# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001298675
**File Stem:** 0001104659-23-028228
**Filing Date:** 2023-3
**Character Count:** 24235
**Document Hash:** 393c6418cea2bb240a9fa904984ea515
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001104659-23-028228.hdr.sgml**: 20230303

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001104659-23-028228

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 16

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20230303

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Financial Statements and Exhibits

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20230303

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20230303

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** CubeSmart
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001298675
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
- **IRS NUMBER:** 201024732
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** MD
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-32324
- **FILM NUMBER:** 23701930

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 5 OLD LANCASTER ROAD
- **CITY:** MALVERN
- **STATE:** PA
- **ZIP:** 19355
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 610-535-5700

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 5 OLD LANCASTER ROAD
- **CITY:** MALVERN
- **STATE:** PA
- **ZIP:** 19355

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** U-Store-It Trust
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20040727
**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** CubeSmart, L.P.
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001300485
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
- **IRS NUMBER:** 000000000

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 000-54462
- **FILM NUMBER:** 23701931

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 5 OLD LANCASTER ROAD
- **CITY:** MALVERN
- **STATE:** PA
- **ZIP:** 19355
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 610-535-5000

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 5 OLD LANCASTER ROAD
- **CITY:** MALVERN
- **STATE:** PA
- **ZIP:** 19355

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** U-Store-It L P
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20041115

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** Acquiport Amsdell I L P
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20040812

?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?

**UNITED STATES**

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**

**WASHINGTON, DC 20549**

**FORM 8-K**

**CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO** 

**SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE**

**SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934**

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): **March 3, 2023**

**CUBESMART**

**CUBESMART, L.P.**

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Maryland (CubeSmart)<br> Delaware (CubeSmart, L.P.)** | **001-32324**<br>**000-54462** | **20-1024732<br> 34-1837021** |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |

---

**5 Old Lancaster Road**

 **Malvern, Pennsylvania**

**19355**

(Address of Principal

Executive Offices)

**(610) 535-5000**

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

**Not applicable**

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

**Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:**

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Title of Each Class** | **Trading Symbol(s)** | **Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered** |
| Common Shares, $0.01 par value per share, of CubeSmart | CUBE | New York Stock Exchange |

---

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (*see* General Instruction A.2. below):

◻ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

◻ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

◻ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

◻ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.12b-2).

Emerging Growth Company (CubeSmart) ◻

Emerging Growth Company (CubeSmart, L.P.) ◻

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

CubeSmart ◻

CubeSmart, L.P. ◻

**Explanatory Note**

The purpose of this Current Report on Form 8-K is to file an opinion of Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP relating to the legality of CubeSmart's (the "Company") common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, and an opinion of Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP relating to certain tax matters, each in connection with the Company's filing of a prospectus supplement dated March 3, 2023. A copy of each opinion of Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP is filed herewith as Exhibit 5.1 and Exhibit 8.1, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

**Item 9.01&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Financial Statements and Exhibits.**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit No.** | **Description** |
| [5.1](tm238324d5_ex5-1.htm) | [Opinion of Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP, dated as of March 3, 2023, as to legality](tm238324d5_ex5-1.htm) |
| [8.1](tm238324d5_ex8-1.htm) | [Opinion of Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP, dated as of March 3, 2023, as to certain tax matters](tm238324d5_ex8-1.htm) |
| [23.1](tm238324d5_ex5-1.htm) | [Consent of Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).](tm238324d5_ex5-1.htm) |
| [23.2](tm238324d5_ex8-1.htm) | [Consent of Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1).](tm238324d5_ex8-1.htm) |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File – the cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. |

---

**SIGNATURES**

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

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **CUBESMART** | **CUBESMART** |
|  | By: | /s/ Jeffrey P. Foster |
|  | Name: | Jeffrey P. Foster |
|  | Title: | Chief Legal Officer and Secretary |
| Date: March 3, 2023<br>|  |  |
|  | **CUBESMART, L.P.** | **CUBESMART, L.P.** |
|  | By CUBESMART, its general partner | By CUBESMART, its general partner |
|  | By: | /s/ Jeffrey P. Foster |
|  | Name: | Jeffrey P. Foster |
|  | Title: | Chief Legal Officer and Secretary |
| Date: March 3, 2023 |  |  |

---

## Exhibit 5.1

**Exhibit 5.1**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP<br>3000 Two Logan Square<br> Eighteenth and Arch Streets<br>Philadelphia, PA 19103-2799<br> troutman.com<br>| ![](tm238324d5_ex5-1img001.jpg) |

---

March 3, 2023

CubeSmart

CubeSmart, L.P.

