sv3asr
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 25, 2006.
Registration No. 333-__________
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
UNITED DOMINION REALTY TRUST, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1745 Shea Center Drive, Suite 200 |
|
|
|
|
Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80129 |
|
|
Maryland
|
|
(720) 283-6120
|
|
54-0857512 |
(State or other jurisdiction
|
|
(Address, including zip code, and telephone |
|
(I.R.S. Employer |
of incorporation or organization)
|
|
number, including area code,
|
|
Identification Number) |
|
|
of registrants principal executive offices)
|
|
|
Thomas W. Toomey
Chief Executive Officer and President
United Dominion Realty Trust, Inc.
1745 Shea Center Drive, Suite 200
Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80129
(720) 283-6120
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Warren L. Troupe, Esq.
Brian V. Caid, Esq.
Morrison & Foerster LLP
370 Seventeenth Street, Suite 5200
Denver, Colorado 80202
(303) 592-1500
Approximate
date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the
effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or
continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities
offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.
þ
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities
Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the
earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a
post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, please check the following box. þ
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to
General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of
securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount to be registered/ |
|
|
|
|
|
Proposed maximum offering price per unit/ |
|
|
Title of each class of securities |
|
|
Proposed maximum
aggregate offering price/ |
|
|
To be registered |
|
|
Amount of registration fee |
|
|
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred Stock, without par value |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
Debt Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase Contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Units (3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number or amount of the
securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be sold at
indeterminate prices. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are
issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities or
that are issued in units. In accordance with Rules 456(b)
and 457(r), the Registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee, except for $111,860
that has already been paid with respect to $882,877,580 aggregate initial offering price of
securities that were previously registered pursuant to Registration Statement No. 333-115696, filed
by United Dominion Realty Trust, Inc. on May 20, 2004, and were not sold thereunder. In accordance
with Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act of 1933, the unused amount of the registration fee paid
with respect to Registration Statement No. 333-115696 shall be applied to pay the first $111,860 of
the registration fee that will be payable with respect to this Registration Statement. |
|
(2) |
|
The common stock registered hereunder also includes the attached rights to purchase
one share of Series C Junior Participating Redeemable Preferred Stock, no par value. |
|
(3) |
|
Each unit will be issued under a unit agreement or similar
document and will represent an
interest in two or more securities, which may be any of the securities registered under this
Registration Statement, which may or may not be separable from one another. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
You should only rely on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus and in the prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with
different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you
should not rely on it. We will not make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction
where the offer and sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in
this prospectus, as well as information we previously filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and incorporated by reference, is accurate as of the date on the front cover of this
prospectus only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have
changed since that date.
i
PROSPECTUS
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Purchase Contracts
Units
We may from time to time
offer and sell common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants and purchase contracts, as well as units that include any of
these securities. The debt securities, preferred stock, warrants and purchase contracts may be
convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common or preferred stock or other securities
of ours.
We will offer our securities in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time
we offer those securities. We will provide the specific terms of the securities and the terms of
the offering in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable
prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in our securities.
We may offer and sell these
securities on a delayed or continuous to or
through one or more agents, underwriters or dealers as designated
from time to time, directly to one or more purchasers, through a
combination of these methods or any other method as provided in the applicable prospectus
supplement. In addition, this prospectus may be used to offer any of
these securities for the account of persons other than us as provided
in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any agents, dealers or
underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will
set forth any applicable commissions or discounts.
Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol UDR.
Investing in our securities involves risks. Before buying our securities, you should refer to
the risk factors included in our periodic reports, in prospectus supplements relating to specific
offerings and in other information that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See
Risk Factors on page 3.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
January 25, 2006
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a shelf registration statement that we have filed on Form S-3
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. By using a shelf registration statement, we
may sell, at any time and from time to time, in one or more offerings, any combination of the
securities described in this prospectus. The exhibits to our registration statement contain the
full text of certain contracts and other important documents we have summarized in this prospectus.
Because these summaries may not contain all the information that you may find important in
deciding whether to purchase the securities we offer, you should review the full text of these
documents. The registration statement and the exhibits can be obtained from the SEC as indicated
under the heading Where You Can Find More Information.
This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.
Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that contains specific
information about the terms of those securities and the offering. The prospectus supplement may
also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this
prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described below
under the heading Where You Can Find More Information.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the
SEC. Our filings with the SEC are available to the public on the Internet at the SECs web site at
http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public
reference room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330
for more information about their public reference room and their copy charges. Our reports, proxy
statements and other information about us may also be inspected at:
The New York Stock Exchange
20 Broad Street
New York, New York 10005
INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION FILED WITH THE SEC
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with the SEC, which
means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. Any
information that we refer to in this manner is considered part of this prospectus. Any information
that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus will automatically update and, where
applicable, supersede the information contained in this prospectus.
We are incorporating by reference the following documents that we have previously filed with
the SEC (Commission File No. 1-10524), except for any document or portion thereof deemed to be
furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules:
|
|
|
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. |
|
|
|
|
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005. |
|
|
|
|
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005. |
|
|
|
|
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005. |
|
|
|
|
Current Reports on Form 8-K and Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on
January 11, 2005, March 22, 2005, April 6, 2005, May 9, 2005, May 19, 2005, May 27, 2005, August 1, 2005, August
11, 2005, November 15, 2005, December 5, 2005,
December 14, 2005, December 19, 2005, December 23,
2005, and January 6, 2006. |
|
|
|
|
Our definitive Proxy Statement dated April 1, 2005,
filed in connection with our Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on
May 3, 2005. |
2
|
|
|
|
The description of our capital stock contained in our Registration
Statement on Form 8-A/A dated and filed with the SEC on November 7,
2005, including any amendments or reports filed with the SEC for the
purpose of updating such description. |
We are also incorporating by reference any future filings that we make with the SEC under
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act,
after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering. In no event,
however, will any of the information that we furnish to the SEC in any Current Report on Form 8-K
from time to time be incorporated by reference into, or otherwise included in, this prospectus.
We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this
prospectus is delivered a copy of any of the documents referred to above by written or oral request
to:
United Dominion Realty Trust, Inc.
1745 Shea Center Drive, Suite 200
Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80129
Attention: Investor Relations
Telephone: (720) 283-6120
We maintain a web site at www.udrt.com. The reference to our web site does not constitute
incorporation by reference of the information contained at the site and you should not consider it
a part of this prospectus or any other document we file with or furnish to the SEC.
UNITED DOMINION REALTY TRUST, INC.
We are a self-administered real estate investment trust, or REIT, that owns, acquires,
renovates, develops and manages apartment communities nationwide. As of December 31, 2005, our
portfolio included 259 communities with a total of 74,875 apartment homes nationwide.
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, or the Code. To continue to qualify as a REIT under the Code, we must continue to
meet certain tests which, among other things, generally require that our assets consist primarily
of real estate assets, our income be derived primarily from real estate assets, and that we
distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (other than our net capital gain) to our
stockholders. As a qualified REIT, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes
on our REIT taxable income to the extent we distribute such income to our stockholders.
We were formed in 1972 as a Virginia corporation and reincorporated in the State of Maryland
in June 2003. Our principal executive offices are located at 1745 Shea Center Drive, Suite 200,
Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80129. The telephone number of our principal executive offices is (720)
283-6120. Our corporate headquarters is located at 400 East Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
The telephone number of our corporate headquarters is (804) 780-2691.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves risks. Before purchasing our securities, in addition to
the other information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should
carefully consider the risk factors under the heading Factors Affecting Our Business and
Prospects in the Business section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is
incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, as the
same may be updated from time to time by our filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
3
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will use the net
proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus and the accompanying
prospectus supplement for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include
additions to working capital, capital expenditures, repayment of debt, funding improvements to
properties, and acquiring and developing additional properties. Pending application of the net
proceeds, we intend to invest the proceeds in interest bearing accounts and short-term, interest
bearing securities.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES THAT WE MAY OFFER
We may offer and sell, at any time and from time to time:
|
|
|
our debt securities, in one or more series, which
may be senior debt securities or subordinated debt
securities, |
|
|
|
|
shares of our common stock, par value $.01 per share, |
|
|
|
|
shares of our preferred stock, without par value, |
|
|
|
|
warrants to purchase our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, |
|
|
|
|
purchase contracts, |
|
|
|
|
units that include any of these securities, and |
|
|
|
|
any combination of these securities. |
The terms of any securities we offer will be determined at the time of sale. We may
issue debt securities, preferred stock, warrants and purchase contracts that are convertible into
or exercisable or exchangeable for common or preferred stock or other securities of ours. When
particular securities are offered, a supplement to this prospectus will be filed with the SEC,
which will describe the terms of the offering and sale of the offered securities.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may offer debt securities, in one or more series, which may be senior debt securities or
subordinated debt securities, in each case under an indenture entered into between us and a
trustee. The debt securities will be our direct obligations. We will describe the particular
terms of each series of debt securities offered, including a description of the material terms of
the applicable indenture, in a prospectus supplement. This description will contain all or some of
the following, as applicable:
|
|
|
the title of the debt securities and whether the debt securities are senior debt securities or
subordinated debt securities, |
|
|
|
|
the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount of
debt securities outstanding, and any limit on the principal amount, including the aggregate principal
amount of debt securities authorized, |
|
|
|
|
the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities are convertible into our common stock,
preferred stock or other securities, including the conversion price or its manner of calculation, the
conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at our option or the option of the
holders, the events requiring an adjustment to the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion
in the event of the redemption of the debt securities, |
|
|
|
|
the percentage of the principal amount at which we will issue the debt securities and, if other than
the principal amount of the debt securities, the portion of the principal amount payable upon
declaration of |
4
|
|
|
acceleration of their maturity, or, if applicable, the portion of the principal amount
of the debt securities that is convertible into our capital stock, or the method for determining the
portion, |
|
|
|
|
if convertible, in connection with the preservation of our status as a REIT, any applicable limitations
on the ownership or transferability of our capital stock into which the debt securities are
convertible, |
|
|
|
|
the denominations of the debt securities, if other than denominations of an integral multiple of $1,000, |
|
|
|
|
the date or dates, or the method for determining the date or dates, on which the principal of the debt
securities will be payable and the amount of principal payable on the debt securities, |
|
|
|
|
the rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, at which the debt securities will bear interest, if
any, or the method for determining the rate or rates, the date or dates from which the interest will
accrue or the method for determining the date or dates, the interest payment dates on which any
interest will be payable and the regular record dates for the interest payment dates or the method for
determining the dates, the person to whom interest should be payable, and the basis for calculating
interest if other than that of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, |
|
|
|
|
the place or places where the principal of, and any premium or make-whole amount, any interest on, and
any additional amounts payable in respect of, the debt securities will be payable, where holders of
debt securities may surrender for registration of transfer or exchange, and where holders may serve
notices or demands to or upon us in respect of the debt securities and the applicable indenture, |
|
|
|
|
any provisions for the redemption of the debt securities, the period or periods within which, the price
or prices, including any premium or make-whole amount, at which, the currency or currencies, currency
unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which, and other terms and conditions upon which
the debt securities may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option, if we have the option, |
|
|
|
|
our obligation, if any, to redeem, repay or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund
or analogous provision or at the option of a holder of the debt securities, and the period or periods
within which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies,
currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which, and other terms and conditions
upon which the debt securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to
the obligation, |
|
|
|
|
if other than United States dollars, the currency or currencies in which the debt securities will be
denominated and payable, which may be a foreign currency or units of two or more foreign currencies or
a composite currency or currencies, |
|
|
|
|
whether the amount of payments of principal of, and any premium or make-whole amount, or any interest
on the debt securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method, which
index, formula or method may be based on one or more currencies, currency units, composite currencies,
commodities, equity indices or other indices, and the manner for determining the amounts, |
|
|
|
|
whether the principal of, and any premium or make-whole amount, or any interest or additional amounts
on the debt securities are to be payable, at the election of United Dominion or a holder, in a currency
or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies other than that in which the
debt securities are denominated or stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the
terms and conditions upon which, the election may be made, and the time and manner of, and identity of
the exchange rate agent with responsibility for, determining the exchange rate between the currency or
currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the debt securities are
denominated or stated to be payable and the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite
currency or currencies in which the debt securities are to be so payable, |
|
|
|
|
provisions, if any, granting special rights to the holders of the debt securities upon the occurrence
of |
5
|
|
|
specified events, |
|
|
|
|
any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the events of default or covenants of United
Dominion with respect to the debt securities, whether or not the events of default or covenants are
consistent with the events of default or covenants set forth in the applicable indenture, |
|
|
|
|
whether the debt securities will be issued in certificated or book-entry form, |
|
|
|
|
the applicability, if any, of the defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions of the applicable
indenture, |
|
|
|
|
whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts as contemplated in the applicable
indenture on the debt securities in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so,
whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts,
and the terms of the option, |
|
|
|
|
any restrictions or condition on the transferability of the debt securities, |
|
|
|
|
the exchanges, if any, on which the debt securities may be listed, |
|
|
|
|
the trustee, authenticating or paying agent, transfer agent or registrar, and |
|
|
|
|
any other material terms of the debt securities and the applicable indenture. |
The debt securities may be original issue discount securities, which are debt securities that
may provide for less than their entire principal amount to be payable upon declaration of
acceleration of their maturity. Special U.S. federal income tax, accounting and other
considerations applicable to original issue discount securities will be described in the prospectus
supplement.
Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue our senior
debt securities under an indenture dated as of November 1, 1995, between us and the trustee under
the indenture, which is U.S. Bank National Association, formerly Wachovia Bank, National
Association (formerly First Union National Bank). We refer to this indenture as the Senior
Indenture. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue our
subordinated debt securities under the indenture dated as of August 1, 1994, between us and the
trustee under the indenture, which is SunTrust Bank (formerly known as Crestar Bank). We refer to
this indenture as the Subordinated Indenture. The Senior Indenture and the Subordinated
Indenture are sometimes referred to in this prospectus individually as an Indenture and
collectively as the Indentures. As trustees, U.S. Bank and SunTrust Bank serve two roles.
First, the trustees can enforce your rights against us if we default on the debt securities.
Second, the trustees assist in administering our obligations under the debt securities, such as
payments of interest.
Below, we describe the Indentures and summarize some of their provisions. However, we have
not described every aspect of the Indentures or the debt securities that we may issue under the
Indentures. You should refer to the actual Indentures for a complete description of their
provisions and the definitions of terms used in them. In this prospectus, we provide only the
definitions for some of the more important terms in the Indentures. Wherever we refer to defined
terms of the Indentures in this prospectus or in the prospectus supplement, we are incorporating by
reference those defined terms. The Senior Indenture and Subordinated Indenture are exhibits to the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
General Terms
The Indentures do not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that we may
issue and provide that we may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series, except
that the Senior Indenture contains limitations on the amount of indebtedness that we may incur, as
described in more detail below.
6
The senior debt securities issued under the Senior Indenture will be unsecured obligations and
will rank on a parity with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The
subordinated debt securities issued under the Subordinated Indenture will be our unsecured
obligations and will be subordinated in right of payment to all senior debt.
Each Indenture allows for any one or more series of debt securities to have one or more
trustees. Any trustee under either Indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or more
series of debt securities, and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to the
series. If two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of debt
securities, each trustee will be a trustee of a trust under the applicable Indenture separate and
apart from the trust administered by any other trustee. Unless this prospectus or the applicable
prospectus supplement states differently, each trustee of a series of debt securities may take any
action that we may take under the applicable Indenture.
We will provide you with more information in the applicable prospectus supplement regarding
any deletions, modifications or additions to the events of default or covenants that are described
below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision.
