As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 12, 2010

Registration No. 333-      

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

 

Form S-4

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

APARTMENT INVESTMENT AND MANAGEMENT COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

4582 South Ulster Street Parkway, Suite 1100

Denver, Colorado 80237

(303) 757-8101

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

John Bezzant

Senior Vice President

Apartment Investment and Management Company

4582 South Ulster Street Parkway, Suite 1100

Denver, Colorado 80237

(303) 757-8101

(Name, address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code of agent for service)

 

Copies to:

 

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement is declared effective and all other conditions to the merger as described in the enclosed information statement/prospectus are satisfied or waived.

 

If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box:  o

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:  o

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:  o

 

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):

 

 

If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction:

 

Exchange Act Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer)         o

 

Exchange Act Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer)  o

 

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

 

The Registrants hereby amend this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrants will file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement will thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement will become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 12, 2010

 

INFORMATION STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

 

U.S. REALTY PARTNERS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

U.S. Realty Partners Limited Partnership, or USRP, has entered into an agreement and plan of merger with a wholly owned subsidiary of Aimco Properties, L.P., or Aimco OP. Under the merger agreement, the Aimco Subsidiary, AIMCO USRP Merger Sub LLC, will be merged with and into USRP, with USRP as the surviving entity. The Aimco Subsidiary was formed for the purpose of effecting this transaction and does not have any assets or operations. In the merger, each unit of limited partnership interest of USRP, or each USRP Unit, will be converted into the right to receive, at the election of the holder of such USRP Unit, either:

 

 

The number of OP Units offered for each USRP Unit will be calculated by dividing $2.76 by the average closing price of common stock of Apartment Investment and Management Company, or Aimco, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange, over the ten consecutive trading days ending on the second trading day immediately prior to the consummation of the merger. For example, as of October 6, 2010, the average closing price of Aimco common stock over the preceding ten consecutive trading days was $21.65, which would have resulted in .13 OP Units offered for each USRP Unit. However, if AIMCO OP determines that the law of the state or other jurisdiction in which a limited partner resides would prohibit the issuance of OP Units in that state or other jurisdiction (or that registration or qualification in that state or jurisdiction would be prohibitively costly), then such limited partner will not be entitled to elect OP Units, and will receive cash.

 

In the merger, Aimco OP’s interest in the Aimco Subsidiary will be converted into USRP Units. As a result, after the merger, Aimco OP will be the sole limited partner of USRP and will own all of the outstanding USRP Units.

 

Within ten days after the effective time of the merger, Aimco OP will prepare and mail to you an election form pursuant to which you can elect to receive cash or OP Units. You may elect your form of consideration by completing and returning the election form in accordance with its instructions. If the information agent does not receive a properly completed election form from you before 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the 30th day after the merger, you will be deemed to have elected to receive cash. You may also use the election form to elect to receive, in lieu of the merger consideration, the appraised valued of your USRP Units, determined through an arbitration proceeding.

 

In addition and separate from the merger consideration, you may elect to receive an additional cash payment of $0.31 in exchange for executing a waiver and release of certain claims. In order to receive such additional payment, you must complete the relevant section of the election form, execute the waiver and release that is attached to the election form and return both the election form and the executed waiver and release to the information agent as described above.

 

Under Delaware law, the merger must be approved by all general partners of USRP and a majority in interest of the USRP Units. Both USRP’s corporate general partner, U.S. Realty I Corporation, or the Corporate General Partner, and USRP’s other general partner, Aimco OP, or the Other General Partner (and, together with the Corporate General Partner, the General Partners), have determined that the merger is advisable and in the best interests of USRP and its limited partners and have approved the merger and the merger agreement. As of October 7, 2010, there were issued and outstanding 1,222,000 USRP Units, and Aimco OP and its affiliates owned 900,195 of those certificates, or approximately 73.67% of the number of USRP Units outstanding. Aimco OP and its affiliates have indicated that they intend to take action by written consent, as permitted under the partnership agreement, to approve the merger on or about          , 2010. As a result, approval of the merger is assured, and your consent to the merger is not required.

 

WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND
YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY

 

This information statement/prospectus contains information about the merger and the securities offered hereby, and the reasons that the general partners of USRP have decided that the merger is in the best interests of USRP and its limited partners. The general partners of USRP have conflicts of interest with respect to the merger that are described in greater detail herein. Please read this information statement/prospectus carefully, including the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7. It provides you with detailed information about the merger and the securities offered hereby. The merger agreement is attached to this information statement/prospectus as Annex A.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities to be issued in connection with the merger or determined if this information statement/prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

This information statement/prospectus is dated,          2010, and is first being mailed to limited partners on or about          , 2010.

 

WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEKING QUALIFICATION TO ALLOW ALL HOLDERS OF USRP UNITS THE ABILITY TO ELECT TO RECEIVE OP UNITS IN CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER. HOWEVER, AT THE PRESENT TIME, IF YOU ARE A RESIDENT OF ONE OF THE FOLLOWING STATES, YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ELECT TO RECEIVE OP UNITS IN CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER:

 

CALIFORNIA

MASSACHUSETTS

NEW YORK

 

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK HAS NOT PASSED ON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THIS OFFERING. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

This information statement/prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about Aimco and Aimco OP from documents that they have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but that have not been included in or delivered with this information statement/prospectus. For a listing of documents incorporated by reference into this information statement/prospectus, please see “Where You Can Find Additional Information” beginning on page 85 of this information statement/prospectus.

 

Aimco will provide you with copies of such documents relating to Aimco and Aimco OP (excluding all exhibits unless Aimco or Aimco OP has specifically incorporated by reference an exhibit in this information statement/prospectus), without charge, upon written or oral request to:

 

ISTC Corporation
P.O. Box 2347
Greenville, South Carolina 29602
(864) 239-1029

 

If you have any questions or require any assistance, please contact our information agent, Eagle Rock Proxy Advisors, LLC, by mail at 12 Commerce Drive, Cranford, New Jersey 07016; by fax at (908) 497-2349; or by telephone at (800) 217-9608.

 

ABOUT THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

 

This information statement/prospectus, which forms a part of a registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Aimco and Aimco OP, constitutes a prospectus of Aimco OP under Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, with respect to the OP Units that may be issued to holders of USRP Units in connection with the merger, and a prospectus of Aimco under Section 5 of the Securities Act with respect to shares of Aimco common stock that may be issued in exchange for such OP Units tendered for redemption by the holder thereof. This document also constitutes an information statement under Section 14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, with respect to the action to be taken by written consent to approve the merger.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Information about Aimco, Aimco OP and the Aimco Subsidiary (page 18)

 

Information about U.S. Realty Partners Limited Partnership (page 19)

 

Comparison of USRP Units and Aimco OP Units (page 51)

 

Background and Reasons for the Merger (page 23)

 

The Merger (page 23)

 

Determination of Merger Consideration (page 25)

 

Risk Factors (page 7)

	•	There are a number of significant differences between USRP Units and Aimco OP Units relating to, among other things, the nature of the investment, voting rights, distributions and liquidity and transferability/redemption. For more information regarding those differences, see “Comparison of USRP Units and Aimco OP Units,” beginning on page 51.

	•	Aimco owns the Corporate General Partner. As a result, the Corporate General Partner has a conflict of interest. A transaction with a third party in the absence of this conflict could result in better terms or greater consideration to the limited partners.
	•	USRP limited partners may elect to receive OP Units as merger consideration, and there are risks related to an investment in OP Units, including the fact that there are restrictions on transferability of OP Units; there is no public market for OP Units; and there is no assurance as to the value that might be realized upon a future redemption by a holder of OP Units.

 

Fairness of the Transaction (page 24)

	•	The cash merger consideration is greater than the Corporate General Partner’s estimate of the proceeds that would be available for distribution to limited partners (following the repayment of debt and other liabilities) if Twin Lakes Apartments was sold at a price equal to its appraised value, given that the Corporate General Partner did not deduct certain amounts that would be payable upon an immediate sale of the property, such as prepayment penalties on the mortgage debt of the property that USRP would incur if the property was sold to a third party, currently estimated to be $2,892,958.
	•	Limited partners are given a choice of merger consideration, and may elect to receive either cash or OP Units in the merger, except in those jurisdictions where the law prohibits the offer of OP Units (or registration would be prohibitively costly). Accordingly, limited partners may elect the merger consideration they deem most beneficial to them.
	•	Limited partners who elect to receive cash consideration will receive $2.76 per USRP Unit, which will provide immediate liquidity with respect to their investment.
	•	Limited partners who elect to receive cash consideration and who recognize taxable gain in the merger will be taxed at current capital gains rates. The maximum long term federal capital gains rate, currently at 15%, is scheduled to increase to 20% in 2011.
	•	Limited partners may defer recognition of taxable gain by electing to receive OP Units in the merger.
	•	Limited partners who elect to receive OP Units in the merger will have the opportunity to participate in Aimco OP, which has a more diversified property portfolio than USRP.
	•	Although limited partners are not entitled to dissenters’ appraisal rights under Delaware law, the merger agreement provides them with contractual dissenters’ appraisal rights that are similar to the dissenters’ appraisal rights that are available to stockholders in a corporate merger under Delaware law.
	•	The cash consideration payable to limited partners in the merger was determined based on an independent third party appraisal of the property that USRP presently owns and operates.
	•	The number of OP Units issuable to limited partners in the merger was determined based on the average closing price of Aimco common stock, as reported on the NYSE, over the ten consecutive trading days ending on the second trading day immediately prior to the consummation of the merger.
	•	Although the merger agreement may be terminated by either side at any time, the Corporate General Partner determined that Aimco OP and the Aimco Subsidiary are likely to complete the merger on a timely basis.
	•	Unlike a typical property sale agreement, the merger agreement contains no indemnification provisions, so there is no risk of reduction of the proceeds to limited partners.
	•	In contrast to a sale of the property to a third party, which would involve costs associated with marketing and documenting the transaction, Aimco OP has agreed to pay all expenses associated with the merger.

 

Conflicts of Interest (page 26)

 

Waiver and Release and Additional Consideration (page 27)

 

Regulatory Matters (page 31)

 

Appraisal Rights (page 31)

 

Termination of the Merger Agreement (page 33)

 

Summary of Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger (page 57)

 

Accounting Treatment of the Merger (page 31)

 

Conflicts of Interest.  The Corporate General Partner is indirectly wholly owned by Aimco. Therefore, it has a conflict of interest with respect to the merger. The Corporate General Partner has fiduciary duties to its sole stockholder, which is wholly owned by Aimco, on the one hand, and to USRP and its limited partners, on the other hand. The duties of the Corporate General Partner to USRP and its limited partners conflict with its duties to its sole stockholder, which could result in the Corporate General Partner approving a transaction that is more favorable to Aimco than might be the case absent such conflict of interest. The Corporate General Partner’s desire to seek the best possible terms for USRP’s limited partners conflicts with Aimco’s interest in obtaining the best possible terms for Aimco OP.

 

No independent representative was engaged to represent the limited partners of USRP in negotiating the terms of the merger.  If an independent advisor had been engaged, it is possible that such advisor could have negotiated better terms for USRP’s limited partners.

 

The terms of the merger have not been determined in arm’s-length negotiations.  The terms of the merger, including the merger consideration, were determined through discussions between officers and directors of USRP, on the one hand, and officers of Aimco, on the other. All of the officers and directors of USRP are also officers of Aimco. If the terms of the merger had been determined through arm’s-length negotiations, the terms might be more favorable to USRP and its limited partners.

 

Alternative valuations of USRP’s property might exceed the appraised value relied on to determine the merger consideration.  Aimco determined the merger consideration in reliance on the appraised value of USRP’s property. See, “The Merger — The Appraisal,” beginning on page 28, for more information about the appraisal. Although an independent appraiser was engaged to perform a complete appraisal of the property, valuation is not an exact science. There are a number of other methods available to value real estate, each of which may result in different valuations of a property. Also, others using the same valuation methodology could make different assumptions and judgments, and obtain different results. As of June 30, 2010, Aimco internally valued Twin Lakes Apartments at $16,500,000.

 

The actual sales price of USRP’s property could exceed the appraised value that Aimco relied on to determine the merger consideration.  No recent attempt has been made to market Twin Lakes Apartments to unaffiliated third parties. There can be no assurance that Twin Lakes Apartments could not be sold for a value higher than the appraised value used to determine the merger consideration if it was marketed to third-party buyers interested in a property of this type.

 

The merger consideration may not represent the price USRP limited partners could obtain for their USRP Units in an open market.  There is no established or regular trading market for USRP Units, nor is there another reliable standard for determining the fair market value of the USRP Units. The merger consideration does not necessarily reflect the price that USRP limited partners would receive in an open market for their USRP Units. Such prices could be higher than the aggregate value of the merger consideration.

 

No opinion has been obtained from an independent financial advisor that the merger is fair to USRP limited partners.  While the Corporate General Partner believes that the terms of the merger are fair to USRP limited partners for the reasons discussed in “The Merger — Fairness of the Transaction,” beginning on page 24, the Corporate General Partner has not obtained an opinion as to whether the merger is fair to the limited partners of USRP from a financial point of view.

 

USRP limited partners may recognize taxable gain in the merger, and that gain could exceed the merger consideration.  Limited partners who elect to receive cash in the merger will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between their “amount realized” and their adjusted tax basis in the USRP Units sold. The resulting tax liability could exceed the value of the cash received in the merger.

 

The merger agreement does not require approval of the merger by a majority of the limited partners unaffiliated with the Corporate General Partner or Aimco OP.  Under the provisions of the USRP partnership

agreement and applicable Delaware law, the merger must be approved by a majority in interest of the USRP Units. As of October 7, 2010, Aimco OP and its affiliates owned approximately 73.67% of the outstanding USRP Units, enabling them to approve the merger without the consent or approval of any unaffiliated limited partners.

 

Limited partners in certain jurisdictions will not be able to elect OP Units.  In those states or jurisdictions where the issuance of the OP Units hereby is not permitted (or the registration or qualification of OP Units in that state or jurisdiction would be prohibitively costly), residents of those states will receive only the cash consideration in the merger.

 

For a description of risks related to an investment in Aimco and Aimco OP, please see the information set forth under “Part I — Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 of each of Aimco and Aimco OP, which documents are incorporated herein by reference and are available electronically through the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov, or by request to Aimco.

 

There are restrictions on the ability to transfer OP Units, and there is no public market for Aimco OP Units.  The Aimco OP partnership agreement restricts the transferability of OP Units. Until the expiration of a one-year holding period, subject to certain exceptions, investors may not transfer OP Units without the consent of Aimco OP’s general partner. Thereafter, investors may transfer such OP Units subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including the general partner’s right of first refusal. There is no public market for the OP Units. Aimco OP has no plans to list any OP Units on a securities exchange. It is unlikely that any person will make a market in the OP Units, or that an active market for the OP Units will develop. If a market for the OP Units develops and the OP Units are considered “readily tradable” on a “secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof),” Aimco OP would be classified as a publicly traded partnership for United States Federal income tax purposes, which could have a material adverse effect on Aimco OP.

