STORAGE USA INC
S-3, 1998-12-04
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
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    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 4, 1998
                                                      Registration No. 333-_____
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      Under
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             -----------------------

                                STORAGE USA, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          TENNESSEE                                             62-1251239
(State or other jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S. Employer 
 incorporation or organization)                           Identification Number)

                               165 Madison Avenue
                                   Suite 1300
                            Memphis, Tennessee 38103
                                 (901) 252-2000
               (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
        including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

                                Mr. Dean Jernigan
                      Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
                                Storage USA, Inc.
                               165 Madison Avenue,
                                   Suite 1300
                            Memphis, Tennessee 38103
                                 (901) 252-2000
                (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone
               number, including area code, of agent for service)

                                    Copy to:
                              Mr. Randall S. Parks
                                Hunton & Williams
                          Riverfront Plaza, East Tower
                              951 East Byrd Street
                          Richmond, Virginia 23219-4074
Approximate  date of commencement  of proposed sale to the public:  From time to
time after the effective date of this Registration  Statement in light of market
conditions and other factors.

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, 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 under
the Securities Act, please check the following box: [ ]
<TABLE>
                                           CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
====================================================================================================================
                                                        Proposed Maximum     Proposed Maximum
       Title of Each Class of        Aggregate Amount  Offering Price Per   Aggregate Offering       Amount of
    Securities to be Registered      to be Registered        Unit(1)             Price(1)         Registration Fee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
 Common Stock, $.01 par value,             8,583             $31.00              $266,073              $74.00
 per share
====================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1)  Calculated  pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as
amended,  based  upon the  prices of the  Common  Shares  on the New York  Stock
Exchange on December 2, 1998.
                              --------------------
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, as amended,  or until this registration  statement shall
become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission,  acting
pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.


<PAGE>
RED HERRING:

THE  INFORMATION IN THIS  PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED.  WE MAY
NOT SELL  THESE  SECURITIES  UNTIL THE  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  FILED  WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER
TO  SELL  THESE  SECURITIES  AND IT IS NOT  SOLICITING  AN  OFFER  TO BUY  THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.



                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECMEBER 4, 1998
Prospectus
                                  8,583 Shares
                                Storage USA, Inc.
                                  Common Stock

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

         Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
"SUS."

         We are the general partner of SUSA Partnership, L.P. In July 1997, SUSA
Partnership issued 8,583 units of limited partnership  interest to CRM Realty II
Joint  Venture.  CRM Realty II Joint Venture now has the option of redeeming all
or a portion of those  partnership units for cash or shares of our common stock.
If CRM  Realty  II Joint  Venture  chooses  to redeem  all or a  portion  of its
partnership  units,  and if we choose to acquire  those  units in  exchange  for
common  stock,  then CRM Realty II Joint  Venture  will receive one share of our
common stock for each unit redeemed. This prospectus relates to resales of those
shares by CRM Realty II Joint Venture or its transferees.

         The shares may be  offered  and sold by CRM Realty II Joint  Venture or
its  transferees  from  time  to  time in  open-market  or  privately-negotiated
transactions which may involve underwriters or brokers.

         We will not  receive  any of the  proceeds  from the sale of the shares
covered  by this  prospectus,  and  the  registration  of the  shares  does  not
necessarily mean that any of them will be offered or sold by CRM Realty II Joint
Venture.

         So that we can continue to qualify as a "real estate  investment trust"
under the Internal  Revenue Code, our Charter does not permit anyone to own more
than 9.8% of our outstanding  common stock. This and other limits on who can own
our  common  stock are  described  in this  prospectus  under  "Restrictions  on
Ownership and Transfer."

                                  ------------
     NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
           COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR
             DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE.
                     ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
                               A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

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


                The date of this Prospectus is December __, 1998.


<PAGE>




                                TABLE OF CONTENTS



AVAILABLE INFORMATION.......................................................4
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS..................................................4
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK.................................................5
RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER......................................5
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS...........................................6
USE OF PROCEEDS............................................................21
THE SELLING SHAREHOLDERS...................................................21
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION.......................................................21
LEGAL OPINIONS.............................................................22
EXPERTS....................................................................22


                                       2
<PAGE>
                       WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

         We file annual,  quarterly and special  reports,  proxy  statements and
other  information  with the SEC.  You may read and copy any document we file at
the SEC's public  reference  rooms in  Washington,  D.C., New York, New York and
Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information
on the public  reference  rooms. Our SEC filings are also available on the SEC's
Website at "http://www.sec.gov."

         The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference"  information from other
documents  that we file with them,  which means that we can  disclose  important
information by referring to those  documents.  The  information  incorporated by
reference is considered to be part of this  prospectus,  and information that we
file  later  with  the  SEC  will   automatically   update  and  supersede  this
information.  We  incorporate  by reference the  documents  listed below and any
future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a),  13(c), 14 or 15(d) of
the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 prior to the sale of all the shares covered
by this prospectus:

          o         Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31,
                    1997;

          o         Quarterly  Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March
                    31, 1998, June 30, 1998 and September 30, 1998;

          o         Current Reports on Forms 8-K and 8-K/A filed with the SEC on
                    January 20, 1998, January 26, 1998, February 17, 1998, March
                    6, 1998,  March 25,  1998,  October 13,  1998,  November 20,
                    1998, and December 1, 1998; and

          o         The  description  of  the  common  stock  contained  in  our
                    Registration  Statement  on Form 8-A,  filed with the SEC on
                    March 15, 1994.

         You may  request a copy of these  filings,  at no cost,  by  writing or
telephoning:

                                Storage USA, Inc.
                                165 Madison Avenue
                                Suite 1300
                                Memphis, Tennessee  38101
                                Attention:  Secretary
                                Telephone:  901/252-2000

         You should rely only on the  information  incorporated  by reference or
provided in this  prospectus or any  supplement.  We have not authorized  anyone
else to provide you with different  information.  The selling  shareholders will
not make an offer of these shares in any state where the offer is not permitted.
You should not assume that the  information in this prospectus or any supplement
is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents.


                   A WARNING ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

         This  prospectus,  and the documents  incorporated  by  reference,  may
contain  "forward-looking"  statements  as  described  in  Section  27A  of  the
Securities  Act and  Section  21E of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as
amended.   These  forwarding  looking  statements  usually  include  words  like
"believes,"  "anticipates"  and "expects" and describe our  expectations for the
future.  Of course,  these  expectations  may not be met in important ways for a
variety of reasons.  We have  described  these reasons in our most recent Annual
Report on Form 10-K under the heading  "Risk  Factors" and the other  reports we
file with the SEC,  and you  should  review  them  before  you decide to buy our
stock. We are not required to update any forward-looking  statements we make and
we may not.


                                       3
<PAGE>
                                STORAGE USA, INC.

         Storage  USA,  Inc.  is  a  self-managed,   self-advised   real  estate
investment   trust  ("REIT").   We  manage,   acquire,   develop  and  franchise
self-storage  facilities.  We do business through SUSA Partnership,  L.P. ("SUSA
Partnership"),  of which we are the sole general  partner and in which we own an
approximate 88% partnership  interest as of September 30, 1998. Our self-storage
facilities  operate  under  the  Storage  USA name and  offer  low-cost,  easily
accessible and enclosed  storage space for personal and business use,  primarily
on a month-to-month  basis. All of our facilities are fenced, have locked gates,
are  lighted at night and have  computer-controlled  gates that  permit  certain
tenants to access their  storage  units 24 hours a day or are being  upgraded to
those standards.

         We are a Tennessee  corporation.  Our executive  offices are located at
165 Madison Avenue, Memphis,  Tennessee 38103, and our telephone number is (901)
252-2000.

                           DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

         We are authorized to issue 150,000,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par
value, and 5,000,000  shares of preferred stock,  $.01 par value. As of November
30, 1998, there were 27,746,360 shares of common stock outstanding.  No shares
of preferred stock were outstanding.  The following is only a summary of some of
the rights of  shareholders  that might be important to you. You should refer to
our  Charter  and  By-laws  for  a  complete  statement  of  your  rights  as  a
shareholder. Both the Charter and the By-laws are filed with the SEC as exhibits
to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Common Stock

         As a holder  of  common  stock  you will have one vote per share on all
matters voted on by shareholders,  including  elections of directors.  Except as
otherwise  required by law or provided in any resolution adopted by the Board of
Directors with respect to any series of preferred stock,  only holders of common
stock have voting rights.  The Charter does not provide for cumulative voting in
the election of directors or for preemptive  rights to acquire new shares issued
by Storage  USA.  Holders of common  stock will  receive  dividends if the Board
declares them out of available funds.

         The Transfer Agent for the common stock is First Union National Bank of
North Carolina,  Charlotte,  North  Carolina.  The common stock is traded on the
NYSE under the symbol "SUS."

Preferred Stock

         Under  the  Charter,  the Board of  Directors  is  authorized,  without
further  stockholder action, to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock.
The Board may issue  preferred  stock in  series,  with  different  preferences,
conversion or other  rights,  voting  powers,  restrictions,  limitations  as to
dividends, qualifications or other provisions.

         The Board has designated  650,000  shares of preferred  stock as 8 7/8%
Series A Cumulative  Redeemable  Preferred  Stock ("Series A Preferred  Stock").
Series A Preferred  Stock is issuable in certain  circumstances  in exchange for
units of 8 7/8% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred partnership interest in
SUSA Partnership,  which have terms essentially identical to those of the Series
A Preferred  Stock. If issued,  the Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to
receive  cumulative  preferential  dividends  at the rate of $8.78 per share per
year  and  will  have a  liquidation  preference  of $100  per  share.  Series A
Preferred  Stock  will be  redeemable  at the option of  Storage  USA  beginning
November  1, 2003 at a  redemption  price of $100 per share,  plus  accrued  but
unpaid  dividends.  The Series A  Preferred  Stock has voting  rights  only with
respect to certain matters that would adversely affect its rights.


                     RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER

         The Charter provides that, subject to certain  exceptions  specified in
the  Charter,  no  stockholder  may own,  or be  deemed  to own by virtue of the
attribution provisions of Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the "Code"),
more  than  9.8%  of the  outstanding  shares  of  common  stock  or 9.8% of the
outstanding   shares  of  any  series  of   preferred   stock  (the   "Ownership
Limitation").  Pursuant to a Strategic Alliance Agreement, dated as of March 19,
1996, as amended,  among Storage USA,  Security Capital U.S. Realty and Security


                                       4
<PAGE>

Capital Holdings S.A.  (together with Security  Capital U.S.  Realty,  "Security
Capital"),  Security  Capital and its  affiliates may  beneficially  own, in the
aggregate, up to 42.5% of the common stock outstanding (the "Special Stockholder
Limit").  At September 14, 1998,  Security  Capital held 11,765,654  shares,  or
approximately  42.4% of the common stock outstanding.  The Ownership  Limitation
prevents any non-U.S.  holder (other than Security  Capital and its  affiliates)
from acquiring  additional shares of Storage USA's capital stock if, as a result
of   such   acquisition,    Storage   USA   would   fail   to   qualify   as   a
domestically-controlled REIT (determined assuming that Security Capital owns the
maximum  percentage  of Storage  USA's capital stock that it is permitted to own
under the Special Stockholder Limit).

         The Charter provides that if any holder of capital stock of Storage USA
purports  to  transfer  shares to a person  or there is a change in the  capital
structure  of Storage USA,  and either the  purported  transfer or the change in
capital  structure  would result in Storage USA failing to qualify as a REIT, or
such transfer or the change in capital  structure  would cause the transferee to
hold shares in excess of the applicable  ownership limit, then the capital stock
being transferred (or in the case of an event other than a transfer, the capital
stock  beneficially  owned) that would cause one or more of the  restrictions on
ownership or transfer to be violated  shall be  automatically  transferred  to a
trust for the benefit of a  designated  charitable  beneficiary.  The  purported
transferee  of such  shares  shall have no right to receive  dividends  or other
distributions  with  respect to such shares and shall have no right to vote such
shares. Any dividends or other  distributions paid to such purported  transferee
prior to the discovery by Storage USA that the shares have been transferred to a
trust  shall be paid upon  demand to the trustee of the trust for the benefit of
the  charitable  beneficiary.  The  trustee of the trust will have all rights to
dividends  with respect to shares of capital  stock held in trust,  which rights
will be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the charitable  beneficiary.  Any
dividends  or  distributions  paid over to the trustee will be held in trust for
the  charitable  beneficiary.  The trustee shall  designate a transferee of such
stock so long as the ownership of such shares of stock by the  transferee  would
not violate the  restrictions  on ownership  or transfer.  Upon the sale of such
shares,  the purported  transferee  shall receive the lesser of (A)(i) the price
per share such purported  transferee paid for the capital stock in the purported
transfer  that resulted in the transfer of shares of capital stock to the trust,
or (ii) if the  transfer or other event that  resulted in the transfer of shares
of  capital  stock to the trust  was not a  transaction  in which the  purported
record  transferee  gave full value for such shares,  a price per share equal to
the  market  price on the date of the  purported  transfer  or other  event that
resulted in the transfer of the shares to the trust, and (B) the price per share
received by the trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in
the trust.

         The  Board of  Directors  may  grant an  exemption  from the  Ownership
Limitation to any person so requesting,  so long as (A) the Board has determined
that such  exemption  will not result in Storage USA being "closely held" within
the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code,  and (B) such person  provides to the
Board such representations and undertakings as the Board may require.

