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UMH PROPERTIES INC

For the period ended Dec 31, 2023. Filed Feb 28, 2024.

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A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.

FY2023 · Filed Feb 28, 2024

UMH$14.74-1.2%Stored close · as of Nov 9, 2026

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Contents

Item 1. – Business

General Development of Business

UMH Properties, Inc. (“UMH”), together with its predecessors and consolidated subsidiaries, are referred to herein as “we”, “us”, “our”, or “the Company”, unless the context requires otherwise.

UMH is a Maryland corporation that operates as a self-administered and self-managed qualified real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under Sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). The Company elected REIT status effective January 1, 1992 and intends to maintain its qualification as a REIT in the future. As a qualified REIT, with limited exceptions, the Company will not be taxed under Federal and certain state income tax laws at the corporate level on taxable income that it distributes to its shareholders. For special tax provisions applicable to REITs, refer to Sections 856-860 of the Code.

UMH was incorporated in the state of New Jersey in 1968. On September 29, 2003, UMH changed its state of incorporation from New Jersey to Maryland by merging with and into a Maryland corporation. Our executive office is located in Freehold, NJ.

Description of Business

The Company’s primary business is the ownership and operation of manufactured home communities – leasing manufactured homesites to residents. The Company also leases manufactured homes to residents and, through its wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiary, UMH Sales and Finance, Inc. (“S&F”), sells and finances the sale of manufactured homes to residents and prospective residents of our communities and for placement on customers’ privately-owned land. In 2022, Company also formed an opportunity zone fund to acquire, develop and redevelop manufactured housing communities requiring substantial capital investment and located in areas designated as Qualified Opportunity Zones by the Treasury Department pursuant to a program authorized under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “TCJA”) to encourage long-term investment in economically distressed areas. The Company currently holds a 77% percentage interest in the opportunity zone fund. Our opportunity zone fund currently owns two communities, located in South Carolina and Georgia.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned and operated 135 manufactured home communities (including two communities acquired through the Company’s opportunity zone fund) containing approximately 25,800 developed homesites. These communities are located in New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Indiana, Michigan, Maryland, Alabama, South Carolina and Georgia. The Company also has an ownership interest in and operates two communities in Florida through a joint venture with Nuveen Real Estate (See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 5 “Investment in Joint Venture” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

We have expanded our portfolio of manufactured home communities through numerous acquisitions. During 2023, the Company purchased one community, located in Georgia, containing 118 developed homesites, through our opportunity zone fund. In addition, during 2023, the Company expanded our joint venture relationship with Nuveen Real Estate by forming a new joint venture vehicle with Nuveen to develop a new manufactured housing community in Pennsylvania.

A manufactured home community is designed to accommodate detached or semi-attached, single-family manufactured homes. These manufactured homes are produced off-site by manufacturers and installed on sites within the communities. These homes may be improved with the addition of features constructed on-site, including garages, screened rooms and carports. Manufactured homes are available in a variety of designs and floor plans, offering many amenities and custom options. Each manufactured homeowner leases the site on which the home is located from the Company. Generally, the Company owns the underlying land, utility connections, streets, lighting, driveways, common area amenities and other capital improvements and is responsible for enforcement of community guidelines and maintenance.

Manufactured homes are accepted by the public as a viable and economically attractive alternative to conventional site-built single-family housing. The affordability of the modern manufactured home makes it a very attractive housing alternative. Depending on the region of the country, prices per square foot for a new manufactured home average up to 50 percent less than a comparable site-built home, excluding the cost of land. This is due to a number of factors, including volume purchase discounts, inventory control of construction materials and control of all aspects of the construction process, which is generally a more efficient, environmentally friendly and streamlined process as compared to a site-built home.

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Modern residential land lease communities are similar to typical residential subdivisions containing central entrances, paved well-lit streets, curbs and gutters. Generally, modern manufactured home communities contain buildings for recreation, green areas, and other common area facilities, all of which are the property of the community owner. In addition to such general improvements, certain manufactured home communities include recreational improvements such as swimming pools, tennis courts and playgrounds. Municipal water and sewer services are available in some manufactured home communities, while other communities supply these services on-site.

