SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc.
For the period ended Mar 31, 2026. Filed May 8, 2026.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Mar 31, 2026 · Filed May 8, 2026
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
Note 1. Organization
SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), is a self-managed and fully-integrated self storage real estate investment trust (“REIT”), formed on January 8, 2013 under the Maryland General Corporation Law. Our year-end is December 31. As used in this report, “we,” “us,” “our,” and “Company” refer to SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. and each of our subsidiaries. Our Common Stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the ticker symbol “SMA” on April 2, 2025.
We acquire, own and operate self storage facilities. In addition, through our subsidiaries, we serve as the sponsor of various real estate programs.
As of March 31, 2026, our wholly-owned portfolio consisted of 177 operating self storage properties diversified across 19 states (Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin), the District of Columbia, and Canada, comprising approximately 122,000 units and 13.9 million net rentable square feet.
Additionally, as of March 31, 2026, we owned a 50% equity interest in 14 unconsolidated real estate ventures located in Canada, which consisted of 10 operating self storage properties andfour properties which were being developed into self storage properties.
Through our Managed Platform (as defined below), we serve as the sponsor of Strategic Storage Trust VI, Inc., a publicly-registered non-traded REIT (“SST VI”), Strategic Storage Growth Trust III, Inc., a private REIT (“SSGT III”), and Strategic Storage Trust X, a private net asset value REIT, (“SST X” and together with SST VI and SSGT III, the “Managed REITs”). We manage the properties owned by the Managed REITs and the properties owned by the Delaware statutory trusts (“DSTs”) sponsored by one of the Managed REITs. As of March 31, 2026, we managed 53 of such operating self storage properties, consisting of approximately 42,000 units and 4.6 million rentable square feet.
On October 1, 2025, we acquired Argus Professional Storage Management, LLC (“Argus”), a third-party manager of self storage properties (the “Third Party Platform Acquisition”). See Note 4 – Third Party Platform Acquisition for additional information. As of March 31, 2026, we managed more than 225 of such operating self storage properties, consisting of more than approximately 102,000 units and 16.3 million rentable square feet (the “Third Party Platform”).
The Third Party Platform, the Managed REITs, and the other properties operated but not owned by us, as mentioned above, are referred to as the “Managed Platform.” In total, as of March 31, 2026, we managed more than 275 operating self storage properties, which we did not own, consisting of more than approximately 144,000 units and 20.9 million rentable square feet through our Managed Platform.
SmartStop OP, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”) owns, directly or indirectly through one or more subsidiaries, all of the self storage properties that we own. As of March 31, 2026, we owned approximately 93.5% of the common units of limited partnership interests of our Operating Partnership. The remaining approximately 6.5% of the common units are owned by current and former employees/executives, current and former board members, the previous owners of Argus, or indirectly by Strategic Asset Management I, LLC, our former sponsor (“SAM”), its affiliates, and select other unaffiliated third parties. As the sole general partner of our Operating Partnership, we have the exclusive power to manage and conduct the business of our Operating Partnership.
On March 20, 2025, we effected a one-for-four reverse common stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of each issued and outstanding share of Class A common stock (“Class A Common Stock”), $0.001 par value per share, and Class T Common Stock (“Class T Common Stock”), $0.001 par value per share. Concurrently with the Reverse Stock Split, we also effected a corresponding one-for-four reverse unit split (together with the Reverse Stock Split, the “Reverse Equity Splits”) of units of our Operating Partnership. As a result of the Reverse Equity Splits, every four shares of our common stock and every four Operating Partnership units that were issued and outstanding as of the date of the Reverse Equity Splits were automatically changed into one issued and outstanding share of common stock or one issued and outstanding Operating Partnership unit, as applicable, rounded to the nearest 1/1000th share or Operating Partnership unit. The Reverse Equity Splits impacted all classes of common stock and common operating partnership units proportionately and resulted in no impact on any stockholder’s or limited partner’s percentage ownership of all issued and outstanding common stock or common Operating Partnership units. In connection with the Reverse Equity Splits, the number of shares of common stock and Operating Partnership units underlying the outstanding share-based awards were also proportionally reduced.
Immediately after the Reverse Stock Split, we reclassified and designated 225,000,000 authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock and 340,000,000 authorized but unissued shares of Class T Common Stock as authorized but unissued shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Reclassification”), without any designation as to class or series. As a result, the Company had 565,000,000 shares of unclassified common stock, $0.001 par value per share, authorized but unissued.
On June 12, 2025, we filed Articles of Amendment to our charter to decrease our total number of authorized shares of stock from 900,000,000 to 225,000,000. As a result of such decrease, our authorized shares of stock consist of: (i)175,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of which 31,250,000 shares were designated as Class A Common Stock,2,500,000 shares were designated as Class T Common Stock, and 141,250,000 were common stock without designation as to class or series; and (ii)50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share.
On April 1, 2025 we executed our underwriting agreement, and on April 3, 2025, we closed our registered underwritten public offering (the “Underwritten Public Offering”) of 27,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), at an initial price of $30.00 per share, pursuant to a registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Form S-11 (File No. 333-264449) (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The underwriters also exercised an overallotment option to purchase 4,050,000 additional shares of Common Stock on April 3, 2025. Certain of our directors, officers, and employees, and friends and family members of certain of our directors, officers, and employees were able to and did purchase shares through us or our underwriters at the public offering price of $30.00 per share. Under this program, officers and directors purchased 31,500 shares. All of these shares purchased in the Underwritten Public Offering are listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “SMA.” The gross and net proceeds received on April 3, 2025 were approximately $931.5 million and $875.6 million, respectively.
On October 1, 2025, the six-month anniversary of the listing of our Common Stock issued in our Underwritten Public Offering for trading on the NYSE, each share of Class A Common Stock and Class T Common Stock automatically converted into one share of our unclassified listed Common Stock. In preparation for this conversion, on July 30, 2025, we completed a fractional share redemption related to our Class A Common Stock and Class T Common Stock of approximately $0.3 million, such that a total of approximately 8,000 shares were redeemed at a purchase price of $35.63 per share, which was the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock as of the end of that day. Each stockholder that held any fractional shares received a cash payment for such shares, and as a result, thereafter no stockholder of the Company owned any fractional shares.
On May 1, 2025, we terminated our distribution reinvestment plan. As of such date, we had sold approximately 2.7 million shares of Class A Common Stock and approximately 0.3 million shares of Class T Common Stock through our distribution reinvestment plan.
On March 19, 2026, we entered into a distribution agreement (the “ATM Agreement”) with each of J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC, BMO Capital Markets Corp., Evercore Group L.L.C., Huntington Securities, Inc., KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., M&T Securities, Inc., Raymond James & Associates, Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., Truist Securities, Inc., and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as sales agents (in such capacity, “Sales Agents”), the Forward Sellers (as defined below and together with the Sales Agents, the “Agents”) and the Forward Purchasers (as defined below). Pursuant to the ATM Agreement, we may issue and sell, from time to time, shares of our Common Stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $300 million (the “Shares”). The Agents will act as our Sales Agents, or through the Forward Sellers as sales agents to the relevant Forward Purchasers, in connection with any offerings of Shares pursuant to the ATM Agreement. We may sell Shares to an Agent as principal for its own account, at a price and discount to be agreed upon at the time of sale pursuant to a separate terms agreement. In addition, we have entered into forward sale agreements under separate master forward confirmations (each, a “Forward Sale Agreement”, and collectively, the “Forward Sale Agreements”), between us and each of JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Bank of Montreal, Huntington Securities, Inc., KeyBanc Capital Markets, Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Royal Bank of Canada, The Bank of Nova Scotia, Truist Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, or their respective affiliates (each a “Forward Purchaser,” and collectively, the “Forward Purchasers”).
The sales, if any, of the Shares under the ATM Agreement, made to or through the Agents, as our Sales Agents or as Forward Sellers on behalf of the Forward Purchasers, will be made in negotiated transactions, including block trades, or transactions that are deemed to be “at the market” offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, including sales made directly on the New York Stock Exchange, sales made to or through a market maker and sales made through other securities exchanges or electronic communications networks.
In the ATM Agreement, we made certain customary representations, warranties and covenants concerning us, the Operating Partnership and the Shelf Registration Statement (as defined below) and also agreed to indemnify the Agents and the Forward Purchasers against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
The Shares sold in the offering will be issued pursuant to our automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-292583) filed with the SEC on January 5, 2026 (the “Shelf Registration Statement”). On March 19, 2026, we filed with the SEC a prospectus supplement to the prospectus included in the Shelf Registration Statement relating to the offering contemplated by the ATM Agreement. As of May 8, 2026, we havenot sold any Shares under the ATM Agreement.
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) as contained within the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and the rules and regulations of the SEC.
The square footage, unit count, and occupancy percentage data and related disclosures included in these notes to the consolidated financial statements are outside the scope of our independent registered accounting firm’s review.
Reverse Equity Splits
As applicable and unless otherwise indicated, the consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes for all periods presented give effect to the retrospective effect to the Reverse Equity Splits as described above in Note 1 – Organization.
Underwritten Public Offering Costs
Prior to the consummation of the Underwritten Public Offering, deferred costs pertaining to our Underwritten Public Offering were recorded in other assets, net in our consolidated balance sheets. Such costs were offset against the Underwritten Public Offering proceeds and were all reclassified to additional paid-in capital in our consolidated balance sheets in connection with the consummation of the Underwritten Public Offering. We incurred other transaction costs related to our Underwritten Public Offering activities that were not directly attributable to our equity raise, and therefore were not capitalized; such costs were included within the general and administrative expenses line item in our consolidated statements of operations.
Principles of Consolidation
Our financial statements, and the financial statements of our Operating Partnership, including its wholly-owned subsidiaries, are consolidated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The portion of these entities not wholly-owned by us is presented as noncontrolling interests. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Consolidation Considerations
Current accounting guidance provides a framework for identifying a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and determining when a company should include the assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests, and results of activities of a VIE in its consolidated financial statements. In general, a VIE is an entity or other legal structure used to conduct activities or hold assets that either (1) has an insufficient amount of equity to carry out its principal activities without additional subordinated financial support, (2) has a group of equity owners that are unable to make significant decisions about its activities, or (3) has a group of equity owners that do not have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns generated by its operations. Generally, a VIE should be consolidated if a party with an ownership, contractual, or other financial interest in the VIE (a variable interest holder) has the power to direct the VIE’s most significant activities and the obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits of the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. A variable interest holder that consolidates the VIE is called the primary beneficiary. Upon consolidation, the primary beneficiary generally must initially record all of the VIE’s assets, liabilities, and noncontrolling interest at fair value and subsequently account for the VIE as if it were consolidated based on majority voting interest.
Our Operating Partnership is deemed to be a VIE and is consolidated by us as we are currently the primary beneficiary. Our sole significant asset is our investment in our Operating Partnership; as a result, substantially all of our assets and liabilities represent those assets and liabilities of our Operating Partnership and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we were not a party to any other material contracts or interests that would be deemed variable interests in VIEs other than our joint ventures with SmartCentres, our Nantucket Joint Venture (as defined below), and our common and in substance common equity investments in the Managed REITs, which are all accounted for under the equity method of accounting as we are not the primary beneficiary thereof and do not consolidate (see Note 6 – Investments in Unconsolidated Real Estate Ventures and Note 12 – Related Party Transactions for additional information). Our joint venture programs through which we offer our tenant insurance, tenant protection plans or similar programs (the “Tenant Protection Programs”) with SST VI, SSGT III and SST X are consolidated.
Under the equity method, our investments are stated at cost and adjusted for our share of net earnings or losses and reduced by distributions and impairments, as applicable. Equity in earnings will generally be recognized based on our ownership interest in the earnings of each of the unconsolidated investments and recorded in our consolidated statements of operations.
Interest and Investment Income
We record the interest and related financing fees on our debt investments as well as the income on our preferred investments on the accrual basis and such income is included in Interest and investment income in our consolidated statements of operations. While we do make loans periodically, we do not consider that to be part of our primary operating activity, and therefore do not report income from loans as operating income. During the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, we recorded approximately$0.7 million andnone, respectively, of income related to our preferred investments and approximately$1.3 million and$0.7 million, respectively, of interest income related to our debt investments.
Investments in and Advances to Managed REITs
As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we owned equity and debt investments in the Managed REITs; such amounts are included in investments in and advances to Managed REITs in our consolidated balance sheets. We account for the common and in substance common equity investments using the equity method of accounting as we have the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the Managed REITs’ operating and financial policies through our advisory and property management agreements with the respective Managed REITs.
See Note 12 – Related Party Transactions for additional information.
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Entities
We have accounted for the noncontrolling interests in our Operating Partnership, our Tenant Protection Programs joint ventures with SST VI, SSGT III, and SST X and, until June 18, 2025 (i.e. the redemption date of such noncontrolling interests in the SST VI advisor), the noncontrolling interests in the SST VI advisor, in accordance with the related accounting guidance.
Due to our control through our general partnership interest in our Operating Partnership and the limited rights of the limited partners, our Operating Partnership, including its wholly-owned subsidiaries, are consolidated with the Company and the limited partner interests are reflected as noncontrolling interests in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. We also consolidate our interests in the SST VI, SSGT III, and SST X Tenant Protection Programs and present the minority interests as noncontrolling interestsin the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The noncontrolling interests shall be attributed their share of income and losses.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The current economic environment has increased the degree of uncertainty inherent in these estimates and assumptions. Management will adjust such estimates when facts and circumstances dictate. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. The most significant estimates made include that of acquisition valuation and the allocation of purchase price to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at relative fair value, and the evaluation of potential impairment of indefinite and long-lived assets and goodwill.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider all short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to cash with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.
We may maintain cash and cash equivalents in financial institutions in excess of insured limits. In an effort to mitigate this risk, we generally invest in or through major financial institutions.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash consists primarily of impound reserve accounts for property taxes, insurance and capital improvements in connection with the requirements of certain of our loan agreements.
Purchase Price Allocation and Treatment of Acquisition Costs
We account for asset acquisitions in accordance with GAAP which requires that we allocate the purchase price of a property to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on their relative fair values as of the date of acquisition. This guidance requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions, including fair value estimates, which requires the use of significant unobservable inputs as of the acquisition date. We engage independent third-party valuation specialists to assist in the determination of significant estimates and market-based assumptions used in the valuation models.
The value of the tangible assets, consisting of land and buildings, is determined as if vacant. Substantially all of the leases in place at acquired properties are at market rates, as the majority of the leases are month-to-month contracts. We also consider whether in-place, market leases represent an intangible asset. During the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, we recorded approximately none and $3.3 million, respectively, in intang ible assets to recognize the value of in-place leases related to our acquisitions. We do not expect, nor to date have we recorded, intangible assets for the value of customer relationships because we expect we will not have concentrations of significant customers and the average customer turnover will be fairly frequent.
Allocation of purchase price to acquisitions of portfolios of facilities are allocated to the individual facilities based upon an income approach or a cash flow analysis using appropriate risk adjusted capitalization rates which take into account the relative size, age, and location of the individual facility along with current and projected occupancy and rental rate levels or appraised values, if available.
Acquisitions that do not meet the definition of a business, as defined under current GAAP, are accounted for as asset acquisitions. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, we hadno property acquisitions. During thethree months ended March 31, 2025, our property acquisitions did not meet the definition of a business. To date, our property acquisitions have generally not met the definition of a business because substantially all of the fair value was concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets (i.e. land, buildings, and related intangible assets) and because the acquisitions did not include a substantive process in the form of an acquired workforce or an acquired contract that cannot be replaced without significant cost, effort or delay. As a result, once an acquisition is deemed probable, acquisition costs are capitalized rather than expensed.
During the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, we expensed approximately $0.1 million and$0.2 million, respectively, of acquisition costs that did not meet our capitalization policy during the respective periods.
Intangible Assets Valuation
In connection with the acquisition of the Third Party Platform, we allocated a portion of the consideration to an intangible asset related to the property management contracts and the related customer relationships. We are amortizing such intangible asset on a straight-line basis over the estimated benefit period of the property management contracts and related customer relationships. We evaluate such intangible asset for impairment when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. In such an event, an impairment charge would be recognized and the intangible asset would be marked down to its fair value.
Evaluation of Possible Impairment of Real Property Assets
Management monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amounts of our real property assets may not be recoverable. When indicators of potential impairment are present that indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable, we will assess the recoverability of the assets by determining whether the carrying value of the real property assets will be recovered through the undiscounted future operating cash flows expected from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. In the event that such expected undiscounted future cash flows do not exceed the carrying value, we will adjust the value of the real property assets to the fair value and recognize an impairment loss. For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, no real property asset impairment losses were recognized.
Casualty Insurance Recoveries
In the event of a wind storm, flood, fire or other such event causing property damage, we estimate the carrying value of the damaged property and record a corresponding casualty loss. If we determine that an insurance recovery is probable, we record such estimated recovery as a receivable up to the amount of the casualty loss. Any amount of insurance recovery for such loss in excess of the amount of the casualty loss recorded is considered a gain contingency and is recognized when the claim is fully settled.
One of our wholly-owned properties suffered fire damage in March 2024. In March 2026, the related insurance claim was fully settledand we recorded a gain of approximately$1.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2026, which was recorded in the line item gain on disposition of real estate in our consolidated statements of operations, related tothe amount of insurance recovery originally recorded in the year ended December 31, 2024.
Goodwill Valuation
We initially recorded goodwill as a result of the Self Administration Transaction (as defined in Note 12 – Related Party Transactions), which occurred in 2019. Additionally, we recorded goodwill in connection with our Third Party Platform Acquisition (see Note 4 – Third Party Platform Acquisition for additional information). Goodwill is recorded as the difference, if any, between the aggregate consideration paid for an acquisition and the fair value of the net tangible assets and other intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is allocated to various reporting units, as applicable, and is not amortized. We perform an annual qualitative impairment assessment as of December 31 for goodwill; between annual assessments, we evaluate the recoverability of goodwill whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may not be fully recoverable. If circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable, we perform a quantitative analysis to compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its respective carrying amount. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge will be recognized. No impairment charges to goodwill were recognized for thethree months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025.
Trademarks Valuation
In connection with the Self Administration Transaction (as defined in Note 12 – Related Party Transactions), we recorded the fair value associated with thetwo primary trademarks acquired therein.
Trademarks are based on the value of our brands. Trademarks are valued using the relief from royalty method, which presumes that without ownership of such trademarks, we would have to make a stream of payments to a brand or franchise owner in return for the right to use their name. By virtue of this asset, we avoid any such payments and record the related intangible fair value of our ownership of the brand name.
As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, $15.7 million was recorded related to the SmartStop® Self Storage trademark, which is an indefinite lived trademark.
We qualitatively evaluate whether any triggering events or changes in circumstances have occurred in addition to our annual impairment test that would indicate an impairment condition may exist. If any change in circumstance or triggering event occurs, and results in a significant impact to our revenue and profitability projections, or any significant assumption in our valuation methods is adversely impacted, the impact could result in a material impairment charge in the future.
Revenue Recognition
Self Storage Operations
Management believes that all of our leases are operating leases. Rental income is recognized in accordance with the terms of the leases, which generally are month-to-month. Revenues from any long-term operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The excess of rents received over amounts contractually due pursuant to the underlying leases is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets, and contractually due but unpaid rent is included in other assets in our consolidated balance sheets.
In accordance with ASC 842, we review the collectability of lease payments on an ongoing basis. We consider collectability indicators when analyzing accounts receivable and historical bad debt levels, including current economic trends, all of which assist in evaluating the probability of outstanding and future rental income collections.
