ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORP
S-3/A, 1997-03-07
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
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<PAGE>   1
 
   
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MARCH 7, 1997
    
 
   
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-22419
    
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
    
 
   
                                       TO
    
 
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
 
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
   
                     ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION
    
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
                     Ohio                                        34-1747603
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION)      (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
</TABLE>
 
                              5025 Swetland Court
                       Richmond Heights, Ohio 44143-1467
                                 (216) 261-5000
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                   REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                            ------------------------
 
                              JEFFREY I. FRIEDMAN
                     Associated Estates Realty Corporation
                              5025 Swetland Court
                       Richmond Heights, Ohio 44143-1467
                                 (216) 261-5000
 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                            ------------------------
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
               Albert T. Adams, Esq.                             Douglas A. Sgarro, Esq.
               Baker & Hostetler LLP                                Brown & Wood LLP
             3200 National City Center                           One World Trade Center
              1900 East Ninth Street                                   58th Floor
               Cleveland, Ohio 44114                            New York, New York 10048
                  (216) 621-0200                                     (212) 839-5300
</TABLE>
 
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement as determined by
market conditions.
 
     If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [X]
 
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
 
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
 
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [X]
 
   
     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
    
 
     IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 429, THE PROSPECTUS CONTAINED IN THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT ALSO RELATES TO THE COMPANY'S REGISTRATION STATEMENTS ON FORM S-3 NO.
33-80169 AND NO. 33-89622 FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON
DECEMBER 7, 1995 AND FEBRUARY 21, 1995, RESPECTIVELY.
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
     INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
     MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
     BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
     THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
     SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
     UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS
     OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus Dated March   , 1997)
                                  $117,500,000
                     ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION
                               MEDIUM-TERM NOTES
                   DUE NINE MONTHS OR MORE FROM DATE OF ISSUE
                            ------------------------
Associated Estates Realty Corporation (the "Company") may offer from time to
time up to $117,500,000 aggregate initial offering price, or the equivalent
thereof in one or more foreign or composite currencies, of its Medium-Term Notes
Due Nine Months or More From Date of Issue (the "Notes"). Such aggregate initial
offering price is subject to reduction as a result of the sale by the Company of
other Offered Securities described in the accompanying Prospectus. Each Note
will mature on any day nine months or more from the date of issue, as specified
in the applicable pricing supplement hereto (each, a "Pricing Supplement"), and
may be subject to redemption at the option of the Company or repayment at the
option of the Holder thereof, in each case, in whole or in part, prior to its
Stated Maturity Date, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. The
Notes will be either Senior Notes or Subordinated Notes (referred to in the
accompanying Prospectus as "Senior Securities" and "Subordinated Securities,"
respectively). In addition, each Note may be denominated and/or payable in
United States dollars or a foreign or composite currency, as specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement. The Notes, other than Foreign Currency Notes,
will be issued in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples
thereof, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, while
Foreign Currency Notes will be issued in the minimum denominations specified in
the applicable Pricing Supplement.
                            ------------------------
The Company may issue notes that will bear interest at fixed rates ("Fixed Rate
Notes") or at floating rates ("Floating Rate Notes"). The applicable Pricing
Supplement will specify whether a Floating Rate Note is a Regular Floating Rate
Note, a Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note or an Inverse Floating Rate Note and
whether the rate of interest thereon is determined by reference to one or more
of the CD Rate, the CMT Rate, the Commercial Paper Rate, the Eleventh District
Cost of Funds Rate, the Federal Funds Rate, LIBOR, the Prime Rate or the
Treasury Rate (each, an "Interest Rate Basis"), or any other interest rate basis
or formula, as adjusted by any Spread and/or Spread Multiplier. Interest on each
Floating Rate Note will accrue from its date of issue and, unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, will be payable monthly,
quarterly, semiannually or annually in arrears, as specified in the applicable
Pricing Supplement, and on the Maturity Date. Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement, the rate of interest on each Floating Rate Note
will be reset daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually, as
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Interest on each Fixed Rate Note
will accrue from its date of issue and, unless otherwise specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement, will be payable semiannually in arrears on March
15 and September 15 of each year and on the Maturity Date. The Company my also
issue Discount Notes, Indexed Notes and Amortizing Notes.
                            ------------------------
  The interest rate, or formula for the determination of the interest rate, if
   any, applicable to each Note and the other variable terms thereof will be
    established by the Company on the date of issue of such Note and will be
 specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Interest rates or formulas and
 other terms of Notes are subject to change by the Company, but no such change
 will affect any Note previously issued or as to which an offer to purchase has
                         been accepted by the Company.
                            ------------------------
Each Note will be issued in book-entry form (a "Book-Entry Note") or in fully
registered certificated form (a "Certificated Note"), as specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement. Each Book-Entry Note will be represented by one
or more fully registered global securities (the "Global Securities") deposited
with or on behalf of The Depository Trust Company (or such other depositary
identified the applicable Pricing Supplement) (the "Depositary") and registered
in the name of the Depositary or the Depositary's nominee. Interests in the
Global Securities will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only
through, records maintained by the Depositary (with respect to its participants)
and the Depositary's participants (with respect to beneficial owners). Except in
limited circumstances, Book-Entry Notes will not be exchangeable for
Certificated Notes.
                            ------------------------
See "Risk Factors" on page S-3 for a discussion of certain risks that should be
considered in connection with an investment in the Notes offered hereby.
                            ------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, THE PROSPECTUS OR ANY
SUPPLEMENT HERETO. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
================================================================================
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             PRICE TO         AGENTS' DISCOUNTS               PROCEEDS TO
                                                             PUBLIC(1)      AND COMMISSIONS(1)(2)            COMPANY(1)(3)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>              <C>                       <C>
PER NOTE                                                       100%             .125% - .750%              99.875% - 99.250%
TOTAL(4)                                                   $117,500,000       $146,875 -$881,250      $117,353,125 - $116,618,750
==============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
 
(1) Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated, First Chicago
    Capital Markets, Inc., Lehman Brothers Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.,
    and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (the "Agents") may purchase the Notes,
    as principal, from the Company, for resale to investors and other purchasers
    at varying prices relating to prevailing market prices at the time of resale
    as determined by the applicable Agent, or, if so specified in the applicable
    Pricing Supplement, for resale at a fixed offering price. Unless otherwise
    specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, any Note sold to an Agent as
    principal will be purchased by such Agent at a price equal to 100% of the
    principal amount thereof less a percentage of the principal amount equal to
    the commission applicable to an agency sale (as described below) of a Note
    of identical maturity and rank. If agreed to by the Company and an Agent,
    such Agent may utilize its reasonable efforts on an agency basis to solicit
    offers to purchase the Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, unless
    otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. The Company will
    pay a commission to an Agent, ranging from .125% to .750% of the principal
    amount of any Senior Note, depending upon its stated maturity, sold through
    an Agent. The schedule of commissions payable in connection with Senior
    Notes will also apply to sales of Subordinated Notes unless otherwise agreed
    to by the Company and an Agent. Commissions with respect to Notes with
    stated maturities in excess of 30 years that are sold through such Agent
    will be negotiated between the Company and such Agent at the time of such
    sale. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
(2) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Agents against, and to provide
    contribution with respect to, certain liabilities, including liabilities
    under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
(3) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $150,000.
 
(4) Or the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign or composite currencies.
                            ------------------------
 
The Notes are being offered on a continuing basis by the Company to or through
the Agents. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the
Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. There is no assurance that
the Notes offered hereby will be sold or, if sold, that there will be a
secondary market for the Notes or liquidity in the secondary market if one
develops. The Company reserves the right to cancel or modify the offer made
hereby without notice. The Company or an Agent, if it solicits the offer on an
agency basis, may reject any offer to purchase Notes in whole or in part. See
"Plan of Distribution."
                            ------------------------
DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
 
             ALEX. BROWN & SONS
                  INCORPORATED
                           FIRST CHICAGO CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
 
                                      LEHMAN BROTHERS
 
                                                J.P. MORGAN & CO.
 
                                                        MORGAN STANLEY & CO.
March  , 1997                                                   INCORPORATED
<PAGE>   3
 
IN CONNECTION WITH AN OFFERING OF NOTES PURCHASED BY ONE OR MORE AGENTS AS
PRINCIPAL ON A FIXED OFFERING PRICE BASIS, SUCH AGENT MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF NOTES AT A LEVEL
ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH STABILIZING,
IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PAGE
                                                                                        ----
<S>                                                                                     <C>
                                   PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Risk Factors..........................................................................   S-3
Description of Notes..................................................................   S-4
Special Provisions Relating to Foreign Currency Notes.................................  S-20
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations...............................  S-23
Plan of Distribution..................................................................  S-31
 
                                         PROSPECTUS
Available Information.................................................................     2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.......................................     2
The Company...........................................................................     3
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges....................................................     4
Use of Proceeds.......................................................................     4
Description of Debt Securities........................................................     4
Description of Common Shares..........................................................    21
Description of Common Share Warrants..................................................    23
Description of Preferred Shares.......................................................    23
Description of Depositary Shares......................................................    30
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Ohio Law..........................................    33
Federal Income Tax Considerations.....................................................    33
Plan of Distribution..................................................................    40
Experts...............................................................................    41
Legal Matters.........................................................................    41
</TABLE>
 
                                       S-2
<PAGE>   4
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DOES NOT DESCRIBE ALL OF THE RISKS OF AN
INVESTMENT IN NOTES, WHETHER RESULTING FROM SUCH NOTES BEING DENOMINATED OR
PAYABLE IN OR DETERMINED BY REFERENCE TO A CURRENCY OR COMPOSITE CURRENCY OTHER
THAN UNITED STATES DOLLARS OR TO ONE OR MORE INTEREST RATE, CURRENCY OR OTHER
INDICES OR FORMULAS, OR OTHERWISE. THE COMPANY AND THE AGENTS DISCLAIM ANY
RESPONSIBILITY TO ADVISE PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS OF SUCH RISKS AS THEY EXIST AT
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR AS THEY CHANGE FROM TIME TO TIME.
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN FINANCIAL AND LEGAL ADVISORS AS
TO THE RISKS ENTAILED BY AN INVESTMENT IN SUCH NOTES AND THE SUITABILITY OF
INVESTING IN SUCH NOTES IN LIGHT OF THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. SUCH NOTES
ARE NOT AN APPROPRIATE INVESTMENT FOR INVESTORS WHO ARE UNSOPHISTICATED WITH
RESPECT TO FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS OR TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THE
APPLICABLE INTEREST RATE OR CURRENCY INDEX OR OTHER INDICES OR FORMULAS.
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER, AMONG OTHER FACTORS, THE
MATTERS DESCRIBED BELOW.
 
STRUCTURE RISKS
 
     An investment in Notes indexed, as to principal, premium, if any, and/or
interest, if any, to one or more interest rate, currency (including exchange
rates and swap indices between currencies or composite currencies) or other
indices or formulas, either directly or inversely, entails significant risks
that are not associated with similar investments in a conventional fixed rate or
floating rate debt security. Such risks include, without limitation, the
possibility that such indices or formulas may be subject to significant changes,
that no interest will be payable in respect of such Notes or will be payable at
a rate lower than one applicable to a conventional fixed rate or floating rate
debt security issued by the Company at the same time, that repayment of the
principal and/or premium, if any, in respect of such Notes may occur at times
other than that expected by the Holders (as defined in the accompanying
Prospectus), and that the Holders could lose all or a substantial portion of
principal and/or premium, if any, payable with respect to such Notes on the
Maturity Date (as defined under "Description of Notes -- General"). Such risks
depend on a number of interrelated factors, including economic, financial and
political events, over which the Company has no control. Additionally, if the
formula used to determine the amount of principal, premium, if any, and/or
interest, if any, payable with respect to such Notes contains a multiplier or
leverage factor, the effect of any change in the applicable index or indices or
formula or formulas will be magnified. In recent years, values of certain
indices and formulas have been highly volatile and such volatility may be
expected to continue in the future. Fluctuations in the value of any particular
index or formula that have occurred in the past are not necessarily indicative,
however, of fluctuations that may occur in the future.
 
     Any optional redemption feature of Notes might affect the market value of
such Notes. Since the Company may be expected to redeem such Notes when
prevailing interest rates are relatively low, Holders generally will not be able
to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective
interest rate as high as the interest rate on such Notes.
 
     The Notes will not have an established trading market when issued, and
there can be no assurance of a secondary market for the Notes or the liquidity
of the secondary market if one develops. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
     The secondary market, if any, for Notes will be affected by a number of
factors independent of the creditworthiness of the Company and the value of the
applicable index or indices or formula or formulas, including the complexity and
volatility of each such index or formula, the method of calculating the
principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, in respect of such Notes,
the time remaining to the maturity of such Notes, the outstanding amount of such
Notes, any redemption features of such Notes, the amount of other debt
securities linked to such index or formula and the level, direction and
volatility of market interest rates
 
                                       S-3
<PAGE>   5
 
generally. Such factors also will affect the market value of such Notes. In
addition, certain Notes may be designed for specific investment objectives or
strategies and, therefore, may have a more limited secondary market and
experience more price volatility than conventional debt securities. Holders may
not be able to sell such Notes readily or at prices that will enable them to
realize their anticipated yield. No investor should purchase Notes unless such
investor understands and is able to bear the risk that such Notes may not be
readily saleable, that the value of such Notes will fluctuate over time and that
such fluctuations may be significant.
 
EXCHANGE RATES AND EXCHANGE CONTROLS
 
     An investment in Foreign Currency Notes (as defined under "Description of
Notes -- General") entails significant risks that are not associated with a
similar investment in a debt security denominated and payable in United States
dollars. Such risks include, without limitation, the possibility of significant
changes in the rate of exchange between the United States dollar and the
Specified Currency (as defined under "Description of Notes -- General") and the
possibility of the imposition or modification of exchange controls by the
applicable governments or monetary authorities. Such risks generally depend on
factors over which the Company has no control, such as economic, financial and
political events and the supply and demand for the applicable currencies or
composite currencies. In addition, if the formula used to determine the amount
of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, payable with respect to
Foreign Currency Notes contains a multiplier or leverage factor, the effect of
any change in the applicable currencies or composite currencies will be
magnified. In recent years, rates of exchange between the United States dollar
and foreign or composite currencies have been highly volatile and such
volatility may be expected to continue in the future. Fluctuations in any
particular exchange rate that have occurred in the past are not necessarily
indicative, however, of fluctuations that may occur in the future. Depreciation
of the Specified Currency applicable to a Foreign Currency Note against the
United States dollar would result in a decrease in the United States dollar-
equivalent yield of such Foreign Currency Note, in the United States
dollar-equivalent value of the principal and premium, if any, payable on the
Maturity Date of such Foreign Currency Note, and, generally, in the United
States dollar-equivalent market value of such Foreign Currency Note.
 
     Governments or monetary authorities have imposed from time to time, and may
in the future impose or revise, exchange controls at or prior to the date on
which any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, if any, a
Foreign Currency Note is due, which could affect exchange rates as well as the
availability of the Specified Currency on such date. Even if there are no
exchange controls, it is possible that the Specified Currency would not be
available on the applicable payment date due to other circumstances beyond the
control of the Company. In such cases, the Company will be entitled to satisfy
its obligations in respect of such Foreign Currency Note in United States
dollars. See "Special Provisions Relating to Foreign Currency Notes
- -- Availability of Specified Currency."
 
CREDIT RATINGS
 
     The credit ratings assigned to the Company's medium-term note program may
not reflect the potential impact of all risks related to structure and other
factors on the value of the Notes. Accordingly, prospective investors should
consult their own financial and legal advisors as to the risks entailed by an
investment in the Notes and the suitability of investing in such Notes in light
of their particular circumstances.
 
                              DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
 
   
     The Notes will be either Senior Notes or Subordinated Notes (referred to in
the accompanying Prospectus as "Senior Securities" and "Subordinated
Securities," respectively). The Senior Notes will be issued as a series of Debt
Securities under an Indenture, dated as of March 31, 1995, as amended and
modified from time to time (the "Senior Indenture"), between the Company and
National City Bank, as trustee (the "Senior Trustee"). The Subordinated Notes
will be issued as a series of Debt Securities under an Indenture, dated as of
March 31, 1995, as amended and modified from time to time (the "Subordinated
Indenture"), between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank (formerly Chemical
Bank), as trustee (the "Subordinated Trustee"). The Senior Indenture and the
Subordinated Indenture are collectively referred
    
 
                                       S-4
<PAGE>   6
 
to herein as the "Indentures" and each individually as an "Indenture." The
Senior Trustee and the Subordinated Trustee are collectively referred to herein
as the "Trustees" and each individually as a "Trustee." The Indentures are
subject to, and governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The
following summary of certain provisions of the Notes and the Indentures does not
purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
actual provisions of the Notes and the Indentures. Capitalized terms used but
not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the accompanying
Prospectus, the Notes or the Indentures, as the case may be. The term "Debt
Securities," as used in this Prospectus Supplement, refers to all debt
securities, including the Notes, issued and issuable from time to time under the
Indentures. The following description of Notes will apply to each Note offered
hereby unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
 
GENERAL
 
     All Debt Securities, including the Notes, issued and to be issued under the
Indentures will be unsecured general obligations of the Company. The Senior
Notes will rank pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated
indebtedness of the Company from time to time outstanding. The Senior Notes are
effectively subordinated to mortgages and other secured indebtedness of the
Company (approximately $85.5 million at January 31, 1997 including the Company's
share of mortgage indebtedness relating to the unconsolidated joint ventures of
approximately $18.0 million at January 31, 1997), which encumber certain assets
of the Company. The Subordinated Notes will be subordinated to all existing and
future Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the accompanying Prospectus) of the
Company. At January 31, 1997, the outstanding Senior Indebtedness of the
Company, exclusive of guarantees and other contingent obligations, was
approximately $242.9 million including the Company's share of Senior
Indebtedness relating to the unconsolidated joint ventures of approximately
$18.0 million at January 31, 1997. See "Description of Debt
Securities -- Subordination of Subordinated Securities" in the accompanying
Prospectus. On February 20, 1997 the Company issued two Senior Notes in the
aggregate principal amount of $15.0 million, the proceeds of which will be used
to repay amounts borrowed on the Company's line of credit.
 
     The Indentures do not limit the aggregate initial offering price of Debt
Securities that may be issued thereunder and Debt Securities may be issued
thereunder from time to time in one or more series up to the aggregate initial
offering price from time to time authorized by the Company for each series. The
Company may, from time to time, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes,
provide for the issuance of Notes or other Debt Securities under the Indentures
in addition to the $117,500,000 aggregate initial offering price of Notes
offered hereby.
 
     The Notes are currently limited to up to $117,500,000 aggregate initial
offering price, or the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign or composite
currencies. Each Note will mature on any day nine months or more from its date
of issue (the "Stated Maturity Date"), as specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, unless the principal thereof (or any installment of principal
thereof) becomes due and payable prior to the Stated Maturity Date, whether by
the declaration of acceleration of maturity, notice of redemption at the option
of the Company, notice of the Holder's option to elect repayment or otherwise
(the Stated Maturity Date or such prior date, as the case may be, is herein
referred to as the "Maturity Date" with respect to the principal of such Note
repayable on such date). Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, interest-bearing Notes will either be Fixed Rate Notes or Floating
Rate Notes, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. The Company may
also issue Discount Notes, Indexed Notes and Amortizing Notes (as such terms are
hereinafter defined).
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Notes
will be denominated in, and payments of principal, premium, if any, and/or
interest, if any, in respect thereof will be made in, United States dollars. The
Notes also may be denominated in, and payments of principal, premium, if any,
and/or interest, if any, in respect thereof may be made in, one or more foreign
currencies or composite currencies ("Foreign Currency Notes"). See "Special
Provisions Relating to Foreign Currency Notes -- Payment of Principal, Premium,
if any, and Interest, if any." The currency or composite currency in which a
particular Note is denominated (or, if such currency or composite currency is no
longer legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, such other
currency or composite currency of the relevant country which is then legal
 
                                       S-5
<PAGE>   7
 
tender for the payment of such debts) is herein referred to as the "Specified
Currency." References herein to "United States dollars," "U.S. dollars" or "$"
are to the lawful currency of the United States of America (the "United
States").
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, purchasers
are required to pay for the Notes in the applicable Specified Currencies. At the
present time, there are limited facilities in the United States for the
conversion of United States dollars into foreign or composite currencies and
vice versa, and commercial banks do not generally offer non-United States dollar
checking or savings account facilities in the United States. The Agent from or
through which a Foreign Currency Note is purchased will be prepared to arrange
for the conversion of United States dollars into the Specified Currency in order
to enable the purchaser to pay for the related Foreign Currency Note, provided
that a request is made to such Agent on or prior to the fifth Business Day (as
hereinafter defined) preceding the date of delivery of such Foreign Currency
Note, or by such other day as determined by such Agent. Each such conversion
will be made by such Agent on such terms and subject to such conditions,
limitations and charges as such Agent may from time to time establish in
accordance with its regular foreign exchange practices. All costs of exchange
will be borne by the purchaser of each such Foreign Currency Note. See "Special
Provisions Relating to Foreign Currency Notes."
 
     Interest rates offered by the Company with respect to the Notes may differ
depending upon, among other factors, the aggregate principal amount of Notes
purchased in any single transaction. Notes with different variable terms other
than interest rates may also be offered concurrently to different investors.
Interest rates or formula and other terms of Notes are subject to change by the
Company from time to time, but no such change will affect any Note previously
issued or as to which an offer to purchase has been accepted by the Company.
 
     Each Note will be issued as a Book-Entry Note represented by one or more
fully registered Global Securities or as a fully registered Certificated Note.
The minimum denominations of each Note other than a Foreign Currency Note will
be $1,000 and integral multiples thereof, unless otherwise specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement, while the minimum denominations of each Foreign
Currency Note will be specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
 
   
     Payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on,
Book-Entry Notes will be made by the Company through the applicable Trustee to
the Depositary. See "-- Book-Entry Notes." In the case of Certificated Notes,
payment of principal and premium, if any, due on the Maturity Date will be made
in immediately available funds upon presentation and surrender thereof (and, in
the case of any repayment on an Optional Repayment Date, upon submission of a
duly completed election form in accordance with the provisions described below)
at the office or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. Such office or agency for Senior
Notes and Subordinated Notes is maintained currently by the Senior Trustee at
120 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, New York 10271, and by the Subordinated
Trustee at its corporate trust office located at 450 West 33rd Street, New York,
New York 10001-2697, respectively. An additional office or agency for the Senior
Notes is maintained currently at the corporate trust office of the Senior
Trustee located at 1900 East Ninth Street, Corporate Trust Division, Cleveland,
OH 44114. Payment of interest, if any, due on the Maturity Date of a
Certificated Note will be made to the person to whom payment of the principal
thereof and premium, if any, thereon shall be made. Payment of interest, if any,
due on a Certificated Note on any Interest Payment Date (as hereinafter defined)
other than the Maturity Date will be made by check mailed to the address of the
Holder entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register of
the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Holder of $10,000,000 (or, if the
Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the equivalent thereof
in such Specified Currency) or more in aggregate principal amount of
Certificated Notes (whether having identical or different terms and provisions)
will be entitled to receive interest payments, if any, on any Interest Payment
Date other than the Maturity Date by wire transfer of immediately available
funds if appropriate wire transfer instructions have been received in writing by
the applicable Trustee not less than 15 calendar days prior to such Interest
Payment Date. Any such wire transfer instructions received by the applicable
Trustee shall remain in effect until revoked by such Holder. For special payment
terms applicable
    
 
                                       S-6
<PAGE>   8
 
to Foreign Currency Notes, see "Special Provisions Relating to Foreign Currency
Notes -- Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest, if any."
 
     As used herein, "Business Day" means any day, other than a Saturday or
Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions
are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close in The
City of New York; provided, however, that, with respect to Foreign Currency
Notes, such day is also not a day on which banking institutions are authorized
or required by law, regulation or executive order to close in the Principal
Financial Center (as hereinafter defined) of the country issuing the Specified
Currency (unless the Specified Currency is European Currency Units ("ECU"), in
which case such day is also not a day that appears as an ECU non-settlement day
on the display designated as "ISDE" on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates Service
(or is not a day designated as an ECU non-settlement day by the ECU Banking
Association) or, if ECU non-settlement days do not appear on that page (and are
not so designated), a day that is not a day on which payments in ECU cannot be
settled in the international interbank market); provided, further, that, with
respect to Notes as to which LIBOR is an applicable Interest Rate Basis, such
day is also a London Business Day (as hereinafter defined). "London Business
Day" means a day on which dealings in the Designated LIBOR Currency (as
hereinafter defined) are transacted in the London interbank market.
 
     "Principal Financial Center" means (i) the capital city of the country
issuing the Specified Currency (except as described in the immediately preceding
paragraph with respect to ECU) or (ii) the capital city of the country to which
the Designated LIBOR Currency, if applicable, relates (or, in the case of ECU,
Luxembourg), except, in each case, that with respect to United States dollars,
Australian dollars, Canadian dollars, Deutsche marks, Dutch guilders, Italian
lire and Swiss francs, the "Principal Financial Center" shall be The City of New
York, Sydney, Toronto, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Milan (solely in the case of clause
(i) above) and Zurich, respectively.
 
     Book-Entry Notes may be transferred or exchanged only through the
Depositary. See "-- Book-Entry Notes." Registration of transfer or exchange of
Certificated Notes will be made at the office or agency maintained by the
Company for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. No
service charge will be made by the Company or the Trustee for any such
registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, but the Company may require
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that
may be imposed in connection therewith (other than exchanges pursuant to the
Indenture not involving any transfer).
 
REDEMPTION AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Notes
will not be subject to any sinking fund. The Notes will be redeemable at the
option of the Company prior to the Stated Maturity Date only if an Initial
Redemption Date is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. If so
specified, the Notes will be subject to redemption at the option of the Company
on any date on and after the applicable Initial Redemption Date in whole or from
time to time in part in increments of $1,000 or such other minimum denomination
specified in such Pricing Supplement (provided that any remaining principal
amount thereof shall be at least $1,000 or such minimum denomination), at the
applicable Redemption Price (as hereinafter defined), together with unpaid
interest accrued thereon to the date of redemption, on written notice given to
the Holders thereof not more than 60 nor less than 30 calendar days prior to the
date of redemption and in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.
"Redemption Price," with respect to a Note, means an amount equal to the Initial
Redemption Percentage, if any, specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement
(as adjusted by the Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction, if applicable)
multiplied by the unpaid principal amount to be redeemed. The Initial Redemption
Percentage, if any, applicable to a Note shall decline at each anniversary of
the Initial Redemption Date by an amount equal to the applicable Annual
Redemption Percentage Reduction, if any, until the Redemption Price is equal to
100% of the unpaid principal amount to be redeemed. For a discussion of the
redemption of Discount Notes, see "-- Discount Notes."
 
                                       S-7
<PAGE>   9
 
REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDER
 
     The Notes will be repayable by the Company at the option of the Holders
thereof prior to the Stated Maturity Date only if one or more optional repayment
dates ("Optional Repayment Dates") are specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement. If so specified, the Notes will be subject to repayment at the
option of the Holders thereof on any Optional Repayment Date in whole or from
time to time in part in increments of $1,000 or such other minimum denomination
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement (provided that any remaining
principal amount thereof shall be at least $1,000 or such other minimum
denomination), at a repayment price equal to 100% of the unpaid principal amount
to be repaid, together with unpaid interest accrued thereon to the date of
repayment. For any Note to be repaid, such Note must be received, together with
the form thereon entitled "Option to Elect Repayment" duly completed, by the
applicable Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office (or such other address of which
the Company shall from time to time notify the Holders) not more than 60 nor
less than 30 calendar days prior to the date of repayment. Exercise of such
repayment option by the Holder will be irrevocable. For a discussion of the
repayment of Discount Notes, see "-- Discount Notes."
 
     Only the Depositary may exercise the repayment option in respect of Global
Securities representing Book-Entry Notes. Accordingly, Beneficial Owners (as
hereinafter defined) of Global Securities that desire to have all or any portion
of the Book-Entry Notes represented by such Global Securities repaid must
instruct the Participant (as hereinafter defined) through which they own their
interest to direct the Depositary to exercise the repayment option on their
behalf by delivering the related Global Security and duly completed election
form to the Trustee as aforesaid. In order to ensure that such Global Security
and election form are received by the Trustee on a particular day, the
applicable Beneficial Owner must so instruct the Participant through which it
owns its interest before such Participant's deadline for accepting instructions
for that day. Different firms may have different deadlines for accepting
instructions from their customers. Accordingly, Beneficial Owners should consult
the Participants through which they own their interest for the respective
deadlines for such Participants. All instructions given to Participants from
Beneficial Owners of Global Securities relating to the option to elect repayment
shall be irrevocable. In addition, at the time such instructions are given, each
such Beneficial Owner shall cause the Participant through which it owns its
interest to transfer such Beneficial Owner's interest in the Global Security or
Securities representing the related Book-Entry Notes, on the Depositary's
records, to the applicable Trustee. See "-- Book-Entry Notes."
 
     If applicable, the Company will comply with the requirements of Section
14(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"),
and the rules promulgated thereunder and any other securities laws or
regulations in connection with any such repayment.
 
     The Company may at any time purchase Notes at any price or prices in the
open market or otherwise. Notes so purchased by the Company may, at the
discretion of the Company, be held, resold or surrendered to the applicable
Trustee for cancellation.
 
INTEREST
 
  General
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, each
interest-bearing Note will bear interest from its date of issue at the rate per
annum, in the case of a Fixed Rate Note, or pursuant to the interest rate
formula, in the case of a Floating Rate Note, in each case as specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement, until the principal thereof is paid or duly made
available for payment. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, interest payments in respect of Fixed Rate Notes and Floating Rate
Notes will be made in an amount equal to the amount of interest accrued from and
including the immediately preceding Interest Payment Date in respect of which
interest has been paid or duly made available for payment (or from and including
the date of issue, if no interest has been paid or duly made available for
payment), to but excluding the applicable Interest Payment Date or the Maturity
Date, as the case may be (each, an "Interest Period").
 
     Interest on Fixed Rate Notes and Floating Rate Notes will be payable in
arrears on each Interest Payment Date and on the Maturity Date. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the
 
                                       S-8
<PAGE>   10
 
   
first payment of interest on any such Note originally issued between a Record
Date (as hereinafter defined) and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date will
be made on the Interest Payment Date immediately following the next succeeding
Record Date to the Holder on such next succeeding Record Date. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, a "Record Date" shall be the
fifteenth calendar day (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding the
related Interest Payment Date.
    
 
  Fixed Rate Notes
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest
on Fixed Rate Notes will be payable on March 15 and September 15 of each year
(each, an "Interest Payment Date") and on the Maturity Date. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest on Fixed Rate Notes
will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
 
     If any Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date of a Fixed Rate Note
falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the required payment of principal,
premium, if any, and/or interest will be made on the next succeeding Business
Day as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on
such payment for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date or the
Maturity Date, as the case may be, to the date of such payment on the next
succeeding Business Day.
 
  Floating Rate Notes
 
     Interest on Floating Rate Notes will be determined by reference to the
applicable Interest Rate Basis or Interest Rate Bases, which may, as described
below, include (i) the CD Rate, (ii) the CMT Rate, (iii) the Commercial Paper
Rate, (iv) the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate, (v) the Federal Funds Rate,
(vi) LIBOR, (vii) the Prime Rate, (viii) the Treasury Rate, or (ix) such other
Interest Rate Basis or interest rate formula as may be specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement. The applicable Pricing Supplement will specify
certain terms with respect to which each Floating Rate Note is being delivered,
including: whether such Floating Rate Note is a "Regular Floating Rate Note," a
"Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note" or an "Inverse Floating Rate Note," the Fixed
Rate Commencement Date, if applicable, Fixed Interest Rate, if applicable,
Interest Rate Basis or Bases, Initial Interest Rate, if any, Initial Interest
Reset Date, Interest Payment Dates, Index Maturity, Maximum Interest Rate and/or
Minimum Interest Rate, if any, and Spread and/or Spread Multiplier, if any, as
such terms are defined below. If one or more of the applicable Interest Rate
Bases is LIBOR or the CMT Rate, the applicable Pricing Supplement will also
specify the Designated LIBOR Currency and Designated LIBOR Page or the
Designated CMT Maturity Index and Designated CMT Telerate Page, respectively, as
such terms are defined below.
 
     The interest rate borne by the Floating Rate Notes will be determined as
follows:
 
          (i) Unless such Floating Rate Note is designated as a "Floating
     Rate/Fixed Rate Note" or an "Inverse Floating Rate Note" or as having an
     Addendum attached or having "Other/Additional Provisions" apply, in each
     case relating to a different interest rate formula, such Floating Rate Note
     will be designated as a "Regular Floating Rate Note" and, except as
     described below or in the applicable Pricing Supplement, will bear interest
     at the rate determined by reference to the applicable Interest Rate Basis
     or Bases (a) plus or minus the applicable Spread, if any, and/or (b)
     multiplied by the applicable Spread Multiplier, if any. Commencing on the
     Initial Interest Reset Date, the rate at which interest on such Regular
     Floating Rate Note shall be payable shall be reset as of each Interest
     Reset Date; provided, however, that the interest rate in effect for the
     period, if any, from the date of issue to the Initial Interest Reset Date
     will be the Initial Interest Rate.
 
          (ii) If such Floating Rate Note is designated as a "Floating
     Rate/Fixed Rate Note," then, except as described below or in the applicable
     Pricing Supplement, such Floating Rate Note will bear interest at the rate
     determined by reference to the applicable Interest Rate Basis or Bases (a)
     plus or minus the applicable Spread, if any, and/or (b) multiplied by the
     applicable Spread Multiplier, if any. Commencing on the Initial Interest
     Reset Date, the rate at which interest on such Floating Rate/Fixed Rate
     Note shall be payable shall be reset as of each Interest Reset Date;
     provided, however, that (y) the interest rate in effect for the period, if
     any, from the date of issue to the Initial Interest Reset Date will be the
     Initial
 
                                       S-9
<PAGE>   11
 
     Interest Rate and (z) the interest rate in effect for the period commencing
     on the Fixed Rate Commencement Date to the Maturity Date shall be the Fixed
     Interest Rate, if such rate is specified in the applicable Pricing
     Supplement or, if no such Fixed Interest Rate is specified, the interest
     rate in effect thereon on the day immediately preceding the Fixed Rate
     Commencement Date.
 
          (iii) If such Floating Rate Note is designated as an "Inverse Floating
     Rate Note," then, except as described below or in the applicable Pricing
     Supplement, such Floating Rate Note will bear interest at the Fixed
     Interest Rate minus the rate determined by reference to the applicable
     Interest Rate Basis or Bases (a) plus or minus the applicable Spread, if
     any, and/or (b) multiplied by the applicable Spread Multiplier, if any;
     provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified in the applicable
     Pricing Supplement, the interest rate thereon will not be less than zero.
     Commencing on the Initial Interest Reset Date, the rate at which interest
     on such Inverse Floating Rate Note shall be payable shall be reset as of
     each Interest Reset Date; provided, however, that the interest rate in
     effect for the period, if any, from the date of issue to the Initial
     Interest Reset Date will be the Initial Interest Rate.
 
     The "Spread" is the number of basis points to be added to or subtracted
from the related Interest Rate Basis or Bases applicable to such Floating Rate
Note. The "Spread Multiplier" is the percentage of the related Interest Rate
Basis or Bases applicable to such Floating Rate Note by which such Interest Rate
Basis or Bases will be multiplied to determine the applicable interest rate on
such Floating Rate Note. The "Index Maturity" is the period to maturity of the
instrument or obligation with respect to which the related Interest Rate Basis
or Bases will be calculated.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the
interest rate with respect to each Interest Rate Basis will be determined in
accordance with the applicable provisions below. Except as set forth above or in
the applicable Pricing Supplement, the interest rate in effect on each day shall
be (i) if such day is an Interest Reset Date, the interest rate determined as of
the Interest Determination Date (as hereinafter defined) immediately preceding
such Interest Reset Date or (ii) if such day is not an Interest Reset Date, the
interest rate determined as of the Interest Determination Date immediately
preceding the most recent Interest Reset Date.
 
     The applicable Pricing Supplement will specify whether the rate of interest
on the related Floating Rate Note will be reset daily, weekly, monthly,
quarterly, semiannually or annually or on such other specified basis (each, an
"Interest Reset Period") and the dates on which such rate of interest will be
reset (each, an "Interest Reset Date"). Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement, the Interest Reset Dates will be, in the case of
Floating Rate Notes which reset: (i) daily, each Business Day; (ii) weekly, the
Wednesday of each week (with the exception of weekly reset Floating Rate Notes
as to which the Treasury Rate is an applicable Interest Rate Basis, which will
reset the Tuesday of each week, except as described below); (iii) monthly, the
third Wednesday of each month (with the exception of monthly reset Floating Rate
Notes as to which the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate is an applicable
Interest Rate Basis, which will reset on the first calendar day of the month);
(iv) quarterly, the third Wednesday of March, June, September and December of
each year; (v) semiannually, the third Wednesday of the two months specified in
the applicable Pricing Supplement; and (vi) annually, the third Wednesday of the
month specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; provided however, that,
with respect to Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Notes, the rate of interest thereon
will not reset after the applicable Fixed Rate Commencement Date. If any
Interest Reset Date for any Floating Rate Note would otherwise be a day that is
not a Business Day, such Interest Reset Date will be postponed to the next
succeeding Business Day, except that in the case of a Floating Rate Note as to
which LIBOR is an applicable Interest Rate Basis and such Business Day falls in
the next succeeding calendar month, such Interest Reset Date will be the
immediately preceding Business Day.
 
     The interest rate applicable to each Interest Reset Period commencing on
the related Interest Reset Date will be the rate determined by the Calculation
Agent as of the applicable Interest Determination Date and calculated on or
prior to the Calculation Date (as hereinafter defined), except with respect to
LIBOR and the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate, which will be calculated on
such Interest Determination Date. The "Interest Determination Date" with respect
to the CD Rate, the CMT Rate, the Commercial Paper Rate, the Federal Funds Rate
and the Prime Rate will be the second Business Day immediately preceding the
 
                                      S-10
<PAGE>   12
 
applicable Interest Reset Date; the "Interest Determination Date" with respect
to the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate will be the last working day of the
month immediately preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date on which the
Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (the "FHLB of San Francisco") publishes
the Index (as hereinafter defined); and the "Interest Determination Date" with
respect to LIBOR will be the second London Business Day immediately preceding
the applicable Interest Reset Date, unless the Designated LIBOR Currency is
British pounds sterling, in which case the "Interest Determination Date" will be
the applicable Interest Reset Date. With respect to the Treasury Rate, the
"Interest Determination Date" will be the day in the week in which the
applicable Interest Reset Date falls on which day Treasury Bills (as hereinafter
defined) are normally auctioned (Treasury Bills are normally sold at an auction
held on Monday of each week, unless that day is a legal holiday, in which case
the auction is normally held on the following Tuesday, except that such auction
may be held on the preceding Friday); provided, however, that if an auction is
held on the Friday of the week preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date, the
"Interest Determination Date" will be such preceding Friday; provided, further,
that if the Interest Determination Date would otherwise fall on an Interest
Reset Date, then such Interest Reset Date will be postponed to the next
succeeding Business Day. The "Interest Determination Date" pertaining to a
Floating Rate Note the interest rate of which is determined by reference to two
or more Interest Rate Bases will be the most recent Business Day which is at
least two Business Days prior to the applicable Interest Reset Date for such
Floating Rate Note on which each Interest Rate Basis is determinable. Each
Interest Rate Basis will be determined as of such date, and the applicable
interest rate will take effect on the applicable Interest Reset Date.
 
   
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Floating Rate Note may also have either or
both of the following: (i) a Maximum Interest Rate, or ceiling, that may accrue
during any Interest Period and (ii) a Minimum Interest Rate, or floor, that may
accrue during any Interest Period. In addition to any Maximum Interest Rate that
may apply to any Floating Rate Note, the interest rate on Floating Rate Notes
will in no event be higher than the maximum rate permitted by Ohio law in the
case of the Senior Notes or by New York law, in the case of the Subordinated
Notes, as the same may be modified by United States law of general application.
    
 
     Except as provided below or in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest
will be payable, in the case of Floating Rate Notes which reset: (i) daily,
weekly or monthly, on the third Wednesday of each month or on the third
Wednesday of March, June, September and December of each year, as specified in
the applicable Pricing Supplement; (ii) quarterly, on the third Wednesday of
March, June, September and December of each year, (iii) semiannually, on the
third Wednesday of the two months of each year specified in the applicable
Pricing Supplement; and (iv) annually, on the third Wednesday of the month of
each year specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement (each, an "Interest
Payment Date" with respect to Floating Rate Notes) and, in each case, on the
Maturity Date. If any Interest Payment Date other than the Maturity Date for any
Floating Rate Note would otherwise be a day that is not a Business Day, such
Interest Payment Date will be postponed to the next succeeding Business Day,
except that in the case of a Floating Rate Note as to which LIBOR is an
applicable Interest Rate Basis and such Business Day falls in the next
succeeding calendar month, such Interest Payment Date will be the immediately
preceding Business Day. If the Maturity Date of a Floating Rate Note falls on a
day that is not a Business Day, the required payment of principal, premium, if
any, and interest will be made on the next succeeding Business Day as if made on
the date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on such payment for
the period from and after the Maturity Date to the date of such payment on the
next succeeding Business Day.
 
     All percentages resulting from any calculation on Floating Rate Notes will
be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with
five-one millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards (e.g., 9.876545% (or
 .09876545) would be rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655)), and all amounts used in
or resulting from such calculation on Floating Rate Notes will be rounded, in
the case of United States dollars, to the nearest cent or, in the case of a
foreign or composite currency, to the nearest unit (with one-half cent or unit
being rounded upwards).
 
     With respect to each Floating Rate Note, accrued interest is calculated by
multiplying its principal amount by an accrued interest factor. Such accrued
interest factor is computed by adding the interest factor calculated for each
day in the applicable Interest Period. Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement, the interest factor for each such day will be
computed by dividing the interest rate applicable to
 
                                      S-11
<PAGE>   13
 
such day by 360, in the case of Floating Rate Notes for which an applicable
Interest Rate Basis is the CD Rate, the Commercial Paper Rate, the Eleventh
District Cost of Funds Rate, the Federal Funds Rate, LIBOR or the Prime Rate, or
by the actual number of days in the year in the case of Floating Rate Notes for
which an applicable Interest Rate Basis is the CMT Rate or the Treasury Rate.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the interest
factor for Floating Rate Notes for which the interest rate is calculated with
reference to two or more Interest Rate Bases will be calculated in each period
in the same manner as if the applicable Interest Rate Basis applied as specified
in the applicable Pricing Supplement applied.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, National
City Bank will be the "Calculation Agent" with respect to any Floating Rate Note
that is a Senior Note and Chemical Bank will be the "Calculation Agent" with
respect to any Floating Rate Note that is a Subordinated Note. Upon request of
the Holder of any Floating Rate Note, the Calculation Agent will disclose the
interest rate then in effect and, if determined, the interest rate that will
become effective as a result of a determination made for the next succeeding
Interest Reset Date with respect to such Floating Rate Note. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the "Calculation Date," if
applicable, pertaining to any Interest Determination Date will be the earlier of
(i) the tenth calendar day after such Interest Determination Date, or, if such
day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day or (ii) the Business
Day immediately preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date or the Maturity
Date, as the case may be.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the
Calculation Agent shall determine each Interest Rate Basis in accordance with
the following provisions.
 
     CD Rate.  Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement,
"CD Rate" means, with respect to any Interest Determination Date relating to a
Floating Rate Note for which the interest rate is determined with reference to
the CD Rate (a "CD Rate Interest Determination Date"), the rate on such date for
negotiable United States dollar certificates of deposit having the Index
Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as published by the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in "Statistical Release
H.15(519), Selected Interest Rates" or any successor publication ("H.15(519)")
under the heading "CDs (Secondary Market)," or, if not published by 3:00 P.M.,
New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, the rate on such CD Rate
Interest Determination Date for negotiable United States dollar certificates of
deposit of the Index Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as
published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in its daily statistical
release "Composite 3:30 P.M. Quotations for U.S. Government Securities" or any
successor publication ("Composite Quotations") under the heading "Certificates
of Deposit." If such rate is not yet published in either H.15(519) or Composite
Quotations by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date,
then the CD Rate on such CD Rate Interest Determination Date will be calculated
by the Calculation Agent and will be the arithmetic mean of the secondary market
offered rates as of 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on such CD Rate Interest
Determination Date, of three leading nonbank dealers in negotiable United States
dollar certificates of deposit in The City of New York (which may include the
Agents or their affiliates) selected by the Calculation Agent for negotiable
United States dollar certificates of deposit of major United States money center
banks for negotiable certificates of deposit with a remaining maturity closest
to the Index Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement in an
amount that is representative for a single transaction in that market at that
time; provided, however, that if the dealers so selected by the Calculation
Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the CD Rate determined as
of such CD Rate Interest Determination Date will be the CD Rate in effect on
such CD Rate Interest Determination Date.
 
     CMT Rate.  Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement,
"CMT Rate" means, with respect to any Interest Determination Date relating to a
Floating Rate Note for which the interest rate is determined with reference to
the CMT Rate (a "CMT Rate Interest Determination Date"), the rate displayed on
the Designated CMT Telerate Page under the caption "...Treasury Constant
Maturities...Federal Reserve Board Release H.15...Mondays Approximately 3:45
P.M.," under the column for the Designated CMT Maturity Index for (i) if the
Designated CMT Telerate Page is 7055, the rate on such CMT Rate Interest
Determination Date and (ii) if the Designated CMT Telerate Page is 7052, the
weekly or monthly
 
                                      S-12
<PAGE>   14
 
average, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, for the week or the
month, as applicable, ended immediately preceding the week or the month, as
applicable, in which the related CMT Rate Interest Determination Date falls. If
such rate is no longer displayed on the relevant page or is not displayed by
3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the CMT
Rate for such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will be such treasury
constant maturity rate for the Designated CMT Maturity Index as published in
H.15(519). If such rate is no longer published or is not published by 3:00 P.M.,
New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the CMT Rate on such
CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will be such treasury constant maturity
rate for the Designated CMT Maturity Index (or other United States Treasury rate
for the Designated CMT Maturity Index) for the CMT Rate Interest Determination
Date with respect to such Interest Reset Date as may then be published by either
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the United States
Department of the Treasury that the Calculation Agent determines to be
comparable to the rate formerly displayed on the Designated CMT Telerate Page
and published in H.15(519). If such information is not provided by 3:00 P.M.,
New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the CMT Rate on the
CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent
and will be a yield to maturity, based on the arithmetic mean of the secondary
market offered rates as of approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time, on such
CMT Rate Interest Determination Date reported, according to their written
records, by three leading primary United States government securities dealers
(each, a "Reference Dealer") in The City of New York (which may include the
Agents or their affiliates) (each, a "Reference Dealer") selected by the
Calculation Agent (from five such Reference Dealers selected by the Calculation
Agent and eliminating the highest quotation (or, in the event of equality, one
of the highest) and the lowest quotation (or, in the event of equality, one of
the lowest)), for the most recently issued direct noncallable fixed rate
obligations of the United States ("Treasury Notes") with an original maturity of
approximately the Designated CMT Maturity Index and a remaining term to maturity
of not less than such Designated CMT Maturity Index minus one year. If the
Calculation Agent is unable to obtain three such Treasury Note quotations, the
CMT Rate on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will be calculated by the
Calculation Agent and will be a yield to maturity based on the arithmetic mean
of the secondary market offered rates as of approximately 3:30 P.M., New York
City time, on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date of three Reference
Dealers in The City of New York (from five such Reference Dealers selected by
the Calculation Agent and eliminating the highest quotation (or, in the event of
equality, one of the highest) and the lowest quotation (or, in the event of
equality, one of the lowest)), for Treasury Notes with an original maturity of
the number of years that is the next highest to the Designated CMT Maturity
Index and a remaining term to maturity closest to the Designated CMT Maturity
Index and in an amount of at least $100 million. If three or four (and not five)
of such Reference Dealers are quoting as described above, then the CMT Rate will
be based on the arithmetic mean of the offered rates obtained and neither the
highest nor the lowest of such quotes will be eliminated; provided however, that
if fewer than three Reference Dealers so selected by the Calculation Agent are
quoting as mentioned herein, the CMT Rate determined as of such CMT Rate
Interest Determination Date will be the CMT Rate in effect on such CMT Rate
Interest Determination Date. If two Treasury Notes with an original maturity as
described in the second preceding sentence have remaining terms to maturity
equally close to the Designated CMT Maturity Index, the Calculation Agent will
obtain quotations for the Treasury Note with the shorter remaining term to
maturity.
 
   
     "Designated CMT Telerate Page" means the display on the Dow Jones Telerate
Service (or any successor service) on the page specified in the applicable
Pricing Supplement (or any other page as may replace such page on such service
(or any successor service)) for the purpose of displaying Treasury Constant
Maturities as reported in H.15(519). If no such page is specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement, the Designated CMT Telerate Page shall be 7052
for the most recent week.
    
 
     "Designated CMT Maturity Index" means the original period to maturity of
the U.S. Treasury securities (either 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 20 or 30 years)
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement with respect to which the CMT
Rate will be calculated or, if no such maturity is specified in the applicable
Pricing Supplement, two years.
 
                                      S-13
<PAGE>   15
 
     Commercial Paper Rate.  Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
Pricing Supplement, "Commercial Paper Rate" means, with respect to any Interest
Determination Date relating to a Floating Rate Note for which the interest rate
is determined with reference to the Commercial Paper Rate (a "Commercial Paper
Rate Interest Determination Date"), the Money Market Yield (as hereinafter
defined) on such date of the rate for commercial paper having the Index Maturity
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as published in H.15(519) under
the heading "Commercial Paper." In the event that such rate is not published by
3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the
Commercial Paper Rate on such Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date
will be the Money Market Yield of the rate for commercial paper having the Index
Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as published in
Composite Quotations under the heading "Commercial Paper" (with an Index
Maturity of one month or three months being deemed to be equivalent to an Index
Maturity of 30 days or 90 days, respectively). If such rate is not yet published
in either H.15(519) or Composite Quotations by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on
the related Calculation Date, then the Commercial Paper Rate on such Commercial
Paper Rate Interest Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation
Agent and will be the Money Market Yield of the arithmetic mean of the offered
rates at approximately 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on such Commercial Paper
Rate Interest Determination Date of three leading dealers of commercial paper in
The City of New York (which may include the Agents or their affiliates) selected
by the Calculation Agent for commercial paper having the Index Maturity
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement placed for an industrial issuer
whose bond rating is "AA," or the equivalent, from a nationally recognized
statistical rating organization; provided, however, that if the dealers so
selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence,
the Commercial Paper Rate determined as of such Commercial Paper Rate Interest
Determination Date will be the Commercial Paper Rate in effect on such
Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date.
 
     "Money Market Yield" means a yield (expressed as a percentage) calculated
in accordance with the following formula:
 
                                                  D x 360    X 100
                     Money Market Yield = 360 - (D x M)
 
where "D" refers to the applicable per annum rate for commercial paper quoted on
a bank discount basis and expressed as a decimal, and "M" refers to the actual
number of days in the applicable Interest Reset Period.
 
     Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate.  Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement, "Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate" means,
with respect to any Interest Determination Date relating to a Floating Rate Note
for which the interest rate is determined with reference to the Eleventh
District Cost of Funds Rate (an "Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest
Determination Date"), the rate equal to the monthly weighted average cost of
funds for the calendar month immediately preceding the month in which such
Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date falls, as set
forth under the caption "11th District" on Telerate Page 7058 as of 11:00 A.M.,
San Francisco time, on such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest
Determination Date. If such rate does not appear on Telerate Page 7058 on such
Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date, then the
Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate on such Eleventh District Cost of Funds
Rate Interest Determination Date shall be the monthly weighted average cost of
funds paid by member institutions of the Eleventh Federal Home Loan Bank
District that was most recently announced (the "Index") by the FHLB of San
Francisco as such cost of funds for the calendar month immediately preceding
such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date. If the
FHLB of San Francisco fails to announce the Index on or prior to such Eleventh
District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date for the calendar month
immediately preceding such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest
Determination Date, the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate determined as of
such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date will be
the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate in effect on such Eleventh District
Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date.
 
     Federal Funds Rate.  Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, "Federal Funds Rate" means, with respect to any Interest
Determination Date relating to a Floating Rate Note for which the
 
                                      S-14
<PAGE>   16
 
interest rate is determined with reference to the Federal Funds Rate (a "Federal
Funds Rate Interest Determination Date"), the rate on such date for United
States dollar federal funds as published in H.15(519) under the heading "Federal
Funds (Effective)" or, if not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
related Calculation Date, the rate on such Federal Funds Rate Interest
Determination Date as published in Composite Quotations under the heading
"Federal Funds/Effective Rate." If such rate is not published in either
H.15(519) or Composite Quotations by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
related Calculation Date, then the Federal Funds Rate on such Federal Funds Rate
Interest Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will
be the arithmetic mean of the rates for the last transaction in overnight United
States dollar federal funds arranged by three leading brokers of federal funds
transactions in The City of New York (which may include the Agents or their
affiliates) selected by the Calculation Agent prior to 9:00 A.M., New York City
time, on such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date; provided, however,
that if the brokers so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as
mentioned in this sentence, the Federal Funds Rate determined as of such Federal
Funds Rate Interest Determination Date will be the Federal Funds Rate in effect
on such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date.
 
   
     LIBOR.  Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement,
"LIBOR" means the rate determined by the Calculation Agent in accordance with
the following provisions:
    
 
   
          (i) With respect to any Interest Determination Date relating to a
     Floating Rate Note for which the interest rate is determined with reference
     to LIBOR (a "LIBOR Interest Determination Date"), LIBOR will be either: (a)
     if "LIBOR Reuters" is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the
     arithmetic mean of the offered rates (unless the Designated LIBOR Page, as
     defined herein) by its terms provides only for a single rate, in which case
     such single rate shall be used) for deposits in the Designated LIBOR
     Currency having the Index Maturity specified in such Pricing Supplement,
     commencing on the applicable Interest Reset Date, that appear (or, if only
     a single rate is required as aforesaid, appears) on the Designated LIBOR
     Page as of 11:00 A.M., London time, on such LIBOR Interest Determination
     Date, or (b) if "LIBOR Telerate" is specified in the applicable Pricing
     Supplement or if neither "LIBOR Reuters" nor "LIBOR Telerate" is specified
     in the applicable Pricing Supplement as the method for calculating LIBOR,
     the rate for deposits in the Designated LIBOR Currency having the Index
     Maturity specified in such Pricing Supplement, commencing on such Interest
     Reset Date, that appears on the Designated LIBOR Page as of 11:00 A.M.,
     London time, on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date. If fewer than two
     such offered rates appear, or if no such rate appears, as applicable, LIBOR
     on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be determined in accordance
     with the provisions described in clause (ii) below.
    
 
          (ii) With respect to a LIBOR Interest Determination Date on which
     fewer than two offered rates appear, or no rate appears, as the case may
     be, on the Designated LIBOR Page as specified in clause (i) above, the
     Calculation Agent will request the principal London offices of each of four
     major reference banks (which may include affiliates of the Agents) in the
     London interbank market, as selected by the Calculation Agent, to provide
     the Calculation Agent with its offered quotation for deposits in the
     Designated LIBOR Currency for the period of the Index Maturity specified in
     the applicable Pricing Supplement, commencing on the applicable Interest
     Reset Date, to prime banks in the London interbank market at approximately
     11:00 A.M., London time, on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date and in a
     principal amount that is representative for a single transaction in such
     Designated LIBOR Currency in such market at such time. If at least two such
     quotations are so provided, then LIBOR on such LIBOR Interest Determination
     Date will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations. If fewer than two such
     quotations are so provided, then LIBOR on such LIBOR Interest Determination
     Date will be the arithmetic mean of the rates quoted at approximately 11:00
     A.M., in the applicable Principal Financial Center, on such LIBOR Interest
     Determination Date by three major banks (which may include affiliates of
     the Agents) in such Principal Financial Center selected by the Calculation
     Agent for loans in the Designated LIBOR Currency to leading European banks,
     having the Index Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement
     and in a principal amount that is representative for a single transaction
     in such Designated LIBOR Currency in such market at such time; provided,
     however, that if the banks so selected by the Calculation Agent are not
     quoting as mentioned in this sentence, LIBOR determined as
 
                                      S-15
<PAGE>   17
 
     of such LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be LIBOR in effect on such
     LIBOR Interest Determination Date.
 
     "Designated LIBOR Currency" means the currency or composite currency
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as to which LIBOR shall be
calculated. If no such currency or composite currency is specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement, the Index Currency shall be United States
dollars.
 
   
     "Designated LIBOR Page" means (a) if "LIBOR Reuters" is specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement, the display on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates
Service (or any successor service) on the page specified in such Pricing
Supplement (or any other page as may replace such page on such service (or any
successor service)) for the purpose of displaying the London interbank rates of
major banks for the applicable Designated LIBOR Currency, or (b) if "LIBOR
Telerate" is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement or neither "LIBOR
Reuters" nor "LIBOR Telerate" is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement
as the method for calculating LIBOR, the display on the Dow Jones Telerate
Service (or any successor service) on the page specified in such Pricing
Supplement (or any other page as may replace such page on such service (or any
successor service)) for the purpose of displaying the London interbank rates of
major banks for the Designated LIBOR Currency.
    