Denominations, Interest, Registration and Transfer
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states differently, the debt securities of any
series issued under an Indenture in registered form will be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and
integral multiples of $1,000. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, the debt
securities of any series issued under an Indenture in bearer form will be issuable in denominations
of $5,000.
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the trustees will pay the
principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities issued under an Indenture and will
register the transfer of any debt securities at their offices. However, at our option, we may
distribute interest payments by mailing a check to the address of each holder of debt securities
that appears on the register for the debt securities.
Any interest on the debt securities not punctually paid or duly provided for on any interest
payment date will cease to be payable to the holder on the applicable regular record date. This
defaulted interest may be paid to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the
close of business on a special record date for the payment of the defaulted interest. We will set
the special record date and give the holder of the debt security at least 10 days prior notice. In
the alternative, this defaulted interest may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner, all as
more completely described in the applicable Indenture.
Subject to any limitations imposed upon debt securities issued under an Indenture in
book-entry form, the debt securities of any series will be exchangeable for other debt securities
of the same series and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor of different authorized
denominations upon surrender to the applicable trustee of the debt securities. In addition, subject
to any limitations imposed upon debt securities issued under an Indenture in book-entry form, a
holder may surrender the debt securities to the trustee for conversion or registration of transfer.
Debt securities surrendered for conversion, registration of transfer or exchange will be duly
endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer from the holder. A holder will not have
to pay a service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of any debt securities, but we
may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any applicable tax or other governmental charge.
If the prospectus supplement refers to any transfer agent, in addition to the applicable
trustee that we initially designated with respect to any series of debt securities, we may at any
time rescind the designation of the transfer agent or approve a change in the location through
which the transfer agent acts, except that we will be
required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the series. We may at any
time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series of debt securities issued
under an Indenture.
7
Neither we nor the trustees under the Indentures will be required to:
|
|
|
issue, register the transfer of or exchange debt securities of any
series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days
before any selection of debt securities of that series to be redeemed
and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing of the
relevant notice of redemption, |
|
|
|
|
register the transfer of or exchange any debt security, or portion
thereof, called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any
debt security being redeemed in part, or |
|
|
|
|
issue, register the transfer of or exchange any debt security that has
been surrendered for repayment at the holders option, except the
portion, if any, of the debt security not to be repaid. |
Merger, Consolidation or Sale
The Indentures generally provide that we may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or
substantially all of our assets to, or merge with or into, any other entity, provided that:
|
|
|
either we will be the continuing entity, or the successor entity formed by or resulting from
the consolidation or merger or that will have received the transfer of the assets is an
entity organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any state and will
expressly assume payment of the principal of, and any premium or make-whole amount, if any,
and interest on all of the debt securities issued under the Indenture and the due and
punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions contained in the
Indenture, |
|
|
|
|
immediately after giving effect to the transaction and treating any resulting indebtedness
that becomes our or any subsidiarys obligation as having been incurred by us or the
subsidiary at the time of the transaction, no event of default under the Indenture, and no
event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become an event of default,
will have occurred and be continuing, and |
|
|
|
|
we receive an Officers Certificate and legal opinion as to compliance with these conditions. |
Covenants Under the Senior Indenture
The Senior Indenture provides that we will not, and will not permit any subsidiary to, incur
any Debt (as defined below) if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of the additional
Debt and the application of the proceeds from the Debt, the aggregate principal
amount of all of
our outstanding Debt on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles is greater than 60% of the sum of, without duplication:
|
|
|
our Total Assets (as defined below) as of the end of the calendar
quarter covered in our Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q, as the case may be, most recently filed with the SEC,
or, if the filing is not permitted under the Exchange Act, with the
trustee, prior to the incurrence of the additional Debt, and |
|
|
|
|
the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages receivable
acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received,
to the extent the proceeds were not used to acquire real estate assets
or mortgages receivable or used to reduce Debt, by us or any
subsidiary since the end of the calendar quarter, including those
proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of the additional
Debt. |
In addition to the foregoing limitations on the incurrence of Debt, the Senior Indenture
provides that we will not, and will not permit any subsidiary to, incur any Debt secured by any
mortgage, lien, charge, pledge, encumbrance or security interest of any kind upon any of our or any
subsidiarys property if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of the Debt and the
application of the proceeds from the Debt, the aggregate principal
8
amount of all of our outstanding
Debt on a consolidated basis that is secured by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge, encumbrance or
security interest on our or any subsidiarys property is greater than 40% of our Total Assets.
In addition to the foregoing limitations on the incurrence of Debt, the Senior Indenture
provides that we will not, and will not permit any subsidiary to, incur any Debt if the ratio of
Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service (as defined below) to the Annual Service Charge (as
defined below) for the four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended prior to the date on
which the additional Debt is to be incurred will have been less than 1.5, on a pro forma basis
after giving effect to the Debt and to the application of the proceeds from the Debt, and
calculated on the assumption that:
|
|
|
the Debt and any other Debt incurred since the first day of the
four-quarter period and the application of the proceeds therefrom,
including to refinance other Debt, had occurred at the beginning of
the period, |
|
|
|
|
our repayment or retirement of any other Debt since the first day of
the four-quarter period had been incurred, repaid or retired at the
beginning of the period, except that, in making the computation, the
amount of Debt under any revolving credit facility will be computed
based upon the average daily balance of the Debt during the period, |
|
|
|
|
in the case of Acquired Debt (as defined below) or Debt incurred in
connection with any acquisition since the first day of the
four-quarter period, the related acquisition had occurred as of the
first day of the period with the appropriate adjustments with respect
to the acquisition being included in the pro forma calculation, and |
|
|
|
|
in the case of our acquisition or disposition of any asset or group of
assets since the first day of the four-quarter period, whether by
merger, stock purchase or sale, or asset purchase or sale, the
acquisition or disposition or any related repayment of Debt had
occurred as of the first day of the period with the appropriate
adjustments with respect to the acquisition or disposition being
included in the pro forma calculation. |
The Subordinated Indenture does not limit the incurrence of Debt.
The following terms used in the covenants summarized above have the indicated meanings:
Acquired Debt means Debt of a person (i) existing at the time the person becomes a
subsidiary or (ii) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from the person, in each
case, other than Debt incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, the person becoming a
subsidiary or the acquisition. Acquired Debt will be deemed to be incurred on the date of the
related acquisition of assets from any person or the date the acquired person becomes a subsidiary.
Annual Service Charge as of any date means the maximum amount that is payable in any period
for interest on, and original issue discount of, our Debt and the amount of dividends that are
payable in respect of any Disqualified Stock (as defined below).
Capital Stock means, with respect to any person, any capital stock, including preferred
stock, shares, interests, participations or other ownership interests, however designated, of the
person and any rights (other than debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for corporate
stock), warrants or options to purchase any capital stock.
Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service for any period means Funds From Operations
(as defined below) plus amounts that have been deducted for interest on Debt.
Debt of United Dominion or any subsidiary means any indebtedness of United Dominion, or any
subsidiary, whether or not contingent, in respect of, without duplication:
9
|
|
|
borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, |
|
|
|
|
indebtedness secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance or any
security interest existing on property owned by United Dominion or any
subsidiary, |
|
|
|
|
the reimbursement obligations, contingent or otherwise, in connection with any
letters of credit actually issued or amounts representing the balance deferred
and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services, except any
balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable, or all
conditional sale obligations or obligations under any title retention
agreement, |
|
|
|
|
the principal amount of all obligations of United Dominion or any subsidiary
with respect to redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified
Stock, or |
|
|
|
|
any lease of property by United Dominion or any subsidiary as lessee that is
reflected on United Dominions consolidated balance sheet as a capitalized
lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles to the
extent, in the case of items of indebtedness under the first three bullet
points above, that any of the items, other than letters of credit, would
appear as a liability on United Dominions consolidated balance sheet in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and also includes,
to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation of United Dominion or any
subsidiary to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise,
other than for purposes of collection in the ordinary course of business, debt
of another person, other than United Dominion or any subsidiary. |
Debt will be deemed to be incurred by us or any subsidiary whenever we or a subsidiary creates,
assumes, guarantees or otherwise becomes liable for that Debt.
Disqualified Stock means, with respect to any person, any capital stock of the person that
by the terms of the capital stock, or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or
for which it is exchangeable or exercisable, upon the happening of any event or otherwise:
|
|
|
matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, |
|
|
|
|
is convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Debt or Disqualified Stock, or |
|
|
|
|
is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, in each case on
or prior to the Stated Maturity of the series of debt securities. |
Funds From Operations for any period means income before gains or losses on investments and
extraordinary items plus amounts that have been deducted, and minus amounts that have been added,
for the following items, without duplication:
|
|
|
provision for preferred stock dividends, |
|
|
|
|
provision for property depreciation and amortization, and |
|
|
|
|
the effect of any adjustments for significant non-recurring items,
including any noncash charge resulting from a change in accounting
principles in determining income before gains or losses on investments
and extraordinary items for the period, as reflected in our financial
statements for the period determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. |
|
|
Total Assets as of any date means the sum of: |
|
|
|
|
our Undepreciated Real Estate Assets, and |
10
|
|
|
all of our other assets determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, but excluding intangibles. |
Undepreciated Real Estate Assets as of any date means the original cost plus capital
improvements of our real estate assets on the date, before depreciation and amortization determined
on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Except as described above, the Indentures do not contain any provisions that would limit our
ability to incur indebtedness or that would afford holders of the debt securities protection in the
event of a highly leveraged or similar transaction involving us or in the event of a change of
control. However, our Articles of Restatement, referred to in this prospectus as our charter,
contains ownership and transfer restrictions relating to our stock that are designed primarily to
preserve our status as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Code generally provides
that concentration of more than 50% in value of direct or indirect ownership of our stock in five
or fewer individual stockholders during the last six months of any year, or ownership of our stock
by fewer than 100 persons on more than a limited number of days during any taxable year, will
result in our disqualification as a REIT for such purposes. Provisions of our charter that are
intended to prevent concentration of ownership may prevent or hinder a change of control. You
should refer to the applicable prospectus supplement for information with respect to any deletions
from, modifications of or additions to the events of default or covenants of United Dominion that
are described in this section, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing
event risk or similar protection.
Covenants Under Both Indentures
Each Indenture includes the following covenants:
Existence. Except as described above under Merger, Consolidation or Sale, we will do or
cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect our existence,
rights, both under our charter and statutory, and franchises. However, we will not be required to
preserve any right or franchise if our board of directors determines that its preservation is no
longer desirable in the conduct of our business and the business of our subsidiaries as a whole and
that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the holders of the debt
securities of any series.
Maintenance of Properties. We will cause all of our properties used or useful in the conduct
of our business or the business of any subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition,
repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all
necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in our
judgment may be necessary so that our business may be properly and advantageously conducted at all
times. However, we will not be prevented from selling or otherwise disposing of for value our
properties in the ordinary course of business.
Insurance. We will, and will cause each of our subsidiaries to, keep all of our insurable
properties insured against loss or damage in an amount at least equal to their then full insurable
value with financially sound and reputable insurance companies.
Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. We will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or
discharged, before the same becomes delinquent:
|
|
|
all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon
us or any subsidiary or upon our or any subsidiarys income, profits
or property, and |
|
|
|
|
all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies that, if unpaid,
might by law become a lien upon our or any subsidiarys property. |
However, we will not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such
tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings.
11
Provision of Financial Information. Whether or not we are subject to Sections 13 or 15(d) of
the Exchange Act, we will, to the extent permitted under the Exchange Act, file with the SEC the
annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents that we would have been required to file with
the SEC pursuant to Sections 13 and 15(d) if we were subject to those Sections. We will also in any
event:
|
|
|
within 15 days of each required filing date |
|
|
|
transmit by mail to all holders of debt securities, as their
names and addresses appear in the security register, without
cost to the holders, copies of the annual reports and
quarterly reports that we would have been required to file
with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act if we were subject to those Sections, and |
|
|
|
|
file with the trustee copies of the annual reports, quarterly
reports and other documents that we would have been required
to file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act if we were subject to those Sections, and |
|
|
|
|
if our filing the documents with the SEC is not permitted
under the Exchange Act, promptly upon written request and
payment of the reasonable cost of duplication and delivery,
supply copies of the documents to any prospective holder. |
Events of Default, Notice and Waiver
Each Indenture provides that the following events are events of default with respect to any
issued series of debt securities:
|
|
|
default for 30 days in the payment of any installment of interest or additional amounts
payable on any debt security of the series, |
|
|
|
|
default in the payment of the principal of, or any premium or make-whole amount on any
debt security of the series at its maturity, |
|
|
|
|
default in making any sinking fund payment as required for any debt security of the series, |
|
|
|
|
default in the performance of any other covenant of United Dominion contained in the
Indenture, other than a covenant added to the Indenture solely for the benefit of a series
of debt securities issued under the Indenture other than the series, continued for 60 days
after written notice as provided in the Indenture, |
|
|
|
|
default under any bond, debenture, note, mortgage, indenture or instrument under which
there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for
money borrowed by us, or by any subsidiary, the repayment of which we have guaranteed or
for which we are directly responsible or liable as obligor or guarantor, having an
aggregate principal amount outstanding of at least $10,000,000, whether the indebtedness
now exists or will later be created, which default will have resulted in the indebtedness
being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become
due and payable, without the acceleration having been rescinded or annulled within 10 days
after written notice as provided in the Indenture, |
|
|
|
|
the entry by a court of competent jurisdiction of one or more judgments, orders or decrees
against us or any subsidiary in an aggregate amount, excluding amounts covered by
insurance, in excess of $10,000,000 and those judgments, orders or decrees remain
undischarged, unstayed and unsatisfied in an aggregate amount, excluding amounts covered
by insurance, in excess of $10,000,000 for a period of 30 consecutive days, |
12
|
|
|
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or court appointment of a
receiver, liquidator or trustee of United Dominion or any significant subsidiary or for
all or substantially all of either of their properties, and |
|
|
|
|
any other event of default provided with respect to the series of debt securities. |
The term significant subsidiary means each significant subsidiary, as defined in Regulation
S-X promulgated under the Securities Act, of United Dominion.
If an event of default under either Indenture with respect to debt securities of any series at
the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every case the trustee or the holders of not
less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the
principal amount, or, if the debt securities of that series are original issue discount securities
or indexed securities, the portion of the principal amount as may be specified in their terms, of,
and any make-whole amount on, all of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable
immediately by written notice to us, and to the trustee if given by the holders. However, at any
time after the declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of the series, or of all
debt securities then outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as the case may be, has been made,
but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the
holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the
series, or of all debt securities then outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as the case may
be, may rescind and annul the declaration and its consequences if:
|
|
|
we will have deposited with the trustee all required payments of the
principal of and any premium or make-whole amount and interest, and
any additional amounts, on the debt securities of the series, or of
all debt securities then outstanding under the applicable Indenture,
as the case may be, plus certain fees, expenses, disbursements and
advances of the trustee, and |
|
|
|
|
all events of default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated
principal, or specified portion thereof and any premium or make-whole
amount, or interest, with respect to the debt securities of the
series, or of all debt securities then outstanding under the
applicable Indenture, as the case may be, have been cured or waived as
provided in the Indenture. |
Each Indenture also provides that the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount
of the outstanding debt securities of any series, or of all debt securities then outstanding under
the applicable Indenture, as the case may be, may waive any past default with respect to the series
and its consequences, except a default:
|
|
|
in the payment of the principal of, or any premium or make-whole
amount, or interest or additional amounts payable on any debt security
of the series, or |
|
|
|
|
in respect of a covenant or provision contained in the applicable
Indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of
the holder of each affected outstanding debt security. |
Each trustee is required to give notice to the holders of debt securities within 90 days of a
default under the applicable Indenture. However, the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of
any series of debt securities of any default with respect to that series, except a default in the
payment of the principal of, or any premium or make-whole amount, or interest or additional amounts
payable, on any debt security of the series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment in
respect of any debt security of the series, if the trustee considers the withholding to be in the
interest of the holders.
