Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. Refer to the “Lease Accounting” section within this Note 2 – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”

Consolidation

On an ongoing basis, as circumstances indicate the need for reconsideration, we evaluate each legal entity that is not wholly owned by us in accordance with the consolidation guidance. Our evaluation considers all of our variable interests, including equity ownership, as well as fees paid to us for our involvement in the management of each partially owned entity. To fall within the scope of the consolidation guidance, an entity must meet both of the following criteria:


•	The entity has a legal structure that has been established to conduct business activities and to hold assets; such entity can be in the form of a partnership, limited liability company, or corporation, among others; and


•	We have a variable interest in the legal entity – i.e., variable interests that are contractual, such as equity ownership, or other financial interests that change with changes in the fair value of the entity’s net assets.

If an entity does not meet both criteria above, we apply other accounting literature, such as the cost or equity method of accounting. If an entity does meet both criteria above, we evaluate such entity for consolidation under either the variable interest model if the legal entity meets any of the following characteristics to qualify as a VIE, or under the voting model for all other legal entities that are not VIEs.

A legal entity is determined to be a VIE if it has any of the following three characteristics:


1)	The entity does not have sufficient equity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support;


2)	The entity is established with non-substantive voting rights (i.e., where the entity deprives the majority economic interest holder(s) of voting rights); or


3)	The equity holders, as a group, lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest. Equity holders meet this criterion if they lack any of the following:


•	The power, through voting rights or similar rights, to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly influence the entity’s economic performance, as evidenced by:


•	Substantive participating rights in day-to-day management of the entity’s activities; or


•	Substantive kick-out rights over the party responsible for significant decisions;


•	The obligation to absorb the entity’s expected losses; or


•	The right to receive the entity’s expected residual returns.

Once we consider the sufficiency of equity and voting rights of each legal entity, we then evaluate the characteristics of the equity holders’ interests, as a group, to see if they qualify as controlling financial interests. Our real estate joint ventures consist of limited partnerships or limited liability companies. For an entity structured as a limited partnership or a limited liability company, our evaluation of whether the equity holders (equity partners other than us in each of our joint ventures) lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest includes the evaluation of whether the limited partners or non-managing members (the noncontrolling equity holders) lack both substantive participating rights and substantive kick-out rights, defined as follows:


•	Participating rights provide the noncontrolling equity holders the ability to direct significant financial and operating decisions made in the ordinary course of business that most significantly influence the entity’s economic performance.


•	Kick-out rights allow the noncontrolling equity holders to remove the general partner or managing member without cause.

If we conclude that any of the three characteristics of a VIE are met, including that the equity holders lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest because they lack both substantive participating rights and substantive kick-out rights, we conclude that the entity is a VIE and evaluate it for consolidation under the variable interest model.

Variable interest model

If an entity is determined to be a VIE, we evaluate whether we are the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary analysis is a qualitative analysis based on power and benefits. We consolidate a VIE if we have both power and benefits – that is, (i) we have the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly influence the VIE’s economic performance (power), and (ii) we have the obligation to absorb losses of or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE (benefits). We consolidate VIEs whenever we determine that we are the primary beneficiary. Refer to Note 4 – “Consolidated and Unconsolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures” to these unaudited consolidated financial statements for information on specific joint ventures that qualify as VIEs. If we have a variable interest in a VIE but are not the primary beneficiary, we account for our investment using the equity method of accounting.

Voting model

If a legal entity fails to meet any of the three characteristics of a VIE (due to insufficiency of equity, existence of non-substantive voting rights, or lack of a controlling financial interest), we then evaluate such entity under the voting model. Under the voting model, we consolidate the entity if we determine that we, directly or indirectly, have greater than 50% of the voting shares and that other equity holders do not have substantive participating rights. Refer to Note 4 – “Consolidated and Unconsolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures” to these unaudited consolidated financial statements for further information on one of our unconsolidated real estate joint ventures that qualify for evaluation under the voting model.