 
     Prime Rate.  Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, "Prime Rate" means, with respect to any Interest Determination Date
relating to a Floating Rate Note for which the interest rate is determined with
reference to the Prime Rate (a "Prime Rate Interest Determination Date"), the
rate on such date as such rate is published in H.15(519) under the heading "Bank
Prime Loan." If such rate is not published prior to 3:00 P.M., New York City
time, on the related Calculation Date, then the Prime Rate shall be the
arithmetic mean of the rates of interest publicly announced by each bank that
appears on the Reuters Screen USPRIME1 Page (as hereinafter defined) as such
bank's prime rate or base lending rate as in effect for such Prime Rate Interest
Determination Date. If fewer than four such rates appear on the Reuters Screen
USPRIME1 Page for such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date, then the Prime
Rate shall be the arithmetic mean of the prime rates or base lending rates
quoted on the basis of the actual number of days in the year divided by a
360-day year as of the close of business on such Prime Rate Interest
Determination Date by four major money center banks (which may include
affiliates of the Agents) in The City of New York selected by the Calculation
Agent. If fewer than four such quotations are so provided, then the Prime Rate
shall be the arithmetic mean of four prime rates quoted on the basis of the
actual number of days in the year divided by a 360-day year as of the close of
business on such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date as furnished in The City
of New York by the major money center banks, if any, that have provided such
quotations and by a reasonable number of substitute banks or trust companies
(which may include affiliates of the Agents) as necessary in order to obtain
four such prime rate quotations, provided such substitute banks or trust
companies are organized and doing business under the laws of the United States,
or any State thereof, each having total equity capital of at least $500 million
and being subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority,
selected by the Calculation Agent to provide such rate or rates; provided,
however, that if the banks or trust companies so selected by the Calculation
Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the Prime Rate determined
as of such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date will be the Prime Rate in
effect on such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date.
 
   
     "Reuters Screen USPRIME1 Page" means the display on the Reuter Monitor
Money Rates Service (or any such successor service) designated as the "USPRIME1"
page (or such other page as may replace the USPRIME1 page on such service) for
the purpose of displaying prime rates or base lending rates of major United
States banks.
    
 
     Treasury Rate.  Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, "Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any Interest Determination
Date relating to a Floating Rate Note for which the interest rate is determined
by reference to the Treasury Rate (a "Treasury Rate Interest Determination
Date"), the rate from the auction held on such Treasury Rate Interest
Determination Date (the "Auction") of direct obligations of the United States
("Treasury Bills") having the Index Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, as such rate is published in H.15(519) under the heading "Treasury
Bills -- auction average (investment)" or, if not published by 3:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the related Calculation Date, the auction average rate of
such Treasury Bills (expressed as a bond equivalent on the basis of a year of
 
                                      S-16
<PAGE>   18
 
365 or 366 days, as applicable, and applied on a daily basis) as otherwise
announced by the United States Department of the Treasury. In the event that the
results of the Auction of Treasury Bills having the Index Maturity specified in
the applicable Pricing Supplement are not reported as provided by 3:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the related Calculation Date, or if no such Auction is held,
then the Treasury Rate will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be a
yield to maturity (expressed as a bond equivalent on the basis of a year of 365
or 366 days, as applicable, and applied on a daily basis) of the arithmetic mean
of the secondary market bid rates, as of approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City
time, on such Treasury Rate Interest Determination Date, of three leading
primary United States government securities dealers (which may include the Agent
or its affiliates) selected by the Calculation Agent, for the issue of Treasury
Bills with a remaining maturity closest to the Index Maturity specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement; provided, however, that if the dealers so
selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence,
the Treasury Rate determined as of such Treasury Rate Interest Determination
Date will be the Treasury Rate in effect on such Treasury Rate Interest
Determination Date.
 
OTHER/ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS; ADDENDUM
 
     Any provisions with respect to the Notes, including the specification and
determination of one or more Interest Rate Bases, the calculation of the
interest rate applicable to a Floating Rate Note, the Interest Payment Dates,
the Stated Maturity Date, any redemption or repayment provisions or any other
term relating thereto, may be modified and/or supplemented as specified under
"Other/Additional Provisions" on the face thereof or in an Addendum relating
thereto, if so specified on the face thereof and described in the applicable
Pricing Supplement.
 
DISCOUNT NOTES
 
     The Company may offer Notes ("Discount Notes") from time to time that have
an Issue Price (as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement) that is less
than 100% of the principal amount thereof (i.e., par) by more than a percentage
equal to the product of 0.25% and the number of full years to the Stated
Maturity Date. Discount Notes may not bear any interest currently or may bear
interest at a rate that is below market rates at the time of issuance. The
difference between the Issue Price of a Discount Note and par is referred to
herein as the "Discount." In the event of redemption, repayment or acceleration
of maturity of a Discount Note, the amount payable to the Holder of such
Discount Note will be equal to the sum of (i) the Issue Price (increased by any
accruals of Discount) and, in the event of any redemption of such Discount Note
(if applicable), multiplied by the Initial Redemption Percentage specified in
the applicable Pricing Supplement (as adjusted by the Annual Redemption
Percentage Reduction, if applicable) and (ii) any unpaid interest accrued
thereon to the date of such redemption, repayment or acceleration of maturity.
 
   
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, for
purposes of determining the amount of Discount that has accrued as of any date
on which a redemption, repayment or acceleration of maturity occurs for a
Discount Note, such Discount will be accrued using a constant yield method. The
constant yield will be calculated using a 30-day month, 360-day year convention,
a compounding period that, except for the Initial Period (as hereinafter
defined), corresponds to the shortest period between Interest Payment Dates for
the applicable Discount Note (with ratable accruals within a compounding
period), a coupon rate equal to the initial coupon rate applicable to such
Discount Note and an assumption that the maturity of such Discount Note will not
be accelerated. If the period from the date of issue to the initial Interest
Payment Date for a Discount Note (the "Initial Period") is shorter than the
compounding period for such Discount Note, a proportionate amount of the yield
for an entire compounding period will be accrued. If the Initial Period is
longer than the compounding period, then such period will be divided into a
regular compounding period and a short period with the short period being
treated as provided in the preceding sentence. The accrual of the applicable
Discount may differ from the accrual of original issue discount for purposes of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), certain Discount
Notes may not be treated as having original issue discount within the meaning of
the Code, and Notes other than Discount Notes may be treated as issued with
original issue discount for federal income tax purposes. See "Certain United
States Federal Income Tax Considerations -- U.S. Holders."
    
 
                                      S-17
<PAGE>   19
 
INDEXED NOTES
 
     The Company may from time to time offer Notes ("Indexed Notes") with the
amount of principal, premium and/or interest payable in respect thereof to be
determined with reference to the price or prices of specified commodities or
stocks, to the exchange rate of one or more designated currencies (including a
composite currency such as the ECU) relative to an indexed currency or to other
items, in each case, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. In
certain cases, Holders of Indexed Notes may receive a principal payment on the
Maturity Date that is greater than or less than the principal amount of such
Indexed Notes depending upon the relative value on the Maturity Date of the
specified indexed item. Information as to the method for determining the amount
of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, payable in respect of
Indexed Notes, certain historical information with respect to the specified
indexed item and any material tax considerations associated with an investment
in Indexed Notes will be specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. See
also "Risk Factors."
 
AMORTIZING NOTES
 
     The Company may from time to time offer Notes ("Amortizing Notes") with the
amount of principal thereof and interest thereon payable in installments over
the term of such Notes. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, interest on each Amortizing Note will be computed on the basis of a
360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Payments with respect to
Amortizing Notes will be applied first to interest due and payable thereon and
then to the reduction of the unpaid principal amount thereof. Further
information concerning additional terms and provisions of Amortizing Notes will
be specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, including a table setting
forth repayment information for such Amortizing Notes.
 
BOOK-ENTRY NOTES
 
     The Company has established a depositary arrangement with The Depository
Trust Company with respect to the Book-Entry Notes, the terms of which are
summarized below. Any additional or differing terms of the depositary
arrangement with respect to the Book-Entry Notes will be described in the
applicable Pricing Supplement.
 
     Upon issuance, all Book-Entry Notes of like tenor and terms up to
$200,000,000 aggregate principal amount will be represented by a single Global
Security. Each Global Security representing Book-Entry Notes will be deposited
with, or on behalf of, the Depositary and will be registered in the name of the
Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary. No Global Security may be transferred
except as a whole by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another
nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or such nominee to a successor
of the Depositary or a nominee of such successor.
 
     So long as the Depositary or its nominee is the registered owner of a
Global Security, the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be the
sole Holder of the Book-Entry Notes represented thereby for all purposes under
the Indenture. Except as otherwise provided below, the Beneficial Owners of the
Global Security or Securities representing Book-Entry Notes will not be entitled
to receive physical delivery of Certificated Notes and will not be considered
the Holders thereof for any purpose under the Indenture, and no Global Security
representing Book-Entry Notes shall be exchangeable or transferable.
Accordingly, each Beneficial Owner must rely on the procedures of the Depository
and, if such Beneficial Owner is not a Participant, on the procedures of
Participant through which such Beneficial Owner owns its interest in order to
exercise any rights of a Holder under such Global Security or the Indenture. The
laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take
physical delivery of such securities in certificated form. Such limits and laws
may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Security
representing Book-Entry Notes.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, each
Global Security representing Book-Entry Notes will be exchangeable for
Certificated Notes of like tenor and terms and of differing authorized
denominations in a like aggregate principal amount, only if (i) the Depositary
notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary
for the Global Securities or the Company becomes aware that the Depositary has
ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and,
 
                                      S-18
<PAGE>   20
 
in any such case, the Company shall not have appointed a successor to the
Depositary within 60 days thereafter, (ii) the Company, in its sole discretion,
determines that the Global Securities shall be exchangeable for Certificated
Notes or (iii) an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing with
respect to the Notes under the Indenture. Upon any such exchange, the
Certificated Notes shall be registered in the names of the Beneficial Owners of
the Global Security or Securities representing Book-Entry Notes, which names
shall be provided by the Depositary's relevant Participants (as identified by
the Depositary) to the Trustee.
 
     The following is based on information furnished by the Depositary:
 
          The Depositary will act as securities depository for the Book-Entry
     Notes. The Book-Entry Notes will be issued as fully registered securities
     registered in the name of Cede & Co. (the Depositary's partnership
     nominee). One fully registered Global Security will be issued for each
     issue of Book-Entry Notes, each in the aggregate principal amount of such
     issue, and will be deposited with the Depositary. If, however, the
     aggregate principal amount of any issue exceeds $200,000,000, one Global
     Security will be issued with respect to each $200,000,000 of principal
     amount and an additional Global Security will be issued with respect to any
     remaining principal amount of such issue.
 
          The Depositary is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the
     New York Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the
     New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing
     corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code,
     and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section
     17A of the Exchange Act. The Depositary holds securities that its
     participants ("Participants") deposit with the Depositary. The Depositary
     also facilitates the settlement among Participants of securities
     transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities
     through electronic computerized book-entry changes in Participants'
     accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities
     certificates. Direct Participants of the Depositary ("Direct Participants")
     include securities brokers and dealers (including the Agents), banks, trust
     companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. The
     Depositary is owned by a number of its Direct Participants and by the New
     York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc., and the
     National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the Depositary's
     system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers,
     banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial
     relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly
     ("Indirect Participants"). The rules applicable to the Depositary and its
     Participants are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
          Purchases of Book-Entry Notes under the Depositary's system must be
     made by or through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for
     such Book-Entry Notes on the Depositary's records. The ownership interest
     of each actual purchaser of each Book-Entry Note represented by a Global
     Security ("Beneficial Owner") is in turn to be recorded on the records of
     Direct Participants and Indirect Participants. Beneficial Owners will not
     receive written confirmation from the Depositary of their purchase, but
     Beneficial Owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing
     details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their
     holdings, from the Direct Participants or Indirect Participants through
     which such Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of
     ownership interests in a Global Security representing Book-Entry Notes are
     to be accomplished by entries made on the books of Participants acting on
     behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners of a Global Security
     representing Book-Entry Notes will not receive Certificated Notes
     representing their ownership interests therein, except in the event that
     use of the book-entry system for such Book-Entry Notes is discontinued.
 
          To facilitate subsequent transfers, all Global Securities representing
     Book-Entry Notes which are deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary
     are registered in the name of the Depositary's nominee, Cede & Co. The
     deposit of Global Securities with, or on behalf of, the Depositary and
     their registration in the name of Cede & Co. effect no change in beneficial
     ownership. The Depositary has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners
     of the Global Securities representing the Book-Entry Notes; the
     Depositary's records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants
     to whose accounts such Book-Entry
 
                                      S-19
<PAGE>   21
 
     Notes are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial Owners. The
     Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings
     on behalf of their customers.
 
          Conveyance of notices and other communications by the Depositary to
     Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and
     by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will
     be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or
     regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
 
          Neither the Depositary nor Cede & Co. will consents or vote with
     respect to the Global Securities representing the Book-Entry Notes. Under
     its usual procedures, the Depositary mails an Omnibus Proxy to the Company
     as soon as possible after the applicable record date. The Omnibus Proxy
     assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those Direct
     Participants to whose accounts the Book-Entry Notes are credited on the
     applicable record date (identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus
     Proxy).
 
          Principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, payments on the
     Global Securities representing the Book-Entry Notes will be made in
     immediately available funds to the Depositary. The Depositary's practice is
     to credit Direct Participants' accounts on the applicable payment date in
     accordance with their respective holdings shown on the Depositary's records
     unless the Depositary has reason to believe that it will not receive
     payment on such date. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be
     governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case
     with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or
     registered in "street name", and will be the responsibility of such
     Participant and not of the Depositary, the Trustee or the Company, subject
     to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time
     to time. Payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, to
     the Depositary is the responsibility of the Company and the Trustee,
     disbursement of such payments to Direct Participants shall be the
     responsibility of the Depositary, and disbursement of such payments to the
     Beneficial Owners shall be the responsibility of Direct Participants and
     Indirect Participants.
 
          If applicable, redemption notices shall be sent to Cede & Co. If less
     than all of the Book-Entry Notes of like tenor and terms are being
     redeemed, the Depositary's practice is to determine by lot the amount of
     the interest of each Direct Participant in such issue to be redeemed.
 
          A Beneficial Owner shall give notice of any option to elect to have
     its Book-Entry Notes repaid by the Company, through its Participant, to the
     Trustee, and shall effect delivery of such Book-Entry Notes by causing the
     Direct Participant to transfer the Participant's interest in the Global
     Security or Securities representing such Book-Entry Notes, on the
     Depositary's records, to the Trustee. The requirement for physical delivery
     of Book-Entry Notes in connection with a demand for repayment will be
     deemed satisfied when the ownership rights in the Global Security or
     Securities representing such Book-Entry Notes are transferred by Direct
     Participants on the Depositary's records.
 
          The Depositary may discontinue providing its services as securities
     depository with respect to the Book-Entry Notes at any time by giving
     reasonable notice to the Company or the Trustee. Under such circumstances,
     in the event that a successor securities depository is not obtained,
     Certificated Notes are required to be printed and delivered.
 
          The Company may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry
     transfers through the Depositary (or a successor securities depository). In
     that event, Certificated Notes will be printed and delivered.
 
     The information in this section concerning the Depositary and the
Depositary's system has been obtained from sources that the Company believes to
be reliable, but the Company takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
 
             SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO FOREIGN CURRENCY NOTES
 
GENERAL
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, Foreign
Currency Notes will not be sold in, or to residents of, the country issuing the
applicable currency. The information set forth in this Prospectus
 
                                      S-20
<PAGE>   22
 
Supplement is directed to prospective purchasers who are United States residents
and, with respect to Foreign Currency Notes, is by necessity incomplete. The
Company and the Agents disclaim any responsibility to advise prospective
purchasers who are residents of countries other than the United States with
respect to any matters that may affect the purchase, holding or receipt of
payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on, Foreign
Currency Notes. Such persons should consult their own financial and legal
advisors with regard to such matters. See "Risk Factors -- Exchange Rates and
Exchange Controls."
 
PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM, IF ANY, AND INTEREST, IF ANY
 
   
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the
Company is obligated to make payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and
interest, if any, on, a Foreign Currency Note in the Specified Currency. Any
such amounts payable by the Company in the Specified Currency will be converted
by the exchange rate agent named in the applicable Pricing Supplement (the
"Exchange Rate Agent") named in the applicable Pricing Supplement into United
States dollars for payment to Holders unless otherwise specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement or the Holder of such Foreign Currency Note
elects, in the manner hereinafter described, to receive such amounts in the
Specified Currency.
    
 
     Any United States dollar amount to be received by a Holder of a Foreign
Currency Note will be based on the highest bid quotation in The City of New York
received by the Exchange Rate Agent at approximately 11:00 A.M., New York City
time, on the second Business Day preceding the applicable payment date from
three recognized foreign exchange dealers (one of whom may be the Exchange Rate
Agent) selected by the Exchange Rate Agent and approved by the Company for the
purchase by the quoting dealer of the Specified Currency for United States
dollars for settlement on such payment date in the aggregate amount of such
Specified Currency payable to all Holders of Foreign Currency Notes scheduled to
receive United States dollar payments and at which the applicable dealer commits
to execute a contract. All currency exchange costs will be borne by the Holders
of such Foreign Currency Notes by deductions from such payments. If three such
bid quotations are not available, payments will be made in the Specified
Currency.
 
   
     Holders of Foreign Currency Notes may elect to receive all or a specified
portion of any payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any,
in the Specified Currency, such Foreign Currency Note in the applicable foreign
currency or composite currency by submitting a written request for such payment
to the applicable Trustee at its corporate trust office in The City of New York
on or prior to the applicable Record Date or at least fifteen calendar days
prior to the Maturity Date, as the case may be. Such written request may be
mailed or hand delivered or sent by cable, telex or other form of facsimile
transmission. Holders of Foreign Currency Notes may elect to receive all or a
specified portion of all future payments in the Specified Currency and need not
file a separate election for each payment. Such election will remain in effect
until revoked by written notice to the Trustee, but written notice of any such
revocation must be received by the Trustee on or prior to the applicable Record
Date or at least fifteen calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, as the case
may be. Holders of Foreign Currency Notes to be held in the name of a broker or
nominee should contact such broker or nominee to determine whether and how an
election to receive payments in the Specified Currency may be made.
    
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, if the
Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, a Beneficial Owner of
the related Global Security or Securities which elects to receive payments of
principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, in the Specified Currency
must notify the Participant through which it owns its interest on or prior to
the applicable Record Date or at least fifteen calendar days prior to the
Maturity Date, as the case may be, of such Beneficial Owner's election. Such
Participant must notify the Depositary of such election on or prior to the third
Business Day after such Record Date or at least twelve calendar days prior to
the Maturity Date, as the case may be, and the Depositary will notify the
Trustee of such election on or prior to the fifth Business Day after such Record
Date or at least ten calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, as the case may
be. If complete instructions are received by the Participant from the Beneficial
Owner and forwarded by the Participant to the Depositary, and by the Depositary
to the Trustee, on or prior to such dates, then such Beneficial Owner will
receive payments in the Specified Currency.
 
                                      S-21
<PAGE>   23
 
     Payments of the principal of, and premium, if any, and/or interest, if any,
on, Foreign Currency Notes which are to be made in United States dollars will be
made in the manner specified herein with respect to Notes denominated in United
States dollars. See "Description of Notes -- General." Payments of interest, if
any, on Foreign Currency Notes which are to be made in the Specified Currency on
an Interest Payment Date other than the Maturity Date will be made by check
mailed to the address of the Holders of such Foreign Currency Notes as they
appear in the Security Register, subject to the right to receive such interest
payments by wire transfer of immediately available funds under the circumstances
described under "Description of Notes -- General." Payments of principal of, and
premium, if any, in respect thereof if any, and/or interest on, Foreign Currency
Notes which are to be made in the Specified Currency on the Maturity Date will
be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account with a
bank designated at least fifteen calendar days prior to the Maturity Date by
each Holder thereof, provided that such bank has appropriate facilities therefor
and that the applicable Foreign Currency Note is presented and surrendered at
the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee in time for the Trustee to
make such payments in such funds in accordance with its normal procedures.
 
AVAILABILITY OF SPECIFIED CURRENCY
 
   
     Except as set forth below, if the Specified Currency for a Foreign Currency
Note is not available for the required payment, if any, in respect thereof due
to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control
of the Company, the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to the
Holder of such Foreign Currency Note by making such payment in United States
dollars on the basis of the Market Exchange Rate, as hereinafter defined,
computed by the Exchange Rate Agent, on the second Business Day prior to such
payment or, if such Market Exchange Rate is not then available, on the basis of
the most recently available Market Exchange Rate, or as otherwise specified in
the applicable Pricing Supplement.
    
 
   
     If the Specified Currency for a Foreign Currency Note is a composite
currency that is not available for the required payment of principal, premium,
if any, in respect thereof due to the imposition of exchange controls or other
circumstances beyond the control of the Company, the Company will be entitled to
satisfy its obligations to the Holder of such Foreign Currency Note by making
such payment in United States dollars on the basis of the equivalent of the
composite currency in United States dollars. The amount of each such payment in
United States dollars shall be computed by the Exchange Rate Agent on the basis
of the equivalent of the composite currency in United States dollars. The
component currencies of the composite currency for this purpose (collectively,
the "Component Currencies" and each, a "Component Currency") shall be the
currency amounts that were components of the composite currency as of the last
day on which the composite currency was used. The equivalent of the composite
currency in United States dollars shall be calculated by aggregating the United
States dollar equivalents of the Component Currencies. The United States dollar
equivalent of each of the Component Currencies shall be determined by the
Exchange Rate Agent on the basis of the Market Exchange Rate on the second
Business Day prior to the required payment or, if such Market Exchange Rate is
not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Market Exchange
Rate for each such Component Currency, or as otherwise specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement.
    
 
     If the official unit of any Component Currency is altered by way of
combination or subdivision, the number of units of the currency as a Component
Currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion. If two or more
Component Currencies are consolidated into a single currency, the amounts of
those currencies as Component Currencies shall be replaced by an amount in such
single currency equal to the sum of the amounts of the consolidated Component
Currencies expressed in such single currency. If any Component Currency is
divided into two or more currencies, the amount of the original Component
Currency shall be replaced by the amounts of such two or more currencies, the
sum of which shall be equal to the amount of the original Component Currency.
 
     The "Market Exchange Rate" for a Specified Currency other than United
States dollars means the noon dollar buying rate in The City of New York for
cable transfers for such Specified Currency as certified for customs purposes
(or, if not so certified, as otherwise determined) by the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York. Any payment made in United States dollars under such circumstances
where the required payment is in a
 
                                      S-22
<PAGE>   24
 
Specified Currency other than United States dollars will not constitute an Event
of Default under the Indenture with respect to the Notes.
 
   
     All determinations referred to above made by the Exchange Rate Agent shall
be at its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be
conclusive for all purposes and binding on the Holders of the Foreign Currency
Notes.
    
 
   
GOVERNING LAW; JUDGMENTS
    
 
   
     The Senior Notes provide that they will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio. A court applying current Ohio law
would render a judgment on Foreign Currency Notes in the applicable foreign or
composite currency, and such judgment would be payable, at the option of the
judgment debtor, in foreign or composite currency or United States dollars.
Current Ohio law provides that, if the judgment debtor elected to pay the
judgment in United States dollars, the judgment would be converted from the
applicable foreign or composite currency at the bank-offered spot rate at the
close of business on the banking day immediately preceding the day of payment.
Accordingly, under Ohio law Holders of Senior Notes that are Foreign Currency
Notes that convert a judgment paid in United States dollars into the foreign or
composite currency in which such Foreign Currency Note was denominated will bear
the risk of exchange rate fluctuations until such time as the judgment debtor
makes payment. In this regard, the judgment debtor may make payment at a time
when currency exchange rates are less favorable to such holder.
    
 
   
     The Subordinated Notes provide that they will be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Under current New York
law, a state court in the State of New York rendering a judgment in respect of a
Foreign Currency Note would be required to render such judgment in the Specified
Currency, and such foreign currency judgment would be converted into United
States dollars at the exchange rate prevailing on the date of entry of such
judgment. Accordingly, the Holder of Subordinated Notes that are Foreign
Currency Notes would be subject to exchange rate fluctuations between the date
of entry of such foreign currency judgment and the time the amount of such
foreign currency judgment is paid to such Holder in United States dollars and
converted by such Holder into the Specified Currency. It is not certain,
however, whether a non-New York state court would follow the same rules and
procedures with respect to conversions of foreign currency judgments.
    
 
   
     The Company will indemnify the Holder of any Note against any loss incurred
by such Holder as a result of any judgment or order being given or made for any
amount due under such Note and such judgment or order requiring payment in a
currency or composite currency (the "Judgment Currency") other than the
Specified Currency, and as a result of any variation between (i) the rate of
exchange at which the Specified Currency amount is converted into the Judgment
Currency for the purpose of such judgment or order, and (ii) the rate of
exchange at which the Holder of such Note, on the date of payment of such
judgment or order, is able to purchase the Specified Currency with the amount of
the Judgment Currency actually received by such Holder, as the case may be.
    
 
            CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
     The following summary of certain United States Federal income tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Notes is based
upon laws, regulations, rulings and decisions now in effect, all of which are
subject to change (including changes in effective dates) or possible differing
interpretations. It deals only with Notes held as capital assets and does not
purport to deal with persons in special tax situations, such as financial
institutions, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, dealers in
securities or currencies, persons holding Notes as a hedge against currency
risks or as a position in a "straddle" for tax purposes, or persons whose
functional currency is not the United States dollar. It also does not deal with
holders other than original purchasers (except where otherwise specifically
noted). Persons considering the purchase of the Notes should consult their own
tax advisors concerning the application of United States Federal income tax laws
to their particular situations as well as any consequences of the purchase,
ownership and disposition of the Notes arising under the laws of any other
taxing jurisdiction.
 
                                      S-23
<PAGE>   25
 
   
     As used herein, the term "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of a Note
that is for United States Federal income tax purposes (i) a citizen or resident
of the United States, (ii) a corporation, partnership or other entity created or
organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any political
subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to United
States Federal income taxation regardless of its source, (iv) a trust if a court
within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the
administration of the trust and one or more United States fiduciaries have the
authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (v) any other
person whose income or gain in respect of a Note is effectively connected with
the conduct of a United States trade or business. As used herein, the term "non-
U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of a Note that is not a U.S. Holder.
    
 
U.S. HOLDERS
 
  Payments of Interest
 
     Payments of interest on a Note generally will be taxable to a U.S. Holder
as ordinary interest income at the time such payments are accrued or are
received (in accordance with the U.S. Holder's regular method of tax
accounting).
 
  Original Issue Discount
 
     The following summary is a general discussion of the United States Federal
income tax consequences to U.S. Holders of the purchase, ownership and
disposition of Notes issued with original issue discount ("Original Issue
Discount Notes"). The following summary is based upon final Treasury regulations
(the "OID Regulations") released by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") on
January 27, 1994, as amended on June 11, 1996, under the original issue discount
provisions of the Code.
 
     For United States Federal income tax purposes, original issue discount is
the excess of the stated redemption price at maturity of a Note over its issue
price, if such excess equals or exceeds a de minimis amount (generally 1/4 of 1%
of the Note's stated redemption price at maturity multiplied by the number of
complete years to its maturity from its issue date or, in the case of a Note
providing for the payment of any amount other than qualified stated interest (as
hereinafter defined) prior to maturity, multiplied by the weighted average
maturity of such Note). The issue price of each Note in an issue of Notes equals
the first price at which a substantial amount of such Notes has been sold
(ignoring sales to bond houses, brokers, or similar persons or organizations
acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents, or wholesalers). The
stated redemption price at maturity of a Note is the sum of all payments
provided by the Note other than "qualified stated interest" payments. The term
"qualified stated interest" generally means stated interest that is
unconditionally payable in cash or property (other than debt instruments of the
issuer) at least annually at a single fixed rate. In addition, under the OID
Regulations, if a Note bears interest for one or more accrual periods at a rate
below the rate applicable for the remaining term of such Note (e.g., Notes with
teaser rates or interest holidays), and if the greater of either the resulting
foregone interest on such Note or any "true" discount on such Note (i.e., the
excess of the Note's stated principal amount over its issue price) equals or
exceeds a specified de minimis amount, then the stated interest on the Note
would be treated as original issue discount rather than qualified stated
interest.
 
     Payments of qualified stated interest on a Note are taxable to a U.S.
Holder as ordinary interest income at the time such payments are accrued or are
received (in accordance with the U.S. Holder's regular method of tax
accounting). A U.S. Holder of an Original Issue Discount Note must include
original issue discount in income as ordinary interest for United States Federal
income tax purposes as it accrues under a constant yield method in advance of
receipt of the cash payments attributable to such income, regardless of such
U.S. Holder's regular method of tax accounting. In general, the amount of
original issue discount included in income by the initial U.S. Holder of an
Original Issue Discount Note is the sum of the daily portions of original issue
discount with respect to such Original Issue Discount Note for each day during
the taxable year (or portion of the taxable year) on which such U.S. Holder held
such Original Issue Discount Note. The "daily portion" of original issue
discount on any Original Issue Discount Note is determined by allocating to each
day in any accrual period a ratable portion of the original issue discount
allocable to that accrual period. An "accrual period" may be of any length and
the accrual periods may vary in length over the term of the
 
                                      S-24
<PAGE>   26
 
Original Issue Discount Note, provided that each accrual period is no longer
than one year and each scheduled payment of principal or interest occurs either
on the final day of an accrual period or on the first day of an accrual period.
The amount of original issue discount allocable to each accrual period is
generally equal to the difference between (i) the product of the Original Issue
Discount Note's adjusted issue price at the beginning of such accrual period and
its yield to maturity (determined on the basis of compounding at the close of
each accrual period and appropriately adjusted to take into account the length
of the particular accrual period) and (ii) the amount of any qualified stated
interest payments allocable to such accrual period. The "adjusted issue price"
of an Original Issue Discount Note at the beginning of any accrual period is the
sum of the issue price of the Original Issue Discount Note plus the amount of
original issue discount allocable to all prior accrual periods minus the amount
of any prior payments on the Original Issue Discount Note that were not
qualified stated interest payments. Under these rules, U.S. Holders generally
will have to include in income increasingly greater amounts of original issue
discount in successive accrual periods.
 
     A U.S. Holder who purchases an Original Issue Discount Note for an amount
that is greater than its adjusted issue price as of the purchase date and less
than or equal to the sum of all amounts payable on the Original Issue Discount
Note after the purchase date other than payments of qualified stated interest,
will be considered to have purchased the Original Issue Discount Note at an
"acquisition premium." Under the acquisition premium rules, the amount of
original issue discount which such U.S. Holder must include in its gross income
with respect to such Original Issue Discount Note for any taxable year (or
portion thereof in which the U.S. Holder holds the Original Issue Discount Note)
will be reduced (but not below zero) by the portion of the acquisition premium
properly allocable to the period.
 
     Under the OID Regulations, Floating Rate Notes and Indexed Notes ("Variable
Notes") are subject to special rules whereby a Variable Note will qualify as a
"variable rate debt instrument" if (a) its issue price does not exceed the total
noncontingent principal payments due under the Variable Note by more than a
specified de minimis amount and (b) it provides for stated interest, paid or
compounded at least annually, at current values of (i) one or more qualified
floating rates, (ii) a single fixed rate and one or more qualified floating
rates, (iii) a single objective rate, or (iv) a single fixed rate and a single
objective rate that is a qualified inverse floating rate.
 
     A "qualified floating rate" is any variable rate where variations in the
value of such rate can reasonably be expected to measure contemporaneous
variations in the cost of newly borrowed funds in the currency in which the
Variable Note is denominated. Although a multiple of a qualified floating rate
will generally not itself constitute a qualified floating rate, a variable rate
equal to the product of a qualified floating rate and a fixed multiple that is
greater than .65 but not more than 1.35 will constitute a qualified floating
rate. A variable rate equal to the product of a qualified floating rate and a
fixed multiple that is greater than .65 but not more than 1.35, increased or
decreased by a fixed rate, will also constitute a qualified floating rate. In
addition, under the OID Regulations, two or more qualified floating rates that
can reasonably be expected to have approximately the same values throughout the
term of the Variable Note (e.g., two or more qualified floating rates with
values within 25 basis points of each other as determined on the Variable Note's
issue date) will be treated as a single qualified floating rate. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, a variable rate that would otherwise constitute a qualified
floating rate but which is subject to one or more restrictions such as a maximum
numerical limitation (i.e., a cap) or a minimum numerical limitation (i.e., a
floor) may, under certain circumstances, fail to be treated as a qualified
floating rate under the OID Regulations unless such cap or floor is fixed
throughout the term of the Note. An "objective rate" is a rate that is not
itself a qualified floating rate but which is determined using a single fixed
formula and which is based upon objective financial or economic information. A
rate will not qualify as an objective rate if it is based on information that is
within the control of the issuer (or a related party) or that is unique to the
circumstances of the issuer (or a related party), such as dividends, profits or
the value of the issuer's stock (although a rate does not fail to be an
objective rate merely because it is based on the credit quality of the issuer).
A "qualified inverse floating rate" is any objective rate where such rate is
equal to a fixed rate minus a qualified floating rate, as long as variations in
the rate can reasonably be expected to inversely reflect contemporaneous
variations in the qualified floating rate. The OID Regulations also provide that
if a Variable Note provides for stated interest at a fixed rate for an initial
period of one year or less followed by a variable rate that is either a
qualified floating rate or an objective rate and if the variable rate on the
Variable Note's issue date is intended to approximate the fixed rate (e.g., the
value of the variable rate
 
                                      S-25
<PAGE>   27
 
on the issue date does not differ from the value of the fixed rate by more than
25 basis points), then the fixed rate and the variable rate together will
constitute either a single qualified floating rate or objective rate, as the
case may be.
 
     If a Variable Note that provides for stated interest at either a single
qualified floating rate or a single objective rate throughout the term thereof
qualifies as a "variable rate debt instrument" under the OID Regulations and if
interest on such Note is unconditionally payable in cash or property (other than
debt instruments of the issuer) at least annually, then all stated interest on
such Note will constitute qualified stated interest and will be taxed
accordingly. Thus, a Variable Note that provides for stated interest at either a
single qualified floating rate or a single objective rate throughout the term
thereof and that qualifies as a "variable rate debt instrument" under the OID
Regulations will generally not be treated as having been issued with original
issue discount unless the Variable Note is issued at a "true" discount (i.e., at
a price below the Note's stated principal amount) in excess of a specified de
minimis amount. The amount of qualified stated interest and the amount of
original issue discount, if any, that accrues during an accrual period on such
Variable Note is determined under the rules applicable to fixed rate debt
instruments by assuming that the variable rate is a fixed rate equal to (i) in
the case of a qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating rate, the
value as of the issue date, of the qualified floating rate or qualified inverse
floating rate, or (ii) in the case of an objective rate (other than a qualified
inverse floating rate), a fixed rate that reflects the yield that is reasonably
expected for the Variable Note. The qualified stated interest allocable to an
accrual period is increased (or decreased) if the interest actually paid during
an accrual period exceeds (or is less than) the interest assumed to be paid
during the accrual period pursuant to the foregoing rules.
 
     In general, any other Variable Note that qualifies as a "variable rate debt
instrument" will be converted into an "equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument
for purposes of determining the amount and accrual of original issue discount
and qualified stated interest on the Variable Note. The OID Regulations
generally require that such a Variable Note be converted into an "equivalent"
fixed rate debt instrument by substituting any qualified floating rate or
qualified inverse floating rate provided for under the terms of the Variable
Note with a fixed rate equal to the value of the qualified floating rate or
qualified inverse floating rate, as the case may be, as of the Variable Note's
issue date. Any objective rate (other than a qualified inverse floating rate)
provided for under the terms of the Variable Note is converted into a fixed rate
that reflects the yield that is reasonably expected for the Variable Note. In
the case of a Variable Note that qualifies as a "variable rate debt instrument"
and provides for stated interest at a fixed rate in addition to either one or
more qualified floating rates or a qualified inverse floating rate, the fixed
rate is initially converted into a qualified floating rate (or a qualified
inverse floating rate, if the Variable Note provides for a qualified inverse
floating rate). Under such circumstances, the qualified floating rate or
qualified inverse floating rate that replaces the fixed rate must be such that
the fair market value of the Variable Note as of the Variable Note's issue date
is approximately the same as the fair market value of an otherwise identical
debt instrument that provides for either the qualified floating rate or
qualified inverse floating rate rather than the fixed rate. Subsequent to
converting the fixed rate into either a qualified floating rate or a qualified
inverse floating rate, the Variable Note is then converted into an "equivalent"
fixed rate debt instrument in the manner described above.
 
     Once the Variable Note is converted into an "equivalent" fixed rate debt
instrument pursuant to the foregoing rules, the amount of original issue
discount and qualified stated interest, if any, are determined for the
"equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument by applying the general original issue
discount rules to the "equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument and a U.S. Holder
of the Variable Note will account for such original issue discount and qualified
stated interest as if the U.S. Holder held the "equivalent" fixed rate debt
instrument. Each accrual period appropriate adjustments will be made to the
amount of qualified stated interest or original issue discount assumed to have
been accrued or paid with respect to the "equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument
in the event that such amounts differ from the actual amount of interest accrued
or paid on the Variable Note during the accrual period.
 
   
     If a Variable Note does not qualify as a "variable rate debt instrument"
under the OID Regulations, then the Variable Note would be treated as a
contingent payment debt obligation. U.S. Holders should be aware that on June
11, 1996 the Treasury Department issued final regulations (the "CPDI
Regulations") concerning the proper United States Federal income tax treatment
of contingent payment debt instruments. In general,
    
 
                                      S-26
<PAGE>   28
 
the CPDI Regulations cause the timing and character of income, gain or loss
reported on a contingent payment debt instrument to substantially differ from
the timing and character of income, gain or loss reported on a contingent
payment debt instrument under general principles of prior United States Federal
income tax law. Specifically, the CPDI Regulations generally require a U.S.
Holder of such an instrument to include future contingent and noncontingent
interest payments in income as such interest accrues based upon a projected
payment schedule. Moreover, in general, under the CPDI Regulations, any gain
recognized by a U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange, or retirement of a contingent
payment debt instrument will be treated as ordinary income and all or a portion
of any loss realized could be treated as ordinary loss as opposed to capital
loss (depending upon the circumstances). The CPDI Regulations apply to debt
instruments issued on or after August 13, 1996. The proper United States Federal
income tax treatment of Variable Notes that are treated as contingent payment
debt obligations will be more fully described in the applicable Pricing
Supplement. Furthermore, any other special United States Federal income tax
considerations, not otherwise discussed herein, which are applicable to any
particular issue of Notes will be discussed in the applicable Pricing
Supplement.
 
     Certain of the Notes (i) may be redeemable at the option of the Company
prior to their stated maturity (a "call option") and/or (ii) may be repayable at
the option of the holder prior to their stated maturity (a "put option"). Notes
containing such features may be subject to rules that differ from the general
rules discussed above. Investors intending to purchase Notes with such features
should consult their own tax advisors, since the original issue discount
consequences will depend, in part, on the particular terms and features of the
purchased Notes.
 
     U.S. Holders may generally, upon election, include in income all interest
(including stated interest, acquisition discount, original issue discount, de
minimis original issue discount, market discount, de minimis market discount,
and unstated interest, as adjusted by any amortizable bond premium or
acquisition premium) that accrues on a debt instrument by using the constant
yield method applicable to original issue discount, subject to certain
limitations and exceptions.
 
  Short-Term Notes
 
     Notes that have a fixed maturity of one year or less ("Short-Term Notes")
will be treated as having been issued with original issue discount. In general,
an individual or other cash method U.S. Holder is not required to accrue such
original issue discount unless the U.S. Holder elects to do so. If such an
election is not made, any gain recognized by the U.S. Holder on the sale,
exchange or maturity of the Short-Term Note will be ordinary income to the
extent of the original issue discount accrued on a straight-line basis, or upon
election under the constant yield method (based on daily compounding), through
the date of sale or maturity, and a portion of the deductions otherwise
allowable to the U.S. Holder for interest on borrowings allocable to the
Short-Term Note will be deferred until a corresponding amount of income is
realized. U.S. Holders who report income for United States Federal income tax
purposes under the accrual method, and certain other holders including banks and
dealers in securities, are required to accrue original issue discount on a
Short-Term Note on a straight-line basis unless an election is made to accrue
the original issue discount under a constant yield method (based on daily
compounding).
 
  Market Discount
 
     If a U.S. Holder purchases a Note, other than an Original Issue Discount
Note, for an amount that is less than its issue price (or, in the case of a
subsequent purchaser, its stated redemption price at maturity) or, in the case
of an Original Issue Discount Note, for an amount that is less than its adjusted
issue price as of the purchase date, such U.S. Holder will be treated as having
purchased such Note at a "market discount," unless such market discount is less
than a specified de minimis amount.
 
     Under the market discount rules, a U.S. Holder will be required to treat
any partial principal payment (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount
Note, any payment that does not constitute qualified stated interest) on, or any
gain realized on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of, a Note
as ordinary income to the extent of the lesser of (i) the amount of such payment
or realized gain or (ii) the market
 
                                      S-27
<PAGE>   29
 
discount which has not previously been included in income and is treated as
having accrued on such Note at the time of such payment or disposition. Market
discount will be considered to accrue ratably during the period from the date of
acquisition to the maturity date of the Note, unless the U.S. Holder elects to
accrue market discount on the basis of semiannual compounding.
 
     A U.S. Holder may be required to defer the deduction of all or a portion of
the interest paid or accrued on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to
purchase or carry a Note with market discount until the maturity of the Note or
certain earlier dispositions, because a current deduction is only allowed to the
extent the interest expense exceeds an allocable portion of market discount. A
U.S. Holder may elect to include market discount in income currently as it
accrues (on either a ratable or semiannual compounding basis), in which case the
rules described above regarding the treatment as ordinary income of gain upon
the disposition of the Note and upon the receipt of certain cash payments and
regarding the deferral of interest deductions will not apply. Generally, such
currently included market discount is treated as ordinary interest for United
States Federal income tax purposes. Such an election will apply to all debt
instruments acquired by the U.S. Holder on or after the first day of the first
taxable year to which such election applies and may be revoked only with the
consent of the IRS.
 
  Premium
 
     If a U.S. Holder purchases a Note for an amount that is greater than the
sum of all amounts payable on the Note after the purchase date other than
payments of qualified stated interest, such U.S. Holder will be considered to
have purchased the Note with "amortizable bond premium" equal in amount to such
excess. A U.S. Holder may elect to amortize such premium using a constant yield
method over the remaining term of the Note and may offset interest otherwise
required to be included in respect of the Note during any taxable year by the
amortized amount of such excess for the taxable year. However, if the Note may
be optionally redeemed after the U.S. Holder acquires it at a price in excess of
its stated redemption price at maturity, special rules would apply which could
result in a deferral of the amortization of some bond premium until later in the
term of the Note. Any election to amortize bond premium applies to all taxable
debt instruments then owned and thereafter acquired by the U.S. Holder on or
after the first day of the first taxable year to which such election applies and
may be revoked only with the consent of the IRS.
 
  Disposition of a Note
 
     Except as discussed above, upon the sale, exchange or retirement of a Note,
a U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the
difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange or retirement
(other than amounts representing accrued and unpaid interest) and such U.S.
Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Note. A U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in a
Note generally will equal such U.S. Holder's initial investment in the Note
increased by any original issue discount included in income (and accrued market
discount, if any, if the U.S. Holder has included such market discount in
income) and decreased by the amount of any payments, other than qualified stated
interest payments, received and amortizable bond premium taken with respect to
such Note. Such gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if
the Note were held for more than one year.
 
NOTES DENOMINATED, OR IN RESPECT OF WHICH INTEREST IS PAYABLE, IN A FOREIGN
CURRENCY
 
     As used herein, "Foreign Currency" means a currency or composite currency
other than U.S. dollars.
 
  Payments of Interest in a Foreign Currency
 
     Cash Method.  A U.S. Holder who uses the cash method of accounting for
United States Federal income tax purposes and who receives a payment of interest
on a Note (other than original issue discount or market discount) will be
required to include in income the U.S. dollar value of the Foreign Currency
payment (determined on the date such payment is received) regardless of whether
the payment is in fact converted to U.S. dollars at that time, and such U.S.
dollar value will be the U.S. Holder's tax basis in such Foreign Currency.
 
                                      S-28
<PAGE>   30
 
     Accrual Method.  A U.S. Holder who uses the accrual method of accounting
for United States Federal income tax purposes, or who otherwise is required to
accrue interest prior to receipt, will be required to include in income the U.S.
dollar value of the amount of interest income (including original issue discount
or market discount and reduced by amortizable bond premium to the extent
applicable) that has accrued and is otherwise required to be taken into account
with respect to a Note during an accrual period. The U.S. dollar value of such
accrued income will be determined by translating such income at the average rate
of exchange for the accrual period or, with respect to an accrual period that
spans two taxable years, at the average rate for the partial period within the
taxable year. A U.S. Holder may elect, however, to translate such accrued
interest income using the rate of exchange on the last day of the accrual period
or, with respect to an accrual period that spans two taxable years, using the
rate of exchange on the last day of the taxable year. If the last day of an
accrual period is within five business days of the date of receipt of the
accrued interest, a U.S. Holder may translate such interest using the rate of
exchange on the date of receipt. The above election will apply to other debt
obligations held by the U.S. Holder and may not be changed without the consent
of the IRS. A U.S. Holder should consult a tax advisor before making the above
election. A U.S. Holder will recognize exchange gain or loss (which will be
treated as ordinary income or loss) with respect to accrued interest income on
the date such income is received. The amount of ordinary income or loss
recognized will equal the difference, if any, between the U.S. dollar value of
the Foreign Currency payment received (determined on the date such payment is
received) in respect of such accrual period and the U.S. dollar value of
interest income that has accrued during such accrual period (as determined
above).
 
  Purchase, Sale and Retirement of Notes
 
     A U.S. Holder who purchases a Note with previously owned Foreign Currency
will recognize ordinary income or loss in an amount equal to the difference, if
any, between such U.S. Holder's tax basis in the Foreign Currency and the U.S.
dollar fair market value of the Foreign Currency used to purchase the Note,
determined on the date of purchase.
 
     Except as discussed above with respect to Short-Term Notes, upon the sale,
exchange or retirement of a Note, a U.S. Holder will recognize taxable gain or
loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange
or retirement and such U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Note. Such gain
or loss generally will be capital gain or loss (except to the extent of any
accrued market discount not previously included in the U.S. Holder's income) and
will be long-term capital gain or loss if at the time of sale, exchange or
retirement the Note has been held by such U.S. Holder for more than one year. To
the extent the amount realized represents accrued but unpaid interest, however,
such amounts must be taken into account as interest income, with exchange gain
or loss computed as described in "Payments of Interest in a Foreign Currency"
above. If a U.S. Holder receives Foreign Currency on such a sale, exchange or
retirement the amount realized will be based on the U.S. dollar value of the
Foreign Currency on the date the payment is received or the Note is disposed of
(or deemed disposed of as a result of a material change in the terms of such
Note). In the case of a Note that is denominated in Foreign Currency and is
traded on an established securities market, a cash basis U.S. Holder (or, upon
election, an accrual basis U.S. Holder) will determine the U.S. dollar value of
the amount realized by translating the Foreign Currency payment at the spot rate
of exchange on the settlement date of the sale. A U.S. Holder's adjusted tax
basis in a Note will equal the cost of the Note to such holder, increased by the
amounts of any market discount or original issue discount previously included in
income by the holder with respect to such Note and reduced by any amortized
acquisition or other premium and any principal payments received by the holder.
A U.S. Holder's tax basis in a Note, and the amount of any subsequent
adjustments to such holder's tax basis, will be the U.S. dollar value of the
Foreign Currency amount paid for such Note, or of the Foreign Currency amount of
the adjustment, determined on the date of such purchase or adjustment.
 
     Gain or loss realized upon the sale, exchange or retirement of a Note that
is attributable to fluctuations in currency exchange rates will be ordinary
income or loss which will not be treated as interest income or expense. Gain or
loss attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates will equal the difference
between the U.S. dollar value of the Foreign Currency principal amount of the
Note, determined on the date such payment is received or the Note is disposed
of, and the U.S. dollar value of the Foreign Currency principal amount of the
 
                                      S-29
<PAGE>   31
 
Note, determined on the date the U.S. Holder acquired the Note. Such Foreign
Currency gain or loss will be recognized only to the extent of the total gain or
loss realized by the U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange or retirement of the
Note.
 
  Original Issue Discount
 
     In the case of an Original Issue Discount Note or Short-Term Note, (i)
original issue discount is determined in units of the Foreign Currency, (ii)
accrued original issue discount is translated into U.S. dollars as described in
"Payments of Interest in a Foreign Currency -- Accrual Method" above and (iii)
the amount of Foreign Currency gain or loss on the accrued original issue
discount is determined by comparing the amount of income received attributable
to the discount (either upon payment, maturity or an earlier disposition), as
translated into U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange on the date of such
receipt, with the amount of original issue discount accrued, as translated
above.
 
  Premium and Market Discount
 
     In the case of a Note with market discount, (i) market discount is
determined in units of the Foreign Currency, (ii) accrued market discount taken
into account upon the receipt of any partial principal payment or upon the sale,
exchange, retirement or other disposition of the Note (other than accrued market
discount required to be taken into account currently) is translated into U.S.
dollars at the exchange rate on such disposition date (and no part of such
accrued market discount is treated as exchange gain or loss) and (iii) accrued
market discount currently includible in income by a U.S. Holder for any accrual
period is translated into U.S. dollars on the basis of the average exchange rate
in effect during such accrual period, and the exchange gain or loss is
determined upon the receipt of any partial principal payment or upon the sale,
exchange, retirement or other disposition of the Note in the manner described in
"Payments of Interest in a Foreign Currency -- Accrual Method" above with
respect to computation of exchange gain or loss on accrued interest.
 
     With respect to a Note issued with amortizable bond premium, such premium
is determined in the relevant Foreign Currency and reduces interest income in
units of the Foreign Currency. Although not entirely clear, a U.S. Holder should
recognize exchange gain or loss equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar
value of the bond premium amortized with respect to a period, determined on the
date the interest attributable to such period is received, and the U.S. dollar
value of the bond premium determined on the date of the acquisition of the Note.
 
  Exchange of Foreign Currencies
 
     A U.S. Holder will have a tax basis in any Foreign Currency received as
interest or on the sale, exchange or retirement of a Note equal to the U.S.
dollar value of such Foreign Currency, determined at the time the interest is
received or at the time of the sale, exchange or retirement. Any gain or loss
realized by a U.S. Holder on a sale or other disposition of Foreign Currency
(including its exchange for U.S. dollars or its use to purchase Notes) will be
ordinary income or loss.
 
NON-U.S. HOLDERS
 
     A non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to United States Federal income taxes
on payments of principal, premium (if any) or interest (including original issue
discount, if any) on a Note, unless such non-U.S. Holder is a direct or indirect
10% or greater shareholder of the Company, a controlled foreign corporation
related to the Company or a bank receiving interest described in section
881(c)(3)(A) of the Code. To qualify for the exemption from taxation, the last
United States payor in the chain of payment prior to payment to a non-U.S.
Holder (the "Withholding Agent") must have received in the year in which a
payment of interest or principal occurs, or in either of the two preceding
calendar years, a statement that (i) is signed by the beneficial owner of the
Note under penalties of perjury, (ii) certifies that such owner is not a U.S.
Holder and (iii) provides the name and address of the beneficial owner. The
statement may be made on an IRS Form W-8 or a substantially similar form, and
the beneficial owner must inform the Withholding Agent of any
 
                                      S-30
<PAGE>   32
 
change in the information on the statement within 30 days of such change. If a
Note is held through a securities clearing organization or certain other
financial institutions, the organization or institution may provide a signed
statement to the Withholding Agent. However, in such case, the signed statement
must be accompanied by a copy of the IRS Form W-8 or the substitute form
provided by the beneficial owner to the organization or institution. The
Treasury Department is considering implementation of further certification
requirements aimed at determining whether the issuer of a debt obligation is
related to holders thereof.
 
     Generally, a non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to Federal income taxes on
any amount which constitutes capital gain upon retirement or disposition of a
Note, provided the gain is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade
or business in the United States by the non-U.S. Holder. Certain other
exceptions may be applicable, and a non-U.S. Holder should consult its tax
advisor in this regard.
 
     The Notes will not be includible in the estate of a non-U.S. Holder unless
the individual is a direct or indirect 10% or greater shareholder of the Company
or, at the time of such individual's death, payments in respect of the Notes
would have been effectively connected with the conduct by such individual of a
trade or business in the United States.
 
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
 
     Backup withholding of United States Federal income tax at a rate of 31% may
apply to payments made in respect of the Notes to registered owners who are not
"exempt recipients" and who fail to provide certain identifying information
(such as the registered owner's taxpayer identification number) in the required
manner. Generally, individuals are not exempt recipients, whereas corporations
and certain other entities generally are exempt recipients. Payments made in
respect of the Notes to a U.S. Holder must be reported to the IRS, unless the
U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient or establishes an exemption. Compliance with
the identification procedures described in the preceding section would establish
an exemption from backup withholding for those non-U.S. Holders who are not
exempt recipients.
 
     In addition, upon the sale of a Note to (or through) a broker, the broker
must withhold 31% of the entire purchase price, unless either (i) the broker
determines that the seller is a corporation or other exempt recipient or (ii)
the seller provides, in the required manner, certain identifying information
and, in the case of a non-U.S. Holder, certifies that such seller is a non-U.S.
Holder (and certain other conditions are met). Such a sale must also be reported
by the broker to the IRS, unless either (i) the broker determines that the
seller is an exempt recipient or (ii) the seller certifies its non-U.S. status
(and certain other conditions are met). Certification of the registered owner's
non-U.S. status would be made normally on an IRS Form W-8 under penalties of
perjury, although in certain cases it may be possible to submit other
documentary evidence.
 
     Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a
beneficial owner would be allowed as a refund or a credit against such
beneficial owner's United States Federal income tax provided the required
information is furnished to the IRS.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Notes are being offered on a continuous basis for sale by the Company
to or through Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated, First
Chicago Capital Markets, Inc., Lehman Brothers Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (the "Agents"). The Agents may purchase
Notes, as principal, from the Company from time to time for resale to investors
and other purchasers at varying prices relating to prevailing market prices at
the time of resale as determined by the applicable Agent, or, if so specified in
the applicable Pricing Supplement, for resale at a fixed offering price. If
agreed to by the Company and an Agent, such Agent may also utilize its
reasonable efforts on an agency basis to solicit offers to purchase the Notes at
100% of the principal amount thereof, unless otherwise specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement. The Company will pay a commission to an Agent,
ranging from .125% to .750% of the principal amount of each Senior Note,
depending upon its stated maturity, sold through an Agent. The schedule of
commissions payable in connection with sales of Senior Notes will also apply to
sales of Subordinated Notes unless otherwise agreed to by the Company and the
applicable Agent. Commissions
 
                                      S-31
<PAGE>   33
 
with respect to Notes with stated maturities in excess of 30 years that are sold
through such Agent will be negotiated between the Company and such Agent at the
time of such sale.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, any Note
sold to an Agent as principal will be purchased by such Agent at a price equal
to 100% of the principal amount thereof less a percentage of the principal
amount equal to the commission applicable to an agency sale of a Note of
identical maturity and rank. An Agent may sell Notes it has purchased from the
Company as principal to other dealers for resale to investors and other
purchasers, and may allow any portion of the discount received in connection
with such purchase from the Company to such dealers. After the initial offering
of Notes, the offering price (in the case of Notes to be resold on a fixed price
basis), the concession and the discount may be changed.
 
     The Company reserves the right to withdraw, cancel or modify the offer made
hereby without notice and may reject offers in whole or in part (whether placed
directly with the Company or through the Agents). Each Agent will have the
right, in its discretion reasonably exercised, to reject in whole or in part any
offer to purchase Notes received by it on an agency basis.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, payment of
the purchase price of the Notes will be required to be made in immediately
available funds in the Specified Currency in The City of New York on the date of
settlement. See "Description of Notes -- General."
 
     Upon issuance, the Notes will not have an established trading market. The
Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. The Agents may from time to
time purchase and sell Notes in the secondary market, but the Agents are not
obligated to do so, and there can be no assurance that there will be a secondary
market for the Notes or that there will be liquidity in the secondary market if
one develops. From time to time, the Agents may make a market in the Notes, but
the Agents are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making
activity at any time.
 
     The Agents may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Company has
agreed to indemnify the Agents against certain liabilities (including
liabilities under the Securities Act), or to contribute to payments the Agents
may be required to make in respect thereof. The Company has agreed to reimburse
the Agents for certain other expenses.
 
     In the ordinary course of their respective business, the Agents and their
affiliates may engage in investment and commercial banking transactions with the
Company and certain of its affiliates.
 
     Concurrently with the offering of Notes described herein, the Company may
issue other Offered Securities described in the accompanying Prospectus.
 
                                      S-32
<PAGE>   34
 
     Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
     registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
     Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor
     may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement
     becomes effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or
     the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these
     securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be
     unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws
     of any such State.
 
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
   
MARCH   , 1997
    
 
                     ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION
 
                                  $368,806,250
                       DEBT SECURITIES, PREFERRED SHARES,
           DEPOSITARY SHARES, COMMON SHARES AND COMMON SHARE WARRANTS
 
    Associated Estates Realty Corporation (the "Company") may from time to time
offer in one or more series (i) its unsecured debt securities (the "Debt
Securities"), which may be senior debt securities ("Senior Securities") or
subordinated securities ("Subordinated Securities"), (ii) whole or fractional
preferred shares (collectively, "Preferred Shares") (iii) Preferred Shares
represented by depositary shares ("Depositary Shares"), (iv) common shares,
without par value ("Common Shares"), or (v) warrants to purchase Common Shares
("Common Share Warrants"), with an aggregate public offering price of up to
$368,806,250, on terms to be determined at the time or times of offering. The
Debt Securities, Preferred Shares, Depositary Shares, Common Shares and Common
Share Warrants (collectively, the "Offered Securities") may be offered,
separately or together, in separate classes or series, in amounts, at prices and
on terms to be set forth in a supplement to this Prospectus (a "Prospectus
Supplement").
 
