Sun Communities - 10-K annual report 2017

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

GENERAL

Sun Communities, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and all wholly-owned or majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries, including Sun Communities Operating Limited Partnership, a Michigan limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”) and Sun Home Services, Inc., a Michigan corporation (“SHS”) are referred to herein as the “Company,” “us,” “we,” and “our”. We are a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”).

We are a fully integrated real estate company which, together with our affiliates and predecessors, have been in the business of acquiring, operating, developing, and expanding manufactured housing (“MH”) and recreational vehicle (“RV”) communities since 1975. We lease individual parcels of land (“sites”) with utility access for placement of manufactured homes and RVs to our customers. We are also engaged through a taxable subsidiary, SHS, in the marketing, selling, and leasing of new and pre-owned homes to current and future residents in our communities. The operations of SHS support and enhance our occupancy levels, property performance and cash flows.

STRUCTURE OF THE COMPANY

The Operating Partnership is structured as an umbrella partnership REIT, or UPREIT. In 1993, we contributed our net assets to the Operating Partnership in exchange for the sole general partner interest in the Operating Partnership and the majority of all the Operating Partnership’s initial capital. We conduct substantially all of our operations through the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership owns, either directly or indirectly through other subsidiaries, all of our assets. This UPREIT structure enables us to comply with certain complex requirements under the federal tax rules and regulations applicable to REITs, and to acquire MH and RV communities in transactions that defer some or all of the sellers’ tax consequences. The financial results of the Operating Partnership and our other subsidiaries are consolidated in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The financial results include certain activities that do not necessarily qualify as REIT activities under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). We have formed taxable REIT subsidiaries, as defined in the Code, to engage in such activities. We use taxable REIT subsidiaries to offer certain services to our residents and engage in activities that would not otherwise be permitted under the REIT rules if provided directly by us or by the Operating Partnership. The taxable REIT subsidiaries include our home sales business, SHS, which provides manufactured home sales, leasing, and other services to current and prospective tenants of the Properties.

Under the partnership agreement, the Operating Partnership is structured to make distributions with respect to certain of the Operating Partnership units (“OP units”) at the same time that distributions are made to our common stockholders. The Operating Partnership is structured to permit limited partners holding certain classes or series of OP units to exchange those OP units for shares of our common stock (in a taxable transaction) and achieve liquidity for their investment.

As the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, we generally have the power to manage and have complete control over the conduct of the Operating Partnership’s affairs and all decisions or actions made or taken by us as the general partner pursuant to the partnership agreement are generally binding upon all of the partners and the Operating Partnership.

The various classes and series of OP units issued by the Operating Partnership rank as follows with respect to rights to the payment of distributions and the distribution of assets in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Operating Partnership:

Subject to certain limitations, the holder of each common OP unit at its option may convert such common OP unit at any time into one share of our common stock. Holders of common OP units are entitled to receive distributions from the Operating Partnership as and when declared by the general partner, provided that all accrued distributions payable on OP units ranking senior to the common OP units have been paid. The holders of common OP units generally receive distributions on the same dates and in amounts equal to the distributions paid to holders of our common stock.

Subject to certain limitations, at any time prior to January 1, 2024, the holder of each Aspen preferred OP unit at its option may convert such Aspen preferred OP unit into: (a) if the average closing price of our common stock for the preceding ten trading days is $68.00 per share or less, 0.397 common OP units, or (b) if the average closing price of our common stock for the preceding ten trading days is greater than $68.00 per share, the number of common OP units determined by dividing (i) the sum of (A) $27.00 plus (B) 25 percent of the amount by which the average closing price of our common stock for the preceding ten trading days exceeds $68.00 per share, by (ii) the average closing price of our common stock for the preceding ten trading days. The holders of Aspen preferred OP units are entitled to receive distributions not less than quarterly. Distributions on Aspen preferred OP units are generally paid on the same dates as distributions are paid to holders of common OP units. Each Aspen preferred OP unit is entitled to receive distributions in an amount equal to the product of (x) $27.00, multiplied by (y) an annual rate equal to the 10-year U.S. Treasury bond yield plus 239 basis points; provided, however, that the aggregate distribution rate shall not be less than 6.5 percent nor more than 9 percent. On January 2, 2024, we are required to redeem all Aspen preferred OP units that have not been converted to common OP units. In addition, we are required to redeem the Aspen preferred OP units of any holder thereof within five days after receipt of a written demand during the existence of certain uncured Aspen preferred OP unit defaults, including our failure to pay distributions on the Aspen preferred OP units when due and our failure to provide certain security for the payment of distributions on the Aspen preferred OP units. We may also redeem Aspen preferred OP units from time to time if we and the holder thereof agree to do so.