Additionally, we earn ancillary revenue from fees we receive related to providing tenant insurance or tenant protection plans to customers at our properties through our Tenant Protection Programs, and to a lesser extent, through the sale of various moving and packing supplies such as locks and boxes. We recognize such revenue in ancillary operating revenue in our consolidated statements of operations as the services are performed and as the goods or services are delivered.
Managed Platform
As applicable, we earn property management and asset management revenue, pursuant to the respective property management and advisory agreement contracts, in connection with providing services to the Managed REITs and from the owners of the properties we manage on our Third Party Platform. We have determined under ASC 606 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), that the performance obligation for the property management services and asset management services are satisfied as the services are rendered. While we are compensated for our services on a monthly basis, these services represent a series of distinct daily services in accordance with ASC 606. Such revenue is recorded in Managed Platform revenue in our consolidated statements of operations.
The Managed REITs’ advisory agreements also provide for reimbursement to us of certain costs of providing administrative and management services to the Managed REITs. These reimbursements include costs incurred in relation to organization and offering services provided to the Managed REITs and include the reimbursement of salaries, bonuses, and other expenses related to benefits paid to our employees while performing services for the Managed REITs. The Managed REITs’ and the Third Party Platform’s property management agreements also provide reimbursement to us for the property manager’s costs of managing the properties. Reimbursable costs include wages and salaries and other expenses that relate to benefits that arise in operating, managing and maintaining the related properties.
Under ASC 606, direct reimbursement of such costs does not represent a separate performance obligation from our obligation to perform property management and asset management services. The reimbursement income is considered variable consideration, and is recognized as the costs are incurred, subject to limitations on the Managed Platform’s ability to incur offering costs or limitations imposed by the advisory agreements. We have elected to separately record such revenue in reimbursable costs from Managed Platform in our consolidated statements of operations.
Additionally, we earn revenue in connection with our Tenant Protection Programs joint ventures with our Managed REITs. We also earn development and construction management revenue from certain services we provide in connection with the project design, coordination and oversight of development and certain capital improvement projects undertaken by the Managed REITs and certain properties we manage through our Third Party Platform. We recognize such revenue in Managed Platform revenue in our consolidated statements of operations, as the services are performed or delivered. See Note 12 – Related Party Transactions for additional information regarding revenue generated from our Managed Platform.
Sponsor Funding Agreement
On November 1, 2023, SmartStop REIT Advisors, LLC, a subsidiary of our Operating Partnership, entered into a sponsor funding agreement (the “Sponsor Funding Agreement”), with SST VI and Strategic Storage Operating Partnership VI, L.P. (“SST VI OP”) in connection with certain changes to the public offering of SST VI and as of June 30, 2025, such agreement was terminated (see Note 12 – Related Party Transactions for additional information).
Pursuant to the Sponsor Funding Agreement, SmartStop, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, was required to fund the payment of the front-end sales load for the sale of SST VI’s Class Y and Class Z shares sold in its offering. In exchange, SmartStop received a number of Series C Convertible Subordinated Units (“Series C Units”) in SST VI OP calculated as the dollar amount of such funding divided by the then-current offering price, which was $9.30 through August 6, 2024 for such Class Y and Z shares.
On August 7, 2024, SST VI declared an estimated net asset value pershare of $10.00, and the offering price for the Class Y and Z shares became $10.00 per share. Accordingly, subsequent to SST VI declaring their estimated net asset value of $10.00 per share, the number of Series C Units SmartStop received in exchange for funding the front-end sales load of the sale of SST VI’s Class Y and Class Z shares was calculated as the dollar amount of such sponsor funding divided by the current offering price of $10.00 per share for such Class Y and Z shares. The Series C Units shall automatically convert into Class A units of SST VI OP on a one-to-one basis upon SST VI’s disclosure of an estimated net asset value per share equal to at least $10.00 per share for each class of SST VI shares of common stock, including the Class Y shares and Class Z shares, calculated net of the Series C Units to be converted.
As of June 30, 2025, SST VI closed the primary portion of its public offering. The Sponsor Funding Agreement was terminated immediately in connection with the closedown of SST VI’s primary offering. In accordance therewith, we have no further funding obligation in connection with the Sponsor Funding Agreement. We had incurred approximately $10.2 million in connection with the now terminated Sponsor Funding Agreement, representing approximately 1.1 million Series C Units issued by SST VI OP.
On March 20, 2026, SST VI declared an estimated net asset value per share of $10.00. Since the Series C Units that could be converted would result in the net asset value falling below $10.00 per share, none of the Series C Units we own were converted into Class A units of SST VI OP.
In accordance with ASC 606, the amount by which our funding exceeded the fair value of the Series C Units received was accounted for as a payment to a customer and was therefore recorded as a reduction to the transaction price for the services we provide to such customer. Each payment was initially included in other assets, net in our consolidated balance sheets and is subsequently being recorded as a reduction of Managed Platform revenue ratably over the remaining estimated life of our management contracts with SST VI. Below is a summary of the portion of sponsorship funding payments which exceeded the fair value of the Series C Units received, and was recorded pursuant to ASC 606 as described above (in thousands):
| Balance as of December 31, 2024 | $3,859 |
|---|---|
| Amounts incurred | 384 |
| Recorded sponsor funding reduction | (1,052) |
| Balance as of December 31, 2025 | $3,191 |
| Recorded sponsor funding reduction | (267) |
| Balance as of March 31, 2026 | $2,924 |
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Tenant accounts receivable is reported net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Management records this general allowance estimate based upon a review of the current status of accounts receivable. It is reasonably possible that management’s estimate of the allowance will change in the future. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, approximately $0.7 millionwas recorded to allowance for doubtful accounts, and is included within other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed in the period in which the cost is incurred and are included in property operating expenses and general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations, depending on the nature of the expense.
For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, approximately $1.4 million and $1.4 million, respectively, of advertising costs were included in property operating expenses. For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, approximately $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively, of advertising costs were included ingeneral and administrative expenses.
Real Estate Facilities
We capitalize costs incurred to develop, construct, renovate and improve properties, including interest and property taxes incurred during the construction period. The construction period begins when expenditures for the real estate assets have been made and activities that are necessary to prepare the asset for its intended use are in progress. The construction period ends when the asset is substantially complete and ready for its intended use.
Depreciation of Real Property Assets
Our management is required to make subjective assessments as to the useful lives of our depreciable assets. We consider the period of future benefit of the asset to determine the appropriate useful lives.
Depreciation of our real property assets is charged to expense on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives
as follows:
| Description | Standard Depreciable Life |
|---|---|
| Land | Not Depreciated |
| Buildings | 30-40 years |
| Site Improvements | 7-10 years |
Depreciation of Personal Property Assets
Personal property assets consist primarily of furniture, fixtures and equipment and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives, generally ranging from 3 to 5 years, and are included in other assets, net in our consolidated balance sheets.
Intangible Assets
We have allocated a portion of our real estate purchase price to in-place lease intangible assets, which amortize on a straight-line basis over the estimated future benefit period. Additionally, we have other contract related intangible assets. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the gross amount of the intangible assets was approximately $99.9 million and $100.1 million, respectively, and accumulated amortization was approximately $92.4 million and $89.4 million, respectively. Such amounts exclude the intangible assets acquired in connection with the Third Party Platform Acquisition, as described below.
The total estimated future amortization expense for our real estate related intangible assets for the years ending December 31, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, and thereafter is approximately $6.2 million, $0.6 million, $0.1 million, $0.1 million, and $0.5 million, respectively. The weighted-average amortization period on our remaining real estate related intangible assets with a net book value of approximately $7.5 million was approximately 1.7 years as of March 31, 2026.
In connection with the acquisition of the Third Party Platform, we allocated a portion of the consideration to an intangible asset related to the property management contracts and the related customer relationships. We are amortizing such intangible asset on a straight-line basis over the estimated benefit period of the property management contracts and related customer relationships. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the gross amount of such intangible asset was approximately$8.0 million and the accumulated amortization was approximately$0.6 million and$0.3 million, respectively.
The total estimated future amortization expense for our intangible asset acquired in the Third Party Platform Acquisition for the years ending December 31, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, and thereafter is approximately$0.9 million,$1.2 million,$1.2 million,$1.2 million and$2.8 million, respectively. The amortization period on our remaining intangible asset associated with the Third Party Platform Acquisition with a net book value of approximately$7.4 million was approximately 6.0 years as of March 31, 2026.
We perform an annual qualitative impairment assessment as of December 31 for our intangible assets; between annual assessments weevaluate whether any triggering events or changes in circumstances have occurred that would indicate an impairment condition may exist. If any change in circumstance or triggering event occurs, and results in a significant impact to our revenue and profitability projections, or any significant assumption in our valuations methods is adversely impacted, the impact could result in an impairment charge in the future.
Debt Issuance Costs
The net carrying value of costs incurred in connection with obtaining non-revolving debt are presented in our consolidated balance sheets as a deduction from debt; amounts incurred related to obtaining revolving debt are included in debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization in our consolidated balance sheets. See Note 7 – Debt for additional information. Debt issuance costs are amortized using the effective interest method, as applicable.
As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the gross amount of debt issuance costs related to our revolving credit facility totaled approximately $5.9 million and $8.3 million, respectively, and accumulated amortization of debt issuance costs related to our revolving credit facility totaled approximately $0.2 million and $4.9 million, respectively.
As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the gross amount of debt issuance costs related to our non-revolving debt totaled approximately $7.7 million and $7.7 million, respectively, and accumulated amortization of debt issuance costs related to non-revolving debt totaled approximately $3.6 million and $3.3 million, respectively.
Foreign Currency Translation
For non-U.S. functional currency operations, assets and liabilities are translated to U.S. dollars at current exchange rates, as of the reporting date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average rates for the period. All adjustments related to amounts classified as long term net investments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of equity. Transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the related operation are recorded at rates of exchange in effect at the date of the transaction. As of March 31, 2026, our Operating Partnership had issued$700.0 million CAD, or approximately$502.4 million USD of Canadian Dollar denominated senior unsecured notes, which resulted in a gain recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 of approximately $8.2 million andnone, respectively, which was included in other, net in our consolidated statements of operations. Changes in our netinvestments not classified as long term are recorded in other, net in our consolidated statements of operations, along with transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency and represented a gain of approximately $5.4 million and a loss of approximately $4,000 for thethree months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively.
Redeemable Common Stock
From our inception until April 29, 2025, we maintained a share redemption program (“SRP”) that enabled stockholders to sell their shares to us in limited circumstances. Upon the termination of our SRP on April 29, 2025, the maximum amount payable related to the SRP was reclassified from redeemable common stock (temporary equity) on our consolidated balance sheet to additional paid-in capital (permanent equity) in our consolidated statements of equity and temporary equity.
We evaluated the terms of our SRP, and we previously classified amounts that were potentially redeemable under the SRP as redeemable common stock in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets while the SRP was in effect. The maximum amount of redeemable shares under our SRP was limited to the net proceeds from the distribution reinvestment plan. However, accounting guidance required that determinable amounts that could become redeemable should be presented as redeemable when such amount is known. Therefore, the net proceeds from the distribution reinvestment plan were considered to be temporary equity and were previously presented as redeemable common stock in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets while the SRP was in effect.
In addition, the accounting guidance required, among other things, that financial instruments that represented a mandatory obligation of us to repurchase shares be classified as liabilities and reported at settlement value. When we determined that we had a mandatory obligation to repurchase shares under the SRP, we reclassified such obligations from temporary equity to a liability based upon their respective settlement values.
Accounting for Equity Awards
We have historically issued equity-based awards in two forms: (1) restricted stock awards consisting of shares of our common stock and (2) long-term incentive plan units of our Operating Partnership (“LTIP Units”), both of which may be issued subject to either time-based vesting criteria or performance-based vesting criteria. Performance-based vesting is based on either operational performance criteria or a market-based criteria. For time-based awards granted which contain a graded vesting schedule, compensation cost is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period as if the award was, in substance, a single award. For performance-based awards, which were issued prior to our Underwritten Public Offering, compensation cost is recognized over the requisite service period if and when we determine the performance condition is probable of being achieved. For performance-based awards with market-based criteria, which were issued subsequent to our Underwritten Public Offering, compensation is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. We record the cost of such equity-based awards based on the grant date fair value and have elected to record forfeitures as they occur.
Employee Benefit Plan
We maintain a retirement savings plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, under which eligible employees can contribute up to 100% of their eligible compensation (subject to annual limits set by law). We match 100% of these employee contributions up to the first 4% of the employee’s eligible compensation. On October 1, 2025, we acquired Argus, which had its own existing retirement savings plan under Section 401(k). Argus’ plan allowed eligible employees to contribute up to 100% of their eligible compensation (subject to annual limits set by law), with a company match of 100% of these employee contributions up to the first 3% of the employee’s eligible compensation.
Fair Value Measurements
Under GAAP, we are required to measure certain financial instruments at fair value on a recurring basis. In addition, we are required to measure other financial instruments and balances at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Fair value is defined by the accounting standard for fair value measurements and disclosures as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. It also establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three levels. The following summarizes the three levels of inputs and hierarchy of fair value we use when measuring fair value:
Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access;
Level 2 inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals; and
Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the assets or liabilities that are typically based on an entity’s own assumptions as there is little, if any, related market activity.
In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement will fall within the lowest level that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
The accounting guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures provides a framework for measuring fair value and establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. In determining fair value, we will utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible as well as consider counterparty credit risk in our assessment of fair value. Considerable judgment will be necessary to interpret Level 2 and 3 inputs in determining fair value of our financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the fair values we will present will be indicative of amounts that may ultimately be realized upon sale or other disposition of these assets.
Financial and non-financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis in our consolidated financial statements consist of real estate and related liabilities assumed related to our acquisitions along with the assets and liabilities described in Note 3 – Real Estate Facilities. The fair values of these assets and liabilities were determined as of the acquisition dates using widely accepted valuation techniques, including (i) discounted cash flow analysis, which considers, among other things, leasing assumptions, growth rates, discount rates and terminal capitalization rates, (ii) income capitalization approach, which considers prevailing market capitalization rates, and (iii) market approach, which considers comparable sales activity. Additionally, certain such assets and liabilities are required to be fair valued periodically or valued pursuant to ongoing fair value requirements and impairment analyses and have been valued subsequently utilizing the same techniques noted above. In general, we consider multiple valuation techniques when measuring fair values. However, in certain circumstances, a single valuation technique may be appropriate. All of the fair values of the assets and liabilities as of the acquisition dates were derived using Level 3 inputs.
The Series C Units (categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy) acquired in connection with the Sponsor Funding Agreement were measured at fair value at the time of acquisition, and are accounted for using the equity method of accounting as described in Note 12 – Related Party Transactions. The fair value of these units was determined upon purchase using a valuation model which considered the following key assumptions: the projected distribution rate of SST VI, implied share price volatility, risk free interest rate, current estimated net asset value, and the estimated effective life of the Series C Units.
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, receivables, other assets, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, distributions payable and amounts due to affiliates approximate fair value (categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy).
The estimated fair value of financial instruments is subjective in nature and is dependent on a number of important assumptions, including discount rates and relevant comparable market information associated with each financial instrument. The fair value of our fixed and variable rate debt was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities (categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy). The use of different market assumptions and estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the reported estimated fair value amounts. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we believe the fair value of our variable rate debt was reasonably estimated at their notional amounts as there have been minimal changes to the fixed spread portion of interest rates for similar loans observed in the market, and as the variable portion of our interest rates fluctuate with the associated market indices. The table below summarizes the carrying amounts and fair values of our fixed rate debt which are not carried at fair value as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 (in thousands):
| March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Value | Carrying Value | Fair Value | Carrying Value | |
| Fixed Rate Debt | $1,019,000 | $1,032,283 | $1,035,900 | $1,042,796 |
During the three months ended March 31, 2025, we held interest rate cash flow hedges and foreign currency net investment and cash flow hedges to hedge our interest rate and foreign currency exposure (see Note 7 – Debt and Note 9 – Derivative Instruments). The fair value analyses of these instruments reflect the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and used observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves, foreign exchange rates, and implied volatilities, as applicable. The fair value of interest rate swap and cap agreements are determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analyses on the expected cash flows of the instruments. Our fair values of our net investment hedges are based primarily on the change in the spot rate at the end of the period as compared with the strike price at inception.
To comply with GAAP, we incorporate credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both our own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of derivative contracts for the effect of non-performance risk, we consider the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts, and guarantees.
Although we had determined that the majority of the inputs used to value our derivatives were within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with our derivatives utilized Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads, to evaluate the likelihood of default by us and our counterparties. However, through the termination date of our derivatives, we had assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of our derivative positions and determined that the credit valuation adjustments were not significant to the overall valuation of our derivatives. As a result, we determined that our derivative valuations in their entirety were classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we heldno derivative instruments.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
We record all derivatives on our balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether we have elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Derivatives may also be designated as hedges of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation. We may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of our risks, even though hedge accounting does not apply or we elect not to apply hedge accounting.
For any derivatives designated as net investment hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivatives are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized in other, net in our consolidated statements of operations. Amounts are reclassified out of other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”) into earnings (loss) when the hedged net investment is either sold or substantially liquidated.
Income Taxes
We made an election to be taxed as a Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”), under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2014. To qualify as a REIT, we must continue to meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of the REIT’s taxable income to stockholders (which is computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction or net capital gains and which does not equal net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP).
For income tax purposes, distributions to common stockholders are characterized as ordinary dividends, capital gain dividends, or as nontaxable distributions. To the extent that we make a distribution in excess of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be a non-taxable return of capital, reducing the tax basis in each U.S. stockholder’s shares, and the amount of each distribution in excess of a U.S. stockholder’s tax basis in its shares will be taxable as gain realized from the sale of its shares.
As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on taxable income that we distribute to our stockholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will then be subject to U.S. federal income taxes on our taxable income at regular corporate rates and will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes for four years following the year during which qualification is lost unless the IRS grants us relief under certain statutory provisions. Such an event could materially adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to stockholders. However, we believe that we are organized and operate in such a manner as to qualify for treatment as a REIT and intend to operate in the foreseeable future in such a manner that we will remain qualified as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Even if we continue to qualify for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain state, local, and foreign taxes on our income and property, and federal income and excise taxes on our undistributed income.
We filed an election to treat our primary taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”) as a taxable REIT subsidiary effective January 1, 2014. In general, our TRS performs additional services for our customers and provides the advisory and property management services related to our Managed Platform and otherwise generally engages in non-real estate related business. The TRS is subject to corporate federal and state income tax.
We account for deferred income taxes using the asset and liability method and recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in our financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.
Any increase or decrease in the deferred tax liability that results from a change in circumstances, and that causes a change in our judgment about expected future tax consequences of events, is included in the tax provision when such changes occur. Deferred income taxes also reflect the impact of operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. A valuation allowance is provided if we believe it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Any increase or decrease in the valuation allowance that results from a change in circumstances, and that causes a change in our judgment about the realizability of the related deferred tax asset, is included in the tax provision when such changes occur.
Uncertain tax positions may arise where tax laws may allow for alternative interpretations or where the timing of recognition of income is subject to judgment. Under ASC Topic 740, tax positions are evaluated for recognition using a more–likely–than–not threshold, and those tax positions requiring recognition are measured at the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. Interest and penalties relating to uncertain tax positions will be recognized in income tax expense when incurred. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the Company hadno uncertain tax positions. Income taxes payable are classified within accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
Concentration
No single self storage customer represents a significant concentration of our revenues. For the three months ended March 31, 2026, approximately 20.2%,19.8%,9.3% and 8.7% of our rental income was concentrated in California, Florida, Texas, and the Greater Toronto Area of Canada, respectively. Our properties within the aforementioned geographic areas are dispersed therein, operating in multiple different regions and sub-markets.