    The specific terms of the Offered Securities to which this Prospectus
relates will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and will
include, when applicable: (i) in the case of Debt Securities, the specific
title, aggregate principal amount, currency, form (which may be registered or
bearer, or certificated or global), authorized denominations, maturity, rate (or
manner of calculation thereof) and time of payment of interest, terms for
redemption at the option of the Company or repayment at the option of the holder
thereof, terms for sinking fund payments, terms for conversion into Preferred
Shares or Common Shares, and any initial public offering price; (ii) in the case
of Preferred Shares, the specific class, series, title and stated value, any
dividend, liquidation, redemption, conversion, voting and other rights, and any
initial public offering price; (iii) in the case of Depositary Shares, the whole
or fractional Preferred Shares represented by each such Depositary Share; (iv)
in the case of Common Shares, any initial public offering price; and (v) in the
case of Common Share Warrants, the duration, offering price, exercise price and
detachability features. In addition, such specific terms may include limitations
on direct or beneficial ownership and restrictions on transfer of the Offered
Securities, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve the status of the
Company as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") for federal income tax
purposes.
 
    The applicable Prospectus Supplement will also contain information, when
applicable, about certain United States federal income tax considerations
relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the Offered Securities
covered by that Prospectus Supplement.
 
    The Offered Securities may be offered directly, through agents designated
from time to time by the Company, or to or through underwriters or dealers. If
any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of the Offered
Securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or
discount arrangement will be set forth in or will be calculable from the
information set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. No Offered
Securities may be sold without delivery of the applicable Prospectus Supplement
describing the method and terms of the offering of those Offered Securities. See
"Plan of Distribution" for possible indemnification arrangements with
underwriters, dealers and agents.
 
                               ------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
   EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
      COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
        PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
         OFFENSE.
 
March   , 1997
<PAGE>   35
 
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR AN APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT
BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY UNDERWRITER,
DEALER OR AGENT. THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DO NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES
OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE
SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS OR ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE
AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THEREOF.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). These reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company with the Commission in
accordance with the Exchange Act can be inspected and copied at the Commission's
Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at the
following regional offices of the Commission: Seven World Trade Center, 13th
Floor, New York, New York 10048 and 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661 and at the Commission's site on the World Wide Web
located at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of such material can be obtained from the
Public Reference Section of the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. In addition, the Company's Common Shares are
listed on the New York Stock Exchange and these reports, proxy statements and
other information concerning the Company can be inspected and copied at the
offices of the New York Stock Exchange Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York
10005.
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement (the
"Registration Statement") (of which this Prospectus is a part) under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to the
Offered Securities. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set
forth in the Registration Statement, certain portions of which have been omitted
as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission. Statements
contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other
document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to
the copy of such contract or other document filed or incorporated by reference
as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified
in all respects by such reference and the exhibits and schedules thereto. For
further information regarding the Company and the Offered Securities, reference
is hereby made to the Registration Statement and such exhibits and schedules,
which may be obtained from the Commission at its principal office in Washington,
D.C. upon payment of the fees prescribed by the Commission.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The documents listed below have been filed by the Company with the
Commission and are incorporated herein by reference:
 
          a. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995;
 
          b. Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31,
             1996, June 30, 1996 and September 30, 1996;
 
          c. Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 1, 1996;
 
          d. The description of the Company's Common Shares contained in the
             Company's Form 8-A dated October 14, 1993;
 
          e. The Statements of Revenue and Certain Expenses for the Acquired
             Properties and Proposed Acquisition Properties for the year ended
             December 31, 1993 (audited) and the six months ended June 30, 1994
             (unaudited), the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
             Financial
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   36
 
          Statements and the Unaudited Estimated Twelve Month Pro Forma
          Statement of Taxable Net Operating Income and Operating Funds
          Available contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form
          S-11 (No. 33-80950) dated June 30, 1994.
 
     All reports and other documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this
Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the Offered
Securities shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus
and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
 
     Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein
(or in the applicable Prospectus Supplement) or in any other subsequently filed
document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     The Company hereby undertakes to provide without charge to each person to
whom this Prospectus has been delivered, upon the written or oral request of
such person, a copy of any and all documents incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus (other than exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference in such documents). Requests for such
copies should be directed to Associated Estates Realty Corporation, 5025
Swetland Court, Richmond Heights, Ohio 44143-1467, Attn: Barbara E. Hasenstab,
Director of Investor Relations, (216) 473-8798.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Associated Estates Realty Corporation (the "Company"), a fully integrated
real estate company, was formed in July 1993 to continue the business of the
Associated Estates Group ("AEG") of developing, acquiring, rehabilitating,
owning, managing, financing and leasing multifamily residential rental apartment
facilities ("Multifamily Properties"). The Company completed the initial public
offering of its Common Shares in November 1993 (the "IPO") and currently owns
16,066 suites in 85 Multifamily Properties (the "Properties").
 
     Of the Company's 16,066 suites, 14,008 suites (approximately 87.2%) are
contained in conventional high-rise, mid-rise townhome or garden apartment
properties and 1,888 suites (approximately 11.7%) are contained in properties
the rents of which are subsidized by the United States Department of Housing and
Urban Development (the "Government-Assisted Properties"). Of the 1,888 suites
contained in the Government Assisted Properties, 1,095 suites are tenanted
primarily by lower-income senior citizens or physically impaired individuals and
793 suites are tenanted primarily by lower-income families or individuals. The
remaining 170 suites (approximately 1.1%) in the Company's portfolio are
contained in apartment communities for elderly persons that provide residents
with one daily meal, housekeeping, laundry and other services and recreational
and educational activities ("Congregate Care Facilities"). Approximately 93.7%
of the suites in the Properties owned at December 31, 1996 were leased as of
that date.
 
     The Company is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment
trust (a "REIT") and, accordingly, does not engage or pay for a REIT advisor.
The Company manages all of the Properties, and either AEG or the Company has
managed all of the Properties continuously since their acquisition or
development by the Company or AEG. Of the Company's 85 Multifamily Properties,
43 were developed by AEG, two were acquired by AEG prior to the IPO and 40 were
acquired (for an aggregate purchase price of $317.5 million) by the Company
after the IPO. Subsequent to the IPO, the Company has also acquired the
remaining 50% interest in two of the Multifamily Properties included in the
Company's Portfolio at the time of the IPO which were previously owned by joint
ventures (together with the 40 properties referred to above, the "Acquired
Properties"). Nine of the Acquired Properties are located in Northern Ohio, 22
are located in Central Ohio, nine are located in Michigan, one is located in
Indiana and one is located in Pennsylvania. The 40 Multifamily Properties
acquired since the IPO contain 7,142 suites. In addition to the Acquired
Properties, the Company acquired six undeveloped land parcels containing an
aggregate of 132.7 acres. The Company
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   37
 
also currently manages 7,052 Multifamily Properties suites and eight commercial
properties (containing an aggregate of approximately 825,000 square feet of
gross leasable area), not owned by the Company. In addition, the Company owns
substantially all of the economic interests in five corporations which provide
management and other services to the Company (the "Service Companies").
 
     The Company's executive offices are located at 5025 Swetland Court,
Richmond Heights, Ohio 44143-1467, and its telephone number is (216) 261-5000.
 
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     FISCAL YEAR ENDED(1)                              NINE MONTHS ENDED
                           ------------------------------------------------------------------------    -----------------
                           DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,      SEPTEMBER 30,
                               1991           1992           1993           1994           1995              1996
                           ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------    -----------------
<S>                        <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>
Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges..................     1.03          1.29           1.34           2.91           1.98               1.57
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) The ratio of earnings to fixed charges includes results of operations of AEG
    for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1991, 1992 and 1993.
 
     For purposes of computing these ratios, earnings have been calculated by
adding fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest) to income before taxes and
extraordinary items. Fixed charges consist of preferred dividends accrued,
interest costs, whether expensed or capitalized, the interest component of
rental expense, the interest component of ground rent and the amortization of
debt discounts and issue costs, whether expensed or capitalized.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     Unless otherwise described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Offered Securities
for general corporate purposes, which may include the acquisition of properties,
the expansion and improvement of certain properties in the Company's portfolio
and the repayment of indebtedness.
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
     The Senior Securities will be issued under an Indenture (the "Senior
Indenture") between the Company and National City Bank, as Trustee. The
Subordinated Securities will be issued under an Indenture (the "Subordinated
Indenture") between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank (formerly Chemical
Bank), as Trustee. The Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture are
sometimes referred to herein collectively as the "Indentures" and each
individually as an "Indenture." As of February 25, 1997, the Company had
$142,500,000 aggregate principal amount of Senior Securities outstanding and no
Subordinated Securities outstanding.
 
     The Indentures have been filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement of
which this Prospectus is a part and are available for inspection at the
respective corporate trust offices of the Trustee as follows: (i) with respect
to National City Bank, 1900 East Ninth Street, Corporate Trust Division,
Cleveland, Ohio 44114, and (ii) with respect to The Chase Manhattan Bank, 450
West 33rd Street, New York, New York 10001-2697. The Indentures are subject to,
and are governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The statements
made hereunder relating to the Indentures and the Debt Securities to be issued
thereunder are summaries of certain provisions thereof and do not purport to be
complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference
to, all provisions of the Indentures and such Debt Securities. All section
references appearing in this section "Description of Debt Securities" are to
sections of the applicable Indenture, and capitalized terms used but not defined
herein have the respective meanings set forth in the applicable Indenture.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Debt Securities will be direct, unsecured obligations of the Company.
Each Indenture provides that the Debt Securities issued thereunder may be issued
without limit as to aggregate principal amount, in one or
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   38
 
more series, in each case as established from time to time in or pursuant to
authority granted by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company or as
established in one or more indentures supplemental to the applicable Indenture.
All Debt Securities of one series need not be issued at the same time and,
unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the
Holders of the Debt Securities of such series, for issuances of additional Debt
Securities of such series (Section 301 of the Indentures). Any Trustee under
either Indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of
Debt Securities issued under such Indenture, and a successor Trustee may be
appointed to act with respect to such series.
 
     Reference is made to each Prospectus Supplement for the specific terms of
the series of Debt Securities being offered thereby, including:
 
           (1) the title of such Debt Securities;
 
           (2) the aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities and any
     limit on such aggregate principal amount;
 
           (3) the percentage of the principal amount at which such Debt
     Securities will be issued and, if other than the principal amount thereof,
     the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of
     acceleration of the maturity thereof, or (if applicable) the portion of the
     principal amount of such Debt Securities which is convertible into Common
     Shares or other equity securities of the Company, or the method by which
     any such portion shall be determined;
 
           (4) if such Debt Securities are convertible, any limitation on the
     ownership or transferability of the Common Shares or other equity
     securities of the Company into which they are convertible in connection
     with the preservation of the Company's status as a REIT;
 
           (5) the date or dates, or the method for determining the date or
     dates, on which the principal of such Debt Securities will be payable;
 
           (6) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable), or the method
     by which such rate or rates shall be determined, at which such Debt
     Securities will bear interest;
 
           (7) the date or dates, or the method for determining the date or
     dates, from which any such interest will accrue, the Interest Payment Dates
     on which any such interest will be payable, the Regular Record Dates for
     such Interest Payment Dates, or the method by which such Regular Record
     Dates shall be determined, the Person to whom such interest shall be
     payable, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other
     than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;
 
           (8) the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any)
     or interest on such Debt Securities will be payable, such Debt Securities
     may be surrendered for conversion or registration of transfer or exchange,
     and notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of such Debt
     Securities and the applicable Indenture may be served;
 
           (9) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which,
     and the terms and conditions upon which, such Debt Securities may be
     redeemed, as a whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the
     Company is to have such an option;
 
          (10) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or
     purchase such Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous
     provision or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods
     within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions
     upon which such Debt Securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased, as a
     whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
 
          (11) if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which
     such Debt Securities are denominated and payable, which may be a foreign
     currency or units of two or more foreign currencies or a composite currency
     or currencies, and the terms and conditions relating thereto;
 
          (12) whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if
     any) or interest on such Debt Securities may be determined with reference
     to an index, formula or other method (which index,
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   39
 
     formula or method may, but need not be, based on a currency, currencies,
     currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies) and the manner
     in which such amounts shall be determined;
 
          (13) any additions to, modifications of or deletions from the terms of
     such Debt Securities with respect to the Events of Default or covenants set
     forth in the applicable Indenture;
 
          (14) whether such Debt Securities will be issued in certificated or
     book-entry form;
 
          (15) whether such Debt Securities will be in registered or bearer form
     or both and, if and to the extent in registered form, the denominations
     thereof if other than $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof and, if and
     to the extent in bearer form, the denominations thereof and terms and
     conditions relating thereto;
 
          (16) the applicability, if any, of the defeasance and covenant
     defeasance provisions of Article XIV of the applicable Indenture;
 
          (17) the terms, if any, upon which such Debt Securities may be
     convertible into Common Shares or other equity securities of the Company
     (and the class thereof) and the terms and conditions upon which such
     conversion will be effected, including, without limitation, the initial
     conversion price or rate and the conversion period;
 
          (18) whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay
     additional amounts on such Debt Securities in respect of any tax,
     assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether the Company will have
     the option to redeem such Debt Securities in lieu of making such payment;
     and
 
          (19) any other terms of such Debt Securities not inconsistent with the
     provisions of the applicable Indenture.
 
     The Debt Securities may provide for less than the entire principal amount
thereof to be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof
("Original Issue Discount Securities"). Any special U.S. federal income tax,
accounting and other considerations applicable to Original Issue Discount
Securities will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Except as hereinafter set forth under the caption "Certain
Covenants -- Limitation on Incurrence of Debt," which relates solely to the
Senior Indenture and the Senior Securities issued thereunder, neither Indenture
contains any provision that would limit the ability of the Company to incur
indebtedness or that would afford Holders of Debt Securities protection in the
event of a highly leveraged or similar transaction involving the Company or in
the event of a change of control. However, certain restrictions on ownership and
transfers of the Company's Common Shares and the Company's other equity
securities designed to preserve its status as a REIT may act to prevent or
hinder a change of control. See "Description of Common Shares," "Description of
Preferred Shares" and "Description of Depositary Shares." Reference is made to
the applicable Prospectus Supplement for information with respect to any
deletion from, modification of or addition to the Events of Default or covenants
of the Company that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or
other provision providing event risk or similar protection.
 
DENOMINATIONS, INTEREST, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
 
     Unless otherwise described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Debt Securities of any series will be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and
integral multiples thereof (Section 302 of the Indentures).
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on any series of Debt Securities
will be payable at the corporate trust office of the applicable Trustee as
follows: (i) with respect to National City Bank, 120 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New
York, New York 10271, and (ii) with respect to Chase Manhattan Bank, 450 West
33rd Street, New York, New York 10001-2697, provided that, at the option of the
Company, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the
Person entitled thereto as it appears in the Security Register or by wire
transfer of funds to such Person at an account maintained within the United
States (Sections 301, 305, 306, 307 and 1002 of the Indentures).
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   40
 
     Any interest not punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest
Payment Date with respect to a Debt Security ("Defaulted Interest") will
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the applicable Regular Record
Date and may either be paid to the person in whose name such Debt Security is
registered at the close of business on a special record date (the "Special
Record Date") for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the
applicable Trustee, notice of which shall be given to the Holder of such Debt
Security not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid
at any time in any other lawful manner, all as more completely described in the
applicable Indenture (Section 307 of the Indentures).
 
     Subject to certain limitations applicable to Debt Securities issued in
book-entry form, the Debt Securities of any series will be exchangeable for
other Debt Securities of the same series and of a like aggregate principal
amount and tenor of different authorized denominations upon surrender of such
Debt Securities at the corporate trust office of the applicable Trustee. In
addition, subject to certain limitations applicable to Debt Securities issued in
book-entry form, the Debt Securities of any series may be surrendered for
conversion or registration of transfer thereof at the corporate trust office of
the applicable Trustee. Every Debt Security surrendered for conversion,
registration of transfer or exchange must be duly endorsed or accompanied by a
written instrument of transfer. No service charge will be made for any
registration of transfer or exchange of any Debt Securities, but the Company may
require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge payable in connection therewith (Section 305 of the Indentures). If the
applicable Prospectus Supplement refers to any transfer agent (in addition to
the Trustee) initially designated by the Company with respect to any series of
Debt Securities, the Company may at any time rescind the designation of any such
transfer agent or approve a change in the location at which any such transfer
agent acts, except that the Company will be required to maintain a transfer
agent in each Place of Payment for such series. The Company may at any time
designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series of Debt
Securities (Section 1002 of the Indentures).
 
     Neither the Company nor any Trustee will be required (i) to issue, register
the transfer of or exchange Debt Securities of any series during a period
beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Debt
Securities of that series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on
the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption; (ii) to register the
transfer of or exchange any Debt Security, or portion thereof, called for
redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any Debt Security being redeemed in
part; or (iii) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security
which has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the
portion, if any, of such Debt Security not to be so repaid (Section 305 of the
Indentures).
 
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE
 
     Each Indenture provides that the Company may consolidate with, or sell,
lease or convey all or substantially all of its assets to, or merge with or
into, any other corporation, provided that (a) either the Company must be the
continuing corporation, or the successor corporation (if other than the Company)
formed by or resulting from any such consolidation or merger or which shall have
received the transfer of such assets must expressly assume payment of the
principal of (and premium, if any), and interest on, all of the outstanding Debt
Securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the
covenants and conditions contained in the applicable Indenture; (b) immediately
after giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness which
becomes an obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary as a result thereof as
having been incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such
transaction, no Event of Default under the applicable Indenture, and no event
which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become such an Event of
Default, shall have occurred and be continuing, and (c) an officer's certificate
and legal opinion concerning such conditions shall be delivered to the
applicable Trustee (Sections 801 and 803 of the Indentures).
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
     The Senior Indenture contains the following covenants:
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   41
 
     Limitation on Incurrence of Debt.  The Company may not, and may not permit
any Subsidiary to, incur any Debt (as defined below) if, immediately after
giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt, the aggregate principal amount of
all outstanding Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles is
greater than 65% of the sum of (i) the Company's Total Assets (as defined below)
as of the end of the calendar quarter prior to the incurrence of such additional
Debt and (ii) the purchase price of all real estate assets acquired by the
Company or any Subsidiary since the end of such calendar quarter, including
those obtained in connection with the incurrence of such Debt (Section 1004 of
the Senior Indenture).
 
     In addition, the Company may not, and may not permit any Subsidiary to,
incur any Debt if the ratio of the Consolidated Income Available for Debt
Service to the Maximum Annual Service Charge (in each case defined below) for
the four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended prior to the date such
additional Debt is to be incurred shall have been less than 1.5 to 1 on a pro
forma basis after giving effect thereto and the application of proceeds
therefrom. (Section 1004 of the Senior Indenture).
 
     Further, the Company will not incur any secured Debt if immediately after
giving effect to the incurrence of that Debt, the aggregate principal amount of
all outstanding secured debt of the Company on a consolidated basis is greater
than 40% of the sum of (i) the Company's Total Assets as of the end of the most
recent calendar quarter prior to the incurrence of such additional Debt and (ii)
the purchase price of any real estate assets acquired by the Company after the
end of that calendar quarter, including those obtained in the connection with
incurrence of such additional Debt.
 
     Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions.  The Company may not, in
respect of any shares of any class of its capital stock, (a) declare or pay any
dividends (other than dividends payable in capital stock of the Company)
thereon, (b) apply any of its property or assets to the purchase, redemption or
other acquisition or retirement thereof, (c) set apart any sum for the purchase,
redemption or other acquisition or retirement thereof, or (d) make any other
distribution thereon, by reduction of capital or otherwise if, immediately after
such declaration or other such action, the aggregate of all such declarations
and other actions since the date on which the Indenture was originally executed
exceeds the sum of (i) Funds from Operations (as defined below) from December
31, 1994 until the end of the latest calendar quarter covered in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as the case may be,
most recently filed with the Commission (or, if such filing is not permitted
under the Exchange Act, with the applicable Trustee) prior to such declaration
or other action and (ii) $20,000,000; provided, however, that the foregoing
limitation does not apply to any declaration or other action referred to above
which is necessary to maintain the Company's status as a REIT under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), if the aggregate principal amount
of all outstanding Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries at such time is less
than 65% of the Company's Undepreciated Real Estate Assets as of the end of the
latest calendar quarter covered in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K or
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as the case may be, most recently filed with the
Commission (or, if such filing is not permitted under the Exchange Act, with the
applicable Trustee) prior to such declaration or other action (Section 1005 of
the Senior Indenture).
 
     Notwithstanding the provisions described in the immediately preceding
paragraph, the Company will not be prohibited from making the payment of any
dividend within 30 days after the declaration thereof if at the date of
declaration such payment would have complied with those provisions (Section 1005
of the Senior Indenture).
 
     Existence.  Except as permitted under the provisions of the Senior
Indenture described in "Merger, Consolidation or Sale," the Company must do or
cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and
effect its corporate existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises;
provided, however, that the Company will not be required to preserve any right
or franchise if it determines that the preservation thereof is no longer
desirable in the conduct of its business and that the loss thereof is not
disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders of the Senior Securities
(Section 1006 of the Senior Indenture).
 
     Maintenance of Properties.  The Company must cause all of its properties
used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary
to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   42
 
working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and must cause to be
made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements
thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the
business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously
conducted at all times; provided, however, that the Company and its Subsidiaries
are not prevented from selling or disposing of for value their properties in the
ordinary course of business (Section 1007 of the Senior Indenture).
 
     Insurance.  The Company must, and must cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
keep all of its and their insurable properties insured against loss or damage in
amounts at least equal to their then full insurable value with financially sound
and reputable insurance companies (Section 1008 of the Senior Indenture) .
 
     Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.  The Company must pay or discharge or
cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (i) all
taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or any
Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any
Subsidiary, and (ii) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which,
if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any
Subsidiary; provided however, that the Company is not required to pay or
discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or
claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith
by appropriate proceedings (Section 1009 of the Senior Indenture).
 
     Provision of Financial Information.  Whether or not the Company is subject
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company must, to the extent
permitted under the Exchange Act, file with the Commission the annual reports,
quarterly reports and other documents which the Company would have been required
to file with the Commission pursuant to such Section 13 or 15(d) (the "Financial
Statements") if the Company were so subject, on or prior to the respective dates
(the "Required Filing Dates") by which the Company would have been required so
to file such documents. The Company must also in any event (x) within 15 days
after each Required Filing Date (i) transmit by mail to all Holders of Senior
Securities, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register,
without cost to such Holders, copies of the annual reports and quarterly reports
which the Company would have been required to file with the Commission pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if the Company were subject to such
Sections and (ii) file with the applicable Trustee copies of the annual reports,
quarterly reports and other documents which the Company would have been required
to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
if the Company were subject to such Sections and (y) if filing such documents by
the Company with the Commission is not permitted under the Exchange Act,
promptly upon written request and payment of the reasonable cost of duplication
and delivery, supply copies of such documents to any prospective Holder of
Senior Securities (Section 1010 of the Senior Indenture).
 
     Maintenance of Unencumbered Real Estate Assets.  The Company must maintain
an Unencumbered Real Estate Asset Value of not less than 150% of the aggregate
principal amount of all outstanding unsecured Debt of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (Section 1011 of the Senior Indenture).
 
     Definitions.  As used herein,
 
     "Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service" for any period means
Consolidated Net Income (as defined below) of the Company and its Subsidiaries
(a) plus amounts which have been deducted for (i) interest on Debt of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, (ii) provision for taxes of the Company and its
Subsidiaries based on income, (iii) amortization of debt discount, and (iv)
depreciation and amortization, and (b) adjusted, as appropriate, for (i) the
effect of any noncash charge resulting from a change in accounting principles in
determining Consolidated Net Income for such period and (ii) the effect of
equity in net income or loss of joint ventures in which the Company owns an
interest to the extent not providing a source of, or requiring a use of, cash,
respectively.
 
     "Consolidated Net Income" for any period means the amount of net income (or
loss) of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   43
 
     "Debt" of the Company or any Subsidiary means any indebtedness of the
Company or any Subsidiary, whether or not contingent, in respect of (i) borrowed
money as evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, (ii)
indebtedness secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance or any
security interest existing on property owned by the Company or any Subsidiary,
(iii) letters of credit or amounts representing the balance deferred and unpaid
of the purchase price of any property except any such balance that constitutes
an accrued expense or trade payable or (iv) any lease of property by the Company
or any Subsidiary as lessee which is reflected on the Company's Consolidated
Balance Sheet as a capitalized lease in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, in the case of items of indebtedness under (i) through
(iii) above to the extent that any such items (other than letters of credit)
would appear as a liability on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and also includes, to
the extent not otherwise included, any obligation of the Company or any
Subsidiary to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise
(other than for purposes of collection in the ordinary course of business),
indebtedness of another person (other than the Company or any Subsidiary) (it
being understood that Debt shall be deemed to be incurred by the Company or any
Subsidiary whenever the Company or such Subsidiary shall create, assume,
guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect thereof).
 
     "Funds from Operations" for any period means the Consolidated Net Income of
the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period without giving effect to
depreciation and amortization, gains or losses from extraordinary items, gains
or losses on sales of real estate, gains or losses on investments in marketable
securities or any provision or benefit for income taxes for such period, plus
funds from operations of unconsolidated joint ventures, all determined on a
consistent basis for such period.
 
     "Maximum Annual Service Charge" as of any date means the maximum amount
which may become payable in a period of 12 consecutive calendar months from such
date for interest on, and required amortization of, Debt. The amount payable for
amortization will include the amount of any sinking fund or other analogous fund
for the retirement of Debt and the amount payable on account of principal on any
such Debt which matures serially other than at the final maturity date of such
Debt.
 
     "Subsidiary" means a corporation a majority of the outstanding voting stock
of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more
other Subsidiaries of the Company. For the purposes of this definition, "voting
stock" means stock having voting power for the election of directors, whether at
all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by
reason of any contingency.
 
     "Total Assets" as of any date means the sum of (i) the Company's
Undepreciated Real Estate Assets and (ii) all other assets of the Company
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (but
excluding accounts receivable and total assets intangibles).
 
     "Undepreciated Real Estate Assets" as of any date means the cost (original
cost plus capital improvements) of real estate assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries on such date, before depreciation and amortization and determined
on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
     "Unencumbered Real Estate Asset Value" as of any date means the sum of (i)
the Company's Undepreciated Real Estate Assets as of the end of the latest
calendar quarter covered in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K or
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as the case may be, most recently filed with the
Commission (or, if that filing is not required under the Exchange Act, with the
Trustee) prior to such date which Undepreciated Real Estate Assets are not
encumbered by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge, or security interest and (ii)
the purchase price of any real estate assets that are not encumbered by any
mortgage, lien, charge, pledge, or security interest and were acquired by the
Company or any Subsidiary after the end of such calendar quarter.
 
     The Subordinated Indenture does not contain the covenants described in this
section captioned "Certain Covenants," and does not contain any limitation on
the amount of Debt of any kind which the Company may incur or on the amount of
dividends or other distributions which the Company may pay to its shareholders.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   44
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND WAIVER
 
     Each Indenture provides that the following events are "Events of Default"
with respect to any series of Debt Securities issued thereunder: (a) default for
30 days in the payment of any installment of interest on any Debt Security of
such series; (b) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any,
on) any Debt Security of such series at its Maturity, (c) default in making any
sinking fund payment as required for any Debt Security of such series; (d)
default in the performance of any other covenant of the Company contained in the
applicable Indenture (other than a covenant added to such Indenture solely for
the benefit of a series of Debt Securities issued thereunder other than such
series), continued for 60 days after written notice as provided in such
Indenture; (e) default under any evidence of indebtedness of the Company or any
mortgage, indenture or other instrument under which such indebtedness is issued
or by which such indebtedness is secured which results in the acceleration of
indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $10,000,000, but only if
such indebtedness is not discharged or such acceleration is not rescinded or
annulled as provided in the applicable Indenture; (f) certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or court appointment of a receiver,
liquidator or trustee of the Company of any Significant Subsidiary or of the
respective property of either, and (g) any other Event of Default provided with
respect to that series of Debt Securities (Section 501 of the Indentures). The
term "Significant Subsidiary" means each significant subsidiary (as defined in
Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act) of the Company.
 
     If an Event of Default under either Indenture with respect to Debt
Securities of any series issued thereunder at the time Outstanding occurs and is
continuing, then in every such case the applicable Trustee or the Holders of not
less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that
series may declare the principal amount (or, if the Debt Securities of that
series are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such
portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all
of the Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately by
written notice thereof to the Company (and to such Trustee if given by the
Holders). However, at any time after such a declaration of acceleration with
respect to Debt Securities of such series (or of all Debt Securities then
Outstanding under such Indenture, as the case may be) has been made, the Holders
of not less than a majority in principal amount of Debt Securities of such
series (or of each series of Debt Securities then Outstanding under such
Indenture, as the case may be) may rescind and annul such declaration and its
consequences if (a) the Company shall have deposited with such Trustee all
required payments of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the
Debt Securities of such series (or of all Debt Securities then Outstanding under
such Indenture, as the case may be), plus certain fees, expenses, disbursements
and advances of such Trustee and (b) all Events of Default, other than the
nonpayment of accelerated principal (or specified portion thereof) with respect
to Debt Securities of such series (or of all Debt Securities then Outstanding
under such Indenture, as the case may be) have been cured or waived as provided
in such Indenture (Section 502 of the Indentures). The Indentures also provide
that the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Debt
Securities of any series (or of each series of Debt Securities then Outstanding
under the applicable Indenture, as the case may be) may waive any past default
with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default (x) in the
payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debt
Security of such series or (y) in respect of a covenant or provision contained
in such Indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the
Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby (Section 513 of the
Indentures).
 
     Each Indenture provides that the Trustee thereunder is required to give
notice to the Holders of Debt Securities issued thereunder within 90 days of a
default under such Indenture; provided however, that such Trustee may withhold
notice to the Holders of any such series of Debt Securities of any default with
respect to such series (except a default in the payment of the principal of (or
premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Security of such series or in the
payment of any sinking fund installment in respect of any Debt Security of such
series) if the Responsible Officers of such Trustee consider such withholding to
be in the interest of such Holders (Section 601 of the Indentures).
 
     Each Indenture provides that no Holder of Debt Securities of any series
issued thereunder may institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with
respect to such Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, except in the case of
the failure of the applicable Trustee, for 60 days, to act after it has received
a written request to
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   45
 
institute proceedings in respect of an Event of Default from the Holders of not
less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such
series, as well as an offer of reasonable indemnity (Section 507 of the
Indentures). This provision will not prevent, however, any Holder of Debt
Securities from instituting suit for the enforcement of payment of the principal
of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities held by that Holder
at the respective due dates thereof (Section 508 of the Indentures).
 
     Subject to provisions in the applicable Indenture relating to its duties in
case of default, the Trustee thereunder is under no obligation to exercise any
of its rights or powers under such Indenture at the request or direction of any
Holders of any series of Debt Securities then Outstanding under such Indenture,
unless such Holders shall have offered to such Trustee reasonable security or
indemnity (Section 602 of the Indentures). The Holders of not less than a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series
(or of each series of Debt Securities then Outstanding under such Indenture, as
the case may be) shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to such Trustee, or of
exercising any trust or power conferred upon such Trustee. However, such Trustee
may refuse to follow any direction which is in conflict with any law or such
Indenture, which may involve such Trustee in personal liability or which may be
unduly prejudicial to the Holders of Debt Securities of such series not joining
therein (Section 512 of the Indentures).
 
     Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, the Company must
deliver to each Trustee under the Indentures a certificate, signed by one of
several specified officers, stating whether such officer has knowledge of any
default under the applicable Indenture and, if so, specifying each such default
and the nature and status thereof (Section 1012 of the Senior Indenture and
Section 1004 of the Subordinated Indenture).
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURES
 
     Modifications and amendments of either Indenture may be made only with the
consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all
Outstanding Debt Securities issued thereunder which are affected by such
modification or amendment; provided however, that no such modification or
amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each such Debt Security
affected thereby, (a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any
installment of interest (or premium, if any) on, any such Debt Security, (b)
reduce the principal amount of, or the rate or amount of interest on, or any
premium payable on redemption of, any such Debt Security, or reduce the amount
of principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and
payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or would be
provable in bankruptcy, or adversely affect any right of repayment of the Holder
of any such Debt Security, (c) change the Place of Payment, or the currency or
currencies, for payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any
such Debt Security, (d) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement
of any payment on or with respect to any such Debt Security, (e) reduce the
percentage of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series necessary to modify or
amend the applicable Indenture, to waive compliance with certain provisions
thereof or certain defaults and consequences thereunder or to reduce the quorum
or voting requirements set forth in such Indenture; or (f) modify any of the
foregoing provisions or any of the provisions relating to the waiver of certain
past defaults or certain covenants, except to increase the required percentage
to effect such action or to provide that certain other provisions may not be
modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of such Debt Security
(Section 902 of the Indentures).
 
     The Senior Indenture provides that the Holders of not less than a majority
in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities issued thereunder have the
right to waive compliance by the Company with certain covenants in the Senior
Indenture, including those described in the section of this Prospectus captioned
"Certain Covenants" (Section 1014 of the Senior Indenture).
 
     Modifications and amendments of either Indenture may be made by the Company
and the applicable Trustee without the consent of any Holder of Debt Securities
issued thereunder for any of the following purposes: (i) to evidence the
succession of another Person to the Company as obligor under such Indenture;
(ii) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of
all or any series of Debt Securities issued thereunder or to surrender any right
or power conferred upon the Company in such Indenture; (iii) to add Events of
Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Debt Securities
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   46
 
issued thereunder, (iv) to add or change any provisions of such Indenture to
facilitate the issuance of, or to liberalize certain terms of, Debt Securities
issued thereunder in bearer form, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of
such Debt Securities in uncertificated form, provided that such action shall not
adversely affect the interests of the Holders of such Debt Securities of any
series in any material respect; (v) to change or eliminate any provision of such
Indenture, provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective
only when there are no Debt Securities Outstanding of any series issued
thereunder created prior thereto which are entitled to the benefit of such
provision; (vi) to secure the Debt Securities issued thereunder, (vii) to
establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any series issued thereunder,
including the provisions and procedures, if applicable, for the conversion of
such Debt Securities into Common Shares of the Company, (viii) to provide for
the acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee or facilitate the
administration of the trusts under such Indenture by more than one Trustee; (ix)
to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in such Indenture, provided that
such action shall not adversely affect the interests of Holders of Debt
Securities of any series issued thereunder in any material respect; or (x) to
supplement any of the provisions of such Indenture to the extent necessary to
permit or facilitate defeasance and discharge of any series of such Debt
Securities issued thereunder, provided that such action shall not adversely
affect the interests of the Holders of the Debt Securities of any series issued
thereunder in any material respect (Section 901 of the Indentures).
 
     Each Indenture provides that in determining whether the Holders of the
requisite principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of a series issued
thereunder have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent or waiver thereunder or whether a quorum is present at a meeting of
Holders of such Debt Securities, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue
Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of
the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such
determination upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, (ii) the
principal amount of a Debt Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that shall
be deemed outstanding shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined on the
issue date for such Debt Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of
an Original Issue Discount Security, the U.S. dollar equivalent on the issue
date of such Debt Security of the amount determined as provided in (i) above),
(iii) the principal amount of an Indexed Security that shall be deemed
outstanding shall be the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at
original issuance, unless otherwise provided with respect to such Indexed
Security pursuant to Section 301 of such Indenture, and (iv) Debt Securities
owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any
Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded (Section
101).
 
     Each Indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the Holders of
Debt Securities of a series issued thereunder (Section 1501 of the Indentures).
A meeting may be called at any time by the applicable Trustee and also, upon
request, by the Company or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of
the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series, in any such case upon notice
given as provided in the applicable Indenture (Section 1502 of the Indentures).
Except for any consent that must be given by the Holder of each Debt Security
affected by certain modifications and amendments of such Indenture, any
resolution presented at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which
a quorum is present may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series;
provided however, that, except as referred to above, any resolution with respect
to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
other action that may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified
percentage which is less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding
Debt Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or adjourned meeting
duly reconvened at which a quorum is present by the affirmative vote of the
Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt
Securities of that series. Any resolution passed or decision taken at any
meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series duly held in accordance with
the applicable Indenture will be binding on all Holders of Debt Securities of
that series. The quorum at any meeting called to adopt a resolution, and at any
reconvened meeting, will be Persons holding or representing a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series; provided
however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a
consent or waiver which may be given by the Holders of not less than a specified
percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series,
the Persons holding or representing such specified
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   47
 
percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series
will constitute a quorum (Section 1504 of the Indentures).
 
     Notwithstanding the provisions described above, if any action is to be
taken at a meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series with respect to
any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action that the applicable Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or
taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all
Outstanding Debt Securities affected thereby, or of the Holders of such series
and one or more additional series: (i) there shall be no minimum quorum
requirement for such meeting and (ii) the principal amount of the Outstanding
Debt Securities of such series that vote in favor of such request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be taken
into account in determining whether such request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken
under such Indenture (Section 1504 of the Indentures).
 
DISCHARGE, DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
 
     The Company may discharge certain obligations to Holders of any series of
Debt Securities that have not already been delivered to the applicable Trustee
for cancellation and that either have become due and payable or will become due
and payable within one year (or scheduled for redemption within one year) by
irrevocably depositing with such Trustee, in trust, funds in such currency or
currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which
such Debt Securities are payable in an amount sufficient to pay the entire
indebtedness on such Debt Securities in respect of principal (and premium, if
any) and interest to the date of such deposit (if such Debt Securities have
become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the
case may be (Section 401 of the Indentures).
 
     Each Indenture provides that, if the provisions of Article Fourteen thereof
(relating to defeasance and covenant defeasance) are made applicable to the Debt
Securities of or within any series issued thereunder pursuant to Section 301 of
such Indenture, the Company may elect either (a) to defease and be discharged
from any and all obligations (except for the obligation to pay Additional
Amounts, if any, upon the occurrence of certain events of tax, assessment or
governmental charge with respect to payments on such Debt Securities and the
obligations to register the transfer or exchange of such Debt Securities, to
replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, to
maintain an office or agency in respect of such Debt Securities and to hold
moneys for payment in trust) with respect to such Debt Securities ("defeasance")
(Section 1402 of the Indentures) or (b) to be released from its obligations
relating to (i) with respect to Senior Securities, the obligations under
Sections 1004 to 1011, inclusive, of the Senior Indenture (being the
restrictions described under the caption "Certain Covenants") and, if provided
pursuant to Section 301 of the Senior Indenture, its obligations with respect to
any other covenant contained in the Senior Indenture, and (ii) with respect to
Subordinated Securities, if provided pursuant to Section 301 of the Subordinated
Indenture, its obligations with respect to any covenant contained in the
Subordinated Indenture, and any omission to comply with such obligations shall
not constitute a default or an Event of Default with respect to such Debt
Securities ("covenant defeasance"), in either case upon the irrevocable deposit
by the Company with the applicable Trustee, in trust, of an amount, in such
currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or
currencies in which such Debt Securities are payable at Stated Maturity, or
Government Obligations (as defined below), or both, applicable to such Debt
Securities which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in
accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay
the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Debt Securities, and
any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon, on the scheduled due
dates therefor (Section 1403 of the Indentures).
 
     Such a trust may only be established if, among other things, the Company
has delivered to the applicable Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (as specified in
the applicable Indenture) to the effect that the Holders of such Debt Securities
will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as
a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S.
federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times
as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not
occurred, and such Opinion of Counsel, in the case of defeasance, must refer to
and be based upon a
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   48
 
ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable United States
federal income tax law occurring after the date of such Indenture (Section 1404
of the Indentures).
 
     "Government Obligations" means securities which are (i) direct obligations
of the United States of America or the government which issued the Foreign
Currency in which the Debt Securities of a particular series are payable, for
the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or (ii) obligations
of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or
instrumentality of the United States of America or such government which issued
the Foreign Currency in which the Debt Securities of such series are payable,
the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit
obligation by the United States of America or such other government, which, in
either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof,
and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as
custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment
of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such
custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that
(except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any
deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from
any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or
the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government Obligation
evidenced by such depository receipt (Section 101 of the Indentures).
 
     Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, if after
the Company has deposited funds and/or Government Obligations to effect
defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to Debt Securities of any series,
(a) the Holder of a Debt Security of such series is entitled to, and does, elect
pursuant to Section 301 of the applicable Indenture or the terms of such Debt
Security to receive payment in a currency, currency unit or composite currency
other than that in which such deposit has been made in respect of such Debt
Security, or (b) a Conversion Event (as defined below) occurs in respect of the
currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such deposit has been
made, the indebtedness represented by such Debt Security shall be deemed to have
been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Debt Security as they
become due out of the proceeds yielded by converting the amount so deposited in
respect of such Debt Security into the currency, currency unit or composite
currency in which such Debt Security becomes payable as a result of such
election or such cessation of usage based on the applicable market exchange rate
(Section 1405 of the Indentures). "Conversion Event" means the cessation of use
of (i) a currency, currency unit or composite currency both by the government of
the country which issued such currency and for the settlement of actions by a
central bank or other public institution of or within the international banking
community, (ii) the ECU both within the European Monetary System and for the
settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the European
Communities or (iii) any currency unit or composite currency other than the ECU
for the purposes for which it was established. Unless otherwise described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, all payments of principal of (and premium, if
any) and interest on any Debt Security that is payable in a Foreign Currency
that ceases to be used by its government of issuance shall be made in U.S.
dollars (Section 101 of the Indentures).
 
     In the event the Company effects covenant defeasance with respect to any
Debt Securities and such Debt Securities are declared due and payable because of
the occurrence of any Event of Default, other than (i) with respect to Senior
Securities, the Event of Default described in clause (d) under "Events of
Default Notice and Waiver" with respect to Sections 1004 to 1011, inclusive, of
the Senior Indenture (which Sections would no longer be applicable to such Debt
Securities) or (ii) with respect to all Debt Securities, the Event of Default
described in clause (g) under "Events of Default, Notice and Waiver" with
respect to any other covenant as to which there has been covenant defeasance,
the amount in such currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such
Debt Securities are payable, and Government Obligations on deposit with the
applicable Trustee, will be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt
Securities at the time of their Stated Maturity but may not be sufficient to pay
amounts due on such Debt Securities at the time of the acceleration resulting
from such Event of Default. In any such event, the Company would remain liable
to make payment of such amounts due at the time of acceleration.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   49
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement may further describe the provisions,
if any, permitting such defeasance or covenant defeasance, including any
modifications to the provisions described above, with respect to the Debt
Securities of or within a particular series.
 
SENIOR SECURITIES AND SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS
 
     Each series of Senior Securities will constitute Senior Indebtedness (as
described below) and will rank equally with each other series of Senior
Securities and other Senior Indebtedness. All subordinated indebtedness
(including, but not limited to, all Subordinated Securities issued under the
Subordinated Indenture) will be subordinated to the Senior Securities and other
Senior Indebtedness.
 
     Senior Indebtedness is defined in the Subordinated Indenture to mean (i)
the principal of and premium, if any, and unpaid interest on indebtedness for
money borrowed, (ii) purchase money and similar obligations, (iii) obligations
under capital leases, (iv) guarantees, assumptions or purchase commitments
relating to, or other transactions as a result of which the Company is
responsible for the payment of, such indebtedness of others, (v) renewals,
extensions and refunding of any such indebtedness, (vi) interest or obligations
in respect of any such indebtedness accruing after the commencement of any
insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, and (vii) obligations associated with
derivative products such as interest rate and currency exchange contracts,
foreign exchange contracts, commodity contracts, and similar arrangements,
unless, in each case, the instrument by which the Company incurred, assumed or
guaranteed the indebtedness or obligations described in clauses (i) through
(vii) expressly provides that such indebtedness or obligation is subordinate or
junior in right of payment to any other indebtedness or obligations of the
Company.
 
SUBORDINATION OF SUBORDINATED SECURITIES
 
     Subordinated Indenture.  The payment of the principal of (and premium, if
any) and interest on the Subordinated Securities will be subordinated as set
forth in the Subordinated Indenture to the Senior Indebtedness of the Company
whether outstanding on the date of the Subordinated Indenture or thereafter
incurred (Section 1701 of the Subordinated Indenture).
 
     Ranking.  No class of Subordinated Securities is subordinated to any other
class of subordinated debt securities. See "Subordination Provisions" below.
 
     Subordination Provisions.  In the event (a) of any distribution of assets
of the Company upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization
of the Company, whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
receivership proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or
any other marshaling of the assets and liabilities of the Company or otherwise,
except a distribution in connection with a merger or consolidation or a
conveyance or transfer of all or substantially all of the properties of the
Company which complies with the requirements of Article Eight of the
Subordinated Indenture, or (b) that a default shall have occurred and be
continuing with respect to the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest on any Senior Indebtedness, or (c) that the principal of the
Subordinated Securities of any series issued under the Subordinated Indenture
(or in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, the portion of the
principal amount thereof referred to in Section 502 of the Subordinated
Indenture) shall have been declared due and payable pursuant to Section 502 of
the Subordinated Indenture, and such declaration shall not have been rescinded
and annulled as provided in said Section 502, then:
 
          (1) in a circumstance described in the foregoing clause (a) or (b),
     the holders of all Senior Indebtedness and in the circumstance described in
     the foregoing clause (c), the holders of all Senior Indebtedness
     outstanding at the time the principal of such Subordinated Securities
     issued under the Subordinated Indenture (or in the case of Original Issue
     Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount) shall have been
     so declared due and payable, shall first be entitled to receive payment of
     the full amount due thereon in respect of principal, premium (if any) and
     interest, or provision shall be made for such payment in money or money's
     worth, before the Holders of any of the Subordinated Securities are
     entitled to receive any payment on account of the principal of (or premium,
     if any) or interest on the indebtedness evidenced by the Subordinated
     Securities;
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   50
 
          (2) if upon any payment or distribution contemplated in clause (1)
     after giving effect to the subordination provisions contemplated therein
     there shall remain any amounts of cash, property or securities of the
     Company available for payment or distribution in respect of Subordinated
     Securities, then the amount of such cash, property or securities shall be
     shared ratably among the Holders of all Subordinated Securities issued
     under the Subordinated Indenture and any subordinated indebtedness ranking
     on a parity therewith;
 
          (3) any payment by, or distribution of assets of, the Company of any
     kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (other than
     certain subordinated securities of the Company issued in a reorganization
     or readjustment), to which the Holder of any of the Subordinated Securities
     would be entitled except for the provisions of Article XVII of the
     Subordinated Indenture shall be paid or delivered by the person making such
     payment or distribution directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness (as
     provided in clause (1) above), or on their behalf, ratably according to the
     aggregate amount remaining unpaid on account of such Senior Indebtedness,
     to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness
     (as provided in clause (1) above) remaining unpaid after giving effect to
     any concurrent payment or distribution (or provisions therefor) to the
     holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is
     made to or in respect of the Holders of the Subordinated Securities; and
 
          (4) in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment by,
     or distribution of assets of, the Company of any kind or character is
     received by the Holders of any of the Subordinated Securities issued under
     the Subordinated Indenture before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full
     such payment or distribution shall be paid over to the holders of such
     Senior Indebtedness or on their behalf, ratably as aforesaid, for
     application to the payment of all such Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid
     until all such Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full, after
     giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution (or provisions
     therefor) to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.
 
     By reason of such subordination in favor of the holders of Senior
Indebtedness in the event of insolvency, certain general creditors of the
Company, including holders of Senior Indebtedness, may recover more, ratably,
than the Holders of the Subordinated Securities.
 
CONVERTIBLE DEBT SECURITIES
 
     The following provisions will apply to Debt Securities that will be
convertible into Common Shares or other equity securities of the Company
("Convertible Debt Securities") unless otherwise described in the Prospectus
Supplement for such Convertible Debt Securities.
 
     The Holder of any Convertible Debt Securities will have the right,
exercisable at any time during the time period specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, unless previously redeemed by the Company, to convert
such Convertible Debt Securities into Common Shares or other equity securities
of the Company at the conversion price or rate for each $1,000 principal amount
of Convertible Debt Securities set forth in such Prospectus Supplement. The
Holder of any Convertible Debt Security may convert a portion thereof which is
$1,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 (Section 301 of the Senior Indenture
and Section 1602 of the Subordinated Indenture). In the case of Convertible Debt
Securities called for redemption, conversion rights will expire at the close of
business on the date fixed for the redemption specified in the Prospectus
Supplement, except that, in the case of repayment at the option of the
applicable Holder, such right will terminate upon the Company's receipt of
written notice of the exercise of such option (Section 301 of the Senior
Indenture and Section 1602 of the Subordinated Indenture).
 
     In certain events, the conversion price or rate will be subject to
adjustment as contemplated in the applicable Indenture. For Debt Securities
convertible into Common Shares, such events include the issuance of Common
Shares of the Company as a dividend; subdivisions and combinations of Common
Shares; the issuance to all holders of Common Shares of rights or warrants
entitling such holders to subscribe for a purchase of Common Shares at a price
per share less than the current market price per Common Share; and the
distribution to all holders of Common Shares of shares of capital stock of the
Company (other than Common Shares), evidences of indebtedness or assets of the
Company (excluding cash dividends or
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   51
 
distributions paid from retained earnings of the Company or subscription rights
or warrants other than those referred to above). In any of such cases, no
adjustment of the conversion price or rate will be required unless an adjustment
would require a cumulative increase or decrease of at least 1% in such price or
rate (Section 301 of the Senior Indenture and Section 1605 of the Subordinated
Indenture). Fractional Common Shares will not be issued upon conversion, but, in
lieu thereof, the Company will pay cash adjustments (Section 301 of the Senior
Indenture and Section 1606 of the Subordinated Indenture). Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Convertible Debt Securities
convertible into Common Shares surrendered for conversion between any record
date for an interest payment and the related interest payment date (except such
Convertible Debt Securities called for redemption on a redemption date during
such period) must be accompanied by payment of any amount equal to the interest
thereon which the Holder thereof is entitled to receive (Section 301 of the
Senior Indenture and Section 1604 of the Subordinated Indenture).
 
     To protect the Company's status as a REIT, a person may not own or convert
any Convertible Debt Security if as a result of such ownership or upon such
conversion such person would then be deemed to Beneficially Own (as defined in
the Indenture) more than 4.0% of the outstanding capital stock of the Company
(Section 1603 of the Subordinated Indenture). Pursuant to the terms of the
Indentures, Common Shares or other equity securities of the Company that may be
acquired upon the conversion of Convertible Debt Securities directly or
constructively held by an investor, but not Common Shares or other equity
securities of the Company issuable with respect to the conversion of Convertible
Debt Securities held by others, are deemed to be outstanding (a) at the time of
purchase of the Convertible Debt Securities, and (b) prior to the conversion of
the Convertible Debt Securities, for purposes of determining the percentage
ownership of Common Shares or other equity securities of the Company held by
such investor. See "Federal Income Tax Considerations." Fractional Common Shares
will not be issued upon conversion, but, in lieu thereof, the Company will pay a
cash adjustment based upon the closing price per share of Common Shares on the
day of conversion (Section 1606 of the Subordinated Indenture).
 
     The adjustment provisions for Debt Securities convertible into equity
securities of the Company other than Common Shares will be determined at the
time of issuance of such Debt Securities and will be set forth in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Except as set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, any
Convertible Debt Securities called for redemption, unless surrendered for
conversion on or before the close of business on the redemption date, are
subject to being purchased from the Holder of such Convertible Debt Securities
by one or more investment bankers or other purchasers who may agree with the
Company to purchase such Convertible Debt Securities and convert them into
Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company, as the case may be
(Section 1108 of the Indentures).
 
     Reference is made to the section captioned "Description of Common Shares,"
"Description of Preferred Shares" and "Description of Depositary Shares," as
applicable, for a general description of the Common Shares or other equity
securities of the Company to be acquired upon the conversion of Convertible Debt
Securities, including a description of certain restrictions on the ownership of
the Common Shares.
 
BOOK-ENTRY DEBT SECURITIES
 
     The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more global securities (each, a "Global Security") that will be
deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository identified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. Global Securities may be issued in either registered or
bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. Unless otherwise provided
in such Prospectus Supplement, Debt Securities that are represented by a Global
Security will be issued in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple
thereof and will be issued in registered form only, without coupons. Payments of
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on Debt Securities represented by a
Global Security will be made by the Company to the Trustee under the applicable
Indenture, and then forwarded to the depository.
 
     The Company anticipates that any Global Securities will be deposited with,
or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York ("DTC"), and
that such Global Securities will be registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTC's
nominee. In any such event, one fully registered Debt Security
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   52
 
certificate will be issued with respect to each $200 million of principal amount
of the Debt Securities of a series, and an additional certificate will be issued
with respect to any remaining principal amount of such series. The Company
further anticipates that the following provisions will apply to the depository
arrangements with respect to any such Global Securities. Any additional or
differing terms of the depository arrangements will be described in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular series of Debt Securities issued
in the form of Global Securities.
 
     So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a Global Security,
DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole Holder of
the Debt Securities represented by such Global Security for all purposes under
the applicable Indenture. Except as described below, owners of beneficial
interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have Debt Securities
represented by such Global Security registered in their names, will not receive
or be entitled to receive physical delivery of Debt Securities in certificated
form and will not be considered the owners or Holders thereof under the
applicable Indenture. The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of such securities in certificated form;
accordingly, such laws may limit the transferability of beneficial interests in
a Global Security.
 
     If DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depository or if
at any time DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 if so required by applicable law or regulation, and, in
either case, a successor depository is not appointed by the Company within 90
days, the Company will issue individual Debt Securities in certificated form in
exchange for the Global Securities. In addition, the Company may at any time,
and in its sole discretion, determine not to have any Debt Securities
represented by one or more Global Securities, and, in such event, will issue
individual Debt Securities in certificated form in exchange for the relevant
Global Securities. In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a
Global Security will be entitled to physical delivery of individual Debt
Securities in certificated form of like tenor and rank, equal in principal
amount to such beneficial interest, and to have such Debt Securities in
certificated form registered in its name. Unless otherwise described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, Debt Securities so issued in certificated form
will be issued in denominations of $ 1,000 or any integral multiple thereof, and
will be issued in registered form only, without coupons.
 
The following is based on information furnished to the Company.
 
     DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking
Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a
member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC
holds securities that its participants ("Participants") deposit with DTC. DTC
also facilitates the settlement among Participants of securities transactions,
such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic
computerized book-entry changes in Participants' accounts, thereby eliminating
the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants
include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing
corporations and certain other organizations ("Direct Participants"). DTC is
owned by a number of its Direct Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange,
Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC system is also available to others,
such as securities brokers and dealers, and banks and trust companies that clear
through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either
directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants"). The rules applicable to DTC
and its Participants are on file with the Commission.
 
     Purchases of Debt Securities under the DTC system must be made by or
through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the Debt Securities
on DTC's records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each Debt
Security ("Beneficial Owner") is in turn recorded on the Direct and Indirect
Participants' records. A Beneficial Owner does not receive written confirmation
from DTC of its purchase, but is expected to receive a written confirmation
providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of its
holdings, from the Direct or Indirect Participant through which such Beneficial
Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in Debt
Securities are accomplished by entries made on the books of Participants acting
on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners do not receive certificates
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   53
 
representing their ownership interests in Debt Securities, except in the event
that use of the book-entry system for the Debt Securities is discontinued.
 
     To facilitate subsequent transfers, the Debt Securities are registered in
the name of DTC's partnership nominee, Cede & Co. The deposit of the Debt
Securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. will effect
no change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial
Owners of the Debt Securities; DTC records reflect only the identity of the
Direct Participants to whose accounts Debt Securities are credited, which may or
may not be the Beneficial Owners. The Participants remain responsible for
keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
 
     Delivery of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct Participants,
by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants and
Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners are governed by arrangements among
them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect
from time to time.
 
     Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. consents or votes with respect to the Debt
Securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails a proxy (an "Omnibus Proxy")
to the issuer as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy
assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants to
whose accounts the Debt Securities are credited on the record date (identified
on a list attached to the Omnibus Proxy).
 
     Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on the Debt Securities
are made to Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. DTC's practice is to credit Direct
Participants' accounts upon DTC's receipt of funds in accordance with their
respective holdings as shown on DTC's records. Payments by Participants to
Beneficial Owners are governed by standing instructions and customary practices,
as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form
or registered in "street name" and are the responsibility of such Participant
and not of DTC, the applicable Trustee or the Company, subject to any statutory
or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of
principal, premium, if any, and interest to DTC is the responsibility of the
Company or the applicable Trustee, disbursement of such payments to Direct
Participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to
the Beneficial Owners is the responsibility of Direct and Indirect Participants.
 
     DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depository with
respect to the Debt Securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to the
Company or the applicable Trustee. Under such circumstances, in the event that a
successor securities depository is not appointed, Debt Security certificates are
required to be printed and delivered.
 
     The Company may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry
transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depository). In that event,
Debt Security certificates will be printed and delivered.
 
     The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system
has been obtained from sources that the Company believes to be reliable, but the
Company takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
 
     Unless stated otherwise in the Prospectus Supplement, the underwriters or
agents with respect to a series of Debt Securities issued as Global Securities
will be Direct Participants in DTC.
 
     None of the Company, any underwriter or agent, the applicable Trustee or
any applicable paying agent will have any responsibility or liability for any
aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial
interests in a Global Security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any
records relating to such beneficial interest.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   54
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES
 
GENERAL
 
     The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (the
"Articles") authorize the issuance of up to 41,000,000 Common Shares, without
par value. As of February 21, 1997, there were 15,322,391 Common Shares issued
and outstanding. In addition, up to 543,083 Common Shares have been reserved for
issuance upon the exercise of options under the Company's employee share option
plan (the "Stock Option Plan"), and 20,000 Common Shares have been reserved for
issuance upon the exercise of options granted to the Company's independent
directors. The Common Shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol "AEC."
National City Bank, Cleveland, Ohio, is the transfer agent and registrar of the
Common Shares.
 
