Annual Statements Open main menu

National Storage Affiliates Trust - Annual Report: 2016 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016
OR
¨

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 001-37351
National Storage Affiliates Trust
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 
Maryland
 
46-5053858
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

5200 DTC Parkway
Suite 200
Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
(720) 630-2600
(Registrant's telephone number including area code)
Title of each Class
 
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.01 par value per share
 
New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined by Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  x    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes  ¨    No  x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  x    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes  x    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. Yes  ¨    No  x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer
¨
 
Accelerated Filer
x
Non-accelerated Filer
¨
 
Smaller Reporting Company
¨
 
 
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common shares of beneficial interest of National Storage Affiliates Trust held by non-affiliates of National Storage Affiliates Trust was approximately $484.0 million as of June 30, 2016. As of February 27, 2017, 43,259,875 common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share, were outstanding.
 
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Portions of National Storage Affiliates Trust's definitive proxy statement to be issued in conjunction with National Storage Affiliates Trust's annual meeting of shareholders to be held May 25, 2017, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.



 
 
 
 
 
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Annual Report on Form 10-K of National Storage Affiliates Trust includes the results of operations and financial condition of National Storage Affiliates Trust and its consolidated subsidiaries (the "Company", "NSA," "we," "our", and "us") prior to the completion of the Company's initial public offering on April 28, 2015 and certain of its formation transactions, which occurred on or subsequent to April 28, 2015. As a result, the consolidated financial statements included in this report are not necessarily indicative of subsequent results of operations, cash flows or financial position of the Company.
 
 
 
 
 


1


NATIONAL STORAGE AFFILIATES TRUST
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
 
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Item
 
Page
PART I
1.
Business
1A.
Risk Factors
1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
2.
Properties
3.
Legal Proceedings
4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
 
 
 
PART II
5.
Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
6.
Selected Financial Data
7.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
9.
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
9A.
Controls and Procedures
9B.
Other Information
 
 
 
PART III
10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
11.
Executive Compensation
12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
 
 
 
PART IV
15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules



2

Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We make forward-looking statements in this report that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives. When we use the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "continue," "intend," "should," "may," or similar expressions, we intend to identify forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements contained in this report reflect our current views about future events and are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and changes in circumstances that may cause our actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement.
Statements regarding the following subjects, among others, may be forward-looking:
market trends in our industry, interest rates, the debt and lending markets or the general economy;
our business and investment strategy;
the acquisition of properties, including the ability of our acquisitions to achieve underwritten capitalization rates and our ability to execute on our acquisition pipeline;
the timing of acquisitions;
our relationships with, and our ability and timing to attract additional, participating regional operators ("PROs");
our ability to effectively align the interests of our PROs with us and our shareholders;
the integration of our PROs and their managed portfolios into the Company, including into our financial and operational reporting infrastructure and internal control framework;
our operating performance and projected operating results, including our ability to achieve market rents and occupancy levels, reduce operating expenditures and increase the sale of ancillary products and services;
our ability to access additional off-market acquisitions;
actions and initiatives of the U.S. federal, state and local government and changes to U.S. federal, state and local government policies and the execution and impact of these actions, initiatives and policies;
the state of the U.S. economy generally or in specific geographic regions, states or municipalities;
economic trends and economic recoveries;
our ability to obtain and maintain financing arrangements on favorable terms;
general volatility of the securities markets in which we participate;
changes in the value of our assets;
projected capital expenditures;
the impact of technology on our products, operations, and business;
the implementation of our technology and best practices programs (including our ability to effectively implement our integrated Internet marketing strategy);
changes in interest rates and the degree to which our hedging strategies may or may not protect us from interest rate volatility;
impact of and changes in governmental regulations, tax law and rates, accounting guidance and similar matters;
our ability to continue to qualify and maintain our qualification as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes ("REIT");
availability of qualified personnel;
the timing of conversions of each series of Class B common units of limited partner interest ("subordinated performance units") in NSA OP, LP (our "operating partnership") and subsidiaries of our operating partnership into Class A common units of limited partner interest ("OP units") in our operating partnership,


3

Table of Contents

the conversion ratio in effect at such time and the impact of such convertibility on our diluted earnings (loss) per share;
the risks of investing through joint ventures, including whether the anticipated benefits from a joint venture are realized or may take longer to realize than expected;
estimates relating to our ability to make distributions to our shareholders in the future; and
our understanding of our competition.
The forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account all information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements are not predictions of future events. These beliefs, assumptions, and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us. Readers should carefully review our financial statements and the notes thereto, as well as the section entitled "Business," "Risk Factors," "Properties," and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," described in Item 1, Item 1A, Item 2 and Item 7, respectively, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. New risks and uncertainties arise over time, and it is not possible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to, and do not intend to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
PART I
Item 1. Business
General
National Storage Affiliates Trust is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust organized in the state of Maryland on May 16, 2013. We have elected and we believe that we have qualified to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2015. We serve as the sole general partner of our operating partnership subsidiary, NSA OP, LP (our "operating partnership"), a Delaware limited partnership formed on February 13, 2013 to conduct our business, which is focused on the ownership, operation, and acquisition of self storage properties located within the top 100 metropolitan statistical areas ("MSAs") throughout the United States. As of December 31, 2016, we held ownership interests in and operated a geographically diversified portfolio of 448 self storage properties, located in 23 states, comprising approximately 27.6 million rentable square feet, configured in approximately 220,000 storage units. According to the 2017 Self-Storage Almanac, we are the sixth largest owner and operator of self storage properties in the United States based on number of properties, self storage units, and rentable square footage. We completed our initial public offering in the second quarter 2015 and our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NSA."
Our chairman and chief executive officer, Arlen D. Nordhagen, co-founded SecurCare Self Storage, Inc. in 1988 to invest in and manage self storage properties. While growing SecurCare to over 150 self storage properties, Mr. Nordhagen recognized a market opportunity for a differentiated public self storage REIT that would leverage the benefits of national scale by integrating multiple experienced regional self storage operators with local operational focus and expertise. We believe that his vision, which is the foundation of the Company, aligns the interests of our participating regional operators ("PROs"), with those of our public shareholders by allowing our PROs to participate alongside our shareholders in our financial performance and the performance of our PROs' "managed portfolios", which means, with respect to each PRO, the portfolio of properties that such PRO manages on our behalf. A key component of this strategy is to capitalize on the local market expertise and knowledge of regional self storage operators by maintaining the continuity of their roles as property managers.
We believe that our structure creates the right financial incentives to accomplish these objectives. We require our PROs to exchange the self storage properties they contribute to the Company for a combination of OP units and subordinated performance units in our operating partnership or subsidiaries of our operating partnership that issue units intended to be economically equivalent to the OP units and subordinated performance units issued by our operating partnership ("DownREIT partnerships"). OP units, which are economically equivalent to our common shares, create alignment with the performance of the Company as a whole. Subordinated performance units, which are linked to the performance of specific managed portfolios, incentivize our PROs to drive operating performance and support the sustainability of the operating cash flow generated by the self storage properties that they manage on our behalf. Because


4

Table of Contents

subordinated performance unit holders receive distributions only after portfolio-specific minimum performance thresholds are satisfied, subordinated performance units play a key role in aligning the interests of our PROs with us and our shareholders. Our structure thus offers PROs a unique opportunity to serve as regional property managers for their managed portfolios and directly participate in the potential upside of those properties while simultaneously diversifying their investment to include a broader portfolio of self storage properties. We believe our structure provides us with a competitive growth advantage over self storage companies that do not offer property owners the ability to participate in the performance and potential future growth of their managed portfolios.
We believe that our national platform has significant potential for continued external and internal growth. We seek to further expand our platform by continuing to recruit additional established self storage operators as well as opportunistically partnering with institutional funds and other institutional investors in strategic joint venture arrangements while integrating our operations through the implementation of centralized initiatives, including management information systems, revenue enhancement, and cost optimization programs. We are currently engaged in preliminary discussions with additional self storage operators and believe that we could add one to three additional PROs annually over the next three to five years. These additional operators will enhance our existing geographic footprint and allow us to enter regional markets in which we currently have limited or no market share.
Our PROs
The Company had seven PROs as of December 31, 2016: SecurCare Self Storage, Inc. and its controlled affiliates ("SecurCare"), Kevin Howard Real Estate Inc., d/b/a Northwest Self Storage and its controlled affiliates ("Northwest"), Optivest Properties LLC and its controlled affiliates ("Optivest"), Guardian Storage Centers LLC and its controlled affiliates ("Guardian"), Move It Self Storage and its controlled affiliates ("Move It"), Arizona Mini Storage Management Company d/b/a Storage Solutions and its controlled affiliates ("Storage Solutions"), and Hide-Away Storage Services, Inc. and its controlled affiliates ("Hide-Away"). In February 2017, we entered into definitive agreements with an affiliate of Shader Brothers Corporation d/b/a Personal Mini Storage ("Personal Mini") of Orlando, Florida, to add Personal Mini as the Company's eighth PRO, including a facilities portfolio management agreement with the Company and Personal Mini's key persons which is substantially similar to the facilities portfolio management agreement entered into by the Company and each of its other PROs and their key persons. To capitalize on their recognized and established local brands, our PROs continue to function as property managers for their managed portfolios under their existing brands (which include various brands in addition to those discussed below). Over the long-run, we may seek to brand or co-brand each location as part of NSA.
SecurCare, which is headquartered in Lone Tree, Colorado, has been operating since 1988 and is one of our PROs responsible for covering the west, mountain, midwest and southeast regions. SecurCare provided property management services to 185 of our properties located in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas as of December 31, 2016. SecurCare is currently managed by David Cramer, who has worked in the self storage industry for more than 18 years.
Northwest, which is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is our PRO responsible for covering the northwest region. Northwest provided property management services to 69 of our properties located in Oregon and Washington as of December 31, 2016. In January 2017, we acquired two additional properties in Oregon and Washington that Northwest will manage. Northwest is run by Kevin Howard, who founded the company over 30 years ago and is recognized in the industry for his successful track record as a self storage specialist in the areas of design and development, operations and property management, consultation, and brokerage.
Optivest, which is based in Dana Point, California, is one of our PROs responsible for covering New Hampshire and the southwest region. Optivest managed 39 of our properties located in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Texas as of December 31, 2016. Optivest is run by its co-founder, Warren Allan, who has more than 25 years of financial and operational management experience in the self storage industry and is recognized as a self storage acquisition and development specialist.
Guardian, which is based in Irvine, California, is one of our PROs responsible for covering portions of the southern California region and the Arizona market. Guardian managed 48 of our properties located in California and Arizona as of December 31, 2016. This operator is led by John Minar, who has over 30 years of self storage acquisition and operational management experience. Mr. Minar brings close to 40 years of real estate acquisition, rehabilitation, ownership, operations and development experience to the Company.


5

Table of Contents

Move It, which is based in Dallas, Texas, is one of our PROs responsible for covering certain portions of the Texas and southeast markets. Move It provided property management services to 22 of our properties located in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas as of December 31, 2016. In February 2017, we acquired one additional property in Texas that Move It will manage. This operator is led by its founder, Tracy Taylor, who has more than 40 years of experience in self storage development, acquisition and management, and is currently on the board of directors for the Large Owners Council of the Self Storage Association and is a former Chairman of the national Self Storage Association.
Storage Solutions, based in Chandler, Arizona, is our PRO responsible for covering most of the Arizona market. Storage Solutions managed four of our properties in Arizona as of December 31, 2016. In February 2017, we acquired one additional property in Arizona that Storage Solutions will manage. This operator is led by its founder, Bill Bohannan, who is one of the largest operators in Phoenix and has more than 35 years of self storage acquisition, development and management experience. Mr. Bohannan is recognized in the industry as a self storage acquisition, development and management specialist.
Hide-Away is our PRO responsible for covering the western Florida market. Based in Sarasota, Florida, Hide-Away managed 15 of our properties in western Florida as of December 31, 2016. In January 2017, we acquired one additional property in Florida that Hide-Away will manage.This operator is led by its founder, Steve Wilson, one of the early developers of the self storage business, who has served for more than 35 years as the President of Hide-Away and its related entities, and is a former Chairman of the national Self-Storage Association.
Personal Mini is our PRO responsible for covering portions of the central Florida market. Based in Orlando, Florida, Personal Mini is expected to manage five of our properties in central Florida. This operator is led by Marc Smith, an active self storage investor who has been involved in all facets of the self storage business. Mr. Smith is currently completing a six-year term on the national Self Storage Association board, where he served as Chairman of the board in 2016. Mr. Smith also previously served as president of the Southeast Region of the Self Storage Association.
We benefit from the local market knowledge and active presence of our PROs, allowing us to build and foster important customer and industry relationships. These local relationships provide attractive off-market acquisition opportunities that we believe will continue to fuel additional external growth. Newly acquired properties are integrated into our national platform and managed by our PROs.
We believe our structure allows our PROs to optimize their established property management platforms while addressing financial and operational hurdles. Before joining us, our PROs faced challenges in securing low cost capital and had to manage multiple investors and lending relationships, making it difficult to compete with larger competitors, including public REITs, for acquisition and investment opportunities. Our PROs were also limited in their ability to raise growth capital through the sale of assets, a portfolio refinancing, or capital contributions from new equity partners. Serving as our on-the-ground acquisition teams, our PROs now have access to our broader financing sources and lower cost of capital, while our national platform allows them to benefit from our economies of scale to drive operating efficiencies in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven industry.
Our Joint Venture
In September 2016, we entered into an agreement to form an unconsolidated real estate venture (the "Joint Venture") with a state pension fund (the "JV Investor") advised by Heitman Capital Management LLC to acquire and operate the "iStorage" facilities portfolio (the "JV Portfolio") for an aggregate consideration of approximately $630 million. The JV Portfolio consists of 66 properties containing approximately 4.5 million rentable square feet, configured in approximately 36,000 storage units and located across 12 states. Separately, we also agreed to acquire the property management platform related to the JV Portfolio, including a property management company, a captive insurance company, and related intellectual property for approximately $20 million.
On October 4, 2016, the Joint Venture completed its acquisition of the JV Portfolio and we completed our acquisition of the property management platform. The Joint Venture was financed with approximately $320 million in equity (an investment of approximately $80 million from the Company in exchange for a 25% ownership interest and approximately $240 million from the JV Investor in exchange for a 75% ownership interest) with the balance of the consideration funded using proceeds from a new debt financing by the Joint Venture. Both the Company and the JV Investor have also committed to fund up to $100 million of additional equity to fund future acquisitions by the Joint Venture.


6

Table of Contents

The following is a summary of the properties acquired in the unconsolidated JV Portfolio (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Number of
 
Number of
 
Rentable
 
 
State
 
Properties
 
Units
 
Square Feet
 
Fair Value
Florida
 
21

 
11,485

 
1,331,745

 
$
232,612

Alabama
 
11

 
4,032

 
591,030

 
61,450

New Jersey
 
10

 
7,520

 
925,410

 
124,849

California
 
9

 
5,832

 
802,176

 
95,952

Other(1)
 
15

 
6,704

 
868,607

 
115,137

Total(2)
 
66

 
35,573

 
4,518,968

 
$
630,000

(1) Other states in the unconsolidated real estate venture include Arizona, Georgia, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas and Virginia.
(2) The Company holds a 25% ownership interest in the unconsolidated JV Portfolio.
Acquisition and Disposition Activity
We acquired 107 consolidated self storage properties during the year ended December 31, 2016, and 58 consolidated self storage properties during the year ended December 31, 2015. We seek to own properties that are well located in high quality sub-markets with highly accessible street access and attractive supply and demand characteristics, providing our properties with strong and stable cash flows that are less sensitive to the fluctuations of the general economy. A complete listing of, and additional information about, our self storage properties is included in Item 2 of this Report. 
The following is a summary of our 2016 consolidated acquisition activity (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Number of
 
Number of
 
Rentable
 
 
State
 
Properties
 
Units
 
Square Feet
 
Fair Value
2016 Acquisitions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
California(1)
 
31

 
19,034

 
2,325,969

 
$
228,656

Florida
 
20

 
16,090

 
1,461,564

 
197,966

Indiana
 
14

 
7,854

 
1,009,695

 
79,885

Ohio
 
7

 
2,688

 
349,088

 
22,730

Louisiana
 
5

 
2,250

 
315,473

 
24,485

Oregon
 
5

 
2,219

 
299,162

 
34,553

New Hampshire
 
5

 
1,905

 
233,175

 
28,800

Oklahoma
 
4

 
1,678

 
252,690

 
20,999

Texas
 
3

 
1,501

 
192,886

 
11,400

Nevada
 
3

 
1,407

 
177,566

 
15,686

New Mexico
 
2

 
1,161

 
156,020

 
8,450

Arizona
 
2

 
1,100

 
146,400

 
17,100

Colorado
 
2

 
904

 
111,430

 
12,610

Georgia
 
2

 
683

 
111,929

 
8,847

Other(2)
 
2

 
1,226

 
173,187

 
9,204

Total
 
107

 
61,700

 
7,316,234

 
$
721,371

(1) In December 2016, we sold to an unrelated third party one of the properties we acquired in California.
(2) Self storage properties in other states acquired during the year ended December 31, 2016 include Alabama and Mississippi.


7

Table of Contents

The following is a summary of our 2015 consolidated acquisition activity (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Number of
 
Number of
 
Rentable
 
 
State
 
Properties
 
Units
 
Square Feet
 
Fair Value
2015 Acquisitions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
California
 
25

 
14,187

 
1,872,646

 
$
159,802

North Carolina
 
11

 
5,288

 
681,528

 
58,233

Louisiana
 
5

 
2,192

 
298,710

 
16,500

Arizona
 
4

 
2,024

 
222,788

 
23,270

Texas
 
3

 
1,054

 
155,889

 
10,050

South Carolina
 
2

 
724

 
96,780

 
6,694

Georgia
 
2

 
607

 
95,873

 
8,050

Florida
 
2

 
696

 
80,556

 
4,912

Other(1)
 
4

 
1,698

 
204,420

 
25,495

Total
 
58

 
28,470

 
3,709,190

 
$
313,006

(1) Self storage properties in other states acquired during the year ended December 31, 2015 include Kentucky, Oregon, New Hampshire, and Washington.
In December 2016, we sold to an unrelated party one of the self storage properties acquired as part of a larger portfolio of properties during the third quarter of 2016. The Company decided during the underwriting process to pursue the sale of certain properties following the portfolio acquisition. The gross sales price for the property sold was $4.9 million.
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe our unique PRO structure allows us to differentiate ourselves from other self storage operators, and the following competitive strengths enable us to effectively compete against our industry peers:
High Quality Properties in Key Growth Markets.    We held ownership interests in and operated a geographically diversified portfolio of 448 self storage properties, located in 23 states, comprising approximately 27.6 million rentable square feet, configured in approximately 220,000 storage units, as of December 31, 2016. Over 75% of our consolidated portfolio is located in the top 100 MSAs, based on our 2016 net operating income ("NOI"). We believe that these properties are primarily located in high quality growth markets that have attractive supply and demand characteristics and are less sensitive to the fluctuations of the general economy. Many of these markets have multiple barriers to entry against increased supply, including zoning restrictions against new construction and new construction costs that we believe are higher than our properties' fair market value. Furthermore, we believe that our significant size and the overall geographic diversification of our portfolio reduces risks associated with specific local or regional economic downturns or natural disasters.
Differentiated, Growth-Oriented Strategy Focused on Established Operators.    We are a self storage REIT with a unique structure that supports our differentiated external growth strategy. Our structure appeals to operators who are looking for access to growth capital while maintaining an economic stake in the self storage properties that each manages on the Company's behalf. These attributes entice operators to join the Company rather than sell their properties for cash consideration. Our strategy is to attract operators who are confident in the future performance of their properties and desire to participate in the growth of the Company. We are focused on recruiting established operators across the United States with a history of efficient property management and a track record of successful acquisitions. Our structure and differentiated strategy have enabled us to build a substantial captive pipeline from existing operators as well as potentially create external growth from the recruitment of additional PROs.
Integrated Platform Utilizing Advanced Technology for Enhanced Operational Performance and Best Practices.    Our national platform allows us to capture cost savings through integration and centralization, thereby eliminating redundancies and utilizing economies of scale across the property management platforms of our PROs. As compared to a stand-alone operator, our national platform has greater access to lower-cost capital, reduced Internet marketing costs per customer lead, discounted property insurance expense, and reduced overhead costs. In addition, the Company has sufficient scale for various centralized functions, including financial reporting, the operation of two


8

Table of Contents

call centers, expanding cell tower leasing, a national credit card processing program, marketing, information technology, legal support, and capital market functions, to achieve substantial cost savings over smaller, individual operators.
Our national platform utilizes advanced technology for our data warehouse program, Internet marketing (including through GoStorageUnits.com, which is owned by the Company), our centralized call center, financial and property analytic dashboards, revenue optimization analytics and expense management tools to enhance operational performance. These centralized programs, which are run through our Technology and Best Practices Group, are positively impacting our business performance, and we believe that they will continue to be a driver of organic growth going forward. We will utilize our Technology and Best Practices Group to help us benefit from the collective sharing of key operating strategies among our PROs in areas like human resource management, local marketing and operating procedures and building tenant insurance-related arrangements.
Aligned Incentive Structure with Shareholder Downside Protection.    Our structure promotes operator accountability as subordinated performance units issued to our PROs in exchange for the contribution of their properties are entitled to distributions only after those properties satisfy minimum performance thresholds. In the event of a material reduction in operating cash flow, distributions on our subordinated performance units will be reduced before or disproportionately to distributions on our common shares held by our common shareholders. In addition, we expect our PROs will generally co-invest subordinated equity in the form of subordinated performance units in each acquisition that they source from a third-party seller, and the value of these subordinated performance units will fluctuate with the performance of their managed portfolios. Therefore, our PROs are incentivized to select acquisitions that are expected to exceed minimum performance thresholds, thereby increasing the value of their subordinated equity stake. We expect that our shareholders will benefit from the higher levels of property performance that our PROs are incentivized to deliver.
Our Business and Growth Strategies
By capitalizing on our competitive strengths, we seek to increase scale, achieve optimal revenue-producing occupancy and rent levels, and increase long-term shareholder value by achieving sustainable long-term growth. Our business and growth strategies to achieve these objectives are as follows:
Maximize Property Level Cash Flow.    We strive to maximize the cash flows at our properties by leveraging the economies of scale provided by our national platform, including through the implementation of new ideas derived from our Technology and Best Practices Group. We believe that our unique PRO structure, centralized infrastructure and efficient national platform will enable us to achieve optimal market rents and occupancy, reduce operating expenses and increase the sale by our PROs of ancillary products and services, including tenant insurance, of which we receive a portion of the proceeds, truck rentals and packing supplies.
Acquire Built-in Captive Pipeline of Target Properties from Existing PROs.    We have an attractive, high quality potential acquisition pipeline (our "captive pipeline") of over 120 self storage properties valued at nearly $1.0 billion that we anticipate will drive our future growth. We consider a property to be in our captive pipeline if it (i) is under a management service agreement with one of our PROS, (ii) meets our property quality criteria, and (iii) is either required to be offered to us under the applicable facilities portfolio management agreement or a PRO has a reasonable basis to believe that the controlling owner of the property intends to sell the property in the next seven years.
Our PROs have management service agreements with all of the properties in our captive pipeline and hold controlling and non-controlling ownership interests in some of these properties. With respect to each property in our captive pipeline in which a PRO holds a controlling ownership interest, such PRO has agreed that it will not transfer (or permit the transfer of, to the extent possible) any interest in such self storage property without first offering or causing to be offered (if permissible) such interest to us. In addition, upon maturity of the outstanding mortgage indebtedness encumbering such property, so long as occupancy is consistent with or exceeds average local market levels, which we determine in our sole discretion, such PRO has agreed to offer or cause to be offered (if permissible) such interest to us. With respect to captive pipeline properties in which our PROs have a non-controlling ownership interest or no ownership interest, each PRO has agreed to use commercially reasonable good faith efforts to facilitate our purchase of such property. We preserve the discretion to accept or reject any of the properties that our PROs are required to, or elect to, offer (or cause to be offered) to us.
There can be no assurance as to whether we will acquire any of these properties or the actual timing of any such acquisitions. Each captive pipeline property is subject to additional due diligence and the determination by us to pursue the acquisition of the property. In addition, with respect to the captive pipeline properties in which our PROs have a


9

Table of Contents

non-controlling ownership interest or no ownership interest, the current owner of each property is not required to offer such property to us and there can be no assurance that we will acquire these properties.
Access Additional Off-Market Acquisition Opportunities.    Our PROs and their "on-the-ground" personnel have established an extensive network of industry relationships and contacts in their respective markets. Through these local connections, our PROs are able to access acquisition opportunities that are not publicly marketed or sold through auctions. Our structure incentivizes our PROs to source acquisitions in their markets from third-party sellers and consolidate these properties into the Company. Other public self storage companies generally have acquisition teams located at their central offices, which in many instances are far removed from regional and local markets. We believe our operators' networks and close familiarity with the other operators in their markets provide us clear competitive advantages in identifying and selecting attractive acquisition opportunities. Our PROs have sourced 145 acquisitions from third-party sellers comprising approximately 10.3 million rentable square feet as of December 31, 2016.
Recruit Additional New PROs in Target Markets.    We intend to continue to execute on our external growth strategy through additional acquisitions and contributions from future PROs in key markets. We believe there is significant opportunity for growth through consolidation of the highly fragmented composition of the market. We believe that future operators will be attracted to our unique structure, providing them with lower cost of capital, better economies of scale, and greater operational and overhead efficiencies while preserving their existing property management platforms. We intend to add additional PROs to complement our existing geographic footprint and to achieve our goal of creating a highly diversified nationwide portfolio of properties focused in the top 100 MSAs. When considering a PRO candidate, we consider various factors, including the size of the potential PRO's portfolio, the quality and location of its properties, its market exposure, its operating expertise, its ability to grow its business, and its reputation with industry participants.
Strategic Joint Venture Arrangements.    We intend to continue to opportunistically partner with institutional funds and other institutional investors to acquire attractive portfolios utilizing a promoted return structure. We believe there is significant opportunity for continued external growth by partnering with institutional investors seeking to deploy capital in the self storage industry. We intend to leverage the property management platform that we acquired during 2016 to provide property and asset management services for future strategic joint ventures, generating additional operating profits and third party fee income.
Our Financing Strategy
We expect to maintain a flexible approach in financing new property acquisitions. In general, we expect to fund our property acquisitions through a combination of borrowings under bank credit facilities (including term loans and revolving facilities), property-level debt, issuances of OP equity and public and private equity and debt issuances.
As of December 31, 2016, our unsecured credit facility provides for total borrowings of $725.0 million, consisting of three components: (i) a revolving line of credit (the "Revolver") which provides for a total borrowing commitment up to $400.0 million, whereby we may borrow, repay and re-borrow amounts under the Revolver, (ii) a $225.0 million tranche A term loan facility (the "Term Loan A"), and (iii) a $100.0 million tranche B term loan facility (the "Term Loan B" and together with the Revolver and the Term Loan A, the "credit facility"). As of December 31, 2016, we had the entire amounts drawn on Term Loan A and Term Loan B and we had $246.5 million of outstanding borrowings under the Revolver, and the capacity to borrow an additional $143.6 million under the Revolver while remaining in compliance with the credit facility's financial covenants.
As discussed in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, on February 8, 2017, we entered into a second increase agreement and amendment with a syndicated group of lenders to increase the total borrowing capacity under the credit facility by $170.0 million for a total credit facility of $895.0 million, which included entry into a new $105.0 million tranche C term loan facility (the "Term Loan C"). We continue to have an expansion option under the credit facility, which, if exercised in full, would provide for a total credit facility of $1.0 billion. References to the "credit facility" include Term Loan C for all dates as of and after February 8, 2017.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we also entered into a credit agreement with a syndicated group of lenders to make available a term loan facility (the "Term Loan Facility") that is separate from the credit facility in an aggregate amount of $100.0 million, which amount is currently outstanding. The Term Loan Facility matures in June 2023. The entire outstanding principal amount of, and all accrued but unpaid interest, is due on the maturity date. We have an expansion option under the Term Loan Facility, which, if exercised in full, would provide for a total Term Loan Facility in an aggregate amount of $200.0 million.


10

Table of Contents

The credit facility and the Term Loan Facility each contain the same financial covenants and customary affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, limit the Company's ability to make distributions or certain investments, incur debt, incur liens and enter into certain transactions.
We expect to employ leverage in our capital structure in amounts determined from time to time by our board of trustees. Although our board of trustees has not adopted a policy which limits the total amount of indebtedness that we may incur, it will consider a number of factors in evaluating our level of indebtedness from time to time, as well as the amount of such indebtedness that will be either fixed and variable-rate, and in making financial decisions, including, among others, the following:
the interest rate of the proposed financing;
the extent to which the financing impacts our flexibility in managing our properties;
prepayment penalties and restrictions on refinancing;
the purchase price of properties we acquire with debt financing;
our long-term objectives with respect to the financing;
our target investment returns;
the ability of particular properties, and the Company as a whole, to generate cash flow sufficient to cover expected debt service payments;
overall level of consolidated indebtedness;
timing of debt maturities;
provisions that require recourse and cross-collateralization;
corporate credit ratios including debt service coverage, debt to total market capitalization and debt to undepreciated assets; and
the overall ratio of fixed- and variable-rate debt.
Our indebtedness may be recourse, non-recourse or cross-collateralized. If the indebtedness is non-recourse, the collateral will be limited to the particular properties to which the indebtedness relates. In addition, we may invest in properties subject to existing loans secured by mortgages or similar liens on our properties, or may refinance properties acquired on a leveraged basis. We may use the proceeds from any borrowings to refinance existing indebtedness, to refinance investments, including the redevelopment of existing properties, for general working capital or for other purposes when we believe it is advisable.
Corporate Governance Profile
We have structured our corporate governance in a manner we believe closely aligns our interests with those of our shareholders. Notable features of our corporate governance structure include the following:
our board of trustees is not staggered, with each of our trustees subject to re-election annually; 
our board or trustees has determined that five of the eight persons who serve on our board of trustees are independent for purposes of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") corporate governance listing standards and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act; 
to avoid actual and perceived conflicts of interests between us and our PROs, certain decisions of our board of trustees must also be approved by a majority of our independent trustees; 
at least two of our trustees qualify as an "audit committee financial expert" as defined by the SEC; 
we have opted out of the control share acquisition statute in the Maryland General Corporation Law (the "MGCL") and have exempted from the business combinations statute in the MGCL transactions between us and (1) any other person, provided that the business combination is first approved by our board of trustees (including a majority of trustees who are not affiliates or associates of such person), (2) Arlen D. Nordhagen and any of his affiliates and associates and (3) any person acting in concert with the foregoing; 
we do not have a shareholder rights plan and our board of trustees has adopted a policy that our board may not adopt any shareholder rights plan unless the adoption of the plan has been approved by shareholders


11

Table of Contents

representing a majority of the votes cast on the matter by shareholders entitled to vote on the matter, except that our board of trustees may adopt a shareholder rights plan without the prior approval of our shareholders if our board, in the exercise of its duties, determines that seeking prior shareholder approval would not be in our best interests under the circumstances then existing. The policy further provides that if a shareholder rights plan is adopted by our board without the prior approval of our shareholders, the shareholder rights plan will expire on the date of the first annual meeting of shareholders held after the first anniversary of the adoption of the plan, unless an extension of the plan is approved by our common shareholders. 
we have opted out of the unsolicited takeover (Title 3, Subtitle 8) provisions of the MGCL (which we may not opt into without the approval of our shareholders).
In order to foster the highest standards of ethics and conduct in all business relationships, we have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics policy. This policy, which covers a wide range of business practices and procedures, applies to our officers, trustees, and employees. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available in the Corporate Governance section of our website at http://www.nationalstorageaffiliates.com/.
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
In the future, we may adopt a dividend reinvestment plan that will permit shareholders who elect to participate in the plan to have their cash dividends reinvested in additional common shares.
Regulation
General
Generally, self storage properties are subject to various laws, ordinances and regulations, including those relating to lien sale rights and procedures, public accommodations, insurance, and the environment. Changes in any of these laws, ordinances or regulations could increase the potential liability existing or created by tenants or others on our properties. Laws, ordinances, or regulations affecting development, construction, operation, upkeep, safety and taxation requirements may result in significant unanticipated expenditures, loss of self storage sites or other impairments to operations, which would adversely affect our cash flows from operating activities.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("the ADA"), all places of public accommodation are required to meet certain federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. For additional information on the ADA, see "Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Costs associated with complying with the ADA may result in unanticipated expenses."
Insurance activities are subject to state insurance laws and regulations as determined by the particular insurance commissioner for each state in accordance with the McCarran-Ferguson Act, as well as subject to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and the privacy regulations promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission pursuant thereto.
Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (the "CERCLA"), and comparable state laws, we may be required to investigate and remediate regulated hazardous materials at one or more of our properties. For additional information on environmental matters and regulation, see "Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Environmental compliance costs and liabilities associated with operating our properties may affect our results of operations."
Property management activities are often subject to state real estate brokerage laws and regulations as determined by the particular real estate commission for each state.
Changes in any of the laws governing our conduct including proposed changes to the U.S. tax laws by the Trump administration, could have an adverse impact on our ability to conduct our business or could materially affect our financial position, operating income, expense or cash flow.
REIT Qualification
We have elected and we believe that we have qualified to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the "Code"), commencing with our taxable year ended on December 31, 2015. We generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our net taxable income to the extent that we distribute annually all of our net taxable income to our shareholders and maintain our qualification as a REIT. We believe that we have been organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and we expect that our intended manner of operation will enable us to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. To qualify, and maintain our qualification, as a REIT, we must meet on a continuing basis,


12

Table of Contents

through our organization and actual investment and operating results, various requirements under the Code relating to, among other things, the sources of our gross income, the composition and values of our assets, our distribution levels and the diversity of ownership of our shares. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year and do not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates and may be precluded from qualifying as a REIT for the subsequent four taxable years following the year during which we failed to qualify as a REIT. Even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we still may be subject to some U.S. federal, state and local taxes on our income or assets. In addition, subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT, a portion of our business is conducted through, and a portion of our income is earned by, one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRSs"), which are subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax at regular rates. Distributions paid by us generally will not be eligible for taxation at the preferential U.S. federal income tax rates that currently apply to certain distributions received by individuals from taxable corporations, unless such distributions are attributable to dividends received by us from a TRS.
Competition
We compete with many other entities engaged in real estate investment activities for customers and acquisitions of self storage properties and other assets, including national, regional, and local owners, operators, and developers of self storage properties. We compete based on a number of factors including location, rental rates, security, suitability of the property's design to prospective tenants' needs, and the manner in which the property is operated and marketed. We believe that the primary competition for potential customers comes from other self storage properties within a three to five mile radius. We have positioned our properties within their respective markets as high-quality operations that emphasize tenant convenience, security, and professionalism.
We also may compete with numerous other potential buyers when pursuing a possible property for acquisition, which can increase the potential cost of a project. These competing bidders also may possess greater resources than us and therefore be in a better position to acquire a property. However, our use of OP units and subordinated performance units as transactional currency allows us to structure our acquisitions in tax-deferred transactions. As a result, potential targets who are tax-sensitive might favor us as a suitor.
Our primary national competitors in many of our markets for both tenants and acquisition opportunities include local and regional operators, institutional investors, private equity funds, as well as the other public self storage REITS, including Public Storage, Cubesmart, Extra Space Storage Inc. and Life Storage, Inc.  These entities also seek financing through similar channels to the Company. Therefore, we will continue to compete for institutional investors in a market where funds for real estate investment may decrease.
Employees
As of December 31, 2016, the Company had 195 employees, which includes employees of the Company's property management platform but does not include persons employed by our PROs. As of December 31, 2016, our PROs, collectively, had over 800 full-time and part-time employees involved in management, operations, and reporting with respect to our self storage property portfolio.
Available Information
We file registration statements, proxy statements, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those statements and reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Investors may obtain copies of these statements and reports by visiting the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549, by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330, or by accessing the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Our statements and reports and any amendments to any of those statements and reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable on our website at www.nationalstorageaffiliates.com. The information contained on our website is not incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NSA."


13

Table of Contents

Item 1A. Risk Factors
 An investment in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the following risk factors, together with the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. If any of the risks discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Risks Related to Our Business
Adverse economic or other conditions in the markets in which we do business and more broadly could negatively affect our occupancy levels and rental rates and therefore our operating results.
Our operating results are dependent upon our ability to achieve optimal occupancy levels and rental rates at our self storage properties. Adverse economic or other conditions in the markets in which we do business, particularly in our markets in California, Oregon, Texas, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Florida which accounted for approximately 25%, 17%, 12%, 8%, 7% and 6%, respectively, of our total rental and other property-related revenues for the year ended December 31, 2016, may lower our occupancy levels and limit our ability to maintain or increase rents or require us to offer rental discounts. No single customer represented a significant concentration of our 2016 revenues. The following adverse developments, among others, in the markets in which we do business may adversely affect the operating performance of our properties:
business layoffs or downsizing, industry slowdowns, relocation of businesses and changing demographics; 
periods of economic slowdown or recession, declining demand for self storage or the public perception that any of these events may occur; 
local or regional real estate market conditions, such as competing properties, the oversupply of self storage or a reduction in demand for self storage in a particular area; and 
perceptions by prospective tenants of the safety, convenience and attractiveness of our properties and the neighborhoods in which they are located.
We are also susceptible to the effects of adverse macro-economic events and business conditions that can result in higher unemployment, shrinking demand for products, large-scale business failures and tight credit markets. Our results of operations are sensitive to changes in overall economic conditions that impact consumer spending, including discretionary spending, as well as to increased bad debts due to recessionary pressures. Adverse economic conditions affecting disposable consumer income, such as employment levels, business conditions, interest rates, tax rates, fuel and energy costs, could reduce consumer spending or cause consumers to shift their spending to other products and services. A general reduction in the level of discretionary spending or shifts in consumer discretionary spending could adversely affect our growth and profitability.
We may not be successful in identifying and consummating suitable acquisitions, adding additional suitable new PROs, or integrating and operating such acquisitions, including integrating them into our financial and operational reporting infrastructure and internal control framework in a timely manner, which may impede our growth.
Our ability to expand through acquisitions is integral to our business strategy and requires us to identify suitable acquisition candidates or investment opportunities that meet our criteria and are compatible with our growth strategy. We may not be successful in identifying suitable properties or other assets that meet our acquisition criteria or in consummating acquisitions on satisfactory terms or at all. Failure to identify or consummate acquisitions will slow our growth, which could in turn adversely affect our share price.
For the potential acquisitions in our captive pipeline, we have not entered into negotiations with the respective owners of these properties and there can be no assurance as to whether we will acquire any of these properties or the actual timing of any such acquisitions. Each captive pipeline property is subject to additional due diligence and the determination by us to pursue the acquisition of the property. In addition, with respect to the captive pipeline properties in which our PROs have a non-controlling ownership interest or no ownership interest, the current owner of each property is not required to offer such property to us and there can be no assurance that we will acquire these properties.
Our ability to acquire properties on favorable terms and successfully integrate and operate them, including integrating them into our financial and operational reporting infrastructure in a timely manner, may be constrained by the following significant risks:


14

Table of Contents

we face competition from national (e.g., large public and private self storage companies, institutional investors and private equity funds), regional and local owners, operators and developers of self storage properties, which may result in higher property acquisition prices and reduced yields; 
we may not be able to achieve satisfactory completion of due diligence investigations and other customary closing conditions; 
we may fail to finance an acquisition on favorable terms or at all; 
we may spend more time and incur more costs than budgeted to make necessary improvements or renovations to acquired properties; 
we may experience difficulties in effectively integrating the financial and operational reporting systems of the properties or portfolios we acquire into (or supplanting such systems with) our financial and operational reporting infrastructure and internal control framework in a timely manner; and 
we may acquire properties subject to liabilities without any recourse, or with only limited recourse, with respect to unknown liabilities such as liabilities for clean-up of undisclosed environmental contamination, claims by persons dealing with the former owners of the properties and claims for indemnification by general partners, trustees, officers and others indemnified by the former owners of the properties.
We face competition for tenants.
We compete with many other entities engaged in real estate investment activities for tenants, including national, regional and local owners, operators and developers of self storage properties. Our primary national competitors for tenants in many of our markets are the large public and private self storage companies, institutional investors, and private equity funds. Actions by our competitors may decrease or prevent increases in the occupancy and rental rates, while increasing the operating expenses of our properties.
Rental revenues are significantly influenced by demand for self storage space generally, and a decrease in such demand would likely have a greater adverse effect on our rental revenues than if we owned a more diversified real estate portfolio.
Because our portfolio of properties consists primarily of self storage properties, we are subject to risks inherent in investments in a single industry. A decrease in the demand for self storage space would have a greater adverse effect on our rental revenues than if we owned a more diversified real estate portfolio. Demand for self storage space has been and could be adversely affected by ongoing weakness in the national, regional and local economies, changes in supply of, or demand for, similar or competing self storage properties in an area and the excess amount of self storage space in a particular market. To the extent that any of these conditions occur, they are likely to affect market rents for self storage space, which could cause a decrease in our rental revenue. Any such decrease could impair our operating results, ability to satisfy debt service obligations and ability to make cash distributions to our shareholders.
Increases in taxes and regulatory compliance costs may reduce our income and adversely impact our cash flows.
Increases in income or other taxes generally are not passed through to tenants under leases and may reduce our net income, funds from operations ("FFO"), cash flows, financial condition, ability to pay or refinance our debt obligations, ability to make cash distributions to shareholders, and the trading price of our securities. 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 could result in similar adverse effects.
Many states and jurisdictions are facing severe budgetary problems. Action that may be taken in response to these problems, such as changes to sales taxes or other governmental efforts, including mandating medical insurance for employees, could adversely impact our business and results of operations.
Our property taxes could increase due to various reasons, including a reassessment as a result of our contribution transactions, which could adversely impact our operating results and cash flow.
The value of our properties may be reassessed for property tax purposes by taxing authorities including as a result of our acquisition and contribution transactions. Accordingly, the amount of property taxes we pay in the future may increase substantially from what we have paid in the past. If the property taxes we pay increase, our operating results and cash flow would be adversely impacted, and our ability to pay any expected dividends to our shareholders could be adversely affected.