Segment Reporting
Our business is composed oftwo reportable segments: (i) self storage operations and (ii) the Managed Platform business. See Note 11 – Segment Disclosures for additional detail.
Convertible Preferred Stock
We classified our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (as defined in Note 8 – Preferred Equity) on our consolidated balance sheets using the guidance in ASC 480-10-S99. Per the original terms of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, it could be redeemed by us on or after the fifth anniversary of its issuance (October 29, 2024), or if certain events occur, such as the listing of our common stock on a national securities exchange, a change in control, or if a redemption would be required to maintain our REIT status. Additionally, if we did not maintain our REIT status the holder could require redemption. As the shares were contingently redeemable, and under certain circumstances not solely within our control, we had classified our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock as temporary equity prior to its redemption.
We analyzed whether the conversion features in our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock should be bifurcated under the guidance in ASC 815-10 and determined that bifurcation was not necessary.
Our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock was redeemed on April 4, 2025, with proceeds from our Underwritten Public Offering.
Per Share Data
Basic earnings per share attributable to our common stockholders for all periods presented are computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to our common stockholders for basic computations of earnings per share by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding unvested restricted stock.
Diluted earnings per share is computed by including the dilutive effect, as applicable of the conversion of all potential common stock equivalents (which includes unvested restricted stock, Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, Class A and Class A-1 OP Units, and unvested LTIP Units) and accordingly, as applicable, adjusting net income to add back any changes in earnings that reduce earnings per common share in the period associated with the potential common stock equivalents.
The computation of earnings per common share is as follows for the periods presented(amounts presented in thousands, except share and per share data):
| Three Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, | ||
| 2026 | 2025 | |
| Net income (loss) | $10,216 | $(5,456) |
| Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | (640) | 503 |
| Net income (loss) attributable to SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. | 9,576 | (4,953) |
| Less: Distributions to preferred stockholders | — | (3,452) |
| Less: Distributions to participating securities | (208) | (117) |
| Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders for basic computations: | $9,368 | $(8,522) |
| Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders for diluted computations: | $9,368 | $(8,522) |
| Weighted average Common Stock, Class A & Class T shares outstanding - basic | 55,237,360 | 24,018,553 |
| Unvested LTIP Units | — | — |
| Unvested restricted stock awards | 36,925 | — |
| Weighted average Common Stock, Class A & Class T shares outstanding - diluted | 55,274,285 | 24,018,553 |
| Net income (loss) per Common Stock, Class A & Class T share: | ||
| Basic | $0.17 | $(0.35) |
| Diluted | $0.17 | $(0.35) |
The following table presents the weighted average Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, Class A and Class A-1 OP Units, unvested LTIP Units, and unvested restricted stock awards, that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share above as their effect would have been antidilutive for the respective periods, and was calculated using the two-class, treasury stock or if-converted method, as applicable:
| Three Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, | ||
| 2026 | 2025 | |
| Equivalent Shares (if converted) | ||
| Class A and Class A-1 OP Units | 3,813,917 | 3,375,330 |
| Unvested LTIP Units | 172,394 | 68,135 |
| Unvested restricted stock awards | — | 4,889 |
| Series A Convertible Preferred Stock | — | 4,690,432 |
| 3,986,311 | 8,138,786 | |
Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740).” The guidance in ASU 2023-09 was issued to provide investors with information to better assess how an entity’s operations and related tax risks, tax planning and operational opportunities affect its tax rate and prospects for future cash flows. The amendment became effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Accordingly, we adopted this amendment during the year ended December 31, 2025 with no material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Such disclosures have been presented prospectively, in accordance with ASU 2023-09.
Recently Issued Accounting Guidance
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, “Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses (Topic 220).” The guidance in ASU 2024-03 was issued to provide investors with more disaggregated information about an entity’s expenses. In January 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-01 for the sole purpose of clarifying the effective date of ASU 2024-03. The amendment becomes effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. We are currently evaluating the impact upon adoption of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.
Note 3. Real Estate Facilities
The following summarizes the activity in real estate facilities during thethree months ended March 31, 2026 (in thousands):
| Real estate facilities | |
|---|---|
| Balance at December 31, 2025 | $2,427,363 |
| Impact of foreign exchange rate changes and other | (4,673) |
| Improvements and additions | 1,764 |
| Balance at March 31, 2026 | $2,424,454 |
| Accumulated depreciation | |
| Balance at December 31, 2025 | $(366,447) |
| Depreciation expense | (16,248) |
| Impact of foreign exchange rate changes and other | 718 |
| Balance at March 31, 2026 | $(381,977) |
Potential Acquisitions
As of May 8, 2026, we, through our wholly-owned subsidiaries, were party totwo purchase and sale agreements with unaffiliated third parties for the acquisition offour self storage properties located in the United States andone development site located in Canada. The total purchase price for these properties and parcel of land is approximately $60.4 million, plus closing costs.
We may assign some or all of the above purchase and sale agreements to one or more of our Managed REITs and/or contribute such property to a joint venture.
Eminent Domain Proceedings
In May 2025, we learned thattwo of our self storage properties in Asheville, North Carolina, the Asheville III and Asheville IV properties, may be impacted by the current plan for an extensive and prolonged highway expansion project. We are evaluating the impact that this project may have on these two properties, including how much of each property may be taken. The aggregate rentable square feet and carrying value of these properties as of March 31, 2026, was approximately 115,000 square feet and $15.7 million, respectively. We will continue to work with the authorities and their representatives to further understand the impact to our properties, attempt to mitigate the impact to us and our tenants, and as needed, negotiate the fair value of any property that may ultimately be taken. We do not expect the potential taking of land under eminent domain to have a material impact on our results of operations and we evaluated these properties for impairment, concluding that, as of March 31, 2026, there continues to beno impairment. The total revenue for the Asheville III and Asheville IV properties for thethree months ended March 31, 2026 was approximately $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively. The total revenue for the Asheville III and Asheville IV properties for the year ended December 31, 2025 was approximately $1.1 million and $0.9 million, respectively.
Note 4. Third Party Platform Acquisition
On October 1, 2025, pursuant to a contribution agreement (the “Contribution Agreement”), our Operating Partnership acquired Argus, a third-party property management company that managed more than 220 operating properties across 27 states consisting of more than approximately 100,000 units and approximately 16.6 million rentable square feet as of October 1, 2025. Immediately after the acquisition closed, Argus was contributed in a non-taxable transaction to our TRS subsidiary, which is 100% owned by our Operating Partnership, where such non-real estate activities are conducted. The total consideration was approximately $23.4 million, composed primarily of (i) $8.7 million in cash, funded in part by a $5.0 million deposit made and outstanding as of September 30, 2025, and the issuance of 328,343 units of limited partnership interests (“OP Units”) in our Operating Partnership valued at approximately $11.9 million and (ii) a contingent earnout payment initially valued at approximately $2.8 million. The potential earnout payment of up to an additional $11.0 million is based on Third Party Platform revenues generated during fiscal year 2028, with 75% payable in cash and 25% being payable in OP Units, the number of which OP Units to be issued will be determined in accordance with the terms of the Contribution Agreement based on the volume weighted average trading price of our common stock immediately prior to the time such units are to be issued.
Through the Contribution Agreement we assumed various amounts of current assets and liabilities, which are subject to working capital adjustments to the consideration othe rwise provided and described above. The principal assets acquired were property management contracts and the related customer relationships, covering the management of approximately 220 properties, approximately 400 employees, an operating lease for the corporate headquarters in Tucson, Arizona, rights to other intellectual property and personal property. The Contribution Agreement contained customary representations, warranties, covenants, agreements, and indemnification obligations with respect to the sellers of Argus and us.
Fair Value of Consideration Transferred
We accounted for the Contribution Agreement discussed above as a business combination under the acquisition method of accounting.
The estimated fair value of the consideration transferred on the date of the acquisition totaled approximately $23.4 million and consisted of the following(in thousands):
| Estimated Fair Value of Consideration Transferred | |
|---|---|
| Cash (1) | $8,722 |
| OP Units | 11,858 |
| Contingent earnout (2) | 2,802 |
| Working capital adjustment payable | 8 |
| Total Consideration Transferred | $23,390 |
(1)
The Contribution Agreement required a purchase price adjustment related to the assumption of working capital, covering certain operating assets and liabilities. We assumed a net asset of approximately $0.2 million and such amount was included above as cash consideration. Such amount had been paid to the seller of Argus during the year ended December 31, 2025.
(2)
The maximum amount that may be paid is $8.25 million of earnout consideration to be paid in cash and the remainder of approximately $2.75 million to be paid in the form of OP units, based on revenues generated in 2028. The terms of the earnout require a certain minimum amount of 2028 revenues to be earned and thereafter the earnout is earned pro-rata up to a certain maximum 2028 revenue, such that the maximum potential earnout is $11.0 million. The amount of this liability as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 was approximately$3.7 million and$3.0 million, respectively, and was included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.
The estimated fair value of the OP Units issued was determined using the Company’s closing stock price on the date of the transaction and further adjusted for an illiquidity discount of 6%, given certain illiquid features of our OP Units, based on their terms, in comparison to our common stock.
The estimated fair value of the contingent earnout was estimated based on a risk-adjusted forecast and a closed form Black Scholes call option model under a risk neutral framework that incorporates the payoff based on achievement of the requisite revenue thresholds. The portion of the earnout to be issued in OP Units was further adjusted for an illiquidity discount, as discussed immediately above.
These fair value measurements are based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represent a Level 3 measurement as discussed in Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. The key assumptions used in estimating the fair value of the contingent earnout consideration included (i) forecasted annual revenue during 2028, (ii) selection of risk-adjusted discount rates and (iii) a volatility assumption.
Allocation of Consideration
The consideration transferred pursuant to the Contribution Agreement was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, based upon their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date(in thousands):
| Identifiable Assets Acquired at Fair Value | |
|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | $443 |
| Equipment, furniture and fixtures | 122 |
| Accounts receivable and advances | 1,004 |
| Other assets | 91 |
| Indemnification assets (1) | 1,078 |
| Intangible asset - customer contracts and related relationships | 8,000 |
| Total identifiable assets acquired | $10,738 |
| Identifiable Liabilities Assumed at Fair Value | |
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $2,386 |
| Other liabilities | 111 |
| Deferred tax liabilities, net | 1,181 |
| Total liabilities assumed | $3,678 |
| Net identifiable assets acquired | $7,060 |
| Goodwill (2) | 16,330 |
| Net assets acquired | $23,390 |
(1)
Included in this line item were two amounts, (i) an indemnification asset related to an accrued legal settlement of approximately $0.3 million and (ii) an indemnification asset of approximately $0.8 million related to accrued compensation due to Argus employees for prior services, which in accordance with the contribution agreement, was to be reimbursed by the seller of Argus. The corresponding liabilities related to the above were both included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the table above. In January of 2026, the seller paid and fully satisfied the legal settlement. In October of 2025, the seller reimbursed us for the $0.8 million and we paid such compensation to the employees of Argus.
(2)
Tax deductible goodwill as of the acquisition date was approximately $5.5 million.
The intangible assets acquired primarily consisted of an intangible asset related to the management contracts and customer relationships related to the approximately 220 properties that Argus managed as of October 1, 2025. The value of such was determined based on a discounted cash flow valuation of the projected cash flows of the acquired contracts. The deferred tax liability is the result of differences between the GAAP carrying value of certain amortizing assets and the carrying value for tax purposes.
The goodwill recognized is supported by several factors, including that Argus brings an established management platform and workforce of the more than 400 self storage professionals which provides for numerous benefits and opportunities, including continued organic growth, growth from new income streams and the ability to offer new services.
The results of the acquisition have been included in our consolidated statements of operations since the closing date of the transaction. See Note 11 – Segment Disclosures for more information about the results of operations attributable to the Third Party Platform Acquisition since closing.
Note 5. Pro Forma Financial Information
We acquired our Third Party Platform effective October 1, 2025, which was accounted for as a business combination. The following pro forma information for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 has been prepared to give effect to the acquisition as if the acquisition occurred on January 1, 2024. Net income was excluded as it was impracticable to report expenses due to the lack of historical accrual basis accounting. This pro forma information does not purport to represent what our actual consolidated revenues would have been had the acquisitions occurred on this date, nor does it purport to predict the revenues for future periods (in thousands):
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | |
| Pro forma total revenues | $78,310 | $72,047 |
Note 6. Investments in Unconsolidated Real Estate Ventures
Nantucket Joint Venture
On July 18, 2024, we entered into a joint venture arrangement with an unaffiliated third party to develop a self storage property in Nantucket, Massachusetts (the“Nantucket Joint Venture”). On such date we agreed to purchase an indirect minority ownership in the property, and immediately funded approximately $4.9 million. This property became operational in December 2025 and we serve as the property manager of this self storage property. This investment is accounted for pursuant to the equity method of accounting as we have the ability to exercise influence but not control. On April 11, 2025, we funded an additional approximately $0.3 million, which represented the remaining unfunded capital commitment in connection with this joint venture arrangement. On September 2, 2025, we executed an addendum to our subscription agreement related to the Nantucket Joint Venture to increase our ownership in the property. In connection therewith, we made an additional capital contribution of approximately $0.6 million.
For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, we recorded a net loss of appr oximately $0.2 million andnone, respectively, from our equity in earnings related to our unconsolidated Nantucket Joint Venture.
As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the carrying value of this investment was approximately$6.8 million and$7.0 million, respectively, which represented an indirect investment of approximately 42% minority ownership of the property.
SmartCentres Joint Ventures
We are party to joint venture agreements with a subsidiary of SmartCentres, an unaffiliated third party, to acquire, develop, and operate self storage facilities. In connection with such agreements, as 50% owner and SmartCentres as the other 50% owner of a joint venture subsidiary, we own 14 joint venture properties (the “Canadian JV Properties”),10 of which were operational andfour of which were being developed into self storage properties as of March 31, 2026.
For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, we recorded net aggregate income of approximately $33,000 anda loss of approximately $0.2 million, respe ctively, from our equity in earnings related to our unconsolidated Canadian JV Properties.
The following table summarizes our 50% ownership interests in the Canadian JV Properties (in thousands):
| Date Real Estate · Carrying Value of Investment as of | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Venture Became | March 31, | December 31, | |
| Canadian JV Property | Operational | 2026 | 2025 |
| Dupont (1) | October 2019 | $520 | $583 |
| East York (1) | June 2020 | 5,214 | 5,209 |
| Brampton (1) | November 2020 | 1,615 | 1,597 |
| Vaughan (1) | January 2021 | 2,055 | 2,064 |
| Oshawa (1) | August 2021 | 290 | 285 |
| Scarborough (1) | November 2021 | 2,131 | 2,099 |
| Aurora (1) | December 2022 | 246 | 256 |
| Kingspoint (1) | March 2023 | 2,383 | 2,448 |
| Whitby (1) | January 2024 | 3,699 | 3,830 |
| Markham (1) | May 2024 | 3,032 | 3,155 |
| Regent (2) | Under Development | 4,311 | 3,839 |
| Allard (2) | Under Development | 1,320 | 1,270 |
| Finch (2) | Under Development | 3,081 | 3,033 |
| 127 Ave, Edmonton, AB (3) | Under Development | 720 | — |
| $30,617 | $29,668 | ||
(1)
As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, these operating properties were encumbered by first mortgages pursuant to the RBC JV Term Loan III (defined below).
(2)
The property is currently under development to become a self storage facility.
(3)
On January 6, 2026, we acquired this joint venture parcel of land in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with SmartCentres, and the property is currently under development to become aself storage facility.
As of March 31, 2026, we had ownership interests in the Canadian JV Properties and the Nantucket Joint Venture (collectively, the “JV Properties”).
RBC JV Term Loan III
On October 31, 2025, 10 of our joint ventures with SmartCentres closed on a$160.0 million CAD term loan (the “RBC JV Term Loan III”) with RBC pursuant to which 10 of our joint venture subsidiaries that each own 50% of a Joint Venture property serve as borrowers (the “RBC Borrowers III”). The RBC JV Term Loan III is secured by first mortgages on the 10 operating Canadian JV Properties, most of which were previously encumbered by either the RBC JV Term Loan, the RBC JV Term Loan II or the SmartCentres Financings (all defined below). The RBC JV Term Loan III matures on November 1, 2030, which may be extended by one additional year, subject to certain terms. Interest on the RBC JV Term Loan III is fixed at an annual rate of 3.87%, and monthly payments include interest and principal, amortized on a 30 year basis until maturity. Proceeds from the RBC JV Term Loan III were used by the Joint Ventures to fully pay off the outstanding principal and accrued interest on the RBC JV Term Loan, the RBC JV Term Loan II, and the SmartCentres Financing. We and SmartCentres each serve as a recourse guarantor with respect to approximately$79.5 million CAD, or approximately$57.1 million USD, of the obligations outstanding as of March 31, 2026 under the RBC JV Term Loan III. The RBC JV Term Loan III contains certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative, negative and financial covenants, and events of default.
As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, there was approximately$159.0 million CAD and $159.8 million CAD, respectively, or approximately$114.1 million USD and $116.5 million USD, respectively, outstanding on the RBC JV Term Loan III.
RBC JV Term Loan II
On July 17, 2024, three of our joint ventures with SmartCentres closed on a $46.0 million CAD term loan (the “RBC JV Term Loan II”) with Royal Bank Canada (“RBC”) pursuant to which three of our joint venture subsidiaries that each own 50% of a Canadian JV Property serve as borrowers (the “RBC Borrowers II”). The RBC JV Term Loan II was secured by first mortgages on three of the Canadian JV Properties which were previously encumbered by the SmartCentres Financings. The maturity date of the RBC JV Term Loan II was November 3, 2025. Interest on the RBC JV Term Loan was a fixed annual rate of 4.97%, and payments were interest only during the term of the loan.
As discussed above, the RBC JV Term Loan II was refinanced on October 31, 2025. As such, as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, there was no balance outstanding on the RBC JV Term Loan II.
RBC JV Term Loan
On November 3, 2023, five of our joint ventures with SmartCentres closed on a $70 million CAD term loan (the “RBC JV Term Loan”) with RBC pursuant to which five of our joint venture subsidiaries that each own 50% of a Joint Venture property serve as borrowers (the “RBC Borrowers”). The RBC JV Term Loan was secured by first mortgages on five of the Canadian JV Properties which were previously encumbered by the SmartCentres Financings (as defined below). The maturity date of the RBC JV Term Loan was November 2, 2025. Interest on the RBC JV Term Loan was a fixed annual rate of 6.21%, and payments were interest only during the term of the loan.
As discussed above, the RBC JV Term Loan was refinanced on October 31, 2025. As such, as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, there was no balance outstanding on the RBC JV Term Loan.
SmartCentres Financings
Through a series of prior transactions, we, through joint venture partnerships with SmartCentres, became party to two master mortgage commitment agreements (the “SmartCentres Financings”) with SmartCentres Storage Finance LP (the “SmartCentres Lender”). The SmartCentres Lender is an affiliate of SmartCentres.