         In addition, the Charter restricts certain transfers of common stock to
persons who are not U.S. citizens, partnerships or corporations. Any transfer to
any of these  non-U.S.  persons is void if it would  result in non-U.S.  persons
holding 50% or more of the fair market  value of Storage  USA's  capital  stock.
Security  Capital  is  treated  as  a  non-U.S.  person  for  purposes  of  this
restriction.


                        FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

         This section  summarizes  the federal  income tax issues that you, as a
stockholder,  may consider relevant.  Because this section is a summary, it does
not  address all of the tax issues that may be  important  to you. In  addition,
this  section  does not address the tax issues that may be  important to certain
types of  shareholders  that are subject to special  treatment under the federal
income tax laws, such as insurance companies,  tax-exempt  organizations (except
to the extent  discussed in  "--Taxation  of  Tax-Exempt  Shareholders"  below),
financial institutions or broker-dealers,  and non-U.S.  individuals and foreign
corporations  (except  to  the  extent  discussed  in  "--Taxation  of  Non-U.S.
Shareholders" below).

         The statements in this section are based on the current  federal income
tax laws governing  qualification as a REIT. We cannot assure you that new laws,
interpretations  thereof,  or  court  decisions,  any of which  may take  effect
retroactively, will not cause any statement in this section to be inaccurate.



                                       5
<PAGE>

         We urge you to consult your own tax advisor  regarding the specific tax
consequences  to you of  investing  in the  common  stock and of  Storage  USA's
election to be taxed as a REIT.  Specifically,  you should  consult your own tax
advisor regarding the federal, state, local, foreign, and other tax consequences
of such investment and election,  and regarding  potential changes in applicable
tax laws.


                             Taxation of Storage USA

         Storage USA elected to be taxed as a REIT under the federal  income tax
laws  commencing  with its taxable year ended  December  31,  1994.  Storage USA
believes  that it has  operated in a manner  intended to qualify as a REIT since
its election to be a REIT and it intends to continue to so operate. This section
discusses the laws  governing the federal income tax treatment of a REIT and its
shareholders. These laws are highly technical and complex.

         Storage USA's qualification as a REIT depends on its ability to meet on
a  continuing  basis  certain  qualification  tests set forth in the federal tax
laws.  Those  qualification  tests involve the percentage of income that Storage
USA earns from specified sources,  the percentage of its assets that fall within
certain categories,  the diversity of its share ownership, and the percentage of
its earnings that it distributes.  We describe the REIT  qualification  tests in
more detail below.  For a discussion of the tax treatment of Storage USA and its
shareholders  if  Storage  USA fails to  qualify as a REIT,  see  "--Failure  to
Qualify."

         If Storage USA qualifies as a REIT, it generally will not be subject to
federal   income  tax  on  the  taxable   income  that  it  distributes  to  its
shareholders.  The benefit of that tax  treatment  is that it avoids the "double
taxation"  (i.e., at both the corporate and  stockholder  levels) that generally
results from owning stock in a corporation. However, Storage USA will be subject
to federal tax in the following circumstances:

o      Storage USA will pay federal  income tax on taxable  income  (including
       net capital gain) that it does not distribute to its shareholders during,
       or within a specified  time period after,  the calendar year in which the
       income is earned.

o      Storage  USA may be subject  to the  "alternative  minimum  tax" on any
       items of tax  preference  that it does not  distribute or allocate to its
       shareholders.

o      Storage  USA will pay income tax at the highest  corporate  rate on (i)
       net  income  from the  sale or other  disposition  of  property  acquired
       through foreclosure  ("foreclosure property") that it holds primarily for
       sale to  customers  in the  ordinary  course of  business  and (ii) other
       non-qualifying income from foreclosure property.

o      Storage  USA will pay a 100% tax on net income  from  certain  sales or
       other dispositions of property (other than foreclosure  property) that it
       holds  primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business
       ("prohibited transactions").

o      If Storage  USA fails to satisfy  the 75% gross  income test or the 95%
       gross  income  test  (as  described  below  under   "--Requirements   for
       Qualification--Income  Tests"), and nonetheless continues to qualify as a
       REIT because it meets certain other requirements,  it will pay a 100% tax
       on (i) the gross  income  attributable  to the  greater of the amounts by
       which it fails the 75% and 95% gross income  tests,  multiplied by (ii) a
       fraction intended to reflect its profitability.

o      If Storage USA fails to distribute  during a calendar year at least the
       sum of (i) 85% of its REIT ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of its
       REIT capital gain net income for such year,  and (iii) any  undistributed
       taxable  income  from prior  periods,  it will pay a 4% excise tax on the
       excess  of  such  required  distribution  over  the  amount  it  actually
       distributed.

o      Storage USA may elect to retain and pay income tax on its net long-term
       capital gain.



                                       6
<PAGE>

o      If  Storage  USA  acquires  any asset  from a C  corporation  (i.e.,  a
       corporation generally subject to full corporate-level tax) in a merger or
       other  transaction in which it acquires a "carryover"  basis in the asset
       (i.e., basis determined by reference to the C corporation's  basis in the
       asset  (or  another  asset)),  it  will  pay tax at the  highest  regular
       corporate  rate   applicable  if  it  recognizes  gain  on  the  sale  or
       disposition  of such asset  during the 10-year  period  after it acquires
       such asset.  The amount of gain on which it will pay tax is the lesser of
       (i) the  amount  of gain  that it  recognizes  at the time of the sale or
       disposition  and (ii) the amount of gain that it would have recognized if
       it had  sold  the  asset  at the time it  acquired  the  asset.  The rule
       described in this paragraph will apply assuming that Storage USA makes an
       election under IRS Notice 88-19 upon its acquisition of an asset from a C
       corporation.

Requirements for Qualification

         A REIT is a corporation, trust, or association that meets the following
requirements:

o      it is managed by one or more trustees or directors;

o      its  beneficial  ownership  is evidenced by  transferable  shares,  or by
       transferable certificates of beneficial interest;

o      it would be taxable  as a  domestic  corporation,  but for  sections  856
       through 860 of the Code;

o      it is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to
       certain provisions of the Code;

o      at least 100 persons  are  beneficial  owners of its shares or  ownership
       certificates;

o      not  more  than 50% in value of its  outstanding  shares  or  ownership
       certificates  is  owned,  directly  or  indirectly,   by  five  or  fewer
       individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain  entities)  during
       the last half of any taxable year (the "5/50 Rule");

o      it  elects  to be a REIT  (or has made  such  election  for a  previous
       taxable year) and satisfies all relevant filing and other  administrative
       requirements  established  by the  Service  that must be met to elect and
       maintain REIT status;

o      it uses a calendar  year for federal  income tax  purposes and complies
       with  the  recordkeeping  requirements  of  the  Code  and  the  Treasury
       regulations thereunder (the "Treasury Regulations"); and

o      it meets certain other qualification tests,  described below, regarding
       the nature of its income and assets.

         Storage  USA must  meet  requirements  1 through  4 during  its  entire
taxable year and must meet  requirement  5 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.  If Storage USA complies with all the  requirements  for ascertaining
the ownership of its  outstanding  shares in a taxable year and has no reason to
know that it violated  the 5/50 Rule,  it will be deemed to have  satisfied  the
5/50 Rule for such taxable year.  For purposes of  determining  share  ownership
under  the  5/50  Rule,  an  "individual"   generally  includes  a  supplemental
unemployment compensation benefits plan, a private foundation, or a portion of a
trust  permanently  set aside or used  exclusively for charitable  purposes.  An
"individual,"  however,  generally  does not include a trust that is a qualified
employee  pension  or profit  sharing  trust  under  Code  section  401(a),  and
beneficiaries  of such a trust will be treated as holding  shares of Storage USA
in proportion to their actuarial interests in the trust for purposes of the 5/50
Rule.

         Storage  USA  believes  it has  issued  sufficient  common  stock  with
sufficient  diversity  of ownership  to satisfy  requirements  5 and 6 set forth
above. In addition,  Storage USA's Charter  restricts the ownership and transfer
of the common stock so that Storage USA should continue to satisfy  requirements
5 and 6. The provisions of the Charter restricting the ownership and transfer of
the common stock are described in "Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer."

         Storage USA currently has one direct corporate subsidiary,  Storage USA
Trust,  a Maryland  real estate  investment  trust (the  "Trust"),  and may have
additional  corporate  subsidiaries  in the  future.  A  corporation  that  is a
"qualified  REIT  subsidiary" is not treated as a corporation  separate from its
parent REIT. All assets, liabilities, and items of income, deduction, and credit


                                       7
<PAGE>

of a "qualified REIT subsidiary" are treated as assets,  liabilities,  and items
of income, deduction, and credit of the REIT. A "qualified REIT subsidiary" is a
corporation,  all of the capital  stock of which is owned by the REIT.  Thus, in
applying the requirements  described herein,  any "qualified REIT subsidiary" of
Storage USA will be ignored, and all assets,  liabilities,  and items of income,
deduction, and credit of such subsidiary will be treated as assets, liabilities,
and items of  income,  deduction,  and  credit of  Storage  USA.  The Trust is a
qualified REIT subsidiary.  Accordingly,  it is not subject to federal corporate
income taxation, though it may be subject to state and local taxation.

         In the case of a REIT that is a partner in a  partnership,  the REIT is
treated as owning its  proportionate  share of the assets of the partnership and
as  earning  its  allocable  share of the gross  income of the  partnership  for
purposes  of the  applicable  REIT  qualification  tests.  Thus,  Storage  USA's
proportionate  share of the  assets,  liabilities,  and  items of income of SUSA
Partnership  and of any other  partnership  in which Storage USA has acquired or
will acquire an interest,  directly or indirectly (a "Subsidiary  Partnership"),
are treated as assets and gross  income of Storage USA for  purposes of applying
the various REIT qualification requirements.

Income Tests

         Storage USA must satisfy two gross  income  tests  annually to maintain
its  qualification as a REIT. First, at least 75% of its gross income (excluding
gross income from prohibited transactions) for each taxable year must consist of
defined  types  of  income  that  it  derives,  directly  or  indirectly,   from
investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property or temporary
investment income (the "75% gross income test").  Qualifying income for purposes
of the 75% gross income test includes  "rents from real  property,"  interest on
debt secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real property, and
dividends  or other  distributions  on and gain from the sale of shares in other
REITs.  Second,  at least 95% of its gross income  (excluding  gross income from
prohibited  transactions)  for each  taxable year must consist of income that is
qualifying  income for purposes of the 75% gross income test,  dividends,  other
types of interest, gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities,  or
any  combination of the foregoing  (the "95% gross income test").  The following
paragraphs discuss the specific application of these tests to Storage USA.

         Rent that  Storage USA  receives  from real  property  that it owns and
leases  to  tenants  will  qualify  as  "rents  from  real  property"  (which is
qualifying  income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross  income  tests) only if
several  conditions are met.  First,  the rent must not be based, in whole or in
part,  on the  income  or  profits  of any  person.  However,  "rents  from real
property"  generally  does not exclude an amount solely because it is based on a
fixed  percentage or percentages of receipts or sales.  Second,  neither Storage
USA nor a direct or indirect owner of 10% or more of its stock may own, actually
or  constructively,  10% or more of a tenant from whom it receives rent.  Third,
all of the rent  received  under a lease of real  property  will not  qualify as
"rents from real property" unless the rent attributable to the personal property
leased  in  connection  with such  lease is no more  than 15% of the total  rent
received  under the lease.  Finally,  Storage USA generally  must not operate or
manage its real  property or furnish or render  services to its  tenants,  other
than through an "independent  contractor" who is adequately compensated and from
whom Storage USA does not derive revenue.  However, Storage USA need not provide
services  through an "independent  contractor," but instead may provide services
directly,  if the services are "usually or  customarily  rendered" in connection
with the rental of space for  occupancy  only and are not  otherwise  considered
"rendered to the  occupant."  In  addition,  Storage USA may render a de minimis
amount of  "non-customary"  services to the  tenants of a  property,  other than
through an independent contractor,  as long as its income from the services does
not exceed 1% of its income from the related property.

         Storage  USA,  through SUSA  Partnership,  derives most of its revenues
from rent from  storage  unit  leases,  additional  first month  rent,  and late
charges  attributable  to such rents  (collectively,  the  "Primary  Revenues").
Additional  revenues are derived from  ancillary  services  such as moving truck
rental commissions,  packing and shipping  commissions,  rent from leasing space
utilized  for sales of locks and packing  supplies to SUSA  Management,  Inc., a
Tennessee corporation  ("Management") 5% of whose voting stock and 100% of whose
nonvoting  stock  (which  together  constitute  99% of the  beneficial  economic
interest  therein)  are owned by SUSA  Partnership,  rent from  vehicle and boat
storage  leases  (including   additional  first  month  rent  and  late  charges
attributable   thereto),   and  similar  items  (collectively,   the  "Ancillary
Revenues").  Storage USA also receives dividends from Management and Storage USA
Franchise Corp., a Tennessee  corporation  ("Franchise").  SUSA Partnership owns


                                       8
<PAGE>

100% of the nonvoting stock,  which represents 97.5% of the beneficial  economic
interest  therein,  of Franchise.  We believe that,  other than the late charges
attributable  to rent,  which are treated as interest that qualifies for the 95%
gross income  test,  but not the 75% gross  income  test,  the Primary  Revenues
qualify as rents from real  property  for  purposes of both the 75% test and the
95% test and that  dividends from  Management  and Franchise (the  "Nonqualified
Subsidiaries")  qualify as dividends for purposes of the 95% test.  Furthermore,
Storage USA believes that the Ancillary  Revenues and other types of potentially
nonqualifying  gross income earned by Storage USA in each taxable year are equal
to, and will  continue to be equal to, less than 5% of Storage USA's total gross
income and,  thus,  that such items of income do not  adversely  affect  Storage
USA's qualification as a REIT.