 

Cash distributions by Aimco OP are not guaranteed and may fluctuate with partnership performance.  Aimco OP makes quarterly distributions to holders of OP Units (on a per unit basis) that generally are equal to dividends paid on the Aimco common stock (on a per share basis). However, such distributions will not necessarily continue to be equal to such dividends. Although Aimco OP makes quarterly distributions on its OP Units, there can be no assurance regarding the amounts of available cash that Aimco OP will generate or the portion that its general partner will choose to distribute. The actual amounts of available cash will depend upon numerous factors, including profitability of operations, required principal and interest payments on our debt, the cost of acquisitions (including related debt service payments), its issuance of debt and equity securities, fluctuations in working capital, capital expenditures, adjustments in reserves, prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, some of which may be beyond Aimco OP’s control. Cash distributions depend primarily on cash flow, including from reserves, and not on profitability, which is affected by non-cash items. Therefore, cash distributions may be made during periods when Aimco OP records losses and may not be made during periods when it records profits. The Aimco OP partnership agreement gives the general partner discretion in establishing reserves for the proper conduct of the partnership’s business that will affect the amount of available cash. Aimco is required to make reserves for the future payment of principal and interest under its credit facilities and other indebtedness. In addition, Aimco OP’s credit facility limits its ability to distribute cash to holders of OP Units. As a result of these and other factors, there can be no assurance regarding actual levels of cash distributions on OP Units, and Aimco OP’s ability to distribute cash may be limited during the existence of any events of default under any of its debt instruments.

 

Holders of OP Units are limited in their ability to effect a change of control.  The limited partners of Aimco OP are unable to remove the general partner of Aimco OP or to vote in the election of Aimco’s directors unless they own shares of Aimco. In order to comply with specific REIT tax requirements, Aimco’s charter has restrictions on the ownership of its equity securities. As a result, Aimco OP limited partners and Aimco stockholders are limited in their ability to effect a change of control of Aimco OP and Aimco, respectively.

Holders of OP Units have limited voting rights.  Aimco OP is managed and operated by its general partner. Unlike the holders of common stock in a corporation, holders of OP Units have only limited voting rights on matters affecting Aimco OP’s business. Such matters relate to certain amendments of the partnership agreement and certain transactions such as the institution of bankruptcy proceedings, an assignment for the benefit of creditors and certain transfers by the general partner of its interest in Aimco OP or the admission of a successor general partner. Holders of OP Units have no right to elect the general partner on an annual or other continuing basis, or to remove the general partner. As a result, holders of OP Units have limited influence on matters affecting the operation of Aimco OP, and third parties may find it difficult to attempt to gain control over, or influence the activities of, Aimco OP.

 

Holders of OP Units are subject to dilution.  Aimco OP may issue an unlimited number of additional OP Units or other securities for such consideration and on such terms as it may establish, without the approval of the holders of OP Units. Such securities could have priority over the OP Units as to cash flow, distributions and liquidation proceeds. The effect of any such issuance may be to dilute the interests of holders of OP Units.

 

Holders of OP Units may not have limited liability in specific circumstances.  The limitations on the liability of limited partners for the obligations of a limited partnership have not been clearly established in some states. If it were determined that Aimco OP had been conducting business in any state without compliance with the applicable limited partnership statute, or that the right or the exercise of the right by the OP Unitholders as a group to make specific amendments to the agreement of limited partnership or to take other action under the agreement of limited partnership constituted participation in the “control” of Aimco OP’s business, then a holder of OP Units could be held liable under specific circumstances for Aimco OP’s obligations to the same extent as the general partner.

 

Aimco may have conflicts of interest with holders of OP Units.  Conflicts of interest have arisen and could arise in the future as a result of the relationships between the general partner of Aimco OP and its affiliates (including Aimco), on the one hand, and Aimco OP or any partner thereof, on the other. The directors and officers of the general partner have fiduciary duties to manage the general partner in a manner beneficial to Aimco, as the sole stockholder of the general partner. At the same time, as the general partner of Aimco OP, it has fiduciary duties to manage Aimco OP in a manner beneficial to Aimco OP and its limited partners. The duties of the general partner of Aimco OP to Aimco OP and its partners may therefore come into conflict with the duties of the directors and officers of the general partner to its sole stockholder, Aimco. Such conflicts of interest might arise in the following situations, among others:

 

 

Provisions in the Aimco OP partnership agreement may limit the ability of a holder of OP Units to challenge actions taken by the general partner.  Delaware law provides that, except as provided in a partnership agreement, a general partner owes the fiduciary duties of loyalty and care to the partnership and its limited partners. The Aimco OP partnership agreement expressly authorizes the general partner to enter into, on behalf of Aimco OP, a right of first opportunity arrangement and other conflict avoidance agreements with various affiliates of Aimco OP and the general partner, on such terms as the general partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, believes are advisable. The latitude given in the Aimco OP partnership agreement to the general partner in resolving conflicts of interest may significantly limit the ability of a holder of OP Units to challenge what might otherwise be a breach of fiduciary duty. The general partner believes, however, that such latitude is necessary and appropriate to enable it to serve as the general partner of Aimco OP without undue risk of liability.

 

The Aimco OP partnership agreement limits the liability of the general partner for actions taken in good faith. Aimco OP’s partnership agreement expressly limits the liability of the general partner by providing that the general partner, and its officers and directors, will not be liable or accountable in damages to Aimco OP, the limited partners or assignees for errors in judgment or mistakes of fact or law or of any act or omission if the general partner or such director or officer acted in good faith. In addition, Aimco OP is required to indemnify the general partner, its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses, judgments, fines and other actions incurred by the general partner or such other persons, provided that Aimco OP will not indemnify for (i) willful misconduct or a knowing violation of the law or (ii) for any transaction for which such person received an improper personal benefit in violation or breach of any provision of the partnership agreement. The provisions of Delaware law that allow the common law fiduciary duties of a general partner to be modified by a partnership agreement have not been resolved in a court of law, and the general partner has not obtained an opinion of counsel covering the provisions set forth in the Aimco OP partnership agreement that purport to waive or restrict the fiduciary duties of the general partner that would be in effect under common law were it not for the partnership agreement.

 

The following are among the United States Federal income tax considerations to be taken into account in connection with an investment in OP Units. For a general discussion of certain United States Federal income tax consequences resulting from acquiring, holding, exchanging, and otherwise disposing of OP Units, see “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Matters — Taxation of Aimco OP and OP Unitholders.”

 

Aimco OP may be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” taxable as a corporation.  If Aimco OP were treated as a “publicly traded partnership” taxed as a corporation for United States Federal income tax purposes, material adverse consequences to the partners and their owners would result. In addition, Aimco would not qualify as a REIT for United States Federal income tax purposes, which would have a material adverse impact on Aimco and its shareholders. Aimco believes and intends to take the position that Aimco OP should not be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” or taxable as a corporation. No assurances can be given that the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, would not assert, or that a court would not sustain a contrary position. Accordingly, each prospective investor is urged to consult his tax advisor regarding the classification and treatment of Aimco OP as a “partnership” for United States Federal income tax purposes.

 

The limited partners may recognize gain on the transaction.  If a limited partner receives or is deemed to receive cash or consideration other than OP Units in connection with the merger, the receipt of such cash or other consideration would be taxable to the limited partner either as “boot” or under the “disguised sale” rules. Subject to certain exceptions, including exceptions applicable to periodic distributions of operating cash flow, any transfer or deemed transfer of cash by Aimco OP to the limited partner (or its owners), including cash paid at closing, within two years before or after a contribution of property that has an adjusted tax basis in excess of its fair market value, will generally be treated as part of a “disguised sale.” The application of the “disguised sale” rules is complex and depends, in part, upon the facts and circumstances applicable to the limited partner (and its owners), which Aimco has not undertaken to review. Accordingly, limited partners and their owners are particularly urged to consult with their tax advisors concerning the extent to which the “disguised sale” rules would apply.

A contribution of appreciated or depreciated property may result in special allocations to the contributing partner.  If property is contributed to Aimco OP, and the adjusted tax basis of the property differs from its fair market value, then Aimco OP tax items must be specially allocated, for United States Federal income tax purposes, in a manner chosen by Aimco OP such that the contributing partner is charged with and must recognize the unrealized gain, or benefits from the unrealized loss, associated with the property at the time of the contribution. As a result of such special allocations, the amount of net taxable income allocated to a contributing partner is likely to exceed the amount of cash distributions, if any, to which such contributing partner is entitled.

 

The Aimco OP general partner could take actions that would impose tax liability on a contributing partner.  There are a variety of transactions that Aimco OP may in its sole discretion undertake following a property contribution that could cause the transferor (or its partners) to incur a tax liability without a corresponding receipt of cash. Such transactions include, but are not limited to, the sale or distribution of a particular property and a reduction in nonrecourse debt, or certain tax elections made by Aimco OP. In addition, future economic, market, legal, tax or other considerations may cause Aimco OP to dispose of the contributed property or to reduce its debt. As permitted by the Aimco OP partnership agreement, the general partner intends to make decisions in its capacity as general partner of Aimco OP so as to maximize the profitability of Aimco OP as a whole, independent of the tax effects on individual holders of OP Units.

 

An investor’s tax liability from OP Units could exceed the cash distributions received on such OP Units.  A holder of OP Units will be required to pay United States Federal income tax on such holder’s allocable share of Aimco OP’s income, even if such holder receives no cash distributions from Aimco OP. No assurance can be given that a holder of OP Units will receive cash distributions equal to such holder’s allocable share of taxable income from Aimco OP or equal to the tax liability to such holder resulting from that income. Further, upon the sale, exchange or redemption of any OP Units, a reduction in nonrecourse debt, or upon the special allocation at the liquidation of Aimco OP, an investor may incur a tax liability in excess of the amount of cash received.

 

The following tables set forth Aimco’s selected summary historical financial data as of the dates and for the periods indicated. Aimco’s historical consolidated statements of income data set forth below for each of the five fiscal years in the period ended December 31, 2009 and the historical consolidated balance sheet data for each of the five fiscal year-ends in the period ended December 31, 2009, are derived from information included in Aimco’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 10, 2010. Aimco’s historical consolidated statements of income data set forth below for each of the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, and the historical consolidated balance sheet data as of June 30, 2010, are derived from Aimco’s unaudited interim Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.

 

You should read this information together with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and with the consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Aimco’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 10, 2010 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, filed with the SEC on July 30, 2010, which are incorporated by reference in this information statement/prospectus. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information” in this information statement/prospectus.

 

 

 

The following table sets forth Aimco OP’s selected summary historical financial data as of the dates and for the periods indicated. Aimco OP’s historical consolidated statements of income data set forth below for each of the five fiscal years in the period ended December 31, 2009 and the historical consolidated balance sheet data for each of the five fiscal year-ends in the period ended December 31, 2009, are derived from information included in Aimco OP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 10, 2010. Aimco OP’s historical consolidated statements of income data set forth below for each of the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, and the historical consolidated balance sheet data as of June 30, 2010, are derived from Aimco OP’s unaudited interim Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.

 

You should read this information together with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and with the consolidated financial statements included in Aimco OP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 10, 2010, and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, filed with the SEC on July 30, 2010, which are incorporated by reference in this information statement/prospectus. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information” in this information statement/prospectus.

 

 

 

The following table sets forth USRP’s selected summary historical financial data as of the dates and for the periods indicated. USRP’s historical statements of income and cash flow data set forth below for each of the two fiscal years in the period ended December 31, 2009 and the historical balance sheet data as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, are derived from USRP’s financial statements included in USRP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009. USRP’s historical statements of income and cash flow data set forth below for each of the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, and the historical balance sheet data as of June 30, 2010, are derived from USRP’s unaudited interim Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.

 

You should read this information together with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and with the financial statements and notes to the financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 included in USRP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 filed with the SEC on August 11, 2010, which are attached to this information statement/prospectus. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information” in this information statement/prospectus.

 

 

Aimco common stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “AIV.” The OP Units are not listed on any securities exchange and do not trade in an active secondary market. However, as described below, the trading price of Aimco common stock is considered a reasonable estimate of the fair market value of an OP Unit.

 

The OP Units are not listed on any securities exchange nor do they trade in an active secondary market. However, after a one-year holding period, OP Units are redeemable for shares of Aimco common stock (on a one-for-one basis) or cash equal to the value of such shares, as Aimco elects. As a result, the trading price of Aimco common stock is considered a reasonable estimate of the fair market value of an OP Unit. The number of OP Units offered in the merger with respect to each USRP Unit was calculated by dividing the per USRP Unit cash merger consideration by the average closing price of Aimco common stock, as reported on the NYSE over the ten consecutive trading days ending on the second trading day immediately prior to the consummation of the merger. The closing price of Aimco common stock as reported on the NYSE on October 7, 2010, the last trading day before the merger agreement was entered into, was $22.38.

 

The USRP Units are not listed on any securities exchange nor do they trade in an active secondary market. The per unit cash merger consideration payable to each holder of USRP Units is greater than the Corporate General Partner’s estimate of the proceeds that would be available for distribution to limited partners (following the repayment of debt and other liabilities) if Twin Lakes Apartments was sold at a price equal to its appraised value, given that the Corporate General Partner did not deduct certain amounts that would be payable upon an immediate sale of the property, such as prepayment penalties on the mortgage debt of the property.

 

The following tables summarize the historical per share information for Aimco, Aimco OP and USRP for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

 

 

Aimco is a Maryland corporation incorporated on January 10, 1994. Aimco is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, or REIT, focused on the ownership and management of quality apartment communities located in the 20 largest markets in the United States (as measured by total market capitalization, which is the total market value of institutional-grade apartment properties in a particular market). Aimco upgrades the quality of its portfolio through the sale of communities with rents below average market rents and the reinvestment of capital within these 20 target markets through redevelopment and acquisitions. Aimco’s apartment properties are generally financed with property-level, non-recourse, long-dated, fixed-rate, amortizing debt. Aimco’s common stock is listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol “AIV.” As of June 30, 2010, Aimco owned or managed 817 apartment properties containing 129,350 units located in 43 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Aimco is one of the largest owners and operators of apartment properties in the United States.

 

As of June 30, 2010, Aimco:

 

 

Of these properties, Aimco consolidated 230 conventional properties with 70,605 units and 197 affordable properties with 23,901 units.

 

Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, AIMCO-GP, the general partner of Aimco OP, and AIMCO-LP Trust, Aimco owns a majority of the ownership interests in Aimco OP. As of June 30, 2010, Aimco held approximately 93% of the common partnership units and equivalents of Aimco OP. Aimco conducts substantially all of its business and owns substantially all of its assets through Aimco OP. Interests in Aimco OP that are held by limited partners other than Aimco include partnership common units or OP Units, partnership preferred units and high performance partnership units, or HPUs. Aimco OP’s income is allocated to holders of OP Units and equivalents based on the weighted average number of OP Units and equivalents outstanding during the period. The holders of the OP Units receive distributions, prorated from the date of issuance, in an amount equivalent to the dividends paid to holders of Aimco common stock. Holders of OP Units may redeem such units for cash or, at Aimco OP’s option, Aimco common stock. Partnership preferred units entitle the holders thereof to a preference with respect to distributions or upon liquidation. At June 30, 2010, after elimination of shares held by consolidated subsidiaries, 117,039,659 shares of Aimco common stock were outstanding and Aimco OP had 8,330,534 OP Units and equivalents outstanding for a combined total of 125,370,193 shares of Aimco common stock and Aimco OP Units outstanding (excluding partnership preferred units).

 

Aimco owns all of the outstanding common stock of the Corporate General Partner.

 

AIMCO USRP Merger Sub LLC, or the Aimco Subsidiary, is a Delaware limited liability company formed on September 29, 2010, for the purpose of consummating the merger with USRP. The Aimco Subsidiary is a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Aimco OP. The Aimco Subsidiary has not carried on any activities to date, except for activities incidental to its formation and activities undertaken in connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

 

The names, positions and business addresses of the directors and executive officers of Aimco, Aimco OP, AIMCO-GP, the Corporate General Partner and the Aimco Subsidiary, as well as a biographical summary of the experience of such persons for the past five years or more, are set forth on Annex C attached hereto and are incorporated in this information statement/prospectus by reference. Additional information about Aimco and Aimco OP is included in documents incorporated by reference into this information statement/prospectus. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

 

U.S. Realty Partners Limited Partnership is a Delaware limited partnership organized on January 23,1986. USRP is engaged in the business of operating and holding real estate property for investment. It commenced operations on August 26, 1986 and acquired its first property, a newly constructed apartment property, on August 28, 1986. Subsequently, it acquired an existing apartment property, a newly constructed shopping center and an existing shopping center. The shopping centers were sold on February 1, 1999 and July 2, 1999, respectively, and one of the apartment properties was sold on December 20, 2006.