5 Old Lancaster Road

Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355

Re: <u>Registration Statement on Form S-3</u>

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to CubeSmart, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the "<u>Company</u>"), and CubeSmart, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the "<u>Partnership</u>"), in connection with the preparation of a registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration Statement No. 333-270248) (the registration statement, including all information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430B of the general rules and regulations under the Securities Act (as defined below), the exhibits and schedules thereto and all documents incorporated by reference therein, is herein referred to as the "<u>Registration Statement</u>"), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "<u>Commission</u>") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "<u>Securities Act</u>"), including the base prospectus contained therein (the "<u>Base Prospectus</u>") and the preparation of the prospectus supplement, dated March 3, 2023 (the "<u>Prospectus Supplement</u>," and together with the Base Prospectus and all documents incorporated by reference therein, the "<u>Prospectus</u>") related to the offer and sale from time to time of up to 5,847,298 common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "<u>Common Shares</u>"), pursuant to separate Second Amended and Restated Equity Distribution Agreements, each dated as of March 4, 2020, entered into by the Company and Partnership with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, BofA Securities, Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., Jefferies LLC and Barclays Capital Inc. (such agreements, collectively, the "<u>Equity Distribution Agreements</u>").

In connection with our representation of the Company, and as a basis for the opinions hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "<u>Documents</u>"):

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. The Registration Statement, including the Prospectus;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. The Articles of Restatement of the Declaration of Trust of the Company, as amended and supplemented through the date hereof (the "<u>Declaration of Trust</u>"), certified as of a recent date by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland (the "<u>SDAT</u>");

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3. The Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended through the date hereof;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4. A certificate of the SDAT as to the good standing of the Company, dated as of a recent date;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5. Resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Company, or a duly authorized committee thereof, relating to the offer and sale of the Common Shares (the "<u>Resolutions</u>"), certified by an officer of the Company as being complete, accurate and in effect;

![](tm238324d5_ex5-1img001.jpg)

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6. The Equity Distribution Agreements; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7. Such other documents, records, instruments, and matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to express the opinion set forth below, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein.

In expressing the opinion set forth below, we have assumed the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. Each individual executing any of the Documents is legally competent to do so.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. Each individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a party (other than the Company and the Partnership) is duly authorized to do so.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3. All Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic. The form and content of all Documents submitted to us as unexecuted drafts do not differ in any respect relevant to this opinion from the form and content of such Documents as executed and delivered. All Documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents. All signatures on all Documents are genuine. All public records reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete. All statements and information contained in the Documents are true and complete. There has been no oral or written modification of or amendment to any of the Documents, and there has been no waiver of any provision of any of the Documents, by action or conduct of the parties or otherwise.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4. The Common Shares will not be issued or transferred in violation of any restriction on ownership and transfer set forth in Article VII of the Declaration of Trust or other organizational document of the Company.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5. A sufficient number of authorized but unissued Common Shares will be available for issuance when Common Shares are issued and sold under the Equity Distribution Agreements.

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, we are of the opinion that, as of the date hereof, the Common Shares have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company and, upon issuance, delivery and payment therefore in the manner contemplated by the Equity Distribution Agreements, the Common Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

The foregoing opinion is limited to the substantive laws of the State of Maryland and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law. We express no opinion as to compliance with any federal or state securities laws, including the securities laws of the State of Maryland, or as to federal or state laws regarding fraudulent transfers. We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.

No opinion is rendered as to matters not specifically referred to herein and under no circumstances are you to infer from anything stated or not stated herein any opinion with respect to which such reference is not made.

This opinion is being furnished to you for your submission to the Commission as an exhibit to a current report filed on Form 8-K (the "<u>8-K</u>"), to be filed by the Company with the Commission on or about the date hereof. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the 8-K and to the use of the name of our firm therein and under the section "Legal Matters" in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act.

---

| |
|:---|
| Very truly yours, |
| /s/ Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP |
| Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP |

---

## Exhibit 8.1

**Exhibit 8.1**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP<br>3000 Two Logan Square<br> Eighteenth and Arch Streets<br>Philadelphia, PA 19103-2799<br> troutman.com<br>| ![](tm238324d5_ex5-1img001.jpg) |

---

March 3, 2023

CubeSmart

CubeSmart, L.P.

5 Old Lancaster Road

Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to CubeSmart, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the "<u>Company</u>"), and CubeSmart, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the "<u>Partnership</u>"), in connection with the preparation of a Prospectus Supplement, dated March 3, 2023 (the "<u>Prospectus Supplement</u>"), to a Prospectus (the "<u>Prospectus</u>"), included as part of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-270248) filed by the Company and the Partnership under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "<u>1933 Act</u>"), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "<u>Commission</u>") on March 3, 2023 (as the same may be amended and supplemented, the "<u>Registration Statement</u>"), registering for sale certain securities. Any capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement.