As a result of the RBC JV Term Loan and RBC JV Term Loan II refinancings, and the RBC JV Term Loan III financing transaction during the year ended December 31, 2025 discussed above, only one borrower remained on the SmartCentres Financings, the Markham property. Interest on the SmartCentres Financings was incurred at a variable annual rate equal to the aggregate of:(i) the CORRA rate, (ii) an adjustment of approximately 0.295%, (iii) a margin of 1.45%, and (iv) a spread of 1.25%.
On October 31, 2025, the SmartCentres Financings (the then outstanding balance on the Markham property of approximately $18.9 million CAD) were fully paid down. As such, as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, there wasno balance outstanding on the SmartCentres Financings.
Note 7. Debt
Our debt is summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):
| Loan | March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | InterestRate (1) | MaturityDate (1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KeyBank CMBS Loan (2) | $86,860 | $87,355 | 3.89% | 08/01/2026 |
| Ladera Office Loan | 3,609 | 3,635 | 4.29% | 11/01/2026 |
| 2027 Ladera Ranch Loan | 42,000 | 42,000 | 5.00% | 12/05/2027 |
| 2028 Canadian Notes (3) | 358,850 | 364,700 | 3.91% | 06/16/2028 |
| Kelowna Canadian Property Loan (3) | 17,127 | 17,524 | 3.45% | 09/30/2028 |
| 2028 Canadian Term Loan (3) (4) | 78,705 | 80,234 | 6.41% | 12/01/2028 |
| CMBS Loan (5) | 104,000 | 104,000 | 5.00% | 02/01/2029 |
| SST IV CMBS Loan (6) | 40,500 | 40,500 | 3.56% | 02/01/2030 |
| Credit Facility | 64,826 | — | 4.73% | 02/18/2030 |
| 2030 Canadian Notes (3) | 143,540 | 145,880 | 3.89% | 09/24/2030 |
| 2032 Private Placement Notes | 150,000 | 150,000 | 4.53% | 04/19/2032 |
| Houston Property Loan | 8,654 | 8,714 | 5.15% | 05/01/2034 |
| 2024 Credit Facility | — | 59,826 | ||
| Total debt principal outstanding | $1,098,671 | $1,104,368 | ||
| Discount on secured debt, net | (1,562) | (1,747) | ||
| Debt issuance costs, net | (4,013) | (4,373) | ||
| Total debt, net | $1,093,096 | $1,098,248 | ||
(1)
Reflects the interest rate or maturity date in effect as of March 31, 2026, as applicable.
(2)
This fixed rate loan encumbers 29 properties (Whittier, La Verne, Santa Ana, Upland, La Habra, Monterey Park, Huntington Beach, Chico, Lancaster I, Riverside, Fairfield, Lompoc, Santa Rosa, Federal Heights, Aurora, Littleton, Bloomingdale, Crestwood, Forestville, Warren I, Sterling Heights, Troy, Warren II, Beverly, Everett, Foley, Tampa, Boynton Beach, and Lancaster II) with monthly interest only payments until September 2021, at which time both interest and principal payments became due monthly. The separate assets of these encumbered properties are not available to pay our other debts, and we serve as a non-recourse guarantor under this loan.
(3)
The amounts shown above are in USD based on the foreign exchange rate in effect as of the date presented.
(4)
This fixed rate loan is secured by eight Canadian properties. This loan carries a fixed interest rate of 6.41%, with monthly interest only payments until February 2026, at which time both interest and principal amortizing payments based on a 25-year amortization schedule became due monthly. After November 16, 2026, any prepayment of the loan would be subject to an exit fee equal to a percentage of the then outstanding principal amount as follows: (i)100 bps if the prepayment occurs between November 16, 2026 and November 16, 2027; and (ii)75 bps if the prepayment occurs after November 16, 2027.
(5)
This fixed rate, interest only loan encumbers 10 properties (Myrtle Beach I, Myrtle Beach II, Port St. Lucie, Plantation, Sonoma, Las Vegas I, Las Vegas II, Las Vegas III, Ft Pierce, and Nantucket Island). The separate assets of these encumbered properties are not available to pay our other debts, and we serve as a non-recourse guarantor under this loan.
(6)
This fixed rate loan encumbers seven properties owned by us (Jensen Beach, Texas City, Riverside, Las Vegas IV, Puyallup, Las Vegas V, and Plant City). The separate assets of these encumbered properties are not available to pay our other debts, and we serve as a non-recourse guarantor under this loan. Monthly payments due under the loan agreement are interest only, with the full principal amount becoming due and payable on the maturity date.
The weighted average interest rate on our consolidated debt, excluding the impact of our interest rate hedging activities, as applicable, as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 was approximately 4.4%. We are subject to certain restrictive covenants relating to the outstanding debt, and as of March 31, 2026, we were in compliance with all such covenants.
The following is a schedule of maturities, including required principal amortization payments, for debt outstanding as of March 31, 2026 (in thousands):
| 2026 | $91,991 |
| 2027 | 44,156 |
| 2028 | 451,726 |
| 2029 | 104,289 |
| 2030 | 249,170 |
| Thereafter | 157,339 |
| Total | $1,098,671 |
Credit Facility
On February 18, 2026, we, through our operating partnership (the “Borrower”), entered into a second amended and restated credit agreement with KeyBank, National Association, as administrative agent, certain others listed as joint book runners, joint lead arrangers, syndication agents and documentation agents, and certain other lenders party thereto (the “Credit Agreement”).
The Credit Agreement provides for a senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) in an aggregate principal amount of $500 million. The Borrower has the right to increase the amount available under the Credit Facility by an additional $1.1 billion, for a total potential maximum aggregate amount of $1.6 billion, subject to certain conditions. The Credit Facility also includes sublimits of (a) up to $25 million for letters of credit and (b) up to $50 million for swingline loans; each of these sublimits are part of, and not in addition to, the amounts available under the Credit Facility. Borrowings under the Credit Facility may be in either U.S. dollars or Canadian dollars. The Borrower’s outstanding balance under the previously existing 2024 Credit Facility (as defined below) of approximately $68.3 million remained unchanged at the closing of the Credit Facility.
In connection with this amendment, certain lenders under the 2024 Credit Facility exited the arrangement. We recognized approximately $0.3 million of expense, which was included in loss on debt extinguishment in our consolidated statements of operations, and represented a proportional amount of the unamortized debt issuance costs attributable to these lenders under the 2024 Credit Facility.
The maturity date of the Credit Facility is February 18, 2030, subject to aone-year extension option, subject to the payment of an extension fee of 0.125% on the aggregate amount of the then-outstanding revolving commitments for such extension, and it may be prepaid or terminated at any time without penalty; provided, however, that the lenders shall be indemnified for certain breakage costs.
Amounts borrowed under the Credit Facility bear interest based on the type of borrowing (either Base Rate Loans, SOFR Loans, or CORRA Loans, each as defined in the Credit Agreement) and vary based upon our consolidated leverage ratio or credit rating. Base Rate Loans bear interest at the lesser of (x) the Base Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus the applicable rate, or (y) the maximum rate. SOFR Loans that are Daily Simple SOFR Loans bear interest at the lesser of (a) Daily Simple SOFR (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus the applicable rate, or (b) the maximum rate. SOFR Loans that are Term SOFR Loans bear interest at the lesser of (a) Term SOFR (as defined in the Credit Agreement) for the interest period in effect plus the applicable rate, or (b) the maximum rate. CORRA Loans bear interest at the lesser of (a) Daily Simple CORRA (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus the applicable rate, or (b) the maximum rate. Until we achieve an investment grade credit rating, the corresponding applicable rate varies between 100 basis points to 145 basis points for SOFR Loans and CORRA Loans and between 0 basis points and 45 basis points for Base Rate Loans, in each case depending on our consolidated leverage ratio. After we achieve an investment grade credit rating, the corresponding applicable rate varies between 70 basis points to 140 basis points for SOFR Loans and CORRA Loans and between 0 basis points and 40 basis points for Base Rate Loans, in each case depending on our credit rating. Initial advances under the Credit Facility are Daily Simple SOFR Loans that bear interest at 105 basis points over Daily Simple SOFR. The Credit Facility is also subject to a facility fee based on the amount of outstanding revolving commitments, which varies from 15 bps to 30 bps, depending on our consolidated leverage ratio. After we achieve an investment grade credit rating, the facility fee varies from 10 bps to 30 bps depending on our credit rating. As of March 31, 2026, borrowings under the Credit Facility were only denominated in USD and bore interest based on Daily Simple SOFR plus the applicable spread of 1.05%.
The Credit Facility is fully recourse, jointly and severally, to us, the Borrower, and certain of our subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”). In connection with the Credit Facility, each of us, the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors executed guarantees in favor of the lenders. It is an event of default under the Credit Facility if (a) there is a payment default by us, the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor under any recourse debt for borrowed money of at least $50 million, or (b) there is a payment default by us or any of our subsidiaries under any non-recourse debt of at least $100 million.
The Credit Facility is unsecured. The outstanding 2032 Private Placement Notes (as defined below), the outstanding 2028 Canadian Notes (as defined below) and the outstanding 2030 Canadian Notes (as defined below), previously issued by us, remain pari passu with the Credit Facility.
The Credit Facility contains certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative, negative and financial covenants, borrowing conditions, and events of default. In particular, the financial covenants imposed on us include: a maximum leverage ratio, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, a minimum tangible net worth, certain limits on both secured debt and secured recourse debt, a ratio of secured recourse debt to total asset value, an unencumbered pool leverage ratio, and an unsecured interest coverage ratio. If an event of default occurs and continues, we are subject to certain actions by the administrative agent, including, without limitation, the acceleration of repayment of all amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility.
As of March 31, 2026, based on the aforementioned information and borrowing base calculations, we had the ability to draw up to an additional approximately$352.0 million on the current capacity of the Credit Facility revolver.
2030 Canadian Notes
On September 24, 2025, we, as guarantor, and the Operating Partnership, as issuer, sold on a private placement basis in Canada, an aggregate principal amount of $200 million CAD senior unsecured notes which become due on September 24, 2030 (the “2030 Canadian Notes”).
The 2030 Canadian Notes were offered pursuant to an agency agreement entered into among us, the Operating Partnership, the Subsidiary Guarantors, BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., National Bank Financial Inc., Scotia Capital Inc. and RBC Dominion Securities Inc. The sale and purchase of the 2030 Canadian Notes occurred on September 24, 2025.
The 2030 Canadian Notes were issued pursuant to the Base Indenture, as amended and supplemented by a second supplemental indenture to the Base Indenture among us, the Operating Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors (the “Second Supplemental Indenture” and together with the Base Indenture, the “Second Indenture”).
The 2030 Canadian Notes bear interest at a rate of approximately 3.89% per annum, payable semiannually on September 24 and March 24 in each year, beginning on March 24, 2026, until maturity.
The Operating Partnership will be permitted to redeem at any time all, or from time to time any part of, the 2030 Canadian Notes then outstanding at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount so prepaid and (ii) the Canada Yield Price, together in each case, with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption. The “Canada Yield Price” means a price equal to the price of a note calculated to provide a yield to the maturity date, compounded semi-annually and calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice, equal to the government of Canada yield plus 0.28%, on the business day prior to the date on which the Operating Partnership gives notice of redemption. In addition, upon a change of control triggering event, the Operating Partnership is required to offer to prepay the 2030 Canadian Notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of the 2030 Canadian Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon. For clarity, holders who accept an offer to repurchase their notes upon a change of control triggering event shall not be entitled to the Canada Yield Price or any other amount in excess of the repurchase price.
The Second Indenture contains certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative, negative and financial covenants, and events of default. In addition, if an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee may, in its discretion, and will, upon receiving instruction from the holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 2030 Canadian Notes, accelerate the maturity of the 2030 Canadian Notes, including any accrued and unpaid interest, provided that holders of more than 50% of the principal amount of the 2030 Canadian Notes will have the right to waive certain of the events of default and/or annul the declaration made by the Trustee to accelerate the maturity of the 2030 Canadian Notes.
The 2030 Canadian Notes were issued on apari passu basis with our 2024 Credit Facility (as defined below), our 2028 Canadian Notes and the 2032 Private Placement Notes (as defined below), and as such, we and the Subsidiary Guarantors under such loans have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Operating Partnership’s obligations under the 2030 Canadian Notes. The Second Indenture requires any of our subsidiaries that incurs or guarantees indebtedness under the other pari passu loans in the future to also provide a note guarantee in favor of the holders of the 2030 Canadian Notes.
2028 Canadian Notes
On June 11, 2025, we, as guarantor, and the Operating Partnership, asissuer, sold on a private placement basis in Canada, an aggregate principal amount of $500 million CAD senior unsecured notes which incur interest only at a fixed rate of 3.91%, and becomes due on June 16, 2028 (the “2028 Canadian Notes”).
The 2028 Canadian Notes were offered pursuant to an agency agreement entered into among us, the Operating Partnership, the Subsidiary Guarantors (defined below), BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., National Bank Financial Inc., Scotia Capital Inc. and RBC Dominion Securities Inc. The sale and purchase of the 2028 Canadian Notes occurred on June 16, 2025.
The 2028 Canadian Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture (the “Base Indenture”) among us, the Operating Partnership and Computershare Trust Company of Canada (the “Trustee”), as amended and supplemented by a first supplemental indenture to the Base Indenture among us, the Operating Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors (the “First Supplemental Indenture” and together with the Base Indenture, the “First Indenture”).
The 2028 Canadian Notes bear interest at a rate of approximately 3.91% per annum, payable semiannually on June 16 and December 16 in each year, beginning on December 16, 2025, until maturity.
The Operating Partnership will be permitted to redeem at any time all, or from time to time any part of, the 2028 Canadian Notes then outstanding at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount so prepaid and (ii) the Canada Yield Price, together in each case, with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption. The “Canada Yield Price” means a price equal to the price of a note calculated to provide a yield to the maturity date, compounded semi-annually and calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice, equal to the government of Canada yield plus 0.28%, on the business day prior to the date on which the Operating Partnership gives notice of redemption. In addition, upon a change of control triggering event, the Operating Partnership is required to offer to prepay the 2028 Canadian Notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of the 2028 Canadian Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon. For clarity, holders who accept an offer to repurchase their notes upon a change of control triggering event shall not be entitled to the Canada Yield Price or any other amount in excess of the repurchase price.
The First Indenture contains certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative, negative and financial covenants, and events of default. In addition, if an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee may, in its discretion, and will, upon receiving instruction from the holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 2028 Canadian Notes, accelerate the maturity of the 2028 Canadian Notes, including any accrued and unpaid interest, provided that holders of more than 50% of the principal amount of the 2028 Canadian Notes will have the right to waive certain of the events of default and/or annul the declaration made by the Trustee to accelerate the maturity of the 2028 Canadian Notes.
The 2028 Canadian Notes were issued on apari passu basis with our 2024 Credit Facility (as defined below) with KeyBank, our 2030 Canadian Notes, the 2032 Private Placement Notes (as defined below), and as such, we and each of our subsidiaries that have incurred or guaranteed indebtedness (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”) under such loans have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Operating Partnership’s obligations under the 2028 Canadian Notes. The First Indenture requires any of our subsidiaries that incurs or guarantees indebtedness under the other pari passu loans in the future to also provide a note guarantee in favor of the holders of the 2028 Canadian Notes.
Kelowna Property Loan
In connection with the acquisition of the Kelowna Property on April 15, 2025, we assumed a loan from the seller in the amount of approximately $24.5 million CAD or approximately $17.7 million USD, (the“Kelowna Canadian Property Loan”). The Kelowna Canadian Property Loan incurs interest at a fixed rate of 3.45% with amortizing principal payments based on a 25 year amortization schedule, with a maturity of September 30, 2028. We provided a full recourse guaranty to National Bank of Canada, the lender, in connection with this loan. The loan contains certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative, negative and financial covenants, and events of default. Subsequent to March 31, 2026, we made a payment of approximately $0.2 million into a restricted cash account in favor of the lender to cure a shortfall related to a debt service coverage ratio; such required ratio was initially determined prior to our assumption of this loan.
2027 Ladera Ranch Loan
On December 20, 2024, in connection with our acquisition of the Ladera Ranch Property from Extra Space Storage, we, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a loan with Extra Space Storage LP, as lender, with a loan amount of $42.0 million (the“2027 Ladera Ranch Loan”). The loan is interest only with a fixed rate of 5.0% per annum, has a maturity date of December 5, 2027, and is secured by the Ladera Ranch Property. We also provided a non-recourse guaranty to Extra Space Storage LP in connection with this loan. The loan contains certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative, negative and financial covenants, and events of default.
See Note 8 – Preferred Equity for additional information regarding our other pre-existing relationship with this seller/lender.
Houston Property Loan
In connection with the acquisition of the Holzwarth, Houston Property on June 17, 2025, we assumed a loan from the seller in the amount of approximately $8.8 million, (the“Houston Property Loan”). The Houston Property Loan incurs interest at a fixed rate of 5.15% and principal payments are required on a 25 year amortization schedule. The loan is due in full on May 1, 2034. We provided a full recourse guaranty to National Western Life Insurance Company, the lender, in connection with this loan, until certain physical occupancy and rental revenue thresholds are met for three consecutive months, after which time the guaranty will become a limited-recourse guaranty. The loan contains certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative, negative and financial covenants, and events of default.
2032 Private Placement Notes
On April 19, 2022, we as guarantor, and our Operating Partnership as issuer, entered into a note purchase agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) which provides for the private placement of $150 million of 4.53% Senior Notes due April 19, 2032 (the “2032 Private Placement Notes”). The sale and purchase of the 2032 Private Placement Notes occurred in two closings, with the first of such closings having occurred on April 19, 2022 with $75 million aggregate principal amount of the 2032 Private Placement Notes having been issued on such date (the “First Closing”) and the second of such closings having occurred on May 25, 2022 with $75 million aggregate principal amount of the 2032 Private Placement Notes having been issued on such date (the “Second Closing”). Interest on each series of the 2032 Private Placement Notes is payable semiannually on the nineteenth day of April and October in each year.
Interest payable on the 2032 Private Placement Notes were originally subject to a prospective 75 basis points increase, if, as of March 31, 2023, the ratio of total indebtedness to EBITDA (the “Total Leverage Ratio”) of the Company and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, was greater than 7.00 to 1.00 (a “Total Leverage Ratio Event”).
As of March 31, 2023, such Total Leverage Ratio Event occurred, and our 2032 Private Placement Notes began accruing interest at a rate of 5.28%. The interest accruing on the 2032 Private Placement Notes continued to accrue at 5.28% until such time as the Total Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 7.00 to 1.00 for two consecutive fiscal quarters, upon such achievement, the applicable fixed interest rate reverted to 4.53% and will remain at that interest rate through maturity, regardless of our future Total Leverage Ratio. As of September 30, 2025 our Total Leverage Ratio was less than 7.00 to 1.00. In accordance with the terms of the 2032 Private Placement Notes, as we have maintained this ratio for a second consecutive fiscal quarter through September 30, 2025, the fixed interest rate reverted back to 4.53% effective October 1, 2025.
We are permitted to prepay at any time all, or from time to time, any part of the 2032 Private Placement Notes in amounts not less than 5% of the 2032 Private Placement Notes then outstanding at (i) 100% of the principal amount so prepaid and (ii) the make-whole amount (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement). The “Make-Whole Amount” is equal to the excess, if any, of the discounted value of the remaining scheduled payments with respect to the 2032 Private Placement Notes being prepaid over the amount of such 2032 Private Placement Notes. In addition, in connection with a change of control (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement), the Operating Partnership is required to offer to prepay the 2032 Private Placement Notes at 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, but without the Make Whole Amount or any other prepayment premium or penalty of any kind. The Company must also maintain a debt rating of the 2032 Private Placement Notes by a rating agency.
