Sun Communities, Inc. Announces Change in Independent Auditor

Key Points from the SEC Form 8-K Filing

• Change in Independent Auditor: Sun Communities, Inc. (“the Company”) has announced a significant change in its independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has approved the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) as the new auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. This appointment is subject to the completion of Deloitte’s customary client acceptance procedures and will be effective once Sun Communities files its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31, 2026.
• Dismissal of Previous Auditor: Concurrently, the Committee dismissed Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”) as the Company’s independent auditor, effective upon completion of their current engagement for the period ended March 31, 2026.
• No Disagreements or Adverse Opinions: During the last two fiscal years (2024 and 2025) and the subsequent interim period, there were no disagreements with Grant Thornton on accounting principles, practices, financial statement disclosures, or auditing scope or procedures that would have required reporting to the SEC. Grant Thornton’s audit reports for these periods did not contain any adverse opinions, disclaimers, or qualifications relating to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.
• Internal Control Material Weakness – Remediated: The only reportable event noted was a previously disclosed material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024. This weakness related to a lack of an effective risk assessment process and was remediated in 2025. Grant Thornton has been authorized to fully respond to inquiries from Deloitte regarding this matter.
• Grant Thornton’s Response: The Company provided Grant Thornton with a copy of the 8-K disclosure and requested a letter stating whether Grant Thornton agrees with the statements in the filing. Grant Thornton’s concurrence letter, dated March 27, 2026, confirms agreement with the Company’s statements and is included as Exhibit 16.1.

What Shareholders Need to Know

• This is a material event: Changing audit firms is always a significant event for a publicly traded company, as it may raise questions about financial reporting, internal controls, or corporate governance. The fact that Sun Communities, Inc. is moving from Grant Thornton to Deloitte & Touche LLP, one of the “Big Four” accounting firms, may be viewed positively by investors as it could signal an enhancement in audit quality and a commitment to high standards of financial reporting.
• No Unresolved Disagreements: The Company and its previous auditor, Grant Thornton, had no unresolved disagreements or adverse opinions, which suggests the change is not due to disputes or negative findings.
• Remediation of Material Weakness: The only issue noted was a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting in 2024, which has since been remediated. This reduces the risk of future misstatements and may be reassuring for investors concerned about financial oversight.
• Potential Impact on Share Price: Such a change can be price-sensitive as it might trigger speculation on the reasons behind the switch, especially since it follows a previously disclosed material weakness. However, the remediation of that weakness and the clean audit opinions from Grant Thornton mitigate negative implications. Investors may react positively to the appointment of Deloitte, given its reputation, but should monitor for any further developments or disclosures in the upcoming quarterly filings.

Additional Details

• Company Information: Sun Communities, Inc. is a Maryland-incorporated real estate investment trust (REIT), trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SUI.
• Filing Date: The Form 8-K was filed on March 27, 2026, with the event date being March 23, 2026.
• Exhibits Included: The filing includes Grant Thornton’s concurrence letter (Exhibit 16.1) and an Interactive Data File (Exhibit 104).
• Signatory: The filing was signed by Fernando Castro-Caratini, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer of Sun Communities, Inc.

Conclusion

This change in auditor, along with remediation of internal control weaknesses and clean audit opinions, is a noteworthy event for Sun Communities, Inc. shareholders. While there is no indication of unresolved issues or negative findings, the switch to Deloitte & Touche LLP may be interpreted as a step toward strengthening corporate governance and financial oversight. Investors should pay close attention to future filings and quarterly reports for any further disclosures or potential impacts on the Company’s financial statements and share price.

Disclaimer

The information provided above is based on the Company’s Form 8-K filing and accompanying exhibits. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Sun Communities, Inc. or its affiliates.

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