Each Indenture provides that no holders of debt securities of any series may institute any
proceedings, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder,
except in the case of failure of the trustee for 60 days to act after it has received a written
request to institute proceedings in respect of an event of default from the holders of not less
than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series, as well as an offer
of reasonable indemnity. This provision will not prevent, however, any holder of debt securities
from instituting suit for the enforcement of payment of the principal of, and any premium or
make-whole amount, interest on and additional amounts payable with respect to, the debt securities
at their respective due dates.
13
Modification of the Indentures
We and the applicable trustee may modify and amend either Indenture with the consent of the
holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities issued
under the Indenture affected by the modification or amendment. However, we must have the consent of
the holders of all affected outstanding debt securities to:
|
|
|
change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any premium or
make-whole amount, or any installment of principal of or interest or
additional amounts payable on, any debt security, |
|
|
|
|
reduce the principal amount of, or the rate or amount of interest on,
or any premium or make-whole amount payable on redemption of, or any
additional amounts payable with respect to, any debt security, or
reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount security
or make-whole amount, if any, that would be due and payable upon
declaration of acceleration of its maturity or would be provable in
bankruptcy, or adversely affect any right of repayment of the holder
of any debt security, |
|
|
|
|
change the place of payment, or the coin or currency, for payment of
principal of, and any premium or make-whole amount, or interest on, or
any additional amounts payable with respect to, a debt security, |
|
|
|
|
impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment
on or with respect to any debt security, |
|
|
|
|
reduce the percentage of outstanding debt securities of any series
necessary to modify or amend the applicable Indenture, to waive
compliance with any provisions of that Indenture or any defaults and
consequences thereunder or to reduce the quorum or voting requirements
set forth in the Indenture, or |
|
|
|
|
modify any of the foregoing provisions or any of the provisions
relating to the waiver of certain past defaults or certain covenants,
except to increase the required percentage to effect the action or to
provide that certain other provisions may not be modified or waived
without the consent of the holder of the debt security. |
The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities
issued under either Indenture have the right to waive our compliance with some covenants in the
Indenture.
Subordination
Upon any distribution to our creditors in a liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or
similar proceeding, the payment of the principal of and interest on subordinated debt securities
issued under the Subordinated Indenture will be subordinated to the extent provided in the
Subordinated Indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all senior debt. Our
obligation to make payment of the principal and interest on the subordinated debt securities will
not otherwise be affected.
No payment of principal or interest may be made on the subordinated debt securities at any
time if a default on senior debt exists that permits the holders of the senior debt to accelerate
its maturity and the default is the subject of judicial proceedings or we receive notice of the
default. After all senior debt is paid in full and until the subordinated debt securities are paid
in full, holders will be subrogated to the rights of holders of senior debt to the
extent that distributions otherwise payable to holders have been applied to the payment of
senior debt. By reason of this subordination, in the event of a distribution of assets upon
insolvency, certain of our general creditors may recover more, ratably, than holders of the
subordinated debt securities.
Senior debt is defined in the Subordinated Indenture as the principal of and interest on, or
substantially similar payments to be made by United Dominion in respect of, the following, whether
outstanding at the date of execution of the Subordinated Indenture or thereafter incurred, created
or assumed:
14
|
|
|
our indebtedness for money borrowed or represented by purchase-money obligations, |
|
|
|
|
our indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, or bonds, or other securities
issued under the provisions of an indenture, fiscal agency agreement or other
instrument, |
|
|
|
|
our obligations as lessee under leases of property either made as part of any
sale and lease-back transaction to which we are a party or otherwise, |
|
|
|
|
indebtedness of partnerships and joint ventures that is included in our
consolidated financial statements, |
|
|
|
|
indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of others in respect of which we are
liable contingently or otherwise to pay or advance money or property or as
guarantor, endorser or otherwise or which we have agreed to purchase or
otherwise acquire, and |
|
|
|
any binding commitment of us to fund any real estate investment or to fund any
investment in any entity making a real estate investment, in each case other
than the following: |
|
|
|
any indebtedness, obligation or liability referred to in the above bullet points
as to which, in the instrument creating or evidencing the same pursuant to which
the same is outstanding, it is provided that the indebtedness, obligation or
liability is not superior in right of payment to the subordinated debt
securities or ranks pari passu with the subordinated debt securities, |
|
|
|
|
any indebtedness, obligation or liability that is subordinated to indebtedness
of United Dominion to substantially the same extent as or to a greater extent
than the subordinated debt securities are subordinated, and |
|
|
|
|
the subordinated debt securities. |
At December 31, 2005, our senior unsecured debt aggregated approximately $1.8 billion.
Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Under each Indenture, we may discharge certain obligations to holders of any series of debt
securities issued under the Indenture that have not already been delivered to the applicable
trustee for cancellation and that either have become due and payable or will become due and payable
within one year, or scheduled for redemption within one year, by irrevocably depositing with the
applicable trustee, in trust, funds in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or
composite currency or currencies in which the debt securities are payable in an amount sufficient
to pay the entire indebtedness on the debt securities in respect of principal, and any premium or
make-whole amount, and interest and any additional amounts payable to the date of the deposit, if
the debt securities have become due and payable, or to the stated maturity or redemption date, as
the case may be.
Each Indenture provides that, if the provisions of its Article Fourteen are made applicable to
the debt securities of or within any series pursuant the Indenture, we may elect:
|
|
|
defeasance, which is to defease and be discharged from any and all
obligations with respect to the debt securities, except for the
obligation to pay additional amounts, if any, upon the occurrence of
certain events of tax, assessment or governmental charge with respect
to payments on the debt securities and the obligations to register the
transfer or exchange of the debt securities, to replace temporary or
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, to maintain an
office or agency in respect of the debt securities and to hold moneys
for payment in trust, or |
|
|
|
|
covenant defeasance, which is to be released from our obligations
with respect to the debt securities under provisions of each Indenture
described under Covenants Under the Senior Indenture and Covenants
Under Both Indentures above, or, if provided pursuant to Section 301
of each Indenture, our |
15
|
|
|
obligations with respect to any other covenant,
and any omission to comply with the obligations will not constitute a
default or an event or default with respect to the debt securities
issued under the Indenture. |
In either case upon our irrevocable deposit with the applicable trustee, in trust, of an amount, in
the currency or currencies, currency unit or currency units or composite currency or currencies in
which the debt securities are payable at stated maturity, or Government Obligations (as defined
below), or both, applicable to the debt securities that through the scheduled payment of principal
and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the
principal of, and any premium or make-whole amount, and interest on the debt securities, and any
mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon, on the scheduled due dates therefor.
Such a trust may only be established if, among other things, we have delivered to the
applicable trustee an opinion of counsel, as specified in each Indenture, to the effect that the
holders of the debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax
purposes as a result of the defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal
income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the
case if the defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. In the case of defeasance, the
opinion of counsel must refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a
change in applicable U.S. federal income tax laws occurring after the date of the Indenture.
Government Obligations means securities that are:
|
|
|
direct obligations of the United States of America or the government
that issued the foreign currency in which the debt securities of a
particular series are payable, for the payment of which its full faith
and credit is pledged, or |
|
|
|
|
obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an
agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or the
government that issued the foreign currency in which the debt
securities of the series are payable, the payment of which is
unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by
the United States of America or any other government, which, in either
case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer, and
will also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust
company as custodian with respect to any Government Obligation or a
specific payment of interest on or principal of any Government
Obligation held by the custodian for the account of the holder of a
depository receipt, provided that, except as required by law, the
custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount
payable to the holder of the depository receipt from any amount
received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or
the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government
Obligation evidenced by the depository receipt. |
Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, if after we have deposited funds
and/or Government Obligations to effect defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to debt
securities of any series issued under an Indenture:
|
|
|
the holder of a debt security of the series is entitled to, and does,
elect pursuant to Section 301 of the Indenture or the terms of the
debt security to receive payment in a currency, currency unit or
composite currency other than that in which the deposit has been made
in respect of the debt security, or |
|
|
|
|
a Conversion Event (as defined below) occurs in respect of the
currency, currency unit or composite currency in which the deposit has
been made, the indebtedness represented by the debt security will be
deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied
through the payment of the principal of, and any premium or make-whole
amount, and interest on the debt security as they become due out of
the proceeds yielded by converting the amount deposited in respect of
the debt security into the currency, currency unit or composite
currency in which the debt security becomes payable as a result of the
election or cessation of usage based on the applicable market exchange
rate. |
16
Conversion Event means the cessation of use of:
|
|
|
a currency, currency unit or composite currency, other than the ECU or
other currency unit, both by the government of the country that issued
the currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank
or other public institutions of or within the international banking
community, |
|
|
|
|
the ECU both within the European Monetary System and for the
settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the
European Communities, or |
|
|
|
|
any currency unit or composite currency other than the ECU for the
purposes for which it was established. |
Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, all payments of principal of, and any
premium or make-whole amount, and interest on any debt security issued under an Indenture that is
payable in a foreign currency that ceases to be used by its government of issuance will be made in
United States dollars.
If we effect covenant defeasance with respect to any debt securities and those debt securities
are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, the amount in the
currency, currency unit or composite currency in which the debt securities are payable, and
Government Obligations on deposit with the trustee, will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the
debt securities at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due
on the debt securities at the time of the acceleration resulting from the event of default. This
situation will not apply in the case of an event of default described in the fourth bullet point
under Events of Default, Notice and Waiver of either Indenture, which sections would no longer be
applicable to the debt securities or described in the last bullet point under Events of Default,
Notice and Waiver with respect to a covenant as to which there has been covenant defeasance.
However, we would remain liable to make payment of the amounts due at the time of acceleration.
The prospectus supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, permitting defeasance
or covenant defeasance, including any modifications to the provisions described above, with respect
to the debt securities of or within a particular series.
Book-Entry System
We may issue debt securities of a series as one or more fully registered global securities. We
will deposit the global securities with, or on behalf of, a depository bank identified in the
prospectus supplement relating to the series. We will register the global securities in the name of
the depository bank or its nominee. In that case, one or more global securities will be issued in a
denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt
securities of the series represented by the global security or securities. Until any global
security is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive certificated form, the
depository bank or its nominee may not transfer the global certificate except to each other,
another nominee or to their successors and except as described in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
The prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the depository arrangement with
respect to a series of debt securities that a global security will represent. We anticipate that
the following provisions will apply to all depository arrangements.
Upon the issuance of any global security, and the deposit of the global security with or on
behalf of the depository bank for the global security, the depository bank will credit, on its
book-entry registration and transfer
system, the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by the global
security to the accounts of institutions, also referred to as participants, that have accounts
with the depository bank or its nominee. The accounts to be credited will be designated by the
underwriters or agents engaging in the distribution or placement of the debt securities or by us,
if we offer and sell the debt securities directly. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global
security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants.
Ownership of beneficial interests by participants in the global security will be shown by
book-keeping entries on, and the transfer of that ownership interest will be effected only through
book-keeping entries to, records
17
maintained by the depository bank or its nominee for the global
security. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global security by persons that hold through
participants will be shown by book-keeping entries on, and the transfer of that ownership interest
among or through the participants will be effected only through book-keeping entries to, records
maintained by the participants.
The laws of some jurisdictions require that some of the purchasers of securities take physical
delivery of the securities in definitive certificated form rather than book-entry form. Such laws
may impair the ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in any global security.
So long as the depository bank for a global security or its nominee is the registered owner of
the global security, the depository bank or the nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the
sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes
under the Indenture. Except as described below or otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement, owners of beneficial interests in a global security:
|
|
|
will not be entitled to have debt securities of the series represented by the global
security registered in their names, |
|
|
|
|
will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities of the
series in definitive certificated form, and |
|
|
|
|
will not be considered the holders thereof for any purposes under the applicable indenture. |
Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in the global security must rely on the
procedures of the depository bank and, if the person is not a participant, on the procedures of the
participant through which the person directly or indirectly owns its interest, to exercise any
rights of a holder under the applicable indenture. The depository bank may grant proxies and
otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent, waiver or other action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the
indenture.
We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or
any owner of a beneficial interest in the global security desires to give any notice or take any
action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the indenture, the depository bank for the
global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interest to give
notice or take action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through the
participants to give notice or take action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of
beneficial owners owning through them.
Principal and any premium and interest payments on debt securities represented by a global
security registered in the name of a depository bank or its nominee will be made to the depository
bank or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security. None of
us, the trustee or any paying agent for the debt securities will have any responsibility or
liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial
ownership interests in any global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records
relating to the beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depository bank for any series of debt securities represented by a global
security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest, will credit immediately
participants accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial
interests in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of the depository
bank. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of
beneficial interests in the global security or securities held through the participants will
be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities
held for the accounts of customers registered in street name, and will be the responsibility of
the participants.
If the depository bank for any series of debt securities represented by a global security is
at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depository bank and we do not appoint a successor
depository bank within 90 days, we will issue the debt securities in definitive certificated form
in exchange for the global security. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion
determine not to have the debt securities of a series
18
represented by one or more global securities
and, in that event, will issue debt securities of the series in definitive certificated form in
exchange for the global security representing the series of debt securities.
Debt securities of the series issued in definitive certificated form will, except as described
in the applicable prospectus supplement, be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral
multiples thereof and will be issued in registered form.
Trustees
U.S. Bank National Association (formerly Wachovia Bank, National Association) is the trustee
under the Senior Indenture. SunTrust Bank is the trustee under the Subordinated Indenture, as well
as the indenture dated December 19, 2005 relating to our 4.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2035.
Both U.S. Bank and SunTrust Bank have lending relationships with us.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
The following description sets forth general terms and provisions of our preferred stock.
Specific terms of any series of preferred stock offered by a prospectus supplement will be
described in that prospectus supplement. You should review our charter for a more complete
description of the preferences, limitations and relative rights of a particular series of preferred
stock.
General
We are authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without par value. The
preferred stock is issuable in series designated by our board of directors, without further
stockholder action and pursuant to our charter, with the designations, preferences, terms, rights,
restrictions, limitations, qualifications, terms and conditions of redemption and other relative
rights as our board of directors may approve. We currently have four designated series of
preferred stock: 8.60% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series C Junior
Participating Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred
Stock and Series F Preferred Stock. At December 31, 2005, there were outstanding 5,416,009 shares
of Series B Preferred Stock and 2,803,812 shares of Series E Preferred Stock. No shares of Series
C Preferred Stock or Series F Preferred Stock have been issued. We will not issue any shares of
Series C Preferred Stock except upon the exercise of rights as described below under Description
of Common StockPreferred Stock Purchase Rights. We will not issue additional shares of any
outstanding series of preferred stock.
Our preferred stock will have the dividend, liquidation, redemption, conversion and voting
rights described below unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement relating to a
particular series of preferred stock. In an offering of a series of our preferred stock, the
prospectus supplement will provide specific terms of the series, including:
|
|
|
the title and liquidation preference per share of the preferred stock and the number of shares offered, |
|
|
|
|
the price at which the series will be issued, |
|
|
|
|
the dividend rate or method of its calculation, the dates on which dividends will be payable and the
dates from which dividends will commence to accumulate, |
|
|
|
|
any redemption or sinking fund provisions of the series, |
|
|
|
|
any conversion provisions of the series, and |
|
|
|
|
any additional dividend, liquidation, redemption, sinking fund and other rights, preferences,
privileges, limitations and restrictions of the series. |
19
Our preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable. Unless otherwise
specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock, each
series will rank on a parity as to dividends and distributions in the event of a liquidation with
each other series of preferred stock and, in all cases, will be senior to the common stock.
