased by a Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or of any tenant of premises currently leased from a Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, involve the generation, transportation, treatment, storage or disposal of hazardous waste, as defined under 40 C.F.R. Part 261.3 (in effect as of the date of this Agreement) or any state, local, territorial or foreign equivalent, in violation of Environmental Laws; and
(ix) to the knowledge of the Credit Parties, there is not now (except, in all cases, to the extent the existence thereof would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or in a Material Property Event with respect to any Borrowing Base Property), on, in or under any Real Property leased or owned by a Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (A) any underground storage tanks or surface tanks, dikes or impoundments (other than for surface water); (B) any friable asbestos-containing materials; (C) any polychlorinated biphenyls; or (D) any radioactive substances other than naturally occurring radioactive material.
Section 3.08 Compliance with Laws and Agreements; No Default. Each of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries is in material compliance with all Legal Requirements (including all Environmental Laws) applicable to it or its property and all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or to its knowledge, its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has occurred and is continuing.
Section 3.09 Investment and Holding Company Status. Neither any of the Credit Parties nor any Borrower’s Subsidiaries is (a) an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940 or (b) a “holding company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.
Section 3.10 Taxes. Each Credit Party and each Borrowers’ Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which such Person has set aside on its books adequate reserves or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or in a Material Property Event with respect to any Borrowing Base Property.
Section 3.11 ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither any Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries have any Plans as of the date hereof. As to any future Plan the present value of all accumulated benefit obligations under each Plan (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87) will not exceed the fair market value of the assets of such Plan, and the present value of all accumulated benefit obligations of all underfunded Plans (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87) will not exceed the fair market value of the assets of all such underfunded Plans.
Section 3.12 Disclosure. To the actual knowledge of the Borrowers, each Borrower has disclosed or made available to the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it, any other Credit Party, or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the reports, financial statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of any Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, each Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time.
Section 3.13 Solvency. As of the Effective Date and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including any contribution rights under the Guaranty), including all Loans made or to be made hereunder on the date of each Borrowing, each Credit Party is not insolvent on a balance sheet basis such that the sum of such Person’s assets exceeds the sum of such Person’s liabilities, each Credit Party is able to pay its debts as they become due, and each Credit Party has sufficient capital to carry on its business.
Section 3.14 Margin Regulations. Neither any Borrower nor any Subsidiary of a Borrower is engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the Board), and no proceeds of the Loans will be used to purchase or carry any margin stock.
Section 3.15 Subsidiaries; REIT Qualification. As of the Effective Date, no Person owns any Equity Interests in the Borrowing Base Properties except as set forth on Schedule 3.14 attached hereto. Each Borrower qualifies as a “qualified REIT subsidiary” under Section 856 of the Code. The Parent is a Maryland corporation duly organized pursuant to articles of incorporation filed with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, and is in good standing under the laws of Maryland. The Parent conducts its business in a manner which enables it to qualify as a real estate investment trust under, and to be entitled to the benefits of, §856 of the Code, and has elected to be treated as and will be entitled to the benefits of a real estate investment trust thereunder.
Section 3.16 OFAC; Anti-Money Laundering. None of the Credit Parties, any of the other Subsidiaries, or any other Affiliate thereof is (or will be) (i) a Sanctioned Person, (ii) located, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction, (iii) to the best of each Borrower’s knowledge, without any independent inquiry, is or has been (within the previous five (5) years) engaged in any transaction with any Sanctioned Person or any Person who is located, organized or resident in any Designated Jurisdiction to the extent that such transactions would violate Sanctions, or (iv) has violated any Anti-Money Laundering Law in any material respect. Each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries, and to the knowledge of the Credit Parties, each director, officer, employee, agent and Affiliate of the Credit Parties and each such Subsidiary, is in compliance with the Anti-Corruption Laws in all material respects. The Credit Parties have implemented and maintain in effect policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with the Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.
Section 3.17 Affected Financial Institution. No Credit Party is an Affected Financial Institution.
Section 3.18 Borrowing Base Properties. To each Borrower’s knowledge and except (i) as disclosed in the Real Property Information delivered to Administrative Agent, and (ii) where the failure of any of the following to be true and correct would not constitute a Material Adverse Effect or result in a Material Property Event with respect to any Borrowing Base Property:
(a) Each Borrowing Base Property Owner has good record and marketable title in fee simple to all Borrowing Base Properties necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of its business, except for such defects in title as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or result in a Material Property Event with respect to such Borrowing Base Property. Each applicable Borrowing Base Property Owner has good record and marketable fee simple title to the Borrowing Base Property owned by such Borrowing Base Property Owner, subject only to Liens permitted by Section 6.01. All of the outstanding Equity Interests in each Borrowing Base Property Owner have been validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by a Borrower or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary thereof free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens permitted by Section 6.01).
(b) Each Borrowing Base Property complies in all material respects with all Legal Requirements, including all subdivision and platting requirements, without reliance on any adjoining or neighboring property. No Credit Party has received any written notice or written claim from any Person that a Borrowing Base Property, or any use, activity, operation, or maintenance thereof or thereon, is not in compliance with any Legal Requirement, and has no knowledge of any such noncompliance except as disclosed to Administrative Agent;
(c) The Credit Parties have not directly or indirectly conveyed, assigned, or otherwise disposed of, or transferred (or agreed to do so), other than pursuant to Permitted Liens, any development rights, air rights, or other similar rights, privileges, or attributes with respect to a Borrowing Base Property, including those arising under any zoning or property use ordinance or other Legal Requirements;
(d) All utility services necessary for the use of each Borrowing Base Property and the operation thereof for their intended purpose are available at each Borrowing Base Property;
(e) The current use of each Borrowing Base Property complies in all material respects with all applicable zoning ordinances, regulations, and restrictive covenants affecting such Borrowing Base Property, all use restrictions of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction have been satisfied;
(f) Except as disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent, the rent rolls delivered to the Administrative Agent with respect thereof are true, correct and complete in all material respects and the Leases referred to thereon are all valid and in full force and effect; (ii) the Leases (including modifications thereto) are in writing, and there are no oral agreements with respect thereto; (iii) the copies of each of the Leases (if any) delivered to the Administrative Agent are true, correct and complete in all material respects and have not been modified (or further modified); (iv) to the knowledge of any Credit Party, no material defaults exist under any of the Leases by any party (including any guarantor) thereto that, individually or in the aggregate with respect to all such defaults that could reasonably be expected to be a Material Property Event; (v) no Credit Party has any knowledge of any presently effective notice of termination or notice of default given by any tenant in writing under any other Leases that individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to be a Material Property Event; (vi) no Credit Party has made any presently effective assignment or pledge of any of the Leases, the rents or any interests therein except to the Administrative Agent; (vii) no tenant or other party has an option or right of first refusal to purchase all or any portion of any Borrowing Base Property; (viii) no tenant has the right to terminate any Lease prior to expiration of the stated term of such Lease (except as a result of counterparty breach, casualty, condemnation or other customary basis of a right to terminate); and (ix) no tenant has prepaid more than one month’s rent in advance (except for bona fide security deposits);
(g) No Borrowing Base Property is the subject of any pending or, to any Credit Party’s knowledge, threatened condemnation or material adverse zoning proceeding for which Administrative Agent has not been notified in writing; and
(h) Each Borrowing Base Property complies with the conditions to be included as a Borrowing Base Property under Section 2.23(d)(ii) and, except as previously disclosed to the Administrative Agent in writing, no Exclusion Event with respect to any such Borrowing Base Property has occurred.
ARTICLE IV
Conditions
Section 4.01 Effective Date. The obligations of the Lenders and Letter of Credit Issuer to make Credit Extensions hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):
(a) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from each Credit Party either (i) a counterpart of this Agreement and all other Loan Documents to which it is party signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission of a signed signature page of each such Loan Document other than the Notes) that such party has signed a counterpart of the Loan Documents, together with copies of all Loan Documents.
(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received a favorable written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Effective Date) of Wick Phillips Gould & Martin, LLP, counsel for the Borrowers and the Guarantor, and such other counsel as the Administrative Agent may approve, covering such matters relating to the Credit Parties, the Loan Documents or the Transactions as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request. The Borrowers hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinion.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received such documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of the Credit Parties, the authorization of the Transactions and any other legal matters relating to the Credit Parties, this Agreement (including each Credit Party’s compliance with Section 9.14 and other customary “know your customer” requirements) or the Transactions, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.
(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a Compliance Certificate and a Borrowing Base Report, each dated the date of this Agreement and signed by a Financial Officer of the Parent Borrower, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received searches of Uniform Commercial Code (“UCC”) filings (or their equivalent) together with such other customary lien, litigation and bankruptcy searches as the Administrative Agent may require.
(f) The Administrative Agent shall have received the fees required to be paid on the Effective Date under the Fee Letter and all other fees and amounts due and payable on or prior to the Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrowers hereunder.
(g) The Administrative Agent shall have received required Property Information with respect to each Initial Borrowing Base Property.
(h) The representations and warranties of each Credit Party set forth in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document shall be true and correct on and as of the Effective Date.
(i) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to the making of the Loans, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
(j) [Intentionally Omitted].
(k) Upon the reasonable request of any Lender made at least ten (10) days prior to the Effective Date, each Borrower shall have provided to such Lender the documentation and other information so requested in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money-laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act, in each case at least five (5) days prior to the Effective Date.
(l) At least five (5) days prior to the Effective Date, any Borrower that qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation shall deliver a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to such Borrower to each requesting Lender.
Section 4.02 Each Borrowing. The obligation of each Lender (as applicable) to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing or other Credit Extension is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
(a) The representations and warranties of each Credit Party set forth in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document shall be true and correct on and as of the date of such Credit Extension.
(b) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Credit Extension, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
(c) With respect to any requested Borrowings, the Borrowers shall have complied with Section 2.02.
(d) In the case of a Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Issuer shall have received a Request for Letter of Credit and a Letter of Credit Application executed by the Parent Borrower, and shall have countersigned the same.
(e) For any Credit Extension on or after the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, the Specified Credit Conditions shall have been satisfied.
(f) (e) Each Request for Credit Extension shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrowers on the date thereof as to the matters specified in this Section.
ARTICLE V
Affirmative Covenants
Until the principal of and interest on the Loans and all fees payable hereunder shall have been paid in full, and all Letters of Credit have expired or been fully Cash Collateralized, each Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders and Letter of Credit Issuer that:
Section 5.01 Financial Statements; Ratings Change and Other Information. The Borrowers will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:
(a) within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Parent, the Parent’s audited consolidated and consolidating balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, together with all notes thereto, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by Ernst & Young or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated and consolidating financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Parent and, its consolidated Subsidiaries, and NXHT on a consolidated and consolidating basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;
(b) within 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of each fiscal year of the Parent, the Parent’s consolidated and consolidating balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year and including supporting notes and schedules, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Parent, its consolidated Subsidiaries, and NXHT on a consolidated and consolidating basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;
(c) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) above, a compliance certificate of a Financial Officer of the Parent (the “Compliance Certificate”) in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto;
(d) within 6045 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of each fiscal year of the Parent, an updated Borrowing Base Report executed by a Financial Officer of the Parent and a Borrowing Base Report;
(e) no later than ten (10) Business Days after the end of each calendar month, an updated Compliance Certificate including a calculation of the Liquidity during such month and the Excess Cash Flow for such month;
(f) (e) [Intentionally Omitted]On the 15th and 30th (or last day of February) day of each calendar month, a report in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent and Required Lenders setting forth (i) all of the homes sold during the most-recently ended two weeks, listing for each home the net sales price, the original sale price, the amount of capital expenditures invested, the resulting gain (or loss) for such home, and, if such home was a Borrowing Base Property, the Borrowing Base Value thereof, (ii) homes under contract for sale, listing the contractual sales price and expected closing date for each; (iii) homes currently on the market for sale, listing the expected sales price for each; and (iv) a period by period schedule of projected sales; and
(g) (f) promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Borrower, or compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.
Section 5.02 Financial Tests. The Parent and the Borrowers shall have and maintain at all times, on a consolidated basis, tested as of the close of each calendar quarter (except as explicitly set forth below):
(a) A Total Leverage Ratio not to exceed (i) at any time prior the Collateral Termination Date to November 3, 2024, sixty-five percent (65%) and (ii) at any time from and after the Collateral Termination Date, sixtyNovember 3, 2024, fifty-five percent (6055%); provided, that if the Total Leverage Ratio is greater than 60% after the occurrence of the Collateral Termination Date, then the Borrowers shall be deemed to be in compliance with this Section 5.02(a) so long as (i) the Borrowers completed a Material Acquisition during the quarter in which the Total Leverage Ratio first exceeded 60%, (ii) the Total Leverage Ratio does not exceed 60% for a period of more than four (4) fiscal quarters immediately following the fiscal quarter in which such Material Acquisition was completed, (iii) the Total Leverage Ratio is not greater than 65% at any time, and (iv) the Borrowers have not been deemed to be in compliance with this Section 5.02(a) pursuant to this proviso (or in compliance with Section 5.02(k) pursuant to the proviso thereto) more than two (2) times (each time for up to four (4) fiscal quarters) since the Effective Date;
(b) A minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than (i) prior tofor the Collateral Termination Date 1.60:1.00fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2023, 1.25:1.00, (ii) for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2023, 1.50:1.00 and (ii) at any time from and after the Collateral Termination Date, 1.75January 1, 2024, starting with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2024, 1.60 to 1.0;
(c) Tangible Net Worth at all times after March 31, 2023 of not less than the sum of (i) $1,250,000,000953,924,000, plus (ii) 80% of the net proceeds of all equity issuances of the Parent or Parent Borrower raised after the Effective DateMarch 31, 2023;
(d) At any time from and after the Collateral Termination Date, a Secured Leverage Ratio not to exceed forty percent (40%); provided, that if the Secured Leverage Ratio is greater than 40% after the occurrence of the Collateral Termination Date, then the Borrowers shall be deemed to be in compliance with this Section 5.02(d) so long as (i) the Borrowers completed a Material Acquisition financed principally with Secured Indebtedness during the quarter in which the Secured Leverage Ratio first exceeded 40%, (ii) the Secured Leverage Ratio does not exceed 40% for a period of more than four (4) fiscal quarters immediately following the fiscal quarter in which such Material Acquisition was completed, (iii) the Secured Leverage Ratio is not greater than 45% at any time, and (iv) the Borrowers have not been deemed to be in compliance with this Section 5.02(d) pursuant to this proviso (or in compliance with Section 5.02(a) or Section 5.02(k) pursuant to the proviso thereto) more than two (2) times (each time for up to four (4) fiscal quarters) since the Effective Date;[Reserved];
(e) At any time from and after the Collateral Termination Date, Total Secured Recourse Indebtedness shall not exceed an aggregate principal amount equal to ten percent (10%) of Total Asset Value at any one time outstanding[Reserved];
(f) A maximum Payout Ratio of (i) from the Sixth Amendment Effective Date until September 30, 2023, one-hundred twenty five percent (125%), (ii) from October 1, 2023 until December 31, 2023, one-hundred twenty percent (120%), (iii) from January 1, 2024 until March 31, 2024, one-hundred five percent (105%), and (iv) thereafter, ninety five percent (95%);
(g) A minimum Liquidity of $10,000,000(i) from April 1, 2023 until and including September 30, 2023, $5,000,000 at all times, and (ii) at all times thereafter, $10,000,000;
(h) The aggregate Unhedged Variable Rate Debt of the Parent and its Subsidiaries shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of Total Asset Value;
(i) At any time prior to the Collateral Termination Date, Recourse Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) of the Parent shall not exceed an aggregate principal amount equal to fifteen percent (15%) of Total Asset Value at any one time outstanding;
(j) The Borrowers shall maintain a minimum of five hundred (500) Borrowing Base Properties at all times with a combined Borrowing Base Value of no less than $50,000,000.00;
(k) An Unsecured Leverage Ratio not to exceed, at any time from and after the Collateral Termination Date, sixty percent (60%); provided, that if the Unsecured Leverage Ratio is greater than 60% after the occurrence of the Collateral Termination Date, then the Borrowers shall be deemed to be in compliance with this Section 5.02(k) so long as (i) the Borrowers completed a Material Acquisition financed principally with Loans or other Unsecured Indebtedness during the quarter in which the Unsecured Leverage Ratio first exceeded 60%, (ii) the Unsecured Leverage Ratio does not exceed 60% for a period of more than four (4) fiscal quarters immediately following the fiscal quarter in which such Material Acquisition was completed, (iii) the Unsecured Leverage Ratio is not greater than 65% at any time, and (iv) the Borrowers have not been deemed to be in compliance with this Section 5.02(k) pursuant to this proviso (or in compliance with Section 5.02(a) or Section 5.02(d) pursuant to the proviso thereto) more than two (2) times (each time for up to four (4) fiscal quarters) since the Effective Date; and[Reserved];
(l) [Reserved]; and
(m) (l) AFor the period ending September 30, 2023 and all periods thereafter, a minimum UnsecuredBorrowing Base Interest Coverage Ratio of not less than, at any time from and after the Collateral Termination Date, 2.00 1.40 to 1.01.00.
Section 5.03 Notices of Material Events. Each Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender written notice of the following promptly after it becomes aware of same (unless specific time is set forth below):
(a) the occurrence of any Default under this Agreement;
(b) within fifteen (15) Business Days after the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting any Credit Party or any Affiliate thereof that, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) within fifteen (15) Business Days after the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, would reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $10,000,000.00; and
(d) any other development that results in, or would reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.
Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Financial Officer or other executive officer of Parent Borrower setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.
Section 5.04 Existence; Conduct of Business. Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under this Agreement. Each Borrower must at all times be a wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent Borrower. The Borrowers may not be organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.
Section 5.05 Payment of Obligations. Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay its obligations, including Tax liabilities, that, if not paid, would result in a Material Adverse Effect before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) such Borrower or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.06 Maintenance of Properties; Insurance.
(a) Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (i) keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and (ii) maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are reasonable and customary for similarly situated Real Properties.
(b) Each Borrower will pay and discharge, or cause to be paid and discharged, all taxes, assessments, maintenance charges, permit fees, impact fees, development fees, capital repair charges, utility reservations and standby fees and all other similar impositions of every kind and character charged, levied, assessed or imposed against any interest in any of its material Real Properties owned by it or any of its Subsidiaries, as they become payable and before they become delinquent. The Borrowers shall furnish receipts evidencing proof of such payment to the Administrative Agent promptly after payment and before delinquency.
Section 5.07 Books and Records; Inspection Rights; Management Meetings; Consultant.
(a) Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities.
(b) Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, including the Lenders’ Financial Advisor, upon reasonable prior notice and subject to rights of tenants, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested.
(c) The Parent and the Borrowers will cause their senior management and senior management of the Advisor to hold meetings with the Administrative Agent and Lenders via telephone conference, in each case, upon reasonable request by the Administrative Agent and upon reasonable notice to discuss the Parent’s and Borrowers’ financial performance, forecasts, reporting and Collateral. The format and content of the meetings shall be acceptable to the Administrative Agent. From the Sixth Amendment Effective Date until the Balance Date, the Administrative Agent may request that such meetings be held on a monthly basis, and thereafter, the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may request such meetings from time to time in their reasonable discretion.
(d) The Lenders, as a group, will, at the Borrower’s sole cost and expense, engage a financial advisor (the “Lenders’ Financial Advisor”), which shall be acceptable to Required Lenders. The scope of the engagement of the Lenders’ Financial Advisor shall be approved by the Required Lenders and shall include, among others, analysis of past financial reporting and projections, and analysis of asset disposition; it being understood that the findings of the Lenders’ Financial Advisor shall be solely for informational purposes and any determination as to the Credit Parties’ compliance with the covenants or other terms of this Agreement shall be made solely by the Lenders in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Lenders expect to engage the Lenders’ Financial Advisor no later than forty-five (45) days after the Sixth Amendment Effective Date. The Borrowers shall pay the fees and costs of the Lenders’ Financial Advisor as they become due and, subject to Section 5.21, may use amounts on deposit in the Cash Collateral Account to make such payments.
Section 5.08 Compliance with Laws. Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.09 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Loans and Letters of Credit will be used solely to fund a portion of the cost to consummate the acquisition of Real Properties consisting of single family homes or 2-4 unit multifamily properties and for other general corporate purposes of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries.
Section 5.10 Fiscal Year. Borrower shall maintain as its fiscal year the twelve (12) month period ending on December 31 of each year.
Section 5.11 Environmental Matters. Each Borrower shall comply and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries and each Real Property owned or leased by such parties to comply in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws currently or hereafter in effect, except to the extent noncompliance would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.12 Collateral Requirement.
(a) General Requirement. The Obligations and the Hedging Obligations shall be secured by a perfected first priority lien and security interest to be held by the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents, in all of the Collateral. Without limitation to the foregoing, the Borrowers shall grant to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a perfected first priority lien and security interest in the following assets (collectively, the “Additional Collateral”):
(i) The Cash Collateral Reserve Account;
(ii) Promptly after repayment in full of the Ray J Bridge Obligations, the Equity Interests in the owners of the Real Property that provides credit support for the Ray J Bridge and all other assets securing the Ray J Bridge Obligations, pursuant to documentation substantially in the form and terms of the Security Documents;
(iii) All of the Credit Parties’ right, title, and interest in any Hedging Agreements, whether now existing or entered into hereafter, including all Hedging Agreements provided by any Lender or any other Person; and
(iv) All of the Credit Parties’ right, title, and interest to receive any distributions, cash flow or other net proceeds from all Capital Events (including Equity Offerings); provided that any such interest that also constitutes Ray J Bridge Loan Capital Events Collateral shall be subject and subordinate and junior to liens securing the Ray J Bridge Loan consistent with the priorities set forth in Section 2.11(f) (such Additional Collateral described in this clause (iv), the “Common Collateral”).
Additionally, promptly after repayment in full of the Ray J Bridge Obligations, the Borrowers shall propose for inclusion in the Borrowing Base in accordance with Section 2.23 all of the Real Property that provides credit support for the Ray J Bridge, subject to approval in accordance to such section.
(b) Release of Collateral. Upon the refinancing or repayment of the Obligations in full, then, unless otherwise agreed with respect to the Hedging Obligations, the Administrative Agent shall release the Collateral from the lien and security interest of the Security Documents.
(c) Collateral Termination Date. Provided no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or would exist immediately after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Section 5.12(c)), the Administrative Agent shall release the Collateral for the Obligations, promptly upon the request of Parent Borrower subject to the following terms and conditions: (any date of such release, a “Collateral Termination Date”):
(i) no Default or Event of Default exists before and after giving effect thereto;
(ii) Parent Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent with such request a Compliance Certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the calculations evidencing compliance (on a pro forma basis) with the financial covenants set forth in Section 5.02(a) (Total Leverage Ratio), (b) (Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio), (d) (Secured Leverage Ratio), (e) (Secured Recourse Indebtedness Limitation), (k) (Unsecured Leverage Ratio), and (l) (Unsecured Interest Coverage Ratio), in each case, that would be applicable after giving effect to the requested Collateral Termination Date;
(iii) all Bridge Loans shall have been paid in full;
(iv) all release documents and related escrow arrangements to be executed by the Administrative Agent shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and
(v) Borrower shall pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent in connection with such release, including without limitation, reasonable and documented outside attorneys’ fees.