Subject to certain limitations, the holder of each Series A-1 preferred OP unit at its option may exchange such Series A-1 preferred OP unit at any time into approximately 2.4390 shares of our common stock (which exchange rate is subject to adjustment upon stock splits, recapitalizations, and similar events). The holders of Series A-1 preferred OP units are entitled to receive distributions not less than quarterly. Distributions on Series A-1 preferred OP units are generally paid on the last day of each quarter. Each Series A-1 preferred OP unit is entitled to receive distributions in an amount equal to the product of $100.00 multiplied by an annual rate equal to 6.0 percent. Series A-1 preferred OP units do not have any voting or consent rights on any matter requiring the consent or approval of the Operating Partnership’s limited partners.

Subject to certain limitations, the holder of each Series A-3 preferred OP unit at its option may exchange such Series A-3 preferred OP unit at any time into approximately 1.8605 shares of our common stock (which exchange rate is subject to adjustment upon stock splits, recapitalizations, and similar events). The holders of Series A-3 preferred OP units are entitled to receive distributions not less than quarterly. Each Series A-3 preferred OP unit is entitled to receive distributions in an amount equal to the product of $100.00 multiplied by an annual rate equal to 4.5 percent. Series A-3 preferred OP units do not have any voting or consent rights on any matter requiring the consent or approval of the Operating Partnership’s limited partners.

In connection with the issuance of our 6.5% Series A-4 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A-4 preferred stock”) in November 2014, the Operating Partnership created the Series A-4 preferred OP units as a new class of OP units. Series A-4 preferred OP units have economic and other rights and preferences substantially similar to those of the Series A-4 preferred stock, including rights to receive distributions at the same time and in the same amounts as distributions paid on Series A-4 preferred stock. Each Series A-4 preferred OP unit is exchangeable into approximately 0.4444 shares of common stock or common OP units (which exchange rate is subject to adjustment upon stock splits, recapitalizations, and similar events). The Operating Partnership issued Series A-4 preferred OP units to us in connection with our acquisition of a portfolio of MH communities from Green Courte Real Estate Partners, LLC and certain of their affiliated entities (collectively, the “Green Courte parties” or the “Green Courte entities”).

If certain change of control transactions occur or if our common stock ceases to be listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system, then at any time after November 26, 2019, we or the holders of shares of Series A-4 preferred stock and Series A-4 preferred OP units may cause all or any of those shares or units to be redeemed for cash at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) the greater of (x) the amount that the redeemed shares of Series A-4 preferred stock and Series A-4 preferred OP units would have received in such transaction if they had been converted into shares of our common stock immediately prior to such transaction, or (y) $25.00 per share, plus (ii) any accrued and unpaid distributions thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.

Series B-3 preferred OP units are not convertible. The holders of Series B-3 preferred OP units generally receive distributions on the last day of each quarter. Each Series B-3 preferred OP unit is entitled to receive distributions in an amount equal to the product of $100.00 multiplied by an annual rate equal to 8.0 percent.

Subject to certain limitations, (x) during the 90-day period beginning on each of the tenth through fifteenth anniversaries of the issue date of the applicable Series B-3 preferred OP units, (y) at any time after the fifteenth anniversary of the issue date of the applicable Series B-3 preferred OP units, or (z) after our receipt of notice of the death of the electing holder of a Series B-3 preferred OP unit, each holder of Series B-3 preferred OP units may require us to redeem such holder’s Series B-3 preferred OP units at the redemption price of $100.00 per unit. In addition, at any time after the fifteenth anniversary of the issue date of the applicable Series B-3 preferred OP units we may redeem, at our option, all of the Series B-3 preferred OP units of any holder thereof at the redemption price of $100.00 per unit. Series B-3 preferred OP units do not have any voting or consent rights on any matter requiring the consent or approval of the Operating Partnership’s limited partners.

During the three months ended December 31, 2017, we redeemed a total of 44,599 B-3 preferred OP units. At December 31, 2017, there were outstanding 10,800 Series B-3 preferred OP units which were issued on December 1, 2002, 24,751 Series B-3 preferred OP units which were issued on January 1, 2003, and 32,250 Series B-3 preferred OP units which were issued on January 5, 2004.

REAL PROPERTY OPERATIONS

An MH community is a residential subdivision designed and improved with sites for the placement of manufactured homes, related improvements, and amenities. Manufactured homes are detached, single‑family homes which are produced off‑site by manufacturers and installed on sites within the community. Manufactured homes are available in a wide array of designs, providing owners with a level of customization generally unavailable in other forms of multi-family housing developments.

Modern manufactured housing communities contain improvements similar to other garden‑style residential developments, including centralized entrances, paved streets, curbs, gutters, and parkways. In addition, these communities also often provide a number of amenities, such as a clubhouse, a swimming pool, shuffleboard courts, tennis courts, and laundry facilities.