         Storage  USA does not  receive  any rent that is based on the income or
profits of any  person.  In  addition,  other than with  respect to its  leasing
arrangement  with  Management  with  respect  to the  sale of lock  and  packing
supplies (the revenue from which Storage USA will treat as nonqualifying  income
for  purposes of the 75% and 95% tests),  Storage USA does not own,  directly or
indirectly, 10% or more of any tenant or receive any rent based on the income or
profits of any tenant. Furthermore, we believe that any personal property rented
in connection  with our storage  facilities is well within the 15%  restriction.
However,  in order for the  Primary  Revenues  to  constitute  "rents  from real
property,"  Storage USA must not provide  services  (other than within the 1% de
minimis  exception  described  above) to its  tenants  that are not  customarily
furnished or rendered in connection with the rental of the  self-storage  units,
other than through an independent contractor.

         Storage USA,  through  SUSA  Partnership  (which is not an  independent
contractor),  provides  certain services with respect to the facilities and will
provide  certain  services  with  respect  to any  newly  acquired  self-storage
facilities. Such services include (i) common area services, such as cleaning and
maintaining  public  entrances,  exits,  stairways,  walkways,  lobbies and rest
rooms, removing snow and debris, collecting trash, and painting the exteriors of
the  facilities  and common  areas,  (ii)  providing  general  security  for the
facilities,  (iii)  cleaning and repairing of units at the facilities as tenants
move in and out,  (iv) at the  request of the  tenant,  and  without  additional
charge, accepting delivery of goods from carriers or unlocking a particular unit
when goods are  delivered  to a facility  (however,  SUSA  Partnership  does not
otherwise  assist tenants in the storage or removal of goods or belongings  from
the units),  (v)  permitting  tenants to use the fax  machine at a facility  for
occasional   local  faxes   without   additional   charge  and  for   occasional
long-distance faxes for a nominal charge, (vi) maintaining underground utilities
and  structural  elements of the  facilities,  (vii)  paying  real and  personal
property taxes or the cost of replacing or refurbishing  personal  property with
respect to real and personal  property owned by SUSA  Partnership at a facility,
(viii)  for a fee,  acting as an agent for moving  truck  rental  companies  for
tenants of certain facilities and walk-in  customers,  (ix) for a fee, providing
packing  and  shipping  services  to tenants of certain  facilities  and walk-in
customers, and (x) at a few facilities,  allowing tenants to use trucks owned by
Storage USA or SUSA  Partnership to move their goods and belongings into and out
of the units without additional  charge.  Storage USA believes that the services
provided by SUSA Partnership are customarily furnished or rendered in connection
with the rental of space for occupancy  only by  self-storage  facilities in the
geographic areas in which its facilities are located.

         Storage USA's investment,  through SUSA Partnership,  in the facilities
in major part gives rise to rental income that is qualifying income for purposes
of the 75% and 95% gross income tests.  Gains on sales of the facilities  (other
than from  prohibited  transactions,  as  described  below) or of Storage  USA's
interest in SUSA Partnership generally will be qualifying income for purposes of
the 75% and 95% gross income tests.  Storage USA anticipates  that income on its
other  investments,  including  its  indirect  investments  in the  Nonqualified
Subsidiaries, will not result in Storage USA failing the 75% or 95% gross income
test for any year.

         A REIT  will  incur  a 100%  tax on the net  income  derived  from  any
"prohibited  transaction."  A  "prohibited  transaction"  generally is a sale or
other  disposition of property (other than  foreclosure  property) that the REIT
holds  primarily  for sale to  customers  in the  ordinary  course of a trade or
business.  We believe that none of Storage USA's or SUSA Partnership's assets is
held for sale to customers and that a sale of any such asset would not be in the
ordinary  course of its business.  Whether a REIT holds an asset  "primarily for
sale to  customers  in the  ordinary  course  of a trade or  business"  depends,
however,  on the facts and circumstances in effect from time to time,  including
those  related to a particular  asset.  Nevertheless,  we will attempt to comply
with the terms of safe-harbor  provisions in the Code  prescribing when an asset
sale will not be  characterized as a prohibited  transaction.  We cannot provide
assurance,  however, that we can comply with such safe-harbor provisions or that
Storage  USA  or  SUSA  Partnership  will  avoid  owning  property  that  may be
characterized  as property that it holds "primarily for sale to customers in the
ordinary course of a trade or business."



                                       9
<PAGE>

         From time to time,  Storage  USA or SUSA  Partnership  may  enter  into
hedging  transactions  with respect to one or more of its assets or liabilities.
Its hedging  activities may include entering into interest rate swaps, caps, and
floors (or options to purchase such items),  and futures and forward  contracts.
To the extent that Storage USA or SUSA Partnership  enters into an interest rate
swap or cap contract,  option, futures contract,  forward rate agreement, or any
similar  financial  instrument to hedge its indebtedness  incurred to acquire or
carry "real estate  assets," any periodic income or gain from the disposition of
such contract  should be qualifying  income for purposes of the 95% gross income
test,  but not the 75% gross income test. To the extent that Storage USA or SUSA
Partnership  hedges  with  other  types of  financial  instruments,  or in other
situations, it is not entirely clear how the income from those transactions will
be treated for purposes of the gross income  tests.  We intend to structure  any
hedging  transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize  Storage USA's status
as a REIT.

         If Storage  USA fails to  satisfy  one or both of the 75% and 95% gross
income tests for any taxable  year,  it  nevertheless  may qualify as a REIT for
such year if it qualifies for relief under certain provisions of the Code. Those
relief provisions  generally will be available if its failure to meet such tests
is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect,  we attach a schedule
of the sources of its income to its tax return, and any incorrect information on
the schedule  was not due to fraud with intent to evade tax. We cannot  predict,
however,  whether in all circumstances  Storage USA would qualify for the relief
provisions. In addition, as discussed above in "--Taxation of Storage USA," even
if the relief provisions apply,  Storage USA would incur a 100% tax on the gross
income  attributable to the greater of the amounts by which it fails the 75% and
95% gross  income  tests,  multiplied  by a fraction  intended  to  reflect  its
profitability.

Asset Tests

         To maintain its qualification as a REIT,  Storage USA also must satisfy
two asset tests at the close of each quarter of each  taxable  year.  First,  at
least 75% of the value of its total  assets  must  consist of cash or cash items
(including certain receivables), government securities, "real estate assets," or
qualifying  temporary  investments (the "75% asset test"). The term "real estate
assets"  includes  interests  in real  property,  interests in mortgages on real
property and stock in other REITs.  For purposes of the 75% asset test, the term
"interest in real  property"  includes an interest in mortgage loans or land and
improvements thereon, such as buildings or other inherently permanent structures
(including   items  that  are   structural   components  of  such  buildings  or
structures),  a  leasehold  of real  property,  and an  option to  acquire  real
property (or a leasehold of real property). Qualifying temporary investments are
investments in stock or debt  instruments  during the one-year period  following
Storage USA's receipt of new capital that it raises  through equity or long-term
(at least five-year) debt offerings.

         The  second  asset test has two  components.  First,  of Storage  USA's
investments  not included in the 75% asset  class,  the value of its interest in
any one  issuer's  securities  (which does not include its stock in other REITs,
SUSA  Partnership,  the Trust or in any other qualified REIT subsidiary) may not
exceed 5% of the  value of its  total  assets  (the "5%  asset  test").  Second,
Storage  USA may not own more than 10% of any one  issuer's  outstanding  voting
securities  (which does not include its stock in other REITs,  SUSA Partnership,
the Trust or in any qualified REIT subsidiary) (the "10% asset test").

         SUSA  Partnership owns 5% of the voting stock and 100% of the nonvoting
stock of Management  (which together  constitute 99% of the beneficial  economic
interest  therein).  In addition,  SUSA  Partnership  owns 100% of the nonvoting
stock of Franchise,  which represents 97.5% of the beneficial  economic interest
therein. By virtue of its partnership interest in SUSA Partnership,  Storage USA
is deemed to own its pro rata share of the assets of SUSA Partnership, including
the stock of Management and Franchise held by SUSA Partnership.

         SUSA Partnership does not own more than 10% of the voting securities of
any  Nonqualified  Subsidiary.  In  addition,  based  upon its  analysis  of the
estimated  value of the  stock  of each  Nonqualified  Subsidiary  owned by SUSA
Partnership relative to the estimated value of the other assets owned by Storage
USA,  Storage  USA  believes  that  neither  its pro rata  share of the stock of
Management  nor its pro rata share of the stock of  Franchise  exceeds 5% of the
total  value of  Storage  USA's  assets.  No  independent  appraisals  have been
obtained to support this conclusion. This 5% limitation must be satisfied at the
end of each  quarter in which  Storage  USA or SUSA  Partnership  increases  its
interest  in a  Nonqualified  Subsidiary  (including  as a result of Storage USA
increasing its interest in SUSA  Partnership in connection with a stock offering
or as Limited  Partners of SUSA Partnership  exercise their Redemption  Rights).


                                       10
<PAGE>

Although  Storage  USA plans to take steps to ensure  that it  satisfies  the 5%
asset test for any quarter  with respect to which  retesting is to occur,  there
can be no  assurance  that such  steps  will  always be  successful  or will not
require a reduction in SUSA  Partnership's  overall  interest in a  Nonqualified
Subsidiary. Storage USA does not expect to own securities of any other issuer in
excess of the restrictions set forth above. Nevertheless, if the Service were to
challenge  successfully  the tax status of SUSA Partnership as a partnership for
federal income tax purposes,  since Storage USA owns more than 10% of the voting
interests in such  entity,  Storage USA likely would cease to qualify as a REIT.
See  "Federal  Income  Tax   Considerations  -  Tax  Aspects  of  the  Company's
Investments in the Partnership and Subsidiary Partnerships."

         If Storage  USA should  fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a
calendar  quarter,  it would not lose its REIT  status if (i) it  satisfied  the
asset  tests  at the  close  of the  preceding  calendar  quarter  and  (ii) the
discrepancy  between  the value of its assets  and the asset  test  requirements
arose  from  changes  in the  market  values of its assets and was not wholly or
partly  caused  by the  acquisition  of one or more  non-qualifying  assets.  If
Storage  USA did not  satisfy  the  condition  described  in clause  (ii) of the
preceding  sentence,  it  still  could  avoid  disqualification  as  a  REIT  by
eliminating  any  discrepancy  within 30 days  after  the close of the  calendar
quarter in which the discrepancy arose.

Distribution Requirements

         Each taxable year,  Storage USA must distribute  dividends  (other than
capital gain dividends and deemed distributions of retained capital gain) to its
shareholders in an aggregate  amount at least equal to (i) the sum of (A) 95% of
its  "REIT  taxable  income"  (computed  without  regard to the  dividends  paid
deduction and its net capital gain or loss) and (B) 95% of its net income (after
tax), if any, from foreclosure property,  minus (ii) the sum of certain items of
non-cash income.  Storage USA must pay such distributions in the taxable year to
which  they  relate,  or in  the  following  taxable  year  if it  declares  the
distribution  before it timely files its federal income tax return for such year
and pays the  distribution on or before the first regular  dividend payment date
after such declaration.

         Storage USA will pay federal  income tax on taxable  income  (including
net capital gain) that it does not distribute to shareholders.  Furthermore,  if
it fails to distribute  during a calendar year (or, in the case of distributions
with  declaration  and record  dates  falling  in the last  three  months of the
calendar year, by the end of January  following such calendar year) at least the
sum of (i) 85% of its REIT ordinary  income for such year,  (ii) 95% of its REIT
capital gain income for such year,  and (iii) any  undistributed  taxable income
from prior periods, it will incur a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the excess of
such required distribution over the amounts it actually distributed. Storage USA
may elect to retain  and pay  income tax on the net  long-term  capital  gain it
receives in a taxable year. See "--Taxation of Taxable U.S. Shareholders." If it
so elects, it will be treated as having distributed any such retained amount for
purposes of the 4% excise tax described above. Storage USA has made, and Storage
USA intends to continue to make, timely distributions  sufficient to satisfy the
annual distribution requirements.

         It is possible  that,  from time to time,  Storage  USA may  experience
timing  differences  between (i) the actual receipt of income and actual payment
of  deductible  expenses and (ii) the  inclusion of that income and deduction of
such expenses in arriving at its REIT taxable income.  For example,  Storage USA
may not  deduct  recognized  capital  losses  from its  "REIT  taxable  income."
Further,  it is possible that, from time to time, Storage USA may be allocated a
share of net capital gain attributable to the sale of depreciated  property that
exceeds its allocable  share of cash  attributable  to that sale. As a result of
the  foregoing,  Storage USA may have less cash than is necessary to  distribute
all of its taxable income and thereby avoid corporate  income tax and the excise
tax imposed on certain undistributed income. In such a situation, it may need to
borrow funds or issue preferred stock or additional common stock.

         Under  certain  circumstances,  Storage  USA may be able to  correct  a
failure to meet the  distribution  requirement for a year by paying  "deficiency
dividends"  to its  shareholders  in a later year.  Storage USA may include such
deficiency  dividends in its deduction for dividends  paid for the earlier year.
Although  Storage USA may be able to avoid income tax on amounts  distributed as
deficiency  dividends,  it will be required to pay interest to the Service based
upon the amount of any deduction it takes for deficiency dividends.