The Note Purchase Agreement contains certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative, negative and financial covenants, and events of default that were substantially similar to the 2024 Credit Facility (as defined below). The 2032 Private Placement Notes were issued on a pari passu basis with the previously existing Credit Facility, and arepari passu with the Credit Facility. As described above, as a result of the Security Interest Termination Event, on April 17, 2025, KeyBank released the pledges of the Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to the Debt Agreements, and each of the Credit Facility and the 2032 Private Placement Notes, respectively, became unsecured. Prior to such event, the Company and Subsidiary Guarantors fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Operating Partnership’s obligations under the 2032 Private Placement Notes.
On April 26, 2024, we amended the Note Purchase Agreement dated April 19, 2022 (the “NPA Amendment”). The primary purpose of the NPA Amendment was to make certain conforming changes between the Note Purchase Agreement and our recently amended and restated revolving credit facility, the Credit Facility. In particular, the NPA Amendment conformed certain of the definitions related to the financial tests that we are required to maintain, as well as certain of the property pool covenants we are required to satisfy, in the Note Purchase Agreement during the term thereof to those in the Credit Facility.
Former Credit Facility
On February 22, 2024, we, through the Borrower, entered into an amended and restated revolving credit facility with KeyBank, National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent, certain others listed as joint book runners, joint lead arrangers, syndication agents and documentation agents, and certain other lenders party thereto, (the “2024 Credit Facility”). The 2024 Credit Facility had a maturity date of February 22, 2027.
The aggregate commitment of the 2024 Credit Facility was originally $650 million. On February 4, 2025, we exercised the accordion rights under the 2024 Credit Facility to increase commitments by $50 million to a total of $700 million. Borrowings under the 2024 Credit Facility could be in either U.S. dollars or Canadian dollars. Upon the closing of the 2024 Credit Facility, we immediately drew down an aggregate amount of $576 million, which was used primarily to pay off the amounts outstanding under a previous credit facility.
The maturity date of the 2024 Credit Facility was February 22, 2027, subject to aone-year extension option, subject to the payment of an extension fee of 0.20% on the aggregate amount of the then-outstanding revolving commitments for such extension, and it could be prepaid or terminated at any time without penalty; provided, however, that the lenders shall be indemnified for certain breakage costs.
As of December 31, 2025, borrowings under the 2024 Credit Facility only bore interest based on Daily Simple SOFR. The rate spread above Daily Simple SOFR at which the 2024 Credit Facility incurred interest was subject to increase based on the consolidated leverage ratio. There were six leverage tiers under the 2024 Credit Facility in effect, with the highest tier in effect when leverage is above 60% and a maximum spread of 225 basis points on the 2024 Credit Facility. This loan incurred interest at daily simple SOFR plus a spread of 1.40% and the SOFR Index Adjustment of 0.10% through February 18, 2026, the date on which the 2024 Credit Facility was recast (as discussed above).
The 2024 Credit Facility contained certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative, negative and financial covenants, borrowing conditions, and events of default.
On April 11, 2025, we reduced the total commitment available to us under the 2024 Credit Facility from $700 million to $600 million. In connection with the reduction of the borrowing capacity, we recognized approximately $0.9 million of expense during the year ended December 31, 2025, which was included in loss on debt extinguishment in our consolidated statements of operations, and represents a proportional amount of the unamortized debt issuance costs attributable to the 2024 Credit Facility calculated based on the proportion of the reduced commitments available under the 2024 Credit Facility.
On February 18, 2026, the 2024 Credit Facility was recast (as discussed above). The Borrower’s outstanding balance under the 2024 Credit Facility of approximately $68.3 million remained unchanged at the closing of the Credit Facility.
Note 8. Preferred Equity
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
On October 29, 2019 (the “Commitment Date”), we entered into a preferred stock purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Extra Space Storage LP (the “Investor”), a subsidiary of Extra Space Storage Inc. (NYSE: EXR), pursuant to which the Investor committed to purchase up to $200 million in preferred shares (the aggregate shares to be purchased, the “Preferred Shares”) of our new Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock”), in one or more closings (each, a “Closing,” and collectively, the “Closings”). The initial closing (the “Initial Closing”) in the amount of $150 million occurred on the Commitment Date, and the second and final closing in the amount of $50 million occurred on October 26, 2020. We incurred approximately $3.6 million in issuance costs related to the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, which were recorded as a reduction to Series A Convertible Preferred stock on our consolidated balance sheets.
The shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock ranked senior to all other shares of our capital stock, including our common stock, with respect to rights to receive dividends and to participate in distributions or payments upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. Dividends payable on each share of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock were initially equal to a rate of 6.25% per annum. The dividend rate increased by an additional 0.75% per annum to an aggregate of 7.0% per annum on October 29, 2024. The dividends were payable in arrears for the prior calendar quarter on or before the 15 th day of March, June, September and December of each year.
We had certain redemption rights with respect to the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, including upon the listing of our common stock on a national securities exchange. In the event of such a listing, we had the right to redeem any or all outstanding Series A Convertible Preferred Stock at an amount equal to the greater of (i) the amount that would have been payable had such Preferred Shares been converted into common stock pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement immediately prior to the Listing, and then all of such Preferred Shares were sold in the Listing, or (ii) the aggregate purchase price of all outstanding Preferred Shares, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends (the “Liquidation Amount”).
In connection with the Underwritten Public Offering, discussed in Note 1 – Organization, all issued and outstanding shares of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock were redeemed on April 4, 2025, using net proceeds from our Underwritten Public Offering which closed on April 3, 2025. We paid the Liquidation Amount of approximately $203.6 million, which included approximately $3.6 million of accumulated and unpaid distributions. Additionally, in accordance with GAAP, upon redemption, we accreted the approximately $3.6 million of issuance costs which had previously been recorded as a reduction to the carrying value, such amount was included in the accretion - preferred equity costs line item in our consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Note 9. Derivative Instruments
Interest Rate Derivatives
Our objectives in using interest rate derivatives is to add stability to our net income (loss) and to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, we have used interest rate swaps and caps as part of our interest rate risk management strategy.
For interest rate derivatives designated and qualified as a hedge for GAAP purposes, the change in the fair value of the effective portion of the derivative is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. Amounts reported in AOCI related to such derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on our variable rate debt. In addition, we classify cash flows from qualifying cash flow hedging relationships in the same category as the cash flows from the hedged items in our consolidated statements of cash flows. We do not use interest rate derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.
Interest rate derivatives not designated as hedges for GAAP are not speculative and are used to manage our exposure to interest rate movements and other identified risks but we have elected not to apply hedge accounting. Changes in the fair value of interest rate derivatives not designated in hedging relationships are recorded in other income (expense) in our consolidated statements of operations.
In connection with the 2027 NBC loan borrowing, on March 12, 2024, we entered into a CORRA Swap with NBC with an initial notional amount of CAD $75,000,000 at a rate of 3.926% for the initial duration of the 2027 NBC loan, maturing on March 7, 2027. The amortization of this swap corresponded with the amortizing principal payments on the related loan. This CORRA Swap was terminated on June 16, 2025 in connection with the full repayment of the 2027 NBC loan on June 16, 2025. In connection with the termination of the CORRA Swap, we paid National Bank of Canada approximately $1.7 million CAD.
On May 1, 2024, to hedge our exposure to potentially rising interest rates, we entered into three SOFR interest rate caps for a total of approximately $8.2 million, which hedged approximately $400 million of notional exposure. We initially deferred payment for these SOFR interest rate caps, and recorded these interest rate caps net of the remaining amount of such deferred payment liability on our balance sheet. On April 8, 2025, in connection with our principal paydown on the Credit Facility, we terminated two of these three SOFR interest rate caps, and paid approximately $3.5 million. On May 1, 2025, the third of these three SOFR interest rate caps matured, whereby we owed and paid approximately $3.7 million, representing $3.9 million of deferred payment, less $0.2 million related to the prior month’s settlement.
On December 30, 2024, in relation to the outstanding balance on a loan with KeyBank (the“2025 KeyBank Acquisition Facility”), we entered into a SOFR interest rate cap, which capped SOFR at 1.25% until maturity on July 1, 2025 for a notional amount of $100.2 million. The total cost for this interest rate cap was approximately $1.5 million, which was due and paid on January 2, 2025. In connection with our full repayment of the 2025 KeyBank Acquisition Facility, we terminated this cap on April 7, 2025, receiving a termination payment of approximately $0.7 million.
On March 4, 2025, in relation to the outstanding balance on our 2025 KeyBank Acquisition Facility, we entered into a SOFR interest rate cap, which capped SOFR at 1.25% until maturity on September 1, 2025 for a notional amount of $74.8 million. The total cost for this interest rate cap was approximately $1.2 million, which was due and paid on March 6, 2025. In connection with our full repayment of the 2025 KeyBank Acquisition Facility, we terminated this cap on April 7, 2025, receiving a termination payment of approximately $0.9 million.
On June 16, 2025, we terminated a $100 million SOFR interest rate cap with no remuneration; such cap was set to mature on December 1, 2025.
In connection with our 2028 Canadian Notes issuance, on May 29, 2025 we entered into a government of Canada treasury rate forward with a notional amount of $400 million CAD, with a rate locked at 2.6730%, and an expiration date of June 18, 2025. On June 11, 2025 we terminated this forward early, and received approximately $0.5 million USD in connection with such transaction.
As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we held no interest rate derivatives.
Foreign Currency Hedges
Our objectives in using foreign currency derivatives are to add stability to potential fluctuations in exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar and to manage our exposure to exchange rate movements. To accomplish this objective, we have used foreign currency forwards and foreign currency options as part of our exchange rate risk management strategy. A foreign currency forward contract is a commitment to deliver a certain amount of currency at a certain price on a specific date in the future. By entering into the forward contract and holding it to maturity, we are locked into a future currency exchange rate in an amount equal to and for the term of the forward contract. A foreign currency option contract is a commitment by the seller of the option to deliver, solely at the option of the buyer, a certain amount of currency at a certain price on a specific date.
For derivatives designated as net investment hedges for GAAP purposes, the changes in the fair value of the derivatives are reported in AOCI. Amounts are reclassified out of AOCI into earnings when the hedged net investment is either sold or substantially liquidated. The change in the value of the designated portion of our settled and unsettled foreign currency hedges is recorded net in foreign currency hedge contract gain (loss) in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) in the related period.
On December 30, 2024, in an effort to hedge the cash generated at our Canadian properties, we entered into four new foreign currency forwards; (i) one such hedge had a notional amount of $2.8 million CAD at a strike rate of 1.4412, and matured on February 27, 2025, (ii) the second hedge had a notional amount of $3.3 million CAD at a strike rate of 1.4363, and matured on May 27, 2025, (iii) the third hedge had a notional amount of $3.5 million CAD at a strike rate of 1.4312, and matured on August 27, 2025, whereby we paid approximately $0.1 million CAD (iv) the fourth hedge has a notional amount of $3.3 million CAD at a strike rate of 1.4261, maturing on November 28, 2025. We early terminated this fourth hedge on November 5, 2025, and received $8,000 CAD in such settlement
On February 28, 2025, we entered into a similar hedge with a notional amount of $3.2 million CAD at a strike rate of 1.4217, maturing on February 27, 2026. We early terminated this hedge on November 5, 2025, with no remuneration.
On May 29, 2025, we entered into a similar hedge with a notional amount of $3.3 million CAD at a strike rate of 1.3600, maturing on May 27, 2026. We early terminated this hedge on November 5, 2025, with no remuneration.
On April 11, 2025, we settled a net investment hedge FX Forward, receiving approximately $2.6 million USD, and simultaneously entered into a new net investment hedge FX Forward for the same notional amount of approximately $136.5 million CAD, maturing on July 11, 2025. On June 23, 2025, we entered into a net investment hedge FX Forward to directly offset the pre-existing $136.5 million CAD FX Forward. This hedge negated the impact of the previously existing hedge. On June 29, 2025, we were able to terminate both hedges, and we paid approximately $1.8 million on July 1, 2025 in connection with settling both of these derivatives.
As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we held no foreign currency hedges.
The change in the value of the portion of our settled and unsettled foreign currency forwards that are not designated for hedge accounting for GAAP was recorded in other income (expense) in our consolidated statements of operations and represented a gain of approximately $0.3 million for thethree months ended March 31, 2025.
The following table presents the effect of our derivative financial instruments designated as a hedge for GAAP purposes on our consolidated statements of operations for the periods presented (in thousands):
| (Loss) gain recognized in OCI for the three months ended March 31, · Location of amounts reclassified from OCI · Loss reclassified from OCI for the three months ended March 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | 2026 | 2025 | into income | 2026 | 2025 |
| Interest Rate Swaps | $— | $(338) | Interest expense | $— | $(106) |
| Interest Rate Caps | — | (24) | Interest expense | — | (103) |
| Foreign Currency Forwards | — | 109 | N/A | — | — |
| $— | $(253) | $— | $(209) | ||
Note 10. Income Taxes
As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on taxable income that we distribute to our stockholders. However, certain of our consolidated subsidiaries are taxable REIT subsidiaries, which are subject to federal, state and foreign income taxes. We have filed an election to treat our primary TRS as a taxable REIT subsidiary effective January 1, 2014. In general, our TRS performs additional services for our customers and provides the advisory and property management services to the Managed REITs and otherwise generally engages in non-real estate related business. The TRS is subject to corporate U.S. federal and state income tax. Additionally, we own and operate a number of self storage properties located throughout Canada, the income of which is generally subject to income taxes under the laws of Canada.
The following is a summary of our income tax expense (benefit) for the periods presented (in thousands):
| Federal | State | Canadian | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current | $— | $26 | $196 | $222 |
| Deferred | (6) | — | 115 | 109 |
| Total | $(6) | $26 | $311 | $331 |
| Federal | State | Canadian | Total | |
| Current | $— | $17 | $326 | $343 |
| Deferred | 69 | 1 | 193 | 263 |
| Total | $69 | $18 | $519 | $606 |
The major sources of temporary differences that give rise to the deferred tax effects are shown below (in thousands):
| March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Deferred tax liabilities: | ||
| Intangible contract assets | $(1,037) | $(1,181) |
| Canadian real estate | (9,270) | (9,538) |
| Total deferred tax liability | (10,307) | (10,719) |
| Deferred tax assets: | ||
| Other | 1,815 | 1,951 |
| Canadian real estate and non-capital losses (1) | 9,057 | 8,580 |
| Total deferred tax assets | 10,872 | 10,531 |
| Valuation allowance | (3,982) | (3,189) |
| Net deferred tax liabilities | $(3,417) | $(3,377) |
(1)
Such amount includes deferred tax assets from Canadian real estate basis differences, Canadian non-capital loss carryforwards, and Canadian non-deductible interest expense carry-forwards, which represented approximately $1.6 million, $5.3 million, and $2.2 million as of March 31, 2026, respectively, and approximately $1.4 million, $5.2 million, and $2.0 million as of December 31, 2025, respectively.
The Canadian non-capital losses expire between 2032 and 2045, and the non-deductible interest expense carry-forwards have no expiration. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we had Canadian non-capital loss carry forwards of approximately $19.8 millionand $19.7 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we had a valuation allowance of approx imately $4.0 million and $3.2 million, respectively, related to non-capital loss carry-forwards, non-deductible interest expense carry-forwards, and basis differences at certain of our Canadian properties.
As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we hadno interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions. In the United States, the tax years 2021-2024 remain open to examination, and in Canada, the tax years 2021-2024 remain open to examination, with possible extensions under certain conditions that would allow the years 2018-2024 to be open to examination.
Note 11. Segment Disclosures
We operate intwo reportable business segments: (i) self storage operations and (ii) our Managed Platform business. Our self storage operations consist of our wholly-owned self storage facilities, primarily consisting of month-to-month rental revenue and related ancillary revenue that these self storage facilities produce. Our Managed Platform business consists of the various management services we perform for the Managed REITs and the services we perform through our Third Party Platform, including the services performed related to property management, asset management, and construction and development management. The reportable segments offer different products and services to different customers and are therefore managed separately.
The chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is our Chief Executive Officer. Our CODM and other management regularly evaluate performance based upon segment operating income (“SOI”). For our self storage operations, SOI is defined as leasing and related revenues, less property level operating expenses. SOI for the Company’s Managed Platform business represents Managed Platform revenues less Managed Platform expenses. Our CODM uses SOI when making decisions about allocating capital and personnel to the various segments. Property operating expenses represents a significant segment expense for purposes of evaluating performance of our self storage operations. Managed Platform expense represents a significant segment expense for purposes of evaluating performance of the Company's Managed Platform. Such income statement amounts are reflected below in the calculation of SOI. On a quarterly basis, our CODM considers budget-to-actual and period-to-period variances when evaluating company and segment performance in addition to other interim reviews.
The following tables summarize information for the reportable segments for the periods presented (in thousands):
| Managed · Corporate | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self Storage | Platform | and Other | Total | |
| Revenues: | ||||
| Self storage rental revenue | $61,914 | $— | $— | $61,914 |
| Ancillary operating revenue | 2,903 | — | — | 2,903 |
| Managed Platform revenue (1) | — | 6,612 | — | 6,612 |
| Reimbursable costs from Managed Platform (2) | — | 6,881 | — | 6,881 |
| Total revenues | 64,817 | 13,493 | — | 78,310 |
| Operating expenses: | ||||
| Property operating expenses | ||||
| Property taxes | 7,245 | — | — | 7,245 |
| Payroll | 5,284 | — | — | 5,284 |
| Advertising | 1,635 | — | — | 1,635 |
| Repairs & Maintenance | 1,548 | — | — | 1,548 |
| Utilities | 1,735 | — | — | 1,735 |
| Property Insurance | 1,532 | — | — | 1,532 |
| Administrative and professional | 3,230 | — | — | 3,230 |
| Total property operating expenses | 22,209 | — | — | 22,209 |
| Managed Platform expenses (3) | — | 4,338 | — | 4,338 |
| Reimbursable costs from Managed Platform (2) | — | 6,881 | — | 6,881 |
| Segment operating income (4) | 42,608 | 2,274 | — | 44,882 |
| Other operating expenses: | ||||
| General and administrative (5) | — | — | 9,140 | 9,140 |
| Depreciation | 16,346 | — | 229 | 16,575 |
| Intangible amortization expense | 3,163 | 290 | — | 3,453 |
| Acquisition expenses | 80 | — | — | 80 |
| Contingent earnout adjustment | — | 644 | — | 644 |
| Total other operating expenses | 19,589 | 934 | 9,369 | 29,892 |
| Gain on disposition of real estate | 1,237 | — | — | 1,237 |
| Income (loss) from operations | 24,256 | 1,340 | (9,369) | 16,227 |
| Other income (expense): | ||||
| Equity in losses from investments in unconsolidated real estate ventures | — | — | (135) | (135) |
| Equity in losses from investments in Managed REITs | — | (185) | — | (185) |
| Interest and investment income | 126 | 1,844 | — | 1,970 |
| Other, net | 5,279 | — | 790 | 6,069 |
| Interest expense | (12,293) | (805) | (39) | (13,137) |
| Loss on debt extinguishment | (262) | — | — | (262) |
| Income tax (expense) benefit | (362) | (107) | 138 | (331) |
| Net income (loss) | $16,744 | $2,087 | $(8,615) | $10,216 |
(1)
Included within Managed Platform revenue was approximately $2.8 million of revenue related to our Third Party Platform acquired on October 1, 2025.