An RV community is a resort or park designed and improved with sites for the placement of RVs for varied lengths of time. Properties may also provide vacation rental homes. RV communities include a number of amenities such as restaurants, golf courses, swimming pools, tennis courts, fitness centers, planned activities, and spacious social facilities.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Our community managers are overseen by John B. McLaren, our President and Chief Operating Officer, who has been in the manufactured housing industry since 1995, three Senior Vice Presidents of Operations and Sales, eight Divisional Vice Presidents and 35 Regional Vice Presidents. Each Regional Vice President is responsible for semi-annual market surveys of competitive communities, interaction with local manufactured home dealers, regular property inspections, and oversight of property operations and sales functions for seven to 14 properties.

Each district or community manager performs regular inspections in order to continually monitor the Property’s physical condition and to effectively address tenant concerns. In addition to a district or community manager, each district or property has on-site maintenance personnel and management support staff. We hold mandatory training sessions for all new property management personnel to ensure that management policies and procedures are executed effectively and professionally. All of our property management personnel participate in on-going training to ensure that changes to management policies and procedures are implemented consistently. We offer over 300 trainings including books, online courses, webinars and live sessions for our team members through our Sun University, which has led to increased knowledge and accountability for daily operations and policies and procedures.

HOME SALES AND RENTALS

SHS is engaged in the marketing, selling and leasing of new and pre-owned homes to current and future residents in our communities. Because tenants often purchase a home already on-site within a community, such services enhance occupancy and property performance. Additionally, because many of the homes on the Properties are sold through SHS, better control of home quality in our communities can be maintained than if sales services were conducted solely through third-party brokers.

REGULATIONS AND INSURANCE

MH and RV community properties are subject to various laws, ordinances and regulations, including regulations relating to recreational facilities such as swimming pools, clubhouses, and other common areas. We believe that each Property has the necessary operating permits and approvals.

Our management believes that the Properties are covered by adequate fire, property, business interruption, general liability, and (where appropriate) flood and earthquake insurance provided by reputable companies with commercially reasonable deductibles and limits. We maintain a blanket policy that covers all of our Properties. We have obtained title insurance insuring fee title to the Properties in an aggregate amount which we believe to be adequate. Claims made to our insurance carriers that are determined to be recoverable are classified in other receivables as incurred.

SITE LEASES OR USAGE RIGHTS

Typical tenant leases for MH sites are month-to-month or year-to-year, renewable upon the consent of both parties, or, in some instances, as provided by statute. Certain of our leases, mainly at our Florida and California properties, are tied to the consumer price index or other indices as they relate to rent increases. Generally, market rate adjustments are made on an annual basis. These leases are cancelable for non-payment of rent, violation of community rules and regulations or other specified defaults.

Please see the Risk Factors in Item 1A, and our accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto beginning on page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more detailed information.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and we intend that such forward-looking statements will be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. For this purpose, any statements contained in this filing that relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, trends or prospective events or developments and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts are deemed to be forward-looking statements. Words such as “forecasts,” “intends,” “intend,” “intended,” “goal,” “estimate,” “estimates,” “expects,” “expect,” “expected,” “project,” “projected,” “projections,” “plans,” “predicts,” “potential,” “seeks,” “anticipates,” “anticipated,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “will,” “designed to,” “foreseeable future,” “believe,” “believes,” “scheduled,” “guidance” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance, but involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific to the matters discussed in this filing. These risks and uncertainties may cause our actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to the risks disclosed under “Risk Factors” contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other filings with the SEC, such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to:

The market and economic conditions in our current markets generally, and specifically in metropolitan areas of our current markets, may significantly affect manufactured home occupancy or rental rates. Occupancy and rental rates, in turn, may significantly affect our revenues, and if our communities do not generate revenues sufficient to meet our operating expenses, including debt service and capital expenditures, our cash flow and ability to pay or refinance our debt obligations could be adversely affected. We derive significant amounts of our rental income from properties located in Florida, Michigan, Texas, and California.

Our income would also be adversely affected if tenants were unable to pay rent or if sites were unable to be rented on favorable terms. If we were unable to promptly relet or renew the leases for a significant number of the sites, or if the rental rates upon such renewal or reletting were significantly lower than expected rates, then our business and results of operations could be adversely affected. In addition, certain expenditures associated with each Property (such as real estate taxes and maintenance costs) generally are not reduced when circumstances cause a reduction in income from the Property. Furthermore, real estate investments are relatively illiquid and, therefore, will tend to limit our ability to vary our portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions.