                                       11
<PAGE>

Recordkeeping Requirements

         Storage  USA must  maintain  certain  records  in order to qualify as a
REIT.  In addition,  to avoid a monetary  penalty,  it must request on an annual
basis certain information from its shareholders  designed to disclose the actual
ownership of its outstanding  stock.  Storage USA has complied,  and Storage USA
intends to continue to comply, with such requirements.

Failure to Qualify

         If Storage USA failed to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year,  and no
relief provision  applied,  it would be subject to federal income tax (including
any  applicable  alternative  minimum  tax) on its  taxable  income  at  regular
corporate  rates. In calculating its taxable income in a year in which it failed
to qualify as a REIT,  Storage USA would not be able to deduct  amounts paid out
to  shareholders.  In fact,  Storage USA would not be required to distribute any
amounts  to  shareholders  in such  year.  In such  event,  to the extent of its
current and accumulated  earnings and profits, all distributions to shareholders
would be taxable as ordinary income. Subject to certain limitations of the Code,
corporate  shareholders might be eligible for the dividends received  deduction.
Unless Storage USA qualified for relief under specific statutory provisions,  it
also would be  disqualified  from  taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years
following  the year  during  which it ceased  to  qualify  as a REIT.  We cannot
predict  whether  in all  circumstances  Storage  USA  would  qualify  for  such
statutory relief.


                      Taxation of Taxable U.S. Shareholders

         As  long  as  Storage  USA   qualifies  as  a  REIT,  a  taxable  "U.S.
Stockholder"  must take into account  distributions out of Storage USA's current
or  accumulated  earnings and profits (and that it does not designate as capital
gain dividends or retained  long-term  capital gain) as ordinary  income. A U.S.
Stockholder  will not qualify for the  dividends  received  deduction  generally
available to corporations.  As used herein, the term "U.S.  Stockholder" means a
holder of common stock that for U.S. federal income tax purposes is:

o      a citizen or resident of the United States;

o      a  corporation,  partnership,  or other entity created or organized in or
       under  the  laws of the  United  States  or of an  political  subdivision
       thereof;

o      an  estate  whose  income  from  sources  without  the  United  States is
       includible  in  gross  income  for  U.S.   federal  income  tax  purposes
       regardless  of its  connection  with the  conduct of a trade or  business
       within the United States; or

o      any trust  with  respect  to which (A) a U.S.  court is able to  exercise
       primary  supervision over the administration of such trust and (B) one or
       more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions
       of the trust.

         A U.S.  Stockholder  will  recognize  distributions  that  Storage  USA
designates  as capital gain  dividends as long-term  capital gain (to the extent
they do not exceed  Storage  USA's actual net capital gain for the taxable year)
without regard to the period for which the U.S.  Stockholder has held its common
stock.  Subject to certain  limitations,  Storage USA will designate its capital
gain  dividends  as  either  20% or 25% rate  distributions.  A  corporate  U.S.
Stockholder, however, may be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain
dividends as ordinary income.

         Storage USA may elect to retain and pay income tax on the net long-term
capital  gain  that  it  receives  in a  taxable  year.  In  that  case,  a U.S.
Stockholder  would  be  taxed  on  its  proportionate  share  of  Storage  USA's
undistributed  long-term  capital  gain.  The U.S.  Stockholder  would receive a
credit or refund for its  proportionate  share of the tax Storage USA paid.  The
U.S.  Stockholder  would  increase  the basis in its stock by the  amount of its
proportionate share of Storage USA's undistributed long-term capital gain, minus
its share of the tax Storage USA paid.

         A U.S.  Stockholder  will not incur tax on a distribution  in excess of
Storage USA's current and accumulated  earnings and profits if such distribution
does not exceed  the  adjusted  basis of the U.S.  Stockholder's  common  stock.
Instead,  such distribution will reduce the adjusted basis of such common stock.
A U.S. Stockholder will recognize a distribution in excess of both Storage USA's


                                       12
<PAGE>

current and accumulated earnings and profits and the U.S. Stockholder's adjusted
basis in its common stock as long-term capital gain (or short-term  capital gain
if the  common  stock has been held for one year or less),  assuming  the common
stock is a capital asset in the hands of the U.S.  Stockholder.  In addition, if
Storage USA declares a  distribution  in October,  November,  or December of any
year that is payable to a U.S.  Stockholder of record on a specified date in any
such month, such  distribution  shall be treated as both paid by Storage USA and
received by the U.S.  Stockholder  on December  31 of such year,  provided  that
Storage USA  actually  pays the  distribution  during  January of the  following
calendar year.

         Shareholders may not include in their individual income tax returns any
net  operating  losses or capital  losses of the Company.  Instead,  such losses
would be carried  over by the Company for  potential  offset  against its future
income (subject to certain limitations).  Taxable distributions from the Company
and gain from the  disposition  of the  Common  Shares  will not be  treated  as
passive activity income and, therefore,  shareholders generally will not be able
to apply any "passive  activity  losses"  (such as losses from certain  types of
limited partnerships in which the shareholder is a limited partner) against such
income. In addition,  taxable  distributions  from the Company and gain from the
disposition of Common Shares generally will be treated as investment  income for
purposes  of the  investment  interest  limitations.  The  Company  will  notify
shareholders after the close of the Company's taxable year as to the portions of
the  distributions  attributable to that year that constitute  ordinary  income,
return of capital, and capital gain.

Taxation of U.S. Shareholders on the Disposition of the Common Stock

         In general,  a U.S.  Stockholder who is not a dealer in securities must
treat any gain or loss realized upon a taxable  disposition  of the common stock
as long-term  capital gain or loss if the U.S.  Stockholder  has held the common
stock for more than one year and otherwise as  short-term  capital gain or loss.
However,  a U.S.  Stockholder  must  treat any loss upon a sale or  exchange  of
common  stock held by such  shareholder  for six months or less (after  applying
certain  holding  period  rules) as a  long-term  capital  loss to the extent of
capital gain dividends and other  distributions  from Storage USA that such U.S.
Stockholder  treats as long-term  capital  gain.  All or a portion of any loss a
U.S.  Stockholder realizes upon a taxable disposition of the common stock may be
disallowed if the U.S. Stockholder purchases other shares of common stock within
30 days before or after the disposition.

Capital Gains and Losses

         A taxpayer  generally  must hold a capital asset for more than one year
for gain or loss  derived  from its sale or exchange to be treated as  long-term
capital gain or loss. The highest marginal  individual income tax rate is 39.6%.
The maximum tax rate on  long-term  capital  gain  applicable  to  non-corporate
taxpayers is 20% for sales and  exchanges of assets held for more than one year.
The  maximum  tax rate on  long-term  capital  gain from the sale or exchange of
"section 1250 property"  (i.e.,  depreciable real property) is 25% to the extent
that such gain would have been treated as ordinary  income if the property  were
"section  1245  property."  With  respect  to  distributions  that  Storage  USA
designates as capital gain  dividends  and any retained  capital gain that it is
deemed to  distribute,  Storage USA may  designate  (subject to certain  limits)
whether such a distribution  is taxable to its  non-corporate  shareholders at a
20% or 25%  rate.  Thus,  the tax rate  differential  between  capital  gain and
ordinary income for non-corporate taxpayers may be significant. In addition, the
characterization  of income as capital  gain or  ordinary  income may affect the
deductibility  of capital losses.  A  non-corporate  taxpayer may deduct capital
losses not offset by capital  gains  against  its  ordinary  income only up to a
maximum  annual  amount of $3,000.  A  non-corporate  taxpayer may carry forward
unused capital losses indefinitely. A corporate taxpayer must pay tax on its net
capital  gain at  ordinary  corporate  rates.  A corporate  taxpayer  can deduct
capital  losses only to the extent of capital  gains,  with unused  losses being
carried back three years and forward five years.

Information Reporting Requirements and Backup Withholding

         Storage  USA will  report to its  shareholders  and to the  Service the
amount of distributions it pays during each calendar year, and the amount of tax
it withholds,  if any. Under the backup  withholding rules, a shareholder may be
subject to backup  withholding at the rate of 31% with respect to  distributions
unless such holder (i) is a  corporation  or comes within  certain  other exempt
categories  and,  when  required,  demonstrates  this  fact or (ii)  provides  a
taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup


                                       13
<PAGE>

withholding,  and otherwise  complies with the  applicable  requirements  of the
backup  withholding  rules. A shareholder  who does not provide Storage USA with
its correct  taxpayer  identification  number  also may be subject to  penalties
imposed by the Service. Any amount paid as backup withholding will be creditable
against the shareholder's income tax liability. In addition,  Storage USA may be
required to withhold a portion of capital gain distributions to any shareholders
who fail to certify  their  non-foreign  status to  Storage  USA.  The  Treasury
Department has issued final regulations  regarding the backup  withholding rules
as applied to Non-U.S. Shareholders.  Those regulations alter certain procedural
aspects of backup  withholding  compliance  and are effective for  distributions
made after December 31, 1999. See "--Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders."


                       Taxation of Tax-Exempt Shareholders

         Tax-exempt  entities,  including  qualified employee pension and profit
sharing  trusts  and  individual  retirement  accounts  and  annuities  ("Exempt
Organizations"),  generally are exempt from federal  income  taxation.  However,
they  are  subject  to  taxation  on their  unrelated  business  taxable  income
("UBTI").  While many  investments in real estate generate UBTI, the Service has
issued a published ruling that dividend  distributions  from a REIT to an exempt
employee pension trust do not constitute UBTI, provided that the exempt employee
pension  trust does not  otherwise  use the  shares of the REIT in an  unrelated
trade or business of the  pension  trust.  Based on that  ruling,  amounts  that
Storage USA distributes to Exempt Organizations  generally should not constitute
UBTI.  However, if an Exempt Organization were to finance its acquisition of the
common  stock with debt,  a portion of the income that they receive from Storage
USA would  constitute  UBTI  pursuant  to the  "debt-financed  property"  rules.
Furthermore, social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental
unemployment  benefit trusts,  and qualified group legal services plans that are
exempt from taxation under paragraphs (7), (9), (17), and (20), respectively, of
Code section  501(c) are subject to different UBTI rules,  which  generally will
require them to characterize distributions that they receive from Storage USA as
UBTI. Finally, in certain circumstances,  a qualified employee pension or profit
sharing  trust that owns more than 10% of Storage  USA's  stock is  required  to
treat a percentage  of the  dividends  that it receives from Storage USA as UBTI
(the  "UBTI  Percentage").  The UBTI  Percentage  is equal to the  gross  income
Storage USA derives from an  unrelated  trade or business  (determined  as if it
were a pension trust) divided by its total gross income for the year in which it
pays the  dividends.  The UBTI rule applies to a pension trust holding more than
10% of Storage USA's stock only if:

o      the UBTI Percentage is at least 5%;

o      Storage USA  qualifies as a REIT by reason of the  modification  of the
       5/50  Rule that  allows  the  beneficiaries  of the  pension  trust to be
       treated as holding  Storage USA's stock in proportion to their  actuarial
       interests in the pension trust; and

o      Storage  USA is a  "pension-held  REIT"  (i.e.,  either (i) one pension
       trust  owns  more  than 25% of the  value of its stock or (ii) a group of
       pension  trusts  individually  holding  more than 10% of the value of its
       stock collectively owns more than 50% of the value of its stock).


                        Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders

         The rules governing U.S.  federal income taxation of nonresident  alien
individuals,  foreign  corporations,  foreign  partnerships,  and other  foreign
shareholders (collectively,  "Non-U.S.  Shareholders") are complex. This section
is only a summary of such rules. WE URGE NON-U.S.  SHAREHOLDERS TO CONSULT THEIR
OWN TAX ADVISORS TO DETERMINE THE IMPACT OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL INCOME TAX
LAWS ON OWNERSHIP OF THE COMMON STOCK, INCLUDING ANY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

         A  Non-U.S.  Stockholder  that  receives  a  distribution  that  is not
attributable  to gain from Storage  USA's sale or exchange of U.S. real property
interests  (as  defined  below) and that  Storage  USA does not  designate  as a
capital gain dividend or retained capital gain will recognize ordinary income to
the  extent  that  Storage  USA pays such  distribution  out of its  current  or
accumulated  earnings and profits.  A withholding  tax equal to 30% of the gross
amount of the distribution  ordinarily will apply to such distribution unless an
applicable tax treaty reduces or eliminates the tax. However,  if a distribution


                                       14
<PAGE>

is treated as effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Stockholder's conduct of a
U.S. trade or business,  the Non-U.S.  Stockholder  generally will be subject to
federal income tax on the distribution at graduated rates, in the same manner as
U.S.  Shareholders are taxed with respect to such distributions (and also may be
subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the case of a Non-U.S. Stockholder that
is a non-U.S. corporation). Storage USA plans to withhold U.S. income tax at the
rate of 30% on the gross  amount  of any such  distribution  paid to a  Non-U.S.
Stockholder unless (i) a lower treaty rate applies and the Non-U.S.  Stockholder
files the  required  form  evidencing  eligibility  for that  reduced  rate with
Storage USA or (ii) the Non-U.S. Stockholder files an IRS Form 4224 with Storage
USA claiming that the  distribution is effectively  connected  income.  The U.S.
Treasury Department has issued final regulations that modify the manner in which
Storage USA will comply with the withholding requirements. Those regulations are
effective for distributions made after December 31, 1999.

