Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On May 18, 2021, Independence Realty Operating Partnership, LP (“IROP”), the limited partnership through which Independence Realty Trust, Inc. (“IRT”) owns its assets and conducts its operations, entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”‘) dated as of May 18, 2021 by and among IROP and the subsidiary borrowers named therein, collectively, as borrower, and the banks set forth in the Credit Agreement. IRT has unconditionally guaranteed all obligations of IROP and the other borrowers under the Credit Agreement.
The Credit Agreement amended and restated in its entirety an existing credit agreement dated as of May 9, 2019 (the “Prior Credit Agreement”) by and among IROP, as borrower, the subsidiary borrowers named therein, and the banks set forth in the Prior Credit Agreement. IRT had unconditionally guaranteed all obligations of IROP and the other borrowers under the Prior Credit Agreement.
The Credit Agreement provides a $550 million senior unsecured facility (the “Facility”) consisting of a $350 million revolving line of credit (the “Revolving Credit Loan”) and a new $200 million term loan (the “Term Loan”). Substantially all the proceeds of the Term Loan were applied at closing to repay the outstanding balance under the revolving credit facility established under the Prior Credit Agreement and the balance of the proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes. Up to 10% of the Revolving Credit Loan is available for swingline loans, and up to 10% of the Revolving Credit Loan is available for the issuance of letters of credit (together with the Revolving Credit Loan, collectively, the “Facility”). Additionally, IROP has the right to request an increase in the aggregate amount of the Facility to up to $600 million, subject to certain terms and conditions, including obtaining commitments from any one or more lenders, whether or not currently party to the Credit Agreement, to provide such increased amounts, which such increase may be allocated to the Revolving Credit Loan or the Term Loan, at IROP’s option and in accordance with the Credit Agreement. The maturity date on the borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Loan is May 9, 2023; provided, that IROP has the option to extend borrowings under the Revolving Credit Loan for two additional six-month periods subject to certain terms and conditions, including payment of an extension fee. The maturity date of the Term Loan is May 18, 2026. IROP may prepay the Facility, in whole or in part, at any time without fee or penalty, except for breakage costs associated with LIBOR borrowings. The Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, financial covenants, negative and affirmative covenants and events of default.
Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Loan will bear interest at a rate equal to either (i) the LIBOR rate plus a margin of 125 to 200 basis points, or (ii) a base rate plus a margin of 25 to 100 basis points and borrowings under the Term Loan will bear interest at a rate equal to either (i) the LIBOR rate plus a margin of 120 to 190 basis points, or (ii) a base rate plus a margin of 20 to 90 basis points. The applicable margin will be determined based upon IROP’s leverage ratio. The Facility requires monthly payments of interest only, but requires mandatory prepayments under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Credit Agreement. At the time of closing, based on IROP’s leverage ratio, the margin spread to LIBOR was 135 basis points for the Revolving Credit Loan and 125 basis points for the Term Loan.
Certain of the banks and financial institutions that are parties to the Credit Agreement and their respective affiliates have in the past provided, are currently providing, and in the future may continue to provide investment banking, commercial banking and other financial services to IRT and IROP and their affiliates in the ordinary course of business for which they have received and will receive customary compensation.
The foregoing description of the Credit Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby is not complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Credit Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.