The following factors, among others, may adversely affect the revenues generated by our communities:

Our Properties are located in developed areas that include other MH and RV community properties. The number of competitive MH and RV community properties in a particular area could have a material adverse effect on our ability to lease sites and increase rents charged at our Properties or at any newly acquired properties. We may be competing with others with greater resources and whose officers and directors have more experience than our officers and directors. In addition, other forms of multi‑family residential properties, such as private and federally funded or assisted multi-family housing projects and single‑family housing, provide housing alternatives to potential tenants of MH and RV communities.

Our ability to sell or lease manufactured homes may be affected by various factors, which may in turn adversely affect our profitability.

SHS operates in the manufactured home market offering manufactured home sales and leasing services to tenants and prospective tenants of our communities. The market for the sale and lease of manufactured homes may be adversely affected by the following factors:

Any of the above listed factors could adversely impact our rate of manufactured home sales and leases, which would result in a decrease in profitability.

The MH and RV markets can experience cycles of growth and downturn due to seasonality patterns. In the MH market, certain properties maintain higher occupancy during the summer months, while certain other properties maintain higher occupancy during the winter months. The RV market typically shows a decline in demand over the winter months, yet usually produces higher growth in the spring and summer months due to higher use by vacationers. Our results on a quarterly basis can fluctuate due to this cyclicality and seasonality.

We may not be able to integrate or finance our acquisitions and our acquisitions may not perform as expected.

We have acquired and intend to continue to acquire MH and RV properties on a select basis. Our acquisition activities and their success are subject to the following risks:

If any of the above risks occurred, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

In addition, we may acquire properties subject to liabilities and without any recourse, or with only limited recourse, with respect to unknown liabilities. As a result, if a liability were to be asserted against us based upon ownership of those properties, we might have to pay substantial sums to settle it, which could adversely affect our cash flow.

Increases in taxes and regulatory compliance costs may reduce our results of operations.

Costs resulting from changes in real estate laws, income taxes, service or other taxes, generally are not passed through to tenants under leases and may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Similarly, changes in laws increasing the potential liability for environmental conditions existing on properties or increasing the restrictions on discharges or other conditions may result in significant unanticipated expenditures, which would adversely affect our business and results of operations.

We may not be able to integrate or finance our expansion and development activities.

From time to time, we engage in the construction and development of new communities or expansion of existing communities, and may continue to engage in the development and construction business in the future. Our construction and development pipeline may be exposed to the following risks which are in addition to those risks associated with the ownership and operation of established MH and RV communities:

If any of the above risks occurred, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Rent control legislation may harm our ability to increase rents.

State and local rent control laws in certain jurisdictions may limit our ability to increase rents and to recover increases in operating expenses and the costs of capital improvements. Enactment of such laws has been considered from time to time in other jurisdictions. Certain Properties are located, and we may purchase additional properties, in markets that are either subject to rent control or in which rent-limiting legislation exists or may be enacted.

Legislative requirements can limit accessibility of affordable financing for potential manufactured home buyers.

Recent legislation impacting third party loan originators, consumer protection laws and lender requirements to investigate a borrower's creditworthiness may restrict access of affordable chattel financing to potential manufactured home buyers.

We may be subject to environmental liability.

Under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, an owner or operator of real estate is liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous substances at, on, under or in such property. Such laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous substances. The presence of such substances, or the failure to properly remediate such substances, may adversely affect the owner’s ability to sell or rent the property, to borrow using the property as collateral or to develop the property. Persons who arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous substances also may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of such substances at a disposal or treatment facility owned or operated by another person. In addition, certain environmental laws impose liability for the management and disposal of asbestos‑containing materials and for the release of such materials into the air. These laws may provide for third parties to seek recovery from owners or operators of real properties for personal injury associated with asbestos‑containing materials. In connection with the ownership, operation, management, and development of real properties, we may be considered an owner or operator of such properties and, therefore, are potentially liable for removal or remediation costs, and also may be liable for governmental fines and injuries to persons and property. When we arrange for the treatment or disposal of hazardous substances at landfills or other facilities owned by other persons, we may be liable for the removal or remediation costs at such facilities.

All of the Properties have been subject to a Phase I or similar environmental audit (which involves general inspections without soil sampling or ground water analysis) completed by independent environmental consultants. These environmental audits have not revealed any significant environmental liability that would have a material adverse effect on our business. These audits cannot reflect conditions arising after the studies were completed, and no assurances can be given that existing environmental studies reveal all environmental liabilities, that any prior owner or operator of a property or neighboring owner or operator did not create any material environmental condition not known to us, or that a material environmental condition does not otherwise exist as to any one or more Properties.

Losses in excess of our insurance coverage or uninsured losses could adversely affect our operating results and cash flow.