         A Non-U.S.  Stockholder  will not incur tax on a distribution in excess
of  Storage  USA's  current  and  accumulated   earnings  and  profits  if  such
distribution  does not exceed the adjusted  basis of its common stock.  Instead,
such a  distribution  will reduce the  adjusted  basis of such common  stock.  A
Non-U.S.  Stockholder will be subject to tax on a distribution that exceeds both
Storage  USA's  current and  accumulated  earnings  and profits and the adjusted
basis of its  common  stock,  if the  Non-U.S.  Stockholder  otherwise  would be
subject  to tax on gain from the sale or  disposition  of its common  stock,  as
described  below.  Because Storage USA generally cannot determine at the time it
makes a distribution whether or not the distribution will exceed its current and
accumulated  earnings and profits,  it normally  will withhold tax on the entire
amount of any  distribution at the same rate as it would withhold on a dividend.
However, a Non-U.S.  Stockholder may obtain a refund of amounts that Storage USA
withholds  if it later  determines  that a  distribution  in fact  exceeded  its
current and accumulated earnings and profits.

         Storage USA must  withhold  10% of any  distribution  that  exceeds its
current and accumulated earnings and profits. Consequently,  although it intends
to withhold at a rate of 30% on the entire  amount of any  distribution,  to the
extent that it does not do so, it will  withhold at a rate of 10% on any portion
of a distribution not subject to withholding at a rate of 30%.

         For any year in which  Storage  USA  qualifies  as a REIT,  a  Non-U.S.
Stockholder will incur tax on  distributions  that are attributable to gain from
its sale or exchange of "U.S. real property  interests"  under the provisions of
the Foreign  Investment  in Real Property Tax Act of 1980  ("FIRPTA").  The term
"U.S. real property  interests"  includes certain interests in real property and
stock in corporations at least 50% of whose assets consists of interests in real
property,  but  excludes  mortgage  loans  and MBS.  Under  FIRPTA,  a  Non-U.S.
Stockholder is taxed on  distributions  attributable  to gain from sales of U.S.
real property  interests as if such gain were effectively  connected with a U.S.
business of the Non-U.S. Stockholder. A Non-U.S. Stockholder thus would be taxed
on such a  distribution  at the normal  capital  gain rates  applicable  to U.S.
Shareholders  (subject  to  applicable  alternative  minimum  tax and a  special
alternative  minimum  tax in the  case of a  nonresident  alien  individual).  A
non-U.S.  corporate  shareholder not entitled to treaty relief or exemption also
may be subject to the 30% branch profits tax on distributions subject to FIRPTA.
Storage USA must withhold 35% of any  distribution  that it could designate as a
capital gain dividend.  A Non-U.S.  Stockholder may receive a credit against its
FIRPTA tax liability for the amount Storage USA withholds.

         A Non-U.S.  Stockholder  generally  will not incur tax under  FIRPTA on
gain from the sale of its common stock as long as Storage USA is a "domestically
controlled  REIT." A  "domestically  controlled  REIT" is a REIT in which at all
times during a specified  testing  period  non-U.S.  persons  held,  directly or
indirectly,  less  than 50% in value of the  stock.  We cannot  assure  you that
Storage USA is or will remain a "domestically  controlled REIT." Furthermore,  a
Non-U.S.  Stockholder  will  incur tax on gain not  subject to FIRPTA if (i) the
gain is  effectively  connected  with the Non-U.S.  Stockholder's  U.S. trade or
business,  in which case the  Non-U.S.  Stockholder  will be subject to the same
treatment as U.S.  Shareholders  with respect to such gain, or (ii) the Non-U.S.
Stockholder  is a nonresident  alien  individual who was present in the U.S. for
183 days or more  during  the  taxable  year and has a "tax  home" in the United
States,  in which  case the  Non-U.S.  Stockholder  will  incur a 30% tax on his
capital  gains.  However,  a  Non-U.S.   Stockholder  that  owned,  actually  or
constructively,  5% or less of the common  stock at all times during a specified
testing period will not incur tax under FIRPTA if the common stock is "regularly
traded"  on an  established  securities  market.  If the gain on the sale of the
common stock were taxed under FIRPTA, a Non-U.S.  Stockholder  would be taxed in
the same  manner as U.S.  Shareholders  with  respect to such gain  (subject  to
applicable  alternative  minimum tax, a special  alternative  minimum tax in the
case of nonresident alien individuals,  and the possible  application of the 30%
branch profits tax in the case of non-U.S. corporations).




                                       15
<PAGE>

                             Other Tax Consequences

State and Local Taxes

         Storage USA and/or you may be subject to state and local tax in various
states and  localities,  including  those states and localities in which Storage
USA or you transact business,  own property,  or reside. The state and local tax
treatment in such jurisdictions may differ from the federal income tax treatment
described above. Consequently, you should consult your own tax advisor regarding
the effect of state and local tax laws upon an investment in the common stock.

Tax Aspects of the Company's Investments in SUSA Partnership and Subsidiary 
Partnerships

         The  following   discussion   summarizes  certain  federal  income  tax
considerations  applicable  to  our  direct  or  indirect  investments  in  SUSA
Partnership and the Subsidiary  Partnerships  (each individually a "Partnership"
and, collectively,  the "Partnerships").  The discussion does not cover state or
local tax laws or any federal tax laws other than income tax laws.

Classification as Partnerships

         Storage USA is entitled to include in its income its distributive share
of each  Partnership's  income  and to  deduct  its  distributive  share of each
Partnership's  losses only if the Partnerships are classified for federal income
tax purposes as partnerships rather than as corporations or associations taxable
as  corporations.  An organization  will be classified as a partnership,  rather
than as a corporation, for federal income tax purposes if it (i) is treated as a
partnership under Treasury  Regulations,  effective January 1, 1997, relating to
entity  classification  (the  "Check-the-Box  Regulations")  and  (ii)  is not a
"publicly traded" partnership.

         Under the Check-the-Box  Regulations,  an unincorporated entity with at
least two members may elect to be classified either as an association taxable as
a corporation or as a partnership.  If such an entity fails to make an election,
it generally  will be treated as a partnership  for federal income tax purposes.
The federal income tax  classification  of an entity that was in existence prior
to January 1, 1997, such as the Partnerships,  will be respected for all periods
prior to  January  1,  1997 if (i) the  entity  had a  reasonable  basis for its
claimed classification, (ii) the entity and all members of the entity recognized
the  federal tax  consequences  of any  changes in the  entity's  classification
within the 60 months prior to January 1, 1997,  and (iii) neither the entity nor
any member of the entity was  notified  in writing by a taxing  authority  on or
before May 8, 1996 that the  classification of the entity was under examination.
Each  Partnership  reasonably  claimed  partnership   classification  under  the
Treasury  Regulations  relating  to entity  classification  in  effect  prior to
January  1,  1997.  In  addition,  the  Partnerships  intend to  continue  to be
classified as  partnerships  for federal  income tax purposes and no Partnership
will elect to be treated as an  association  taxable as a corporation  under the
Check-the-Box Regulations.

         A publicly  traded  partnership  is a partnership  whose  interests are
traded  on an  established  securities  market  or  are  readily  tradable  on a
secondary  market (or the  substantial  equivalent  thereof).  A publicly traded
partnership will not, however,  be treated as a corporation for any taxable year
if 90% or more of the  partnership's  gross  income  for such year  consists  of
certain passive-type  income,  including (as may be relevant here) real property
rents, gains from the sale or other disposition of real property,  interest, and
dividends (the "90% Passive Income Exception").

         The U.S.  Department of the Treasury has issued  regulations  (the "PTP
Regulations")  that  provide  limited  safe  harbors  from the  definition  of a
publicly traded partnership. Pursuant to one of those safe harbors (the "Private
Placement Exclusion"), interests in a partnership will not be treated as readily
tradable on a secondary market or the substantial  equivalent thereof if (i) all
interests in the partnership were issued in a transaction (or transactions) that
was not required to be registered  under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and (ii) the partnership does not have more than 100 partners at any time during


                                       16
<PAGE>

the  partnership's  taxable  year.  In  determining  the number of partners in a
partnership,  a person  owning an interest in a  flow-through  entity  (i.e.,  a
partnership,  grantor  trust,  or S  corporation)  that owns an  interest in the
partnership  is  treated  as  a  partner  in  such   partnership   only  if  (i)
substantially  all of the  value of the  owner's  interest  in the  flow-through
entity  is  attributable  to  the  flow-through  entity's  interest  (direct  or
indirect)  in the  partnership  and (ii) a  principal  purpose of the use of the
flow-through  entity is to permit the  partnership  to satisfy  the  100-partner
limitation. Each Partnership qualifies for the Private Placement Exclusion.

         If a Partnership is considered a publicly traded  partnership under the
PTP  Regulations  because  it is deemed to have  more  than 100  partners,  such
Partnership should not be treated as a corporation because it should be eligible
for the 90% Passive Income Exception.  If, however, for any reason a Partnership
were taxable as a corporation,  rather than as a partnership, for federal income
tax purposes,  Storage USA would not be able to qualify as a REIT.  See "Federal
Income Tax Considerations -- Requirements for Qualification -- Income Tests" and
"-- Requirements for Qualification -- Asset Tests." In addition, any change in a
Partnership's  status for tax purposes might be treated as a taxable  event,  in
which case  Storage USA might  incur tax  liability  without  any  related  cash
distribution.  See  "Federal  Income  Tax  Considerations  --  Requirements  for
Qualification  --  Distribution  Requirements."  Further,  items of  income  and
deduction of such  Partnership  would not pass through to its partners,  and its
partners would be treated as stockholders for tax purposes.  Consequently,  such
Partnership  would be required to pay income tax at  corporate  tax rates on its
net income,  and  distributions to its partners would constitute  dividends that
would not be deductible in computing such Partnership's taxable income.

Income Taxation of the Partnerships and their Partners

         Partners, Not the Partnerships,  Subject to Tax. A partnership is not a
taxable entity for federal income tax purposes.  Rather, Storage USA is required
to take into account its allocable share of each  Partnership's  income,  gains,
losses,  deductions, and credits for any taxable year of such Partnership ending
within or with the  taxable  year of  Storage  USA,  without  regard to  whether
Storage USA has received or will receive any distribution from such Partnership.

         Partnership  Allocations.  Although a partnership  agreement  generally
will  determine  the  allocation  of income  and  losses  among  partners,  such
allocations  will be  disregarded  for tax purposes  under section 704(b) of the
Code if they do not comply with the provisions of section 704(b) of the Code and
the  Treasury  Regulations  promulgated  thereunder.  If an  allocation  is  not
recognized for federal  income tax purposes,  the item subject to the allocation
will  be  reallocated  in  accordance  with  the  partners'   interests  in  the
partnership,  which will be  determined  by taking into account all of the facts
and  circumstances  relating to the economic  arrangement  of the partners  with
respect to such item. Each  Partnership's  allocations of taxable income,  gain,
and loss are intended to comply with the  requirements  of section 704(b) of the
Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

         Tax  Allocations  With Respect to Contributed  Properties.  Pursuant to
section 704(c) of the Code,  income,  gain, loss, and deduction  attributable to
appreciated  or  depreciated  property that is  contributed  to a partnership in
exchange for an interest in the  partnership  must be allocated in a manner such
that the contributing  partner is charged with, or benefits from,  respectively,
the unrealized  gain or unrealized loss associated with the property at the time
of the  contribution.  The amount of such  unrealized gain or unrealized loss is
generally  equal to the difference  between the fair market value of contributed
property  at the  time of  contribution,  and the  adjusted  tax  basis  of such
property at the time of contribution (a "Book-Tax Difference"). Such allocations
are solely for federal  income tax  purposes  and do not affect the book capital
accounts  or other  economic  or legal  arrangements  among  the  partners.  The
Partnership was formed by way of contributions  of appreciated  property and has
received  contributions  of  appreciated  property  since  Storage USA's initial
public  offering.   Consequently,   the  Partnership   Agreement  requires  such
allocations to be made in a manner consistent with section 704(c) of the Code.

         In  general,  the  carryover  basis of the  facilities  contributed  by
Storage USA to SUSA  Partnership  will cause  Storage USA to be allocated  lower
depreciation and other  deductions,  and possibly amounts of taxable income,  in
the event of a sale of such a facility, in excess of the economic or book income
allocated to it as a result of such sale.  While this will tend to eliminate the
Book-Tax  Differences over the life of the Partnership,  the special  allocation
rules of section 704(c) do not always entirely  rectify the Book-Tax  Difference
on an annual basis or with respect to a specific  taxable  transaction such as a
sale.  Therefore,  elimination  of  Book-Tax  Differences  with  respect  to the
facilities contributed by Storage USA may cause Storage USA to recognize taxable
income in excess of its  proportionate  share of the cash proceeds,  which might
adversely  affect  Storage  USA's  ability to comply with the REIT  distribution
requirements.  See  "Federal  Income  Tax  Considerations  --  Requirements  for
Qualification -- Distribution Requirements."