Use of estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and equity; the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements; and the amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Investments in real estate and properties classified as held for sale

Investments in real estate

Evaluation of business combination or asset acquisition

We evaluate each acquisition of real estate or in-substance real estate (including equity interests in entities that predominantly hold real estate assets) to determine whether the integrated set of assets and activities acquired meets the definition of a business and needs to be accounted for as a business combination. An acquisition of an integrated set of assets and activities that does not meet the definition of a business is accounted for as an asset acquisition. If either of the following criteria is met, the integrated set of assets and activities acquired would not qualify as a business:


•	Substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in either a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets; or


•	The integrated set of assets and activities is lacking, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs (i.e., revenue generated before and after the transaction).

An acquired process is considered substantive if:


•	The process includes an organized workforce (or includes an acquired contract that provides access to an organized workforce) that is skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced in performing the process;


•	The process cannot be replaced without significant cost, effort, or delay; or


•	The process is considered unique or scarce.

Generally, we expect that acquisitions of real estate or in-substance real estate will not meet the definition of a business because substantially all of the fair value is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets (i.e., land, buildings, and related intangible assets) or because the acquisition does not include a substantive process in the form of an acquired workforce or an acquired contract that cannot be replaced without significant cost, effort, or delay. When evaluating acquired service or management contracts, we consider the nature of the services performed, the terms of the contract relative to similar arm’s-length contracts, and the availability of comparable vendors in evaluating whether the acquired contract constitutes a substantive process.

Recognition of real estate acquired

For acquisitions of real estate or in-substance real estate that are accounted for as business combinations, we allocate the acquisition consideration (excluding acquisition costs) to the assets acquired, liabilities assumed, noncontrolling interests, and previously existing ownership interests at fair value as of the acquisition date. Assets include intangible assets such as tenant relationships, acquired in-place leases, and favorable intangibles associated with in-place leases for which we are the lessor. Liabilities include unfavorable intangibles associated with in-place leases for which we are the lessor. In addition, for acquired in-place operating leases for which we are the lessee, acquisition consideration is allocated to lease liabilities and related right-of-use assets, adjusted to reflect favorable or unfavorable terms of the lease when compared with market terms. Any excess (deficit) of the consideration transferred relative to the fair value of the net assets acquired is accounted for as goodwill (bargain purchase gain). Acquisition costs related to business combinations are expensed as incurred.

Generally, we expect that acquisitions of real estate or in-substance real estate will not meet the definition of a business because substantially all of the fair value is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets (i.e., land, buildings, and related intangible assets). The accounting model for asset acquisitions is similar to the accounting model for business combinations, except that the acquisition consideration (including acquisition costs) is allocated to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed on a relative fair value basis. Any excess (deficit) of the consideration transferred relative to the sum of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is allocated to the individual assets and liabilities based on their relative fair values. As a result, asset acquisitions do not result in the recognition of goodwill or a bargain purchase gain. Incremental and external direct acquisition costs (such as legal and third-party expenses) are capitalized.

We exercise judgment to determine the key assumptions used to allocate the purchase price of real estate acquired among its components. The allocation of the consideration to the various components of properties acquired during the year can have an effect on our net income due to the differing depreciable and amortizable lives of each component and the recognition of the related depreciation and amortization expense in our consolidated statements of income. We apply judgment in utilizing available comparable market information to assess relative fair value. We assess the relative fair values of tangible and intangible assets based on numerous factors, including estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount and capitalization rates and available comparable market information. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors, including the historical operating results, known and anticipated trends, and market/economic conditions that may affect the property.

The value of tangible assets acquired is based upon our estimation of fair value on an “as if vacant” basis. The value of acquired in-place leases includes the estimated costs during the hypothetical lease-up period and other costs that would have been incurred in the execution of similar leases under the market conditions at the acquisition date of the acquired in-place lease. If there is a bargain fixed-rate renewal option for the period beyond the non-cancelable lease term of an in-place lease, we evaluate intangible factors such as the business conditions in the industry in which the lessee operates, the economic conditions in the area in which the property is located, and the ability of the lessee to sublease the property during the renewal term, in order to determine the likelihood that the lessee will renew. When we determine there is reasonable assurance that such bargain purchase option will be exercised, we consider the option in determining the intangible value of such lease and its related amortization period. We also recognize the relative fair values of assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in acquisitions of less than a 100% interest when the acquisition constitutes a change in control of the acquired entity.