     The following description of the Common Shares sets forth certain general
terms and provisions of the Common Shares to which any Prospectus Supplement may
relate, including a Prospectus Supplement providing that Common Shares will be
issuable upon conversion of Debt Securities or Preferred Shares of the Company
or upon the exercise of Common Share Warrants issued by the Company. The
statements below describing the Common Shares are in all respects subject to and
qualified in their entirety by reference to the applicable provisions of the
Articles and the Company's Code of Regulations (the "Code of Regulations").
 
     Holders of Common Shares are entitled to receive dividends, when, as and if
declared by the Board of Directors of the Company, out of funds legally
available therefor. The payment and declaration of dividends on the Common
Shares and purchases thereof by the Company will be subject to certain
restrictions if the Company fails to pay dividends on any outstanding Preferred
Shares. See "Description of Preferred Shares." The holders of Common Shares,
upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, are entitled to
receive ratably any assets remaining after payment in full of all liabilities of
the Company, including the preferential amounts owing with respect to any
Preferred Shares. The Common Shares possess ordinary voting rights, with each
share entitling the holder thereof to one vote. Holders of Common Shares do not
have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors and do not have
preemptive rights.
 
     All of the Common Shares now outstanding are, and any Common Shares offered
hereby when issued will be, fully paid and nonassessable. The Company's Articles
provide that except in certain specified instances, no director of the Company
will be personally liable to the Company or any of its shareholders for monetary
damages for breach of any fiduciary duty as a director. However, this provision
may not limit the availability of monetary relief for violations of securities
laws and does not limit the availability of non-monetary relief.
 
RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP
 
     For the Company to qualify as a REIT under the Code, not more than 50% in
value of its outstanding capital stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by
five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities)
during the last half of a taxable year, and its capital stock must be
beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable
year of 12 months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year.
Additionally, certain other requirements must be satisfied.
 
     To assure that five or fewer individuals do not own more than 50% in value
of the Company's outstanding Common Shares, the Articles provide that, subject
to certain exceptions, no holder may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the
attribution provisions of the Code, more than 4% (the "Ownership Limit") of the
Company's outstanding Common Shares. Shareholders whose ownership exceeded the
Ownership Limit immediately after the IPO may continue to own Common Shares in
excess of the Ownership Limit and may acquire additional shares through the
Stock Option Plan, any dividend reinvestment plan hereafter adopted the Company
(a "Dividend Reinvestment Plan") or from other existing shareholders who exceed
the Ownership Limit, but may not acquire additional shares from such sources
such that the five largest beneficial owners of Common Shares hold more than
49.6% of the outstanding Common Shares, and in any event may not acquire
additional shares from any other source. In addition, since rent from a Related
Party Tenant (any tenant 10% of which is owned, directly or constructively, by a
REIT, including an owner of 10% or more of a
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   55
 
REIT) is not qualifying rent for purposes of the gross income tests under the
Code, the Articles provide that no individual or entity may own, or be deemed to
own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Code (which differ from the
attribution provisions applied to the Ownership Limit), in excess of 9.8% of the
outstanding Common Shares (the "Related Party Limit"). The Board of Directors
may waive the Ownership Limit and the Related Party Limit (such Related Party
Limit has been waived with respect to the shareholders who exceeded the Related
Party Limit immediately after the IPO) if an opinion of counsel or a ruling from
the Internal Revenue Service is provided to the Board of Directors and the
Company's tax counsel to the effect that such ownership will not then or in the
future jeopardize the Company's status as a REIT. As a condition of such waiver,
the Board of Directors will require appropriate representations and undertakings
from the applicant with respect to preserving the REIT status of the Company.
 
     The foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership of Common
Shares may not apply if the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer
in the best interests of the Company to attempt to qualify, or to continue to
qualify, as a REIT. The Ownership Limit and the Related Party Limit will not be
automatically removed even if the REIT provisions of the Code are changed so as
to no longer contain any ownership concentration limitation or if the ownership
concentration limitation is increased. In addition to preserving the Company's
status as a REIT, the effects of the Ownership Limit and the Related Party Limit
are to prevent any person or small group of persons from acquiring unilateral
control of the Company. Any change in the Ownership Limit would require an
amendment to the Articles, even if the Board of Directors determines that
maintenance of REIT status is no longer in the best interests of the Company.
Amendments to the Articles require the affirmative vote of holders owning not
less than a majority of the outstanding Common Shares. If it is determined that
an amendment would materially and adversely affect the holders of any class of
Preferred Shares, such amendment also would require the affirmative vote of
holders of not less than two-thirds of such class of Preferred Shares.
 
     If Common Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit or the Related Party
Limit, or Common Shares which would cause the REIT to be beneficially or
constructively owned by less than 100 persons or would result in the Company
being "closely held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, are
issued or transferred to any person, such issuance or transfer will be null and
void to the intended transferee, and the intended transferee will acquire no
rights to the shares. Common Shares transferred or proposed to be transferred in
excess of the Ownership Limit or the Related Party Limit or which would
otherwise jeopardize the Company's REIT status ("Excess Shares") will be subject
to repurchase by the Company. The purchase price of any Excess Shares will be
equal to the lesser of (i) the price in such proposed transaction and (ii) the
fair market value of such shares reflected in the last reported sale price for
the Common Shares on the trading day immediately preceding the date on which the
Company or its designee determines to exercise its repurchase right, if then
listed on a national securities exchange, or such price for the shares on the
principal exchange, if they are then listed on more than one national securities
exchange, or, if the Common Shares are not then listed on a national securities
exchange, the latest bid quotation for the Common Shares if they are then traded
over-the-counter, or, if such quotation is not available, the fair market value
as determined by the Board of Directors in good faith, on the last trading day
immediately preceding the day on which notice of such proposed purchase is sent
by the Company. From and after the date fixed for purchase of Excess Shares by
the Company, the holder of such Excess Shares will cease to be entitled to
distribution, voting rights and other benefits with respect to such Excess
Shares except the right to payment of the purchase price for the Excess Shares.
Any dividend or distribution paid to a proposed transferee on Excess Shares will
be repaid to the Company upon demand. If the foregoing transfer restrictions are
determined to be void or invalid by virtue of any legal decision, statute, rule
or regulation, then the intended transferee of any Excess Shares may be deemed,
at the option of the Company, to have acted as an agent on behalf of the Company
in acquiring such Excess Shares and to hold such Excess Shares on behalf of the
Company.
 
     All certificates representing Common Shares bear a legend referring to the
restrictions described above.
 
     The Articles provide that all persons who own, directly or by virtue of the
attribution provisions of the Code, more than 5% of the outstanding Common
Shares must file an affidavit with the Company containing information specified
in the Articles within 30 days after January 1 of each year. In addition, each
such shareholder will upon demand be required to disclose to the Company in
writing such information with respect
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   56
 
to the direct, indirect and constructive ownership of shares as the Board of
Directors deems necessary to comply with the provisions of the Code as
applicable to a REIT or to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority
or governmental agency.
 
                      DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARE WARRANTS
 
     The Company may issue Common Share Warrants for the purchase of Common
Shares. Common Share Warrants may be issued independently or together with any
other Offered Securities offered by any Prospectus Supplement and may be
attached to or separate from such Offered Securities. Each series of Common
Share Warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement (each, a
"Warrant Agreement") to be entered into between the Company and a warrant agent
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement (the "Warrant Agent"). The
Warrant Agent will act solely as an agent of the Company in connection with the
Common Share Warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or
relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of
Common Share Warrants. The following sets forth certain general terms and
provisions of the Common Share Warrants offered hereby. Further terms of the
Common Share Warrants and the applicable Warrant Agreements will be set forth in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of the Common
Share Warrants in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered,
including, when applicable, the following: (1) the title of such Common Share
Warrants; (2) the aggregate number of such Common Share Warrants; (3) the price
or prices at which such Common Share Warrants will be issued; (4) the number of
Common Shares purchasable upon exercise of such Common Share Warrants; (5) the
designation and terms of the other Offered Securities with which such Common
Share Warrants are issued and the number of such Common Share Warrants issued
with each such Offered Security; (6) the date, if any, on and after which such
Common Share Warrants and the related Common Shares will be separately
transferable; (7) the price at which each Common Share purchasable upon exercise
of such Common Shares Warrants may be purchased; (8) the date on which the right
to exercise such Common Share Warrants shall commence and the date on which such
right shall expire; (9) the minimum or maximum amount of such Common Share
Warrants which may be exercised at any one time; (10) information with respect
to book-entry procedures, if any; (11) a discussion of certain federal income
tax considerations; and (12) any other terms of such Common Share Warrants,
including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and
exercise of such Common Share Warrants.
 
     Reference is made to the section captioned "Description of Common Shares"
for a general description of the Common Shares to be acquired upon the exercise
of the Common Share Warrants, including a description of certain restrictions on
the ownership of the Common Shares. Common Shares that may be acquired upon the
exercise of Common Share Warrants directly or constructively held by an
investor, but not Common Shares issuable with respect to the exercise of Common
Share Warrants held by others, are deemed to be outstanding (a) at the time of
acquisition of the Common Share Warrants, and (b) prior to the exercise of the
Common Share Warrants, for purposes of determining the percentage ownership of
Common Shares held by such investor.
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SHARES
 
     The Articles authorize the issuance of up to (i) 3,000,000 Class A
Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value (the "Class A Shares"), (ii)
3,000,000 Class B Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value (the "Class B
Shares"), and (iii) 3,000,000 Noncumulative Preferred Shares, without par value
(the "Noncumulative Shares") (the Class A Shares, the Class B Shares and the
Noncumulative Shares, collectively the "Preferred Shares"). As of February 21,
1997, there were 225,000 9 3/4% Class A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares
($250 liquidation preference per share) issued and outstanding.
 
     The following descriptions of the classes of Preferred Shares set forth
certain general terms and provisions of each class of Preferred Shares to which
any Prospectus Supplement may relate. The statements below
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   57
 
describing each class of Preferred Shares are in all respects subject to and
qualified in their entirety by reference to the applicable provisions of the
Articles, which will be further amended by the Board of Directors in connection
with the fixing by the Board of Directors of certain terms of the Preferred
Shares as provided below.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Class A Shares, the Class B Shares and the Noncumulative Shares rank on
a parity with each other and are identical to each other, except (1) that
dividends on the Class A Shares and the Class B Shares will be cumulative, while
dividends on the Noncumulative Shares will not be cumulative, and (2) in respect
of the following matters and the matters enumerated below that, pursuant to the
terms of the Articles and subject to Ohio law, such matters may be fixed by the
Board of Directors with respect to each series of each class of Preferred Shares
prior to the issuance thereof: (a) the designation of the series which may be by
distinguishing number, letter or title, (b) the authorized number of shares of
the series, which number the Board of Directors may (except when otherwise
provided in the creation of the series) increase or decrease from time to time
before or after the issuance thereof (but not below the number of shares thereof
then outstanding), (c) the dividend rate or rates of the series, including the
means by which such rates may be established, (d) with respect to the Class A
Shares and the Class B Shares, the date or dates from which dividends shall
accrue and be cumulative and, with respect to all Preferred Shares, the date on
which and the period or periods for which dividends, if declared, shall be
payable, including the means by which such dates and periods may be established,
(e) redemption rights and prices, if any, (f) the terms and amounts of the
sinking fund, if any, (g) the amounts payable on shares of the series in the
event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the affairs of the Company, (h) whether the shares of the series shall be
convertible into Common Shares or shares of any other class and, if so, the
conversion rate or rates or price or prices, any adjustments thereof and all
other terms and conditions upon which such conversion may be made, and (i)
restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same or any other class or series.
 
     Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Preferred
Shares offered thereby for specific terms, including:
 
           (1) The class, series and title of such Preferred Shares;
 
           (2) The number of shares of such Preferred Shares offered, the
     liquidation preference per share and the offering price of such Preferred
     Shares;
 
           (3) The dividend rate or rates, period or periods and payment date or
     dates or method of calculation thereof applicable to such Preferred Shares;
 
           (4) The date from which dividends on such Preferred Shares shall
     accumulate, if applicable;
 
           (5) The procedures for any auction or remarketing of such Preferred
     Shares;
 
           (6) The provision for any sinking fund for such Preferred Shares;
 
           (7) The provision for redemption, if applicable, of such Preferred
     Shares;
 
           (8) Any listing of such Preferred Shares on any securities exchange;
 
           (9) Any terms and conditions upon which such Preferred Shares will be
     convertible into Common Shares of the Company, including the conversion
     price (or manner of calculation thereof);
 
          (10) Whether interests in such Preferred Shares will be represented by
     Depositary Shares;
 
          (11) Any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or
     restrictions of or on such Preferred Shares;
 
          (12) A discussion of federal income tax considerations applicable to
     such Preferred Shares;
 
          (13) The relative ranking and preferences of such Preferred Shares as
     to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up
     of the affairs of the Company;
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   58
 
          (14) Any limitations on issuance of securities ranking senior to or on
     a parity with such Preferred Shares as to dividend rights and rights upon
     liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company; and
 
          (15) Any limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and
     restrictions on transfer, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve
     the status of the Company as a REIT.
 
     The Preferred Shares will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable and
will have no preemptive rights.
 
RANK
 
     All Preferred Shares will, when issued, rank (i) on a parity with all other
Preferred Shares with respect to dividend rights (subject to dividends on
Noncumulative Shares being noncumulative) and rights upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company, (ii) senior to all classes of Common
Shares of the Company and to all other equity securities ranking junior to such
Preferred Shares with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company; (iii) on a parity with all equity
securities issued by the Company the terms of which specifically provide that
such equity securities rank on a parity with the Preferred Shares with respect
to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Company; and (iv) junior to all equity securities issued by the Company the
terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank senior to
the Preferred Shares, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.
 
DIVIDENDS
 
     The holders of each series of each class of Preferred Shares are entitled
to receive, if, when and as declared, out of funds legally available therefor,
dividends in cash at the rate determined for such series and no more, payable on
the dates fixed for such series, in preference to the holders of Common Shares
and of any other class of shares ranking junior to the Preferred Shares. With
respect to each series of Class A Shares and Class B Shares, such dividends will
be cumulative from the dates fixed for the series. With respect to each series
of Noncumulative Preferred Shares, dividends will not be cumulative (i.e., if
the Board of Directors fails to declare a dividend payable on a dividend payment
date on any Noncumulative Shares, the holders of such series of Noncumulative
Shares will have no right to receive a dividend in respect of the dividend
period ending on such dividend payment date, and the Company will have no
obligation to pay any dividend for such period, whether or not dividends on such
series of Noncumulative Shares would be declared to be payable on any future
dividend payment date). Each such dividend will be payable to holders of record
as they appear on the stock transfer books of the Company on such record dates
as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
     If Preferred Shares of any series of any class are outstanding, no
dividends may be paid upon or declared or set apart for any series of Preferred
Shares for any dividend period unless at the same time (i) a like proportionate
dividend for the dividend periods terminating on the same or any earlier date
for all shares of all series of such class then issued and outstanding and
entitled to receive such dividend (but, if such series are series of
Noncumulative Shares, then only with respect to the current dividend period),
ratably in proportion to the respective annual dividend rates fixed therefor,
shall have been paid upon or declared or set apart and (ii) the dividends
payable for the dividend periods terminating on the same or any earlier date for
all other classes of Preferred Shares then issued and outstanding and entitled
to receive such dividends (but, with respect to Noncumulative Shares, only with
respect to the then current dividend period), ratably in proportion to the
respective dividend rates fixed therefor, shall have been paid upon or declared
or set apart.
 
     So long as any series of Preferred Shares is outstanding, no dividend,
except a dividend payable in Common Shares or other shares ranking junior to
such series of Preferred Shares, shall be paid or declared or any distribution
made, except as aforesaid, in respect of the Common Shares or any other shares
ranking junior to such series of Preferred Shares, nor shall any Common Shares
or any other shares ranking junior to such series of Preferred Shares be
purchased, retired or otherwise acquired by the Company, except out of the
proceeds of the sale of Common Shares or other shares of the Company ranking
junior to such series of
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   59
 
Preferred Shares received by the Company subsequent to the date of first
issuance of such series of Preferred Shares, unless (i) all accrued and unpaid
dividends on all classes of Preferred Shares then outstanding, including the
full dividends for all current dividend periods (except, with respect to
Noncumulative Shares, for the then current dividend period only), shall have
been declared and paid or a sum sufficient for payment thereof set apart, and
(ii) there shall be no arrearages with respect to the redemption of any series
of any class of Preferred Shares from any sinking fund provided for such class
in accordance with the Articles.
 
     The foregoing restrictions on the payment of dividends or other
distributions on, or on the purchase, redemption, retirement or other
acquisition of, Common Shares or any other shares ranking on a parity with or
junior to any class of Preferred Shares will be inapplicable to (i) any payments
in lieu of issuance of fractional shares, whether upon any merger, conversion,
stock dividend or otherwise, (ii) the conversion of Preferred Shares into Common
Shares, or (iii) the exercise by the Company of its rights to repurchase shares
of its capital stock in order to preserve its status as a REIT under the Code.
When dividends are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for such full payment
is not so set apart) upon the Preferred Shares of any series and the shares of
any other series of Preferred Shares ranking on a parity as to dividends with
such series, all dividends declared upon Preferred Shares of such series and any
other series of Preferred Shares ranking on a parity as to dividends with such
Preferred Shares shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends
declared per share on the shares of such series of Preferred Shares shall in all
cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on the
Preferred Shares of such series (which shall not include any accumulation in
respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods for Noncumulative Shares)
and such other series bear to each other. No interest, or sum of money in lieu
of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on
Preferred Shares of such series which may be in arrears.
 
     Any dividend payment made on Preferred Shares will first be credited
against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividend due with respect to such shares
which remains payable.
 
REDEMPTION
 
     If so described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, a series of a
class of Preferred Shares will be subject to mandatory redemption or redemption
at the option of the Company, as a whole or in part, in each case upon the
terms, at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in such Prospectus
Supplement.
 
     The Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of Preferred Shares that is
subject to mandatory redemption will specify the number of such Preferred Shares
that shall be redeemed by the Company in each year commencing after a date to be
specified, at a redemption price per share to be specified, together with an
amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (which, in the case of
Noncumulative Shares, includes only unpaid dividends for the current dividend
period) to the date of redemption. The redemption price may be payable in cash
or other property, as specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Except in connection with the repurchase by the Company of shares of its
capital stock in order to maintain its qualification as a REIT for federal
income tax purposes, the Company may not purchase or redeem (for sinking fund
purposes or otherwise) less than all of a class of Preferred Shares then
outstanding except in accordance with a stock purchase offer made to all holders
of record of such class, unless all dividends on all Preferred Shares of that
class then outstanding for previous and current dividend periods (except, in the
case of Noncumulative Shares, dividends for the current dividend period only)
shall have been declared and paid or funds therefor set apart and all accrued
sinking fund obligations applicable thereto shall have been complied with.
 
     If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of any class of Preferred
Shares are to be redeemed, the number of shares to be redeemed will be
determined by the Company and such shares to be redeemed shall be selected by
lot in a manner determined by the Board of Directors.
 
     Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60
days before the redemption date to each holder of record of a Preferred Share to
be redeemed at the address shown on the stock transfer books of the Company. If
fewer than all the Preferred Shares of any series are to be redeemed, the notice
mailed to each such holder thereof shall also specify the number of Preferred
Shares to be redeemed from
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   60
 
each holder. If notice of redemption of any Preferred Shares has been given and
if the funds necessary for such redemption have been set aside by the Company in
trust for the benefit of the holders of the Preferred Shares so called for
redemption, then from and after the redemption date dividends will cease to
accrue on such Preferred Shares, and such holders will cease to be shareholders
with respect to such shares and such holders shall have no right or claim
against the Company with respect to such shares, except only the right to
receive the redemption price without interest or to exercise before the
redemption date any unexercised privileges of conversion.
 
LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE
 
     In the event of any voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
affairs of the Company, the holders of any series of any class of Preferred
Shares shall be entitled to receive in full out of the assets of the Company,
including its capital, before any amount shall be paid or distributed among the
holders of the Common Shares or any other shares ranking junior to such series,
the amounts fixed by the Board of Directors with respect to such series and set
forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement plus an amount equal to all
dividends accrued and unpaid thereon (except, with respect to Noncumulative
Shares, dividends for the current dividend period only) to the date of payment
of the amount due pursuant to such liquidation, dissolution or winding up the
affairs of the Company. After payment to the holders of the Preferred Shares of
the full preferential amounts to which they are entitled, the holders of
Preferred Shares, as such, shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining
assets of the Company.
 
     If liquidating distributions shall have been made in full to all holders of
Preferred Shares, the remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed among
the holders of any other classes or series of capital stock ranking junior to
the Preferred Shares upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, according to
their respective rights and preferences and in each case according to their
respective numbers of shares. The merger or consolidation of the Company into or
with any other corporation, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, shall not constitute a
dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company.
 
VOTING RIGHTS
 
     Holders of Preferred Shares will not have any voting rights, except as set
forth below and as from time to time required by law.
 
     If and when the Company is in default in the payment of (or, with respect
to Noncumulative Shares, has not paid or declared and set aside a sum sufficient
for the payment of) dividends on any series of any class of Preferred Shares at
the time outstanding, for a number of consecutive dividend payment periods which
in the aggregate contain at least 540 days, all holders of shares of such class,
voting separately as a class, together and combined with all other Preferred
Shares upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable,
will be entitled to elect a total of two members of the Board of Directors,
which voting right shall be vested (and any additional directors shall serve)
until all accrued and unpaid dividends (except, with respect to Noncumulative
Shares, only dividends for the then current dividend period) on such Preferred
Shares then outstanding shall have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient
for the payment thereof set aside for payment.
 
     The affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of a class of
Preferred Shares at the time outstanding, voting separately as a class, given in
person or by proxy either in writing or at a meeting called for the purpose,
shall be necessary to effect either of the following:
 
          (1) The authorization, creation or increase in the authorized number
     of any shares, or any security convertible into shares, in either case
     ranking prior to such class of Preferred Shares; or
 
          (2) Any amendment, alteration or repeal, whether by merger,
     consolidation or otherwise, of any of the provisions of the Articles or the
     Code of Regulations which affects adversely and materially the preferences
     or voting or other right of the holders of such class of Preferred Shares
     which are set forth in the Articles; provided, however, neither the
     amendment of the Articles so as to authorize, create or
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   61
 
     change the authorized or outstanding number of a class of Preferred Shares
     or of any shares ranking on a parity with or junior to such class of
     Preferred Shares nor the amendment of the provisions of the Code of
     Regulations so as to change the number or classification of directors of
     the Company shall be deemed to affect adversely and materially preferences
     or voting or other rights of the holders of such class of Preferred Shares.
 
     Without limiting the provisions described above, under Ohio law, holders of
each class of Preferred Shares will be entitled to vote as a class on any
amendment to the Articles, whether or not they are entitled to vote thereon by
the Articles, if the amendment would (i) increase or decrease the par value of
the shares of such class, (ii) change the issued shares of such class into a
lesser number of shares of such class or into the same or different number of
shares of another class, (iii) change the express terms or add express terms of
the shares of the class in any manner substantially prejudicial to the holders
of such class, (iv) change the express terms of issued shares of any class
senior to the particular class in any manner substantially prejudicial to the
holders of shares of the particular class, (v) authorize shares of another class
that are convertible into, or authorize the conversion of shares of another
class into, shares of the particular class, or authorize the directors to fix or
alter conversion rights of shares of another class that are convertible into
shares of the particular class, (vi) reduce or eliminate the stated capital of
the Company, (vii) substantially change the purposes of the Company, or (viii)
change the Company into a nonprofit corporation.
 
     If, and only to the extent, that (i) a class of Preferred Shares is issued
in more than one series and (ii) Ohio law permits the holders of a series of a
class of capital stock to vote separately as a class, the affirmative vote of
the holders of at least two-thirds of each series of such class of Preferred
Shares at the time outstanding, voting separately as a class, given in person or
by proxy either in writing or at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
such matters, shall be required for any amendment, alteration or repeal, whether
by merger, consolidation or otherwise, of any of the provisions of the Articles
or the Code of Regulations which affects adversely and materially the
preferences or voting or other rights of the holders of such series which are
set forth in the Articles; provided, however, neither the amendment of the
Articles so as to authorize, create or change the authorized or outstanding
number of a class of Preferred Shares or of any shares ranking on a parity with
or junior to such class of Preferred Shares nor the amendment of the provisions
of the Code of Regulations so as to change the number or classification of
directors of the Company shall be deemed to affect adversely and materially the
preference or voting or other rights of the holders of such series.
 
     The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time
when the act with respect to which such vote would be required shall be
effected, all outstanding shares of such series of Preferred Shares shall have
been redeemed or called for redemption and sufficient funds shall have been
deposited in trust to effect such redemption.
 
CONVERSION RIGHTS
 
     The terms and conditions, if any, upon which shares of any series of any
class of Preferred Shares are convertible into Common Shares will be set forth
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Such terms will
include the number of Common Shares into which the Preferred Shares are
convertible, the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof), the
conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of
the holders of such Preferred Shares or the Company, the events requiring an
adjustment of the conversion price, and provisions affecting conversion upon the
occurrence of certain events.
 
RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP
 
     As discussed above under "Description of Common Shares -- Restrictions on
Ownership," for the Company to qualify as a REIT under the Code, not more than
50% in value of its outstanding capital stock may be owned, directly or
indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include
certain entities) during the last half of a taxable year, and the capital stock
must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a
taxable year of 12 months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable
year, and certain other requirements must be satisfied.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   62
 
     To assure that five or fewer individuals do not own more than 50% in value
of the Company's outstanding Preferred Shares, the Articles provide that,
subject to certain exceptions, no holder may own, or be deemed to own by virtue
of the attribution provisions of the Code, more than 9.8% (the "Preferred Shares
Ownership Limit") of any series of any class of the Company's outstanding
Preferred Shares. In addition, as discussed above under "Description of Common
Shares -- Restriction on Ownership," because rent from a Related Party Tenant
(any tenant 10% of which is owned, directly or constructively, by a REIT,
including an owner of 10% or more of a REIT) is not qualifying rent for purposes
of the gross income tests under the Code, the Articles provide that no
individual or entity may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution
provisions of the Code (which differ from the attribution provisions applied to
the Preferred Shares Ownership Limit), in excess of 9.8% of the outstanding
shares of any series of any class of Preferred Shares (the "Preferred Shares
Related Party Limit"). The Board of Directors may waive the Preferred Shares
Ownership Limit and the Preferred Shares Related Party Limit if the Board of
Directors obtains such representations and undertakings from the applicant with
respect to preserving the REIT status of the Company as are reasonably necessary
to ascertain that such ownership will not jeopardize the Company's status as a
REIT.
 
     The foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership of Preferred
Shares may not apply if the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer
in the best interests of the Company to attempt to qualify, or to continue to
qualify, as a REIT. The Preferred Shares Ownership Limit and the Preferred
Shares Related Party Limit will not be automatically removed even if the REIT
provisions of the Code are changed so as to no longer contain any ownership
concentration limitation or if the ownership concentration limitation is
increased. Any change in the Preferred Shares Ownership Limit would require an
amendment to the Articles, even if the Board of Directors determines that
maintenance of REIT status is no longer in the best interests of the Company.
Amendments to the Company's Articles require the affirmative vote of holders
owning not less than a majority of the outstanding Common Shares. If it is
determined that an amendment would materially and adversely affect the holders
of any class of Preferred Shares, such amendment would also require the
affirmative vote of holders of not less than two-thirds of such class of
Preferred Shares.
 
     If Preferred Shares in excess of the Preferred Shares Ownership Limit or
the Preferred Shares Related Party Limit, or shares which would cause the REIT
to be beneficially or constructively owned by fewer than 100 persons or would
result in the Company being "closely held" within the meaning of Section 856(h)
of the Code, are issued or transferred to any person, such issuance or transfer
will be null and void to the intended transferee, and the intended transferee
will acquire no rights to the shares. Preferred Shares transferred or proposed
to be transferred in excess of the Preferred Shares Ownership Limit or the
Preferred Shares Related Party Limit or which would otherwise jeopardize the
Company's REIT status ("Excess Preferred Shares") will be subject to repurchase
by the Company. The purchase price of any Excess Preferred Shares will be equal
to the lesser of (i) the price in such proposed transaction and (ii) the fair
market value of such shares reflected in the last reported sales price for the
shares on the trading day immediately preceding the date on which the Company or
its designee determines to exercise its repurchase right, if the shares are then
listed on a national securities exchange, or such price for the shares on the
principal exchange if the shares are then listed on more than one national
securities exchange, or, if the shares are not then listed on a national
securities exchange, the latest bid quotation for the shares if the shares are
then traded over-the-counter, or, if such quotation is not available, the fair
market value as determined by the Board of Directors in good faith, on the last
trading day immediately preceding the day on which notice of such proposed
purchase is sent by the Company. From and after the date fixed for purchase of
such Excess Preferred Shares by the Company, the holder thereof will cease to be
entitled to distribution, voting rights and other benefits with respect to such
shares except the right to payment of the purchase price for the shares. Any
dividend or distribution paid to a proposed transferee on Excess Preferred
Shares must be repaid to the Company upon demand. If the foregoing transfer
restrictions are determined to be void or invalid by virtue of any legal
decision, statute, rule or regulation, then the intended transferee of any
Excess Preferred Shares may be deemed, at the option of the Company, to have
acted as an agent on behalf of the Company in acquiring such Excess Preferred
Shares and to hold such Excess Preferred Shares on behalf of the Company.
 
     Reference is made to the section captioned "Description of Common Shares"
for a general description of the Common Shares to be acquired upon the
conversion of Preferred Shares convertible into Common Shares
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   63
 
("Convertible Preferred Shares"), including a description of certain
restrictions on the ownership of the Common Shares. Common Shares that may be
acquired upon the conversion of Convertible Preferred Shares directly or
constructively held by an investor, but not Common Shares issuable with respect
to the conversion of Convertible Preferred Shares held by others, are deemed to
be outstanding (a) at the time of purchase of the Convertible Preferred Shares,
and (b) prior to the conversion of the Convertible Preferred Shares, for
purposes of determining the percentage ownership of Common Shares held by such
investor.
 
     All certificates representing Preferred Shares will bear a legend referring
to the restrictions described above.
 
     The Articles provide that all persons who own, directly or by virtue of the
attribution provisions of the Code, more than 5% of the outstanding shares of
any series of Preferred Shares shall upon demand be required to disclose to the
Company in writing such information with respect to the direct, indirect and
constructive ownership of shares as the Board of Directors deems necessary to
comply with the provisions of the Code as applicable to a REIT or to comply with
the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental agency.
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
 
GENERAL
 
     The Company may issue receipts ("Depositary Receipts") for Depositary
Shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest or a share of a
particular series of a class of Preferred Shares, as specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. Preferred Shares of each series of each class represented
by Depositary Shares will be deposited under a separate Deposit Agreement (each,
a "Deposit Agreement") among the Company, the depositary named therein (such
depositary or its successor, the "Preferred Shares Depositary") and the holders
from time to time of the Depositary Receipts. Subject to the terms of the
Deposit Agreement, each owner of a Depositary Receipt will be entitled, in
proportion to the fractional interest of a share of the particular series of a
class of Preferred Shares represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such
Depositary Receipt, to all the rights and preferences of the Preferred Shares
represented by such Depositary Shares (including dividend, voting, conversion,
redemption and liquidation rights).
 
     The Depositary Shares will be evidenced by Depositary Receipts issued
pursuant to the applicable Deposit Agreement. Immediately following the issuance
and delivery of the Preferred Shares by the Company to the Preferred Shares
Depositary, the Company will cause the Preferred Shares Depositary to issue, on
behalf of the Company, the Depositary Receipts. Copies of the applicable form of
Deposit Agreement and Depositary Receipt may be obtained from the Company upon
request, and the following summary of the form thereof filed as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part is qualified in
its entirety by reference thereto. As of February 21, 1997 the Company has
issued Depositary Receipts representing 2,250,000 Depositary Shares, each
Depositary Share representing one-tenth of a share of 9 3/4% Class A Cumulative
Redeemable Preferred Shares.
 
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
 
     The Preferred Shares Depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other
cash distributions received in respect of the Preferred Shares to the record
holders of the Depositary Receipts evidencing the related Depositary Shares in
proportion to the number of such Depositary Receipts owned by such holder,
subject to certain obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other
information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the Preferred Shares
Depositary.
 
     In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the Preferred Shares
Depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of
Depositary Receipts entitled thereto, subject to certain obligations of holders
to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges
and expenses to the Preferred Shares Depositary, unless the Preferred Shares
Depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in
which case the Preferred Shares Depositary may, with the approval of the
Company, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to
such holders.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   64
 
WITHDRAWAL OF SHARES
 
     Upon surrender of the Depositary Receipts at the corporate trust office of
the Preferred Shares Depositary (unless the related Depositary Shares have
previously been called for redemption), the holders thereof will be entitled to
delivery at such office, to or upon such holder's order, of the number of whole
or fractional Preferred Shares and any money or other property represented by
the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Depositary Receipts. Holders of
Depositary Receipts will be entitled to receive whole or fractional shares of
the related Preferred Shares on the basis of the proportion of Preferred Shares
represented by each Depositary Share as specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, but holders of such Preferred Shares will not thereafter be entitled
to receive Depositary Shares therefor. If the Depositary Receipts delivered by
the holder evidence a number of Depositary Shares in excess of the number of
Depositary Shares representing the number of Preferred Shares to be withdrawn,
the Preferred Shares Depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a
new Depositary Receipt evidencing such excess number of Depositary Shares.
 
REDEMPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
 
     Whenever the Company redeems Preferred Shares held by the Preferred Shares
Depositary, the Preferred Shares Depositary will redeem as of the same
redemption date the number of Depositary Shares representing the Preferred
Shares so redeemed, provided the Company shall have paid in full to the
Preferred Shares Depositary the redemption price of the Preferred Shares to be
redeemed plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends (except, with
respect to Noncumulative Shares, dividends for the current dividend period only)
thereon to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per Depositary
Share will be equal to the redemption price and any other amounts per share
payable with respect to the Preferred Shares. If less than all the Depositary
Shares are to be redeemed, the Depositary Shares to be redeemed will be selected
by the Preferred Shares Depositary by lot.
 
     After the date fixed for redemption, the Depositary Shares so called for
redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the
holders of the Depositary Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares so called
for redemption will cease, except the right to receive any moneys payable upon
such redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of such
Depositary Receipts were entitled upon such redemption upon surrender thereof to
the Preferred Shares Depositary.
 
VOTING OF THE UNDERLYING PREFERRED SHARES
 
     Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the Preferred
Shares are entitled to vote, the Preferred Shares Depositary will mail the
information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the
Depositary Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares which represent such
Preferred Shares. Each record holder of Depositary Receipts evidencing
Depositary Shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record
date for the Preferred Shares) will be entitled to instruct the Preferred Shares
Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of
Preferred Shares represented by such holder's Depositary Shares. The Preferred
Shares Depositary will vote the amount of Preferred Shares represented by such
Depositary Shares in accordance with such instructions, and the Company will
agree to take all reasonable action which may be deemed necessary by the
Preferred Shares Depositary in order to enable the Preferred Shares Depositary
to do so. The Preferred Shares Depositary will abstain from voting the amount of
Preferred Shares represented by such Depositary Shares to the extent it does not
receive specific instructions from the holders of Depositary Receipts evidencing
such Depositary Shares.
 
LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE
 
     In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company,
whether voluntary or involuntary, each holder of a Depositary Receipt will be
entitled to the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each Preferred
Share represented by the Depositary Share evidenced by such Depositary Receipt,
as set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   65
 
CONVERSION OF PREFERRED SHARES
 
     The Depositary Shares, as such, are not convertible into Common Shares or
any other securities or property of the Company. Nevertheless, if so specified
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to an offering of Depositary
Shares, the Depositary Receipts may be surrendered by holders thereof to the
Preferred Shares Depositary with written instructions to the Preferred Shares
Depositary to instruct the Company to cause conversion of the Preferred Shares
represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Depositary Receipts into
whole Common Shares, other Preferred Shares of the Company or other shares of
capital stock, and the Company has agreed that upon receipt of such instructions
and any amounts payable in respect thereof, it will cause the conversion thereof
utilizing the same procedures as those provided for delivery of Preferred Shares
to effect such conversion. If the Depositary Shares evidenced by a Depositary
Receipt are to be converted in part only, one or more new Depositary Receipts
will be issued for any Depositary Shares not to be converted. No fractional
Common Shares will be issued upon conversion, and if such conversion will result
in a fractional share being issued, an amount will be paid in cash by the
Company equal to the value of the fractional interest based upon the closing
price of the Common Shares on the last business day prior to the conversion.
 
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
 
     The form of Depositary Receipt evidencing the Depositary Shares which
represent the Preferred Shares and any provision of the Deposit Agreement may at
any time be amended by agreement between the Company and the Preferred Shares
Depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the
rights of the holders of Depositary Receipts will not be effective unless such
amendment has been approved by the existing holders of at least a majority of
the Depositary Shares evidenced by the Depositary Receipts then outstanding.
 
     The Deposit Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon not less than
30 days' prior written notice to the Preferred Shares Depositary if (i) such
termination is to preserve the Company's status as a REIT or (ii) a majority of
each class of Preferred Shares affected by such termination consents to such
termination, whereupon the Preferred Shares Depositary shall deliver or make
available to each holder of Depositary Receipts, upon surrender of the
Depositary Receipts held by such holder, such number of whole or fractional
Preferred Shares as are represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such
Depositary Receipts. In addition, the Deposit Agreement will automatically
terminate if (i) all outstanding Depositary Shares shall have been redeemed,
(ii) there shall have been a final distribution in respect of the related
Preferred Shares in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the Company and such distribution shall have been distributed to the holders
of Depositary Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares representing such
Preferred Shares or (iii) each related Preferred Share shall have been converted
into capital stock of the Company not so represented by Depositary Shares.
 
CHARGES OF PREFERRED SHARES DEPOSITARY
 
     The Company will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges
arising solely from the existence of the Deposit Agreement. In addition, the
Company will pay the fees and expenses of the Preferred Shares Depositary in
connection with the performance of its duties under the Deposit Agreement.
However, holders of Depositary Receipts will pay the fees and expenses of the
Preferred Shares Depositary for any duties requested by such holders to be
performed which are outside of those expressly provided for in the Deposit
Agreement.
 
RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF DEPOSITARY
 
     The Preferred Shares Depositary may resign at any time by delivering to the
Company notice of its election to do so, and the Company may at any time remove
the Preferred Shares Depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect
upon the appointment of a successor Preferred Shares Depositary. A successor
Preferred Shares Depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of
the notice of
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   66
 
resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal
office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at
least $50,000,000.
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
     The Preferred Shares Depositary will forward to holders of Depositary
Receipts any reports and communications from the Company which are received by
the Preferred Shares Depositary with respect to the related Preferred Shares.
 
     Neither the Preferred Shares Depositary nor the Company will be liable if
it is prevented from or delayed in, by law or any circumstances beyond its
control, performing its obligations under the Deposit Agreement. The obligations
of the Company and the Preferred Shares Depositary under the Deposit Agreement
will be limited to performing their duties thereunder in good faith and without
negligence, gross negligence or willful misconduct, and the Company and the
Preferred Shares Depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any
legal proceeding in respect of any Depositary Receipts, Depositary Shares or
Preferred Shares represented thereby unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished.
The Company and the Preferred Shares Depositary may rely on written advice of
counsel or accountants, or information provided by persons presenting Preferred
Shares represented thereby for deposit, holders of Depositary Receipts or other
persons believed to be competent to give such information, and on documents
believed to be genuine and signed by a proper party.
 
     If the Preferred Shares Depositary shall receive conflicting claims,
requests or instructions from any holders of Depositary Receipts, on the one
hand, and the Company, on the other hand, the Preferred Shares Depositary shall
be entitled to act on such claims, requests or instructions received from the
Company.
 
                  CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS OF OHIO LAW
 
     Certain provisions of Ohio law may have the effect of discouraging or
rendering more difficult an unsolicited acquisition of a corporation or its
capital stock to the extent the corporation is subject to such provisions. The
Company has opted out of one such provision. The provisions remaining applicable
to the Company are described below.
 
     Chapter 1704 of the Ohio Revised Code prohibits certain transactions,
including mergers, sales of assets, issuances or purchases of securities,
liquidation or dissolution, or reclassifications of the then outstanding shares
of an Ohio corporation with fifty or more shareholders involving, or for the
benefit of, certain holders of shares representing 10% or more of the voting
power of the corporation (any such shareholder, a "10% Shareholder"), unless (a)
such transactions are approved by the directors prior to the 10% Shareholder
becoming a 10% Shareholder, (b) the acquisition of 10% of the voting power is
approved by the directors prior to the 10% Shareholder becoming a 10%
Shareholder, or (c) the transaction involves a 10% shareholder which has been a
10% Shareholder for at least three years and is approved by holders of
two-thirds of the voting power of the Company and the holders of a majority of
the voting power not owned by the 10% Shareholder, or certain minimum price and
form of consideration requirements are met. Chapter 1704 of the Ohio Revised
Code may have the effect of deterring certain potential acquisitions of the
Company which might be beneficial to shareholders.
 
     Section 1701.041 of the Ohio Revised Code regulates certain "control bids"
for corporations in Ohio with 50 or more shareholders which have significant
Ohio contacts and permits the Ohio Division of Securities to suspend a control
bid if certain information is not provided to offerees.
 
                       FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
     The following is a discussion of the material United States federal income
tax considerations to the Company and its securityholders relating to the
Offered Securities and the treatment of the Company as a REIT. It is not
intended to represent a detailed description of the federal income tax
consequences applicable to a particular shareholder of the Company in view of a
shareholder's particular circumstances, or to certain types of shareholders
(including insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions
or
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   67
 
broker-dealers, foreign corporations and persons who are not citizens or
residents of the United States) subject to special treatment under the federal
income tax laws. The discussion in this section is based on current provisions
of the Code, current and proposed Treasury Regulations, court decisions and
other administrative rulings and interpretations, all of which are subject to
change either prospectively or retroactively. There can be no assurance that any
such change, future Code provision or other legal authority will not alter
significantly the tax considerations described herein.
 
     EACH PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER IS URGED TO CONSULT THE APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT, AS WELL AS HIS OWN TAX ADVISOR, REGARDING THE SPECIFIC TAX
CONSEQUENCES, IN VIEW OF SUCH PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER'S INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES,
OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND SALE OF THE OFFERED SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE
FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH PURCHASE,
OWNERSHIP, AND SALE AND OF POTENTIAL CHANGES IN APPLICABLE TAX LAWS.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Company has made an election to be taxed as a REIT commencing with its
taxable year ended December 31, 1993. The Company believes that it is organized
and operates in such a manner as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the
Code and the Company intends to continue to operate in such a manner in the
future. No assurance can be given, however, that the Company will operate in a
manner so as to remain qualified as a REIT.
 
     In the opinion of Baker & Hostetler LLP, based on certain assumptions and
representations made by the Company, the Company has qualified as a REIT for its
taxable years ended December 31, 1993, December 31, 1994 and December 31, 1995,
and the Company is organized in conformity with the requirements for
qualification as a REIT and its method of operation has enabled the Company to
meet, and will enable it to continue to meet, the requirements for qualification
and taxation as a REIT. It must be emphasized that this opinion is based on
various assumptions and is conditioned upon certain representations made by the
Company as to factual matters including, but not limited to, those set forth
below in this discussion of "Federal Income Tax Considerations" and those
concerning the Company's business and properties as set forth in this
Prospectus. Moreover, such qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon the
Company's ability to meet, through actual annual operating results, distribution
levels and diversity of stock ownership, the various qualification tests imposed
under the Code discussed below, the results of which will not be reviewed by
Baker & Hostetler LLP. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual
results of the Company's operation for any one taxable year will satisfy such
requirements. See "-- Failure to Qualify."
 
TAXATION OF THE COMPANY
 
     A REIT, such as the Company, generally will not be subject to federal
corporate income tax on its taxable income that is currently distributed to its
shareholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the "double taxation" (at
the corporate and shareholder levels) that generally results from an investment
in a corporation. However, the Company will be subject to federal income tax in
several ways. First, the Company will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any
undistributed REIT taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains.
Second, under certain circumstances, the Company may be subject to the
"alternative minimum tax." Third, if the Company has: (1) net income from the
sale or other disposition of "foreclosure property" which is held primarily for
sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, or (2) other
non-qualifying income from foreclosure property, it will be subject to tax on
such income at the highest corporate rate. Fourth, if the Company has net income
from "prohibited transactions" (which are, in general, certain sales or other
dispositions of property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary
course of business other than foreclosure property), such income will be subject
to a 100% corporate level tax. Fifth, if the Company should fail to satisfy the
75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test (each discussed below) but
has nonetheless maintained its qualification as a REIT by satisfying certain
other requirements, it will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount equal to the
gross income attributable to the greater of the amount by which the
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   68
 
Company fails the 75% or 95% test, multiplied by a fraction intended to reflect
the Company's profitability. Sixth, if the Company should fail to distribute
during each calendar year at least the sum of: (1) 85% of its REIT ordinary
income for such year, (2) 95% of its REIT capital gain net income for such year,
and (3) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, it will be subject
to a 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the amounts
actually distributed. Seventh, if the Company acquires any asset from a C
corporation (i.e., generally a corporation subject to full corporate-level tax)
in a transaction in which the basis of the asset in the Company's hands is
determined by reference to the basis of the asset (or any other property) in the
hands of the C corporation, and the Company recognizes gain on the disposition
of such asset during the ten-year period beginning on the date the asset was
acquired by the Company, then the excess of (a) the fair market value of such
asset as of the beginning of such period over (b) the Company's adjusted basis
in such asset as of the beginning of such period will be subject to tax at the
highest regular corporate tax rate.
 
REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALIFICATION
 
     A REIT is defined in the Code as a corporation, trust or association: (1)
which is managed by one or more trustees or directors; (2) the beneficial
ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares or by transferable
certificates of beneficial interest; (3) which would be taxable as a domestic
corporation, but for Sections 856 through 859 of the Code; (4) which is neither
a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to certain provisions
of the Code; (5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more
persons; (6) not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock of which is
owned during the last half of each taxable year, directly or indirectly, by or
for five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain
entities); and (7) which meets certain income and asset tests described below.
Conditions (1) through (4) above, must be met during the entire taxable year and
condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12
months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months.
However, conditions (5) and (6) do not apply until after the first taxable year
for which an election is made to be taxed as a REIT.
 
     The Company has satisfied the "100 shareholder" and "five or fewer" stock
ownership requirements set forth above. In addition, the Company's Articles of
Incorporation provide restrictions regarding the transfer of its shares which
are intended to assist the Company in continuing to satisfy those requirements.
 
     In the case of a REIT which is a partner in a partnership or which owns the
shares of a qualified REIT subsidiary, Treasury Regulations provide that the
REIT will be deemed to own its proportionate share of the assets of such
partnership or subsidiary, as the case may be, and will be deemed to be entitled
to the income of the partnership attributable to such share and the income of
such subsidiary. In addition, the character of the assets and gross income of
the partnership and subsidiary will retain the same character in the hands of
the REIT for purposes of Section 856 of the Code, including satisfying the gross
income tests and asset tests (as discussed below). Thus, the Company's
proportionate share of the assets and items of income of the joint ventures in
which the Company has an interest and the assets, liabilities and items of
income of its qualified REIT subsidiaries will be treated as assets, liabilities
and items of the Company for purposes of applying the requirements described
herein. See "The Company."
 
INCOME TESTS
 
     In order to maintain qualification as a REIT, the Company annually must
satisfy three gross income requirements. First, at least 75% of the Company's
gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions) for each
taxable year must be derived directly or indirectly from investments relating to
real property or mortgages on real property (including "rents from real
property" and, in certain circumstances, interest) or from certain types of
temporary investments. Second, at least 95% of the Company's gross income
(excluding gross income from prohibited transactions) for each taxable year must
be derived from such real property investments, dividends, interest and gain
from sale or disposition of stock or securities (or from any combination of the
foregoing). Third, short-term gain from the sale or other disposition of stock
or securities, gain from prohibited transactions and gain on the sale or other
disposition of real property held for less than
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   69
 
four years (apart from involuntary conversions and sales of foreclosure
property) must represent less than 30% of the Company's gross income (including
gross income from prohibited transactions) for each taxable year.
 
     Rents received by the Company will qualify as "rents from real property" in
satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if
several conditions are met. First, the amount of rent must not be based in whole
or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received
or accrued generally will not be excluded from the term "rents from real
property" solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages
of receipts or sales. Second, the Code provides that rents received from a
tenant will not qualify as "rents from real property" in satisfying the gross
income tests if the REIT, or an owner of 10% or more of the REIT, directly or
constructively owns 10% or more of such tenant (a "Related Party Tenant").
Third, if rent attributable to personal property leased in connection with a
lease of real property is greater than 15% of the total rent received under the
lease, then the portion of rent attributable to such personal property will not
qualify as "rents from real property." Finally, for rents received to qualify as
"rents from real property," the REIT generally must not operate or manage the
property or furnish or render services to the tenants of such property, other
than through an independent contractor from whom the REIT derives no revenue;
provided, however, the Company may directly perform certain services that are
"usually or customarily rendered" in connection with the rental of space for
occupancy only and are not otherwise considered "rendered to the occupant" of
the property. The Company does not and will not charge rent for any property
that is based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person (except
by reason of being based on a percentage of receipts or sales, as described
above), and the Company does not and will not rent any personal property (other
than personal property leased in connection with the lease of real property, the
amount of which is less than 15% of the total rent received under the lease).
The Company directly performs services under certain of its leases. The Company
has received a ruling from the IRS that the performance of such services will
not cause the rents received with respect to such leases to fail to qualify as
"rents from real property."
 
     The term "interest" generally does not include any amount received or
accrued (directly or indirectly) if the determination of such amount depends in
whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount
received or accrued generally will not be excluded from the term "interest"
solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts
or sales.
 
     The Company will receive certain types of non-qualifying income, such as
the income derived from coin-operated laundry equipment as well as dividends
received from the Service Companies. The dividends from the Service Companies
will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but will
not be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. The Company
believes, however, that the aggregate amount of such non-qualifying income in
any taxable year will not cause the Company to exceed the limits on
non-qualifying income under the 75% or 95% tests.
 
     If the Company fails to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income
tests for any taxable year, it may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for such year
if it is entitled to relief under certain provisions of the Code. These relief
provisions generally will be available if the Company's failure to meet such
tests was attributable to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, the
Company attaches a schedule of the sources of its income to its return, and any
incorrect information on the schedule was not attributable to fraud with intent
to evade tax. It is not possible, however, to determine whether, in all
circumstances, the Company would be entitled to the benefit of those relief
provisions. As discussed above in "-- General," even if those relief provisions
apply, a tax would be imposed with respect to excess net income.
 
ASSET TESTS
 
     At the close of each quarter of its taxable year, the Company must also
satisfy three tests relating to the nature of its assets. First, at least 75% of
the value of the Company's total assets must be represented by interests in real
property, interests in mortgages on real property to the extent the mortgage
balance does not exceed the value of the associated real property, shares in
other REITS, cash, cash items, government securities and certain securities
attributable to temporary investment of new capital. Second, not more than 25%
of the Company's total assets may be represented by securities other than those
in the 75% asset class.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   70
 
Third, of the investments included in the 25% asset class, the value of any one
issuer's securities owned by the Company may not exceed 5% of the value of the
Company's total assets and the Company may not own more than 10% of any one
issuer's outstanding voting securities.
 
   
     The Company owns 100% of the non-voting preferred shares and 1% of the
voting common shares of each of the Service Companies. See "The Company."
Accordingly, the Company will not own more than 10% of the voting securities of
any of the Service Companies. In addition, based upon its analysis of the
estimated value of the equity securities of the Service Companies owned by the
Company relative to the estimated value of the other assets owned by it, the
Company believes that such securities owned by it do not exceed 5% of the total
value of the Company's assets. No independent appraisals will be obtained to
support this conclusion, and Baker & Hostetler LLP, in rendering its opinion as
to the qualification of the Company as a REIT, is relying on the Company's
representation with respect to the value of each of the Service Companies.
However, in its opinion, Baker & Hostetler LLP has advised the Company that it
is not aware of any facts inconsistent with these conclusions. Moreover, if the
joint ventures in which the Company owns interests were treated as associations
taxable as corporations for federal income tax purposes, the Company could be
deemed to own more than 10% of the voting securities in such entities. However,
in the opinion of Baker & Hostetler LLP such joint ventures will be treated as
partnerships for federal income tax purposes.
    
 
ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS
 
     In order to qualify as a REIT, the Company is required to distribute
dividends (other than capital gain dividends) to its shareholders each year in
an amount at least equal to: (1) the sum of (a) 95% of the Company's "REIT
taxable income" (computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and the
Company's net capital gain), and (b) 95% of the net income (after tax), if any,
from foreclosure property, minus (2) the sum of certain items of non-cash
income. To the extent that the Company does not distribute all of its net
capital gain or distributes at least 95%, but less than 100%, of its "REIT
taxable income," as adjusted, it will be subject to tax thereon at regular
ordinary and capital gains corporate tax rates. Furthermore, if the Company
fails to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of: (1) 85% of
its REIT ordinary income for such year, (2) 95% of its REIT capital gain income
for such year, and (3) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, the
Company will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of such required
distribution over the amounts actually distributed. The Company intends to make
timely distributions sufficient to satisfy these annual distribution
requirements.
 
     It is possible that the Company, from time to time, may not have sufficient
cash or other liquid assets to meet the 95% distribution requirement because of
timing differences between (1) the actual receipt of income and the actual
payment of deductible expenses and (2) the inclusion of such income and
deduction of such expenses in arriving at the taxable income of the Company. In
the event that such timing differences occur, in order to meet the 95%
distribution requirement the Company may find it necessary to arrange for
short-term, or possibly long-term, borrowings or to pay dividends in the form of
taxable stock dividends.
 
     Under certain circumstances, the Company may be able to rectify a failure
to meet the distribution requirement for a certain year by paying "deficiency
dividends" to shareholders in a later year, which may be included in the
Company's deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Thus, the Company
may be able to avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends.
However, the Company will be required to pay interest based upon the amount of
any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.
 
FAILURE TO QUALIFY
 
     If the Company fails to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year,
and the relief provisions do not apply, the Company will be subject to tax
(including any applicable corporate alternative minimum tax) on its taxable
income at regular corporate rates. Distributions to shareholders in any year in
which the Company fails to qualify will not be deductible by the Company nor
will they be required to be made by the Company. In such event, to the extent of
current and accumulated earnings and profits, all distributions to shareholders
will be taxable as ordinary income, and, subject to certain limitations, a
corporate distributee may be eligible for the dividends received deduction.
Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, the Company
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   71
 
will also be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years
following the year during which qualification was lost. Whether the Company
would be entitled to such statutory relief cannot be foreseen.
 
TAXATION OF TAXABLE DOMESTIC SHAREHOLDERS
 
     As long as the Company qualifies as a REIT, distributions made to its
taxable domestic shareholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits
(and not designated as capital gain dividends) will result in ordinary income to
such shareholders. Corporate shareholders will not be entitled to the dividends
received deduction. Distributions that are designated as capital gain dividends
will be taxed as long-term capital gains (to the extent they do not exceed the
Company's actual net capital gain for the taxable year) without regard to the
period for which the shareholder has held its shares. However, corporate
shareholders may be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain
dividends as ordinary income. Distributions by the Company in excess of its
current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to a
shareholder to the extent that such distributions do not exceed the adjusted
basis of the shareholder's shares, but rather, will be a non-taxable reduction
in a shareholder's adjusted basis in such shares to the extent thereof and
thereafter will be taxed as capital gain.
 
     Any dividend declared by the Company in October, November or December of
any year payable to a shareholder of record on a specified date in any such
month will be treated as both paid by the Company and received by the
shareholder on or before December 31 of such year, provided that the dividend is
actually paid by the Company by January 31 of the following calendar year.
 
   
     Shareholders may not include any net operating losses or capital losses of
the Company in their individual income tax returns. In general, any loss upon
the sale or exchange of shares by a shareholder who has held such shares for
twelve months or less (after applying certain holding period rules) will be
treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent distributions from the Company
are required to be treated by such shareholder as long-term capital gain.
    
 
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
 
     The Company will report to its domestic shareholders and to the IRS the
amount of dividends paid during each calendar year, and the amount of tax
withheld, if any. Under the backup withholding rules, a shareholder may be
subject to backup withholding at the rate of 31% with respect to dividends paid
unless such holder: (1) is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt
categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact, or (2) provides a
taxpayer identification number, certifies to no loss of exemption from backup
withholding, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup
withholding rules. A shareholder that does not provide the Company with a
correct taxpayer identification number may also be subject to penalties imposed
by the IRS. Any amount paid as backup withholding will be creditable against the
shareholder's income tax liability. In addition, the Company may be required to
withhold a portion of capital gain distributions to any shareholders who fail to
certify their non-foreign status to the Company. See "-- Taxation of Foreign
Shareholders."
 
TAXATION OF PENSION TRUSTS
 
     For purposes of the "five or fewer" test described above, beneficiaries of
a domestic pension trust that owns shares in the Company generally will be
treated as owning such shares in proportion to their actuarial interests in the
trust. In addition, amounts distributed by the Company to a tax-exempt pension
trust generally do not constitute "unrelated business taxable income" ("UBTI")
to such trust unless the trust owns more than ten percent of the Company's
Common Shares, in which case a portion of such amounts distributed may be
treated as UBTI.
 
TAXATION OF FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS
 
     The rules governing United States federal income taxation of nonresident
alien individuals or foreign corporations, foreign partnerships and other
foreign shareholders (collectively, "Non-U.S. Shareholders") are complex and no
attempt is made herein to provide more than a summary of such rules. Prospective
Non-U.S.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   72
 
Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisors to determine the impact
of federal, state and local income tax laws with regard to an investment in the
Common Shares, including any reporting requirements.
 
     It is currently anticipated that the Company will qualify as a
"domestically controlled REIT" (i.e., a REIT in which at all times during a
specified testing period less than 50% of the value of the capital stock of
which is owned directly or indirectly by Non-U.S. Shareholders) and therefore
gain from the sale of Common Shares by a Non-U.S. Shareholder will not be
subject to United States taxation unless such gain is treated as "effectively
connected" with the Non-U.S. Shareholder's United States trade or business.
 