We have a significant concentration of properties in Florida and California, where natural disasters or other catastrophic events such as hurricanes or earthquakes could negatively impact our operating results and cash flows. We maintain comprehensive liability, fire, property, business interruption, general liability, and (where appropriate) flood and earthquake insurance, provided by reputable companies with commercially reasonable deductibles and limits. Certain types of losses including, but not limited to, riots or acts of war, may be either uninsurable or not economically insurable. In the event an uninsured loss occurs, we could lose both our investment in and anticipated profits and cash flow from the affected property. Any loss could adversely affect our ability to repay our debt.

FINANCING AND INVESTMENT RISKS

We are subject to the risks normally associated with debt financing, including the following risks:

If any of the above risks occurred, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

We may incur substantially more debt, which would increase the risks associated with our substantial leverage.

Despite our current indebtedness levels, we may incur substantially more debt in the future. If new debt is added to our current debt levels, an even greater portion of our cash flow will be needed to satisfy our debt service obligations. As a result, the related risks that we now face could intensify and increase the risk of a default on our indebtedness.

TAX RISKS

We may suffer adverse tax consequences and be unable to attract capital if we fail to qualify as a REIT.

We believe that since our taxable year ended December 31, 1994, we have been organized and operated, and intend to continue to operate, so as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code. Although we believe that we have been and will continue to be organized and have operated and will continue to operate so as to qualify for taxation as a REIT, we cannot be assured that we have been or will continue to be organized or operated in a manner to so qualify or remain so qualified. Qualification as a REIT involves the satisfaction of numerous requirements (some on an annual and quarterly basis) established under highly technical and complex Code provisions for which there are only limited judicial or administrative interpretations, and involves the determination of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within our control. In addition, frequent changes occur in the area of REIT taxation, which require us to continually monitor our tax status.

If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, our taxable income could be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates (including any applicable alternative minimum tax). Moreover, unless entitled to relief under certain statutory provisions, we also would be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost. This treatment would reduce our net earnings available for investment or distribution to stockholders because of the additional tax liability to us for the years involved. In addition, distributions to stockholders would no longer be required to be made.

Federal, state and foreign income tax laws governing REITs or the administrative interpretations of those laws may be amended at any time. Federal, state, and foreign tax laws are under constant review by persons involved in the legislative process, at the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and at various state and foreign tax authorities. Changes to tax laws, regulations, or administrative interpretations, which may be applied retroactively, could adversely affect us. We cannot predict whether, when, in what forms, or with what effective dates, the tax laws, regulations, and administrative interpretations applicable to us may be changed. Accordingly, we cannot assert that any such change will not significantly affect either our ability to qualify for taxation as a REIT or the income tax consequences to us.

In particular, new U.S. federal tax legislation enacted into law on December 22, 2017 informally titled the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) has made many major changes to the taxation of individuals and businesses.  There are a significant number of

technical issues and uncertainties with respect to the interpretation and application of the Tax Act, which may or may not be clarified by future guidance.  It is not possible to predict whether such clarifications will result in adverse consequences to the Company or its stockholders.  Stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to the effects of the Tax Act and to monitor future guidance issued with respect to the Tax Act and any other potential amendments to relevant tax laws.

We believe that the Operating Partnership has been organized as a partnership and will qualify for treatment as such under the Code. However, if the Operating Partnership is deemed to be a “publicly traded partnership,” it will be treated as a corporation instead of a partnership for federal income tax purposes unless at least 90 percent of its income is qualifying income as defined in the Code. The income requirements applicable to REITs and the definition of “qualifying income” for purposes of this 90 percent test are similar in most respects. Qualifying income for the 90 percent test generally includes passive income, such as specified types of real property rents, dividends, and interest. We believe that the Operating Partnership has and will continue to meet this 90 percent test, but we cannot guarantee that it has or will. If the Operating Partnership were to be taxed as a regular corporation, it would incur substantial tax liabilities, we would fail to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, and our ability to raise additional capital could be significantly impaired.

Our ability to accumulate cash may be restricted due to certain REIT distribution requirements.

In order to qualify as a REIT, we must distribute to our stockholders at least 90 percent of our REIT taxable income (calculated without any deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain) and to avoid federal income taxation, our distributions must not be less than 100 percent of our REIT taxable income, including capital gains. As a result of the distribution requirements, we do not expect to accumulate significant amounts of cash. Accordingly, these distributions could significantly reduce the cash available to us in subsequent periods to fund our operations and future growth.

As a REIT, we must pay a 100 percent penalty tax on certain payments that we receive if the economic arrangements between us and any of our TRSs are not comparable to similar arrangements between unrelated parties. The Internal Revenue Service may successfully assert that the economic arrangements of any of our inter-company transactions are not comparable to similar arrangements between unrelated parties.