The values allocated to buildings and building improvements, land improvements, tenant improvements, and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis using the shorter of the respective ground lease term, estimated useful life, or up to 40 years, for buildings and building improvements, estimated life, or up to 20 years, for land improvements, the respective lease term or estimated useful life for tenant improvements, and the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life for equipment. The values of acquired in-place leases are classified in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and amortized over the remaining terms of the related leases.

Capitalized project costs

We capitalize project costs, including pre-construction costs, interest, property taxes, insurance, and other costs directly related and essential to the development, redevelopment, pre-construction, or construction of a project. Capitalization of development, redevelopment, pre-construction, and construction costs is required while activities are ongoing to prepare an asset for its intended use. Fluctuations in our development, redevelopment, pre-construction, and construction activities could result in significant changes to total expenses and net income. Costs incurred after a project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use are expensed as incurred. Should development, redevelopment, pre-construction, or construction activity cease, interest, property taxes, insurance, and certain other costs would no longer be eligible for capitalization and would be expensed as incurred. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

Real estate sales

A property is classified as held for sale when all of the following criteria for a plan of sale have been met: (i) management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the property; (ii) the property is available for immediate sale in its present condition, subject only to terms that are usual and customary; (iii) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell have been initiated; (iv) the sale of the property is probable and is expected to be completed within one year; (v) the property is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value; and (vi) actions necessary to complete the plan of sale indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. Depreciation of assets ceases upon designation of a property as held for sale.

If the disposal of a property represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on our operations or financial results, such as (i) a major line of business, (ii) a major geographic area, (iii) a major equity method investment, or (iv) other major parts of an entity, then the operations of the property, including any interest expense directly attributable to it, are classified as discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of income, and amounts for all prior periods presented are reclassified from continuing operations to discontinued operations. The disposal of an individual property generally will not represent a strategic shift and therefore will typically not meet the criteria for classification as a discontinued operation.

We recognize gains/losses on real estate sales in accordance with the accounting standard on the derecognition of nonfinancial assets arising from contracts with noncustomers. Our ordinary output activities consist of the leasing of space to our tenants in our operating properties, not the sales of real estate. Therefore, sales of real estate (in which we are the seller) qualify as contracts with noncustomers. In our transactions with noncustomers, we apply certain recognition and measurement principles consistent with our method of recognizing revenue arising from contracts with customers. Derecognition of the asset is based on the transfer of control. If a real estate sales contract includes our ongoing involvement with the property, then we evaluate each promised good or service under the contract to determine whether it represents a separate performance obligation, constitutes a guarantee, or prevents the transfer of control. If a good or service is considered a separate performance obligation, an allocated portion of the transaction price is recognized as revenue as we transfer the related good or service to the buyer.

The recognition of gain or loss on the sale of a partial interest also depends on whether we retain a controlling or noncontrolling interest. If we retain a controlling interest upon completion of the sale, we continue to reflect the asset at its book value, record a noncontrolling interest for the book value of the partial interest sold, and recognize additional paid-in capital for the difference between the consideration received and the partial interest at book value. Conversely, if we retain a noncontrolling interest upon completion of the partial sale of real estate, we would recognize a gain or loss as if 100% of the real estate were sold.

Impairment of long-lived assets

Prior to and subsequent to the end of each quarter, we review current activities and changes in the business conditions of all of our long-lived assets to determine the existence of any triggering events or impairment indicators requiring an impairment analysis. If triggering events or impairment indicators are identified, we review an estimate of the future undiscounted cash flows, including, if necessary, a probability-weighted approach if multiple outcomes are under consideration.