The Administrative Agent shall notify Borrowers and the Lenders of the occurrence of the Collateral Termination Date.
Section 5.13 Further Assurances. At any time upon the request of the Administrative Agent, Borrowers will, promptly and at the Borrowers’ expense, execute, acknowledge and deliver such further documents and perform such other acts and things as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to evidence the Loans made hereunder and interest thereon in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
Section 5.14 Bank Accounts. The Credit Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain with KeyBank all corporate-level accounts and, to the extent not required to be maintained with another applicable lender of Indebtedness permitted hereunder, all escrow or reserve accounts of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries . The Credit Parties shall also use commercially reasonable efforts to utilize KeyBank (and cause each Subsidiary thereof to utilize KeyBank) for all cash management services.
Section 5.15 Parent Covenants. The Parent will:
(a) own, directly or indirectly, at least fifty one percent (51%) of the limited partnership interests in the Parent Borrower, free and clear of all Liens;
(b) maintain management and control of Parent Borrower;
(c) conduct substantially all of its operations through Parent Borrower and/or one or more of Parent Borrower’s Subsidiaries;
(d) comply with all Legal Requirements to maintain, and, will at all times elect, qualify as and maintain, its status as a real estate investment trust under Section 856(c)(i) of the Code; and
(e) subject to the terms of the Loan Documents, promptly contribute to Parent Borrower the net proceeds of any stock sales or debt offerings, except for amounts reasonably necessary to supply the working capital of the Parent.
Section 5.16 Borrowing Base Properties. Except where the failure to comply with any of the following would not constitute a Material Property Event with respect to any Borrowing Base Property then in the Borrowing Base, each Borrower and each other Credit Party shall:
(a) Pay all real estate and personal property taxes, assessments, water rates or sewer rents, ground rents, maintenance charges, impositions, and any other charges, including vault charges and license fees for the use of vaults, chutes and similar areas adjoining any Borrowing Base Property, now or hereafter levied or assessed or imposed against any Borrowing Base Property or any part thereof prior to delinquency (except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted);
(b) Promptly pay (or cause to be paid) prior to delinquency all bills and costs for labor, materials, and specifically fabricated materials incurred in connection with any Borrowing Base Property (except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted), and in any event never permit to be created or exist in respect of any Borrowing Base Property or any part thereof any other or additional Lien or security interest other than Liens permitted by Section 6.01;
(c) Operate the Borrowing Base Properties in a good and workmanlike manner and in all material respects in accordance with all Legal Requirements in accordance with such Credit Party’s prudent business judgment; and
(d) To the extent owned and controlled by a Credit Party, preserve, protect, renew, extend and retain all material rights and privileges granted for or applicable to each Borrowing Base Property.
Section 5.17 Environmental Matters. Each Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Credit Party to:
(a) Use reasonable efforts to keep the Borrowing Base Properties free of Contamination;
(b) Promptly deliver to Administrative Agent a copy of each final report pertaining to any Borrowing Base Property or to any Credit Party prepared by or on behalf of such Credit Party pursuant to a material violation of any Environmental Law; and
(c) As soon as practicable advise Administrative Agent in writing of any Environmental Claim or of the discovery of any Contamination on any Borrowing Base Property, as soon as any Credit Party first obtains knowledge thereof, including a description of the nature and extent of the Environmental Claim or Hazardous Material and all relevant circumstances.
Section 5.18 Accounts. In order to further secure performance by the Credit Parties of the payment and performance of the Obligations, (i) the Borrowers will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each Borrowing Base Property Owner to establish any new account opened by such Borrowing Base Property Owner in the ordinary course of business for cash management and depository services with the Administrative Agent, and (ii) each Rent Account shall be pledged as collateral to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and, if maintained with a depository other than the Administrative Agent, the applicable Borrowing Base Property Owner shall enter into a Borrower Rent Account Control Agreement with respect thereto. Provided no Event of Default shall be in existence, the Borrowers shall have full access to and the full use and benefit of all amounts on deposit in each respective Rent Account. After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent shall have sole control and dominion over such Rent Account and may apply all funds on deposit in each such Rent Account to the repayment of the Obligations. To the extent that any collections of such rental and other payments are not sent directly to a Rent Account but are received by any Credit Party or property manager, such collections shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and promptly remitted, in the form received, to the applicable Rent Account.
Section 5.19 Keepwell. Each Credit Party that is a Qualified ECP Party at the time that the Agreement becomes effective with respect to any Hedging Obligation, hereby jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Borrower that is not then an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act (a “Specified Party”) to honor all of its obligations under the Agreement in respect of Hedging Obligations (but, in each case, only up to the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering such Qualified ECP Party’s obligations and undertakings under this Section 5.19 voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations and undertakings of each Qualified ECP Party under this Section 5.19 shall remain in full force and effect until the Loans have been repaid in full. Each Qualified ECP Party intends this Section 5.19 to constitute, and this Section shall be deemed to constitute, a guarantee of the obligations of, and a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of, each Specified Party for all purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act.
Section 5.20 Post-Closing Good Standings. The Borrowers shall deliver to the Administrative Agent within thirty (30) days of the date hereof (or such later date as Administrative Agent in its sole discretion may agree), evidence dated within thirty (30) days of such delivery that each of VB One and True Mem2016-1, LLC is validly existing and in good standing in the State of Tennessee.
Section 5.21 Cash Collateral Reserve Account. The Parent Borrower has established Account #XXXX05183 maintained with KeyBank in the name of the Parent Borrower for deposit of certain cash collateral to be used for certain working capital needs of the Borrowers (the “Cash Collateral Reserve Account”). Substantially concurrently (and in any event, within one (1) Business Day) with the consummation of the July 2023 Offering, the Borrowers shall deposit into the Cash Collateral Reserve Account an amount equal to $20,000,000. The Cash Collateral Reserve Account is subject to the sole dominion, control and discretion of Administrative Agent, its authorized agents or designees, subject to the terms of the Loan Documents. Neither any Borrower nor any other party shall have the right of withdrawal with respect to the Cash Collateral Reserve Account, except in accordance with the provisions of, and for the purposes stated in, this Section 5.21. So long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, amounts on deposit in the Cash Collateral Reserve Account may be made available to the Borrowers in accordance with this Section 5.21 to (i) pay the Internalization Transaction Deferred Compensation upon satisfaction of the Internalization Transaction Payment Conditions in accordance with Section 6.05(f), (ii) to pay the fees and expenses of the Lenders’ Financial Advisor, and (iii) for other working capital needs of the Loan Parties that are approved by (x) the Administrative Agent in its sole but reasonable discretion; provided that the Administrative Agent may not approve use of more than $5,000,000 on deposit in the Cash Collateral Account (excluding amounts permitted pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above) without the consent of the Required Lenders or (y) otherwise, the Required Lenders (collectively, “Permitted Operating Uses”). Borrower may request that the Administrative Agent agree to release a portion of the funds in the Cash Collateral Reserve Account to be used for Permitted Operating Uses. In connection therewith, the Borrower will submit a written request therefor no later than five (5) Business Days prior to the request release, together with a description of the proposed uses and such supporting information as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request to make its determination. The Administrative Agent and Required Lenders will use commercially reasonable efforts to respond to such request and confirm whether the requested uses are Permitted Operating Uses within a commercially reasonable period and, if such release is approved in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.21, to release such funds to the Borrowers within a commercially reasonable period. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default hereunder, all amounts contained in the Cash Collateral Reserve Account may be applied by the Agent to the Obligations as provided in Section 7.03. Any remaining balance of the Cash Collateral Reserve Account shall be promptly paid over to the Borrowers upon the earlier to occur of (i) payment in full of the Obligations and (ii) satisfaction of the Specified Credit Conditions.
ARTICLE VI
Negative Covenants
Until the principal of and interest on the Loans and all other amounts due and payable hereunder have been paid in full, and all Letters of Credit have expired or been fully Cash Collateralized, each Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders and Letter of Credit Issuer that:
Section 6.01 Liens. Neither the Parent nor any Borrower will create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on (a) the Collateral other than (i) a first priority security interest in and upon the Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, (ii) non-consensual Liens, if any, imposed on the property of any Credit Party not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which appropriate reserves in accordance with GAAP have been set aside on the applicable Credit Party’s books and which do not otherwise constitute an Event of Default, and (iii) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s liens, rights of set-off or similar rights or remedies as to deposit accounts or securities accounts, and (iv) Liens in the proceeds of Capital Events (other than with respect to the Subsidiary Borrowers and their assets) and on Equity Offerings of the Parent and Parent Borrower and proceeds thereof securing the Ray J Bridge Obligations subject to documentation reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, or (b) any of the Borrowing Base Properties or any direct or indirect Equity Interest in any Borrowing Base Property Owner, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including accounts receivable) or rights in respect of any thereof, except solely with respect to the Borrowing Base Properties, Permitted Encumbrances.
Section 6.02 Fundamental Changes. Neither the Parent nor any Borrower will, nor will they permit any of their Subsidiaries to:
(a) merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of the assets of a Borrower or all or substantially all of the stock of its Subsidiaries (in each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or liquidate or dissolve;
(b) sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any of its assets to the extent such transaction would result in a breach of Section 5.02 or, with respect to the sale of any Borrowing Base Property to the extent such transaction would result in a breach of Section 2.23(h); or
(c) engage to any material extent in any business other than the ownership of interest in entities that own, develop, operate and manage the Real Properties and businesses reasonably related thereto, except as allowed by Section 6.03.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6.02, the Borrowers shall not, and shall not permit any other Credit Party or any of their Subsidiaries to, consummate any sale, merger, transfer, or any similar transaction with respect to any Real Estate or Equity Interests in any Person if the value or consideration of such transaction, together with the value or consideration of all other similar transactions consummated in the immediately preceding twelve months, would exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the Total Asset Value on such date, unless the Borrowers shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent, at least five (5) Business Days prior to the expected consummation date for such transaction, written notice of such transaction (with reasonable detail) together with a Compliance Certificate evidencing that no Default or Event of Default would exist after giving effect to such transaction or result therefrom.
Section 6.03 Investments, Loans, Advances and Acquisitions. Neither the Parent nor any Borrower will purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any merger with any Person that was not a wholly owned Subsidiary prior to such merger) any capital stock, evidences of indebtedness (subject to Section 6.09 below) or other securities (including any option, warrant or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest in, any other Person, or purchase or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) any assets of any other Person constituting a business unit, except:
(a) Permitted Investments; and
(b) Investments (directly or indirectly) in Real Properties constituting single family rental properties, provided that:
(i) Investments in unimproved land shall not exceed 5% of Total Asset Value;
(ii) Investments in ground-up construction and development and re-development projects (valued on cost incurred to date in accordance with GAAP) shall not exceed 10% of Total Asset Value;
(iii) Investments in joint ventures shall not exceed 15% of Total Asset Value; and
(iv) Investments in mortgage note receivables shall not to exceed 5% of Total Asset Value.
Provided further that the aggregate Investment described in Section 6.03(b) (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above shall not exceed 20% of Total Asset Value. To the extent that any of the terms of subsection (b) are not satisfied, no Default will result but Total Asset Value shall be reduced by any overage amount.
Section 6.04 Hedging Agreements. No Credit Party will, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any Hedging Agreement, other than Hedging Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or mitigate risks to which any Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower is exposed in the conduct of its business or the management of its liabilities.
Section 6.05 Restricted Payments. The Parent will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, during any calendar quarter, any Restricted Payment, except that:
(a) If the net proceeds (after payment of usual and customary closing costs and expenses) generated by the July 2023 Offering are $55,000,000 or greater, any of the following Restricted Payments are permitted: (ai) Restricted Payments by the Parent required to comply with Section 5.15(d), (bii) provided no Default is then in existence, Restricted Payments made by the Parent to its common equity holders or by Parent Borrower to common unit holder, including in connection with the existing redemption and dividend reinvestment plans, in an aggregate amount not to exceed the Payout Ratio set forth in Section 5.02(f), and (ciii) Restricted Payments declared and paid ratably by Subsidiaries to Borrower and/or Parent with respect to their capital stock or equity interest. The Parent and Parent Borrower shall not increase the dividend rate for common shares or units on a per share basis from the rate paid for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 until the Specified Credit Conditions have been satisfied.
(b) If the net proceeds (after payment of usual and customary closing costs and expenses) generated by the July 2023 Offering are less than $55,000,000, then the Parent may not make any Restricted Payments in respect to common Equity Interest other than distributions in the minimum amount required to comply with Section 5.15(d), and in such event, the Parent will not offer to pay in cash more than 20% of declared common distributions to holder of common Equity Interests in the Parent or holders of units in the Parent Borrower and the aggregate cash distributions to such holders shall not exceed $1,250,000 for any fiscal quarter.
(c) Provided no Event of Default is then in existence, Parent and Parent Borrower may make distributions to holders of their preferred stock or preferred partnership units, but subject to clause (d) below.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, neither Parent nor Parent Borrower shall, nor shall they permit any of their Subsidiaries, to redeem, repurchase, retire, acquire, cancel, or otherwise terminate any common or preferred Equity Interests in any such Person or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such shares of capital stock of the Parent or the Parent Borrower, except as expressly permitted pursuant to Section 6.05(a).
(e) Restricted Payments declared and paid ratably by Subsidiaries to a Borrower and/or Parent with respect to their capital stock or equity interest may be made; provided that, during an Event of Default, VB One shall not make any Restricted Payments to its parent entities unless approved by the Administrative Agent.
(f) Without limitation to the foregoing, the Credit Parties shall not, and shall not permit any of their Subsidiaries, to pay any portion of the Internalization Transaction Deferred Compensation unless, at such time, the Internalization Transaction Payment Conditions are satisfied.
Section 6.06 Transactions with Affiliates. Neither the Parent nor any Borrower will, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) in the ordinary course of business at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to such Borrower or such Subsidiary than would be obtained on an arm's-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions between or among a Borrower and its wholly owned Subsidiaries not involving any other Affiliate, (c) transactions related to the closing of and ongoing activities necessary to implement the loan obligations and requirements of this Agreement, (d) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.05, and (e) the Payments Agreement.
Section 6.07 Parent Negative Covenants. The Parent will not (a) own any property other than (i) the ownership interests of Parent Borrower and (ii) other assets with no more than $10,000,000.00 in value; (b) give or allow any Lien on the ownership interests of Parent Borrower; (c) engage to any material extent in any business other than the ownership, development, operation and management residential properties.
Section 6.08 Restrictive Agreements. Neither the Parent nor any Borrower will, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of a Borrower or any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets, or (b) the ability of any Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any shares of its capital stock or to make or repay loans or advances to a Borrower or any other Subsidiary or to Guarantee Indebtedness of a Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided that the restrictions contained in this Section 6.08 shall not apply to (i) restrictions and conditions imposed by law or by this Agreement or as otherwise approved by the Administrative Agent, (ii) customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (iii) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to Indebtedness or Liens permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing or being financed with such Indebtedness, or ownership interests in the obligors with respect to such Indebtedness (to the extent they are not also obligors hereunder), and (iv) solely with respect to clause (a), provisions in leases restricting the assignment thereof; and (v) after the Collateral Termination Date, clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to Unsecured Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Agreement (x) requiring the grant in favor of the holders of such Unsecured Indebtedness of an equal and ratable Lien to secure the obligations to such holders in connection with a pledge of any property or asset to secure the Obligations or (y) prohibiting the creation of a Lien on Borrowing Base Properties or Equity Interests in Borrowing Base Property Owners on terms no more onerous in any material respect than those set forth in the Loan Documents with respect thereto.
Section 6.09 Indebtedness. Neither the Parent, any Borrower, nor any other Credit Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders, create, incur, assume, guarantee or be or remain liable, contingently or otherwise with respect to any Recourse Indebtedness, except: (a) Indebtedness under this Agreement; (b) Indebtedness of the Parent, Parent Borrower, or Holdings under any Hedging Obligations permitted under this Agreement, (c) Indebtedness of the Parent or Parent Borrower whose recourse is solely for so-called “bad-boy” acts in respect to Indebtedness secured by Real Property of its Subsidiaries (for the avoidance of doubt, excluding NXHT and its Subsidiaries), including without limitation, (i) failure to account for a tenant’s security deposits, if any, for rent or any other payment collected by a borrower from a tenant under the lease, all in accordance with the provisions of any applicable loan documents, (ii) fraud or a material misrepresentation made by a Borrower or Subsidiary thereof, or the holders of beneficial or ownership interests in such Subsidiary, in connection with the financing evidenced by the applicable loan documents; (iii) any attempt by a Borrower or any Guarantor or Subsidiary thereof to divert or otherwise cause to be diverted any amounts payable to the applicable lender in accordance with the applicable loan documents; (iv) the misappropriation or misapplication of any insurance proceeds or condemnation awards relating to any Real Property securing such Indebtedness; (v) voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy by a Borrower or any Guarantor or Subsidiary thereof; (vi) any environmental matter(s) affecting any Real Property securing such Indebtedness; (vii) failure to deliver statements, schedules, reports, or books and records in accordance with the provisions of any applicable loan documents; (viii) failure to pay any deferred amounts in accordance with the provisions of any applicable loan documents; (ix) any material waste of any Real Property securing such Indebtedness; (x) the failure to comply with any single purpose entity requirements in accordance with the provisions of any applicable loan documents; and (xi) the occurrence of any transfer of any interest in violation of the provisions of any applicable loan documents; (d) Indebtedness for trade payables and operating expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business, (e) Indebtedness of the Parent and Parent Borrower under the Bridge Loans in compliance with the financial covenants in Section 5.02; provided that such Indebtedness shall not be secured by or have as credit support any direct or indirect interest in the Borrowers, the Borrowing Base Properties or Borrowing Base Property Owners or any Collateral; and (f) at any time prior to the Collateral Termination Date but only to the extent that no Bridge Loans are then outstanding and provided that no Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries shall guarantee any Indebtedness of NXHT or its Subsidiaries, Recourse Indebtedness of the Parent (in each case, other than the Obligations) in a principal amount permitted under Section 5.02(i); (g) from and after the Collateral Termination Date, Secured Recourse Indebtedness of the Parent so long as the Credit Parties remain in compliance with the financial covenants in Section 5.02; and (h) from and after the Collateral Termination Date, other Unsecured Indebtedness of the Credit Parties so long as the Credit Parties remain in compliance with the financial covenants in Section 5.02.
Section 6.10 Fees. No Credit Party or any Subsidiary may pay in cash any management, property, asset or similar fees or any advisory fees under the Advisory Agreement to any other Credit Party or to any Subsidiary or Affiliate, including, without limitation, to any Acceptable Advisor and the Advisor (collectively, “Management Fees”), except that, provided that no Default or Event of Default shall be in existence, (i) from and after the date when the Credit Parties shall have achieved (x) Liquidity (after giving effect to any such payment of such Management Fees) of no less than $15,000,000, (y) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of 1.60 to 1.0 or greater for one fiscal quarter, and (z) the Balance Date has occurred, in each case, as evidenced by an executed compliance Certificates, each Credit Party may pay Management Fees to the Advisor in an aggregate amount equal to the lesser of (1) $1,500,000 for any fiscal quarter and (2) an amount equal to 50% times the amount of Management Fees paid to the Advisor during the fiscal quarter ended March 30, 2023; and (ii) from and after the date when the Credit Parties shall have achieved (x) Liquidity (after giving effect to any such payment of such Management Fees) of no less than $25,000,000, (y) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of 1.60 to 1.0 or greater for two consecutive fiscal quarters, and (z) the Balance Date has occurred, in each case, as evidenced by an executed compliance Certificates, each Credit Party may pay Management Fees to the Advisor in an aggregate amount equal to the lesser of (1) $3,000,000 for any fiscal quarter and (2) an amount equal to 100% times the amount of Management Fees paid to the Advisor during the fiscal quarter ended March 30, 2023. At any time that any Default or Event of Default exists under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or prior to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth above, then in any of such event(s), no Credit Party or any Subsidiary may pay any Management Fees in cash (but may pay Management Fees in common Equity Interests in the Parent or common units in the Patent Borrower; provided that any such fees may accrue during the continuance of any such Default or Event of Default or such period prior to the satisfaction of such conditions and be payable after the satisfaction of such conditions to the extent that at such time Provided that no Default or Event of Default shall be in existence, each Credit Party may pay all management, property and other asset fees and all advisory fees under the Advisory Agreement then due and payable. At any time that any Default or Event of Default exists under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, then in any of such event(s), no Credit Party or any Subsidiary may pay any management, property, asset or similar fees or any advisory fees under the Advisory Agreement to any other Credit Party or to any Subsidiary or Affiliate, including, without limitation, to any Acceptable Advisor and the Advisoras no Default or Event of Default is continuing and such payment if otherwise permitted hereunder. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any such Management Fees that are paid in cash may only be paid from unrestricted cash of the Credit Parties and such amount shall not be paid from amounts on deposit in the Cash Collateral Reserve Account. All such parties shall execute subordination agreements in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent with respect to such fees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries may pay at all times any due and payable fees to third party property managers.
Section 6.11 Amendment to Organizational Documents. Without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, no Credit Party will amend, modify or waive any rights under its certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents in any manner, except: (a) modifications necessary to clarify existing provisions of such organizational documents; (b) modifications which would not have a Material Adverse Effect, and (c) modifications in connection with mergers, consolidations, investments and other transactions not otherwise prohibited by the other provisions of this Agreement.
Section 6.12 Sanctions. No Borrower shall permit the proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit: (a) to be lent, contributed or otherwise made available to fund any activity or business in any Designated Jurisdiction; (b) to fund any activity or business of any Sanctioned Person or any Person located, organized, formed, incorporated or residing in any Designated Jurisdiction or who is the subject of any Sanctions; (c) in any other manner that will result in any material violation by any Person (including any Lender or Administrative Agent) of any Sanctions; or (d) to be used in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws.
Section 6.13 Borrowing Base Properties. Neither the Parent nor any Borrower shall, nor shall it permit any other Credit Party to, directly or indirectly:
(a) Use or occupy or conduct any activity on, or knowingly permit the use or occupancy of or the conduct of any activity on any Borrowing Base Properties by any tenant, in any manner which violates any Law or which constitutes a public or private nuisance in any manner which would have a Material Property Event with respect to any Borrowing Base Property or which makes void, voidable, or cancelable any insurance then in force with respect thereto or makes the maintenance of insurance in accordance with Section 5.06(a) commercially unreasonable (including by way of increased premium);
(b) Without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), initiate or permit any zoning reclassification of any Borrowing Base Property or seek any variance under existing zoning ordinances applicable to any Borrowing Base Property or use or knowingly permit the use of any Borrowing Base Property in such a manner which would result in such use becoming a nonconforming use under applicable zoning ordinances or other Laws;
(c) Without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), (i) impose any material easement, restrictive covenant, or encumbrance upon any Borrowing Base Property, (ii) execute or file any subdivision plat or condominium declaration affecting any Borrowing Base Property, or (iii) consent to the annexation of any Borrowing Base Property to any municipality;
(d) Do any act, or suffer to be done any act by any Credit Party or any of its Affiliates, which would reasonably be expected to cause a Material Property Event (including by way of negligent act); or
(e) Without the prior written consent of all the Lenders (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), permit any drilling or exploration for or extraction, removal or production of any mineral, hydrocarbon, gas, natural element, compound or substance (including sand and gravel) from the surface or subsurface of any Borrowing Base Property regardless of the depth thereof or the method of mining or extraction thereof.
