Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in “Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, which could materially affect the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors disclosed in Item 1A of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, as filed with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov. The risks described in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known or that the Company currently deems to be immaterial may also materially adversely affect the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 2: Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities; Essex Portfolio, L.P.

During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Operating Partnership issued OP Units in private placements in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, in the amounts and for the consideration set forth below:

During the three months ended March 31, 2026, Essex issued an aggregate of 73,127 shares of its common stock upon the exercise of stock options, the vesting of restricted stock awards, and the exchange of OP units by limited partners or members into shares of common stock. Essex contributed the net proceeds of $0.6 million from the option exercises during the three months ended March 31, 2026 to the Operating Partnership in exchange for an aggregate of 2,609 OP Units, as required by the Operating Partnership’s partnership agreement. Furthermore, for each share of common stock issued by Essex in connection with vesting of restricted stock awards and the exchange of OP Units, the Operating Partnership issued OP Units to Essex, as required by the partnership agreement. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, 70,518 OP Units were issued to Essex pursuant to this mechanism.

Table of Contents

Stock Repurchases

The following table summarizes the Company's purchases of its common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2026:

(1)Includes commissions for the shares repurchased under the stock repurchase plan.

(2)In September 2022, the Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase plan to allow the Company to acquire shares of common stock up to an aggregate of $500.0 million. The plan supersedes the Company's previous common stock repurchase plan announced in December 2015.

Item 3: Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4: Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.