Long-lived assets to be held and used, including our rental properties, CIP, land held for development, right-of-use assets related to our operating leases in which we are a lessee, and intangibles, are individually evaluated for impairment when conditions exist that may indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset to be held and used is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Triggering events or impairment indicators for long-lived assets to be held and used are assessed by project and include significant fluctuations in estimated net operating income, occupancy changes, significant near-term lease expirations, current and historical operating and/or cash flow losses, construction costs, estimated completion dates, rental rates, and other market factors. We assess the expected undiscounted cash flows based upon numerous factors, including, but not limited to, construction costs, available market information, current and historical operating results, known trends, current market/economic conditions that may affect the asset, and our assumptions about the use of the asset, including, if necessary, a probability-weighted approach if multiple outcomes are under consideration.

Upon determination that an impairment has occurred, a write-down is recognized to reduce the carrying amount to its estimated fair value. If an impairment loss is not required to be recognized, the recognition of depreciation or amortization is adjusted prospectively, as necessary, to reduce the carrying amount of the real estate to its estimated disposition value over the remaining period that the asset is expected to be held and used. We may adjust depreciation of properties that are expected to be disposed of or redeveloped prior to the end of their useful lives.

We use the held for sale impairment model for our properties classified as held for sale. The held for sale impairment model is different from the held and used impairment model. Under the held for sale impairment model, an impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of the long-lived asset classified as held for sale exceeds its fair value less cost to sell. Because of these two different models, it is possible for a long-lived asset previously classified as held and used to require the recognition of an impairment charge upon classification as held for sale.

International operations

In addition to operating properties in the U.S., we have three operating properties in Canada and one operating property in China. The functional currency for our subsidiaries operating in the U.S. is the U.S. dollar. The functional currencies for our foreign subsidiaries are the local currencies in each respective country. The assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect as of the financial statement date. Income statement accounts of our foreign subsidiaries are translated using the weighted-average exchange rate for the periods presented. Gains or losses resulting from the translation are classified in accumulated other comprehensive income as a separate component of total equity and are excluded from net income.

Whenever a foreign investment meets the criteria for classification as held for sale, we evaluate the recoverability of the investment under the held for sale impairment model. We may recognize an impairment charge if the carrying amount of the investment exceeds its fair value less cost to sell. In determining an investment’s carrying amount, we consider its net book value and any cumulative unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment related to the investment.

The appropriate amounts of foreign exchange rate gains or losses classified in accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified to net income when realized upon the sale of our investment or upon the complete or substantially complete liquidation of our investment.

Investments

We hold investments in publicly traded companies and privately held entities primarily involved in the life science and technology industries. As a REIT, we generally limit our ownership percentage in the voting stock of each individual entity to less than 10%.

Our equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method and those that result in consolidation of the investee) are measured as follows:


•	Investments in publicly traded companies are classified as investments with readily determinable fair values. These investments are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The fair values for our investments in publicly traded companies are determined based on sales prices/quotes available on securities exchanges.


•	Investments in privately held entities without readily determinable fair values fall into two categories:

•

Investments in privately held entities that report NAV per share, such as our privately held investments in limited partnerships, are carried at fair value using NAV as a practical expedient with changes in fair value recognized in net income. We use NAV per share reported by limited partnerships without adjustment, unless we are aware of information indicating that the NAV per share reported by a limited partnership does not accurately reflect the fair value of the investment at our reporting date. We disclose the timing of liquidation of an investee’s assets and the date when redemption restrictions will lapse (or indicate if this timing is unknown) if the investee has communicated this information to us or has announced it publicly.


•	Investments in privately held entities that do not report NAV per share are accounted for using a measurement alternative that measures these investments at cost, adjusted for observable price changes and impairments, with changes recognized in net income.

For investments in privately held entities that do not report NAV per share, an observable price is a price observed in an orderly transaction for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. Observable price changes result from, among other things, equity transactions for the same issuer executed during the reporting period, including subsequent equity offerings or other reported equity transactions related to the same issuer. For these transactions to be considered observable price changes of the same issuer, we evaluate whether these transactions have similar rights and obligations, including voting rights, distribution preferences, conversion rights, and other factors, to the investments we hold.