Section 6.14 [Intentionally Omitted].
ARTICLE VII
Events of Default
Section 7.01 Events of Default Generally. An Event of Default shall exist if any of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall occur:
(a) the Borrowers shall fail to pay any principal of the Loans when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise, and such failure (other than the payment due on the Revolving Loan Maturity Date with respect to Revolving Loans or the applicable Maturity Date of any Term Loans, for which there shall be no grace period) shall continue unremedied for a period of over three (3) Business Days;
(b) the Borrowers shall fail to pay any interest on the Loans or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Article) payable under any Loan Documents, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of over three (3) Business Days (such three Business Day period commencing after written notice from the Administrative Agent as to any such failure);
(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Credit Party in or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any amendment or modification hereof or waiver hereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made;
(d) the Borrowers shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Article V or VI other than Sections 5.04, 5.05, 5.06, 5.07(a), 5.08, 5.11 and 5.20;
(e) any Credit Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in clause (a), (b) or (d) of this Article), and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of over 30 days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Parent Borrower (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender) and if such default is not curable within thirty (30) days and the Credit Party is diligently pursuing cure of same, the cure period may be extended for thirty (30) days (for a total of 60 days after the original notice from the Administrative Agent) upon written request from the Borrower to the Administrative Agent;
(f) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of any Credit Party or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for any Credit Party or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;
(g) any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Borrower shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (h) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for such Person or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;
(h) any Credit Party shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;
(i) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $10,000,000 shall be rendered against any Credit Party, any Subsidiary of a Borrower or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of such Person to enforce any such judgment;
(j) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the opinion of the Required Lenders, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, would reasonably be expected to result in liability of any Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $10,000,000;
(k) the Guaranty of the Loan by the Guarantor shall for any reason terminate or cease to be in full force and effect;
(l) any Credit Party shall default under any agreement and such default would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(m) any Credit Party shall (or shall attempt to) disavow, revoke or terminate any Loan Document to which it is a party or shall otherwise challenge or contest in any action, suit or proceeding in any court or before any Governmental Authority the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document;
(n) any provision of any Loan Document with respect to the Collateral shall for any reason cease to be valid and binding on, enforceable against, any Credit Party resulting in a Material Adverse Effect, or any lien created under any Loan Document ceases to be a valid and perfected first priority lien in any of the Collateral purported to be covered thereby;
(o) a Change in Control shall occur; or
(p) (i) Any Borrower or Guarantor defaults under any Recourse Indebtedness in an aggregate amount equal to or greater than $25,000,000 at any time, or (ii) any Subsidiaries of Parent or a Borrower defaults under any non-recourse Indebtedness in an aggregate amount equal to or greater than $75,000,000 at any time (such $75,000,000 calculated based on the Equity Percentage of Indebtedness for the Borrowers’ non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries and Unconsolidated Affiliates).
Section 7.02 Remedies Upon an Event of Default. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then, and in every such event (other than an event described in clause (f) or (g) of Section 7.01), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrowers, take some or all of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) suspend the Revolving Commitments of Lenders and any obligation of the Letter of Credit Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions until such Event of Default is cured; (ii) terminate the Revolving Commitment of Lenders and any obligation of the Letter of Credit Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions hereunder; (iii) require that the Borrower Cash Collateralize its respective Letter of Credit Obligations (in an amount equal to the Minimum Collateral Amount with respect thereto)declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all reasonable fees and other obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers, (iv) require that the Borrowers Cash Collateralize its respective Letter of Credit Obligations (in an amount equal to the Minimum Collateral Amount with respect thereto; and (v) exercise any other rights or remedies provided under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any other right or remedy available by law or equity; and in case of any event described in clause (f) or (g) of Section 7.01, the obligation of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the Letter of Credit Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all reasonable fees and other obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of Borrowers to Cash Collateralize the Letter of Credit Obligations as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act of Administrative Agent or any Lender or Letter of Credit Issuer, and without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers.
Section 7.03 Application of Funds. After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 7.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the Letter of Credit Obligations has automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 7.02), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Section 2.07 and Section 2.20, be applied by Administrative Agent in the following order:
First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to Administrative Agent and amounts payable under Section 2.15, Section 2.16, or Section 2.17) payable to Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;
Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, interest and Letter of Credit Fees) payable to the Lenders and the Letter of Credit Issuer (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and the Letter of Credit Issuer (including fees and time charges for attorneys who may be employees of any Lender or the Letter of Credit Issuer) and amounts payable under Section 2.15, Section 2.16, or Section 2.17), ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;
Third, to the extent that Swing Line Loans have not been refinanced by a Revolving Loan, payment to the Swing Lender of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Swing Line Loans;
Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit Fees and unpaid interest on the Loans (other than Swing Line Loans), L/C Borrowings and other Obligations, ratably among the Lenders and the Letter of Credit Issuer in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth payable to them;
Fifth, to the extent that Swing Line Loans have not been refinanced by a Revolving Loan, to payment to the Swing Lender of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Swing Line Loans;
Sixth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans (other than Swing Line Loans) and L/C Borrowings, ratably among the Lenders and the Letter of Credit Issuer in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Sixth held by them;
Seventh, to Administrative Agent for the account of the Letter of Credit Issuer, to Cash Collateralize that portion of the Letter of Credit Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized by Borrower pursuant to Section 2.05 and Section 2.07; and
Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been paid in full, to Borrower or as otherwise required by Law.
Subject to Section 2.05 and Section 2.07, amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Seventh above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above.
ARTICLE VIII
The Administrative Agent
Section 8.01 General.
(a) Each of the Lenders and the Letter of Credit Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. In the event of conflicting instructions or notices given to the Borrowers by the Administrative Agent and any Lender, the Borrowers is hereby directed and shall rely conclusively on the instruction or notice given by the Administrative Agent.
(b) The bank serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with a Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02), provided that Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law; and (c) except as expressly set forth herein, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to any Credit Party that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by a Borrower or a Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent agrees that, in fulfilling its duties hereunder, it will use the same standard of care it utilizes in servicing loans for its own account.
(d) The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the Letter of Credit Issuer, Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the Letter of Credit Issuer unless Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or the Letter of Credit Issuer prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrowers), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in good faith in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
(e) The Administrative Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.
(f) Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided in this paragraph, the Administrative Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders and the Parent Borrower, and may be removed by the Required Lenders in the event of the Administrative Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. Upon any such resignation or removal, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the approval of Parent Borrower (provided no Default has occurred and is continuing), which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, to appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation or is removed, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a Lender, or a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. The fees payable by the Borrowers to a successor Administrative Agent for its own behalf shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrowers and such successor. After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall cooperate with any successor Administrative Agent in fulfilling its duties hereunder.
(g) Any resignation by KeyBank as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section VIII shall also constitute its resignation as Letter of Credit Issuer and Swing Line Lender. If KeyBank resigns as Letter of Credit Issuer and Swing Line Lender, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the Letter of Credit Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as Letter of Credit Issuer and all Letter of Credit Obligations with respect thereto, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.05(c). In the event of any such resignation as Letter of Credit Issuer and Swing Line Lender, Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor Letter of Credit Issuer and Swing Line Lender hereunder (which successor shall in all cases be a Lender other than a Defaulting Lender); provided, however, that no failure by Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of KeyBank as Letter of Credit Issuer and Swing Line Lender. Upon the appointment by Borrower of a successor Letter of Credit Issuer hereunder: (i) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Letter of Credit Issuer and Swing Line Lender; (ii) the retiring Letter of Credit Issuer and Swing Line Lender shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the successor Letter of Credit Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to KeyBank to effectively assume the obligations of KeyBank with respect to such Letters of Credit.
(h) Each Lender and the Letter Credit Issuer acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Credit Agreement. Each Lender and the Letter of Credit Issuer also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder. Administrative Agent agrees to provide the Lenders with copies of all material documents and certificates received by the Administrative Agent from any Borrower in connection with the Loans.
(i) The Titled Agents shall not have any additional rights or obligations under the Loan Documents, except for those rights, if any, as a Lender.
(j) Any material to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 and Section 5.03 (collectively, “Information Materials”) may be delivered electronically directly to the Administrative Agent or made available to Administrative Agent pursuant to an accessible website and the Lenders and Letter of Credit Issuer provided that such material is in a format reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent, and such material shall be deemed to have been delivered to Administrative Agent and the Lenders upon Administrative Agent’s receipt thereof or access to the website containing such material. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such information to the other Lenders after receipt thereof, and may do so by electronic form in the same manner as provided in this Article VIII. Upon the request of Administrative Agent, Borrowers shall deliver paper copies thereof to Administrative Agent and the Lenders. Each Borrower authorizes Administrative Agent and the Arrangers to disseminate any such materials through the use of Intralinks, SyndTrak or any other electronic information dissemination system provided that system is secure and access thereto is protected by a password that is only disclosed to the Lenders (an “Electronic System”). Any such Electronic System is provided “as is” and “as available.” The Administrative Agent and the Arrangers do not warrant the adequacy of any Electronic System and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in any notice, demand, communication, information or other material provided by or on behalf of Borrowers that is distributed over or by any such Electronic System (“Communications”). No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including, without limitation, any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by the Administrative Agent or the Arrangers in connection with the Communications or the Electronic System. In no event shall the Administrative Agent, any Arranger or any of their directors, officers, employees, agents or attorneys have any liability to any Borrower or any Guarantor, any Lender or any other Person for damages of any kind, including, without limitation, direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of any Credit Party’s, the Administrative Agent’s or any Arranger’s transmission of Communications through the Electronic System, and the Credit Parties release Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders from any liability in connection therewith. Certain of the Lenders (each, a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Credit Parties, their Subsidiaries or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities. Each Borrower hereby agrees that it will identify that portion of the Information Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (i) all such Information Materials shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (ii) by marking Information Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrowers shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Arrangers to treat such Information Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Credit Parties, their Subsidiaries, their Affiliates or their respective securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Information Materials constitute confidential information, they shall be treated as provided in Section 9.12); (iii) all Information Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of any electronic dissemination system designated “Public Investor” or a similar designation; and (iv) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall be entitled to treat any Information Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of any electronic dissemination system not designated “Public Investor” or a similar designation.
Section 8.02 Administrative Agent May File Proof of Claim. In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or Letter of Credit Obligations shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on Loan Parties) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, Letter of Credit Obligations and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Letter of Credit Issuer and Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, Letter of Credit Issuer and Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, Letter of Credit Issuer and Administrative Agent under Section 2.15, Section 2.16, or Section 2.17 and otherwise hereunder) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same.
any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and the Letter of Credit Issuer to make such payments to Administrative Agent and, in the event that Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the Letter of Credit Issuer, to pay to Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due Administrative Agent hereunder.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or the Letter of Credit Issuer any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.
Section 8.03 Collateral Matters. Without limiting the provisions of Section 8.02, Lenders and the Letter of Credit Issuer irrevocably authorize Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by Administrative Agent under any Loan Document: (a) upon termination of the Revolving Commitments and payment in full of all Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations) and the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit prior to draws thereon (other than Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements satisfactory to Administrative Agent and the Letter of Credit Issuer shall have been made); or (b) that is sold or otherwise disposed of or to be sold or otherwise disposed of as part of or in connection with any sale or other disposition permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document; (c) upon the occurrence of the Collateral Termination Date[reserved]; or (d) subject to Section 9.02, if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders. Upon request by Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing Administrative Agent’s authority to release its interest in particular types or items of property pursuant to this Section 8.03.
Section 8.04 Certain ERISA Matters. (a) Each Lender represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:
(i) such Lender is not using Plan Assets with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments, this Credit Agreement or other transactions contemplated under the Loan Documents;
(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Credit Agreement;
(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Commitments and this Credit Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Credit Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84- 14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Credit Agreement; or
(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.
(b) In addition, unless either sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that the Administrative Agent is not a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments, this Credit Agreement and other transactions contemplated under the Loan Documents (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Credit Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).
Section 8.05 Erroneous Payments.
(a) If the Administrative Agent (x) notifies a Lender, Letter of Credit Issuer or Secured Party, or any Person who has received funds on behalf of a Lender, Letter of Credit Issuer or Secured Party (any such Lender, Letter of Credit Issuer, Secured Party or other recipient (and each of their respective successors and assigns), a “Payment Recipient”) that the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion (whether or not after receipt of any notice under immediately succeeding clause (b)) that any funds (as set forth in such notice from the Administrative Agent) received by such Payment Recipient from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates were erroneously or mistakenly transmitted to, or otherwise erroneously or mistakenly received by, such Payment Recipient (whether or not known to such Lender, Letter of Credit Issuer, Secured Party or other Payment Recipient on its behalf) (any such funds, whether transmitted or received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise, individually and collectively, an “Erroneous Payment”) and (y) demands in writing the return of such Erroneous Payment (or a portion thereof), such Erroneous Payment shall at all times remain the property of the Administrative Agent pending its return or repayment as contemplated below in this Section 8.04 and held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, and such Lender, Letter of Credit Issuer or Secured Party shall (or, with respect to any Payment Recipient who received such funds on its behalf, shall cause such Payment Recipient to) promptly, but in no event later than two Business Days thereafter (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, specify in writing), return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made, in same day funds (in the currency so received), together with interest thereon (except to the extent waived in writing by the Administrative Agent) in respect of each day from and including the date such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Payment Recipient to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent in same day funds at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect. A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Payment Recipient under this clause (a) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
(b) Without limiting immediately preceding clause (a), each Lender, Letter of Credit Issuer, Secured Party or any Person who has received funds on behalf of a Lender, Letter of Credit Issuer or Secured Party (and each of their respective successors and assigns), agrees that if it receives a payment, prepayment or repayment (whether received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise) from the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in this Credit Agreement or in a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment, (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates), or (z) that such Lender, Letter of Credit Issuer or Secured Party, or other such recipient, otherwise becomes aware was transmitted, or received, in error or by mistake (in whole or in part), then in each such case:
(i) |
it acknowledges and agrees that (A) in the case of immediately preceding clauses (x) or (y), an error and mistake shall be presumed to have been made (absent written confirmation from the Administrative Agent to the contrary) or (B) an error and mistake has been made (in the case of immediately preceding clause (z)), in each case, with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment; and |
(ii) |
such Lender, Letter of Credit Issuer or Secured Party shall (and shall cause any other recipient that receives funds on its respective behalf to) promptly (and, in all events, within one Business Day of its knowledge of the occurrence of any of the circumstances described in immediately preceding clauses (x), (y) and (z)) notify the Administrative Agent of its receipt of such payment, prepayment or repayment, the details thereof (in reasonable detail) and that it is so notifying the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 8.05. |
For the avoidance of doubt, the failure to deliver a notice to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 8.05(b) shall not have any effect on a Payment Recipient’s obligations pursuant to Section 8.05(a) or on whether or not an Erroneous Payment has been made.
(c) Each Lender, Letter of Credit Issuer or Secured Party hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off, net and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender, Letter of Credit Issuer or Secured Party under any Loan Document, or otherwise payable or distributable by the Administrative Agent to such Lender, Letter of Credit Issuer or Secured Party under any Loan Document with respect to any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts, against any amount that the Administrative Agent has demanded to be returned under immediately preceding clause (a).
(d) (i) Notwithstanding anything contained in Section 8.05, in the event that an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered by the Administrative Agent for any reason, after demand therefor in accordance with immediately preceding clause (a), from any Lender that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) (and/or from any Payment Recipient who received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) on its respective behalf) (such unrecovered amount, an “Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency”), upon the Administrative Agent’s notice to such Lender at any time, then effective immediately (with the consideration therefor being acknowledged by the parties hereto), (A) such Lender shall be deemed to have assigned its Loans (but not its Commitments) with respect to which such Erroneous Payment was made (the “Erroneous Payment Impacted Class”) in an amount equal to the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency (or such lesser amount as the Administrative Agent may specify) (such assignment of the Loans (but not Commitments) of the Erroneous Payment Impacted Class, the “Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment”) (on a cashless basis and such amount calculated at par plus any accrued and unpaid interest (with the assignment fee to be waived by the Administrative Agent in such instance)), and is hereby (together with the Borrower) deemed to execute and deliver an Assignment and Assumption (or, to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an electronic platform approved by Administrative Agent as to which the Administrative Agent and such parties are participants) with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, and such Lender shall deliver any Notes evidencing such Loans to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent (but the failure of such Person to deliver any such Notes shall not affect the effectiveness of the foregoing assignment), (B) the Administrative Agent as the assignee Lender shall be deemed to have acquired the Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, (C) upon such deemed acquisition, the Administrative Agent as the assignee Lender shall become a Lender, as applicable, hereunder with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment and the assigning Lender shall cease to be a Lender, as applicable, hereunder with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, its obligations under the indemnification provisions of this Credit Agreement and its applicable Commitments which shall survive as to such assigning Lender, (D) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall each be deemed to have waived any consents required under this Credit Agreement to any such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, and (E) the Administrative Agent will reflect in the Register its ownership interest in the Loans subject to the Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment. For the avoidance of doubt, no Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment will reduce the Commitments of any Lender and such Commitments shall remain available in accordance with the terms of this Credit Agreement.
(ii) Subject to Section 9.04 (but excluding, in all events, any assignment consent or approval requirements (whether from the Borrower or otherwise)), the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion, sell any Loans acquired pursuant to an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment and upon receipt of the proceeds of such sale, the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency owing by the applicable Lender shall be reduced by the net proceeds of the sale of such Loan (or portion thereof), and the Administrative Agent shall retain all other rights, remedies and claims against such Lender (and/or against any recipient that receives funds on its respective behalf). In addition, an Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency owing by the applicable Lender (x) shall be reduced by the proceeds of prepayments or repayments of principal and interest, or other distribution in respect of principal and interest, received by the Administrative Agent on or with respect to any such Loans acquired from such Lender pursuant to an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment (to the extent that any such Loans are then owned by the Administrative Agent) and (y) may, in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent, be reduced by any amount specified by the Administrative Agent in writing to the applicable Lender from time to time.
(e) The parties hereto agree that (x) irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent may be equitably subrogated, in the event that an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered from any Payment Recipient that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason, the Administrative Agent shall be subrogated to all the rights and interests of such Payment Recipient (and, in the case of any Payment Recipient who has received funds on behalf of a Lender, Letter of Credit Issuer or Secured Party, to the rights and interests of such Lender, Letter of Credit Issuer or Secured Party, as the case may be) under the Loan Documents with respect to such amount (the “Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights”) (provided that the Loan Parties’ Obligations under the Loan Documents in respect of the Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights shall not be duplicative of such Obligations in respect of Loans that have been assigned to the Administrative Agent under an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment) and (y) an Erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Obligations owed by the Borrower or any other Loan Party; provided that this Section 8.05 shall not be interpreted to increase (or accelerate the due date for), or have the effect of increasing (or accelerating the due date for), the Obligations of the Borrower relative to the amount (and/or timing for payment) of the Obligations that would have been payable had such Erroneous Payment not been made by the Administrative Agent; provided, further, that for the avoidance of doubt, immediately preceding clauses (x) and (y) shall not apply to the extent any such Erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such Erroneous Payment that is, comprised of funds received by the Administrative Agent from the Borrower for the purpose of making such Erroneous Payment.
(f) To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Payment Recipient shall assert any right or claim to an Erroneous Payment, and hereby waives, and is deemed to waive, any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Erroneous Payment received, including, without limitation, any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine.
(g) Each party’s obligations, agreements and waivers under this Section 8.05 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent, any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender or Letter of Credit Issuer, the termination of the Commitments and/or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations (or any portion thereof) under any Loan Document.
ARTICLE IX
Miscellaneous
Section 9.01 Notices. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:
(a) if to the Borrowers, in care of Vinebrook Homes Trust, Inc. at 5550 Huber Road, Huber Heights, Ohio 45424, Attention: Brian Mitts (Telephone No. (972) 419-2665 and Email; copies to: 300 Crescent Court, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75201, Attention: Brian Mitts (Telephone No. (972) 419-2665 and Email: bmitts@highlandfunds.com); and Wick Phillips Gould & Martin, LLP, 3131 McKinney, Suite 100, Dallas, Texas 75204, Attention: Isaac J. Brown (Telephone No. (214) 740-4037 and Email: Isaac.brown@wickphillips.com);
(b) if to the Administrative Agent, to KeyBank National Association, 225 Franklin Street, 16th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attention: Christopher T. Neil, (Telephone No. (617) 385-6202 and Email: christopher_t_neil@keybank.com; and
(c) if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number) set forth on the signature pages of this Agreement, or as provided to Borrower in writing by the Administrative Agent or the Lender.
Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given (i) if given by telecopy, when such telecopy is transmitted to the telecopy number specified in this Section and the appropriate confirmation is received (or if such day is not a Business Day, on the next Business Day); (ii) if given by mail (return receipt requested), on the earlier of receipt or three (3) Business Days after such communication is deposited in the mail with first class postage prepaid, addressed as aforesaid; or (iii) if given by any other means, when delivered at the address specified in this Section.
Section 9.02 Waivers; Amendments.
(a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder and under any other Loan Document are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.
(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof nor any provision of any Loan Document may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrowers and the Required Lenders or by the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.17(b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender, (vi) release any Credit Party from its obligations under the Loan Documents or release any Collateral, except as specifically provided for herein, without the written consent of each Lender, (vii) subordinate the Loans or any Collateral without the written consent of each Lender, (viii) waive or modify any conditions of extending the Revolving Loan Maturity Date set forth in Section 2.21 without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (ix) consent to the Collateral securing any other Indebtedness without the written consent of each Lender, (x) amend the definitions of “Available Revolving Amount” or “Borrowing Base” or any of the related defined terms without the consent of all Lenders (except that the definition of “Maximum Revolving Commitment” and/or “Maximum Total Commitment” may be revised to increase or decrease such amount pursuant to its terms, or otherwise with the consent of the Lenders increasing or decreasing their Revolving Commitments in connection therewith); (xi) amend the definitions of “Collateral Termination Date” or any of the related defined terms (except that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be required to waive or amend the financial covenants in Section 5.02 so long as any such waivers or amendments do not impact the conditions for the Collateral Termination Date) without the consent of all Lenders; or (xii) while any Term Loans remain outstanding (A) amend, modify or waive any provision of this Agreement if the effect of such amendment, modification or waiver is to require the Revolving Lenders to make Revolving Loans when such Lenders would not otherwise be required to do so, (B) change the amount of the Swing Line Sublimit, or (C) change the amount of the Letter of Credit Sublimit, in each case, without the written consent of the Required Revolving Lenders[reserved]; or (xii) [reserved]; provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent;
(c) There shall be no amendment, modification or waiver of (i) ARTICLE VIII or any other provision in the Loan Documents that affects the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents without the written consent of the Administrative Agent, (ii) Section 2.05 or any other provision in the Loan Documents that affects the rights or duties of the Letter of Credit Issuer under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents without the written consent of the Letter of Credit Issuer, or (iii) Section 2.06 or any other provision in the Loan Documents that affects the rights or duties of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents without the written consent of the Swing Line Lender.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender; and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender more adversely than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.