15

Table of Contents

Our storage leases are relatively short-term in nature, which exposes us to the risk that we may have to re-lease our units and we may be unable to do so on attractive terms, on a timely basis or at all.
Our storage leases are relatively short-term in nature, typically month-to-month, which exposes us to the risk that we may have to re-lease our units frequently and we may be unable to do so on attractive terms, on a timely basis or at all. Because these leases generally permit the tenant to leave at the end of the month without penalty, our revenues and operating results may be impacted by declines in market rental rates more quickly than if our leases were for longer terms. In addition, any delay in re-leasing units as vacancies arise would reduce our revenues and harm our operating results.
We face system security risks as we depend upon automated processes and the Internet.
We are increasingly dependent upon automated information technology processes and Internet commerce, and some of our new tenants come from the telephone or over the Internet. Moreover, the nature of our business involves the receipt and retention of personal information about our tenants. We also rely extensively on third-party vendors to retain data, process transactions and provide other systems services. These systems and our systems are subject to damage or interruption from power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, computer worms, viruses and other destructive or disruptive security breaches and catastrophic events, such as a natural disaster or a terrorist event or cyber-attack. In addition, experienced computer programmers may be able to penetrate our network security and misappropriate our confidential information, create system disruptions or cause shutdowns.
We may become subject to litigation or threatened litigation that may divert management's time and attention, require us to pay damages and expenses or restrict the operation of our business.
We may become subject to disputes with commercial parties with whom we maintain relationships or other parties with whom we do business. Any such dispute could result in litigation between us and the other parties. Whether or not any dispute actually proceeds to litigation, we may be required to devote significant management time and attention to its successful resolution (through litigation, settlement or otherwise), which would detract from our management's ability to focus on our business. Any such resolution could involve the payment of damages or expenses by us, which may be significant. In addition, any such resolution could involve our agreement with terms that restrict the operation of our business.
There are other commercial parties, at both a local and national level, that may assert that our use of our brand names and other intellectual property conflict with their rights to use brand names and other intellectual property that they consider to be similar to ours. Any such commercial dispute and related resolution would involve all of the risks described above, including, in particular, our agreement to restrict the use of our brand name or other intellectual property.
We also could be sued for personal injuries and/or property damage occurring on our properties. The liability insurance we maintain may not cover all costs and expenses arising from such lawsuits.
The acquisition of new properties that lack operating history with us will make it more difficult to predict our operating results.
With respect to acquisitions, if we fail to accurately estimate occupancy levels, rental rates, operating costs or costs of improvements to bring an acquired property up to the standards established for our intended market position, the performance of the property may be below expectations. Acquired properties may have characteristics or deficiencies affecting their valuation or profitability potential that we have not yet discovered. We cannot assure that the performance of properties acquired by us will increase or be maintained following our acquisition.


16

Table of Contents

Costs associated with complying with the ADA may result in unanticipated expenses.
Under the ADA, places of public accommodation are required to meet certain federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. These requirements became effective in 1992. A number of additional U.S. federal, state and local laws may also require modifications to our properties, or restrict certain further renovations of the properties, with respect to access thereto by disabled persons. Noncompliance with the ADA could result in the imposition of fines or an award of damages to private litigants and also could result in an order to correct any non-complying feature, which could result in substantial capital expenditures. If one or more of our properties is not in compliance with the ADA or other legislation, then we would be required to incur additional costs to bring the property into compliance. If we incur substantial costs to comply with the ADA or other legislation, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, per share trading price of our common shares and our ability to satisfy our debt service obligations and to make cash distributions to our shareholders could be adversely affected.
Environmental compliance costs and liabilities associated with operating our properties may affect our results of operations.
Under various U.S. federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, owners and operators of real estate may be liable for the costs of investigating and remediating certain hazardous substances or other regulated materials on or in such property. CERCLA and comparable state laws typically impose strict joint and several liabilities without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such substances or materials. The presence of such substances or materials, or the failure to properly remediate such substances, may adversely affect the owner's or operator's ability to lease, sell or rent such property or to borrow using such property as collateral. Persons who arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous substances or other regulated materials may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of such substances at a disposal or treatment facility, whether or not such facility is owned or operated by such person. Certain environmental laws impose liability for release of asbestos-containing materials into the air and third-parties may seek recovery from owners or operators of real properties for personal injury associated with asbestos-containing materials.
Certain environmental laws also impose liability, without regard to knowledge or fault, for removal or remediation of hazardous substances or other regulated materials upon owners and operators of contaminated property even after they no longer own or operate the property. Moreover, the past or present owner or operator from which a release emanates could be liable for any personal injuries or property damages that may result from such releases, as well as any damages to natural resources that may arise from such releases.
Certain environmental laws impose compliance obligations on owners and operators of real property with respect to the management of hazardous materials and other regulated substances. For example, environmental laws govern the management of asbestos-containing materials and lead-based paint. Failure to comply with these laws can result in penalties or other sanctions.
In connection with the ownership, operation and management of our current or past properties and any properties that we may acquire and/or manage in the future, we could be legally responsible for environmental liabilities or costs relating to a release of hazardous substances or other regulated materials at or emanating from such property. In order to assess the potential for such liability, we conduct an environmental assessment of each property prior to acquisition and manage our properties in accordance with environmental laws while we own or operate them. We have engaged qualified, reputable and adequately insured environmental consulting firms to perform environmental site assessments of all of our properties prior to acquisition and are not aware of any environmental issues that are expected to materially impact the operations of any property.
No assurances can be given that existing environmental studies with respect to any of our properties reveal all environmental liabilities, that any prior owner or operator of our properties 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 of our properties. There also exists the risk that material environmental conditions, liabilities or compliance concerns may have arisen after the review was completed or may arise in the future. Finally, future laws, ordinances or regulations and future interpretations of existing laws, ordinances or regulations may impose additional material environmental liability.


17

Table of Contents

We rely on our PROs' on-site personnel to maximize tenant satisfaction at each of our properties, and any difficulties they encounter in hiring, training and maintaining skilled on-site personnel may harm our operating performance.
Our PROs had over 800 personnel in the management and operation of our portfolio as of December 31, 2016. The general professionalism of site managers and staff are contributing factors to a site's ability to successfully secure rentals and retain tenants. We rely on our PROs' on-site personnel to maintain clean and secure self storage properties. If our PROs are unable to successfully recruit, train and retain qualified on-site personnel, the quality of service we and our PROs strive to provide at our properties could be adversely affected, which could lead to decreased occupancy levels and reduced operating performance of our properties.
We and certain of our PROs have tenant insurance- and/or tenant protection plan-related arrangements that are in some cases subject to state-specific governmental regulation, which may adversely affect our results.
We and certain of our PROs have tenant insurance- and/or tenant protection plan-related arrangements with regulated insurance companies and our tenants. Some of our PROs earn access fees and commissions in connection with these arrangements. We receive a portion of the fees and commissions from these PROs.. The tenant insurance and tenant protection plan businesses, including the payments associated with these arrangements, are in some cases subject to state-specific governmental regulation. State regulatory authorities generally have broad discretion to grant, renew and revoke licenses and approvals, to promulgate, interpret and implement regulations, and to evaluate compliance with regulations through periodic examinations, audits and investigations of the affairs of insurance industry participants. Although these arrangements are managed by our internal property management platform and/or certain of our PROs who have developed marketing programs and management procedures to navigate the regulatory environment, as a result of regulatory or private action in any jurisdiction in which we operate, we may be temporarily or permanently suspended from continuing some or all of our tenant insurance- and/or tenant protection plan-related activities, or otherwise fined or penalized or suffer an adverse judgment, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Privacy concerns could result in regulatory changes that may harm our business.
Personal privacy has become a significant issue in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Many jurisdictions in which we operate have imposed restrictions and requirements on the use of personal information by those collecting such information. Changes to law or regulations affecting privacy, if applicable to our business, could impose additional costs and liability on us and could limit our use and disclosure of such information.
Uninsured losses or losses in excess of our insurance coverage could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results and cash flow.
We maintain comprehensive liability, fire, flood, earthquake, wind (as deemed necessary or as required by our lenders), extended coverage and rental loss insurance with respect to our properties. Certain types of losses, however, may be either uninsurable or not economically insurable, such as losses due to earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, riots, acts of war or terrorism. Should an uninsured loss occur, we could lose both our investment in and anticipated profits and cash flow from a property. In addition, if any such loss is insured, we may be required to pay significant amounts on any claim for recovery of such a loss prior to our insurer being obligated to reimburse us for the loss, or the amount of the loss may exceed our coverage for the loss. As a result, our operating results may be adversely affected.
Illiquidity of real estate investments could significantly impede our ability to respond to adverse changes in the performance of our properties.
Because real estate investments are relatively illiquid, our ability to promptly sell one or more properties in our portfolio in response to changing economic, financial and investment conditions is limited. The real estate market is affected by many factors, such as general economic conditions, availability of financing, interest rates and other factors, including supply and demand, that are beyond our control. We cannot predict whether we will be able to sell any property for the price or on the terms set by us or whether any price or other terms offered by a prospective purchaser would be acceptable to us. We also cannot predict the length of time needed to find a willing purchaser and to close the sale of a property. In addition, we may be required to expend funds to correct defects or to make improvements before a property can be sold. We cannot assure you that we will have funds available to correct those defects or to make those improvements.
In acquiring a property, we may agree to transfer restrictions that materially restrict us from selling that property for a period of time or impose other restrictions, such as a limitation on the amount of debt that can be placed or repaid on that property. For example, we are party to certain agreements with our PROs that provide that, until March 31,


18

Table of Contents

2023, our operating partnership shall not, and shall cause its subsidiaries not to, sell, dispose or otherwise transfer any property that is a part of the applicable self storage property portfolio relating to a series of subordinated performance units without the consent of the partners (including us) holding at least 50% of the then outstanding OP units and the partners holding at least 50% of the then outstanding series of subordinated performance units that relate to the applicable property, except for sales, dispositions or other transfers of a property to wholly owned subsidiaries of our operating partnership. These restrictions may require us to keep certain properties that we would otherwise sell, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, cash flow and ability to execute our business plan.
Our performance and the value of our self storage properties are subject to risks associated with the real estate industry.
Events or conditions beyond our control that may adversely affect our operations or the value of our properties include but are not limited to:
downturns in the national, regional and local economic climate; 
local or regional oversupply, increased competition or reduction in demand for self storage space; 
vacancies or changes in market rents for self storage space; 
inability to collect rent from customers; 
increased operating costs, including maintenance, insurance premiums and real estate taxes; 
changes in interest rates and availability of financing; 
hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters, civil disturbances, terrorist acts or acts of war that may result in uninsured or underinsured losses; 
significant expenditures associated with acquisitions, such as debt service payments, real estate taxes, insurance and maintenance costs, which are generally not reduced when circumstances cause a reduction in revenues from a property; 
costs of complying with changes in laws and governmental regulations, including those governing usage, zoning, the environment and taxes; and 
the relative illiquidity of real estate investments.
In addition, prolonged periods of economic slowdown or recession, rising interest rates or declining demand for self storage space, or the public perception that any of these events may occur, could result in a general decline in rental revenues, which could impair our ability to satisfy our debt service obligations and to make distributions to our shareholders.
We may assume unknown liabilities in connection with the acquisition of self storage properties, which, if significant, could materially and adversely affect our operating results, financial condition and business.
The Company has acquired and plans to further acquire, through our operating partnership, additional self storage properties, or legal entities owning self storage properties, from third-party sellers or contributors that are subject to existing liabilities, some of which may be unknown at the time the sale or contribution is consummated. Unknown liabilities might include liabilities for cleanup or remediation of undisclosed environmental conditions, claims of tenants, vendors or other persons dealing with such entities, tax liabilities and accrued but unpaid liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business. As part of such transactions, these contributors make and have made limited representations and warranties to us regarding the entities, properties and other assets to be acquired by our operating partnership and generally agree to indemnify our operating partnership for 12 months after the closing of the consolidation for breaches of such representations. Because many liabilities may not be identified within such period, we may have no recourse against the contributors for such liabilities. Moreover, to the extent the contributors are or become PROs, we may choose not to enforce, or to enforce less vigorously, our rights against them due to our desire to maintain our ongoing relationship with our PROs, which could adversely affect our operating results and business. Any unknown or unquantifiable liability that we assume for which we have no or limited recourse could materially and adversely affect our operating results, financial condition and business.


19

Table of Contents

Our business could be harmed if key personnel terminate their employment with us.
Our success depends, to a significant extent, on the continued services of Arlen D. Nordhagen and Tamara D. Fischer and the other members of our senior management team. At the time of our initial public offering, Mr. Nordhagen and Ms. Fischer entered into new employment agreements with us. These employment agreements provide for an initial three-year term of employment for these executives. Notwithstanding these agreements, there can be no assurance that any of them will remain employed by us. The loss of services of one or more members of our senior management team could harm our business and our prospects.
Pursuant to the JOBS Act, we are eligible to take advantage of certain specified reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies for so long as we are an "emerging growth company."
We are an "emerging growth company" as defined in the JOBS Act and we are eligible to take advantage of certain specified reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies that are not "emerging growth companies" including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We may take advantage of these exemptions for up to five years or such earlier time that we are no longer an "emerging growth company." We would cease to be an "emerging growth company" if we have more than $1 billion in annual gross revenues, we have more than $700 million in market value of our shares held by non-affiliates, or we issue more than $1 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period. To the extent we continue taking advantage of any or all of these exceptions, we cannot predict if some investors will find our common shares less attractive. As a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common shares and our share price may be more volatile.
We invest in strategic joint ventures that subject us to additional risks.
Some of our investments may be structured as strategic joint ventures. Part of our strategy is to opportunistically partner with institutional funds and other institutional investors to acquire attractive portfolios through a promoted return structure. These arrangements are driven by the magnitude of capital required to complete the acquisitions and maintain the acquired portfolios. Such arrangements involve risks not present where a third party is not involved, including the possibility that partners or co-venturers might become bankrupt or otherwise fail to fund their share of required capital contributions. Additionally, partners or co-venturers might at any time have economic or other business interests or goals different from us.
Joint ventures generally provide for a reduced level of control over an acquired project because governance rights are shared with others. Accordingly, certain major decisions relating to joint ventures, including decisions relating to, among other things, the approval of annual budgets, sales and acquisitions of properties, financings, and certain actions relating to bankruptcy, are often made by a majority vote of the investors or by separate agreements that are reached with respect to individual decisions. In addition, such decisions may be subject to the risk that the partners or co-venturers may make business, financial or management decisions with which we do not agree or take risks or otherwise act in a manner that does not serve our best interests. Because we may not have the ability to exercise control over such operations, we may not be able to realize some or all of the benefits that we believe will be created from our involvement. At times, we and our partners or co-venturers may also each have the right to trigger a buy-sell arrangement, which could cause us to sell our interest, or acquire our partners' or co-venturers' interest, at a time when we otherwise would not have initiated such a transaction. If any of the foregoing were to occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could suffer as a result.
Risks Related to Our Structure and Our Relationships with Our PROs
Our management and PROs have limited experience operating under the Company's capital structure, and we may not be able to achieve the desired outcomes that the structure is intended to produce.
Our management and PROs have conducted their business under different capital structures and have limited experience operating under our capital structure. As a means of incentivizing our PROs to drive operating performance and support the sustainability of the operating cash flow from the properties they manage on our behalf, we issued each PRO subordinated performance units aimed at aligning the interests of our PROs with our interests and those of our shareholders. The subordinated performance units are entitled to distributions exclusively tied to the performance of


20

Table of Contents

each PRO's managed portfolios but only after minimum performance thresholds are satisfied. Our issuance of such units, however, may have been and could be based on inaccurate valuations and thus misallocated, which would limit or eliminate the effectiveness of our intended incentive-based program. Moreover, difficulties in aligning incentives and implementing our structure could allow a PRO to underperform without triggering our right to terminate the applicable facilities portfolio and asset management agreements and transfer management rights of the PRO to us (or a designee) or cause our management to be distracted from other aspects of our business, which could adversely affect our operating results and business.
We are restricted in making property sales on account of agreements with our PROs that may require us to keep certain properties that we would otherwise sell.
The partnership unit designations related to our subordinated performance units provide that, until March 31, 2023, our operating partnership may not sell, dispose or otherwise transfer any property that is a part of the applicable self storage property portfolio relating to a series of subordinated performance units without the consent of the partners (including us) holding at least 50% of the then outstanding OP units and the consent of partners holding at least 50% of the then outstanding series of subordinated performance units that relate to the applicable property, except for sales, dispositions or other transfers of a property to wholly owned subsidiaries of our operating partnership. This restriction may require us to keep certain properties that we would otherwise sell, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, cash flow and ability to execute our business plan. In addition, we may enter into agreements with future PROs that contain the same or similar restrictions or that impose such restrictions for different periods.
Our ability to terminate our facilities portfolio management agreements and asset management agreements with a PRO is limited, which may adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan.
We may elect to terminate our facilities portfolio management agreements and asset management agreements with a PRO and transfer property management responsibilities over the properties managed by such PRO to us (or our designee), (i) upon certain defaults by a PRO as set forth in these agreements, or (ii) if the PRO's properties, on a portfolio basis, fail to meet certain pre-determined performance thresholds for more than two consecutive calendar years or if the operating cash flow generated by the properties of the PRO for any calendar year falls below a level that will enable us to fund minimum levels of distributions, debt service payments attributable to the properties, and fund the properties' allocable operating expenses. Consequently, to the extent a PRO complies with these covenants, standards, and minimum requirements, we may not be able to terminate the applicable facilities portfolio management agreements and asset management agreements and transfer property management responsibilities over such properties even if our board of trustees believes that such PRO is not properly executing our business plan and/or is failing to operate its properties to their full potential. Moreover, transferring the management responsibilities over the properties managed by a PRO may be costly or difficult to implement or may be delayed, even if we are able to and believe that such a change in portfolio and property management would be beneficial to us and our shareholders.
We may less vigorously pursue enforcement of terms of agreements entered into with our PROs because of conflicts of interest with our PROs.
Our PROs are entities that have contributed or will contribute through contribution agreements, self storage properties, or legal entities owning self storage properties, to our operating partnership or DownREIT partnerships in exchange for ownership interests in our operating partnership or DownREIT partnerships. As part of each transaction, our PROs make and have made limited representations and warranties to our operating partnership regarding the entities, properties and other assets to be acquired by our operating partnership or DownREIT partnerships in the contribution and generally agree to indemnify our operating partnership for 12 months after the closing of the contribution for breaches of such representations. Such indemnification is limited, however, and our operating partnership is not entitled to any other indemnification in connection with the contributions. In addition, following each contribution from a PRO, the day-to-day operations of each of the managed properties will be managed by the PRO who was the principal of the applicable self storage property portfolios prior to the contribution. In addition, certain of our PROs are members of our board of trustees, members of our PRO advisory committee, or are executive officers of the Company. Consequently, we may choose not to enforce, or to enforce less vigorously, our rights under these agreements and any other agreements with our PROs due to our desire to maintain our ongoing relationship with our PROs, which could adversely affect our operating results and business.


21

Table of Contents

We own self storage properties in some of the same geographic regions as our PROs and may compete for tenants with other properties managed by our PROs.
Pursuant to the facilities portfolio management agreements with our PROs, each PRO has agreed that, without our consent, the PRO will not, and it will cause its affiliates not to, enter into any new agreements or arrangements for the management of additional self storage properties, other than the properties we are not acquiring and the properties each PRO contributes to our operating partnership. However, we have not and will not acquire all of the self storage properties of our PROs. We will therefore own self storage properties in some of the same geographic regions as our PROs, and, as a result, we may compete for tenants with our PROs. This competition may affect our ability to attract and retain tenants and may reduce the rental rates we are able to charge, which could adversely affect our operating results and business.
Our PROs may engage in other activities, diverting their attention from the management of our properties, which could adversely affect the execution of our business plan and our operating results.
Our PROs and their employees and personnel are in the business of managing self storage properties. We have agreed that our PROs may continue to manage properties not included in our portfolio, and our PROs are not obligated to dedicate any specific employees or personnel exclusively to the management of our properties. As a result, their time and efforts may be diverted from the management of our properties, which could adversely affect the execution of our business plan and our operating results.
When a PRO elects or is required to "retire" we may become exposed to new and additional costs and risks.
Under the facilities portfolio management agreements, after a two year period following the later of completion of our initial public offering or the initial contribution of their properties to us, a PRO may elect, or be required, to "retire" from the self storage business. Upon a retirement event, management of the properties will be transferred to us (or our designee) in exchange for OP units with a value equal to four times the average of the normalized annual EBITDA from the management contracts related to such PRO's managed portfolio over the immediately preceding 24-month period. As a result of this transfer, we may become exposed to new and additional costs and risks. Accordingly, the retirement of a PRO may adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
Our formation transactions and subsequent contribution transactions were generally not negotiated on an arm's-length basis and may not be as favorable to us as if they had been negotiated with unaffiliated third parties.
We did not conduct arm's-length negotiations with certain of the parties involved regarding the terms of the formation transactions and subsequent contribution transactions, including the contribution agreements, facilities portfolio management agreements, sales commission agreements, asset management agreements and registration rights agreements. In the course of structuring the formation transactions and subsequent contribution transactions, certain members of our senior management team and other contributors had the ability to influence the type and level of benefits that they received from us. Accordingly, the terms of the formation transactions and subsequent contribution transactions may not solely reflect the best interests of us or our shareholders and may be overly favorable to the other party to such transactions and agreements.
Our management has limited experience operating a REIT and operating a public company and therefore may have difficulty in successfully and profitably operating our business, or complying with regulatory requirements.
Our management has had limited experience operating a REIT and operating a public company. As a result, we cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully operate as a REIT, execute our business strategies as a public company, or comply with regulatory requirements applicable to public companies.
Conflicts of interest could arise with respect to certain transactions between the holders of OP units (including subordinated performance units), which include our PROs, on the one hand, and us and our shareholders, on the other.
Conflicts of interest could arise with respect to the interests of holders of OP units (including subordinated performance units), on the one hand, which include members of our senior management team, PROs, and trustees (including Arlen D. Nordhagen, our chief executive officer, president and chairman of the board of trustees) and us and our shareholders, on the other. In particular, the consummation of certain business combinations, the sale, disposition or transfer of certain of our assets or the repayment of certain indebtedness that may be desirable to us and our shareholders could have adverse tax consequences to such unit holders. In addition, our trustees and officers have duties to the Company under applicable Maryland law in connection with their management of the Company. At the same


22

Table of Contents

time, we have fiduciary duties, as a general partner, to our operating partnership and to the limited partners under Delaware law in connection with the management of our operating partnership. Our duties as a general partner to our operating partnership and its partners may come into conflict with the duties of our trustees and officers to the Company and our shareholders. The partnership agreement of our operating partnership does not require us to resolve such conflicts in favor of either the Company or the limited partners in our operating partnership. Further, there can be no assurance that any procedural protections we implement to address these or other conflicts of interest will result in optimal outcomes for us and our shareholders.
The partnership agreement of our operating partnership contains provisions that may delay, defer or prevent a change in control.
The partnership agreement of our operating partnership provides that subordinated performance unit holders holding more than 50% of the voting power of the subordinated performance units must approve certain change of control transactions involving us unless, as a result of such transactions, the holders of subordinated performance units are offered a choice (1) to allow their subordinated performance units to remain outstanding without the terms thereof being materially and adversely changed or the subordinated performance units are converted into or exchanged for equity securities of the surviving entity having terms and conditions that are substantially similar to those of the subordinated performance units (it being understood that we may not be the surviving entity and that the parent of the surviving entity or the surviving entity may not be publicly traded) or (2) to receive for each subordinated performance unit an amount of cash, securities or other property payable to a holder of OP units had such holder exercised its right to exchange its subordinated performance units for OP units without taking into consideration a specified conversion penalty associated with such an exchange. In addition, in the case of any such change of control transactions in which we have not received the consent of OP unit holders holding more than 50% of the OP units (other than those held by the Company or its subsidiaries) and of subordinated performance unit holders holding more than 50% of the voting power of the subordinated performance units (other than those held by the Company or its subsidiaries), such transaction is required to be approved by a companywide vote of limited partners holding more than 50% of our outstanding OP units in which OP units (including for this purpose OP units held by us and our subsidiaries) are voted and subordinated performance units (not held by us and our subsidiaries) are voted on an applicable as converted basis and in which we will be deemed to vote the OP units held by us and our subsidiaries in proportion to the manner in which all of our outstanding common shares were voted at a shareholders meeting relating to such transaction. These approval rights could delay, deter, or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for our common shares or otherwise be in the best interests of our shareholders.
We may change our investment and financing strategies and enter into new lines of business without shareholder consent, which may subject us to different risks.
We may change our business and financing strategies and enter into new lines of business at any time without the consent of our shareholders, which could result in our making investments and engaging in business activities that are different from, and possibly riskier than, the investments and businesses described in this document. A change in our strategy or our entry into new lines of business may increase our exposure to other risks or real estate market fluctuations.
Certain provisions of Maryland law could inhibit a change in our control.
Certain provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the "MGCL") applicable to a Maryland real estate investment trust may have the effect of inhibiting a third-party from making a proposal to acquire us or of impeding a change in our control under circumstances that otherwise could provide the holders of our common shares with the opportunity to realize a premium over the then prevailing market price of such shares. The "business combination" provisions of the MGCL, subject to limitations, prohibit certain business combinations between a REIT and an "interested shareholder" (defined generally as any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of our then outstanding voting shares or an affiliate or associate of ours who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of our then outstanding voting shares) or an affiliate thereof for five years after the most recent date on which the shareholder becomes an interested shareholder and, thereafter, imposes special appraisal rights and special shareholder voting requirements on these combinations. These provisions of the MGCL do not apply, however, to business combinations that are approved or exempted by the board of trustees of a REIT prior to the time that the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder. Pursuant to the statute, our board of trustees has by resolution exempted business combinations between us and (1) any other person, provided that the business combination is first approved by our board of trustees (including a majority of trustees who are not affiliates or associates of such person), (2) Arlen D. Nordhagen and any of his affiliates and associates and (3) any person acting in concert with the foregoing, from these provisions of the MGCL. As a result,


23

Table of Contents

such persons may be able to enter into business combinations with us that may not be in the best interests of our shareholders without compliance by us with the supermajority vote requirements and other provisions of the statute. This resolution, however, may be altered or repealed in whole or in part at any time. If this resolution is repealed, or our board of trustees does not otherwise approve a business combination, this statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.
The "control share" provisions of the MGCL provide that holders of "control shares" of a Maryland real estate investment trust (defined as voting shares which, when aggregated with all other shares controlled by the shareholder, entitle the shareholder to exercise one of three increasing ranges of voting power in the election of trustees) acquired in a "control share acquisition" (defined as the direct or indirect acquisition of ownership or control of issued and outstanding "control shares," subject to certain exceptions) have no voting rights with respect to such shares except to the extent approved by our shareholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding votes entitled to be cast by the acquirer of control shares, our officers and our trustees who are also our employees. Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of our shares. There can be no assurance that this provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future.
Our authorized but unissued common and preferred shares may prevent a change in our control.
Our declaration of trust authorizes us to issue additional authorized but unissued common shares and preferred shares. In addition, our board of trustees may, without common shareholder approval, increase the aggregate number of our authorized shares or the number of shares of any class or series that we have authority to issue and classify or reclassify any unissued common shares or preferred shares, and may set or change the preferences, rights and other terms of any unissued classified or reclassified shares. As a result, among other things, our board may establish a class or series of common shares or preferred shares that could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in our control that might involve a premium price for our common shares or otherwise be in the best interests of our shareholders.
Our rights and the rights of our shareholders to take action against our trustees and officers are limited, which could limit your recourse in the event of actions not in your best interest.
Our declaration of trust limits the liability of our present and former trustees and officers to us and our shareholders for money damages to the maximum extent permitted under Maryland law. Under current Maryland law, our present and former trustees and officers will not have any liability to us or our shareholders for money damages other than liability resulting from:
actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services; or 
active and deliberate dishonesty by the trustee or officer that was established by a final judgment and is material to the cause of action.
Our declaration of trust authorizes us to indemnify our present and former trustees and officers for actions taken by them in those capacities to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law. Our bylaws require us to indemnify each present and former trustee or officer, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, in connection with any proceeding to which he or she is made, or threatened to be made, a party to or witness in by reason of his or her service to us as a trustee or officer or in certain other capacities. In addition, we may be obligated to pay or reimburse the expenses incurred by our present and former trustees and officers without requiring a preliminary determination of their ultimate entitlement to indemnification. As a result, we and our shareholders may have more limited rights against our present and former trustees and officers than might otherwise exist absent the current provisions in our declaration of trust and bylaws or that might exist with other companies, which could limit your recourse in the event of actions not in your best interest.
Our declaration of trust contains provisions that make removal of our trustees difficult, which could make it difficult for our shareholders to effect changes to our management.
Our declaration of trust provides that, subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of preferred shares, a trustee may be removed with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of trustees. Vacancies on our board of trustees generally may be filled only by a majority of the remaining trustees in office, even if less than a quorum. These requirements make it more difficult to change our management by removing and replacing trustees and may prevent a change in our control that is in the best interests of our shareholders.


24

Table of Contents

Restrictions on ownership and transfer of our shares may restrict change of control or business combination opportunities in which our shareholders might receive a premium for their shares.
In order for us to qualify as a REIT for each taxable year, no more than 50% in value of our outstanding shares may be owned, directly or constructively, by five or fewer individuals during the last half of any calendar year, and at least 100 persons must beneficially own our shares during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate portion of a shorter taxable year. "Individuals" for this purpose include natural persons, private foundations, some employee benefit plans and trusts, and some charitable trusts. To assist us in preserving our REIT qualification, among other purposes, our declaration of trust generally prohibits, among other limitations, any person from beneficially or constructively owning more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our aggregate outstanding shares of all classes and series, the outstanding shares of any class or series of our preferred shares or our outstanding common shares. These ownership limits and the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our shares contained in our declaration of trust could have the effect of discouraging a takeover or other transaction in which holders of our common shares might receive a premium for their shares over the then prevailing market price or which holders might believe to be otherwise in their best interests. Our board of trustees has established an exemption from these ownership limits which permits one of our institutional investors to hold up to 15% of our common shares and another to hold up to 17% of our common shares.
Risks Related to Our Debt Financings
There are risks associated with our indebtedness.
As of December 31, 2016, our credit facility provides for total borrowings of $725.0 million, consisting of three components: (i) a Revolver which provides for a total borrowing commitment up to $400.0 million, whereby we may borrow, repay and re-borrow amounts under the Revolver, (ii) a $225.0 million Term Loan A, and (iii) a $100.0 million Term Loan B. As of December 31, 2016, we had the entire amounts drawn on Term Loan A and Term Loan B and we had $246.5 million of outstanding borrowings under the Revolver, and the capacity to borrow an additional $143.6 million under the Revolver while remaining in compliance with the credit facility's' financial covenants. As discussed in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, on February 8, 2017, we entered into a second increase agreement and amendment with a syndicated group of lenders to increase the total borrowing capacity under the credit facility by $170.0 million for a total credit facility of $895.0 million, which included entry into a new $105.0 million Term Loan C. We continue to have an expansion option under the credit facility, which, if exercised in full, would provide for a total credit facility of $1.0 billion. The exercise of the expansion option under our credit facility requires the consent of any lenders participating in such expansion.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we also entered into a credit agreement with a syndicated group of lenders to make available a Term Loan Facility that is separate from the credit facility in the aggregate amount of $100.0 million, which amount is currently outstanding. The Term Loan Facility matures in June 2023. The entire outstanding principal amount of, and all accrued but unpaid interest, is due on the maturity date. We have an expansion option under the Term Loan Facility, which, if exercised in full, would provide for a total Term Loan Facility in an aggregate amount of $200.0 million.
There is no assurance that we will succeed in securing expansions of our credit facility or Term Loan Facility.
Our level of debt and the limitations imposed on us by our debt agreements could have significant adverse consequences, including the following:
our cash flow may be insufficient to meet our required principal and interest payments; 
we may be unable to borrow additional funds as needed or on favorable terms, including to make acquisitions or to continue to make distributions required to maintain our qualification as a REIT; 
we may be unable to refinance our indebtedness at maturity or the refinancing terms may be less favorable than the terms of our original indebtedness; 
because a portion of our debt that bears interest at variable rates is not hedged, a material increase in interest rates could materially increase our interest expense; 
we may be forced to dispose of one or more of our properties, possibly on disadvantageous terms; 
our debt level could place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors with less debt; 


25

Table of Contents

we may experience increased vulnerability to economic and industry downturns, reducing our ability to respond to changing business and economic conditions; 
we may default on our obligations and the lenders or mortgagees may foreclose on our properties that secure their loans and receive an assignment of rents and leases; 
we may default on our obligations and the lenders or mortgagees may enforce our guarantees; 
we may violate restrictive covenants in our loan documents, which would entitle the lenders to accelerate our debt obligations; and 
our default under any one of our mortgage loans with cross-default or cross-collateralization provisions could result in a default on other indebtedness or result in the foreclosures of other properties.
Disruptions in the financial markets could affect our ability to obtain debt financing on reasonable terms or at all and have other adverse effects on us.
Uncertainty in the credit markets may negatively impact our ability to access additional debt financing or to refinance existing debt maturities on favorable terms (or at all), which may negatively affect our ability to make acquisitions. A downturn in the credit markets may cause us to seek alternative sources of potentially less attractive financing, and may require us to adjust our business plans accordingly. In addition, these factors may make it more difficult for us to sell properties or may adversely affect the price we receive for properties that we do sell, as prospective buyers may experience increased costs of debt financing or difficulties in obtaining debt financing.
We depend on external sources of capital that are outside of our control, which could adversely affect our ability to acquire or develop properties, satisfy our debt obligations and/or make distributions to shareholders.
We depend on external sources of capital to acquire properties, to satisfy our debt obligations and to make distributions to our shareholders required to maintain our qualification as a REIT, and these sources of capital may not be available on favorable terms, or at all. Our access to external sources of capital depends on a number of factors, including the market's perception of our growth potential and our current and potential future earnings and our ability to continue to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If we are unable to obtain external sources of capital, we may not be able to acquire properties when strategic opportunities exist, satisfy our debt obligations or make cash distributions to our shareholders that would permit us to qualify as a REIT or avoid paying tax on all of our net taxable income.
Increases in interest rates may increase our interest expense and adversely affect our cash flow and our ability to service our indebtedness and make cash distributions to our shareholders, and our decision to hedge against interest rate risk might not be effective.
As of December 31, 2016, we had approximately $879.0 million of debt outstanding, of which approximately $246.5 million, or 28.0%, is subject to variable interest rates (excluding variable-rate debt subject to interest rate swaps). Although the credit markets have recently experienced historic lows in interest rates, if interest rates continue to rise, the interest rates on our variable-rate debt could be higher than current levels, which could increase our financing costs and decrease our cash flow and our ability to pay cash distributions to our shareholders. For example, if market rates of interest on this variable-rate debt increased by 100 basis points (excluding variable-rate debt with interest rate swaps), the increase in interest expense would decrease future earnings and cash flows by approximately $2.5 million annually.
Although we have historically sought, and may in the future seek, to manage our exposure to interest rate volatility by using interest rate hedging arrangements, these arrangements may not be effective. Developing an effective interest rate risk strategy is complex and no strategy can completely insulate us from risks associated with interest rate fluctuations. Failure to hedge effectively against interest rate changes may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and ability to make cash distributions to our shareholders.
The terms and covenants relating to our indebtedness could adversely impact our economic performance.
Our credit facility and Term Loan Facility contain (and any new or amended facility we may enter into from time to time will likely contain) customary affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants that, among other things, cap our total leverage at 60% of our gross asset value (as defined in our credit facility and Term Loan Facility), require us to have a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.5 to 1, and require us to have a minimum net worth (as defined in our credit facility) of at least $682.6 million plus 75% of the net proceeds of equity issuances. In the event that we fail to satisfy our covenants, we would be in default under our credit agreements and may be required


26

Table of Contents

to repay such debt with capital from other sources. Under such circumstances, other sources of debt or equity capital may not be available to us, or may be available only on unattractive terms. Moreover, the presence of such covenants could cause us to operate our business with a view toward compliance with such covenants, which might not produce optimal returns for shareholders.
Risks Related to Our Qualification as a REIT
Our failure to qualify or remain qualified as a REIT would subject us to U.S. federal income tax and applicable state and local taxes, which would reduce the amount of operating cash flow to our shareholders.
We have elected and we believe that we have qualified to be taxed as a REIT commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2015. We have not requested, and do not intend to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"), that we qualify as a REIT. Qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex Code provisions and Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder for which there are limited judicial and administrative interpretations. The complexity of these provisions and of applicable Treasury Regulations is greater in the case of a REIT that, like us, holds its assets through partnerships, and judicial and administrative interpretations of the U.S. federal income tax laws governing REIT qualification are limited. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet, on an ongoing basis through actual operating results, various tests regarding the nature and diversification of our assets and our income, the ownership of our outstanding shares and the amount of our distributions. Our compliance with the REIT income and quarterly asset requirements also depends upon our ability to manage successfully the composition of our income and assets on an ongoing basis. Our ability to satisfy these asset tests depends upon our analysis of the characterization and fair market values of our assets, some of which are not susceptible to a precise determination, and for which we will not obtain independent appraisals. Moreover, new legislation, court decisions or administrative guidance may, in each case possibly with retroactive effect, make it more difficult or impossible for us to qualify as a REIT. Thus, while we believe that we have been organized and operated and we intend to operate so that we will continue to qualify as a REIT, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs, the ongoing importance of factual determinations and the possibility of future changes in our circumstances, no assurance can be given that we have qualified or will so qualify for any particular year. These considerations also might restrict the types of assets that we can acquire or services that we can provide in the future.
If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, and we do not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, we would be required to pay U.S. federal income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates, and distributions to our shareholders would not be deductible by us in determining our taxable income. In such a case, we might need to borrow money, sell assets, or reduce or even cease making distributions in order to pay our taxes. Our payment of income tax would reduce significantly the amount of operating cash flow to our shareholders. Furthermore, if we fail to maintain our qualification as a REIT, we no longer would be required to make distributions to our shareholders. In addition, unless we were eligible for certain statutory relief provisions, we could not re-elect to be taxed as a REIT until the fifth calendar year following the year in which we failed to qualify.
Even if we qualify as a REIT, we may face other tax liabilities that reduce our cash flow.
Even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain U.S. federal, state and local taxes on our income and assets, including taxes on any undistributed income, alternative minimum taxes, state or local income and property and transfer taxes, including real property transfer taxes. In addition, we could, in certain circumstances, be required to pay an excise or penalty tax (which could be significant in amount) in order to utilize one or more relief provisions under the Code to maintain our qualification as a REIT. Any of these taxes would decrease operating cash flow to our shareholders. In addition, in order to meet the REIT qualification requirements, or to avert the imposition of a 100% tax that applies to certain gains derived by a REIT from dealer property or inventory, we may hold some of our assets or provide certain services to our tenants through one or more TRSs, or other subsidiary corporations that will be subject to corporate-level income tax at regular corporate rates. Any TRSs or other taxable corporations in which we invest will be subject to U.S. federal, state and local corporate taxes. Furthermore, if we acquire appreciated assets from a corporation that is or has been a subchapter C corporation in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of such assets in our hands is less than the fair market value of the assets, determined at the time we acquired such assets, and if we subsequently dispose of any such assets during the 5-year period following the acquisition of the assets from the C corporation, we will be subject to tax at the highest corporate tax rates on any gain from the disposition of such assets to the extent of the excess of the fair market value of the assets on the date that we acquired such assets over the basis of such assets on such date, which we refer to as built-in gains. Payment of these taxes generally could materially


27

Table of Contents

and adversely affect our income, cash flow, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and prospects, and could adversely affect the value of our common shares and our ability to make distributions to our shareholders.
Failure to make required distributions would subject us to tax, which would reduce the operating cash flow to our shareholders.
In order to qualify as a REIT, we must distribute to our shareholders each calendar year at least 90% of our net taxable income (excluding net capital gain). To the extent that we satisfy the 90% distribution requirement, but distribute less than 100% of our net taxable income (including net capital gain), we would be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our undistributed net taxable income. In addition, we will incur a 4% non-deductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which our distributions in any calendar year are less than a minimum amount specified under U.S. federal income tax laws. Although we intend to distribute our net taxable income to our shareholders in a manner intended to satisfy the REIT 90% distribution requirement and to avoid the 4% non-deductible excise tax, it is possible that we, from time to time, may not have sufficient cash to distribute 100% of our net taxable income. There may be timing differences between our actual receipt of cash and the inclusion of items in our income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will be able to distribute net taxable income to shareholders in a manner that satisfies the REIT distribution requirements and avoids the 4% non-deductible excise tax.
To maintain our REIT qualification, we may be forced to borrow funds during unfavorable market conditions.
In order to maintain our REIT qualification and avoid the payment of income and excise taxes, we may need to borrow funds to meet the REIT distribution requirements even if the then prevailing market conditions are not favorable for these borrowings. These borrowing needs could result from, among other things, timing differences between the actual receipt of cash and inclusion of income for federal income tax purposes, or the effect of non-deductible capital expenditures, the creation of reserves or required debt or amortization payments. These sources, however, may not be available on favorable terms or at all. Our access to third-party sources of capital depends on a number of factors, including the market's perception of our growth potential, our current debt levels, the per share trading price of our common shares, and our current and potential future earnings. We cannot assure you that we will have access to such capital on favorable terms at the desired times, or at all, which may cause us to curtail our investment activities and/or to dispose of assets at inopportune times, and could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to pay distributions on, and the per share trading price of, our common shares.
Complying with the REIT requirements may cause us to forgo and/or liquidate otherwise attractive investments.
To qualify as a REIT, we must ensure that at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding certain amounts, is derived from certain real property-related sources, and at least 95% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding certain amounts, is derived from certain real property-related sources and passive income such as dividends and interest. In addition, we must ensure that, at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of our total assets consists of cash, cash items, U.S. government securities and qualified real estate assets. The remainder of our investment in securities generally cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities, securities of corporations that are treated as TRSs and qualified real estate assets) or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer (other than government securities, securities of corporations that are treated as TRSs and qualified real estate assets). In addition, in general, no more than 5% of the value of our assets can consist of the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities, securities of corporations that are treated as TRSs and qualified real estate assets), no more than 25% (20% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017) of the value of our total assets can be represented by securities of one or more TRSs and no more than 25% of the value of our assets can consist of debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs that are not otherwise secured by real property. If we fail to comply with these asset requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, we must correct the failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter or qualify for certain statutory relief provisions to avoid losing our REIT qualification and suffering adverse tax consequences.
To meet these tests, we may be required to take or forgo taking actions that we would otherwise consider advantageous. For instance, in order to satisfy the gross income or asset tests applicable to REITs under the Code, we may be required to forgo investments that we otherwise would make. Furthermore, we may be required to liquidate from our portfolio otherwise attractive investments. In addition, we may be required to make distributions to shareholders at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution. These actions could reduce our income and amounts available for distribution to our shareholders. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our investment performance.