(2)
Included within Reimbursable costs from Managed Platform was approximately $3.5 million related to our Third Party Platform acquired on October 1, 2025.
(3)
Included within Managed Platform expenses was approximately $3.3 million of expense related to our Third Party Platform acquired on October 1, 2025.
(4)
Included within Managed Platform segment operating income was approximately$0.5 million of loss related to our Third Party Platform acquired on October 1, 2025.
(5)
Included within General and administrative was approximately $0.7 million of stock and related compensation expense related to our IPO Grant (as defined in Note 13 – Equity-Based Compensation).
| Managed · Corporate | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self Storage | Platform | and Other | Total | |
| Revenues: | ||||
| Self storage rental revenue | $56,586 | $— | $— | $56,586 |
| Ancillary operating revenue | 2,607 | — | — | 2,607 |
| Managed Platform revenue | — | 4,113 | — | 4,113 |
| Reimbursable costs from Managed Platform | — | 2,143 | — | 2,143 |
| Total revenues | 59,193 | 6,256 | — | 65,449 |
| Operating expenses: | ||||
| Property operating expenses | ||||
| Property taxes | 6,468 | — | — | 6,468 |
| Payroll | 4,707 | — | — | 4,707 |
| Advertising | 1,477 | — | — | 1,477 |
| Repairs & Maintenance | 1,474 | — | — | 1,474 |
| Utilities | 1,506 | — | — | 1,506 |
| Property Insurance | 1,633 | — | — | 1,633 |
| Administrative and professional | 2,822 | — | — | 2,822 |
| Total property operating expenses | 20,087 | — | — | 20,087 |
| Managed Platform expenses | — | 1,234 | — | 1,234 |
| Reimbursable costs from Managed Platform | — | 2,143 | — | 2,143 |
| Segment operating income | 39,106 | 2,879 | — | 41,985 |
| Other operating expenses: | ||||
| General and administrative | — | — | 7,850 | 7,850 |
| Depreciation | 14,831 | — | 263 | 15,094 |
| Intangible amortization expense | 1,599 | — | — | 1,599 |
| Acquisition expenses | 203 | — | — | 203 |
| Total other operating expenses | 16,633 | — | 8,113 | 24,746 |
| Income (loss) from operations | 22,473 | 2,879 | (8,113) | 17,239 |
| Other income (expense): | ||||
| Equity in losses from investments in unconsolidated real estate ventures | — | — | (242) | (242) |
| Equity in losses from investments in Managed REITs | — | (215) | — | (215) |
| Other, net | 169 | — | 285 | 454 |
| Interest and investment income | 115 | 610 | — | 725 |
| Interest expense | (21,982) | — | (40) | (22,022) |
| Loss on debt extinguishment | (789) | — | — | (789) |
| Income tax expense | (316) | (68) | (222) | (606) |
| Net (loss) income | $(330) | $3,206 | $(8,332) | $(5,456) |
The following table summarizes our total assets by segment (in thousands):
| Segments | March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Self Storage (1) | $2,165,309 | $2,204,897 |
| Managed Platform (2) | 194,443 | 164,508 |
| Corporate and Other | 61,651 | 62,767 |
| Total assets (3) | $2,421,403 | $2,432,172 |
(1)
Included in the assets of the Self Storage segment as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 were approx imately $52.2 million of goodwill. Additionally, as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 there wereno accumulated impairment charges to goodwill within the Self Storage segment.
(2)
Included in the assets of the Managed Platform segment as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, was approximately$1.4 million of goodwill related to our Self Administration Transaction (as defined in Note 12 – Related Party Transactions). Such goodwill is net of accumulated impairment charges in the Managed Platform segment of approximately $24.7 million, which relates to the impairment charge recorded during the year ended December 31, 2020. Additionally, as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, there was approximately$16.3 million of goodwill related to the Third Party Platform Acquisition, bringing the total amount of goodwill therein to approximately$17.7 million. Also included in the assets of the Managed Platform segment as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 was approximately $7.4 million and $7.7 million, respectively, of net intangible asset related to the acquisition of our Third Party Platform. See Note 4 – Third Party Platform Acquisition for further information.
(3)
Other than our investments in and advances to Managed REITs, investments in unconsolidated real estate ventures and investment in the Third Party Platform, substantially all of our investments in real estate facilities and intangible assets, as well as our capital expenditures, as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 and for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, were associated with our self storage platform. See Note 3 – Real Estate Facilities for additional detail.
As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, approximately $261.7 million and $255.4 million, respectively, of our assets in the self storage segment related to our operations in Canada. For thethree months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, approximately $7.4 million and $5.4 million, respectively, of our revenues in the self storage segment related to our operations in Canada. Substantially all of our operations related to the management fees we generate through our management contracts with the Managed REITs and all of the fees from our Third Party Platform are performed in the U.S.; accordingly substantially all of our assets and revenues related to our Managed Platform segment are based in the U.S. as well.
As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, approximately $30.6 million and $29.7 million, respectively, of our assets in the Corporate and Other segment table above relate to our Canadian JV Properties, which operate in Canada. For thethree months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, approximately $33,000 of gain and approximately $0.2 million of loss, respectively, relate to these Canadian JV Properties operations in Canada.
Note 12. Related Party Transactions
Self Administration Transaction
On June 28, 2019, we, our Operating Partnership and our TRS entered into a series of transactions, agreements, and amendments to our existing agreements and arrangements with our then-sponsor, SAM, and SmartStop OP Holdings, LLC (“SS OP Holdings”), a subsidiary of SAM, pursuant to which, effective June 28, 2019, we acquired the self storage advisory, asset management and property management businesses and certain joint venture interests of SAM, along with certain other assets of SAM (collectively, the “Self Administration Transaction”).
As a result of the Self Administration Transaction, we became self-managed and succeeded to the advisory, asset management and property management businesses and certain joint ventures previously in place for us, and we acquired the internal capability to originate, structure and manage additional future self storage investment products which would be sponsored by SmartStop REIT Advisors, LLC (“SRA”), our indirect subsidiary.
Our Chief Executive Officer, who is also the Chairman of our board of directors, holds ownership interests in and is an officer of SAM, and other affiliated entities. Previously, certain of our executive officers held ownership interests in and/or were officers of SAM, and other affiliated entities. Accordingly, any agreements or transactions we have entered into with such entities may present a conflict of interest. None of SAM and its affiliates or our directors or executive officers receive any compensation, fees or reimbursements from our Managed REITs, other than with respect to fees and reimbursements in accordance with the Administrative Services Agreement (defined below) and the now-terminated transfer agent agreement, which agreement was terminated effective April 20, 2024, or as otherwise described in this section.
Advisory Agreement Fees
Our Managed REIT advisor subsidiaries are or were entitled to receive various fees and expense reimbursements under the terms of the SST VI, SST X, and SSGT III advisory agreements.
SST VI Advisory Agreement
The SST VI advisor provides acquisition and advisory services to SST VI pursuant to an advisory agreement (the “SST VI Advisory Agreement”).
Pursuant to the SST VI Advisory Agreement, the SST VI advisor receives acquisition fees equal to 1.00% of the contract purchase price of each property SST VI acquires plus reimbursement of any acquisition expenses that SST VI advisor incurs. The SST VI advisor also receives a monthly asset management fee equal to 0.0625%, which isone-twelfth of 0.75%, of SST VI’s aggregate asset value, as defined. The SST VI advisor is also potentially entitled to receive a disposition fee if a substantial amount of services are performed by the SST VI advisor, as determined by a majority of SST VI’s independent directors, equal to the lesser of 1% of the contract sales price for any properties sold or 50% of the competitive real estate commission; however in no event shall the total real estate commissions paid exceed 6% of the contract sales price.
A subsidiary of our Operating Partnership may also be potentially entitled to a subordinated distribution through its ownership of a special limited partnership in SST VI OP if SST VI (1) lists its shares of common stock on a national exchange, (2) terminates the SST VI Advisory Agreement, (3) liquidates its portfolio, or (4) merges with another entity or enters into an Extraordinary Transaction, as defined in SST VI OP's limited partnership agreement.
The SST VI Advisory Agreement provides for reimbursement of the SST VI advisor’s direct and indirect costs of providing administrative and management services to SST VI. Beginning four fiscal quarters after commencement of SST VI's public offering, which was declared effective March 17, 2022, the SST VI advisor is required to pay or reimburse SST VI the amount by which SST VI’s aggregate annual operating expenses, as defined, exceed the greater of 2% of SST VI’s average invested assets or 25% of SST VI’s net income, as defined, unless a majority of SST VI’s independent directors determine that such excess expenses were justified based on unusual and non-recurring factors.
In connection with the SST VI’s public offering, SST VI was required to reimburse the SST VI advisor for all expenses incurred by SST VI advisor and its affiliates in connection with SST VI’s public offering and its organization, but in no event were such amounts to exceed 15% of the gross offering proceeds raised by SST VI in the terminated or completed offering (including sales commissions, dealer manager fees, stockholder servicing fees and dealer manager servicing fees). If the organization and offering expenses exceeded such limit, within 60 days after the end of the month in which the offering terminated or was completed, pursuant to the terms of the SST VI Advisory Agreement, the SST VI advisor would have had to reimburse SST VI for any excess amounts. SST VI's public offering was closed as of June 30, 2025. In connection therewith, SST VI determined that the organization and offering expenses it incurred did not exceed the limit as described above.
On June 18, 2025, we and various affiliated entities, entered into a Separation and Settlement Agreement (the “Separation Agreement”) with Pacific Oak Holding Group, LLC (“POHG”) and its subsidiary Pacific Oak Capital Markets, LLC, the former dealer manager for SST VI, SSGT III and other affiliated programs (the “Former Dealer Manager”), resulting in (1) the repurchase of the 17.5% non-voting membership interest in the SST VI advisor previously held by POHG, and (2) the termination of a contract whereby services were provided to our programs on our behalf, including the distribution relationship for SST VI, SSGT III and other affiliated programs. In connection with the Separation Agreement, we made a payment to POHG of $3,000,000, which represented full settlement and termination of the various agreements and relationships. Such amount included (i) $650,000 for the termination of the distribution support agreement between SRA and POHG, (ii) $1,850,000 for the repurchase of any and all interests that POHG had in the SST VI advisor, and (iii) $500,000 for severance payments to be made to employees of the Former Dealer Manager. Accordingly, since June 18, 2025, we own 100% of the SST VI advisor.
The $1,850,000 paid for the repurchase of membership interests in the SST VI advisor was determined based on a pre-existing formula based on distributions over the prior year. This payment was treated as a repurchase of equity and no gain or loss was recognized. The difference between the $1,850,000 paid and the carrying value of the previously existing non-controlling interest was recorded to additional paid-in capital. The separate contract termination costs related to the distribution support agreement and the severance payments were immediately recorded in full to Managed Platform expenses during the year ended December 31, 2025. Excluding the amounts we paid for severance payments, the amounts otherwise paid were based on pre-existing terms included in the underlying agreements.
Subsequent to and as a result of the POHG termination, on June 12, 2025, we, through a subsidiary of our TRS, entered into a new retail distribution and other support arrangement with Orchard Securities, LLC (“Orchard”). Through this relationship, Orchard will distribute certain of our Managed REIT investment programs, including DST offerings and other Managed REIT offerings. We pay Orchard certain fees and expenses as part of the engagement. On September 30, 2025, SST VI commenced a private offering of up to $75.0 million in shares of its Series E Redeemable 8% Preferred Stock, (the “SST VI Preferred Offering”). Pursuant to a managing dealer agreement, Orchard serves as the managing dealer for the SST VI Preferred Offering and, as part of its compensation under the managing dealer agreement, it is entitled to receive certain fees and expenses in connection with the SST VI Preferred Offering, some of which may be paid by one of our affiliates.
SSGT III Advisory Agreement
The SSGT III advisor provides acquisition and advisory services to SSGT III pursuant to an advisory agreement (the “SSGT III Advisory Agreement”).
Pursuant to the SSGT III Advisory Agreement, the SSGT III advisor will receive acquisition fees equal to 1.00% of the contract purchase price of each property SSGT III acquires plus reimbursement of acquisition expenses that SSGT III advisor incurs, provided, however, that no reimbursement shall be made for costs of personnel to the extent that such personnel perform services in transactions for which the advisor receives the Acquisition Fee. The SSGT III advisor also receives a monthly asset management fee equal to 0.0625%, which is one-twelfth of 0.75%, of SSGT III’s aggregate asset value, as set forth in the underlying agreements. The SSGT III advisor is also entitled to receive a disposition fee equal to 1.5% of the contract sale price for any properties sold inclusive of any real estate commissions paid to third party real estate brokers.
A subsidiary of SSGT III is the sponsor of DSTs and a wholly-owned SSGT III entity also operates the related properties pursuant to a master lease with the respective DST. For certain of such DSTs, upon the successful syndication of the DST offering we will receive an additional 0.60% of the acquisition price related to our assistance with the successful launch of the syndicated investment product. The DST interests are initially owned by SSGT III but are sold to the third parties through the DST offering sponsored by SSGT III. Given required tax structuring, the control of the DST resides with a signatory trustee, which is affiliated with SSGT III.
Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, POHG is no longer entitled to receive 17.5% of the acquisition fees, asset management fees and disposition fees that the SSGT III advisor earns pursuant to the SSGT III Advisory Agreement.
A subsidiary of our Operating Partnership may also be potentially entitled to various subordinated distributions through its ownership of a special limited partnership in SSGT III’s operating partnership agreement if SSGT III (1) lists its shares of common stock on a national exchange, (2) terminates the SSGT III Advisory Agreement, (3) liquidates its portfolio, or (4) merges with another entity or enters into an Extraordinary Transaction, as defined in the SSGT III operating partnership agreement.
SST X Advisory Agreement
The SST X advisor provides acquisition and advisory services to SST X pursuant to an advisory agreement dated January 31, 2025 (as amended to date, the “SST X Advisory Agreement”). In connection with the SST X private placement offering, which initially commenced on January 31, 2025, the SST X advisor has and will continue to pay for certain organization and offering expenses (other than selling commissions and shareholder servicing fees) and the SST X advisor may pay for certain other operating expenses incurred by SST X through December 31, 2026. SST X is not required to begin to repay such costs until January 2027, at which point SST X must reimburse these costs over 60 months.
Pursuant to the SST X Advisory Agreement, the SST X advisor will not receive acquisition fees, but is entitled to reimbursement of acquisition expenses that the SST X advisor incurs. The SST X advisor is not entitled to receive any disposition fees. The SST X advisor is entitled to a management fee equal to (i)0.75% of NAV for the Class F-T Common Shares, Class F-D Common Shares, and Class F-I Common Shares, and (ii)1.25% of NAV for the Class T Common Shares, Class D Common Shares, and Class I Common Shares, in each case, per annum and payable monthly, before giving effect to any accruals by SST X for the management fee, any applicable servicing fees, the performance participation allocation, or any distributions. SST X is currently only offering the Class F-T Common Shares, Class F-D Common Shares and Class F-I Common Shares. Until the first determination of NAV by the SST X advisor, the management fee shall be equal to 0.75% of the per share purchase price of $20.00 for the Class F-T Common Shares, Class F-D Common Shares and Class F-I Common Shares. The SST X Operating Partnership will also pay the SST X advisor a management fee equal to (i)0.75% of net asset value of the SST X Operating Partnership for the Class F-T OP Units, Class F-D OP Units, and Class F-I OP Units then outstanding held by unitholders other than SST X, and (ii)1.25% of net asset value of the SST X Operating Partnership for the Class T OP Units, Class D OP Units, and Class I OP units then outstanding held by unitholders other than SST X, in each case, per annum and payable monthly, before giving effect to any accruals for such management fees, any applicable servicing fees, the performance participation allocation, or any distributions by the SST X Operating Partnership. The management fee may be paid, at the SST X advisor’s election, in cash or cash equivalent aggregate NAV amounts of Class E Common Shares or Class E OP Units in Strategic Storage Operating Partnership X, L.P. (the “SST X Operating Partnership” or “SST X OP”). Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, POHG is no longer entitled to receive 17.5% of the asset management fees that SST X advisor earns pursuant to the SST X Advisory Agreement.
In addition, a subsidiary of our Operating Partnership holds a special performance participation interest in the SST X Operating Partnership that entitles it to receive an allocation from the SST X Operating Partnership equal to 10.0% of the Total Return with respect to Class F-T Common Units, Class F-D Units and Class F-I Common Units (12.5% with respect to Class T Units, Class D Units and Class I Units), subject to a 5% Hurdle Amount and a High Water Mark with respect to such class of units, with a Catch-Up (each term as defined in the limited partnership agreement of the SST X Operating Partnership). Such allocation and the related distribution are made annually.
As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, SST X had sold approximately $2.0 million of its Class F-I Common Shares, and we had a receivable of approximately$2.7 millionand $2.2 million, respectively, from SST X related to the costs described above.
On January 23, 2026, SST X re-launched a private offering of up to $600 million in shares of its beneficial interests. Pursuant to a managing dealer agreement, Orchard will now serve as the managing dealer for the SST X private placement offering and, as part of its compensation under the managing dealer agreement, will be entitled to receive certain fees and expenses in connection with the SST X offering, some of which may be paid by one of our affiliates. Additionally, we agreed to re-allow to Orchard 10% of certain fees we are entitled to pursuant to our existing SST X Advisory Agreement and certain allocations we are entitled to pursuant to the limited partnership agreement of the SST X Operating Partnership, as described above.
Managed REIT Property Management Agreements
Our indirect subsidiaries, SS Growth Property Management III, LLC, Strategic Storage Property Management VI, LLC, and Strategic Storage Property Management X, LLC, (collectively the “Managed REITs’ Property Managers”), are entitled to receive fees for their services in managing the properties wholly or partially owned by the Managed REITs pursuant to property management agreements entered into between the owner of the property and the applicable Managed REIT’s Property Manager.
The Managed REITs’ Property Managers receive a property management fee equal to 6% of the gross revenues from the properties, generally subject to a monthly minimum of $3,000 per property, plus reimbursement of the costs of managing the properties, and a one-time fee of $3,750 for each property acquired that would be managed by the Managed REITs’ Property Managers. Reimbursable costs and expenses include wages and salaries and other expenses of employees engaged in operating, managing and maintaining such properties. Pursuant to the property management agreements, we through our Operating Partnership employ the on-site staff for the Managed REITs’ properties.
The Managed REITs’ Property Managers are entitled to a construction management fee equal to 5% of the cost of a related construction or capital improvement work project in excess of $10,000.
Summary of Fees and Revenue Related to the Managed REITs
Pursuant to the terms of the various agreements described above for the Managed REITs, the following summarizes the related party fees for the periods presented (in thousands):
| Three Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, | ||
| Managed Platform Revenues | 2026 | 2025 |
| Asset Management Fees: | ||
| SST VI | $1,147 | $1,035 |
| SSGT III | 555 | 407 |
| SST X | 4 | — |
| Total Asset Management Fees | 1,706 | 1,442 |
| Property Management Fees: | ||
| SST VI | 513 | 452 |
| SSGT III | 421 | 266 |
| SST X | 11 | — |
| JV Properties | 297 | 245 |
| Third Party Platform | 1,998 | — |
| Total Property Management Fees | 3,240 | 963 |
| Tenant Protection Program Fees: | ||
| SST VI | 373 | 321 |
| SSGT III | 370 | 186 |
| SST X | 23 | — |
| JV Properties | 109 | 101 |
| Third Party Platform (1) | 829 | — |
| Total Tenant Protection Program Fees | 1,704 | 608 |
| Acquisition Fees: | ||
| SSGT III | — | 1,187 |
| Total Acquisition Fees | — | 1,187 |
| Other Managed REIT Fees (2) | 229 | 158 |
| Managed Platform Fees | 6,879 | 4,358 |
| Sponsor funding reduction (3) | (267) | (245) |
| Total Managed Platform Revenues | $6,612 | $4,113 |
(1)
Our Third Party Platform revenues are not derived from a related party; however, it is a part of our Managed Platform and we have included it above accordingly.