Typically, our leases are on an annual or month-to-month basis, renewable upon the consent of both parties. The community manager interviews prospective residents, collects rent and finance payments, ensures compliance with community regulations, maintains common areas and community facilities and is responsible for the overall appearance of the community. The homeowner is responsible for the maintenance of the home and leased site. As a result, our capital expenditures tend to be less significant relative to multifamily rental apartments. Manufactured home communities produce predictable income streams and provide protection from inflation due to the ability to annually increase rents.

Many of our communities compete with other manufactured home community properties located in the same or nearby markets that are owned and operated by other companies in our business. We generally monitor the rental rates and other terms being offered by our competitors and consider this information as a factor in determining our own rental rates. In addition to competing with other manufactured home community properties, our communities also compete with alternative forms of housing (such as apartments and single-family homes).

In connection with the operation of its communities, UMH also leases homes to prospective tenants. As of December 31, 2023, UMH owned approximately 10,000 rental homes, representing approximately 39% of its developed homesites. The Company engages in the rental of manufactured homes primarily in areas where the communities have existing vacancies. The rental homes produce income from both the home and the site which might otherwise be non-income producing.

Inherent in the operation of a manufactured home community is the development, redevelopment, and expansion of our communities. In addition to leasing manufactured homes to residents, the Company sells and finances, through a third-party lending program, the sale of manufactured homes in our communities through its 100% owned, fully consolidated subsidiary S&F. S&F was established to potentially enhance the value of our communities by filling sites that would otherwise be vacant. The home sales business is operated as it is with traditional homebuilders, with sales centers, model homes, an inventory of completed homes and the ability to supply custom designed homes based upon the requirements of the new homeowners. In addition, our sales centers can earn a profit by selling homes to customers for placement on their own private land.

Investment and Other Policies

The Company may invest in improved and unimproved real property and may develop unimproved real property. Such properties may be located throughout the U.S. but the Company has generally concentrated on the Northeast, Midwest and Southeast. Since 2010, we have quadrupled the number of developed homesites by purchasing 107 communities containing approximately 18,800 homesites. We are focused on acquiring communities with significant upside potential and leveraging our expertise to build long-term capital appreciation.

Our growth strategy involves purchasing well-located communities in our target markets. As part of our growth strategy, we intend to evaluate potential opportunities to expand into additional geographic markets, including other markets in the southeastern United States.

The Company also evaluates our properties for expansion opportunities. Development of the additional acreage available for expansion allows us to leverage existing communities and amenities. We believe our ability to complete expansions translates to greater value creation and cash flow through operating efficiencies. The Company has approximately 2,100 acres of additional land potentially available for future development. See PART I, Item 2 – Properties, for a list of our additional acreage.

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The Company seeks to finance acquisitions with the most appropriate available source of capital, including purchase money mortgages or other financing, which may be first liens, wraparound mortgages or subordinated indebtedness, sales of investments, and issuance of additional equity securities. In connection with its ongoing activities, the Company may issue notes, mortgages or other senior securities. The Company intends to use both secured and unsecured lines of credit. The Company’s joint venture relationship with Nuveen Real Estate also provides a source of financing for acquisitions of newly developed communities and development of new communities.

The Company may repurchase or reacquire its shares from time to time if, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, such an acquisition is advantageous to the Company. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its Common Stock.

In addition to its manufactured home communities, the Company also owns a portfolio of investment securities, consisting of marketable equity securities issued by other REITs, which represented 1.9% of undepreciated assets (which is the Company’s total assets excluding accumulated depreciation) at year end. We do not intend to increase our investments in our REIT securities portfolio. These liquid real estate holdings provide additional diversification, liquidity and income. The Company, from time to time, may purchase these securities on margin when the interest and dividend yields exceed the cost of funds.