28

Table of Contents

We may be subject to a 100% tax on income from "prohibited transactions," and this tax may limit our ability to sell assets or require us to restructure certain of our activities in order to avoid being subject to the tax.
We will be subject to a 100% tax on any income from a prohibited transaction. "Prohibited transactions" generally include sales or other dispositions of property (other than property treated as foreclosure property under the Code) that is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business by a REIT, either directly or indirectly through certain pass-through subsidiaries. The characterization of an asset sale as a prohibited transaction depends on the particular facts and circumstances.
The 100% tax will not apply to gains from the sale of inventory that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at regular corporate income tax rates.
Our TRSs will be subject to U.S. federal income tax and will be required to pay a 100% penalty tax on certain income or deductions if our transactions with our TRSs are not conducted on arm's length terms.
We may conduct certain activities (such as facilitating sales by our PROs of tenant insurance, of which we receive a portion of the proceeds, selling packing supplies and locks and renting trucks or other moving equipment) through one or more TRSs.
A TRS is a corporation other than a REIT in which a REIT directly or indirectly holds stock, and that has made a joint election with such REIT to be treated as a TRS. If a TRS owns more than 35% of the total voting power or value of the outstanding securities of another corporation, such other corporation will also be treated as a TRS. Other than some activities relating to lodging and health care properties, a TRS may generally engage in any business, including the provision of customary or non-customary services to tenants of its parent REIT. A TRS is subject to U.S. federal income tax as a regular C corporation.
No more than 25% (20% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017) of the value of a REIT's total assets may consist of stock or securities of one or more TRSs. This requirement limits the extent to which we can conduct our activities through TRSs. The values of some of our assets, including assets that we hold through TRSs, may not be subject to precise determination, and values are subject to change in the future. Furthermore, if a REIT lends money to a TRS, the TRS may be unable to deduct all or a portion of the interest paid to the REIT, which could increase the tax liability of the TRS. In addition, the Code imposes a 100% tax on certain transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT that are not conducted on an arm's length basis. We intend to structure transactions with any TRS on terms that we believe are arm's length to avoid incurring the 100% excise tax described above. There can be no assurances, however, that we will be able to avoid application of the 100% tax.
If our operating partnership is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will cease to qualify as a REIT.
We believe our operating partnership qualifies as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our operating partnership will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its income. Instead, each of its partners, including us, will be required to pay tax on its allocable share of our operating partnership's income. No assurance can be provided, however, that the IRS will not challenge our operating partnership's status as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or that a court would not sustain such a challenge. If the IRS were successful in treating our operating partnership as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would fail to meet the gross income tests and certain of the asset tests applicable to REITs. As a result, we would cease to qualify as a REIT and both we and our operating partnership would become subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax. The payment by our operating partnership of income tax would reduce significantly the amount of cash available to our operating partnership to satisfy obligations to make principal and interest payments on its debt and to make distribution to its partners, including us.
Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively and may cause us to incur tax liabilities.
The REIT provisions of the Code may limit our ability to hedge our assets and operations. Under these provisions, any income that we generate from transactions intended to hedge our interest rate risk will be excluded from gross income for purposes of the REIT 75% and 95% gross income tests if (i) the instrument (a) hedges interest rate risk on liabilities used to carry or acquire real estate assets or (b) hedges an instrument described in clause (a) for a period following the extinguishment of the liability or the disposition of the asset that was previously hedged by the hedged instrument, and (ii) the relevant instrument is properly identified under applicable Treasury regulations. Income from hedging transactions that do not meet these requirements will generally constitute non-qualifying income for purposes


29

Table of Contents

of both the REIT 75% and 95% gross income tests. As a result of these rules, we may have to limit our use of hedging techniques that might otherwise be advantageous or implement those hedges through a TRS. This could increase the cost of our hedging activities because our TRS would be subject to tax on gains or expose us to greater risks associated with changes in interest rates than we would otherwise want to bear. In addition, losses in our TRS will generally not provide any tax benefit, except for being carried back or forward against past or future taxable income in the TRS.
The ability of our board of trustees to revoke our REIT election without shareholder approval may cause adverse consequences to our shareholders.
Our declaration of trust provides that the board of trustees may revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election, without the approval of our shareholders, if the board determines that it is no longer in our best interest to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT. If we cease to qualify as a REIT, we would become subject to U.S. federal income tax on our net taxable income and we generally would no longer be required to distribute any of our net taxable income to our shareholders, which may have adverse consequences on our total return to our shareholders.
Legislative or regulatory tax changes related to REITs could materially and adversely affect our business.
At any time, the U.S. federal income tax laws or regulations governing REITs or the administrative interpretations of those laws or regulations may be changed, possibly with retroactive effect. We cannot predict if or when any new U.S. federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation, or any amendment to any existing U.S. federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation, will be adopted, promulgated or become effective or whether any such law, regulation or interpretation may take effect retroactively. We and our shareholders could be adversely affected by any such change in, or any new, U.S. federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation.
Risks Related to Our Common Shares
Common shares and preferred shares eligible for future sale may have adverse effects on our share price.
Subject to applicable law and the rules of any stock exchange on which our shares may be listed or traded, our board of trustees, without common shareholder approval, may authorize us to issue additional authorized and unissued common shares and preferred shares on the terms and for the consideration it deems appropriate and may amend our declaration of trust to increase the total number of shares, or the number of shares of any class or series, that we are authorized to issue. In addition, our operating partnership may issue OP units, which are redeemable for cash or, at our option exchangeable on a one-for-one basis into common shares after an agreed period of time and certain other conditions, and subordinated performance units, which are only convertible into OP units beginning two years following the completion of our initial public offering and then (i) at the holder's election only upon the achievement of certain performance thresholds relating to the properties to which such subordinated performance units relate or (ii) at our election upon a retirement event of a PRO that holds such subordinated performance units or upon certain qualifying terminations. Notwithstanding the two-year lock out period on conversions of subordinated performance units into OP units, if such subordinated performance units were convertible into OP units as of December 31, 2016, each subordinated performance unit would on average hypothetically convert into 1.41 OP units, or into an aggregate of approximately 21.7 million OP units. These amounts are based on historical financial information for the trailing twelve months ended December 31, 2016. The hypothetical conversions are calculated by dividing the average cash available for distribution, or CAD, per subordinated performance unit by 110% of the CAD per OP unit over the same period. We anticipate that as our CAD grows over time, the conversion ratio will also grow, including to levels that may exceed these amounts. For example, we estimate that (assuming no further issuances of OP units or subordinated performance units and a conversion penalty of 110%) if our CAD to our OP unit holders, subordinated performance unit holders and shareholders were to grow at an annual rate of 1.0%, 3.0% or 5.0% per annum above the 2016 level in each of the two following years, each subordinated performance unit would on average be convertible into 1.43, 1.45, and 1.48 OP units, respectively, as of December 31, 2017. These estimates are provided for illustrative purposes only and may vary from series to series. The actual number of OP units into which such subordinated performance units will become convertible may vary significantly from these estimates and will depend upon the applicable conversion penalty and the actual CAD to the OP units and the actual CAD to the converted subordinated performance units in the one-year period ending prior to conversion. We have granted registration rights to those persons who will be eligible to receive common shares issuable upon exchange of OP units issued in our formation transactions and certain contribution transactions.
Pursuant to the registration rights agreement we have filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 to register the offer and resale of the common shares issuable upon exchange of OP units (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for OP units). We have the right to include common shares to be sold for our own account or other holders in the shelf registration statement. We are required to use all commercially reasonable efforts to keep such shelf


30

Table of Contents

registration statement continuously effective for a period ending when all common shares covered by the shelf registration statement are no longer Registrable Shares, as defined in the shelf registration statement.
We intend to bear the expenses incident to these registration requirements except that we will not bear the costs of (i) any underwriting fees, discounts or commissions, (ii) out-of-pocket expenses of the persons exercising the registration rights or (iii) transfer taxes.
We cannot predict the effect, if any, of future sales of our common shares or the availability of shares for future sales, on the market price of our common shares. The market price of our common shares may decline significantly when the restrictions on resale by certain of our shareholders lapse. Sales of substantial amounts of common shares or the perception that such sales could occur may adversely affect the prevailing market price for our common shares.
We cannot assure our ability to pay dividends in the future.
Historically, we have paid quarterly common share dividends to our shareholders and quarterly distributions to our operating partnership unitholders, and we intend to continue to pay quarterly dividends to our shareholders and to make quarterly distributions to our operating partnership unitholders in amounts such that all or substantially all of our net taxable income in each year is distributed, which, along with other factors, should enable us to continue to qualify for the tax benefits accorded to a REIT under the Code. We have not established a minimum dividends payment level, and all future distributions will be made at the discretion of our board of trustees. Our ability to pay dividends will depend upon, among other factors:
the operational and financial performance of our properties; 
capital expenditures with respect to existing and newly acquired properties; 
general and administrative expenses associated with our operation as a publicly-held REIT;
maintenance of our REIT qualification;
the amount of, and the interest rates on, our debt and the ability to refinance our debt;
the absence of significant expenditures relating to environmental and other regulatory matters; and 
other risk factors described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Certain of these matters are beyond our control and any significant difference between our expectations and actual results could have a material adverse effect on our cash flow and our ability to make distributions to shareholders.
Future offerings of debt or equity securities, which may rank senior to our common shares, may adversely affect the market price of our common shares.
If we decide to issue debt securities in the future, which would rank senior to our common shares, it is likely that they will be governed by an indenture or other instrument containing covenants restricting our operating flexibility. Additionally, any equity securities or convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of our common shares and may result in dilution to owners of our common shares. We and, indirectly, our shareholders will bear the cost of issuing and servicing such securities. Because our decision to issue debt or equity securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, holders of our common shares will bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common shares and diluting the value of their share holdings in us.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.


31


Item 2. Properties
As of December 31, 2016, we held ownership interests in and operated a geographically diversified portfolio of 448 properties, located in 23 states, comprising approximately 27.6 million rentable square feet, configured in approximately 220,000 storage units. Of these properties, we consolidated 382 self storage properties that contain approximately 23.1 million rentable square feet and we held a 25% ownership interest in 66 unconsolidated Joint Venture properties that contain approximately 4.5 million rentable square feet.
The following table sets forth summary information regarding our consolidated properties by state as of December 31, 2016.
 
 
Number of
 
Number of
 
Rentable
 
% of Rentable
 
Period-end
State
 
Properties
 
Units
 
Square Feet
 
Square Feet
 
Occupancy
California(1)
 
78

 
46,821

 
5,879,575

 
25.5
%
 
90.8
%
Oregon(2)
 
55

 
22,458

 
2,825,159

 
12.2
%
 
88.2
%
Texas
 
51

 
20,003

 
2,818,858

 
12.2
%
 
87.4
%
Oklahoma
 
30

 
13,990

 
1,902,965

 
8.2
%
 
84.7
%
North Carolina
 
30

 
13,436

 
1,655,191

 
7.2
%
 
89.2
%
Florida
 
22

 
16,786

 
1,542,685

 
6.7
%
 
84.7
%
Georgia
 
20

 
6,565

 
880,100

 
3.8
%
 
92.6
%
Arizona
 
15

 
8,401

 
981,427

 
4.3
%
 
89.0
%
Indiana
 
14

 
7,849

 
1,008,695

 
4.4
%
 
84.2
%
Washington
 
14

 
4,788

 
601,840

 
2.6
%
 
88.0
%
Colorado
 
10

 
4,641

 
564,646

 
2.4
%
 
89.3
%
Louisiana
 
10

 
4,443

 
614,183

 
2.7
%
 
85.0
%
New Hampshire
 
9

 
3,668

 
444,225

 
1.9
%
 
94.0
%
Ohio
 
7

 
2,688

 
349,088

 
1.5
%
 
87.7
%
Nevada
 
6

 
3,135

 
419,467

 
1.8
%
 
92.9
%
South Carolina
 
4

 
1,210

 
147,530

 
0.6
%
 
91.7
%
Mississippi
 
3

 
864

 
114,311

 
0.5
%
 
84.3
%
New Mexico
 
2

 
1,161

 
156,020

 
0.7
%
 
84.1
%
Alabama
 
1

 
761

 
109,676

 
0.5
%
 
76.6
%
Kentucky
 
1

 
380

 
61,000

 
0.3
%
 
94.4
%
Total/Weighted Average
 
382

 
184,048

 
23,076,641

 
100
%
 
88.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Four of the California properties are subject to non-cancelable leasehold interest agreements that are classified as operating leases. See "Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies" in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." 
(2) During the year ended December 31 2016, the Company consolidated two Oregon self storage properties into one single self storage property. 
The following table sets forth summary information regarding our Joint Venture properties by state as of December 31, 2016.
 
 
Number of
 
Number of
 
Rentable
 
% of Rentable
 
Period-end
State
 
Properties
 
Units
 
Square Feet
 
Square Feet
 
Occupancy
Florida
 
21

 
11,485

 
1,331,745

 
29.5
%
 
86.3
%
Alabama
 
11

 
4,032

 
591,030

 
13.1
%
 
83.7
%
New Jersey
 
10

 
7,520

 
925,410

 
20.5
%
 
88.3
%
California
 
9

 
5,832

 
802,176

 
17.8
%
 
87.6
%
Other(1)
 
15

 
6,704

 
868,607

 
19.1
%
 
88.0
%
Total
 
66

 
35,573

 
4,518,968

 
100.0
%
 
86.9
%
(1) Other states in the unconsolidated real estate venture include Arizona, Georgia, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas and Virginia.


32


Our portfolio consists of self storage properties that are designed to offer customers convenient, affordable, and secure storage units. Generally, our properties are in highly visible locations clustered in states or markets with strong population and job growth and are specifically designed to accommodate residential and commercial tenants with features such as security systems, electronic gate entry, easy access, climate control, and pest control. Our units typically range from 25 square feet to 300 square feet, and some of our properties also offer outside storage for vehicles, boats, and equipment. We provide 24-hour access to many storage units through computer controlled access systems, as well as alarm and sprinkler systems on many of our individual storage units. Almost all of the storage units in our portfolio are leased on a month-to-month basis providing us the flexibility to increase rental rates over time as market conditions permit. Additional information on our consolidated self storage properties is contained in "Schedule III - Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
We are not currently subject to any legal proceedings that we consider to be material.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.


33

Table of Contents

PART II
Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
Our common shares have been listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol "NSA" since April 22, 2015. Prior to that time there was no public market for our common shares. The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low sales prices of our common shares, as reported on the NYSE, and the dividends declared in the quarterly periods indicated:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends
 
 
 
 
 
 
Declared
 
 
High
 
Low
 
(per share)
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
$
22.45

 
$
18.91

 
$
0.24

September 30, 2016
 
22.86

 
18.81

 
0.22

June 30, 2016
 
22.78

 
19.11

 
0.22

March 31, 2016
 
21.70

 
15.67

 
0.20

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
17.46

 
13.26

 
0.20

September 30, 2015
 
15.21

 
11.50

 
0.19

June 30, 2015
 
13.75

 
12.05

 
0.15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Holders
On February 27, 2017, the closing price of our common shares as reported by the NYSE was $24.00. As of February 27, 2017, the Company had 33 record holders of its common shares. The 33 holders of record do not include the beneficial owners of common shares whose shares are held by a broker or bank. Such information was obtained from our transfer agent and registrar.
Dividends
Since our initial quarter as a publicly-traded REIT, we have made regular quarterly distributions to our shareholders. Holders of common shares are entitled to receive distributions when declared by our board of trustees out of any assets legally available for that purpose. In order to maintain our status as a REIT, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our "REIT taxable income," which is generally equivalent to our net taxable ordinary income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains to our shareholders annually in order to maintain our REIT qualification for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Common share dividends are characterized for U.S. federal income tax purposes as ordinary income, capital gains, return of capital or a combination thereof. Each year we communicate to shareholders the tax characterization of the common share dividends paid during the preceding year. Our tax return for the year ended December 31, 2016 has not yet been filed and consequently, the taxability information presented for our dividends paid in 2016 is based upon management's estimate. The following table summarizes the taxability of our dividends per common share for the year ended December 31, 2016:
 
 
Year Ended
 
 
December 31, 2016
Ordinary Income
 
$
0.715509

Return of Capital
 
$
0.164491

Our credit facility and Term Loan Facility include customary affirmative and negative covenants, including a restriction on dividends and other restricted payments, but permits dividends and distributions during any four


34

Table of Contents

consecutive fiscal quarters in an aggregate amount of up to 95% of the Company's funds from operations (as defined in our credit facility and Term Loan Facility) for such period, subject to certain non-cash adjustments, or such amount as may be necessary to maintain the Company's REIT status.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Information about our equity compensation plans is incorporated by reference to Item 12 of Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
During the three months ended December 31, 2016, the Company, in its capacity as general partner of its operating partnership, caused the operating partnership to issue 279,723 common shares to satisfy redemption requests from certain limited partners.
On December 31, 2016, the operating partnership issued 67,832 OP units in exchange for $1.4 million of principal payment reimbursements received during the year ended December 31, 2016 related to mortgages assumed in connection with the acquisition of 16 self storage properties from the PROs during the year ended December 31, 2014.
On January 11, 2017, the operating partnership issued 75,147 OP units and 23,666 subordinated performance units to Howard Family Limited Partnership I, an affiliate of Northwest, one of the Company's existing PROs and an affiliate of Kevin Howard, a member of the Company's board of trustees, 23,666 subordinated performance units to J. Timothy Warren, an affiliate of Northwest, and 12,668 OP units to an unrelated third party as partial consideration for the acquisition of two self storage properties.
On February 1, 2017, the operating partnership issued 86,879 OP units to an unrelated third party as partial consideration for the acquisition of a self storage property expansion adjacent to one of the Company's existing self storage properties.
Following a specified lock up period after the respective dates of issuance set forth above, the OP units issued by the operating partnership may be redeemed from time to time by holders for a cash amount per OP unit equal to the market value of an equivalent number of common shares of the Company. The Company has the right, but not the obligation, to assume and satisfy the redemption obligation of its operating partnership described above by issuing one common share in exchange for each OP unit tendered for redemption. Subordinated performance units are convertible into OP units beginning two years following the completion of the Company's initial public offering and then (i) at the holder's election only upon the achievement of certain performance thresholds relating to the properties to which such subordinated performance units relate or (ii) at the Company's election upon a retirement event of a PRO that holds such subordinated performance units or upon certain qualifying terminations. The Company has elected to report early the private placement of its common shares that may occur if the Company elects to assume the redemption obligation of its operating partnership as described above in the event that OP units are in the future tendered for redemption.
As of February 27, 2017, other than those OP units held by the Company, 29,751,501 OP units were outstanding (including 1,750,746 outstanding Long-Term Incentive Plan Units ("LTIP units") and 1,834,786 outstanding OP units in certain consolidated subsidiaries of the operating partnership ("DownREIT OP units"), which are convertible into, or exchangeable for, OP units on a one-for-basis, subject to certain conditions).
These issuances were exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
During the three months ended December 31, 2016, certain of our employees surrendered common shares owned by them to satisfy their statutory minimum federal and state tax obligations associated with the vesting of restricted shares. The table below summarizes all of our repurchases of common shares during the quarter ended December 31, 2016:


35

Table of Contents

Period
 
Total number of shares purchased
 
-
 
Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs
 
Maximum numbers of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs
October 1 - October 31, 2016
 

 
 
 
n/a
 
n/a
November 1 - November 30, 2016
 

 
 
 
n/a
 
n/a
December 1 - December 31, 2016
 
1,191

(1) 
 
 
n/a
 
n/a
(1) The number of shares purchased represents restricted common shares surrendered by certain of our employees to satisfy their statutory minimum federal and state tax obligations associated with the vesting of restricted common shares issued to them. The price paid per share was $22.07 and is based on the closing price of our common shares as of December 30, 2016, the date of withholding.
Performance Graph
The SEC requires us to present a chart comparing the cumulative total shareholder return, assuming reinvestment of dividends, on our common shares with the cumulative total shareholder return of (i) a broad equity index and (ii) a published industry or peer group index. The following chart compares the yearly cumulative total shareholder return for our common shares with the cumulative shareholder return of companies on (i) the S&P 500 Index, (ii) the Russell 2000 and (iii) the NAREIT All Equity REIT Index as provided by NAREIT for the period beginning April 23, 2015 and ending December 31, 2016.
nsa-2016123_chartx15826.jpg
 
 
Period Ending
Index
 
4/23/2015
 
12/31/2015
 
12/31/2016
National Storage Affiliates Trust
 
$
100

 
$
137

 
$
184

S&P 500
 
100

 
98

 
110

Russell 2000
 
100

 
91

 
109

NAREIT All Equity REIT Index
 
100

 
101

 
109



36

Table of Contents

The foregoing item assumes $100.00 invested on April 23, 2015, with dividends reinvested. The Performance Graph will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing by NSA under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that NSA specifically incorporates the same by reference.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following table sets forth our selected historical financial and operating data as of and for the periods indicated. You should read the information below in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" and Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In order to present certain of our selected historical financial and operating data in a way that offers a period to period comparison, the historical results of operations and certain other information for the year ended December 31, 2013 are presented on a basis that combines the results of operations and certain other information of National Storage Affiliates Trust and its consolidated subsidiaries for the nine months ended December 31, 2013 with those of the combined subsidiaries of SecurCare Self Storage, Inc. (our "predecessor") for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The combination of our historical financial data with the historical financial data of our predecessor does not comply with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and is not intended to represent what our consolidated results of operations would have been if the Company had commenced operations as of January 1, 2013. We have not included or excluded revenues or expenses that would have resulted if we had commenced operations on January 1, 2013.
The historical statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 has been derived from the historical audited consolidated statement of operations of the Company for such periods, in each case included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The historical statements of operations data for the year ended December 31, 2013 is presented on a combined basis and is derived by combining the historical audited consolidated statement of operations of the Company for the nine months ended December 31, 2013 with the historical audited consolidated statement of operations of our predecessor for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The historical statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 has been derived from the historical audited consolidated and combined statement of operations of our predecessor. The consolidated balance sheet data (i) as of December 31, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013 has been derived from the historical audited consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of such dates, and (ii) as of December 31, 2012 has been derived from the historical audited consolidated and combined balance sheet of our predecessor as of such date. Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. Dollars in the following table are in thousands, except per share amounts.


37

Table of Contents

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
NSA
 
Combined(1)
 
Predecessor
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
OPERATING DATA:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue
$
199,046

 
$
133,919

 
$
76,970

 
$
40,164

 
$
29,279

Total operating expenses
141,390

 
102,328

 
59,887

 
28,847

 
17,443

Income from operations
57,656

 
31,591

 
17,083

 
11,317

 
11,836

Net income (loss)
24,866

 
4,796

 
(16,357
)
 
(11,734
)
 
(3,452
)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests(2)
(6,901
)
 
7,644

 
16,357

 
10,481

 

Net income (loss) attributable to the Company and our predecessor
17,965

 
12,440

 

 
(1,253
)
 
(3,452
)
Earnings (loss) per share—basic(3)
$
0.60

 
$
0.80

 
$

 
$

 
 
Earnings (loss) per share—diluted(3)
$
0.31

 
$
0.17

 
$

 
$

 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding—basic(3)
29,887

 
15,463

 
1

 
1

 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted(3)
78,747

 
45,409

 
1

 
1

 
 
Dividends declared per common share
$
0.88

 
$
0.54

 
$

 
$

 
$

BALANCE SHEET DATA (at end of period)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Self storage properties, net
$
1,733,533

 
$
1,079,101

 
$
799,327

 
$
346,319

 
$
172,304

Total assets
1,892,092

 
1,099,049

 
832,746

 
368,293

 
179,455

Debt financing
878,954

 
567,795

 
597,691

 
298,748

 
187,610

Total equity (deficit)
$
979,068

 
$
516,047

 
$
214,104

 
$
55,197

 
$
(12,151
)
OTHER DATA (at end of period)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of properties(4)
382

 
277

 
219

 
137

 
88

Rentable square feet (in thousands)(5)
23,077

 
15,770

 
12,067

 
6,626

 
3,976

Occupancy percentage(6)
88
%
 
89
%
 
85
%
 
83
%
 
80
%
(1) Combined in the table above for the year ended December 31, 2013 are our predecessor's historical results for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and the Company's historical results for the nine months ended December 31, 2013.
(2) While we control our operating partnership, we did not have an ownership interest or share in our operating partnership's profits and losses prior to the completion of our initial public offering. As a result, all of our operating partnership's profits and losses for the periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were allocated to owners other than us. 
(3) Earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2013 has been computed by excluding our predecessor's net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2013. In addition, the weighted average shares outstanding has been computed for the period beginning on April 1, 2013, the date the Company commenced its operations.
(4) For a discussion of our acquisition and disposition activity during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, see "Note 6. Self Storage Property Acquisitions and Dispositions" in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
(5) Rentable square feet includes all enclosed self storage units but excludes commercial, residential, and covered parking space. 
(6) Represents total occupied rentable square feet divided by total rentable square feet as of the end of the period.


38

Table of Contents

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" as well as Item 1. "Business," Item 1A. "Risk Factors," and Item 2. "Properties," respectively, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
National Storage Affiliates Trust is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust organized in the state of Maryland on May 16, 2013. We have elected and we believe that we have qualified to be taxed as a REIT commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2015. We serve as the sole general partner of our operating partnership, a Delaware limited partnership formed on February 13, 2013 to conduct our business, which is focused on the ownership, operation, and acquisition of self storage properties located within the top 100 MSAs throughout the United States.
Our chairman and chief executive officer, Arlen D. Nordhagen, co-founded SecurCare Self Storage, Inc. in 1988 to invest in and manage self storage properties. While growing SecurCare to over 150 self storage properties, Mr. Nordhagen recognized a market opportunity for a differentiated public self storage REIT that would leverage the benefits of national scale by integrating multiple experienced regional self storage operators with local operational focus and expertise. We believe that his vision, which is the foundation of the Company, aligns the interests of our participating regional operators (" PROs"), with those of our public shareholders by allowing our PROs to participate alongside our shareholders in our financial performance and the performance of our PROs' managed portfolios. This structure offers our PROs a unique opportunity to serve as regional property managers for their managed portfolios and directly participate in the potential upside of those properties while simultaneously diversifying their investment to include a broader portfolio of self storage properties.
Our Structure
Our structure promotes operator accountability as subordinated performance units issued to our PROs in exchange for the contribution of their properties are entitled to distributions only after those properties satisfy minimum performance thresholds. In the event of a material reduction in operating cash flow, distributions on our subordinated performance units will be reduced before or disproportionately to distributions on our common shares held by our common shareholders. In addition, we expect our PROs will generally co-invest subordinated equity in the form of subordinated performance units in each acquisition that they source, and the value of these subordinated performance units will fluctuate with the performance of their managed portfolios. Therefore, our PROs are incentivized to select acquisitions that are expected to exceed minimum performance thresholds, thereby increasing the value of their subordinated equity stake. We expect that our shareholders will benefit from the higher levels of property performance that our PROs are incentivized to deliver.
We also seek to opportunistically partner with institutional funds and other institutional investors to acquire attractive portfolios utilizing a promoted return structure. We believe there is significant opportunity for continued external growth by partnering with institutional investors seeking to deploy capital in the self storage industry.
Our PROs
The Company had seven PROs as of December 31, 2016: SecurCare, Northwest, Optivest, Guardian, Move It, Storage Solutions, and Hide Away. In February 2017, we entered into definitive agreements with Personal Mini of Orlando, Florida, to add Personal Mini as our eighth PRO. We seek to further expand our platform by continuing to recruit additional established self storage operators, while integrating our operations through the implementation of centralized initiatives, including management information systems, revenue enhancement, and cost optimization programs. Our national platform allows us to capture cost savings by eliminating redundancies and utilizing economies of scale across the property management platforms of our PROs while also providing greater access to lower-cost capital.


39

Table of Contents

Consolidated Properties
We seek to own properties that are well located in high quality sub-markets with highly accessible street access and attractive supply and demand characteristics, providing our properties with strong and stable cash flows that are less sensitive to the fluctuations of the general economy. Many of these markets have multiple barriers to entry against increased supply, including zoning restrictions against new construction and new construction costs that we believe are higher than our properties' fair market value.
We owned a geographically diversified portfolio of 382 self storage properties, located in 20 states, comprising approximately 23.1 million rentable square feet, configured in approximately 184,000 storage units, as of December 31, 2016. Of these properties, 237 were acquired by us from our PROs and 145 were acquired by us from third-party sellers.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we acquired 107 self storage properties with an aggregate fair value of $721.4 million, comprising approximately 7.3 million rentable square feet, configured in approximately 61,700 storage units. Of these acquisitions, 23 were acquired by us from our PROs and 84 were acquired by us from third-party sellers. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we acquired 58 self storage properties with an aggregate fair value of $313.0 million, comprising approximately 3.7 million rentable square feet, configured in approximately 28,500 storage units. Of these acquisitions, 25 were acquired by us from our PROs and 33 were acquired by us from third-party sellers.
In December 2016, we sold to an unrelated party one of the self storage properties acquired as part of a larger portfolio of properties during the year ended December 31, 2016. We decided during the underwriting process to pursue the sale of certain properties following the portfolio acquisition. The gross selling price for the property sold was $4.9 million and it comprised approximately 29,000 rentable square feet, configured in approximately 320 storage units.
In January and February 2017, we acquired five self storage properties for approximately $31.8 million, comprising approximately 0.3 million rentable square feet, configured in approximately 2,200 storage units. Of these acquisitions, two were acquired by us from our PROs and three were acquired by us from third-party sellers.
Our Joint Venture
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we entered into an agreement to form the Joint Venture with the JV Investor to acquire and operate the JV Portfolio. The JV Portfolio consists of 66 properties containing approximately 4.5 million rentable square feet, configured in approximately 36,000 storage units and located across 12 states.
On October 4, 2016, the Joint Venture completed its acquisition of the JV Portfolio. The Joint Venture financed the acquisition of the JV Portfolio with approximately $320.0 million in equity (approximately $80.0 million from us in exchange for a 25% ownership interest and approximately $240.0 million from the JV Investor in exchange for a 75% ownership interest) with the balance of the purchase price funded using proceeds from new debt financing.
Property Management
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we agreed to acquire the iStorage property management platform related to the JV Portfolio discussed above, including a property management company, a captive insurance company, and related intellectual property for approximately $20.0 million. On October 4, 2016, we completed the acquisition of the property management platform.
As discussed in Note 5 to consolidated financial statements in Item 8, our property management platform directs, manages and controls the day-to-day operations and affairs of the Joint Venture and earns certain customary fees for managing and operating the properties. Additionally, our affiliate provides tenant warranty protection to tenants at the Joint Venture properties in exchange for half of all proceeds from the tenant warranty protection program at each Joint Venture property.
Results of Operations
When reviewing our results of operations it is important to consider the timing of acquisition activity. We acquired 107 self storage properties during the year ended December 31, 2016 and 58 self storage properties during the year ended December 31, 2015. As a result of these and other factors, we do not believe that our historical results of operations discussed and analyzed below are comparable or necessarily indicative of our future results of operations or cash flows.
To help analyze the operating performance of our self storage properties, we also discuss and analyze operating results relating to our same store portfolio. Our same store portfolio is defined as those properties owned and operated


40

Table of Contents

for the entirety of the applicable periods presented, excluding any properties we sold or where we completed a storage space expansion which caused the property's year-over-year operating results to no longer be comparable.
The following discussion and analysis of the results of our operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements in Item 8. Certain figures, such as interest rates and other percentages, included in this section have been rounded for ease of presentation. Percentage figures included in this section have not in all cases been calculated on the basis of such rounded figures but on the basis of such amounts prior to rounding. For this reason, percentage amounts in this section may vary slightly from those obtained by performing the same calculations using the figures in our consolidated financial statements or in the associated text. Certain other amounts that appear in this section may similarly not sum due to rounding.
Year Ended December 31, 2016 compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2015
Net income was $24.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $20.1 million. The increase was primarily due to an increase in net operating income ("NOI") resulting from an additional 107 self storage properties we acquired from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016, partially offset by increases in depreciation and amortization, general and administrative expenses, interest expense, and acquisition costs. For a description of NOI, see "Non-GAAP Financial measures – NOI".
Overview
As of December 31, 2016, our same store portfolio consisted of 222 self storage properties. We owned 160 self storage properties that did not yet meet the same store portfolio criteria as of December 31, 2016, which included 159 self storage properties that we acquired subsequent to January 1, 2015 and a property we expanded during 2015 which caused the property's year-over-year operating results to no longer be comparable. See "---Results of Operations" above for the definition of our same store portfolio. The following table illustrates the changes in rental revenue, other property-related revenue, management fees and other revenue, property operating expenses, and other expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 (dollars in thousands):
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Rental revenue
 
 
 
 
 
Same store portfolio
$
123,773

 
$
114,764

 
$
9,009

Non-Same store portfolio
67,405

 
15,105

 
52,300

Total rental revenue
191,178

 
129,869

 
61,309

Other property-related revenue
 
 
 
 
 
Same store portfolio
3,777

 
3,626

 
151

Non-Same store portfolio
2,282

 
424

 
1,858

Total other property-related revenue
6,059

 
4,050

 
2,009

Management fees and other revenue
1,809

 

 
1,809

Total revenue
199,046

 
133,919

 
65,127

Property operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
Same store portfolio
40,929

 
39,761

 
1,168

Non-Same store portfolio
23,869

 
5,651

 
18,218

Total property operating expenses
64,798

 
45,412

 
19,386

General and administrative expenses
21,528

 
16,265

 
5,263

Depreciation and amortization
55,064

 
40,651

 
14,413

Total operating expenses
141,390

 
102,328

 
39,062

Income from operations
57,656

 
31,591

 
26,065

Other income (expense)
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(24,109
)
 
(20,779
)
 
(3,330
)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
(136
)
 
(914
)
 
778

Equity in losses of unconsolidated real estate venture
(1,484
)
 

 
(1,484
)


41

Table of Contents

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Acquisition costs
(6,546
)
 
(4,765
)
 
(1,781
)
Organizational and offering expenses

 
(58
)
 
58

Non-operating expense
(515
)
 
(279
)
 
(236
)
Other income (expense)
(32,790
)
 
(26,795
)
 
(5,995
)
Net income
24,866

 
4,796

 
20,070

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(6,901
)
 
7,644

 
(14,545
)
Net income attributable to National Storage Affiliates Trust
$
17,965

 
$
12,440

 
$
5,525

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Revenue
Our total revenue increased by $65.1 million, or 48.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. This increase was primarily attributable to incremental rental revenue from 107 self storage properties we acquired between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016, increased market rates and fees, regular rental increases for in-place tenants, and management fees and other revenue earned from our unconsolidated real estate venture and an increase in average total portfolio occupancy from 87.9% to 89.7%. Average occupancy is calculated based on the average of the month-end occupancy immediately preceding the period presented and the month-end occupancies included in the respective period presented.
Rental Revenue
Rental revenue increased by $61.3 million, or 47.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase in rental revenue was primarily due to a $52.3 million increase in non-same store rental revenue which was attributable to incremental rental revenue of $34.6 million from 107 self storage properties acquired between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016, and $17.7 million from 53 self storage properties acquired from January 2, 2015 to December 31, 2015. Same store portfolio rental revenues increased $9.0 million, or 7.9%, due to a 5.3% increase, from $10.62 to $11.18, in same store rental revenue divided by average occupied square feet ("rental revenue per occupied square foot"), driven primarily by a combination of increased contractual lease rates and fees, and a 210 basis point increase in average occupancy from 87.9% to 90.0%.
Other Property-Related Revenue
Other property-related revenue represents ancillary income from our self storage properties, such as tenant insurance-related access fees and commissions and sales of storage supplies. Other property-related revenue increased by $2.0 million, or 49.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. This increase primarily resulted from a $1.9 million increase in non-same store other property-related revenue which was attributable to incremental other property-related revenue of $1.1 million from 107 self storage properties acquired between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016, and $0.8 million from 53 self storage properties acquired from January 2, 2015 to December 31, 2015.
Management Fees and Other Revenue
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we earned $1.8 million of management and other fees for managing and operating the Joint Venture properties. These fees included a monthly property management fee equal to 6% of the Joint Venture's monthly gross revenues and net sales revenues, a call center fee equal to 1% of the Joint Venture's monthly gross revenues and net sales revenues, a monthly platform fee equal to $1,250 per Joint Venture property, and an acquisition fee equal to 0.65% of the gross capitalization (including debt and equity) of the original 66 property JV Portfolio, of which one quarter is earned each year over the first four years of the Joint Venture.
Total Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses increased $39.1 million, or 38.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. As discussed below, this change was primarily due to an increase of $19.4 million in property operating expenses, $5.3 million in general and administrative expenses, and $14.4 million in depreciation and amortization.