 

Commencing on August 26, 1986, USRP delivered 1,222,000 depositary unit certificates, or DUCs, to Wheat First Securities, Inc. and received $30,550,000 ($25.00 per DUC) in proceeds. The DUCs were offered by several underwriters in minimum investment amounts of 100 DUCs ($25.00 per DUC). Since its initial offering, USRP has not received, nor are its limited partners required to make, any additional contributions. USRP also received $16,369,000 as proceeds from a contemporaneous private bond offering. It used substantially all of the proceeds from these offerings to acquire its initial four operating properties. On April 1, 1993, USRP filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code. The filing was made due to the partnership’s inability to repay its secured debt due to an insurance company. Subsequently, on April 23, 1993, USRP filed a reorganization plan with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Carolina, the significant provision of which involved the refinancing of the secured debt. On July 23, 1993, the court entered an order confirming USRP’s plan of reorganization, and on January 27, 1994, closed the case.

 

USRP’s partnership agreement provides that the partnership is to terminate on December 31, 2021 unless terminated prior to such date. The Corporate General Partner is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aimco.

 

At June 30, 2010, USRP owned and operated one property, Twin Lakes Apartments, a 262 unit apartment project located in Palm Harbor, Florida.

 

The average annual rental rates for each of the five years ended December 31, 2009 for the property are as follows:

 

 

The average occupancy for each of the five years ended December 31, 2009 and for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 for the property is as follows:

 

 

The real estate industry is highly competitive. USRP’s property is subject to competition from other residential apartment complexes in the area. The Corporate General Partner believes that the property is adequately insured. The property is an apartment complex which leases units for terms of one year or less. No residential tenant leases 10% or more of the available rental space.

 

USRP regularly evaluates the capital improvement needs of the property. While USRP has no material commitments for property improvements and replacements, certain routine capital expenditures are anticipated during 2010. Such capital expenditures will depend on the physical condition of the property as well as anticipated cash flow generated by the property. The property is in good condition, subject to normal depreciation and deterioration as is typical for assets of this type and age.

The following table sets forth certain information relating to the mortgages encumbering Twin Lakes Apartments at June 30, 2010.

 

 

 

 

USRP presently has only USRP Units issued and outstanding. The USRP Units are entitled to allocations of profit and loss, and distributions, relating to USRP’s interest in Twin Lakes Apartments. As of October 7, 2010, there were 1,222,000 USRP Units outstanding, and Aimco OP and its affiliates owned 900,195 of those certificates, or approximately 73.67% of the number of USRP Units outstanding.

 

There were no distributions made by USRP during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 or during the six months ended June 30, 2010. Future cash distributions will depend on the levels of net cash generated from operations, the timing of debt maturity, property sale and/or refinancings. USRP’s cash available for distribution is reviewed on a monthly basis. In light of the amounts accrued and payable to affiliates at June 30, 2010, it is unlikely that the partnership will generate sufficient funds from operations, after capital improvement expenditures and repayment of amounts accrued and payable to affiliates, to permit distributions to its partners during 2010 or subsequent periods.

 

USRP has no employees and depends on the Corporate General Partner and its affiliates for the management and administration of all partnership activities. The USRP partnership agreement provides that the Corporate General Partner and its affiliates receive certain payments for services and reimbursement of certain expenses incurred on behalf of USRP.

 

The USRP partnership agreement also provides that the Corporate General Partner and its affiliates receive 5% of gross receipts from USRP’s property as compensation for providing property management services. USRP was charged by affiliates approximately $123,000 and $126,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and approximately $63,000 and $60,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

Affiliates of the Corporate General Partner charged USRP for reimbursement of accountable administrative expenses amounting to approximately $85,000 and $206,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. A portion of these reimbursements for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 are for construction management services provided by an affiliate of the Corporate General Partner of approximately $57,000 and $158,000, respectively.

 

Affiliates of the Corporate General Partner charged USRP for reimbursement of accountable administrative expenses amounting to approximately $17,000 and $70,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. A portion of these reimbursements for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 are for

construction management services provided by an affiliate of the Corporate General Partner of approximately $2,000 and $55,000, respectively.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, Aimco OP advanced USRP approximately $365,000 and $1,222,000, respectively, to fund capital improvements and real estate taxes at Twin Lakes Apartments. During the year ended December 31, 2009, USRP repaid Aimco OP approximately $285,000, which included approximately $142,000 of accrued interest. No such payments were made during the year ended December 31, 2008. In accordance with the USRP partnership agreement, interest was charged at the prime rate plus 2% per annum. Interest expense was approximately $91,000 and $58,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, Aimco OP advanced USRP approximately $137,000 and $205,000, respectively, to fund operating expenses and capital improvements, respectively, at Twin Lakes Apartments. During the six months ended June 30, 2010, USRP repaid Aimco OP $120,000 of principal and accrued interest. No such payments were made during the six months ended June 30, 2009. In accordance with the USRP partnership agreement, interest was charged at the prime rate plus 2% (5.25% at June 30, 2010) per annum. Interest expense was approximately $46,000 and $4,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. At June 30, 2010, the total of outstanding advances and accrued interest due to Aimco OP was approximately $1,827,000. USRP may receive additional advances of funds from Aimco OP although Aimco OP is not obligated to provide such advances. For more information on Aimco OP, see “Where You Can Find Additional Information,” beginning on page 85 of this information statement/prospectus.

 

USRP insures its property up to certain limits through coverage provided by Aimco, which generally is self-insured for a portion of losses and liabilities related to workers’ compensation, property casualty, general liability and vehicle liability. USRP insures its property above the Aimco limits through insurance policies obtained by Aimco from insurers unaffiliated with the Corporate General Partner. During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, USRP was charged by Aimco and its affiliates approximately $77,000 and $57,000, respectively, for insurance coverage and fees associated with policy claims administration. During the six months ended June 30, 2010, USRP was charged by Aimco and its affiliates approximately $85,000 for insurance coverage and fees associated with policy claims administration. Additional charges will be incurred by USRP during 2010 as other insurance policies renew later in the year.

 

In addition to its indirect ownership of the general partner interests in USRP, Aimco and its affiliates owned 900,195 USRP Units representing approximately 73.67% of the number of USRP Units outstanding, at October 7, 2010. Pursuant to the USRP partnership agreement, limited partners holding a majority of the USRP Units are entitled to take action with respect to a variety of matters that include voting on certain amendments to the USRP partnership agreement and voting to remove the Corporate General Partner. As a result of its ownership of 73.67% of the outstanding USRP Units, Aimco and its affiliates are in a position to control all voting decisions with respect to USRP. Although the Corporate General Partner owes fiduciary duties to USRP’s limited partners, it also owes fiduciary duties to its sole stockholder, which is wholly owned by Aimco. As a result, the duties of the Corporate General Partner to USRP and its limited partners may come into conflict with the duties of the Corporate General Partner to its sole stockholder.

 

USRP has no directors or executive officers of its own. The names and ages of, as well as the positions and offices held by, the present directors and officers of the Corporate General Partner as of June 30, 2010 are set forth in Annex C to this information statement/prospectus. One or more of those persons are also directors and/or officers of a general partner (or general partner of a general partner) of limited partnerships which either have a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, or are subject to the reporting requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Further, one or more of those persons are also officers of Aimco and the general partner of Aimco OP, entities that have a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, or are subject to the reporting requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. There are no family relationships between or among any officers or directors. No remuneration was paid to USRP nor its directors or officers during the year ended December 31, 2009.

The board of directors of the Corporate General Partner does not have a separate audit committee. As such, the board of directors of the Corporate General Partner fulfills the functions of an audit committee. The board of directors has determined that Steven D. Cordes meets the requirement of an “audit committee financial expert.”

 

The directors and officers of the Corporate General Partner with authority over USRP are all employees of subsidiaries of Aimco. Aimco has adopted a code of ethics that applies to such directors and officers that is posted on Aimco’s website (www.aimco.com). Aimco’s website is not incorporated by reference to this filing.

 

The General Partners own all of the outstanding general partner interests in USRP, which constitute 2% of the total interests in the partnership. USRP has no directors or executive officers of its own. The Corporate General Partner is a South Carolina corporation, which is indirectly wholly owned by Aimco. The Other General Partner is an affiliate of the Corporate General Partner and Aimco. None of the Corporate General Partner or any of its directors or executive officers owns any of the USRP Units. The following table sets forth certain information as of October 7, 2010 with respect to the ownership by any person (including any “group,” as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the USRP Units.

 

 

 

 

For additional information about USRP and its property and operating data related to this property, see USRP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, attached hereto as Annex D and USRP’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, attached hereto as Annex E.

 

The Corporate General Partner regularly evaluates USRP’s property by considering various factors, such as the partnership’s financial position and real estate and capital markets conditions. The Corporate General Partner monitors the property’s specific locale and sub-market conditions (including stability of the surrounding neighborhood), evaluating current trends, competition, new construction and economic changes. It oversees the operating performance of the property and continuously evaluates the physical improvement requirements. In addition, the financing structure for the property (including any prepayment penalties), tax implications to limited partners, availability of attractive mortgage financing to a purchaser, and the investment climate are all considered. Any of these factors, and possibly others, can potentially contribute to any decision by the Corporate General Partner to sell, refinance, upgrade with capital improvements or hold USRP’s property.

 

In early 2010, the Corporate General Partner began to consider strategic alternatives for USRP and its sole property, Twin Lakes Apartments. The Corporate General Partner considered the costs of operating USRP, including audit, tax and SEC reporting costs. The Corporate General Partner looked at these costs, among other things, in light of Aimco’s significant ownership percentage. The Corporate General Partner also considered past loans and advances that had been made by Aimco OP to USRP, including an aggregate of approximately $2,036,000 between 2007 and early 2010 to help fund operating expenses at Twin Lakes Apartments. Aimco OP has indicated an unwillingness to make additional advances to USRP.

 

On March 10, 2010, Mr. Terry Considine, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aimco, and Mr. Derek McCandless, Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Aimco and the Corporate General Partner, met to discuss strategic alternatives for the Twin Lakes Apartments. Messrs. Considine and McCandless agreed to explore the possibility of Aimco OP acquiring the property through a transaction that would provide the unaffiliated limited partners with the opportunity to defer tax gain through an exchange of USRP Units for OP Units.

 

During March and April 2010, Mr. McCandless sought advice from outside legal and tax counsel to determine whether a transaction would be feasible that would result in Aimco OP’s ownership of Twin Lakes Apartments while also providing potential tax deferral to the unaffiliated limited partners. Subsequently, the Corporate General Partner decided to obtain an appraisal to determine the value of Twin Lakes Apartments and to evaluate the proceeds and tax consequences to limited partners in such a transaction.

 

Also during March and April 2010, Mr. McCandless spoke with different appraisers regarding the possibility of appraising Twin Lakes Apartments for purposes of a potential acquisition by Aimco OP. On April 13, 2010, the Corporate General Partner engaged CRA to appraise Twin Lakes Apartments.

 

On May 26, 2010, CRA informed Mr. McCandless that it had valued Twin Lakes Apartments at $15.9 million. During the following two weeks, Mr. McCandless discussed CRA’s assumptions and valuation with Mr. John Bezzant, Senior Vice President — Transactions of Aimco and a Director and Senior Vice President of the Corporate General Partner; and Mr. Nikhil Venkatesh, Vice President — Portfolio Strategy of Aimco and Vice President of the Corporate General Partner. Mr. Bezzant reviewed the $15.9 million value in light of fiduciary duties owed to unaffiliated limited partners and Aimco OP’s investment criteria. Mr. Bezzant determined that Aimco OP would pay the appraised value for Twin Lakes Apartments.

 

On October 8, 2010, the Corporate General Partner’s board of directors held a meeting to discuss the proposed transaction. The board decided to approve and effect a transaction with Aimco OP that would give Aimco OP indirect ownership of Twin Lakes Apartments. On October 8, 2010, the Corporate General Partner authorized and approved the transactions. The Corporate General Partner considered a number of possible alternatives to the proposed transaction with the Aimco Subsidiary, as described in greater detail below. However, the Corporate General Partner ultimately determined that the proposed transaction with the Aimco Subsidiary is in the best interests of USRP and its limited partners.

 

The Corporate General Partner considered the alternatives to the merger described below, but ultimately determined that the proposed merger with the Aimco Subsidiary is in the best interests of USRP and its limited partners.

 

Sale of the property to a third party for cash.  The Corporate General Partner considered selling USRP’s property to a third party or third parties for cash, and distributing the net cash proceeds to USRP’s limited partners. The primary advantage of such a transaction would be that the sale price would reflect arm’s-length negotiations and might therefore be higher than the appraised value which has been used to determine the merger consideration. The Corporate General Partner rejected this alternative because of: (i) the risk that a third party might not be found at a satisfactory price or at all; (ii) the costs imposed on USRP in connection with marketing and selling the property; (iii) the fact that limited partners would recognize taxable gain on the sale without the option of deferring that gain; and (iv) prepayment penalties upon a sale.

 

Contribution of the property to Aimco.  The Corporate General Partner considered a contribution of USRP’s property to Aimco OP in exchange for OP Units. The primary advantage of such a transaction would be that USRP limited partners would not recognize taxable gain. The Corporate General Partner rejected this alternative because it would not offer an opportunity for immediate liquidity to the limited partners.

 

The Corporate General Partner considered the above alternatives to the merger and determined that the proposed merger with the Aimco Subsidiary is in the best interests of USRP and its limited partners. The Corporate General Partner took into account a number of positive considerations in determining to proceed with the merger, including those described below:

 

 

 

The Corporate General Partner also considered, and balanced against the foregoing factors, a number of countervailing factors concerning the merger, including those described below:

 

 

The Corporate General Partner took into account all of the foregoing considerations and concluded that the proposed merger is fair to the USRP limited partners from a substantive and procedural perspective.

 

The foregoing discussion of the factors considered by the Corporate General Partner is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather includes the material factors considered by the Corporate General Partner. The Corporate General Partner did not assign relative weights to the above factors or the other factors it considered. In addition, the Corporate General Partner did not reach any specific conclusion on each factor considered but conducted an overall review of these factors.

 

In the merger, each USRP Unit outstanding immediately prior to consummation of the merger will be converted into the right to receive, at the election of the holder of such USRP Unit, either $2.76 in cash or equivalent value in Aimco OP Units, except in those jurisdictions where the law prohibits the offer of OP Units in this

transaction (or registration would be prohibitively costly). Because Aimco wholly owns the Corporate General Partner, the merger consideration has not been determined in an arm’s-length negotiation. In order to arrive at a fair consideration, CRA, an independent real estate appraisal firm, was engaged to perform a complete appraisal of USRP’s property. For more detailed information about the independent appraiser’s determination of the estimated value of the property, see “The Merger — The Appraisal.” The per USRP Unit cash merger consideration payable to each holder of USRP units is greater than the Corporate General Partner’s estimate of the proceeds that would be available for distribution to limited partners (following the repayment of debt and other liabilities of USRP) if the property was sold at a price equal to its appraised value. The Corporate General Partner did not deduct certain amounts that would be payable upon an immediate sale of USRP’s property, such as prepayment penalties on the mortgage debt of the property (currently estimated to be $2,892,958). The Corporate General Partner calculated the equity of USRP by (i) adding to the appraised value the value of any other non-real estate assets of USRP that would not be included in the appraisal; and (ii) deducting certain liabilities, including mortgage debt, debt owed to the Corporate General Partner or its affiliates, accounts payable and accrued expenses and certain other costs. The amount of liabilities deducted includes an estimate of $104,800 for expenses attributable to the property that would be incurred prior to the merger but payable after the merger. This calculation, which is summarized below, resulted in per USRP unit cash merger consideration of $2.76.