Regulations, Insurance and Property Maintenance and Improvement

Manufactured home communities are subject to various laws, ordinances and regulations, including regulations relating to recreational facilities such as swimming pools, clubhouses and other common areas, and regulations relating to operating water and wastewater treatment facilities at several of our communities. We believe that each community has all necessary operating permits and approvals.

Our properties are insured against risks that may cause property damage and business interruption including events such as fire, business interruption, general liability and if applicable, flood. Our insurance policies contain deductible requirements, coverage limits and particular exclusions. It is the policy of the Company to maintain adequate insurance coverage on all of our properties and, in the opinion of management, all of our properties are adequately insured. We also obtain title insurance insuring fee title to the properties in an aggregate amount which we believe to be adequate.

State and local rent control laws in certain jurisdictions may dictate the structure of rent increases and limit our ability to recover increases in operating expenses and the costs of capital improvements. In 2019, the State of New York enacted the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019, which, among other things, set maximum collectible rent increases. Rent control also affects three of our manufactured home communities in New Jersey. Enactment of such laws has been considered at various times in other jurisdictions. We presently expect to continue to maintain properties, and may purchase additional properties, in markets that are either subject to rent control or in which rent-related legislation exists or may be enacted.

It is the policy of the Company to properly maintain, modernize, expand and make improvements to its properties when required. The Company anticipates that renovation expenditures with respect to its present properties during 2024 will be approximately $20 - $30 million.

Human Capital

The attraction, motivation and retention of our employees are critical factors in furthering the growth and financial success of the Company. We recognize that our ability to achieve the high standards we set for ourselves can best be accomplished by having a diverse team. We are committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion and our benefits programs are designed to achieve employee satisfaction and advancement. As of February 16, 2024, the Company had approximately 480 employees, including officers. Approximately half of our management team and 45% of our total employee population are female. Over 41% of our employees are 40 years of age or older and 24% are over 60 years of age. During each year, the Company hires additional part-time and seasonal employees as groundskeepers and lifeguards and to conduct emergency repairs.

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Our employees are fairly compensated as compared to employees of our competitors and are routinely recognized for outstanding performance. They are offered regular opportunities to participate in professional development programs which focus on building their skills and capabilities. We conduct regional training sessions and are committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace that is free from violence, intimidation and other unsafe or disruptive practices. We hold an annual employee meeting that includes safety training, as required under the federal Occupational, Safety and Health Act, as well as anti-harassment training. The Company also offers a robust wellness program to its employees that incorporates health benefits, including incentives for enrolling in exercise classes and for gym memberships. This encourages our employees to improve their mental and physical well-being.

Information about our Executive Officers

The following table sets forth information with respect to the executive officers of the Company as of December 31, 2023:

NameAgePosition
Eugene W. Landy90Chairman of the Board of Directors and Founder
Samuel A. Landy63President and Chief Executive Officer
Anna T. Chew65Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Craig Koster48Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Brett Taft34Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Considerations

The Company’s mission is to address the fundamental need of providing affordable housing and in doing so, create sustainable and environmentally friendly communities that have a positive societal impact. We recognize our obligation, as well as that of our industry, to reduce our impact on the environment and to conserve natural resources. We continually invest in energy-efficient technology where practicable, including water and energy conservation initiatives, and are committed to incorporating environmental and social considerations into our business practices to create value and enhance the communities where our residents live. We also recognize the importance of good corporate governance in ensuring the Company’s continued success and maintaining the confidence of our shareholders and financing sources. Our policies and practices are endorsed and supported by the Company’s executive management, including its Vice President of ESG, and are regularly reviewed by the Board of Directors and the Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (“ESG”) Subcommittee of the Nominating and Corporate Responsibility Committee.

Investments in the Company’s common stock and preferred stock may be considered qualified ESG investments. Sustainalytics, which is a leading independent ESG and corporate governance research ratings and analytics firm, reviewed our Sustainable Finance Framework and agreed that we not only provide a social good in the form of providing affordable housing, but also an environmental good for our conservation initiatives. The framework is also in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals 6, 7 and 11.