42

Table of Contents

Property Operating Expenses
Property operating expenses increased $19.4 million, or 42.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. This increase resulted from a $18.2 million increase in non-same store property operating expenses attributable to incremental property operating expenses of $13.0 million from 107 self storage properties acquired between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016, and $5.2 million from 53 self storage properties acquired from January 2, 2015 to December 31, 2015. In addition, same store portfolio property operating expenses increased $1.2 million, or 2.9%, due to increases in personnel and related costs, bad debt expense and property taxes, partially offset by decreases in maintenance expenses and utilities.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses increased $5.3 million, or 32.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. This increase was attributable to increases in supervisory and administrative fees charged by our PROs of $3.5 million, $0.8 million of costs related to our property management platform, $0.8 million of professional fees and other expenses, $0.4 million in salaries and benefits and $0.1 million in costs associated with periodic SEC reporting and other compliance matters. These increases were partially offset by a $0.4 million decrease in equity-based compensation expense.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization increased $14.4 million, or 35.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. This increase was attributable to incremental depreciation expense of $9.1 million from 107 self storage properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2016, and $4.8 million from 58 self storage properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2015. In addition, amortization of customer in-place leases remained flat at $12.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $3.3 million, or 16.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to increases in outstanding borrowings, partially offset by a $0.7 million decrease in amortization of debt issue costs and a $0.3 million increase in amortization of debt premiums.
Loss On Early Extinguishment of Debt
Loss on early extinguishment of debt decreased $0.8 million, or 85.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. During the year ended December 31, 2016, in connection with an amendment to our credit facility, one of the lenders that was included in the syndicated group of lenders prior to the amendment is no longer a participating lender following the amendment, which constitutes an extinguishment of debt for accounting purposes. As a result, we wrote off $0.1 million of unamortized debt issuance costs, which is the amount attributed to the entity no longer included in the lender syndicate. Loss on early extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2015 relates to the payoff of several debt instruments in connection with our initial public offering.
Equity In Losses Of Unconsolidated Real Estate Venture
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we recorded $1.5 million of equity in losses from our unconsolidated real estate venture. Equity in losses of unconsolidated real estate venture represents our share of earnings and losses earned through our 25% ownership interest in the Joint Venture. The Joint Venture recorded net losses of $5.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to NOI of $8.3 million, offset by $6.2 million of depreciation and amortization, $4.3 million of other expenses, primarily consisting of acquisition costs associated with the JV Portfolio, $2.8 million of interest expense and $0.9 million of supervisory, administrative and other expenses.
Acquisition Costs
Acquisition costs increased $1.8 million, or 37.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. This increase was primarily due to an increase in consulting fees and other costs incurred to identify, qualify, and close on the acquisition of a larger volume of properties with our PROs and other parties during year ended December 31, 2016.


43

Table of Contents

Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
We allocate GAAP income (loss) utilizing the hypothetical liquidation at book value ("HLBV") method, in which we allocate income or loss based on the change in each unitholders' claim on the net assets of our operating partnership at period end after adjusting for any distributions or contributions made during such period.
Due to the stated liquidation priorities and because the HLBV method incorporates non-cash items such as depreciation expense, in any given period, income or loss may be allocated disproportionately to noncontrolling interests. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests was $6.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to a net loss of $7.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. We did not have an ownership interest or share in our operating partnership's profits and losses prior to the completion of our initial public offering. As a result, all of the operating partnership's profits and losses for the period from January 1, 2015 to April 28, 2015 were allocated to noncontrolling interests.
Year Ended December 31, 2015 compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Net income was $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to net loss of $16.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of $21.2 million. The increase was primarily due to an increase in NOI resulting from an additional 58 self storage properties we acquired from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 and reductions in acquisition costs, interest expense and organizational and offering expenses, partially offset by increases in depreciation and amortization and general and administrative expenses.
Overview
As of December 31, 2015, our same store portfolio consisted of 135 self storage properties. We owned 142 self storage properties that did not yet meet the same store portfolio criteria as of December 31, 2015. These properties include 141 self storage properties that we acquired during 2014 and 2015 and one property where we completed a storage space expansion during the year ended December 31, 2015 which caused the property's year-over-year operating results to no longer be comparable. See "---Results of Operations" above for the definition of our same store portfolio. The following table illustrates the changes in rental revenue, other property-related revenue, property operating expenses, and other expenses for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
Rental revenue
 
 
 
 
 
Same store portfolio
$
57,293

 
$
53,082

 
$
4,211

Non-Same store portfolio
72,576

 
21,755

 
50,821

Total rental revenue
129,869

 
74,837

 
55,032

Other property-related revenue
 
 
 
 
 
Same store portfolio
1,448

 
1,387

 
61

Non-Same store portfolio
2,602

 
746

 
1,856

Total other property-related revenue
4,050

 
2,133

 
1,917

Total revenue
133,919

 
76,970

 
56,949

Property operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
Same store portfolio
20,439

 
20,107

 
332

Non-Same store portfolio
24,973

 
7,806

 
17,167

Total property operating expenses
45,412

 
27,913

 
17,499

General and administrative expenses
16,265

 
8,189

 
8,076

Depreciation and amortization
40,651

 
23,785

 
16,866

Total operating expenses
102,328

 
59,887

 
42,441

Income from operations
31,591

 
17,083

 
14,508

Other income (expense)
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(20,779
)
 
(23,033
)
 
2,254

Loss on early extinguishment of debt
(914
)
 
(1,020
)
 
106



44

Table of Contents

Acquisition costs
(4,765
)
 
(9,558
)
 
4,793

Organizational and offering expenses
(58
)
 
(1,320
)
 
1,262

Non-operating expense (income)
(279
)
 
64

 
(343
)
Gain on sale of self storage properties

 
1,427

 
(1,427
)
Other income (expense)
(26,795
)
 
(33,440
)
 
6,645

Net income (loss)
4,796

 
(16,357
)
 
21,153

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
7,644

 
16,357

 
(8,713
)
Net income (loss) attributable to National Storage Affiliates Trust
$
12,440

 
$

 
$
12,440

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Revenue
Our total revenue increased by $56.9 million, or 74.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. This increase was primarily attributable to incremental rental revenue from 141 self storage properties we acquired between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2015, an increase in average total portfolio occupancy from 85.5% to 87.9%, the acquisition of properties with higher rents, increased market rates and fees, and regular rental increases for in-place tenants.
Rental Revenue
Rental revenue increased by $55.0 million, or 73.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase in rental revenue was primarily due to a $50.8 million increase in non-same store revenue which was attributable to incremental rental revenue of $32.3 million from 83 self storage properties acquired between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014, and $18.6 million from 58 self storage properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2015. These increases were partially offset by a $0.1 million decrease in rental revenue related to a self storage property sold during the year ended December 31, 2014. Same store portfolio rental revenues increased $4.2 million, or 7.9%, due to a 4.8% increase in rental revenue per occupied square foot from $9.50 to $9.96, driven primarily by a combination of increased contractual lease rates and fees, and an increase in average occupancy from 85.6% to 88.1%. Average occupancy is calculated based on the average of the month-end occupancy immediately preceding the period presented and the month-end occupancies included in the respective period presented.
Other Property-Related Revenue
Other property-related revenue increased by $1.9 million, or 89.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. This increase primarily resulted from a $1.9 million increase in non-same store other property-related revenue which was attributable to incremental other property-related revenue of $1.2 million from 83 self storage properties acquired between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014, and $0.7 million from 58 self storage properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2015.
Total Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses increased $42.4 million, or 70.9% for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. As discussed below, this change was primarily due to an increase of $17.5 million in property operating expenses, $8.1 million in general and administrative expenses, and $16.9 million in depreciation and amortization.
Property Operating Expenses
Property operating expenses increased $17.5 million, or 62.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. This increase resulted from a $17.2 million increase in non-same store property operating expenses attributable to incremental property operating expenses of $10.1 million from 83 self storage properties acquired between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014, and $7.2 million from 58 self storage properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2015. In addition, same store portfolio property operating expenses increased $0.3 million, or 1.7%, due to increases in bad debt expense and property taxes, partially offset by decreases in marketing costs, maintenance expenses, and utilities.


45

Table of Contents

General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses increased $8.1 million, or 98.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. This increase was primarily attributable to increases in (i) salaries and benefits of $3.3 million, consisting of $1.7 million related to additional personnel and $1.6 million associated with equity-based compensation, (ii) supervisory and administrative fees charged by our PROs of $3.1 million, and (iii) professional fees and other expenses of $1.7 million that were primarily related to increased audit and tax costs associated with the growth of our portfolio and periodic SEC reporting and other compliance matters.
Supervisory and administrative fees charged by our PROs totaled $7.6 million and $4.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, an increase of $3.1 million. The increase was primarily attributable to properties we acquired during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, for which there were either no fees, or only a partial-year of fees, during the year ended December 31, 2014.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization increased $16.9 million, or 70.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. This increase was attributable to incremental depreciation expense of $8.3 million from 83 self storage properties acquired between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014, and $4.3 million from 58 self storage properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2015. In addition, amortization of customer in-place leases increased $3.7 million from $8.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 to $12.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Customer in-place leases are amortized over the 12-month period following the respective acquisition dates of our self storage properties. As of December 31, 2015, the unamortized balance of customer in-place leases totaled $4.2 million.
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased $2.3 million, or 9.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to increases in amortization of debt premiums of $2.2 million, a decrease in unrealized losses on interest rate swaps of $0.3 million and a decrease of $0.6 million of amortization of debt issuance costs, partially offset by increases in weighted average borrowings outstanding.
Loss On Early Extinguishment of Debt
Loss on early extinguishment of debt decreased $0.1 million, or 10.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. The decrease was due to a $0.2 million decrease in prepayment penalties partially offset by $0.1 million increase in write-offs of unamortized issuance costs. Loss on early extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2015 relates to the payoff of several debt instruments in connection with the Company's initial public offering.
Acquisition Costs
Acquisition costs decreased $4.8 million, or 50.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in consulting fees and other costs incurred to identify, qualify, and close acquisition properties with our PROs and other parties.
Organizational and Offering Expenses
Organizational and offering expenses decreased $1.3 million, or 95.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. This decrease was primarily attributable to audit fees incurred during the year ended December 31, 2014 associated with the operations of the properties acquired during 2014 for periods preceding the related contribution and formation transactions.
Gain on sale of self storage properties
Gain on sale of self storage properties totaled $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. In May 2014, we sold to an unrelated party one of the self storage properties contributed by our predecessor. The gross sales price for the property was approximately $3.0 million and net proceeds from this sale were invested in the acquisition of another self storage property in a tax-deferred exchange.


46

Table of Contents

Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
We allocate GAAP income (loss) utilizing the HLBV method, in which we allocate income or loss based on the change in each unitholders' claim on the net assets of our operating partnership at period end after adjusting for any distributions or contributions made during such period.
Due to the stated liquidation priorities and because the HLBV method incorporates non-cash items such as depreciation expense, in any given period, income or loss may be allocated disproportionately to noncontrolling interests. Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests was $7.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $16.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Our entire net loss for the year ended December 31, 2014 was attributable to noncontrolling interests as we did not have an ownership interest or share in our operating partnership's profits and losses prior to the completion of our initial public offering.
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
Our financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those that impact our most critical accounting policies. We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates. We believe the following are our most critical accounting policies.
Principles of Consolidation and Presentation of Noncontrolling Interests
Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our operating partnership and its controlled subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidation of entities.
The limited partner ownership interests in our operating partnership that are held by owners other than us are referred to as noncontrolling interests. Noncontrolling interests also include ownership interests in DownREIT partnerships held by entities other than our operating partnership. Noncontrolling interests in a subsidiary are generally reported as a separate component of equity in our consolidated balance sheets. In our statements of operations, the revenues, expenses and net income or loss related to noncontrolling interests in our operating partnership are included in the consolidated amounts, with net income or loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests deducted separately to arrive at the net income or loss solely attributable to us.
When we obtain an economic interest in an entity, we evaluate the entity to determine if the entity is deemed a variable interest entity ("VIE"), and if we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary, in accordance with authoritative guidance issued on the consolidation of VIEs. When an entity is not deemed to be a VIE, we consider the provisions of additional guidance to determine whether the general partner controls a limited partnership or similar entity when the limited partners have certain rights. We consolidate all entities that are VIEs and of which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary.
Self Storage Properties and Customer In-Place Leases
Self storage properties are carried at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses. Expenditures for ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Major replacements and betterments that improve or extend the life of an asset are capitalized. Estimated depreciable lives of self storage properties are determined by considering the age and other indicators about the condition of the assets at the respective dates of acquisition, resulting in a range of estimated useful lives for assets within each category. All self storage properties are depreciated using the straight-line method. Buildings and improvements are generally depreciated over estimated useful lives between seven and 40 years. Furniture and equipment are generally depreciated over estimated useful lives between three and 10 years.
When self storage properties are acquired, the purchase price is allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimated fair values. The purchase price is allocated to the individual properties based on the fair value determined using an income approach or a cash flow analysis using appropriate risk adjusted capitalization rates, which take into account the relative size, age, and location of the individual properties along with current and projected occupancy and relative rental rates or appraised values, if available. Tangible assets are allocated to land, buildings and related improvements, and furniture and equipment.


47

Table of Contents

In allocating the purchase price for a self storage property acquisition, we determine whether the acquisition includes intangible assets. We allocate a portion of the purchase price to an intangible asset attributed to the value of customer in-place leases. Because the majority of tenant leases are on a month-to-month basis, this intangible asset represents the estimated value of the leases in effect on the acquisition date. This intangible asset is amortized to expense using the straight-line method over 12 months, the estimated average rental period for our customers.
Income Taxes
We have elected and we believe that we have qualified to be taxed as a REIT under sections 856 through 860 of the Code commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2015. To qualify as a REIT, among other things, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our net taxable income (excluding net capital gains) to our shareholders and meet certain tests regarding the nature of our income and assets. So long as we qualify as a REIT, we are not subject to U.S. federal income tax on our earnings distributed currently to our shareholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, and are unable to avail ourselves of certain provisions set forth in the Code, all of our taxable income would be subject to federal and state income taxes at regular corporate rates, including any applicable alternative minimum tax.
We will not be required to make distributions with respect to income derived from the activities conducted through subsidiaries that we elect to treat as TRSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including NSA TRS, LLC which we formed in June 2014. Certain activities that we undertake must be conducted by a TRS, such as performing non-customary services for our customers and holding assets that we are not permitted to hold directly, including personal property held as inventory. A TRS is subject to U.S. federal, state, and local income taxes.
Earnings and profits, which determine the taxability of distributions to shareholders, differ from net income reported for financial reporting purposes due to differences in cost basis, the estimated useful lives used to compute depreciation, and the allocation of net income and loss for financial versus tax reporting purposes.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
FFO and Core FFO
Funds from operations ("FFO"), is a widely used performance measure for real estate companies and is provided here as a supplemental measure of our operating performance. The April 2002 National Policy Bulletin of NAREIT, which we refer to as the White Paper, as amended, defines FFO as net income (loss) (as determined under GAAP), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of real estate and related impairment charges, plus real estate depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. We include amortization of customer in-place leases in real estate depreciation and amortization in the calculation of FFO because we believe the amortization of customer in-place leases is analogous to real estate depreciation, as the value of such intangibles is inextricably connected to the real estate acquired. Distributions on subordinated performance units and DownREIT subordinated performance units represent our allocation of FFO to noncontrolling interests held by subordinated performance unitholders and DownREIT subordinated performance unitholders for the purpose of calculating FFO attributable to common shareholders, OP unitholders, and LTIP unitholders. We define Core FFO as FFO, as further adjusted to eliminate the impact of certain items that we do not consider indicative of our core operating performance. These further adjustments consist of acquisition costs, organizational and offering expenses, gains on debt forgiveness, gains (losses) on early extinguishment of debt and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.
Management uses FFO and Core FFO as a key performance indicator in evaluating the operations of our properties. Given the nature of our business as a real estate owner and operator, we consider FFO and Core FFO as key supplemental measures of our operating performance that are not specifically defined by GAAP. We believe that FFO and Core FFO are useful to management and investors as a starting point in measuring our operational performance because FFO and Core FFO exclude various items included in net income (loss) that do not relate to or are not indicative of our operating performance such as gains (or losses) from sales of self storage properties and depreciation, which can make periodic and peer analyses of operating performance more difficult. Our computation of FFO and Core FFO may not be comparable to FFO reported by other REITs or real estate companies.
FFO and Core FFO should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP, such as total revenues, operating income and net income (loss). FFO and Core FFO do not represent cash generated from operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP and are not a measure of liquidity or an indicator of our ability to make cash distributions. We believe that to further understand


48

Table of Contents

our performance, FFO and Core FFO should be compared with our reported net income (loss) and considered in addition to cash flows computed in accordance with GAAP, as presented in our consolidated financial statements.
The following table presents a reconciliation of net income (loss) to FFO and Core FFO for the periods presented (in thousands, except per share and unit amounts):
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Net income (loss)
$
24,866

 
$
4,796

 
$
(16,357
)
Add (subtract):
 
 
 
 
 
Real estate depreciation and amortization
54,193

 
40,303

 
23,605

Company's share of unconsolidated real estate venture real estate depreciation and amortization
1,559

 

 

Gain on sale of self storage properties

 

 
(1,427
)
FFO attributable to subordinated performance unitholders(1)
(22,842
)
 
(14,997
)
 
(7,305
)
FFO attributable to common shareholders, OP unitholders, and LTIP unitholders
57,776

 
30,102

 
(1,484
)
Add:
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisition costs
6,546

 
4,765

 
9,558

Company's share of unconsolidated real estate venture acquisition costs
1,006

 

 

Organizational and offering expenses

 
58

 
1,320

Loss on early extinguishment of debt
136

 
914

 
1,020

Core FFO attributable to common shareholders, OP unitholders, and LTIP unitholders
$
65,464

 
$
35,839

 
$
10,414

 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares and units outstanding - FFO and Core FFO:(2)
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic
29,887

 
15,463

 
1

Weighted average restricted common shares outstanding
18

 
9

 

Weighted average OP units outstanding(3)
24,262

 
20,507

 
13,519

Weighted average DownREIT OP unit equivalents outstanding
1,835

 
1,518

 
364

Weighted average LTIP units outstanding(4)
2,212

 
1,548

 

Total weighted average shares and units outstanding - FFO and Core FFO
58,214

 
39,045

 
13,884

 
 
 
 
 
 
FFO per share and unit
$
0.99

 
$
0.77

 
$
(0.11
)
Core FFO per share and unit
$
1.12

 
$
0.92

 
$
0.75

(1) Amounts represent distributions declared for subordinated performance unitholders and DownREIT subordinated performance unitholders for the periods presented.
(2) NSA combines OP units and DownREIT OP units with common shares because, after the applicable lock-out periods, OP units in the Company's operating partnership are redeemable for cash or, at NSA's option, exchangeable for common shares on a one-for-one basis and DownREIT OP units are also redeemable for cash or, at NSA's option, exchangeable for OP units in our operating partnership on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain adjustments in each case. Subordinated performance units, DownREIT subordinated performance units, and LTIP units may also, under certain circumstances, be convertible into or exchangeable for common shares (or other units that are convertible into or exchangeable for common shares). See footnote(1) to the following table for additional discussion of subordinated performance units, DownREIT subordinated performance units, and LTIP units in the calculation of FFO and Core FFO per share and unit.
(3) Amount for the year ended December 31, 2014 includes 2,060,711 OP units outstanding for the entire period which were issued in connection with the contribution of 65 self storage properties on April 1, 2014 by SecurCare Portfolio Holdings, LLC and SecurCare Value Properties, Ltd. (collectively, "NSA Predecessor"), entities whose principal owner is the Company's chief executive officer. For financial reporting purposes, NSA Predecessor contributions are reported as a reorganization of entities under common control whereby the contributed self storage properties are included in the Company's results of operations for the entirety of the year ended December 31, 2014 and have been recorded in the Company's financial statements at NSA Predecessor's depreciated historical cost basis.
(4) LTIP units have been excluded from the calculations of weighted average shares and units outstanding prior to April 28, 2015 because such units did not participate in distributions prior to the Company's initial public offering.


49

Table of Contents

The following table presents a reconciliation of earnings (loss) per share - diluted to FFO and Core FFO per share and unit for the periods presented:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Earnings (loss) per share - diluted
$
0.31

 
$
0.17

 
$

Impact of the difference in weighted average number of shares(1)
0.11

 
0.02

 

Impact of GAAP accounting for noncontrolling interests, two-class method and treasury stock method(2)

 
(0.07
)
 
(1.18
)
Add real estate depreciation and amortization
0.93

 
1.03

 
1.70

Add Company's share unconsolidated venture real estate depreciation and amortization
0.03

 

 

Gain on sale of self storage properties

 

 
(0.10
)
FFO attributable to subordinated performance unitholders
(0.39
)
 
(0.38
)
 
(0.53
)
FFO per share and unit
0.99

 
0.77

 
(0.11
)
Add acquisition costs, Company's share of unconsolidated real estate venture acquisition costs, organizational and offering expenses, and loss on early extinguishment of debt
0.13

 
0.15

 
0.86

Core FFO per share and unit
$
1.12

 
$
0.92

 
$
0.75

 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Adjustment accounts for the difference between the weighted average number of shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share and the weighted average number of shares used to calculate FFO and Core FFO per share and unit. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the two-class method for the company's restricted common shares, the treasury stock method for certain unvested LTIP units, and includes the assumption of a hypothetical conversion of subordinated performance units and DownREIT subordinated performance units into OP units, even though such units may only be convertible into OP units (i) after a lock-out period and (ii) upon certain events or conditions. For additional information about the conversion of subordinated performance units, DownREIT subordinated performance units and LTIP units into OP units, see Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8. The computation of weighted average shares and units for FFO and Core FFO per share and unit includes all restricted common shares and LTIP units that participate in distributions and excludes all subordinated performance units and DownREIT subordinated performance units because their effect has been accounted for through the allocation of FFO to the related unitholders based on distributions declared.
(2) Represents the effect of adjusting the numerator to consolidated net income (loss) prior to GAAP allocations for noncontrolling interests and the application of the two-class method and treasury stock method, as described in footnote (1).
NOI
We define NOI as net income (loss), as determined under GAAP, plus general and administrative expense, depreciation and amortization, interest expense, loss on early extinguishment of debt, equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated real estate ventures, acquisition costs, organizational and offering expenses, impairment of long-lived assets, losses on the sale of properties and non-operating expense and by subtracting management fees and other revenue, gains on sale of properties, debt forgiveness, and non-operating income. NOI is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP.
We believe NOI is useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance because:
NOI is one of the primary measures used by our management and our PROs to evaluate the economic productivity of our properties, including our ability to lease our properties, increase pricing and occupancy and control our property operating expenses;
NOI is widely used in the real estate industry and the self storage industry to measure the performance and value of real estate assets without regard to various items included in net income that do not relate to or are not indicative of operating performance, such as depreciation and amortization, which can vary depending upon accounting methods, the book value of assets, and the impact of our capital structure; and
we believe NOI helps our investors to meaningfully compare the results of our operating performance from period to period by removing the impact of our capital structure (primarily interest expense on our outstanding indebtedness) and depreciation of the cost basis of our assets from our operating results.
There are material limitations to using a non-GAAP measure such as NOI, including the difficulty associated with comparing results among more than one company and the inability to analyze certain significant items, including


50

Table of Contents

depreciation and interest expense, that directly affect our net loss. We compensate for these limitations by considering the economic effect of the excluded expense items independently as well as in connection with our analysis of net income (loss). NOI should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP, such as total revenues, income from operations and net loss.
The following table presents a reconciliation of net income (loss) to NOI for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Net income (loss)
$
24,866

 
$
4,796

 
$
(16,357
)
(Subtract) add:
 
 
 
 
 
Management fees and other revenue
(1,809
)
 

 

General and administrative expenses
21,528

 
16,265

 
8,189

Depreciation and amortization
55,064

 
40,651

 
23,785

Interest expense
24,109

 
20,779

 
23,033

Equity in losses of unconsolidated real estate venture
1,484

 

 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt
136

 
914

 
1,020

Acquisition costs
6,546

 
4,765

 
9,558

Organizational and offering expenses

 
58

 
1,320

Gain on sale of self storage properties

 

 
(1,427
)
Non-operating expense (income)
515

 
279

 
(64
)
Net Operating Income
$
132,439

 
$
88,507

 
$
49,057


EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
We define EBITDA as net income (loss), as determined under GAAP, plus interest expense, loss on early extinguishment of debt, income taxes, depreciation and amortization expense and the Company's share of unconsolidated real estate venture depreciation and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA plus acquisition costs, the Company's share of unconsolidated real estate venture acquisition costs, organizational and offering expenses, equity-based compensation expense, losses on sale of properties, and impairment of long-lived assets; and by subtracting gains on sale of properties and debt forgiveness. These further adjustments eliminate the impact of items that we do not consider indicative of our core operating performance. In evaluating EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation. Our presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.
We present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA because we believe they assist investors and analysts in comparing our performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as an analytical tool. Some of these limitations are:
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements, for capital expenditures, contractual commitments or working capital needs;
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debts;
although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements;
Adjusted EBITDA excludes equity-based compensation expense, which is and will remain a key element of our overall long-term incentive compensation package, although we exclude it as an expense when evaluating our ongoing operating performance for a particular period;


51

Table of Contents

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the impact of certain cash charges resulting from matters we consider not to be indicative of our ongoing operations; and
other companies in our industry may calculate EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.
We compensate for these limitations by considering the economic effect of the excluded expense items independently as well as in connection with our analysis of net income (loss). EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP, such as total revenues, income from operations, and net income (loss).
The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented(dollars in thousands):
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Net income (loss)
$
24,866

 
$
4,796

 
$
(16,357
)
Add:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
55,064

 
40,651

 
23,785

Company's share of unconsolidated real estate venture depreciation and amortization
1,559

 

 

Interest expense
24,109

 
20,779

 
23,033

Loss on early extinguishment of debt
136

 
914

 
1,020

EBITDA
105,734

 
67,140

 
31,481

Add:
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisition costs
6,546

 
4,765

 
9,558

Company's share of unconsolidated real estate venture acquisition costs
1,006

 

 

Organizational and offering expenses

 
58

 
1,320

Gain on sale of self storage properties

 

 
(1,427
)
Equity-based compensation expense(1)
2,597

 
3,027

 
1,468

Adjusted EBITDA
$
115,883

 
$
74,990

 
$
42,400

 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Equity-based compensation expense is a non-cash item that is included in general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is the ability to meet present and future financial obligations. Our primary source of liquidity is cash flow from our operations. Additional sources are proceeds from equity and debt offerings, and debt financings including borrowings under the credit facility and Term Loan Facility.
Our short-term liquidity requirements consist primarily of property operating expenses, property acquisitions, capital expenditures, general and administrative expenses, acquisition pursuit costs and principal and interest on our outstanding indebtedness. A further short-term liquidity requirement relates to distributions to our shareholders and holders of OP units, subordinated performance units, DownREIT OP units and DownREIT subordinated performance units. We expect to fund short-term liquidity requirements from our operating cash flow, cash on hand and borrowings under our credit facility.
As discussed in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, as of December 31, 2016, our credit facility provides for total borrowings of $725.0 million, consisting of three components: (i) a Revolver which provides for a total borrowing commitment up to $400.0 million, whereby we may borrow, repay and re-borrow amounts under the Revolver, (ii) a $225.0 million Term Loan A, and (iii) a $100.0 million Term Loan B. The Revolver matures in May 2020; provided that we may elect to extend the maturity to May 2021 by paying an extension fee of 0.15% of the total borrowing commitment thereunder at the time of extension and meeting other customary conditions with respect to compliance. The Term Loan A matures in May 2021 and the Term Loan B matures in May 2022. The Revolver, Term Loan A, and Term Loan B are not subject to any scheduled reduction or amortization payments prior to maturity.


52

Table of Contents

As of December 31, 2016, $225.0 million was outstanding under the Term Loan A with an effective interest rate of 2.61%, $100.0 million was outstanding under the Term Loan B with an effective interest rate of 3.15%, and $246.5 million was outstanding under the Revolver with an effective interest rate of 2.17%. The effective interest rate incorporates the stated rate plus the impact of interest rate cash flow hedges and discount and premium amortization, if applicable. For the revolving line of credit, the effective interest rate excludes fees for unused borrowings. As of December 31, 2016, we would have had the capacity to borrow the full remaining Revolver commitments of $143.6 million while remaining in compliance with the credit facility's financial covenants as described in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8.
As discussed in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, on February 8, 2017, we entered into a second increase agreement and amendment with a syndicated group of lenders to increase the total borrowing capacity under the credit facility by $170.0 million for a total credit facility of $895.0 million, which included entry into a new $105.0 million Term Loan C.
Our long-term liquidity needs consist primarily of the repayment of debt, property acquisitions, and capital expenditures. We acquire properties through the use of cash, OP units and subordinated performance units in our operating partnership or DownREIT partnerships. We expect to meet our long-term liquidity requirements with operating cash flow, cash on hand, secured and unsecured indebtedness, and the issuance of equity and debt securities.
As discussed in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, on June 30, 2016, we entered into a credit agreement with a syndicated group of lenders to make available a Term Loan Facility in an aggregate amount of $100.0 million with an effective interest rate of 3.08% as of December 31, 2016. The Term Loan Facility matures in June 2023. The entire outstanding principal amount of, and all accrued but unpaid interest, is due on the maturity date. We have an expansion option under the Term Loan Facility, which, if exercised in full, would provide for a total Term Loan Facility in an aggregate amount of $200.0 million. We are required to comply with the same financial, customary affirmative and negative covenants under the Term Loan Facility as we are with the credit facility.
As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, on October 11, 2016, we entered into open market sales agreements with four agents, pursuant to which we may sell from time to time up to $200 million of our common shares in sales deemed to be "at the market offerings". We may offer the common shares through the agents, as sales agents, or to the agents, acting as principals by means of, among others, ordinary brokers’ transactions on the NYSE or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or at negotiated prices.
We believe that, as a publicly-traded REIT, we will have access to multiple sources of capital to fund our long-term liquidity requirements, including the incurrence of additional debt and the issuance of debt and additional equity securities. However, we cannot assure you that this will be the case.
At December 31, 2016, we had $12.6 million in cash and cash equivalents and $2.8 million of restricted cash, an increase in cash and cash equivalents of $5.9 million and an increase in restricted cash of $0.1 million from December 31, 2015. Restricted cash primarily consists of escrowed funds deposited with financial institutions for real estate taxes, insurance, and other reserves for capital improvements in accordance with our loan agreements. The following discussion relates to changes in cash due to operating, investing, and financing activities, which are presented in our consolidated statements of cash flows included in Item 8 of this report.
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Cash provided by our operating activities was $95.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $51.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $43.7 million. Our operating cash flow increased primarily due to 58 self storage properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2015 that generated cash flow for the entire year ended December 31, 2016 and 107 self storage properties that were acquired during the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase in our operating cash flows from these acquisitions was partially offset by higher cash payments for interest, general and administrative expenses and acquisition costs.
Cash provided by our operating activities was $51.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to $16.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of $35.0 million. Our operating cash flow increased primarily due to 83 self storage properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2014 that generated cash flow for the entire year ended December 31, 2015 and 58 self storage properties that were acquired during the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase in our operating cash flows from these acquisitions was partially offset by higher cash payments for interest and general and administrative expenses.


53

Table of Contents

Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities was $642.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $176.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The primary uses of cash for the year ended December 31, 2016 were for our acquisition of 107 self storage properties for cash consideration of $532.5 million, investment in our unconsolidated real estate venture of $83.0 million, acquisition of our property management platform for $19.9 million, and capital expenditures of $11.4 million. The primary uses of cash for the year ended December 31, 2015 were for our acquisition of 58 self storage properties for cash consideration of $171.8 million, deposits of $0.7 million for assets to be acquired, and capital expenditures of $4.1 million.
Cash used in investing activities was $176.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to $232.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The primary uses of cash for the year ended December 31, 2015 were for our acquisition of 58 self storage properties for cash consideration of $171.8 million, deposits of $0.7 million for assets to be acquired, and capital expenditures of $4.1 million. The primary uses of cash for the year ended December 31, 2014 were for our acquisition of 83 self storage properties for cash consideration of $217.9 million, deposits and advances of $0.9 million, loans to related parties of $12.8 million associated with subsequent self storage property acquisitions, and capital expenditures of $3.8 million.
Capital expenditures totaled $11.4 million, $4.1 million and $3.8 million during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 respectively, We generally fund post-acquisition capital additions from cash provided by operating activities.
We categorize our capital expenditures broadly into three primary categories:
recurring capital expenditures, which represent the portion of capital expenditures that are deemed to replace the consumed portion of acquired capital assets and extend their useful life;
revenue enhancing capital expenditures, which represent the portion of capital expenditures that are made to enhance the revenue and value of an asset from its original purchase condition; and
acquisitions capital expenditures, which represent the portion of capital expenditures capitalized during the current period that were identified and underwritten prior to a property's acquisition.
The following table presents a summary of the capital expenditures for these categories, along with a reconciliation of the total for these categories to the capital expenditures reported in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Recurring capital expenditures
$
2,917

 
$
2,365

 
$
1,463

Revenue enhancing capital expenditures
2,641

 
703

 
312

Acquisitions capital expenditures
6,114

 
768

 
2,391

Total capital expenditures
11,672

 
3,836

 
4,166

(Increase) decrease in accrued capital spending
(254
)
 
236

 
(323
)
Capital expenditures per statement of cash flows
$
11,418

 
$
4,072

 
$
3,843

Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Cash provided by our financing activities was $553.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $123.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Our sources of financing cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily consisted of $378.3 million of proceeds from the issuance of common shares, as discussed further below, $712.5 million of borrowings under our credit facility and $100.0 million of borrowings under our Term Loan Facility. Our primary uses of financing cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2016 were for principal payments on existing debt of $558.6 million (which included $529.0 million of principal repayments under the Revolver, $25.2 million of fixed rate mortgage principal payoffs and $4.4 million of scheduled fixed rate mortgage principal payments), distributions to noncontrolling interests of $47.0 million, and distributions to common shareholders of $26.7 million. Our sources of financing cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2015 primarily consisted of $278.1 million of proceeds from the completion of our initial public offering and $258.4 million of borrowings under our credit


54

Table of Contents

facility. Our primary uses of financing cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2015 were for principal payments on existing debt of $357.3 million and distributions to noncontrolling interests of $38.0 million, and distributions to common shareholders of $12.4 million.
Cash provided by our financing activities was $123.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to $213.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Our sources of financing cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2015 primarily consisted of $278.1 million of proceeds from the completion of our initial public offering, as discussed further below, and $258.4 million of borrowings under our credit facility. Our primary uses of financing cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2015 were for principal payments on existing debt of $357.3 million, distributions to noncontrolling interests of $38.0 million, and distributions to common shareholders of $12.4 million. Our sources of financing cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2014 primarily consisted of $372.8 million of borrowings under our credit facility, unsecured term loan and new mortgage financing, and subscription proceeds of $0.4 million related to the issuance of OP Units. Our primary uses of financing cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2014 were for distributions to noncontrolling interests of $12.6 million, principal payments on existing debt of $144.0 million, payments of $1.8 million for debt issuance costs, and payments of $1.7 million for costs related to our initial public offering.
Equity Transactions
As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, on July 6, 2016, we closed a follow-on public offering of 12,046,250 of our common shares, which included 1,571,250 common shares sold upon the exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional common shares, at a public offering price of $20.75 per share. We received aggregate net proceeds from the offering of approximately $237.5 million after deducting the underwriting discount and additional expenses associated with the offering. In addition, on December 16, 2016, we closed a follow-on offering of 5,175,000 of our common shares, which included 675,000 common shares sold upon the exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional common shares, at an offering price of $20.48 per share. We received aggregate net proceeds from the offering of approximately $105.5 million after deducting the underwriting discount and additional expenses associated with the offering. 
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we sold 1,740,959 of our common shares through at the market offerings. The common shares were sold at an average offering price of $19.54 per share, resulting in net proceeds to us of approximately $33.6 million after deducting compensation payable by us to such agents, but before expenses.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, after receiving notices of redemption from certain holders of OP units, we elected to issue 1,125,503 common shares to such holders in exchange for 1,125,503 OP units in satisfaction of the operating partnership's redemption obligations.
In connection with the 107 properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2016, $121.8 million of OP equity was issued or vested (consisting of 4,324,249 OP units, 1,719,389 subordinated performance units and the vesting of 45,100 LTIP units previously issued). We also assumed mortgages with balances of $61.6 million ($12.2 million of which were subsequently repaid during the year ended December 31, 2016), and paid cash of $533.2 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company issued 67,832 OP units to the sellers of certain acquired properties in exchange for principal payment reimbursements received related to assumed mortgages associated with self storage properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2014.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company paid $26.7 million of distributions to common shareholders and distributed $47.0 million to noncontrolling interests.
In January and February 2017, we acquired five self storage properties for approximately $31.8 million. Consideration for these acquisitions included approximately $26.6 million of cash, OP equity of approximately $5.0 million (consisting of the issuance of 174,694 OP Units and 47,332 subordinated performance units), and the assumption of $0.2 million of other working capital liabilities.
On February 23, 2017, our board of trustees declared a cash dividend and distribution, respectively, of $0.24 per common share and OP unit to shareholders and OP unitholders of record as of March 15, 2017. In addition, we expect to declare a cash distribution in the first quarter of 2017 to our subordinated performance unitholders of record as of March 15, 2017. Such dividends and distributions are expected to be paid on March 30, 2017.



55

Table of Contents

Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes information contained elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K regarding payments due under contractual obligations and commitments on an undiscounted basis as of December 31, 2016 (dollars in thousands):
 
Year Ending December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
Thereafter
 
Total
Debt financings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Principal(1)
$
15,103

 
$
10,617

 
$
4,983

 
$
285,745

 
$
232,509

 
$
324,237

 
$
873,194

Interest(2)
26,083

 
25,717

 
25,379

 
20,965

 
14,180

 
21,854

 
134,178

Real estate leasehold interests
847

 
852

 
857

 
902

 
927

 
25,477

 
29,862

Office lease
139

 
142

 
145

 
86

 

 

 
512

Total
$
42,172

 
$
37,328

 
$
31,364

 
$
307,698

 
$
247,616

 
$
371,568

 
$
1,037,746

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) 
Includes scheduled principal and maturity payments related to our debt financings. 
(2) 
Interest is calculated until the maturity date (without regard to any extension that may be elected by the Company) based on the outstanding principal balance and the effective interest rate as of December 31, 2016. 
Cash Distributions from our Operating Partnership
Under the LP Agreement of our operating partnership, to the extent that we, as the general partner of our operating partnership, determine to make distributions to the partners of our operating partnership out of the operating cash flow or capital transaction proceeds generated by a real property portfolio managed by one of our PROs, the holders of the series of subordinated performance units that relate to such portfolio are entitled to share in such distributions. Under the LP Agreement of our operating partnership, operating cash flow with respect to a portfolio of properties managed by one of our PROs is generally an amount determined by us, as general partner, of our operating partnership equal to the excess of property revenues over property related expenses from that portfolio. In general, property revenue from the portfolio includes:
(i)
all receipts, including rents and other operating revenues;
(ii)
any incentive, financing, break-up and other fees paid to us by third parties;
(iii)
amounts released from previously set aside reserves; and
(iv)
any other amounts received by us, which we allocate to the particular portfolio of properties.
In general, property-related expenses include all direct expenses related to the operation of the properties in that portfolio, including real property taxes, insurance, property-level general and administrative expenses, employee costs, utilities, property marketing expense, property maintenance and property reserves and other expenses incurred at the property level. In addition, other expenses incurred by our operating partnership will also be allocated by us, as general partner, to the property portfolio and will be included in the property-related expenses of that portfolio. Examples of such other expenses include:
(i)
corporate-level general and administrative expenses;
(ii)
out-of-pocket costs, expenses and fees of our operating partnership, whether or not capitalized;
(iii)
the costs and expenses of organizing and operating our operating partnership;
(iv)
amounts paid or due in respect of any loan or other indebtedness of our operating partnership during such period;
(v)
extraordinary expenses of our operating partnership not previously or otherwise deducted under item (ii) above;
(vi)
any third-party costs and expenses associated with identifying, analyzing, and presenting a proposed property to us and/or our operating partnership; and
(vii)
reserves to meet anticipated operating expenditures debt service or other liabilities, as determined by us.