 

 

The number of OP Units offered per USRP Unit was calculated by dividing the per USRP Unit cash merger consideration by the average closing price of Aimco common stock, as reported on the NYSE, over the ten consecutive trading days ending on the second trading day immediately prior to the consummation of the merger. Although there is no public market for OP Units, after a one-year holding period, each OP Unit is generally redeemable for cash in an amount equal to the value of one share of Aimco common stock at the time, subject to Aimco’s right to acquire each OP Unit in exchange for one share of Aimco common stock (subject to antidilution adjustments). Therefore, the Corporate General Partner considers the trading price of Aimco common stock to be a reasonable estimate of the fair market value of an OP Unit. As of October 6, 2010, the average closing price of Aimco common stock over the preceding ten consecutive trading days was $21.65, which would have resulted in OP Unit consideration of .13 OP Units per USRP Unit.

 

The Corporate General Partner is indirectly wholly owned by Aimco. Therefore, it has a conflict of interest with respect to the merger. The Corporate General Partner has fiduciary duties to its sole stockholder, which is wholly owned by Aimco, on the one hand, and to USRP and its limited partners, on the other hand. The duties of the Corporate General Partner to USRP and its limited partners conflict with its duties to its sole stockholder, which could result in the Corporate General Partner approving a transaction that is more favorable to Aimco than might be the case absent such conflict of interest. The Corporate General Partner’s desire to seek the best possible terms for USRP’s limited partners conflicts with Aimco’s interest in obtaining the best possible terms for Aimco OP.

 

In addition to and separate from the merger consideration, each limited partner unaffiliated with Aimco OP may elect to receive an additional cash payment of $0.31 per USRP Unit in exchange for executing a waiver and release of potential claims such limited partner may have against the Releasees (as defined below). Unaffiliated limited partners may elect to receive the additional consideration by completing the election form, executing the waiver and release that is attached to the election form and returning the election form and the executed waiver and release in accordance with the instructions provided. In executing the waiver and release, the limited partner, on behalf of himself, his heirs, estate, executor, administrator, successors and assigns, will release Aimco OP and its predecessors, successors and assigns and its present and former parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, investors, insurers, reinsurers, officers, directors, employees, agents, administrators, auditors, attorneys, accountants, information and solicitation agents, investment bankers, and other representatives, including, but not limited to, Aimco and the General Partners (collectively, the “Releasees”), from any and all claims and causes of action, whether brought individually, on behalf of a class, or derivatively, demands, rights, or liabilities, including, but not limited to, claims for negligence, gross negligence, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty (including, but not limited to, duties of care, loyalty or candor), mismanagement, corporate waste, misrepresentation, whether intentional or negligent, misstatements and omissions to disclose, breach of contract, violations of any state or federal statutes, rules or regulations, whether known claims or unknown claims, whether past claims, present claims or future claims through and including the date of the consummation of the merger, including, but not limited to, those claims that have arisen or arise, directly or indirectly, out of or relate, directly or indirectly, to (a) the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby (excluding only such unaffiliated limited partner’s rights, if any, under the merger agreement), (b) any other circumstance, agreement, activity, action, omission, event or matter occurring or existing on or prior to the date of the consummation of the merger, (c) the ownership of any limited partnership interest in USRP, including, but not limited to, any and all claims related to the management of USRP or the properties owned by USRP (whether currently or previously), the payment of management fees or other monies to the General Partners and to affiliates of USRP and prior sales of properties, or (d) the purchase, acquisition, holding, sale or voting of one or more limited partnership interests in USRP (collectively, the “Released Claims”).

 

Each unaffiliated limited partner who elects to execute the waiver and release and to receive the additional cash payment will expressly waive and relinquish, to the fullest extent permitted by law and consistent with the release, the provisions, rights and benefits of Section 1542 of the Civil Code of California, or Section 1542, which provides:

 

A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN ITS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.

 

Each unaffiliated limited partner who elects to execute the waiver and release and to receive the additional cash payment will waive any and all provisions, rights and benefits conferred by any law of any state or territory of the United States, or principle of common law, that is similar, comparable or equivalent to Section 1542. Each unaffiliated limited partner who elects to execute the waiver and release and to receive the additional cash payment will acknowledge and agree that he may later discover facts in addition to or different from those which he or she now knows or believes to be true with respect to the subject matter of the Released Claims, but such unaffiliated limited partner will be deemed to have fully, finally and forever settled and released any and all Released Claims, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, contingent or non-contingent, that now exist or may arise in the future through and including the date of the consummation of the merger under any theory of law or equity now existing, including, but not limited to, conduct that is negligent, intentional, with malice, or a breach of any duty, law or rule, without regard to the subsequent discovery of the existence of such different or additional facts.

 

Each unaffiliated limited partner who elects to execute the waiver and release and to receive the additional cash payment will agree that the release is intended to include the Released Claims which such unaffiliated limited partner may have and which such unaffiliated limited partner does not know or suspect to exist in its favor against the Releasees, and that the release extinguishes those claims. Each unaffiliated limited partner who elects to execute the waiver and release and to receive the additional cash payment will represent and warrant to the Releasees that such unaffiliated limited partner has not assigned or otherwise transferred or subrogated any interest in the Released Claims.

 

Selection and Qualifications of Independent Appraiser.  The Corporate General Partner retained the services of CRA to appraise the market value of USRP’s property. CRA is an experienced independent valuation consulting firm that has performed appraisal services for Aimco OP and its affiliates in the past. Aimco OP believes that its relationship with CRA had no negative impact on its independence in conducting the appraisal related to the merger.

 

Factors Considered.  CRA performed a complete appraisal of Twin Lakes Apartments. CRA has represented that its report was prepared in conformity with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice as promulgated by the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal Foundation and in accordance with the Code of Professional Ethics and Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice of the Appraisal Institute. USRP furnished CRA with all of the necessary information requested by CRA in connection with the appraisal. The appraisal was not prepared in conjunction with a request for a specific value or a value within a given range or predicated upon loan approval. In preparing its valuation of the property, CRA, among other things:

 

 

Summary of Approaches and Methodologies Employed.  The following summary describes the approaches and analyses employed by CRA in preparing the appraisal. CRA principally relied on two approaches to valuation: (i) the income capitalization approach and (ii) the sales comparison approach.

 

The income capitalization approach is based on the premise that value is derived by converting anticipated benefits into property value. Anticipated benefits include the present value of the net income and the present value of the net proceeds resulting from the re-sale of the property. CRA reported that the property has an adequate operations history to determine its income-producing capabilities over the near future. In addition, performance levels of competitive properties served as an adequate check as to the reasonableness of the property’s actual performance. As such, the income capitalization approach was utilized in the appraisal of the property.

 

As part of the income capitalization approach, CRA used the direct capitalization method to estimate a value for Twin Lakes Apartments. According to CRA’s report, the basic steps in the direct capitalization analysis to valuing the property are as follows: (i) calculate potential gross income from all sources that a competent owner could legally generate; (ii) estimate and deduct an appropriate vacancy and collection loss factor to arrive at effective gross income; (iii) estimate and deduct operating expenses that would be expected during a stabilized year to arrive at a probable net operating income; (iv) develop an appropriate overall capitalization rate to apply to the net operating income; and (v) estimate value by dividing the net operating income by the overall capitalization rate. In addition, any adjustments to account for differences between the current conditions and stabilized conditions are also considered.

 

The sales comparison approach is an estimate of value based upon a process of comparing recent sales of similar properties in the surrounding or competing areas to the subject property. Inherent in and central to this approach is the principle of substitution. This comparative process involves judgment as to the similarity of the subject property and the comparable sales with respect to many value factors such as location, contract rent levels, quality of construction, reputation and prestige, age and condition, and the interest transferred, among others. The value estimated through this approach represents the probable price at which the subject property would be sold by a

willing seller to a willing and knowledgeable buyer as of the date of value. The reliability of this technique is dependent upon the availability of comparable sales data, the verification of the sales data, the degree of comparability and extent of adjustment necessary for differences, and the absence of atypical conditions affecting the individual sales prices. CRA reported that, although the volume of sales activity is down as a result of market conditions, its research revealed adequate sales activity to form a reasonable estimation of the subject property’s market value pursuant to the sales comparison approach. According to CRA’s report, the basic steps in processing the sales comparison approach are as follows: (i) research the market for recent sales transactions, listings, and offers to purchase or sell of properties similar to the subject property; (ii) select a relevant unit of comparison and develop a comparative analysis; (iii) compare comparable sale properties with the subject property using the elements of comparison and adjust the price of each comparable to the subject property; and (iv) reconcile the various value indications produced by the analysis of the comparables.

 

The final step in the appraisal process is to reconcile the various value indicators into a single final estimate. CRA reviewed each approach in order to determine its appropriateness relative to the property. The accuracy of the data available and the quantity of evidence were weighted in each approach. For the appraisal of Twin Lakes Apartments, CRA relied principally on the income capitalization approach to valuation, and the direct capitalization method was given greatest consideration in the conclusion of value under this approach. CRA relied secondarily on the sales comparison approach, and reported that the value conclusion derived pursuant to the sales comparison approach was supportive of the conclusion derived pursuant to the income capitalization approach.

 

Summary of Independent Appraisal of Twin Lakes Apartments.  CRA performed a complete appraisal of Twin Lakes Apartments. The appraisal report of Twin Lakes Apartments was dated in May 21, 2010 and provides an estimate of the property’s market value as of April 26, 2010. The summary set forth below describes the material conclusions reached by CRA based on the value determined under the valuation approaches and subject to the assumptions and limitations described below. According to CRA’s report, the estimated aggregate market value of Twin Lakes Apartments was $15,900,000 as of April 26, 2010. The following is a summary of the appraisal report dated May 21, 2010:

 

Valuation Under Income Capitalization Approach.  Using the income capitalization approach, CRA performed a direct capitalization analysis to derive a value for Twin Lakes Apartments.

 

The direct capitalization analysis resulted in a valuation conclusion for Twin Lakes Apartments of approximately $15,900,000.

 

The assumptions employed by CRA to determine the value of Twin Lakes Apartments under the income capitalization approach using a direct capitalization analysis included:

 

 

Using a direct capitalization analysis, CRA calculated the value of Twin Lakes Apartments by dividing the stabilized net operating income (including an allowance for reserves) by the concluded capitalization rate of 8.0%.

 

CRA calculated the value conclusion of Twin Lakes Apartments under the income capitalization approach of approximately $15,900,000 as of April 26, 2010.

 

Valuation Under Sales Comparison Approach.  CRA estimated the property value of Twin Lakes Apartments under the sales comparison approach by analyzing sales from the influencing market that were most similar to Twin

Lakes Apartments in terms of age, size, tenant profile and location. CRA reported that adequate sales existed to formulate a defensible value for Twin Lakes Apartments under the sales comparison approach.

 

The sales comparison approach resulted in a valuation conclusion for Twin Lakes Apartments of approximately $15,500,000.

 

In reaching a valuation conclusion for Twin Lakes Apartments, CRA examined and analyzed comparable sales of five properties in the influencing market. The sales reflected unadjusted sales prices ranging from $42,460 to $71,759 per unit. After adjustment, the comparable sales illustrated a value range of $55,198 to $60,995 per unit, with mean and median adjusted sale prices of $58,761 and $59,018 per unit, respectively. CRA reported that three of the comparable sales required the least adjustment and were accorded most significance in the analysis, and that the adjusted sales prices for these properties ranged from $58,594 to $60,000 per unit. CRA estimated a value of $59,000 per unit for Twin Lakes Apartments. Applied to Twin Lakes Apartment’s 262 units, this resulted in CRA’s total value estimate for Twin Lakes Apartments of approximately $15,500,000.

 

CRA also performed an effective gross income multiplier (EGIM) analysis, which resulted in an indicated EGIM of approximately 5.9 on a stabilized basis. CRA reported that that the indicated EGIM was aligned toward the middle of the range exhibited by the most recent transactions (5.4 to 6.4 with an average of 5.8), which is considered reasonable. CRA reported that the indicator suggested that the value concluded for the property via comparative analysis was reasonable based on the income-producing characteristics of Twin Lakes Apartments.

 

Reconciliation of Values and Conclusion of Appraisal.  For the appraisal of Twin Lakes Apartments, CRA relied principally on the income capitalization approach to valuation, and the direct capitalization method was given greatest consideration in the conclusion of value under this approach. CRA relied secondarily on the sales comparison approach, and reported that the value conclusion derived pursuant to the sales comparison approach was supportive of the conclusion derived pursuant to the income capitalization approach. The income capitalization approach using a direct capitalization method resulted in a value of $15,900,000, and the sales comparison approach resulted in a value of $15,500,000. CRA concluded that the market value of Twin Lakes Apartments as of April 26, 2010 was $15,900,000.

 

Assumptions, Limitations and Qualifications of CRA’s Valuation.  CRA’s appraisal report was subject to the following assumptions and limiting conditions: no responsibility was assumed for the legal description or for matters including legal or title considerations, and title to the property was assumed to be good and marketable unless otherwise stated; the property was appraised free and clear of any or all liens or encumbrances unless otherwise stated; responsible ownership and competent property management were assumed; the information furnished by others was believed to be reliable, and no warranty was given by CRA for the accuracy of such information; all engineering was assumed to be correct; there were no hidden or unapparent conditions of the property, subsoil, or structures that render it more or less valuable, and no responsibility was assumed for such conditions or for arranging for engineering studies that may be required to discover them; there was full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local environmental regulations and laws unless noncompliance was stated, defined, and considered in the appraisal report; all applicable zoning and use regulations and restrictions have been complied with, unless nonconformity had been stated, defined, and considered in the appraisal report; all required licenses, certificates of occupancy, consents, or other legislative or administrative authority from any local, state, or national government or private entity or organization have been or can be obtained or renewed for any use on which the value estimate contained in the appraisal report was based; the utilization of the land and improvements is within the boundaries or property lines of the property described and there is no encroachment or trespass unless noted in the appraisal report; the distribution, if any, of the total valuation in the appraisal report between land and improvements applies only under the stated program of utilization; unless otherwise stated in the appraisal report, the existence of hazardous substances, including without limitation, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, petroleum leakage, or agricultural chemicals, which may or may not be present on the property, or other environmental conditions, were not called to the attention of nor did the appraiser become aware of such during the appraiser’s inspection, and the appraiser had no knowledge of the existence of such materials on or in the property unless otherwise stated; the appraiser has not made a specific compliance survey and analysis of the property to determine whether or not it is in conformity with the various detailed requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act; and former personal property items such as kitchen and bathroom appliances were, at the time of the appraisal report,

either permanently affixed to the real estate or were implicitly part of the real estate in that tenants expected the use of such items in exchange for rent and never gained any of the rights of ownership, and the intention of the owners was not to remove the articles which are required under the implied or express warranty of habitability.