Dividend Rights
Holders of preferred stock of each series will be entitled to receive, when declared by our
board of directors, cash dividends at the rates and on the dates as set forth in the prospectus
supplement relating to the series of preferred stock. The rate may be fixed or variable or both and
may be cumulative, noncumulative or partially cumulative.
If the prospectus supplement provides, as long as any shares of preferred stock are
outstanding, no dividends will be declared or paid or any distributions be made on the common stock
unless the accrued dividends on each series of preferred stock have been fully paid or declared and
set apart for payment and we will have set apart all amounts, if any, required to be set apart for
all sinking funds, if any, for each series of preferred stock.
If the prospectus supplement so provides, when dividends are not paid in full upon any series
of preferred stock and any other series of preferred stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with
the series of preferred stock, all dividends declared upon the series of preferred stock and any
other series of preferred stock ranking on a parity as to dividends will be declared pro rata so
that the amount of dividends declared per share on the series of preferred stock and the other
series will in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on the
series of preferred stock and the other series bear to each other.
Each series of preferred stock will be entitled to dividends as described in the prospectus
supplement relating to the series, which may be based upon one or more methods of determination.
Different series of preferred stock may be entitled to dividends at different dividend rates or
based upon different methods of determination. Except as provided in the applicable prospectus
supplement, no series of preferred stock will be entitled to participate in our earnings or assets.
Rights Upon Liquidation
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of United
Dominion, the holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive out of our
assets available for distribution to stockholders the amount stated or determined on the basis set
forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the series. This distribution may include accrued
dividends, if the liquidation, dissolution or winding up is involuntary. If the liquidation,
dissolution or winding up is voluntary, the distribution may equal the current redemption price per
share provided for the series set forth in the prospectus supplement, otherwise than for the
sinking fund, if any, provided for the series. Any preferential basis for the distribution will be
set forth in the prospectus supplement.
If, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of United
Dominion, the amounts payable with respect to preferred stock of any series and any other shares of
our stock ranking as to any such distribution on a parity with the series of preferred stock are
not paid in full, the holders of preferred stock of the series and of the other shares will share
ratably in any distribution of our assets in proportion to the full respective preferential amounts
to which they are entitled or on such other basis as is set forth in the applicable
prospectus supplement. The rights, if any, of the holders of any series of preferred stock to
participate in our remaining assets after the holders of other series of preferred stock have been
paid their respective specified liquidation preferences upon any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of United Dominion will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the
series.
Redemption
A series of preferred stock may be redeemable, in whole or in part, at our option, and may be
subject to mandatory redemption pursuant to a sinking fund, in each case upon terms, at the times,
the redemption prices and
20
for the types of consideration set forth in the prospectus supplement
relating to the series. The prospectus supplement relating to a series of preferred stock that is
subject to mandatory redemption will specify the number of shares of the series that we will redeem
in each year commencing after a specified date at a specified redemption price per share, together
with an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends to the date of redemption.
If, after giving notice of redemption to the holders of a series of preferred stock, we
deposit with a designated bank funds sufficient to redeem the preferred stock, then from and after
the deposit, all shares called for redemption will no longer be outstanding for any purpose, other
than the right to receive the redemption price and the right to convert the shares into other
classes of our capital stock. The prospectus supplement will set forth the redemption price
relating to a particular series of preferred stock.
Except as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock is not
subject to any mandatory redemption at the option of the holder.
Sinking Fund
The prospectus supplement for any series of preferred stock will state the terms, if any, of a
sinking fund for the purchase or redemption of that series.
Conversion Rights
The prospectus supplement for any series of preferred stock will state the terms, if any, on
which shares of that series are convertible into shares of common stock or another series of
preferred stock. The preferred stock will have no preemptive rights.
Voting Rights
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock will set forth
any voting rights applicable to that series.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer
Our charter contains ownership and transfer restrictions relating to our stock that are
designed primarily to preserve our status as a REIT. These restrictions, which apply to our
preferred stock and our common stock, include the ownership and transfer restrictions discussed in
more detail below under Description of Common StockRestrictions on Ownership and Transfer.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The prospectus supplement will state our selection for the transfer agent, registrar and
dividend disbursement agent for a series of preferred stock. The registrar for shares of preferred
stock will send notices to preferred stockholders of any meetings at which holders of preferred
stock have the right to vote on any matter.
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
The following is a summary of some of the important terms of our common stock. The following
discussion also summarizes some of the terms of our preferred stock, our stockholder rights plan
and Maryland law. None of these summaries or descriptions is complete and all of them are
qualified by reference to our charter, bylaws and stockholder rights plan and the applicable
provisions of Maryland law. You should review the applicable Maryland law as well as our charter,
bylaws and stockholder rights plan for a more complete description of our common stock.
21
General
We are authorized to issue 250,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share. As
of December 31, 2005, there were 134,012,053 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding and
23,833,710 shares of our common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding stock options,
convertible notes, convertible preferred stock and operating partnership units exchangeable for our
common stock.
Voting Rights
Holders of our common stock have one vote per share and are not entitled to cumulate votes in
the election of directors. The holders of our outstanding Series E Preferred Stock are entitled to
vote on an as converted (one-for-one) basis as a single class in combination with the holders of
our common stock at any meeting of stockholders for the election of directors or for any other
purpose on which holders of our common stock are entitled to vote. If we issue shares of our
Series F Preferred Stock, the holders thereof will be entitled to one vote for each share of the
Series F Preferred Stock they hold, voting together with the holders of our common stock, on each
matter submitted to a vote of securityholders at a meeting of our stockholders.
Dividends
Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends if, when and as declared by our
board of directors out of legally available funds after payment of, or provision for, full
cumulative dividends on shares of our preferred stock then outstanding. In the event of our
voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution, holders of our common stock are entitled to
share ratably in our distributable assets remaining after satisfaction of the prior preferential
rights of our preferred stock and the satisfaction of all of our debts and liabilities. Holders of
our common stock do not have preemptive rights.
The dividend and liquidation rights of holders of our common stock are specifically limited by
the terms of the outstanding preferred stock, which in general provide that no dividends will be
declared or paid on the common stock unless the accrued dividends on each series of outstanding
preferred stock have been fully paid or declared and set apart for payment, and that in the event
of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, the holders of each series of
outstanding preferred stock will be entitled to receive out of our assets available for
distribution to stockholders the liquidation preference of that series before any amount is
distributed to holders of common stock.
Certain Maryland Law Provisions
As a Maryland corporation, we are subject to certain restrictions concerning certain business
combinations (including a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in certain circumstances, an
asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between us and an interested
stockholder. Interested stockholders are persons: (i) who beneficially own 10% or more of the
voting power of our outstanding voting stock, or (ii) who are affiliates or associates of us who,
at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, were the beneficial owners of
10% or more of the voting power of our outstanding stock. Such business combinations are prohibited
for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder became an interested
stockholder. Thereafter, any such business combination must be recommended by the board of
directors and approved by the affirmative vote of at least: (i) 80% of the votes entitled to be
cast by holders of the outstanding voting shares voting together as a single voting group, and (ii)
two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of the outstanding voting shares other than
voting shares held by the interested stockholder or an affiliate or
associate of the interested stockholder with whom the business combination is to be effected,
unless, among other things, the corporations stockholders receive a minimum price for their shares
and the consideration is received in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as
previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares. These provisions of Maryland law do
not apply, however, to business combinations that are approved or exempted by the board of
directors prior to the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder.
Also under Maryland law, control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control
share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of
the votes entitled to be
22
cast on the matter, excluding shares owned by the acquirer or by officers
or directors who are employees of the corporation. Control shares are shares of stock which, if
aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquirer or shares of stock for which the
acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power except solely by virtue of a
revocable proxy, would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within
one of the following ranges of voting power:
|
|
|
one-tenth or more but less than one-third, |
|
|
|
|
one-third or more but less than a majority, or |
|
|
|
|
a majority or more of all voting power. |
Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result
of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A control share acquisition means, subject to
certain exceptions, the acquisition of, ownership of or the power to direct the exercise of voting
power with respect to, control shares.
The control share acquisition statute does not apply to shares acquired in a merger,
consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or to acquisitions
approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation. Our bylaws contain a provision
exempting from the control share acquisition statute any acquisitions by any person of shares of
our stock.
Under Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, a Maryland corporation that
has a class of equity securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that has
at least three directors who are not officers or employees of the corporation, are not acquiring
persons, are not directors, officers, affiliates or associates of any acquiring person, or are not
nominated or designated as a director by an acquiring person, may elect in its charter or bylaws or
by resolution of its board of directors to be subject to certain provisions of Subtitle 8 that may
have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of the corporation. These provisions
relate to a classified board of directors, removal of directors, establishing the number of
directors, filling vacancies on the board of directors and calling special meetings of the
corporations stockholders. We have not made the election to be governed by these provisions of
Subtitle 8 of the Maryland General Corporation Law. However, our charter and our bylaws permit our
board of directors to determine the number of directors subject to a minimum number and other
provisions contained in such documents.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer
Our charter contains ownership and transfer restrictions relating to our stock that are
designed primarily to preserve our status as a REIT. These restrictions include but are not limited
to the following:
|
|
|
no person may beneficially own or constructively own shares
of our outstanding equity stock (defined as stock that is
either common stock or preferred stock) with a value in
excess of 9.9% of the value of all outstanding equity stock
unless our board of directors exempts the person from such
ownership limitation, provided that any such exemption
shall not allow the person to exceed 13% of the value of
our outstanding equity stock; |
|
|
|
|
any transfer that, if effective, would result in any person
beneficially owning or constructively owning equity stock
with a value in excess of 9.9% of the value of all
outstanding equity stock (or such higher value not to
exceed 13% as determined pursuant to an exemption from our
board of directors) shall be void as to the transfer of
that number of shares of equity stock which would otherwise
be beneficially owned or constructively owned by such
person in excess of such ownership limit; and the intended
transferee shall acquire no rights in such excess shares of
equity stock; |
|
|
|
|
except as provided in our charter, any transfer that, if
effective, would result in the equity stock being
beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons shall be void
as to the transfer of that number of shares which would be
otherwise beneficially owned or constructively owned by the
transferee; and the intended transferee shall acquire no
rights in such excess shares of equity stock; and |
23
|
|
|
any transfer of shares of equity stock that, if effective,
would result in us being closely held within the meaning
of Section 856(h) of the Code shall be void as to the
transfer of that number of shares of equity stock which
would cause us to be closely held within the meaning of
Section 856(h) of the Code; and the intended transferee
shall acquire no rights in such excess shares of equity
stock. |
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 161 North
Concord Exchange, South St. Paul, Minnesota 55075.
Exchange Listing
Our common stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol UDR.
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
Pursuant to our First Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated September 14, 1999, each
share of our common stock evidences one right to purchase from us one one-thousandth of a share of
our Series C Junior Participating Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. Except with respect to
certain preferential rights, each one one-thousandth of a share of Series C Preferred Stock is
structured to be the equivalent of one share of common stock. The exercise price of the rights is
$45.00, subject to adjustment. The rights are not currently exercisable and no shares of Series C
Preferred Stock are currently outstanding.
The rights will separate from the common stock and a distribution of certificates evidencing
the rights will occur upon the earlier of:
|
|
|
10 business days following a public announcement that a
person or group of related persons has acquired, or
obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of more
than 15% of the outstanding shares of common stock, or |
|
|
|
|
10 business days following the commencement of a tender
offer or exchange offer that would result in a person or
group beneficially owning more than 15% of the outstanding shares of common stock. |
Generally, the rights will become exercisable at the time of the distribution of certificates
evidencing the rights as set forth above. The rights will expire at the close of business on
February 4, 2008, unless we redeem or exchange them earlier.
The Series C Preferred Stock is junior to all other outstanding series of preferred stock in
respect of rights to receive dividends and to participate in distributions or payments in the event
of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. The Series C Preferred Stock is senior to the common
stock and any other capital stock of United Dominion ranking, as to dividends and upon liquidation,
junior to the Series C Preferred Stock.
Holders of shares of the Series C Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, if, when and as
declared by our board of directors, out of legally available funds, cumulative preferential cash
dividends payable quarterly in an amount per share equal to the greater of:
|
|
|
$0.01 or |
|
|
|
|
subject to adjustment set forth in the charter, 1,000 times
the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and
1,000 times the aggregate per share amount, payable in
kind, of all non-cash dividends or other distributions,
other than dividends payable in shares of common stock,
declared on the common stock since the immediately
preceding quarterly dividend payment date, or, with respect
to the first quarterly dividend payment date, since the
first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of
Series C Preferred Stock. |
24
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of United Dominion, the holders of
shares of Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to be paid out of our assets legally available for
distribution to our stockholders, subject to the prior preferential rights of our other preferred
stock ranking senior to the Series C Preferred Stock, a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share,
plus accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date of payment, which is referred to as the
Series C Preferred Liquidation Preference. After the payment to the holders of the shares of the
Series C Preferred Stock of the full Series C Preferred Liquidation Preference, the holders of the
Series C Preferred Stock as such shall have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets until
the holders of common stock shall have received an amount per share, referred to as the common
adjustment, equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the Series C Preferred Liquidation
Preference by 1,000, subject to adjustments as set forth in the charter. Following the payment of
the full amount of the Series C Preferred Liquidation Preference, the full amount of any
liquidation preference payable to holders of any of our other shares of stock ranking on a parity
with the Series C Preferred Stock as to any liquidation distribution, and the full amount of the
common adjustment, respectively, holders of shares of the Series C Preferred Stock, such other
shares and shares of the common stock shall be entitled to receive their ratable and proportionate
share of our remaining assets to be distributed in the ratio of 1,000 (subject to adjustment as set
forth in our charter) to 1 with respect to the Series C Preferred Stock, such other shares and the
common stock, on a per share basis, respectively. In the event that there are not sufficient assets
available after payment in full of the Series C Preferred Liquidation Preference and such other
liquidation preferences to permit payment in full of the common adjustment, then the remaining
assets shall be distributed ratably to the holders of the common stock.
The outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock may be redeemed at the option of the board
of directors as a whole, but not in part, at any time, or from time to time, at a redemption price
per share equal to 1,000 (subject to certain adjustments as set forth in our charter) times the
Average Market Value of the common stock, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends to and including
the date fixed for redemption. The Average Market Value is the average of the closing sale prices
of a share of the common stock during the 30-day period immediately preceding the date before the
redemption date quoted on the Composite Tape for New York Stock Exchange Listed Stocks, or, if the
common stock is not quoted on the Composite Tape, on the New York Stock Exchange, or, if the common
stock is not listed on such exchange, on the principal United States registered securities exchange
on which the common stock is listed, or, if the common stock is not listed on any such exchange,
the average of the closing bid quotations with respect to a share of common stock during such
30-day period on The Nasdaq Stock Market, or if no such quotations are available, the fair market
value of a share of common stock as determined by our board of directors in good faith.
Each share of Series C Preferred Stock entitles its holder to 1,000 votes on all matters
submitted to a vote of our stockholders. In general, the holders of shares of Series C Preferred
Stock and the holders of shares of common stock vote together as one voting group on all those
matters. If the Series C Preferred Stock is listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock
Exchange, approval by the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Series C
Preferred Stock will be required for adoption of any amendment to our charter or bylaws that would
materially affect the existing terms of the Series C Preferred Stock.