The following is a summary of the principal risk factors associated with an investment in us. These are not the only risks we face. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with the risk factors set forth in Item 1A. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports and documents filed by us with the SEC.

Real Estate Industry Risks:

●General economic conditions and the concentration of our properties in certain states may affect our ability to generate sufficient revenue to maintain our profitability.
●We may be unable to compete with our larger competitors for acquisitions, which may increase prices for communities.
●We may not be able to integrate or finance our acquisitions and our acquisitions may not perform as expected.
●We may be unable to finance or accurately estimate or anticipate costs and timing associated with expansion activities.
●We may be unable to sell properties when appropriate because real estate investments are illiquid.
●Our ability to sell manufactured homes may be affected by various factors, which may in turn adversely affect our profitability.
●Licensing laws and compliance could affect our profitability.
●The termination of our third-party lending program could adversely affect us.
●Costs associated with taxes and regulatory compliance may reduce our revenue.
●Rent control legislation may harm our ability to increase rents.
●Environmental liabilities could affect our profitability.

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●Some of our properties are subject to potential natural or other disasters.
●Climate change may adversely affect our business.
●Actions by our competitors may decrease or prevent increases in the occupancy and rental rates of our properties which could adversely affect our business.
●Losses in excess of our insurance coverage or uninsured losses could adversely affect our cash flow.
●Our investments are concentrated in the manufactured housing/residential sector and our business would be adversely affected by an economic downturn in that sector.
●Our joint venture relationship with Nuveen Real Estate may subject us to risks, including limitations on our decision-making authority and the risk of disputes, which could adversely affect us.

Financing Risks:

●We face risks generally associated with our debt.
●We mortgage our properties, which subjects us to the risk of foreclosure in the event of non-payment.
●We face risks associated with our dependence on external sources of capital.
●We may become more highly leveraged, resulting in increased risk of default on our obligations and an increase in debt service requirements which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and our ability to pay distributions.
●We are subject to risks associated with the current interest rate environment, and changes in interest rates may affect our cost of capital and, consequently, our financial results.
●Covenants in our credit agreements and other debt instruments could limit our flexibility and adversely affect our financial condition.
●A change in the U.S. government policy with regard to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could impact our financial condition.
●We face risks associated with the financing of home sales to customers in our manufactured home communities.

Risks Related to our Status as a REIT:

●If our leases are not respected as true leases for federal income tax purposes, we would fail to qualify as a REIT.
●Failure to make required distributions would subject us to additional tax.
●We may not have sufficient cash available from operations to pay distributions to our shareholders, and, therefore, distributions may be made from borrowings.
●We may be required to pay a penalty tax upon the sale of property that is determined to be held for sale to customers.
●We may be adversely affected if we fail to qualify as a REIT.
●To qualify as a REIT, we must comply with certain highly technical and complex requirements.
●There is a risk of changes in the tax law applicable to REITs.
●We may be unable to comply with the strict income distribution requirements applicable to REITs.
●Our taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”) is subject to special rules that may result in increased taxes.
●Notwithstanding our status as a REIT, we are subject to various federal, state and local taxes on our income and property.

General Risk Factors

●Global and regional economic conditions could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and growth.
●We may not be able to obtain adequate cash to fund our business.
●We are dependent on key personnel.
●If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report financial results, which could result in a loss of investor confidence and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
●Some of our directors and officers may have conflicts of interest with respect to certain related party transactions and other business interests.
●We may amend our business policies without shareholder approval.