The opinions expressed herein are based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "<u>Code</u>"), Treasury regulations thereunder (including proposed and temporary Treasury regulations) and interpretations of the foregoing as expressed in court decisions, legislative history and administrative determinations of the Internal Revenue Service (the "<u>IRS</u>") (including its practices and policies in issuing private letter rulings, which are not binding on the IRS, except with respect to a taxpayer that receives such a ruling), all as of the date hereof. This opinion represents our best legal judgment with respect to the probable outcome on the merits and is not binding on the IRS or the courts. There can be no assurance that positions contrary to our opinion will not be taken by the IRS, or that a court considering the issues would not reach a conclusion contrary to such opinions. No assurance can be given that future legislative, judicial or administrative changes, on either a prospective or retroactive basis, would not adversely affect the opinions expressed herein.

In rendering the opinions expressed herein, we have examined such statutes, regulations, records, certificates and other documents as we have considered necessary or appropriate as a basis for such opinions, including: (1) the Articles of Restatement of the Declaration of Trust of the Company dated May 27, 2015, as amended or supplemented through the date hereof and (2) the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership dated as of October 27, 2004, as amended or supplemented through the date hereof.

In rendering the opinions expressed herein, we have relied upon written representations as to factual matters of the Company and the Partnership contained in an Officer's Certificate Regarding Certain Tax Matters dated March 3, 2023 regarding their consolidated assets, operations and activities (the "<u>Officer's Certificate</u>"). We have not made an independent investigation or audit of the facts set forth in the Officer's Certificate or in any other document. We consequently have relied upon the accuracy of the representations as to factual matters in the Officer's Certificate. After inquiry, we are not aware of any facts or circumstances contrary to, or inconsistent with, the representations that we have relied upon or the other assumptions set forth herein. Our opinion is limited to the tax matters specifically covered herein, and we have not addressed, nor have we been asked to address, any other tax matters relevant to the Company, the Partnership or any other person.

We have assumed, with your consent, that, insofar as relevant to the opinions expressed herein:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) the Company has been and will be operated in the manner described in the Officer's Certificate, the Registration Statement and the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (including, in each case, the other documents incorporated therein by reference);

![](tm238324d5_ex5-1img001.jpg)

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) all of the obligations imposed by the documents that we reviewed have been and will continue to be performed or satisfied in accordance with their terms; and all of such documents have been properly executed, are valid originals or authentic copies of valid originals, and all signatures thereon are genuine;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) all representations made in the Officer's Certificate (and other factual information provided to us) are true, correct and complete and will continue to be true, correct and complete, and any representation or statement made in the Officer's Certificate "to the best of knowledge," "to the knowledge" or "to the actual knowledge" of any person(s) or party(ies) or similarly qualified is true, correct and complete as if made without such qualification; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) all documents that we have reviewed have been properly executed, are valid originals or authentic copies of valid originals, and all signatures thereon are genuine.

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, we are of the opinion that:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. Commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2004, the Company has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code, and the Company's current organization and current and proposed method of operation will enable it to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for its taxable year ending December 31, 2023 and thereafter.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. The discussion in the Registration Statement under the heading "Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations," to the extent it describes provisions of U.S. federal income tax law and regulations or legal conclusions with respect thereto, is correct in all material respects as of the date hereof.

We assume no obligation to advise you of any changes in our opinion subsequent to the date of this letter. We do not purport to express any opinion herein concerning any law other than the federal income tax law of the United States. The Company's qualification for taxation as a REIT depends upon the Company's ability to meet, on a continuing basis, through actual annual operating and other results, the requirements of the Code, including the requirements with regard to the sources of its gross income, the composition of its assets, the level of its distributions to shareholders and the diversity of its share ownership. We will not review the Company's compliance with these requirements on a continuing basis. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of the Company's operations, the sources of its income, the nature of its assets, the level of its distributions to shareholders and the diversity of its share ownership for any given taxable year will satisfy the requirements under the Code for qualification and taxation as a REIT.

This opinion letter has been prepared for your use in connection with the Prospectus Supplement, including submission to the Commission as an exhibit to a current report filed on Form 8-K (the "<u>8-K</u>"), to be filed by the Company with the Commission on or about the date hereof, and speaks as of the date hereof. We do not purport to express any opinion herein concerning any law other than the federal income tax law of the United States. We consent to the filing of this legal opinion as an exhibit to the 8-K and to the use of the name of our firm therein and under the section "Legal Matters" in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, and the Prospectus Supplement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the 1933 Act.

---

| |
|:---|
| Very truly yours, |
| /s/ Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP |
| Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP |

---