                                       17
<PAGE>

         The U.S.  Department of the Treasury has issued  regulations  requiring
partnerships  to use a  "reasonable  method" for  allocating  items  affected by
section 704(c) of the Code and outlining several reasonable  allocation methods.
SUSA  Partnership  generally  has  elected to use the  "traditional  method" for
allocating  Code section  704(c) items with  respect to the  properties  that it
acquires in exchange for Units. Under the Partnership Agreement, depreciation or
amortization  deductions of SUSA  Partnership  generally will be allocated among
the partners in accordance with their  respective  interests in SUA Partnership,
except to the extent that SUSA Partnership is required under Code section 704(c)
to use a method for  allocating  tax  depreciation  deductions  attributable  to
contributed  properties that results in Storage USA receiving a disproportionate
share of such deductions.  In addition, gain on sale of a facility that has been
contributed  (in  whole  or in  part)  to SUSA  Partnership  will  be  specially
allocated to the contributing partners to the extent of any "built-in" gain with
respect to such facility for federal  income tax purposes.  The  application  of
section 704(c) to the  Partnership is not entirely  clear,  however,  and may be
affected by Treasury Regulations promulgated in the future.

         Basis in Partnership Interest.  Storage USA's adjusted tax basis in its
partnership interest in SUSA Partnership generally is equal to (i) the amount of
cash and the basis of any other  property  contributed  to SUSA  Partnership  by
Storage USA,  (ii)  increased by (A) its allocable  share of SUSA  Partnership's
income and (B) its allocable  share of  indebtedness  of SUSA  Partnership,  and
(iii) reduced,  but not below zero, by (A) Storage USA's allocable share of SUSA
Partnership's loss and (B) the amount of cash distributed to Storage USA, and by
constructive  distributions resulting from a reduction in Storage USA's share of
indebtedness of SUSA Partnership.

         If  the  allocation  of  Storage  USA's   distributive  share  of  SUSA
Partnership's  loss  would  reduce  the  adjusted  tax  basis of  Storage  USA's
partnership  interest in SUSA  Partnership  below zero, the  recognition of such
loss will be deferred until such time as the  recognition of such loss would not
reduce  Storage  USA's  adjusted  tax basis below zero.  To the extent that SUSA
Partnership's  distributions,  or any  decrease  in Storage  USA's  share of the
indebtedness of SUSA Partnership  (such decrease being considered a constructive
cash  distribution  to the  partners),  would reduce  Storage USA's adjusted tax
basis below zero, such distributions (including such constructive distributions)
constitute  taxable income to Storage USA. Such  distributions  and constructive
distributions  normally will be  characterized  as capital gain, and, if Storage
USA's partnership interest in SUSA Partnership has been held for longer than the
long-term  capital gain holding period  (currently one year), the  distributions
and constructive distributions will constitute long-term capital gain.

         Depreciation Deductions Available to the Partnerships. The Partnerships
have acquired equity interests in facilities,  and expect to acquire  additional
facilities in the future,  for cash.  To that extent,  a  Partnership's  initial
basis in such a facility  for federal  income tax purpose  generally  equals the
purchase  price paid by the  Partnership.  The  Partnerships  depreciate or will
depreciate such  depreciable  property for federal income tax purposes under the
alternative   depreciation  system  of  depreciation  ("ADS").  Under  ADS,  the
Partnerships  generally depreciate or will depreciate  furnishings and equipment
over a 10-year  recovery  period  using a straight  line  method and a half-year
convention.  If, however,  a Partnership places more than 40% of its furnishings
and  equipment  in service  during the last three  months of a taxable  year,  a
mid-quarter  depreciation  convention  must be  used  for  the  furnishings  and
equipment  placed in service  during  that year.  Under  ADS,  the  Partnerships
generally  depreciate  or will  depreciate  buildings  and  improvements  over a
40-year recovery period using a straight line method and a mid-month convention.
However,  to the extent that a Partnership  has acquired or will acquire  equity
interests  in   facilities  in  exchange  for   partnership   interests  in  the
Partnership,  the Partnership's  initial basis in each such facility for federal
income  tax  purposes  should  be the  same as the  transferor's  basis  in that
facility  on the  date  of  acquisition.  The  Partnerships  depreciate  or will
depreciate such depreciable  property for federal income tax purposes under ADS.
Although the law is not entirely  clear,  the  Partnerships  depreciate  or will
depreciate  such  depreciable  property for federal income tax purposes over the
same remaining  useful lives and under the same methods used by the transferors.
A Partnership's tax depreciation deductions will be allocated among the partners
in accordance with their respective  interests in the Partnership (except to the
extent that the  Partnership  is  required  under Code  section  704(c) to use a
method of allocating  depreciation  deductions  attributable  to the contributed
properties  that results in Storage USA  receiving a  disproportionate  share of
such deductions.)



                                       18
<PAGE>

Sale of a Partnership's Property

         Generally,  any gain realized by a Partnership  on the sale of property
held by the Partnership  for more than one year will be long-term  capital gain,
except for any  portion of such gain that is  treated  as  depreciation  or cost
recovery  recapture.  Any gain recognized by a Partnership on the disposition of
contributed   properties  will  be  allocated  first  to  the  partners  of  the
Partnership  under section  704(c) of the Code to the extent of their  "built-in
gain" on those  properties  for  federal  income  tax  purposes.  The  partners'
"built-in gain" on the contributed  properties sold will equal the excess of the
partners'  proportionate  share of the book value of those  properties  over the
partners' tax basis  allocable to those  properties at the time of the sale. Any
remaining  gain  recognized  by  the  Partnership  on  the  disposition  of  the
contributed  properties,  and any  gain  recognized  by the  Partnership  or the
disposition  of the other  properties,  will be allocated  among the partners in
accordance with their respective percentage interests in the Partnership.

         Storage USA's share of any gain  realized by a Partnership  on the sale
of any property  held by the  Partnership  as inventory or other  property  held
primarily  for sale to  customers in the  ordinary  course of the  Partnership's
trade or business will be treated as income from a prohibited  transaction  that
is subject to a 100% penalty tax. Such  prohibited  transaction  income also may
have an adverse  effect upon Storage  USA's  ability to satisfy the income tests
for REIT status.  See "Federal Income Tax  Considerations  --  Requirements  for
Qualification -- Income Tests." Storage USA, however,  does not presently intend
to allow  any  Partnership  to  acquire  or hold any  property  that  represents
inventory or other property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary
course of Storage USA's or such Partnership's trade or business.

Nonqualified Subsidiaries

         SUSA Partnership owns 100% of the nonvoting stock, and 5% of the voting
stock,  of  Management,  representing  in the aggregate a 99% economic  interest
therein.  In addition,  SUSA  Partnership  owns 100% of the  nonvoting  stock of
Franchise which represents a 97.5% economic interest  therein.  By virtue of its
ownership of SUSA  Partnership,  Storage USA is  considered  to own its pro rata
share of the stock of the Nonqualified Subsidiaries held by SUSA Partnership.

         As noted  above,  for  Storage USA to qualify as a REIT  Storage  USA's
proportionate  share  of  the  value  of the  securities  of  each  Nonqualified
Subsidiary  held by SUSA  Partnership  may not  exceed 5% of the total  value of
Storage  USA's assets.  In addition,  Storage USAs  proportionate  share of each
Nonqualified  Subsidiary's equity securities may not constitute more than 10% of
the voting securities of such Nonqualified Subsidiary.  SUSA Partnership owns 5%
of the  voting  securities  of  Management,  but does not own any of the  voting
securities  of Franchise.  Storage USA believes  that neither its  proportionate
share of the value of the securities of Management held by SUSA  Partnership nor
its proportionate share of the value of the securities of Franchise held by SUSA
Partnership  exceeds  5% of the total  value of  Storage  USA's  assets.  If the
Service were to challenge  successfully those determinations,  however,  Storage
USA likely would fail to qualify as a REIT.

         Each  Nonqualified  Subsidiary  will be organized as a corporation  and
will pay federal,  state, and local income taxes on its taxable income at normal
corporate rates.  Any such taxes will reduce amounts  available for distribution
by such Nonqualified Subsidiary, which in turn will reduce amounts available for
distribution to Storage USA's stockholders.

                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

         Storage USA will not receive any  proceeds  from the sale of the common
stock.


                             THE SELLING SHAREHOLDER

         This prospectus  relates to the offer and sale of up to 8,583 shares of
common  stock by CRM  Realty II Joint  Venture  ("CRM  Realty")  or its  donees,
pledgees, transferees or other successors in interest.



                                       19
<PAGE>

         SUSA  Partnership  issued  8,583 units of  partnership  interest to CRM
Realty in connection with its  acquisition of  self-storage  facilities from CRM
Realty in July 1997.  CRM Realty may choose to redeem any or all of those  units
for cash or shares of our common stock. If CRM chooses to redeem its shares, and
if Storage USA chooses to acquire the units in exchange for shares of its common
stock,  CRM Realty  will  receive  one share of our  common  stock for each unit
redeemed. We agreed to register those shares of common stock.

         We do not know if,  when,  or in what  amounts  CRM  Realty  will  sell
shares.  Consequently,  we cannot  estimate  how many shares will be held by CRM
Realty after completion of the offering.


                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

         CRM Realty may sell the common stock in  transactions on the NYSE or in
privately negotiated  transactions,  including transactions with exchange funds,
through the writing of options on the shares or a combination of such methods of
sale, at fixed prices that may be changed,  at market  prices  prevailing at the
time  of  sale,  at  prices  related  to such  prevailing  market  prices  or at
negotiated  prices.  Alternatively,  the  shares  may be  offered  to or through
underwriters,  brokers  or  dealers  who may act  solely as  agents,  or who may
acquire  shares as  principals.  The  distribution  of the shares  through  such
persons may be effected in one or more  transactions  that may take place on the
NYSE,  including  block  trades or ordinary  broker's  transactions,  or through
privately negotiated transactions or sales to one or more brokers or dealers for
resale  of  such  securities  as  principals,  or  otherwise  at  market  prices
prevailing  at the time of sale,  at prices  related to such  prevailing  market
prices or at  negotiated  prices.  CRM  Realty  may pay usual and  customary  or
specifically  negotiated  brokerage fees or commissions in connection  with such
sales. In connection with such sales, CRM Realty and any  participating  brokers
or  dealers  may be  deemed  "underwriters"  as  such  term  is  defined  in the
Securities  Act and the  commissions  paid or  discounts  allowed to any of such
underwriters, brokers, dealers or agents, in addition to any profits received on
resale of the shares if any such underwriters, brokers, dealers or agents should
purchase any shares as a principal,  may be deemed to be underwriting  discounts
or commissions under the Securities Act.

         Pursuant  to their  respective  agreements,  Storage  USA has agreed to
indemnify  CRM Realty  and  controlling  persons  against  certain  liabilities,
including   certain   liabilities   under  the   Securities   Act.   Insofar  as
indemnification  of CRM Realty and controlling  persons for liabilities  arising
under  the  Securities  Act  may  be  permitted  pursuant  to  their  respective
agreements  with Storage USA,  Storage USA is aware that,  in the opinion of the
Commission,  such  indemnification  is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and, therefore, may be unenforceable.

         Storage USA has agreed to pay the  expenses of  registering  all of the
shares of common stock offered  hereby under the Securities  Act,  including all
registration,  filing and exchange listing fees, blue sky expenses,  fees of its
own counsel and accountants,  and underwriters' fees customarily paid by issuers
(excluding underwriting discounts, commissions and transfer taxes).


                                 LEGAL OPINIONS

         Hunton & Williams,  Richmond,  Virginia, has delivered to Storage USA a
legal opinion as to the validity of the common stock covered by this prospectus.


                                     EXPERTS

         The consolidated  balance sheets of Storage USA as of December 31, 1997
and 1996, and the consolidated  statements of operations,  shareholders'  equity
and cash flows for each of the three  years in the  period  ended  December  31,
1997, the financial  statement  schedule of Storage USA as of December 31, 1997,
the historical summaries of combined gross revenue and direct operating expenses
for  certain  self-storage  facilities  for the year  ended  December  31,  1996
included in Storage USA's Current  Report on Form 8-K/A filed February 17, 1998,
the historical summaries of combined gross revenue and direct operating expenses


                                       20
<PAGE>

for  certain  self-storage  facilities  for the year  ended  December  31,  1996
included in Storage USA's Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed March 25, 1998, and
the historical summaries of combined gross revenue and direct operating expenses
for  certain  self-storage  facilities  for the year  ended  December  31,  1997
included in Storage USA's Current  Report on Form 8-K/A filed  December 1, 1998,
all  incorporated  by  reference  in  this  Registration  Statement,  have  been
incorporated  herein in reliance on the reports of  PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP,
independent  accountants,  given on the  authority  of that firm as  experts  in
accounting and auditing.


                                       21
<PAGE>
                                     PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

         The estimated expenses in connection with the offering are as follows:

         Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee.....   $      74.00
         Accounting fees and expenses............................       2,000.00
         Legal fees and expenses.................................         750.00
                                                                          ------

                  TOTAL..........................................      $2,824.00


Item 15. Indemnification of Officers and Directors.

         The Company's Charter obligates it to indemnify and advance expenses to
present and former  directors  and officers to the maximum  extent  permitted by
Tennessee law. The Tennessee  Business  Corporation Act permits a corporation to
indemnify its present and former directors and officers,  among others,  against
judgments,  settlements,  penalties,  fines or reasonable expenses incurred with
respect  to a  proceeding  to which  they may be made a party by reason of their
service in those or other capacities if (i) such persons conducted themselves in
good  faith,  (ii) they  reasonably  believed,  in the case of  conduct in their
official  capacities  with the  corporation,  that their conduct was in its best
interests  and, in all other cases,  that their conduct was at least not opposed
to its best interests,  and (iii) in the case of any criminal  proceeding,  they
had no reasonable cause to believe that their conduct was unlawful.