(e) If Administrative Agent shall request in writing the consent of any Lender to any amendment, change, waiver, discharge, termination, consent or exercise of rights covered by this Agreement, and such Lender fails to approve or deny such request in writing within ten (10) Business Days of the making of such written request, the Lender shall be deemed to have consented to the request; provided that this paragraph shall not apply with respect to any request for consent from any Lender if such Lender’s consent to such amendment, change, waiver, discharge, termination, consent or exercise is required pursuant to Sections 9.02(b)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (vi), or (ix) above.
(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 9.02, if the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers have jointly identified an ambiguity, omission, mistake or defect in any provision of this Agreement or an inconsistency between provisions of this Agreement, the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers shall be permitted to amend such provision or provisions to cure such ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency so long as to do so would not adversely affect the interests of the Lenders and the Letter of Credit Issuer and the Administrative Agent provides notice to Lenders of such amendment. Any such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any of other party to this Agreement.
Section 9.03 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.
(a) The Borrowers shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of this Agreement or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Letter of Credit Issuer in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder; and (iii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, Letter of Credit Issuer, or any Lender, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent or any Lender, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any waivers, workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of the Loans.
(b) The Borrowers shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Arranger, the Letter of Credit Issuer, and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Letter of Credit Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit); (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by a Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to a Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a court of law in a final non-appealable judgment, or the failure of the Indemnitee to make Loans pursuant to its Commitment in breach of its obligations hereunder.
(c) To the extent that the Borrowers fail to pay any amount required to be paid by them to the Administrative Agent(or any sub-agent thereof), the Letter of Credit Issuer, or the Swing Line Lender under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent(or any such sub-agent), the Letter of Credit Issuer, or the Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such.
(d) To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrowers shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the Transactions, the Loans, the Letters of Credit, or the use of the proceeds thereof. Neither any Borrower nor any Indemnitee referred to in subsection (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Borrower or such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Borrower or such Indemnitee as determined by a final and nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(e) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten days after written demand therefor.
Section 9.04 Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that no Borrower may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by a Borrower without such consent shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(a) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) of:
(A) the Parent Borrower, provided that no consent of the Parent Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if a Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee; and (ii) such consent shall be deemed granted unless the Parent Borrower objects within five (5) Business Days of a receipt of written notice of the proposed assignment;
(B) the Administrative Agent, provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; and
(C) the consent of the Letter of Credit Issuer and the Swing Line Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment.
Provided, no consent of the Parent Borrower or Administrative Agent shall be required in connection with any assignment to an entity acquiring, or merging with, a Lender.
(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:
(A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000.00 unless each of the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of the Parent Borrower shall be required if a Default has occurred and is continuing and such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld;
(B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned;
(C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500.00;
(D) No such assignment shall be made: (1) to a Credit Party or any Affiliate or Subsidiary of any Credit Party; (2) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (2); or (3) to a natural person;
(E) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire; and
(F) In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to such assignment shall make such additional payments to Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of Borrowers and Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by such Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to: (A) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to Administrative Agent, the Letter of Credit Issuer or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (B) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable Law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Credit Agreement until such compliance occurs
For the purposes of this Section 9.04(b), the term “Approved Fund” has the following meaning:
“Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.
(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrowers, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of the principal amount of the Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrowers and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(v) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee's completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.
(b) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and (iv) no Borrower’s obligations hereunder shall be increased. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (d) of this Section, each Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.18(c) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrowers, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that, except in the case of a Participant asserting any right of set-off pursuant to Section 9.08, no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.
(c) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.15 or 2.17 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Parent Borrower’s prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.17 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrowers, to comply with Section 2.17(e) as though it were a Lender.
(d) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
Section 9.05 Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrowers herein and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on the Loans or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid. The provisions of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
Section 9.06 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.
(a) This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.
(b) This Agreement and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.
(c) Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
Section 9.07 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.
Section 9.08 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the Letter of Credit Issuer, and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits of a Borrower (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, but excluding any funds held by such Borrower on behalf of tenants or other third parties) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of a Borrower against any of and all the obligations of any Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held by such Lender or Letter of Credit Issuer, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or Letter of Credit Issuer shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured. Each Lender or Letter of Credit Issuer agrees promptly to notify the Parent Borrower after any such setoff and application made by such Lender, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application. The rights of each Lender or Letter of Credit Issuer under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender or Letter of Credit Issuer may have. In the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (a) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties, and (b) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff.
Section 9.09 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
(b) Each Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in Boston, Massachusetts and in New York, New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any Borrower or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(c) Each Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
Section 9.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
Section 9.11 Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
Section 9.12 Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority, (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement, (g) with the consent of a Borrower or (h) to any Person in connection with any Hedging Agreement to the (i) extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than a Borrower, and (j) to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any other similar organization or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about a Lender’s or its Affiliates’ investment portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to such Lender or its Affiliates For the purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from any Credit Party relating to the Credit Party or its business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by any Credit Party; provided that, in the case of information received from any Credit Party after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
Section 9.13 Interest Rate Limitation. If at any time there exists a maximum rate of interest which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lenders in accordance with applicable law (the “Maximum Rate”), then notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, at any time the interest applicable to the Loans, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on the Loans under applicable law (collectively, the “Charges”), shall exceed such Maximum Rate, the rate of interest payable in respect of the Loans hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been paid in respect of the Loans but were not payable as result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to the Lenders in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by the Lenders. If, for any reason whatsoever, the Charges paid or received on the Loans produces a rate which exceeds the Maximum Rate, the Lenders shall credit against the principal of the Loans (or, if such indebtedness shall have been paid in full, shall refund to the payor of such Charges) such portion of said Charges as shall be necessary to cause the interest paid on the Loans to produce a rate equal to the Maximum Rate. All sums paid or agreed to be paid to the holders of the Loans for the use, forbearance or detention of the Loans shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread in equal parts throughout the full term of this Agreement, so that the interest rate is uniform throughout the full term of this Agreement. The provisions of this Section shall control all agreements, whether now or hereafter existing and whether written or oral, between the parties hereto. Without notice to any Borrower or any other person or entity, the Maximum Rate, if any, shall automatically fluctuate upward and downward as and in the amount by which such maximum nonusurious rate of interest permitted by applicable law fluctuates.
Section 9.14 USA PATRIOT Act. Each Lender that is subject to the Patriot Act (as hereinafter defined) and Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies each Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Patriot Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies such Borrower, which information includes the name and address of such Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify such Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act. Each Borrower shall, promptly following a request by Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that Administrative Agent or such Lender requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and Anti-Money Laundering Laws, rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act.
Section 9.15 Fiduciary Duty/No Conflicts.
The Administrative Agent, each Lender and their Affiliates (collectively, solely for purposes of this paragraph, the “Lenders”), may have economic interests that conflict with those of the Borrowers, their stockholders and/or their affiliates. Each Borrower agrees that nothing in the Loan Documents or otherwise will be deemed to create an advisory, fiduciary or agency relationship or fiduciary or other implied duty between any Lender, on the one hand, and such Borrower, its stockholders or its affiliates, on the other. Each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that (i) the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents (including the exercise of rights and remedies hereunder and thereunder) are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Lenders, on the one hand, and the Borrowers, on the other, and (ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading thereto, (x) no Lender has assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of any Borrower, its stockholders or its affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby (or the exercise of rights or remedies with respect thereto) or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether any Lender has advised, is currently advising or will advise any Borrower, its stockholders or its Affiliates on other matters) or any other obligation to any Borrower except the obligations expressly set forth in the Credit Documents and (y) each Lender is acting hereunder solely as principal and not as the agent or fiduciary of any Borrower, its management, stockholders, creditors or any other Person. Each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that it has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate and that it is responsible for making its own independent judgment with respect to such transactions and the process leading thereto. Each Borrower agrees that it will not claim that any Lender has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to such Borrower, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto in its capacity as a Lender.
Section 9.16 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:
(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; and
(b) the effects of any Bail-in Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent entity, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or
(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.
Section 9.17 Multiple Borrowers; Joint and Several Liability.
(a) Each Borrower acknowledges, agrees, represents and warrants that the Lenders have been induced to make the Loans to and issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrowers in part based upon the assurances by each Borrower in this Section. Each Borrower (including the Borrowers and each other Additional Borrower), jointly and severally, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a co-debtor, full recourse joint and several liability with the other Borrowers with respect to the payment and performance of all of the Obligations, including all representations, warranties, covenants, obligations and indemnities of any Borrower under the Loan Documents, it being the intention of the parties hereto that all of the Obligations shall be the joint and several, full recourse obligations of each of the Borrowers without preferences or distinction among them. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders may at their option enforce the entire amount of the Loans, Letters of Credit, and the other Obligations against any one or more of the Borrowers and may exercise remedies against each Borrower and its property separately, whether or not the Administrative Agent and the Lenders exercise any against another Borrower or its property. The Administrative Agent, Letter of Credit Issuer, and the Lenders may enforce any Borrower’s obligations without enforcing any other Borrower’s obligations. Any failure or inability of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to enforce any Borrower’s obligations shall not in any way limit the right to enforce the obligations of another Borrower. Each Borrower recognizes that credit available to it under the Loans and Letters of Credit is in excess of and on better terms than it otherwise could obtain on and for its own account and that one of the reasons therefor is its joining in the credit facility contemplated herein with all other Borrowers.
(b) To the fullest extent permitted by Law, the obligations of each Borrower shall not be affected by (i) the failure of Administrative Agent to assert any claim or demand or to enforce or exercise any right or remedy against any other Borrower under the provisions of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or otherwise, (ii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of, or any release from any of the terms or provisions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (iii) the failure to perfect any security interest in, or the release of, any of the collateral or other security held by or on behalf of Administrative Agent, or (iv) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of any of the Obligations, or by any other act or omission that may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Borrower or that would otherwise operate as a discharge of any Borrower as a matter of law or equity (other than the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all the Obligations, excluding, however, any contingent indemnification obligations which are not then due and payable or for which a claim has not then been asserted). The obligations of each Borrower shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason (other than the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Obligations, excluding, however, any contingent indemnification obligations which are not then due and payable or for which a claim has not then been asserted), including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise of any of the Obligations, and shall not be subject to any defense or setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of any of the Obligations or otherwise.
(c) To the fullest extent permitted by Law, each Borrower waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of any other Borrower or the unenforceability of the Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of any other Borrower, other than the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all the Obligations, excluding, however, any contingent indemnification obligations which are not then due and payable or for which a claim has not then been asserted. Administrative Agent may, at its election, foreclose on any security held by one or more of them by one or more judicial or non-judicial sales, accept an assignment of any such security in lieu of foreclosure, compromise or adjust any part of the Obligations, make any other accommodation with any other Borrower, or exercise any other right or remedy available to them against any other Borrower, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any Borrower hereunder except to the extent that all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash, excluding, however, any contingent indemnification obligations which are not then due and payable or for which a claim has not then been asserted. Each Borrower waives any defense arising out of any such election even though such election operates, pursuant to Law, to impair or to extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of such Borrower against any other Borrower.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is the intent of each Borrower and the Lenders that in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws, such Borrower's maximum obligation hereunder shall equal, but not exceed, the maximum amount which would not otherwise cause the obligations of such Borrower hereunder (or any other obligations of such Borrower to the Lenders under the Loan Documents) to be avoidable or unenforceable against such Borrower in such proceeding as a result of any Legal Requirements, including, without limitation, (i) Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States and (ii) any state fraudulent transfer or fraudulent conveyance act or statute applied in such proceeding, whether by virtue of Section 544 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States or otherwise. The Legal Requirements under which the possible avoidance or unenforceability of the obligations of such Borrower hereunder (or any other obligations of such Borrower to the Lender under the Loan Documents) shall be determined in any such proceeding are referred to herein as “Avoidance Provisions”. Accordingly, to the extent that the obligations of a Borrower hereunder would otherwise be subject to avoidance under the Avoidance Provisions, the maximum Obligations for which such Borrower shall be liable hereunder shall be reduced to the greater of (A) the amount which, as of the time any of the obligations of such Borrower are deemed to have been incurred by such Borrower under the Avoidance Provisions, would not cause the obligations of such Borrower hereunder (or any other obligations of such Borrower to the Lender under the Loan Documents), to be subject to avoidance under the Avoidance Provisions or (B) the amount which, as of the time demand is made hereunder upon such Borrower for payment on account of the Obligations, would not cause the obligations of such Borrower hereunder (or any other obligations of such Borrower to the Lender under the Loan Documents), to be subject to avoidance under the Avoidance Provisions. The provisions under this Section are intended solely to preserve the rights of the Lenders hereunder to the maximum extent that would not cause the obligations of any Borrower hereunder to be subject to avoidance under the Avoidance Provisions, and no Borrower or any other Person shall have any right or claim under this Section as against the Administrative Agent or any Lender that would not otherwise be available to such Person under the Avoidance Provisions.
(e) Upon payment by any Borrower of any Obligations, all rights of such Borrower against any other Borrower arising as a result thereof by way of right of subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or otherwise shall in all respects be subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior indefeasible payment in full in cash of all of the Obligations, excluding, however, any contingent indemnification obligations which are not then due and payable or for which a claim has not then been asserted. In addition, any indebtedness of any Borrower now or hereafter held by any other Borrower is hereby subordinated in right of payment to the prior indefeasible payment in full of the Obligations, excluding, however, any contingent indemnification obligations which are not then due and payable or for which a claim has not then been asserted and no Borrower will demand, sue for or otherwise attempt to collect any such indebtedness. If any amount shall erroneously be paid to any Borrower on account of (i) such subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or similar right or (ii) any such indebtedness of any Borrower, such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of Administrative Agent and shall forthwith be paid to Administrative Agent to be credited against the payment of the Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Subject to the foregoing, to the extent that any Borrower shall, under this Agreement as a joint and several obligor, repay any of the Obligations constituting Loans made to another Borrower hereunder or other Obligations incurred directly and primarily by any other Borrower (an “Accommodation Payment”), then the Borrower making such Accommodation Payment shall be entitled to contribution and indemnification from, and be reimbursed by, each of the other Borrowers in an amount, for each of such other Borrowers, equal to a fraction of such Accommodation Payment, the numerator of which fraction is such other Borrower's Allocable Amount and the denominator of which is the sum of the Allocable Amounts of all of the Borrowers. As of any date of determination, the “Allocable Amount” of each Borrower shall be equal to the maximum amount of liability for Accommodation Payments which could be asserted against such Borrower hereunder without (a) rendering such Borrower “insolvent” within the meaning of Section 101 (32) of the Bankruptcy Code, Section 2 of the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act (“UFTA”) or Section 2 of the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act (“UFCA”), (b) leaving such Borrower with unreasonably small capital or assets, within the meaning of Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code, Section 4 of the UFTA, or Section 5 of the UFCA, or (c) leaving such Borrower unable to pay its debts as they become due within the meaning of Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or Section 4 of the UFTA, or Section 5 of the UFCA.
(f) Each Borrower agrees that it shall never be entitled to be subrogated to any of the Administrative Agent’s or any Lender’s rights against any Borrower or other Person or any collateral or offset rights held by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders for payment of the Loans until the full and final payment of the Loans and all other obligations incurred under the Loan Documents and final termination of the Lenders’ obligations, if any, to make further advances under this Agreement or to provide any other financial accommodations to any Borrower. The value of the consideration received and to be received by each Borrower is reasonably worth at least as much as the liability and obligation of each Borrower incurred or arising under the Loan Documents. Each Borrower has determined that such liability and obligation may reasonably be expected to substantially benefit each Borrower directly or indirectly. Each Borrower has had full and complete access to the underlying papers relating to the Loans and all of the Loan Documents, has reviewed them and is fully aware of the meaning and effect of their contents. Each Borrower is fully informed of all circumstances which bear upon the risks of executing the Loan Documents and which a diligent inquiry would reveal. Each Borrower has adequate means to obtain from each other Borrower on a continuing basis information concerning such other Borrower’s financial condition, and is not depending on the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to provide such information, now or in the future. Each Borrower agrees that neither the Administrative Agent nor any of the Lenders shall have any obligation to advise or notify any Borrower or to provide any Borrower with any data or information regarding any other Borrower.
Section 9.18 Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Swap Contracts or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support” and each such QFC a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):
In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any QFC Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.
As used in this Section, the following terms have the following meanings:
“BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.
“Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §382.2(b).
“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
“QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).
[Signature Pages Follow]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.
PARENT BORROWER: | |||
VINEBROOK HOMES OPERATING | |||
PARTNERSHIP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: |
|||
SUBSIDIARY BORROWERS: |
|||
VB OP HOLDINGS LLC, | |||
a Delaware limited liability company | |||
By | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
VB ONE, LLC, | |||
a Delaware limited liability company | |||
By | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
TRUE PIT2017-1, LLC, | |||
a Delaware limited liability company | |||
By | |||
Name: | |||
Title: |
[SIGNATURES CONTINUE ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]
TRUE PIT2017-2, LLC, | |||
a Delaware limited liability company | |||
By | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
TRUE JACK2017-1, LLC, | |||
a Delaware limited liability company | |||
By | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
TRUE JACK2017-2, LLC, | |||
a Delaware limited liability company | |||
By | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
TRUE OM2016-1, LLC, | |||
a Delaware limited liability company | |||
By | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
TI KC BRAVO, LLC, | |||
a Delaware limited liability company | |||
By | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
[SIGNATURES CONTINUE ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]
TRUE KC2016-1, LLC, | |||
a Delaware limited liability company | |||
By | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
TRUE MEM2016-1, LLC, | |||
a Delaware limited liability company | |||
By | |||
Name: | |||
Title: |
[SIGNATURES CONTINUE ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]
LENDER: | |||
BMO HARRIS BANK N.A. | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
LENDER: | |||
RAYMOND JAMES BANK | |||
By: | |||
Name: | Ted Long | ||
Title: | Senior Vice President | ||
LENDER: | |||
TRUIST BANK | |||
By: | |||
Name: | Ryan Almond | ||
Title: | Director | ||
LENDER: | |||
FIRST FINANCIAL BANK | |||
By: | |||
Name: | John Wilgus | ||
Title: | Senior Vice President | ||
LENDER: | |||
S&T BANK | |||
By: | |||
Name: | Sean Apicella | ||
Title: | Senior Vice President | ||
The Guarantor joins in the execution of this Agreement to evidence its agreement to the provisions of Sections 5.01, 5.15, 6.05 and 6.07 of this Agreement.
VINEBROOK HOMES TRUST, INC., | |||
a Maryland corporation | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
SCHEDULE 2.01
LENDER COMMITMENTS
LENDER |
REVOLVING COMMITMENT |
APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE |
KeyBank National Association |
|
11.811023622047% |
Truist Bank |
|
11.811023622047% |
Mizuho Bank, Ltd. |
|
11.811023622047% |
Raymond James Bank |
|
9.842519685039% |
Citizens Bank, N.A. |
|
9.842519685039% |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. |
|
9.842519685039% |
Bank of America, N.A. |
|
9.842519685039% |
BMO Harris Bank N.A. |
|
7.874015748032% |
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association |
|
7.874015748032% |
First Financial Bank |
|
3.149606299213% |
Comerica Bank |
|
1.968503937008% |
Synovus Bank |
|
1.968503937008% |
S&T Bank |
|
1.574803149606% |
Arvest Bank |
|
0.787401574803% |
TOTAL: |
|
100% |
SCHEDULE 2.23
INITIAL BORROWING BASE PROPERTIES
SCHEDULE 3.07
LITIGATION
SCHEDULE 3.14
OWNERSHIP OF POOL PROPERTIES
SCHEDULE SB
SUBSIDIARY BORROWERS
1. |
VB OP Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company |
2. |
VB One, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company |
3. |
TRUE PIT2017-1, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company |
4. |
TRUE PIT2017-2, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company |
5. |
TRUE JACK2017-1, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company |
6. |
TRUE JACK2017-2, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company |
7. |
TRUE OM2016-1, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company |
8. |
TI KC BRAVO, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company |
9. |
TRUE KC2016-1, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company |
10. |
TRUE MEM2016-1, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company |
ANNEX B
SCHEDULE 2.01
LENDER COMMITMENTS
LENDER |
REVOLVING COMMITMENT |
APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE |
KeyBank National Association |
$148,506,775.74 |
11.811023622047% |
Truist Bank |
$148,506,775.77 |
11.811023622047% |
Mizuho Bank, Ltd. |
$148,506,775.77 |
11.811023622047% |
Raymond James Bank |
$123,755,646.48 |
9.842519685039% |
Citizens Bank, N.A. |
$123,755,646.48 |
9.842519685039% |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. |
$123,755,646.48 |
9.842519685039% |
Bank of America, N.A. |
$123,755,646.47 |
9.842519685039% |
BMO Harris Bank N.A. |
$99,004,517.19 |
7.874015748032% |
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association |
$99,004,517.19 |
7.874015748032% |
First Financial Bank |
$39,601,806.87 |
3.149606299213% |
Comerica Bank |
$24,751,129.30 |
1.968503937008% |
Synovus Bank |
$24,751,129.30 |
1.968503937008% |
S&T Bank |
$19,800,903.43 |
1.574803149606% |
Arvest Bank |
$9,900,451.72 |
0.787401574803% |
TOTAL: |
$1,257,357,368.19 |
100% |
ANNEX C
EXHIBIT B-1
FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
ANNEX D
EXHIBIT B-2
FORM OF BORROWING BASE REPORT
Exhibit 10.8
FORM OF OFFER LETTER
August 3, 2023
[Dana Sprong / Ryan McGarry]
[Address]
[Email]
Dear [Dana / Ryan],
On behalf of VineBrook Homes, LLC (the “Company”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “OP”), the operating company of VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc. (“VineBrook”), I am pleased to extend an offer to you for the position of [Title] of the Company. You will report directly to VineBrook’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). Below I have outlined the details of this offer:
Start Date: Your employment with the Company shall begin as of the closing of the transactions contemplated by that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of August 3, 2023, by and among the Company, the OP, and such other parties as named therein (the “Transaction”). For the avoidance of doubt, this letter shall be cancelled and nullified, and will have no further force or effect, in the event that the closing of the Transaction (the “Closing”) does not occur.
Salary: You will be paid a salary at an initial annual rate of $550,000. Your salary will be subject to at least annual review by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”)and may be increased, but not decreased.
Short-Term Cash Bonuses: For each calendar year commencing with the 2023 calendar year, you will be eligible to receive a bonus (the “Cash Bonus”). Your 2023 target Cash Bonus will be $400,000, subject to a $300,000 minimum Cash Bonus and a $600,000 maximum Cash Bonus. The receipt and amount of each Cash Bonus shall be subject to you (i) achieving personal and Company goals as determined in good faith by the Committee, and (ii) being employed by the Company on the date of payment of such Cash Bonus. For the 2023 calendar year, the personal and Company goals for such Cash Bonus are set forth on Exhibit A.
The amount of each Cash Bonus shall be finally determined by the Committee in good faith. Any Cash Bonus will be paid following the completion of the Company’s fiscal year audit for the calendar year to which the Cash Bonus relates and no event later than thirty days following the completion of such fiscal year audit. For calendar years commencing after the 2023 calendar year, the target, minimum and maximum Cash Bonus shall be subject to annual review by the Committee.