Whenever dividends on any shares of Series C Preferred Stock are in arrears for six or more
consecutive quarterly periods, the holders of such shares, voting separately as a class with all
other series of preferred stock
having like voting rights, will be entitled to vote for the election of two additional
directors of United Dominion at a special meeting called by the holders of record of at least 10%
of the Series C Preferred Stock or the holders of any other series of preferred stock so in arrears
or at the next annual meeting of stockholders, and at each subsequent annual meeting until all
dividends accumulated on such shares of Series C Preferred Stock for the past dividend periods and
the current dividend period shall have been fully paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the
payment thereof set aside for payment. In such case, the entire board of United Dominion will be
increased by two directors.
The dividend rate on the Series C Preferred Stock, the common adjustment, the Series C
Preferred Stock redemption price and the number of votes per share of Series C Preferred Stock and
certain other terms of the Series C Preferred Stock are all subject to adjustment upon the
declaration of any dividend payable in common stock, subdivision of the outstanding common stock or
combination of the outstanding shares of common stock into a smaller number of shares.
25
The Series C Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any other property or
securities of United Dominion except as provided in Article VI of our charter.
Effective January 6, 2004, we appointed Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as Rights Agent under the First
Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, replacing Mellon Investor Services LLC.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
We may issue warrants, in one or more series, for the purchase of our common stock, preferred
stock or debt securities. Warrants may be issued independently or together with our common stock,
preferred stock or debt securities and may be attached to or separate from any offered securities.
The warrants will be evidenced by warrant certificates. Unless otherwise specified in the
prospectus supplement, the warrant certificates may be traded separately from the common stock,
preferred stock or debt securities, if any, with which the warrant certificates were issued.
Warrant certificates may be exchanged for new warrant certificates of different denominations at
the office of an agent that we will appoint. Until a warrant is exercised, the holder of a warrant
does not have any of the rights of a holder of our stock or debt securities and is not entitled to
any payments on any debt securities or shares of stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants.
A prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus relating to a particular series of
warrants to issue debt securities or shares of stock will describe the terms of those warrants,
including:
|
|
|
the title and the aggregate number of warrants, |
|
|
|
|
the debt securities or stock for which each warrant is exercisable, |
|
|
|
|
the date or dates on which the right to exercise such warrants commence and expire, |
|
|
|
|
the price or prices at which such warrants are exercisable, |
|
|
|
|
the currency or currencies in which such warrants are exercisable, |
|
|
|
|
the periods during which and places at which such warrants are exercisable, |
|
|
|
|
the terms of any mandatory or optional call provisions, |
|
|
|
|
the price or prices, if any, at which the warrants
may be redeemed at the option of the holder or will be
redeemed upon expiration, |
|
|
|
|
the identity of the warrant agent, and |
|
|
|
|
the exchanges, if any, on which such warrants may be listed. |
You may exercise warrants by payment to our warrant agent of the exercise price, in each
case in such currency or currencies as are specified in the warrant, and giving your identity and
the number of warrants to be exercised. Once you pay our warrant agent and deliver the properly
completed and executed warrant certificate to our warrant agent at the specified office, our
warrant agent will, as soon as practicable, forward securities to you in authorized denominations
or share amounts. If you exercise less than all of the warrants evidenced by your warrant
certificate, you will be issued a new warrant certificate for the remaining amount of warrants.
DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS
We may issue purchase contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and us to sell to
the holders, our securities at a future date or dates. The purchase contracts may require us to
make periodic payments to the holders of purchase contracts. These payments may be unsecured or
prefunded on a basis to be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to the purchase
contracts.
26
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any purchase contract.
The purchase contracts will be issued pursuant to documents to be issued by us. You should read
the particular terms of the documents, which will be described in more detail in the applicable
prospectus supplement.
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
We may issue units consisting of one or more purchase contracts, warrants, debt
securities, shares of preferred stock, shares of common stock or any combination of such
securities. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the units and of the
securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities
comprising the units may be traded separately. You should read the particular terms of the
documents pursuant to which the units would be issued, which will be described in more detail in
the applicable prospectus supplement.
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion describes the material U.S. federal income tax considerations
relating to our qualification and taxation as a REIT which may be material to purchasers of our
securities. This summary is based on current law, is for general information only and is not tax
advice. The tax treatment of a holder of our debt or equity securities will vary depending upon the
terms of the specific securities acquired by such holder, as well as the holders particular
situation. You are urged to review the applicable prospectus supplement in connection with the
purchase of any of our securities, and to consult your own tax advisor regarding the specific tax
consequences to you of investing in our securities and of our election to be taxed as a REIT.
We urge you to consult your own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences to you of the
acquisition, ownership and disposition of our securities and of our election to be taxed as a REIT.
Specifically, you should consult your own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state, local,
foreign, and other tax consequences of such acquisition, ownership, disposition and election and
regarding potential changes in applicable tax laws.
General
We elected to be taxed as a REIT under the federal income tax laws commencing with our taxable
year ended December 31, 1972. We believe that we have been organized and operated in a manner that
permits us to satisfy the requirements for taxation as a REIT under the applicable provisions of
the Code. Qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon our ability to meet, through actual
annual operating results, asset diversification, distribution levels and diversity of stock
ownership, the various qualification tests imposed under the Code discussed below. Although we
intend to continue to operate to satisfy such requirements, the actual results of our operations
for any particular taxable year may not satisfy such requirements.
The provisions of the Code, U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and other U.S.
federal income tax laws relating to qualification and operation as a REIT and the taxation of
holders of our securities are
highly technical and complex. The following sets forth the material aspects of the laws that
govern the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a REIT. This summary is qualified in its entirety
by the applicable Code provisions, rules and Treasury regulations thereunder, and administrative
and judicial interpretations thereof. Further, the anticipated income tax treatment described in
this prospectus may be changed, perhaps retroactively, by legislative, administrative or judicial
action at any time.
Morrison & Foerster LLP has acted as our tax counsel in connection with the filing of this
prospectus. In connection with this filing, Morrison & Foerster LLP will opine that we have been
organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a
REIT under the Code for each of our taxable years beginning with the taxable year ended December
31, 2002 through our taxable year ended December 31, 2005, and if we continue to be organized and
operated after December 31, 2005 in the same manner as we have prior to that date, we will continue
to qualify as a REIT. The opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP will be based on various assumptions
and representations made by us as to factual matters, including representations made by us in this
prospectus and a factual certificate provided by one of our officers. Moreover, our qualification
and taxation as a
27
REIT depends upon our ability to meet the various qualification tests imposed
under the Code and discussed below, relating to our actual annual operating results, asset
diversification, distribution levels, and diversity of stock ownership, the results of which have
not been and will not be reviewed by Morrison & Foerster LLP. Accordingly, neither Morrison &
Foerster LLP nor we can assure you that the actual results of our operations for any particular
taxable year will satisfy these requirements.
In brief, if certain detailed conditions imposed by the REIT provisions of the Code are
satisfied, entities, such as us, that invest primarily in real estate and that otherwise would be
treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as corporations, generally are not taxed at the
corporate level on their REIT taxable income that is distributed currently to stockholders. This
treatment substantially eliminates the double taxation (i.e., taxation at both the corporate and
stockholder levels) that generally results from investing in corporations under current law.
If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any year, however, we will be subject to U.S. federal
income tax as if we were an ordinary corporation and our stockholders will be taxed in the same
manner as stockholders of ordinary corporations. In that event, we could be subject to potentially
significant tax liabilities, the amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders
could be reduced and we would not be obligated to make any distributions. Moreover, we could be
disqualified from taxation as a REIT for four taxable years.
REIT Taxation
In any year in which we qualify as a REIT, in general, we will not be subject to U.S. federal
income tax on that portion of our net income that we distribute to stockholders, except as follows:
|
|
|
First, we will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed REIT taxable
income, including undistributed net capital gain. However, we can elect to pass
through any of our taxes paid on our undistributed net capital gain income to our
stockholders on a pro rata basis. |
|
|
|
|
Second, under certain circumstances, we may be subject to the alternative minimum
tax on our items of tax preference. |
|
|
|
|
Third, if we have (a) net income from the sale or other disposition of foreclosure
property which is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of
business or (b) other nonqualifying income from foreclosure property, we will be
subject to tax at the highest corporate rate on such income. |
|
|
|
|
Fourth, if we have net income from prohibited transactions (which are, in general,
sales or other dispositions of property held primarily for sale to customers in the
ordinary course of business, generally other than, foreclosure property and property
involuntarily converted), such income will be subject to a 100% penalty tax. |
|
|
|
|
Fifth, as discussed in detail below, if we should fail to satisfy the gross income
tests or the asset tests, and nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because
certain other requirements have been satisfied, we ordinarily will be subject to a
penalty tax relating to such failure, computed as described below. Similarly, if we
maintain our REIT status despite our failure to satisfy one or more requirements for
REIT qualification, other than the gross income tests and asset tests, we must pay a
penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. |
|
|
|
|
Sixth, if we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of
(1) 85% of our ordinary income for such year, (2) 95% of our net capital gain income
for such year, and (3) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we will be
subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the amounts
distributed. |
|
|
|
|
Seventh, if we acquire any asset from a C-corporation (i.e., generally a
corporation subject to full corporate-level tax) in a transaction in which the basis of
the asset in our hands is determined by reference to the basis of the asset (or any
other property) in the hands of the C-corporation, and we |
28
|
|
|
recognize gain on the
disposition of such asset during the 10-year period beginning on the date on which we
acquired such asset, then, to the extent of any built-in, unrealized gain at the time
of acquisition, such gain generally will be subject to tax at the highest regular
corporate rate. |
|
|
|
|
Eighth, we may be subject to an excise tax if our dealings with our taxable REIT
subsidiaries, defined below, are not at arms length. |
|
|
|
|
Finally, any earnings we derive through a taxable REIT subsidiary will effectively
be subject to a corporate-level tax. |
Requirements for Qualification
The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association (1) which is managed by one or
more trustees or directors; (2) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable
shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest; (3) which would be taxable as a
domestic corporation, but for Sections 856 through 860 of the Code; (4) which is neither a
financial institution nor an insurance company subject to certain provisions of the Code; (5) the
beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons; (6) not more than 50% in value of the
outstanding stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals, as
defined in the Code, at any time during the last half of each taxable year; and (7) which meets
certain other tests, described below, regarding the nature of its income and assets and minimum
distribution requirements with respect to its REIT taxable income.
The Code provides that conditions (1) to (4), inclusive, must be met during the entire taxable
year and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or
during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months. If we were to fail to
satisfy condition (6) during a taxable year, that failure would not result in our disqualification
as a REIT under the Code for such taxable year as long as (i) we satisfied the stockholder demand
statement requirements described in the succeeding paragraph and (ii) we did not know, or
exercising reasonable diligence would not have known, whether we had failed condition (6).
We believe we have issued sufficient stock with sufficient diversity of ownership to satisfy
conditions (5) and (6) above. Moreover, to evidence compliance with these requirements, we must
maintain records which disclose the actual ownership of our outstanding stock. In fulfilling our
obligations to maintain records, we must and will demand written statements each year from the
record holders of designated percentages of our stock disclosing the actual owners of our stock. A
list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with such demand must be maintained as part of
our records. A stockholder failing or refusing to comply with our written demand must submit with
his U.S. federal income tax returns a similar statement disclosing the actual ownership of our
stock and certain other information. In addition, our charter restricts the transfer of our shares
in order to assist in satisfying the share ownership requirements. These restrictions are
discussed in more detail above under the heading Description of Common StockRestrictions on
Ownership and Transfer.
Although we intend to satisfy the stockholder demand letter rules described in the preceding
paragraph, our failure to satisfy these requirements will not result in our disqualification as a
REIT under the Code but may result in the imposition of Internal Revenue Service penalties against
us.
We currently have several direct corporate subsidiaries and may have additional corporate
subsidiaries in the future. Certain of our corporate subsidiaries will be treated as qualified
REIT subsidiaries under the Code. A corporation will qualify as a qualified REIT subsidiary if we
own 100% of its outstanding stock and we and the subsidiary do not jointly elect to treat it as a
taxable REIT subsidiary as described below. A corporation that is a qualified REIT subsidiary is
not treated as a separate corporation, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction
and credit of a qualified REIT subsidiary are treated as assets, liabilities and items of income,
deduction and credit (as the case may be) of the parent REIT for all purposes under the Code
(including all REIT qualification tests). Thus, in applying the requirements described in this
prospectus the subsidiaries in which we own a 100% interest (other than taxable REIT subsidiaries)
will be ignored, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of such
subsidiaries will be treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and
29
credit.
A qualified REIT subsidiary is not subject to U.S. federal income tax and our ownership of the
stock of such a subsidiary will not violate the REIT asset tests, described below under Asset
Tests.
In the case of a REIT that is a partner in a partnership, U.S. Treasury regulations provide
that the REIT will be deemed to own its proportionate share, generally based on its pro rata share
of capital interest in the partnership, of the assets of the partnership and will be deemed to be
entitled to the gross income of the partnership attributable to such share. In addition, the
character of the assets and gross income of the partnership shall retain the same character in the
hands of the REIT for purposes of satisfying the gross income tests and the asset tests, described
below. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets, liabilities and items of income of a
partnership in which we own an interest, directly or indirectly will be treated as our assets,
liabilities and items of income for purposes of applying the requirements described below. The
taxation of our investments in partnerships is discussed below under Investments in Partnerships.
We report our net income based on the calendar year.
Asset Tests
At the close of each quarter of our taxable year, we generally must satisfy three tests
relating to the nature of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be
represented by interests in real property, interests in mortgages on real property, shares in other
REITs, cash, cash items and government securities (as well as certain temporary investments in
stock or debt instruments purchased with the proceeds of new capital raised by us). Second,
although the remaining 25% of our assets generally may be invested without restriction, securities
in this class generally may not exceed either (1) 5% of the value of our total assets as to any one
nongovernment issuer, (2) 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer, or (3) 10% of
the value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. Third, not more than 20% of the total
value of our assets can be represented by securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries
(described below). Securities for purposes of the above 5% and 10% asset tests may include debt
securities, including debt issued by a partnership. However, debt of an issuer will not count as a
security for purposes of the 10% value test if the security qualifies for any of a number of
exceptions applicable, for example, to straight debt, as specially defined for this purpose.
We and a corporation in which we own stock may make a joint election for such subsidiary to be
treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary. The securities of a taxable REIT subsidiary are not
subject to the 5% asset test and the 10% vote and value tests described above. Instead, as
discussed above, a separate asset test applies to taxable REIT subsidiaries. The rules regarding
taxable REIT subsidiaries contain provisions generally intended to ensure that transactions between
a REIT and its taxable REIT subsidiary occur at arms length and on commercially reasonable
terms. These requirements include a provision that prevents a taxable REIT subsidiary from
deducting interest on direct or indirect indebtedness to its parent REIT if, under a specified
series of tests, the taxable REIT subsidiary is considered to have an excessive interest expense
level or debt-to-equity ratio. In addition, a 100% penalty tax can be imposed on the REIT if its
loans to or rental, service or other agreements with its taxable REIT subsidiary are determined not
to be on arms length terms. No assurance can be given that our loans to or rental, service or
other agreements with our taxable REIT subsidiaries will be on arms length terms. A taxable REIT
subsidiary is subject to a corporate level tax on its net taxable income, as a result of which our
earnings derived
through a taxable REIT subsidiary are effectively subject to a corporate level tax
notwithstanding our status as a REIT. To the extent that a taxable REIT subsidiary pays dividends
to us in a particular calendar year, we may designate a corresponding portion of dividends we pay
to our noncorporate stockholders during that year as qualified dividend income eligible to be
taxed at reduced rates to such recipients. The taxation of U.S. holders of our equity stock is
discussed below under Taxation of Taxable U.S. Holders.