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●Third-party expectations relating to environmental, social and governance factors may impose additional costs and expose us to new risks.
●The market value of our Series D Preferred Stock and Common Stock could decrease based on our performance and market perception and conditions.
●The market price and trading volume of our Series D Preferred Stock and Common Stock may fluctuate significantly.
●Future issuance or sale of additional shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock or other securities could adversely affect the trading prices of our outstanding Series D Preferred Stock and Common Stock.
●Future issuances of our debt securities, which would be senior to our Series D Preferred Stock upon liquidation, or preferred equity securities which may be senior to our Series D Preferred Stock for purposes of dividend distributions or upon liquidation, may adversely affect the per-share trading prices of our Series D Preferred Stock.
●There are restrictions on the transfer of our capital stock.
●The dual listing of our Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (“TASE”) may result in price variations that could adversely affect liquidity of the market for our Common Stock.
●The existing mechanism for the dual listing of securities on the NYSE and the TASE may be eliminated or modified in a manner that may subject us to additional regulatory burden and additional costs.
●We are subject to restrictions that may impede our ability to effect a change in control.
●We cannot assure you that we will be able to pay distributions regularly.
●Dividends on our capital stock do not qualify for the reduced federal tax rates available for some dividends (i.e., they are not qualified dividends).
●We are subject to risks arising from litigation.
●Future terrorist attacks and military conflicts could have a material adverse effect on general economic conditions, consumer confidence and market liquidity.
●Disruptions in the financial markets could affect our ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms and have other adverse effects on us and the market price of our capital stock.
●We face risks relating to cybersecurity attacks which could adversely affect our business, cause loss of confidential information and disrupt operations.
●We are dependent on continuous access to the Internet to use our cloud-based applications.
●We face risks relating to expanding use of social media mediums.
●Our opportunity zone fund may fail to qualify for the tax benefits available for investments in qualified opportunity zones under the detailed rules adopted by the Internal Revenue Service.
●We face various risks and uncertainties related to public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or other highly infectious or contagious diseases.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements provide our current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements include statements about the Company’s expectations, beliefs, intentions, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, performance and underlying assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by their use of forward-looking words, such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “should,” “seek” or comparable terms, or the negative use of those words, but the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

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The forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account all information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements are not predictions of future events. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us. Some of these factors are described below and under the headings “Business”, “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”. These and other risks, uncertainties and factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those included in any forward-looking statements we make. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. New risks and uncertainties arise over time, and it is not possible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to, and do not intend to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, among others:

●changes in the real estate market conditions and general economic conditions;
●the inherent risks associated with owning real estate, including local real estate market conditions, governing laws and regulations affecting manufactured housing communities and illiquidity of real estate investments;
●increased competition in the geographic areas in which we own and operate manufactured housing communities;
●our ability to continue to identify, negotiate and acquire manufactured housing communities and/or vacant land which may be developed into manufactured housing communities on terms favorable to us;
●our ability to maintain or increase rental rates and occupancy levels;
●changes in market rates of interest;
●inflation and increases in costs, including personnel, insurance and the cost of purchasing manufactured homes;
●our ability to purchase manufactured homes for rental or sale;
●our ability to repay debt financing obligations;
●our ability to refinance amounts outstanding under our credit facilities at maturity on terms favorable to us;
●our ability to comply with certain debt covenants;
●our ability to integrate acquired properties and operations into existing operations;
●the availability of other debt and equity financing alternatives;
●continued ability to access the debt or equity markets;
●the loss of any member of our management team;
●our ability to maintain internal controls and processes to ensure all transactions are accounted for properly, all relevant disclosures and filings are made in a timely manner in accordance with all rules and regulations, and any potential fraud or embezzlement is thwarted or detected;
●the ability of manufactured home buyers to obtain financing;
●the level of repossessions by manufactured home lenders;
●market conditions affecting our investment securities;
●changes in federal or state tax rules or regulations that could have adverse tax consequences;
●our ability to qualify as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes;
●risks and uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic or other highly infectious or contagious diseases; and,
●those risks and uncertainties referenced under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this Form 10-K and the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as events described or implied in such statements may not occur. The forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K speak only as of the date hereof and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Available Information

Additional information about the Company can be found on the Company’s website which is located atwww.umh.reit. Information contained on or hyperlinked from our website is not incorporated by reference into and should not be considered part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or our other filings with the SEC. The Company makes available, free of charge, on or through its website, annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

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