EX-8.2 5 d38852a1exv8w2.htm FORM OF OPINION AND CONSENT OF SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP exv8w2
 

November [—], 2006
Apartment Investment and Management Company
4582 S. Ulster Street Parkway
Suite 1100
Denver, Colorado 80237
Re: Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
          You have requested our opinion concerning certain Federal income tax considerations in connection with the contribution by VMS National Properties Joint Venture (“VMS”) of certain of its properties to AIMCO Properties, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of AIMCO Properties, L.P. (the “Contribution”) and the sale by VMS of certain of its properties (the “Sale”) as more fully described in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-136801) of AIMCO Properties, L.P., initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on August 22, 2006 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as such Registration Statement is amended through the date hereof. All capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Registration Statement.
          In connection with the Contribution and Sale, we have acted as special tax counsel to Apartment Investment and Management (“AIMCO”) solely for the purpose of rendering the opinion set forth herein. In formulating our opinion, we have examined and relied on originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Registration Statement and such other documentation and information provided by you as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion set forth herein. In addition, you have provided us with certain representations and covenants of officers of AIMCO relating to, among other things, properties, assets, income, distributions, stockholder ownership, organizational structure and other requirements, and the past, present and future conduct of AIMCO’s business operations. We have assumed that such statements, representations and covenants are true as of the date hereof, and will continue to be true, without regard to any qualification as to knowledge and belief. For purposes of our opinion, we have not assumed any responsibility for investigating or independently verifying the facts set forth in such documents and representations, the partnership agreements and organizational documents for each of the corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies in which AIMCO holds a direct or indirect interest (the

 


 

Apartment Investment and Management Company
November [—], 2006
Page 2
“Subsidiaries”), the Registration Statement or any other document, and we have not undertaken any independent review of such information. We have, consequently, assumed and relied on AIMCO’s representations that the information presented in such documents or otherwise furnished to us accurately and completely describes all material facts relevant to our opinion. We have also relied upon the opinion of Altheimer & Gray dated May 8, 1998, with respect to the qualification of Ambassador Apartments, Inc., a Maryland corporation, as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), for its taxable year ended December 31, 1994 and all subsequent taxable years ending on or before May 8, 1998 (including the short taxable year ending on May 8, 1998). In addition, we have assumed the qualification of Insignia Properties Trust as a REIT under the Code and have relied upon the opinion of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P. dated August 4, 1998, in this regard.
          In rendering our opinion, we have assumed that the transactions contemplated by the foregoing documents have been or will be consummated in accordance with the operative documents, and that such documents accurately reflect the material facts of such transactions. In addition, our opinion is based on the correctness of the assumption that there have been no changes in the applicable laws of the State of Maryland or any other state under the laws of which any of the Subsidiaries have been formed. In rendering our opinion, we have also considered and relied upon the Code, the regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Regulations”), administrative rulings and the other interpretations of the Code and the Regulations by the courts and the Internal Revenue Service, all as they exist as of the date hereof. With respect to the assumption, it should be noted that the Code, Regulations, judicial decisions, and administrative interpretations are subject to change at any time (possibly with retroactive effect). Any change which is made after the date hereof in any of the foregoing bases for our opinion could affect our conclusions herein. There can be no assurances, moreover, that any of the opinions expressed herein will be accepted by the Internal Revenue Service or, if challenged, by a court.
          Based upon and subject to the foregoing, for Federal income tax purposes we are of the opinion that commencing with AIMCO’s initial taxable year ended December 31, 1994, AIMCO was organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code, and its actual method of operation has enabled, and its proposed method of operation will enable, AIMCO to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. AIMCO’s qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon its ability to meet, through actual annual operating results, certain requirements including requirements relating to distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership, and the various qualification tests imposed under the Code, the results of which are not reviewed by us. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of AIMCO’s operation for any particular taxable year satisfy the requirements for taxation of a REIT under the Code.
Other than as expressly stated above, we express no opinion.

 


 

Apartment Investment and Management Company
November [—], 2006
Page 3
          This opinion has been prepared for you in connection with the transaction described herein. It may not be relied upon by anyone else without our prior written consent. We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act, or the rules and regulations of the Commission. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes of the matters stated, represented, covenanted, or assumed herein or any subsequent changes in applicable law.
Very truly yours,