We have made elections to treat several of our corporate subsidiaries as taxable REIT
subsidiaries. We believe that the value of the securities we hold of our taxable REIT subsidiaries
does not and will not represent more than 20% of our total assets, and that all transactions
between us and our taxable REIT subsidiaries are conducted on arms length terms. In addition, we
believe that the amount of our assets that are not qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset
test will continue to represent less than 25% of our total assets and will satisfy the 5% and both
10% asset tests.
30
Beginning in 2005, if we fail to satisfy the 5% and/or 10% asset tests for a particular
quarter, we will not lose our REIT status if the failure is due to the ownership of assets the
total value of which does not exceed a specified de minimis threshold, provided that we come into
compliance with the asset tests generally within six months after the last day of the quarter in
which we identify the failure. In addition, beginning in 2005, other failures to satisfy the asset
tests generally will not result in a loss of REIT status if (i) following our identification of the
failure, we file a schedule with the Internal Revenue Service describing each asset that caused the
failure; (ii) the failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect; (iii) we come
into compliance with the asset tests generally within six months after the last day of the quarter
in which the failure was identified; and (iv) we pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the
amount determined by multiplying the highest corporate tax rate by the net income generated by the
prohibited assets for the period beginning on the first date of the failure and ending on the
earlier of the date we dispose of such assets and the end of the quarter in which we come into
compliance with the asset tests.
Gross Income Tests
We must satisfy two separate percentage tests relating to the sources of our gross income for
each taxable year. For purposes of these tests, where we invest in a partnership, we will be
treated as receiving our pro rata share based on our capital interest in the partnership of the
gross income and loss of the partnership, and the gross income of the partnership will retain the
same character in our hands as it has in the hands of the partnership. The taxation of our
investments in partnerships is discussed below under Investments in Partnerships.
The 75% Test
At least 75% of our gross income for a taxable year must be qualifying income. Qualifying
income generally includes (1) rents from real property (except as modified below); (2) interest on
obligations collateralized by mortgages on, or interests in, real property; (3) gains from the sale
or other disposition of interests in real property and real estate mortgages, other than gain from
property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of our trade or business, or dealer property; (4) dividends or other distributions on shares in other REITs, as well as gain
from the sale of such shares; (5) abatements and refunds of real property taxes; (6) income from
the operation, and gain from the sale of property acquired at or in lieu of a foreclosure of the
mortgage collateralized by such property, or foreclosure property; (7) commitment fees received for
agreeing to make loans collateralized by mortgages on real property or to purchase or lease real
property; and (8) income from temporary investments in stock or debt instruments purchased with the
proceeds of new capital raised by us.
Rents received from a tenant will not, however, qualify as rents from real property in
satisfying the 75% test (or the 95% test described below) if we, or an owner of 10% or more of our
equity securities, directly or constructively owns (i) in the case of any tenant that is a
corporation, stock possessing 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock entitled to vote, or 10% or more of the total value of shares of all classes of stock of such
tenant; or (ii) in the case of any tenant that is not a corporation, an interest of 10% or more in
the assets or net profits of such tenant, or a related party
tenant, unless the related party
tenant is a taxable REIT subsidiary and certain other requirements are satisfied. In addition, if
rent attributable to personal property, leased in connection with a lease of real property, is
greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease, then the portion of rent attributable
to such personal property will not qualify as rents from real property. Moreover, an
amount received or accrued generally will not qualify as rents from real property (or as
interest income) for purposes of the 75% test and 95% test (described below) if it is based in
whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. Rent or interest will not be
disqualified, however, solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of
receipts or sales. Finally, for rents received to qualify as rents from real property, we
generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish or render certain services to tenants,
other than through an independent contractor who is adequately compensated and from whom we
derive no revenue or through a taxable REIT subsidiary. The independent contractor or taxable
REIT subsidiary requirement, however, does not apply to the extent that the services provided by us
are usually or customarily rendered in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only,
and are not otherwise considered rendered to the occupant. For both the related party tenant
rules and determining whether an entity qualifies as an independent contractor of a REIT, certain
attribution rules of the Code apply, pursuant to which ownership interests in certain entities held
by one entity are deemed held by certain other related entities.
31
In general, if a REIT provides impermissible services to its tenants, all of the rent from
that property will be disqualified from satisfying the 75% test and 95% test (described below).
However, rents will not be disqualified if a REIT provides de minimis impermissible services. For
this purpose, services provided to tenants of a property are considered de minimis where income
derived from the services rendered equals 1% or less of all income derived from the property (as
determined on a property-by-property basis). For purposes of the 1% threshold, the amount treated
as received for any service shall not be less than 150% of the direct cost incurred by the REIT in
furnishing or rendering the service.
We do not receive any rent that is based on the income or profits of any person. In addition,
we do not own, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of any tenant (other than, perhaps, a tenant
that is a taxable REIT subsidiary where other requirements are satisfied). Furthermore, we believe
that any personal property rented in connection with our apartment facilities is well within the
15% restriction. Finally, we do not believe that we provide services, other than within the 1% de
minimis exception described above, to our tenants that are not customarily furnished or rendered in
connection with the rental of property, other than through an independent contractor or a taxable
REIT subsidiary. We do not intend to rent to any related party, to base any rent on the income or
profits of any person (other than rents that are based on a fixed percentage or percentages of
receipts or sales), or to charge rents that would otherwise not qualify as rents from real
property.
The 95% Test
In addition to deriving 75% of our gross income from the sources listed above, at least 95% of
our gross income for a taxable year must be derived from the above-described qualifying income, or
from dividends, interest or gains from the sale or disposition of stock or other securities that
are not dealer property. Dividends from a corporation (including a taxable REIT subsidiary) and
interest on any obligation not collateralized by an interest on real property are included for
purposes of the 95% test, but not (except with respect to dividends from a REIT) for purposes of
the 75% test. For purposes of determining whether we comply with the 75% and 95% tests, gross
income does not include income from prohibited transactions (discussed below).
From time to time, we may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our
assets or liabilities. Our hedging activities may include entering into interest rate or other
swaps, caps and floors, or options to purchase such items, and futures and forward contracts.
Through the end of our 2004 tax year, to the extent that we entered into an interest rate swap or
cap contract, option, futures contract, forward rate agreement or any similar financial instrument
to hedge our indebtedness incurred to acquire or carry real estate assets, any periodic income or
gain from the disposition of such contract was qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross
income test, but not the 75% gross income test. Beginning in 2005, to the extent a transaction
meets certain identification requirements and hedges any indebtedness incurred or to be incurred to
acquire or carry real estate assets, including interest rate hedges as well as other types of
hedges, any income or gain from the disposition of such a hedging transaction will be disregarded
in applying the 95% gross income test, but will continue to be taken into account as nonqualifying
income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. To the extent that we hedge with other types of
financial instruments, or in other situations, it is not entirely clear how the income from those
transactions will be treated for purposes of the gross income tests. We intend to structure any
hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our status as a REIT.
Our investment in apartment communities generally gives rise to rental income that is
qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Gains on sales of apartment
communities, other than from prohibited transactions, as described below, or of our interest in a
partnership generally will be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests.
We have leases on certain other properties that we own and we treat the income from those leases
as nonqualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests; however, we anticipate
that income from those properties and our other investments will not result in our failing the 75%
or 95% gross income test for any year.
Even if we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% tests for any taxable year, we may
still qualify as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to relief under certain provisions of the
Code. These relief provisions will generally be available if our failure to comply was due to
reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, and we timely comply with requirements for reporting
each item of our income to the Internal Revenue Service. It is not possible, however, to state
whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions. Even
if
32
these relief provisions apply, we will still be subject to a special tax upon the greater of
either (1) the amount by which 75% of our gross income exceeds the amount of our income qualifying
under the 75% test for the taxable year or (2) the amount by which 90% (95% for 2005 and later
taxable years) of our gross income exceeds the amount of our income qualifying for the 95% income
test for the taxable year, multiplied by a fraction intended to reflect our profitability.
Like-Kind Exchanges
We may dispose of our properties in transactions intended to qualify under a provision of the
Code which permits the nonrecognition of loss or gain on the exchange of property held for
productive use in a trade or business or for investment for property of like kind. No assurance
can be given that our nonrecognition of loss or gain will be respected for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. If not, we may be required to make additional distributions to our stockholders under
the deficiency dividend procedures set forth below.
Annual Distribution Requirements
To qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends (other than capital gain
dividends) to our stockholders each year in an amount equal to at least (A) the sum of (i) 90% of
our REIT taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net
capital gain) and (ii) 90% of the net income (after tax), if any, from foreclosure property, minus
(B) the sum of certain items of non-cash income over 5% of our REIT taxable income. Such
distributions must be paid in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following twelve
months if declared before we timely file our tax return for such year and if paid on or before the
first regular dividend payment after such declaration. These distributions are taxable to
stockholders in the year in which paid, even though the distributions relate to our prior taxable
year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement. To the extent that we do not distribute all
of our net capital gain or distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our REIT taxable income,
as adjusted, we will be subject to tax on the undistributed amount at regular corporate tax rates,
as the case may be. (However, we can elect to pass through any of our taxes paid on our
undistributed net capital gain income to our stockholders on a pro rata basis.) Furthermore, if we
should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (1) 85% of our ordinary
income for such year, (2) 95% of our net capital gain income for such year, and (3) any
undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a 4% excise tax on the
excess of such required distribution over the sum of the amounts actually distributed and the
amount of any net capital gains we elected to retain and pay tax on. For these and other purposes,
dividends declared by us in October, November or December of one taxable year and payable to a
stockholder of record on a specific date in any such month shall be treated as both paid by us and
received by the stockholder during such taxable year, provided that the dividend is actually paid
by us by January 31 of the following taxable year.
We believe that we have made timely distributions sufficient to satisfy the annual
distribution requirements It is possible that in the future we may not have sufficient cash or
other liquid assets to meet the distribution requirements, due to timing differences between the
actual receipt of income and actual payment of expenses on the one hand, and the inclusion of such
income and deduction of such expenses in computing our REIT taxable income on the other hand.
Further, as described below, it is possible that, from time to time, we may be allocated a share of
net capital gain attributable to the sale of depreciated property that exceeds our allocable share
of cash attributable to that sale. To avoid any problem with the distribution requirements, we
will closely monitor the relationship between
our REIT taxable income and cash flow and, if necessary, will borrow funds or issue preferred
or common stock to satisfy the distribution requirement. We may be required to borrow funds at
times when market conditions are not favorable.
If we fail to meet the distribution requirements as a result of an adjustment to our tax
return by the Internal Revenue Service or we determine that we understated our income on a filed
return, we may retroactively cure the failure by paying a deficiency dividend (plus applicable
penalties and interest) within a specified period.
Beginning in 2005, if we should fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT
qualification, other than the gross income tests and asset tests, we may retain our REIT
qualification if the failures are due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, and if we pay a
penalty of $50,000 for each such failure.
33
Under legislation enacted in 2004, the utilization of losses allocable to leased property
owned by a partnership having both taxable and tax-exempt partners may be subject to certain
limitations. As a result, beginning in 2006, certain losses generated with respect to properties
owned by a partnership in which we invest, such as our operating partnerships, may be disallowed,
which could increase the amount of distributions we are required to make in a particular year in
order to meet the REIT distribution requirements and also could increase the portion of
distributions to our stockholders that are taxable as dividends.
Prohibited Transaction Rules
A REIT will incur a 100% penalty tax on the net income derived from a sale or other
disposition of property, other than foreclosure property, that the REIT holds primarily for sale to
customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business, which we
refer to as a prohibited transaction. Under a safe
harbor provision in the Code, however, income from certain sales of real property held by the REIT
for at least four years at the time of the disposition will not be treated as income from a
prohibited transaction. We believe that none of our assets is held for sale to customers and that
a sale of any of our assets would not be in the ordinary course of our business. Whether a REIT
holds an asset primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business
depends, however, on the facts and circumstances in effect from time to time, including those
related to a particular asset. Although we will attempt to ensure that none of our sales of
property will constitute a prohibited transaction, we cannot assure you that none of such sales
will be so treated.
Failure to Qualify
If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year and the relief provisions do
not apply, we will be subject to tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on our
taxable income at regular corporate rates. Distributions to stockholders in any year in which we
fail to qualify will not be deductible by us, nor will they be required to be made. In such event,
to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, all distributions to
stockholders will be taxable as ordinary income, and, subject to certain limitations in the Code,
corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction and noncorporate
distributees may be eligible to treat the dividends as qualified dividend income taxable at
capital gain rates. Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we will also be
disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which
qualification was lost. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to such statutory
relief.
Investments in Partnerships
The following discussion summarizes certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable
solely to our investment in entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The discussion does not cover state or local tax laws or any U.S. federal tax laws other than
income tax laws.
General
We hold a direct ownership interest in certain partnerships. In general, partnerships are
pass-through entities which are not subject to U.S. federal income tax. Rather, partners are
allocated their proportionate shares of
the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of a partnership, and are potentially
subject to tax thereon, without regard to whether the partners receive a distribution from the
partnership. We include our proportionate share, based on our capital interest in a partnership,
of the foregoing partnership items for purposes of the various REIT income tests, and we include
our allocable share of such partnership items in the computation of our REIT taxable income. Any
resultant increase in our REIT taxable income increases our distribution requirements, but is not
subject to U.S. federal income tax in our hands provided that such income is distributed to our
stockholders. Moreover, for purposes of the REIT asset tests, we include our proportionate share,
generally based on our capital interest in the partnership, of assets held by the partnerships.
34
Tax Allocations with Respect to the Properties
Pursuant to Section 704(c) of the Code, income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to
appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an
interest in the partnership (such as some of our properties), must be allocated in a manner such
that the contributing partner is charged with, or benefits from, respectively, the unrealized gain
or unrealized loss associated with the property at the time of the contribution. The amount of
such unrealized gain or unrealized loss is generally equal to the difference between the fair
market value of contributed property at the time of contribution, and the adjusted tax basis of
such property at the time of contribution, or a book-tax
difference. Such allocations are solely
for U.S. federal income tax purposes and do not affect the book capital accounts or other economic
or legal arrangements among the partners. Our two material
partnership subsidiaries, referred to
in this discussion as the operating partnerships, have property subject to book-tax differences.
Consequently, the partnership agreement of the operating partnerships requires such allocations to
be made in a manner consistent with Section 704(c) of the Code.
In general, the partners who contributed appreciated assets to the operating partnerships will
be allocated lower amounts of depreciation deductions for tax purposes and increased taxable income
and gain on sale by the operating partnerships of the contributed assets (including some of our
properties). This will tend to eliminate the book-tax difference over time. However, the special
allocation rules under Section 704(c) of the Code do not always entirely rectify the book-tax
difference on an annual basis or with respect to a specific taxable transaction, such as a sale.
Thus, the carryover basis of the contributed assets in the hands of the operating partnerships can
be expected to cause us to be allocated lower depreciation and other deductions, and possibly
greater amounts of taxable income in the event of a sale of such contributed assets, in excess of
the economic or book income allocated to us as a result of such sale. This may cause us to
recognize taxable income in excess of cash proceeds, which might adversely affect our ability to
comply with the REIT distribution requirements. In addition, the application of Section 704(c) of
the Code is not entirely clear and may be affected by authority that may be promulgated in the
future.
Sale of the Properties
Generally, any gain realized by the operating partnerships on the sale of property held by the
operating partnerships will be capital gain, except for any portion of such gain that is treated as
certain depreciation or cost recovery recapture. Our share of any gain realized by the operating
partnerships on the sale of any dealer property generally will be treated as income from a
prohibited transaction that is subject to a 100% penalty tax, as
discussed above under Prohibited Transaction Rules.
