Equity Lifestyle (ELS) Risk Analysis

Certain of our Properties are subject to state and local rent control regulations that dictate rent increases and our ability to recover increases in operating expenses and the costs of capital improvements. In addition, in certain jurisdictions, such regulations allow residents to sell their homes for a price that includes a premium above the intrinsic value of the homes. The premium represents the value of the future discounted rent-controlled rents, which is fully capitalized into the prices of the homes sold. In our view, such regulations result in a transfer to the residents of the value of our land, which would otherwise be reflected in market rents. As part of our effort to realize the value of Properties subject to restrictive regulation, we have initiated lawsuits at various times against various municipalities imposing such regulations in an attempt to balance the interests of our stockholders with the interests of our customers. In addition, we operate certain of our Properties and may acquire additional properties, in high cost markets where the demand for affordable housing may result in the adoption of new rent control legislation that may impact rent increases. We also own Properties in certain areas of the country where rental rates at our Properties have not increased as fast as real estate values either because of locally imposed rent control or long term leases. In such areas, certain local government entities have at times investigated the possibility of seeking to take our Properties by eminent domain at values below the value of the underlying land. While no such eminent domain proceeding has been commenced and we anticipate exercising all of our rights in connection with any such proceeding, successful condemnation proceedings by municipalities could adversely affect our financial condition. Resident groups have previously filed lawsuits against us seeking to limit rent increases and/or seeking large damage awards for our alleged failure to properly maintain certain Properties or other resident related matters. An adverse finding against us in any such proceeding could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and distributions to our stockholders.

Our Properties are subject to regulation under the federal Occupational, Safety and Health Act ("OSHA"), which requires employers to provide employees with an environment free from hazards, such as exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive noise levels, mechanical dangers, heat or cold stress and unsanitary conditions. Although we believe that our Properties are in compliance in all material respects with applicable requirements, complying with OSHA and similar laws can be costly and any failure to comply with these regulations could result in penalties or potential litigation.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"), all public accommodations and commercial facilities must meet certain federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. Although we believe that our Properties are in compliance in all material respects with applicable requirements, noncompliance with the ADA or related laws or regulations could result in the U.S. government imposing fines or private litigants being awarded damages against us. Such costs may adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors. Compliance with the ADA requirements could involve removal of structural barriers to access or use by disabled persons. Other federal, state and local laws may require modifications to or restrict further renovations of our Properties with respect to such access or use. Additionally, Title III of the ADA has been interpreted by the U.S. courts to include websites as "places of public accommodations". For our websites to be ADA compliant, they must be accessible. While no laws have been passed related to website accessibility, the recognized de facto standard in the U.S. is the Web Content Accessibility Guideline. We may incur costs to make our websites ADA compliant or face litigation if they are not compliant.

Many of the states in which we operate have laws regulating campground membership sales and properties. These laws generally require comprehensive disclosure to prospective purchasers and usually give purchasers the right to rescind their purchase between three to five days after the date of sale. Some states have laws requiring us to register with a state agency and obtain a permit to market. We are subject to changes, from time to time, in the application or interpretation of such laws that can affect our business or the rights of our members. In some states, including California, Oregon and Washington, laws place limitations on the ability of the owner of a campground property to close the property unless the customers at the property receive access to a comparable property. The impact of the rights of customers under these laws is uncertain and could adversely affect the availability or timing of sale opportunities or our ability to realize recoveries from Property sales. Certain consumer rights and defenses that vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction may affect our portfolio of contracts receivable. Examples of such laws include state and federal consumer credit and truth-in-lending laws requiring the disclosure of finance charges and usury and retail installment sales laws regulating permissible finance charges.