56

Table of Contents

To the extent to that we, as the general partner of our operating partnership, determine to make distributions to the partners of our operating partnership out of the operating cash flow of a real property portfolio managed by one of our PROs, operating cash flow from a property portfolio is required to be allocated to holders of OP units and to the holders of series of subordinated performance units that relate to such property portfolio as follows:
First, an amount is allocated to holders of OP units in order to provide holders of OP units (together with any prior allocations of capital transaction proceeds) with a cumulative preferred allocation on the unreturned capital contributions attributed to the OP units in respect of such property portfolio. The preferred allocation for all of our existing portfolios is 6%. As of December 31, 2016, our operating partnership had an aggregate of $1,056.2 million of such unreturned capital contributions with respect to common shareholders, OP unitholders, and the various property portfolios.
Second, an amount is allocated to the holders of the series of subordinated performance units relating to such property portfolio in order to provide such holders with an allocation (together with prior distributions of capital transaction proceeds) on their unreturned capital contributions. Although the subordinated allocation for the subordinated performance units is non-cumulative from period to period, if the operating cash flow from a property portfolio related to a series of subordinated performance units is sufficient, in the judgment of the general partner (with the approval of a majority of our independent trustees), to fund distributions to the holders of such series of subordinated performance units, but we, as the general partner of our operating partnership, decline to make distributions to such holders, the amount available but not paid as distributions will be added to the subordinated allocation corresponding to such series of subordinated performance units. The subordinated allocation for the outstanding subordinated performance units is 6%. As of December 31, 2016, an aggregate of $179.1 million of such unreturned capital contributions has been allocated to the various series of subordinated performance units.
Thereafter, any additional operating cash flow is allocated to holders of OP units and the applicable series of subordinated performance units equally.
Following the allocation described above, we as the general partner of our operating partnership, will generally cause our operating partnership to distribute the amounts allocated to the relevant series of subordinated performance units to the holders of such series of subordinated performance units. We, as the general partner may cause our operating partnership to distribute the amounts allocated to holders of the OP units or may cause our operating partnership to retain such amounts to be used by our operating partnership for any purpose. Any operating cash flow that is attributable to amounts retained by our operating partnership pursuant to the preceding sentence will generally be available to be allocated as an additional capital contribution to the various property portfolios.
The foregoing description of the allocation of operating cash flow between the OP unit holders and subordinated performance unit holders is used for purposes of determining distributions to holders of subordinated performance units but does not necessarily represent the operating cash flow that will be distributed to holders of OP units (or paid as dividends to holders of our common shares). Any distribution of operating cash flow allocated to the holders of OP units will be made at our discretion (and paid as dividends to holders of our common shares at the discretion of our board of trustees).
Under the LP Agreement of our operating partnership, capital transactions are transactions that are outside the ordinary course of our operating partnership's business, involve the sale, exchange, other disposition, or refinancing of any property, and are designated as capital transactions by us, as the general partner. To the extent the general partner determines to distribute capital transaction proceeds, the proceeds from capital transactions involving a particular property portfolio are required to be allocated to holders of OP units and to the series of subordinated performance units that relate to such property portfolio as follows:
First, an amount determined by us, as the general partner, of such capital transaction proceeds is allocated to holders of OP units in order to provide holders of OP units (together with any prior allocations of operating cash flow) with a cumulative preferred allocation on the unreturned capital contributions attributed to the holders of OP units in respect of such property portfolio that relate to such capital transaction plus an additional amount equal to such unreturned capital contributions.
Second, an amount determined by us, as the general partner, is allocated to the holders of the series of subordinated performance units relating to such property portfolio in order to provide such holders with a non-cumulative subordinated allocation on the unreturned capital contributions made by such holders in respect of such property portfolio that relate to such capital transaction plus an additional amount equal to such unreturned capital contributions.


57

Table of Contents

The preferred allocation and subordinated allocation with respect to capital transaction proceeds for each portfolio is equal to the preferred allocation and subordinated allocation for distributions of operating cash flow with respect to that portfolio.
Thereafter, any additional capital transaction proceeds is allocated to holders of OP units and the applicable series of subordinated performance units equally.
Following the allocation described above, we, as the general partner of our operating partnership, will generally cause our operating partnership to distribute the amounts allocated to the relevant series of subordinated performance units to the holders of such series of subordinated performance units. We, as general partner of our operating partnership, may cause our operating partnership to distribute the amounts allocated to holders of the OP units or may cause our operating partnership to retain such amounts to be used by our operating partnership for any purpose. Any capital transaction proceeds that are attributable to amounts retained by our operating partnership pursuant to the preceding sentence will generally be available to be allocated as an additional capital contribution to the various property portfolios.
The foregoing allocation of capital transaction proceeds between the OP unit holders and subordinated performance unit holders is used for purposes of determining distributions to holders of subordinated performance units but does not necessarily represent the capital transaction proceeds that will be distributed to holders of OP units (or paid as dividends to holders of our common shares). Any distribution of capital transaction proceeds allocated to the holders of OP units will be made at our discretion (and paid as dividends to holders of our common shares at the discretion of our board of trustees).
Our OP units are redeemable for cash or, at our option exchangeable on a one-for-one basis into common shares after an agreed period of time and certain other conditions. Our subordinated performance units are only convertible into OP units beginning two years following the completion of our initial public offering and then (i) at the holder's election only upon the achievement of certain performance thresholds relating to the properties to which such subordinated performance units relate or (ii) at our election upon a retirement event of a PRO that holds such subordinated performance units or upon certain qualifying terminations.
Notwithstanding the two-year lock out period on conversions of subordinated performance units into OP units, if such subordinated performance units were convertible into OP units as of December 31, 2016, each subordinated performance unit would on average hypothetically convert into 1.41 OP units, or into an aggregate of approximately 21.7 million OP units. These amounts are based on historical financial information for the trailing twelve months ended December 31, 2016. The hypothetical conversions are calculated by dividing the average CAD per subordinated performance unit by 110% of the CAD per OP unit over the same period. We anticipate that as our CAD grows over time, the conversion ratio will also grow, including to levels that may exceed these amounts. For example, we estimate that (assuming no further issuances of OP units or subordinated performance units and a conversion penalty of 110%) if our CAD to our OP unit holders, subordinated performance unit holders and shareholders were to grow at an annual rate of 1.0%, 3.0% or 5.0% per annum above the 2016 level in each of the two following years, each subordinated performance unit would on average be convertible into 1.43, 1.45, and 1.48 OP units, respectively, as of December 31, 2017. These estimates are provided for illustrative purposes only and may vary from series to series. The actual number of OP units into which such subordinated performance units will become convertible may vary significantly from these estimates and will depend upon the applicable conversion penalty and the actual CAD to the OP units and the actual CAD to the converted subordinated performance units in the one-year period ending prior to conversion. We have granted registration rights to those persons who will be eligible to receive common shares issuable upon exchange of OP units issued in our formation transactions and certain contribution transactions.
Allocation of Capital Contributions
We, as the general partner of our operating partnership, in our discretion, have the right to increase or decrease, as appropriate, the amount of capital contributions allocated to our operating partnership in general and to each series of subordinated performance units to reflect capital expenditures made by our operating partnership in respect of each portfolio, the sale or refinancing of all or a portion of the properties comprising the portfolio, the distribution of capital transaction proceeds by our operating partnership, the retention by our operating partnership of cash for working capital purposes and other events impacting the amount of capital contributions allocated to the holders. In addition, to avoid conflicts of interests, any decision by us to increase or decrease allocations of capital contributions must also be approved by a majority of our independent trustees.


58

Table of Contents

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Except as disclosed in the notes to our financial statements, as of December 31, 2016, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purposes entities, which typically are established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. Further, except as disclosed in the notes to our financial statements, as of December 31, 2016, we have not guaranteed any obligations of unconsolidated entities nor do we have any commitments or intent to provide funding to any such entities. Accordingly, we are not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in these relationships.
Segment 
We manage our business as one reportable segment consisting of investments in self storage properties located in the United States. Although we operate in several markets, these operations have been aggregated into one reportable segment based on the similar economic characteristics amongst all markets.
Seasonality 
The self storage business is subject to minor seasonal fluctuations. A greater portion of revenues and profits are realized from May through September. Historically, our highest level of occupancy has typically been in July, while our lowest level of occupancy has typically been in February. Results for any quarter may not be indicative of the results that may be achieved for the full fiscal year.
Inflation
Inflation in the United States has been relatively low in recent years and did not have a material impact on our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. Although the impact of inflation has been relatively insignificant in recent years, it remains a factor in the U.S. economy and may increase the cost of acquiring or replacing self storage properties and related improvements, as well as real estate property taxes, employee salaries, wages and benefits, utilities, and other expenses. Because our tenant leases are month-to-month, we may be able to rapidly adjust our rental rates to minimize the adverse impact of any inflation which could mitigate our exposure to increases in costs and expenses resulting from inflation.
ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market risk refers to the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and interest rates. Our future income, cash flows, and fair values of financial instruments are dependent upon prevailing market interest rates. The primary market risk to which we believe we are exposed is interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations, and other factors beyond our control. We use interest rate swaps to moderate our exposure to interest rate risk by effectively converting the interest on variable rate debt to a fixed rate. We make limited use of other derivative financial instruments and we do not use them for trading or other speculative purposes.
As of December 31, 2016, we had $246.5 million of debt subject to variable interest rates (excluding variable-rate debt subject to interest rate swaps). If one-month LIBOR were to increase or decrease by 100 basis points, the increase or decrease in interest expense on the variable-rate debt (excluding variable-rate debt subject to interest rate swaps) would increase or decrease future earnings and cash flows by approximately $2.5 million annually.
Interest rate risk amounts were determined by considering the impact of hypothetical interest rates on our financial instruments. These analyses do not consider the effect of any change in overall economic activity that could occur. Further, in the event of a change of that magnitude, we may take actions to further mitigate our exposure to the change. However, due to the uncertainty of the specific actions that would be taken and their possible effects, these analyses assume no changes in our financial structure.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The independent registered public accounting firm's report, consolidated financial statements and schedule listed in the accompanying index are filed as part of this report and incorporated herein by this reference. See "Index to Financial Statements" on page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.


59

Table of Contents

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
A review and evaluation was performed by our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (the "CEO") and Chief Financial Officer (the "CFO"), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act), as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on that review and evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that our current disclosure controls and procedures, as designed and implemented, were effective.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that it will detect or uncover failures within the Company to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in our periodic reports.
Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by our board of trustees, audit committee, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP and includes those policies and procedures that:
pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and trustees; and
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016. In making this assessment, our management used criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013 Framework).
Based on this assessment, our management believes that, as of December 31, 2016, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting pursuant to rules of the SEC that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
Item 9B. Other Information
On February 24, 2017, the Company entered into LTIP Unit Award Agreements (the "Award Agreements") pursuant to the Company's 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") with each of its executive officers, Arlen D. Nordhagen, Tamara D. Fischer, Steven B. Treadwell, and Brandon Togashi, to grant LTIP unit awards in connection with a multi-year performance-based equity incentive compensation program.
The awards are designed to align the interests of the Company's executive officers with those of the Company's shareholders in a pay-for-performance structure. The awards are structured to reward, among other things, favorable


60


shareholder returns, the Company’s competitive position within its segment of the real estate industry and each executive officer's contribution to the Company. They are bifurcated between performance-based and time-based awards.
The performance-based awards represent the maximum amount of LTIP units that can vest contingent upon the achievement of performance criteria during the period between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019, which is based on the Company's total shareholder return ("TSR") relative to the TSR of the companies in the Morgan Stanley Capital International US REIT Index and the Company's TSR relative to the TSR of its peers in the self storage industry. To the extent the minimum level of performance is not achieved as set forth in the Award Agreements, no performance-based awards will vest. To the extent performance results fall between the minimum and target levels or the target and maximum levels set forth in the Award Agreements, vesting will be determined based upon linear interpolation.
The Award Agreements provide that, if an executive officer's employment is terminated by us without "cause" or by the executive officer for "good reason" (each as defined in the applicable employment agreement), or by reason of the executive officer's death or "disability" (as defined in the applicable employment agreement) prior to the completion of the vesting period, then upon the completion of the vesting period, all time-based awards will become vested and a prorated number (based on the number of days of employment during the vesting period until the termination of service, as applicable, over the number of calendar days in the vesting period) of any performance-based LTIP units that would have been awarded upon completion of the vesting period if there had not been a termination of service will become vested and any remaining portion of such awards will be forfeited, except in the event that a termination of service as described above follows a change of control which occurs after June 30, 2018, in which case all outstanding performance-based LTIP units will vest without being subject to proration.
During the vesting period, each executive officer will be entitled to receive interim distributions with respect to each performance-based LTIP unit at the maximum level equal to ten percent of the distributions paid to a holder of an equal number of OP units. Upon the completion of the vesting period, each executive officer will be entitled to receive full distributions on each performance-based LTIP unit earned equal to the distributions payable during the vesting period on an equal number of OP units less the amount of interim distributions already paid. Thereafter, each executive officer will be entitled to receive distributions on each vested LTIP unit equal to the distributions paid to a holder of an OP unit as distributions on OP units are made.
The time-based awards vest in three annual installments on January 1, 2018, January 1, 2019 and January 1, 2020, subject to the continued employment of the executive officers. During the vesting period, each executive officer will be entitled to receive distributions with respect to each time-based LTIP unit equal to each distribution paid to a holder of an OP unit as distributions on OP units are made.
The following table summarizes the maximum number of performance-based awards that may be earned by each executive officer if maximum performance is achieved and the total number of time-based awards that each executive officer may earn by January 1, 2020 under the Award Agreements:
Executive Officer
 
Performance-based Award
 
Time-based Award
Arlen D. Nordhagen
 
50,158
 
41,867
Tamara D. Fischer
 
22,800
 
19,031
Steven B. Treadwell
 
11,401
 
9,516
Brandon Togashi
 
6,515
 
5,438
The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Form of 2017 LTIP Unit Award Agreement, which will be filed with the Company's next quarterly report on Form 10-Q.


61


PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information regarding our trustees, executive officers and certain other matters required by Item 401 of Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement relating to our annual meeting of shareholders (the "Proxy Statement"), to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2016.
The information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act required by Item 405 of Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2016.
The information regarding our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics required by Item 406 of Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2016.
The information regarding certain matters pertaining to our corporate governance required by Item 407(c)(3), (d)(4) and (d)(5) of Regulation S-K is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2016.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information regarding executive compensation and other compensation related matters required by Items 402 and 407(e)(4) and (e)(5) of Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2016.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The tables on equity compensation plan information and beneficial ownership of the Company required by Items 201(d) and 403 of Regulation S-K are incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2016.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information regarding transactions with related persons, promoters and certain control persons and trustee independence required by Items 404 and 407(a) of Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2016.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information concerning principal accounting fees and services and the Audit Committee's pre-approval policies and procedures required by Item 14 is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2016.


62

Table of Contents

PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)(1) The financial statements listed in the Index to Financial Statements on Page F-1 of this report are filed as part of this report and incorporated herein by reference.
(a)(2) The financial statement schedule listed in the Index to Financial Statements on Page F-1 of this report is filed as part of this report and incorporated herein by reference.
(a)(3) The Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.
INDEX TO EXHIBITS (1) (2)
Exhibit Number
Exhibit Description
 
 
3.1
Articles of Amendment and Restatement of National Storage Affiliates Trust (Exhibit 3.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on June 5, 2015, is incorporated herein by this reference)
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of National Storage Affiliates Trust (Exhibit 3.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on June 5, 2015, is incorporated herein by this reference)
4.1
Specimen Common Share Certificate of National Storage Affiliates Trust (Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-11/A filed with the SEC on April 20, 2015, is incorporated by reference)
10.1
Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of NSA OP, LP (Exhibit 3.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on June 5, 2015, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.2
Amended and Restated Partnership Unit Designation of Series GN Class B OP Units of NSA OP, LP (Exhibit 3.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on June 5, 2015, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.3
Third Amended and Restated Partnership Unit Designation of Series NW Class B OP Units of NSA OP, LP (Exhibit 3.5 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on June 5, 2015, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.4
Third Amended and Restated Partnership Unit Designation of Series OV Class B OP Units of NSA OP, LP (Exhibit 3.6 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on June 5, 2015, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.5
Second Amended and Restated Partnership Unit Designation of Series SC Class B OP Units of NSA OP, LP (Exhibit 3.7 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on June 5, 2015, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.6
Partnership Unit Designation of Series SS Class B OP Units of NSA OP, LP (Exhibit 3.8 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on June 5, 2015, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.7
Partnership Unit Designation of Series HA Class B OP Units of NSA OP, LP (Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with SEC on August 9, 2016, is incorporated by reference)
10.8*
First Amendment to Partnership Unit Designation of Series HA Class B OP Units of NSA OP, LP
10.9
Form of Second Amended and Restated DownREIT Partnership Agreement (including a schedule of existing DownREIT limited partnership agreements and limited liability company agreements) (Exhibit 10.7 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on November 10, 2015, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.10
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 6, 2016 by and among NSA OP, LP, as Borrower, certain of its subsidiaries party thereto as Subsidiary Guarantors, National Storage Affiliates Trust as Guarantor, the lenders from time to time party hereto, KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent, with Keybanc Capital Markets Inc. and PNC Capital Markets LLC, as Co-Bookrunners and Co-Lead Arrangers, and PNC Bank, National Association, as Syndication Agent and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Co-Documentation Agents (Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on August 9, 2016, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.11*
Increase Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2016, by and among NSA OP, LP, as Borrower, certain of its subsidiaries party thereto as Subsidiary Guarantors, National Storage Affiliates Trust as Guarantor, the lenders from time to time party hereto, and KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent


63

Table of Contents

10.12*
Second Increase Agreement and Amendment, dated as of February 08, 2017, by and among NSA OP, LP, as Borrower, certain of its subsidiaries party thereto as Subsidiary Guarantors, National Storage Affiliates Trust as Guarantor, the lenders from time to time party hereto, and KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent
10.13
National Storage Affiliates Trust Equity Incentive Plan (Exhibit 10.11 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on June 5, 2015, is incorporated herein by reference)
10.14
NSA OP, LP, 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Exhibit 10.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-11/A, filed with SEC on April 1, 2015, is incorporated herein by reference).
10.15
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, by and among National Storage Affiliates Trust and the parties listed on Schedule I thereto (Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on June 5, 2015, is incorporated herein by reference)
10.16
Employment Agreement, dated April 28, 2015, by and between National Storage Affiliates Trust and Arlen D. Nordhagen (Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on June 5, 2015, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.17
Employment Agreement, dated April 28, 2015, by and between National Storage Affiliates Trust and Tamara D. Fischer (Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on June 5, 2015, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.18
Employment Agreement, dated April 28, 2015, by and between National Storage Affiliates Trust and Steven B. Treadwell (Exhibit 10.5 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on June 5, 2015, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.19*
Employment Agreement, dated January 1, 2017, by and between National Storage Affiliates Trust and Brandon Togashi
10.20
Form of Amended and Restated Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement (Exhibit 10.18 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 10, 2016, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.21
Form of Amended and Restated Restricted Share Award Agreement (Exhibit 10.19 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 10, 2016, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.22
Form of LTIP Unit Award Agreement to Trustees under the NSA OP, LP, 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Exhibit 10.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-11/A, filed with the SEC on April 1, 2015, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.23
Form of Contribution Agreement among each contributor named therein, NSA OP, LP and any indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of NSA OP, LP named therein (Exhibit 10.13 to the Registration Statement on Form S-11/A, filed with the SEC on April 1, 2015, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.24
Form of Purchase and Sale Agreement among each seller named therein, National Storage Affiliates Trust and NSA OP, LP (Exhibit 10.14 to the Registration Statement on Form S-11/A, filed with the SEC on April 1, 2015, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.25
Form of Indemnification Agreement (Exhibit 10.7 to the Registration Statement on Form S-11/A, filed with the SEC on April 1, 2015, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.26
Facilities Portfolio Management Agreement, dated April 28, 2015, by and among (i) NSA OP, LP, (ii) the property owners listed therein, (iii) Guardian Storage Centers, LLC, a California limited liability company d/b/a StorAmerica Management, and (iv) John Minar and David Lamb, each an individual (Exhibit 10.6 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on June 5, 2015, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.27
Facilities Portfolio Management Agreement, dated April 28, 2015, by and among (i) NSA OP, LP, (ii) the property owners listed therein, (iii) Kevin Howard Real Estate, Inc., an Oregon corporation, and (iv) Kevin Howard, an individual (Exhibit 10.7 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on June 5, 2015, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.28
Facilities Portfolio Management Agreement, dated April 28, 2015, by and among (i) NSA OP, LP, (ii) the property owners listed therein, (iv) Optivest Properties, LLC, a California limited liability company, and (iv) Warren Allen, an individual (Exhibit 10.8 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on June 5, 2015, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.29
Facilities Portfolio Management Agreement, dated April 28, 2015, by and among (i) NSA OP, LP, (ii) the property owners listed therein, (iii) SecurCare Self Storage, Inc. a Colorado corporation, and (iv) David Cramer, Justin Hlibichuk and Arlen Nordhagen, each an individual (Exhibit 10.9 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on June 5, 2015, is incorporated herein by this reference)


64

Table of Contents

10.30
Facilities Portfolio Management Agreement, dated April 28, 2015, by and among (i) NSA OP, LP, (ii) the property owners listed therein (iii) Arizona Mini Storage Management Company, an Arizona corporation, and (iv) William F. Bohannan, Jr. and Raymond McRae, each an individual (Exhibit 10.10 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on June 5, 2015, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.31
Facilities Portfolio Management Agreement, dated April 1, 2016, by and among (i) NSA OP, LP, (ii) the property owners listed therein (iii) the property owners listed as "Deferred Management Property Owners" therein (iv) Hide-Away Storage Services, Inc., a Florida Corporation and, (v) Stephen A. Wilson, Paul Feikema, and Meisha Wilson, each an individual (Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on August 9, 2016, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.32
Open Market Sales Agreement, dated October 11, 2016, among National Storage Affiliates Trust, NSA OP, LP and Jefferies LLC (Exhibit 1.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on October 13, 2016, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.33
Open Market Sales Agreement, dated October 11, 2016, among National Storage Affiliates Trust, NSA OP, LP and Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated (Exhibit 1.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on October 13, 2016, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.34
Open Market Sales Agreement, dated October 11, 2016, among National Storage Affiliates Trust, NSA OP, LP and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (Exhibit 1.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on October 13, 2016, is incorporated herein by this reference)
10.35
Open Market Sales Agreement, dated October 11, 2016, among National Storage Affiliates Trust, NSA OP, LP and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. (Exhibit 1.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on October 13, 2016, is incorporated herein by this reference)
21.1*
List of subsidiaries of National Storage Affiliates Trust
23.1*
Consent of KPMG LLP for National Storage Affiliates Trust and NSA Predecessor
24.1*
Power of Attorney (included on signature page)
31.1*
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1*
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101*
XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language). The following materials from NSA's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, tagged in XBRL: ((i) consolidated balance sheets; (ii) consolidated statements of operations; (iii) consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss); (iv) consolidated statement of changes in equity; (v) consolidated statements of cash flows; (vi) notes to consolidated financial statements; and (vii) financial statement schedule (3).
 
 
*
Filed herewith.


65

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
National Storage Affiliates Trust
 
 
By:
/s/ ARLEN D. NORDHAGEN
 
Arlen D. Nordhagen
 
chairman of the board of trustees, president
 
and chief executive officer
 
(principal executive officer)
Date: February 28, 2017


POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Arlen D. Nordhagen and Tamara D. Fischer, and each of them, with full power to act without the other, such person's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, 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 this Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto, and to file the same, with exhibits and schedules thereto, and other 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 necessary or desirable to be done in and about the premises, 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 any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


66

Table of Contents

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
National Storage Affiliates Trust
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ ARLEN D. NORDHAGEN
chairman of the board of trustees, president
February 28, 2017
Arlen D. Nordhagen
and chief executive officer
 
 
(principal executive officer)
 
 
 
 
/s/ TAMARA D. FISCHER
chief financial officer
February 28, 2017
Tamara D. Fischer
(principal financial officer)
 
 
 
 
/s/ BRANDON TOGASHI
chief accounting officer
February 28, 2017
Brandon Togashi
(principal accounting officer)
 
 
 
 
/s/ GEORGE L. CHAPMAN
trustee
February 28, 2017
George L. Chapman
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ KEVIN M. HOWARD
trustee
February 28, 2017
Kevin M. Howard
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ PAUL W. HYLBERT, JR.
trustee
February 28, 2017
Paul W. Hylbert, Jr.
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ CHAD MEISINGER
trustee
February 28, 2017
Chad Meisinger
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ STEVEN G. OSGOOD
trustee
February 28, 2017
Steven G. Osgood
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ DOMINIC M. PALAZZO
trustee
February 28, 2017
Dominic M. Palazzo
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ MARK VAN MOURICK
trustee
February 28, 2017
Mark Van Mourick
 
 



67

Table of Contents

NATIONAL STORAGE AFFILIATES TRUST
 
 
 
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
Page
Financial Statements:
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
 
Financial Statement Schedule:
 
Schedule III - Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.


F-1

Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Trustees and Shareholders

National Storage Affiliates Trust:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of National Storage Affiliates Trust (the Company) as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we have also audited the financial statement schedule, Schedule III—Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and the financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of National Storage Affiliates Trust as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

/s/ KPMG LLP
Denver, Colorado

February 28, 2017



F-2

Table of Contents
NATIONAL STORAGE AFFILIATES TRUST
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
ASSETS
 
 
 
Real estate
 
 
 
Self storage properties
$
1,844,336

 
$
1,147,201

Less accumulated depreciation
(110,803
)
 
(68,100
)
Self storage properties, net
1,733,533

 
1,079,101

Cash and cash equivalents
12,570

 
6,665

Restricted cash
2,767

 
2,712

Debt issuance costs, net
3,069

 
1,923

Investment in unconsolidated real estate venture
81,486

 

Other assets, net
44,730

 
8,648

Assets held for sale
13,937

 

Total assets
$
1,892,092

 
$
1,099,049

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Debt financing
$
878,954

 
$
567,795

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
21,616

 
9,694

Deferred revenue
12,454

 
5,513

Total liabilities
913,024

 
583,002

Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)

 

Equity
 
 
 
Common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share. 250,000,000 authorized, 43,110,362 and 23,015,751 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively
431

 
230

Additional paid-in capital
576,365

 
236,392

Retained (deficit) earnings
(8,719
)
 
11

Accumulated other comprehensive income
9,025

 

Total shareholders' equity
577,102

 
236,633

Noncontrolling interests
401,966

 
279,414

Total equity
979,068

 
516,047

Total liabilities and equity
$
1,892,092

 
$
1,099,049



See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-3

Table of Contents
NATIONAL STORAGE AFFILIATES TRUST
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)


 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
REVENUE
 
 
 
 
 
Rental revenue
$
191,178

 
$
129,869

 
$
74,837

Other property-related revenue
6,059

 
4,050

 
2,133

Management fees and other revenue
1,809

 

 

Total revenue
199,046

 
133,919

 
76,970

OPERATING EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
Property operating expenses
64,798

 
45,412

 
27,913

General and administrative expenses
21,528

 
16,265

 
8,189

Depreciation and amortization
55,064

 
40,651

 
23,785

Total operating expenses
141,390

 
102,328

 
59,887

Income from operations
57,656

 
31,591

 
17,083

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(24,109
)
 
(20,779
)
 
(23,033
)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
(136
)
 
(914
)
 
(1,020
)
Equity in losses of unconsolidated real estate venture
(1,484
)
 

 

Acquisition costs
(6,546
)
 
(4,765
)
 
(9,558
)
Organizational and offering expenses

 
(58
)
 
(1,320
)
Non-operating (expense) income
(515
)
 
(279
)
 
64

Gain on sale of self storage properties

 

 
1,427

Other income (expense)
(32,790
)
 
(26,795
)
 
(33,440
)
Net income (loss)
24,866

 
4,796

 
(16,357
)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(6,901
)
 
7,644

 
16,357

Net income (loss) attributable to National Storage Affiliates Trust
$
17,965

 
$
12,440

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per share - basic
$
0.60

 
$
0.80

 
$

Earnings (loss) per share - diluted
$
0.31

 
$
0.17

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic
29,887

 
15,463

 
1

Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted
78,747

 
45,409

 
1



See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-4

Table of Contents
NATIONAL STORAGE AFFILIATES TRUST
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(dollars in thousands)

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Net income (loss)
$
24,866

 
$
4,796

 
$
(16,357
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts
6,434

 
(1,551
)
 
(1,942
)
Reclassification of other comprehensive loss to interest expense
2,678

 
1,699

 
1,077

Other comprehensive income (loss)
9,112

 
148

 
(865
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
33,978

 
4,944

 
(17,222
)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(7,272
)
 
7,496

 
17,222

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to National Storage Affiliates Trust
$
26,706

 
$
12,440

 
$


See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-5

Table of Contents
NATIONAL STORAGE AFFILIATES TRUST
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(dollars in thousands, except share amounts)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional
 
Retained
 
Other
 
 
 
 
 
Common Shares
 
Paid-in
 
(Deficit)
 
Comprehensive
 
Noncontrolling
 
Total
 
Number
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Earnings
 
Income
 
Interests
 
Equity
Balances, December 31, 2013
1,000

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
55,197

 
$
55,197

Net OP equity issuances in business combinations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OP units and subordinated performance units

 

 

 

 

 
142,223

 
142,223

LTIP units

 

 

 

 

 
3,652

 
3,652

Receivables for issuance of OP equity

 

 

 

 

 
(5,206
)
 
(5,206
)
Noncontrolling interests in acquired subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 
41,297

 
41,297

Issuance of OP units

 

 

 

 

 
6,294

 
6,294

Equity-based compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 
1,468

 
1,468

Issuance of LTIP units for acquisition expenses

 

 

 

 

 
2,101

 
2,101

Issuance of subordinated performance units for related party acquisition expenses

 

 

 

 

 
3,542

 
3,542

Reduction in receivables from partners of OP

 

 

 

 

 
194

 
194

Distributions to limited partners of OP

 

 

 

 

 
(19,436
)
 
(19,436
)
Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 
(865
)
 
(865
)
Net loss

 

 

 

 

 
(16,357
)
 
(16,357
)
Balances, December 31, 2014
1,000

 

 

 

 

 
214,104

 
214,104

Net OP equity issuances in business combinations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OP units and subordinated performance units

 

 

 

 

 
42,113

 
42,113

LTIP units

 

 

 

 

 
1,402

 
1,402

Noncontrolling interests in acquired subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 
21,137

 
21,137

Redemption of common shares
(1,000
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common shares, net of offering costs
23,000,000

 
230

 
270,715

 

 

 

 
270,945

Issuance of common shares, share based compensation plans
4,751

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities

 

 
(34,376
)
 

 

 
34,376

 

Issuance of OP units

 

 

 

 

 
1,416

 
1,416

Equity-based compensation expense

 

 
74

 

 

 
2,953

 
3,027

Issuance of LTIP units for acquisition expenses

 

 

 

 

 
1,020

 
1,020

Issuance of restricted common shares
17,210

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vesting and forfeitures of restricted common shares
(6,210
)
 

 
(21
)
 

 

 

 
(21
)
Reduction in receivables from partners of OP

 

 

 

 

 
1,589

 
1,589


See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-6

Table of Contents
NATIONAL STORAGE AFFILIATES TRUST
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (CONTINUED)
(dollars in thousands, except share amounts)


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional
 
Retained
 
Other
 
 
 
 
 
Common Shares
 
Paid-in
 
(Deficit)
 
Comprehensive
 
Noncontrolling
 
Total
 
Number
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Earnings
 
Income
 
Interests
 
Equity
Common share dividends

 

 

 
(12,429
)
 

 

 
(12,429
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 
(33,200
)
 
(33,200
)
Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 
148

 
148

Net income (loss)

 

 

 
12,440

 

 
(7,644
)
 
4,796

Balances, December 31, 2015
23,015,751

 
230

 
236,392

 
11

 

 
279,414

 
516,047

OP equity recorded in business combinations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OP units and subordinated performance units, net of offering costs

 

 

 

 

 
120,827

 
120,827

LTIP units

 

 

 

 

 
814

 
814

Redemptions of OP units
1,125,503

 
11

 
13,004

 

 
(4
)
 
(13,011
)
 

Issuance of common shares, net of offering costs
18,962,209

 
190

 
376,224

 

 

 

 
376,414

Issuance of common shares, share based compensation plans
4,309

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities

 

 
(49,349
)
 

 
288

 
49,061

 

Issuance of OP units

 

 

 

 

 
1,441

 
1,441

Equity-based compensation expense

 

 
120

 

 

 
2,477

 
2,597

Issuance of LTIP units for acquisition expenses

 

 

 

 

 
56

 
56

Issuance of restricted common shares
8,090

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vesting and forfeitures of restricted common shares
(5,500
)
 

 
(26
)
 

 

 

 
(26
)
Reduction in receivables from partners of OP

 

 

 

 

 
1,375

 
1,375

Common share dividends

 

 

 
(26,695
)
 

 

 
(26,695
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 
(47,760
)
 
(47,760
)
Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 
8,741

 
371

 
9,112

Net income

 

 

 
17,965

 

 
6,901

 
24,866

Balances, December 31, 2016
43,110,362

 
$
431

 
$
576,365

 
$
(8,719
)
 
$
9,025

 
$
401,966

 
$
979,068


See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-7

Table of Contents
NATIONAL STORAGE AFFILIATES TRUST
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
24,866

 
$
4,796

 
$
(16,357
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
55,064

 
40,651

 
23,785

Amortization of debt issuance costs
1,955

 
2,714

 
3,282

Amortization of debt discount and premium, net
(2,051
)
 
(1,747
)
 
495

Loss on debt extinguishment
136

 
414

 
344

Unrealized loss on fair value of derivatives

 
68

 
332

Gain on sale of self storage properties

 

 
(1,427
)
Issuance of subordinated performance units for related party payable

 

 
2,994

LTIP units issued for acquisition expenses
56

 
1,020

 
1,460

Equity-based compensation expense
2,597

 
3,027

 
1,468

Equity in losses of unconsolidated real estate venture
1,484

 

 

Distributions from unconsolidated real estate venture
730

 

 

Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects of business combinations:
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted cash
437

 
1,076

 
1,051

Other assets
(1,994
)
 
(680
)
 
(271
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
8,386

 
269

 
(126
)
Deferred revenue
3,417

 
(198
)
 
(607
)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
95,083

 
51,410

 
16,423

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisition of self storage properties
(532,529
)
 
(171,822
)
 
(217,939
)
Capital expenditures
(11,418
)
 
(4,072
)
 
(3,843
)
Investments in unconsolidated real estate venture
(82,950
)
 

 

Note receivable from PROs

 

 
(12,813
)
Acquisition of property management platform
(19,943
)
 

 

Deposits and advances for self storage property and other acquisitions
(345
)
 
(738
)
 
(913
)
Expenditures for corporate furniture, equipment and other
(527
)
 
(418
)
 
(146
)
Change in restricted cash designated for capital expenditures
17

 
141

 
662

Net proceeds from sale of self storage properties
4,823

 

 
2,993

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities
(642,872
)
 
(176,909
)
 
(231,999
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of common shares
378,281

 
278,070

 

Borrowings under debt financings
812,500

 
258,443

 
372,839

Proceeds from issuance of OP units and subordinated performance units

 

 
438

Receipts for OP unit subscriptions
1,344

 
1,015

 

Collection of receivables from issuance of OP equity
930

 
774

 
89

Principal payments under debt financings
(558,597
)
 
(357,273
)
 
(143,970
)

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-8

Table of Contents
NATIONAL STORAGE AFFILIATES TRUST
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
(dollars in thousands)




 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Payment of dividends to common shareholders
(26,695
)
 
(12,429
)
 

Distributions to noncontrolling interests
(47,005
)
 
(37,992
)
 
(12,567
)
NSA Predecessor distributions and other

 

 
34

Change in restricted cash for financing activity

 
(167
)
 

Debt issuance costs
(5,665
)
 
(1,848
)
 
(1,774
)
Equity offering costs
(1,399
)
 
(5,438
)
 
(1,700
)
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
553,694

 
123,155

 
213,389

Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
5,905

 
(2,344
)
 
(2,187
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning of year
6,665

 
9,009

 
11,196

End of year
$
12,570

 
$
6,665

 
$
9,009

Supplemental Cash Flow Information
 
 
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest
$
23,313

 
$
20,206

 
$
18,771

Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
Consideration exchanged in business combinations:
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of OP units and subordinated performance units
$
120,952

 
$
42,113

 
$
137,017

Deposits on acquisitions applied to purchase price
631

 
745

 

LTIP units vesting upon acquisition of properties
814

 
1,402

 
3,652

Assumption of mortgages payable
61,628

 
73,498

 
65,816

Note payable to related party to settle assumed mortgages

 
5,342

 

Other net liabilities assumed
4,817

 
511

 
2,403

OP units in exchange for receivable from seller

 

 
5,206

Notes receivable settled upon acquisition of properties

 
1,778

 
11,035

Fair value of noncontrolling interests in acquired subsidiaries

 
21,137

 
41,297

Issuance of OP unit subscription liability through reduced distributions
1,441

 
1,416

 
5,863

Settlement of acquisition receivables through reduced distributions
445

 
1,473

 
105

Increase in lender participation liability and related discount

 

 
770

Increase in OP unit subscription liability through reduced distributions
310

 
498

 

Increase (decrease) in payables for deferred offering costs
593

 
(1,379
)
 
1,418

Settlement of offering expenses from equity issuance proceeds
11,673

 
20,930

 


See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-9

Table of Contents
NATIONAL STORAGE AFFILIATES TRUST
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS







1. ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS
National Storage Affiliates Trust was organized in the state of Maryland on May 16, 2013 and is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust focused on the self storage sector. As used herein, "NSA," the "Company," "we," "our," and "us" refers to National Storage Affiliates Trust and its consolidated subsidiaries, except where the context indicates otherwise. The Company completed its initial public offering on April 28, 2015 and has elected and believes that it has qualified to be taxed as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes ("REIT") commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2015.
Through its controlling interest as the sole general partner of NSA OP, LP (its "operating partnership"), a Delaware limited partnership formed on February 13, 2013, the Company is focused on the ownership, operation, and acquisition of self storage properties located within the top 100 metropolitan statistical areas ("MSAs") in the United States. Pursuant to the Agreement of Limited Partnership (as amended, the "LP Agreement") of its operating partnership, the Company's operating partnership is authorized to issue Class A Units ("OP units"), different series of Class B Units ("subordinated performance units"), and Long-Term Incentive Plan Units ("LTIP units"). The Company also owns certain of its self storage properties through other consolidated limited partnership subsidiaries of its operating partnership, which we refer to as "DownREIT partnerships." The DownREIT partnerships issue equity ownership interests that are intended to be economically equivalent to the Company's OP units ("DownREIT OP units") and subordinated performance units ("DownREIT subordinated performance units").
The Company owned 382 self storage properties in 20 states with approximately 23.1 million rentable square feet in approximately 184,000 storage units as of December 31, 2016. These properties are managed with local operational focus and expertise by the Company's participating regional operators ("PROs"). These PROs are SecurCare Self Storage, Inc. and its controlled affiliates ("SecurCare"), Kevin Howard Real Estate Inc., d/b/a Northwest Self Storage and its controlled affiliates ("Northwest"), Optivest Properties LLC and its controlled affiliates ("Optivest"), Guardian Storage Centers LLC and its controlled affiliates ("Guardian"), Move It Self Storage and its controlled affiliates ("Move It"), Arizona Mini Storage Management Company d/b/a Storage Solutions and its controlled affiliates ("Storage Solutions"), and Hide-Away Storage Services, Inc. and its controlled affiliates ("Hide-Away").
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").
Principles of Consolidation
The Company's consolidated financial statements include the accounts of its operating partnership and its controlled subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidation of entities.
When the Company obtains an economic interest in an entity, the Company evaluates the entity to determine if the entity is deemed a variable interest entity ("VIE"), and if the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary, in accordance with authoritative guidance issued on the consolidation of VIEs. When an entity is not deemed to be a VIE, the Company considers the provisions of additional guidance to determine whether the general partner controls a limited partnership or similar entity when the limited partners have certain rights. The Company consolidates all entities that are VIEs and of which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-02 and concluded that although its operating partnership and all DownREIT partnerships now meet the criteria as a VIE, no change was required to the Company's accounting for any of its interests in less than wholly owned DownREIT partnerships or its operating partnership. The sole significant asset of National Storage Affiliates Trust is its investment in its operating partnership, and consequently, substantially all of the Company’s assets and liabilities represent those assets and liabilities of its operating partnership. Accordingly, there has been no change to the recognized amounts in the Company's consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations or amounts reported in the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows from the Company's adoption of ASU 2015-02.