We monitor investments in privately held entities that do not report NAV per share throughout the year for new developments, including operating results, prospects and results of clinical trials, new product initiatives, new collaborative agreements, capital-raising events, and merger and acquisition activities. These investments are evaluated on the basis of a qualitative assessment for indicators of impairment by monitoring the presence of the following triggering events or impairment indicators: (i) a significant deterioration in the earnings performance, asset quality, or business prospects of the investee; (ii) a significant adverse change in the regulatory, economic, or technological environment of the investee, (iii) a significant adverse change in the general market condition, including the research and development of technology and products that the investee is bringing or attempting to bring to the market, or (iv) significant concerns about the investee’s ability to continue as a going concern. If such indicators are present, we are required to estimate the investment’s fair value and immediately recognize an impairment loss in an amount equal to the investment’s carrying value in excess of its estimated fair value.

Investments in privately held entities are accounted for under the equity method unless our interest in the entity is deemed to be so minor that we have virtually no influence over the entity’s operating and financial policies. Under the equity method of accounting, we initially recognize our investment at cost and adjust the carrying amount of the investment to recognize our share of the earnings or losses of the investee subsequent to the date of our investment. We had no investments accounted for under the equity method as of March 31, 2019.

We recognize both realized and unrealized gains and losses in our consolidated statements of income, classified within investment income. Unrealized gains and losses represent changes in fair value for investments in publicly traded companies, changes in NAV, as a practical expedient to estimate fair value, for investments in privately held entities that report NAV per share, and observable price changes on our investments in privately held entities that do not report NAV per share. Impairments are realized losses, which result in an adjusted cost, and represent charges to reduce the carrying values of investments in privately held entities that do not report NAV per share to their estimated fair value. Realized gains and losses represent the difference between proceeds received upon disposition of investments and their historical or adjusted cost.

Revenues

The table below provides detail of our consolidated total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2019 (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Income from rentals:
Revenues subject to the new lease accounting standard:
Operating leases	$	343,339
Direct financing leases	601
Revenues subject to the new lease accounting standard	343,940
Revenues subject to the revenue recognition accounting standard	10,809
Income from rentals	354,749
Other income	4,093
Total revenues	$	358,842

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, revenues that were subject to the new lease accounting standard aggregated $343.9 million and represented 95.8% of our total revenues. Our total revenues also included $14.9 million, or 4.2%, subject to other accounting guidance. For a detailed discussion related to our revenue streams, refer to the “Lease Accounting” and “Recognition of Revenue Arising From Contracts With Customers” sections within this Note 2 – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”

Leases Summary

Lease accounting

On January 1, 2019, we adopted a new lease accounting standard that sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of leases for both parties to a lease agreement (i.e., lessees and lessors). Upon adoption of the new lease accounting standard, we elected the following practical expedients provided by this lease standard and discussed in greater detail within this “Lease Accounting” section of Note 2. The summary of the practical expedients we elected is provided below:


•	Package of practical expedients – requires us to not reevaluate our existing or expired leases as of January 1, 2019, under the new lease accounting standard.


•	Optional transition method practical expedient – requires us to apply the new lease accounting standard prospectively from the adoption date of January 1, 2019.


•	Land easements practical expedient – requires us to continue to account for land easements existing as of January 1, 2019, under the accounting standards applied to them prior to January 1, 2019.


•	Single component practical expedient – requires us to account for lease and nonlease components associated with that lease under the new lease accounting standard if certain criteria are met.


•	Short-term lease practical expedient – requires us to not record the related lease liabilities and right-of-use assets for our operating leases with a term of 12 months or less in which we are the lessee.