Under existing law, whether property is dealer property is a question of fact that depends on all
the facts and circumstances with respect to the particular transaction. The operating partnerships
intend to hold their properties for investment with a view to long-term appreciation, to engage in
the business of acquiring, developing, owning and operating their properties, and to make such
occasional sales of their properties as are consistent with our investment objectives. Based upon
such investment objectives, we believe that in general our properties should not be considered
dealer property and that the amount of income from prohibited transactions, if any, will not be
material.
Investment in Our Stock
The following summary describes certain U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the
purchase, ownership, and disposition of our equity stock as of the date hereof. This summary deals
only with equity stock held as capital assets, (within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code),
and does not address tax considerations
applicable to an investors particular circumstances or to investors that may be subject to
special tax rules, including, without limitation, financial institutions (including banks),
insurance companies, dealers in securities or currencies, persons subject to the mark-to market
rules of the Code, persons that will hold our stock as a position in a hedging transaction,
integrated transaction, straddle or conversion transaction for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, U.S. holders, as
defined below, that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar, persons subject to the
alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code and, except as expressly indicated below, tax-exempt
organizations.
35
In addition, if a partnership (including for this purpose any entity treated as a partnership
for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is a holder of our equity stock, the tax treatment of a
partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and upon the
activities of the partnership. Holders that are partnerships, and partners in such partnerships,
should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of purchasing,
holding and disposing of our equity stock.
As used herein, the term U.S. holder means any beneficial owner of our equity stock who or
that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes (i) a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a
corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created
or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of
Columbia, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless
of its source, (iv) a trust if (A) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary
supervision over the administration of the trust and (B) one or more U.S. persons have the
authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (v) certain eligible trusts that
elect to be taxed as U.S. persons under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. As used herein, the
term non-U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of our equity stock who or that is not a U.S.
holder.
Taxation of Taxable U.S. Holders
As long as we qualify as a REIT, distributions made to our taxable U.S. holders on our equity
stock out of current or accumulated earnings and profits (and not designated as capital gain
dividends or qualified dividend income) will be taken into account by them as ordinary income,
and U.S. holders that are corporations will not be entitled to a dividends received deduction.
Qualified dividend income of noncorporate taxpayers is currently taxed as net capital gain,
thus reducing the maximum tax rate on such dividends to 15% for taxable years ending after December
31, 2002 and beginning before January 1, 2009. In general, dividends paid by REITs are not
eligible for the 15% tax rate on qualified dividend income and, as a result, our ordinary REIT
dividends will continue to be taxed at the higher ordinary income tax rate. Dividends received by
a noncorporate stockholder could be treated as qualified dividend income, however, to the extent
we have dividend income from taxable corporations (such as a taxable REIT subsidiary) and to the
extent such dividends are attributable to income that is subject to tax at the REIT level (for
example, if we distributed less than 100% of our taxable income). In general, to qualify for the
reduced tax rate on qualified dividend income, a stockholder must hold our common stock for more
than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the date on
which our common stock becomes ex-dividend; different holding periods apply to our preferred stock.
To the extent we make distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits,
these distributions are treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the U.S. holder, reducing
the tax basis of a U.S. holders equity stock by the amount of such distribution (but not below
zero), with distributions in excess of the U.S. holders tax basis treated as proceeds from a sale
of equity stock, the tax treatment of which is described below. Distributions will generally be
taxable, if at all, in the year of the distribution. However, any dividend declared by us in
October, November or December of any year and payable to a U.S. holder who held our equity stock on
a specified record date in any such month shall be treated as both paid by us and received by the
U.S. holder on December 31 of such year, provided that the dividend is actually paid by us during
January of the following calendar year.
In general, distributions which are designated by us as capital gain dividends will be taxable
to U.S. holders as gain from the sale of assets held for greater than one year, or long-term
capital gain. That treatment will apply regardless of the period for which a U.S. holder has held
the equity stock upon which the capital gain dividend is
paid. However, corporate U.S. holders may be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital
gain dividends as ordinary income. Noncorporate taxpayers are generally taxable at a current
maximum tax rate of 15% for long-term capital gain attributable to sales or exchanges occurring on
or after May 6, 2003 but before January 1, 2009. A portion of any capital gain dividends received
by noncorporate taxpayers might be subject to tax at a 25% rate to the extent attributable to gains
realized on the sale of real property that correspond to our unrecaptured Section 1250 gain.
36
We may elect to retain, rather than distribute as a capital gain dividend, our net long-term
capital gain. In such event, we would pay tax on such retained net long-term capital gain. In
addition, to the extent designated by us, a U.S. holder generally would (1) include his
proportionate share of such undistributed long-term capital gain in computing his long-term capital
gain for his taxable year in which the last day of our taxable year falls (subject to certain
limitations as to the amount so includable), (2) be deemed to have paid his share of the U.S.
federal income tax imposed on us on the designated amounts included in such U.S. holders long-term
capital gain, (3) receive a credit or refund for such amount of tax deemed paid by the U.S. holder,
(4) increase the adjusted basis of his equity stock by the difference between the amount of such
includable gain and the tax deemed to have been paid by him, and (5) in the case of a U.S. holder
that is a corporation, appropriately adjust its earnings and profits for the retained capital gains
in accordance with U.S. Treasury regulations.
Distributions made by us and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. holder of equity
stock will not be treated as passive activity income, and as a result, U.S. holders generally will
not be able to apply any passive losses against this income or gain. U.S. holders may not
include in their individual income tax returns any of our net operating losses or capital losses.
Disposition of Equity Stock. Upon any taxable sale or other disposition of our equity stock,
a U.S. holder will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal
to the difference between (1) the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received
on the sale or other disposition and (2) the U.S. holders adjusted basis in the equity stock for
tax purposes.
This gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss,
respectively if our equity stock has been held for more than one year at the time of the
disposition. Noncorporate U.S. holders generally are taxable at a current maximum rate of 15% on
long-term capital gain. The U.S. Treasury has the authority to prescribe, but has not yet
prescribed, regulations that would apply a capital gain tax rate of 25% (which is generally higher
than the long-term capital gain tax rates for noncorporate U.S. holders) to a portion of capital
gain realized by a noncorporate U.S. holder on the sale of REIT stock that would correspond to the
REITs unrecaptured Section 1250 gain. U.S. holders are urged to consult with their own tax
advisors with respect to their capital gain tax liability. A corporate U.S. holder will be subject
to tax at a maximum rate of 35% on capital gain from the sale of our equity stock regardless of its
holding period for the shares.
In general, any loss upon a sale or exchange of our equity stock by a U.S. holder who has held
such shares for six months or less (after applying certain holding period rules) will be treated as
a long-term capital loss, to the extent of distributions (actually made or deemed made in
accordance with the discussion above) from us required to be treated by such U.S. holder as
long-term capital gain.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. Payments of dividends on our equity stock and
proceeds received upon the sale, redemption or other disposition of our shares may be subject to
Internal Revenue Service information reporting and backup withholding tax. Payments to certain
U.S. holders (including, among others, corporations and certain tax-exempt organizations) are
generally not subject to information reporting or backup withholding. Payments to a non-corporate
U.S. holder generally will be subject to information reporting. Such payments also generally will
be subject to backup withholding tax if such holder:
|
|
|
fails to furnish its taxpayer identification number, which for an individual is
ordinarily his or her social security number, |
|
|
|
|
furnishes an incorrect taxpayer identification number, |
|
|
|
|
is notified by the Internal Revenue Service that it has failed to properly report
payments of interest or dividends, or |
|
|
|
|
fails to certify, under penalties of perjury, that it has furnished a correct
taxpayer identification number and that the Internal Revenue Service has not notified
the U.S. holder that it is subject to backup withholding. |
37
A U.S. holder that does not provide us with its correct taxpayer identification number may
also be subject to penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. Any amount paid as backup
withholding will be creditable against the U.S. holders U.S. federal income tax liability, if any,
and otherwise will be refundable, provided that the requisite procedures are followed.
You should consult your tax advisor regarding your qualification for an exemption from backup
withholding and information reporting and the procedures for obtaining such an exemption, if
applicable
Taxation of Tax-Exempt U.S. Holders
Based upon a published ruling by the Internal Revenue Service, a distribution by us to, and
gain upon a disposition of our equity stock by, a U.S. holder that is a tax-exempt entity will not
constitute unrelated business taxable income, or
UBTI, provided that the tax-exempt entity has not
financed the acquisition of its equity stock with acquisition indebtedness within the meaning of
the Code and the stock is not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business of the tax-exempt
entity. However, for tax-exempt U.S. holders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit
associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts and qualified group legal services plans
exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(l7) and (c)(20) of
the Code, respectively, income from an investment in us will constitute UBTI unless the
organization properly sets aside or reserves such amounts for purposes specified in the Code.
These tax-exempt U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisers concerning these set aside
and reserve requirements.
Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, however, a portion of the dividends paid by us may be
treated as UBTI to certain domestic private pension trusts if we are treated as a pension-held
REIT. We believe that we are not, and we do not expect to become, a pension-held REIT. If we
were to become a pension-held REIT, these rules generally would only apply to certain pension
trusts that held more than 10% of our shares.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders
The following is a discussion of certain anticipated U.S. federal income tax consequences of
the ownership and disposition of our equity stock applicable to non-U.S. holders of such shares.
The discussion is based on current law and is for general information only. The discussion
addresses only certain and not all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation. Special rules may
apply to certain non-U.S. holders such as controlled foreign corporations and passive foreign
investment companies. Such entities should consult their own tax advisors to determine the U.S.
federal, state, local and other tax consequences that may be relevant to them.
Distributions from the Company
1. Ordinary Dividends. The portion of dividends received by non-U.S. holders payable out of
our current and accumulated earnings and profits which are not attributable to capital gains and
which are not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. holder will be
subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (unless reduced by an applicable income tax
treaty). In general, non-U.S. holders will not be considered engaged in a U.S. trade or business
solely as a result of their ownership of our equity stock. In cases where the dividend income from
a non-U.S. holders investment in our equity stock is effectively connected with the non-U.S.
holders conduct of a U.S. trade or business (or, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable
to a U.S. permanent establishment of the non-U.S. holder), the non-U.S. holder generally will be
subject to U.S. tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. holders are taxed with respect
to such dividends (and may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the case of a corporate
non-U.S. holder).
2. Non-Dividend Distributions. Unless our stock constitutes a USRPI (as defined below),
distributions by us which are not paid out of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will
not be subject to U.S. income or withholding tax. If it cannot be determined at the time a
distribution is made whether or not such distribution will be in excess of current and accumulated
earnings and profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to
dividends. However, the non-U.S. holder may seek a refund of such amounts from the Internal
Revenue Service if it is subsequently determined that such distribution was, in fact, in excess of
our current and accumulated earnings and profits. If our equity stock constitutes a USRPI, a
distribution in excess of
38
current and accumulated earnings and profits will be subject to 10%
withholding tax and may be subject to additional taxation under FIRPTA (as defined below).
However, the 10% withholding tax will not apply to distributions already subject to the 30%
dividend withholding.
We expect to withhold U.S. federal income tax at the rate of 30% on the gross amount of any
distributions of ordinary income made to a non-U.S. holder unless (1) a lower treaty rate applies
and proper certification is provided or (2) the non-U.S. holder files an Internal Revenue Service
Form W-8ECI with us claiming that the distribution is effectively connected with the non-U.S.
holders conduct of a U.S. trade or business (or, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable
to a U.S. permanent establishment of the non-U.S. holder). However, the non-U.S. holder may seek a
refund of such amounts from the Internal Revenue Service if it is subsequently determined that such
distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits.
3. Capital Gain Dividends. Under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, or
FIRPTA, a distribution made by us to a non-U.S. holder, to the extent
attributable to gains, which we refer to as USRPI
Capital Gains, from dispositions of United States Real Property
Interests, or USRPIs, will be
considered effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. holder and therefore
will be subject to U.S. income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. holders, without regard to
whether such distribution is designated as a capital gain dividend. (The properties owned by us
generally are USRPIs.) Distributions subject to FIRPTA may also be subject to a 30% branch profits
tax in the hands of a corporate non-U.S. holder that is not entitled to treaty exemption.
Notwithstanding the preceding, distributions received on our equity stock, to the extent
attributable to USRPI Capital Gains, will not be treated as gain recognized by the non-U.S. holder
from the sale or exchange of a USRPI if (1) the class of our equity stock held by such non-U.S.
holder is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States and (2)
the non-U.S. holder did not own more than 5% of such class of shares at any time during the
one-year period ending on the date of the distribution. The distribution will instead be treated
as an ordinary dividend to the non-U.S. holder, and the tax consequences to the non-U.S. holder
will be as described above under Ordinary Dividends.
Distributions attributable to our capital gains which are not USRPI Capital Gains generally
will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation, unless (1) investment in our equity stock is
effectively connected with the non-U.S. holders U.S. trade or business (or, if an income tax
treaty applies, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the non-U.S. holder), in which
case the non-U.S. holder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. holders with respect to such
gain (except that a corporate non-U.S. holder may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax),
or (2) the non-U.S. holder is a non-resident alien individual who is present in the United States
for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are present, in which
case the non-resident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individuals U.S.
capital gain.
We generally will be required to withhold and remit to the Internal Revenue Service 35% of any
distributions to non-U.S. holders that are designated as capital gain dividends, or, if greater,
35% of a distribution that could have been designated as a capital gain dividend. Distributions
can be designated as capital gain dividends to the extent of our net capital gain for the taxable
year of the distribution. The amount withheld is creditable against the non-U.S. holders U.S.
federal income tax liability. This withholding will not apply to any amounts paid to a holder of
not more than 5% of a class of our equity stock while such class of stock is regularly traded on an
established securities market. Instead, those amounts will be treated as described above under Ordinary Dividends.
Disposition of Our Equity Stock. Unless our equity stock constitutes a USRPI, a sale of such
shares by a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation unless
(1) the investment in the equity stock is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holders U.S.
trade or business (or, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a U.S. permanent
establishment of the non-U.S. holder), or (2) the non-U.S. holder is a non-resident
alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable
year and certain other conditions are present.
Our equity stock will not constitute a USRPI if we are a domestically controlled REIT. A
domestically controlled REIT is a REIT in which, at all times during a specified testing period,
less than 50% in value of its shares is held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. holders. We
believe that we are, and we expect to continue to be, a domestically controlled REIT, and therefore
that the sale of our equity stock will not be subject to taxation under
39
FIRPTA. Because at least
some classes of our equity stock will be publicly traded, however, no assurance can be given that
we will continue to be a domestically controlled REIT.
Even if we do not constitute a domestically controlled REIT, a non-U.S. holders sale of our
equity stock generally will not be subject to tax under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI provided that
(1) the shares are regularly traded (as defined by applicable U.S. Treasury regulations) on an
established securities market and (2) the selling non-U.S holder held (taking into account
constructive ownership rules) 5% or less of our outstanding equity stock at all times during a
specified testing period. It is currently anticipated that our stock will, in the future, be
regularly traded on an established securities market within the meaning of this provision.
If gain on the sale of our equity stock were to be subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the
non-U.S. holder would be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. holder with respect to such gain
(subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of
non-resident alien individuals). In addition, the purchaser of the equity stock could be required
to withhold 10% of the purchase price and remit such amount to the Internal Revenue Service.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. Backup withholding will apply to dividend
payments made to a non-U.S. holder of our equity stock unless the holder has certified that it is
not a U.S. holder and the payor has no actual knowledge that the owner is not a non-U.S. holder.
Information reporting generally will apply with respect to dividend payments even if certification
is provided.