The maximum federal tax rate for certain qualified dividends payable to domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates is 20 percent. Dividends payable by REITs, however, are generally not eligible for this reduced rate. Although this rule does not adversely affect the taxation of REITs or dividends paid by REITs, the more favorable rates applicable to regular qualified corporate dividends could cause investors who are individuals, trusts and estates to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less competitive than investments in stock of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the comparative value of the stock of REITs, including our common stock and preferred stock.

Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, REIT dividends (other than capital gain dividends and qualified dividends) received by non-corporate taxpayers may be eligible for a 20 percent deduction. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect of this change on their effective tax rate with respect to REIT dividends.

To remain qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy requirements and tests under the tax law concerning, among other things, the sources of our income, the nature and diversification of our assets, the amounts we distribute to our stockholders and the ownership of our stock. In order to meet these tests, we may be required to forego or limit attractive business or investment opportunities and distribute all of our net earnings rather than invest in attractive opportunities or hold larger liquid reserves. Therefore, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to operate solely to maximize profits.

Under Section 382 of the Code, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change” (generally defined as a greater than 50 percent change (by value) in its equity ownership over a rolling three-year period), the corporation’s ability to use its pre-ownership-change net operating loss carryforwards to offset its post-ownership-change income may be limited. We may experience ownership changes in the future. If an ownership change were to occur, we would be limited in the portion of net operating loss carryforwards that we could use in the future to offset taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

BUSINESS RISKS

Some of our directors and officers may have conflicts of interest with respect to certain related party transactions and other business interests.

We are dependent on the efforts of our executive officers, Gary A. Shiffman, John B. McLaren, Karen J. Dearing, and Jonathan M. Colman. The loss of services of one or more of these executive officers could have a temporary adverse effect on our operations. We do not currently maintain or contemplate obtaining any “key-man” life insurance on the Executive Officers.

Certain provisions in our governing documents may make it difficult for a third-party to acquire us.

The 9.8 percent ownership limit, as well as our ability to issue additional shares of common stock or shares of other stock (which may have rights and preferences over the common stock), may discourage a change of control of the Company and may also: (1) deter tender offers for the common stock, which offers may be advantageous to stockholders; and (2) limit the opportunity for stockholders to receive a premium for their common stock that might otherwise exist if an investor were attempting to assemble a block of common stock in excess of 9.8 percent of our outstanding shares or otherwise effect a change of control of the Company.

The power to issue preferred stock could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company even if a change in control were in the stockholders’ interest.

Subject to certain limitations, upon written notice to us, each holder of shares of Series A-4 preferred stock at its option may convert each share of Series A-4 preferred stock held by it for that number of shares of our common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing $25.00 by the then-applicable conversion price. The initial conversion price is $56.25, so initially each share of Series A-4 preferred stock is convertible into approximately 0.4444 shares of common stock. The conversion price is subject to adjustment upon various events. At our option, instead of issuing the shares of common stock to the converting holder of Series A-4 preferred stock as described above, we may make a cash payment to the converting holder with respect to each share of Series A-4 preferred stock the holder desires to convert equal to the fair market value of one share of our common stock. If, at any time after November 26, 2019, the volume weighted average of the daily volume weighted average price of a share of our common stock on the NYSE equals or exceeds 115.5 percent of the then prevailing conversion price for at least 20 trading days in a period of 30 consecutive trading days, then, within 10 days thereafter, upon written notice to the holders thereof, we may convert each outstanding share of Series A-4 preferred stock into that number of shares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing $25.00 by the then prevailing conversion price.

These features of the Series A-4 preferred stock may have the effect of inhibiting a third-party from making an acquisition proposal for the Company or of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of the Company under circumstances that otherwise could provide the holders of our common stock and preferred stock with the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-current market price or that stockholders may otherwise believe is in their best interests.

Certain provisions of Maryland law could inhibit changes in control, which may discourage third parties from conducting a tender offer or seeking other change of control transactions that could involve a premium price for our common stock or that our stockholders otherwise believe to be in their best interest.

Certain provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law, (“MGCL”), may have the effect of inhibiting a third-party from making a proposal to acquire us or of impeding a change of control under circumstances that otherwise could provide the holders of shares of our capital stock with the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price of such shares, including:

The provisions of the MGCL relating to business combinations do not apply, however, to business combinations that are approved or exempted by our Board of Directors prior to the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. As permitted by the statute, our Board of Directors has by resolution exempted Milton M. Shiffman, Robert B. Bayer, and Gary A. Shiffman, their affiliates and all persons acting in concert or as a group with the foregoing, from the business combination provisions of the MGCL and, consequently, the five-year prohibition and the supermajority vote requirements will not apply to business combinations between us and these persons. As a result, these persons may be able to enter into business combinations with us that may not be in the best interests of our stockholders without compliance by our Company with the supermajority vote requirements and the other provisions of the statute.