 

Compensation of Appraiser.  CRA’s fee for the appraisal was approximately $6,862. Aimco OP paid for the costs of the appraisal. In addition to the appraisal performed in connection with the merger, during the prior two years, CRA has been paid approximately $106,931 for appraisal services by Aimco OP and its affiliates. Except as set forth above, during the prior two years, no material relationship has existed between CRA and USRP or Aimco OP or any of their affiliates. Aimco OP believes that its relationship with CRA had no negative impact on its independence in conducting the appraisal.

 

Availability of Appraisal Reports.  You may obtain a full copy of CRA’s appraisal upon request, without charge, by contacting Eagle Rock Proxy Advisors, LLC, by mail at 12 Commerce Drive, Cranford, New Jersey 07016; by fax at (908) 497-2349; or by telephone at (800) 217-9608. In addition, the appraisal report has been filed with the SEC. For more information about how to obtain a copy of the appraisal report see “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

 

After the merger, Aimco OP will be the sole limited partner in USRP, and will own all of the outstanding USRP Units. The Corporate General Partner, the Other General Partner, and USRP’s partnership agreement in effect immediately prior to the merger will remain unchanged after the merger. Aimco OP intends to retain the USRP Units after the merger. After the merger, Aimco will evaluate the capital improvement needs of the property, and anticipates making certain routine capital expenditures with respect to the property during the remainder of 2010.

 

For a discussion of the material United States federal income tax consequences of the merger, see “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Matters — United States Federal Income Tax Consequences Relating to the Merger.”

 

No material federal or state regulatory requirements must be satisfied or approvals obtained in connection with the merger, except (1) filing a registration statement that includes this information statement/prospectus with the SEC and obtaining the SEC’s declaration that the registration statement is effective under the Securities Act, (2) registration or qualification of the issuance of OP Units under state securities laws, and (3) filing a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

 

Aimco and Aimco OP will treat the merger as a purchase of noncontrolling interests for financial accounting purposes. This means that Aimco and Aimco OP will recognize any difference between the purchase price for these noncontrolling interests and the carrying amount of such noncontrolling interests in Aimco and Aimco OP’s consolidated financial statements as an adjustment to the amounts of consolidated equity and partners’ capital attributed to Aimco and Aimco OP, respectively.

 

Limited partners are not entitled to dissenters’ appraisal rights under applicable law or USRP’s partnership agreement in connection with the merger. However, pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, Aimco OP will provide each limited partner with contractual dissenters’ appraisal rights that are similar to the dissenters’ appraisal rights available to a stockholder of a corporation in a merger under Delaware law. These contractual appraisal rights will enable a limited partner to obtain an appraisal of the value of the limited partner’s USRP Units in connection with the merger. Prosecution of these contractual appraisal rights will involve an arbitration proceeding, and the consideration paid to a limited partner after the prosecution of such contractual appraisal rights, which will take a

period of time that cannot be predicted with accuracy, will be a cash payment, resulting in a taxable event to such limited partner. A description of the appraisal rights being provided, and the procedures that a limited partner must follow to seek such rights, is attached to this information statement/prospectus as Annex B.

 

The costs of planning and implementing the merger, including the cash merger consideration and the preparation of this information statement/prospectus, will be borne by Aimco OP without regard to whether the merger is effectuated. The estimated amount of these costs is approximately $1,142,942 (assuming all limited partners elect to receive the cash merger consideration and all limited partners unaffiliated with Aimco OP elect to receive an additional cash payment in exchange for executing a waiver and release). Aimco OP is paying for the costs of the merger with funds on hand or from drawings under its revolving credit facility.

 

Under Delaware law, the merger must be approved by the General Partners and a majority in interest of the USRP Units. The General Partners have determined that the merger is advisable and in the best interests of USRP and its limited partners and have approved the merger and the merger agreement. As of October 7, 2010, there were issued and outstanding 1,222,000 USRP Units, and Aimco OP and its affiliates owned 900,195 of those certificates, or approximately 73.67% of the outstanding USRP Units. Aimco OP and its affiliates have indicated that they intend to take action by written consent, as permitted under the partnership agreement, to approve the merger on or about          , 2010. As a result, approval of the merger is assured, and your consent to the merger is not required. Aimco OP has approved the merger on behalf of the Aimco Subsidiary.

 

The following is a summary of the material terms of the merger agreement and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the merger agreement, which is attached to this information statement/prospectus as Annex A. You should read the merger agreement carefully in its entirety as it is the legal document that governs this merger.

 

USRP has entered into an agreement and plan of merger with the Aimco Subsidiary and Aimco OP. The Aimco Subsidiary is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aimco OP and was formed for the purpose of effecting the merger with USRP. Aimco indirectly wholly owns the Corporate General Partner and, together with its affiliates, owns a majority of USRP’s outstanding USRP Units.

 

Under the merger agreement, at the effective time of the merger, the Aimco Subsidiary will be merged with and into USRP, with USRP as the surviving entity. In the merger, each USRP Unit outstanding immediately prior to consummation of the merger will be converted into the right to receive, at the election of the holder of such USRP Unit, either $2.76 in cash or equivalent value in Aimco OP Units (calculated by dividing $2.76 by the average closing price of Aimco common stock, as reported on the NYSE, over the ten consecutive trading days ending on the second trading day immediately prior to the consummation of the merger); provided, however, that if Aimco OP determines that the law of the state or other jurisdiction in which a limited partner resides would prohibit the issuance of Aimco OP Units in that state or other jurisdiction (or that registration or qualification in that state or jurisdiction would be prohibitively costly), then such limited partner will only be entitled to receive $2.76 in cash for each USRP Unit. Aimco OP’s interest in the Aimco Subsidiary will be converted into USRP Units. As a result, after the merger, Aimco OP will be the sole limited partner of USRP and will own all of the outstanding USRP Units.

 

The Corporate General Partner’s and the Other General Partner’s general partner interest in USRP will remain unchanged after the merger, and the agreement of limited partnership of USRP as in effect immediately prior to the consummation of the merger will be the agreement of limited partnership of USRP after the merger, until thereafter amended in accordance with the provisions thereof and applicable law.

 

None of the parties to the merger agreement are required to consummate the merger if any third party consent, authorization or approval that any of the parties deems necessary or desirable in connection with the merger agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, has not been obtained or received.

 

The merger agreement may be terminated and the merger may be abandoned at any time prior to consummation of the merger, without liability to any party to the merger agreement, by USRP, Aimco OP or the Aimco Subsidiary, in each case, acting in its sole discretion and for any reason or for no reason, notwithstanding the approval of the merger agreement by any of the partners of USRP or the member of the Aimco Subsidiary.

 

Subject to applicable law, the merger agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented by written agreement of the parties at any time prior to the consummation of the merger with respect to any of the terms contained therein.

 

The merger agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to the conflict of law provisions thereof.

 

Limited partners are not entitled to dissenters’ appraisal rights under applicable law or USRP’s partnership agreement in connection with the merger. However, pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, Aimco OP will provide each limited partner with contractual dissenters’ appraisal rights that are similar to the dissenters’ appraisal rights available to a stockholder of a corporation in a merger under Delaware law. These contractual appraisal rights will enable a limited partner to obtain an appraisal of the value of the limited partner’s USRP Units in connection with the merger. Prosecution of these contractual appraisal rights will involve an arbitration proceeding, and the consideration paid to a limited partner after the prosecution of such contractual appraisal rights, which will take a period of time that cannot be predicted with accuracy, will be a cash payment, resulting in a taxable event to such limited partner. A description of the appraisal rights being provided, and the procedures that a limited partner must follow to seek such rights, is attached to this information statement/prospectus as Annex B.

 

Within ten (10) days after the effective time of the merger, Aimco OP will prepare and mail to the former holders of USRP Units an election form pursuant to which such holders can elect to receive cash or OP Units. Limited partners may also elect appraisal of their USRP Units pursuant to the election form. Holders of USRP Units may elect their form of consideration by completing and returning the election form in accordance with its instructions. If the information agent does not receive a properly completed election form from a holder before 5:00 p.m., New York time on the 30th day after the merger, the holder will be deemed to have elected to receive the cash consideration. Former holders of USRP Units may also use the election form to elect to receive, in lieu of the merger consideration, the appraised value of their USRP Units, determined through an arbitration proceeding.

 

In addition, limited partners who are not affiliated with Aimco OP may elect to receive an additional cash payment of $0.31 per USRP Unit in exchange for executing a waiver and release of certain claims. In order to receive such additional consideration, limited partners must complete the election form, execute the waiver and release that is attached to the election form and return both the election form and the executed waiver and release to the information agent as described above.

 

The following description sets forth some general terms and provisions of the Aimco OP partnership agreement. The following description of the Aimco OP partnership agreement is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the agreement.

 

Aimco OP is a limited partnership organized under the provisions of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as amended from time to time, or any successor to such statute, or the Delaware Act, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in its agreement of limited partnership. AIMCO-GP, a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Aimco, is the sole general partner of Aimco OP. Another wholly owned subsidiary of Aimco, AIMCO-LP Trust, a Delaware trust, or the special limited partner, is a limited partner in Aimco OP. The term of Aimco OP commenced on May 16, 1994, and will continue in perpetuity, unless Aimco OP is dissolved sooner under the provisions of the partnership agreement or as otherwise provided by law.

 

The purpose and nature of Aimco OP is to conduct any business, enterprise or activity permitted by or under the Delaware Act, including, but not limited to, (i) to conduct the business of ownership, construction, development and operation of multifamily rental apartment communities, (ii) to enter into any partnership, joint venture, business trust arrangement, limited liability company or other similar arrangement to engage in any business permitted by or under the Delaware Act, or to own interests in any entity engaged in any business permitted by or under the Delaware Act, (iii) to conduct the business of providing property and asset management and brokerage services, whether directly or through one or more partnerships, joint ventures, subsidiaries, business trusts, limited liability companies or other similar arrangements, and (iv) to do anything necessary or incidental to the foregoing; provided, however, such business and arrangements and interests may be limited to and conducted in such a manner as to permit Aimco, in the sole and absolute discretion of the general partner, at all times to be classified as a REIT.

 

Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Aimco OP partnership agreement, all management powers over the business and affairs of Aimco OP are exclusively vested in the general partner. No limited partner of Aimco OP or any other person to whom one or more OP Units have been transferred (each, an “assignee”) may take part in the operations, management or control (within the meaning of the Delaware Act) of Aimco OP’s business, transact any business in Aimco OP’s name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind Aimco OP. The general partner may not be removed by the limited partners with or without cause, except with the consent of the general partner. In addition to the powers granted to a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or that are granted to the general partner under any other provision of the Aimco OP partnership agreement, the general partner, subject to the other provisions of the Aimco OP partnership agreement, has full power and authority to do all things deemed necessary or desirable by it to conduct the business of Aimco OP, to exercise all powers of Aimco OP and to effectuate the purposes of Aimco OP. Aimco OP may incur debt or enter into other similar credit, guarantee, financing or refinancing arrangements for any purpose (including, without limitation, in connection with any acquisition of properties) upon such terms as the general partner determines to be appropriate. The general partner is authorized to execute, deliver and perform specific agreements and transactions on behalf of Aimco OP without any further act, approval or vote of the limited partners.

 

Restrictions on General Partner’s Authority.  The general partner may not take any action in contravention of the Aimco OP partnership agreement. The general partner may not, without the prior consent of the limited partners, undertake, on behalf of Aimco OP, any of the following actions or enter into any transaction that would have the effect of such transactions: (i) except as provided in the partnership agreement, amend, modify or terminate the partnership agreement other than to reflect the admission, substitution, termination or withdrawal of partners; (ii) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or appoint or acquiesce in the appointment of a custodian, receiver or trustee for all or any part of the assets of Aimco OP; (iii) institute any proceeding for bankruptcy on

behalf of Aimco OP; or (iv) subject to specific exceptions, approve or acquiesce to the transfer of Aimco OP interest of the general partner, or admit into Aimco OP any additional or successor general partners.

 

Additional Limited Partners.  The general partner is authorized to admit additional limited partners to Aimco OP from time to time, on terms and conditions and for such capital contributions as may be established by the general partner in its reasonable discretion. The net capital contribution need not be equal for all partners. No action or consent by the limited partners is required in connection with the admission of any additional limited partner. The general partner is expressly authorized to cause Aimco OP to issue additional interests (i) upon the conversion, redemption or exchange of any debt, OP Units or other securities issued by Aimco OP, (ii) for less than fair market value, so long as the general partner concludes in good faith that such issuance is in the best interests of the general partner and Aimco OP, and (iii) in connection with any merger of any other entity into Aimco OP if the applicable merger agreement provides that persons are to receive interests in Aimco OP in exchange for their interests in the entity merging into Aimco OP. Subject to Delaware law, any additional partnership interests may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any of such classes, with such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, powers and duties as shall be determined by the general partner, in its sole and absolute discretion without the approval of any limited partner, and set forth in a written document thereafter attached to and made an exhibit to the partnership agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the general partner has authority to specify (a) the allocations of items of partnership income, gain, loss, deduction and credit to each such class or series of partnership interests; (b) the right of each such class or series of partnership interests to share in distributions; (c) the rights of each such class or series of partnership interests upon dissolution and liquidation of Aimco OP; (d) the voting rights, if any, of each such class or series of partnership interests; and (e) the conversion, redemption or exchange rights applicable to each such class or series of partnership interests. No person may be admitted as an additional limited partner without the consent of the general partner, which consent may be given or withheld in the general partner’s sole and absolute discretion.

 

As of June 30, 2010, Aimco OP had issued and outstanding the following partnership interests:

 

 

 

 

Subject to the rights of holders of any outstanding partnership preferred units, the Aimco OP partnership agreement requires the general partner to cause Aimco OP to distribute quarterly all, or such portion as the general partner may in its sole and absolute discretion determine, of Available Cash (as defined in the partnership agreement) generated by Aimco OP during such quarter to the general partner, the special limited partner, the other holders of OP Units and holders of HPUs on the record date established by the general partner with respect to such quarter, in accordance with their respective interests in Aimco OP on such record date. Holders of any partnership preferred units issued in the future may have priority over the general partner, the special limited partner, holders of OP Units and holders of HPUs with respect to distributions of Available Cash, distributions upon liquidation or other distributions.

 

Distributions payable with respect to any interest in Aimco OP that was not outstanding during the entire quarterly period in respect of which any distribution is made will be prorated based on the portion of the period that such interest was outstanding. The general partner in its sole and absolute discretion may distribute to the limited partners Available Cash on a more frequent basis and provide for an appropriate record date. The partnership agreement requires the general partner to take such reasonable efforts, as determined by it in its sole and absolute discretion and consistent with the requirements for qualification as a REIT, to cause Aimco OP to distribute sufficient amounts to enable the general partner to transfer funds to Aimco and enable Aimco to pay stockholder dividends that will (i) satisfy the requirements, or the REIT Requirements, for qualifying as a REIT under the Code and the applicable Treasury Regulations and (ii) avoid any United States Federal income or excise tax liability of Aimco.

 

While some of the debt instruments to which Aimco OP is a party, including its credit facilities, contain restrictions on the payment of distributions to OP Unitholders, the debt instruments allow Aimco OP to distribute sufficient amounts to enable the general partner and special limited partner to transfer funds to Aimco which are

then used to pay stockholder dividends thereby allowing Aimco to meet the requirements for qualifications as a REIT under the Code.

 

Distributions in Kind.  No OP Unitholder has any right to demand or receive property other than cash as provided in the partnership agreement. The general partner may determine, in its sole and absolute discretion, to make a distribution in kind of partnership assets to the OP Unitholders, and such assets will be distributed in such a fashion as to ensure that the fair market value is distributed and allocated in accordance with the Aimco OP partnership agreement.