(2)
Such revenue primarily includes other property management related fees, construction management fees, development fees, and other miscellaneous revenues.
(3)
Pursuant to the Sponsor Funding Agreement, we funded certain costs of SST VI’s share sales, and in return received Series C Units in SST VI’s OP. As of June 30, 2025, SST VI had closed its offering to new subscriptions. As such, we no longer had any funding obligation pursuant to the Sponsor Funding Agreement. The excess of the funding over the value of the Series C Units received is accounted for as a reduction of Managed Platform revenue from SST VI over the remaining estimated term of the management contracts with SST VI.
We offer tenant insurance or tenant protection programs to customers at our Managed REITs’ properties pursuant to which we, as the property manager and majority owner of the Tenant Protection Program joint ventures, are entitled to substantially all of the net revenue attributable to the sale of such tenant programs.
In order to protect our interest in receiving these revenues in light of the fact that the Managed REITs control the properties, we and the Managed REITs transferred our respective rights in such arrangements to a joint venture entity owned 99.9% by us through a TRS subsidiary and 0.1% by the Managed REIT. Under the terms of the operating agreements of the joint venture entities, we receive 99.9% of the net revenues generated from such Tenant Protection Programs and the Managed REIT receives the other 0.1% of such net revenues.
Reimbursable costs from Managed REITs includes reimbursement of SST VI, SST X and SSGT III’s Advisors’ certain direct and indirect costs of providing administrative and management services to the Managed REITs. Additionally, reimbursable costs includes reimbursement pursuant to the property management agreements for reimbursement of certain costs of managing the Managed REITs’ properties, including wages and salaries and other expenses of employees engaged in operating, managing and maintaining such properties.
As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we had receivables due from the Managed REITs totaling approximately $33.1 million and $23.4 million, respectively. Such amounts are included in investments in and advances to Managed REITs in our consolidated balance sheets. Such amounts included unpaid amounts relative to the above table, in addition to other direct routine reimbursable expenditures of the Managed REITs that we directly funded.
Investments in and advances to SST VI OP
On March 10, 2021, SmartStop OP made an investment of $5.0 million in SST VI OP, in exchange for common units of limited partnership interest in SST VI OP. Additionally, a subsidiary of SmartStop OP owns a special limited partnership interest (the “SST VI SLP”) in SST VI OP.
For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, we recorded aloss from our equity in earnings related to our common equity interests, excluding our preferred investment discussed below, in SST VI OP of approximately $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, and received distributions in the amount of approximately $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, excluding distributions received related to the Series D Preferred Units, defined below.
On September 4, 2025, we, through one our subsidiaries entered into a preferred unit purchase agreement with SST VI OP (the “Series D Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement”) for up to 1,400,000 Series D cumulative redeemable preferred units (“Series D Preferred Units”), in consideration for up to $35.0 million. Distributions on the Series D Preferred Units of SST VI OP are cumulative from the date of issuance and are payable monthly in arrears. Distributions are payable at a rate of: (a) 6% per annum from the date of issuance until the second anniversary after the date of issuance; (b) 7% per annum commencing the day following the second anniversary after the date of issuance until the third anniversary after the date of issuance; (c) 8% per annum commencing the day following the third anniversary after the date of issuance until the fourth anniversary after the date of issuance; and (d) 9% per annum thereafter. The Series D Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement provides that the purchase price for the Series D Preferred Units shall be equal to $25 per share. The Series D Preferred Units require an investment fee equal to 1.0% of the amount invested at any closing.
As of December 31, 2025, we had purchased an aggregate of 1,400,000 Series D Preferred Units for $35.0 million. As such, we were no longer required to make any further purchases of Series D Preferred Units in connection with the Series D Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement, as discussed above.
For the three months ended March 31, 2026, we recorded income of approximately $0.5 million fromour investment in the Series D Preferred Units.
Sponsor Funding Agreement
On November 1, 2023, SRA, a subsidiary of our Operating Partnership, entered into a Sponsor Funding Agreement with SST VI and SST VI OP, in connection with certain changes to the public offering of SST VI.
Pursuant to the Sponsor Funding Agreement, SRA, as sponsor of the SST VI offering, had agreed to fund the payment of (i) the upfront 3% sales commission for the sale of Class Y shares sold in the SST VI offering, (ii) the upfront 3% dealer manager fee for the Class Y shares sold in the SST VI offering, and (iii) the estimated 1% organization and offering expenses for the sale of Class Y shares and Class Z shares sold in the SST VI offering. SRA had also agreed to reimburse SST VI in cash to cover the dilution from certain one-time stock dividends which were issued by SST VI to existing stockholders in connection with the sponsor funding changes to the SST VI offering. On December 15, 2023, we paid SST VI approximately $6.6 million for the reimbursement of the aforementioned stock dividend.
In consideration for SRA providing the funding for the front-end sales load and the cash to cover the dilution from the stock dividends described above, SST VI OP issued a number of Series C Units to SRA equal to the dollar amount of such funding divided by the then-current offering price for the Class Y shares and Class Z shares sold in the SST VI offering, which was initially $9.30 per share. Pursuant to the Sponsor Funding Agreement, SRA reimbursed SST VI monthly for the applicable front-end sales load it had agreed to fund, and SST VI OP issued the Series C Units on a monthly basis upon such reimbursement.
On November 1, 2023, SRA entered into Amendment No. 3 to the Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of SST VI OP with SST VI and SST VI OP containing, among other things, the terms of the Series C Units. The Series C Units shall initially have no distribution, liquidation, voting, or other rights to participate in SST VI OP unless and until such Series C Units are converted into Class A units of SST VI OP. The Series C Units shall automatically convert into class A units on a one-to-one basis upon SST VI’s disclosure of an estimated net asset value per share equal to at least $10.00 per share for each Class of SST VI shares of common stock, including the Class Y shares and Class Z shares, calculated net of the Series C Units to be converted.
On August 7, 2024, SST VI declared an estimated net asset value pershare of $10.00, and the offering price for the Class Y and Z shares became $10.00 per share. Accordingly, subsequent to SST VI declaring their estimated net asset value of $10.00 per share, the number of Series C Units SmartStop received in exchange for funding the front-end sales load of the sale of SST VI’s Class Y and Class Z shares was calculated as the dollar amount of such sponsor funding divided by the current offering price of $10.00 per share for such Class Y and Z shares. The Series C Units shall automatically convert into Class A units of SST VI OP on a one-to-one basis upon SST VI’s disclosure of an estimated net asset value per share equal to at least $10.00 per share for each class of SST VI shares of common stock, including the Class Y shares and Class Z shares, calculated net of the Series C Units to be converted.
As of June 30, 2025, SST VI closed the primary portion of its public offering. The Sponsor Funding Agreement was terminated immediately in connection with the closedown of SST VI’s primary offering. In accordance therewith, we have no further funding obligation in connection with the Sponsor Funding Agreement. We had incurred approximately $10.2 million in connection with the now terminated Sponsor Funding Agreement, representing approximately 1.1 million Series C Units issued by SST VI OP.
On March 20, 2026, SST VI declared an estimated net asset value per share of $10.00. Since the Series C Units that could be converted would result in the net asset value falling below $10.00 per share, none of the Series C Units we own were converted into Class A units of SST VI OP.
Debt Investments
On June 13, 2023 SmartStop OP entered into a promissory note agreement with SST VI OP ( the “SST VI Note”), where SST VI OP borrowed $15.0 million. Interest on the loan accrued at SOFR plus 3.0%. Payments on the SST VI Note are interest only. The loan was extended on December 8, 2023 to December 31, 2024 at the borrower's option, and as such, the interest rate on the loan increased to SOFR plus 4.0%, and a fee equal to 0.25% of the outstanding principal balance was due as a result of SST VI exercising the extension option. The SST VI Note required a commitment fee equal to 1.0% of the aggregate principal amount of the loan.
On June 28, 2024, the SST VI Note was amended to expand the borrowing capacity up to $25.0 million and further extend the maturity date from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025. On July 29, 2024, SST VI borrowed an additional $8.0 million on the SST VI Note. On July 29, 2025, SST VI borrowed an additional $2.0 million on the SST VI Note.
On December 22, 2025, the SST VI Note was further amended whereby the ultimate maturity date was extended to June 30, 2027. Additionally, interest on this note began accruing at SOFR plus 3.5%, effective January 1, 2026 in connection with such amendment.
The following table summarizes the carrying value of our investments in and advances to SST VI for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
| Contractual · Effective | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interest/ · Interest/ | |||||
| March 31, | December 31, | Preferred | Preferred | Maturity | |
| 2026 | 2025 | Rate (1) | Rate (1) | Date (1) | |
| Receivables: | |||||
| Receivables and advances due | $10,578 | $5,319 | |||
| Debt: | |||||
| SST VI Note | 25,000 | 25,000 | SOFR + 3.5% | 7.18% | 06/30/2027 |
| Equity: | |||||
| Series D Preferred Units | 34,650 | 34,650 | 6.00% (2) | 6.00% | |
| SST VI OP Units, SLP and Series C Units | 4,804 | 4,959 | |||
| Total investments in and advances to SST VI | $75,032 | $69,928 | |||
(1)
Reflects the current interest/preferred rate or maturity date information in effect as of March 31, 2026, as applic able.
(2)
Distributions are payable at a rate of: (a) 6% per annum from the date of issuance until the second anniversary after the date of issuance; (b) 7% per annum commencing the day following the second anniversary after the date of issuance until the third anniversary after the date of issuance; (c) 8% per annum commencing the day following the third anniversary after the date of issuance until the fourth anniversary after the date of issuance; and (d) 9% per annum thereafter.
Investments in and advances to SSGT III OP
On August 29, 2022, SmartStop OP made an investment of $5.0 million in SS Growth Operating Partnership III, L.P., the operating partnership of SSGT III (“SSGT III OP”), in exchange for common units of limited partnership interest in SSGT III OP. Additionally, a subsidiary of SmartStop OP owns a special limited partnership interest (the “SSGT III SLP”) in SSGT III OP.
For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, we recorded a loss from our equity in earnings related to our common equity interests in SSGT III OP of approximately $0.1 million, and $0.1 million, respectively, and received distributions in the amount of approximately $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
Debt Investments
On July 31, 2024, our Operating Partnership provided a bridge loan to an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of SSGT III for $20.0 million (the “SSGT III Bridge Loan”) to facilitate SSGT III’s acquisition of two self storage facilities. Through a series of payments, during the three months ended March 31, 2025, SSGT III and its subsidiaries repaid all amounts outstanding on the SSGT III Bridge Loan, in accordance with the terms of the SSGT III Bridge Loan, no further draws were permitted thereafter.
On December 16, 2024, a subsidiary of SSGT III entered into a promissory note with our Operating Partnership for a $7.0 million loan (the “SSGT III Promissory Note”), the entire principal amount of the loan was disbursed to SSGT III on such date. Pursuant to this note, interest on the SSGT III Promissory Note accrued at a variable rate equal to SOFR plus 3.0% per annum. Payments on the SSGT III Promissory Note were interest only, and it had an initial maturity date of March 17, 2025. The SSGT III Promissory Note required a commitment fee equal to 0.50% of the amount drawn at closing of the SSGT III Promissory Note. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, SSGT III and it subsidiaries repaid all amounts outstanding on the SSGT III Promissory Note, including accrued interest.
On June 3, 2025, a subsidiary of SSGT III entered into a promissory note with our Operating Partnership for a loan of up to $25.0 million (the “SSGT III Promissory Note II”). On June 5, 2025, $4.0 million was initially drawn on the loan and disbursed to SSGT III. Interest on the SSGT III Promissory Note II accrued at a variable rate equal to SOFR plus 3.0% per annum. Payments on the SSGT III Promissory Note II were interest only until maturity. This note had an initial maturity date of December 31, 2025, with two optional extensions, each for 6 months, subject to certain conditions. The SSGT III Promissory Note II required a commitment fee equal to 0.50% of the amount drawn at such time. Since the initial draw, SSGT III made a series of additional draws. In November 2025, through a series of payments, SSGT III fully repaid the outstanding balance on the SSGT III Promissory Note II. No further draws were permitted in connection with such note.
On June 24, 2025, our Operating Partnership fully funded a secured term loan pursuant to a promissory note entered into by a subsidiary of SSGT III for a $25.0 million loan (the “SSGT III Secured Note”). Interest on the SSGT III Secured Note accrued at a variable rate equal to SOFR plus 3.0% per annum. Payments on the SSGT III Secured Note were interest only until maturity. This note had an initial maturity date of December 31, 2025, with two optional extensions, each for 6 months, subject to certain conditions. The SSGT III Secured Note required a commitment fee equal to 0.50% of the amount drawn at such time. In September 2025, SSGT III paid down $12.0 million on the SSGT III Secured Note. In November 2025, SSGT III fully repaid the outstanding balance on the SSGT III Secured Note. No further draws were permitted in connection with such note.
On November 13, 2025, our Operating Partnership provided a bridge loan to Blue Door AM I, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of SSGT III for $15.0 million (the “SSGT III-Blue Door III Bridge Loan”) in order to capitalize a Delaware statutory trust. The SSGT III-Blue Door III Bridge Loan required a commitment fee equal to 0.50% of the original principal amount of the loan. Interest on the SSGT III-Blue Door III Bridge Loan accrues at a variable rate equal to SOFR plus 3.0% per annum. As such interest accrues it will be added to the principal balance outstanding on each payment date until the loan is fully repaid. The loan has an initial maturity date of November 13, 2026, with a one-time extension option of 6 months, extending the maturity to April 13, 2027, subject to certain conditions. An extension fee of 0.25% of the principal indebtedness as of the extension date is due if such extension option is exercised, and the spread on the interest rate increases to 4.0% upon exercising the extension option. The loan agreement requires the borrower to make a prepayment on the SSGT III-Blue Door III Bridge Loan in an amount equal to 80% of the equity proceeds the borrower receives from its equity issuances (each, a “Bridge Loan Prepayment”). Each Bridge Loan Prepayment is due on the next occurring payment date following the borrower's receipt issuance proceeds.
On December 18, 2025, SSGT III's taxable REIT subsidiary entered into a loan with KeyBank National Association (“KeyBank”) in the amount of $25.0 million (the “KeyBank-SSGT III Bridge Loan”), which matures on June 18, 2026, subject to a six-month extension option. In connection with this loan, we entered into a subordination and standstill agreement with KeyBank, whereby, among other things, the SSGT III-Blue Door III Bridge Loan became subordinated to the KeyBank-SSGT III Bridge Loan and all rights to payments under the SSGT III-Blue Door III Bridge Loan, including the Bridge Loan Prepayment, became subordinated to KeyBank's rights to payment under the KeyBank-SSGT III Bridge Loan. The KeyBank-SSGT III Bridge Loan has curtailment provisions that the outstanding loan balance must be no greater than $7.5 million, $5.0 million and $2.5 million as of March 31, April 30 and May 31, 2026, respectively. As of April 30, 2026, the outstanding balance of the KeyBank-SSGT III Bridge Loan was $5.0 million.
The following table summarizes the carrying value of our investments in and advances to SSGT III for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
| Contractual · Effective | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 31, | December 31, | Interest | Interest | Maturity | |
| 2026 | 2025 | Rate (1) | Rate (1) | Date (1) | |
| Receivables: | |||||
| Receivables and advances due | $19,807 | $15,878 | |||
| Debt: | |||||
| SSGT III-Blue Door III Bridge Loan | 15,000 | 15,000 | SOFR + 3.0% | 6.68% | 11/13/2026 |
| Equity: | |||||
| SSGT III OP Units and SSGT III SLP | 1,788 | 1,971 | |||
| Total investments in and advances to SSGT III | $36,595 | $32,849 | |||
(1)
Reflects the current interest rate or maturity date information in effect as of March 31, 2026, as applicable.
Investments in and advances to DSTs Sponsored by SSGT III
On November 13, 2025 a subsidiary of ours funded three non-recourse mortgage loans to indirect DSTsubsidiaries of SSGT III for approximately $24.2 million, collectively. Each of these three loans (the “BD III DST Mortgage Loans”) have an initial maturity date of November 13, 2032. The BD III DST Mortgage Loans were funded net of approximately $0.4 million or 1.75% in fees owed to us for structuring and origination. Payments are due monthly in arrears, are interest only until maturity, and accrue at a fixed rate of 5.0% per annum. Subject to certain conditions, the DST borrowers have two extension options, each for a one year term, with the second extension ultimately requiring full principal repayment in November 2034. If the DST borrowers choose to exercise the extension option, the interest rate in effect changes to a fixed rate calculated as the then current 30-day average SOFR rate plus a spread of 1.50%. Such calculated rate in effect as of the exercise of the extension option would be fixed until the ultimate maturity of the BD III DST Mortgage Loans. The DST borrowers may prepay the loans at any point in time, subject to the following premium schedule, expressed as a percentage of the then outstanding principal balance prepaid: (i)5% on or before November 13, 2026, (ii)3% between November 13, 2026 and November 13, 2028, (iii)1% between November 13, 2028 and November 13, 2030, and (iv)0% on or after November 13, 2030.
On January 28, 2026, a subsidiary of ours funded three non-recourse mortgage loans to indirect DST subsidiaries of SSGT III for approximately $16.0 million, collectively. Each of these three loans (the “BD IV DST Mortgage Loans”) have an initial maturity date of January 28, 2033. The BD IV DST Mortgage Loans were funded net of approximately $0.5 million or 3.0% in fees owed to us for structuring and origination. Payments are due monthly in arrears, are interest only until maturity, and accrue at a fixed rate of 5.0% per annum. Subject to certain conditions, the DST borrowers have two extension options, each for a one year term, with the second extension ultimately requiring full principal repayment on January 28, 2035. If the DST borrowers choose to exercise the extension option, the interest rate in effect changes to a fixed rate calculated as the then current 30-day average SOFR rate plus a spread of 1.50%. Such calculated rate in effect as of the exercise of the extension option would be fixed for the extension term. A 0.2% extension fee would become due upon each extension option being exercised. The DST borrowers may prepay the loans at any point in time, subject to the following premium schedule, expressed as a percentage of the then outstanding principal balance prepaid: (i)5% on or before January 27, 2027, (ii)3% between January 28, 2027 and January 27, 2029, (iii)1% between January 28, 2029 and January 27, 2031, and (iv)0% on or after January 28, 2031.
We serve as the property manager for the properties owned by the DSTs that are leased pursuant to a master lease by a SSGT III subsidiary, which pursuant to the lease is required to pay rent to the DST equal to the required debt service. Such requirement is further supported by a minimum capital requirement of the SSGT III lessor entity, initially further supported by a guaranty from the SSGT III operating partnership of such required capital. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, SSGT III had sponsored and initiated the syndication of DST interests to retail investors for such DST programs, covering eight properties.
The above SSGT III DST syndicated offerings were in various stages of completion. We serve as the property manager for each property owned by such DSTs.