Also, pursuant to a provision in our bylaws, we have exempted any acquisition of our stock from the control share provisions of the MGCL. However, our Board of Directors may by amendment to our bylaws opt in to the control share provisions of the MGCL at any time in the future.

Additionally, Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL permits our Board of Directors, without stockholder approval and regardless of what is currently provided in our charter or bylaws, to elect to be subject to certain provisions relating to corporate governance that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of control of our company that might involve a premium to the market price of our common stock or otherwise be in our stockholders’ best interests. These provisions include a classified board; two-thirds vote to remove a director; that the number of directors may only be fixed by the Board of Directors; that vacancies on the board as a result of an increase in the size of the board or due to death, resignation or removal can only be filled by the board, and the director appointed to fill the vacancy serves for the remainder of the full term of the class of director in which the vacancy occurred; and a majority requirement for the calling by stockholders of special meetings. Other than a classified board, the filling of vacancies as a result of the removal of a director and a majority requirement for the calling by stockholders of special meetings, we are already subject to these provisions, either by provisions of our charter and bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8 or by reason of an election to be subject to certain provisions of Subtitle 8. In the future, our Board of Directors may elect, without stockholder approval, to make us subject to the provisions of Subtitle 8 to which we are not currently subject.

Our Board of Directors has power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws or make new bylaws, provided, however, that our stockholders may alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws and adopt new bylaws if any such alteration, repeal or adoption is approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of all votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Our investment and financing policies, and our policies with respect to certain other activities, including our growth, debt, capitalization, distributions, REIT status, and operating policies, are determined by our Board of Directors. Although the Board of Directors has no present intention to do so, these policies may be amended or revised from time to time at the discretion of the Board of Directors without notice to or a vote of our stockholders. Accordingly, stockholders may not have control over changes in our policies and changes in our policies may not fully serve the interests of all stockholders.

Based on the applicable conversion ratios then in effect, as of February 15, 2018, in the future we may issue to the limited partners of the Operating Partnership, up to approximately 2.7 million shares of our common stock in exchange for their OP units. The limited partners may sell such shares pursuant to registration rights, if available, or an available exemption from registration. As of February 15, 2018, options to purchase 3,000 shares of our common stock were outstanding under our equity incentive plans, and we currently have the authority to issue restricted stock awards or options to purchase up to an additional 1,351,843 shares of our common stock pursuant to our equity incentive plans. In addition, we entered into an At-the-Market Offering Sales Agreement in July 2017 to issue and sell shares of common stock. As of February 15, 2018, our Board of Directors had authorized us to sell an additional $420.0 million of common stock under this agreement. No prediction can be made regarding the effect that future sales of shares of our common stock or our other securities will have on the market price of shares.

One of the factors that may influence the price of our common stock in the public market will be the annual distributions to stockholders relative to the prevailing market price of the common stock. An increase in market interest rates may tend to make the common stock less attractive relative to other investments, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Our investments in and operations of Canadian properties are exposed to the effects of changes in the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates cannot always be predicted; as a result, substantial unfavorable changes in exchange rates could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

The U.S. interest rate environment, oil price fluctuations, uncertain tax and economic plans in the U.S. executive and legislative branches, and turmoil in emerging markets have created uncertainty and volatility in the U.S. and global economies. Continued economic uncertainty, both nationally and internationally, causes increased volatility in investor confidence thereby creating similar volatility in the availability of both debt and equity capital in the financial markets. The other risk factors presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K discuss some of the principal risks inherent in our business, including liquidity risks, operational risks, and credit risks, among others. Turbulence in financial markets accentuates each of these risks and magnifies their potential effect on us. If such volatility is experienced in future periods, there could be an adverse impact on our access to capital, stock price and our operating results.

Our business operations may not generate the cash needed to make distributions on our capital stock or to service our indebtedness, and we may adjust our common stock distribution policy.

Our ability to make distributions on our common stock and preferred stock, and payments on our indebtedness and to fund planned capital expenditures will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to make distributions on our common stock or preferred stock, to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs.

The decision to declare and pay distributions on shares of our common stock in the future, as well as the timing, amount and composition of any such future distributions, will be at the sole discretion of our Board of Directors in light of conditions then existing, including our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, debt maturities, the availability of debt and equity capital, applicable REIT and legal restrictions and the general overall economic conditions and other factors. Any change in our distribution policy could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

Our ability to pay distributions is limited by the requirements of Maryland law.