F-10

Table of Contents

As of December 31, 2016, the Company's operating partnership was the primary beneficiary of, and therefore consolidated, 21 DownREIT partnerships that are considered VIEs, which owned 34 self storage properties. The net book value of the real estate owned by these VIEs was $256.8 million and $262.6 million as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. For the DownREIT partnerships which are subject to fixed rate mortgages payable, the carrying value of such fixed rate mortgages payable held by these VIEs was $41.4 million and $43.2 million as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The creditors of the consolidated VIEs do not have recourse to the Company's general credit.
Noncontrolling Interests
All of the limited partner equity interests in its operating partnership not held by the Company are reflected as noncontrolling interests. Noncontrolling interests also include ownership interests in DownREIT partnerships held by entities other than the Company's operating partnership. In the consolidated statements of operations, the Company allocates net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests to arrive at net income (loss) attributable to National Storage Affiliates Trust.
For transactions that result in changes to the Company's ownership interest in its operating partnership, the carrying amount of noncontrolling interests is adjusted to reflect such changes. The difference between the fair value of the consideration received or paid and the amount by which the noncontrolling interests is adjusted is reflected as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheets.
Self Storage Properties
Self storage properties are carried at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses. Major replacements and betterments, which improve or extend the life of an asset, are capitalized. Expenditures for ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred and are included in property operating expenses. Estimated depreciable lives of self storage properties are determined by considering the age and other indicators about the condition of the assets at the respective dates of acquisition, resulting in a range of estimated useful lives for assets within each category. All self storage property assets are depreciated using the straight-line method. Buildings and improvements are depreciated over estimated useful lives primarily between seven and 40 years; furniture and equipment are depreciated over estimated useful lives primarily between three and 10 years.
When a self storage property is acquired, the purchase price of the acquired self storage property is allocated to land, buildings and improvements, furniture and equipment, customer in-place leases, assumed real estate leasehold interests, other assets acquired and liabilities assumed, based on the estimated fair value of each component. When a portfolio of self storage properties is acquired, the purchase price is allocated to the individual self storage properties based on the fair value determined using an income approach with appropriate risk-adjusted capitalization rates, which take into account the relative size, age and location of the individual self storage properties.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly-liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. From time to time, the Company maintains cash balances in financial institutions in excess of federally insured limits. The Company has never experienced a loss that resulted from exceeding federally insured limits.
Restricted Cash
The Company's restricted cash consists of escrowed funds deposited with financial institutions for real estate taxes, insurance and other reserves for capital improvements in accordance with the Company's loan agreements.
Customer In-place Leases
In allocating the purchase price for a self storage property acquisition, the Company determines whether the acquisition includes intangible assets. The Company allocates a portion of the purchase price to an intangible asset attributed to the value of customer in-place leases. This intangible asset is amortized to expense using the straight-line method over 12 months, the estimated average rental period for the Company's customers. Amortization expense for customer in-place leases amounted to $12.0 million, $12.0 million and $8.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Substantially all of the leases in place at acquired properties are at market rates, as the leases are month-to-month contracts.


F-11

Table of Contents

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment when events and circumstances indicate that there may be impairment. When events or changes in circumstances indicate that the Company's long-lived assets may not be recoverable, the carrying value of these long-lived assets is compared to the undiscounted future net operating cash flows, plus a terminal value attributable to the assets. If an asset's carrying value is not considered recoverable, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent the net carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value. For the periods presented, no assets were determined to be impaired under this policy.
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt issuance costs are amortized over the estimated life of the related debt using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest rate method. Amortization of debt issuance costs is included in interest expense in the accompanying statements of operations.
Revenue Recognition
Management has determined that all of the Company's leases are operating leases. Substantially all leases may be terminated on a month-to-month basis and rental income is recognized ratably over the lease term using the straight-line method. Rents received in advance are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the related lease term associated with the prepayment. Promotional discounts and other incentives are recognized as a reduction to rental income over the applicable lease term. Other property-related revenue consists of ancillary revenues such as tenant insurance-related access fees and commissions and sales of storage supplies which are recognized in the period earned.
The Company recognizes gains from disposition of facilities only upon closing in accordance with the guidance on sales of real estate. Payments received from purchasers prior to closing are recorded as deposits. Profit on real estate sold is recognized using the full accrual method upon closing when the collectability of the sales price is reasonably assured and the Company is not obligated to perform significant activities after the sale. Profit may be deferred in whole or part until the sale meets the requirements of profit recognition on sales under this guidance.
The Company earns management and other fees for managing and operating its unconsolidated real estate venture. These fees include property management fees, call center fees, platform fees, acquisition fees, development fees and a portion of tenant warranty protection proceeds. The Company recognizes these fees when they are earned, fixed and determinable. The fees are reported in management fees and other revenue in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.
Advertising Costs
The Company incurs advertising costs primarily attributable to internet, directory and other advertising. Advertising costs are included in property operating expenses in the accompanying statements of operations. These costs are expensed in the period in which the cost is incurred. The Company incurred advertising costs of $3.1 million, $2.4 million and $1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Acquisition Costs, Organizational and Offering Expenses
The Company incurs title, legal and consulting fees, and other costs associated with the completion of acquisitions. Such costs are included in acquisition costs in the accompanying statements of operations in the period in which they are incurred. The Company also incurs legal fees and filing fees in connection with the organization of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, which are charged to expense in the period incurred.
Commissions, legal fees and other costs that are directly associated with equity offerings are capitalized as deferred offering costs, pending a determination of the success of the offering. Deferred offering costs related to successful offerings are charged to equity in the period it is determined that the offering was successful. Deferred offering costs related to unsuccessful offerings are recorded as expense in the period when it is determined that the offering is unsuccessful.
Income Taxes
Through December 31, 2014, the Company did not have a profit and loss sharing interest in its operating partnership and did not have any other operations that were subject to taxation. Accordingly, the Company did not generate a federal income tax benefit or expense for the period from its inception through December 31, 2014.


F-12

Table of Contents

The Company has elected and qualified to be taxed as a REIT under sections 856 through 860 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") commencing with the taxable year ended December 31, 2015. To qualify as a REIT, among other things, the Company is required to distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its shareholders and meet certain tests regarding the nature of its income and assets. As a REIT, the Company is not subject to federal income tax on the earnings distributed currently to its shareholders that it derives from its REIT qualifying activities. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, and is unable to avail itself of certain provisions set forth in the Code, all of the Company's taxable income would be subject to federal and state income taxes at regular corporate rates, including any applicable alternative minimum tax.
The Company will not be required to make distributions with respect to income derived from the activities conducted through subsidiaries that the Company elects to treat as taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRS") for federal income tax purposes. Certain activities that the Company undertakes must be conducted by a TRS, such as performing non-customary services for its customers and holding assets that the Company is not permitted to hold directly. A TRS is subject to federal and state income taxes.
On June 25, 2014, the Company formed NSA TRS, LLC ("NSA TRS"), a Delaware limited liability company. The Company has elected to treat NSA TRS as a TRS, and consequently, NSA TRS is subject to U.S. federal and state corporate income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized to the extent of any differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. No material deferred tax assets and liabilities were recorded as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.
The Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. Future amounts of accrued interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions will be recorded as a component of income tax expense. The Company does not expect that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change significantly in the next 12 months.
The Company's material taxing jurisdiction is the U.S. federal jurisdiction; due to the Company's recent formation, the 2013 tax year is the earliest period that remains open to examination by these taxing jurisdictions.
Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share is calculated based on the weighted average number of the Company's common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share ("common shares"), outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by further adjusting for the dilutive impact using the treasury stock method for any share options and unvested share equivalents outstanding during the period and the if-converted method for any convertible securities outstanding during the period.
As more fully described below under "–Allocation of Net Income (Loss)", the Company allocates GAAP income (loss) utilizing the hypothetical liquidation at book value ("HLBV") method, which could result in net income (or net loss) attributable to National Storage Affiliates Trust during a period when the Company reports consolidated net loss (or net income), or net income (or net loss) attributable to National Storage Affiliates Trust in excess of the Company's consolidated net income (or net loss). The computations of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share may be materially affected by these disproportionate income (loss) allocations, resulting in volatile fluctuations of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share.
Equity-Based Awards
The measurement and recognition of compensation cost for all equity-based awards granted to officers, employees and consultants is based on estimated fair values. Compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of each award with non-graded vesting. For awards granted which contain a graded vesting schedule and the only condition for vesting is a service condition, compensation cost is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period as if the award was, in substance, a single award. For awards granted for which vesting is subject to a performance condition, including awards that vested upon completion of the Company's initial public offering, compensation cost is recognized over the requisite service period if and when the Company concludes it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved.
The estimated fair value of all equity-based awards issued to PROs and their affiliates in connection with self storage property acquisitions is included in the cost of the respective acquisitions. The estimated fair value of such awards is measured at the date the self storage properties are acquired, as this date represents satisfaction of the performance condition and coincides with the award vesting.


F-13

Table of Contents

Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company carries all derivative financial instruments on the balance sheet at fair value. Fair value of derivatives is determined by reference to observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether the derivative has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship. The use of derivative instruments has been limited to interest rate swap and cap agreements. The fair values of derivative instruments are included in other assets and accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying balance sheets. For derivative instruments not designated as cash flow hedges, the unrealized gains and losses are included in interest expense in the accompanying statements of operations. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the changes in the fair value of the derivatives is initially reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Company's balance sheets and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings.
The valuation of interest rate swap and cap agreements is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves. The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash payments and the discounted expected variable cash receipts. The variable cash receipts are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate forward curves. The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risk, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting.
Fair Value Measurements
When measuring fair value of financial instruments that are required to be recorded or disclosed at fair value, the Company uses a three-tier measurement hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used to calculate fair value. These tiers include Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.
Investments in Unconsolidated Real Estate Venture
The Company’s investment in its unconsolidated real estate venture is recorded under the equity method of accounting in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Under the equity method, the Company’s investment in real estate venture is stated at cost and adjusted for the Company’s share of net earnings or losses and reduced by distributions. Equity in earnings (losses) is recognized based on the Company’s ownership interest in the earnings (losses) of the unconsolidated real estate venture. The Company follows the "look through" approach for classification of distributions from joint ventures in its consolidated statements of cash flows. Under this approach, distributions are reported under operating cash flow unless the facts and circumstances of a specific distribution clearly indicate that it is a return of capital (e.g., proceeds from the unconsolidated real estate venture’s sale of assets), in which case it is reported as an investing activity.
Segment Reporting
The Company manages its business as one reportable segment consisting of investments in self storage properties located in the United States. Although the Company operates in several markets, these operations have been aggregated into one reportable segment based on the similar economic characteristics amongst all markets.
Reclassifications     
Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements and related notes have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications do not impact the Company's previously reported financial position or net income (loss).
Allocation of Net Income (Loss)
The distribution rights and priorities set forth in the operating partnership's LP Agreement differ from what is reflected by the underlying percentage ownership interests of the unitholders. Accordingly, the Company allocates GAAP income (loss) utilizing the HLBV method, in which the Company allocates income or loss based on the change in each unitholders' claim on the net assets of the Company's operating partnership at period end after adjusting for any distributions or contributions made during such period. The HLBV method is commonly applied to equity investments


F-14

Table of Contents

where cash distribution percentages vary at different points in time and are not directly linked to an equity holder’s ownership percentage.
The HLBV method is a balance sheet-focused approach to income (loss) allocation. A calculation is prepared at each balance sheet date to determine the amount that unitholders would receive if the operating partnership were to liquidate all of its assets (at GAAP net book value) and distribute the resulting proceeds to its creditors and unitholders based on the contractually defined liquidation priorities. The difference between the calculated liquidation distribution amounts at the beginning and the end of the reporting period, after adjusting for capital contributions and distributions, is used to derive each unitholder's share of the income (loss) for the period. Due to the stated liquidation priorities and because the HLBV method incorporates non-cash items such as depreciation expense, in any given period, income or loss may be allocated disproportionately to unitholders as compared to their respective ownership percentage in the operating partnership, and net income (loss) attributable to National Storage Affiliates Trust could be more or less net income than actual cash distributions received and more or less income or loss than what may be received in the event of an actual liquidation. Additionally, the HLBV method could result in net income (or net loss) attributable to National Storage Affiliates Trust during a period when the Company reports consolidated net loss (or net income), or net income (or net loss) attributable to National Storage Affiliates Trust in excess of the Company's consolidated net income (or net loss).
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The Company has cash flow hedge derivative instruments that are measured at fair value with unrealized gains or losses recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within equity, as discussed further in Note 13. Under the HLBV method of allocating income (loss) discussed above, a calculation is prepared at each balance sheet date by applying the HLBV method including, and excluding, the assets and liabilities resulting from the Company's cash flow hedge derivative instruments to determine comprehensive income (loss) attributable to National Storage Affiliates Trust. As a result of the distribution rights and priorities set forth in the operating partnership's LP Agreement, in any given period, other comprehensive income (loss) may be allocated disproportionately to unitholders as compared to their respective ownership percentage in the operating partnership and as compared to their respective allocation of net income (loss).
Assets Held For Sale
The Company classifies properties as held for sale when certain criteria are met. At such time, the properties, including significant assets and liabilities that are expected to be transferred as part of a sale transaction, are presented separately on the consolidated balance sheet at the lower of carrying value or estimated fair value less costs to sell and depreciation is no longer recognized. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had two self storage properties classified as held for sale. These properties were part of a larger portfolio of properties acquired during 2016 whereby the Company decided during the underwriting process to pursue the sale of certain properties following the acquisition. As of December 31, 2015 the Company had no self storage properties classified as held for sale. The results of operations for the self storage properties classified as held for sale are reflected within income from operations in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the costs of business acquisitions in excess of the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired. The Company evaluates goodwill for potential impairment annually, or whenever impairment indicators are present. The Company determined that there was no impairment to goodwill during the year ended December 31, 2016.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.


F-15

Table of Contents

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective. ASU 2014-09 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, with early application permitted for the Company on January 1, 2017. ASU 2014-09 permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. ASU 2014-09 does not apply to leases and the Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. Although the Company has not yet selected a transition method, as ASU 2014-09 does not impact lessor accounting, the Company does not believe the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will significantly impact its accounting for rental revenue.
In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, which modifies the current consolidation guidance. Under this guidance, limited partnerships may no longer be viewed as VIEs if the limited partners hold certain rights over the general partner. Alternatively, limited partnerships not previously viewed as VIEs may now be considered VIEs in the absence of such rights. The Company adopted ASU 2015-02 during the year ended December 31, 2016, as more fully described above, see "–Principles of Consolidation".
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest, which requires the presentation of debt issuance costs as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liabilities. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15 that permits debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements to be presented as an asset and amortized over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. The Company adopted ASUs 2015-03 and 2015-15 as of January 1, 2016. The adoption resulted in the reclassification of certain debt issuance costs from assets to a reduction in the carrying amount of the Company's debt financings applied retrospectively to all periods. These reclassifications totaled $5.1 million and $2.8 million as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Debt issuance costs related to the Company's revolving line of credit (the "Revolver") remain classified within "Debt issuance costs, net" in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which amends the existing guidance for accounting for leases, including requiring lessors to account for leases using an approach that is substantially equivalent to existing guidance for sales-type leases, direct financing leases and operating leases and lessees to recognize most leases on-balance sheet as lease liabilities with corresponding right-of-use assets. ASU 2016-02 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2019, with early application permitted. ASU 2016-02 requires a modified retrospective approach, with entities applying the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest period presented in the financial statements in which they first apply the new standard, with certain elective transition relief. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-02 will have on its operating leases, consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows, which clarifies the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows, including debt prepayment or extinguishment costs, settlement of contingent consideration arising from a business combination, insurance settlement proceeds, and distributions from certain equity method investees. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2016-15 in 2017 for the annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 31, 2016 and does not expect the adoption to have a significant impact on its consolidated statements of cash flows.
In November 2016, the FASB issued an ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows - Restricted Cash, that requires the inclusion of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted, and will be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had $2.8 million and $2.7 million of restricted cash, respectively. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2016-18 in 2017 for the annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 31, 2016. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-18, restricted cash balances will be included along with cash and cash equivalents in the Company's consolidated statement of cash flows and separate line items showing changes in restricted cash balances will be eliminated from the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which narrows the definition of a business and provides an amended framework for determining whether a transaction involves an asset


F-16

Table of Contents

or a business. The Company expects that most of its acquisitions of self storage properties will qualify as asset acquisitions under ASU 2017-01 which permits the capitalization of acquisition costs to the basis of the acquired properties. ASU 2017-01 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2017-01 in 2017 for the annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 31, 2016.
3. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
Shareholders' Equity
The Company completed its initial public offering on April 28, 2015, pursuant to which it sold 23,000,000 of its common shares, at a price of $13.00 per share, which included 3,000,000 common shares sold upon the exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares. These transactions resulted in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $278.1 million, after deducting the underwriting discount and before additional expenses associated with the offering.
Common Share Offerings
On July 6, 2016, the Company closed a follow-on public offering of 12,046,250 of its common shares, which included 1,571,250 common shares sold upon the exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional common shares, at a public offering price of $20.75 per share. The Company received aggregate net proceeds from the offering of approximately $237.5 million after deducting the underwriting discount and additional expenses associated with the offering. 
On December 16, 2016, the Company closed a follow-on offering of 5,175,000 of its common shares, which included 675,000 common shares sold upon the exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional common shares, at an offering price of $20.48 per share. The Company received aggregate net proceeds from the offering of approximately $105.5 million after deducting the underwriting discount and additional expenses associated with the offering. 
At the Market ("ATM") Program
On October 11, 2016, the Company entered into open market sales agreements with four agents, pursuant to which the Company may sell from time to time up to $200 million of the Company's common shares in sales deemed to be "at the market offerings." The Company may offer the common shares through the agents, as sales agents, or to the agents, acting as principals by means of, among others, ordinary brokers’ transactions on the NYSE or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or at negotiated prices.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company sold 1,740,959 of its common shares through the ATM program. The common shares were sold at an average offering price of $19.54 per share, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $33.6 million after deducting compensation payable by the Company to such agents, but before expenses.
Noncontrolling Interests
All of the limited partner equity interests in the Company's operating partnership not held by the Company are reflected as noncontrolling interests. Noncontrolling interests also include ownership interests in DownREIT partnerships held by entities other than the Company's operating partnership. NSA is the general partner of its operating partnership and is authorized to cause its operating partnership to issue additional partner interests, including OP units and subordinated performance units, at such prices and on such other terms as it determines in its sole discretion. While the Company controls its operating partnership and manages the daily operations of its operating partnership's business, the Company did not have an ownership interest or share in its operating partnership's profits and losses prior to the completion of the Company's initial public offering.


F-17

Table of Contents

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, units reflecting noncontrolling interests consisted of the following:
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
OP units
26,125,444

 
21,556,006

Subordinated performance units
11,022,378

 
9,302,989

LTIP units
1,543,905

 
2,784,761

DownREIT units
 
 
 
DownREIT OP units
1,834,786

 
1,834,786

DownREIT subordinated performance units
4,386,999

 
4,386,999

Total
44,913,512

 
39,865,541

OP Units and DownREIT OP units
OP units in the Company's operating partnership are redeemable for cash or, at the Company's option, exchangeable for common shares on a one-for-one basis, and DownREIT OP units are redeemable for cash or, at the Company's option, exchangeable for OP units in its operating partnership on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain adjustments in each case. The holders of OP units are generally not entitled to elect redemption until one year after the later of the closing of the Company's initial public offering or the issuance of the OP units. The holders of DownREIT OP units are generally not entitled to elect redemption until five years after the date of the contributor's initial contribution. Accordingly, these limited partner interests are included in noncontrolling interests within equity in the accompanying balance sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.
The increase in OP Units outstanding from December 31, 2015 to December 31, 2016 was due to 4,392,081 OP units issued in connection with the acquisition of self storage properties and 1,302,860 LTIP units which were converted into OP units, as discussed further below, partially offset by the redemption of 1,125,503 OP units.
Subordinated Performance Units and DownREIT Subordinated Performance Units
Subordinated performance units may also, under certain circumstances, be convertible into OP units which are exchangeable for common shares as described above, and DownREIT subordinated performance units may, under certain circumstances, be exchangeable for subordinated performance units on a one-for-one basis. Subordinated performance units are only convertible into OP units after a two year lock-out period and then generally (i) at the holder’s election only upon the achievement of certain performance thresholds relating to the properties to which such subordinated performance units relate or (ii) at the Company's election upon a retirement event of a PRO that holds such subordinated performance units or upon certain qualifying terminations. The holders of DownREIT subordinated performance units are generally not entitled to elect redemption until at least five years after the date of the contributor's initial contribution.
The increase in subordinated performance units outstanding from December 31, 2015 to December 31, 2016 was related to the acquisition of self storage properties.
LTIP Units
LTIP units are a special class of partnership interest in the Company's operating partnership that allow the holder to participate in the ordinary and liquidating distributions received by holders of the OP units (subject to the achievement of specified levels of profitability by the Company's operating partnership or the achievement of certain events). LTIP units may also, under certain circumstances, be convertible into OP units on a one-for-one basis, which are then exchangeable for common shares as described above.
LTIP units were first granted under the 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "2013 Plan"). Some of the granted LTIP units vested immediately or upon completion of the Company's initial public offering. Others vest upon the contribution of self storage properties or along a schedule at certain times through January 1, 2019. LTIP units do not have full parity with OP units with respect to liquidating distributions and do not receive ordinary distributions until such parity is reached pursuant to the terms of the LP Agreement. If such parity is reached under the LP Agreement, upon vesting, vested LTIP units may be converted into an equal number of OP units, and thereafter have all the rights of OP units, including redemption rights. See Note 9 for additional information about the Company's LTIP Units.


F-18

Table of Contents

The decrease in LTIP units outstanding from December 31, 2015 to December 31, 2016 was due to the conversion of 1,302,860 LTIP units into 1,302,860 OP units and the forfeiture of 118,300 LTIP units, partially offset by the issuance of 180,304 compensatory LTIP units to employees, consultants and trustees.
Distributions
The Company is entitled to cause its operating partnership to make distributions to OP unit holders and subordinated performance unit holders in its operating partnership from time to time in its sole discretion. To the extent distributions are made, the holders of OP units are entitled to receive distributions with respect to all of the Company's self storage property portfolio and the holders of each series of subordinated performance units are entitled to receive distributions with respect to the portfolio of self storage properties to which the series of subordinated performance units relates. To the extent that there is available operating cash flow or capital transaction proceeds, subject to maintaining the Company's qualification as a REIT, the Company may cause its operating partnership to make distributions.
4. SELF STORAGE PROPERTIES
Self storage properties are summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Land
$
456,135

 
$
315,867

Buildings and improvements
1,383,603

 
829,093

Furniture and equipment
4,598

 
2,241

Total self storage properties
1,844,336

 
1,147,201

Less accumulated depreciation
(110,803
)
 
(68,100
)
Self storage properties, net
$
1,733,533

 
$
1,079,101

Depreciation expense related to self storage properties amounted to $42.7 million, $28.5 million and $15.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
5. INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED REAL ESTATE VENTURE
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company, through a newly formed subsidiary (the "NSA Member"), entered into an agreement (the "Agreement") to form a joint venture (the "Joint Venture") with a state pension fund (the "JV Investor," together with the NSA Member, the "Members") advised by Heitman Capital Management LLC to acquire and operate the "iStorage" facilities portfolio (the "JV Portfolio") for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $630.0 million (the "Acquisition"). The JV Portfolio consists of 66 properties containing approximately 4.5 million rentable square feet, configured in approximately 36,000 storage units and located across 12 states.
On October 4, 2016, the Joint Venture completed its acquisition of the JV Portfolio. The Joint Venture financed the Acquisition with approximately $320.0 million in equity (approximately $80.0 million from the NSA Member in exchange for a 25% ownership interest and approximately $240.0 million from the JV Investor in exchange for a 75% ownership interest) with the balance of the purchase price funded using proceeds from new debt financing. A subsidiary of the Company is acting as the non-member manager of the Joint Venture (the "NSA Manager"). The NSA Manager directs, manages and controls the day-to-day operations and affairs of the Joint Venture but may not cause the Joint Venture to make certain major decisions involving the business of the Joint Venture without the consent of all of the Members, including the approval of annual budgets, sales and acquisitions of properties, financings, and certain actions relating to bankruptcy.
The Joint Venture pays certain customary fees to the Company for managing and operating the properties, including a monthly property management fee equal to 6% of gross revenues and net sales revenues from Joint Venture assets, an annual call center fee equal to 1% of monthly gross revenues and net sales revenues from Joint Venture assets, a monthly platform fee equal to $1,250 per Joint Venture property, an acquisition fee equal to 0.65% of the gross capitalization (including debt and equity) of the original JV Portfolio, of which one quarter is earned each year over the first four years of the Joint Venture, with an additional fee determined on a sliding scale for future acquisitions, and a development management fee for any development projects acquired by the Joint Venture equal to 3% of construction costs (excluding "soft costs"). An affiliate of the NSA Manager provides tenant warranty protection to tenants at the Joint Venture properties in exchange for 50% of all proceeds from the tenant warranty protection program at each Joint


F-19

Table of Contents

Venture property. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company earned $1.8 million of management and other fees for managing and operating its unconsolidated real estate venture. The fees are reported in management fees and other revenue in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.
The Company's investment in the Joint Venture is accounted for using the equity method of accounting and is included in investment in unconsolidated real estate venture in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company's investment in the unconsolidated real estate venture totaled $81.5 million as of December 31, 2016. This investment includes $3.2 million of direct costs incurred by the Company primarily related to sourcing a joint venture partner. Due to the nature of these costs, this additional investment basis is not amortized.
The Company’s earnings (losses) from its investment in the Joint Venture is presented in equity in losses of unconsolidated real estate venture on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and totaled $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Condensed financial information of the Joint Venture as of December 31, 2016 and for the year ended December 31, 2016 follows (in thousands):
 
December 31, 2016
ASSETS
 
Self storage properties, net
$
614,754

Other assets
19,936

Total assets
$
634,690

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
Debt financing
$
317,047

Other liabilities
4,498

Equity
313,145

Total liabilities and equity
$
634,690

 
 
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
Total revenue
$
12,197

Property operating expenses
3,850

Net operating income
8,347

Supervisory, administrative and other expenses
(949
)
Depreciation and amortization
(6,235
)
Interest expense
(2,823
)
Acquisition and other expenses
(4,277
)
Net loss
$
(5,937
)
 
 
Separately, the Company, through certain newly formed subsidiaries, agreed to acquire the iStorage property management platform related to the JV Portfolio, including a property management company, a captive insurance company, and related intellectual property for $20.0 million. On October 4, 2016, the Company completed its acquisition of the property management platform. The property management platform was accounted for as a business combination whereby the Company allocated the total purchase price to the estimated fair value of tangible and intangible assets acquired, and liabilities assumed. The Company allocated a portion of the purchase price to tangible fixed assets of $0.4 million and intangible assets consisting of the management contract with an estimated fair value of $10.6 million and the iStorage trade name with an estimated fair value of $3.2 million. The excess of the aggregate consideration paid for the property management platform over the identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed, equal to $5.8 million, was allocated to goodwill. The tangible and intangible assets related to the property management platform are reported in other assets, net in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
The Company’s fair value measurements were based, in part, on valuations prepared by an independent valuation firm and the allocation of the property management platform purchase price required a significant amount of judgment. The Company measured the fair value of the management contract based on discounted future cash flows expected under the management contract. Neither the management contract nor the Joint Venture have a finite term. Accordingly,


F-20

Table of Contents

the Company assigned probabilities to the term of the Joint Venture and the Company’s management relationship with the Joint Venture using the Company’s best estimates and assumptions. The management contract asset is charged to amortization expense on a straight-line basis over 15 years, which represents the time period over which the majority of value was attributed in the Company’s discounted cash flow model. The Company measured the fair value of the trade name, which has an indefinite life and is not amortized, using the relief from royalty method.
The results of operations for the property management platform are included in the Company's statements of operations beginning on October 4, 2016. On an unaudited pro forma basis, after giving effect to the acquisition of the property management platform as if it was acquired on January 1, 2015, the Company would have recorded incremental additional revenue of $4.9 million and $6.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and incremental net income of $0.6 million and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. This pro forma information was prepared using the following significant assumptions: the Joint Venture acquired the JV Portfolio and the management contract was effective on January 1, 2015; the Company financed the purchase price of the property management platform through borrowings under its Revolver with interest computed based on the effective interest rate of 2.17% as of December 31, 2016; and assumed depreciation and amortization expense is based on the actual acquisition-date fair values and useful lives assigned to tangible fixed assets and the management contract.
The unaudited pro forma information in the paragraph above does not purport to represent what the actual results of operations would have been for the periods indicated, nor does it purport to represent the Company's future results of operations. The pro forma information was prepared using audited and unaudited historical financial information related to the JV Portfolio obtained by the Company as part of its underwriting and due diligence process and does not give effect to any assumptions about improved operating performance of the JV Portfolio under the management of the NSA Manager nor does it give effect to potential property acquisitions by the Joint Venture, as such assumptions would require projections and estimates of management’s intentions that are not factually supportable.
6. SELF STORAGE PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS
The Company acquired 107 self storage properties with an estimated fair value of $721.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2016 and 58 self storage properties with an estimated fair value of $313.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2015. During the year ended December 31, 2016, 23 self storage properties with an estimated fair value of $176.3 million were acquired by the Company from the its PROs. During the year ended December 31, 2015, 25 self storage properties with an estimated fair value of $134.4 million were acquired by the Company from its PROs, and 13 self storage properties with an estimated fair value of $65.3 million were acquired by us from an entity which is managed by a member of the Company's board of trustees.
The Company allocated the total purchase price to the estimated fair value of tangible and intangible assets acquired, and liabilities assumed for these self storage property acquisitions. The Company allocated a portion of the purchase price to identifiable intangible assets consisting of customer in-place leases which were recorded at estimated fair value of $17.7 million and $8.5 million during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, resulting in a total fair value of $703.7 million and $304.5 million allocated to real estate during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.


F-21

Table of Contents

The following table summarizes, by calendar quarter, the consideration for the self storage properties acquired by the Company during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in thousands):
Acquisitions Closed During the Three Months Ended:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summary of Consideration
 
 
 
 
 
Number of Properties
 
 
 
Value of OP Equity(1)
 
Settlement of Note Receivable
 
Liabilities Assumed (Assets Acquired)
 
Noncontrolling Interests(3)
 
Total Fair Value
 
Cash
 
 
 
Mortgages(2)
 
Other
 
 
3/31/2016
 
17
 
$
63,300

 
$
19,068

 
$

 
$
5,861

 
$
584

 
$

 
$
88,813

6/30/2016
 
25
 
61,263

 
80,986

 

 
55,767

 
1,212

 

 
199,228

9/30/2016
 
34
 
199,890

 
4,841

 

 

 
896

 

 
205,627

12/31/2016
 
31
 
208,707

 
16,871

 

 

 
2,125

 

 
227,703

Total
 
107
 
$
533,160

 
$
121,766

 
$

 
$
61,628

 
$
4,817

 
$

 
$
721,371

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3/31/2015
 
6
 
$
6,991

 
$
8,954

 
$
1,778

 
$
16,442

 
$
70

 
$
6,770

 
$
41,005

6/30/2015
 
21
 
41,277

 
22,971

 

 
30,547

 
288

 

 
95,083

9/30/2015
 
15
 
84,673

 
10,188

 

 
2,866

 
512

 
8,327

 
106,566

12/31/2015
 
16
 
39,626

 
1,402

 

 
23,643

 
(359
)
 
6,040

 
70,352

Total
 
58
 
$
172,567

 
$
43,515

 
$
1,778

 
$
73,498

 
$
511

 
$
21,137

 
$
313,006

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) 
Value of OP equity represents the fair value of OP units, subordinated performance units, and LTIP units. 
(2) 
Includes fair value of debt adjustment for assumed mortgages of approximately $7.2 million and $2.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  
(3) 
Represents the fair value of noncontrolling interests associated with self storage properties acquired in DownREIT partnerships. The Company estimates the portion of the fair value of the net assets owned by noncontrolling interests based on the fair value of the real estate and debt assumed. 
The results of operations for these self storage acquisitions are included in the Company's statements of operations beginning on the respective closing date for each acquisition. The accompanying statements of operations includes aggregate revenue of $35.6 million and operating income of $3.7 million related to the 107 self storage properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2016. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the accompanying statements of operations includes aggregate revenue of $19.3 million and operating income of $2.4 million related to the 58 self storage properties acquired during such period. Acquisition costs in the accompanying statements of operations include consulting fees, transaction expenses, and other costs related to business combinations, which amounted to $6.5 million and $4.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information
The unaudited pro forma financial information set forth below reflects adjustments to the historical data of the Company to give effect to the acquisitions and related financing activities for (i) 100 of the 107 self storage properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2016, as if the acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2015 (unaudited pro forma financial information is not presented for seven of the self storage properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2016 since the information required is not available to the Company), (ii) 42 of the 58 self storage properties that were acquired during the year ended December 31, 2015, as if each acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2014 (unaudited pro forma financial information is not presented for 16 of the self storage properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2015 since the information required is not available to the Company), and (iii) each of the 83 self storage property acquisitions that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2014, as if each had occurred on January 1, 2013.


F-22

Table of Contents

As described in greater detail above, given that certain information with respect to the self storage properties the Company acquired during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 is not available to the Company, readers of these consolidated financial statements and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the Company's unaudited pro forma financial information. The unaudited pro forma information presented below does not purport to represent what the actual results of operations would have been for the periods indicated, nor does it purport to represent the Company's future results of operations. The following table summarizes on an unaudited pro forma basis the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 (dollars in thousands):
 
Unaudited
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Pro forma revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
Historical results
$
199,046

 
$
133,919

 
$
76,970

2016 Acquisitions(1)
35,479

 
61,199

 

2015 Acquisitions(2)

 
9,462

 
22,596

2014 Acquisitions

 

 
28,377

Total
$
234,525

 
$
204,580

 
$
127,943

Pro forma net income (loss): (3)
 
 
 
 
 
Historical results
$
24,866

 
$
4,796

 
$
(16,357
)
2016 Acquisitions(1)
15,343

 
(23,105
)
 

2015 Acquisitions(2)

 
10,403

 
(7,258
)
2014 Acquisitions

 

 
21,395

Total
$
40,209

 
$
(7,906
)
 
$
(2,220
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) 
Reflects 100 of the 107 self storage properties acquired during this period because the information required with respect to the seven remaining properties acquired during this period is not available to the Company. 
(2) 
Reflects 42 of the 58 self storage properties acquired during this period because the information required with respect to the 16 remaining properties acquired during this period is not available to the Company. 
(3) 
Significant assumptions and adjustments in preparation of the pro forma information include the following: (i) for the cash portion of the purchase price for self storage properties acquired subsequent to December 31, 2016 and during the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company assumed borrowings under the Company's revolving line of credit with interest computed based on the effective interest rate of 2.17% as of December 31, 2016; (ii) for the cash portion of the purchase price for properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company assumed borrowings under the Company's revolving line of credit with interest computed based on the effective interest rate of 2.03% as of December 31, 2015; (iii) for the cash portion of the purchase price for properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company assumed borrowings under the Company's revolving line of credit with interest computed based on the effective interest rate of 2.66% as of December 31, 2014; (iv) for assumed debt financing directly associated with the acquisition of specific self storage properties, interest was computed for the entirety of the periods presented using the effective interest rates under such financings; (v) for acquisition costs of $6.5 million incurred during the year ended December 31, 2016, pro forma adjustments give effect to these costs as if they were incurred on January 1, 2015; and (vi) for acquisition costs of $4.8 million incurred during the year ended December 31, 2015, pro forma adjustments give effect to these costs as if they were incurred on January 1, 2014. For acquisition costs of $9.6 million incurred during the year ended December 31, 2014, pro forma adjustments give effect to these expenses as if they were incurred on January 1, 2013. 
Dispositions
In December 2016, the Company sold to an unrelated third party one of the self storage properties acquired as part of a larger portfolio of self storage properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2016. The gross sales price was $4.9 million and the Company did not recognize any gain or loss on the sale.


F-23


7. OTHER ASSETS
Other assets consist of the following (dollars in thousands):
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Customer in-place leases, net of accumulated amortization of $7,831 and $4,312, respectively
$
9,374

 
$
4,209

Receivables:
 
 
 
Trade, net
1,898

 
1,093

PROs and other affiliates
601

 
232

Receivable from unconsolidated real estate venture
1,093

 

Property acquisition deposits
477

 
763

Interest rate swaps
8,742

 
331

Prepaid expenses and other
1,879

 
1,486

Corporate furniture, equipment and other, net
1,243

 
534

Trade name
3,200

 

Management contract, net of accumulated amortization of $148
10,473

 

Goodwill
5,750

 

Total
$
44,730

 
$
8,648

8. DEBT FINANCING
The Company's outstanding debt as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 is summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Interest
 
December 31,
 
Rate (1)
 
2016
 
2015
Credit Facility:
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving line of credit
2.17%
 
$
246,500

 
$
187,975

Term loan A
2.61%
 
225,000

 
200,000

Term loan B
3.15%
 
100,000

 

Term loan facility
3.08%
 
100,000

 

Fixed rate mortgages payable
4.07%
 
201,694

 
176,911

Total principal
 
 
873,194

 
564,886

Unamortized debt issuance costs and debt premium, net
 
 
5,760

 
2,909

Total debt
 
 
$
878,954

 
$
567,795


(1) 
Represents the effective interest rate as of December 31, 2016. Effective interest rate incorporates the stated rate plus the impact of interest rate cash flow hedges and discount and premium amortization, if applicable. For the revolving line of credit, the effective interest rate excludes fees for unused borrowings. 


F-24

Table of Contents

Credit Facility
The Company has an unsecured credit facility with a syndicated group of lenders. As of December 31, 2016, the borrowing capacity of the credit facility was $725.0 million which consisted of three components: (i) a revolving line of credit (the "Revolver") which provides for a total borrowing commitment up to $400.0 million, whereby the Company may borrow, repay and re-borrow amounts under the Revolver, (ii) a $225.0 million tranche A term loan facility (the "Term Loan A"), and (iii) a $100.0 million tranche B term loan facility (the "Term Loan B" and together with the Revolver and the Term Loan A, the "credit facility"). The Revolver matures in May 2020; provided that the Company may elect to extend the maturity to May 2021 by paying an extension fee of 0.15% of the total borrowing commitment thereunder at the time of extension and meeting other customary conditions with respect to compliance. The Term Loan A matures in May 2021 and the Term Loan B matures in May 2022. The Revolver, Term Loan A, and Term Loan B are not subject to any scheduled reduction or amortization payments prior to maturity.
Interest rates applicable to loans under the credit facility is determined based on a 1, 2, 3 or 6 month LIBOR period (as elected by the Company at the beginning of any applicable interest period) plus an applicable margin or a base rate, determined by the greatest of the Key Bank prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.50% or one month LIBOR plus 1.00%, plus an applicable margin. The applicable margins for the credit facility is leverage based and range from 1.35% to 2.15% for LIBOR loans and 0.35% to 1.15% for base rate loans; provided that after such time as the Company achieves an investment grade rating from at least two rating agencies, the Company may elect (but is not required to elect) that the credit facility is subject to the rating based on applicable margins ranging from 0.85% to 2.30% for LIBOR Loans and 0.00% to 1.30% for base rate loans. The Company is also required to pay the following usage based fees ranging from 0.15% to 0.25% with respect to the unused portion of the Revolver; provided that if the Company makes an investment grade pricing election as described in the preceding sentence, the Company will be required to pay rating based fees ranging from 0.125% to 0.300% with respect to the entire Revolver in lieu of any usage based fees.
As of December 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding letters of credit totaling $9.9 million and would have had the capacity to borrow remaining Revolver commitments of $143.6 million while remaining in compliance with the credit facility's financial covenants described in the following paragraph.
The Company is required to comply with the following financial covenants under the credit facility:
Maximum total leverage ratio not to exceed 60%
Minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.5x
Minimum net worth of at least $682.6 million plus 75% of future equity issuances
Maximum unsecured debt to unencumbered asset value ratio not to exceed 60%
Unencumbered adjusted net operating income to unsecured interest expense of at least 2.0x
In addition, the terms of the credit facility contain customary affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, limit the Company's ability to make distributions or certain investments, incur debt, incur liens and enter into certain transactions. At December 31, 2016, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants.
As discussed in Note 15, on February 8, 2017, the Company entered into a second increase agreement and amendment with a syndicated group of lenders to increase the total borrowing capacity under the credit facility by $170.0 million for a total credit facility of $895.0 million, which included entry into a new $105.0 million tranche C term loan facility (the "Term Loan C"). The Company continues to have an expansion option under the credit facility, which, if exercised in full, would provide for a total credit facility of $1.0 billion. References to the "credit facility" include Term Loan C for all dates as of and after February 8, 2017.
Term Loan Facility
On June 30, 2016, the Company entered into a credit agreement with a syndicated group of lenders to make available a term loan facility (the "Term Loan Facility") in an aggregate amount of $100.0 million. The Term Loan Facility matures in June 2023. The entire outstanding principal amount of, and all accrued but unpaid interest, is due on the maturity date. The Company has an expansion option under the Term Loan Facility, which, if exercised in full, would provide for a total Term Loan Facility in an aggregate amount of $200.0 million.