Overview related to both lessee and lessor accounting

Upon adoption of the new lease accounting standard, we elected the package of practical expedients, which requires us to not assess whether our expired or existing contracts as of January 1, 2019, are or contain leases. When we enter into a contract or amend an existing contract subsequent to adoption, we evaluate whether the contract meets the definition of a lease. To meet the definition of a lease, the contract must meet three criteria: (i) there must be an identified asset held by one party to the contract (the lessor), (ii) the counterparty (the lessee) has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the asset throughout the period of the contract, and (iii) the counterparty has the right to direct the use of the identified asset throughout the period of the contract. We have determined which of our contracts meet these three criteria and are considered leases, including rental property leases where we are the lessor and operating leases where we are the lessee. Our leases generally contain contractual fixed and variable rental payments. Fixed payments represent our scheduled rental amounts due under our leases. Variable payments relate primarily to the reimbursements of rental operating expenses under our triple net lease structure.

The new lease accounting standard also sets new criteria for determining the classification of finance leases for lessees and sales-type leases for lessors. The criteria to determine whether a lease should be accounted for as a finance (sales-type) lease include any of the following: (i) ownership is transferred from lessor to lessee by the end of the lease term, (ii) an option to purchase is reasonably certain to be exercised, (iii) the lease term is for the major part of the underlying asset’s remaining economic life, (iv) the present value of lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the underlying asset, or (v) the underlying asset is specialized and is expected to have no alternative use at the end of the lease term. If any of these criteria is met, a lease is classified as a finance lease by the lessee and as a sales-type lease by the lessor. If none of the criteria are met, a lease is classified as an operating lease by the lessee, but may still qualify as a direct financing lease or an operating lease for the lessor. The existence of a residual value guarantee from an unrelated third party other than the lessee may qualify the lease as a direct financing lease by the lessor. Otherwise, the lease is classified as an operating lease by the lessor.

Initial adoption method, package of practical expedients, and optional transition method

The new lease accounting standard requires the use of the modified retrospective transition method. On January 1, 2019, we adopted the new lease accounting standard and elected the package of practical expedients and the optional transition method, which permitted January 1, 2019 to be our initial application date. Our election of the package of practical expedients and the optional transition method allowed us to not reassess:


•	Whether any expired or existing contracts as of January 1, 2019, are leases or contain leases. This practical expedient is primarily applicable to entities that have contracts containing embedded leases. As of December 31, 2018, we had no such contracts; therefore, this practical expedient had no effect on us.

•

The lease classification for any leases expired or existing as of January 1, 2019. Our election of the package of practical expedients requires us to not revisit the classification of our leases existing as of January 1, 2019. For example, all of our leases that were classified as operating leases in accordance with the lease accounting standards in effect prior to January 1, 2019, continue to be classified as operating leases after adoption of the new lease accounting standard.

•

Previously capitalized initial direct costs for any leases existing as of January 1, 2019. Our election of the package of practical expedients and the optional transition method requires us to not reassess whether initial direct leasing costs capitalized prior to the adoption of the new lease accounting standard in connection with the leases that commenced prior to January 1, 2019, qualify for capitalization under the new lease accounting standard. We continue to amortize these costs over the lease term, consistent with the lease accounting guidance in effect prior to January 1, 2019.

We applied the package of practical expedients consistently to all leases (i.e., in which we are a lessee or a lessor) that commenced before January 1, 2019. The election of this package permits us to “run off” our leases that commenced before January 1, 2019, for the remainder of their lease terms, unless our existing leases are modified, and to apply the new lease accounting standard to leases commencing or modified after January 1, 2019.

On January 1, 2019, we recognized a lease liability aggregating $218.7 million for all operating leases in which we are a lessee based on the present value of the lease payments remaining as of the initial application date of January 1, 2019. On January 1, 2019, we also recognized a right-of-use asset corresponding to the lease liability, adjusted for initial direct leasing cost and other consideration exchanges with the landlord prior to the commencement of the lease. Refer to our discussion in the “Lessee Accounting” subsection below for additional information.

In addition, we had certain land easement contracts in effect as of January 1, 2019. Pursuant to our election of the package of practical expedients described above, no reassessment of these contracts was required. Consequently, the adoption of the new lease accounting standard had no effect on our accounting for land easements existing on January 1, 2019.