 

Distributions Upon Liquidation.  Subject to the rights of holders of any outstanding partnership preferred units, net proceeds from the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in a transaction that will lead to a liquidation of Aimco OP or a related series of transactions that, taken together, result in the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Aimco OP, or a Terminating Capital Transaction, and any other cash received or reductions in reserves made after commencement of the liquidation of Aimco OP, will be distributed to the OP Unitholders in accordance with the Aimco OP partnership agreement.

 

Restricted Distributions.  The Aimco OP partnership agreement prohibits Aimco OP and the general partner, on behalf of Aimco OP, from making a distribution to any OP Unitholder on account of its interest in OP Units if such distribution would violate Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act or other applicable law.

 

OP Units and HPUs.  Net Income (as defined in the Aimco OP partnership agreement) and Net Loss (as defined in the Aimco OP partnership agreement) of Aimco OP will be determined and allocated with respect to each fiscal year of Aimco OP as of the end of each such year. Except as otherwise provided in the Aimco OP partnership agreement, an allocation to an OP Unitholder of a share of Net Income or Net Loss will be treated as an allocation of the same share of each item of income, gain, loss or deduction that is taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss. Except as otherwise provided in the Aimco OP partnership agreement and subject to the terms of any outstanding partnership preferred units, Net Income and Net Loss will be allocated to the holders of OP Units and holders of HPUs in accordance with their respective interests at the end of each fiscal year. The Aimco OP partnership agreement contains provisions for special allocations intended to comply with certain regulatory requirements, including the requirements of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2. Except as otherwise provided in the Aimco OP partnership agreement and subject to the terms of any outstanding partnership preferred units, for United States Federal income tax purposes under the Code and the Treasury Regulations, each partnership item of income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated among the OP Unitholders in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated under the Aimco OP partnership agreement.

 

Partnership Preferred Units.  Net income will be allocated to the holders of partnership preferred units for any fiscal year (and, if necessary, subsequent fiscal years) to the extent that the holders of partnership preferred units receive a distribution on any partnership preferred units (other than an amount included in any redemption of partnership preferred units). If any partnership preferred units are redeemed, for the fiscal year that includes such redemption (and, if necessary, for subsequent fiscal years) (i) gross income and gain (in such relative proportions as the general partner in its discretion will determine) will be allocated to the holders of partnership preferred units to the extent that the redemption amounts paid or payable with respect to the partnership preferred units so redeemed exceeds the aggregate capital contributions (net of liabilities assumed or taken subject to by Aimco OP) per partnership preferred units allocable to the partnership preferred units so redeemed and (ii) deductions and losses (in such relative proportions as the general partner in its discretion will determine) will be allocated to the holders of partnership preferred units to the extent that the aggregate capital contributions (net of liabilities assumed or taken subject to by Aimco OP) per partnership preferred units allocable to the partnership preferred units so redeemed exceeds the redemption amount paid or payable with respect to the partnership preferred units so redeemed.

 

Aimco OP is authorized to withhold from or pay on behalf of or with respect to each limited partner any amount of Federal, state, local or foreign taxes that the general partner determines that Aimco OP is required to

withhold or pay with respect to any amount distributable or allocable to such limited partner under the Aimco OP partnership agreement. The Aimco OP partnership agreement also provides that any withholding tax amount paid on behalf of or with respect to a limited partner constitutes a loan by Aimco OP to such limited partner. This loan is required to be repaid within 15 days after notice to the limited partner from the general partner, and each limited partner grants a security interest in its partnership interest to secure its obligation to pay any partnership withholding tax amounts paid on its behalf or with respect to such limited partner. In addition, under the Aimco OP partnership agreement, the partnership may redeem the partnership interest of any limited partner who fails to pay partnership withholding tax amounts paid on behalf of or with respect to such limited partner. Also, the general partner has authority to withhold, from any amounts otherwise distributable, allocable or payable to a limited partner, the general partner’s estimate of further taxes required to be paid by such limited partner.

 

No partner is entitled to interest on its capital contribution or on such partner’s capital account. Except (i) under the rights of redemption set forth in the Aimco OP partnership agreement, (ii) as provided by law, or (iii) under the terms of any outstanding partnership preferred units, no partner has any right to demand or receive the withdrawal or return of its capital contribution from Aimco OP, except to the extent of distributions made under the Aimco OP partnership agreement or upon termination of Aimco OP. Except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in the Aimco OP partnership agreement and subject to the terms of any outstanding partnership preferred units, no limited partner or assignee will have priority over any other limited partner or Assignee either as to the return of capital contributions or as to profits, losses or distributions.

 

After the first anniversary of becoming a holder of OP Units, each OP Unitholder and some assignees have the right, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Aimco OP partnership agreement, to require Aimco OP to redeem all or a portion of the OP Units held by such party in exchange for shares of Aimco common stock or a cash amount equal to the value of such shares, as Aimco OP may determine. On or before the close of business on the fifth business day after a holder of OP Units gives the general partner a notice of redemption, Aimco OP may, in its sole and absolute discretion but subject to the restrictions on the ownership of Aimco stock imposed under Aimco’s charter and the transfer restrictions and other limitations thereof, elect to cause Aimco to acquire some or all of the tendered OP Units from the tendering party in exchange for Aimco common stock, based on an exchange ratio of one share of Aimco common stock for each OP Unit, subject to adjustment as provided in the Aimco OP partnership agreement. The Aimco OP partnership agreement does not obligate Aimco or the general partner to register, qualify or list any Aimco common stock issued in exchange for OP Units with the SEC, with any state securities commissioner, department or agency, or with any stock exchange. Aimco common stock issued in exchange for OP Units under the Aimco OP partnership agreement will contain legends regarding restrictions under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws as Aimco in good faith determines to be necessary or advisable in order to ensure compliance with securities laws. In the event of a change of control of Aimco, holders of HPUs will have redemption rights similar to those of holders of OP Units.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Aimco OP partnership agreement, on and after the date on which the aggregate percentage interests of the limited partners, other than the special limited partner, are less than one percent (1%), Aimco OP will have the right, but not the obligation, from time to time and at any time to redeem any and all outstanding limited partner interests (other than the special limited partner’s interest) by treating any limited partner as if such limited partner had tendered for redemption under the Aimco OP partnership agreement the amount of OP Units specified by the general partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, by notice to the limited partner.

 

Restrictions On Transfer.  The Aimco OP partnership agreement restricts the transferability of OP Units. Any transfer or purported transfer of an OP Unit not made in accordance with the Aimco OP partnership agreement will

be null and void ab initio. Until the expiration of one year from the date on which an OP Unitholder acquired OP Units, subject to some exceptions, such OP Unitholder may not transfer all or any portion of its OP Units to any transferee without the consent of the general partner, which consent may be withheld in its sole and absolute discretion. After the expiration of one year from the date on which an OP Unitholder acquired OP Units, such OP Unitholder has the right to transfer all or any portion of its OP Units to any person, subject to the satisfaction of specific conditions specified in the Aimco OP partnership agreement, including the general partner’s right of first refusal.

 

It is a condition to any transfer (whether or not such transfer is effected before or after the one year holding period) that the transferee assumes by operation of law or express agreement all of the obligations of the transferor limited partner under the Aimco OP partnership agreement with respect to such OP Units, and no such transfer (other than under a statutory merger or consolidation wherein all obligations and liabilities of the transferor partner are assumed by a successor corporation by operation of law) will relieve the transferor partner of its obligations under the Aimco OP partnership agreement without the approval of the general partner, in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

In connection with any transfer of OP Units, the general partner will have the right to receive an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to it to the effect that the proposed transfer may be effected without registration under the Securities Act, and will not otherwise violate any federal or state securities laws or regulations applicable to Aimco OP or the OP Units transferred.

 

No transfer by a limited partner of its OP Units (including any redemption or any acquisition of OP Units by the general partner or by Aimco OP) may be made to any person if (i) in the opinion of legal counsel for Aimco OP, it would result in Aimco OP being treated as an association taxable as a corporation, or (ii) such transfer is effectuated through an “established securities market” or a “secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof)” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code.

 

HPUs.  HPUs are subject to different restrictions on transfer. Individuals may not transfer HPUs except to a family member (or a family-owned entity) or in the event of their death.

 

Substituted Limited Partners.  No limited partner will have the right to substitute a transferee as a limited partner in its place. A transferee of the interest of a limited partner may be admitted as a substituted limited partner only with the consent of the general partner, which consent may be given or withheld by the general partner in its sole and absolute discretion. If the general partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, does not consent to the admission of any permitted transferee as a substituted limited partner, such transferee will be considered an assignee for purposes of the Aimco OP partnership agreement. An assignee will be entitled to all the rights of an assignee of a limited partnership interest under the Delaware Act, including the right to receive distributions from Aimco OP and the share of Net Income, Net Losses and other items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of Aimco OP attributable to the OP Units assigned to such transferee and the rights to transfer the OP Units provided in the Aimco OP partnership agreement, but will not be deemed to be a holder of OP Units for any other purpose under the Aimco OP partnership agreement, and will not be entitled to effect a consent or vote with respect to such OP Units on any matter presented to the limited partners for approval (such right to consent or vote, to the extent provided in the Aimco OP partnership agreement or under the Delaware Act, fully remaining with the transferor limited partner).

 

Withdrawals.  No limited partner may withdraw from Aimco OP other than as a result of a permitted transfer of all of such limited partner’s OP Units in accordance with the Aimco OP partnership agreement, with respect to which the transferee becomes a substituted limited partner, or under a redemption (or acquisition by Aimco) of all of such limited partner’s OP Units.

 

Restrictions on the general partner.  The general partner may not transfer any of its general partner interest or withdraw from Aimco OP unless (i) the limited partners consent or (ii) immediately after a merger of the general partner into another entity, substantially all of the assets of the surviving entity, other than the general partnership interest in Aimco OP held by the general partner, are contributed to Aimco OP as a capital contribution in exchange for OP Units.

 

By the General Partner Without the Consent of the Limited Partners.  The general partner has the power, without the consent of the limited partners, to amend the Aimco OP partnership agreement as may be required to facilitate or implement any of the following purposes: (1) to add to the obligations of the general partner or surrender any right or power granted to the general partner or any affiliate of the general partner for the benefit of the limited partners; (2) to reflect the admission, substitution or withdrawal of partners or the termination of Aimco OP in accordance with the partnership agreement; (3) to reflect a change that is of an inconsequential nature and does not adversely affect the limited partners in any material respect, or to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision in the partnership agreement not inconsistent with law or with other provisions, or make other changes with respect to matters arising under the partnership agreement that will not be inconsistent with law or with the provisions of the partnership agreement; (4) to satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any order, directive, opinion, ruling or regulation of a federal or state agency or contained in federal or state law; (5) to reflect such changes as are reasonably necessary for Aimco to maintain its status as a REIT; and (6) to modify the manner in which capital accounts are computed (but only to the extent set forth in the definition of “Capital Account” in the Aimco OP partnership agreement or contemplated by the Code or the Regulations).

 

With the Consent of the Limited Partners.  Amendments to the Aimco OP partnership agreement may be proposed by the general partner or by holders of a majority of the outstanding OP Units and other classes of units that have the same voting rights as holders of OP Units, excluding the special limited partner. Following such proposal, the general partner will submit any proposed amendment to the limited partners. The general partner will seek the written consent of a majority in interest of the limited partners on the proposed amendment or will call a meeting to vote thereon and to transact any other business that the general partner may deem appropriate.

 

Meetings of the partners may be called by the general partner and will be called upon the receipt by the general partner of a written request by a majority in interest of the limited partners. Notice of any such meeting will be given to all partners not less than seven (7) days nor more than thirty (30) days prior to the date of such meeting. Partners may vote in person or by proxy at such meeting. Each meeting of partners will be conducted by the general partner or such other person as the general partner may appoint under such rules for the conduct of the meeting as the general partner or such other person deems appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion. Whenever the vote or consent of partners is permitted or required under the partnership agreement, such vote or consent may be given at a meeting of partners or may be given by written consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the partners may be taken without a meeting if a written consent setting forth the action so taken is signed by partners holding a majority of outstanding OP Units (or such other percentage as is expressly required by the Aimco OP partnership agreement for the action in question).

 

The Aimco OP partnership agreement requires the general partner to keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of Aimco OP those records and documents required to be maintained by the Delaware Act and other books and records deemed by the general partner to be appropriate with respect to Aimco OP’s business. The books of Aimco OP will be maintained, for financial and tax reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or on such other basis as the general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate. To the extent permitted by sound accounting practices and principles, Aimco OP, the general partner and Aimco may operate with integrated or consolidated accounting records, operations and principles. The fiscal year of Aimco OP is the calendar year.

 

As soon as practicable, but in no event later than one hundred and five (105) days after the close of each calendar quarter and each fiscal year, the general partner will make available to limited partners (which may be done by filing a report with the SEC) a report containing financial statements of Aimco OP, or of Aimco if such statements are prepared solely on a consolidated basis with Aimco, for such calendar quarter or fiscal year, as the

case may be, presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and such other information as may be required by applicable law or regulation or as the general partner determines to be appropriate. Statements included in quarterly reports are not audited. Statements included in annual reports are audited by a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the general partner.

 

The general partner is the “tax matters partner” of Aimco OP for United States Federal income tax purposes. The tax matters partner is authorized, but not required, to take certain actions on behalf of Aimco OP with respect to tax matters. In addition, the general partner will arrange for the preparation and timely filing of all returns with respect to partnership income, gains, deductions, losses and other items required of Aimco OP for United States Federal and state income tax purposes and will use all reasonable effort to furnish, within ninety (90) days of the close of each taxable year, the tax information reasonably required by limited partners for United States Federal and state income tax reporting purposes. The limited partners will promptly provide the general partner with such information as may be reasonably requested by the general partner from time to time.

 

Dissolution.  Aimco OP will dissolve, and its affairs will be wound up, upon the first to occur of any of the following (each a “liquidating event”): (i) an event of withdrawal, as defined in the Delaware Act (including, without limitation, bankruptcy), of the sole general partner unless, within ninety (90) days after the withdrawal, a “majority in interest” (as such phrase is used in Section 17-801(3) of the Delaware Act) of the remaining partners agree in writing, in their sole and absolute discretion, to continue the business of Aimco OP and to the appointment, effective as of the date of withdrawal, of a successor general partner; (ii) an election to dissolve Aimco OP made by the general partner in its sole and absolute discretion, with or without the consent of the limited partners; (iii) entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of Aimco OP under the provisions of the Delaware Act; (iv) the occurrence of a Terminating Capital Transaction; or (v) the redemption (or acquisition by Aimco, the general partner and/or the special limited partner) of all OP Units other than OP Units held by the general partner or the special limited partner.

 

Winding Up.  Upon the occurrence of a liquidating event, Aimco OP will continue solely for the purposes of winding up its affairs in an orderly manner, liquidating its assets and satisfying the claims of its creditors and partners. The general partner (or, in the event that there is no remaining general partner or the general partner has dissolved, become bankrupt within the meaning of the Delaware Act or ceased to operate, any person elected by a majority in interest of the limited partners) will be responsible for overseeing the winding up and dissolution of Aimco OP and will take full account of Aimco OP’s liabilities and property, and Aimco OP property will be liquidated as promptly as is consistent with obtaining the fair value thereof, and the proceeds therefrom (which may, to the extent determined by the general partner, include Aimco stock) will be applied and distributed in the following order: (i) first, to the satisfaction of all of Aimco OP’s debts and liabilities to creditors other than the partners and their assignees (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof); (ii) second, to the satisfaction of all Aimco OP’s debts and liabilities to the general partner (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof), including, but not limited to, amounts due as reimbursements under the partnership agreement; (ii) third, to the satisfaction of all of Aimco OP’s debts and liabilities to the other partners and any assignees (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof); (iv) fourth, to the satisfaction of all liquidation preferences of outstanding Partnership Preferred Units, if any; and (v) the balance, if any, to the general partner, the limited partners and any assignees in accordance with and in proportion to their positive capital account balances, after giving effect to all contributions, distributions and allocations for all periods. In the event of a liquidation, holders of HPUs will be specially allocated items of income and gain in an amount sufficient to cause the capital account of such holder to be equal to that of a holder of an equal number of OP Units.