     Distributions that are not attributable to gain from the sale or exchange
by the Company of United States real property interests (and are not designated
as capital gain dividends) will be treated as dividends of ordinary income to
the extent that they are made out of current or accumulated earnings and profits
of the Company. Such distributions generally will be subject to a United States
withholding tax equal to 30% of the gross amount of the distribution, subject to
reduction or elimination under an applicable tax treaty. However, if dividends
from the investment in the shares are treated as "effectively connected" with
the Non-U.S. Shareholder's conduct of a United States trade or business, such
dividends will be subject to regular U.S. income taxation (foreign corporations
may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax). The Company expects to
withhold United States income tax at the rate of 30% on the gross amount of any
such dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Shareholder unless: (1) a lower treaty rate
applies and the Non-U.S. Shareholder files certain information evidencing its
entitlement to such lower treaty rate, or (2) the Non-U.S. Shareholder files an
IRS Form 4224 with the Company claiming that the distribution is "effectively
connected" income. Distributions which exceed current and accumulated earnings
and profits of the Company will not be taxable to the extent that they do not
exceed the adjusted basis of a shareholder's shares, but rather will reduce (but
not below zero) the adjusted basis of such shares. To the extent that such
distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a Non-U.S. Shareholder's shares, they
generally will give rise to United States tax liability if the Non-U.S.
Shareholder would otherwise be subject to tax on gain from the sale or
disposition of his shares in the Company, as described above. If it cannot be
determined at the time a distribution is made whether or not such distribution
will be in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits, the
distributions will be subject to withholding at the same rate as dividends.
However, amounts thus withheld are refundable if it is subsequently determined
that such distribution was, in fact, in excess of current and accumulated
earnings and profits of the Company.
 
     Distributions by the Company to a Non-U.S. Shareholder that are
attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by the Company of a United States
real property interest are subject to income and withholding tax under the
provisions of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980
("FIRPTA"). Under FIRPTA, these distributions, if any, which are treated as gain
recognized from the sale of a United States real property interest, are taxed as
income "effectively connected" with a United States business. Non-U.S.
Shareholders would thus be taxed at the normal capital gain rates applicable to
U.S. shareholders (subject to the applicable alternative minimum tax and a
special alternative minimum tax for nonresident alien individuals). Also,
distributions subject to FIRPTA may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in
the hands of a foreign corporate shareholder not entitled to treaty exemption.
The Company will withhold 35% of any distribution that could be designated by
the Company as a capital gain dividend. This amount is creditable against the
Non-U.S. Shareholder's FIRPTA tax liability. A refund may be available if the
amount withheld exceeds the Non-U.S. Shareholder's federal tax liability.
 
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
 
     Shareholders participating in the dividend reinvestment plan adopted by the
Company will be deemed to have received the gross amount of any cash
distributions which would have been paid by the Company to such shareholders had
they not elected to participate. These deemed distributions will be treated as
actual distributions from the Company to the participating shareholders and will
retain the character and tax effects applicable to distributions from the
Company generally. See "-- Taxation of Taxable Domestic Shareholders" and
"-- Taxation of Foreign Shareholders." Participants in the dividend reinvestment
plan are subject to federal income tax on the amount of the deemed distributions
to the extent that such distributions represent dividends or gains, even though
they receive no cash. Common Shares received under the plan will have a
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   73
 
holding period beginning with the day after purchase and a tax basis equal to
their cost (which is the gross amount of the deemed distribution).
 
OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
     The Company and its shareholders may be subject to state or local taxation
in various jurisdictions, including those in which it or they transact business
or reside. The state and local tax treatment of the Company and its shareholders
may not conform to the federal income tax consequences discussed above.
Prospective shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the
effect of state and local tax laws on an investment in the Company.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Company may sell the Offered Securities to one or more underwriters for
public offering and sale by them or may sell the Offered Securities to investors
directly or through agents. Any such underwriter or agent involved in the offer
and sale of the Offered Securities will be named in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
 
     Underwriters may offer and sell the Offered Securities at a fixed price or
prices, which may be changed, at prices related to the prevailing market prices
at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. The Company also may, from time to
time, authorize underwriters acting as the Company's agents to offer and sell
the Offered Securities upon the terms and conditions set forth in an applicable
Prospectus Supplement. In connection with the sale of Offered Securities,
underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from the Company in the
form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions
from purchasers of Offered Securities for whom they may act as agent.
Underwriters may sell Offered Securities to or through dealers, and such dealers
may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions from the
underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.
 
     Any compensation paid by the Company to underwriters or agents in
connection with the offering of Offered Securities and any discounts,
concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers will
be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Underwriters, dealers and
agents participating in the distribution of the Offered Securities may be deemed
to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any
profit realized by them on resale of the Offered Securities may be deemed to be
underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Underwriters,
dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with the
Company, to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
     If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company will
authorize dealers acting as the Company's agents to solicit offers by certain
institutions to purchase Offered Securities from the Company at the public
offering price set forth in such Prospectus Supplement pursuant to Delayed
Delivery Contracts ("Contracts") providing for payment and delivery on the date
or dates stated in such Prospectus Supplement. Each Contract will be for an
amount not less than, and the aggregate principal amount of Securities sold
pursuant to Contracts shall be not less or more than, the respective amounts
stated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Institutions with whom
Contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks,
insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and
charitable institutions, and other institutions, but will in all cases be
subject to the approval of the Company. Contracts will not be subject to any
conditions except (i) the purchase by an institution of the Offered Securities
covered by its Contracts shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under
the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which such institution is
subject and (ii) if the Offered Securities are being sold to underwriters, the
Company shall have sold to such underwriters the total principal amount of the
Offered Securities less the principal amount thereof covered by Contracts.
 
     Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates may be customers of,
engage in transactions with and perform services for the Company and its
subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   74
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to
the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1995, the audited historical financial statements included on pages F-37 to
F-43 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 33-80950) dated
June 30, 1994 and as amended thereafter, the historical financial statements
included on pages F-1 through F-4 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
dated February 1, 1996 have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of
Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said
firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the Offered Securities as well as certain legal matters
described under "Federal Income Tax Considerations" will be passed upon for the
Company by Baker & Hostetler LLP, Cleveland, Ohio and for any underwriters,
dealers or agents by Brown & Wood LLP, New York, New York. Albert T. Adams, a
director of the Company, is a partner in Baker & Hostetler LLP.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   75
 
                               ASSOCIATED ESTATES
                               REALTY CORPORATION
                                    [LOGO]

                                  $117,500,000
                               MEDIUM-TERM NOTES
                            DUE NINE MONTHS OR MORE
                               FROM DATE OF ISSUE
 
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 
                           DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
 
                               ALEX. BROWN & SONS
                           I N C O R P O R A T E D
 
                             FIRST CHICAGO CAPITAL
                                 MARKETS, INC.
 
                                LEHMAN BROTHERS
 
                               J.P. MORGAN & CO.
 
                              MORGAN STANLEY & CO.
                                 INCORPORATED

                                MARCH    , 1997
<PAGE>   76
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
   
     The following table sets forth the fees and expenses in connection with the
issuance and distribution of the securities being registered hereunder. Except
for the SEC registration fee, all amounts are estimates.
    
 
<TABLE>
    <S>                                                                         <C>
    SEC registration fee......................................................  $ 45,455
    NYSE listing fee..........................................................    20,000
    Accounting fees and expenses..............................................   150,000
    Legal fees and expenses (other than Blue Sky).............................   160,000
    Printing and engraving expenses...........................................   185,000
    Fees of Trustees (including counsel fees).................................    25,000
    Fees of Rating Agencies...................................................   120,000
    Miscellaneous Expenses....................................................    44,545
                                                                                --------
         Total................................................................  $750,000
                                                                                ========
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     The Ohio Revised Code (the "Ohio Code") authorizes Ohio corporations to
indemnify officers and directors from liability if the officer or director acted
in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed by the officer or director to
be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect
to any criminal actions, if the officer or director had no reason to believe his
action was unlawful. In the case of an action by or on behalf of a corporation,
indemnification may not be made (i) if the person seeking indemnification is
adjudged liable for negligence or misconduct, unless the court in which such
action was brought determines such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnification, or (ii) if liability asserted against such person concerns
certain unlawful distributions. The indemnification provisions of the Ohio Code
require indemnification if a director or officer has been successful on the
merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding that he was a
party to by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the
corporation. The indemnification authorized under Ohio law is not exclusive and
is in addition to any other rights granted to officers and directors under the
articles of incorporation or code of regulations of the corporation or any
agreement between officers and directors and the corporation. A corporation may
purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection on behalf of any
officer or director against any liability asserted against him and incurred by
him in his capacity, or arising out of the status, as an officer or director,
whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against
such liability under the Ohio Code.
 
     The Registrant's Code of Regulations provides for the indemnification of
directors and officers of the Registrant to the maximum extent permitted by Ohio
law as authorized by the Board of Directors of the Registrant and for the
advancement of expenses incurred in connection with the defense of any action,
suit or proceeding that he was a party to by reason of the fact that he is or
was a director or officer of the Registrant upon the receipt of an undertaking
to repay such amount unless it is ultimately determined that the director or
officer is entitled to indemnification.
 
     The Registrant maintains a directors' and officers' insurance policy which
insures the directors and officers of the Registrant from claim arising out of
an alleged wrongful act by such persons in their respective capacities as
directors and officers of the Registrant, subject to certain exceptions.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   77
 
     The Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with its
directors and officers which provide for indemnification to the fullest extent
permitted under Ohio law.
 
     Reference is made to Section 6 of the Separate Underwriting Agreements,
copies of which are filed herewith as Exhibits 1(a) and 1(b), for information
concerning indemnification arrangements among the Registrant and the
Underwriters.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
 
   
<TABLE>
    <S>    <C>
    1(a)   -- Form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities (2)
    1(b)   -- Form of Underwriting Agreement for Equity Securities (2)
    1(c)   -- Form of Distribution Agreement
    4(a)   -- Form of Senior Indenture (2)
    4(b)   -- Form of Subordinated Indenture (2)
    4(c)   -- Form of Senior Security (1)
    4(d)   -- Form of Subordinated Security (1)
    4(e)   -- Specimen Certificate for Common Shares (1)
    4(f)   -- Form of Common Share Warrant Agreement (5)
    4(g)   -- Form of Preferred Share Certificate (3)
    4(h)   -- Form of Deposit Agreement and Depository Receipt (3)
    4(i)   -- Form of Medium-Term Note -- Fixed Rate Senior Security
    4(j)   -- Form of Medium-Term Note -- Floating Rate Senior Security
    4(k)   -- Form of Medium-Term Note -- Fixed Rate Subordinated Security
    4(l)   -- Form of Medium-Term Note -- Floating Rate Subordinated Security
    5      -- Opinion of Baker & Hostetler LLP (4)
    8      -- Opinion of Baker & Hostetler LLP regarding tax matters
    12(a)  -- Calculation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges (4)
    23(a)  -- Consent of Price Waterhouse (4)
    23(b)  -- Consent of Baker & Hostetler LLP (included in Exhibit 5)(4)
    25(a)  -- Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 for National City Bank (4)
    25(b)  -- Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 for The Chase Manhattan Bank
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
(1)  Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
     S-3 (No. 33-89622) filed with the Commission on February 21, 1995.
 
(2)  Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
     S-3 (No. 33-80169) filed with the Commission on December 7, 1995.
 
(3)  Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K filed with the
     Commission on July 11, 1995.
 
   
(4)  Previously filed.
    
 
   
(5)  To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference prior to the offering
     of the related securities.
    
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
          (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
     made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
 
           (i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
 
             (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
        the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
        post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
        aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
        in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
        increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
        dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
        registered) and any
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   78
 
        deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering
        range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the
        Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in
        volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum
        aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration
        Fee" table in the effective registration statement.
 
             (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
        of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement
        or any material change to such information in this registration
        statement;
 
     provided, however, that subparagraphs (i) and (ii) do not apply if the
     information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
     paragraphs is contained in the periodic reports filed by the Registrant
     pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
     1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement.
 
          (2) That for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
     to be a new registration statement relating to the Securities offered
     herein, and the offering of such Securities at that time shall be deemed to
     be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the Securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.
 
     The undersigned Registrant hereby further undertakes that, for the purposes
of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of
the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in this
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the Securities offered herein, and the offering such Securities at
that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 of this
registration statement, or otherwise (other than insurance), the Registrant has
been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in such Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the Securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in such Act and will be governed by the final adjudication
of such issue.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   79
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused Amendment No. 1 to this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Cleveland, State of Ohio, on the 6th day of
March, 1997.
    
 
                                            ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY
                                            CORPORATION
 
                                            By: /s/ JEFFREY I. FRIEDMAN
 
                                              ----------------------------------
                                                   Jeffrey I. Friedman, Chairman
                                                of the Board,
                                                   President and Chief Executive
                                                Officer
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Amendment No. 1
to this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               SIGNATURE                                TITLE                       DATE
- ----------------------------------------  ---------------------------------  ------------------
<C>                                       <S>                                <C>
 
/s/ JEFFREY I. FRIEDMAN                   Chairman of the Board,               March 6, 1997
- ----------------------------------------  President, Chief Executive
     Jeffrey I. Friedman                  Officer and Director
                                          (Principal Executive Officer)
 
/s/ DENNIS W. BIKUN                       Chief Financial Officer              March 6, 1997
- ----------------------------------------  (Principal Financial Officer
     Dennis W. Bikun                      and Principal Accounting Officer)
 
                       *                  Director                             March 6, 1997
- ----------------------------------------
     Mark L. Milstein
 
                       *                  Director                             March 6, 1997
- ----------------------------------------
     Jerome Spevack
 
                       *                  Director                             March 6, 1997
- ----------------------------------------
     Albert T. Adams
 
                       *                  Director                             March 6, 1997
- ----------------------------------------
     Gerald C. McDonough
 
                       *                  Director                             March 6, 1997
- ----------------------------------------
     Frank E. Mosier
 
                       *                  Director                             March 6, 1997
- ----------------------------------------
     Richard T. Schwarz
</TABLE>
    
 
   
*By: /s/ DENNIS W. BIKUN
    
 
     ------------------------------
   
            Dennis W. Bikun,
     Attorney-in-fact
    
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   80
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT                                  EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                 DESCRIPTION
- ------   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>      <S>                                                                       <C>
 
   1(a)  Form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities (2)
   1(b)  Form of Underwriting Agreement for Equity Securities (2)
   1(c)  Form of Distribution Agreement
   4(a)  Form of Senior Indenture (2)
   4(b)  Form of Subordinated Indenture (2)
   4(c)  Form of Senior Security (1)
   4(d)  Form of Subordinated Security (1)
   4(e)  Specimen Certificate for Common Shares (1)
   4(f)  Form of Common Share Warrant Agreement (5)
   4(g)  Form of Preferred Share Certificate (3)
   4(h)  Form of Deposit Agreement and Depository Receipt (3)
   4(i)  Form of Medium-Term Note -- Fixed Rate Senior Security
   4(j)  Form of Medium-Term Note -- Floating Rate Senior Security
   4(k)  Form of Medium-Term Note -- Fixed Rate Subordinated Security
   4(l)  Form of Medium-Term Note -- Floating Rate Subordinated Security
   5     Opinion of Baker & Hostetler LLP (5)
   8     Opinion of Baker & Hostetler LLP regarding tax matters
  12(a)  Calculation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges (4)
  23(a)  Consent of Price Waterhouse (4)
  23(b)  Consent of Baker & Hostetler LLP (included in Exhibit 5) (4)
  25(a)  Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 for National City Bank
         (4)
  25(b)  Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 for The Chase Manhattan
         Bank
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
(1)  Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
     S-3 (No. 33-89622) filed with the Commission on February 21, 1995.
 
(2)  Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
     S-3 (No. 33-80169) filed with the Commission on December 7, 1995.
 
(3)  Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K filed with the
     Commission on July 11, 1995.
 
   
(4)  Previously filed.
    
 
   
(5)  To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference prior to the offering
    
     of the related securities.

<PAGE>   1

                                                            EXHIBIT 1(c)
                                                              


                      ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION
                              (an Ohio corporation)


                                MEDIUM-TERM NOTES
                     DUE 9 MONTHS OR MORE FROM DATE OF ISSUE



                             DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT


                                                            March ___, 1997


DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York  10048

ALEX. BROWN & SONS INCORPORATED
135 Baltimore Street
Baltimore, Maryland  21202

FIRST CHICAGO CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
One First National Plaza
Chicago, Illinois  60670

LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
3 World Financial Center
New York, New York  10285

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.
60 Wall Street
New York, New York  10260

MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
1585 Broadway
New York, New York  10036


Dear Sirs:

     1. INTRODUCTORY. Associated Estates Realty Corporation, an Ohio corporation
(the "Company"), confirms its agreement with Dean


<PAGE>   2



Witter Reynolds Inc., Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated, First Chicago Capital
Markets, Inc., Lehman Brothers Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated (each, an "Agent," and collectively, the "Agents")
with respect to the issue and sale by the Company of its debt securities
denominated "Medium-Term Notes Due 9 Months or More from Date of Issue" (the
"Notes"). The Notes will be either Senior Notes (the "Senior Notes") or
Subordinated Notes (the "Subordinated Notes"). The Senior Notes will be issued
under an indenture dated as of March 31, 1995, as amended, supplemented or
modified from time to time (the "Senior Indenture"), between the Company and
National City Bank, as trustee (the "Senior Trustee"), and the Subordinated
Notes will be issued under an indenture dated as of March 31, 1995, as amended,
supplemented or modified from time to time (the "Subordinated Indenture"),
between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank (formerly known as Chemical
Bank), as trustee (the "Subordinated Trustee"). The term "Trustee" as used
herein shall refer to either the Senior Trustee or the Subordinated Trustee, as
appropriate, for Senior Notes or Subordinated Notes. The Senior Indenture and
the Subordinated Indenture, each as amended, supplemented or modified from time
to time, are each sometimes referred to as the "Indenture." Each series of
Senior Notes or Subordinated Notes may vary, as applicable, as to aggregate
principal amount, maturity date, interest rate or formula and timing of payments
thereof, redemption and/or repayment provisions, and any other variable terms
which the Senior Indenture or the Subordinated Indenture, as the case may be,
contemplates may be set forth in the Senior Notes and the Subordinated Notes as
issued from time to time. The Senior Notes or the Subordinated Notes may be
offered either together or separately. As used herein, "Notes" shall mean the
Senior Notes or the Subordinated Notes or any combination thereof.

     As of the date hereof, the Company has authorized the issuance and sale of
up to U.S. $117,500,000 aggregate initial offering price (or its equivalent,
based upon the applicable exchange rate at the time of issuance, in such foreign
or composite currencies as the Company shall designate at the time of issuance)
of Notes to or through the Agents pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. It is
understood, however, that the Company may from time to time authorize the
issuance of additional Notes and that such additional Notes may be sold to or
through the Agents pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, all as though the
issuance of such Notes were authorized as of the date hereof. This Agreement
provides both for the sale of Notes by the Company to one or more Agents as
principal for resale to investors and other purchasers and for the sale of Notes
by the Company directly to investors (as may from time to time be agreed to by
the Company and the applicable Agent), in which case such Agent will act as an
agent of the Company in soliciting purchases of the Notes.

     As used herein, "you" and "your," unless the context otherwise requires,
shall mean the parties to whom this Agreement is


                                        2

<PAGE>   3



addressed together with the other parties, if any, identified in the Prospectus
(as hereinafter defined) as additional Agents with respect to the Notes.

     2. APPOINTMENT AS AGENT. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions stated
herein and subject to the reservation by the Company of the right to sell Notes
directly on its own behalf, the Company hereby agrees that Notes will be sold
exclusively to or through the Agents. The Company agrees that it will not
appoint any other agents to act on its behalf, or to assist it, in the placement
of the Notes.

     (b) The Company shall not sell or approve the solicitation of purchases of
Notes in excess of the amount which shall be authorized by the Company from time
to time or in excess of the aggregate initial offering price of Notes registered
pursuant to the Registration Statement. The Agents shall have no responsibility
for maintaining records with respect to the aggregate initial offering price of
Notes sold, or of otherwise monitoring the availability of Notes for sale, under
the Registration Statement.

     (c) The Agents shall not have any obligation to purchase Notes from the
Company as principal, but one or more Agents may agree from time to time to
purchase Notes as principal for resale to investors and other purchasers
determined by such Agent or Agents. Any such purchase of Notes by an Agent as
principal shall be made in accordance with Section 4(a) hereof.

     (d) If agreed upon by an Agent and the Company, such Agent, acting solely
as agent for the Company and not as principal, will solicit purchases of the
Notes. Such Agent will communicate to the Company, orally, each offer to
purchase Notes solicited by it on an agency basis, other than those offers
rejected by such Agent. Such Agent shall have the right, in its discretion
reasonably exercised, to reject any proposed purchase of Notes, as a whole or in
part, and any such rejection shall not be deemed a breach of its agreement
contained herein. The Company may accept or reject any proposed purchase of
Notes, in whole or in part. Such Agent shall make reasonable efforts to assist
the Company in obtaining performance by each purchaser whose offer to purchase
Notes has been solicited by it and accepted by the Company. Such Agent shall not
have any liability to the Company in the event that any such purchase is not
consummated for any reason. If the Company shall default on its obligation to
deliver Notes to a purchaser whose offer it has accepted, the Company shall (i)
hold such Agent harmless against any loss, claim or damage arising from or as a
result of such default by the Company, and (ii) notwithstanding such default,
pay to such Agent any commission to which it would otherwise be entitled.


                                        3

<PAGE>   4



     (e) The Company and the Agents agree that any Notes purchased by one or
more Agents as principal shall be purchased, and any Notes the placement of
which an Agent arranges as agent shall be placed by such Agent, in reliance on
the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Company
contained herein and on the terms and conditions and in the manner provided
herein.

     3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. (a) The Company represents and warrants
to you, as of the date hereof, as of the date of each acceptance by the Company
of an offer for the purchase of Notes (whether to one or more Agents as
principal or through an Agent as agent), as of the date of each delivery of
Notes (whether to one or more Agents as principal or through an Agent as agent)
(the date of each such delivery to one or more Agents as principal being
hereinafter referred to as a "Settlement Date"), and as of any time the
Registration Statement (as defined below) or the Prospectus (as defined below)
shall be amended or supplemented or there is filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") any document incorporated by reference
into the Prospectus (as defined below) (each of the times referenced above being
referred to herein as a "Representation Date"), that:

          (i) A Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-_____) for the
     registration of the Notes, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
     (the "1933 Act"), and the offering thereof from time to time in accordance
     with Rule 415 of the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
     Commission (the "Commission") under the 1933 Act (the "1933 Act
     Regulations"), have heretofore been delivered to you, have been prepared by
     the Company in conformity with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the
     1933 Act Regulations and have been filed with the Commission under the 1933
     Act. One or more amendments to such registration, as may have been required
     and copies of which have heretofore been delivered to you, have been so
     prepared and filed prior to the execution of this Agreement. Such
     registration statement (as amended, if applicable) and the registration
     statements of the Company on Form S-3 (No. 33-89622 and 33-80169), to the
     extent the applicable Terms Agreement relates to Underwritten Securities
     registered thereunder, have been declared effective by the Commission and
     each of the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture has been
     qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "1939
     Act"). The registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-_____) and the
     registration statements of the Company on Form S-3 (No. 33-89622 and
     33-80169), to the extent the applicable Terms Agreement relates to
     Underwritten Securities registered thereunder (and any further registration
     statements which may be filed by the Company for the purpose of registering
     additional Notes and in connection with which this Agreement is included or
     incorporated by reference as an exhibit), on the one hand, and the
     prospectus constituting a


                                        4

<PAGE>   5



     part thereof and any prospectus supplement and pricing supplement
     relating to the offering of Notes, on the other hand, including all
     documents incorporated therein by reference, as from time to time amended
     or supplemented pursuant to the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of
     1934, as amended (the "1934 Act") or otherwise, are referred to herein as
     the "Registration Statement" and the "Prospectus," respectively, except
     that if any revised prospectus shall be provided to the Agents by the
     Company for use in connection with the offering of Notes, whether or not
     such revised prospectus is required to be filed by the Company pursuant to
     Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations, the term "Prospectus" shall refer
     to such prospectus from and after the time it is first provided to the
     Agents for such use. If the Company elects to rely on Rule 434 under the
     1933 Act Regulations, all references to the Prospectus shall be deemed to
     include, without limitation, the form of prospectus and the term sheet,
     taken together, provided to the Agents by the Company in reliance on Rule
     434 under the 1933 Act (the "Rule 434 Prospectus"). If the Company files a
     registration statement to register a portion of the Securities and relies
     on Rule 462(b) for such registration statement to become effective upon
     filing with the Commission (the "Rule 462 Registration Statement"), then
     any reference to "Registration Statement" herein shall be deemed to be to
     the registration statements referred to above (Nos. 333-_____, 33-89622 and
     33-80169) and the Rule 462 Registration Statement, as each such
     registration statement may be amended pursuant to the 1933 Act. All
     references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and
     other information which is "contained," "included" or "stated" in the
     Registration Statement or the Prospectus (and all other references of like
     import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements
     and schedules and other information which is or is deemed to be
     incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus,
     as the case may be; and all references in this Agreement to amendments or
     supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be deemed
     to mean and include, without limitation, the filing of any document under
     the 1934 Act which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in the
     Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be.

          (ii) At the time the Registration Statement became effective, and at
     each time thereafter at which an Annual Report on Form 10-K was filed by
     the Company with the Commission, the Registration Statement and the
     Prospectus conformed, and as of each applicable Representation Date will
     conform, in all material respects to the requirements of the 1933 Act, the
     1933 Act Regulations and the 1939 Act. At the time the Registration
     Statement became effective and at each time thereafter at which an Annual
     Report on Form 10-K was


                                        5

<PAGE>   6



     filed by the Company with the Commission, the Registration Statement did
     not, and as of the applicable Representation Date, will not, contain an
     untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
     required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
     not misleading. The Prospectus, as of the date hereof does not, and as of
     each applicable Representation Date will not, include an untrue statement
     of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to
     make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
     they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the foregoing
     representations and warranties shall not apply to information contained in
     or omitted from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in reliance
     upon, and in conformity with, written information furnished to the Company
     by or on behalf of any Agent, specifically for use in the preparation
     thereof or to that part of the Registration Statement which shall
     constitute the Statement of Eligibility under the 1939 Act (Form T-1) (the
     "Statement of Eligibility") of the Senior Trustee and the Subordinated
     Trustee under the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture,
     respectively.

          (iii) The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
     reference in the Prospectus pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933
     Act, at the time they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission,
     complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of
     the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1934
     Act (the "1934 Act Regulations"), and, when read together with the other
     information in the Prospectus, at the time the Registration Statement
     became effective and as of the applicable Representation Date or during the
     period specified in Section 5(e), did not and will not include an untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
     be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light
     of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. As used in
     this Agreement the term "subsidiary" includes the Associated Estates
     Management Company, Merit Management Corporation, Merit Painting Services
     Inc., Estates Mortgage Company and Children's Computer Company (the
     "Service Companies") and any corporation, limited or general partnership,
     joint venture or other entity through which the Company owns an interest,
     either directly or indirectly, in a Property (as defined in the
     Prospectus).

          (iv) Since the respective dates as of which information is given in
     the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated
     therein, (A) there has been no material adverse change in the condition,
     financial or otherwise, of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as
     one enterprise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business


                                        6

<PAGE>   7



     prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise,
     whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, (B) there have
     been no transactions entered into by the Company or its subsidiaries which
     are material with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries considered as
     one enterprise other than those in the ordinary course of business, and (C)
     except for regular quarterly dividends on the Company's common shares,
     there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or
     made by the Company on any class of its capital stock.

          (v) The consolidated financial statements and supporting schedules of
     the Company included in, or incorporated by reference into, the
     Registration Statement and the Prospectus present fairly the financial
     position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates
     indicated and the results of their operations for the periods specified and
     the consolidated financial statements of Associated Estates Group ("AEG")
     included in, or incorporated by reference into, the Registration Statement
     and the Prospectus present fairly the financial position of AEG as of the
     dates indicated and the results of its operations for the periods
     specified; except as otherwise stated in the Registration Statement and the
     Prospectus, said financial statements have been prepared in conformity with
     generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis; and
     the supporting schedules included or incorporated by reference in the
     Registration Statement and the Prospectus present fairly in all material
     respects the information required to be stated therein. The historical
     statements of revenues and certain operating expenses included or
     incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
     present fairly the revenues and those operating expenses included in such
     statements for the periods specified in conformity with generally accepted
     accounting principles; the pro forma condensed consolidated financial
     statements included or incorporated by reference in the Registration
     Statement and the Prospectus, if any, present fairly the pro forma
     financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as at
     the dates indicated and the pro forma results of their operations for the
     periods specified; and the pro forma condensed consolidated financial
     statements have been derived from information prepared in conformity with
     generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis, the
     assumptions on which such pro forma financial statements have been prepared
     are reasonable and are set forth in the notes thereto, such pro forma
     financial statements have been prepared, and the pro forma adjustments set
     forth therein have been applied, in accordance with the applicable
     accounting requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations, and
     such pro forma adjustments have been properly applied to the historical
     amounts in the compilation of such statements.


                                        7

<PAGE>   8




          (vi) Price Waterhouse LLP, who have expressed their opinion on the
     audited financial statements and related schedules included in, or
     incorporated by reference into, the Registration Statement, are independent
     public accountants within the meaning of the 1933 Act and the applicable
     1933 Act Regulations.

          (vii) The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing and
     in good standing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Ohio, with
     power and authority (corporate and other) to own, lease and operate its
     properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration
     Statement and the Prospectus; the Company is in possession of and operating
     in compliance with all material franchises, grants, authorizations,
     licenses, permits, easements, consents, certificates and orders required
     for the conduct of its business, all of which are valid and in full force
     and effect; and the Company is duly qualified to do business and in good
     standing as a foreign corporation in all other jurisdictions where its
     ownership or leasing of properties or the conduct of its business requires
     such qualification, except where failure to qualify and be in good standing
     would not have a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or
     otherwise, or on the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of
     the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise.

          (viii) Each subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated and
     is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the
     jurisdiction of its incorporation, has corporate power and authority to
     own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business and is
     duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good
     standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required,
     whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of
     business, except where the failure to so qualify would not have a material
     adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or the earnings,
     business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries
     considered as one enterprise.

          (ix) The Indenture has been duly and validly authorized, executed and
     delivered by the Company and constitutes the valid and legally binding
     agreement of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except
     as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other
     similar laws relating to or affecting enforcement of creditors' rights
     generally or by general equity principles (regardless of whether
     enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

          (x) The Notes have been duly authorized by the Company for issuance
     and sale pursuant to this Agreement and, when


                                        8

<PAGE>   9



     issued, authenticated and delivered pursuant to the provisions of the
     Indenture against payment of the consideration therefor specified in the
     Prospectus or agreed upon pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the
     Notes will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company,
     enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof
     may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws relating to
     or affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally or by general
     equity principles (regardless or whether enforcement is considered in a
     proceeding in equity or at law); the Notes and the Indenture conform in all
     material respects to all statements relating thereto contained in the
     Prospectus; and the Notes will be entitled to the benefits provided by the
     Indenture.

          (xi) There is no action, suit or proceeding before or by any court or
     governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the
     knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or
     its subsidiaries, which is required to be disclosed in the Prospectus
     (other than as disclosed therein), or which might result in any material
     adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, business affairs
     or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one
     enterprise, or might materially and adversely affect the properties or
     assets thereof or which might materially and adversely affect the
     consummation of this Agreement, or the Indenture, or the transactions
     contemplated herein and therein; all pending legal or governmental
     proceedings to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or
     of which any of their respective property is the subject which are not
     described in the Prospectus, including routine litigation incidental to the
     business, are, considered in the aggregate, not material; and there are no
     material contracts or documents of the Company or its subsidiaries which
     are required to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement by the
     1933 Act or by the Rules and Regulations which have not been so filed.

          (xii) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation
     of its Articles of Incorporation, as amended (the "Articles of
     Incorporation"), or its Code of Regulations or bylaws, as the case may be
     (the "Code of Regulations"), or in default in the performance or observance
     of any material obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in
     any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other
     instrument to which it is a party or by which it or its properties may be
     bound, where such defaults in the aggregate would have a material adverse
     effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings,
     business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries
     considered as one enterprise; and the execution and delivery of this
     Agreement and the Indenture, and the consummation of


                                        9

<PAGE>   10



     the transactions contemplated herein and therein have been duly authorized
     by all necessary corporate action and compliance by the Company with its
     obligations hereunder and thereunder will not conflict with or constitute a
     breach of, or default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any
     lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or
     its subsidiaries pursuant to, any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan
     agreement, note, lease or other instrument to which the Company or any of
     its subsidiaries is a party or by which it may be bound or to which any of
     the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
     subject, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of
     the Articles of Incorporation or Code of Regulations or, to the best of its
     knowledge, any law, administrative regulation or administrative or court
     order or decree; and no consent, approval, authorization or order of any
     court or governmental authority or agency is required for the consummation
     by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
     Indenture, except such as has been obtained or as may be required under the
     1933 Act, the 1934 Act, state securities or Blue Sky laws or real estate
     syndication laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the
     Notes by the Agents.

          (xiii) The Company has full right, power and authority to enter into
     this Agreement, and this Agreement has been, and as of the applicable
     Representation Date will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered
     by the Company.

          (xiv) With respect to its taxable years ended December 31, 1994, and
     1995 the Company has qualified as a Real Estate Investment Trust ("REIT")
     and with respect to its taxable years ending December 31, 1996 and
     thereafter, the Company has operated and will continue to operate so as to
     qualify as a Real Estate Investment Trust ("REIT"), and the Company intends
     to make a timely election to be taxed as a REIT with respect to its taxable
     year ending December 31, 1996.

          (xv) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is required to be
     registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940
     Act").

          (xvi) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is required to
     own or possess any trademarks, service marks, trade names or copyrights in
     order to conduct the business now operated by them.

          (xvii) If applicable, the Notes have been approved for listing on the
     New York Stock Exchange.

          (xviii) (A) The Company or its subsidiaries have good and marketable
     title or leasehold interest, as the case may be, to


                                       10

<PAGE>   11



     the Properties (except with respect to the Properties in which the Company
     has a joint venture or partnership interest in which case, for purposes of
     this representation (xviii)(A), such joint venture or partnership shall be
     substituted for the Company), in each case free and clear of all liens,
     encumbrances, claims, security interests and defects (collectively, the
     "Defects"), other than those referred to in the Prospectus or in the title
     insurance obtained by the Company with respect thereto, provided, however,
     that none of such Defects render any of such titles unmarketable, or are
     material in amount; (B) the joint venture or partnership interests in the
     Properties referred to in the Registration Statement, are owned by the
     Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, claims and security
     interests other than those referred to or incorporated by reference in the
     Prospectus or in the title insurance owned or obtained by such joint
     venture or partnership with respect to the Property owned by such joint
     venture or partnership; (C) all liens, charges, encumbrances, claims, or
     restrictions on or affecting the properties and assets of the Company and
     its subsidiaries which are required to be disclosed in the Prospectus are
     disclosed therein; (D) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is
     in default under any of the leases governing the Properties and the Company
     does not know of any event which, but for the passage of time or the giving
     of notice, or both, would constitute a default under any of such leases,
     except such defaults that would not have a material adverse effect on the
     condition, financial or otherwise, or on the earnings, business affairs or
     business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one
     enterprise; (E) each of the Properties complies with all applicable codes
     and zoning laws and regulations, except for such failures to comply which
     would not individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect
     on the condition, financial or otherwise, or on the earnings, business
     affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries
     considered as one enterprise; and (F) the Company does not have knowledge
     of any pending or threatened condemnation, zoning change, or other
     proceeding or action that will in any manner affect the size of, use of,
     improvements on, construction on, or access to the Properties, except such
     proceedings or actions that would not have a material adverse effect on the
     condition, financial or otherwise, or on the earnings, business affairs or
     business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one
     enterprise.

          (xix) The Company has title insurance on each of the Properties
     (except with respect to the Properties in which the Company has a joint
     venture or partnership interests) in an amount at least equal to the cost
     of acquisition of such Property; each of the joint ventures or partnerships
     owning the Properties in which the Company has a joint venture or


                                       11

<PAGE>   12



     partnership interest has title insurance on its respective property in an
     amount at least equal to the cost of acquisition of the interest by such
     joint venture or partnership.

          (xx) The mortgages and deeds of trust encumbering the Properties are
     not convertible and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries hold a
     participating interest therein and said mortgages and deeds of trust are
     not cross-defaulted or cross-collateralized to any property not owned by
     the Company or its subsidiaries.

          (xxi) The Company has no knowledge of (a) the unlawful presence of any
     hazardous substances, hazardous materials, toxic substances or waste
     materials (collectively, "Hazardous Materials") on any of the Properties or
     of (b) any unlawful spills, release, discharges or disposal of Hazardous
     Materials that have occurred or are presently occurring from the Properties
     as a result of any construction on or operation and use of the Properties,
     which presence or occurrence would materially adversely affect the
     condition, financial or otherwise, or the earnings, business affairs or
     business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one
     enterprise. In connection with the construction on or operation and use of
     the Properties, the Company represents that, as of the date of this
     Agreement, the Company has no knowledge of any material failure to comply
     with all applicable local, state and federal environmental laws,
     regulations, ordinances and administrative and judicial orders relating to
     the generation, recycling, reuse, sale, storage, handling, transport and
     disposal of any Hazardous Materials that would have a material adverse
     effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or on the earnings,
     business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries
     considered as one enterprise.

          (xxii) Each of the documents pursuant to which the Company or its
     subsidiaries have accepted the assignment of, and assumed the obligations
     under, each of the agreements between the Department of Housing and Urban
     Development ("HUD") and the owner of a government-assisted property which
     provides for rent subsidies to be paid by HUD to such owner (the "HAP
     Contracts"), and the agreements between HUD and the owner of a property,
     the mortgage indebtedness of which is insured by HUD, pursuant to which
     certain aspects of the operations of such property are regulated (the
     "Regulatory Agreements"), has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
     by the parties thereto and constituted, at the time of execution and
     delivery, and constitutes the valid agreement of the parties thereto,
     enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as limited by any
     applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar
     laws affecting the

                                       12

<PAGE>   13



     enforcement of creditors' rights generally and general equitable
     principles. The execution, delivery and performance of the HAP Contracts
     and the Regulatory Agreements did not, at the time of such execution and
     delivery, and do not, constitute a breach of, or default under, the
     articles of incorporation, certificate of limited partnership, partnership
     agreement or code of regulations, as the case may be, of the Company or its
     subsidiaries, or to the best of the Company's knowledge, the charter or
     bylaws of any other party thereto or any material contract, lease or other
     instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or to the best
     of the Company's knowledge, any party thereto is a party or by which any of
     them or any of their properties may be bound or any law, administrative
     regulation or administrative or court decree.

          (xxiii) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in
     violation, or in default in the performance or observance of any material
     provision of any HAP Contract or Regulatory Agreement.

          (xxiv) The Senior Notes are rated not less than Baa3 by Moody's
     Investors Service, Inc. and BBB- by Standard & Poor's Corporation. The
     Subordinated Notes are rated not less than Ba1 by Moody's Investors
     Service, Inc. and BB+ by Standard & Poor's Corporation.

     (b) Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to
you or to counsel for the Agents shall be deemed a representation and warranty
by the Company, as the case may be, to each Agent participating in such offering
as to the matters covered thereby on the date of such certificate and, unless
subsequently amended or supplemented, at the applicable Representation Date
subsequent thereto.

     4. PURCHASES AS PRINCIPAL; SOLICITATIONS AS AGENT. (a) Unless otherwise
agreed by an Agent and the Company, Notes shall be purchased by such Agent as
principal. Such purchases shall be made in accordance with terms agreed upon by
one or more Agents and the Company (which terms, unless otherwise agreed, shall,
to the extent applicable, include those terms specified in Exhibit A hereto and
be agreed upon orally, with written confirmation prepared by such Agent or
Agents and mailed to the Company). An Agent's commitment to purchase Notes as
principal shall be deemed to have been made on the basis of the representations
and warranties of the Company herein contained and shall be subject to the terms
and conditions herein set forth. Unless the context otherwise requires,
references herein to "this Agreement" shall include the agreement of one or more
Agents to purchase Notes from the Company as principal. Each purchase of Notes,
unless otherwise agreed, shall be at a discount from the principal amount of
each such Note equivalent to the applicable commission set forth in Schedule A


                                       13

<PAGE>   14



hereto. The Agents may engage the services of any other broker or dealer in
connection with the resale of the Notes purchased by them as principal and may
allow any portion of the discount received in connection with such purchases
from the Company to such brokers and dealers. At the time of each purchase of
Notes by one or more Agents as principal, such Agent or Agents shall specify the
requirements for the stand-off agreement, officers' certificate, comfort letter
and opinions of counsel pursuant to Sections 5(k), 11(b), 11(c), and 11(d)
hereof.

     (b) On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained,
but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, when agreed by the
Company and an Agent, such Agent, as an agent of the Company, will use its
reasonable efforts to solicit offers to purchase the Notes upon the terms and
conditions set forth herein and in the Prospectus. The Agents are not authorized
to appoint sub-agents with respect to Notes sold through them as agent. All
Notes sold through an Agent as agent will be sold at 100% of their principal
amount unless otherwise agreed to by the Company and such Agent.

     The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend
solicitation of purchases of the Notes through an Agent, as agent, commencing at
any time for any period of time or permanently. As soon as practicable after
receipt of instructions from the Company, such Agent will suspend solicitation
of purchases from the Company until such time as the Company has advised such
Agent that such solicitation may be resumed.

     The Company agrees to pay each Agent a commission, in the form of a
discount, equal to the applicable percentage of the principal amount of each
Senior Note sold by the Company as a result of a solicitation made by such Agent
as set forth in Schedule A hereto. The schedule of commissions payable in
connection with sales of Senior Notes will also apply to sales of Subordinated
Notes unless otherwise agreed to by the Company and the applicable Agent.

     (c) The purchase price, interest rate or formula, maturity date and other
terms of the Notes (as applicable) specified in Exhibit A hereto shall be agreed
upon by the Company and the applicable Agent or Agents and specified in a
pricing supplement to the Prospectus (each, a "Pricing Supplement") to be
prepared in connection with each sale of Notes. Except as may be otherwise
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Notes will be issued in
denominations of U.S. $1,000 or any larger amount that is an integral multiple
of U.S. $1,000. Administrative procedures with respect to the sale of Notes
shall be agreed upon from time to time by the Company, the Agents and the
Trustees (the "Procedures"). The Agents and the Company agree to perform, and
the Company agrees to cause the Trustees to agree to perform, their respective
duties and obligations specifically provided to be performed by them in the
Procedures.


                                       14

<PAGE>   15




     5. COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY. The Company covenants with the
Agents participating in the offering of Notes that:

     (a) The Company will notify the Agents immediately, and confirm such notice
in writing, of (i) the effectiveness of any amendment to the Registration
Statement, (ii) the transmittal to the Commission for filing of any amendment or
supplement to the Prospectus or any document to be filed pursuant to the 1934
Act (other than any amendment, supplement or document relating solely to
securities other than the Notes), (iii) the receipt of any comments from the
Commission with respect to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, (iv)
any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or
any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or for additional information, (v)
the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose
and (vi) any change in the rating assigned by any nationally recognized
statistical rating organization to any debt securities of the Company or the
public announcement by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization
that it has under surveillance or review, with possible negative implications,
its rating of any debt securities of the Company. The Company will make every
reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order and, if any stop
order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment.

     (b) The Company will give the Agents advance notice of its intention to
file or prepare any additional registration statement with respect to the
registration of additional Notes, any amendment to the Registration Statement or
any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus (other than an amendment or
supplement providing solely for a change in the interest rate or formula
applicable to the Notes or a change relating solely to securities other than the
Notes), whether by the filing of documents pursuant to the 1934 Act or the 1933
Act or otherwise, and will furnish to the Agents copies of any such amendment or
supplement or other documents proposed to be filed or used a reasonable time in
advance of such proposed filing or use, as the case may be, and will not file
any such amendment or supplement or other documents in a form to which the
Agents or counsel for the Agents shall reasonably object.

     (c) The Company will deliver to the Agent as many signed and conformed
copies of the Registration Statement (as originally filed) and of each amendment
thereto (including exhibits filed therewith or incorporated by reference therein
and documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus) as the Agents
reasonably request. The Company will furnish to the Agents as many copies of the
Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as the Agents reasonably request so long
as the Agents are required to deliver a


                                       15

<PAGE>   16



Prospectus in connection with sales or solicitations of offers to purchase the
Notes.

     (d) The Company will prepare, with respect to any Notes to be sold to or
through one or more Agents pursuant to this Agreement, a Pricing Supplement with
respect to such Notes in a form previously approved by the Agents and will file
such Pricing Supplement pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the 1933 Act not later
than the close of business of the Commission on the first business day after the
date on which such Pricing Supplement is first used.

     (e) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (l) of this Section 5, if at
any time during the term of this Agreement any event shall occur or condition
exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel for the
Agents or counsel for the Company, to amend or supplement the Prospectus in
order that the Prospectus will not include an untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at
the time the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, or if it shall be
necessary, in the opinion of either such counsel, to amend or supplement the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to comply with the
requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations, the Company shall give
immediate notice, confirmed in writing, to the Agents to cease the solicitation
of offers to purchase the Notes in an Agent's capacity as agent and to cease
sales of any Notes an Agent may then own as principal, and the Company will
promptly amend the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, whether by filing
documents pursuant to the 1934 Act or the 1933 Act or otherwise, as may be
necessary to correct such untrue statement or omission or to make the
Registration Statement and Prospectus comply with such requirements.

     (f) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (l) of this Section 5, on or
prior to the date on which there shall be released to the general public interim
financial statement information related to the Company with respect to each of
the first three quarters of any fiscal year or preliminary financial statement
information with respect to any fiscal year, the Company shall furnish such
information to the Agents, confirmed in writing, and shall cause the Prospectus
to be amended or supplemented to include or incorporate by reference financial
information with respect thereto and corresponding information for the
comparable period of the preceding fiscal year, as well as such other
information and explanations as shall be necessary for an understanding thereof
or as shall be required by the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations.

     (g) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (l) of this Section 5, on or
prior to the date on which there shall be released to the general public
financial information included in or derived from the audited financial
statements of the Company for the


                                       16

<PAGE>   17



preceding fiscal year, the Company shall furnish such information to the Agents,
confirmed in writing, and shall cause the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus to be amended, whether by the filing of documents pursuant to the
1934 Act or the 1933 Act or otherwise, to include or incorporate by reference
such audited financial statements and the report or reports, and consent or
consents to such inclusion or incorporation by reference, of the independent
accountants with respect thereto, as well as such other information and
explanations as shall be necessary for an understanding of such financial
statements or as shall be required by the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations.

     (h) The Company will make generally available to its security holders as
soon as practicable, but not later than 90 days after the close of the period
covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with the provisions of
Rule 158 of the 1933 Act Regulations) covering each twelve month period
beginning, in each case, not later than the first day of the Company's fiscal
quarter next following the "effective date" (as defined in such Rule 158) of the
Registration Statement with respect to each sale of Notes.

     (i) The Company will endeavor, in cooperation with the Agents, to qualify
the Notes for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws and real
estate syndication laws of such states and other jurisdictions of the United
States as the Agents may designate, and will maintain such qualifications in
effect for as long as may be required for the distribution of the Notes;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general
consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation in any
jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified. The Company will file such
statements and reports as may be required by the laws of each jurisdiction in
which the Notes have been qualified as above provided. The Company will promptly
advise the Agents of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect
to the suspension of the qualification of the Notes for sale in any such state
or jurisdiction or the initiating or threatening of any proceeding for such
purpose.

     (j) The Company, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be
delivered under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act in connection with sales of the
Notes, will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant
to Sections 13, 14 or 15 of the 1934 Act within the time periods prescribed by
the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations.

     (k) If specified by the applicable Agent or Agents in connection with a
purchase of Notes as principal, between the date of the agreement to purchase
such Notes and the Settlement Date with respect to such purchase, the Company
will not, without the prior written consent of such Agent or Agents, offer or
sell, grant any option for the sale of, or enter into any agreement to sell, any
debt securities of the Company (other than the Notes that are


                                       17

<PAGE>   18



to be sold pursuant to such agreement and commercial paper in the
ordinary course of business).

     (l) The Company shall not be required to comply with the provisions of
subsections (e), (f) or (g) of this Section 5 for any period during which (i)
the Agents have not agreed with the Company to solicit purchases of Notes in
accordance with Section 2(d) or have suspended such solicitation and (ii) no
Agent is holding any Notes purchased as principal pursuant hereto, until the
time the Agents have agreed with the Company to solicit such purchases of the
Notes or have resumed solicitation in accordance with Section 2(d) or an Agent
shall subsequently purchase Notes from the Company as principal.

     (m) The Company will use its best efforts to meet the requirements to
qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code") for the taxable year in which sales of the Notes are to occur, unless
otherwise specified in the Prospectus.

     6. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES. The Company will pay, directly or by reimbursement,
all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this
Agreement, including (i) the preparation and filing of the Registration
Statement and all amendments thereto and the Prospectus and any amendments or
supplements thereto; (ii) the preparation, filing and reproduction of this
Agreement; (iii) the preparation, printing, issuance and delivery of the Notes,
including any fees and expenses relating to the use of Notes in book-entry form;
(iv) the fees and disbursements of the Company's accountants and counsel, of the
Trustee and its counsel, and of any calculation agent or exchange rate agent;
(v) the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Agents incurred in
connection with the establishment of the program relating to the Notes and
incurred from time to time in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby; (vi) the qualification of the Notes under state securities laws in
accordance with the provisions of Section 5(i) hereof, including filing fees and
the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Agents in connection
therewith and in connection with the preparation of any Blue Sky or Legal
Investment Survey; (vii) the printing and delivery to the Agents in quantities
as hereinabove stated of copies of the Registration Statement and any amendments
thereto, and of the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, and
the delivery by the Agents of the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements
thereto in connection with solicitations or confirmations of sales of the Notes;
(viii) the preparation, reproduction and delivery to the Agents of copies of the
Indenture and all supplements and amendments thereto; (ix) any fees charged by
rating agencies for the rating of the Notes; (x) the fees and expenses incurred
in connection with any listing of Notes on a securities exchange; (xi) the fees
and expenses incurred with respect to any filing with the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc.; (xii) any


                                       18

<PAGE>   19



advertising and other out-of-pocket expenses of the Agents incurred with the
approval of the Company; and (xiii) the cost of providing any CUSIP or other
identification numbers for the Notes.

     7. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION. (a) The Company agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless each Agent, and each person, if any, who controls any Agent
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, against any losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or expenses (including the reasonable cost of investigating
and defending against any claims therefor and reasonable counsel fees incurred
in connection therewith), joint or several, as incurred, which may be based upon
the 1933 Act, or any other statute or at common law, arising out of any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or the omission or alleged
omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading or arising out of any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or the omission or alleged
omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, unless any such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and
in conformity with, written information furnished to the Company by any Agent,
directly or through you or any other Agent, specifically for use in the
preparation thereof; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable
with respect to any claims made against any Agent or any such controlling person
under this subsection unless such Agent or controlling person shall have
notified the Company in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or
other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall
have been served upon such Agent or controlling person, but failure to notify
the Company of any such claim shall not relieve either of them from any
liability which they may have to such Agent or controlling person otherwise than
on account of the indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph. The Company
will be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense, or, if it so
elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such liability,
and, if the Company elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be
conducted by counsel reasonably acceptable to such Agent and chosen by the
Company. In the event the Company elects to assume the defense of any such suit
and retain such counsel, the Agent or Agents or controlling person or persons,
defendant or defendants in the suit, may retain additional counsel but shall
bear the fees and expenses of such counsel unless (i) the Company shall have
specifically authorized the retaining of such counsel or (ii) the parties to
such suit include such Agent or Agents or controlling person or persons and the
Company and such Agent or Agents or controlling person or persons have been
advised by counsel that one or more legal defenses may be available to it or to
them which may not be available to the Company, in which case


                                       19

<PAGE>   20



the Company shall not be entitled to assume the defense of such suit
notwithstanding their obligation to bear the fees and expenses of such counsel.
The Company shall not be liable to indemnify any person for any settlement of
any such claim effected without the Company's written consent. The Company shall
not, without the prior written consent of the applicable Agent or Agents, settle
or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any
litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or
body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which
indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 7, unless
such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of
each such Agent from all liability arising out of such litigation,
investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to
or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of
such Agent. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which
the Company might otherwise have.

     (b) Each Agent severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company,
each of its directors, each of the Company's officers who signed the
Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within
the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act against any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses (including the reasonable cost of investigating and
defending against any claims therefor and reasonable counsel fees incurred in
connection therewith), joint or several, as incurred, which may be based upon
the 1933 Act, or any other statute or at common law, arising out of any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or the omission or alleged
omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading or arising out of any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or the omission or alleged
omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, but only insofar as any such statement or omission was made in
reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information furnished to the
Company by such Agent, directly or through you or any other Agent, specifically
for use in the preparation thereof; provided, however, that an Agent shall not
be liable with respect to any claims made against the Company or any person
against whom the action is brought unless the Company or such person shall have
notified such Agent in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or
other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall
have been served upon the Company or such person, but failure to notify such
Agent of such claim shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to
the Company or such person otherwise than on account of its indemnity agreement
contained in this paragraph. Such Agent


                                       20

<PAGE>   21



shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense, or, if it so
elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such liability,
but, if such Agent elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted
by counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company and chosen by such Agent. In the
event that any Agent elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain
such counsel, the Company, said officer and directors and other Agent or Agents
or controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit, shall
bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them,
respectively, unless (i) such Agent shall have specifically authorized the
retaining of such counsel or (ii) the parties to such suit include any
indemnified party and such Agent, and any such indemnified party has been
advised by counsel that one or more legal defenses may be available to it which
may not be available to such Agent, in which case such Agent shall not be
entitled to assume the defense of such suit notwithstanding its obligation to
bear the fees and expenses of such counsel. The Agent against whom indemnity may
be sought shall not be liable to indemnify any person for any settlement of any
such claim effected without such Agent's consent. No Agent against whom
indemnity may be sought shall, without the prior written consent of the Company,
settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any
litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or
body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which
indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 7, unless
such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of
the Company from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation,
proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission
of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of the Company. This
indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which such Agent might
otherwise have.

     (c) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is unavailable or
insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b)
above in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) referred to herein, then each indemnifying party
shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a
result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
respect thereof), as incurred, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Agent on
the other from the offering of the Notes. If, however, the allocation provided
by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law, then
each indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party, as incurred, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on
the one hand and the Agents on the other in connection with the statements or
omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages,


                                       21

<PAGE>   22



liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other
relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault shall be determined by
reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
relates to information supplied by the Company or the Agents and the parties'
relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such statement or omission. The Company and the Agents agree that it
would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata
allocation (even if the Agents were treated as one entity for such purpose) or
by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable
considerations referred to above. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified
party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) referred to above shall be deemed to include any
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in
connection with investigating or defending any such claim. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this subsection (c), no Agent shall be required to contribute any
amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Notes
purchased by or through it and distributed to the public were offered to the
public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Agent has otherwise been
required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission
or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within
the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution
from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The
Agents' obligations to contribute are several in proportion to their respective
underwriting obligations and not joint.

     8. SURVIVAL OF INDEMNITIES, REPRESENTATION, WARRANTIES, ETC. The respective
indemnities, covenants, agreements, representations, warranties and other
statements of the Company, and the Agents, as set forth in this Agreement or
certificates of officers of the Company submitted pursuant hereto or thereto,
shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by
or on behalf of any Agent or the Company or any of their officers or directors
or any controlling person, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the
Notes.