Costs to execute leases

The new lease accounting standard requires that lessors and lessees capitalize, as initial direct costs, only incremental costs of a lease that would not have been incurred if the lease had not been obtained. Effective January 1, 2019, costs that we incur to negotiate or arrange a lease regardless of its outcome, such as fixed employee compensation, tax, or legal advice to negotiate lease terms, and other costs are expensed as incurred.

Under the package of practical expedients and optional transition method that we elected on January 1, 2019, we were not required to reassess whether initial direct leasing costs capitalized prior to the adoption of the new lease accounting standard in connection with the leases that commenced prior to January 1, 2019, qualify for capitalization under the new lease accounting standard. Therefore, we continue to amortize these initial direct leasing costs over their respective lease terms.

On January 1, 2019, we recognized a cumulative adjustment, as required by the new lease accounting standard, to retained earnings aggregating $3.5 million to write off lease origination costs that were capitalized in connection with leases that were executed but had not commenced before January 1, 2019. These costs were capitalized in accordance with the lease accounting standards existing prior to January 1, 2019, and would not qualify for capitalization under the new lease accounting standard.

Leases, lessor accounting

Lessor accounting

Under the new lease accounting standard, each lease agreement is evaluated to identify the lease and nonlease components at lease inception. Lease components consist primarily of fixed rental payments, and nonlease components consist primarily of specific tenant recoveries, including recoveries for utilities, repairs and maintenance, and common area expenses. The total consideration in each lease agreement is allocated to the lease and nonlease components based on their relative stand-alone selling prices. If an entity does not elect the single component practical expedient discussed below, revenue related to nonlease components is subject to the revenue recognition accounting standard.

On January 1, 2019, we elected the single component practical expedient, which requires us, by class of underlying asset, to not allocate the total consideration to the lease and nonlease components based on their relative stand-alone selling prices. This single component practical expedient requires us to account for the lease component and nonlease component(s) associated with each lease as a single component if: (i) the timing and pattern of transfer of the lease component and the nonlease component(s) associated with it are the same and (ii) the lease component would be classified as an operating lease if it were accounted for separately. This expedient is applicable to any lease not subject to the aforementioned package of practical expedients and optional transition method.

Under the single component practical expedient, if we determine that the lease component is the predominant component, we are required to account for all of the revenues under such lease as a single component in accordance with the new lease accounting standard. Conversely, if we determine that the nonlease component is the predominant component, we are required to account for all of the revenues under such lease as a single component in accordance with the revenue recognition accounting standard. Our operating leases for which we are the lessor qualified for the single component practical expedient accounting under the new lease accounting standard because the lease components in each of our leases were predominant. Upon adoption of the new lease standard, we classified all revenues recognized under the new lease accounting standard as income from rentals in our consolidated statements of income.

Income from rentals related to fixed rental payments under operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the respective operating lease terms. Income from rentals related to variable payments includes contingent rental payments and tenant recoveries. Tenant recoveries, including reimbursements of utilities, repairs and maintenance, common area expenses, real estate taxes and insurance, and other operating expenses, are recognized as revenue in the period during which the applicable expenses are incurred and the tenant’s obligation to reimburse us arises. Income from rentals related to other variable payments is recognized when associated contingencies are removed.

Income from rentals related to direct financing leases is recognized over the respective lease terms using the effective interest rate method. At lease commencement, we record an asset within other assets in our consolidated balance sheets, which represents our net investment in the direct financing lease. This initial net investment is determined by aggregating the total future lease payments attributable to the direct financing lease and the estimated residual value of the property less unearned income. Over the lease term, the investment in the direct financing lease is reduced and rental income is recognized as income from rentals in our consolidated statements of income and produces a constant periodic rate of return on the net investment in the direct financing lease.

We classify amounts expected to be received in later years as deferred rent in our consolidated balance sheets. Amounts received currently but recognized as revenue in future years are classified in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and tenant security deposits in our consolidated balance sheets. We commence recognition of income from rentals related to the operating leases at the date the property is ready for its intended use by the tenant and the tenant takes possession, or controls the physical use, of the leased asset.