         Any  indemnification  by the Company  pursuant to the provisions of the
Charter described above shall be paid out of the assets of the Company and shall
not be  recoverable  from the  shareholders.  To the extent  that the  foregoing
indemnification  provisions purport to include  indemnification  for liabilities
arising under the  Securities  Act of 1933, in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange  Commission  such  indemnification  is contrary  to public  policy and,
therefore,  unenforceable.  The  Company  has  purchased  director  and  officer
liability  insurance  for the purpose of  providing a source of funds to pay any
indemnification described above.

         The TCBA  permits the charter of a Tennessee  corporation  to include a
provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of its directors to the
corporation  or its  shareholders  for monetary  damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director,  except that such  provision  cannot  eliminate or limit the
liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director's  duty of loyalty to
the  corporation  or its  shareholders,  (ii) for acts or omissions  not in good
faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law,
or (iii) for unlawful distributions that exceed what could have been distributed
without violating the TBCA or the corporation's  charter.  The Company's Charter
contains a provision  eliminating  the personal  liability  of its  directors or
officers to the  Company or its  shareholders  for money  damages to the maximum
extent permitted by Tennessee law from time to time.

         The Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the
Partnership  provides,  generally,  for the  indemnification  of an "indemnitee"
against losses, claims, damages, liabilities,  judgments, fines, settlements and
other amounts (including  reasonable  expenses) that relate to the operations of
the  Partnership  unless it is  established  that (i) the act or omission of the
Indemnitee  was  material  and either was  committed in bad faith or pursuant to
active and  deliberate  dishonesty,  (ii) the  Indemnitee  actually  received an
improper personal benefit in money,  property or services,  or (iii) in the case
of any criminal proceeding,  the Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that
the act or  omission  was  unlawful.  For this  purpose,  the term  "Indemnitee"
includes  any person made a party to a  proceeding  by reason of his status as a
director or officer of the Partnership,  SUSA  Management,  Inc. or the Company,
and such other persons (including  affiliates of the Company or the Partnership)
as the Company,  may  designate  from time to time in its  discretion.  Any such
indemnification  will be made only out of assets of the  Partnership,  and in no
event may an  Indemnitee  subject the limited  partners  of the  Partnership  to
personal  liability  by  reason  of  the   indemnification   provisions  in  the
Partnership Agreement.  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under
the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted pursuant to the foregoing provisions
or  otherwise,  the  Partnership  has been advised  that,  in the opinion of the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission,  such  indemnification  is against  public
policy and,  therefore,  unenforceable.  The Partnership has purchased liability
insurance   for  the  purpose  of  providing  a  source  of  funds  to  pay  the
indemnification described above.




                                      II-1
<PAGE>

Item 16. Exhibits.

         4.1*     Form of  Common Stock Certificate

         4.2**    Amended Charter of Storage USA

         4.3***   Articles of Amendment  to the Amended  Charter of Storage USA,
                  Inc., designating and fixing the rights and preferences of the
                  8 7/8% Series A  Cumulative  Redeemable  Preferred  Stock,  as
                  filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Tennessee on
                  November 12, 1998.

         4.4*     Restated and Amended Bylaws of Storage USA

         5        Opinion of Hunton & Williams

         8        Tax Opinion of Hunton & Williams

         23.1     Consent of Hunton & Williams (included in Exhibits 5 and 8)

         23.2     Consent  of   PricewaterhouseCoopers   LLP  (to  be  filed  by
                  amendment)

         24       Power  of  Attorney  (located  on the  signature  page of this
                  Registration Statement)

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

         *        Filed  as an  Exhibit  to  Storage  USA's  Amendment  No. 1 to
                  Registration  Statement on Form S-3,  File No.  333-4556,  and
                  incorporated by reference herein.

         **       Filed as an Exhibit to Storage USA's Registration Statement on
                  Form S-11, File No. 33-74072,  as amended, and incorporated by
                  reference herein.

         ***      Filed as an Exhibit to Storage  USA's  current  report on Form
                  8-K,  filed with the  Commission  on November  20,  1998,  and
                  incorporated by reference herein.




                                      II-2
<PAGE>

Item 17. Undertakings.

         The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

         (1) To file,  during any period in which offers or sales are being made
of  the  securities  registered  hereby,  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
the  registration  statement  (Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  any increase or
decrease  in the volume of  securities  offered  (if the total  dollar  value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation
from  the  low or  high  and 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 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate  offering price set forth in the
"Calculation   of  Registration   Fee"  table  in  the  effective   registration
statement.);  and (iii) to include any material  information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously  disclosed in the registration  statement or
any material change to such information in the registration statement; provided,
however,  that the undertakings set forth in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) above do
not  apply  if the  information  required  to be  included  in a  post-effective
amendment by those  paragraphs  is contained in periodic  reports  filed with or
furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 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 therein, 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 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 15(d) of the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934  (and,  where  applicable,  each  filing of an
employee  benefit  plan's  annual  report  pursuant  to  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 therein,  and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and

         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 foregoing provisions or otherwise, the registrant
has  been  advised  that  the in the  opinion  of the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 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 against
the  registrant 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 the Act and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.

         The undersigned registrant further hereby undertakes that:

         (1) For purposes of determining  any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, the  information  omitted from the form of prospectus  filed as part of
this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form
of  prospectus  filed by the  registrant  pursuant to Rule  424(b)(1)  or (4) or
497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this  registration
statement as of the time it was declared effective.



                                      II-3
<PAGE>

         (2) For the purpose of determining  any liability  under the Securities
Act of 1933,  each  post-effective  amendment that contains a form of prospectus
shall be deemed to be a new  registration  statement  relating to the securities
offered  therein,  and the  offering  of such  securities  at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.



                                      II-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  Registration  Statement  to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned,  thereunto duly  authorized,  in the City of Memphis,
State of Tennessee on this 3rd day of December, 1998.

                                      STORAGE USA, INC.


                                      By: /s/ Christopher P. Marr
                                         --------------------------------
                                          Christopher P. Marr
                                          Chief Financial Officer
                                          (Principal Financial and Accounting 
                                          Officer)

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of  1933,  this
Registration  Statement  has  been  signed  by  the  following  persons  in  the
capacities  indicated on December 3, 1998. Each of the undersigned  officers and
directors of the registrant  hereby  constitutes  Christopher  P. Marr,  John W.
McConomy  and  Randall  S.  Parks,  any of whom  may act,  his  true and  lawful
attorneys-in-fact  with  full  power  to sign  for  him  and in his  name in the
capacities   indicated  below  and  to  file  any  and  all  amendments  to  the
registration  statement filed herewith,  making such changes in the registration
statement as the  registrant  deems  appropriate,  and  generally to do all such
things in his name and behalf in his  capacity  as an officer  and  director  to
enable the  registrant to comply with the  provisions of the  Securities  Act of
1933 and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
<CAPTION>
           Signature                                    Title & Capacity
           ---------                                    ----------------
<S>                                       <C>
      /s/ Dean Jernigan                      Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
- ---------------------------------                     Officer and Director
         Dean Jernigan                            (Principal Executive Officer)
                                 

     /s/ Christopher P. Marr                         Chief Financial Officer
- ---------------------------------         (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
      Christopher P. Marr        


                                                            Director
- ---------------------------------
     C. Ronald Blankenship

      /s/ Howard P. Colhoun                                 Director
- ---------------------------------
       Howard P. Colhoun

      /s/ Alan B. Graf, Jr.                                 Director
- ---------------------------------
       Alan B. Graf, Jr.

                                                            Director
- ---------------------------------
        Mark Jorgensen

       /s/ John P. McCann                                   Director
- ---------------------------------
        John P. McCann

     /s/ Caroline S. McBride                                Director
- ---------------------------------
      Caroline S. McBride

     /s/ William D. Sanders                                 Director
- ---------------------------------
      William D. Sanders

                                                            Director
- ---------------------------------
         Harry J. Thie

</TABLE>



                                      II-5
<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number     Exhibit

4.1*     Form of  Common Stock Certificate

4.2**    Amended Charter of Storage USA

4.3***   Articles of  Amendment  to the Amended  Charter of Storage  USA,  Inc.,
         designating  and fixing the rights and preferences of the 8 7/8% Series
         A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, as filed with the Secretary of
         State of the State of Tennessee on November 12, 1998.

4.4*     Restated and Amended Bylaws of Storage USA

5        Opinion of Hunton & Williams

8        Tax Opinion of Hunton & Williams

23.1     Consent of Hunton & Williams (included in Exhibits 5 and 8)

23.2     Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (to be filed by amendment)

24       Power of Attorney  (located on the signature page of this  Registration
         Statement)

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

*        Filed as an Exhibit to Storage USA's  Amendment  No. 1 to  Registration
         Statement on Form S-3, File No. 333-4556, and incorporated by reference
         herein.

**       Filed as an Exhibit to Storage  USA's  Registration  Statement  on Form
         S-11,  File No.  33-74072,  as amended,  and  incorporated by reference
         herein.

***      Filed as an Exhibit to Storage USA's current  report on Form 8-K, filed
         with the Commission on November 20, 1998, and incorporated by reference
         herein.



                                                                       Exhibit 5




                               HUNTON & WILLIAMS
                              951 East Byrd Street
                             Riverfront Tower, East
                               Richmond, VA 23219




                                December 4, 1998

Board of Directors
Storage USA, Inc.
165 Madison Avenue, Suite 1300
Memphis, Tennessee 38103

                       Registration Statement on Form S-3
                                Storage USA, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We are acting as counsel for  Storage  USA,  Inc.  (the  "Company")  in
connection  with its  registration  under the  Securities  Act of 1933 of 8,583
shares of its common stock (the  "Shares")  which are proposed to be offered and
sold as  described  in the  Company's  Registration  Statement  on Form S-3 (the
"Registration  Statement")  to be filed today with the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission").

         In rendering this opinion, we have relied upon, among other things, our
examination of such records of the Company and  certificates of its officers and
of public officials as we have deemed necessary.

         Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

         1. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of the State of Tennessee.

         2. The Shares have been duly authorized and legally issued,  fully paid
and nonassessable.

         We hereby  consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as
an exhibit to the  Registration  Statement  and  reference to our firm under the
heading "Legal Matters" in the Registration Statement.


                                     Very truly yours,

                                     /s/ Hunton & Williams

07667/07853/08357


                                                                       Exhibit 8




                               HUNTON & WILLIAMS
                              951 East Byrd Street
                             Riverfront Tower, East
                               Richmond, VA 23219



                                December 2, 1998



Storage USA, Inc.
165 Madison Avenue, Suite 1300
Memphis, Tennessee  38103


                                Storage USA, Inc.
                                Qualification as
                          Real Estate Investment Trust

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                We have  acted as  counsel to Storage  USA,  Inc.,  a  Tennessee
corporation  (the  "Company"),  in connection with the preparation of a Form S-3
registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
on December 2, 1998 (the "Registration  Statement") with respect to the possible
issuance by the Company of up to 8,583 shares (the  "Redemption  Shares") of the
common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock") if,
and  to the  extent  that,  the  current  holders  of  8,583  units  of  limited
partnership  interest  ("Units") in SUSA Partnership,  L.P., a Tennessee limited
partnership (the "Operating Partnership"),  tender such Units for redemption and
the  Company  elects to redeem  the Units for shares of Common  Stock.  You have
requested our opinion regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters.

                The Company,  through the Operating Partnership,  owns interests
in  self-storage  facilities  directly  and  through  the  following  subsidiary
partnerships  (the  "Subsidiary  Partnerships"):  (i)  Storage-USA of Palm Beach
County  Limited  Partnership,  (ii)  SUSA/38th  Avenue,  Capitola,  L.P.,  (iii)
Clarendon  Storage  Associates  Limited  Partnership,  (iv) Buzzman  Partners I,
Limited Partnership, (v) Buzzman Partners II, Limited Partnership,  (vi) Tamiami
Mini-Storage  Partners,  Ltd., (vii) 441  Mini-Storage  Partners,  Ltd.,  (viii)
Sunset  Mini-Storage   Partners,   Ltd.,  (ix)  Southeast  Mini-Storage  Limited
Partners,  (x) Dade County  Mini-Storage  Associates,  Ltd.,  (xi)  Preston Self
Storage,  Ltd., (xii) SUSA Hackensack,  LP, (xiii) SUSA Harrison, LP, (xiv) SUSA
Secaucus,  LP,  (xv) SUSA  Orange,  LP,  (xvi)  Cole/Morgan,  Ltd.,  (xvii) SUSA
Nashville,  L.P.,  (xviii) SUSA Mesa, L.P., (xix) Prospect Heights Self Storage,

<PAGE>

Storage USA, Inc.
December 2, 1998
Page 2

LLC, (xx) Storage Partners of Paoli, LP, (xxi) SUSA Germantown,  LP, (xxii) SUSA
Columbia,  LP,  (xxiii)  SUSA  Whitney  Mesa , LP,  (xxiv)  Frankford  Road Self
Storage,  Ltd., (xxv) Spring Creek Self Storage,  Ltd., (xxvi) McNeil Drive Self
Storage,  Ltd., (xxvii) SUSA/Poplar  Partners,  LP, (xxviii) Storage Partners of
Okeechobee,  Ltd., (xxix) Parklawn Storage Partners,  LP, (xxx) SUSA Investments
I, LLC, (xxxi) SUSA Investments II, LLC, and (xxxii) SUSA Hollywood, L.P.