Eligibility for Long-Term Incentive Awards: You will be granted or eligible (as applicable) for the following long-term incentive (“LTI”) awards under the VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc. 2023 Long Term Incentive Plan (as amended or restated from time to time, the “VineBrook Equity Plan”):
(i) |
Long-Term Incentive Program: You will be eligible to participate in the Company’s LTI program commencing in 2023. Any LTI award shall be subject to the terms of the VineBrook Equity Plan and any time-based and/or performance-based vesting conditions set out in your award agreement, as determined by the Committee. |
(ii) |
Sign-On Long-Term Incentives: Effective as of the Closing, you will be granted two LTI grants, with an aggregate grant date fair value target of $2,000,000. The grants will be in the form of performance shares (the “Performance Shares”) under, and subject to, the VineBrook Equity Plan. The Performance Shares shall vest subject to the time and performance-based conditions described in each of the Performance Shares award agreements executed simultaneously herewith (the “Performance Share Award Agreements”). |
Any LTI award will automatically vest in full in connection with your termination without Cause, voluntary resignation for Good Reason or Qualifying Termination in connection with a Change in Control, in each case as defined in and provided for under the attached Severance Agreement, which you and the Company shall execute in connection with the commencement of your employment with the Company (the “Severance Agreement”).
One-Time Equity Grant. Effective as of the Closing, VineBrook and/or the OP will make a one-time equity grant to you with an aggregate value of approximately $15.0 million (the “Mega Grant”). The Mega Grant will be made under the VineBrook Equity Plan and subject to the terms of such Plan and the underlying award agreement. The Mega Grant will be made in the form of profits interest units and will vest in full on February 28, 2026, if you are continuously employed by the Company or one of its affiliates through such date, provided, that the Mega Grant will automatically vest in full prior to such date in connection with your termination without Cause, voluntary resignation for Good Reason or Qualifying Termination in connection with a Change in Control, in each case as defined in and provided for under the Severance Agreement.
Benefits: You will be eligible to participate in the employee benefit plans offered to other employees of the Company in similar positions and with similar responsibilities (subject to any applicable waiting periods and other restrictions) which includes health coverage, paid vacation, and paid company holidays. While the Company expects to continue offering the same or similar employee benefits as are presently contemplated, you should understand that the Company has the right to modify, alter, change or discontinue any or all such plans or its contribution rates to such plans at any time.
Withholding: Any amount or benefit payable under this letter will be subject to all applicable taxes and withholding and will be paid in accordance with the payment practices of the Company then in effect.
Status: Your status will be that of an employee, and your employment is at-will, meaning that you or the Company can terminate your employment without cause or reason at any time, subject to the terms of the Severance Agreement.
Equipment: The Company may, at times, provide computer equipment, software or other items necessary for your efforts on behalf of the Company. Such equipment, software or other items (and all data contained therein) will remain the property of the Company and may be replaced or removed by the Company at its sole discretion and must be returned upon the cessation of your employment, unless other arrangements have been made; provided, that, you shall be entitled to retain any personal information on such equipment upon your reasonable request, subject to the Company’s review of such information and determination that such information is not Company property.
Outside Business Activities: During your employment, you shall devote your best efforts and full business time and attention to the Company and will not engage in any other business activity or have any other business pursuits or interests, unless we consent to such activity, pursuit or interest in advance in writing; provided, that the foregoing shall not prevent you from (i) serving on civic, educational, philanthropic or charitable boards or committees, or, with the prior written consent of the Board, in its sole discretion, on corporate boards, subject to the Board’s prior approval and (ii) managing personal investments, so long as, in each case, such activities (A) do not, either individually or in the aggregate, materially interfere or conflict with your duties hereunder, (B) are permitted under the Company’s code of conduct and employment policies, and (C) do not violate the terms of any restrictive covenant obligations owed to with the Company, the OP or VineBrook.
Severance: If you are terminated by the Company without “Cause” or if you terminate employment for “Good Reason” (each as defined in the Severance Agreement), and provided that you sign (and, if applicable, do not revoke) a separation agreement and release of claims in accordance with the terms of the Severance Agreement, and you otherwise comply with the Severance Agreement, you will receive $1,650,000 as severance and fully vest in your equity awards granted under the VineBrook Equity Plan as provided for under the Severance Agreement. If your employment terminates on account of a Qualified Termination in connection with a Change of Control (each as defined in the Severance Agreement), and provided that you sign (and, if applicable, do not revoke) a separation agreement and release of claims as provided for in the Severance Agreement, and you otherwise comply with the Severance Agreement, you will receive $2,200,000 as severance and will fully vest in your equity awards granted under the VineBrook Equity Plan as provided for under the Severance Agreement. Any severance payments to you will be subject to applicable income and employment taxes and any other required withholdings. Your eligibility for, and the terms and conditions of, any severance payments in connection with any termination of your employment with the Company shall be governed by the Severance Agreement and the Performance Share Award Agreements.
This letter, together with the Severance Agreement, the Mega Grant award agreement, and the Performance Share Award Agreements, supersedes any prior oral or written agreements or understandings with the Company, the OP or VineBrook related to your employment and cannot be changed except in a writing signed by you and an authorized executive of the Company, the OP and VineBrook. Please indicate your acceptance of this offer by signing in the space provided below and returning one copy of this letter to me at your earliest convenience, but in any event no later than August 11, 2023. Should you have any questions, please feel free to call me.
We are excited to have you join us and look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Brian Mitts
President, VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc.
Accepted:
Signature
Date
[Signature Page to Offer Letter]
Exhibit A
Personal and Company Goals
[Omitted]
Exhibit 10.9
VINEBROOK HOMES TRUST, INC.
FORM OF PERFORMANCE SHARE AGREEMENT
This PERFORMANCE SHARE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is made and entered into as of August 3, 2023 (the “Grant Date”), by and between VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and [Ryan McGarry / Dana Sprong] (the “Participant”). Capitalized terms used in this Agreement but not otherwise defined herein shall have their respective meanings set forth in the Plan (as defined below).
WHEREAS, the Company maintains the VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc. 2023 Long Term Incentive Plan (as amended or restated from time to time, the “Plan”);
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to carry out the Plan (the terms of which are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Agreement);
WHEREAS, Section 8 of the Plan authorizes the granting of Performance Shares (“Performance Shares”) to persons eligible to participate under the Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Committee has determined that it would be advisable and in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders to grant the Award (as defined below) to the Participant as an inducement to the Participant to provide services to or for the benefit of the Company, and as an additional incentive during such service, and has advised the Company thereof.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:
1. Grant of Award. Subject to and upon the terms, conditions and restrictions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan, in consideration of the Participant’s agreement to provide services to or for the benefit of the Company, the Company hereby grants to the Participant as of the Grant Date an award of Performance Shares, with the potential amounts and specific performance terms set forth on Exhibit A hereto (the “Award”). The Award shall represent an unsecured promise by the Company to deliver one Share for each vested Performance Share on the delivery date set forth in Section 4, subject to the terms and conditions in the Plan and this Agreement.
2. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below. All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Plan.
(a) “Cause” has the meaning set forth in that certain Severance Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and between the Company, the Participant and certain other parties thereto (the “Severance Agreement”).
(b) “Change in Control” has the meaning set forth in the Severance Agreement.
(c) “Disability” has the meaning set forth in the Severance Agreement.
(d) “Qualifying Termination” has the meaning set forth in the Severance Agreement.
(e) “Service Provider” means a person who is selected by the Committee to receive benefits under the Plan and who is at the time (i) an officer or other key employee of the Company or an Affiliate, including a person who has agreed to commence serving in such capacity within 90 days of the Grant Date, (ii) a person who provides services to the Company or an Affiliate that are equivalent to those typically provided by an employee, or (iii) a Director.
3. Performance Shares Subject to the Plan. The Award is subject to the terms of the Plan, including, without limitation, the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 16 of the Plan. Any permitted transferee of the Award shall take such Award subject to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement. Any such permitted transferee must, upon the request of the Company, agree to be bound by the Plan and this Agreement, and shall execute the same on request, and must agree to such other waivers, limitations, and restrictions as the Company may reasonably require. Any transfer of the Award which is not made in compliance with the Plan and this Agreement shall be null and void and of no effect.
4. Vesting; Delivery.
(a) Vesting. Subject to Sections 4(b) and 4(c), the Performance Shares shall be earned based on both the achievement of certain Management Objectives and the Participant’s subsequent satisfaction of certain time-vesting requirements, each as set forth in this Section.
(i) Vesting based on Management Objectives. The number of Performance Shares, if any, actually earned based on the achievement of Management Objectives, and that will remain subject to the time-vesting requirements set forth in Section 4(a)(ii), will be based on the Company’s performance with respect to each objective, as set forth on Exhibit A hereto. In the event that the Company’s actual performance with respect to a Management Objective is not achieved at threshold or higher during the Performance Period, the portion of the Performance Share award attributable to such Management Objective shall be forfeited and such portion will be ineligible to vest in accordance with Section 4(a)(ii). As soon as reasonably practicable following the end of the Performance Period, the Committee will certify the satisfaction of the Management Objectives and determine the number of Performance Shares that will continue to vest pursuant to Section 4(a)(ii) in accordance with Exhibit A hereto, based on the extent to which the Management Objectives are achieved (if at all). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Committee, in its good faith, shall determine when, whether, and if so, the extent to which, the Management Objectives for the Performance Period have been achieved, and the extent to which the Performance Shares shall be earned.
(ii) Vesting and Delivery based on Continued Service. The Performance Shares that have satisfied the Management Objectives during the Performance Period as determined by the Committee under Section 4(a)(i), will vest and the Shares underlying the Performance Shares shall be delivered to the Participant pursuant to the time-vesting schedule set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto, subject to the Participant’s continued status as a Service Provider through each applicable vesting date.
(b) Qualifying Termination without Cause, for Good Reason or Due to Death or Disability.
(i) During the Performance Period. In the event that the Participant incurs a Qualifying Termination prior to the completion of the Performance Period (including the last day thereof), the Performance Shares will vest in full as if the applicable Management Objectives had been met at “target” (as set forth in as set forth in Exhibit A hereto) and become nonforfeitable upon such Qualifying Termination .
(ii) After the Performance Period. In the event that the Participant incurs a Qualifying Termination after the completion of the Performance Period, any Performance Shares that have satisfied the Management Objectives during the Performance Period as determined by the Committee under Section 4(a)(i) that are unvested as of such Qualifying Termination shall vest in full and become nonforfeitable upon such Qualifying Termination.
(iii) Delivery. The Company shall deliver to the Participant (or the Participant’s estate, as applicable) the Shares underlying the Performance Shares vesting under Sections 4(b)(i) and 4(b)(ii), (A) as soon as reasonably practicable, but no later than March 15th of the year following the year in which the Participant incurred a Qualifying Termination due to death or Disability or (B) on the 55th day following the date of a Qualifying Termination due to a termination by the Company or an Affiliate other than for Cause (the “Termination Delivery Date”), subject to the release requirements set forth in Section 4(d).
(c) Change in Control.
(i) During the Performance Period. If a Change of Control occurs prior to the completion of the Performance Period, the Performance Shares will vest in full and become nonforfeitable in an amount equal to the greater of the number of shares that would vest if (i) the applicable Management Objectives had been met at “target” (as set forth in Exhibit A hereto) or (ii) the actual achievement of the Management Objectives measured from the Measurement Commencement Date (as defined in in Exhibit A hereto) through the date of such Change of Control (determined by the Committee, in good faith, in accordance with Exhibit A).
(ii) After the Performance Period. If a Change of Control occurs after the completion of the Performance Period, any Performance Shares that have satisfied the Management Objectives during the Performance Period as determined by the Committee under Section 4(a)(i) that are unvested as of such Change in Control shall vest in full and become nonforfeitable.
(iii) Delivery. The Company shall deliver to the Participant the Shares underlying the Performance Shares vesting under Sections 4(c)(i) and 4(c)(ii) on the date of such Change in Control, subject to the Participant’s continued status as a Service Provider through such date.
(d) Release. The vesting and delivery of any Shares with respect to the Performance Shares under Sections 4(b) or 4(c) in connection with a Qualifying Termination due to a termination by the Company or an Affiliate other than for Cause or by the Participant for Good Reason shall in each case be subject to and conditioned upon the Participant’s execution of a separation agreement and release of claims (a “Release”) as provided for in the Severance Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, if Participant fails to timely execute and deliver an enforceable Release consistent with the Severance Agreement, or revokes such Release, then the Shares that would have been delivered pursuant to Section 4(b) in connection with a Qualifying Termination due to a termination by the Company or an Affiliate other than for Cause or by the Participant for Good Reason will thereupon automatically and without further action be cancelled and forfeited without payment of any consideration therefor, and the Participant shall have no further right or interest in or with respect to such Performance Shares.
(e) Except to the extent provided by Section 409A of the Code and permitted by the Committee, no Shares may be issued to the Participant at a time earlier than otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement.
(f) The Committee may also determine to pay for vested Performance Shares in cash based on the market value of the Shares on the date of settlement. The Company’s obligations to the Participant with respect to the Performance Shares shall be satisfied in full upon the issuance of Shares corresponding to such Performance Shares or upon a cash payment corresponding to such Performance Shares.
5. Dividend Equivalents; Other Rights.
(a) The Participant shall have no rights of ownership in the Shares underlying the Performance Shares and no right to vote the Shares underlying the Performance Shares until the date on which the Shares underlying the Performance Shares are issued or transferred to the Participant pursuant to Section 4 above.
(b) From and after the Grant Date and until the earlier of (i) the time when the Performance Shares become vested and are paid in accordance with Section 4 hereof or (ii) the time when the Participant’s right to receive Shares in payment of the Performance Shares is forfeited in accordance with Section 8 hereof, on the date that the Company pays a cash dividend (if any) to holders of Shares generally, the Participant shall be credited with cash per Performance Share equal to the amount of such dividend. Any amounts credited pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence shall be subject to the same applicable terms and conditions (including vesting, delivery, payment and forfeitability) as apply to the Performance Shares in respect of which the dividend equivalents were credited, and such amounts shall be paid in cash at the same time as the Performance Shares to which they relate are paid in Shares, if at all.
(c) The obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall be merely that of an unfunded and unsecured promise of the Company to deliver Shares in the future, and the rights of the Participant shall be no greater than that of an unsecured general creditor. No assets of the Company shall be held or set aside as security for the obligations of the Company under this Agreement.
6. Adjustments. The number of Shares issuable for each Performance Share covered by the Award and the other terms and conditions of the grant evidenced by this Agreement are subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12 of the Plan.
7. Withholding Taxes. To the extent that the Company is required to withhold federal, state, local or foreign taxes in connection with the delivery to the Participant of Shares or any other payment to the Participant or any other payment or vesting event under this Agreement, and the amounts available to the Company for such withholding are insufficient, it shall be a condition to the obligation of the Company to make any such delivery or payment that the Participant make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for payment of the balance of such taxes required to be withheld. The Participant may elect that all or any part of such withholding requirement be satisfied by retention by the Company of a portion of the Shares to be delivered to the Participant or by delivering to the Company other Shares held by the Participant. If such election is made, the Shares so retained shall be credited against such withholding requirement at the market value of such Shares on the date of such delivery. In no event shall the market value of the Shares to be withheld and/or delivered pursuant to this Section 7 to satisfy applicable withholding taxes exceed the minimum amount of taxes required to be withheld, except as otherwise provided in the Plan.
8. Effect of Termination of Service. Except as expressly provided in Section 4 above, no Performance Shares which have not vested as of, or in connection with, the date of the Participant’s termination of service as a Service Provider for any reason whatsoever shall thereafter become vested and upon such termination date shall automatically and without further action be cancelled and forfeited without payment of any consideration therefor, and the Participant shall have no further right or interest in or with respect to such Performance Shares.
9. Execution and Return of Documents and Certificates. At the Company’s request, the Participant hereby agrees to promptly execute, deliver and return to the Company any and all documents or certificates that the Company deems necessary or desirable to effectuate the cancellation and forfeiture of the unvested Performance Shares and the portion of the Award attributable to the unvested Performance Shares, or to effectuate the transfer or surrender of such unvested Performance Shares and portion of the Award to the Company.
10. Covenants, Representations and Warranties. The Participant hereby represents, warrants, covenants, acknowledges and agrees on behalf of the Participant that:
(a) Investment. The Participant is holding the Award for the Participant’s own account, and not for the account of any other Person. The Participant is holding the Award for investment and not with a view to distribution or resale thereof except in compliance with applicable laws regulating securities.
(b) Status of Participant. The Participant has such knowledge, skill, and experience in business, financial, and investment matters such that the Participant is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Performance Shares and is capable of protecting his or her interest in connection with his or her investment in the Performance Shares. To the extent that the Participant has deemed it appropriate to do so, the Participant has retained and relied upon necessary and appropriate professional advice regarding the investment, tax, and legal merits and consequences of this Agreement and holding the Performance Shares. By reason of the Participant’s business and financial experience, the Participant has the capacity to protect his or her own interest in connection with his or her investment in the Performance Shares. The Participant represents that he or she is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Participant agrees to furnish any additional information requested to assure compliance with applicable federal securities laws and the securities laws of any state in connection with the holding of the Performance Shares.
(c) Relation to Company. The Participant is presently a Service Provider, and in such capacity has become personally familiar with the business of the Company.
(d) Access to Information. The Participant has had the opportunity to ask questions of, and to receive answers from, the Company with respect to the terms and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and with respect to the business, affairs, financial conditions, and results of operations of the Company.
(e) Registration. The Participant understands that the Performance Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act and the Performance Shares cannot be transferred by the Participant other than in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this Agreement and, in any event, unless such transfer is registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. The Company has made no agreements, covenants or undertakings whatsoever to register the transfer of the Performance Shares under the Securities Act. The Company has made no representations, warranties, or covenants whatsoever as to whether any exemption from the Securities Act, including, without limitation, any exemption for limited sales in routine brokers’ transactions pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act (“Rule 144”), will be available.
(f) Public Trading. The Company’s securities are not presently publicly traded, and neither the Company nor any Affiliate has made any representations, covenants or agreements as to whether there will be a public market for any of its securities.
(g) Tax Advice. Neither the Company nor any Affiliate has made any warranties or representations to the Participant with respect to the income tax consequences of the issuance of the Performance Shares or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and the Participant is in no manner relying on the Company or its representatives for an assessment of such tax consequences. The Participant is advised to consult with his or her own tax advisor with respect to such tax consequences and his or her ownership of the Performance Shares.
11. Remedies. The Participant shall be liable to the Company for all costs and damages, including incidental and consequential damages, resulting from a disposition of the Award which is in violation of the provisions of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Participant agrees that the Company shall be entitled to obtain specific performance of the obligations of the Participant under this Agreement and immediate injunctive relief in the event any action or proceeding is brought in equity to enforce the same. The Participant will not use as a defense that there is an adequate remedy at law.
12. Restrictive Legends. Certificates evidencing the Award, to the extent such certificates are issued, may bear such restrictive legends as the Company and/or the Company’s counsel may deem necessary or advisable under applicable law or pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, the following legends or any legends substantially similar thereto:
“The offering and sale of the securities represented hereby have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Any transfer of such securities will be invalid unless a Registration Statement under the Securities Act is in effect as to such transfer or in the opinion of counsel for the Company such registration is unnecessary in order for such transfer to comply with the Securities Act.” |
13. Restrictions on Public Sale by the Participant. To the extent not inconsistent with applicable law, the Participant agrees not to effect any sale or distribution of the Performance Shares or any similar security of the Company, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, including a sale pursuant to Rule 144, during the 14 days prior to, and for up to 180 days after, the date of the pricing of any public or private debt or equity securities offering by the Company (except as part of such offering), if and to the extent requested in writing by the Company in the case of a non-underwritten public or private offering or if and to the extent requested in writing by the managing underwriter or underwriters (or initial purchaser or initial purchasers, as the case may be) and consented to by the Company, which consent may be given or withheld in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, in the case of an underwritten public or private offering (such agreement to be in the form of lock-up agreement provided by the Company, managing underwriter or underwriters, as the case may be).
14. Conformity to Securities Laws. The Participant acknowledges that the Plan and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations (including, but not limited to the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and any and all regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder) and agrees to obtain such approvals by any listing, regulatory or other governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Award of Performance Shares is made, only in such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan, this Agreement and the Award shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.
15. Code Section 409A. To the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the effective date of this Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that following the effective date of this Agreement, the Company determines that the Award may be subject to Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance (including such Department of Treasury guidance as may be issued after the effective date of this Agreement), the Company may adopt such amendments to this Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Company determines are necessary or appropriate to (a) exempt the Award from Section 409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award, or (b) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance; provided, however, that this Section 15 shall not create any obligation on the part of the Company or any Affiliate to adopt any such amendment, policy or procedure or take any such other action. In no event shall the Company or any Affiliate be liable for any tax, interest or penalty imposed on the Participant under Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary and solely to the extent the Award would constitute nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, a “Change in Control” shall occur only if such event also constitutes a “change in the ownership,” “change in effective control,” and/or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of assets” of the Company as those terms are defined under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, but only to the extent necessary to establish a time and form of payment that complies with Section 409A of the Code, without altering the definition of Change in Control for any other purposes in respect thereto.
16. No Right to Continued Service. Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue as a Service Provider of the Company or any Affiliate, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company or any Affiliate, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge the Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause.
17. Miscellaneous.
(a) Incorporation of the Plan. This Agreement is made under and subject to and governed by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this Agreement and the Plan, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall control. By signing this Agreement, the Participant confirms that he or she has received a copy of the Plan and has had an opportunity to review the contents thereof.
(b) Clawback. This Award shall be subject to any clawback or recoupment policy currently in effect or as may be adopted by the Company and applicable to the Participant, in each case, as may be amended from time to time.
(c) Successors and Assigns. Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, this Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the executors, administrators, heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto, including, without limitation, any business entity that succeeds to the business of the Company.
(d) Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement, together with the Plan, constitutes the entire agreement among the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, of the parties. In the event that the Plan or the provisions of such other agreements or letters conflict or are inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control. Except as set forth in Section 15 above, this Agreement may not be amended except in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto and approved by the Committee. No amendment, supplement, modification or waiver of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the party to be bound thereby. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided.
(e) No Guarantee of Future Awards. This Agreement does not guarantee the Participant the right to or expectation of future Awards under the Plan or any future plan adopted by the Company.
(f) Survival of Representations and Warranties. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in Section 10 hereof shall survive the later of the date of execution and delivery of this Agreement or the issuance of the Award.
(g) Severability. If for any reason one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other instrument referred to herein, shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, then to the maximum extent permitted by law, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or any other such instrument.
(h) Titles. The titles, captions or headings of the Sections herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(i) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, any of which may be executed and transmitted by facsimile or email, and each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.
(j) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal substantive laws of the State of Delaware.
(k) Notices. Any notice to be given by the Participant under the terms of this Agreement shall be addressed to Brian Mitts at the Company’s address set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto. Any notice to be given to the Participant shall be addressed to him or her at the Participant’s then current address on the books and records of the Company. By a notice given pursuant to this Section 17(k), either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to such party. Any notice which is required to be given to the Participant shall, if the Participant is then deceased, be given to the Participant’s personal representative if such representative has previously informed the Company of his or her status and address by written notice under this Section 17(k) (and the Company shall be entitled to rely on any such notice provided to it that it in good faith believes to be true and correct, with no duty of inquiry). Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States mail by certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed as set forth above or upon confirmation of delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
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VINEBROOK HOMES TRUST, INC. |
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By: |
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Name: |
Brian Mitts |
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Title: |
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer |
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and Assistant Secretary |
The Participant hereby accepts and agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
[Ryan McGarry / Dana Sprong]
[Signature Page to Performance Share Agreement]
Exhibit A
Terms of Performance Share Award
Performance Period:
Target Award:
Management Objectives:
Vesting Schedule:
Company Address: 300 Crescent Court
Suite 700
Dallas, Texas 75201
Exhibit 10.10
VINEBROOK HOMES TRUST, INC.