     9. CONDITIONS OF AGENTS' OBLIGATIONS. The respective obligations of the
Agents to purchase Notes as agent of the Company, and the obligations of any
purchasers of the Notes sold through an Agent as agent, are subject to the
accuracy of the representations and warranties made herein by the Company, to
the accuracy of the statements of the Company's officers or directors in any
certificate furnished in connection therewith pursuant to the provisions hereof,
to the performance and observance by the Company of all of its covenants and
agreements herein contained and other provisions hereof to be satisfied in
connection therewith, and to the following additional conditions:


                                       22

<PAGE>   23




     (a) On the date hereof, you shall have received from Price Waterhouse LLP a
letter, dated as of the date hereof and in form and substance satisfactory to
you, to the effect that:

               (i) they are independent accountants with respect to the Company,
          its subsidiaries and AEG within the meaning of the 1933 Act and the
          1933 Act Regulations; (ii) it is their opinion that the consolidated
          financial statements and supporting schedules of the Company and AEG
          included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement
          and the Prospectus and covered by their opinions therein comply in
          form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
          requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, and the related
          published rules and regulations; (iii) it is their opinion that the
          financial statements of the properties acquired or proposed to be
          acquired by the Company included in the Company's Form 8-K dated [ ]
          all of which are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus or
          Company's Registration Statement and covered by their opinions therein
          comply as to form with the applicable accounting requirements of the
          1933 Act and the 1934 Act with respect to real estate operations
          acquired or to be acquired; (iv) they have performed limited
          procedures, not constituting an audit, including a reading of the
          latest available unaudited interim consolidated financial statements
          of the Company and its subsidiaries, a reading of the minute books of
          the Company and its subsidiaries, inquiries of certain officials of
          the Company and its subsidiaries who have responsibility for financial
          and accounting matters and such other inquiries and procedures as may
          be specified in such letter, and on the basis of such limited review
          and procedures nothing came to their attention that caused them to
          believe that (A) the unaudited interim consolidated financial
          statements and financial statement schedules of the Company included
          or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the
          Prospectus do not comply as to form in all material respects with the
          applicable accounting requirements of the 1934 Act and the related
          published rules and regulations thereunder or that any material
          modification should be made to the unaudited condensed interim
          financial statements included in or incorporated by reference in the
          Registration Statement and the Prospectus for them to be in conformity
          with generally accepted accounting principles, (B) the unaudited pro
          forma condensed financial statements included in the Company's
          aforementioned Forms 8-K do not comply as to form in all material
          respects with the applicable accounting requirements of Rule 11-02 of
          Regulation S-X under the 1933 Act or that the pro forma adjustments
          have not been properly applied to the historical amounts in


                                       23

<PAGE>   24



          the compilation of such statements, (C) the information included or
          incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the
          applicable Prospectus under the caption "Selected Consolidated
          Financial Data" did not conform in all material respects with the
          disclosure requirements of item 301 of Regulation S-K, or (D) at a
          specified date not more than three days prior to the date of such
          letter, there has been any change in the capital stock of the Company
          or in the consolidated long term debt of the Company or any decrease
          in the net assets of the Company, as compared with the amounts shown
          in the most recent consolidated balance sheet included or incorporated
          by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or,
          during the period from the date of the most recent consolidated
          statement of operations of the Company included or incorporated by
          reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus to a
          specified date not more than three days prior to the date of such
          letter, there were any decreases, as compared with the corresponding
          period in the preceding year, in consolidated revenues, or decrease in
          consolidated net income or consolidated net income per share of the
          Company, except in all instances for changes, increases or decreases
          which the Registration Statement and the Prospectus disclose have
          occurred or may occur; and (v) in addition to the audit referred to in
          their opinions and the limited procedures referred to in clause (iv)
          above, they have carried out certain specified procedures, not
          constituting an audit, with respect to certain amounts, percentages
          and financial information which are included or incorporated by
          reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and which
          are specified by you, and have found such amounts, percentages and
          financial information to be in agreement with the relevant accounting,
          financial and other records of the Company and its subsidiaries
          identified in such letter.

     (b) On the date hereof, you shall have received from Baker & Hostetler LLP,
counsel for the Company, an opinion, dated as of the date hereof, to the effect
that:

               (i) The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing
          as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Ohio.

               (ii) The Company has full corporate power and authority to own,
          lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as
          described in the Prospectus.

               (iii) The Company is duly qualified to transact business and is
          in good standing in each jurisdiction in


                                       24

<PAGE>   25



          which it owns real property except where the failure to qualify and be
          in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the
          condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business
          affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries
          considered as one enterprise.

               (iv) If the Company has one or more significant subsidiaries, as
          defined in Rule 405 of the 1933 Act (each a "Significant Subsidiary"),
          each Significant Subsidiary has been duly incorporated and is validly
          existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the
          jurisdiction of its incorporation, has corporate power and authority
          to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business,
          and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in
          each jurisdiction in which it owns real property, except where the
          failure to so qualify and be in good standing would not have a
          material adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or
          the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company
          and its Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise.

               (v) The Notes have been duly and validly authorized by all
          necessary corporate action and, when executed, authenticated and
          delivered pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and the
          Indenture against payment of the consideration therefor, the Notes
          will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company
          entitled to the benefits provided by the Indenture and enforceable in
          accordance with their terms except as enforcement thereof may be
          limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws relating to or
          affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally or by general
          equity principles (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in
          a proceeding in equity or at law), and except further as enforcement
          thereof may be limited by (1) requirements that a claim with respect
          to any Notes denominated other than in U.S. dollars (or a foreign
          currency or composite currency judgment in respect of such claim) be
          converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date
          determined pursuant to applicable law or (2) governmental authority to
          limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the United
          States.

               (vi) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
          delivered by the Company.


                                       25

<PAGE>   26



               (vii) The Indenture has been duly and validly authorized,
          executed and delivered by the Company and (assuming due authorization,
          execution and delivery by the Trustee) constitutes the valid and
          legally binding agreement of the Company, enforceable in accordance
          with its terms except as enforcement thereof may be limited by
          bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws relating to or affecting
          enforcement of creditors' rights generally or by general equity
          principles (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a
          proceeding in equity or at law).

               (viii) The Indenture has been duly qualified under the 1939 Act.

               (ix) The Registration Statement is effective under the 1933 Act
          and, to the best of their knowledge, no stop order suspending the
          effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued under the
          1933 Act or proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by the
          Commission.

               (x) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus, excluding the
          documents incorporated by reference therein, as of their respective
          effective or issue dates, comply as to form in all material respects
          with the requirements for registration statements on Form S-3 under
          the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations; it being understood,
          however, that no opinion need be rendered with respect to the
          financial statements, schedules and other financial and statistical
          data included or incorporated by reference in the Registration
          Statement or the Prospectus or with respect to the Statement of
          Eligibility of the Trustee. If applicable, the Rule 434 Prospectus
          conforms to the requirements of Rule 434 of the 1933 Act Regulations
          in all material respects.

               (xi) Each document filed pursuant to the 1934 Act (other than the
          financial statements, schedules and other financial and statistical
          data included therein, as to which no opinion need be rendered) and
          incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the
          Prospectus complied when so filed as to form in all material respects
          with the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations.

               (xii) Nothing has come to such counsel's attention that would
          lead it to believe that the Registration Statement or any amendment
          thereto (excluding the financial statements and financial schedules
          included or incorporated by reference therein, as to which such
          counsel need express no belief), at the time it became effective or at
          the time an Annual Report on Form 10-K


                                       26

<PAGE>   27



          was filed by the Company with the Commission (whichever is later), or
          at the date hereof (or, if such opinion is being delivered in
          connection with the purchase of Notes by one or more Agents as
          principal pursuant to Section 11(c) hereof, at the date of any
          agreement by such Agent or Agents to purchase Notes as principal),
          contained or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or
          omitted or omits to state a material fact required to be stated
          therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or
          that the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto (excluding
          the financial statements and financial schedules included or
          incorporated by reference therein, as to which such counsel need
          express no belief), at the date hereof (or, if such opinion is being
          delivered in connection with the purchase of Notes by one or more
          Agents as principal pursuant to Section 11(c) hereof, at the date of
          any agreement by such Agent or Agents to purchase Notes as principal
          and at the Settlement Date with respect thereto, as the case may be),
          included or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted
          or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
          statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
          were made, not misleading.

               (xiii) To the best of their knowledge, there are no legal or
          governmental proceedings pending or threatened which are required to
          be disclosed in the Prospectus, other than those disclosed therein,
          and, to the best of their knowledge, all pending legal or governmental
          proceedings to which the Company or its subsidiaries is a party or of
          which any of the property of the Company or its subsidiaries is the
          subject which are not described in the Registration Statement,
          including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, are,
          considered in the aggregate, not material to the business of the
          Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise.

               (xiv) To the best of their knowledge, there are no contracts,
          indentures, mortgages, loan agreements, notes, leases or other
          instruments required to be described or referred to in the
          Registration Statement or to be filed as exhibits thereto other than
          those described or referred to therein or filed as exhibits thereto,
          the descriptions thereof or references thereto are correct in all
          material respects, and, to the best of their knowledge, no default
          exists in the due performance or observance of any material
          obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any
          contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other
          instrument so described, referred to or filed which would


                                       27

<PAGE>   28



          have a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or
          otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects
          of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise.

               (xv) No authorization, approval or consent of any court or
          governmental authority or agency is required that has not been
          obtained in connection with the consummation by the Company of the
          transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Indenture except
          such as may be required under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and state
          securities laws or Blue Sky laws or real estate syndication laws; to
          the best of their knowledge, the execution and delivery of this
          Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein
          and therein and compliance by the Company with its obligations
          hereunder and thereunder will not (A) constitute a breach of, or
          default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien,
          charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or
          its subsidiaries pursuant to, any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan
          agreement, note, lease or other instrument to which the Company or any
          of its subsidiaries is a party or by which they may be bound or to
          which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its
          subsidiaries is subject, except where such breach, default, creation
          or imposition would not have a material adverse effect on the
          condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business
          affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries
          considered as one enterprise, (B) nor will such action result in
          violation of the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or Code
          of Regulations of the Company or subsidiaries or any applicable law,
          administrative regulation or administrative or court order or decree.

               (xvi) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is required
          to be registered under the 1940 Act.

               (xvii) The information in the Prospectus, if applicable, under
          the captions "Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Ohio Law," "Certain
          Federal Income Tax Considerations" and "Federal Income Tax
          Considerations," to the extent that it constitutes matters of law or
          legal conclusions, has been reviewed by them and is correct in all
          material respects.

               (xviii) The Company has qualified as a REIT for its taxable years
          ended December 31, 1994 and 1995, and the Company is organized and
          operates in a manner that will enable it to qualify to be taxed as a
          REIT under the Code for the taxable year ending December 31, 1996 and


                                       28

<PAGE>   29



          thereafter provided the Company continues to meet the asset
          composition, source of income, shareholder diversification,
          distributions, record keeping, and other requirements of the Code
          which are necessary for the Company to qualify as a REIT.

               (xix) With respect to each HAP Contract and Regulatory Agreement,
          the acceptance by the Company or its subsidiary of the assignment
          thereof, and the assumption of the obligations thereunder, did not,
          when the documents with respect thereto were executed and delivered,
          and do not constitute a breach of, or default under, the articles of
          incorporation, or other form of charter (or, in the case of
          subsidiaries that are not corporations, other organizational
          documents) of the Company or its subsidiaries, or to the best of such
          counsel's knowledge, any material contract, lease or other instrument
          of which such counsel has knowledge and to which any of the Company or
          its subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or any of their
          properties may be bound.

               (xx) To the best of such counsel's knowledge neither the Company
          nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation, or in default in the
          performance or observance of any material provision of any HAP
          Contract or Regulatory Agreement.

     (c) On the date hereof, you shall have received from Brown & Wood LLP,
counsel for the Agents, their opinion or opinions dated as of the date hereof
with respect to the matters set forth in (i) (as it pertains to the Company),
(v) to (x), inclusive, and (xii) of subsection (b) of this Section 9, and the
Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they may request
for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

     In giving their opinion, Brown & Wood LLP may rely as to matters involving
the laws of the State of Ohio upon the opinion of Baker & Hostetler LLP. Baker &
Hostetler LLP and Brown & Wood LLP may rely (i) as to the qualification of the
Company or its subsidiaries to do business in any state or jurisdiction, upon
certificates of appropriate government officials, and (ii) as to matters of
fact, upon certificates and written statements of officers and employees of and
accountants for the Company or its subsidiaries.

     (d) At the date hereof, the Agents shall have received a certificate of the
President and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, dated as of the date
hereof, to the effect that (i) since the respective dates as of which
information is given in the Prospectus or since the date of the applicable


                                       29

<PAGE>   30



agreement by one or more Agents to purchase Notes as principal, there has not
been any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in
the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its
subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the
ordinary course of business, (ii) the representations and warranties of the
Company contained in Section 3 hereof are true and correct with the same force
and effect as though expressly made at and as of the date of such certificate
and (iii) the Company has performed or complied with all agreements and
satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to
the date of such certificate. As used in this Section 9(d), the term
"Prospectus" means the Prospectus in the form first provided to the applicable
Agent or Agents for use in confirming sales of the Notes.

     (e) On the date hereof and on each Settlement Date, counsel to the Agents
shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as such counsel may
reasonably require for the purpose of enabling such counsel to pass upon the
issuance and sale of Notes as herein contemplated and related proceedings, or in
order to evidence the accuracy and completeness of any of the representations
and warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained;
and all proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and
sale of Notes as herein contemplated shall be satisfactory in form and substance
to the Agents and to counsel to the Agents.

     If any condition specified in this Section 9 shall not have been fulfilled
when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated by the
applicable Agent or Agents by notice to the Company at any time and any such
termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party, except
that the covenant regarding provision of an earnings statement set forth in
Section 5(h) hereof, the provision concerning payment of expenses under Section
6 hereof, the indemnity and contribution agreement set forth in Section 7
hereof, the provisions concerning the survival of indemnities, representations,
warranties, etc. of Section 8 hereof, the provision relating to successors set
forth in Section 14, and the provision relating to applicable law set forth in
Section 15 hereof shall remain in effect.

     10. DELIVERY OF AND PAYMENT FOR NOTES SOLD THROUGH AN AGENT. Delivery of
Notes sold through an Agent as agent shall be made by the Company to such Agent
for the account of any purchaser only against payment therefor in immediately
available funds. In the event that a purchaser shall fail either to accept
delivery of or to make payment for a Note on the date fixed for settlement, such
Agent shall promptly notify the Company and deliver such Note to the Company
and, if such Agent has theretofore paid the Company for


                                       30

<PAGE>   31



such Note, the Company will promptly return such funds to such Agent. If such
failure occurred for any reason other than default by such Agent in the
performance of its obligations hereunder, the Company will reimburse such Agent
on an equitable basis for its loss of the use of the funds for the period such
funds were credited to the Company's account.

     11. ADDITIONAL COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY. The Company covenants and agrees
with the Agents that:

     (a) Each acceptance by the Company of an offer for the purchase of Notes
(whether to one or more Agents as principal or through an Agent as agent), and
each delivery of Notes (whether to one or more Agents as principal or through an
Agent as agent), shall be deemed to be an affirmation that the representations
and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement and in any certificate
theretofore delivered to the Agents in connection therewith pursuant hereto are
true and correct at the time of such acceptance or sale, as the case may be, and
an undertaking that such representations and warranties will be true and correct
at the time of delivery to such Agent or Agents or to the purchaser or its
agent, as the case may be, of the Note or Notes relating to such acceptance or
sale, as the case may be, as though made at and as of each such time (and it is
understood that such representations and warranties shall relate to the
Registration Statement and Prospectus as amended and supplemented to each such
time).

     (b) Each time that (i) the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall
be amended or supplemented (other than by an amendment or supplement providing
solely for a change in the interest rate or formula applicable to the Notes or
similar changes, and other than by an amendment or supplement which relates
exclusively to the issuance of securities other than the Notes), (ii) there is
filed with the Commission any document incorporated by reference into the
Prospectus (other than any Current Report on Form 8-K relating exclusively to
the issuance of securities other than the Notes), (iii) (if required in
connection with the purchase of Notes by one or more Agents as principal) the
Company sells Notes to such Agent or Agents as principal or (iv) if the Company
issues and sells Notes in a form not previously certified to the Agents by the
Company, the Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Agent(s)
forthwith a certificate dated the date of filing with the Commission of such
supplement or document, the date of effectiveness of such amendment, or the date
of such sale, as the case may be, in form satisfactory to the Agent(s) to the
effect that the statements contained in the certificate referred to in Section
9(d) hereof which were last furnished to the Agents are true and correct at the
time of such amendment, supplement, filing or sale, as the case may be, as
though made at and as of such time (except that such statements shall be deemed
to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and
supplemented to such time) or, in lieu of such certificate, a


                                       31

<PAGE>   32



certificate of the same tenor as the certificate referred to in Section 9(d)
hereof, modified as necessary to relate to the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus as amended and supplemented to the time of delivery of such
certificate.

     (c) Each time that (i) the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall
be amended or supplemented (other than by an amendment or supplement providing
solely for a change in the interest rate or formula applicable to the Notes or
similar changes or solely for the inclusion of additional financial information,
and other than by an amendment or supplement which relates exclusively to the
issuance of securities other than the Notes), (ii) there is filed with the
Commission any document incorporated by reference into the Prospectus (other
than any Current Report on Form 8-K, unless the Agents shall otherwise specify),
(iii) (if required in connection with the purchase of Notes by one or more
Agents as principal) the Company sells Notes to such Agent or Agents as
principal or (iv) if the Company issues and sells Notes in a form not previously
certified to the Agents by the Company, the Company shall furnish or cause to be
furnished forthwith to the Agent(s) and to counsel to the Agents the written
opinions of Baker & Hostetler LLP, counsel to the Company, dated the date of
filing with the Commission of such supplement or document, the date of
effectiveness of such amendment, or the date of such sale, as the case may be,
in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent(s), of the same tenor as the
opinion referred to in Section 9(b) hereof, but modified, as necessary, to
relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and
supplemented to the time of delivery of such opinion or, in lieu of such
opinion, counsel last furnishing such opinion to the Agents shall furnish the
Agent(s) with a letter substantially to the effect that the Agent(s) may rely on
such last opinion to the same extent as though it was dated the date of such
letter authorizing reliance (except that statements in such last opinion shall
be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended
and supplemented to the time of delivery of such letter authorizing reliance);
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that counsel need not render the opinion required under
Section 9(b)(xviii) upon the filing of any Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q which
does not include information relating to such tax matters, unless the Agents
shall otherwise specify.

     (d) Each time that (i) the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall
be amended or supplemented to include additional financial information (other
than by an amendment or supplement which relates exclusively to the issuance of
securities other than the Notes), (ii) there is filed with the Commission any
document incorporated by reference into the Prospectus which contains additional
financial information, or (iii) (if required in connection with the purchase of
Notes by one or more Agents as principal) the Company sells Notes to such Agent
or Agents as principal, the Company shall cause Price Waterhouse LLP to furnish


                                       32

<PAGE>   33



to the Agent(s) a letter, dated the date of effectiveness of such amendment,
supplement or document with the Commission, or the date of such sale, as the
case may be, in form satisfactory to the Agent(s), of the same tenor as the
portions of the letter referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 9(a)
hereof but modified to relate to the Registration Statement and Prospectus as
amended and supplemented to the date of such letter, and of the same general
tenor as the portions of the letter referred to in clauses (iv) and (v) of said
Section 9(a) with such changes as may be necessary to reflect changes in the
financial statements and other information derived from the accounting records
of the Company.

     12. TERMINATION. (a) This Agreement (excluding any agreement hereunder by
one or more Agents to purchase Notes as principal) may be terminated for any
reason, at any time by either the Company or an Agent, as to itself, upon the
giving of 10 days' written notice of such termination to the other party hereto.

     (b) The applicable Agent or Agents may terminate any agreement hereunder by
such Agent or Agents to purchase Notes as principal, immediately upon notice to
the Company, at any time prior to the Settlement Date relating thereto (i) if
there has been, since the date of such agreement or since the respective dates
as of which information is given in the Prospectus, any material adverse change
in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs
or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one
enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii)
if there shall have occurred any material adverse change in the financial
markets in the United States or any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or
other national or international calamity or crisis the effect of which is such
as to make it, in the judgment of such Agent or Agents, impracticable to market
the Notes or enforce contracts for the sale of the Notes, or (iii) if trading in
any securities of the Company has been suspended by the Commission or a national
securities exchange, or if trading generally on either the American Stock
Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange shall have been suspended, or minimum or
maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for
securities have been required, by either of said exchanges or by order of the
Commission or any other governmental authority, or if a banking moratorium shall
have been declared by either Federal or New York authorities or if a banking
moratorium shall have been declared by the relevant authorities in the country
or countries of origin of any foreign currency or currencies in which the Notes
are denominated or payable, or (iv) if the rating assigned by any nationally
recognized statistical rating organization to any debt securities of the Company
as of the date of such agreement shall have been lowered since that date or if
any such rating organization shall have publicly announced that it has under
surveillance or review, with possible negative implications, its rating of any
debt securities of the Company, or (v) if there shall have come to the


                                       33

<PAGE>   34



attention of such Agent or Agents any facts that would cause them to believe
that the Prospectus, at the time it was required to be delivered to a purchaser
of Notes, included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances existing at the time of such delivery, not misleading. As used in
this Section 12(b), the term "Prospectus" means the Prospectus in the form first
provided to the applicable Agent or Agents for use in confirming sales of the
related Notes.

     (c) In the event of any such termination, neither party will have any
liability to the other party hereto, except that (i) the Agents shall be
entitled to any commission earned in accordance with the third paragraph of
Section 4(b) hereof, (ii) if at the time of termination (a) any Agent shall own
any Notes purchased by it as principal with the intention of reselling them or
(b) an offer to purchase any of the Notes has been accepted by the Company but
the time of delivery to the purchaser or his agent of the Note or Notes relating
thereto has not occurred, the covenants set forth in Sections 5 and 11 hereof
shall remain in effect until such Notes are so resold or delivered, as the case
may be, and (iii) the covenant set forth in Section 5(h) hereof, the provisions
of Section 6 hereof, the indemnity and contribution agreements set forth in
Section 7 hereof, and the provisions of Sections 8, 14 and 15 hereof shall
remain in effect.

     13. NOTICES. All communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
mailed, delivered or telecopied and confirmed, and any such notice shall be
effective when received at the address specified below:

         If to the Company:

                  Associated Estates Realty Corporation
                  5025 Swetland Court
                  Richmond Heights, OH  44143
                  Attention:  Jeffrey I. Friedman
                              President and Chief Executive Officer
                  Telecopy No.:   216-289-6400

         If to the Agents:

                  Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.
                  Two World Trade Center
                  65th Floor
                  New York, New York  10048
                  Attention:  W. Blake Baird
                              Managing Director
                  Telecopy No.:   212-392-8719



                                       34

<PAGE>   35



                  Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated
                  135 Baltimore Street
                  Baltimore, Maryland  21202
                  Attention:  Francis Jamison
                  Telecopy No.:   410-783-3083


                  First Chicago Capital Markets, Inc.
                  One First National Plaza, Suite 0030
                  Chicago, Illinois  60670
                  Attention:  Chief Credit Officer
                  Telecopy No.:   312-732-4172

                  Lehman Brothers Inc.
                  3 World Financial Center
                  12th Floor
                  New York, New York 10285-1200
                  Attention: ___________________________________
                  Telecopy No.:   212-528-1718

                  J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc.
                  60 Wall Street
                  3rd Floor
                  New York, New York  100260
                  Attention: Medium-Term Note Desk
                  Telecopy No.:   212-648-5939

                  Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
                  1585 Broadway
                  2nd Floor
                  New York, New York  10036
                  Attention:  Manager - Continuously Offered Products
                  Telecopy No.:   212-761-0780

         With a copy to:

                  Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
                  1585 Broadway
                  34th Floor
                  New York, New York  10036
                  Attention:  Peter Cooper, Investment Banking
                              Information Center
                  Telephone No.:  212-761-8385
                  Telecopy No.:   212-761-0260


     14. SUCCESSORS. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon you and the Company and their respective successors and legal
representatives. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or
shall be construed to give any person other than the persons mentioned in the
preceding sentence any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in


                                       35

<PAGE>   36



respect of this Agreement, or any provisions herein contained, this Agreement
and all conditions and provisions hereof being intended to be and being for the
sole and exclusive benefit of such persons and for the benefit of no other
person; except that the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and
indemnities of the Company, contained in this Agreement shall also be for the
benefit of the person or persons, if any, who control any Agent within the
meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, and the indemnities given by the several
Agents shall also be for the benefit of each director of the Company, each of
the Company's officers who has signed the Registration Statement and the person
or persons, if any, who control the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of
the 1933 Act.

     15. APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made
and to be performed in said state. Specified times of day refer to New York City
time.

     16. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, and if executed in more than one counterpart the executed
counterparts shall constitute a single instrument.


                                       36

<PAGE>   37



     If the foregoing correctly sets forth our understanding, please indicate
your acceptance thereof in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon
this letter and your acceptance shall constitute a binding agreement between us.

                                      Very truly yours,

                                      ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY
                                       CORPORATION


                                      By: ___________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

Accepted and delivered,
 as of the date first above written:

DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.


By: _________________________
    Name:
    Title:

ALEX. BROWN & SONS INCORPORATED


By: __________________________
    Name:
    Title:

FIRST CHICAGO CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.


By: __________________________
    Name:
    Title:

LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.


By: __________________________
    Name:
    Title:

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.


By: __________________________
    Name:
    Title:



                                       37

<PAGE>   38




MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED


By: __________________________
    Name:
    Title:


                                       38

<PAGE>   39



                                                                     EXHIBIT A


     The following terms, if applicable, shall be agreed to by one or more
Agents and the Company in connection with each sale of Notes:

     Principal Amount:  $__________
          (or principal amount of foreign currency or composite
           currency)

     Senior or Subordinated Rank:

     Interest Rate:
          If Fixed Rate Note, Interest Rate:

          If Floating Rate Note:
               Interest Rate Basis:
               Initial Interest Rate, if any:
               Spread and/or Spread Multiplier, if any:
               Interest Reset Date(s):
               Interest Payment Date(s):
               Index Maturity:
               Maximum Interest Rate, if any:
               Minimum Interest Rate, if any:
               Fixed Rate Commencement Date:
               Fixed Interest Rate:
               Calculation Agent:

     If Redeemable:
          Initial Redemption Date:
          Initial Redemption Percentage:
          Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction, if any:
     If Repayable:
          Optional Repayment Date(s):

     Stated Maturity Date:
     Purchase Price:  ____%, plus accrued interest, if any, from
        _______________________
     Settlement Date and Time:
     Specified Currency:
     Authorized Denominations:
     Additional/Other Terms:

Also, in connection with the purchase of Notes by one or more Agents as
principal, agreement as to whether the following will be required:

     Officers' Certificate pursuant to Section 11(b) of the Distribution
          Agreement.
     Legal Opinions pursuant to Section 11(c) of the Distribution
          Agreement.


                                       A-1

<PAGE>   40


     Comfort  Letter pursuant to Section 11(d) of the Distribution
          Agreement.
     Stand-off Agreement pursuant to Section 5(k) of the Distribution
          Agreement.


                                       A-2

<PAGE>   41


                                   SCHEDULE A


     As compensation for the services of the Agents hereunder, the Company shall
pay the applicable Agent, on a discount basis, a commission for the sale of each
Senior Note equal to the principal amount of such Senior Note multiplied by the
appropriate percentage set forth below (the commission payable with respect to
sales of Senior Notes will also apply to sales of Subordinated Notes unless
otherwise agreed by the Company and the applicable Agent):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    PERCENT OF
                                                                    PRINCIPAL
MATURITY RANGES                                                       AMOUNT
- ---------------                                                     ---------- 

<S>                                                                  <C>
From 9 months to less than 1 year .............................       .125%

From 1 year to less than 18 months ............................       .150

From 18 months to less than 2 years ...........................       .200

From 2 years to less than 3 years .............................       .250

From 3 years to less than 4 years .............................       .350

From 4 years to less than 5 years .............................       .450

From 5 years to less than 6 years .............................       .500

From 6 years to less than 7 years .............................       .550

From 7 years to less than 10 years ............................       .600

From 10 years to less than 15 years ...........................       .625

From 15 years to less than 20 years ...........................       .700

From 20 years to 30 years .....................................       .750

Greater than 30 years .........................................         *

<FN>
- --------------
*  As agreed to by the Company and the applicable Agent at the time of sale.


</TABLE>



<PAGE>   1
                                                               EXHIBIT 4(i)

                                 [FACE OF NOTE]

UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY
TRUST COMPANY (THE "DEPOSITARY") (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE
ISSUER HEREOF OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT,
AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME
AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY AND ANY PAYMENT
IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF,
CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.(1)

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN CERTIFICATED
FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A
NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR
ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A
SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.(2)


REGISTERED                     CUSIP No.:                 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT:
NO. FXR-_____                  _________________          ___________________

                      ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION
                                MEDIUM-TERM NOTE
                      (Form of Fixed Rate Senior Security)

ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE:         INTEREST RATE:         %      STATED MATURITY DATE:


INTEREST PAYMENT DATE(S)     DEFAULT RATE:          %
[ ] _______ and ______
[ ] Other:


INITIAL REDEMPTION           INITIAL REDEMPTION            ANNUAL REDEMPTION
DATE:                        PERCENTAGE:            %      PERCENTAGE
                                                           REDUCTION:       %

OPTIONAL REPAYMENT           [ ] CHECK IF AN ORIGINAL
DATE(S):                         ISSUE DISCOUNT NOTE
                                     Issue Price:          %


SPECIFIED CURRENCY:          AUTHORIZED DENOMINATION:      EXCHANGE RATE
[ ] United States dollars    [ ] $1,000 and integral       AGENT:
[ ] Other:                       multiples thereof
                             [ ] Other:


ADDENDUM ATTACHED            OTHER/ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS:
[ ] Yes
[ ] No


- -----------------
(1)  This paragraph applies to global Notes only.

(2)  This paragraph applies to global Notes only.


<PAGE>   2



     ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION, an Ohio corporation (the "Company",
which terms include any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to                   
                           , or registered assigns, the principal sum of
                                  , on the Stated Maturity Date specified above
(or any Redemption Date or Repayment Date, each as defined on the reverse
hereof) (each such Stated Maturity Date, Redemption Date or Repayment Date being
hereinafter referred to as the "Maturity Date" with respect to the principal
repayable on such date) and to pay interest thereon, at the Interest Rate per
annum specified above, until the principal hereof is paid or duly made available
for payment, and (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be
legally enforceable) at the Default Rate per annum specified above on any
overdue principal, premium and/or interest. The Company will pay interest in
arrears on each Interest Payment Date, if any, specified above (each, an
"Interest Payment Date"), commencing with the first Interest Payment Date next
succeeding the Original Issue Date specified above, and on the Maturity Date;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Original Issue Date occurs between a Record Date
(as defined below) and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest
payments will commence on the second Interest Payment Date next succeeding the
Original Issue Date to the holder of this Note on the Record Date with respect
to such second Interest Payment Date. Interest on this Note will be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

     Interest on this Note will accrue from, and including, the immediately
preceding Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided
for (or from, and including, the Original Issue Date if no interest has been
paid or duly provided for) to, but excluding, the applicable Interest Payment
Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be (each, an "Interest Period"). The
interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest
Payment Date will, subject to certain exceptions described herein, be paid to
the person in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is
registered at the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day (whether or
not a Business Day, as defined below) immediately preceding such Interest
Payment Date (the "Record Date"); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that interest payable on
the Maturity Date will be payable to the person to whom the principal hereof and
premium, if any, hereon shall be payable. Any such interest not so punctually
paid or duly provided for ("Defaulted Interest") will forthwith cease to be
payable to the holder on any Record Date, and shall be paid to the person in
whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on a special record
date (the "Special Record Date") for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to
be fixed by the Trustee hereinafter referred to, notice whereof shall be given
to the holder of this Note by the Trustee not less than 10 calendar days prior
to such Special Record Date or may be paid at any time in any other lawful
manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on
which this Note may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such
exchange, all as more fully provided for in the Indenture.


                                        2

<PAGE>   3



     Payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of this Note
due on the Maturity Date will be made in immediately available funds upon
presentation and surrender of this Note (and, with respect to any applicable
repayment of this Note, a duly completed election form as contemplated on the
reverse hereof) at the corporate trust office of the Trustee maintained for that
purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, currently located at
120 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, New York 10271, or at such other paying
agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, as the Company may
determine; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Specified Currency specified above is
other than United States dollars and such payment is to be made in the Specified
Currency in accordance with the provisions set forth below, such payment will be
made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account with a bank
designated by the holder hereof at least 15 calendar days prior to the Maturity
Date, provided that such bank has appropriate facilities therefor and that this
Note (and, if applicable, a duly completed repayment election form) is presented
and surrendered at the aforementioned office of the Trustee in time for the
Trustee to make such payment in such funds in accordance with its normal
procedures. Payment of interest due on any Interest Payment Date other than the
Maturity Date will be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled
thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register maintained at the
aforementioned office of the Trustee; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that a holder of
U.S.$10,000,000 (or, if the Specified Currency is other than United States
dollars, the equivalent thereof in the Specified Currency) or more in aggregate
principal amount of Notes (whether having identical or different terms and
provisions) will be entitled to receive interest payments on such Interest
Payment Date by wire transfer of immediately available funds if appropriate wire
transfer instructions have been received in writing by the Trustee not less than
15 calendar days prior to such Interest Payment Date. Any such wire transfer
instructions received by the Trustee shall remain in effect until revoked by
such holder.

     If any Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date falls on a day that is
not a Business Day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or
interest shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force
and effect as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest shall
accrue with respect to such payment for the period from and after such Interest
Payment Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be, to the date of such
payment on the next succeeding Business Day.

     As used herein, "Business Day" means any day, other than a Saturday or
Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions
are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close in The
City of New York; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Specified Currency is other
than United States dollars and any payment is to be made in the Specified
Currency in accordance with the provisions hereof, such day is also not a day on
which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or
executive order to close in the Principal Financial Center (as defined below) of
the country


                                        3

<PAGE>   4



issuing the Specified Currency (or, in the case of European Currency Units
("ECU"), is not a day that appears as an ECU non-settlement day on the display
designated as "ISDE" on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates Service (or a day so
designated by the ECU Banking Association) or, if ECU non-settlement days do not
appear on that page (and are not so designated), is not a day on which payments
in ECU cannot be settled in the international interbank market). "Principal
Financial Center" means the capital city of the country issuing the Specified
Currency, except that with respect to United States dollars, Australian dollars,
Deutsche marks, Dutch guilders, Italian lire, Swiss francs and ECU, the
"Principal Financial Center" shall be The City of New York, Sydney, Frankfurt,
Amsterdam, Milan, Zurich and Luxembourg, respectively.

     The Company is obligated to make payment of principal, premium, if any, and
interest in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency (or, if the Specified
Currency is not at the time of such payment legal tender for the payment of
public and private debts, in such other coin or currency of the country which
issued the Specified Currency as at the time of such payment is legal tender for
the payment of such debts). If the Specified Currency is other than United
States dollars, except as otherwise provided below, any such amounts so payable
by the Company will be converted by the Exchange Rate Agent specified above into
United States dollars for payment to the holder of this Note.

     If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the holder
of this Note may elect to receive such amounts in such Specified Currency. If
the holder of this Note shall not have duly made an election to receive all or a
specified portion of any payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest
in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency, any United States dollar
amount to be received by the holder of this Note will be based on the highest
bid quotation in The City of New York received by the Exchange Rate Agent at
approximately 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the second Business Day
preceding the applicable payment date from three recognized foreign exchange
dealers (one of whom may be the Exchange Rate Agent) selected by the Exchange
Rate Agent and approved by the Company for the purchase by the quoting dealer of
the Specified Currency for United States dollars for settlement on such payment
date in the aggregate amount of the Specified Currency payable to all holders of
Notes scheduled to receive United States dollar payments and at which the
applicable dealer commits to execute a contract. All currency exchange costs
will be borne by the holder of this Note by deductions from such payments. If
three such bid quotations are not available, payments on this Note will be made
in the Specified Currency.

     If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the holder
of this Note may elect to receive all or a specified portion of any payment of
principal, premium, if any, and/or interest in respect of this Note in the
Specified Currency by submitting a written request for such payment to the
Trustee at its corporate trust office in The City of New York on or prior to the
applicable Record Date or at least 15 calendar days prior to the Maturity Date,
as the case may be. Such written request may be


                                        4

<PAGE>   5



mailed or hand delivered or sent by cable, telex or other form of facsimile
transmission. The holder of this Note may elect to receive all or a specified
portion of all future payments in the Specified Currency in respect of such
principal, premium, if any, and/or interest and need not file a separate
election for each payment. Such election will remain in effect until revoked by
written notice to the Trustee, but written notice of any such revocation must be
received by the Trustee on or prior to the applicable Record Date or at least 15
calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, as the case may be.

     If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars or a
composite currency and the holder of this Note shall have duly made an election
to receive all or a specified portion of any payment of principal, premium, if
any, and/or interest in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency and if
the Specified Currency is not available due to the imposition of exchange
controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company, the Company
will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to the holder of this Note by making
such payment in United States dollars on the basis of the Market Exchange Rate
(as defined below) on the second Business Day prior to such payment date or, if
such Market Exchange Rate is not then available, on the basis of the most
recently available Market Exchange Rate or as otherwise specified on the face
hereof. The "Market Exchange Rate" for the Specified Currency means the noon
dollar buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for the Specified
Currency as certified for customs purposes by (or if not so certified, as
otherwise determined by) the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Any payment made
under such circumstances in United States dollars will not constitute an Event
of Default (as defined in the Indenture).

     If the Specified Currency is a composite currency and the holder of this
Note shall have duly made an election to receive all or a specified portion of
any payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest in respect of this
Note in the Specified Currency and if such composite currency is unavailable due
to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control
of the Company, then the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to
the holder of this Note by making such payment in United States dollars. The
amount of each payment in United States dollars shall be computed by the
Exchange Rate Agent on the basis of the equivalent of the composite currency in
United States dollars. The component currencies of the composite currency for
this purpose (collectively, the "Component Currencies" and each, a "Component
Currency") shall be the currency amounts that were components of the composite
currency as of the last day on which the composite currency was used. The
equivalent of the composite currency in United States dollars shall be
calculated by aggregating the United States dollar equivalents of the Component
Currencies. The United States dollar equivalent of each of the Component
Currencies shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent on the basis of the
most recently available Market Exchange Rate for each such Component Currency,
or as otherwise specified on the face hereof.


                                        5

<PAGE>   6



     If the official unit of any Component Currency is altered by way of
combination or subdivision, the number of units of the currency as a Component
Currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion. If two or more
Component Currencies are consolidated into a single currency, the amounts of
those currencies as Component Currencies shall be replaced by an amount in such
single currency equal to the sum of the amounts of the consolidated Component
Currencies expressed in such single currency. If any Component Currency is
divided into two or more currencies, the amount of the original Component
Currency shall be replaced by the amounts of such two or more currencies, the
sum of which shall be equal to the amount of the original Component Currency.

     All determinations referred to above made by the Exchange Rate Agent shall
be at its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be
conclusive for all purposes and binding on the holder of this Note.

     Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth
on the reverse hereof and, if so specified on the face hereof, in an Addendum
hereto, which further provisions shall have the same force and effect as if set
forth on the face hereof.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Addendum is attached hereto or
"Other/Additional Provisions" apply to this Note as specified above, this Note
shall be subject to the terms set forth in such Addendum or such
"Other/Additional Provisions".

     Unless the Certificate of Authentication hereon has been executed by the
Trustee by manual signature, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit
under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.



                                        6

<PAGE>   7



     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Associated Estates Realty Corporation has caused this
Note to be duly executed by one of its duly authorized officers.


                                      ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION



                                      By: ________________________________
                                          Title:

Dated:



TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION:

This is one of the Debt Securities of
the series designated therein referred
to in the within-mentioned Indenture.



NATIONAL CITY BANK,
as Trustee



By ____________________________
      Authorized Signatory



                                        7

<PAGE>   8



                                [REVERSE OF NOTE]

                      ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION
                                MEDIUM-TERM NOTE
                      (Form of Fixed Rate Senior Security)


     This Note is one of a duly authorized series of Senior Debt Securities (the
"Debt Securities") of the Company issued and to be issued under an Indenture,
dated as of March 31, 1995, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to
time (the "Indenture"), between the Company and NATIONAL CITY BANK, as Trustee
(the "Trustee", which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture),
to which the Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is
hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights,
duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the holders of
the Debt Securities, and of the terms upon which the Debt Securities are, and
are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Note is one of the series of Debt
Securities designated as "Medium-Term Notes Due Nine Months or More From Date of
Issue" (the "Notes"). All terms used but not defined in this Note or in an
Addendum hereto shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Indenture
or on the face hereof, as the case may be.

     This Note is issuable only in registered form without coupons in minimum
denominations of U.S.$1,000 and integral multiples thereof or the minimum
Authorized Denomination specified on the face hereof.

     This Note will not be subject to any sinking fund and, unless otherwise
specified on the face hereof in accordance with the provisions of the following
two paragraphs, will not be redeemable or repayable prior to the Stated Maturity
Date.

     This Note will be subject to redemption at the option of the Company on any
date on or after the Initial Redemption Date, if any, specified on the face
hereof, in whole or from time to time in part in increments of U.S.$1,000 or the
minimum Authorized Denomination (provided that any remaining principal amount
hereof shall be at least U.S.$1,000 or such minimum Authorized Denomination), at
the Redemption Price (as defined below), together with unpaid interest accrued
thereon to the date fixed for redemption (each, a "Redemption Date"), on notice
given no more than 60 nor less than 30 calendar days prior to the Redemption
Date and in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture. The "Redemption
Price" shall initially be the Initial Redemption Percentage specified on the
face hereof multiplied by the unpaid principal amount of this Note to be
redeemed. The Initial Redemption Percentage shall decline at each anniversary of
the Initial Redemption Date by the Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction, if
any, specified on the face hereof until the Redemption Price is 100% of unpaid
principal amount to be redeemed. In the event of redemption of this Note in part
only, a new Note of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof and otherwise
having


                                        8

<PAGE>   9



the same terms as this Note shall be issued in the name of the holder hereof
upon the presentation and surrender hereof.

     This Note will be subject to repayment by the Company at the option of the
holder hereof on the Optional Repayment Date(s), if any, specified on the face
hereof, in whole or in part in increments of U.S.$1,000 or the minimum
Authorized Denomination (provided that any remaining principal amount hereof
shall be at least U.S.$1,000 or such minimum Authorized Denomination), at a
repayment price equal to 100% of the unpaid principal amount to be repaid,
together with unpaid interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for repayment
(each, a "Repayment Date"). For this Note to be repaid, this Note must be
received, together with the form hereon entitled "Option to Elect Repayment"
duly completed, by the Trustee at its corporate trust office not more than 60
nor less than 30 calendar days prior to the Repayment Date. Exercise of such
repayment option by the holder hereof will be irrevocable. In the event of
repayment of this Note in part only, a new Note of like tenor for the unrepaid
portion hereof and otherwise having the same terms as this Note shall be issued
in the name of the holder hereof upon the presentation and surrender hereof.

     If this Note is an Original Issue Discount Note as specified on the face
hereof, the amount payable to the holder of this Note in the event of
redemption, repayment or acceleration of maturity will be equal to the sum of
(1) the Issue Price specified on the face hereof (increased by any accruals of
the Discount, as defined below) and, in the event of any redemption of this Note
(if applicable), multiplied by the Initial Redemption Percentage (as adjusted by
the Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction, if applicable) and (2) any unpaid
interest on this Note accrued from the Original Issue Date to the Redemption
Date, Repayment Date or date of acceleration of maturity, as the case may be.
The difference between the Issue Price and 100% of the principal amount of this
Note is referred to herein as the "Discount".

     For purposes of determining the amount of Discount that has accrued as of
any Redemption Date, Repayment Date or date of acceleration of maturity of this
Note, such Discount will be accrued so as to cause the yield on the Note to be
constant. The constant yield will be calculated using a 30-day month, 360-day
year convention, a compounding period that, except for the Initial Period (as
defined below), corresponds to the shortest period between Interest Payment
Dates (with ratable accruals within a compounding period) and an assumption that
the maturity of this Note will not be accelerated. If the period from the
Original Issue Date to the initial Interest Payment Date (the "Initial Period")
is shorter than the compounding period for this Note, a proportionate amount of
the yield for an entire compounding period will be accrued. If the Initial
Period is longer than the compounding period, then such period will be divided
into a regular compounding period and a short period, with the short period
being treated as provided in the preceding sentence.

     If an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall occur and be
continuing, the principal of the Notes may be


                                        9

<PAGE>   10



accelerated in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

     The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance of (i) the entire
indebtedness of the Notes or (ii) certain covenants and Events of Default with
respect to the Notes, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set
forth therein, which provisions apply to the Notes.

     The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the
amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the holders of the Debt Securities at any time by the
Company and the Trustee with the consent of the holders of not less than a
majority of the aggregate principal amount of all Debt Securities at the time
outstanding and affected thereby. The Indenture also contains provisions
permitting the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of any series, on behalf of the
holders of all such Debt Securities, to waive compliance by the Company with
certain provisions of the Indenture. Furthermore, provisions in the Indenture
permit the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount
of the outstanding Debt Securities of any series, in certain instances, to
waive, on behalf of all of the holders of Debt Securities of such series,
certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such
consent or waiver by the holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding
upon such holder and upon all future holders of this Note and other Notes issued
upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange heretofore or in lieu
hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this
Note.

     No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of
the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in
respect of this Note at the times, places and rate or formula, and in the coin
or currency, herein prescribed.

     As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein and
herein set forth, the transfer of this Note is registrable in the Security
Register of the Company upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer
at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal hereof
and any premium or interest hereon are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied
by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the
Security Registrar duly executed by, the holder hereof or by his attorney duly
authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes, of authorized
denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the
designated transferee or transferees.

     As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein and
herein set forth, this Note is exchangeable for a like aggregate principal
amount of Notes of different authorized denominations but otherwise having the
same terms and


                                       10

<PAGE>   11



conditions, as requested by the holder hereof surrendering the same.

     No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or
exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

     Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration of transfer, the
Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the
holder in whose name this Note is registered as the owner thereof for all
purposes, whether or not this Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

     The Indenture and this Note shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio applicable to agreements made and
to be performed entirely in such State.



                                       11

<PAGE>   12



                                  _____________
                                  ABBREVIATIONS

     The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according
to applicable laws or regulations:

TEN COM - as tenants in common      UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - ______ Custodian ______
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties                  (Cust)           (Minor)
JT TEN  - as joint tenants with right of          under Uniform Gifts to Minors
          survivorship and not as tenants         Act________________________
          in common                                           (State)

     Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

                                                
                       ________________________________
                                   ASSIGNMENT

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and
transfer(s) unto

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR
                  OTHER
IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
________________________________
|                              |
|______________________________|______________________________________________
 
______________________________________________________________________________
(Please print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code of
assignee)
______________________________________________________________________________
this Note and all rights thereunder hereby irrevocably constituting and
appointing

____________________________________________________________________ Attorney
to transfer this Note on the books of the Trustee, with full power of
substitution in the premises.

Dated:_____________________           _______________________________________

                                      _______________________________________
                                      Notice: The signature(s) on this
                                      Assignment must correspond with the
                                      name(s) as written upon the face of this
                                      Note in every particular, without
                                      alteration or enlargement or any change
                                      whatsoever.


                                       12

<PAGE>   13


                            OPTION TO ELECT REPAYMENT

     The undersigned hereby irrevocably request(s) and instruct(s) the Company
to repay this Note (or portion hereof specified below) pursuant to its terms at
a price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be repaid, together with unpaid
interest accrued hereon to the Repayment Date, to the undersigned, at _________
_______________________________________________________________________________
         (Please print or typewrite name and address of the undersigned)

     For this Note to be repaid, the Trustee must receive at its corporate trust
office, not more than 60 nor less than 30 calendar days prior to the Repayment
Date, this Note with this "Option to Elect Repayment" form duly completed.

     If less than the entire principal amount of this Note is to be repaid,
specify the portion hereof (which shall be increments of U.S.$1,000 (or, if the
Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the minimum Authorized
Denomination specified on the face hereof)) which the holder elects to have
repaid and specify the denomination or denominations (which shall be an
Authorized Denomination) of the Notes to be issued to the holder for the portion
of this Note not being repaid (in the absence of any such specification, one
such Note will be issued for the portion not being repaid).


Principal Amount
to be Repaid:  $______________              _________________________________
                                            Notice:  The signature(s) on this
Date: ________________________              Option to Elect Repayment must
                                            correspond with the name(s) as
                                            written upon the face of this
                                            Note in every particular, without
                                            alteration or enlargement or any
                                            change whatsoever.


                                       13




<PAGE>   1

                                                              EXHIBIT 4(j)

                                 [FACE OF NOTE]

UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY
TRUST COMPANY (THE "DEPOSITARY") (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE
ISSUER HEREOF OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT,
AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME
AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY AND ANY PAYMENT
IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF,
CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.(1)

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN CERTIFICATED
FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A
NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR
ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A
SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.(2)


REGISTERED                  CUSIP No.:                   PRINCIPAL AMOUNT:
No. FLR-____                ___________________          _________________

                      ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION
                                MEDIUM-TERM NOTE
                     (Form of Floating Rate Senior Security)

INTEREST RATE BASIS       ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE:           STATED MATURITY DATE:
OR BASES:

   IF LIBOR:                     IF CMT RATE:
      [ ] LIBOR Reuters           Designated CMT Telerate
          Page:                   Page:
      [ ] LIBOR Telerate          IF Telerate Page 7052:
          Page:                      [ ] Weekly Average
   INDEX CURRENCY:                   [ ] Monthly Average
                                     Designated CMT Maturity
                                     Index:


INDEX MATURITY:           INITIAL INTEREST RATE:   %     INITIAL INTEREST RESET
DATE:

- ---------------

(1)   This paragraph applies to global Notes only.

(2)   This paragraph applies to global Notes only.



<PAGE>   2




SPREAD (PLUS OR         MINIMUM INTEREST RATE:   %     INTEREST PAYMENT DATE(S):
MINUS):


SPREAD MULTIPLIER:      MAXIMUM INTEREST RATE:   %     INTEREST RESET DATE(S):


INITIAL REDEMPTION      INITIAL REDEMPTION             ANNUAL REDEMPTION
DATE:                   PERCENTAGE:    %               PERCENTAGE REDUCTION:
%


OPTIONAL REPAYMENT      CALCULATION AGENT:
DATE(S):


INTEREST CATEGORY:                         DAY COUNT CONVENTION:
[ ] Regular Floating Rate Note             [ ] 30/360 for the period
[ ] Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note               from            to            .
      Fixed Rate Commencement Date:        [ ] Actual/360 for the period
      Fixed Interest Rate:    %                 from            to            .
[ ] Inverse Floating Rate Note             [ ] Actual/Actual for the period
      Fixed Interest Rate:    %                 from            to            .
[ ] Original Issue Discount Note           Applicable Interest Rate Basis:
       Issue Price:    %


SPECIFIED CURRENCY:                        AUTHORIZED DENOMINATION:
[ ] United States dollars                  [ ] $1,000 and integral multiples
                                           thereof
[ ] Other:                                 [ ] Other:


EXCHANGE RATE AGENT:


DEFAULT RATE:    %


ADDENDUM ATTACHED
[ ] Yes
[ ] No


OTHER/ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS:



                                        2

<PAGE>   3



     ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION, an Ohio corporation (the "Company",
which terms include any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to 
                                , or registered assigns, the principal sum of
                                , on the Stated Maturity Date specified above
(or any Redemption Date or Repayment Date, each as defined on the reverse
hereof) (each such Stated Maturity Date, Redemption Date or Repayment Date being
hereinafter referred to as the "Maturity Date" with respect to the principal
repayable on such date) and to pay interest thereon, at a rate per annum equal
to the Initial Interest Rate specified above until the Initial Interest Reset
Date specified above and thereafter at a rate determined in accordance with the
provisions specified above and on the reverse hereof or in an Addendum hereto
with respect to one or more Interest Rate Bases specified above until the
principal hereof is paid or duly made available for payment, and (to the extent
that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable) at the Default
Rate per annum specified above on any overdue principal, premium and/or
interest. The Company will pay interest in arrears on each Interest Payment
Date, if any, specified above (each, an "Interest Payment Date"), commencing
with the first Interest Payment Date next succeeding the Original Issue Date
specified above, and on the Maturity Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the
Original Issue Date occurs between a Record Date (as defined below) and the next
succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest payments will commence on the second
Interest Payment Date next succeeding the Original Issue Date to the holder of
this Note on the Record Date with respect to such second Interest Payment Date.

     Interest on this Note will accrue from, and including, the immediately
preceding Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided
for (or from, and including, the Original Issue Date if no interest has been
paid or duly provided for) to, but excluding, the applicable Interest Payment
Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be (each, an "Interest Period"). The
interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest
Payment Date will, subject to certain exceptions described herein, be paid to
the person in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is
registered at the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day (whether or
not a Business Day, as defined on the reverse hereof) immediately preceding such
Interest Payment Date (the "Record Date"); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that interest
payable on the Maturity Date will be payable to the person to whom the principal
hereof and premium, if any, hereon shall be payable. Any such interest not so
punctually paid or duly provided for ("Defaulted Interest") will forthwith cease
to be payable to the holder on any Record Date, and shall be paid to the person
in whose name


                                        3

<PAGE>   4



this Note is registered at the close of business on a special record date (the
"Special Record Date") for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by
the Trustee hereinafter referred to, notice whereof shall be given to the holder
of this Note by the Trustee not less than 10 calendar days prior to such Special
Record Date or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not
inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which this Note
may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as
more fully provided for in the Indenture.

     Payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of this Note
due on the Maturity Date will be made in immediately available funds upon
presentation and surrender of this Note (and, with respect to any applicable
repayment of this Note, a duly completed election form as contemplated on the
reverse hereof) at the corporate trust office of the Trustee maintained for that
purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, currently located at
120 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, New York 10271, or at such other paying
agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, as the Company may
determine; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Specified Currency specified above is
other than United States dollars and such payment is to be made in the Specified
Currency in accordance with the provisions set forth below, such payment will be
made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account with a bank
designated by the holder hereof at least 15 calendar days prior to the Maturity
Date, provided that such bank has appropriate facilities therefor and that this
Note (and, if applicable, a duly completed repayment election form) is presented
and surrendered at the aforementioned office of the Trustee in time for the
Trustee to make such payment in such funds in accordance with its normal
procedures. Payment of interest due on any Interest Payment Date other than the
Maturity Date will be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled
thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register maintained at the
aforementioned office of the Trustee; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that a holder of
U.S.$10,000,000 (or, if the Specified Currency specified above is other than
United States dollars, the equivalent thereof in the Specified Currency) or more
in aggregate principal amount of Notes (whether having identical or different
terms and provisions) will be entitled to receive interest payments on such
Interest Payment Date by wire transfer of immediately available funds if
appropriate wire transfer instructions have been received in writing by the
Trustee not less than 15 calendar days prior to such Interest Payment Date. Any
such wire transfer instructions received by the Trustee shall remain in effect
until revoked by such holder.


                                        4

<PAGE>   5



     If any Interest Payment Date other than the Maturity Date would otherwise
be a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall be
postponed to the next succeeding Business Day, except that if LIBOR is an
applicable Interest Rate Basis and such Business Day falls in the next
succeeding calendar month, such Interest Payment Date shall be the immediately
preceding Business Day. If the Maturity Date falls on a day that is not a
Business Day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest
shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect
as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest shall accrue with
respect to such payment for the period from and after the Maturity Date to the
date of such payment on the next succeeding Business Day.

     The Company is obligated to make payment of principal, premium, if any, and
interest in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency (or, if the Specified
Currency is not at the time of such payment legal tender for the payment of
public and private debts, in such other coin or currency of the country which
issued the Specified Currency as at the time of such payment is legal tender for
the payment of such debts). If the Specified Currency is other than United
States dollars, except as otherwise provided below, any such amounts so payable
by the Company will be converted by the Exchange Rate Agent specified above into
United States dollars for payment to the holder of this Note.

     If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the holder
of this Note may elect to receive such amounts in such Specified Currency. If
the holder of this Note shall not have duly made an election to receive all or a
specified portion of any payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest
in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency, any United States dollar
amount to be received by the holder of this Note will be based on the highest
bid quotation in The City of New York received by the Exchange Rate Agent at
approximately 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the second Business Day
preceding the applicable payment date from three recognized foreign exchange
dealers (one of whom may be the Exchange Rate Agent) selected by the Exchange
Rate Agent and approved by the Company for the purchase by the quoting dealer of
the Specified Currency for United States dollars for settlement on such payment
date in the aggregate amount of the Specified Currency payable to all holders of
Notes scheduled to receive United States dollar payments and at which the
applicable dealer commits to execute a contract. All currency exchange costs
will be borne by the holder of this Note by deductions from such payments. If
three such bid quotations are not available, payments on this Note will be made
in the Specified Currency.


                                        5

<PAGE>   6




     If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the holder
of this Note may elect to receive all or a specified portion of any payment of
principal, premium, if any, and/or interest in respect of this Note in the
Specified Currency by submitting a written request for such payment to the
Trustee at its corporate trust office in The City of New York on or prior to the
applicable Record Date or at least 15 calendar days prior to the Maturity Date,
as the case may be. Such written request may be mailed or hand delivered or sent
by cable, telex or other form of facsimile transmission. The holder of this Note
may elect to receive all or a specified portion of all future payments in the
Specified Currency in respect of such principal, premium, if any, and/or
interest and need not file a separate election for each payment. Such election
will remain in effect until revoked by written notice to the Trustee, but
written notice of any such revocation must be received by the Trustee on or
prior to the applicable Record Date or at least 15 calendar days prior to the
Maturity Date, as the case may be.

     If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars or a
composite currency and the holder of this Note shall have duly made an election
to receive all or a specified portion of any payment of principal, premium, if
any, and/or interest in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency and if
the Specified Currency is not available due to the imposition of exchange
controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company, the Company
will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to the holder of this Note by making
such payment in United States dollars on the basis of the Market Exchange Rate
(as defined below) on the second Business Day prior to such payment date or, if
such Market Exchange Rate is not then available, on the basis of the most
recently available Market Exchange Rate or as otherwise specified on the face
hereof. The "Market Exchange Rate" for the Specified Currency means the noon
dollar buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for the Specified
Currency as certified for customs purposes by (or if not so certified, as
otherwise determined by) the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Any payment made
under such circumstances in United States dollars will not constitute an Event
of Default (as defined in the Indenture).

     If the Specified Currency is a composite currency and the holder of this
Note shall have duly made an election to receive all or a specified portion of
any payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest in respect of this
Note in the Specified Currency and if such composite currency is unavailable due
to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control
of the Company, then the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to
the holder of this Note by making such payment in United States dollars. The
amount of each payment in


                                        6

<PAGE>   7



United States dollars shall be computed by the Exchange Rate Agent on the basis
of the equivalent of the composite currency in United States dollars. The
component currencies of the composite currency for this purpose (collectively,
the "Component Currencies" and each, a "Component Currency") shall be the
currency amounts that were components of the composite currency as of the last
day on which the composite currency was used. The equivalent of the composite
currency in United States dollars shall be calculated by aggregating the United
States dollar equivalents of the Component Currencies. The United States dollar
equivalent of each of the Component Currencies shall be determined by the
Exchange Rate Agent on the basis of the most recently available Market Exchange
Rate for each such Component Currency, or as otherwise specified on the face
hereof.