F-25

Table of Contents

Interest rates applicable to loans under the Term Loan Facility are payable during such periods as such loans are LIBOR loans, at the applicable LIBOR based on a 1, 2, 3 or 6 month LIBOR period (as elected by the Company at the beginning of any applicable interest period) plus an applicable margin, and during the period that such loans are base rate loans, at the base rate under the Term Loan Facility in effect from time to time plus an applicable margin. The base rate under the Term Loan Facility is equal to the greatest of the Capital One prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.50% or one month LIBOR plus 1.00%. The applicable margin for the Term Loan Facility is leverage-based and ranges from 1.75% to 2.35% for LIBOR loans and 0.75% to 1.35% for base rate loans; provided that after such time as the Company achieves an investment grade rating from at least two rating agencies, the Company may elect (but is not required to elect) that the Term Loan Facility is subject to the rating based on applicable margins ranging from 1.50% to 2.45% for LIBOR Loans and 0.50% to 1.45% for base rate loans.
The Company is required to comply with the same financial covenants under the Term Loan Facility as it is with the credit facility. In addition, the terms of the Term Loan Facility contain customary affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, limit the Company's ability to make distributions or certain investments, incur debt, incur liens and enter into certain transactions.
Fixed Rate Mortgages Payable
Fixed rate mortgages have scheduled maturities at various dates through October 2031, and have effective interest rates that range from 2.55% to 5.00%. Principal and interest are generally payable monthly or in monthly interest-only payments with balloon payments due at maturity. As discussed in Note 6, the Company assumed fixed rate mortgages of $61.6 million in connection with 17 of the properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2016 and $73.5 million in connection with 31 of the properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 2015. The Company repaid $12.2 million and $34.7 million of these assumed mortgages during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Future Debt Maturities
Based on existing debt agreements in effect as of December 31, 2016, the scheduled principal and maturity payments for the Company's outstanding borrowings are presented in the table below (in thousands):
Year Ending December 31,
 
Scheduled Principal and Maturity Payments
 
Premium Amortization and Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs
 
Total
2017
 
$
15,103

 
$
606

 
$
15,709

2018
 
10,617

 
510

 
11,127

2019
 
4,983

 
441

 
5,424

2020
 
285,745

 
90

 
285,835

2021
 
232,509

 
(9
)
 
232,500

After 2022
 
324,237

 
4,122

 
328,359

 
 
$
873,194

 
$
5,760

 
$
878,954

9. EQUITY-BASED AWARDS
The Company grants awards in the form of LTIP units and restricted common shares to provide equity based incentive compensation to members of its senior management team, independent trustees, advisers, consultants, other personnel, and as consideration for self storage property acquisitions.
As discussed further in Note 3, LTIP units were first granted under the 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "2013 Plan"), which authorized up to 2.5 million LTIP units for issuance. In connection with the Company's initial public offering, the Company terminated the 2013 Plan but the awards granted thereunder remained outstanding after its termination. Restricted common shares were first granted under the 2015 National Storage Affiliates Trust Equity Incentive Plan (the "2015 Plan"), which authorizes the Company's compensation, nominating, and corporate governance committee to grant share options, restricted common shares, phantom shares, dividend equivalent rights, LTIP units and other restricted limited partnership units issued by its operating partnership and other equity-based awards up to an aggregate of 5% of the common shares issued and outstanding from time to time on a fully diluted basis (assuming,


F-26

Table of Contents

if applicable, the exercise of all outstanding options and the conversion of all warrants and convertible securities, including OP units and LTIP units, into common shares).
As of December 31, 2016, the Company did not have outstanding under its equity compensation plan, any options, warrants or rights to purchase the Company's common shares.
LTIP Units
Through December 31, 2016, an aggregate of 2,474,710 LTIP units have been issued under the 2013 Plan, 177,546 LTIP units have been issued under the 2015 Plan, and 312,809 LTIP units have been issued under the LP Agreement. Some of the granted LTIP units vested immediately or upon completion of the Company's initial public offering. Others vest upon the contribution of self storage properties or along a schedule at certain times through January 1, 2019.
Compensatory Grants
The following table summarizes activity for compensatory LTIP units for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
Number of LTIP units
 
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
 
Number of LTIP units
 
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
 
Number of LTIP units
 
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding unvested at beginning of year
236,265

 
$
10.41

 
509,166

 
$
10.07

 
287,600

 
$
9.28

Granted
177,546

 
17.59

 
6,000

 
13.00

 
378,550

 
10.37

Vested
(119,282
)
 
10.41

 
(278,901
)
 
9.84

 
(156,984
)
 
9.35

Unvested at end of year
294,529

 
$
14.74

 
236,265

 
$
10.41

 
509,166

 
$
10.07

The aggregate fair value of compensatory LTIP units that vested during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $1.2 million$2.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively. Total compensation cost recognized for compensatory LTIP units was $2.5 million$3.0 million and $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. At December 31, 2016, total unvested compensation cost not yet recognized was $2.9 million. The Company expects to recognize this compensation cost over a period of approximately 2.0 years.
If the grantee has a termination of service for any reason during the vesting period, the unvested LTIP units will be forfeited. Compensation expense related to LTIP units granted to members of the Company's senior management team, the Company's independent trustees, advisers, consultants and other personnel is included in general and administrative expense in the accompanying statements of operations.
Acquisition Consideration Grants
On December 31, 2013, the Company granted 1,683,560 LTIP units under the 2013 Plan to PROs, including NSA Predecessor, as part of the consideration for their respective self storage property acquisitions and contributions. The following table presents the number of units vested and forfeited for acquisition grants during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:


F-27

Table of Contents

 
Total LTIP units
Total unvested units, December 31, 2013
1,262,070

Units vested upon issuance in 2014 related to:
 
Properties contributed or sourced by PROs
(379,970
)
Contributions by NSA Predecessor(1)
(359,200
)
Total unvested units, December 31, 2014
522,900

Units vested in 2015 related to properties contributed or sourced by PROs
(99,100
)
Total unvested units, December 31, 2015
423,800

Units vested in 2016 related to properties contributed or sourced by PROs
(45,100
)
Units forfeited
(118,300
)
Total unvested units, December 31, 2016(2)
260,400

 
 
(1) 
The contribution of self storage properties by NSA Predecessor was accounted for as a reorganization of entities under common control and, accordingly, no value was recognized in the Company's consolidated financial statements for these LTIP units.  
(2) 
As of December 31, 2016, the remaining unvested LTIP units will vest as additional self storage properties are contributed or sourced by the PROs. The fair value of such LTIP units will be recorded as additional acquisition consideration based on the fair value in the period such acquisitions are completed. 
The aggregate fair value of purchase consideration recognized during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $0.8 million$1.4 million and $3.7 million, respectively.
LP Agreement Grants to Consultants
Pursuant to the LP Agreement, during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company issued 2,758, 88,981 and 221,070 LTIP units, respectively, that were immediately vested to consultants that provided acquisition services that are included in acquisition costs in the accompanying statements of operations. The aggregate fair value of the LTIP units was $0.1 million, $1.0 million and $2.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Restricted Common Shares
Through December 31, 2016, an aggregate of 25,300 restricted common shares have been issued under the 2015 Plan. These restricted common shares vest over a weighted average period of approximately 2.7 years.
The following table summarizes activity for restricted common shares for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Number of Restricted Common Shares
 
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
 
Number of Restricted Common Shares
 
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding at beginning of year
11,000

 
$
12.40

 

 
$

Granted
8,090

 
17.19

 
17,210

 
12.40

Vested
(5,500
)
 
12.40

 
(6,000
)
 
12.40

Forfeited

 

 
(210
)
 
12.40

Unvested at end of year
13,590

 
$
12.40

 
11,000

 
$
12.40

The aggregate fair value and total compensation cost of restricted common shares that vested during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. At December 31, 2016, total unvested compensation cost not yet recognized was $0.2 million. The Company expects to recognize this compensation cost over a period of approximately 2.0 years. If the grantee has a termination of service for any reason during the vesting period, the unvested restricted common shares will be forfeited. Compensation expense related to restricted common shares is included in general and administrative expense in the accompanying statements of operations.


F-28

Table of Contents

10. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Earnings (loss) per common share - basic and diluted
 
 
 
 
 
Numerator
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
24,866

 
$
4,796

 
$
(16,357
)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(6,901
)
 
7,644

 
16,357

Net income (loss) attributable to National Storage Affiliates Trust
17,965

 
12,440

 

Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities
(18
)
 
(9
)
 

Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders - basic
17,947

 
12,431

 

Effect of assumed conversion of dilutive securities
6,783

 
(4,919
)
 

Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders - diluted
$
24,730

 
$
7,512

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic
29,887

 
15,463

 
1

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average OP units outstanding
24,262

 
15,697

 

Weighted average DownREIT OP unit equivalents outstanding
1,835

 
1,171

 

Weighted average LTIP units outstanding
1,846

 
1,272

 

Weighted average subordinated performance units and DownREIT subordinated performance unit equivalents
20,917

 
11,806

 

Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted
78,747

 
45,409

 
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per share - basic
$
0.60

 
$
0.80

 
$

Earnings (loss) per share - diluted
$
0.31

 
$
0.17

 
$

Dividends declared per common share
$
0.88

 
$
0.54

 
$

As discussed in Note 2, the Company allocates GAAP income (loss) utilizing the HLBV method, in which the Company allocates income or loss based on the change in each unitholders' claim on the net assets of its operating partnership at period end after adjusting for any distributions or contributions made during such period. Due to the stated liquidation priorities and because the HLBV method incorporates non-cash items such as depreciation expense, in any given period, income or loss may be allocated disproportionately to National Storage Affiliates Trust and noncontrolling interests, resulting in volatile fluctuations of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share. Additionally, the Company did not have an ownership interest or share in its operating partnership's profits and losses prior to the completion of the Company's initial public offering. As a result, all of the operating partnership's profits and losses for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the period from January 1, 2015 to April 28, 2015 were allocated to noncontrolling interests.
Outstanding equity interests of the Company's operating partnership and DownREIT partnerships are considered potential common shares for purposes of calculating diluted earnings (loss) per share as the unitholders may, through the exercise of redemption rights, obtain common shares, subject to various restrictions. Basic earnings per share is calculated based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by further adjusting for the dilutive impact using the treasury stock method for unvested LTIP


F-29

Table of Contents

units subject to a service condition outstanding during the period and the if-converted method for any convertible securities outstanding during the period.
Generally, following certain lock-out periods, OP units in the Company's operating partnership are redeemable for cash or, at the Company's option, exchangeable for common shares on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain adjustments and DownREIT OP units are redeemable for cash or, at the Company's option, exchangeable for OP units in its operating partnership on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain adjustments in each case.
LTIP units may also, under certain circumstances, be convertible into OP units on a one-for-one basis, which are then exchangeable for common shares as described above. Certain LTIP units vested prior to or upon the completion of the Company's initial public offering and certain LTIP units have vested upon the satisfaction of a service condition or will vest upon the satisfaction of a future service condition. Vested LTIP units and unvested LTIP units that vest based on a service condition are allocated income or loss in a similar manner as OP units. Unvested LTIP units subject to a service condition are evaluated for dilution using the treasury stock method. For the year ended December 31, 2016, 294,529 unvested LTIP units that vest based on a service condition are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share as they are not dilutive to earnings (loss) per share. In addition, certain LTIP units vest upon the future acquisition of properties sourced by PROs. For the year ended December 31, 2016, 260,400 unvested LTIP units that vest upon the future acquisition of properties are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because the contingency for the units to vest has not been attained as of the end of the reported periods.
Subordinated performance units may also, under certain circumstances, be convertible into OP units which are exchangeable for common shares as described above, and DownREIT subordinated performance units may, under certain circumstances, be exchangeable for subordinated performance units on a one-for-one basis. Subordinated performance units are only convertible into OP units, after a two year lock-out period and then generally (i) at the holder’s election only upon the achievement of certain performance thresholds relating to the properties to which such subordinated performance units relate or (ii) at the Company's election upon a retirement event of a PRO that holds such subordinated performance units or upon certain qualifying terminations. Although subordinated performance units may only be convertible after a two year lock-out period, the Company assumes a hypothetical conversion of each subordinated performance unit (including each DownREIT subordinated performance unit) into OP units (with subsequently assumed redemption into common shares) for the purposes of calculating diluted weighted average common shares. This hypothetical conversion is calculated using historical financial information, and as a result, is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations, cash flows or financial position of the Company upon expiration of the two-year lock out period on conversions.
Participating securities, which consist of unvested restricted common shares, receive dividends equal to those received by common shares. The effect of participating securities for the periods presented above is calculated using the two-class method of allocating distributed and undistributed earnings.


F-30

Table of Contents

11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Supervisory and Administrative Fees
The Company has entered into asset management agreements with the PROs to provide leasing, operating, supervisory and administrative services related to its self storage properties. The asset management agreements generally provide for fees ranging from 5% to 6% of gross revenue for the managed self storage properties. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company incurred $11.0 million, $7.6 million and $4.5 million, respectively, for supervisory and administrative fees to the PROs. Such fees are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying statements of operations.
Affiliate Payroll Services
The employees responsible for operation of the self storage properties are employees of the PROs who charge the Company for the costs associated with the respective employees. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company incurred $19.4 million, $13.4 million and $8.4 million, respectively, for payroll and related costs reimbursable to these affiliates. Such costs are included in property operating expenses in the accompanying statements of operations.
Due Diligence Costs
During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company reimbursed certain PROs for $1.1 million and $0.6 million of due diligence costs related to certain self storage property acquisitions sourced by the PROs. These expenses are included in acquisition costs in the accompanying statements of operations.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, in connection with the acquisition of certain self storage properties sourced by an affiliate of NSA Predecessor, the Company agreed to reimburse the related party for $0.2 million of due diligence costs related to the acquisitions.
Notes Receivable
 In connection with the acquisition of 16 self storage properties from PROs during the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company assumed certain mortgages that provided for interest at above-market rates. The sellers of the self storage properties agreed to reimburse the Company for the difference between the fair value and the contractual value of the assumed mortgages which amounted to $5.2 million. Due to the structure of the transaction, the amount owed to the Company was considered a receivable for the issuance of equity and was recorded as an offset against equity. During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company received above-market interest reimbursements from the sellers totaling $1.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively.
In addition, in exchange for $1.4 million and $1.4 million of principal payment reimbursements received related to these assumed mortgages during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company issued 67,832 and 85,130 OP units to the sellers during the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
Notes Payable
During the year ended December 31, 2015, in connection with the acquisition of self storage properties owned in DownREIT partnerships, the Company entered into bridge loan agreements for $5.3 million payable to principals of the PRO that contributed the properties. The notes bore interest at a weighted average fixed rate of 3.30% and were fully repaid during the year ended December 31, 2015.


F-31

Table of Contents

12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Operating Leases
The Company has four properties that are subject to non-cancelable leasehold interest agreements that are classified as operating leases. These lease agreements expire between 2034 and 2055, inclusive of extension options that the Company anticipates exercising. The leasehold interest agreements provide for fixed increases throughout the term of the lease and, accordingly, the Company recognizes lease expense on a straight-line basis over the expected lease terms. Rent expense under these leasehold interest agreements are included in property operating expenses in the accompanying statements of operations and amounted to $1.1 million, $1.0 million and less than $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
In March 2014, the Company entered into a non-cancelable operating lease that expires in July 2020 for its corporate headquarters in Greenwood Village, Colorado. Under the terms of the office lease, the Company obtained an option to extend the lease for an additional term of five years at then current market rates. The office lease provides for an abated rent period and the value of this inducement is being accounted for as a reduction to rent expense over the term of the lease. Rent expense related to this office lease is included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying statements of operations and amounted to $0.1 million, $0.1 million and less than $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
As of December 31, 2016, future minimum cash payments under the Company's operating leases are as follows (in thousands):
Year Ending December 31,
 
Real Estate Leasehold Interests
 
Office Lease
 
Total
2017
 
$
847

 
$
139

 
$
986

2018
 
852

 
142

 
994

2019
 
857

 
145

 
1,002

2020
 
902

 
86

 
988

2021
 
927

 

 
927

2022 through 2055
 
25,477

 

 
25,477

 
 
$
29,862

 
$
512

 
$
30,374

Legal Proceedings
The Company is subject to litigation, claims, and assessments that may arise in the ordinary course of its business activities. Such matters include contractual matters, employment related issues, and regulatory proceedings. Although occasional adverse decisions or settlements may occur, the Company believes that the final disposition of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.
13. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
The Company sometimes limits its exposure to interest rate fluctuations by entering into interest rate swap agreements. The interest rate swap agreements moderate the Company's exposure to interest rate risk by effectively converting the interest on variable rate debt to a fixed rate. The Company measures its interest rate swap derivatives at fair value on a recurring basis. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and are subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly into earnings. Information regarding the Company's interest rate swaps measured at fair value, which are classified within Level 2 of the GAAP fair value hierarchy, is presented below (dollars in thousands):


F-32

Table of Contents

 
Interest Rate Swaps Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
 
Non-hedge accounting Interest Rate Swaps
 
Total
Fair value at December 31, 2014
$
(865
)
 
$
(207
)
 
$
(1,072
)
Unrealized losses included in interest expense

 
(63
)
 
(63
)
Designation of interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge
(270
)
 
270

 

Cash flow hedge ineffectiveness
15

 

 
15

Losses on interest rate swaps reclassified into interest expense from accumulated other comprehensive loss
1,699

 

 
1,699

Unrealized losses included in accumulated other comprehensive loss
(1,551
)
 

 
(1,551
)
Fair value at December 31, 2015
$
(972
)
 
$

 
$
(972
)
Cash flow hedge ineffectiveness
19

 

 
19

Losses on interest rate swaps reclassified into interest expense from accumulated other comprehensive loss
2,678

 

 
2,678

Unrealized gains included in accumulated other comprehensive loss
6,434

 

 
6,434

Fair value at December 31, 2016
$
8,159

 
$

 
$
8,159

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had outstanding interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges with aggregate notional amounts of $425.0 million and $199.4 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, the Company's swaps had a weighted average remaining term of 3.8 years. The fair value of these swaps are presented within other assets and accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying balance sheets, and the Company recognizes any changes in the fair value as an adjustment of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within equity to the extent of their effectiveness. If the forward rates at December 31, 2016 remain constant, the Company estimates that during the next 12 months, the Company would reclassify into earnings approximately $1.6 million of the unrealized losses included in accumulated other comprehensive loss. If market interest rates increase above the 1.34% weighted average fixed rate under these interest rate swaps the Company will benefit from net cash payments due to it from its counterparty to the interest rate swaps.
There were no transfers between levels during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. For financial assets and liabilities that utilize Level 2 inputs, the Company utilizes both direct and indirect observable price quotes, including LIBOR yield curves. The Company uses valuation techniques for Level 2 financial assets and liabilities which include LIBOR yield curves at the reporting date as well as assessing counterparty credit risk. Counterparties to these contracts are highly rated financial institutions. Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with the Company's derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads, to evaluate the likelihood of default by the Company and the counterparties. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company determined that the effect of credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions are not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. Therefore, the Company has determined that its derivative valuations are appropriately classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.


F-33

Table of Contents

Fair Value Disclosures
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, trade receivables, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities reflected in the balance sheets at December 31, 2016 and 2015, approximate fair value due to the short term nature of these financial assets and liabilities. The carrying value of variable rate debt financing reflected in the balance sheets at December 31, 2016 and 2015 approximates fair value as the changes in their associated interest rates reflect the current market and credit risk is similar to when the loans were originally obtained.
The fair values of fixed rate mortgages were estimated using the discounted estimated future cash payments to be made on such debt; the discount rates used approximated current market rates for loans, or groups of loans, with similar maturities and credit quality (categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy). The combined principal balance of the Company's fixed rate mortgages payable was approximately $201.7 million as of December 31, 2016 with a fair value of approximately $214.0 million. In determining the fair value, the Company estimated a weighted average market interest rate of approximately 3.89%, compared to the weighted average contractual interest rate of 5.25%. The combined principal balance of the Company's fixed rate mortgages was approximately $176.9 million as of December 31, 2015 with a fair value of approximately $189.3 million. In determining the fair value as of December 31, 2015, the Company estimated a weighted average market interest rate of approximately 3.41%, compared to the weighted average contractual interest rate of 5.10%.
14. UNAUDITED SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
The following is a summary of quarterly financial information for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands, except per share data):
 
For the three months ended
 
March 31,
 
June 30,
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2016
 
2016
 
2016
Total revenues
$
39,649

 
$
47,284

 
$
52,949

 
$
59,164

Total operating expenses
28,504

 
33,382

 
36,908

 
42,596

Income from operations
11,145

 
13,902

 
16,041

 
16,568

Net income
4,802

 
6,045

 
7,944

 
6,075

Net income (loss) attributable to National Storage Affiliates Trust
$
2,210

 
$
7,370

 
$
(11
)
 
$
8,396

Earnings (loss) per share - basic
$
0.10

 
$
0.32

 
$

 
$
0.22

Earnings (loss) per share - diluted
$
0.07

 
$
0.08

 
$

 
$
0.07

 
For the three months ended
 
March 31,
 
June 30,
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2015
 
2015
 
2015
Total revenues
$
28,291

 
$
31,650

 
$
35,678

 
$
38,300

Total operating expenses
23,332

 
24,987

 
26,397

 
27,612

Income from operations
4,959

 
6,663

 
9,281

 
10,688

Net (loss) income
(2,771
)
 
93

 
2,109

 
5,365

Net income (loss) attributable to National Storage Affiliates Trust
$

 
$
3,464

 
$
4,372

 
$
4,604

Earnings (loss) per share - basic
$

 
$
0.22

 
$
0.19

 
$
0.20

Earnings (loss) per share - diluted
$

 
$

 
$
0.03

 
$
0.08



F-34

Table of Contents

15. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Self Storage Property Acquisitions
In January and February 2017, the Company acquired five self storage properties for approximately $31.8 million. Consideration for these acquisitions included approximately $26.6 million of net cash and OP equity of approximately $5.0 million (consisting of the issuance of 174,694 OP Units and 47,332 subordinated performance units) and the assumption of $0.2 million of other working capital liabilities. Of these acquisitions, two were acquired by us from our PROs and three were acquired by us from third-party sellers. In connection with these acquisitions, the Company reimbursed the PROs for $0.1 million of due diligence costs related to the self storage properties sourced by the PROs.
New PRO
In February 2017, the Company entered into definitive agreements with an affiliate of Shader Brothers Corporation d/b/a Personal Mini Storage ("Personal Mini") of Orlando, Florida, to add Personal Mini as the Company's eighth PRO. As part of the agreements, Personal Mini contributed approximately $7.0 million of cash to the Company in exchange for subordinated performance units. The Company's chairman and chief executive officer, Arlen D. Nordhagen, has a noncontrolling minority ownership interest in Personal Mini.
Credit Facility Increase
 On February 8, 2017, pursuant to a partial exercise by the Company's operating partnership of its expansion option under its amended and restated credit agreement dated as of May 6, 2016, the Company's operating partnership, as borrower, certain of its subsidiaries that are party to the credit facility, as subsidiary guarantors, and the Company, as parent guarantor, entered into a second increase agreement and amendment with a syndicated group of lenders to increase the total borrowing capacity under the Term Loan A and Term Loan B by $10.0 million and $55.0 million, respectively, and to provide a new tranche C term loan facility ("Term Loan C") in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of $105.0 million, which, in the aggregate, increase the total borrowing capacity by $170.0 million for a total credit facility of $895.0 million consisting of the following components: (i) a $400.0 million Revolver, (ii) Term Loan A, which now provides for a total borrowing commitment of up $235.0 million, (iii) Term Loan B, which now provides for a total borrowing commitment of up to $155.0 million and (iv) Term Loan C, which provides for a total borrowing commitment of up to $105.0 million. The Company continues to have an expansion option under the credit facility, which, if exercised in full, would provide for a total credit facility of $1.0 billion.
The Term Loan C matures on February 8, 2024. It is not subject to any scheduled reduction or amortization payment prior to maturity. Interest rates applicable to loans under Term Loan C are determined based on a 1, 2, 3 or 6 month LIBOR period (as elected by the Company at the beginning of any applicable interest period) plus an applicable margin or a base rate, determined by the greatest of the Key Bank prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.50% or one month LIBOR plus 1.00%, plus an applicable margin. The applicable margins for Term Loan C are leverage based and range from 1.70% to 2.25% for LIBOR loans and 0.70% to 1.25% for base rate loans; provided that after such time as the Company achieves an investment grade rating from at least two rating agencies, the Company may elect (but is not required to elect) that Term Loan C is subject to the rating based on applicable margins ranging from 1.50% to 2.45% for LIBOR Loans and 0.50% to 1.45% for base rate loans. Prepayments of any loans under Term Loan C are subject to prepayment premiums of 2.00% from the date of the Increase Agreement through and including the first anniversary of the Increase Agreement and 1.00% from the first anniversary of the Increase Agreement through and including the second anniversary of the Increase Agreement. There is no prepayment penalty thereafter.
Other than the increases and amendments related to Term Loan C described above, the Increase Agreement did not impact or amend the Credit Agreement's previously disclosed terms, including its covenants, events of default, or terms of payment.



F-35

Table of Contents
NATIONAL STORAGE AFFILIATES TRUST
SCHEDULE III-REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
December 31, 2016
(dollars in thousands)



 
 
 
 
Initial Cost to Company
 
 
 
Gross Carrying Amount at Year-End
 
 
 
 
Location
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
Subsequent
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
Date
MSA(1)
 
State
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Additions
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Total(2)
 
Depreciation
 
Acquired
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mobile
 
AL
 
$
991

 
$
4,874

 
$
700

 
$
991

 
$
5,574

 
$
6,565

 
$
200

 
4/12/2016
Lake Havasu City-Kingman
 
AZ
 
671

 
1,572

 
13

 
671

 
1,585

 
2,256

 
223

 
4/1/2014
Lake Havasu City-Kingman
 
AZ
 
722

 
2,546

 
34

 
722

 
2,580

 
3,302

 
372

 
7/1/2014
Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale
 
AZ
 
1,089

 
6,607

 
55

 
1,089

 
6,662

 
7,751

 
750

 
6/30/2014
Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale
 
AZ
 
3,813

 
7,831

 
43

 
3,813

 
7,874

 
11,687

 
639

 
9/30/2014
Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale
 
AZ
 
1,375

 
2,613

 
35

 
1,375

 
2,648

 
4,023

 
384

 
9/30/2014
Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale
 
AZ
 
1,653

 
7,531

 
11

 
1,653

 
7,542

 
9,195

 
522

 
10/1/2014
Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale
 
AZ
 
1,661

 
3,311

 
4

 
1,661

 
3,315

 
4,976

 
292

 
10/1/2014
Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale
 
AZ
 
1,050

 
5,359

 
1

 
1,050

 
5,360

 
6,410

 
271

 
1/1/2015
Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale
 
AZ
 
1,198

 
1,921

 

 
1,198

 
1,921

 
3,119

 
150

 
5/1/2015
Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale
 
AZ
 
1,324

 
3,626

 
20

 
1,324

 
3,646

 
4,970

 
230

 
5/1/2015
Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale
 
AZ
 
3,816

 
4,348

 
5

 
3,816

 
4,353

 
8,169

 
268

 
5/1/2015
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale
 
AZ
 
5,576

 
6,746

 
100

 
5,576

 
6,846

 
12,422

 
220

 
5/19/2016
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale
 
AZ
 
1,506

 
2,881

 
34

 
1,506

 
2,915

 
4,421

 
54

 
7/29/2016
Tucson
 
AZ
 
421

 
3,855

 
70

 
421

 
3,925

 
4,346

 
371

 
8/29/2013
Tucson
 
AZ
 
716

 
1,365

 
7

 
716

 
1,372

 
2,088

 
245

 
8/29/2013
Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine
 
CA
 
1,530

 
5,799

 
181

 
1,530

 
5,980

 
7,510

 
62

 
8/1/2016
Bakersfield
 
CA
 
511

 
2,804

 
8

 
511

 
2,812

 
3,323

 
46

 
8/1/2016
Bakersfield
 
CA
 
1,409

 
3,907

 
2

 
1,409

 
3,909

 
5,318

 
58

 
8/1/2016
Bakersfield
 
CA
 
1,882

 
3,858

 
5

 
1,882

 
3,863

 
5,745

 
68

 
8/1/2016
Bakersfield
 
CA
 
1,355

 
4,678

 
12

 
1,355

 
4,690

 
6,045

 
75

 
8/1/2016
Bakersfield
 
CA
 
1,306

 
3,440

 
6

 
1,306

 
3,446

 
4,752

 
74

 
8/1/2016
Bakersfield
 
CA
 
1,016

 
3,638

 
9

 
1,016

 
3,647

 
4,663

 
52

 
8/1/2016
Bakersfield
 
CA
 
1,579

 
3,357

 
7

 
1,579

 
3,364

 
4,943

 
61

 
8/1/2016
Bakersfield
 
CA
 
750

 
5,802

 
5

 
750

 
5,807

 
6,557

 
87

 
8/1/2016
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale
 
CA
 
2,345

 
6,820

 
427

 
2,345

 
7,247

 
9,592

 
71

 
8/1/2016
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale
 
CA
 
1,350

 
11,266

 
14

 
1,350

 
11,280

 
12,630

 
141

 
8/1/2016
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale
 
CA
 
763

 
6,258

 
4

 
763

 
6,262

 
7,025

 
79

 
8/1/2016
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana
 
CA
 
6,641

 
8,239

 
26

 
6,641

 
8,265

 
14,906

 
705

 
4/1/2014
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana
 
CA
 
1,122

 
1,881

 

 
1,122

 
1,881

 
3,003

 
212

 
6/30/2014
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana(3)
 
CA
 
7,186

 
12,771

 
7

 
7,186

 
12,778

 
19,964

 
1,194

 
9/17/2014
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana(3)(4)
 
CA
 

 
7,106

 
10

 

 
7,116

 
7,116

 
637

 
9/17/2014


F-36

Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
Initial Cost to Company
 
 
 
Gross Carrying Amount at Year-End
 
 
 
 
Location
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
Subsequent
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
Date
MSA(1)
 
State
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Additions
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Total(2)
 
Depreciation
 
Acquired
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana(3)
 
CA
 
2,366

 
4,892

 
8

 
2,366

 
4,900

 
7,266

 
475

 
9/17/2014
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana(3)
 
CA
 
2,871

 
3,703

 
6

 
2,871

 
3,709

 
6,580

 
298

 
10/7/2014
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana(3)
 
CA
 
5,448

 
10,015

 
92

 
5,448

 
10,107

 
15,555

 
958

 
10/7/2014
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana(4)
 
CA
 

 
13,150

 
5

 

 
13,155

 
13,155

 
873

 
1/1/2015
Modesto
 
CA
 
1,526

 
12,032

 
3

 
1,526

 
12,035

 
13,561

 
60

 
11/10/2016
Modesto
 
CA
 
773

 
5,655

 
2

 
773

 
5,657

 
6,430

 
24

 
11/10/2016
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario(3)
 
CA
 
552

 
3,010

 
109

 
552

 
3,119

 
3,671

 
705

 
5/16/2008
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
1,342

 
4,446

 
44

 
1,342

 
4,490

 
5,832

 
1,052

 
4/1/2013
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
1,672

 
2,564

 
2

 
1,672

 
2,566

 
4,238

 
292

 
4/1/2014
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
978

 
1,854

 
104

 
978

 
1,958

 
2,936

 
295

 
5/30/2014
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
1,068

 
2,609

 
92

 
1,068

 
2,701

 
3,769

 
351

 
5/30/2014
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
1,202

 
2,032

 
41

 
1,202

 
2,073

 
3,275

 
234

 
6/30/2014
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
1,803

 
2,758

 
17

 
1,803

 
2,775

 
4,578

 
418

 
6/30/2014
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
1,337

 
4,489

 
1

 
1,337

 
4,490

 
5,827

 
457

 
6/30/2014
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
846

 
2,508

 
16

 
846

 
2,524

 
3,370

 
358

 
7/1/2014
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario(3)
 
CA
 
1,026

 
4,552

 
22

 
1,026

 
4,574

 
5,600

 
415

 
9/17/2014
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario(3)
 
CA
 
1,878

 
5,104

 
30

 
1,878

 
5,134

 
7,012

 
413

 
9/17/2014
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario(3)
 
CA
 
14,109

 
23,112

 
98

 
14,109

 
23,210

 
37,319

 
2,206

 
9/17/2014
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
3,974

 
6,962

 
50

 
3,974

 
7,012

 
10,986

 
784

 
10/1/2014
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
2,018

 
3,478

 
682

 
2,018

 
4,160

 
6,178

 
514

 
10/1/2014
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
1,842

 
3,420

 
2

 
1,842

 
3,422

 
5,264

 
235

 
1/1/2015
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
1,981

 
3,323

 
25

 
1,981

 
3,348

 
5,329

 
285

 
1/1/2015
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
3,418

 
9,907

 
68

 
3,418

 
9,975

 
13,393

 
487

 
8/5/2015
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
1,913

 
6,072

 
66

 
1,913

 
6,138

 
8,051

 
355

 
8/5/2015
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
772

 
4,044

 
72

 
772

 
4,116

 
4,888

 
282

 
8/5/2015
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
597

 
5,464

 
63

 
597

 
5,527

 
6,124

 
276

 
8/5/2015
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
3,022

 
8,124

 
64

 
3,022

 
8,188

 
11,210

 
470

 
8/5/2015
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
2,897

 
5,725

 
634

 
2,897

 
6,359

 
9,256

 
393

 
8/5/2015
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
2,835

 
5,589

 
803

 
2,835

 
6,392

 
9,227

 
346

 
8/5/2015
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
2,484

 
5,903

 
64

 
2,484

 
5,967

 
8,451

 
269

 
8/5/2015
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
1,139

 
5,054

 

 
1,139

 
5,054

 
6,193

 
252

 
10/1/2015
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
1,401

 
4,577

 
5

 
1,401

 
4,582

 
5,983

 
177

 
10/1/2015
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
925

 
3,459

 

 
925

 
3,459

 
4,384

 
178

 
10/1/2015
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
1,174

 
2,556

 
29

 
1,174

 
2,585

 
3,759

 
156

 
10/1/2015


F-37

Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
Initial Cost to Company
 
 
 
Gross Carrying Amount at Year-End
 
 
 
 
Location
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
Subsequent
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
Date
MSA(1)
 
State
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Additions
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Total(2)
 
Depreciation
 
Acquired
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
1,506

 
2,913

 
3

 
1,506

 
2,916

 
4,422

 
139

 
10/1/2015
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
631

 
2,307

 
25

 
631

 
2,332

 
2,963

 
151

 
10/1/2015
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
1,318

 
2,394

 
3

 
1,318

 
2,397

 
3,715

 
149

 
10/1/2015
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
1,942

 
2,647

 
11

 
1,942

 
2,658

 
4,600

 
193

 
10/1/2015
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
1,339

 
2,830

 

 
1,339

 
2,830

 
4,169

 
158

 
10/1/2015
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
1,105

 
2,672

 

 
1,105

 
2,672

 
3,777

 
181

 
10/1/2015
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
1,542

 
2,127

 
3

 
1,542

 
2,130

 
3,672

 
143

 
10/1/2015
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
1,478

 
4,534

 
2

 
1,478

 
4,536

 
6,014

 
180

 
10/1/2015
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
3,245

 
4,420

 
321

 
3,245

 
4,741

 
7,986

 
132

 
5/16/2016
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
670

 
8,613

 
77

 
670

 
8,690

 
9,360

 
108

 
8/1/2016
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
538

 
3,921

 
64

 
538

 
3,985

 
4,523

 
51

 
8/1/2016
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
382

 
3,442

 
78

 
382

 
3,520

 
3,902

 
49

 
8/1/2016
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
806

 
3,852

 
104

 
806

 
3,956

 
4,762

 
48

 
8/1/2016
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
570

 
4,238

 
82

 
570

 
4,320

 
4,890

 
56

 
8/1/2016
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
345

 
3,270

 
86

 
345

 
3,356

 
3,701

 
47

 
8/1/2016
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
252

 
4,419

 
58

 
252

 
4,477

 
4,729

 
51

 
9/1/2016
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
 
CA
 
2,691

 
3,950

 
65

 
2,691

 
4,015

 
6,706

 
38

 
9/1/2016
Sacramento-Roseville-Arden-Arcade
 
CA
 
1,195

 
8,407

 
2

 
1,195

 
8,409

 
9,604

 
34

 
11/10/2016
Sacramento-Roseville-Arden-Arcade
 
CA
 
425

 
7,249

 
2

 
425

 
7,251

 
7,676

 
33

 
11/10/2016
San Diego-Carlsbad
 
CA
 
4,318

 
19,775

 
399

 
4,323

 
20,174

 
24,497

 
213

 
8/1/2016
San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos(3)
 
CA
 
3,703

 
5,582

 
19

 
3,703

 
5,601

 
9,304

 
463

 
9/17/2014
San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos
 
CA
 
3,544

 
4,915

 
58

 
3,544

 
4,973

 
8,517

 
425

 
10/1/2014
San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos(4)
 
CA
 

 
5,568

 
53

 

 
5,621

 
5,621

 
303

 
1/1/2015
San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos(4)
 
CA
 

 
4,041

 
2

 

 
4,043

 
4,043

 
409

 
1/31/2015
Stockton-Lodi
 
CA
 
559

 
5,514

 
2

 
559

 
5,516

 
6,075

 
23

 
11/10/2016
Stockton-Lodi
 
CA
 
1,710

 
8,995

 
3

 
1,710

 
8,998

 
10,708

 
43

 
11/10/2016
Colorado Springs
 
CO
 
455

 
1,351

 
45

 
455

 
1,396

 
1,851

 
341

 
8/29/2007
Colorado Springs
 
CO
 
588

 
2,162

 
1,076

 
588

 
3,238

 
3,826

 
709

 
3/26/2008
Colorado Springs
 
CO
 
632

 
3,118

 
401

 
632

 
3,519

 
4,151

 
837

 
3/26/2008
Colorado Springs
 
CO
 
414

 
1,535

 
316

 
414

 
1,851

 
2,265

 
440

 
5/1/2008
Colorado Springs(3)
 
CO
 
300

 
1,801

 
66

 
300

 
1,867

 
2,167

 
363

 
6/1/2009
Denver-Aurora-Broomfield
 
CO
 
868

 
128

 
2,301

 
868

 
2,429

 
3,297

 
403

 
6/22/2009
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood
 
CO
 
938

 
8,449

 

 
938

 
8,449

 
9,387

 
31

 
11/1/2016
Fort Collins-Loveland
 
CO
 
3,213

 
3,087

 
92

 
3,213

 
3,179

 
6,392

 
762

 
8/29/2007


F-38

Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
Initial Cost to Company
 
 
 
Gross Carrying Amount at Year-End
 
 
 
 
Location
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
Subsequent
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
Date
MSA(1)
 
State
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Additions
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Total(2)
 
Depreciation
 
Acquired
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fort Collins-Loveland
 
CO
 
2,514

 
1,786

 
51

 
2,514

 
1,837

 
4,351

 
443

 
8/29/2007
Pueblo
 
CO
 
156

 
2,797

 
3

 
156

 
2,800

 
2,956

 
84

 
2/17/2016
Cape Coral-Fort Myers(3)
 
FL
 
4,122

 
8,453

 
3

 
4,122

 
8,456

 
12,578

 
213

 
4/1/2016
Cape Coral-Fort Myers(3)
 
