BREIT 2018 Proxy Statement

of Directors, which concluded that the provision of such services by Deloitte was compatible with the maintenance of that firm’s independence in the conduct of its auditing functions. Unless a type of service to be provided by the independent certified public accountants has received “general” pre-approval, it will require “specific” pre-approval by the Audit Committee. Additionally, any proposed services exceeding “general” pre-approved cost levels will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The term of any general pre-approval will apply until the next pre-approval made by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will review, and may revise, the general pre-approval policy and the services that may be provided by the independent certified public accountants from time to time. The Audit Committee does not delegate its responsibility to pre-approve services performed by the independent certified public accountants to management. All requests or applications for services to be provided by the independent auditor that do not require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to management and must include a detailed description of the services to be rendered. Management will determine whether such services are included within the list of services that have received the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will be informed on a timely basis of any such services rendered by the independent auditor. Requests or applications for services that require specific separate approval by the Audit Committee are required to be submitted to the Audit Committee by both the independent auditor and the Chief Financial Officer. The Chairman of the Audit Committee has been delegated the authority to specifically pre-approve all services not covered by the general pre-approval guidelines, up to a certain amount. All amounts specifically pre-approved by the Chair of the Audit Committee in accordance with the pre-approval policy are to be disclosed to the Audit Committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting. VOTING RECOMMENDATION OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2018. 33