Certain provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law ("MGCL") prohibit "business combinations" (including certain issuances of equity securities) with any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of our outstanding common stock, or with an affiliate of ours, who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the owner of 10% or more of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock (an "Interested Stockholder"), or with an affiliate of an Interested Stockholder. These prohibitions last for five years after the most recent date on which the Interested Stockholder became an Interested Stockholder. After the five-year period, a business combination with an Interested Stockholder must be approved by two super-majority stockholder votes unless, among other conditions, our common stockholders receive a minimum price for their shares and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the Interested Stockholder for shares of our common stock. The Board of Directors has exempted from these provisions under Maryland law any business combination with certain holders of OP Units who received them at the time of our initial public offering and our officers who acquired common stock at the time we were formed and each and every affiliate of theirs. Additionally, Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL permits our Board of Directors, without stockholder approval and regardless of what is currently provided in our charter or bylaws, to elect to be subject to certain provisions relating to corporate governance that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of control of our company that might involve a premium to the market price of our common stock or otherwise be in our stockholders' best interests. These provisions include a classified board; two-thirds vote to remove a director; that the number of directors may only be fixed by the Board of Directors; that vacancies on the board as a result of an increase in the size of the board or due to death, resignation or removal can only be filled by the board and the director appointed to fill the vacancy serves for the remainder of the full term of the class of director in which the vacancy occurred and a majority requirement for the calling by stockholders of special meetings. Through provisions in our charter and bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8, we already (a) require a two-thirds vote for the removal of any director from the board and (b) vest in the board the exclusive power to fix the number of directorships provided that, if there is stock outstanding and so long as there are three or more stockholders, the number is not less than three. In the future, our Board of Directors may elect, without stockholder approval, to make us subject to the provisions of Subtitle 8 to which we are not currently subject. Our Board of Directors has power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws or make new bylaws, provided, however, that our stockholders may, with certain exceptions, alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws and adopt new bylaws if any such alteration, repeal or adoption is approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of all votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

We believe we have been organized and operated in a manner so as to qualify for taxation as a REIT and we intend to continue to operate so as to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Our current and continuing qualification as a REIT depends on our ability to meet the various requirements imposed by the Code, which relate to organizational structure, distribution levels, diversity of stock ownership and certain restrictions with regard to owned assets and categories of income. If we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we are generally not subject to U.S. federal income tax on our taxable income that is distributed to our stockholders. However, qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes is governed by highly technical and complex provisions of the Code for which there are only limited judicial or administrative interpretations. In connection with certain transactions, we have received, and relied upon, advice of counsel as to the impact of such transactions on our qualification as a REIT. Our qualification as a REIT requires analysis of various facts and circumstances that may not be entirely within our control and we cannot provide any assurance that the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") will agree with our analysis or the analysis of our tax counsel. In particular, the proper U.S. federal income tax treatment of right-to-use membership contracts and rental income from certain short-term stays at RV communities is uncertain and there is no assurance that the IRS will agree with our treatment of such contracts or rental income. If the IRS were to disagree with our analysis or our tax counsel's analysis of various facts and circumstances, our ability to qualify as a REIT could be adversely affected. In addition, legislation, changes in regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions might significantly change the tax laws with respect to the requirements for qualification as a REIT or the U.S. federal income tax consequences of qualification as a REIT. If, with respect to any taxable year, we failed to maintain our qualification as a REIT (and if specified relief provisions under the Code were not applicable to such disqualification), we would be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost. If we lost our REIT status, we could not deduct distributions to stockholders in computing our net taxable income at regular corporate rates and we would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our net taxable incomes. If we had to pay U.S. federal income tax, the amount of money available to distribute to stockholders and pay indebtedness would be reduced for the year or years involved and we would no longer be required to distribute money to stockholders. Although we currently intend to operate in a manner designed to allow us to qualify as a REIT, future economic, market, legal, tax or other considerations may cause us to revoke the REIT election. Furthermore, we own a direct interest in a subsidiary REIT and in the past we have owned interests in other subsidiary REITs, each of which elected to be taxed as REITs under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code. Provided that each subsidiary REIT that we own qualifies as a REIT, our interest in such subsidiary REIT will be treated as a qualifying real estate asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests and any dividend income or gains derived by us from such subsidiary REIT will generally be treated as income that qualifies for purposes of the REIT gross income tests. To qualify as a REIT, the subsidiary REIT must independently satisfy all of the REIT qualification requirements. If such subsidiary REIT were to fail to qualify as a REIT and certain relief provisions did not apply, it would be treated as a regular taxable corporation and its income would be subject to U.S. federal income tax. In addition, a failure of the subsidiary REIT to qualify as a REIT could have an adverse effect on our ability to comply with the REIT income and asset tests and thus our ability to qualify as a REIT.