VINEBROOK HOMES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
FORM OF PROFITS INTEREST UNITS AGREEMENT
This PROFITS INTEREST UNITS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is made and entered into as of August 3, 2023 (the “Grant Date”), by and among VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), VineBrook Management Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Management Holdings”), and [Ryan McGarry / Dana Sprong] (the “Participant”). Capitalized terms used in this Agreement but not otherwise defined herein shall have their respective meanings set forth in the Plan (as defined below) or the Partnership Agreement (as defined below), as applicable.
WHEREAS, VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), maintains the VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc. 2023 Long Term Incentive Plan (as amended or restated from time to time, the “Plan”);
WHEREAS, the Company and the Partnership wish to carry out the Plan (the terms of which are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Agreement);
WHEREAS, Section 9 of the Plan authorizes the issuance of Profits Interest Units to Participants for the performance of services to or for the benefit of the Partnership in the Participant’s capacity as a Partner or in anticipation of the Participant becoming a Partner or as otherwise determined by the Committee; and
WHEREAS, the Committee has determined that it would be advisable and in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders to issue the Award (as defined below) to the Participant as an inducement to the Participant to provide services to or for the benefit of the Partnership, and as an additional incentive during such service, and has advised the Company thereof.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:
1. Issuance of Award.
(a) Award. Pursuant to the Plan, in consideration of the Participant’s agreement to provide services to or for the benefit of the Partnership, the Partnership hereby (a) issues to the Participant an award of 237,944.16 Profits Interest Units (the “Award”) and (b) if not already a Partner, admits the Participant as a Partner of the Partnership on the terms and conditions set forth herein, in the Plan and in the Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the Partnership (as amended or restated from time to time, the “Partnership Agreement”). The Partnership and the Participant acknowledge and agree that the Award is hereby issued to the Participant for the performance of services to or for the benefit of the Partnership in his or her capacity as a Partner or in anticipation of the Participant becoming a Partner. Upon receipt of the Award, the Participant shall, automatically and without further action on his or her part, be deemed to be a party to, signatory of and bound by the Partnership Agreement. At the request of the Partnership, the Participant shall execute the Partnership Agreement or a joinder or counterpart signature page thereto. The Participant acknowledges that the Partnership may, from time to time, issue or cancel (or otherwise modify) Profits Interest Units in accordance with the terms of the Partnership Agreement. The Award shall have the rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption and conversion set forth herein and in the Plan and the Partnership Agreement.
(b) Contribution. Upon the issuance of the Award, the Participant shall simultaneously contribute the Profits Interest Units to Management Holdings in exchange for profits interest units in Management Holdings that track the terms and conditions of the grant set forth herein pursuant to the terms of the Management Holdings Profits Interest Unit Agreement (the “Management Holdings Contribution Agreement”). The Participant shall, by execution hereof, agree to become a party to and to be bound by the Limited Liability Company Agreement of VineBrook Management Holdings, LLC, dated as of August 3, 2023 (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “Management Holdings LLC Agreement”), in each case as and when herein provided, and as a Member thereunder with respect to the Profits Interest Units granted hereby. For the avoidance of doubt, the forfeiture of the Profits Interest Units granted hereunder shall continue to apply to Management Holdings to the same extent as if the Grantee held such Profits Incentive Units directly.
2. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below. All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Plan and/or the Partnership Agreement, as applicable.
(a) “Cause” has the meaning set forth in that certain Severance Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and between the Company, the Partnership and certain other parties thereto (the “Severance Agreement”).
(b) “Change in Control” has the meaning set forth in the Severance Agreement.
(c) “Disability” has the meaning set forth in the Severance Agreement.
(d) “Good Reason” has the meaning set forth in the Severance Agreement.
(e) “Profits Interest Units” means Profits LTIP Units of the Partnership as defined in the Partnership Agreement.
(f) “Qualifying Termination” has the meaning set forth in the Severance Agreement.
(g) “Service Provider” means a person who is selected by the Board of Directors to receive a Profits Interest Unit under the Partnership Agreement and who is at the time (i) an officer or other key employee of the Company Group, including a person who has agreed to commence serving in such capacity within 90 days of the Grant Date, (ii) a person who provides services to the Company Group that are equivalent to those typically provided by an employee, or (iii) a Director.
3. Profits Interest Units Granted Under the Partnership Agreement. The Award is subject to the terms of the Plan and the terms of the Partnership Agreement, including, without limitation, the restrictions on transfer of Partnership Units (including, without limitation, Profits Interest Units) set forth in Article 11 of the Partnership Agreement. Any permitted transferee of the Award shall take such Award subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Partnership Agreement, and the terms of the Plan. Any such permitted transferee must, upon the request of the Partnership, agree to be bound by the Partnership Agreement, this Agreement, and the terms of the Plan, and shall execute the same on request, and must agree to such other waivers, limitations, and restrictions as the Partnership or the Company may reasonably require. Any transfer of the Award which is not made in compliance with the Partnership Agreement, this Agreement or the terms of the Plan shall be null and void and of no effect.
4. Vesting.
(a) Time Vesting. Subject to Sections 4(b), 4(c) and 4(d), the Restrictions set forth in Section 5 below will lapse and the Profits Interest Units will vest and become nonforfeitable in accordance with and subject to the time vesting schedule set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto, subject to the Participant’s continued status as a Service Provider through each applicable vesting date.
(b) Qualifying Termination Due to Death or Disability. In the event that the Participant incurs a Qualifying Termination due to the Participant’s death or Disability, the Profits Interest Units will vest in full and become nonforfeitable upon such Qualifying Termination.
(c) Qualifying Termination without Cause or for Good Reason Not in Connection with a Change in Control. In the event that the Participant incurs a Qualifying Termination due to a termination by a member of the Company Group other than for Cause or due to a termination by the Participant for Good Reason, in each case prior to a Change in Control, subject to the release requirements set forth in Section 4(e), the Award will vest in full and become nonforfeitable on the 55th day following the date of such Qualifying Termination (such date, the “Nonforfeitable Date”) (and will, following the Participant’s Qualifying Termination, remain outstanding and eligible to vest on such date if the Release (as defined below) has become effective and irrevocable).
(d) Qualifying Termination without Cause or for Good Reason in Connection with a Change in Control. In the event that a Change in Control occurs and the Participant incurs a Qualifying Termination due to a termination by a member of the Company Group other than for Cause or due to a termination by the Participant for Good Reason upon or within 3 months prior to or 12 months following such Change in Control, subject to the release requirements set forth in Section 4(e), the Profits Interest Units will vest in full and become nonforfeitable on the Nonforfeitable Date (and will, following the Participant’s Qualifying Termination, remain outstanding and eligible to vest on such date if the Release has become effective and irrevocable).
(e) Release. The vesting of any Profits Interest Units pursuant to Section 4(c) or 4(d) shall in each case be subject to and conditioned upon the Participant’s execution of a separation agreement and general release of claims in as provided for in the Severance Agreement (a “Release”). For the avoidance of doubt, if Participant fails to timely execute and deliver an enforceable Release prior to the Nonforfeitable Date, or revokes such Release, then the Profits Interest Units that would have vested pursuant to Section 4(c) or 4(d), as applicable, will thereupon automatically and without further action be cancelled and forfeited without payment of any consideration therefor, and the Participant shall have no further right or interest in or with respect to such Profits Interest Units.
5. Effect of Termination of Service; Breach of Restrictive Covenant.
(a) Termination of Service. In the event of the Participant’s termination of service for any reason other than as described in Sections 4(b), 4(c) or 4(d) above, any and all Profits Interest Units that have not vested as of the date that the Participant’s service terminates (after taking into account any accelerated vesting that occurs in connection with such termination) will thereupon automatically and without further action be cancelled and forfeited without payment of any consideration therefor, and the Participant shall have no further right or interest in or with respect to such Profits Interest Units. In the event of the Participant’s termination of service as described in Sections 4(b), 4(c) or 4(d) above, any and all Profits Interest Units that have not vested as of the Nonforfeitable Date (after taking into account any accelerated vesting that occurs in connection with such termination) will thereupon automatically and without further action be cancelled and forfeited without payment of any consideration therefor, and the Participant shall have no further right or interest in or with respect to such Profits Interest Units.
(b) Breach of Restrictive Covenant. In the event that the Participant’s breach of any confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation, no-hire and/or non-disparagement obligations (including, but not limited to, the Restrictive Covenants set forth in Section 7) with a member of the Company Group, as determined by the Committee in its good faith discretion, any and all Profits Interest Units (whether unvested or vested) will thereupon automatically and without further action be cancelled and forfeited without payment of any consideration therefor, and the Participant shall have no further right or interest in or with respect to such Profits Interest Units. For the avoidance of doubt, any such Profits Interest Units cancelled pursuant to this Section 5(b) shall also be subject to the provisions set forth in Section 8(b)(ii) below.
6. Execution and Return of Documents and Certificates. At the Company’s or the Partnership’s request, the Participant hereby agrees to promptly execute, deliver and return to the Partnership any and all documents or certificates that the Company or the Partnership deems necessary or desirable to effectuate the cancellation and forfeiture of the unvested Profits Interest Units and the portion of the Award attributable to the unvested Profits Interest Units, or to effectuate the transfer or surrender of such unvested Profits Interest Units and portion of the Award to the Partnership.
7. Restrictive Covenants. In consideration of the receipt of the Award and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Participant agrees to comply with the following restrictive covenants (collectively, the “Restrictive Covenants”):
(a) Non-Disclosure and Non-Use of Confidential Information.
(i) The Participant shall not use or disclose to any Person, either during the Participant’s Service as a Service Provider or thereafter, any Confidential Information (as defined below) of which the Participant is or becomes aware, whether or not such information is developed by the Participant, for any reason or purpose whatsoever, nor shall the Participant make use of any of the Confidential Information for the Participant’s own purposes or for the benefit of any Person except for the Company Group, except (A) to the extent that such disclosure or use is directly related to and required by the Participant’s performance in good faith of duties assigned to the Participant by the Company Group, as determined by the Participant in good faith, (B) to the extent required to do so by a law or legal process, including a court of competent jurisdiction or (C) to the Participant’s legal, financial, tax or accounting advisors. The Participant shall not modify, reverse engineer, decompile, create other works from or disassemble any software programs contained in the Confidential Information of the Company Group unless permitted in writing by the Company Group. The Participant will, at the sole expense of the Company, take all reasonable steps to safeguard Confidential Information and to protect it against disclosure, misuse, espionage, loss and theft.
(ii) For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means confidential or proprietary information that is not generally known to the public and that is used, developed or obtained by any member of the Company Group in connection with its business, including, but not limited to, information, observations and data obtained by the Participant during the Participant’s Service as a Service Provider concerning (A) the business or affairs of the Company Group (or any predecessor thereof) and (B) products, services, fees, costs, pricing structures, analyses, drawings, photographs and reports, computer software (including operating systems, applications and program listings), data bases, accounting and business methods, inventions, devices, new developments, methods and processes (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice), customers and clients and customer and client lists, information on current and prospective independent sales agents, software vendors or partners and sponsor banks, all technology and trade secrets, and all similar and related information in whatever form. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Confidential Information” will not include (x) any information that becomes generally available to the public prior to the date the Participant proposes to disclose or use such information (except where such public disclosure was made by the Participant in violation of this Section 7(a) without authorization), (y) information that at the time of disclosure is already known to the receiving party without any restriction on its disclosure or (z) information that is independently developed by the Participant or any of the Participant’s affiliates or representatives, outside of the scope of services provided by the Participant to the Company Group, without the use of Confidential Information or breach of this Agreement.
(iii) For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 7(a) does not prohibit or restrict the Participant (or the Participant’s attorney) from responding to any inquiry about this Agreement or its underlying facts and circumstances by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or any other self-regulatory organization or governmental authority, or prevents Participant from providing truthful testimony in response to a lawfully issued subpoena or court order or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation. The Participant understands and acknowledges that the Participant does not need the prior authorization of the Company Group to make any such reports or disclosures and that the Participant is not required to notify the Company Group that the Participant has made such reports or disclosures.
(iv) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 7(a) or elsewhere in this Agreement to the contrary, the Participant understands that the Participant may, pursuant to the U.S. Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (“DTSA”), without informing the Company Group prior to any such disclosure, disclose Confidential Information (A) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law or (B) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. Additionally, without informing the Company Group prior to any such disclosure, if the Participant files a lawsuit against the Company for retaliation for reporting a suspected violation of law, the Participant may, pursuant to the DTSA, disclose Confidential Information to the Participant’s attorney and use the Confidential Information in the court proceeding or arbitration, provided that the Participant files any document containing the Confidential Information under seal and does not otherwise disclose the Confidential Information, except pursuant to court order. Without prior authorization of the Company, however, the Company does not authorize the Participant to disclose to any third party (including any government official or any attorney the Participant may retain) any communications that are covered by the Company’s attorney-client privilege.
(b) Intellectual Property Rights.
(i) The Participant hereby assigns, transfers, and conveys to the Company all of the Participant’s right, title and interest in and to all Work Product (as defined below). The Participant agrees that all Work Product belongs in all instances to the Company. The Participant will promptly disclose such Work Product to the Company and perform all actions reasonably requested by the Company (whether during or after the Participant’s Service as a Service Provider) to establish and confirm the Company’s ownership of such Work Product (including, without limitation, the execution and delivery of assignments, consents, powers of attorney, and other instruments) and to provide reasonable assistance to the Company (whether during or after the Participant’s Service as a Service Provider) in connection with the prosecution of any applications for patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks or reissues thereof or in the prosecution or defense of interferences relating to any Work Product. Participant recognizes and agrees that the Work Product, to the extent copyrightable, constitutes works for hire under the copyright laws of the United States.
(ii) For purposes of this Agreement, “Work Product” means all inventions, innovations, improvements, technical information, systems, software developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, service marks, trademarks, trade names, trade dress, logos and all similar or related information (whether patentable or unpatentable) which relates to the actual business, operations, research and development, or existing or future products or services of the Company Group and which are conceived, developed, or made by the Participant (whether or not during usual business hours and whether or not alone or in conjunction with any other person) during the Participant’s Service as a Service Provider together with all patent applications, letters patent, trademark, trade name, and service mark applications or registrations, copyrights and reissues thereof that may be granted for or upon any of the foregoing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Work Product” shall not include the patents and other assets set forth on Exhibit B hereto. The Participant hereby represents and warrants that the patents and other assets owned by the Participant set forth on Exhibit B are not related in any way to the Company Group, except as stated therein.
(c) Non-Competition.
(i) During the Participant’s Service as a Service Provider and the Restricted Period (as defined in Section 7(f)), the Participant shall not, and shall cause the Participant’s Affiliates not to, as applicable, own any interest in, manage, control, participate in (whether as an owner, operator, manager, consultant, officer, director, employee, investor, agent, representative, or otherwise), consult with, be employed by, or render services for any referral source, supplier, vendor, or joint venture of the Company Group or the Advisor, or any business or entity that is engaged in a Competitive Business in any state in which the Company is qualified or is required to be qualified to do business or any state in which the Company has otherwise taken reasonable steps to engage in the Business during the two year period immediately prior to the date the Participant terminates its Service as a Service Provider with the Company Group, in each case, as of the date that the Participant terminates its Service as a Service Provider with the Company Group (the “Restricted Area”); provided, that nothing herein shall prevent the Participant from (i) owning, directly or indirectly, solely as an investment, securities of any Person traded on any national securities exchange if the Participant is not a controlling stockholder of, or a member of a group which controls, such Person, and does not, directly or indirectly, own 5% or more of any class of securities of such Person and/or (ii) own equity interests in the Partnership and/or the Company or continue to be involved in the management of or be an employee of the Company or its Affiliates.
(d) Non-Solicitation. During the Participant’s Service as a Service Provider and the Restricted Period, the Participant will not, and will cause the Participant’s Affiliates not to, directly or indirectly through or in association with any third party, (i) call on, solicit, service, engage with, contract with, or take any action which may interfere with, impair, subvert, disrupt, or alter the relationship, contractual or otherwise, between any member of the Company Group or the Advisor and (A) any current customer, vendor, supplier, distributor, developer, service provider, licensor or licensee, referral party, or other material business relation of such member of the Company Group or the Advisor, or (B) any prospective customer, supplier, distributor, developer, service provider, licensor or licensee, or other material business relation of any member of the Company Group or the Advisor with whom the Participant or any of the Participant’s direct reports has done business or had material contact or engagement during the last 12 months of the Participant’s Service as a Service Provider with the Company Group or the Advisor, (ii) solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any employees of or consultants to the Company Group to terminate their relationship with the Company Group or the Advisor or take away or hire such employees or consultants, (iii) divert or take away the business or patronage (with respect to products or services of the kind or type developed, produced, marketed, furnished or sold by the Company Group or the Advisor) of (A) any of the clients, customers or accounts of the Company Group or the Advisor thereof, or (B) any of the prospective clients, customers or accounts of the Company Group or the Advisor thereof with whom the Participant or any of the Participant’s direct reports has done business or had material contact or engagement during the last 12 months of the Participant’s Service with the Company Group or the Advisor, or (iv) attempt to do any of the foregoing, either for the Participant’s own purposes or for any other third party.
(e) Non-Disparagement. The Participant shall not make any negative statements or communications about any member of the Company Group or any of their respective direct or indirect equity holders, directors, officers or employees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement is intended to require any person to make any untruthful statement or to violate any law.
(f) Definitions. For purposes of this Section 7:
(i) “Business” means the business of buying, selling, owning and operating single-family rental assets, including, but not limited to, identifying and acquiring potential acquisition targets, managing the day-to-day affairs of the properties, renovating the homes, leasing the properties, managing tenant affairs, collecting rents, paying operating expenses, managing maintenance issues, accounting for each property using United States generally accepted accounting principles, and other responsibilities customary for the management of rental properties, and any other line of business that the Company Group or the Advisor is participating in, or has taken substantive steps towards participating in.
(ii) “Competitive Business” shall mean any business that engages in, sells or provides any products or services which are the same or similar to or otherwise competitive with the Business.
(iii) “Restricted Period” means the period during the Participant’s Service as a Service Provider and ending on the date that is the one year after the date that the Participant terminates its Service as a Service Provider with the Company Group; provided, that if Participant breaches his or her fiduciary duty to the Company or Company Group or Participant has unlawfully taken, physically or electronically, property belonging to the Company or Company Group, the Restricted Period may be extended to but shall not exceed two (2) years from the date Participant terminates its Service as a Service Provider with the Company Group; provided further, that if the Participant violates the terms of any of the restrictions set forth in this Section 7, the Restricted Period applicable to such restriction shall automatically be extended by the period the Participant was in violation of such restriction.
8. Acknowledgment and Enforcement of Restrictive Covenants.
(a) Acknowledgment.
(i) Without limiting the generality of the Participant’s agreement with the provisions of Section 7, the Participant (A) represents that the Participant is familiar with and has carefully considered the Restrictive Covenants, (B) represents that the Participant is fully aware of the Participant’s obligations hereunder, (C) agrees to the reasonableness of the length of time, scope, and geographic coverage, as applicable, of the Restrictive Covenants, (D) agrees that the Company Group currently conducts business throughout the Restricted Area, and (E) agrees that the Restrictive Covenants will continue in effect for the applicable periods set forth above regardless of whether Participant is then entitled to receive severance pay or benefits from the Company. The Participant understands that the Restrictive Covenants may limit the Participant’s ability to earn a livelihood in a business similar to the Business, but the Participant nevertheless believes that the Participant has received and will receive sufficient consideration and other benefits as a Service Provider and as otherwise provided hereunder or as described in the recitals hereto to clearly justify such restrictions which, in any event (given the Participant’s education, skills, and ability), the Participant does not believe would prevent the Participant from otherwise earning a living. The Participant agrees that the Restrictive Covenants do not confer a benefit upon the Company disproportionate to the detriment of the Participant.
(ii) The Participant agrees and acknowledges that the Participant (A) has read and understands this Agreement, (B) is entering into it freely and voluntarily, (C) has had at least ten days to review this Agreement, (D) is freely waiving any prior notice requirements under applicable law with respect to Section 7 of this Agreement, and (E) has been advised to seek counsel prior to entering into this Agreement and has had counsel review this Agreement. The Participant further acknowledges that the Profits Interest Units constitutes fair, reasonable and mutually-agreed upon consideration in exchange for the promises contained in Section 7 of this Agreement.
(b) Remedies for Breach of Restrictive Covenants.
(i) The Participant acknowledges and agrees that in the event of the Participant’s actual or threatened breach of any of the Restrictive Covenants, the Company will have no adequate remedy at law. The Participant accordingly agrees that, in the event of any actual or threatened breach by the Participant of any of said covenants, the Company will be entitled to seek immediate injunctive and other equitable relief, without bond and without the necessity of showing actual monetary damages. Nothing in this Section 8(b)(i) will be construed as prohibiting the Company from pursuing any other remedies available to it for such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of any damages that it is able to prove. The Participant further agrees that the applicable period of time any Restrictive Covenant is in effect following the Participant’s termination of Service with the Company shall be extended by the same amount of time that the Participant is in breach of any Restrictive Covenant.
(ii) In addition, and not in limitation of the foregoing, in the event of the Participant’s breach of any confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation, no-hire and/or non-disparagement obligations (including, but not limited to, the Restrictive Covenants) with a member of the Company Group (as determined by the Committee in good faith), (A) any outstanding Profits Interest Units and, to the extent that the Participant has elected to redeem such Profits Interest Units for another equity interest in the Company or another member of the Company Group, as contemplated by the Partnership Agreement (the “Converted Equity”), the Company or Partnership shall cause such outstanding Converted Equity to immediately be forfeited (even if vested), (B) neither the Participant nor any permitted transferee shall have any further rights with respect to any Profits Interest Units or Converted Equity, as applicable, and (C), the Company shall also have the right to recover from the Participant the economic value of any Distributions, including any Distributions related to Converted Equity, or any proceeds received following a change in control of a member of the Company Group or the sale of the Converted Equity.
(c) Severability. If, at the time of enforcement of the Restrictive Covenants, a court or arbitrator holds that the Restrictive Covenants are unreasonable under the circumstances then existing, the parties agree that the maximum period, scope or geographical area reasonable under such circumstances shall be substituted for the stated period, scope or area determined to be reasonable under the circumstances by such court or arbitrator, as applicable. The Participant covenants and agrees that the Participant will not seek to challenge the enforceability of the Restrictive Covenants against any member of the Company Group, nor will the Participant assert as a defense to any action seeking enforcement of the Restrictive Covenants (including an action seeking injunctive relief) that such provisions are not enforceable due to lack of sufficient consideration received by the Participant.
9. Covenants, Representations and Warranties. The Participant hereby represents, warrants, covenants, acknowledges and agrees on behalf of the Participant and his or her spouse, if applicable, that:
(a) Investment. The Participant is holding the Award for the Participant’s own account, and not for the account of any other Person. The Participant is holding the Award for investment and not with a view to distribution or resale thereof except in compliance with applicable laws regulating securities.