FL
 
571

 
3,256

 
64

 
571

 
3,320

 
3,891

 
109

 
4/1/2016
Jacksonville
 
FL
 
2,087

 
19,473

 
2

 
2,087

 
19,475

 
21,562

 
71

 
11/10/2016
Jacksonville
 
FL
 
1,629

 
4,929

 
3

 
1,629

 
4,932

 
6,561

 
24

 
11/10/2016
Lakeland-Winter Haven(3)
 
FL
 
972

 
2,159

 
20

 
972

 
2,179

 
3,151

 
136

 
5/4/2015
Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island(3)
 
FL
 
3,849

 
16,688

 
10

 
3,849

 
16,698

 
20,547

 
356

 
4/1/2016
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton(3)
 
FL
 
2,211

 
5,682

 
2

 
2,211

 
5,684

 
7,895

 
139

 
4/1/2016
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton(3)
 
FL
 
2,488

 
7,282

 
12

 
2,488

 
7,294

 
9,782

 
169

 
4/1/2016
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton(3)
 
FL
 
1,767

 
5,955

 
15

 
1,767

 
5,970

 
7,737

 
158

 
4/1/2016
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton
 
FL
 
2,143

 
5,005

 
23

 
2,143

 
5,028

 
7,171

 
72

 
10/11/2016
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton(3)
 
FL
 
1,924

 
4,514

 
4

 
1,924

 
4,518

 
6,442

 
133

 
4/1/2016
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton
 
FL
 
1,176

 
3,421

 

 
1,176

 
3,421

 
4,597

 
84

 
4/1/2016
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton(3)
 
FL
 
1,839

 
8,377

 
3

 
1,839

 
8,380

 
10,219

 
175

 
4/1/2016
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton(3)
 
FL
 
2,507

 
7,766

 
7

 
2,507

 
7,773

 
10,280

 
177

 
4/1/2016
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton(3)
 
FL
 
1,685

 
5,439

 

 
1,685

 
5,439

 
7,124

 
136

 
4/1/2016
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton(3)
 
FL
 
437

 
5,128

 
25

 
437

 
5,153

 
5,590

 
125

 
4/1/2016
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton
 
FL
 
1,015

 
3,031

 
2

 
1,015

 
3,033

 
4,048

 
71

 
4/1/2016
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford
 
FL
 
2,426

 
9,314

 
1

 
2,426

 
9,315

 
11,741

 
39

 
11/10/2016
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford
 
FL
 
2,166

 
4,672

 

 
2,166

 
4,672

 
6,838

 
22

 
11/10/2016
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford
 
FL
 
4,583

 
8,752

 

 
4,583

 
8,752

 
13,335

 
47

 
11/10/2016
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater(3)
 
FL
 
5,436

 
10,092

 
19

 
5,436

 
10,111

 
15,547

 
256

 
4/1/2016
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater(3)
 
FL
 
361

 
1,238

 
19

 
361

 
1,257

 
1,618

 
111

 
5/4/2015
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta
 
GA
 
515

 
687

 
96

 
515

 
783

 
1,298

 
199

 
8/29/2007
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta
 
GA
 
272

 
1,357

 
251

 
272

 
1,608

 
1,880

 
386

 
8/29/2007
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta
 
GA
 
702

 
1,999

 
286

 
702

 
2,285

 
2,987

 
570

 
8/29/2007
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta
 
GA
 
1,413

 
1,590

 
159

 
1,413

 
1,749

 
3,162

 
434

 
8/29/2007
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta
 
GA
 
341

 
562

 
129

 
341

 
691

 
1,032

 
183

 
8/29/2007
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta
 
GA
 
553

 
847

 
169

 
553

 
1,016

 
1,569

 
264

 
8/29/2007
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta
 
GA
 
85

 
445

 
233

 
85

 
678

 
763

 
190

 
9/28/2007
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta(3)
 
GA
 
494

 
2,215

 
230

 
494

 
2,445

 
2,939

 
585

 
9/28/2007
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta
 
GA
 
1,614

 
2,476

 
43

 
1,614

 
2,519

 
4,133

 
142

 
7/29/2015
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta
 
GA
 
1,595

 
2,143

 
44

 
1,595

 
2,187

 
3,782

 
148

 
7/29/2015


F-39

Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
Initial Cost to Company
 
 
 
Gross Carrying Amount at Year-End
 
 
 
 
Location
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
Subsequent
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
Date
MSA(1)
 
State
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Additions
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Total(2)
 
Depreciation
 
Acquired
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Rosewell
 
GA
 
430

 
3,470

 
8

 
430

 
3,478

 
3,908

 
108

 
3/29/2016
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Rosewell
 
GA
 
972

 
2,342

 
2

 
972

 
2,344

 
3,316

 
34

 
8/17/2016
Augusta
 
GA
 
84

 
539

 
147

 
84

 
686

 
770

 
187

 
8/29/2007
Augusta
 
GA
 
205

 
686

 
141

 
205

 
827

 
1,032

 
210

 
8/29/2007
Columbus(3) 
 
GA
 
169

 
342

 
156

 
169

 
498

 
667

 
99

 
5/1/2009
Macon
 
GA
 
180

 
840

 
39

 
180

 
879

 
1,059

 
209

 
9/28/2007
Savannah
 
GA
 
1,741

 
1,160

 
167

 
1,741

 
1,327

 
3,068

 
323

 
8/29/2007
Savannah(3)
 
GA
 
597

 
762

 
164

 
597

 
926

 
1,523

 
234

 
9/28/2007
Savannah
 
GA
 
409

 
1,335

 
20

 
409

 
1,355

 
1,764

 
233

 
1/31/2014
Savannah
 
GA
 
811

 
1,181

 
128

 
811

 
1,309

 
2,120

 
213

 
6/25/2014
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson
 
IN
 
855

 
7,273

 
8

 
855

 
7,281

 
8,136

 
224

 
2/16/2016
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson
 
IN
 
815

 
3,844

 
4

 
815

 
3,848

 
4,663

 
147

 
2/16/2016
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson
 
IN
 
688

 
3,845

 
4

 
688

 
3,849

 
4,537

 
149

 
2/16/2016
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson
 
IN
 
626

 
4,049

 
26

 
626

 
4,075

 
4,701

 
138

 
2/25/2016
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson
 
IN
 
1,118

 
4,444

 
11

 
1,118

 
4,455

 
5,573

 
186

 
2/25/2016
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson
 
IN
 
614

 
5,487

 
35

 
614

 
5,522

 
6,136

 
164

 
2/25/2016
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson
 
IN
 
619

 
2,140

 
1

 
619

 
2,141

 
2,760

 
15

 
11/10/2016
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson
 
IN
 
689

 
6,944

 

 
689

 
6,944

 
7,633

 
30

 
11/10/2016
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson
 
IN
 
609

 
3,172

 

 
609

 
3,172

 
3,781

 
19

 
11/10/2016
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson
 
IN
 
532

 
5,441

 

 
532

 
5,441

 
5,973

 
23

 
11/10/2016
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson
 
IN
 
433

 
5,817

 

 
433

 
5,817

 
6,250

 
24

 
11/10/2016
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson
 
IN
 
688

 
5,413

 

 
688

 
5,413

 
6,101

 
27

 
11/10/2016
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson
 
IN
 
575

 
5,168

 

 
575

 
5,168

 
5,743

 
24

 
11/10/2016
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson
 
IN
 
522

 
5,366

 

 
522

 
5,366

 
5,888

 
24

 
11/10/2016
Louisville/Jefferson County(3)
 
KY
 
2,174

 
3,667

 
23

 
2,174

 
3,690

 
5,864

 
228

 
5/1/2015
Baton Rouge
 
LA
 
386

 
1,744

 
44

 
386

 
1,788

 
2,174

 
48

 
4/12/2016
Baton Rouge
 
LA
 
1,098

 
5,208

 
425

 
1,098

 
5,633

 
6,731

 
158

 
4/12/2016
Baton Rouge
 
LA
 
1,203

 
3,156

 
186

 
1,203

 
3,342

 
4,545

 
66

 
7/21/2016
Baton Rouge
 
LA
 
755

 
2,702

 
232

 
755

 
2,934

 
3,689

 
55

 
7/21/2016
New Orleans-Metairie
 
LA
 
1,287

 
6,235

 
46

 
1,287

 
6,281

 
7,568

 
160

 
4/12/2016
Shreveport-Bossier City
 
LA
 
971

 
3,474

 
36

 
971

 
3,510

 
4,481

 
193

 
5/5/2015
Shreveport-Bossier City
 
LA
 
964

 
3,573

 
22

 
964

 
3,595

 
4,559

 
267

 
5/5/2015
Shreveport-Bossier City
 
LA
 
772

 
2,906

 
13

 
772

 
2,919

 
3,691

 
215

 
5/5/2015
Shreveport-Bossier City
 
LA
 
479

 
1,439

 
35

 
479

 
1,474

 
1,953

 
113

 
5/5/2015


F-40

Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
Initial Cost to Company
 
 
 
Gross Carrying Amount at Year-End
 
 
 
 
Location
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
Subsequent
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
Date
MSA(1)
 
State
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Additions
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Total(2)
 
Depreciation
 
Acquired
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shreveport-Bossier City
 
LA
 
475

 
854

 
34

 
475

 
888

 
1,363

 
82

 
5/5/2015
Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula
 
MS
 
645

 
2,413

 
195

 
645

 
2,608

 
3,253

 
101

 
4/12/2016
Meridian(3)
 
MS
 
224

 
1,052

 
141

 
224

 
1,193

 
1,417

 
229

 
5/1/2009
Meridian(3)
 
MS
 
382

 
803

 
189

 
382

 
992

 
1,374

 
194

 
5/1/2009
Asheville
 
NC
 
1,030

 
1,487

 
16

 
1,030

 
1,503

 
2,533

 
238

 
5/19/2014
Asheville
 
NC
 
631

 
1,916

 
54

 
631

 
1,970

 
2,601

 
216

 
7/8/2014
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia
 
NC
 
1,871

 
4,174

 
17

 
1,871

 
4,191

 
6,062

 
258

 
5/1/2015
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia(3)
 
NC
 
1,108

 
3,935

 
22

 
1,108

 
3,957

 
5,065

 
251

 
5/4/2015
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia(3)
 
NC
 
2,301

 
4,458

 
80

 
2,301

 
4,538

 
6,839

 
305

 
5/4/2015
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia(3)
 
NC
 
1,862

 
3,297

 
41

 
1,862

 
3,338

 
5,200

 
203

 
9/2/2015
Durham-Chapel Hill
 
NC
 
390

 
1,025

 
163

 
390

 
1,188

 
1,578

 
300

 
8/29/2007
Durham-Chapel Hill(3)
 
NC
 
663

 
2,743

 
224

 
663

 
2,967

 
3,630

 
722

 
9/28/2007
Durham-Chapel Hill
 
NC
 
1,024

 
1,383

 
376

 
1,024

 
1,759

 
2,783

 
413

 
9/28/2007
Durham-Chapel Hill(3)
 
NC
 
1,711

 
4,180

 
18

 
1,711

 
4,198

 
5,909

 
236

 
5/1/2015
Fayetteville
 
NC
 
636

 
2,169

 
1,655

 
636

 
3,824

 
4,460

 
880

 
8/29/2007
Fayetteville(3)
 
NC
 
151

 
5,392

 
144

 
151

 
5,536

 
5,687

 
1,301

 
9/28/2007
Fayetteville
 
NC
 
1,319

 
3,444

 
20

 
1,319

 
3,464

 
4,783

 
410

 
10/10/2013
Fayetteville
 
NC
 
772

 
3,406

 
17

 
772

 
3,423

 
4,195

 
334

 
10/10/2013
Fayetteville(3)
 
NC
 
1,276

 
4,527

 
25

 
1,276

 
4,552

 
5,828

 
395

 
12/20/2013
Fayetteville
 
NC
 
1,195

 
2,072

 

 
1,195

 
2,072

 
3,267

 
95

 
10/1/2015
Fayetteville
 
NC
 
830

 
3,710

 
11

 
830

 
3,721

 
4,551

 
139

 
10/1/2015
Greensboro-High Point
 
NC
 
873

 
769

 
180

 
873

 
949

 
1,822

 
247

 
8/29/2007
Jacksonville(3)
 
NC
 
1,265

 
2,123

 
20

 
1,265

 
2,143

 
3,408

 
196

 
5/1/2015
Nonmetropolitan Area
 
NC
 
530

 
2,394

 
5

 
530

 
2,399

 
2,929

 
188

 
12/11/2014
Nonmetropolitan Area
 
NC
 
667

 
2,066

 
12

 
667

 
2,078

 
2,745

 
172

 
12/11/2014
Nonmetropolitan Area(3)
 
NC
 
689

 
3,153

 
10

 
689

 
3,163

 
3,852

 
199

 
5/6/2015
Raleigh-Cary
 
NC
 
396

 
1,700

 
167

 
396

 
1,867

 
2,263

 
479

 
8/29/2007
Raleigh-Cary
 
NC
 
393

 
1,190

 
134

 
393

 
1,324

 
1,717

 
335

 
8/29/2007
Raleigh-Cary
 
NC
 
907

 
2,913

 
102

 
907

 
3,015

 
3,922

 
720

 
8/29/2007
Raleigh-Cary(3) 
 
NC
 
1,578

 
4,678

 
47

 
1,578

 
4,725

 
6,303

 
257

 
5/4/2015
Wilmington
 
NC
 
1,283

 
1,747

 
94

 
1,283

 
1,841

 
3,124

 
447

 
8/29/2007
Wilmington(3)
 
NC
 
860

 
828

 
57

 
860

 
885

 
1,745

 
218

 
9/28/2007
Wilmington(3)
 
NC
 
1,881

 
4,618

 
18

 
1,881

 
4,636

 
6,517

 
270

 
5/1/2015
Winston-Salem
 
NC
 
362

 
529

 
61

 
362

 
590

 
952

 
147

 
8/29/2007


F-41

Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
Initial Cost to Company
 
 
 
Gross Carrying Amount at Year-End
 
 
 
 
Location
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
Subsequent
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
Date
MSA(1)
 
State
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Additions
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Total(2)
 
Depreciation
 
Acquired
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Concord
 
NH
 
632

 
1,040

 
19

 
632

 
1,059

 
1,691

 
297

 
6/24/2013
Concord
 
NH
 
197

 
901

 
15

 
197

 
916

 
1,113

 
230

 
6/24/2013
Dover-Durham
 
NH
 
1,488

 
7,300

 
31

 
1,488

 
7,331

 
8,819

 
726

 
7/1/2014
Boston-Cambridge-Quincy
 
NH
 
899

 
3,863

 
27

 
899

 
3,890

 
4,789

 
172

 
9/22/2015
Manchester-Nashua
 
NH
 
1,786

 
6,100

 
19

 
1,786

 
6,119

 
7,905

 
191

 
2/22/2016
Manchester-Nashua
 
NH
 
1,395

 
5,573

 
22

 
1,395

 
5,595

 
6,990

 
161

 
2/22/2016
Greater New Hampshire
 
NH
 
1,528

 
2,686

 
13

 
1,528

 
2,699

 
4,227

 
116

 
2/22/2016
Rockingham County-Strafford County
 
NH
 
1,597

 
3,138

 
33

 
1,597

 
3,171

 
4,768

 
114

 
2/22/2016
Rockingham County-Strafford County
 
NH
 
1,445

 
2,957

 
27

 
1,445

 
2,984

 
4,429

 
113

 
2/22/2016
Albuquerque
 
NM
 
1,089

 
2,845

 
91

 
1,089

 
2,936

 
4,025

 
59

 
8/31/2016
Albuquerque
 
NM
 
854

 
3,436

 
81

 
854

 
3,517

 
4,371

 
39

 
9/19/2016
Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise
 
NV
 
1,757

 
4,223

 
28

 
1,757

 
4,251

 
6,008

 
54

 
9/20/2016
Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise
 
NV
 
1,121

 
1,510

 

 
1,121

 
1,510

 
2,631

 
25

 
9/20/2016
Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise
 
NV
 
2,160

 
4,544

 

 
2,160

 
4,544

 
6,704

 
19

 
11/17/2016
Las Vegas-Paradise
 
NV
 
1,169

 
3,616

 
68

 
1,169

 
3,684

 
4,853

 
758

 
12/23/2013
Las Vegas-Paradise
 
NV
 
389

 
2,850

 
66

 
389

 
2,916

 
3,305

 
344

 
4/1/2014
Las Vegas-Paradise
 
NV
 
794

 
1,406

 
68

 
794

 
1,474

 
2,268

 
214

 
7/1/2014
Canton-Massillon
 
OH
 
83

 
2,911

 

 
83

 
2,911

 
2,994

 
15

 
11/10/2016
Canton-Massillon
 
OH
 
292

 
2,107

 

 
292

 
2,107

 
2,399

 
22

 
11/10/2016
Cleveland-Elyria
 
OH
 
169

 
2,702

 

 
169

 
2,702

 
2,871

 
13

 
11/10/2016
Cleveland-Elyria
 
OH
 
193

 
3,323

 

 
193

 
3,323

 
3,516

 
14

 
11/10/2016
Cleveland-Elyria
 
OH
 
490

 
1,050

 

 
490

 
1,050

 
1,540

 
8

 
11/10/2016
Cleveland-Elyria
 
OH
 
845

 
4,916

 

 
845

 
4,916

 
5,761

 
25

 
11/10/2016
Cleveland-Elyria
 
OH
 
842

 
2,044

 

 
842

 
2,044

 
2,886

 
16

 
11/10/2016
Oklahoma City
 
OK
 
388

 
3,142

 
133

 
388

 
3,275

 
3,663

 
829

 
5/29/2007
Oklahoma City
 
OK
 
213

 
1,383

 
61

 
213

 
1,444

 
1,657

 
363

 
5/29/2007
Oklahoma City
 
OK
 
561

 
2,355

 
427

 
561

 
2,782

 
3,343

 
743

 
5/29/2007
Oklahoma City
 
OK
 
349

 
2,368

 
405

 
349

 
2,773

 
3,122

 
734

 
5/29/2007
Oklahoma City
 
OK
 
466

 
2,544

 
99

 
466

 
2,643

 
3,109

 
656

 
5/29/2007
Oklahoma City
 
OK
 
144

 
1,576

 
138

 
144

 
1,714

 
1,858

 
461

 
5/29/2007
Oklahoma City
 
OK
 
168

 
1,696

 
240

 
168

 
1,936

 
2,104

 
504

 
5/29/2007
Oklahoma City
 
OK
 
220

 
1,606

 
86

 
220

 
1,692

 
1,912

 
421

 
5/30/2007
Oklahoma City
 
OK
 
376

 
1,460

 
31

 
376

 
1,491

 
1,867

 
366

 
5/30/2007
Oklahoma City
 
OK
 
337

 
2,788

 
88

 
337

 
2,876

 
3,213

 
704

 
5/30/2007


F-42

Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
Initial Cost to Company
 
 
 
Gross Carrying Amount at Year-End
 
 
 
 
Location
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
Subsequent
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
Date
MSA(1)
 
State
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Additions
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Total(2)
 
Depreciation
 
Acquired
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oklahoma City
 
OK
 
814

 
3,161

 
1,162

 
814

 
4,323

 
5,137

 
702

 
5/30/2007
Oklahoma City
 
OK
 
590

 
1,502

 
1,751

 
590

 
3,253

 
3,843

 
711

 
8/29/2007
Oklahoma City
 
OK
 
205

 
1,772

 
385

 
205

 
2,157

 
2,362

 
566

 
5/1/2009
Oklahoma City
 
OK
 
701

 
4,926

 

 
701

 
4,926

 
5,627

 
47

 
9/1/2016
Oklahoma City
 
OK
 
1,082

 
4,218

 
1

 
1,082

 
4,219

 
5,301

 
143

 
1/1/2016
Oklahoma City
 
OK
 
736

 
2,925

 
3

 
736

 
2,928

 
3,664

 
121

 
1/1/2016
Oklahoma City
 
OK
 
1,135

 
3,759

 
4

 
1,135

 
3,763

 
4,898

 
135

 
1/1/2016
Tulsa
 
OK
 
548

 
1,892

 
73

 
548

 
1,965

 
2,513

 
474

 
8/29/2007
Tulsa
 
OK
 
764

 
1,386

 
372

 
764

 
1,758

 
2,522

 
433

 
8/29/2007
Tulsa
 
OK
 
1,305

 
2,533

 
111

 
1,305

 
2,644

 
3,949

 
642

 
8/29/2007
Tulsa
 
OK
 
940

 
2,196

 
223

 
940

 
2,419

 
3,359

 
588

 
8/29/2007
Tulsa
 
OK
 
59

 
466

 
173

 
59

 
639

 
698

 
175

 
8/29/2007
Tulsa
 
OK
 
426

 
1,424

 
221

 
426

 
1,645

 
2,071

 
485

 
8/29/2007
Tulsa
 
OK
 
250

 
667

 
148

 
250

 
815

 
1,065

 
219

 
8/29/2007
Tulsa(3)
 
OK
 
944

 
2,085

 
52

 
944

 
2,137

 
3,081

 
483

 
2/14/2008
Tulsa(3)
 
OK
 
892

 
2,421

 
20

 
892

 
2,441

 
3,333

 
550

 
2/14/2008
Tulsa
 
OK
 
492

 
1,343

 
65

 
492

 
1,408

 
1,900

 
316

 
4/1/2008
Tulsa
 
OK
 
505

 
1,346

 
722

 
505

 
2,068

 
2,573

 
595

 
4/1/2008
Tulsa
 
OK
 
466

 
1,270

 
88

 
466

 
1,358

 
1,824

 
314

 
4/1/2008
Tulsa(3)
 
OK
 
1,103

 
4,431

 
13

 
1,103

 
4,444

 
5,547

 
1,024

 
6/10/2013
Bend
 
OR
 
295

 
1,369

 
5

 
295

 
1,374

 
1,669

 
325

 
4/1/2013
Bend
 
OR
 
1,692

 
2,410

 
23

 
1,692

 
2,433

 
4,125

 
606

 
4/1/2013
Bend(3)
 
OR
 
571

 
1,917

 

 
571

 
1,917

 
2,488

 
275

 
6/10/2013
Bend(3)
 
OR
 
397

 
1,180

 
87

 
397

 
1,267

 
1,664

 
281

 
6/10/2013
Bend
 
OR
 
690

 
1,983

 
7

 
690

 
1,990

 
2,680

 
262

 
5/1/2014
Bend
 
OR
 
722

 
2,151

 
4

 
722

 
2,155

 
2,877

 
250

 
5/1/2014
Bend
 
OR
 
800

 
2,836

 
6

 
800

 
2,842

 
3,642

 
331

 
5/1/2014
Bend-Redmond
 
OR
 
2,688

 
10,731

 
1

 
2,688

 
10,732

 
13,420

 
284

 
4/15/2016
Corvallis
 
OR
 
382

 
1,465

 

 
382

 
1,465

 
1,847

 
233

 
12/30/2013
Eugene-Springfield
 
OR
 
710

 
1,539

 
60

 
710

 
1,599

 
2,309

 
316

 
4/1/2013
Eugene-Springfield
 
OR
 
842

 
1,674

 
12

 
842

 
1,686

 
2,528

 
357

 
4/1/2013
Eugene-Springfield(3)
 
OR
 
414

 
1,990

 

 
414

 
1,990

 
2,404

 
244

 
6/10/2013
Eugene-Springfield(3)
 
OR
 
1,149

 
2,061

 
37

 
1,149

 
2,098

 
3,247

 
314

 
6/10/2013
Eugene-Springfield
 
OR
 
728

 
3,230

 
93

 
728

 
3,323

 
4,051

 
342

 
12/30/2013


F-43

Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
Initial Cost to Company
 
 
 
Gross Carrying Amount at Year-End
 
 
 
 
Location
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
Subsequent
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
Date
MSA(1)
 
State
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Additions
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Total(2)
 
Depreciation
 
Acquired
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eugene-Springfield
 
OR
 
1,601

 
2,686

 
86

 
1,601

 
2,772

 
4,373

 
469

 
4/1/2014
Hood River
 
OR
 
997

 
1,874

 

 
997

 
1,874

 
2,871

 
162

 
12/1/2014
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
851

 
2,063

 
4

 
851

 
2,067

 
2,918

 
277

 
4/1/2013
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
1,704

 
2,313

 
93

 
1,704

 
2,406

 
4,110

 
445

 
4/1/2013
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
1,254

 
2,787

 
3

 
1,254

 
2,790

 
4,044

 
387

 
4/1/2013
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
2,808

 
4,437

 
16

 
2,808

 
4,453

 
7,261

 
805

 
4/1/2013
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
1,015

 
2,184

 
3

 
1,015

 
2,187

 
3,202

 
321

 
4/1/2013
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro(3)
 
OR
 
1,077

 
3,008

 
139

 
1,077

 
3,147

 
4,224

 
351

 
6/10/2013
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro(3)
 
OR
 
1,072

 
2,629

 
12

 
1,072

 
2,641

 
3,713

 
433

 
6/10/2013
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro(3)
 
OR
 
2,217

 
3,766

 
2

 
2,217

 
3,768

 
5,985

 
487

 
6/10/2013
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro(3)
 
OR
 
1,334

 
2,324

 
69

 
1,334

 
2,393

 
3,727

 
375

 
6/10/2013
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro(3)
 
OR
 
996

 
2,525

 
52

 
996

 
2,577

 
3,573

 
388

 
6/10/2013
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
1,496

 
3,372

 
20

 
1,496

 
3,392

 
4,888

 
414

 
6/24/2013
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
954

 
3,026

 
9

 
954

 
3,035

 
3,989

 
338

 
6/24/2013
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
1,627

 
2,388

 
70

 
1,627

 
2,458

 
4,085

 
329

 
6/24/2013
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
2,509

 
4,200

 
65

 
2,509

 
4,265

 
6,774

 
527

 
12/30/2013
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
787

 
1,915

 
37

 
787

 
1,952

 
2,739

 
220

 
12/30/2013
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
1,703

 
4,729

 
8

 
1,703

 
4,737

 
6,440

 
463

 
4/1/2014
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
738

 
2,483

 

 
738

 
2,483

 
3,221

 
244

 
4/1/2014
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
1,690

 
2,995

 
39

 
1,690

 
3,034

 
4,724

 
233

 
4/1/2014
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
1,200

 
9,531

 
135

 
1,200

 
9,666

 
10,866

 
1,275

 
5/30/2014
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
401

 
3,718

 
68

 
401

 
3,786

 
4,187

 
396

 
5/30/2014
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
1,160

 
3,291

 
12

 
1,160

 
3,303

 
4,463

 
336

 
6/30/2014
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
1,435

 
4,342

 

 
1,435

 
4,342

 
5,777

 
446

 
6/30/2014
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
1,478

 
4,127

 
1

 
1,478

 
4,128

 
5,606

 
420

 
6/30/2014
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
1,402

 
3,196

 

 
1,402

 
3,196

 
4,598

 
311

 
6/30/2014
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
3,538

 
4,938

 
8

 
3,538

 
4,946

 
8,484

 
502

 
6/30/2014
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
1,501

 
3,136

 

 
1,501

 
3,136

 
4,637

 
319

 
6/30/2014
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro(3)
 
OR
 
1,746

 
3,393

 

 
1,746

 
3,393

 
5,139

 
339

 
8/27/2014
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro(3)
 
OR
 
1,014

 
3,017

 

 
1,014

 
3,017

 
4,031

 
312

 
8/27/2014
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro(3)
 
OR
 
2,202

 
3,477

 
104

 
2,202

 
3,581

 
5,783

 
354

 
10/20/2014
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
1,764

 
7,360

 

 
1,764

 
7,360

 
9,124

 
556

 
12/16/2014
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
2,670

 
8,709

 

 
2,670

 
8,709

 
11,379

 
318

 
8/10/2015
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
410

 
622

 
78

 
410

 
700

 
1,110

 
15

 
7/14/2016


F-44

Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
Initial Cost to Company
 
 
 
Gross Carrying Amount at Year-End
 
 
 
 
Location
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
Subsequent
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
Date
MSA(1)
 
State
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Additions
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Total(2)
 
Depreciation
 
Acquired
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
1,258

 
6,298

 

 
1,258

 
6,298

 
7,556

 
23

 
11/21/2016
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
OR
 
2,334

 
7,726

 

 
2,334

 
7,726

 
10,060

 
12

 
12/6/2016
Prineville(3) 
 
OR
 
427

 
1,648

 

 
427

 
1,648

 
2,075

 
160

 
8/27/2014
Roseburg(3)(5)
 
OR
 
474

 
1,789

 
78

 
474

 
1,867

 
2,341

 
303

 
6/10/2013
Salem
 
OR
 
1,405

 
2,650

 
410

 
1,405

 
3,060

 
4,465

 
427

 
4/1/2014
Salem
 
OR
 
492

 
1,248

 
1

 
492

 
1,249

 
1,741

 
46

 
4/20/2016
The Dalles(3)
 
OR
 
1,108

 
2,100

 

 
1,108

 
2,100

 
3,208

 
197

 
12/5/2014
Anderson
 
SC
 
92

 
976

 
98

 
92

 
1,074

 
1,166

 
275

 
8/29/2007
Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill(3)
 
SC
 
924

 
3,086

 
26

 
924

 
3,112

 
4,036

 
186

 
5/4/2015
Greenville-Mauldin-Easley
 
SC
 
82

 
838

 
64

 
82

 
902

 
984

 
222

 
8/29/2007
Spartanburg
 
SC
 
535

 
1,934

 
14

 
535

 
1,948

 
2,483

 
97

 
11/12/2015
Amarillo(3)
 
TX
 
80

 
877

 
106

 
80

 
983

 
1,063

 
197

 
5/1/2009
Amarillo(3)
 
TX
 
78

 
697

 
136

 
78

 
833

 
911

 
167

 
5/1/2009
Amarillo(3)
 
TX
 
147

 
810

 
142

 
147

 
952

 
1,099

 
189

 
5/1/2009
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos
 
TX
 
937

 
5,319

 
42

 
937

 
5,361

 
6,298

 
593

 
6/24/2013
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos
 
TX
 
1,395

 
2,790

 
20

 
1,395

 
2,810

 
4,205

 
479

 
6/24/2013
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos
 
TX
 
768

 
1,923

 
104

 
768

 
2,027

 
2,795

 
195

 
10/29/2014
Brownsville-Harlingen
 
TX
 
845

 
2,364

 
57

 
845

 
2,421

 
3,266

 
196

 
9/4/2014
Brownsville-Harlingen
 
TX
 
639

 
1,674

 
75

 
639

 
1,749

 
2,388

 
171

 
9/4/2014
Brownsville-Harlingen
 
TX
 
386

 
2,798

 
165

 
386

 
2,963

 
3,349

 
73

 
5/2/2016
College Station-Bryan
 
TX
 
618

 
2,512

 
43

 
618

 
2,555

 
3,173

 
607

 
8/29/2007
College Station-Bryan
 
TX
 
551

 
349

 
215

 
551

 
564

 
1,115

 
123

 
8/29/2007
College Station-Bryan
 
TX
 
295

 
988

 
150

 
295

 
1,138

 
1,433

 
235

 
4/1/2008
College Station-Bryan
 
TX
 
51

 
123

 
63

 
51

 
186

 
237

 
51

 
4/1/2008
College Station-Bryan
 
TX
 
110

 
372

 
133

 
110

 
505

 
615

 
99

 
4/1/2008
College Station-Bryan
 
TX
 
62

 
208

 
12

 
62

 
220

 
282

 
50

 
4/1/2008
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington
 
TX
 
164

 
865

 
39

 
164

 
904

 
1,068

 
221

 
8/29/2007
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington
 
TX
 
155

 
105

 
53

 
155

 
158

 
313

 
46

 
9/28/2007
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington
 
TX
 
98

 
282

 
96

 
98

 
378

 
476

 
102

 
9/28/2007
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington
 
TX
 
264

 
106

 
165

 
264

 
271

 
535

 
78

 
9/28/2007
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington(3)
 
TX
 
376

 
803

 
120

 
376

 
923

 
1,299

 
231

 
9/28/2007
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington(3)
 
TX
 
338

 
681

 
99

 
338

 
780

 
1,118

 
192

 
9/28/2007
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington
 
TX
 
1,388

 
4,195

 
37

 
1,388

 
4,232

 
5,620

 
543

 
6/24/2013
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington
 
TX
 
1,859

 
5,293

 
219

 
1,859

 
5,512

 
7,371

 
652

 
7/25/2013


F-45

Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
Initial Cost to Company
 
 
 
Gross Carrying Amount at Year-End
 
 
 
 
Location
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
Subsequent
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
Date
MSA(1)
 
State
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Additions
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Total(2)
 
Depreciation
 
Acquired
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington
 
TX
 
379

 
2,212

 
55

 
379

 
2,267

 
2,646

 
387

 
7/25/2013
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington
 
TX
 
1,397

 
5,250

 
79

 
1,397

 
5,329

 
6,726

 
600

 
7/25/2013
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington
 
TX
 
2,102

 
5,755

 
87

 
2,102

 
5,842

 
7,944

 
767

 
7/25/2013
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington
 
TX
 
649

 
1,637

 
34

 
649

 
1,671

 
2,320

 
410

 
7/25/2013
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington
 
TX
 
396

 
1,411

 
362

 
396

 
1,773

 
2,169

 
166

 
4/29/2015
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington
 
TX
 
1,263

 
3,346

 
32

 
1,263

 
3,378

 
4,641

 
214

 
10/19/2015
Dallas-Plano-Irving
 
TX
 
1,421

 
2,349

 
224

 
1,421

 
2,573

 
3,994

 
66

 
6/1/2016
El Paso
 
TX
 
338

 
1,275

 
40

 
338

 
1,315

 
1,653

 
317

 
8/29/2007
El Paso
 
TX
 
94

 
400

 
166

 
94

 
566

 
660

 
135

 
8/29/2007
Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown
 
TX
 
698

 
2,648

 
204

 
698

 
2,852

 
3,550

 
161

 
7/20/2015
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land
 
TX
 
1,042

 
3,061

 
247

 
1,042

 
3,308

 
4,350

 
120

 
1/22/2016
Longview(3)
 
TX
 
651

 
671

 
98

 
651

 
769

 
1,420

 
153

 
5/1/2009
Longview(3)
 
TX
 
104

 
489

 
158

 
104

 
647

 
751

 
121

 
5/1/2009
Longview(3)
 
TX
 
310

 
966

 
199

 
310

 
1,165

 
1,475

 
225

 
5/1/2009
Longview
 
TX
 
2,466

 
3,559

 
37

 
2,466

 
3,596

 
6,062

 
343

 
6/19/2014
Longview
 
TX
 
959

 
1,640

 
17

 
959

 
1,657

 
2,616

 
169

 
6/25/2014
McAllen–Edinburg–Mission 
 
TX
 
1,217

 
2,738

 
152

 
1,243

 
2,890

 
4,133

 
374

 
7/31/2014
McAllen–Edinburg–Mission 
 
TX
 
1,973

 
4,517

 
46

 
1,973

 
4,563

 
6,536

 
456

 
9/4/2014
McAllen–Edinburg–Mission 
 
TX
 
1,295

 
3,929

 
44

 
1,295

 
3,973

 
5,268

 
390

 
9/4/2014
McAllen–Edinburg–Mission 
 
TX
 
3,079

 
7,574

 
66

 
3,079

 
7,640

 
10,719

 
805

 
9/4/2014
McAllen–Edinburg–Mission 
 
TX
 
1,017

 
3,261

 
55

 
1,017

 
3,316

 
4,333

 
319

 
9/4/2014
McAllen–Edinburg–Mission 
 
TX
 
803

 
2,914

 
66

 
803

 
2,980

 
3,783

 
228

 
9/4/2014
McAllen–Edinburg–Mission 
 
TX
 
2,249

 
4,966

 
37

 
2,249

 
5,003

 
7,252

 
513

 
9/4/2014
McAllen–Edinburg–Mission 
 
TX
 
1,118

 
3,568

 
55

 
1,118

 
3,623

 
4,741

 
298

 
9/4/2014
Midland(3)
 
TX
 
691

 
1,588

 
161

 
691

 
1,749

 
2,440

 
333

 
5/1/2009
Odessa(3)
 
TX
 
168

 
561

 
99

 
168

 
660

 
828

 
134

 
5/1/2009
San Angelo(3) 
 
TX
 
381

 
986

 
97

 
381

 
1,083

 
1,464

 
210

 
5/1/2009
San Antonio-New Braunfels
 
TX
 
614

 
2,640

 
42

 
614

 
2,682

 
3,296

 
329

 
4/1/2014
Aberdeen
 
WA
 
393

 
1,462

 
8

 
393

 
1,470

 
1,863

 
232

 
4/1/2014
Centralia(3)
 
WA
 
810

 
1,530

 

 
810

 
1,530

 
2,340

 
358

 
6/10/2013
Centralia(3)
 
WA
 
998

 
1,862

 
37

 
998

 
1,899

 
2,897

 
508

 
6/10/2013
Longview
 
WA
 
448

 
2,356

 
7

 
448

 
2,363

 
2,811

 
122

 
9/3/2015
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
WA
 
421

 
2,313

 

 
421

 
2,313

 
2,734

 
307

 
4/1/2013
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
WA
 
1,903

 
2,239

 

 
1,903

 
2,239

 
4,142

 
380

 
4/1/2013


F-46

Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
 
Initial Cost to Company
 
 
 
Gross Carrying Amount at Year-End
 
 
 
 
 
Location
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
Subsequent
 
 
 
Buildings and
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
Date
 
MSA(1)
 
State
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Additions
 
Land
 
Improvements
 
Total(2)
 
Depreciation
 
Acquired
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro(3)
 
WA
 
923

 
2,821

 

 
923

 
2,821

 
3,744

 
364

 
6/10/2013
 
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
WA
 
935

 
2,045

 
1

 
935

 
2,046

 
2,981

 
212

 
4/1/2014
 
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
 
WA
 
478

 
2,158

 
66

 
478

 
2,224

 
2,702

 
256

 
4/1/2014
 
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro(3)
 
WA
 
2,023

 
3,484

 
21

 
2,023

 
3,505

 
5,528

 
390

 
8/27/2014
 
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue
 
WA
 
770

 
3,203

 
13

 
770

 
3,216

 
3,986

 
386

 
4/1/2014
 
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue
 
WA
 
1,390

 
2,506

 
7

 
1,390

 
2,513

 
3,903

 
298

 
8/27/2014
 
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue
 
WA
 
1,438

 
3,280

 
19

 
1,438

 
3,299

 
4,737

 
341

 
9/18/2014
 
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue
 
WA
 
1,105

 
2,121

 

 
1,105

 
2,121

 
3,226

 
195

 
10/3/2014
 
Total
 
 
 
$
456,104

 
$
1,353,317

 
$
34,884

 
$
456,135

 
$
1,388,201

 
$
1,844,336

 
$
110,803

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Refers to metropolitan and micropolitan statistical area (MSA) as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2) The aggregate cost of land and depreciable property for Federal income tax purposes was approximately $1.5 billion (unaudited) at December 31, 2016. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3) As of December 31, 2016, 73 of our self storage properties were encumbered by an aggregate of $212.6 million of debt financing. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(4) Property subject to a long-term lease agreement. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(5) During the year ended December 31 2016, the Company consolidated two Oregon self storage properties into one single self storage property. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: The Company only owns one class of real estate, which is self storage properties. The estimated useful lives of the individual assets that comprise buildings and improvements range from 3 years to 40 years. The category for buildings and improvements in the table above includes furniture and equipment.
 


F-47

Table of Contents
NATIONAL STORAGE AFFILIATES TRUST
SCHEDULE III-REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
For the Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
(in thousands)


 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Self Storage properties:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
1,147,201

 
$
838,941

 
$
370,698

Acquisitions and improvements
 
715,509

 
308,323

 
470,060

Write-off of fully depreciated assets and other
 

 
(63
)
 

Dispositions
 
(4,820
)
 

 
(1,817
)
Assets held for sale
 
(13,554
)
 

 

Balance at end of year
 
$
1,844,336

 
$
1,147,201

 
$
838,941

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated depreciation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
68,100

 
$
39,614

 
$
24,379

Depreciation expense
 
42,703

 
28,549

 
15,508

Write-off of fully depreciated assets and other
 

 
(63
)
 

Dispositions
 

 

 
(273
)
Balance at end of year
 
$
110,803

 
$
68,100

 
$
39,614

 
 
 
 
 
 
 



F-48