Even if we qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may be subject to some U.S. federal, foreign, state and local taxes on our income and property. Since January 1, 2001, certain of our corporate subsidiaries have elected to be treated as "taxable REIT subsidiaries" for U.S. federal income tax purposes and are taxable as regular corporations and subject to certain limitations on intercompany transactions. If tax authorities determine that amounts paid by our taxable REIT subsidiaries to us are greater than what would be paid under similar arrangements among unrelated parties, we could be subject to a 100% penalty tax on the excess payments and ongoing intercompany arrangements could have to change, resulting in higher ongoing tax payments. To the extent we are required to pay U.S. federal, foreign, state or local taxes or U.S. federal penalty taxes due to existing laws or changes to them, we will have less cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

Income from "qualified dividends" payable to U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates are generally subject to tax at preferential rates, currently at a maximum federal rate of 20%. Dividends payable by REITs, however, generally are not eligible for the preferential tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or the TCJA, however, U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates generally may deduct up to 20% of the ordinary dividends (e.g., dividends not designated as capital gain dividends or qualified dividend income) received from a REIT for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026. Although this deduction reduces the effective tax rate applicable to certain dividends paid by REITs (generally to 29.6% assuming the shareholder is subject to the 37% maximum rate), such tax rate is still higher than the tax rate applicable to corporate dividends that constitute qualified dividend income. Accordingly, investors who are individuals, trusts and estates may perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could materially and adversely affect the value of the shares of REITs, including the per share trading price of our common stock.

The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 changed the rules applicable to U.S. federal income tax audits of partnerships. Under the rules, effective for taxable years beginning in 2018, among other changes and subject to certain exceptions, any audit adjustment to items of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit of a partnership (and a partner's allocable share thereof) is determined and taxes, interest and penalties attributable thereto are assessed and collected, at the partnership level. Unless the partnership makes an election permitted under the new law or takes certain steps to require the partners to pay their tax on their allocable shares of the adjustment, it is possible that partnerships in which we directly or indirectly invest, including the Operating Partnership, would be required to pay additional taxes, interest and penalties as a result of an audit adjustment. We, as a direct or indirect partner of the Operating Partnership and other partnerships, could be required to bear the economic burden of those taxes, interest and penalties even though` the Company, as a REIT, may not otherwise have been required to pay additional corporate-level tax. The changes created by these rules are significant for collecting tax in partnership audits and accordingly, there can be no assurance that these rules will not have a material adverse effect on us.

Selling and renting homes is a part of our business. Our ability to sell or rent manufactured homes could be adversely affected by any of the following factors: - disruptions in the single-family housing market;- downturns in economic conditions which adversely impact the housing market;- local conditions, such as an oversupply of lifestyle-oriented properties or a reduction in demand for lifestyle-oriented properties;- increased costs to acquire homes;- our ability to obtain an adequate supply of homes at reasonable costs from MH suppliers;- our ability to acquire or develop existing land suitable for home building;- the ability of customers to obtain affordable financing; and - demographics, such as the retirement of "baby boomers" and their demand for access to our lifestyle-oriented Properties.

Properties in our portfolio, including marinas and certain RV communities, are specific-use properties and may contain features or assets that have limited alternative uses. These Properties may also have distinct operational functions that involve specific procedures and training. If the operations of any of those Properties becomes unprofitable due to industry competition, operational execution or otherwise, then it may not be feasible to operate that Property for another use and the value of certain features or assets used at that Property, or the Property itself, may be impaired. Should any of these events occur, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be adversely impacted.

Federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment may require a current or previous owner or operator of real property to pay fines and penalties and investigate and clean up hazardous or toxic substances, including lead or petroleum product releases at such property. The owner or operator may have to pay a governmental entity or third parties for property damage and for investigation and clean-up costs incurred by such parties in connection with the contamination. Properties containing lead may require removal of the material. This can be costly and, if the lead infiltrates the groundwater or other water supply, further remediation may be necessary. Such laws typically impose clean-up responsibility and liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of or caused the presence of the contaminants. Even if more than one person may have been responsible for the contamination, each person covered by the applicable laws may be held responsible for all of the clean-up costs incurred. In addition, third parties could sue the owner or operator of a site for damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination emanating from that site. Environmental laws also govern the presence, maintenance and removal of environmental contamination, including asbestos, wastewater discharge and oil spills. Such laws require that owners or operators of properties containing hazardous or toxic substances to properly manage them, including, but not limited to, requirements to notify and train relevant persons to take special precautions, and to remove or otherwise abate the contaminant. Such laws may impose fines and penalties on real property owners or operators who fail to comply with these requirements and may allow third parties to seek recovery from owners or operators for personal injury associated with exposure to the contaminant. Moreover, certain of our marinas are located on waterways that are subject to federal laws, including the Clean Water Act and the Oil Pollution Act, as well as analogous state laws regulating navigable waters, oil pollution, adverse impacts to fish and wildlife, and other matters. For example, under the Oil Pollution Act, owners and operators of vessels and onshore facilities may be subject to liability for removal costs and damages arising from an oil spill in waters of the United States. Utility-related laws and regulations also govern the provision of utility services. Such laws regulate, for example, how and to what extent owners or operators of property can charge renters for provision of utilities. Such laws also regulate the operations and performance of utility systems and may impose fines and penalties on real property owners or operators who fail to comply with these requirements. The regulations may also require capital investment to maintain compliance.

Substantial inflationary pressures can adversely affect us by increasing the costs of materials, labor and other costs needed to operate our business. Higher construction costs have and could continue to adversely impact our investments in real estate assets and our expected yields on development and value-add projects. In a highly inflationary environment, we may not be able to raise rental rates at or above the rate of inflation, which could reduce our profit margins. If we are unable to increase our rental prices to offset the effects of inflation, our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be adversely affected. In addition, past interest rate increases enacted to combat inflation have caused market disruption and could continue to prevent us from acquiring or disposing of assets on favorable terms. Inflation may also cause increased volatility in financial markets, which could affect our ability to access the capital markets or impact the cost or timing at which we are able to do so. To the extent our exposure to increases in interest rates on any of our debt is not eliminated through interest rate swaps and interest rate protection agreements, for example, our line of credit, such increases will result in higher debt service costs, which will adversely affect our cash flows. There is no guarantee that we will be able to mitigate the effects of inflation and related impacts, and the duration and extent of any prolonged periods of inflation, and any related adverse effects on our results of operations and financial condition, remain unknown at this time.

Changes in weather patterns could increase the frequency and severity of natural disasters. Our markets could experience increases in storm intensity, frequency and magnitude of hurricanes, wildfires, rising sea levels, drought and changes to precipitation and temperatures. The physical effects of changes in weather patterns could have a material adverse effect on our properties, operations and business. If there are prolonged disruptions at our properties due to extreme weather or natural disasters, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. Our properties are dependent on state and local utility infrastructure for delivery of energy, water supply and/or other utilities. We do not control investment in that infrastructure and the condition of the infrastructure and supply of the utilities may not be sufficient to handle impact resulting from changes in weather patterns. Over time, these conditions could result in increased incidents of physical damage to our Properties, declining demand for our Properties and increased difficulties operating them. Changes in weather patterns and natural disasters may also have indirect effects on our business by increasing the cost of (or making unavailable) insurance on terms we find acceptable, increasing the cost of (or making unavailable) energy, water supply and other utilities at our Properties and requiring us to expend funds as we seek to repair and protect our Properties against such risks. In addition, changes in federal, state and local legislation and regulation may require increased capital expenditures at our Properties. These capital expenditures may or may not result in lower on-going expenses or make an impact on the desirability of our Properties and our ability to attract high quality residents and guests. Any such losses, increases in costs or business interruptions could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

While we maintain and promote safety at our Properties, there are inherent risks associated with certain features, assets and activities at our communities. An accident, injury or disease outbreak at any of our communities, particularly an accident, injury or disease outbreak involving the safety of our residents, guests and employees, may be associated with claims against us involving higher assertions of damages and/or higher public visibility. The occurrence of an accident, injury or disease outbreak at any of our communities could also cause damage to our brand or reputation, lead to loss of consumer confidence in us, reduce occupancy at our communities and negatively impact our results of operations.