 

Aimco’s charter authorizes the issuance of up to 422,157,736 shares of common stock. As of October 6, 2010, 117,033,718 shares were issued and outstanding. The Aimco common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “AIV.” Computershare Limited serves as transfer agent and registrar of the Aimco common stock. On October 6, 2010, the closing price of the Aimco common stock on the NYSE was $22.26. The following table shows the high and low reported sales prices and dividends paid per share of Aimco’s common stock in the periods indicated.

 

 

 

 

Aimco adopted the Apartment Investment and Management Company 1997 Stock Award and Incentive Plan, or the 1997 Plan, to attract and retain officers, key employees and independent directors. The 1997 Plan reserved for issuance a maximum of 20 million shares, which may be in the form of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options and restricted stock, or other types of awards as authorized under the 1997 Plan. The 1997 Plan expired on April 24, 2007. On April 30, 2007, the 2007 Stock Award and Incentive Plan, or the 2007 Plan, was approved as successor to the 1997 Plan. The 2007 Plan reserves for issuance a maximum of 4.1 million shares, which may be in the form of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options and restricted stock, or other types of awards as authorized under the 2007 Plan.

 

Holders of Aimco common stock are entitled to receive dividends, when and as declared by Aimco’s board of directors, out of funds legally available therefor. The holders of shares of common stock, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Aimco, are entitled to receive ratably any assets remaining after payment in full of all liabilities of Aimco and the liquidation preferences of preferred stock. The shares of common stock possess ordinary voting rights for the election of directors and in respect of other corporate matters, each share entitling the holder thereof to one vote. Holders of shares of common stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors, which means that holders of more than 50% of the shares of common stock voting for the election of directors can elect all of the directors if they choose to do so and the holders of the remaining shares cannot elect any directors. Holders of shares of common stock do not have preemptive rights, which means they have no right to acquire any additional shares of common stock that may be issued by Aimco at a subsequent date.

 

Aimco’s charter authorizes 84,429,764 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.01 per share. Aimco is authorized to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or subclasses, with such designations, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restriction, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption, in each case, if any as are permitted by Maryland law and as the Aimco Board of Directors may determine by resolution. As of June 30, 2010, Aimco had issued and outstanding the following classes of preferred stock:

 

 

 

 

Ranking.  Each authorized class of preferred stock ranks, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Aimco, (a) prior or senior to the common stock and any other class or series of capital stock of Aimco if the holders of that class of preferred stock are entitled to the receipt of dividends or amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up in preference or priority to the holders of shares of such class or series (“Junior Stock”); (b) on a parity with the other authorized classes of preferred stock and any other class or series of capital stock of Aimco if the holders of such class or series of stock and that class of preferred stock are entitled to receive dividends and amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up in proportion to their respective amounts of accrued and unpaid dividends per share or liquidation preferences, without preference or priority of one over the other (“Parity Stock”); and (c) junior to any class or series of capital stock of Aimco if the holders of such class or series are entitled to receive dividends and amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up in preference or priority to the holders of that class of preferred stock (“Senior Stock”).

 

Dividends.  Holders of each authorized class of preferred stock are entitled to receive, when and as declared by Aimco’s board of directors, out of funds legally available for payment, quarterly cash dividends in the amount per share set forth in the table above under the heading, “Quarterly Dividend Per Share.” The dividends are

cumulative from the date of original issue, whether or not in any dividend period or periods Aimco declares any dividends or have funds legally available for the payment of such dividend. Holders of preferred stock are not entitled to receive any dividends in excess of cumulative dividends on the preferred stock. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on the preferred stock that may be in arrears.

 

When dividends are not paid in full upon any class of preferred stock, or a sum sufficient for such payment is not set apart, all dividends declared upon that class of preferred stock and any shares of Parity Stock will be declared ratably in proportion to the respective amounts of dividends accumulated, accrued and unpaid on that class of preferred stock and accumulated, accrued and unpaid on such Parity Stock. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, unless dividends on each class of preferred stock equal to the full amount of accumulated, accrued and unpaid dividends have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been or contemporaneously is set apart for such payment, for all past dividend periods, no dividends may be declared or paid or set apart for payment by Aimco and no other distribution of cash or other property may be declared or made, directly or indirectly, by Aimco with respect to any shares of Parity Stock. Unless dividends equal to the full amount of all accumulated, accrued and unpaid dividends on each class of preferred stock have been declared and paid, or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set apart for such payment, for all past dividend periods, no dividends (other than dividends or distributions paid in shares of Junior Stock or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of Junior Stock) may be declared or paid or set apart for payment by Aimco and no other distribution of cash or other property may be declared or made, directly or indirectly, by Aimco with respect to any shares of Junior Stock, nor may any shares of Junior Stock be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired (other than a redemption, purchase or other acquisition of common stock made for purposes of an employee incentive or benefit plan of Aimco or any subsidiary) for any consideration (or any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of any such stock), directly or indirectly, by Aimco (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of Junior Stock, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of Junior Stock), nor shall any other cash or other property be paid or distributed to or for the benefit of holders of shares of Junior Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, Aimco is not prohibited from (1) declaring or paying or setting apart for payment any dividend or distribution on any shares of Parity Stock or (2) redeeming, purchasing or otherwise acquiring any Parity Stock, in each case, if such declaration, payment, redemption, purchase or other acquisition is necessary to maintain Aimco’s qualification as a REIT.

 

Liquidation Preference.  Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Aimco, before it makes or sets apart any payment or distribution for the holders of any shares of Junior Stock, the holders of each class of preferred stock are entitled to receive a liquidation preference per share in the amount set forth above under the heading, “Liquidation Preference Per Share,” plus an amount equal to all accumulated, accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not formed or declared) to the date of final distribution to such holders. Holders of each class of preferred stock are not entitled to any further payment. Until the holders of each class of preferred stock have been paid their respective liquidation preferences in full, plus an amount equal to all accumulated, accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) to the date of final distribution to such holders, no payment may be made to any holder of Junior Stock upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Aimco. If, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Aimco, its assets, or proceeds thereof, distributable among the holders of preferred stock are insufficient to pay in full the preference described above for any class of preferred stock and any liquidating payments on any other shares of any class or series of Parity Stock, then such proceeds shall be distributed among the holders of such class of preferred stock and holders of all other shares of any class or series of Parity Stock ratably in the same proportion as the respective amounts that would be payable on such class of preferred stock and any such Parity Stock if all amounts payable thereon were paid in full. A voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Aimco does not include its consolidation or merger with one or more corporations, a sale or transfer of all or substantially all of its assets, or a statutory share exchange. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Aimco, after payment shall have been made in full to the holders of preferred stock, any other series or class or classes of Junior Stock shall be entitled to receive any and all assets remaining to be paid or distributed, and the holders of each class of preferred stock and any Parity Stock shall not be entitled to share therein.

Redemption.  Except as described below and in certain limited circumstances, including circumstances relating to maintaining Aimco’s ability to qualify as a REIT, Aimco may not redeem the shares of preferred stock. On or after the dates set forth in the table below, Aimco may, at its option, redeem shares of the classes of preferred stock set forth below, in whole or from time to time in part, at a cash redemption price equal to the percentage of the liquidation preference for that class of preferred stock indicated under the heading, “Price,” plus all accumulated, accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price for each class of non-convertible preferred stock (other than any portion thereof consisting of accumulated, accrued and unpaid dividends) is payable solely with the proceeds from the sale of equity securities by Aimco or Aimco OP (whether or not such sale occurs concurrently with such redemption). For purposes of the preceding sentence, “capital shares” means any common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, partnership or other interests, participations or other ownership interests (however designated) and any rights (other than debt securities convertible into or exchangeable at the option of the holder for equity securities (unless and to the extent such debt securities are subsequently converted into capital stock)) or options to purchase any of the foregoing securities issued by Aimco or Aimco OP.

 

 

Except as otherwise described in this information statement/prospectus, none of the authorized classes of preferred stock have any stated maturity or are subject to any sinking find or mandatory redemption provisions.

 

Conversion.  The shares of convertible preferred stock are convertible at any time, at the option of the holder, into a number of shares of common stock obtained by dividing its liquidation preference (excluding any accumulated, accrued and unpaid dividends) by the conversion price set forth in the table above. In the case of shares called for redemption, conversion rights will terminate at the close of business on the date fixed for such redemption, unless Aimco defaults in making such redemption payment. Each conversion will be deemed to have been effected immediately prior to the close of business on the date on which the holder surrenders certificates representing shares of preferred stock and Aimco receives notice and any applicable instruments of transfer and any required taxes. The conversion will be at the conversion price in effect at such time and on such date unless the stock transfer books of Aimco are closed on that date, in which event such person or persons will be deemed to have become such holder or holders of record at the close of business on the next succeeding day on which such stock transfer books are open, but such conversion will be at the conversion price in effect on the date on which such shares were surrendered and such notice received by Aimco. No fractional shares of common stock or scrip representing fractions of a share of common stock will be issued upon conversion of shares of preferred stock. Instead of any fractional interest in a share of common stock that would otherwise be deliverable upon the conversion of any share of preferred stock, Aimco will pay to the holder of such shares an amount in cash based upon the closing price of the common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date of conversion. If more than one share of preferred stock is surrendered for conversion at one time by the same holder, the number of full shares of common stock issuable upon conversion thereof will be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of shares of preferred stock so converted. Except as otherwise required, Aimco will make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on converted shares or for dividends (other than dividends on the common stock the record date for which is after the conversion date and which Aimco shall pay in the ordinary course to the record holder as of the record date) on the common stock issued upon such conversion. Holders of preferred stock at the close of business on a record date for the payment of dividends on the preferred stock will be entitled to receive an amount equal to the dividend payable on such shares on the corresponding dividend payment date notwithstanding the conversion of such shares following such record date.

 

Each conversion price is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, including: (i) if Aimco (A) pays a dividend or makes a distribution on its capital stock in shares of common stock, (B) subdivides its outstanding common stock into a greater number of shares, (C) combines its outstanding common stock into a

smaller number of shares or (D) issues any shares of capital stock by reclassification of its outstanding common stock; (ii) if Aimco issues rights, options or warrants to holders of common stock entitling them to subscribe for or purchase common stock at a price per share less than the fair market value thereof; and (iii) if Aimco makes a distribution on its common stock other than in cash or shares of common stock.

 

Conversion of preferred stock will be permitted only to the extent that such conversion would not result in a violation of the ownership restrictions set forth in Aimco’s charter.

 

Voting Rights.  Holders of shares of the authorized classes of preferred stock do not have any voting rights, except as set forth below and except as otherwise required by applicable law.

 

If and whenever dividends on any shares of any class of preferred stock or any series or class of Parity Stock are in arrears for six or more quarterly periods, whether or not consecutive, the number of directors then constituting Aimco’s board of directors will be increased by two, if not already increased by reason of similar types of provisions with respect to shares of Parity Stock of any other class or series which is entitled to similar voting rights (the “Voting Preferred Stock”), and the holders of shares of that class of preferred stock, together with the holders of shares of all other Voting Preferred Stock then entitled to exercise similar voting rights, voting as a single class regardless of series, will be entitled to vote for the election of the two additional directors of Aimco at any annual meeting of stockholders or at a special meeting of the holders of that class of preferred stock and of the Voting Preferred Stock called for that purpose. Whenever dividends in arrears on outstanding shares of Voting Preferred Stock shall have been paid and dividends thereon for the current quarterly dividend period have been paid or declared and set apart for payment, then the right of the holders of the Voting Preferred Stock to elect the additional two directors shall cease and the terms of office of the directors shall terminate and the number of directors constituting Aimco’s board of directors shall be reduced accordingly. Holders of Class W Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, voting as a single class, are also entitled to elect one director of Aimco if and whenever (i) for two consecutive quarterly dividend periods, Aimco fails to pay at least $0.45 per share in dividends on the common stock or (ii) Aimco fails to pay a quarterly dividend on that class of preferred stock, whether or not earned or declared.

 

The affirmative vote or consent of at least 662/3% of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the outstanding shares of each class of preferred stock and the holders of all other classes or series of Parity Stock entitled to vote on such matters, voting as a single class, will be required to (1) authorize, create, increase the authorized amount of, or issue any shares of any class of Senior Stock or any security convertible into shares of any class of Senior Stock, or (2) amend, alter or repeal any provision of, or add any provision to, Aimco’s charter or by-laws, if such action would materially adversely affect the voting powers, rights or preferences of the holders of that class of preferred stock or, with respect to the Class W Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, would convert such preferred stock into cash or any other security other than Preferred Stock with terms and provisions equivalent to those set forth in the articles supplementary for such class of preferred stock (including any amendment, alteration or repeal effected pursuant to a merger, consolidation, or similar transaction); provided, however, that no such vote of the holders of that class of preferred stock shall be required if, at or prior to the time such amendment, alteration or repeal is to take effect or the issuance of any such Senior Stock or convertible security is to be made, as the case may be, provisions are made for the redemption of all outstanding shares of that class of preferred stock. The amendment of or supplement to Aimco’s charter to authorize, create, increase or decrease the authorized amount of or to issue Junior Stock, or any shares of any class of Parity Stock shall not be deemed to materially adversely affect the voting powers, rights or preferences of any class of preferred stock.

 

Transfer.  For Aimco to qualify as a REIT under the Code, not more than 50% in value of its outstanding capital stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) during the last half of a taxable year and the shares of common stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Because the Aimco board of directors believes that it is essential for Aimco to meet the REIT Requirements, the board of directors has adopted, and the stockholders have approved, provisions of Aimco’s charter restricting the acquisition of shares of common stock.

 

Subject to specific exceptions specified in Aimco’s charter, no holder may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of various attribution and constructive ownership provisions of the Code and Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act,

more than 8.7% (or 15% in the case of specific pension trusts described in the Code, investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and Mr. Considine) of the outstanding shares of common stock (the “Ownership Limit”). The board of directors may waive the Ownership Limit if evidence satisfactory to the board of directors and Aimco’s tax counsel is presented that such ownership will not then or in the future jeopardize Aimco’s status as a REIT. However, in no event may such holder’s direct or indirect ownership of common stock exceed 9.8% of the total outstanding shares of common stock. As a condition of such waiver, the board of directors may require opinions of counsel satisfactory to it and/or an undertaking from the applicant with respect to preserving the REIT status of Aimco. The foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership will not apply if the board of directors determines that it is no longer in the best interests of Aimco to attempt to qualify, or to continue to quality as a REIT and a resolution terminating Aimco’s status as a REIT and amending Aimco’s charter to remove the foregoing restrictions is duly adopted by the board of directors and a majority of Aimco’s stockholders. If shares of common stock in excess of the Ownership Limit, or shares of common stock which would cause the REIT to be beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons, or which would result in Aimco being “closely held,” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, or which would otherwise result in Aimco failing to qualify as a REIT, are issued or transferred to any person, such issuance or transfer shall be null and void to the intended transferee, and the intended transferee would acquire no rights to the stock. Shares of common stock transferred in excess of the Ownership Limit or other applicable limitations will automatically be transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more qualifying charitable organizations to be designated by Aimco. Shares transferred to such trust will remain outstanding, and the trustee of the trust will have all voting and dividend rights pertaining to such shares. The trustee of such trust may transfer such shares to a person whose ownership of such shares does not violate the Ownership Limit or other applicable limitation. Upon a sale of such shares by the trustee, the interest of the charitable beneficiary will terminate, and the sales proceeds would be paid, first, to the original intended transferee, to the extent of the lesser of (a) such transferee’s original purchase price (or the original market value of such shares if purportedly acquired by gift or devise) and (b) the price received by the trustee, and, second, any remainder to the charitable beneficiary. In addition, shares of stock held in such trust are purchasable by Aimco for a 90 day period at a price equal to the lesser of the price paid for the stock by the original intended transferee (or the original market value of such shares if purportedly acquired by gift or devise) and the market price for the stock on the date that Aimco determines to purchase the stock. The 90 day period commences on the date of the violative transfer or the date that the board of directors determines in good faith that a violative transfer has occurred, whichever is later. All certificates representing shares of common stock bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.