(b) Status of Participant. The Participant has such knowledge, skill, and experience in business, financial, and investment matters such that the Participant is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Profits Interest Units and is capable of protecting his or her interest in connection with his or her investment in the Profits Interest Units. To the extent that the Participant has deemed it appropriate to do so, the Participant has retained and relied upon necessary and appropriate professional advice regarding the investment, tax, and legal merits and consequences of this Agreement and holding the Profits Interest Units. By reason of the Participant’s business and financial experience, the Participant has the capacity to protect his or her own interest in connection with his or her investment in the Profits Interest Units. The Participant represents that he or she is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Participant agrees to furnish any additional information requested to assure compliance with applicable federal securities laws and the securities laws of any state in connection with the holding of the Profits Interest Units.
(c) Relation to Partnership. The Participant is presently a Limited Partner and Service Provider, and in such capacity has become personally familiar with the business of the Partnership.
(d) Access to Information. The Participant has had the opportunity to ask questions of, and to receive answers from, the Partnership with respect to the terms and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and with respect to the business, affairs, financial conditions, and results of operations of the Partnership.
(e) Registration. The Participant understands that the Profits Interest Units have not been registered under the Securities Act and the Profits Interest Units cannot be transferred by the Participant other than in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, this Agreement and the Partnership Agreement and, in any event, unless such transfer is registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. The Partnership has made no agreements, covenants or undertakings whatsoever to register the transfer of the Profits Interest Units under the Securities Act. The Partnership has made no representations, warranties, or covenants whatsoever as to whether any exemption from the Securities Act, including, without limitation, any exemption for limited sales in routine brokers’ transactions pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act (“Rule 144”), will be available.
(f) Public Trading. The Partnership’s securities are not presently publicly traded, and no member of the Company Group has made any representations, covenants or agreements as to whether there will be a public market for any of its securities.
(g) Tax Advice. No member of the Company Group has made any warranties or representations to the Participant with respect to the income tax consequences of the issuance of the Profits Interest Units or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation, with respect to the decision of whether to make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code), and the Participant is in no manner relying on the Partnership or its representatives for an assessment of such tax consequences. The Participant is advised to consult with his or her own tax advisor with respect to such tax consequences and his or her ownership of the Profits Interest Units.
10. Capital Account. The Participant shall make no contribution of capital to the Partnership in connection with the Award and, as a result, the Participant’s Capital Account balance in the Partnership immediately after its receipt of the Profits Interest Units shall be equal to zero, unless the Participant was a Partner in the Partnership prior to such issuance, in which case the Participant’s Capital Account balance shall not be increased as a result of its receipt of the Profits Interest Units.
11. Redemption Rights. Notwithstanding the contrary terms in the Partnership Agreement, Partnership Units which are acquired upon the conversion of the Profits Interest Units shall not, without the consent of the Partnership (which may be given or withheld in its sole discretion), be redeemed pursuant to Section 8.6 of the Partnership Agreement within three years of the date of the issuance of such Profits Interest Units.
12. Section 83(b) Election. The Participant covenants that the Participant shall make a timely election under Section 83(b) of the Code (and any comparable election in the state of the Participant’s residence) with respect to the Profits Interest Units covered by the Award, and the Partnership hereby consents to the making of such election(s). In connection with such election, the Participant and the Participant’s spouse, if applicable, shall promptly provide a copy of such election to the Partnership. Instructions for completing an election under Section 83(b) of the Code and a form of election under Section 83(b) of the Code are attached hereto as Exhibit C. The Participant furthers covenants that, in connection with the Participant’s contribution of the Profits Interest Units granted hereunder to Management Holdings, the Participant shall execute a separate election under Code Section 83(b) (and any comparable election in the state of the Participant’s residence) (which shall be attached to the Management Holdings Contribution Agreement), concurrent with or within thirty (30) days following the execution thereof, and shall promptly provide a copy of such election to the Partnership. The Participant represents that the Participant has consulted any tax consultant(s) that the Participant deems advisable in connection with the filing of an election under Section 83(b) of the Code and similar state tax provisions. The Participant acknowledges that it is the Participant’s sole responsibility and not the responsibility of the Company Group to timely file an election under Section 83(b) of the Code (and any comparable state election), even if the Participant requests that the Company Group or any representative of the Company Group make such filing on the Participant’s behalf. The Participant should consult his or her tax advisor to determine if there is a comparable election to file in the state of his or her residence.
13. Ownership Information. The Participant hereby covenants that so long as the Participant holds any Profits Interest Units, at the request of the Partnership, the Participant shall disclose to the Partnership in writing such information relating to the Participant’s ownership of the Profits Interest Units as the Partnership reasonably believes to be necessary or desirable to ascertain in order to comply with the Code or the requirements of any other appropriate taxing authority.
14. Taxes. The Partnership and the Participant intend that (i) the Profits Interest Units be treated as “profits interests” within the meaning of the Code, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and any published guidance by the Internal Revenue Service with respect thereto, including, without limitation, Internal Revenue Service Revenue Procedure 93-27, 1993-2 C.B. 343, as clarified by Internal Revenue Service Revenue Procedure 2001-43, 2001-2 C.B. 191, (ii) the issuance of such interests not be a taxable event to the Partnership or the Participant as provided in such authorities, and (iii) the Partnership Agreement, the Plan and this Agreement be interpreted consistently with such intent. In furtherance of such intent, effective immediately prior to the issuance of the Profits Interest Units, the Partnership will cause the “Carrying Value” (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) of all Partnership assets to be adjusted to equal their respective gross fair market values (determined in accordance with the methodologies and principles set forth in the definition of “704(c) Value” contained in the Partnership Agreement), and make the resulting adjustments to the “Capital Accounts” (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) of the Partners, in each case as set forth in the Partnership Agreement. The Partnership may withhold from the Participant’s wages, or require the Participant to pay to the Partnership, any applicable withholding or employment taxes resulting from the issuance of the Award hereunder, from the vesting or lapse of any restrictions imposed on the Award, or from the ownership or disposition of the Profits Interest Units.
15. Remedies. The Participant shall be liable to the Partnership for all costs and damages, including incidental and consequential damages, resulting from a disposition of the Award which is in violation of the provisions of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Participant agrees that the Partnership shall be entitled to obtain specific performance of the obligations of the Participant under this Agreement and immediate injunctive relief in the event any action or proceeding is brought in equity to enforce the same. The Participant will not use as a defense that there is an adequate remedy at law.
16. Restrictive Legends. Certificates evidencing the Award, to the extent such certificates are issued, may bear such restrictive legends as the Partnership and/or the Partnership’s counsel may deem necessary or advisable under applicable law or pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, the following legends or any legends substantially similar thereto:
“The offering and sale of the securities represented hereby have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Any transfer of such securities will be invalid unless a Registration Statement under the Securities Act is in effect as to such transfer or in the opinion of counsel for the Partnership such registration is unnecessary in order for such transfer to comply with the Securities Act.”
“The securities represented hereby are subject to forfeiture, transferability and other restrictions as set forth in (i) a written agreement with the Partnership, (ii) the VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc. 2023 Long Term Incentive Plan and (iii) the Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P., in each case, as has been and as may in the future be amended (or amended and restated) from time to time, and such securities may not be sold or otherwise transferred except pursuant to the provisions of such documents.”
17. Restrictions on Public Sale by the Participant. To the extent not inconsistent with applicable law, the Participant agrees not to effect any sale or distribution of the Profits Interest Units or any similar security of the Company or the Partnership, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, including a sale pursuant to Rule 144, during the 14 days prior to, and for up to 180 days after, the date of the pricing of any public or private debt or equity securities offering by the Company or the Partnership (except as part of such offering), if and to the extent requested in writing by the Partnership or the Company in the case of a non-underwritten public or private offering or if and to the extent requested in writing by the managing underwriter or underwriters (or initial purchaser or initial purchasers, as the case may be) and consented to by the Partnership or the Company, which consent may be given or withheld in the Partnership’s or the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, in the case of an underwritten public or private offering (such agreement to be in the form of lock-up agreement provided by the Company, the Partnership, managing underwriter or underwriters, as the case may be).
18. Conformity to Securities Laws. The Participant acknowledges that the Partnership Agreement, this Agreement, the Management Holdings Contribution Agreement and the Plan are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations (including, but not limited to the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and any and all regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder) and agrees to obtain such approvals by any listing, regulatory or other governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Partnership or the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Award of Profits Interest Units is made, only in such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. To the extent permitted by applicable law (as determined in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors), the Partnership Agreement, Plan, this Agreement, Management Holdings Contribution Agreement and the Award shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.
19. Code Section 409A. To the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the effective date of this Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that following the effective date of this Agreement, the Partnership determines that the Award may be subject to Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance (including such Department of Treasury guidance as may be issued after the effective date of this Agreement), the Partnership may adopt such amendments to this Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Partnership determines are necessary or appropriate to (a) exempt the Award from Section 409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award, or (b) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance; provided, however, that this Section 19 shall not create any obligation on the part of the Partnership or any Subsidiary to adopt any such amendment, policy or procedure or take any such other action. In no event shall the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary be liable for any tax, interest or penalty imposed on the Participant under Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code.
20. No Right to Continued Service. Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue as a Service Provider of the Company Group, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company Group, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge the Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, subject to the terms and conditions of the Severance Agreement.
21. Miscellaneous.
(a) Incorporation of the Plan. This Agreement is made under and subject to and governed by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this Agreement and the Plan, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control. By signing this Agreement, the Participant confirms that he or she has received a copy of the Plan and has had an opportunity to review the contents thereof.
(b) Clawback. This Award shall be subject to any clawback or recoupment policy currently in effect or as may be adopted by the Company Group (or a member thereof) applicable to the Participant, in each case, as may be amended from time to time.
(c) Successors and Assigns. Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, this Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the executors, administrators, heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto, including, without limitation, any business entity that succeeds to the business of the Partnership.
(d) Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement, together with the Partnership Agreement, the Management Holdings LLC Agreement, the Management Holdings Contribution Agreement, the Severance Agreement, and the Plan, constitutes the entire agreement among the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, of the parties; provided that nothing herein shall supersede any other restrictive covenant agreement to which the Participant is party to. In the event that the provisions of such other agreements or letters conflict or are inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control. Except as set forth in Section 19 above, this Agreement may not be amended except in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto and approved by the Committee. No amendment, supplement, modification or waiver of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the party to be bound thereby. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided.
(e) Survival of Representations and Warranties. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in Section 7 hereof shall survive the later of the date of execution and delivery of this Agreement or the issuance of the Award.
(f) Severability. If for any reason one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other instrument referred to herein, shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, then to the maximum extent permitted by law, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or any other such instrument.
(g) Titles. The titles, captions or headings of the Sections herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(h) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, any of which may be executed and transmitted by facsimile or email, and each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.
(i) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal substantive laws of the State of Delaware.
(j) Notices. Any notice to be given by the Participant under the terms of this Agreement shall be addressed to Brian Mitts at the Partnership’s address set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto. Any notice to be given to the Participant shall be addressed to him or her at the Participant’s then current address on the books and records of the Partnership. By a notice given pursuant to this Section 19(j), either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to such party. Any notice which is required to be given to the Participant shall, if the Participant is then deceased, be given to the Participant’s personal representative if such representative has previously informed the Partnership of his or her status and address by written notice under this Section 19(j) (and the Partnership shall be entitled to rely on any such notice provided to it that it in good faith believes to be true and correct, with no duty of inquiry). Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States mail by certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed as set forth above or upon confirmation of delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service.
(k) Spousal Consent. As a condition to the Company Group’s obligations under this Agreement, the spouse of the Participant, if any, shall execute and deliver to the Partnership the Consent of Spouse attached hereto as Exhibit D.
(l) Fractional Units. For purposes of this Agreement, any fractional Profits Interest Units that vest or become entitled to distributions pursuant to the Partnership Agreement will be rounded down to the nearest whole Profits Interest Unit, as determined by the Partnership; provided, however, that in no event shall such rounding cause the aggregate number of Profits Interest Units that vest or become entitled to such distributions to exceed the total number of Profits Interest Units set forth in Section 1(a) of this Agreement.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
The Participant hereby accepts and agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
________________________
[Ryan McGarry / Dana Sprong]
[Signature Page to Profits Interest Units Agreement]
Exhibit A
Vesting Schedule and Notice Address
Vesting Schedule
Partnership Address
300 Crescent Court
Suite 700
Dallas, Texas 75201
Exhibit B
Excluded Work Product
I have no inventions. | |||||
The following is a complete list of all Work Product relative to the subject matter of my employment with the | |||||
Company that have been created by me, alone or jointly with others, prior to the Effective Date, which might | |||||
relate to the Company Group’s present business: | |||||
Additional sheets attached. | |||||
Participant: | Date: |
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF SECTION 83(B) ELECTION AND INSTRUCTIONS
These instructions are provided to assist you if you choose to make an election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, with respect to the Profits Interest Units of VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P. transferred to you. Please consult with your personal tax advisor as to whether an election of this nature will be in your best interest in light of your personal tax situation.
The executed original of the Section 83(b) election must be filed with the Internal Revenue Service not later than 30 days after the grant date. PLEASE NOTE: There is no remedy for failure to file on time. Follow the steps outlined below to ensure that the election is mailed and filed correctly and in a timely manner. ALSO, PLEASE NOTE: If you make the Section 83(b) election, the election is irrevocable.
Complete all of the Section 83(b) election steps below:
1. |
Complete the Section 83(b) election form (sample form next page) and make three (3) copies of the signed election form. (Your spouse, if any, should also sign the Section 83(b) election form.) |
2. |
Prepare a cover letter to the Internal Revenue Service (sample letter included, following election form). |
3. |
Send the cover letter with the originally executed Section 83(b) election form and one (1) copy via certified mail, return receipt requested to the Internal Revenue Service at the address of the Internal Revenue Service where you file your personal tax returns. |
It is advisable that you have the package date-stamped at the post office. The post office will provide you with a white certified receipt that includes a dated postmark. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope so that the Internal Revenue Service may return a date-stamped copy to you. However, your postmarked receipt is your proof of having timely filed the Section 83(b) election if you do not receive confirmation from the Internal Revenue Service. |
|
4. |
One (1) copy must be sent to VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P. for its records. |
5. |
Retain the Internal Revenue Service file stamped copy (when returned) for your records. |
Please consult your personal tax advisor for the address of the office of the Internal Revenue Service to which you should mail your election form.
ELECTION PURSUANT TO SECTION 83(B) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
The undersigned hereby elects pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to include in the undersigned’s gross income for the taxable year in which the property was transferred the excess (if any) of the fair market value of the property described below, over the amount the undersigned paid for such property, if any, and supplies herewith the following information in accordance with the Treasury regulations promulgated under Section 83(b):
1. |
The name, address and taxpayer identification (social security) number of the undersigned, and the taxable year for which this election is being made, are: |
NAME: |
NAME |
||
[Name of Taxpayer] |
[Name of Spouse or N/A] |
||
SSN: |
SSN: |
||
[Taxpayer SSN] |
[Spouse SSN] |
||
ADDRESS: |
|||
TAXABLE YEAR: The taxable year with respect to which this election is made is the calendar year in which the property was transferred.
2. |
The property with respect to which the election is made consists of ______________ Profits Interest Units (the “Units”) of VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Partnership”), representing an interest in the future profits, losses and distributions of the Partnership. |
3. |
The date on which the above property was transferred to the undersigned was________, 20__. |
4. |
The above property is subject to the following restrictions: The Units are subject to cancellation and forfeiture to the extent unvested upon a termination of service with the Partnership under certain circumstances. These restrictions lapse upon the satisfaction of certain conditions as set forth in an agreement between the taxpayer, the Partnership, and VineBrook Management Holdings, LLC . In addition, the Units are subject to certain transfer restrictions pursuant to such agreement and the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P., as amended (or amended and restated) from time to time, should the taxpayer wish to transfer the Units. |
5. |
The fair market value of the above property at the time of transfer (determined without regard to any restrictions other than those which by their terms will never lapse) was $0. |
6. |
The amount paid for the above property by the undersigned was $0. |
7. |
The undersigned taxpayer will file this election with the Internal Revenue Service office with which taxpayer files his or her annual income tax return not later than 30 days after the date of transfer of the property. A copy of this election will be furnished to the person for whom the services were performed. The undersigned is the person performing the services in connection with which the property was transferred. |
Date: |
|||
[Name] |
The undersigned spouse of the taxpayer joins in this election. (Complete if applicable.)
Date: |
|||
[Spouse Name] |
VIA CERTIFIED MAIL
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Internal Revenue Service
______________________________________
[Address where taxpayer files returns]
Re: Election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
Taxpayer: | ||
Taxpayer’s Social Security Number: | ||
Taxpayer’s Spouse: | ||
Taxpayer’s Spouse’s Social Security Number: |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Enclosed please find an original and one copy of an Election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, being made by the taxpayer referenced above. Please acknowledge receipt of the enclosed materials by stamping the enclosed copy of the Election and returning it to me in the self-addressed stamped envelope provided herewith.
Very truly yours,
___________________________________
Enclosures
cc: VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P.
EXHIBIT D
CONSENT OF SPOUSE
I, ____________________, spouse of , have read and approve the foregoing Profits Interest Unit Agreement (the “Agreement”) and all exhibits thereto, the Partnership Agreement and the Plan (each as defined in the Agreement). In consideration of the granting to my spouse of the Profits Interest Units of VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Partnership”) as set forth in the Agreement, I hereby appoint my spouse as my attorney-in-fact in respect to the exercise of any rights and taking of all actions under the Agreement and all exhibits thereto and agree to be bound by the provisions of the Agreement and all exhibits thereto insofar as I may have any rights in said Agreement or any exhibits thereto or any securities issued pursuant thereto under the community property laws or similar laws relating to marital property in effect in the state of our residence as of the date of the signing of the foregoing Agreement and exhibits thereto or otherwise. I understand that this Consent of Spouse may not be altered, amended, modified or revoked other than by a writing signed by me, the Partnership and VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc.
Grant Date:
By: | ||||
Print name: | ||||
Dated: |
If applicable, you must print, complete and return this Consent of Spouse with the executed Agreement. Please only print and return this page.
Exhibit 10.11
VINEBROOK HOMES, LLC
FORM OF SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
This SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is effective as of August 3, 2023, and made by and among VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc. (“VineBrook”), VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P., the operating partnership of VineBrook (the “OP”), VineBrook Homes, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the OP (the “Company”) and [Dana Sprong / Ryan McGarry] (the “Executive”). The Company and the Executive are referred to herein as the “Parties.”