Our ability to pay distributions on our common stock and preferred stock is limited by the laws of Maryland. Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally may not make a distribution if, after giving effect to the distribution, the corporation would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business, or the corporation’s total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus, unless the corporation’s charter provides otherwise, the amount that would be needed, if the corporation were dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of stockholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution, provided, however, that a Maryland corporation may make a distribution from: (i) its net earnings for the fiscal year in which the distribution is made; (ii) its net earnings for the preceding fiscal year; or (iii) the sum of its net earnings for its preceding eight fiscal quarters even if, after such distribution, the corporation’s total assets would be less than its total liabilities. Accordingly, we generally may not make a distribution on our common stock or preferred stock if, after giving effect to the distribution, we would not be able to pay our debts as they become due in the usual course of business or, unless paid from one of the permitted sources of net earnings as described above, our total assets would be less than the sum of our total liabilities plus, unless the terms of such class or series of stock provide otherwise, the amount that would be needed to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of the holders of shares of any class or series of stock then outstanding, if any, with preferential rights upon dissolution senior to those of our common stock or currently outstanding preferred stock.

We may not be able to pay distributions upon events of default under our financing documents.

Some of our financing documents contain restrictions on distributions upon the occurrence of events of default thereunder. If such an event of default occurs, such as our failure to pay principal at maturity or interest when due for a specified period of time, we would be prohibited from making payments on our common stock and preferred stock.

Our share price could be volatile and could decline, resulting in a substantial or complete loss on our stockholders’ investment.

The stock markets, including the NYSE on which we list our common stock, have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. As a result, the market price of our common stock and preferred stock could be similarly volatile, and investors in our common stock and preferred stock may experience a decrease in the value of their shares, including decreases unrelated to our operating performance or prospects. The price of our common stock and preferred stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a number of factors, including:

Many of the factors listed above are beyond our control. Those factors may cause the market price of our common stock or preferred stock to decline significantly, regardless of our financial condition, results of operations and prospects. It is impossible to provide any assurance that the market price of our common stock or preferred stock will not fall in the future, and it may be difficult for holders to resell shares of our common stock or preferred stock at prices they find attractive, or at all. In the past, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in their stock price. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources.

Our Series A-4 preferred stock has not been rated.

We have not sought to obtain a rating for our Series A-4 preferred stock. No assurance can be given, however, that one or more rating agencies might not independently determine to issue such a rating or that such a rating, if issued, would not adversely affect the market price of the Series A-4 preferred stock. In addition, we may elect in the future to obtain a rating of the Series A-4 preferred stock, which could adversely affect the market price of such preferred stock. Ratings only reflect the views of the rating agency or agencies issuing the ratings and such ratings could be revised downward, placed on a watch list or withdrawn entirely at the discretion of the issuing rating agency if in its judgment circumstances so warrant. Any such downward revision, placing on a watch list or withdrawal of a rating could have an adverse effect on the market price of the Series A-4 preferred stock.

Security breaches and other disruptions could compromise our information and expose us to liability, which would cause our business and reputation to suffer.

In the ordinary course of our business, we collect and store sensitive data, including our proprietary business information and that of our tenants, clients and vendors, as well as personally identifiable information of our employees, in our facilities and on our

network. Despite our security measures, our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or breached due to employee error, malfeasance or other disruptions. Any such breach could compromise our network and the information stored there could be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen. Any such access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, disrupt our operations, damage our reputation, and cause a loss of confidence, which could adversely affect our business.

A significant interruption in our information technology systems could adversely affect our operations.

We rely intensively on information technology to account for tenant transactions, manage the privacy of tenant data, communicate internally and externally, and analyze our financial and operating results. We are dependent on continuous access to the Internet to use our cloud-based applications. Damage or failure to our information technology systems could adversely affect our results of operations as we may incur significant costs or data loss. We continually assess new and enhanced information technology solutions to manage risk of system failure or interruption.

Expanding social media platforms present new challenges.

Social media outlets continue to grow and expand, which presents us with new risks. Adverse content about the Company and our Properties on social media platforms could result in damage to our reputation or brand. Improper posts by employees or others could result in disclosure of confidential or proprietary information regarding our operations.

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

We believe that our Properties’ high amenity levels contribute to low turnover and generally high occupancy rates. All of the Properties provide residents with attractive amenities with most offering a clubhouse, a swimming pool, and laundry facilities. Many of the Properties offer additional amenities such as sauna/whirlpool spas, tennis courts, shuffleboard, basketball courts, and/or exercise rooms. Many RV communities offer incremental amenities including golf, pro shops, restaurants, zip lines, waterparks, watersports, and thematic experiences.

We have concentrated our communities within certain geographic areas in order to achieve economies of scale in management and operation. The Properties are principally concentrated in the Midwestern, Southern, Northeastern, Southeastern U.S. and Ontario, Canada. We believe that geographic diversification helps to insulate the portfolio from regional economic influences.