     If the official unit of any Component Currency is altered by way of
combination or subdivision, the number of units of the currency as a Component
Currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion. If two or more
Component Currencies are consolidated into a single currency, the amounts of
those currencies as Component Currencies shall be replaced by an amount in such
single currency equal to the sum of the amounts of the consolidated Component
Currencies expressed in such single currency. If any Component Currency is
divided into two or more currencies, the amount of the original Component
Currency shall be replaced by the amounts of such two or more currencies, the
sum of which shall be equal to the amount of the original Component Currency.

     All determinations referred to above made by the Exchange Rate Agent shall
be at its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be
conclusive for all purposes and binding on the holder of this Note.

     Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth
on the reverse hereof and, if so specified on the face hereof, in an Addendum
hereto, which further provisions shall have the same force and effect as if set
forth on the face hereof.

     Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained herein, if the
face of this Note specifies that an Addendum is attached hereto or that
"Other/Additional Provisions" apply, this Note shall be subject to the terms set
forth in such Addendum or such "Other/Additional Provisions".

     Unless the Certificate of Authentication hereon has been executed by the
Trustee by manual signature, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit
under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.



                                        7

<PAGE>   8










                                        8

<PAGE>   9



     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Associated Estates Realty Corporation has caused this
Note to be duly executed by one of its duly authorized officers.

                                      ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION



                                      By: ________________________________
                                          Title:

Dated:



TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION:

This is one of the Debt Securities of
the series designated therein referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture.



NATIONAL CITY BANK,
as Trustee



By ___________________________
      Authorized Signatory




                                        9

<PAGE>   10



                                [REVERSE OF NOTE]

                      ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION
                                MEDIUM-TERM NOTE
                     (Form of Floating Rate Senior Security)


     This Note is one of a duly authorized series of Senior Debt Securities (the
"Debt Securities") of the Company issued and to be issued under an Indenture,
dated as of March 31, 1995, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to
time (the "Indenture"), between the Company and NATIONAL CITY BANK, as Senior
Trustee (the "Trustee", which term includes any successor trustee under the
Indenture), to which the Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto
reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations
of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the
holders of the Debt Securities, and of the terms upon which the Debt Securities
are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Note is one of the series
of Debt Securities designated as "Medium-Term Notes Due Nine Months or More From
Date of Issue" (the "Notes"). All terms used but not defined in this Note or in
an Addendum hereto shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the
Indenture or on the face hereof, as the case may be.

     This Note is issuable only in registered form without coupons in minimum
denominations of U.S.$1,000 and integral multiples thereof or the minimum
Authorized Denomination specified on the face hereof.

     This Note will not be subject to any sinking fund and, unless otherwise
specified on the face hereof in accordance with the provisions of the following
two paragraphs, will not be redeemable or repayable prior to the Stated Maturity
Date.

     This Note will be subject to redemption at the option of the Company on any
date on or after the Initial Redemption Date, if any, specified on the face
hereof, in whole or from time to time in part in increments of U.S.$1,000 or the
minimum Authorized Denomination (provided that any remaining principal amount
hereof shall be at least U.S.$1,000 or such minimum Authorized Denomination), at
the Redemption Price (as defined below), together with unpaid interest accrued
thereon to the date fixed for redemption (each, a "Redemption Date"), on notice
given no more than 60 nor less than 30 calendar days prior to the Redemption
Date and in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture. The "Redemption
Price" shall initially be the Initial Redemption Percentage specified on the
face hereof multiplied by the unpaid principal amount of this Note to be
redeemed. The Initial Redemption Percentage shall decline at each anniversary


                                       10

<PAGE>   11



of the Initial Redemption Date by the Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction, if
any, specified on the face hereof until the Redemption Price is 100% of unpaid
principal amount to be redeemed. In the event of redemption of this Note in part
only, a new Note of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof and otherwise
having the same terms as this Note shall be issued in the name of the holder
hereof upon the presentation and surrender hereof.

     This Note will be subject to repayment by the Company at the option of the
holder hereof on the Optional Repayment Date(s), if any, specified on the face
hereof, in whole or in part in increments of U.S.$1,000 or the minimum
Authorized Denomination (provided that any remaining principal amount hereof
shall be at least U.S.$1,000 or such minimum Authorized Denomination), at a
repayment price equal to 100% of the unpaid principal amount to be repaid,
together with unpaid interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for repayment
(each, a "Repayment Date"). For this Note to be repaid, this Note must be
received, together with the form hereon entitled "Option to Elect Repayment"
duly completed, by the Trustee at its corporate trust office not more than 60
nor less than 30 calendar days prior to the Repayment Date. Exercise of such
repayment option by the holder hereof will be irrevocable. In the event of
repayment of this Note in part only, a new Note of like tenor for the unrepaid
portion hereof and otherwise having the same terms as this Note shall be issued
in the name of the holder hereof upon the presentation and surrender hereof.

     If the Interest Category of this Note is specified on the face hereof as an
Original Issue Discount Note, the amount payable to the holder of this Note in
the event of redemption, repayment or acceleration of maturity of this Note will
be equal to the sum of (1) the Issue Price specified on the face hereof
(increased by any accruals of the Discount, as defined below) and, in the event
of any redemption of this Note (if applicable), multiplied by the Initial
Redemption Percentage (as adjusted by the Annual Redemption Percentage
Reduction, if applicable) and (2) any unpaid interest on this Note accrued from
the Original Issue Date to the Redemption Date, Repayment Date or date of
acceleration of maturity, as the case may be. The difference between the Issue
Price and 100% of the principal amount of this Note is referred to herein as the
"Discount".

     For purposes of determining the amount of Discount that has accrued as of
any Redemption Date, Repayment Date or date of acceleration of maturity of this
Note, such Discount will be accrued so as to cause an assumed yield on the Note
to be constant. The assumed constant yield will be calculated using a 30-day
month, 360-day year convention, a compounding period that,



                                       11

<PAGE>   12



except for the Initial Period (as defined below), corresponds to the shortest
period between Interest Payment Dates (with ratable accruals within a
compounding period), a constant coupon rate equal to the initial interest rate
applicable to this Note and an assumption that the maturity of this Note will
not be accelerated. If the period from the Original Issue Date to the initial
Interest Payment Date (the "Initial Period") is shorter than the compounding
period for this Note, a proportionate amount of the yield for an entire
compounding period will be accrued. If the Initial Period is longer than the
compounding period, then such period will be divided into a regular compounding
period and a short period, with the short period being treated as provided in
the preceding sentence.

     The interest rate borne by this Note will be determined as follows:

          (i) Unless the Interest Category of this Note is specified on the face
     hereof as a "Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note" or an "Inverse Floating Rate
     Note" or as otherwise specified as Other/Additional Provisions on the face
     hereof or in an Addendum hereto, this Note shall be designated as a
     "Regular Floating Rate Note" and, except as set forth below or specified on
     the face hereof or in an Addendum hereto, shall bear interest at the rate
     determined by reference to the applicable Interest Rate Basis or Bases (a)
     plus or minus the Spread, if any, and/or (b) multiplied by the Spread
     Multiplier, if any, in each case as specified on the face hereof.
     Commencing on the Initial Interest Reset Date, the rate at which interest
     on this Note shall be payable shall be reset as of each Interest Reset Date
     specified on the face hereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the interest rate in
     effect for the period, if any, from the Original Issue Date to the Initial
     Interest Reset Date shall be the Initial Interest Rate.

          (ii) If the Interest Category of this Note is specified on the face
     hereof as a "Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note", then, except as set forth
     below or specified on the face hereof or in an Addendum hereto, this Note
     shall bear interest at the rate determined by reference to the applicable
     Interest Rate Basis or Bases (a) plus or minus the Spread, if any, and/or
     (b) multiplied by the Spread Multiplier, if any. Commencing on the Initial
     Interest Reset Date, the rate at which interest on this Note shall be
     payable shall be reset as of each Interest Reset Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
     that (y) the interest rate in effect for the period, if any, from the
     Original Issue Date to the Initial Interest Reset Date shall be the Initial
     Interest Rate and (z) the interest rate in effect for the period


                                       12

<PAGE>   13



     commencing on the Fixed Rate Commencement Date specified on the face hereof
     to the Maturity Date shall be the Fixed Interest Rate specified on the face
     hereof or, if no such Fixed Interest Rate is specified, the interest rate
     in effect hereon on the day immediately preceding the Fixed Rate
     Commencement Date.

          (iii) If the Interest Category of this Note is specified on the face
     hereof as an "Inverse Floating Rate Note", then, except as set forth below
     or specified on the face hereof or in an Addendum hereto, this Note shall
     bear interest at the Fixed Interest Rate minus the rate determined by
     reference to the applicable Interest Rate Basis or Bases (a) plus or minus
     the Spread, if any, and/or (b) multiplied by the Spread Multiplier, if any;
     PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, unless otherwise specified on the face hereof or
     in an Addendum hereto, the interest rate hereon shall not be less than
     zero. Commencing on the Initial Interest Reset Date, the rate at which
     interest on this Note shall be payable shall be reset as of each Interest
     Reset Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the interest rate in effect for the
     period, if any, from the Original Issue Date to the Initial Interest Reset
     Date shall be the Initial Interest Rate.

     Except as set forth above or specified on the face hereof or in an Addendum
hereto, the rate with respect to each Interest Rate Basis will be determined in
accordance with the applicable provisions below. Except as set forth above or on
the face hereof, the interest rate in effect on each day shall be (i) if such
day is an Interest Reset Date, the interest rate determined as of the Interest
Determination Date (as defined below) immediately preceding such Interest Reset
Date or (ii) if such day is not an Interest Reset Date, the interest rate
determined as of the Interest Determination Date immediately preceding the most
recent Interest Reset Date. If any Interest Reset Date would otherwise be a day
that is not a Business Day, such Interest Reset Date shall be postponed to the
next succeeding Business Day, except that if LIBOR is an applicable Interest
Rate Basis and such Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month,
such Interest Reset Date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day. In
addition, if the Treasury Rate is an applicable Interest Rate Basis and the
Interest Determination Date would otherwise fall on an Interest Reset Date, then
such Interest Reset Date will be postponed to the next succeeding Business Day.

     As used herein, "Business Day" means any day, other than a Saturday or
Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions
are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close in The
City of New York;


                                       13

<PAGE>   14



PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Specified Currency is other than United States
dollars, such day is also not a day on which banking institutions are authorized
or required by law, regulation or executive order to close in the Principal
Financial Center (as defined below) of the country issuing the Specified
Currency (or, in the case of European Currency Units ("ECU"), is not a day that
appears as an ECU non-settlement day on the display designated as "ISDE" on the
Reuter Monitor Money Rates Service (or a day so designated by the ECU Banking
Association) or, if ECU non-settlement days do not appear on that page (and are
not so designated), is not a day on which payments in ECU cannot be settled in
the international interbank market); PROVIDED, FURTHER, that if LIBOR is an
applicable Interest Rate Basis, such day is also a London Business Day (as
defined below). "London Business Day" means (i) if the Index Currency (as
defined below) is other than ECU, any day on which dealings in such Index
Currency are transacted in the London interbank market or (ii) if the Index
Currency is ECU, any day that does not appear as an ECU non-settlement day on
the display designated as "ISDE" on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates Service (or a
day so designated by the ECU Banking Association) or, if ECU non-settlement days
do not appear on that page (and are not so designated), is not a day on which
payments in ECU cannot be settled in the international interbank market.
"Principal Financial Center" means the capital city of the country issuing the
Specified Currency, or solely with respect to the calculation of LIBOR, the
Index Currency, except that with respect to United States dollars, Australian
dollars, Deutsche marks, Dutch guilders, Italian lire, Swiss francs and ECU, the
"Principal Financial Center" shall be The City of New York, Sydney, Frankfurt,
Amsterdam, Milan, Zurich and Luxembourg, respectively.

     The interest rate applicable to each Interest Reset Period commencing on
the related Interest Reset Date will be determined by the Calculation Agent as
of the applicable Interest Determination Date and will be calculated by the
Calculation Agent on or prior to the Calculation Date (as defined below), except
with respect to the LIBOR and the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate, which
will be calculated as of such Interest Determination Date. The "Interest
Determination Date" with respect to the CD Rate, the CMT Rate, the Commercial
Paper Rate, the Federal Funds Rate and the Prime Rate will be the second
Business Day immediately preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date; the
"Interest Determination Date" with respect to the Eleventh District Cost of
Funds Rate shall be the last working day of the month immediately preceding the
applicable Interest Reset Date on which the Federal Home Loan Bank of San
Francisco (the "FHLB of San Francisco") publishes the Index (as defined below);
and the "Interest Determination Date" with respect to LIBOR shall be the second
London Business Day immediately


                                       14

<PAGE>   15



preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date, unless the Index Currency is
British pounds sterling, in which case the "Interest Determination Date" will be
the applicable Interest Reset Date. The "Interest Determination Date" with
respect to the Treasury Rate shall be the day in the week in which the
applicable Interest Reset Date falls on which day Treasury Bills (as defined
below) are normally auctioned (Treasury Bills are normally sold at an auction
held on Monday of each week, unless that day is a legal holiday, in which case
the auction is normally held on the following Tuesday, except that such auction
may be held on the preceding Friday); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if an auction is
held on the Friday of the week preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date, the
"Interest Determination Date" shall be such preceding Friday. If the interest
rate of this Note is determined with reference to two or more Interest Rate
Bases specified on the face hereof, the "Interest Determination Date" pertaining
to this Note shall be the most recent Business Day which is at least two
Business Days prior to the applicable Interest Reset Date on which each Interest
Rate Basis is determinable. Each Interest Rate Basis shall be determined as of
such date, and the applicable interest rate shall take effect on the related
Interest Reset Date.

     Unless otherwise specified on the face hereof or in an Addendum hereto, the
rate with respect to each Interest Rate Basis will be determined in accordance
with the applicable provisions below.

     CD RATE. If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is specified on the face
hereof as the CD Rate, the CD Rate shall be determined as of the applicable
Interest Determination Date (a "CD Rate Interest Determination Date") as the
rate on such date for negotiable United States dollar certificates of deposit
having the Index Maturity specified on the face hereof as published by the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in "Statistical Release H.15(519),
Selected Interest Rates" or any successor publication ("H.15(519)") under the
heading "CDs (Secondary Market)", or, if not published by 3:00 P.M., New York
City time, on the related Calculation Date, the rate on such CD Rate Interest
Determination Date for negotiable United States dollar certificates of deposit
of the Index Maturity as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in
its daily statistical release "Composite 3:30 P.M. Quotations for United States
Government Securities" or any successor publication ("Composite Quotations")
under the heading "Certificates of Deposit". If such rate is not yet published
in either H.15(519) or Composite Quotations by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on
the related Calculation Date, then the CD Rate on such CD Rate Interest
Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent specified on the
face hereof and will be the arithmetic mean of



                                       15

<PAGE>   16



the secondary market offered rates as of 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on such
CD Rate Interest Determination Date, of three leading nonbank dealers in
negotiable United States dollar certificates of deposit in The City of New York
selected by the Calculation Agent for negotiable certificates of deposit of
major United States money market banks for negotiable United States dollar
certificates of deposit with a remaining maturity closest to the Index Maturity
in an amount that is representative for a single transaction in that market at
that time; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the dealers so selected by the Calculation
Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the CD Rate determined as
of such CD Rate Interest Determination Date will be the CD Rate in effect on
such CD Rate Interest Determination Date.

     CMT RATE. If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is specified on the face
hereof as the CMT rate, the CMT Rate shall be determined as of the applicable
Interest Determination Date (a "CMT Rate Interest Determination Date") as the
rate displayed on the Designated CMT Telerate Page (as defined below) under the
caption "...Treasury Constant Maturities...Federal Reserve Board Release
H.15...Mondays Approximately 3:45 P.M.", under the column for the Designated CMT
Maturity Index (as defined below) for (i) if the Designated CMT Telerate Page is
7055, the rate on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date and (ii) if the
Designated CMT Telerate Page is 7052, the weekly or monthly average, as
specified on the face hereof, for the week or month, as applicable, ended
immediately preceding the week or month, as applicable, in which the related CMT
Rate Interest Determination Date occurs. If such rate is no longer displayed on
the relevant page or is not displayed by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
related Calculation Date, then the CMT Rate for such CMT Rate Interest
Determination Date will be such treasury constant maturity rate for the
Designated CMT Maturity Index as published in H.15(519). If such rate is no
longer published or is not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
related Calculation Date, then the CMT Rate on such CMT Rate Interest
Determination Date will be such treasury constant maturity rate for the
Designated CMT Maturity Index (or other United States Treasury rate for the
Designated CMT Maturity Index) for the CMT Rate Interest Determination Date with
respect to such Interest Reset Date as may then be published by either the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the United States Department of
the Treasury that the Calculation Agent determines to be comparable to the rate
formerly displayed on the Designated CMT Telerate Page and published in
H.15(519). If such information is not provided by 3:00 P.M., New York City time,
on the related Calculation Date, then the CMT Rate on the CMT Rate Interest
Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be a
yield to maturity, based on the arithmetic


                                       16

<PAGE>   17



mean of the secondary market closing offer side prices as of approximately 3:30
P.M., New York City time, on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date reported,
according to their written records, by three leading primary United States
government securities dealers (each, a "Reference Dealer") in The City of New
York selected by the Calculation Agent (from five such Reference Dealers
selected by the Calculation Agent and eliminating the highest quotation (or, in
the event of equality, one of the highest) and the lowest quotation (or, in the
event of equality, one of the lowest)), for the most recently issued direct
noncallable fixed rate obligations of the United States ("Treasury Notes") with
an original maturity of approximately the Designated CMT Maturity Index and a
remaining term to maturity of not less than such Designated CMT Maturity Index
minus one year. If the Calculation Agent is unable to obtain three such Treasury
Note quotations, the CMT Rate on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will
be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be a yield to maturity based on
the arithmetic mean of the secondary market offer side prices as of
approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time, on such CMT Rate Interest
Determination Date of three Reference Dealers in The City of New York (from five
such Reference Dealers selected by the Calculation Agent and eliminating the
highest quotation (or, in the event of equality, one of the highest) and the
lowest quotation (or, in the event of equality, one of the lowest)), for
Treasury Notes with an original maturity of the number of years that is the next
highest to the Designated CMT Maturity Index and a remaining term to maturity
closest to the Designated CMT Maturity Index and in an amount of at least
U.S.$100 million. If three or four (and not five) of such Reference Dealers are
quoting as described above, then the CMT Rate will be based on the arithmetic
mean of the offer prices obtained and neither the highest nor the lowest of such
quotes will be eliminated; provided, however, that if fewer than three Reference
Dealers selected by the Calculation Agent are quoting as mentioned herein, the
CMT Rate determined as of such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will be the
CMT Rate in effect on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date. If two Treasury
Notes with an original maturity as described in the second preceding sentence
have remaining terms to maturity equally close to the Designated CMT Maturity
Index, the Calculation Agent will obtain quotations for the Treasury Note with
the shorter remaining term to maturity.

     "Designated CMT Telerate Page" means the display on the Dow Jones Telerate
Service (or any successor service) on the page specified on the face hereof (or
any other page as may replace such page on such service (or any successor
service) for the purpose of displaying Treasury Constant Maturities as reported
in H.15(519)) for the purpose of displaying Treasury Constant Maturities as
reported in H.15(519). If no such page is



                                       17

<PAGE>   18



specified on the face hereof, the Designated CMT Telerate Page shall be 7052,
for the most recent week.

     "Designated CMT Maturity Index" means the original period to maturity of
the United States Treasury securities (either 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 20 or 30 years)
specified on the face hereof with respect to which the CMT Rate will be
calculated. If no such maturity is specified on the face hereof, the Designated
CMT Maturity Index shall be 2 years.

     COMMERCIAL PAPER RATE. If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is specified
on the face hereof as the Commercial Paper Rate, the Commercial Paper Rate shall
be determined as of the applicable Interest Determination Date (a "Commercial
Paper Rate Interest Determination Date") as the Money Market Yield (as defined
below) on such date of the rate for commercial paper having the Index Maturity
as published in H.15(519) under the heading "Commercial Paper". In the event
that such rate is not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on such
Calculation Date, then the Commercial Paper Rate on such Commercial Paper Rate
Interest Determination Date will be the Money Market Yield of the rate for
commercial paper having the Index Maturity as published in Composite Quotations
under the heading "Commercial Paper" (with an Index Maturity of one month or
three months being deemed to be equivalent to an Index Maturity of 30 days or 90
days, respectively). If such rate is not yet published in either H.15(519) or
Composite Quotations by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on such Calculation Date,
then the Commercial Paper Rate on such Commercial Paper Rate Interest
Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and shall be the
Money Market Yield of the arithmetic mean of the offered rates at approximately
11:00 A.M., New York City time, on such Commercial Paper Rate Interest
Determination Date of three leading dealers of commercial paper in The City of
New York selected by the Calculation Agent for commercial paper having the Index
Maturity placed for an industrial issuer whose bond rating is "AA", or the
equivalent, from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the dealers so selected by the Calculation Agent are
not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the Commercial Paper Rate determined
as of such Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date will be the
Commercial Paper Rate in effect on such Commercial Paper Rate Interest
Determination Date.

     "Money Market Yield" means a yield (expressed as a percentage) calculated
in accordance with the following formula:

                                  D x 360
      Money Market Yield =   ----------------  x 100
                               360 - (D x M)




                                       18

<PAGE>   19



where "D" refers to the applicable per annum rate for commercial paper quoted on
a bank discount basis and expressed as a decimal, and "M" refers to the actual
number of days in the Interest Period for which interest is being calculated.

     ELEVENTH DISTRICT COST OF FUNDS RATE. If an Interest Rate Basis for this
Note is specified on the face hereof as the Eleventh District Cost of Funds
Rate, the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate shall be determined as of the
applicable Interest Determination Date (an "Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate
Interest Determination Date") as the rate equal to the monthly weighted average
cost of funds for the calendar month immediately preceding the month in which
such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date falls, as
set forth under the caption "11th District" on Telerate Page 7058 as of 11:00
A.M., San Francisco time, on such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest
Determination Date. If such rate does not appear on Telerate Page 7058 on such
Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date, then the
Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate on such Eleventh District Cost of Funds
Rate Interest Determination Date shall be the monthly weighted average cost of
funds paid by member institutions of the Eleventh Federal Home Loan Bank
District that was most recently announced (the "Index") by the FHLB of San
Francisco as such cost of funds for the calendar month immediately preceding
such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date. If the
FHLB of San Francisco fails to announce the Index on or prior to such Eleventh
District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date for the calendar month
immediately preceding such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest
Determination Date, the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate determined as of
such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date will be
the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate in effect on such Eleventh District
Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date.

     FEDERAL FUNDS RATE. If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is specified on
the face hereof as the Federal Funds Rate, the Federal Funds Rate shall be
determined as of the applicable Interest Determination Date (a "Federal Funds
Rate Interest Determination Date") as the rate on such date for United States
dollar federal funds as published in H.15(519) under the heading "Federal Funds
(Effective)" or, if not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
Calculation Date, the rate on such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination
Date as published in Composite Quotations under the heading "Federal
Funds/Effective Rate". If such rate is not published in either H.15(519) or
Composite Quotations by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related
Calculation Date, then the Federal Funds Rate on such Federal Funds Interest
Determination Date shall be calculated by


                                       19

<PAGE>   20



the Calculation Agent and will be the arithmetic mean of the rates for the last
transaction in overnight United States dollar federal funds arranged by three
leading brokers of federal funds transactions in The City of New York selected
by the Calculation Agent, prior to 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on such
Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the
brokers so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in
this sentence, the Federal Funds Rate determined as of such Federal Funds Rate
Interest Determination Date will be the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such
Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date.

     LIBOR. If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is specified on the face
hereof as LIBOR, LIBOR shall be determined by the Calculation Agent as of the
applicable Interest Determination Date (a "LIBOR Interest Determination Date")
in accordance with the following provisions:

     (i) if (a) "LIBOR Reuters" is specified on the face hereof, the arithmetic
mean of the offered rates (unless the Designated LIBOR Page (as defined below)
by its terms provides only for a single rate, in which case such single rate
will be used) for deposits in the Index Currency having the Index Maturity,
commencing on the applicable Interest Reset Date, that appear (or, if only a
single rate is required as aforesaid, appears) on the Designated LIBOR Page (as
defined below) as of 11:00 A.M., London time, on such LIBOR Interest
Determination Date, or (b) "LIBOR Telerate" is specified on the face hereof, or
if neither "LIBOR Reuters" nor "LIBOR Telerate" is specified on the face hereof
as the method for calculating LIBOR, the rate for deposits in the Index Currency
having the Index Maturity, commencing on such Interest Reset Date, that appears
on the Designated LIBOR Page as of 11:00 A.M., London time, on such LIBOR
Interest Determination Date. If fewer than two such offered rates appear, or if
no such rate appears, as applicable, LIBOR on such LIBOR Interest Determination
Date shall be determined in accordance with the provisions described in clause
(ii) below.

     (ii) With respect to a LIBOR Interest Determination Date on which fewer
than two offered rates appear, or no rate appears, as the case may be, on the
Designated LIBOR Page as specified in clause (i) above, the Calculation Agent
shall request the principal London offices of each of four major reference banks
in the London interbank market, as selected by the Calculation Agent, to provide
the Calculation Agent with its offered quotation for deposits in the Index
Currency for the period of the Index Maturity, commencing on the applicable
Interest Reset Date, to prime banks in the London interbank market at
approximately 11:00 A.M., London time, on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date
and in a principal amount that is



                                       20

<PAGE>   21



representative for a single transaction in such Index Currency in such market at
such time. If at least two such quotations are so provided, then LIBOR on such
LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean of such
quotations. If fewer than two such quotations are so provided, then LIBOR on
such LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean of the rates
quoted at approximately 11:00 A.M., in the applicable Principal Financial
Center, on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date by three major banks in such
Principal Financial Center selected by the Calculation Agent for loans in the
Index Currency to leading European banks, having the Index Maturity and in a
principal amount that is representative for a single transaction in such Index
Currency in such market at such time; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the banks so
selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence,
LIBOR determined as of such LIBOR Interest Determination Date shall be LIBOR in
effect on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date.

     "Index Currency" means the currency or composite currency specified on the
face hereof as to which LIBOR shall be calculated. If no such currency or
composite currency is specified on the face hereof, the Index Currency shall be
United States dollars.

     "Designated LIBOR Page" means (a) if "LIBOR Reuters" is specified on the
face hereof, the display on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates Service (or any
successor service) on the page specified on the face hereof (or any other page
as may replace such page on such service (or any successor service)), for the
purpose of displaying the London interbank rates of major banks for the Index
Currency, or (b) if "LIBOR Telerate" is specified on the face hereof or neither
"LIBOR Reuters" nor "LIBOR Telerate" is specified on the face hereof as the
method for calculating LIBOR, the display on the Dow Jones Telerate Service (or
any successor service) on the page specified on the face hereof (or any other
page as may replace such page on such service (or any successor service)) for
the purpose of displaying the London interbank rates of major banks for the
Index Currency.

     PRIME RATE. If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is specified on the
face hereto as the Prime Rate, the Prime Rate shall be determined as of the
applicable Interest Determination Date (a "Prime Rate Interest Determination
Date") as the rate on such date as such rate is published in H.15(519) under the
heading "Bank Prime Loan". If such rate is not published prior to 3:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the Prime Rate shall be
the arithmetic mean of the rates of interest publicly announced by each bank
that appears on the Reuters Screen USPRIME1 Page (as defined below) as such
bank's prime rate or base lending rate as in effect for such



                                       21

<PAGE>   22



Prime Rate Interest Determination Date. If fewer than four such rates appear on
the Reuters Screen USPRIME1 Page for such Prime Rate Interest Determination
Date, the Prime Rate shall be the arithmetic mean of the prime rates quoted on
the basis of the actual number of days in the year divided by a 360-day year as
of the close of business on such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date by four
major money center banks in The City of New York selected by the Calculation
Agent. If fewer than four such quotations are so provided, the Prime Rate shall
be the arithmetic mean of four prime rates quoted on the basis of the actual
number of days in the year divided by a 360-day year as of the close of business
on such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date as furnished in The City of New
York by the major money center banks, if any, that have provided such quotations
and by a reasonable number of substitute banks or trust companies to obtain four
such prime rate quotations, provided such substitute banks or trust companies
are organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, or any
State thereof, each having total equity capital of at least U.S.$500 million and
being subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority,
selected by the Calculation Agent to provide such rate or rates; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that if the banks or trust companies so selected by the Calculation
Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the Prime Rate determined
as of such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date will be the Prime Rate in
effect on such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date.

     "Reuters Screen USPRIME1 Page" means the display designated as page
"USPRIME1" on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates Service (or any successor service)
(or such other page as may replace the USPRIME1 page on such service (or any
successor service) for the purpose of displaying prime rates or base lending
rates of major United States banks).

     TREASURY RATE. If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is specified on the
face hereof as the Treasury Rate, the Treasury Rate shall be determined as of
the applicable Interest Determination Date (a "Treasury Rate Interest
Determination Date") as the rate from the auction held on such Treasury Rate
Interest Determination Date (the "Auction") of direct obligations of the United
States ("Treasury Bills") having the Index Maturity, as such rate is published
in H.15(519) under the heading "Treasury bills-auction average (investment)" or,
if not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation
Date, the auction average rate of such Treasury Bills (expressed as a bond
equivalent on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and applied
on a daily basis) as otherwise announced by the United States Department of the
Treasury. In the event that the results of the Auction of Treasury Bills having
the Index Maturity are not reported as



                                       22


<PAGE>   23



provided above by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on such Calculation Date, or if
no such Auction is held, then the Treasury Rate shall be calculated by the
Calculation Agent and shall be a yield to maturity (expressed as a bond
equivalent on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and applied
on a daily basis) of the arithmetic mean of the secondary market bid rates, as
of approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time, on such Treasury Rate Interest
Determination Date, of three leading primary United States government securities
dealers selected by the Calculation Agent, for the issue of Treasury Bills with
a remaining maturity closest to the Index Maturity; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if
the dealers so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in
this sentence, the Treasury Rate determined as of such Treasury Rate Interest
Determination Date will be the Treasury Rate in effect on such Treasury Rate
Interest Determination Date.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the interest rate hereon shall not be
greater than the Maximum Interest Rate, if any, or less than the Minimum
Interest Rate, if any, in each case as specified on the face hereof. The
interest rate on this Note will in no event be higher than the maximum rate
permitted by Ohio law, as the same may be modified by United States law of
general application.

     The "Calculation Date", if applicable, pertaining to any Interest
Determination Date shall be the earlier of (i) the tenth calendar day after such
Interest Determination Date or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next
succeeding Business Day or (ii) the Business Day immediately preceding the
applicable Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be. At
the request of the Holder hereof, the Calculation Agent will provide to the
Holder hereof the interest rate hereon then in effect and, if determined, the
interest rate that will become effective as a result of a determination made for
the next succeeding Interest Reset Date.

     Accrued interest hereon shall be an amount calculated by multiplying the
principal amount hereof by an accrued interest factor. Such accrued interest
factor shall be computed by adding the interest factor calculated for each day
in the applicable Interest Period. Unless otherwise specified as the Day Count
Convention on the face hereof, the interest factor for each such date shall be
computed by dividing the interest rate applicable to such day by 360 if the CD
Rate, the Commercial Paper Rate, the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate, the
Federal Funds Rate, LIBOR or the Prime Rate is an applicable Interest Rate Basis
or by the actual number of days in the year if the CMT Rate or the Treasury Rate
is an applicable Interest Rate Basis. Unless otherwise specified as the Day
Count Convention on the face


                                       23

<PAGE>   24



hereof, the interest factor for this Note, if the interest rate is calculated
with reference to two or more Interest Rate Bases, shall be calculated in each
period in the same manner as if only the Applicable Interest Rate Basis
specified on the face hereof applied.

     All percentages resulting from any calculation on this Note shall be
rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five
one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards, and all amounts used in or
resulting from such calculation on this Note shall be rounded, in the case of
United States dollars, to the nearest cent or, in the case of a Specified
Currency other than United States dollars, to the nearest unit (with one-half
cent or unit being rounded upwards).

     If an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall occur and be
continuing, the principal of the Notes may be accelerated in the manner and with
the effect provided in the Indenture.

     The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance of (i) the entire
indebtedness of the Notes or (ii) certain covenants and Events of Default with
respect to the Notes, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set
forth therein, which provisions apply to the Notes.

     The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the
amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the holders of the Debt Securities at any time by the
Company and the Trustee with the consent of the holders of not less than a
majority of the aggregate principal amount of all Debt Securities at the time
outstanding and affected thereby. The Indenture also contains provisions
permitting the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of any series, on behalf of the
holders of all such Debt Securities, to waive compliance by the Company with
certain provisions of the Indenture. Furthermore, provisions in the Indenture
permit the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount
of the outstanding Debt Securities of any series, in certain instances, to
waive, on behalf of all of the holders of Debt Securities of such series,
certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such
consent or waiver by the holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding
upon such holder and upon all future holders of this Note and other Notes issued
upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu
hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this
Note.



                                       24

<PAGE>   25



     No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of
the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in
respect of this Note at the times, places and rate or formula, and in the coin
or currency, herein prescribed.

     As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein and
herein set forth, the transfer of this Note is registrable in the Security
Register of the Company upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer
at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal hereof
and any premium or interest hereon are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied
by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the
Security Registrar duly executed by, the holder hereof or by his attorney duly
authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes, of authorized
denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the
designated transferee or transferees.

     As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein and
herein set forth, this Note is exchangeable for a like aggregate principal
amount of Notes of different authorized denominations but otherwise having the
same terms and conditions, as requested by the holder hereof surrendering the
same.

     No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or
exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

     Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration of transfer, the
Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the
holder in whose name this Note is registered as the owner thereof for all
purposes, whether or not this Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

     The Indenture and this Note shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio applicable to agreements made and
to be performed entirely in such State.



                                       25

<PAGE>   26



                                  _____________
                                  ABBREVIATIONS

     The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according
to applicable laws or regulations:

TEN COM - as tenants in common      UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - ______ Custodian ______ 
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties                  (Cust)          (Minor) 
JT TEN  - as joint tenants with right of          under Uniform Gifts to Minors
          survivorship and not as tenants         Act _____________________
          in common                                          (State)

     Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.


                       __________________________________
                                   ASSIGNMENT

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and
transfer(s) unto

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR
                  OTHER
IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
_______________________________
|                              |
|______________________________|______________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
(Please print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code of
assignee)
______________________________________________________________________________
this Note and all rights thereunder hereby irrevocably constituting and
appointing

____________________________________________________________________ Attorney
to transfer this Note on the books of the Trustee, with full power of
substitution in the premises.

Dated:_____________________           _______________________________________

                                      _______________________________________
                                      Notice: The signature(s) on this
                                      Assignment must correspond with the
                                      name(s) as written upon the face of this
                                      Note in every particular, without
                                      alteration or enlargement or any change
                                      whatsoever.




                                       26

<PAGE>   27


                            OPTION TO ELECT REPAYMENT

     The undersigned hereby irrevocably request(s) and instruct(s) the Company
to repay this Note (or portion hereof specified below) pursuant to its terms at
a price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be repaid, together with unpaid
interest accrued hereon to the Repayment Date, to the undersigned, at__________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
         (Please print or typewrite name and address of the undersigned)

     For this Note to be repaid, the Trustee must receive at its corporate trust
office, currently located at __________________________________________, not
more than 60 nor less than 30 calendar days prior to the Repayment Date, this
Note with this "Option to Elect Repayment" form duly completed.

     If less than the entire principal amount of this Note is to be repaid,
specify the portion hereof (which shall be increments of U.S.$1,000 (or, if the
Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the minimum Authorized
Denomination specified on the face hereof)) which the holder elects to have
repaid and specify the denomination or denominations (which shall be an
Authorized Denomination) of the Notes to be issued to the holder for the portion
of this Note not being repaid (in the absence of any such specification, one
such Note will be issued for the portion not being repaid).


Principal Amount
to be Repaid:  $_____________            _________________________________
                                         Notice:  The signature(s) on
Date: _______________________            this Option to Elect Repayment
                                         must correspond with the
                                         name(s) as written upon the
                                         face of this Note in every
                                         particular, without alteration
                                         or enlargement or any change
                                         whatsoever.



                                       27


<PAGE>   1
                                                              EXHIBIT 4(k)


                                 [FACE OF NOTE]

UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY
TRUST COMPANY (THE "DEPOSITARY") (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE
ISSUER HEREOF OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT,
AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME
AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY AND ANY PAYMENT
IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF,
CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.(1)

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN CERTIFICATED
FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A
NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR
ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A
SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.(2)


REGISTERED                  CUSIP No.:                    PRINCIPAL AMOUNT:
No. FXR-____                ____________________          __________________

                      ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION
                                MEDIUM-TERM NOTE
                   (Form of Fixed Rate Subordinated Security)

ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE:        INTEREST RATE:         %      STATED MATURITY DATE:


INTEREST PAYMENT DATE(S)    DEFAULT RATE:          %
[ ] _______ and ______
[ ] Other:


INITIAL REDEMPTION          INITIAL REDEMPTION            ANNUAL REDEMPTION
DATE:                       PERCENTAGE:            %      PERCENTAGE
                                                          REDUCTION:          %

OPTIONAL REPAYMENT          [ ] CHECK IF AN ORIGINAL
DATE(S):                        ISSUE DISCOUNT NOTE
                                    Issue Price:           %


SPECIFIED CURRENCY:         AUTHORIZED DENOMINATION:      EXCHANGE RATE
[ ] United States dollars   [ ] $1,000 and integral       AGENT:
[ ] Other:                      multiples thereof
                            [ ] Other:


ADDENDUM ATTACHED           OTHER/ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS:
[ ] Yes
[ ] No

- ---------------------
(1)   This paragraph applies to global Notes only.

(2)   This paragraph applies to global Notes only.


<PAGE>   2



     ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION, an Ohio corporation (the "Company",
which terms include any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to 
                                , or registered assigns, the principal sum of
                              , on the Stated Maturity Date specified above (or
any Redemption Date or Repayment Date, each as defined on the reverse hereof)
(each such Stated Maturity Date, Redemption Date or Repayment Date being
hereinafter referred to as the "Maturity Date" with respect to the principal
repayable on such date) and to pay interest thereon, at the Interest Rate per
annum specified above, until the principal hereof is paid or duly made available
for payment, and (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be
legally enforceable) at the Default Rate per annum specified above on any
overdue principal, premium and/or interest. The Company will pay interest in
arrears on each Interest Payment Date, if any, specified above (each, an
"Interest Payment Date"), commencing with the first Interest Payment Date next
succeeding the Original Issue Date specified above, and on the Maturity Date;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Original Issue Date occurs between a Record Date
(as defined below) and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest
payments will commence on the second Interest Payment Date next succeeding the
Original Issue Date to the holder of this Note on the Record Date with respect
to such second Interest Payment Date. Interest on this Note will be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

     Interest on this Note will accrue from, and including, the immediately
preceding Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided
for (or from, and including, the Original Issue Date if no interest has been
paid or duly provided for) to, but excluding, the applicable Interest Payment
Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be (each, an "Interest Period"). The
interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest
Payment Date will, subject to certain exceptions described herein, be paid to
the person in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is
registered at the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day (whether or
not a Business Day, as defined below) immediately preceding such Interest
Payment Date (the "Record Date"); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that interest payable on
the Maturity Date will be payable to the person to whom the principal hereof and
premium, if any, hereon shall be payable. Any such interest not so punctually
paid or duly provided for ("Defaulted Interest") will forthwith cease to be
payable to the holder on any Record Date, and shall be paid to the person in
whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on a special record
date (the "Special Record Date") for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to
be fixed by the Trustee hereinafter referred to, notice whereof shall be given
to the holder of this Note by the Trustee not less than 10 calendar days prior
to such Special Record Date or may be paid at any time in any other lawful
manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on
which this Note may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such
exchange, all as more fully provided for in the Indenture.


                                        2

<PAGE>   3



     Payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of this Note
due on the Maturity Date will be made in immediately available funds upon
presentation and surrender of this Note (and, with respect to any applicable
repayment of this Note, a duly completed election form as contemplated on the
reverse hereof) at the corporate trust office of the Trustee maintained for that
purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, currently located at
450 West 33rd Street, New York, New York 10001, or at such other paying agency
in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, as the Company may determine;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Specified Currency specified above is other than
United States dollars and such payment is to be made in the Specified Currency
in accordance with the provisions set forth below, such payment will be made by
wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account with a bank
designated by the holder hereof at least 15 calendar days prior to the Maturity
Date, provided that such bank has appropriate facilities therefor and that this
Note (and, if applicable, a duly completed repayment election form) is presented
and surrendered at the aforementioned office of the Trustee in time for the
Trustee to make such payment in such funds in accordance with its normal
procedures. Payment of interest due on any Interest Payment Date other than the
Maturity Date will be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled
thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register maintained at the
aforementioned office of the Trustee; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that a holder of
U.S.$10,000,000 (or, if the Specified Currency is other than United States
dollars, the equivalent thereof in the Specified Currency) or more in aggregate
principal amount of Notes (whether having identical or different terms and
provisions) will be entitled to receive interest payments on such Interest
Payment Date by wire transfer of immediately available funds if appropriate wire
transfer instructions have been received in writing by the Trustee not less than
15 calendar days prior to such Interest Payment Date. Any such wire transfer
instructions received by the Trustee shall remain in effect until revoked by
such holder.

     If any Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date falls on a day that is
not a Business Day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or
interest shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force
and effect as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest shall
accrue with respect to such payment for the period from and after such Interest
Payment Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be, to the date of such
payment on the next succeeding Business Day.

     As used herein, "Business Day" means any day, other than a Saturday or
Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions
are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close in The
City of New York; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Specified Currency is other
than United States dollars and any payment is to be made in the Specified
Currency in accordance with the provisions hereof, such day is also not a day on
which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or
executive order to close in the Principal Financial Center (as defined below) of
the country

                                        3

<PAGE>   4



issuing the Specified Currency (or, in the case of European Currency Units
("ECU"), is not a day that appears as an ECU non-settlement day on the display
designated as "ISDE" on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates Service (or a day so
designated by the ECU Banking Association) or, if ECU non-settlement days do not
appear on that page (and are not so designated), is not a day on which payments
in ECU cannot be settled in the international interbank market). "Principal
Financial Center" means the capital city of the country issuing the Specified
Currency, except that with respect to United States dollars, Australian dollars,
Deutsche marks, Dutch guilders, Italian lire, Swiss francs and ECU, the
"Principal Financial Center" shall be The City of New York, Sydney, Frankfurt,
Amsterdam, Milan, Zurich and Luxembourg, respectively.

     The Company is obligated to make payment of principal, premium, if any, and
interest in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency (or, if the Specified
Currency is not at the time of such payment legal tender for the payment of
public and private debts, in such other coin or currency of the country which
issued the Specified Currency as at the time of such payment is legal tender for
the payment of such debts). If the Specified Currency is other than United
States dollars, except as otherwise provided below, any such amounts so payable
by the Company will be converted by the Exchange Rate Agent specified above into
United States dollars for payment to the holder of this Note.

     If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the holder
of this Note may elect to receive such amounts in such Specified Currency. If
the holder of this Note shall not have duly made an election to receive all or a
specified portion of any payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest
in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency, any United States dollar
amount to be received by the holder of this Note will be based on the highest
bid quotation in The City of New York received by the Exchange Rate Agent at
approximately 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the second Business Day
preceding the applicable payment date from three recognized foreign exchange
dealers (one of whom may be the Exchange Rate Agent) selected by the Exchange
Rate Agent and approved by the Company for the purchase by the quoting dealer of
the Specified Currency for United States dollars for settlement on such payment
date in the aggregate amount of the Specified Currency payable to all holders of
Notes scheduled to receive United States dollar payments and at which the
applicable dealer commits to execute a contract. All currency exchange costs
will be borne by the holder of this Note by deductions from such payments. If
three such bid quotations are not available, payments on this Note will be made
in the Specified Currency.

     If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the holder
of this Note may elect to receive all or a specified portion of any payment of
principal, premium, if any, and/or interest in respect of this Note in the
Specified Currency by submitting a written request for such payment to the
Trustee at its corporate trust office in The City of New York on or prior to the
applicable Record Date or at least 15 calendar days prior to the Maturity Date,
as the case may be. Such written request may be


                                        4

<PAGE>   5



mailed or hand delivered or sent by cable, telex or other form of facsimile
transmission. The holder of this Note may elect to receive all or a specified
portion of all future payments in the Specified Currency in respect of such
principal, premium, if any, and/or interest and need not file a separate
election for each payment. Such election will remain in effect until revoked by
written notice to the Trustee, but written notice of any such revocation must be
received by the Trustee on or prior to the applicable Record Date or at least 15
calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, as the case may be.

     If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars or a
composite currency and the holder of this Note shall have duly made an election
to receive all or a specified portion of any payment of principal, premium, if
any, and/or interest in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency and if
the Specified Currency is not available due to the imposition of exchange
controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company, the Company
will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to the holder of this Note by making
such payment in United States dollars on the basis of the Market Exchange Rate
(as defined below) on the second Business Day prior to such payment date or, if
such Market Exchange Rate is not then available, on the basis of the most
recently available Market Exchange Rate or as otherwise specified on the face
hereof. The "Market Exchange Rate" for the Specified Currency means the noon
dollar buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for the Specified
Currency as certified for customs purposes by (or if not so certified, as
otherwise determined by) the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Any payment made
under such circumstances in United States dollars will not constitute an Event
of Default (as defined in the Indenture).

     If the Specified Currency is a composite currency and the holder of this
Note shall have duly made an election to receive all or a specified portion of
any payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest in respect of this
Note in the Specified Currency and if such composite currency is unavailable due
to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control
of the Company, then the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to
the holder of this Note by making such payment in United States dollars. The
amount of each payment in United States dollars shall be computed by the
Exchange Rate Agent on the basis of the equivalent of the composite currency in
United States dollars. The component currencies of the composite currency for
this purpose (collectively, the "Component Currencies" and each, a "Component
Currency") shall be the currency amounts that were components of the composite
currency as of the last day on which the composite currency was used. The
equivalent of the composite currency in United States dollars shall be
calculated by aggregating the United States dollar equivalents of the Component
Currencies. The United States dollar equivalent of each of the Component
Currencies shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent on the basis of the
most recently available Market Exchange Rate for each such Component Currency,
or as otherwise specified on the face hereof.


                                        5

<PAGE>   6



     If the official unit of any Component Currency is altered by way of
combination or subdivision, the number of units of the currency as a Component
Currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion. If two or more
Component Currencies are consolidated into a single currency, the amounts of
those currencies as Component Currencies shall be replaced by an amount in such
single currency equal to the sum of the amounts of the consolidated Component
Currencies expressed in such single currency. If any Component Currency is
divided into two or more currencies, the amount of the original Component
Currency shall be replaced by the amounts of such two or more currencies, the
sum of which shall be equal to the amount of the original Component Currency.

     All determinations referred to above made by the Exchange Rate Agent shall
be at its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be
conclusive for all purposes and binding on the holder of this Note.

     Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth
on the reverse hereof and, if so specified on the face hereof, in an Addendum
hereto, which further provisions shall have the same force and effect as if set
forth on the face hereof.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Addendum is attached hereto or
"Other/Additional Provisions" apply to this Note as specified above, this Note
shall be subject to the terms set forth in such Addendum or such
"Other/Additional Provisions".

     Unless the Certificate of Authentication hereon has been executed by the
Trustee by manual signature, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit
under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.


                                        6

<PAGE>   7



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Associated Estates Realty Corporation has caused
this Note to be duly executed by one of its duly authorized officers.

                                       ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION



                                        By: ________________________________
                                            Title:

Dated:



TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION:

This is one of the Debt Securities of
the series designated therein referred
to in the within-mentioned Indenture.



CHEMICAL BANK,
as Trustee



By ___________________________
      Authorized Signatory



                                        7

<PAGE>   8



                                [REVERSE OF NOTE]

                      ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION
                                MEDIUM-TERM NOTE
                   (Form of Fixed Rate Subordinated Security)


     This Note is one of a duly authorized series of Subordinated Debt
Securities (the "Debt Securities") of the Company issued and to be issued under
an Indenture, dated as of March 31, 1995, as amended, modified or supplemented
from time to time (the "Indenture"), between the Company and CHEMICAL BANK, as
Trustee (the "Trustee", which term includes any successor trustee under the
Indenture), to which the Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto
reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations
of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the
holders of the Debt Securities, and of the terms upon which the Debt Securities
are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Note is one of the series
of Debt Securities designated as "Medium-Term Notes Due Nine Months or More From
Date of Issue" (the "Notes"). All terms used but not defined in this Note or in
an Addendum hereto shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the
Indenture or on the face hereof, as the case may be.

     This Note is issuable only in registered form without coupons in minimum
denominations of U.S.$1,000 and integral multiples thereof or the minimum
Authorized Denomination specified on the face hereof.

     This Note will not be subject to any sinking fund and, unless otherwise
specified on the face hereof in accordance with the provisions of the following
two paragraphs, will not be redeemable or repayable prior to the Stated Maturity
Date.

     This Note will be subject to redemption at the option of the Company on any
date on or after the Initial Redemption Date, if any, specified on the face
hereof, in whole or from time to time in part in increments of U.S.$1,000 or the
minimum Authorized Denomination (provided that any remaining principal amount
hereof shall be at least U.S.$1,000 or such minimum Authorized Denomination), at
the Redemption Price (as defined below), together with unpaid interest accrued
thereon to the date fixed for redemption (each, a "Redemption Date"), on notice
given no more than 60 nor less than 30 calendar days prior to the Redemption
Date and in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture. The "Redemption
Price" shall initially be the Initial Redemption Percentage specified on the
face hereof multiplied by the unpaid principal amount of this Note to be
redeemed. The Initial Redemption Percentage shall decline at each anniversary of
the Initial Redemption Date by the Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction, if
any, specified on the face hereof until the Redemption Price is 100% of unpaid
principal amount to be redeemed. In the event of redemption of this Note in part
only, a new Note of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof and otherwise
having


                                        8

<PAGE>   9



the same terms as this Note shall be issued in the name of the holder hereof
upon the presentation and surrender hereof.

     This Note will be subject to repayment by the Company at the option of the
holder hereof on the Optional Repayment Date(s), if any, specified on the face
hereof, in whole or in part in increments of U.S.$1,000 or the minimum
Authorized Denomination (provided that any remaining principal amount hereof
shall be at least U.S.$1,000 or such minimum Authorized Denomination), at a
repayment price equal to 100% of the unpaid principal amount to be repaid,
together with unpaid interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for repayment
(each, a "Repayment Date"). For this Note to be repaid, this Note must be
received, together with the form hereon entitled "Option to Elect Repayment"
duly completed, by the Trustee at its corporate trust office not more than 60
nor less than 30 calendar days prior to the Repayment Date. Exercise of such
repayment option by the holder hereof will be irrevocable. In the event of
repayment of this Note in part only, a new Note of like tenor for the unrepaid
portion hereof and otherwise having the same terms as this Note shall be issued
in the name of the holder hereof upon the presentation and surrender hereof.

     If this Note is an Original Issue Discount Note as specified on the face
hereof, the amount payable to the holder of this Note in the event of
redemption, repayment or acceleration of maturity will be equal to the sum of
(1) the Issue Price specified on the face hereof (increased by any accruals of
the Discount, as defined below) and, in the event of any redemption of this Note
(if applicable), multiplied by the Initial Redemption Percentage (as adjusted by
the Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction, if applicable) and (2) any unpaid
interest on this Note accrued, from the Original Issue Date to the Redemption
Date, Repayment Date or date of acceleration of maturity, as the case may be.
The difference between the Issue Price and 100% of the principal amount of this
Note is referred to herein as the "Discount".

     For purposes of determining the amount of Discount that has accrued as of
any Redemption Date, Repayment Date or date of acceleration of maturity of this
Note, such Discount will be accrued so as to cause the yield on the Note to be
constant. The constant yield will be calculated using a 30-day month, 360-day
year convention, a compounding period that, except for the Initial Period (as
defined below), corresponds to the shortest period between Interest Payment
Dates (with ratable accruals within a compounding period) and an assumption that
the maturity of this Note will not be accelerated. If the period from the
Original Issue Date to the initial Interest Payment Date (the "Initial Period")
is shorter than the compounding period for this Note, a proportionate amount of
the yield for an entire compounding period will be accrued. If the Initial
Period is longer than the compounding period, then such period will be divided
into a regular compounding period and a short period, with the short period
being treated as provided in the preceding sentence.

     If an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall occur and be
continuing, the principal of the Notes may be


                                        9

<PAGE>   10



accelerated in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

     The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance of (i) the entire
indebtedness of the Notes or (ii) certain covenants and Events of Default with
respect to the Notes, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set
forth therein, which provisions apply to the Notes.

     The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the
amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the holders of the Debt Securities at any time by the
Company and the Trustee with the consent of the holders of not less than a
majority of the aggregate principal amount of all Debt Securities at the time
outstanding and affected thereby. The Indenture also contains provisions
permitting the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of any series, on behalf of the
holders of all such Debt Securities, to waive compliance by the Company with
certain provisions of the Indenture. Furthermore, provisions in the Indenture
permit the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount
of the outstanding Debt Securities of any series, in certain instances, to
waive, on behalf of all of the holders of Debt Securities of such series,
certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such
consent or waiver by the holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding
upon such holder and upon all future holders of this Note and other Notes issued
upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange heretofore or in lieu
hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this
Note.

     The Debt Securities evidenced by this Note are, to the extent and in the
manner set forth in the Indenture, expressly subordinated and subject in right
of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness. Each Holder
of this Note, by accepting the same, agrees to and shall be bound by such
provisions of the Indenture and authorizes and directs the Trustee on its behalf
to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate such
subordination as provided in the Indenture and appoints the Trustee its
attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

     No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of
the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in
respect of this Note at the times, places and rate or formula, and in the coin
or currency, herein prescribed.

     As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein and
herein set forth, the transfer of this Note is registrable in the Security
Register of the Company upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer
at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal hereof
and any premium or interest hereon are payable, duly endorsed by,


                                       10

<PAGE>   11



or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the holder hereof or by his
attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes, of
authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be
issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

     As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein and
herein set forth, this Note is exchangeable for a like aggregate principal
amount of Notes of different authorized denominations but otherwise having the
same terms and conditions, as requested by the holder hereof surrendering the
same.

     No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or
exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

     Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration of transfer, the
Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the
holder in whose name this Note is registered as the owner thereof for all
purposes, whether or not this Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

     The Indenture and this Note shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made
and to be performed entirely in such State.



                                       11

<PAGE>   12



                                  _____________
                                  ABBREVIATIONS

     The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according
to applicable laws or regulations:

TEN COM - as tenants in common       UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - ______ Custodian ______
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties                   (Cust)          (Minor)
JT TEN  - as joint tenants with right of           under Uniform Gifts to Minors
          survivorship and not as tenants          Act _____________________
          in common                                           (State)

         Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.


                       __________________________________
                                   ASSIGNMENT

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and
transfer(s) unto

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR
                  OTHER
IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
________________________________
|                              |
|______________________________|______________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
(Please print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code of
assignee)
______________________________________________________________________________
this Note and all rights thereunder hereby irrevocably constituting and
appointing

____________________________________________________________________ Attorney
to transfer this Note on the books of the Trustee, with full power of
substitution in the premises.

Dated:_____________________           _______________________________________

                                      _______________________________________
                                      Notice: The signature(s) on this
                                      Assignment must correspond with the
                                      name(s) as written upon the face of this
                                      Note in every particular, without
                                      alteration or enlargement or any change
                                      whatsoever.



                                       12

<PAGE>   13


                            OPTION TO ELECT REPAYMENT

     The undersigned hereby irrevocably request(s) and instruct(s) the Company
to repay this Note (or portion hereof specified below) pursuant to its terms at
a price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be repaid, together with unpaid
interest accrued hereon to the Repayment Date, to the undersigned, at _________
_______________________________________________________________________________
         (Please print or typewrite name and address of the undersigned)

     For this Note to be repaid, the Trustee must receive at its corporate trust
office, not more than 60 nor less than 30 calendar days prior to the Repayment
Date, this Note with this "Option to Elect Repayment" form duly completed.

     If less than the entire principal amount of this Note is to be repaid,
specify the portion hereof (which shall be increments of U.S.$1,000 (or, if the
Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the minimum Authorized
Denomination specified on the face hereof)) which the holder elects to have
repaid and specify the denomination or denominations (which shall be an
Authorized Denomination) of the Notes to be issued to the holder for the portion
of this Note not being repaid (in the absence of any such specification, one
such Note will be issued for the portion not being repaid).


Principal Amount
to be Repaid:  $_____________              _______________________________
                                           Notice:  The signature(s) on this
Date: _______________________              Option to Elect Repayment must
                                           correspond with the name(s) as
                                           written upon the face of this
                                           Note in every particular, without
                                           alteration or enlargement or any
                                           change whatsoever.



                                       13



<PAGE>   1

                                                              EXHIBIT 4(l)

                                 [FACE OF NOTE]

UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY
TRUST COMPANY (THE "DEPOSITARY") (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE
ISSUER HEREOF OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT,
AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME
AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY AND ANY PAYMENT
IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF,
CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.(1)

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN CERTIFICATED
FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A
NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR
ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A
SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.(2)


REGISTERED                   CUSIP No.:                PRINCIPAL AMOUNT:
No. FLR-____                 __________________        __________________

                      ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION
                                MEDIUM-TERM NOTE
                  (Form of Floating Rate Subordinated Security)

INTEREST RATE BASIS       ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE:         STATED MATURITY DATE:
OR BASES:

   IF LIBOR:                     IF CMT RATE:
      [ ] LIBOR Reuters           Designated CMT Telerate Page:
          Page:                   Page:
      [ ] LIBOR Telerate          IF Telerate Page 7052:
          Page:                      [ ] Weekly Average
INDEX CURRENCY:                      [ ] Monthly Average
                                  Designated CMT Maturity
                                  Index:


INDEX MATURITY:           INITIAL INTEREST RATE:    %  INTEREST PAYMENT DATE(S):


- -------------------

(1)  This paragraph applies to global Notes only.