WHEREAS, VineBrook considers it essential to the best interests of VineBrook’s stockholders to attract top executives and to foster the continuous employment of key management personnel; and
WHEREAS, in order to induce the Executive to enter into and remain in the employ of the Company and in consideration of the Executive’s services to the Company, the Parties desire to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
1. |
Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall continue in effect until the earlier of (i) the Executive’s Separation from Service and the Company’s satisfaction of all of its obligations under this Agreement, if any; or (ii) the execution of a written agreement between the Company and the Executive terminating this Agreement. |
2. |
Definitions. As used in this Agreement: |
(i) |
“Board” means the Board of Directors of VineBrook. |
(ii) |
“Cause” means any of the following (a) a material breach by the Executive of (A) any confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation, no-hire and/or non-disparagement obligations with a member of the Company Group (“Restrictive Covenants”) or (B) any other material written agreement then in effect between the Executive and the Company Group, which has not been cured by Executive (to the extent curable) within 30 days after the Company delivers a written notice of Cause to the Executive that specifically identifies the basis for Cause; (b) the Executive’s conviction of or plea of “guilty” or “no contest” to a felony under the laws of the United States or any state thereof; (c) gross negligence or gross misconduct by the Executive with respect to the Company Group; (d) the Executive’s abandonment of the Executive’s employment with or services to the Company Group for a period of not less than 30 days which is not a result of Executive’s death or incapacity due to physical or mental illness or authorized leave of absence; or (e) the Executive’s willful and continued failure to substantially perform the duties associated with the Executive’s position (other than any such failure resulting from the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness), which has not been cured by Executive (to the extent curable) within 30 days after a written notice of Cause is delivered to the Executive by the Company, which such notice specifically identifies the basis for Cause. |
(iii) |
“Change in Control” has the meaning set forth in the Plan; provided that for purposes of this Agreement, references in Section 13(i) and 13(ii) of the Plan to 50.1% shall be 75%. |
(iv) |
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. |
(v) |
“Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board. |
(vi) |
“Company Group” means VineBrook, the OP and their subsidiaries, including the Company, collectively. |
(vii) |
“Disability” means a medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to result in death or to continue for a period of not less than 12 months that causes the Executive to be unable to substantially perform the duties associated with the Executive’s position. |
(viii) |
“Good Reason” means, any of the following without the Executive’s consent: (a) a material diminution in the Executive’s duties or responsibilities; (b) a reduction in Executive’s base salary or a material reduction in the bonus opportunity provided to the Executive (other than an across-the-board reduction of up to 10% of base salary or bonus opportunity that affects all other Company executives); or (c) a reassignment of the Executive to another primary work location more than 35 miles from the Executive’s current office location. The Executive must notify VineBrook, the OP or the Company and any successors thereto of the Executive’s intention to invoke a termination for Good Reason within 90 days after the date the Executive has knowledge of such event and provide VineBrook, the OP or the Company and any successors thereto within 30 days’ opportunity for cure, or such event shall not constitute Good Reason. The Executive may not invoke termination for Good Reason if Cause exists at the time of such termination. |
(ix) |
“Plan” means the VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc. 2023 Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended or restated from time to time. |
(x) |
"Prior Plan" means the VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc. 2018 Long Term Incentive Plan. |
(x) |
“Qualified Termination” means a termination of Executive’s service by reason of (a) the Executive’s death, (b) a termination by a member of the Company Group due to the Executive’s Disability, (c) a termination by a member of the Company Group other than for Cause, or (d) a termination by the Executive for Good Reason. |
(xi) |
“Separation from Service” or “Separates from Service” or similar terms means a termination of employment with the Company Group that the Committee determines is a Separation from Service in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. |
(xii) |
“Specified Employee” means a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code and using the identification methodology selected by the Company from time to time in accordance therewith, or if none, the default methodology set forth therein. |
3. |
Compensation Upon Termination without Cause or for Good Reason Not in Connection with a Change in Control. If the Executive Separates from Service on account of an involuntary termination by the Company Group without Cause or a voluntary resignation by the Executive from the Company Group for Good Reason, in each case, prior to a Change in Control, then subject to (i) the Executive signing and not revoking a separation agreement and release of claims in a form substantially similar to the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “General Release”), which will be provided by the Company to the Executive within five days following such Separation from Service and must be executed by the Executive and returned to the Company within 45 days following such Separation from Service, and (ii) Sections 5 and 6: |
(i) |
the Company will pay the Executive a lump sum payment equal to $1,650,000, which shall be payable in accordance with subsection (c) below; |
(ii) |
all equity or equity-based awards granted under the Plan, the Prior Plan or otherwise by VineBrook, the OP and the Company (including, without limitation, awards granted prior to the date hereof in addition to those granted pursuant to (A) that certain Profits Interest Units Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and between the Executive, the OP and certain other parties thereto, (B) that certain Performance Share Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and between the Executive and VineBrook that provides for a one year performance period; and (C) that certain Performance Share Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and between the Executive and VineBrook that provides for a three year performance period, collectively, the “Equity Awards”) that are unvested as of the date of the Separation from Service shall vest and become nonforfeitable on the 55th day following such Separation from Service in accordance with the terms of the applicable award agreement(s); and |
(iii) |
subject to Section 21(ii) below, the payments described under this section shall be made in a lump sum on the 60th calendar day following the Separation from Service, provided that the General Release must be effective and not revocable on the date payment is to be made in order to receive payments under this section. |
4. |
Compensation Upon Qualifying Termination in Connection with a Change in Control. In the event that a Change in Control occurs and the Executive Separates from Service on account of a Qualified Termination upon or within 3 months prior to or 12 months following such Change in Control, then subject to (i) in all cases other than the Executive’s Death or termination due to the Executive’s Disability, the Executive signing and not revoking a General Release, which will be provided by the Company to the Executive within five days following such Separation from Service and must be executed by the Executive and returned to the Company within 45 days following such Separation from Service, and (ii) Sections 5 and 6: |
(i) |
the Company will pay Executive or Executive’s estate, as applicable, a lump sum payment equal to $2,200,000, which will be payable in accordance with subsection (c) below; |
(ii) |
all awards granted under the Plan (including, without limitation, the Equity Awards) or the Prior Plan that are unvested as of the date of the Separation from Service shall vest and become nonforfeitable on the 55th day following such Separation from Service in accordance with the terms of the applicable award agreement(s); and |
(iii) |
subject to Section 21(ii) below, the payments described under this section shall be made in a lump sum on the 60th calendar day following the Separation from Service, provided that the General Release must be effective and not revocable on the date payment is to be made in order to receive payments under this section. |
5. |
Parachute Payments. If the Committee or the Board determines, in its sole discretion, that Section 280G of the Code applies to any compensation or benefit paid or payable to the Executive under this Agreement and such compensation or benefit cannot be cured pursuant to the waiver and approval processes provided in Section 280G of the Code, then the provisions of this Section 5 shall apply. If any payments or benefits to which the Executive is entitled to or receives from the Company Group or in connection with any transaction that occurs after the date hereof (collectively, the “Payments,” which shall include, without limitation, the vesting of any equity awards or other non-cash benefit or property) are, alone or in the aggregate, more likely than not, if paid or delivered to the Executive, to be subject to the tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any successor provisions to that section, then the Payments (beginning with any Payment to be paid in cash hereunder), shall be either (i) reduced (but not below zero) so that the present value of such total Payments received by the Executive will be one dollar less than three times the Executive’s “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) and so that no portion of such Payments received by the Executive shall be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, or (ii) paid in full, whichever of (i) or (ii) produces the better net after tax position to the Executive (taking into account any applicable excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code and any other applicable taxes). The determination as to whether any Payments are more likely than not to be subject to taxes under Section 4999 of the Code and as to whether reduction or payment in full of the amount of the Payments provided hereunder results in the better net after tax position to the Executive shall be made by the Committee or the Board in good faith. |
6. |
Breach of Restrictive Covenant. In addition to any remedies available to the Company, in the event of the Executive’s breach of any Restrictive Covenants, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, the Executive shall be obligated to repay all cash payments made to the Executive under this Agreement, less $1,000. The Executive hereby agrees that to the extent such repayment obligation is not timely paid in full, VineBrook, the OP and the Company are hereby authorized, at their option, with respect to such unpaid amount owed to (i) set-off or cancellation against any distributions payable by VineBrook, the OP, the Company or their affiliates to the Executive, (ii) set-off or cancellation against any distributions payable by VineBrook, the OP, the Company or their affiliates to the Executive relative to equity securities in VineBrook or the OP owned by the Executive (which such distributions shall be deemed to be paid to the Executive for Tax purposes) and/or cancellation or forfeiture of equity securities (including profits interests units) in VineBrook or the OP owned by the Executive, utilizing the then fair market value of such equity securities, taking into account the reduction in fair market value as a result of consequence of the damages to VineBrook and the OP resulting from the Executive’s breaches or the facts, circumstances or events related thereto. |
7. |
No Mitigation. The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided herein by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of such payment be reduced by reason of compensation or other income the Executive receives for services rendered after the Executive’s Separation from Service from the Company. |
8. |
Exclusive Remedy. In the event of the Executive’s Separation from Service, this Agreement, the Equity Awards, and any Restrictive Covenant agreement are intended to be and are exclusive and in lieu of any other rights or remedies to which the Executive or VineBrook, the OP and the Company may otherwise be entitled, whether at law, tort or contract, in equity, or under this Agreement. |
9. |
Successors. Each of VineBrook, the OP and the Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of VineBrook, the OP or the Company, to expressly assume and agree to perform the obligations under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that VineBrook, the OP and the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, the Company includes any successor to its business or assets as aforesaid which executes and delivers this Agreement or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law. |
10. |
Notice. All notices, demands and other communications required or permitted hereunder or designated to be given with respect to the rights or interests covered by this Agreement shall be deemed to have been properly given or delivered when delivered personally or sent by electronic means of transmitting written documents or sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, U.S. mail or reputable overnight carrier, with full postage prepaid and addressed to the Parties as follows: |
If to VineBrook, the OP or the |
300 Crescent Court, Suite 700 |
Dallas, Texas 75201 |
|
Attention: Brian Mitts |
If to Executive, at: |
Executive’s last known address reflected on the payroll records of the Company |
The Company may change the above designated address by notice to the Executive. The Executive will maintain a current address with the payroll records of the Company.
11. |
Amendment. No provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified, waived or discharged unless the Executive and the Company, VineBrook and the OP agree to such amendment, modification, waiver or discharge in writing. |
12. |
Entire Agreement. This Agreement, that certain employment offer letter from VineBrook, the OP and the Company to the Executive dated as of the date hereof (the “Offer Letter”), any Restrictive Covenant agreement, and the Equity Awards and all documents governing the Equity Awards represent the entire agreement between the Executive, VineBrook, the OP and the Company with respect to the matters set forth herein and supersede and replace any prior agreements in their entirety. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement will be made by either party which are not set forth expressly herein or in the Offer Letter, Equity Awards or documents governing the Equity Awards. No future agreement between the Executive and the Company may supersede this Agreement, unless it is in writing and specifically makes reference to this Section 12. |
13. |
Funding. This Agreement shall be unfunded. Any payment made under the Agreement shall be made from the Company’s general assets. |
14. |
Waiver. No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement by the other party shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time. |
15. |
Headings. All captions and section headings used in this Agreement are for convenience purposes only and do not form a part of this Agreement. |
16. |
Severability. In the event that one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall be invalidated for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, any provision so invalidated shall be deemed to be separable from the other provisions hereof, and the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be valid and fully enforceable. |
17. |
No Employment Contract. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall confer upon the Executive any right to be employed or remain employed by the Company Group, nor limit or affect in any manner the right of the Company Group to terminate the employment or adjust the compensation of the Executive. |
18. |
Withholding. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of applicable income and employment taxes. |
19. |
Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal substantive laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any principle of law that would result in the application of the law of any other jurisdiction. |
20. |
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same agreement. |
21. |
Code Section 409A. |
(i) |
General. The Agreement is intended to either comply with, or be exempt from, the requirements of Code Section 409A. To the extent that this Agreement is not exempt from the requirements of Code Section 409A, this Agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A and shall be limited, construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. |
(ii) |
Separation from Service; Specified Employees; Separate Payments. A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a Separation from Service. If the Executive is deemed on the date of termination to be a Specified Employee, then to the extent any payment or benefit hereunder (after taking into account all exclusions applicable thereto under Code Section 409A) is “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A, then such payment shall be delayed and not be made prior to the earlier of (a) the six-month anniversary of the date of such Separation from Service and (b) the date of the Executive’s death (the “Delay Period”). All payments delayed pursuant to this Section 21(ii) (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single lump sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid to the Executive in a single lump sum on the first payroll date on or following the first day following the expiration of the Delay Period, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein. Each payment made under this Agreement will be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Code Section 409A and the right to a series of installment payments under this Agreement is to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is executed effective as of the date first set forth above.
EXHIBIT A
SEPARATION AND RELEASE AGREEMENT
This SEPARATION AND RELEASE AGREEMENT, including the Exhibit attached hereto (this “Agreement”), dated ________, 20__ is entered into by and among VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc. (“VineBrook”), VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P., the operating partnership of VineBrook (the “OP”), VineBrook Homes, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the OP (the “Employer,” and together with VineBrook the OP, and their respective subsidiaries, the “Company”) and [Dana Sprong / Ryan McGarry] (“Employee”), as follows below. The Company and Employee are referred to herein as the “Parties.”
WHEREAS, Employee has served as [Title] of the Employer, pursuant to that certain offer letter, dated [●], 2023;
WHEREAS, the Parties are party to that certain VineBrook Homes, LLC Severance Agreement, dated August 3, 2023 (the “Severance Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the Parties wish to enter into this Agreement to set forth the Parties’ agreement with respect to Employee’s separation from employment from the Company; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement, the sufficiency of which the Parties acknowledge, it is agreed as follows:
1. Employee Separation. The Company and Employee acknowledge and agree that Employee’s relationship with the Company and each of the other Released Parties (as defined in Exhibit A attached hereto) is terminated effective [●] (the “Separation Date”). Employee hereby resigns from all offices and positions that Employee holds with the Company and any affiliate thereof. The Parties acknowledge and agree that Employee’s termination of employment shall be treated as a Separation from Service [without Cause / for Good Reason] [prior to / in connection with] a Change in Control for purposes of the Severance Agreement (as such terms are defined therein).
2. Accrued Benefits. Employee shall receive the following payments (collectively, the “Accrued Benefits”):
a. |
Accrued, unpaid base salary through the Separation Date and payment of any accrued, unused vacation and paid time off as of the Separation Date in accordance with the Company’s policies and applicable law, in each cash subject to lawful deductions and generally payable within 30 days, or such shorter period required by applicable law; |
b. |
Reimbursement for reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred and paid by the Employee prior to the Separation Date (payable in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy prior to the Separation Date in accordance with the Company’s policies and procedures; and |
c. |
Vested benefits, if any, to which Employee may be entitled under the Company’s employee benefit plans (payable in accordance with the Company’s benefit plans). |
3. Separation Payment. In consideration for Employee’s promises contained herein and provided that Employee timely executes this Agreement (including the execution and non-revocation of the General Release attached hereto as Exhibit A) and continues to comply with its terms, the Company shall provide Employee with the payments and benefits set forth below (collectively, the “Separation Payment”), which Employee acknowledges that he is not otherwise entitled to. Employee agrees that the payments in this Section 3 are in accordance with and in full satisfaction of any severance benefits that Employee is owed per the terms of the Severance Agreement.
a. |
Cash Severance Payment. Employee shall receive a lump sum payment equal to [$●], subject to applicable taxes and withholdings, which shall be payable on the 60th calendar day following the Separation Date; and |
b. |
Equity Awards. Reference is made to the following agreements (collectively, the “Award Agreements”) pursuant to which Employee has been granted certain equity awards under the VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc. 2023 Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended or restated from time to time, or otherwise by VineBrook, the OP and the Employer (collectively, the “Equity Awards”): |
i. |
[ ] |
Any Equity Awards that are unvested as of the Separation Date shall vest and become nonforfeitable on the 55th day following the Separation Date in accordance with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement.
4. No Other Payments or Benefits; No Mitigation. Employee represents, warrants and agrees that, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, he (i) has received from the Company and the Released Parties all wages, compensation, payments, bonuses, commissions, incentive compensation, benefits, equity, phantom equity, profits interests or other interests of any type or kind to which he was or is entitled as a result of his employment with the Company and/or any of the Released Parties, and (ii) is not entitled to receive any other or further wages, compensation, payments, bonuses, reimbursements, commissions, incentive compensation, severance, benefits, or equity of any type or kind from the Company and/or any of the Released Parties in connection with, or as a result of, the termination of Employee’s employment. In accordance with the Severance Agreement, Employee shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided to Employee under this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of such payment be reduced by reason of compensation or other income Employee receives for services rendered after the Separation Date from the Company.
5. General Release of Claims. The Separation Payment is contingent on Employee’s execution and nonrevocation of the General Release attached hereto as Exhibit A.
6. Confidentiality of Agreement. Employee agrees that Employee will treat the existence and terms of this Agreement as confidential and will not discuss the Agreement, and its terms, with anyone other than: (a) Employee’s legal counsel or tax advisor as necessary to secure their professional advice, (b) Employee’s family members; or (c) as may be required by law. Employee will instruct those individuals to whom Employee is permitted to disclose the terms of this Agreement that they are to maintain the confidentiality of the terms of this Agreement.
7. Restrictive Covenants. Employee agrees and acknowledges that Employee will abide by any confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation, non-interference, and/or non-disparagement obligations with the Company (collectively, the “Restrictive Covenants”), including but not limited to the Restrictive Covenants set forth in the PIU Agreement, and that the Company reserves all rights and remedies with respect to the enforcement of these continuing obligations. Pursuant to the Severance Agreement and in addition to any remedies available to the Company, Employee further acknowledges and agrees that in the event Employee breaches any Restrictive Covenant, as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of VineBrook in its sole discretion, Employee shall be obligated to repay all cash payments made to Employee under this Agreement, less $1,000. Employee hereby agrees that to the extent such repayment obligation is not timely paid in full, VineBrook, the OP and the Company are hereby authorized, at their option, with respect to such unpaid amount owed to (i) set-off or cancellation against any distributions payable by VineBrook, the OP, the Company or their affiliates to Employee, (ii) set-off or cancellation against any distributions payable by VineBrook, the OP, the Company or their affiliates to Employee relative to equity securities in VineBrook or the OP owned by the Employee (which such distributions shall be deemed to be paid to Employee for tax purposes) and/or cancellation or forfeiture of equity securities (including profits interests units) in VineBrook or the OP owned by Employee, utilizing the then fair market value of such equity securities, taking into account the reduction in fair market value as a result of consequence of the damages to VineBrook and the OP resulting from Employee breaches or the facts, circumstances or events related thereto.
8. Consultation with Counsel. Employee acknowledges that Employee has had the opportunity to consult with legal counsel of Employee’s choice prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement. Employee understands and agrees that Employee may be waiving significant legal rights by signing this Agreement and represents that Employee has entered into this Agreement voluntarily with a full understanding of, and in agreement with, all of its terms.
9. Entire Agreement. The terms of this Agreement (including the General Release) are intended by the Parties to be the final expression of their agreement with respect to the termination of Employee’s employment by the Company and may not be contradicted by evidence of any prior or contemporaneous agreement. The Parties further intend that this Agreement shall constitute the complete and exclusive statement of their terms and that no extrinsic evidence whatsoever may be introduced in any judicial, administrative, or other legal proceeding involving this Agreement. This Agreement supersedes any prior agreements, written or oral, between the Company and Employee concerning the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement is intended to or shall be construed to limit, impair or terminate any obligation of Employee pursuant to any Restrictive Covenant agreement signed by Employee where such agreement by its terms continues after Employee’s employment with the Company terminates.
10. Amendments, Waivers. This Agreement (including the General Release) may not be modified, amended, or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by the Employee and by a duly authorized officer of the Company. By an instrument in writing similarly executed, either Party may waive compliance by the other Party with any provision of this Agreement that such other Party was or is obligated to comply with or perform provided, however, that such waiver shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppels with respect to, any other or subsequent failure. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising any right, remedy, or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, or power hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, or power provided herein or by law or in equity.
11. Severability, Enforcement. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provisions of this Agreement (including the General Release) shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect.
12. Choice of Law; Required Forum. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement (including the General Release) hereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice-of-law or conflict-of-law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
13. Survival. The rights and obligations of the Parties under this Agreement shall survive as provided herein or if necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of other surviving provisions following the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company, regardless of the manner of or reasons for such termination.
[Signature page follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has executed this Agreement, on the date and year set forth above or below, as applicable.
VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc.
By: ______________________________
Its: ______________________________
Date: _____________________________
VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P.
By: ______________________________
Its: ______________________________
Date: _____________________________
VineBrook Homes, LLC
By: ______________________________
Its: ______________________________
Date: _____________________________
EMPLOYEE
___________________________________
[Dana Sprong / Ryan McGarry]
Date: _______________________________
EXHIBIT A
GENERAL RELEASE
I, [Dana Sprong / Ryan McGarry], in consideration of and subject to the performance by VineBrook Homes Trust, Inc. (“VineBrook”), VineBrook Homes Operating Partnership, L.P., the operating partnership of VineBrook (the “OP”), VineBrook Homes, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the OP (the “Employer,” and together with VineBrook the OP, and their respective subsidiaries, the “Company”) of their respective obligations under the Separation and Release Agreement to which this Exhibit A is attached (the “Agreement”), do hereby release and forever discharge as of the date hereof the Company and its respective affiliates and all present, former and future managers, directors, officers, employees, attorneys, advisors, successors and assigns of the Company and its affiliates and direct or indirect owners, which for the avoidance of doubt, includes NexPoint Advisors, L.P. and its affiliates (collectively, the “Released Parties”) to the extent provided below (this “General Release”). The Released Parties are intended to be third-party beneficiaries of this General Release, and this General Release may be enforced by each of them in accordance with the terms hereof in respect of the rights granted to such Released Parties hereunder. Terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.
1. |
I understand that the Separation Payment represents, in part, consideration for signing this General Release and is not salary, wages or benefits to which I was already entitled in the absence of signing the Agreement and signing and not revoking this General Release. I understand and agree that I will not receive the Separation Payment unless I execute the Agreement and this General Release and do not revoke this General Release within the time period permitted hereafter. The Separation Payment will not be considered compensation for purposes of any employee benefit plan, program, policy or arrangement maintained or hereafter established by the Company or its affiliates. |
2. |
Except as provided in paragraph 4 below, I knowingly and voluntarily (for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns) release and forever discharge the Company and the other Released Parties from any and all claims, suits, controversies, actions, causes of action, cross-claims, counter-claims, demands, debts, compensatory damages, liquidated damages, punitive or exemplary damages, other damages, claims for costs and attorneys’ fees, or liabilities of any nature whatsoever in law and in equity, whether known or unknown, suspected, or claimed against the Company or any of the Released Parties which I, my spouse, or any of my heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, ever had or may have against the Company or Released Parties from the beginning of time up to and including the date on which I execute this General Release (collectively referred to herein as the “Claims”), including, but not limited to, any such Claims which arise out of or are connected with my employment with, or my separation or termination from, the Company, including any Claims arising under: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act); the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; any applicable Executive Order Programs; the Fair Labor Standards Act; or their state or local counterparts; or under any other federal, state or local civil or human rights law, or under any other local, state, or federal law, regulation or ordinance; or under any public policy, contract or tort, or under common law; or arising under any policies, practices or procedures of the Company; or any claim for wrongful discharge, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, defamation; or any claim for costs, fees, or other expenses, including attorneys’ fees incurred in these matters. |
3. |
I represent that I have made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim, demand, cause of action or other matters covered by paragraph 2 above. |
4. |
I agree that I hereby waive all rights to sue or obtain equitable, remedial or punitive relief from any or all Released Parties of any kind whatsoever in respect of any Claims, including, without limitation, reinstatement, back pay, front pay, and any form of injunctive relief. Notwithstanding the above, I further acknowledge that I am not waiving and am not being required to waive any right that cannot be waived under law, including the right to file an administrative charge or participate in an administrative investigation or proceeding; provided, however, that subject to Section 9 below, I disclaim and waive any right to share or participate in any monetary award resulting from the prosecution of such charge or investigation or proceeding. Additionally, I am not waiving (i) any right to the Accrued Benefits or the Separation Payment to which I am entitled under the Agreement, (ii) any claim relating to directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage or any right of indemnification under the Company’s organizational documents or otherwise, or (iii) my rights as an equity or security holder in the Company or its affiliates. |
5. |
In signing this General Release, I acknowledge and intend that it shall be effective as a bar to each and every one of the Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. This General Release shall be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express terms and provisions, including those relating to unknown and unsuspected Claims, if any, as well as those relating to any other Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. I further agree that in the event I should bring a Claim seeking damages against a Released Party, or in the event I should seek to recover against a Released Party in any Claim brought by a governmental agency on my behalf, this General Release shall serve as a complete defense to such Claims to the maximum extent permitted by law. I further agree that I am not aware of any pending claim of the type described in paragraph 2 above as of the execution of this General Release. |
6. |
I agree that neither this General Release, nor the furnishing of the consideration for this General Release, shall be deemed or construed at any time to be an admission by the Company, any Released Party or myself of any improper or unlawful conduct. |
7. |
I agree that if I violate this General Release by suing the Company or the other Released Parties (except as permitted by paragraph 4), I will pay all costs and expenses of defending against the suit incurred by the Released Parties, including reasonable attorneys’ fees. |
8. |
I agree that this General Release is confidential and agree not to disclose any information regarding the terms of this General Release, except to my immediate family and any tax, legal or other counsel I have consulted regarding the meaning or effect hereof or as required by law, and I will instruct each of the foregoing not to disclose the same to anyone. |
9. |
I agree that nothing in this General Release, prohibits or restricts me (or my attorney) from responding to any inquiry about this General Release or its underlying facts and circumstances by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), any other self-regulatory organization or any other governmental entity or federal or state regulatory authority (collectively, “Government Agencies”). I further understand that this General Release does not limit my ability to communicate with any Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agency without notice to the Company. This General Release does not limit my right to receive an award for information provided to any Government Agencies. |
10. |
Whenever possible, each provision of this General Release shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this General Release is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this General Release shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein. |
BY SIGNING THIS GENERAL RELEASE, I REPRESENT AND AGREE THAT:
1. |
I HAVE READ IT CAREFULLY; |
2. |
I UNDERSTAND ALL OF ITS TERMS AND KNOW THAT I, AM GIVING UP IMPORTANT RIGHTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, RIGHTS UNDER THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, AS AMENDED; TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, AS AMENDED; THE EQUAL PAY ACT OF 1963; THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990; AND THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED; |
3. |
I VOLUNTARILY CONSENT TO EVERYTHING IN IT; |
4. |
I HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE EXECUTING IT AND I HAVE DONE SO OR, AFTER CAREFUL READING AND CONSIDERATION, I HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO DO SO OF MY OWN VOLITION; |
5. |
I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 21 CALENDAR DAYS FROM THE DATE OF MY RECEIPT OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE TO CONSIDER IT, AND THE CHANGES MADE SINCE MY RECEIPT OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE ARE NOT MATERIAL OR WERE MADE AT MY REQUEST AND WILL NOT RESTART THE REQUIRED 21-DAY PERIOD; |
6. |
I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE TO REVOKE IT AND THAT THIS GENERAL RELEASE SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE OR ENFORCEABLE UNTIL THE REVOCATION PERIOD HAS EXPIRED; |
7. |
I HAVE SIGNED THIS GENERAL RELEASE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND WITH THE ADVICE OF ANY COUNSEL RETAINED TO ADVISE ME WITH RESPECT TO IT; AND |
8. |
I AGREE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE MAY NOT BE AMENDED, WAIVED, CHANGED OR MODIFIED EXCEPT BY AN INSTRUMENT IN WRITING SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY AND BY ME. |
SIGNED:_________________________________________ DATED:_______________