                The Operating Partnership also owns 100% of the nonvoting stock,
and 5% of the voting stock, of SUSA  Management,  Inc., a Tennessee  corporation
("Management"),  representing  99% of the economic  interests in Management.  In
addition,  the Operating Partnership owns 100% of the nonvoting stock of Storage
USA Franchise Corp., a Tennessee corporation  ("Franchise"),  representing 97.5%
of the equity interests in Franchise.

                In giving the  opinions set forth  below,  we have  examined the
following:

1. the Company's Charter, as amended and restated;

2. the Company's Bylaws;

3.  the  prospectus  contained  as a part  of the  Registration  Statement  (the
"Prospectus");

4. the Second  Amended and  Restated  Agreement  of Limited  Partnership  of the
Operating  Partnership,  dated as of September 21, 1994,  among the Company,  as
general  partner,  and several limited  partners,  as amended on March 19, 1996,
June 14, 1996, and August 14, 1996 (the "Operating Partnership Agreement");

5. the partnership agreements of the Subsidiary Partnerships listed on Exhibit A
attached hereto; and

6. such other documents as we have deemed  necessary or appropriate for purposes
of this opinion.


<PAGE>
Storage USA, Inc.
December 2, 1998
Page 3


                In connection with the opinions  rendered below, we have assumed
generally that:

1. Each of the documents  referred to above has been duly authorized,  executed,
and delivered;  is authentic, if an original, or is accurate, if a copy; and has
not been amended.

2. Each partner (a "Partner") of the Operating  Partnership  and the  Subsidiary
Partnerships  (each,  a  "Partnership"),  other than the Company and Storage USA
Trust, that is a corporation or other entity has a valid legal existence.

3. Each Partner has full power, authority,  and legal right to enter into and to
perform the terms of the Operating  Partnership  Agreement  and the  partnership
agreements of the Subsidiary Partnerships (each, a "Partnership Agreement"), and
the transactions contemplated thereby.

4. Each  Partnership  operates in accordance with the governing law of the state
in which it was formed and the  Partnership  Agreement  pursuant to which it was
formed.

5. Each Partnership  Agreement has remained in substantially the same form as it
was upon the most recent  amendment and  restatement  thereof,  and has not been
amended in any material  respect  (except upon the  substitution  of partners in
accordance with the terms of such Partnership Agreement).

6. During its taxable  year ending  December 31, 1998,  and  subsequent  taxable
years,  the Company has operated  and will  continue to operate in such a manner
that  makes  and  will  continue  to make  the  representations  contained  in a
certificate, dated November 20, 1998 and executed by a duly appointed officer of
the Company (the "Officer's Certificate"), true for such years.

7. The Company will not make any amendments to its  organizational  documents or
the  organizational  documents  of the  Operating  Partnership,  the  Subsidiary
Partnerships, Management, or Franchise after the date of this opinion that would
affect its  qualification  as a real estate  investment  trust  ("REIT") for any
taxable year.

8. No  action  will be taken by the  Company,  the  Operating  Partnership,  the
Subsidiary Partnerships,  the Partners,  Management, or Franchise after the date
hereof that would have the effect of altering  the facts upon which the opinions
set forth below are based.


<PAGE>
Storage USA, Inc.
December 2, 1998
Page 4


                In connection  with the opinions  rendered  below,  we also have
relied upon the  correctness of the  representations  contained in the Officer's
Certificate.

                Based on the factual  matters in the documents  and  assumptions
set forth above, the representations set forth in the Officer's Certificate, the
discussions  in  the   Prospectus   under  the  caption   "Federal   Income  Tax
Considerations"  (which  are  incorporated  herein by  reference),  and  without
further investigation as to such factual matters, we are of the opinion that:

            (a) the Company qualified to be taxed as a REIT pursuant to sections
            856 through 860 of the  Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended
            (the "Code"),  for its taxable years ended December 31, 1994 through
            December 31, 1997,  and the Company's  organization  and current and
            proposed  method of operation  will enable it to continue to qualify
            as a REIT for its taxable year ended  December 31, 1998,  and in the
            future; and

            (b) the  descriptions  of the law contained in the Prospectus  under
            the caption "Federal Income Tax  Considerations"  are correct in all
            material respects,  and the discussions  thereunder fairly summarize
            the federal income tax considerations that are likely to be material
            to a holder of the Redemption Shares.

                We have  performed no due  diligence and have made no efforts to
verify the accuracy and  genuineness of the documents and  assumptions set forth
above, or the  representations set forth in the Officer's  Certificate.  We will
not review on a continuing basis the Company's  compliance with the documents or
assumptions set forth above, or the  representations  set forth in the Officer's
Certificate.  Accordingly,  no assurance can be given that the actual results of
the Company's  operations for its 1998 and subsequent taxable years will satisfy
the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.

                The  foregoing  opinions are based on current  provisions of the
Code and the Treasury  regulations  thereunder  (the  "Regulations"),  published
administrative  interpretations  thereof,  and published  court  decisions.  The
Internal   Revenue  Service  has  not  issued   Regulations  or   administrative
interpretations  with respect to various provisions of the Code relating to REIT
qualification.  No assurance  can be given that the law will not change in a way
that will prevent the Company from qualifying as a REIT.


<PAGE>
Storage USA, Inc.
December 2, 1998
Page 5


                We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to
the Registration  Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are
in the  category  of  persons  whose  consent  is  required  by Section 7 of the
Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  or the rules and  regulations  promulgated
thereunder by the SEC.

                The foregoing  opinions are limited to the U.S.  federal  income
tax matters addressed herein, and no other opinions are rendered with respect to
other  federal  tax matters or to any issues  arising  under the tax laws of any
other  country,  or any state or locality.  We undertake no obligation to update
the opinions expressed herein after the date of this letter. This opinion letter
is solely  for the  information  and use of the  addressee  and the  holders  of
Redemption Shares, and it may not be distributed, relied upon for any purpose by
any other  person,  quoted in whole or in part or  otherwise  reproduced  in any
document,  or filed with any  governmental  agency  without our express  written
consent.

                                                Very truly yours,

                                                /s/Hunton & Williams

07796/08074

<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT A

                       Subsidiary Partnership Agreements

1. The  Agreement of Limited  Partnership  of  Storage-USA  of Palm Beach County
Limited Partnership, dated May 2, 1991, as amended by the Third Amendment to the
Agreement of Limited  Partnership,  dated June 30, 1996, among Storage USA, Inc.
(the "Company"), SUSA Partnership,  L.P. (the "Operating Partnership"),  Storage
USA Franchise Corp. ("Franchise"), and other limited partners;

2. the Limited Partnership Agreement of SUSA/38th Avenue,  Capitola, L.P., dated
June 1, 1995, among the Operating  Partnership,  as general partner, and several
limited partners;

3. the Limited  Partnership  Agreement of Clarendon Storage  Associates  Limited
Partnership,  dated as of November 11, 1994, among Highclar,  L.L.C., a Virginia
limited  liability  company,  as general partner,  the Operating  Partnership as
general partner,  Highland Limited Partnership,  a Virginia limited partnership,
as limited partner, and the Operating Partnership as limited partner;

4. the Second  Amended  Limited  Partnership  Agreement  of Buzzman  Partners I,
Limited  Partnership,  dated May 22,  1996,  between  among CRM  Realty II Joint
Venture, a New York joint venture ("CRM"), the Operating Partnership, as general
and  limited  partner,  and SUSA  Management,  Inc.  ("Management"),  as limited
partner;

5. the Second  Amended  Limited  Partnership  Agreement of Buzzman  Partners II,
Limited Partnership,  dated May 22, 1996, among CRM, the Operating  Partnership,
as general and limited partner, and Management, as limited partner;

6. the Amended and Restated  Agreement of Limited  Partnership  of Tamiami Mini-
Storage  Partners,  L.P.,  dated as of September 7, 1995,  between the Operating
Partnership, as general partner, and the Company, as limited partner;

7. the  Amended  and  Restated  Agreement  of Limited  Partnership  of 441 Mini-
Storage  Partners,  Ltd.,  dated as of September 7, 1995,  between the Operating
Partnership, as general partner, and the Company, as limited partner;

8. the Amended and  Restated  Agreement of Limited  Partnership  of Sunset Mini-
Storage  Partners,  Ltd.,  dated as of September 7, 1995,  between the Operating
Partnership, as general partner, and the Company, as limited partner;


<PAGE>

9. the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited  Partnership of Southeast Mini-
Storage  Limited  Partners,  dated  September  7, 1995,  between  the  Operating
Partnership, as general partner, and Management, as limited partner;

10. the Amended and  Restated  Agreement of Limited  Partnership  of Dade County
Mini-Storage  Associates,  Ltd., dated September 7, 1995,  between the Operating
Partnership, as general partner, and Management, as limited partner;

11. the Amended and Restated  Agreement of Limited  Partnership  of Preston Self
Storage, Ltd., dated November 8, 1995, between Peachtree Development II, Inc., a
Texas corporation, as general partner, and the Operating Partnership, as limited
partner, as amended on November 9, 1995;

12. the Limited Partnership  Agreement of SUSA Hackensack LP, dated November 27,
1996, between SUSA New Jersey, Inc., a wholly-owned  subsidiary of Franchise, as
general partner ("New Jersey, Inc."), and the Operating Partnership,  as limited
partner;

13. the Limited  Partnership  Agreement of SUSA Harrison LP, dated  November 27,
1996,  between  New  Jersey,   Inc.,  as  general  partner,  and  the  Operating
Partnership, as limited partner;

14. the Limited  Partnership  Agreement of SUSA Secaucus LP, dated  November 27,
1996,  between  New  Jersey,   Inc.,  as  general  partner,  and  the  Operating
Partnership, as limited partner;

15. the Limited  Partnership  Agreement  of SUSA Orange LP,  dated  November 27,
1996,  between  New  Jersey,   Inc.,  as  general  partner,  and  the  Operating
Partnership, as limited partner;

16. the  Agreement of Limited  Partnership  of  Cole/Morgan,  Ltd.,  dated as of
September  13,  1994,  as amended by the First  Amendment  to the  Agreement  of
Limited Partnership,  dated as of December 31, 1996, among Jesse B. Morgan, Cole
Partners, Ltd., and the Operating Partnership;

17. the Limited Partnership Agreement of SUSA Nashville,  L.P., dated October 4,
1996, between SUSA Tennessee,  Inc., a wholly-owned  subsidiary of Franchise, as
general partner, and the Operating Partnership, as limited partner;

18. the Limited  Partnership  Agreement of SUSA Mesa,  L.P.,  dated  October 17,
1996,  between SUSA Arizona,  Inc., a wholly-owned  subsidiary of Franchise,  as
general partner, and the Operating Partnership, as limited partner


<PAGE>

19. the Agreement of Limited  Partnership  of McNeil Drive Self  Storage,  Ltd.,
dated  as of July  11,  1996,  among  Peachtree  Development  V,  Inc.,  a Texas
corporation,  as general  partner,  and the  Operating  Partnership,  as limited
partner;

20. the  Agreement of Limited  Partnership  of Storage  Partners of  Okeechobee,
Ltd.,  dated as of  September  30, 1996,  among the  Operating  Partnership,  as
general partner, and Storage Developers,  L.P. and VM Storage,  L.P., as limited
partners;

21. the Agreement of Limited  Partnership of SUSA Germantown,  L.P., dated as of
February __, 1998,  between SUSA  Maryland,  Inc., as general  partner,  and the
Operating Partnership, as limited partner;

22. the Limited Partnership Agreement of SUSA Poplar Partners, L.P., dated as of
July 16, 1996, among the Operating Partnership,  as general partner, and Stanley
H.
Trezevant, III, as limited partner;

23. the Operating Agreement of Prospect Heights Self Storage,  L.L.C.,  dated as
of April 16, 1996,  between  Franchise,  as general  partner,  and the Operating
Partnership, as limited partner;

24. the Agreement of Limited  Partnership of Frankford Road Self Storage,  Ltd.,
dated  as of July  1,  1996,  among  Peachtree  Development  VI,  Inc.,  a Texas
corporation, as general partner, and several limited partners;

25. the Limited Partnership Agreement of Parklawn Storage Partners,  L.P., dated
as of June __,  1996,  between  Jesse B.  Morgan,  as general  partner,  and the
Operating Partnership, as limited partner;

26. the Agreement of Limited  Partnership  of Spring Creek Self  Storage,  Ltd.,
dated as of November 28, 1995,  among  Peachtree  Development  IV, Inc., a Texas
corporation,  as general  partner,  and the  Operating  Partnership,  as limited
partner;

27. the Agreement of Limited  Partnership  of Storage  Partners of Paoli,  L.P.,
dated as of June 22, 1996, among the Operating Partnership,  as general partner,
and Storage Developers, L.P. and VM Storage, L.P., as limited partners;

28. the Limited Partnership Agreement of SUSA Whitney Mesa, Limited Partnership,
dated as of June 3, 1998, between SUSA Nevada, Inc., as general partner, and the
Operating Partnership, as limited partner;

29. the Limited Partnership Agreement of SUSA Columbia, LP, dated as of February
__, 1998,  between SUSA Maryland,  Inc., as general  partner,  and the Operating
Partnership, as limited partner;


<PAGE>

30. the operating  agreement of SUSA Investments I, LLC, dated as of November 5,
1997, by the Operating Partnership, as sole member;

31. the operating agreement of SUSA Investments II, LLC, dated as of November 5,
1997, by the Operating Partnership, as sole member; and

32. the Limited  Partnership  Agreement  of SUSA  Hollywood,  L.P.,  dated as of
______ __, 1997,  between SUSA  California,  Inc., as general  partner,  and the
Operating Partnership, as limited partner.



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