(2)  This paragraph applies to global Notes only.






<PAGE>   2



SPREAD (PLUS OR           Spread Multiplier:            INITIAL INTEREST RESET:
MINUS):                                          DATE:


MINIMUM INTEREST RATE: %: MAXIMUM INTEREST RATE:   %    INTEREST RESET DATE(S):


INITIAL REDEMPTION        INITIAL REDEMPTION            ANNUAL REDEMPTION
DATE:                     PERCENTAGE:    %              PERCENTAGE REDUCTION:
%


OPTIONAL REPAYMENT        CALCULATION AGENT:
DATE(S):


INTEREST CATEGORY:                        DAY COUNT CONVENTION:
[ ] Regular Floating Rate Note            [ ] 30/360 for the period
[ ] Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note              from            to            .
       Fixed Rate Commencement Date:      [ ] Actual/360 for the period
       Fixed Interest Rate:    %               from            to            .
[ ] Inverse Floating Rate Note            [ ] Actual/Actual for the period
       Fixed Interest Rate:    %               from            to            .
[ ] Original Issue Discount Note          Applicable Interest Rate Basis:
       Issue Price:    %


SPECIFIED CURRENCY:                       AUTHORIZED DENOMINATION:
[ ] United States dollars                 [ ] $1,000 and integral multiples
                                          thereof
[ ] Other:                                [ ] Other:


EXCHANGE RATE AGENT:


DEFAULT RATE:    %


ADDENDUM ATTACHED
[ ] Yes
[ ] No


OTHER/ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS:




                                        2

<PAGE>   3



     ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION, an Ohio corporation (the "Company",
which terms include any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to                    
                     , or registered assigns, the principal sum of             
                     , on the Stated Maturity Date specified above (or any
Redemption Date or Repayment Date, each as defined on the reverse hereof) (each
such Stated Maturity Date, Redemption Date or Repayment Date being hereinafter
referred to as the "Maturity Date" with respect to the principal repayable on
such date) and to pay interest thereon, at a rate per annum equal to the Initial
Interest Rate specified above until the Initial Interest Reset Date specified
above and thereafter at a rate determined in accordance with the provisions
specified above and on the reverse hereof or in an Addendum hereto with respect
to one or more Interest Rate Bases specified above until the principal hereof is
paid or duly made available for payment, and (to the extent that the payment of
such interest shall be legally enforceable) at the Default Rate per annum
specified above on any overdue principal, premium and/or interest. The Company
will pay interest in arrears on each Interest Payment Date, if any, specified
above (each, an "Interest Payment Date"), commencing with the first Interest
Payment Date next succeeding the Original Issue Date specified above, and on the
Maturity Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Original Issue Date occurs between
a Record Date (as defined below) and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date,
interest payments will commence on the second Interest Payment Date next
succeeding the Original Issue Date to the holder of this Note on the Record Date
with respect to such second Interest Payment Date.

     Interest on this Note will accrue from, and including, the immediately
preceding Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided
for (or from, and including, the Original Issue Date if no interest has been
paid or duly provided for) to, but excluding, the applicable Interest Payment
Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be (each, an "Interest Period"). The
interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest
Payment Date will, subject to certain exceptions described herein, be paid to
the person in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is
registered at the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day (whether or
not a Business Day, as defined on the reverse hereof) immediately preceding such
Interest Payment Date (the "Record Date"); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that interest
payable on the Maturity Date will be payable to the person to whom the principal
hereof and premium, if any, hereon shall be payable. Any such interest not so
punctually paid or duly provided for ("Defaulted Interest") will forthwith cease
to be payable to the holder on any Record Date, and shall be paid to the person
in whose name



                                        3

<PAGE>   4



this Note is registered at the close of business on a special record date (the
"Special Record Date") for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by
the Trustee hereinafter referred to, notice whereof shall be given to the holder
of this Note by the Trustee not less than 10 calendar days prior to such Special
Record Date or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not
inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which this Note
may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as
more fully provided for in the Indenture.

     Payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of this Note
due on the Maturity Date will be made in immediately available funds upon
presentation and surrender of this Note (and, with respect to any applicable
repayment of this Note, a duly completed election form as contemplated on the
reverse hereof) at the corporate trust office of the Trustee maintained for that
purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, currently located at
450 West 33rd Street, New York, New York 10001, or at such other paying agency
in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, as the Company may determine;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Specified Currency specified above is other than
United States dollars and such payment is to be made in the Specified Currency
in accordance with the provisions set forth below, such payment will be made by
wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account with a bank
designated by the holder hereof at least 15 calendar days prior to the Maturity
Date, provided that such bank has appropriate facilities therefor and that this
Note (and, if applicable, a duly completed repayment election form) is presented
and surrendered at the aforementioned office of the Trustee in time for the
Trustee to make such payment in such funds in accordance with its normal
procedures. Payment of interest due on any Interest Payment Date other than the
Maturity Date will be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled
thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register maintained at the
aforementioned office of the Trustee; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that a holder of
U.S.$10,000,000 (or, if the Specified Currency specified above is other than
United States dollars, the equivalent thereof in the Specified Currency) or more
in aggregate principal amount of Notes (whether having identical or different
terms and provisions) will be entitled to receive interest payments on such
Interest Payment Date by wire transfer of immediately available funds if
appropriate wire transfer instructions have been received in writing by the
Trustee not less than 15 calendar days prior to such Interest Payment Date. Any
such wire transfer instructions received by the Trustee shall remain in effect
until revoked by such holder.


                                        4

<PAGE>   5



     If any Interest Payment Date other than the Maturity Date would otherwise
be a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall be
postponed to the next succeeding Business Day, except that if LIBOR is an
applicable Interest Rate Basis and such Business Day falls in the next
succeeding calendar month, such Interest Payment Date shall be the immediately
preceding Business Day. If the Maturity Date falls on a day that is not a
Business Day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest
shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect
as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest shall accrue with
respect to such payment for the period from and after the Maturity Date to the
date of such payment on the next succeeding Business Day.

     The Company is obligated to make payment of principal, premium, if any, and
interest in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency (or, if the Specified
Currency is not at the time of such payment legal tender for the payment of
public and private debts, in such other coin or currency of the country which
issued the Specified Currency as at the time of such payment is legal tender for
the payment of such debts). If the Specified Currency is other than United
States dollars, except as otherwise provided below, any such amounts so payable
by the Company will be converted by the Exchange Rate Agent specified above into
United States dollars for payment to the holder of this Note.

     If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the holder
of this Note may elect to receive such amounts in such Specified Currency. If
the holder of this Note shall not have duly made an election to receive all or a
specified portion of any payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest
in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency, any United States dollar
amount to be received by the holder of this Note will be based on the highest
bid quotation in The City of New York received by the Exchange Rate Agent at
approximately 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the second Business Day
preceding the applicable payment date from three recognized foreign exchange
dealers (one of whom may be the Exchange Rate Agent) selected by the Exchange
Rate Agent and approved by the Company for the purchase by the quoting dealer of
the Specified Currency for United States dollars for settlement on such payment
date in the aggregate amount of the Specified Currency payable to all holders of
Notes scheduled to receive United States dollar payments and at which the
applicable dealer commits to execute a contract. All currency exchange costs
will be borne by the holder of this Note by deductions from such payments. If
three such bid quotations are not available, payments on this Note will be made
in the Specified Currency.


                                        5

<PAGE>   6




     If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the holder
of this Note may elect to receive all or a specified portion of any payment of
principal, premium, if any, and/or interest in respect of this Note in the
Specified Currency by submitting a written request for such payment to the
Trustee at its corporate trust office in The City of New York on or prior to the
applicable Record Date or at least 15 calendar days prior to the Maturity Date,
as the case may be. Such written request may be mailed or hand delivered or sent
by cable, telex or other form of facsimile transmission. The holder of this Note
may elect to receive all or a specified portion of all future payments in the
Specified Currency in respect of such principal, premium, if any, and/or
interest and need not file a separate election for each payment. Such election
will remain in effect until revoked by written notice to the Trustee, but
written notice of any such revocation must be received by the Trustee on or
prior to the applicable Record Date or at least 15 calendar days prior to the
Maturity Date, as the case may be.

     If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars or a
composite currency and the holder of this Note shall have duly made an election
to receive all or a specified portion of any payment of principal, premium, if
any, and/or interest in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency and if
the Specified Currency is not available due to the imposition of exchange
controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company, the Company
will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to the holder of this Note by making
such payment in United States dollars on the basis of the Market Exchange Rate
(as defined below) on the second Business Day prior to such payment date or, if
such Market Exchange Rate is not then available, on the basis of the most
recently available Market Exchange Rate or as otherwise specified on the face
hereof. The "Market Exchange Rate" for the Specified Currency means the noon
dollar buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for the Specified
Currency as certified for customs purposes by (or if not so certified, as
otherwise determined by) the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Any payment made
under such circumstances in United States dollars will not constitute an Event
of Default (as defined in the Indenture).

     If the Specified Currency is a composite currency and the holder of this
Note shall have duly made an election to receive all or a specified portion of
any payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest in respect of this
Note in the Specified Currency and if such composite currency is unavailable due
to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control
of the Company, then the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to
the holder of this Note by making such payment in United States dollars. The
amount of each payment in


                                        6

<PAGE>   7



United States dollars shall be computed by the Exchange Rate Agent on the basis
of the equivalent of the composite currency in United States dollars. The
component currencies of the composite currency for this purpose (collectively,
the "Component Currencies" and each, a "Component Currency") shall be the
currency amounts that were components of the composite currency as of the last
day on which the composite currency was used. The equivalent of the composite
currency in United States dollars shall be calculated by aggregating the United
States dollar equivalents of the Component Currencies. The United States dollar
equivalent of each of the Component Currencies shall be determined by the
Exchange Rate Agent on the basis of the most recently available Market Exchange
Rate for each such Component Currency, or as otherwise specified on the face
hereof.

     If the official unit of any Component Currency is altered by way of
combination or subdivision, the number of units of the currency as a Component
Currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion. If two or more
Component Currencies are consolidated into a single currency, the amounts of
those currencies as Component Currencies shall be replaced by an amount in such
single currency equal to the sum of the amounts of the consolidated Component
Currencies expressed in such single currency. If any Component Currency is
divided into two or more currencies, the amount of the original Component
Currency shall be replaced by the amounts of such two or more currencies, the
sum of which shall be equal to the amount of the original Component Currency.

     All determinations referred to above made by the Exchange Rate Agent shall
be at its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be
conclusive for all purposes and binding on the holder of this Note.

     Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth
on the reverse hereof and, if so specified on the face hereof, in an Addendum
hereto, which further provisions shall have the same force and effect as if set
forth on the face hereof.

     Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained herein, if the
face of this Note specifies that an Addendum is attached hereto or that
"Other/Additional Provisions" apply, this Note shall be subject to the terms set
forth in such Addendum or such "Other/Additional Provisions".

     Unless the Certificate of Authentication hereon has been executed by the
Trustee by manual signature, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit
under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.


                                        7

<PAGE>   8



     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Associated Estates Realty Corporation has caused this
Note to be duly executed by one of its duly authorized officers.

                                       ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION



                                       By: ________________________________
                                           Title:

Dated:



TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION:

This is one of the Debt Securities of
the series designated therein referred
to in the within-mentioned Indenture.



THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
as Trustee



By __________________________
      Authorized Signatory




                                        8

<PAGE>   9



                                [REVERSE OF NOTE]

                      ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION
                                MEDIUM-TERM NOTE
                  (Form of Floating Rate Subordinated Security)


     This Note is one of a duly authorized series of Subordinated Debt
Securities (the "Debt Securities") of the Company issued and to be issued under
an Indenture, dated as of March 31, 1995, as amended, modified or supplemented
from time to time (the "Indenture"), between the Company and THE CHASE MANHATTAN
BANK, as Trustee (the "Trustee", which term includes any successor trustee under
the Indenture), to which the Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto
reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations
of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the
holders of the Debt Securities, and of the terms upon which the Debt Securities
are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Note is one of the series
of Debt Securities designated as "Medium-Term Notes Due Nine Months or More From
Date of Issue" (the "Notes"). All terms used but not defined in this Note or in
an Addendum hereto shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the
Indenture or on the face hereof, as the case may be.

     This Note is issuable only in registered form without coupons in minimum
denominations of U.S.$1,000 and integral multiples thereof or the minimum
Authorized Denomination specified on the face hereof.

     This Note will not be subject to any sinking fund and, unless otherwise
specified on the face hereof in accordance with the provisions of the following
two paragraphs, will not be redeemable or repayable prior to the Stated Maturity
Date.

     This Note will be subject to redemption at the option of the Company on any
date on or after the Initial Redemption Date, if any, specified on the face
hereof, in whole or from time to time in part in increments of U.S.$1,000 or the
minimum Authorized Denomination (provided that any remaining principal amount
hereof shall be at least U.S.$1,000 or such minimum Authorized Denomination), at
the Redemption Price (as defined below), together with unpaid interest accrued
thereon to the date fixed for redemption (each, a "Redemption Date"), on notice
given no more than 60 nor less than 30 calendar days prior to the Redemption
Date and in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture. The "Redemption
Price" shall initially be the Initial Redemption Percentage specified on the
face hereof multiplied by the unpaid principal amount of this Note to be
redeemed. The Initial Redemption Percentage shall decline at each anniversary


                                        9

<PAGE>   10



of the Initial Redemption Date by the Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction, if
any, specified on the face hereof until the Redemption Price is 100% of unpaid
principal amount to be redeemed. In the event of redemption of this Note in part
only, a new Note of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof and otherwise
having the same terms as this Note shall be issued in the name of the holder
hereof upon the presentation and surrender hereof.

     This Note will be subject to repayment by the Company at the option of the
holder hereof on the Optional Repayment Date(s), if any, specified on the face
hereof, in whole or in part in increments of U.S.$1,000 or the minimum
Authorized Denomination (provided that any remaining principal amount hereof
shall be at least U.S.$1,000 or such minimum Authorized Denomination), at a
repayment price equal to 100% of the unpaid principal amount to be repaid,
together with unpaid interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for repayment
(each, a "Repayment Date"). For this Note to be repaid, this Note must be
received, together with the form hereon entitled "Option to Elect Repayment"
duly completed, by the Trustee at its corporate trust office not more than 60
nor less than 30 calendar days prior to the Repayment Date. Exercise of such
repayment option by the holder hereof will be irrevocable. In the event of
repayment of this Note in part only, a new Note of like tenor for the unrepaid
portion hereof and otherwise having the same terms as this Note shall be issued
in the name of the holder hereof upon the presentation and surrender hereof.

     If the Interest Category of this Note is specified on the face hereof as an
Original Issue Discount Note, the amount payable to the holder of this Note in
the event of redemption, repayment or acceleration of maturity of this Note will
be equal to the sum of (1) the Issue Price specified on the face hereof
(increased by any accruals of the Discount, as defined below) and, in the event
of any redemption of this Note (if applicable), multiplied by the Initial
Redemption Percentage specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement (as
adjusted by the Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction, if applicable) and (2)
any unpaid interest on this Note accrued from the Original Issue Date to the
Redemption Date, Repayment Date or date of acceleration of maturity, as the case
may be. The difference between the Issue Price and 100% of the principal amount
of this Note is referred to herein as the "Discount".

     For purposes of determining the amount of Discount that has accrued as of
any Redemption Date, Repayment Date or date of acceleration of maturity of this
Note, such Discount will be accrued so as to cause an assumed yield on the Note
to be constant. The assumed constant yield will be calculated using a



                                       10

<PAGE>   11



30-day month, 360-day year convention, a compounding period that, except for the
Initial Period (as defined below), corresponds to the shortest period between
Interest Payment Dates (with ratable accruals within a compounding period), a
constant coupon rate equal to the initial interest rate applicable to this Note
and an assumption that the maturity of this Note will not be accelerated. If the
period from the Original Issue Date to the initial Interest Payment Date (the
"Initial Period") is shorter than the compounding period for this Note, a
proportionate amount of the yield for an entire compounding period will be
accrued. If the Initial Period is longer than the compounding period, then such
period will be divided into a regular compounding period and a short period,
with the short period being treated as provided in the preceding sentence.

     The interest rate borne by this Note will be determined as follows:

          (i) Unless the Interest Category of this Note is specified on the face
     hereof as a "Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note" or an "Inverse Floating Rate
     Note" or as otherwise specified as Other/Additional Provisions on the face
     hereof or in an Addendum hereto, this Note shall be designated as a
     "Regular Floating Rate Note" and, except as set forth below or specified on
     the face hereof or in an Addendum hereto, shall bear interest at the rate
     determined by reference to the applicable Interest Rate Basis or Bases (a)
     plus or minus the Spread, if any, and/or (b) multiplied by the Spread
     Multiplier, if any, in each case as specified on the face hereof.
     Commencing on the Initial Interest Reset Date, the rate at which interest
     on this Note shall be payable shall be reset as of each Interest Reset Date
     specified on the face hereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the interest rate in
     effect for the period, if any, from the Original Issue Date to the Initial
     Interest Reset Date shall be the Initial Interest Rate.

          (ii) If the Interest Category of this Note is specified on the face
     hereof as a "Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note", then, except as set forth
     below or specified on the face hereof or in an Addendum hereto, this Note
     shall bear interest at the rate determined by reference to the applicable
     Interest Rate Basis or Bases (a) plus or minus the Spread, if any, and/or
     (b) multiplied by the Spread Multiplier, if any. Commencing on the Initial
     Interest Reset Date, the rate at which interest on this Note shall be
     payable shall be reset as of each Interest Reset Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
     that (y) the interest rate in effect for the period, if any, from the
     Original Issue Date to the Initial Interest Reset Date shall be the Initial
     Interest


                                       11

<PAGE>   12



     Rate and (z) the interest rate in effect for the period commencing on the
     Fixed Rate Commencement Date specified on the face hereof to the Maturity
     Date shall be the Fixed Interest Rate specified on the face hereof or, if
     no such Fixed Interest Rate is specified, the interest rate in effect
     hereon on the day immediately preceding the Fixed Rate Commencement Date.

          (iii) If the Interest Category of this Note is specified on the face
     hereof as an "Inverse Floating Rate Note", then, except as set forth below
     or specified on the face hereof or in an Addendum hereto, this Note shall
     bear interest at the Fixed Interest Rate minus the rate determined by
     reference to the applicable Interest Rate Basis or Bases (a) plus or minus
     the Spread, if any, and/or (b) multiplied by the Spread Multiplier, if any;
     PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, unless otherwise specified on the face hereof or
     in an Addendum hereto, the interest rate hereon shall not be less than
     zero. Commencing on the Initial Interest Reset Date, the rate at which
     interest on this Note shall be payable shall be reset as of each Interest
     Reset Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the interest rate in effect for the
     period, if any, from the Original Issue Date to the Initial Interest Reset
     Date shall be the Initial Interest Rate.

     Except as set forth above or specified on the face hereof or in an Addendum
hereto, the interest rate in effect on each day shall be (i) if such day is an
Interest Reset Date, the interest rate determined as of the Interest
Determination Date (as defined below) immediately preceding such Interest Reset
Date or (ii) if such day is not an Interest Reset Date, the interest rate
determined as of the Interest Determination Date immediately preceding the most
recent Interest Reset Date. If any Interest Reset Date would otherwise be a day
that is not a Business Day, such Interest Reset Date shall be postponed to the
next succeeding Business Day, except that if LIBOR is an applicable Interest
Rate Basis and such Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month,
such Interest Reset Date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day. In
addition, if the Treasury Rate is an applicable Interest Rate Basis and the
Interest Determination Date would otherwise fall on an Interest Reset Date, then
such Interest Reset Date will be postponed to the next succeeding Business Day.

     As used herein, "Business Day" means any day, other than a Saturday or
Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions
are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close in The
City of New York; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Specified Currency is other
than United States dollars, such day is also not a day on which



                                       12

<PAGE>   13



banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive
order to close in the Principal Financial Center (as defined below) of the
country issuing the Specified Currency (or, in the case of European Currency
Units ("ECU"), is not a day that appears as an ECU non-settlement day on the
display designated as "ISDE" on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates Service (or a day
so designated by the ECU Banking Association) or, if ECU non-settlement days do
not appear on that page (and are not so designated), is not a day on which
payments in ECU cannot be settled in the international interbank market);
PROVIDED, FURTHER, that if LIBOR is an applicable Interest Rate Basis, such day
is also a London Business Day (as defined below). "London Business Day" means
(i) if the Index Currency (as defined below) is other than ECU, any day on which
dealings in such Index Currency are transacted in the London interbank market or
(ii) if the Index Currency is ECU, any day that does not appear as an ECU
non-settlement day on the display designated as "ISDE" on the Reuter Monitor
Money Rates Service (or a day so designated by the ECU Banking Association) or,
if ECU non-settlement days do not appear on that page (and are not so
designated), is not a day on which payments in ECU cannot be settled in the
international interbank market. "Principal Financial Center" means the capital
city of the country issuing the Specified Currency, or solely with respect to
the calculation of LIBOR, the Index Currency, except that with respect to United
States dollars, Australian dollars, Deutsche marks, Dutch guilders, Italian
lire, Swiss francs and ECU, the "Principal Financial Center" shall be The City
of New York, Sydney, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Milan, Zurich and Luxembourg,
respectively.

     The interest rate applicable to each Interest Reset Period commencing on
the related Interest Reset Date will be determined by the Calculation Agent as
of the applicable Interest Determination Date and will be calculated by the
Calculation Agent on or prior to the Calculation Date (as defined below), except
with respect to the LIBOR and the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate, which
will be calculated as of such Interest Determination Date. The "Interest
Determination Date" with respect to the CD Rate, the CMT Rate, the Commercial
Paper Rate, the Federal Funds Rate and the Prime Rate will be the second
Business Day immediately preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date; the
"Interest Determination Date" with respect to the Eleventh District Cost of
Funds Rate shall be the last working day of the month immediately preceding the
applicable Interest Reset Date on which the Federal Home Loan Bank of San
Francisco (the "FHLB of San Francisco") publishes the Index (as defined below);
and the "Interest Determination Date" with respect to LIBOR shall be the second
London Business Day immediately preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date,
unless the Index Currency is British pounds sterling, in which case the
"Interest


                                       13

<PAGE>   14



Determination Date" will be the applicable Interest Reset Date. The "Interest
Determination Date" with respect to the Treasury Rate shall be the day in the
week in which the applicable Interest Reset Date falls on which day Treasury
Bills (as defined below) are normally auctioned (Treasury Bills are normally
sold at an auction held on Monday of each week, unless that day is a legal
holiday, in which case the auction is normally held on the following Tuesday,
except that such auction may be held on the preceding Friday); PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that if an auction is held on the Friday of the week preceding the
applicable Interest Reset Date, the "Interest Determination Date" shall be such
preceding Friday; and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that if an auction shall fall on any
Interest Reset Date then the Interest Reset Date shall instead be the first
Business Day following such auction. If the interest rate of this Note is
determined with reference to two or more Interest Rate Bases specified on the
face hereof, the "Interest Determination Date" pertaining to this Note shall be
the most recent Business Day which is at least two Business Days prior to the
applicable Interest Reset Date on which each Interest Rate Basis is
determinable. Each Interest Rate Basis shall be determined as of such date, and
the applicable interest rate shall take effect on the related Interest Reset
Date.

     Unless otherwise specified on the face hereof or in an Addendum hereto, the
rate with respect to each Interest Rate Basis will be determined in accordance
with the applicable provisions below.

     CD RATE. If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is specified on the face
hereof as the CD Rate, the CD Rate shall be determined as of the applicable
Interest Determination Date (a "CD Rate Interest Determination Date") as the
rate on such date for negotiable United States dollar certificates of deposit
having the Index Maturity specified on the face hereof as published by the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in "Statistical Release H.15(519),
Selected Interest Rates" or any successor publication ("H.15(519)") under the
heading "CDs (Secondary Market)", or, if not published by 3:00 P.M., New York
City time, on the related Calculation Date, the rate on such CD Rate Interest
Determination Date for negotiable United States dollar certificates of deposit
of the Index Maturity as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in
its daily statistical release "Composite 3:30 P.M. Quotations for United States
Government Securities" or any successor publication ("Composite Quotations")
under the heading "Certificates of Deposit". If such rate is not yet published
in either H.15(519) or Composite Quotations by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on
the related Calculation Date the CD Rate on such CD Rate Interest Determination
Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent specified on the face hereof
and will be the arithmetic mean of


                                       14

<PAGE>   15



the secondary market offered rates as of 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on such
CD Rate Interest Determination Date, of three leading nonbank dealers in
negotiable United States dollar certificates of deposit in The City of New York
selected by the Calculation Agent for negotiable certificates of deposit of
major United States money market banks for negotiable United States dollar
certificates of deposit with a remaining maturity closest to the Index Maturity
in an amount that is representative for a single transaction in that market at
that time; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the dealers so selected by the Calculation
Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the CD Rate determined as
of such CD Rate Interest Determination Date will be the CD Rate in effect on
such CD Rate Interest Determination Date.

     CMT RATE. If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is specified on the face
hereof as the CMT rate, the CMT Rate shall be determined as of the applicable
Interest Determination Date (a "CMT Rate Interest Determination Date") as the
rate displayed on the Designated CMT Telerate Page (as defined below) under the
caption "...Treasury Constant Maturities...Federal Reserve Board Release
H.15...Mondays Approximately 3:45 P.M.", under the column for the Designated CMT
Maturity Index (as defined below) for (i) if the Designated CMT Telerate Page is
7055, the rate on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date and (ii) if the
Designated CMT Telerate Page is 7052, the weekly or monthly average, as
specified on the face hereof, for the week or month, as applicable, ended
immediately preceding the week or month, as applicable, in which the related CMT
Rate Interest Determination Date occurs. If such rate is no longer displayed on
the relevant page or is not displayed by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
related Calculation Date, then the CMT Rate for such CMT Rate Interest
Determination Date will be such treasury constant maturity rate for the
Designated CMT Maturity Index as published in H.15(519). If such rate is no
longer published or is not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
related Calculation Date, then the CMT Rate on such CMT Rate Interest
Determination Date will be such treasury constant maturity rate for the
Designated CMT Maturity Index (or other United States Treasury rate for the
Designated CMT Maturity Index) for the CMT Rate Interest Determination Date with
respect to such Interest Reset Date as may then be published by either the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the United States Department of
the Treasury that the Calculation Agent determines to be comparable to the rate
formerly displayed on the Designated CMT Telerate Page and published in
H.15(519). If such information is not provided by 3:00 P.M., New York City time,
on the related Calculation Date, then the CMT Rate on the CMT Rate Interest
Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be a
yield to maturity, based on the arithmetic



                                       15

<PAGE>   16



mean of the secondary market closing offer side prices as of approximately 3:30
P.M., New York City time, on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date reported,
according to their written records, by three leading primary United States
government securities dealers (each, a "Reference Dealer") in The City of New
York selected by the Calculation Agent (from five such Reference Dealers
selected by the Calculation Agent and eliminating the highest quotation (or, in
the event of equality, one of the highest) and the lowest quotation (or, in the
event of equality, one of the lowest)), for the most recently issued direct
noncallable fixed rate obligations of the United States ("Treasury Notes") with
an original maturity of approximately the Designated CMT Maturity Index and a
remaining term to maturity of not less than such Designated CMT Maturity Index
minus one year. If the Calculation Agent is unable to obtain three such Treasury
Note quotations, the CMT Rate on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will
be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be a yield to maturity based on
the arithmetic mean of the secondary market offer side prices as of
approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time, on such CMT Rate Interest
Determination Date of three Reference Dealers in The City of New York (from five
such Reference Dealers selected by the Calculation Agent and eliminating the
highest quotation (or, in the event of equality, one of the highest) and the
lowest quotation (or, in the event of equality, one of the lowest)), for
Treasury Notes with an original maturity of the number of years that is the next
highest to the Designated CMT Maturity Index and a remaining term to maturity
closest to the Designated CMT Maturity Index and in an amount of at least
U.S.$100 million. If three or four (and not five) of such Reference Dealers are
quoting as described above, then the CMT Rate will be based on the arithmetic
mean of the offer prices obtained and neither the highest nor the lowest of such
quotes will be eliminated; provided, however, that if fewer than three Reference
Dealers selected by the Calculation Agent are quoting as mentioned herein, the
CMT Rate determined as of such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will be the
CMT Rate in effect on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date. If two Treasury
Notes with an original maturity as described in the second preceding sentence
have remaining terms to maturity equally close to the Designated CMT Maturity
Index, the Calculation Agent will obtain quotations for the Treasury Note with
the shorter remaining term to maturity.

     "Designated CMT Telerate Page" means the display on the Dow Jones Telerate
Service (or any successor service) on the page specified on the face hereof (or
any other page as may replace such page on such service (or any successor
service) for the purpose of displaying Treasury Constant Maturities as reported
in H.15(519)) for the purpose of displaying Treasury Constant Maturities as
reported in H.15(519). If no such page is



                                       16

<PAGE>   17



specified on the face hereof, the Designated CMT Telerate Page shall be 7052,
for the most recent week.

     "Designated CMT Maturity Index" means the original period to maturity of
the United States Treasury securities (either 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 20 or 30 years)
specified on the face hereof with respect to which the CMT Rate will be
calculated. If no such maturity is specified on the face hereof, the Designated
CMT Maturity Index shall be 2 years.

     COMMERCIAL PAPER RATE. If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is specified
on the face hereof as the Commercial Paper Rate, the Commercial Paper Rate shall
be determined as of the applicable Interest Determination Date (a "Commercial
Paper Rate Interest Determination Date") as the Money Market Yield (as defined
below) on such date of the rate for commercial paper having the Index Maturity
as published in H.15(519) under the heading "Commercial Paper". In the event
that such rate is not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on such
Calculation Date, then the Commercial Paper Rate on such Commercial Paper Rate
Interest Determination Date will be the Money Market Yield of the rate for
commercial paper having the Index Maturity as published in Composite Quotations
under the heading "Commercial Paper" (with an Index Maturity of one month or
three months being deemed to be equivalent to an Index Maturity of 30 days or 90
days, respectively). If such rate is not yet published in either H.15(519) or
Composite Quotations by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on such Calculation Date,
then the Commercial Paper Rate on such Commercial Paper Rate Interest
Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and shall be the
Money Market Yield of the arithmetic mean of the offered rates at approximately
11:00 A.M., New York City time, on such Commercial Paper Rate Interest
Determination Date of three leading dealers of commercial paper in The City of
New York selected by the Calculation Agent for commercial paper having the Index
Maturity placed for an industrial issuer whose bond rating is "AA", or the
equivalent, from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the dealers so selected by the Calculation Agent are
not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the Commercial Paper Rate determined
as of such Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date will be the
Commercial Paper Rate in effect on such Commercial Paper Rate Interest
Determination Date.

     "Money Market Yield" means a yield (expressed as a percentage) calculated
in accordance with the following formula:


                                     D x 360
     Money Market Yield =      _________________    x 100
                                 360 - (D x M)




                                       17

<PAGE>   18



where "D" refers to the applicable per annum rate for commercial paper quoted on
a bank discount basis and expressed as a decimal, and "M" refers to the actual
number of days in the Interest Period for which interest is being calculated.

     ELEVENTH DISTRICT COST OF FUNDS RATE. If an Interest Rate Basis for this
Note is specified on the face hereof as the Eleventh District Cost of Funds
Rate, the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate shall be determined as of the
applicable Interest Determination Date (an "Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate
Interest Determination Date") as the rate equal to the monthly weighted average
cost of funds for the calendar month immediately preceding the month in which
such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date falls, as
set forth under the caption "11th District" on Telerate Page 7058 as of 11:00
A.M., San Francisco time, on such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest
Determination Date. If such rate does not appear on Telerate Page 7058 on such
Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date, then the
Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate on such Eleventh District Cost of Funds
Rate Interest Determination Date shall be the monthly weighted average cost of
funds paid by member institutions of the Eleventh Federal Home Loan Bank
District that was most recently announced (the "Index") by the FHLB of San
Francisco as such cost of funds for the calendar month immediately preceding
such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date. If the
FHLB of San Francisco fails to announce the Index on or prior to such Eleventh
District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date for the calendar month
immediately preceding such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest
Determination Date, the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate determined as of
such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date will be
the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate in effect on such Eleventh District
Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date.

     FEDERAL FUNDS RATE. If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is specified on
the face hereof as the Federal Funds Rate, the Federal Funds Rate shall be
determined as of the applicable Interest Determination Date (a "Federal Funds
Rate Interest Determination Date") as the rate on such date for United States
dollar federal funds as published in H.15(519) under the heading "Federal Funds
(Effective)" or, if not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
Calculation Date, the rate on such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination
Date as published in Composite Quotations under the heading "Federal
Funds/Effective Rate". If such rate is not published in either H.15(519) or
Composite Quotations by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related
Calculation Date, then the Federal Funds Rate on such Federal Funds Interest
Determination Date shall be calculated by



                                       18

<PAGE>   19



the Calculation Agent and will be the arithmetic mean of the rates for the last
transaction in overnight United States dollar federal funds arranged by three
leading brokers of federal funds transactions in The City of New York selected
by the Calculation Agent, prior to 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on such
Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the
brokers so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in
this sentence, the Federal Funds Rate determined as of such Federal Funds Rate
Interest Determination Date will be the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such
Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date.

     LIBOR. If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is specified on the face
hereof as LIBOR, LIBOR shall be determined by the Calculation Agent as of the
applicable Interest Determination Date (a "LIBOR Interest Determination Date")
in accordance with the following provisions:

     (i) If (a) "LIBOR Reuters" is specified on the face hereof, the arithmetic
mean of the offered rates (unless the Designated LIBOR Page (as defined below)
by its terms provides only for a single rate, in which case such single rate
will be used) for deposits in the Index Currency having the Index Maturity,
commencing on the applicable Interest Reset Date, that appear (or, if only a
single rate is required as aforesaid, appears) on the Designated LIBOR Page (as
defined below) as of 11:00 A.M., London time, on such LIBOR Interest
Determination Date, or (b) "LIBOR Telerate" is specified on the face hereof, or
if neither "LIBOR Reuters" nor "LIBOR Telerate" is specified on the face hereof
as the method for calculating LIBOR, the rate for deposits in the Index Currency
having the Index Maturity, commencing on such Interest Reset Date, that appears
on the Designated LIBOR Page as of 11:00 A.M., London time, on such LIBOR
Interest Determination Date. If fewer than two such offered rates appear, or if
no such rate appears, as applicable, LIBOR on such LIBOR Interest Determination
Date shall be determined in accordance with the provisions described in clause
(ii) below.

     (ii) With respect to a LIBOR Interest Determination Date on which fewer
than two offered rates appear, or no rate appears, as the case may be, on the
Designated LIBOR Page as specified in clause (i) above, the Calculation Agent
shall request the principal London offices of each of four major reference banks
in the London interbank market, as selected by the Calculation Agent, to provide
the Calculation Agent with its offered quotation for deposits in the Index
Currency for the period of the Index Maturity, commencing on the applicable
Interest Reset Date, to prime banks in the London interbank market at
approximately 11:00 A.M., London time, on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date
and in a principal amount that is



                                       19

<PAGE>   20



representative for a single transaction in such Index Currency in such market at
such time. If at least two such quotations are so provided, then LIBOR on such
LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean of such
quotations. If fewer than two such quotations are so provided, then LIBOR on
such LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean of the rates
quoted at approximately 11:00 A.M., in the applicable Principal Financial
Center, on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date by three major banks in such
Principal Financial Center selected by the Calculation Agent for loans in the
Index Currency to leading European banks, having the Index Maturity and in a
principal amount that is representative for a single transaction in such Index
Currency in such market at such time; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the banks so
selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence,
LIBOR determined as of such LIBOR Interest Determination Date shall be LIBOR in
effect on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date.

     "Index Currency" means the currency or composite currency specified on the
face hereof as to which LIBOR shall be calculated. If no such currency or
composite currency is specified on the face hereof, the Index Currency shall be
United States dollars.

     "Designated LIBOR Page" means (a) if "LIBOR Reuters" is specified on the
face hereof, the display on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates Service (or any
successor service) on the page specified on the face hereof (or any other page
as may replace such page on such service (or any successor service)), for the
purpose of displaying the London interbank rates of major banks for the Index
Currency, or (b) if "LIBOR Telerate" is specified on the face hereof or neither
"LIBOR Reuters" nor "LIBOR Telerate" is specified on the face hereof as the
method for calculating LIBOR, the display on the Dow Jones Telerate Service (or
any successor service) on the page specified on the face hereof (or any other
page as may replace such page on such service (or any successor service)) for
the purpose of displaying the London interbank rates of major banks for the
Index Currency.

     PRIME RATE. If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is specified on the
face hereto as the Prime Rate, the Prime Rate shall be determined as of the
applicable Interest Determination Date (a "Prime Rate Interest Determination
Date") as the rate on such date as such rate is published in H.15(519) under the
heading "Bank Prime Loan". If such rate is not published prior to 3:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the Prime Rate shall be
the arithmetic mean of the rates of interest publicly announced by each bank
that appears on the Reuters Screen USPRIME1 Page (as defined below) as such
bank's prime rate or base lending rate as in effect for such



                                       20

<PAGE>   21



Prime Rate Interest Determination Date. If fewer than four such rates appear on
the Reuters Screen USPRIME1 Page for such Prime Rate Interest Determination
Date, the Prime Rate shall be the arithmetic mean of the prime rates quoted on
the basis of the actual number of days in the year divided by a 360-day year as
of the close of business on such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date by four
major money center banks in The City of New York selected by the Calculation
Agent. If fewer than four such quotations are so provided, the Prime Rate shall
be the arithmetic mean of four prime rates quoted on the basis of the actual
number of days in the year divided by a 360-day year as of the close of business
on such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date as furnished in The City of New
York by the major money center banks, if any, that have provided such quotations
and by a reasonable number of substitute banks or trust companies to obtain four
such prime rate quotations, provided such substitute banks or trust companies
are organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, or any
State thereof, each having total equity capital of at least U.S.$500 million and
being subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority,
selected by the Calculation Agent to provide such rate or rates; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that if the banks or trust companies so selected by the Calculation
Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the Prime Rate determined
as of such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date will be the Prime Rate in
effect on such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date.

     "Reuters Screen USPRIME1 Page" means the display designated as page
"USPRIME1" on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates Service (or any successor service)
(or such other page as may replace the USPRIME1 page on such service (or any
successor service) for the purpose of displaying prime rates or base lending
rates of major United States banks).

     TREASURY RATE. If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is specified on the
face hereof as the Treasury Rate, the Treasury Rate shall be determined as of
the applicable Interest Determination Date (a "Treasury Rate Interest
Determination Date") as the rate from the auction held on such Treasury Rate
Interest Determination Date (the "Auction") of direct obligations of the United
States ("Treasury Bills") having the Index Maturity, as such rate is published
in H.15(519) under the heading "Treasury bills-auction average (investment)" or,
if not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation
Date, the auction average rate of such Treasury Bills (expressed as a bond
equivalent on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and applied
on a daily basis) as otherwise announced by the United States Department of the
Treasury. In the event that the results of the Auction of Treasury Bills having
the Index Maturity are not reported as



                                       21

<PAGE>   22



provided above by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on such Calculation Date, or if
no such Auction is held, then the Treasury Rate shall be calculated by the
Calculation Agent and shall be a yield to maturity (expressed as a bond
equivalent on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and applied
on a daily basis) of the arithmetic mean of the secondary market bid rates, as
of approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time, on such Treasury Rate Interest
Determination Date, of three leading primary United States government securities
dealers selected by the Calculation Agent, for the issue of Treasury Bills with
a remaining maturity closest to the Index Maturity; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if
the dealers so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in
this sentence, the Treasury Rate determined as of such Treasury Rate Interest
Determination Date will be the Treasury Rate in effect on such Treasury Rate
Interest Determination Date.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the interest rate hereon shall not be
greater than the Maximum Interest Rate, if any, or less than the Minimum
Interest Rate, if any, in each case as specified on the face hereof. The
interest rate on this Note will in no event be higher than the maximum rate
permitted by New York law, as the same may be modified by United States law of
general application.

     The "Calculation Date", if applicable, pertaining to any Interest
Determination Date shall be the earlier of (i) the tenth calendar day after such
Interest Determination Date or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next
succeeding Business Day or (ii) the Business Day immediately preceding the
applicable Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be. At
the request of the Holder hereof, the Calculation Agent will provide to the
Holder hereof the interest rate hereon then in effect and, if determined, the
interest rate that will become effective as a result of a determination made for
the next succeeding Interest Reset Date.

     Accrued interest hereon shall be an amount calculated by multiplying the
principal amount hereof by an accrued interest factor. Such accrued interest
factor shall be computed by adding the interest factor calculated for each day
in the applicable Interest Period. Unless otherwise specified as the Day Count
Convention on the face hereof, the interest factor for each such date shall be
computed by dividing the interest rate applicable to such day by 360 if the CD
Rate, the Commercial Paper Rate, the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate, the
Federal Funds Rate, LIBOR or the Prime Rate is an applicable Interest Rate Basis
or by the actual number of days in the year if the CMT Rate or the Treasury Rate
is an applicable Interest Rate Basis. Unless otherwise specified as the Day
Count Convention on the face


                                       22

<PAGE>   23



hereof, the interest factor for this Note, if the interest rate is calculated
with reference to two or more Interest Rate Bases, shall be calculated in each
period in the same manner as if only the Applicable Interest Rate Basis
specified on the face hereof applied.

     All percentages resulting from any calculation on this Note shall be
rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five
one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards, and all amounts used in or
resulting from such calculation on this Note shall be rounded, in the case of
United States dollars, to the nearest cent or, in the case of a Specified
Currency other than United States dollars, to the nearest unit (with one-half
cent or unit being rounded upwards).

     If an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall occur and be
continuing, the principal of the Notes may be accelerated in the manner and with
the effect provided in the Indenture.

     The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance of (i) the entire
indebtedness of the Notes or (ii) certain covenants and Events of Default with
respect to the Notes, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set
forth therein, which provisions apply to the Notes.

     The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the
amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the holders of the Debt Securities at any time by the
Company and the Trustee with the consent of the holders of not less than a
majority of the aggregate principal amount of all Debt Securities at the time
outstanding and affected thereby. The Indenture also contains provisions
permitting the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of any series, on behalf of the
holders of all such Debt Securities, to waive compliance by the Company with
certain provisions of the Indenture. Furthermore, provisions in the Indenture
permit the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount
of the outstanding Debt Securities of any series, in certain instances, to
waive, on behalf of all of the holders of Debt Securities of such series,
certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such
consent or waiver by the holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding
upon such holder and upon all future holders of this Note and other Notes issued
upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu
hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this
Note.


                                       23

<PAGE>   24



     The Debt Securities evidenced by this Note are, to the extent and in the
manner set forth in the Indenture, expressly subordinated and subject in right
of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness. Each Holder
of this Note, by accepting the same, agrees to and shall be bound by such
provisions of the Indenture and authorizes and directs the Trustee on its behalf
to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate such
subordination as provided in the Indenture and appoints the Trustee its
attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

     No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of
the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in
respect of this Note at the times, places and rate or formula, and in the coin
or currency, herein prescribed.

     As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein and
herein set forth, the transfer of this Note is registrable in the Security
Register of the Company upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer
at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal hereof
and any premium or interest hereon are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied
by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the
Security Registrar duly executed by, the holder hereof or by his attorney duly
authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes, of authorized
denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the
designated transferee or transferees.

     As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein and
herein set forth, this Note is exchangeable for a like aggregate principal
amount of Notes of different authorized denominations but otherwise having the
same terms and conditions, as requested by the holder hereof surrendering the
same.

     No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or
exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

     Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration of transfer, the
Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the
holder in whose name this Note is registered as the owner thereof for all
purposes, whether or not this Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.



                                       24

<PAGE>   25



     The Indenture and this Note shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made
and to be performed entirely in such State.





                                       25

<PAGE>   26



                                  _____________
                                  ABBREVIATIONS

     The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according
to applicable laws or regulations:

TEN COM - as tenants in common      UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - ______ Custodian ______
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties                  (Cust)           (Minor)
JT TEN  - as joint tenants with right of           under Uniform Gifts to Minors
          survivorship and not as tenants          Act _____________________
          in common                                           (State)

     Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

                       __________________________________
                                   Assignment

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and
transfer(s) unto

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR
                  OTHER
IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
________________________________
|                              |
|______________________________|______________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
(Please print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code of
assignee)
______________________________________________________________________________
this Note and all rights thereunder hereby irrevocably constituting and
appointing

____________________________________________________________________ Attorney
to transfer this Note on the books of the Trustee, with full power of
substitution in the premises.

Dated:_____________________           _______________________________________

                                      _______________________________________
                                      Notice: The signature(s) on this
                                      Assignment must correspond with the
                                      name(s) as written upon the face of this
                                      Note in every particular, without
                                      alteration or enlargement or any change
                                      whatsoever.




                                       26

<PAGE>   27


                            OPTION TO ELECT REPAYMENT

     The undersigned hereby irrevocably request(s) and instruct(s) the Company
to repay this Note (or portion hereof specified below) pursuant to its terms at
a price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be repaid, together with unpaid
interest accrued hereon to the Repayment Date, to the undersigned, at _________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
         (Please print or typewrite name and address of the undersigned)

     For this Note to be repaid, the Trustee must receive at its corporate trust
office, currently located at __________________________________________, not
more than 60 nor less than 30 calendar days prior to the Repayment Date, this
Note with this "Option to Elect Repayment" form duly completed.

     If less than the entire principal amount of this Note is to be repaid,
specify the portion hereof (which shall be increments of U.S.$1,000 (or, if the
Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the minimum Authorized
Denomination specified on the face hereof)) which the holder elects to have
repaid and specify the denomination or denominations (which shall be an
Authorized Denomination) of the Notes to be issued to the holder for the portion
of this Note not being repaid (in the absence of any such specification, one
such Note will be issued for the portion not being repaid).


Principal Amount
to be Repaid:  $_____________                ____________________________
                                             Notice:  The signature(s) on
Date: _______________________                this Option to Elect Repayment
                                             must correspond with the
                                             name(s) as written upon the
                                             face of this Note in every
                                             particular, without alteration
                                             or enlargement or any change
                                             whatsoever.




                                       27


<PAGE>   1
                                                                 EXHIBIT 8
                              BAKER & HOSTETLER LLP
                            3200 NATIONAL CITY CENTER
                              1900 E. NINTH STREET
                               CLEVELAND, OH 44114

                                February 27, 1997

Associated Estates Realty Corporation
5025 Swetland Court
Cleveland, Ohio 44143-1467

Gentlemen:

                  In connection with the registration statement on Form S-3
being filed by you on February 27, 1997 with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Registration Statement"), you have requested our opinion
whether the Company has been organized in conformity with the requirements for
qualification as a real estate investment trust ("REIT"), and whether its method
of operation has enabled the Company to meet, and will enable it to continue to
meet, the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). This opinion is based on
various assumptions and is conditioned upon certain representations made by the
Company as to factual matters as set forth in the Registration Statement and the
registration statements on Forms S-11 previously filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on September 2, 1993 (No. 33-68276) and
June 30, 1994 (No. 33-80950), and the registration statements on Form S-3
previously filed with the Commission on February 21, 1995 (No. 33-89622) and
December 7, 1995 (No. 33-80169) (the "Prior Registration Statements"). In
addition, the Company has represented that it has made a timely election to be
taxed as a REIT under the Code commencing with its initial taxable year ending
December 31, 1993, and that commencing with the first taxable year that the
Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT, the Company has operated and will
continue to operate in accordance with the method of operation described in the
Registration Statement and the Prior Registration Statements.

                  Based on such assumptions and representations, it is our
opinion that the Company has qualified as a REIT for its taxable years ended
December 31, 1993, December 31, 1994, and December 31, 1995, and the Company is
organized in conformity with the


<PAGE>   2


Associated Estates Realty Corporation
February 27, 1997
Page 2

requirements for qualification as a REIT and its method of operation has enabled
the Company to meet, and will enable it to continue to meet, the requirements
for qualification and taxation as a REIT provided the Company continues to meet
the asset composition, source of income, shareholder diversification,
distribution, record keeping, and other requirements of the Code necessary for
the Company to qualify as a REIT. No opinion is expressed as to any matter not
discussed herein.

                  This opinion is based on various statutory provisions and
regulations promulgated thereunder, in each case as in effect on the date
hereof, and the interpretations of such provisions and regulations by the
Internal Revenue Service and the courts having jurisdiction over such matters,
all of which are subject to change either prospectively or retroactively. Also,
any variation from the factual statements set forth in the Registration
Statement, the Prior Registration Statements or the written representations made
by the Company in connection with this opinion may affect the conclusions stated
herein. Moreover, the Company's qualification and taxation as a REIT depends
upon the Company's ability to meet, through actual annual operating results,
distribution levels, diversity of stock ownership and the various qualification
tests imposed under the Code, the results of which will not be reviewed by Baker
& Hostetler. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of
the Company's operations for any one taxable year will satisfy such
requirements. We wish to point out that our opinion is not binding on the
Internal Revenue Service and, without limiting our opinion, we note that there
can be no assurance that all of the requirements for qualification as a REIT for
any particular taxable year have in fact been met until the return for such
taxable year has been reviewed by the Internal Revenue Service or the period for
such review has expired.

                  This opinion is furnished to you solely for use in connection
with the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion
as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the
caption "Federal Income Tax Considerations" in the Prospectus included as a part
of the Registration Statement.

                                                    Very truly yours,

                                                    /s/  Baker & Hostetler LLP
                                      
                                                    Baker & Hostetler LLP



<PAGE>   1

                                                                 EXHIBIT 25(b)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D. C. 20549

                            -------------------------

                                    FORM T-1

                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                    UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF
                   A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                   -------------------------------------------
               CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF
                A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2) ________

                    ----------------------------------------

                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
               (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

NEW YORK                                                           13-4994650
(State of incorporation                                      (I.R.S. employer
if not a national bank)                                   identification No.)

270 PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK                                                      10017
(Address of principal executive offices)                            (Zip Code)

                               William H. McDavid
                                 General Counsel
                                 270 Park Avenue
                            New York, New York 10017
                               Tel: (212) 270-2611
            (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

                  ---------------------------------------------
                      ASSOCIATED ESTATES REALTY CORPORATION
               (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

OHIO                                                                 34-1747603

(State or other jurisdiction of                             (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                              identification No.)

5025 SWETLAND COURT
RICHMOND HEIGHTS, OHIO                                               44143-1467
(Address of principal executive offices)                             (Zip Code)


<PAGE>   2
                          SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
                       (Title of the indenture securities)






                                     GENERAL

Item 1.                                                    General Information.

          Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

          (a)  Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to
               which it is subject.

               New York State Banking Department, State House, Albany, New York
               12110.

               Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington,
               D.C., 20551

               Federal Reserve Bank of New York, District No. 2, 33 Liberty
               Street, New York, N.Y.

               Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C., 20429.

          (b)  Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

               Yes.

Item 2.    Affiliations with the Obligor.

         If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such
         affiliation.

         None.
<PAGE>   3

                                     - 2 -

Item 16.   List of Exhibits

           List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of
Eligibility.

           1. A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee as now in
effect, including the Organization Certificate and the Certificates of Amendment
dated February 17, 1969, August 31, 1977, December 31, 1980, September 9, 1982,
February 28, 1985, December 2, 1991 and July 10, 1996 (see Exhibit 1 to Form T-1
filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-06249, which is
incorporated by reference).

           2. A copy of the Certificate of Authority of the Trustee to Commence
Business (see Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration
Statement No. 33-50010, which is incorporated by reference. On July 14, 1996, in
connection with the merger of Chemical Bank and The Chase Manhattan Bank
(National Association), Chemical Bank, the surviving corporation, was renamed
The Chase Manhattan Bank).

           3. None, authorization to exercise corporate trust powers being
contained in the documents identified above as Exhibits 1 and 2.

           4. A copy of the  existing  By-Laws of the Trustee  (see  Exhibit 4 
to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-06249, which
is incorporated by reference).

           5.  Not applicable.

           6. The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act
(see Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No.
33-50010, which is incorporated by reference. On July 14, 1996, in connection
with the merger of Chemical Bank and The Chase Manhattan Bank (National
Association), Chemical Bank, the surviving corporation, was renamed The Chase
Manhattan Bank).

           7. A copy of the  latest  report of  condition  of the  Trustee,  
published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining
authority.

           8.  Not applicable.

           9.  Not applicable.

                                    SIGNATURE

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 the
Trustee, The Chase Manhattan Bank, a corporation organized and existing under
the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in
the City of New York and State of New York, on the 26TH day of FEBRUARY, 1997.

                                                 THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK

                                                 By:
                                                     G. McFarlane
                                                     Vice President
<PAGE>   4
                                      - 3 -



Item 16.   List of Exhibits

           List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of
Eligibility.

           1. A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee as now in
effect, including the Organization Certificate and the Certificates of Amendment
dated February 17, 1969, August 31, 1977, December 31, 1980, September 9, 1982,
February 28, 1985, December 2, 1991 and July 10, 1996 (see Exhibit 1 to Form T-1
filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-06249, which is
incorporated by reference).

           2. A copy of the Certificate of Authority of the Trustee to Commence
Business (see Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration
Statement No. 33-50010, which is incorporated by reference. On July 14, 1996, in
connection with the merger of Chemical Bank and The Chase Manhattan Bank
(National Association), Chemical Bank, the surviving corporation, was renamed
The Chase Manhattan Bank).

           3. None, authorization to exercise corporate trust powers being
contained in the documents identified above as Exhibits 1 and 2.

           4. A copy of the  existing  By-Laws of the Trustee  (see  Exhibit 4 
to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-06249, which
is incorporated by reference).

           5.  Not applicable.

           6. The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act
(see Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No.
33-50010, which is incorporated by reference. On July 14, 1996, in connection
with the merger of Chemical Bank and The Chase Manhattan Bank (National
Association), Chemical Bank, the surviving corporation, was renamed The Chase
Manhattan Bank).

           7. A copy of the  latest  report of  condition  of the  Trustee,  
published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining
authority.

           8.  Not applicable.

           9.  Not applicable.

                                    SIGNATURE

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 the
Trustee, The Chase Manhattan Bank, a corporation organized and existing under
the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in
the City of New York and State of New York, on the 26TH day of FEBRUARY, 1997.

                                                 THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK

                                                  By /s/G. McFarlane
                                                    --------------------------
                                                        G. McFarlane
                                                        Vice President

                                      - 3 -


<PAGE>   5

                              Exhibit 7 to Form T-1

                                Bank Call Notice

                             RESERVE DISTRICT NO. 2
                       CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION OF

                            The Chase Manhattan Bank
                  of 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017
                     and Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,
                     a member of the Federal Reserve System,

               at the close of business September 30, 1996, in
       accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this
       District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                      DOLLAR AMOUNTS
                     ASSETS                                              IN MILLIONS
<S>                                                                          <C>
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
     Noninterest-bearing balances and
     currency and coin .................................                  $  11,095
     Interest-bearing balances .........................                      4,998

Securities:  ...........................................
Held to maturity securities.............................                      3,231
Available for sale securities...........................                     38,078

Federal Funds sold and securities purchased under
     agreements to resell in domestic offices of the
     bank and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries,
     and in IBF's:
     Federal funds sold ................................    8,018
     Securities purchased under agreements to resell ...    731

Loans and lease financing receivables:
     Loans and leases, net of unearned income      $130,513
     Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses        2,938
     Less: Allocated transfer risk reserve ....          27
                                                   --------
     Loans and leases, net of unearned income,
     allowance, and reserve ............................    127,548
Trading Assets .........................................    48,576

Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized
     leases)...........................................     2,850
Other real estate owned ................................    300
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and
     associated companies................................   92
Customer's liability to this bank on acceptances
     outstanding ........................................   2,777
Intangible assets .......................................   1,361

Other assets ............................................                    12,204
                                                                           --------

TOTAL ASSETS ............................................                  $261,859
                                                                           ========
</TABLE>


                                      - 4 -


<PAGE>   6
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       LIABILITIES

Deposits
<S>                                                               <C>    
     In domestic offices ...................................        $80,163
     Noninterest-bearing ............................$30,596
     Interest-bearing ................................49,567
                                                     -------
     In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries,
     and IBF's .............................................         65,173
           Noninterest-bearing ......................$ 3,616

     Interest-bearing ................................61,557

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agree-
ments to repurchase in domestic offices of the bank and
     of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBF's
     Federal funds purchased ...................................     14,594
     Securities sold under agreements to repurchase ............     14,110
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury .......................      2,200
Trading liabilities ............................................     30,136
Other Borrowed money:
     With a remaining maturity of one year or less ............      16,895
     With a remaining maturity of more than one year ..                 449
Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized
     leases....................................................          49
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding              2,764
Subordinated notes and debentures .............................       5,471
Other liabilities..............................................      13,997

TOTAL LIABILITIES .............................................     246,001
                                                                    -------
Limited-Life Preferred stock and related surplus                        550

                                 EQUITY CAPITAL

Common stock ..................................................       1,209
Surplus.......................................................       10,176
Undivided profits and capital reserves .......................        4,385
Net unrealized holding gains (Losses)
on available-for-sale securities .............................         (481)
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments ..........           19

TOTAL EQUITY CAPITAL .........................................       15,308
                                                                   --------
TOTAL LIABILITIES, LIMITED-LIFE PREFERRED
     STOCK AND EQUITY CAPITAL ................................     $261,859
                                                                   ========
</TABLE>

I, Joseph L. Sclafani, S.V.P. & Controller of the
above-named bank, do hereby declare that this Report of 
Condition has been prepared in conformance with the
instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory
authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and 
belief.

                               JOSEPH L. SCLAFANI

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness 
of this Report of Condition and declare that it has been 
examined by us, and to the best of our knowledge and belief
has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued
by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true 
and correct.

                                 WALTER V. SHIPLEY              )
                                 EDWARD D. MILLER               )  DIRECTORS
                         
                                 THOMAS G. LABRECQUE            )

                                          - 5 -


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