The following table summarizes the carrying value of our investments in and advances to DSTs Sponsored by SSGT III for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
| Contractual · Effective | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 31, | December 31, | Interest | Interest | Maturity | |
| 2026 | 2025 | Rate (1) | Rate (1) | Date (1) | |
| Debt: | |||||
| BD III DST Mortgage Loans | $24,191 | $24,191 | 5.00% | 5.00% | 11/13/2032 |
| BD IV DST Mortgage Loans | 16,033 | — | 5.00% | 5.00% | 1/28/2033 |
| Total investments in and advances to DSTs Sponsored by SSGT III | $40,224 | $24,191 | |||
(1)
Reflects the current interest rate or maturity date information in effect as of March 31, 2026, as applicable.
Investments in and advances to SST X OP
SmartStop Storage Advisors, LLC (“SSA”), a subsidiary of SmartStop OP, made two contributions of $1,000 to SST X OP, in exchange for common units of limited partnership interest in SST X OP, one on January 14, 2025 in connection with the formation of SST X OP and the other on June 27, 2025 in connection with the entry into the advisory agreement and the first amended and restated limited partnership agreement of SST X OP, in which SSA was granted a special limited partnership interest in SST X OP. Similarly, the SST X advisor made a $1,000 investment in common shares on January 28, 2025 in connection with the formation of SST X.
On October 29, 2025, we, through one of our subsidiaries entered into a preferred unit purchase agreement with SST X OP for 72,000 series A cumulative preferred units (the“Series A Preferred Units”) for $1.8 million. Distributions on the Series A Preferred Units of SST X OP are cumulative from the date of issuance and are payable monthly in arrears. Distributions are payable at a rate of: (a) 6% per annum from the date of issuance until the second anniversary after the date of issuance; (b) 7% per annum commencing the day following the second anniversary after the date of issuance until the third anniversary after the date of issuance; (c) 8% per annum commencing the day following the third anniversary after the date of issuance until the fourth anniversary after the date of issuance; and (d) 9% per annum thereafter. The Series A Preferred Units require an investment fee equal to 1.0% of the amount invested at any closing. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we owned an aggregate of 72,000 Series A Preferred Units for $1.8 million.
For the three months ended March 31, 2026, we recorded approximately $27,000 of income from our investment in the SST X Series A Preferred Units.
On October 30, 2025, we sold the Murfreesboro, Tennessee property to SST X for approximately $7.9 million.
The following table summarizes the carrying value of our investments in and advances to SST X for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
| March 31, | December 31, | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | Rate (1) | |
| Receivables: | |||
| Receivables and advances due | $2,744 | $2,208 | |
| Equity: | |||
| Series A Preferred Units | 1,782 | 1,782 | 6.00% |
| SST X OP Units and Common Stock | 3 | 3 | |
| Total investments in and advances to SST X | $4,529 | $3,993 | |
(1)
Reflects the current rate in effect as of March 31, 2026, as applicable. Distributions are payable at a rate of: (a) 6% per annum from the date of issuance until the second anniversary after the date of issuance; (b) 7% per annum commencing the day following the second anniversary after the date of issuance until the third anniversary after the date of issuance; (c) 8% per annum commencing the day following the third anniversary after the date of issuance until the fourth anniversary after the date of issuance; and (d) 9% per annum thereafter.
Administrative Services Agreement
On June 28, 2019, we along with our Operating Partnership, our TRS and SmartStop Storage Advisors, LLC (collectively, the “Company Parties”) entered into an Administrative Services Agreement with SAM (the “Administrative Services Agreement”), which, as amended, requires that the Company Parties will be reimbursed for providing certain operational and administrative services to SAM which may include, without limitation, accounting and financial support, IT support, HR support, advisory services and operations support, and administrative support and other miscellaneous reimbursements as set forth in the Administrative Services Agreement and SAM will be reimbursed for providing certain operational and administrative services to the Company Parties which may include, without limitation, due diligence support, marketing, fulfillment and offering support, events support, insurance support, and administrative and facilities support. SAM and the Company Parties will reimburse one another based on the actual costs of providing their respective services.
For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, we incurred reimbursements payable to SAM under the Administrative Services Agreement of approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, which were recorded in the Managed Platform expenses line item in our consolidated statements of operations.
For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, we recorded reimbursements from SAM related to services provided to SAM of approximately $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, which were included in Managed Platform revenue in our consolidated statements of operations.
As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, a receivable of approximately $0.3 millionand $0.4 million, respectively, was due from SAM related to the Administrative Services Agreement.
See Note 6 – Investments in Unconsolidated Real Estate Ventures for additional information regarding other equity method investees deemed to be a related party, given they are accounted for as equity method investments.
Note 13. Equity-Based Compensation
Prior to June 15, 2022, we issued equity-based compensation pursuant to the Company’s Employee and Director Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Prior Plan”). On June 15, 2022, our stockholders approved the 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and we no longer issue equity under the Prior Plan. Pursuant to the Plan, we are able to issue various forms of equity-based compensation. Through March 31, 2026, we have generally issued equity-based awards in two forms: (1) restricted stock awards consisting of shares of our common stock and (2) long-term incentive plan units of our Operating Partnership (“LTIP Units”).
Prior to April 1, 2025, the day we executed our underwriting agreement and sold 27,000,000 shares of common stock pursuant to our Underwritten Public Offering, the fair value of our restricted stock was determined on the grant date based on an estimated value per share. The estimated fair value of our restricted stock was determined with the assistance of third party valuation specialists primarily based on an income approach to value our properties as well as the Managed Platform, less the estimated fair value of our debt and other liabilities. The key assumptions previously used in estimating the fair value of our restricted stock were projected annual net operating income, projected growth rates, discount rates, capitalization rates and an illiquidity discount, if applicable. The fair value of LTIP Units were further adjusted as compared to the determined restricted stock value by applying an additional discount as the LTIP Units are not initially economically equivalent to our restricted stock. For performance-based awards dependent upon meeting certain operational performance targets, a fair value was determined for each performance ranking scenario, with stock compensation expense recorded using the fair value of the scenario determined to be probable of achievement as of the end of the respective period.
Subsequent to our Underwritten Public Offering, the fair value of our restricted stock was determined on the grant date based on the closing market price per share of our common stock. The fair value of LTIP Units was also based on the closing market price per share of our common stock on the date of the grant, but was further adjusted by applying an additional discount as the LTIP Units were not initially economically equivalent to our restricted stock.
Beginning in March 2026, performance-based awards granted to our executives will vest contingent upon the achievement of certain market-based criteria, as described below. For performance-based awards subject to market-based vesting criteria, a fair value was determined at the date of grant and is recognized over the commensurate service period for such grant. The value of such performance-based awards with a market-based criteria will take into account the probability that such award may vest in full, or not at all; therefore, in accordance with GAAP, the amount of expense recorded is not adjusted for actual achievement.
In March 2026, the compensation committee of our board of directors approved the 2026 executive compensation terms for our executives, which included (1) performance-based equity grants in the form of either, at the election of the executive, restricted stock awards or LTIP Units, and (2) time-based equity grants in the form of either, at the election of the executive, restricted stock awards or LTIP Units. There were two performance-based awards granted, (1) an award that is subject to vesting based on exceeding certain thresholds relative to a comparison of the Company’s total shareholder return (“TSR”) to the NAREIT index, and (2) an award that is subject to vesting based on a comparison of the Company’s weighted average TSR relative to a self storage peer group.
In March 2026, an aggregate of 149,578 performance-based LTIP Units and approximately 93,756 time-based LTIP Units were issued to executive officers. The performance-based LTIP Units vest after the three-year performance period, based upon the relative TSR achievement attained. The time-based LTIP Units vest ratably over four years, with the first tranche vesting on December 31, 2026, subject to the recipient’s continued employment through the applicable vesting date.
Time-Based Awards
We have granted various time-based awards, which generally vest ratably over either six months, one, three, orfour years commencing in the year of grant, subject to the recipient’s continued employment or service through the applicable vesting date. All grants of time-based restricted stock have limitations on transferability during the vesting period, and the grantee does not have the ability to vote any unvested shares. Transfers of the unvested portion of restricted stock are restricted.
With respect to grants of time-based LTIP Units, distributions accrue based on the effective date of each grant, and are payable as distributions are paid on our Common Stock without regard to whether the underlying awards have vested. With respect to time-based restricted stock, distributions accrue on non-vested shares granted and are paid when the underlying restricted shares vest.
Holders of time-based LTIP Units receive allocations of profits and losses with respect to the LTIP Units as of the effective date, distributions from the effective date in an amount equivalent to the distributions declared and paid on our Common Stock, and the same voting rights as holders of common units, voting as a class with each LTIP Unit holder having one vote per LTIP Unit held. Prior to vesting, time-based LTIP Units generally may not be transferred, other than by laws of descent and distribution.
The following table summarizes the activity related to our time-based awards:
| Restricted Stock · LTIP Units | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time-Based Award Grants | Shares | Weighted-AverageGrant-DateFair Value | Units | Weighted-AverageGrant-DateFair Value |
| Unvested at December 31, 2024 | 19,661 | $57.12 | 104,484 | $53.68 |
| Granted | 350,368 | 30.18 | 365,195 | 33.83 |
| Vested | (223,580) | 31.34 | (81,964) | 49.75 |
| Forfeited | (21,248) | 30.97 | — | — |
| Unvested at December 31, 2025 | 125,201 | 32.20 | 387,715 | 35.81 |
| Granted | 20,394 | 30.58 | 129,670 | 29.56 |
| Vested | (5,383) | 57.20 | — | — |
| Forfeited | (105) | 57.20 | — | — |
| Unvested at March 31, 2026 | 140,107 | $30.99 | 517,385 | $34.24 |
Performance-Based Awards
With respect to performance-based awards, the number of shares of restricted stock granted as of the grant date equaled 100% of the targeted award, whereas the number of LTIP Units granted as of the grant date equaled 200% of the targeted amount of the award. The targeted award for each executive was determined and approved by the Compensation Committee of our board of directors. The actual number of shares of restricted stock or LTIP Units, as applicable, to be issued upon vesting may range from 0% to 200% of the targeted award, such determination being based upon the results of the performance measure. Performance-based awards issued prior to our Underwritten Public Offering vest based upon our performance as ranked amongst a peer group of self storage related companies using a performance measure of average annual same-store revenue growth, analyzed over a three-year period. Performance-based awards issued after the completion of our Underwritten Public Offering are now based on the Company’s TSR relative to both the NAREIT Equity Index and to a peer group weighted average TSR. Earned awards for the 2024, 2025 and 2026 grants will vest, as applicable, no later than March 31,2027,2028, and 2029, respectively.
Recipients of performance-based restricted stock accrue distributions during the performance period, and such distributions will only be payable on the date that any such shares of restricted stock vest, based upon the performance level attained. Recipients of such performance-based LTIP Units were issued LTIP Units at 200% of the targeted award and are entitled to receive distributions and allocations of profits and losses with respect to the performance-based LTIP Units as of the effective date of each award in an amount equal to 10% of the distributions available to such LTIP Units, until the Distribution Participation Date (as defined in the Operating Partnership Agreement). The remaining 90% of distributions will accrue and will be payable on the Distribution Participation Date based upon the performance level attained and number of performance-based LTIP Units that vest. Following the Distribution Participation Date, recipients will be entitled to receive the full amount of distributions with respect to the vested performance-based LTIP Units, such amount being equivalent to distributions declared and paid on our Common Shares.
The following table summarizes our activity related to our performance-based awards:
| LTIP Units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Performance-Based Award Grants | Units | Weighted-AverageGrant-DateFair Value |
| Unvested at December 31, 2024 | 159,641 | $53.52 |
| Granted | 68,634 | 52.12 |
| Vested | (13,633) | 52.72 |
| Forfeited | (13,633) | 52.72 |
| Unvested at December 31, 2025 | 201,009 | 53.16 |
| Granted | 149,578 | 18.60 |
| Vested (1) | (66,373) | 53.20 |
| Forfeited | — | — |
| Unvested at March 31, 2026 | 284,214 | $34.96 |
(1)
In March 2026, the Compensation Committee of the board of directors approved the vesting of the 2023 performance grant at 200% of the targeted award.
The fair value of the performance-based awards with a market-based TSR condition are estimated on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The following table summarizes certain key assumptions used to value the performance-based LTIPs with a market-based TSR condition granted during the period presented:
| Risk-free rate | 3.98% |
|---|---|
| Expected volatility | 29.78% |
| Dividend yield | 5.23% |
Holders of performance-based restricted stockdo not have any rights as a stockholder with respect to the unvested portion of such restricted stock awards. Prior to vesting, shares of performance-based restricted stock generally may not be transferred, other than by laws of descent and distribution.
Holders of performance-based LTIP Units have the same voting rights as holders of common units, voting as a class with each LTIP Unit holder havingone vote per LTIP Unit held. Prior to vesting, performance-based LTIP Units generally may not be transferred, other than by laws of descent and distribution.
LTIP Units are designed to qualify as “profits interests” in the Operating Partnership for federal income tax purposes. The profits interests’ characteristics of the LTIP Units mean that initially they will not be treated as economically equivalent in value to a common unit and the issuance of LTIP Units will not be a taxable event to the Operating Partnership or the recipient. If and when certain events occur pursuant to applicable tax regulations and in accordance with the Operating Partnership Agreement, LTIP Units may become economically equivalent to common units of limited partnership interest of our Operating Partnership on a one-for-one basis.
As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025,1,143,629 and 1,443,166, respectively, shares of stock were available for issuance under the Plan.
For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, we recorded approximately $2.6 million and $1.2 million, respectively, of equity-based compensation expense in general and administrative in our consolidated statements of operations.
For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, we recorded approximately $18,000 and $26,000, respectively, of equity-based compensation expense in property operating expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.
For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, we recorded approximately $0.1 million and $13,000, respectively, of equity based compensation expense in managed platform expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.
As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, there was approximately $22.5 million and $17.1 million, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested equity awards. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, such cost was expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.7 years.
In April 2025, in connection with the Underwritten Public Offering, an aggregate of approximately 287,080 time-based LTIP Units and 344,894 time-based shares of restricted stock were issued to approximately 320 employees and directors (the“IPO Grant”). As prescribed in the IPO Grant in April 2025, approximately 287,080 of these LTIP Units, and approximately 119,829 of these restricted shares were scheduled to vest ratably over four years, respectively, with the first tranche vesting on April 1, 2026. Approximately 225,065 of the total shares issued were scheduled to vest aftersix months, on October 1, 2025. All of the aforementioned grants vest subject to the recipient’s continued employment through the applicable vesting date.
Note 14. Commitments and Contingencies
AXCS Joint Venture
On March 20, 2026, we entered into a joint venture arrangement (the “AXCS Joint Venture”) with AXCS Capital (“AXCS”), a real estate lending joint venture targeting bridge debt and preferred equity financing for self storage owners in the United States. The AXCS Joint Venture intends to potentially deploy capital across the full spectrum of structured capital solutions, including senior loans, mezzanine financing, preferred equity, and hybrid instruments. Target investment scenarios include ground-up development financing, value-add acquisitions and conversions, and recapitalizations of existing assets requiring bridge capital. The AXCS Joint Venture will have an initial target of $100.0 million in invested capital and the ability to recycle capital throughout the joint venture’s term. Through our wholly owned subsidiaries, we committed to potentially fund up to $95.0 million to the joint venture, and AXCS committed to potentially fund up to $5.0 million. AXCS will source the investment deals, and both AXCS and SmartStop will underwrite any potential investments. All investments are subject to approval of the AXCS Joint Venture’s investment committee, which is composed of three members appointed by SmartStop and two members appointed by AXCS. AXCS serves as asset manager in accordance with the terms of the AXCS Joint Venture agreement. As such, AXCS is responsible for managing and administering the investments on a day-to-day basis, such as investment processing and administration. Distributions are paid in the following order: i)100% of capital invested by AXCS and SmartStop is returned such that the unreturned capital contributions of each member is reduced to $0, (ii) 100% to both SmartStop and AXCS until each member has received a cumulative internal rate of return on their capital contributions of 10%, and (iii) for the distributions in excess of the amounts stated above in (i) and (ii),20% of such distributions to AXCS, and the remaining 80% of such distributions to be paid to SmartStop and AXCS based on their proportional capital contributions. As of March 31, 2026, the AXCS Joint Venture had not closed on any investments, and neither member had contributed any capital.
Contingent Earnout
In connection with the Third Party Platform Acquisition, such transaction is subject to a potential earnout of up to an additional $11.0 million based on revenues generated during fiscal year 2028, with 75% payable in cash and 25% being payable in OP Units. See Note 4 – Third Party Platform Acquisition for additional information.
Operating Partnership Redemption and Extraordinary Matter Voting Rights
Generally, after a one year hold period, the limited partners of our Operating Partnership, have the right to cause our Operating Partnership to redeem their limited partnership units for cash equal to the value of an equivalent number of our shares, or, at our option, we may redeem their limited partnership units by issuing one share of our common stock for each limited partnership unit redeemed.
Additionally, in connection with the Class A-1 Units issued in connection with the Self Administration Transaction, which Class A-1 Units are also subject to the general restrictions on transfer contained in the Operating Partnership Agreement, we have agreed that the consent of our Operating Partnership will be required for certain “Extraordinary Matters” submitted to the vote of our stockholders. Such consent shall be based on the vote of all partners of the Operating Partnership. In addition, we agreed that our vote, of limited interests we hold in the Operating Partnership, will be voted in proportion to the votes cast by our stockholders on such Extraordinary Matter. The term “Extraordinary Matter” for purposes of this consent means any merger, sale of all or substantially all of our assets, share exchange, conversion, dissolution or charter amendment, in each case where the vote of our stockholders is required under Maryland law. The Class A-1 Units are otherwise entitled to all rights and duties of the limited partnership units in the Operating Partnership, including cash distributions and the allocation of any profits or losses in the Operating Partnership.
Other Contingencies and Commitments
We have severance arrangements which cover certain members of our management team; these provide for severance payments upon certain events, including after a change of control.
See Note 12 – Related Party Transactions related to our debt investments in the Managed REITs for more information about our contingent obligations under these agreements.
As of March 31, 2026, pursuant to various contractual relationships, we are required to make other non-cancellable payments in the amounts of approximately $3.7 million and $3.9 million during the years ended December 31,2026 and 2027, respectively.
From time to time, we are party to legal, regulatory and other proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of ourbusiness. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, management accrues an estimated liability when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. In such cases, there may be an exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. For such proceedings, we are not aware of any for which the outcome is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
Note 15. Declaration of Distributions
On February 24, 2026, our board of directors approved a distribution amount for the month of March 2026, such that all holders of our outstanding common stock will receive a distribution equal to$0.1359 per share, equivalent to an annualized distribution of$1.60 per share. The March 2026 distribution payable to each stockholder of record at the end of March was paid on or about April 15, 2026.
On March 27, 2026, our board of directors approved a distribution amount for the month of April 2026, such that all holders of our outstanding common stock will receive a distribution equal to$0.1315 per share, equivalent to an annualized distribution of$1.60 per share. The April 2026 distribution payable to each stockholder of record at the end of April will be paid on or about May 15, 2026.
On May 1, 2026, our board of directors approved a distribution amount for the month of May 2026, such that all holders of our outstanding common stock will receive a distribution equal to $0.1359 per share, equivalent to an annualized distribution of $1.60 per share. The May 2026 distribution payable to each stockholder of record at the end of May will be paid on or about June 15, 2026.
Note 16. Subsequent Events
There are no significant events which have occurred subsequent to March 31, 2026, other than the subsequent events discussed elsewhere in the notes to the financial statements.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.