Payment of the proceeds from a disposition of our shares by a non-U.S. holder made to or
through the U.S. office of a broker is generally subject to information reporting and backup
withholding unless the holder or beneficial owner certifies that it is not a U.S. holder or
otherwise establishes an exemption. Generally, Internal Revenue Service information reporting and
backup withholding will not apply to a payment of disposition proceeds if the payment is made
outside the United States through a foreign office of a foreign broker-dealer. If the proceeds
from a disposition of our shares are paid to or through a foreign office of a U.S. broker-dealer or
a non-U.S. office of a foreign broker-dealer that is (i) a controlled foreign corporation for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, (ii) a person 50% or more of whose gross income from all sources
for a specified three-year period was effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, (iii) a
foreign partnership with one or more partners who are U.S. persons and who in the aggregate hold
more than 50% of the income or capital interest in the partnership, or (iv) a foreign partnership
engaged in the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, then backup withholding and
information reporting generally will apply unless the non-U.S. holder satisfies certification
requirements regarding its status as a non-U.S. holder and the broker-dealer has no actual
knowledge that the owner is not a non-U.S. holder.
A non-U.S. holder should consult its tax advisor regarding application of withholding and
backup withholding in its particular circumstance and the availability of and procedure for
obtaining an exemption from withholding and backup withholding under current U.S. Treasury
regulations.
Other Tax Considerations
Dividend Reinvestment Program
Stockholders participating in our common stock dividend reinvestment program are treated as
having received the gross amount of any cash distributions which would have been paid by us to such
Stockholders had they not elected to participate in the program. These distributions will retain
the character and tax effect applicable to distributions from us generally. Participants in the dividend reinvestment
program are subject to U.S. federal income and withholding tax on the amount of the deemed
distributions to the extent that such distributions represent dividends or gains, even though they
receive no cash. Shares of our common stock received under the program will have a holding period
beginning with the day after purchase, and a tax basis equal to their cost (which is the gross
amount of the distribution).
40
Possible Legislative or Other Actions Affecting Tax Considerations
Prospective investors should recognize that the present U.S. federal income tax treatment of
an investment in us may be modified by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time,
and that any such action may affect investments and commitments previously made. The rules dealing
with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the
legislative process and by the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Treasury Department, resulting
in revisions of regulations and revised interpretations of established concepts as well as
statutory changes. Revisions in U.S. federal tax laws and interpretations thereof could adversely
affect the tax consequences of an investment in us.
State and Local Taxes
We and our stockholders may be subject to state or local taxation in various jurisdictions,
including those in which we or they transact business or reside. The state and local tax treatment
of us and our stockholders may not conform to the U.S. federal income tax consequences discussed
above. Consequently, prospective stockholders should consult their own tax advisers regarding the
effect of state and local tax laws on an investment in our equity stock.
SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS
Information about selling securityholders, where applicable, will be set forth in a prospectus
supplement, in a post-effective amendment, or in filings we make with the SEC under the Exchange
Act which are incorporated by reference.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the offered securities on a delayed or continuous basis through one or more
agents, underwriters or dealers, directly to one or more purchasers, through a combination of any
of these methods of sale, or in any other manner, as provided in the applicable prospectus
supplement. This prospectus may also be used to offer any of these
securities for the account of persons other than us as provided in
the applicable prospectus supplement. We will identify the specific plan of distribution, including any underwriters,
dealers, agents or direct purchasers and their compensation in a prospectus supplement.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933,
Section 21E of the Exchange Act, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements, by their nature, involve estimates, projections, goals, forecasts,
assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ
materially from those expressed in a forward-looking statement. Such forward-looking statements
include, without limitation, statements concerning property acquisitions and dispositions,
development activity and capital expenditures, capital raising activities, rent growth, occupancy
and rental expense growth. Examples of forward-looking statements also include statements regarding
our expectations, beliefs, plans, goals, objectives and future financial or other performance.
Words such as expects, anticipates, intends, plans, believes, seeks, estimates and
variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking
statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made; and,
except to fulfill our obligations under the United States securities laws, we undertake no
obligation to update any such statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which
it is made.
Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained
herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore we cannot assure
you that any of these statements included in this document or in the documents incorporated by
reference will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the
forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be
regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the results or conditions described in
such statements or our objectives and plans will be achieved.
41
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters with respect to the securities being offered hereby will be passed upon
for us by Morrison & Foerster LLP. Any agents or underwriters will be represented by their own
counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement.
EXPERTS
Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated
financial statements and schedule for the year ended December 31, 2004 included in our Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on November 15, 2005, and has audited managements assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004 included in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, as set forth in their reports,
which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement.
Our financial statements and schedule and managements assessment are incorporated by reference in
reliance on Ernst & Young LLPs reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
42
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
Set forth below are the expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, to be
incurred by the Registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being
registered. The amounts set forth below are estimated and subject to future contingencies.
|
|
|
|
|
Securities Act Registration Fee |
|
|
|
* |
Legal Fees and Expenses |
|
$ |
75,000 |
|
Printing Expenses |
|
|
10,000 |
|
Accounting Fees and Expenses |
|
|
75,000 |
|
Miscellaneous |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
165,000 |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Deferred in accordance with Rule 456(b) and 457(r), except for $111,860 that has already been paid
with respect to $882,877,580 aggregate initial offering price of securities that were previously
registered pursuant to Registration Statement No. 333-115696, filed by us on May 20, 2004, and were
not sold thereunder. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Our articles of incorporation and bylaws provide for indemnification of directors and officers
to the full extent permitted by the laws of the State of Maryland.
Section 2-418 of the Maryland General Corporation Law generally permits indemnification of any
director or officer made a party to any proceedings by reason of service as a director or officer
unless it is established that (i) the act or omission of such person was material to the matter
giving rise to the proceeding and was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and
deliberate dishonesty; or (ii) such person actually received an improper personal benefit in money,
property or services; or (iii) in the case of any criminal proceeding, such person had reasonable
cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. The indemnity may be against judgments,
penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by the director or officer
in connection with the proceeding; provided, however, that if the proceeding is one by or in the
right of the corporation, indemnification is not permitted with respect to any proceeding in which
the director or officer has been adjudged to be liable to the corporation. The termination of any
proceeding by conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or upon an entry of
an order of probation prior to judgment, creates a rebuttable presumption that the director or
officer did not meet the requisite standard of conduct required for permitted indemnification. The
termination of any proceeding by judgment, order or settlement, however, does not create a
presumption that the director or officer failed to meet the requisite standard of conduct for
permitted indemnification.
If the person involved is not a director or officer of the Company, the Board of Directors may
cause the Company to indemnify to the same extent allowed for directors and officers of the Company
the person who was or is a party to a proceeding, by reason of the fact that he is or was an
employee or agent of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee
benefit plan or other enterprise.
The above discussion of our articles of incorporation and bylaws and of the Maryland General
Corporation Law is not intended to be exhaustive and is qualified in its entirety by such articles,
bylaws and statutes.
II-1
Item 16. Exhibits.
|
|
|
Exhibit No. |
|
Description |
1.1
|
|
Form of Underwriting Agreement.* |
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
Articles of Restatement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.09 to
the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 27, 2005 and filed
with the SEC on August 1, 2005 (Commission File No. 1-10524)). |
|
|
|
4.2
|
|
Amended and Restated Bylaws (as amended through May 4, 2004)
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.02 to the Companys Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 (Commission
File No. 1-10524)). |
|
|
|
4.3
|
|
Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.1 to the Companys Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A dated and
filed with the SEC on November 7, 2005 (Commission File No. 1-10524)). |
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
First Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated as of September 14,
1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(i)(d)(A) to the Companys
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999
(Commission File No. 1-10524)). |
|
|
|
4.5
|
|
Form of Rights Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(e)
to the Companys Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated and filed
with the SEC on February 4, 1998). |
|
|
|
4.6
|
|
Senior Indenture dated as of November 1, 1995 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4(ii)(h)(1) to the Companys Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996 (Commission File No.
1-10524)). |
|
|
|
4.7
|
|
Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 11, 2003 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.03 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K
dated June 17, 2004 and filed with the SEC on June 18, 2004 (Commission
File No. 1-10524)). |
|
|
|
4.8
|
|
Subordinated Indenture dated as of August 1, 1994 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4(i)(m) to the Companys Form S-3 Registration
Statement (Registration No. 33-64275) filed with the SEC on November
15, 1995). |
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
Form of Senior Debt Security (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4(i)(n) to the Companys Form S-3 Registration Statement (Registration
No. 33-64275) filed with the SEC on November 15, 1995.) |
|
|
|
4.10
|
|
Form of Subordinated Debt Security (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4(i)(o) to the Companys Form S-3 Registration Statement
(Registration No. 33-55159) filed with the SEC on August 19, 1994). |
|
|
|
4.11
|
|
Form of Preferred Stock Certificate.* |
|
|
|
4.12
|
|
Form of Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate.* |
|
|
|
4.13
|
|
Form of Purchase Contract.* |
|
|
|
4.14
|
|
Form of Unit Agreement and Unit Certificate.* |
|
|
|
4.15
|
|
Indenture dated December 19, 2005, between United Dominion Realty
Trust, Inc. and SunTrust Bank, as the Trustee, including the form of
4.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2035 (incorporated by referenced to
Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K dated December
13, 2005 and filed with the SEC on December 19, 2005 (Commission File
No. 1-10524)). |
II-2
|
|
|
Exhibit No. |
|
Description |
5.1
|
|
Legality Opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP. |
|
|
|
8.1
|
|
Tax Opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP. |
|
|
|
12
|
|
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K
dated and filed with the Commission on November 15, 2005, and Exhibit
12 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 2005 (Commission File No. 1-10524)). |
|
|
|
23.1
|
|
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. |
|
|
|
23.2
|
|
Consent of Morrison & Foerster LLP (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1). |
|
|
|
24.1
|
|
Power of Attorney (included on page II-7 of this Registration Statement). |
|
|
|
25.1
|
|
Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of U.S. Bank National Association,
as Trustee under the Senior Indenture. |
|
|
|
25.2
|
|
Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of SunTrust Bank, as Trustee under
the Subordinated Indenture. |
|
|
|
25.3
|
|
Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of SunTrust Bank, as Trustee under
the Indenture dated December 19, 2005 relating to the Companys 4.00%
Convertible Senior Notes due 2035. |
|
|
|
* |
|
To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be
incorporated by reference herein in connection with the specified
offering of securities. |
Item 17. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective
date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof)
which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information
set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered
would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of
the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with
the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price
represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth
in the Calculation of Registration Fee table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not
apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs
is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by
reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to
Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement;
II-3
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to
be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any
purchaser:
(i) each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be
deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was
deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii) each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or
(b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering
made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the
information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be
part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form
of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of
securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for
liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such
date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to
the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or
prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or
deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part
of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior
to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration
statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such
document immediately prior to such effective date.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities
Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned
Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant
pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the
securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of
any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser
and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating
to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of
the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering
containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided
by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned
Registrant to the purchaser.
(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrants annual report pursuant
to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plans annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
II-4
registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
(c) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of
determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust
Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under
Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(d) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may
be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than for the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
II-5
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Highlands Ranch, State of
Colorado, on January 25, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UNITED DOMINION REALTY TRUST, INC. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Thomas W. Toomey
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas W. Toomey |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and President |
|
|
II-6
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes
and appoints Thomas W. Toomey and Christopher D. Genry, and each or either of them, his or her true
and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him
or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all
amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the
same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of
them, or their or his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof. This Power of Attorney may be signed in several counterparts.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Thomas W. Toomey
Thomas W. Toomey
|
|
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
|
|
January 25, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Christopher D. Genry
Christopher D. Genry
|
|
Executive Vice PresidentCorporate Strategy and
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
January 25, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Scott A. Shanaberger
Scott A. Shanaberger
|
|
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
|
|
January 25, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Robert C. Larson
Robert C. Larson
|
|
Chairman of the Board
|
|
January 25, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ James D. Klingbeil
James D. Klingbeil
|
|
Vice Chairman of the Board
|
|
January 25, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Eric J. Foss
Eric J. Foss
|
|
Director
|
|
January 25, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Robert P. Freeman
Robert P. Freeman
|
|
Director
|
|
January 25, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Jon A. Grove
Jon A. Grove
|
|
Director
|
|
January 25, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Thomas R. Oliver
Thomas R. Oliver
|
|
Director
|
|
January 25, 2006 |
II-7
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Lynne B. Sagalyn
Lynne B. Sagalyn
|
|
Director
|
|
January 25, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Mark J. Sandler
Mark J. Sandler
|
|
Director
|
|
January 25, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Robert W. Scharar
Robert W. Scharar
|
|
Director
|
|
January 25, 2006 |
II-8
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
Exhibit No. |
|
Description |
1.1
|
|
Form of Underwriting Agreement.* |
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
Articles of Restatement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.09 to the Companys Current Report
on Form 8-K dated July 27, 2005 and filed with the SEC on August 1, 2005 (Commission File No.
1-10524)). |
|
|
|
4.2
|
|
Amended and Restated Bylaws (as amended through May 4, 2004) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
3.02 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 (Commission
File No. 1-10524)). |
|
|
|
4.3
|
|
Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Companys
Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A dated and filed with the SEC on November 7, 2005 (Commission
File No. 1-10524)). |
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
First Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated as of September 14, 1999 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4(i)(d)(A) to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 1999 (Commission File No. 1-10524)). |
|
|
|
4.5
|
|
Form of Rights Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(e) to the Companys
Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated and filed with the SEC on February 4, 1998). |
|
|
|
4.6
|
|
Senior Indenture dated as of November 1, 1995 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(ii)(h)(1) to
the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996 (Commission File
No. 1-10524)). |
|
|
|
4.7
|
|
Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 11, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.03 to the
Companys Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 17, 2004 and filed with the SEC on June 18, 2004
(Commission File No. 1-10524)). |
|
|
|
4.8
|
|
Subordinated Indenture dated as of August 1, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(i)(m) to
the Companys Form S-3 Registration Statement (Registration No. 33-64275) filed with the SEC on
November 15, 1995). |
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
Form of Senior Debt Security (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(i)(n) to the Companys Form
S-3 Registration Statement (Registration No. 33-64275) filed with the SEC on November 15, 1995.) |
|
|
|
4.10
|
|
Form of Subordinated Debt Security (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(i)(o) to the Companys
Form S-3 Registration Statement (Registration No. 33-55159) filed with the SEC on August 19,
1994). |
|
|
|
4.11
|
|
Form of Preferred Stock Certificate.* |
|
|
|
4.12
|
|
Form of Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate.* |
|
|
|
4.13
|
|
Form of Purchase Contract.* |
|
|
|
4.14
|
|
Form of Unit Agreement and Unit Certificate.* |
|
|
|
4.15
|
|
Indenture dated December 19, 2005, between United Dominion Realty Trust, Inc. and SunTrust Bank,
as the Trustee, including the form of 4.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2035 (incorporated by
referenced to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 13, 2005 and
filed with the SEC on December 19, 2005 (Commission File No. 1-10524)). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit No. |
|
Description |
5.1
|
|
Legality Opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP. |
|
|
|
8.1
|
|
Tax Opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP. |
|
|
|
12
|
|
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to
the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K dated and filed with the Commission on November 15, 2005,
and Exhibit 12 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
2005 (Commission File No. 1-10524)). |
|
|
|
23.1
|
|
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. |
|
|
|
23.2
|
|
Consent of Morrison & Foerster LLP (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1). |
|
|
|
24.1
|
|
Power of Attorney (included on page II-7 of this Registration Statement). |
|
|
|
25.1
|
|
Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee under the
Senior Indenture. |
|
|
|
25.2
|
|
Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of SunTrust Bank, as Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture. |
|
|
|
25.3
|
|
Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of SunTrust Bank, as Trustee under the Indenture dated
December 19, 2005, relating to the Companys 4.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2035. |
|
|
|
* |
|
To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated by reference herein in connection with
the specified offering of securities. |