 

All persons who own, directly or by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Code and Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, more than a specified percentage of the outstanding shares of common stock must file an affidavit with Aimco containing the information specified in Aimco’s charter within 30 days after January 1 of each year. In addition, each stockholder shall upon demand be required to disclose to Aimco in writing such information with respect to the direct, indirect and constructive ownership of shares as the board of directors deems necessary to comply with the provisions of the Code applicable to a REIT or to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental agency.

 

The ownership limitations may have the effect of precluding acquisition of control of Aimco by specific parties unless the board of directors determines that maintenance of REIT status is no longer in the best interests of Aimco.

 

Set forth below is a comparison of the OP Units to the Aimco common stock.

 

 

The rights of USRP limited partners are currently governed by the Delaware Act and the USRP partnership agreement. The rights of the limited partners of Aimco OP are currently governed by the Delaware Act and the Aimco OP partnership agreement.

 

The information below highlights a number of the significant differences between USRP Units and Aimco OP Units. These comparisons are intended to assist USRP limited partners in understanding how their investment will be changed after completion of the merger, if they elect to receive OP Units in lieu of cash with respect to the merger.

 

 

USRP.  USRP has no employees and depends on the Corporate General Partner and its affiliates for the management and administration of all partnership activities. The USRP partnership agreement provides that the Corporate General Partner and its affiliates receive 5% of gross receipts from all of USRP’s properties as compensation for providing property management services, and also provides that the Corporate General Partner and its affiliates receive certain payments for other services and reimbursement of certain expenses incurred on behalf of USRP.

 

In addition, under the USRP partnership agreement, (a) Net Cash From Operations (as defined in the USRP partnership agreement) of USRP for each fiscal year is distributed quarterly within 45 days after the close of each fiscal quarter in the following order of priority: (i) first, 1.6% to the Corporate General Partner, 0.4% to the Other General Partner, and 98% to the limited partners until the limited partners have received cumulative distributions for such fiscal year equal to 10% per annum of their daily weighted average Adjusted Capital Value (as defined in the USRP partnership agreement) for such fiscal quarter and each preceding quarter of such fiscal year; (ii) second, to the Corporate General Partner until the General Partners have received distributions for such fiscal year equal to 7% of the aggregate Net Cash from Operations distributed to the partners for such fiscal year; (iii) third, to repay any loans made to USRP by the General Partners; and (iv) fourth, 94% to the limited partners, 6.6% to the Corporate General Partner, and 0.4% to the Other General Partner, and (b) Sales or Refinancing Proceeds (as defined in the USRP partnership agreement) is distributed within 135 days of the sale or refinancing in the following order of priority: (i) first, to the limited partners until each limited partner has received an amount equal to his Adjusted Capital Contribution (as defined in the USRP partnership agreement) immediately prior to the distribution; (ii) second, to each limited partner who has a Preferred Return Shortfall (as defined in the USRP partnership agreement) until all limited partners’ Preferred Return Shortfalls have been eliminated; (iii) third, in the case of a sale with respect to which the General Partners, or affiliates of the General Partners, acted as a broker (subject to the limitations set forth in the USRP partnership agreement), to the General Partners, or affiliates of the General Partners, until they have received an amount equal to 1% of the Selling Price (as defined in the USRP partnership agreement) of each property sold on or before the date of such distribution, reduced by the aggregate of any prior distributions of Sale or Refinancing Proceeds; (iv) fourth, to the General Partners, or affiliates of the General Partners, in repayment of principal and interest with respect to loans that General Partners are required to make under the USRP partnership agreement, to the extent that principal or interest accrued on such loans remains unpaid, and (v) fifth, the balance 93% to the limited partners and 7% to the General Partners.

A description of the compensation paid to the Corporate General Partner and its affiliates during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, and during the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, can be found under the heading “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in this information statement/prospectus. In addition, for more information, see “Note D — Transactions with Affiliated Parties” in the notes to the financial statements appearing in USRP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, which is included as Annex D to this information statement/prospectus, and “Note B — Transactions with Affiliated Parties” in the notes to the financial statements appearing in USRP’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, which is included as Annex E to this information statement/prospectus.

 

Aimco OP.  The Aimco OP partnership agreement provides that Aimco OP’s general partner shall not be compensated for its services as a general partner, other than the compensation it receives with respect to distributions and allocations in accordance with the partnership agreement. Subject to certain provisions of the partnership agreement, Aimco OP will reimburse the general partner for all sums expended in connection with the partnership’s business.

 

In addition, subject to the rights of holders of any outstanding preferred OP Units, the Aimco OP partnership agreement requires the general partner to cause Aimco OP to distribute quarterly all, or such portion of, as the general partner may in its sole and absolute discretion determine, Available Cash (as such term is defined in the partnership agreement) generated by Aimco OP during such quarter to the general partner, the special limited partner and the holders of common OP Units and HPUs on the record date established by the general partner with respect to such quarter, in accordance with their respective interests in Aimco OP on such record date. The partnership agreement requires the general partner to take such reasonable efforts, as determined by it in its sole and absolute discretion and consistent with the REIT Requirements, to cause Aimco OP to distribute sufficient amounts to enable the general partner to transfer funds to Aimco and enable Aimco to pay stockholder dividends that will (i) satisfy the requirements for qualifying as a REIT under the Code and the Treasury Regulations and (ii) avoid any United States Federal income or excise tax liability of Aimco.

 

The following is a summary of certain United States Federal income tax consequences of the merger, and an investment in Aimco OP Units and Aimco stock. This discussion is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), regulations promulgated by the U.S. Treasury Department (the “Treasury Regulations”), rulings issued by the IRS, and judicial decisions, all in effect as of the date of this information statement/prospectus and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect. This summary is also based on the assumptions that the operation of Aimco, Aimco OP and the limited liability companies and limited partnerships in which they own controlling interests (collectively, the “Subsidiary Partnerships”) and any affiliated entities will be in accordance with their respective organizational documents and partnership agreements. This summary is for general information only and does not purport to discuss all aspects of United States Federal income taxation which may be important to a particular investor, or to certain types of investors subject to special tax rules (including financial institutions, broker-dealers, regulated investment companies, holders that receive Aimco stock through the exercise of stock options or otherwise as compensation, insurance companies, persons holding Aimco stock as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction,” “synthetic security” or other integrated investment, and, except to the extent discussed below, tax-exempt organizations and foreign investors, as determined for United States Federal income tax purposes). This summary assumes that investors will hold their OP Units and Aimco stock as capital assets (generally, property held for investment). No opinion of counsel or advance ruling from the IRS has been or will be sought regarding the tax status of Aimco or Aimco OP, or the tax consequences relating to Aimco or Aimco OP or an investment in OP Units or Aimco stock. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax aspects set forth below.

 

THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX TREATMENT OF A PARTICULAR HOLDER DEPENDS UPON DETERMINATIONS OF FACT AND INTERPRETATIONS OF COMPLEX PROVISIONS OF UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAW FOR WHICH NO CLEAR PRECEDENT OR AUTHORITY MAY BE AVAILABLE. ACCORDINGLY, EACH HOLDER IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER, OF ACQUIRING, HOLDING, EXCHANGING, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSING OF OP UNITS AND AIMCO STOCK, AND OF AIMCO’S ELECTION TO BE SUBJECT TO TAX, FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES, AS A REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST.

 

Tax Consequences of the Transaction to USRP, Aimco, and Aimco OP

 

When the assets or operations of two partnerships such as USRP and Aimco OP are combined in a transaction pursuant to which one of the partnerships ceases to exist as a partnership (the “terminated partnership”) for Federal income tax purposes, and the members of the terminated partnership become members of the surviving partnership (the “resulting partnership”), that combined transaction is generally treated as a partnership merger.

 

In general, USRP would be treated as contributing all of its assets, and assigning all of its liabilities, to Aimco OP in exchange for interests in Aimco OP and any other consideration issued by Aimco OP in connection with the transaction, including cash or an assumption of liability, which may result in gain recognition under the rules described below. Immediately thereafter, USRP is treated as distributing all of its assets to its partners in complete liquidation.

 

Aimco is not expected to recognize any gain or loss on the transaction.

 

Tax Consequences of Exchanging USRP Units Solely for Cash

 

For Federal income tax purposes, any payment of cash for USRP Units will be treated as a sale of such USRP Units by such holder. Each such holder of USRP Units who accepts cash must explicitly agree and consent to treat the payment of cash for USRP Units as a sale of such units, in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement.

If a holder of USRP Units sells such units for cash, such holder will recognize gain or loss on the sale of his units equal to the difference between (i) such holder’s “amount realized” on the sale and (ii) such holder’s adjusted tax basis in the USRP Units sold. The “amount realized” with respect to a USRP Unit will be equal to the sum of the amount of cash such holder receives for his units plus the amount of liabilities of USRP allocable to such USRP Units as determined under section 752 of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Tax Consequences of Exchanging USRP Units Solely for OP Units

 

Generally, section 721 of the Internal Revenue Code provides that neither a contributing partner nor the partnership will recognize a gain or loss, for United States Federal income tax purposes, upon a contribution of property to such partnership in exchange for solely OP Units, except to the extent described below. Each such holder of USRP Units who accepts OP Units must explicitly agree and consent to such treatment, in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement.

 

If a holder of USRP Units contributes such units to Aimco OP in exchange for solely OP Units, such holder may recognize gain upon such exchange if, immediately prior to such exchange, the amount of liabilities of USRP allocable to the USRP Units transferred exceeds the amount of the Aimco OP partnership liabilities allocable to such holder immediately after such exchange. In that case the excess would be treated as a deemed distribution of cash to such holder from Aimco OP. This deemed cash distribution would be treated as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent such holder’s adjusted tax basis in his OP Units and thereafter as taxable gain.

 

Tax Consequences of Receipt of Cash Payment for Waiver and Release

 

As discussed in “The Merger — Waiver and Additional Consideration,” each limited partner unaffiliated with Aimco OP may elect to receive an additional cash payment in exchange for executing a waiver and release of certain claims. The United Stated Federal income tax treatment of such additional cash payment is uncertain. Aimco OP intends to treat the additional cash payment as a payment made for the waiver and release of certain claims, and not as additional Merger Consideration, and intends to report the additional cash payment accordingly. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert that the additional cash payment should be treated as part of the Merger Consideration. Holders that elect to receive the additional cash payment in exchange for executing a waiver and release should consult their tax advisors concerning the tax treatment of such payment.

 

Information Reporting Requirements And Backup Withholding

 

United States Holders

 

In general, backup withholding and information reporting will apply to all payments made to a United States Holder pursuant to the Merger. A United States Holder will generally be subject to backup withholding (at a rate of 28%, through 2010) with respect to payments made pursuant to the Merger unless such holder, among other conditions, provides a correct taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise complies with the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules, or otherwise establishes a basis for exemption from backup withholding. Exempt United States Holders (including, among others, all corporations) are not subject to these backup withholding and information reporting requirements. A holder who does not provide Aimco OP with his correct taxpayer identification number also may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Any amount paid as backup withholding will be creditable against the holder’s income tax liability.

 

Non-United States Holders

 

Information reporting may apply to payments made to a Non-United States Holder pursuant to the Merger. Copies of information returns reporting such amounts and any withholding also may be made available by the IRS to the tax authorities in the country in which a Non-United States Holder is resident under the provision of an applicable income tax treaty or other agreement. Non-United States Holders that receive OP Units as Merger Consideration should see “— Taxation of Aimco OP and OP Unitholders — Taxation of Foreign OP Unitholders,” below.

In general, backup withholding will not apply to payments made a Non-United States Holder pursuant to the Merger, if, among other conditions, such Non-United States Holder certifies as to its non-United States status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption, provided that neither Aimco OP nor our withholding agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the Non-United States Holder is a United States person or that the conditions of any other exemption are not in fact satisfied. In order to claim an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax, the Non-United States Holder must deliver a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI, as applicable, claiming such exemption or reduction. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules generally will be allowed as a refund or credit against such Non-United States Holder’s United States Federal income tax liability if the Non-United States Holder follows the required procedures.

 

Because the tax treatment of the receipt of an additional cash payment in exchange for executing a waiver and release of certain claims is unclear under United States Federal income tax law, Aimco OP intends to withhold United States Federal income tax at a rate of 30% from any additional cash payment paid to a Non-U.S. Holder, unless an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax is applicable. In order to claim an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax, the Non-United States Holder must deliver a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI, as applicable, claiming such exemption or reduction. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the possibility of claiming a refund with respect to the receipt of an additional cash payment in exchange for executing a waiver and release.

 

Partnership Status

 

Aimco believes that Aimco OP is classified as a partnership, and not as an association taxable as a corporation or as a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for United States Federal income tax purposes. If Aimco OP were treated as a “publicly traded partnership” taxed as a corporation for United States Federal income tax purposes, material adverse consequences to the Transferor and its owners would result. In addition, classification of Aimco OP as an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation would also result in the termination of Aimco’s status as a REIT for United States Federal income tax purposes, which would have a material adverse impact on Aimco. See “— Certain United States Federal Income Tax Matters — Taxation of Aimco and Aimco Stockholders — Tax Aspects of Aimco’s Investments in Partnerships.” The following discussion assumes that Aimco OP is, and will continue to be, classified and taxed as a partnership (and not as a publicly traded partnership) for United States Federal income tax purposes.

 

Taxation Of OP Unitholders

 

In general, a partnership is treated as a “pass-through” entity for United States Federal income tax purposes and is not itself subject to United States Federal income taxation. Each partner of a partnership, however, is subject to tax on his allocable share of partnership tax items, including partnership income, gains, losses, deductions, and expenses (“Partnership Tax Items”) for each taxable year of the partnership ending within or with such taxable year of the partner, regardless of whether he receives any actual distributions from the partnership during the taxable year. Generally, the characterization of any particular Partnership Tax Item is determined at the partnership, rather than at the partner level, and the amount of a partner’s allocable share of such item is governed by the terms of the partnership agreement. An OP Unitholder’s allocable share of Aimco OP’s taxable income may exceed the cash distributions to the OP Unitholder for any year if Aimco OP retains its profits rather than distributing them.

 

Allocations Of Aimco OP Profits And Losses

 

For United States Federal income tax purposes, an OP Unitholder’s allocable share of Aimco OP’s Partnership Tax Items will be determined by Aimco OP’s partnership agreement if such allocations either have “substantial economic effect” or are determined to be in accordance with the OP Unitholder’s interests in Aimco OP. If the allocations provided by Aimco OP’s agreement of limited partnership were successfully challenged by the IRS, the redetermination of the allocations to a particular OP Unitholder for United States Federal income tax purposes may be less favorable than the allocation set forth in Aimco OP’s agreement of limited partnership.