Subsequent to lease commencement, for each of our leases, we assess collectibility from our tenants of future lease payments. If we determine that collectibility is probable, we recognize income from rentals based on the methodology described above. For our operating leases, if we determine that collectibility is not probable, we recognize an adjustment to lower our income from rentals rather than a bad debt expense. For our direct financing lease, if we determine that collectibility is not probable, we evaluate our net investment in the lease for impairment. Upon determination that an impairment has occurred, an impairment charge is recognized to reduce the carrying balance in the net investment in the lease to its estimated fair value. As of March 31, 2019, we assessed the collectibility of future lease payments under all our leases in which we are a lessor, and determined that collectibility was probable.

Reclassification of the prior year presentation of rental revenues and tenant recoveries

As described above, rental revenues and tenant recoveries related to our operating leases for which we are the lessor qualified for the single component practical expedient and were classified as income from rentals in our consolidated statements of income. Prior to the adoption of the new lease accounting standard, we classified rental revenues and tenant recoveries separately in our consolidated statements of income, in accordance with the guidance in effect prior to January 1, 2019. Upon adoption of the new lease accounting standard, our comparative income statements of prior years have been reclassified to conform to the new single component presentation of rental revenues and tenant recoveries, classified within income from rentals in our consolidated statements of income.

The table below provides a reconciliation of the prior period presentation of the income statement line items that were reclassified in our consolidated statements of income to conform to the current period presentation, pursuant to the adoption of the new lease accounting standard and election of the single component practical expedient (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Rental revenues (presentation prior to January 1, 2019)	$	244,485
Tenant recoveries (presentation prior to January 1, 2019)	73,170
Income from rentals (presentation effective January 1, 2019)	$	317,655

Leases, lessee accounting

Lessee accounting

Under the new lease accounting standard, lessees are required to apply a dual approach by classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether the lease is effectively a financed purchase of the leased asset by the lessee. This classification will determine whether the lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, which corresponds to a similar evaluation performed by lessors. In addition to this classification, a lessee is also required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases regardless of their classification, whereas a lessor is not required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for any operating leases.

Under the package of practical expedients that we elected upon adoption of the new lease accounting standard, all of our operating leases existing as of January 1, 2019, for which we are the lessee, continue to be classified as operating leases subsequent to the adoption of the new lease accounting standard. On January 1, 2019, we recognized a lease liability aggregating $218.7 million and a corresponding right-of-use asset, which represents our obligation for remaining future rental payments related to our operating leases existing as of January 1, 2019, for which we are the lessee. The right-of-use asset was classified in other assets, and the lease liability was classified in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and tenant security deposits in our consolidated balance sheets. The lease liability was calculated as the present value of the lease payments, aggregating $590.3 million, remaining as of the initial application date of January 1, 2019, under our ground and office lease agreements for which we are the lessee. The present value of the remaining lease payments was calculated for each operating lease using each respective remaining lease term and a corresponding estimated incremental borrowing rate, which is the interest rate that we estimate we would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term for an amount equal to the lease payments.

Recognition of revenue arising from contracts with customers

We recognize revenues associated with transactions arising from contracts with customers, excluding revenues subject to the new lease accounting standard discussed in the “Lease Accounting” section above, in accordance with the revenue recognition accounting standard. A customer is distinguished from a noncustomer by the nature of the goods or services that are transferred. Customers are provided with goods or services that are generated by a company’s ordinary output activities, whereas noncustomers are provided with nonfinancial assets that are outside of a company’s ordinary output activities.

We generally recognize revenue representing the transfer of goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in the exchange. In order to determine the recognition of revenue from customer contracts, we use a five-step model to (i) identify the contract with the customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, including variable consideration to the extent that it is probable that a significant future reversal will not occur, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy the performance obligation.

We identify contractual performance obligations and determine whether revenue should be recognized at a point in time or over time, based on when control of goods and services transfers to a customer. We consider whether we control the goods or services prior to the transfer to the customer in order to determine whether we should account for the arrangement as a principal or agent. If we determine that we control the goods or services provided to the customer, then we are the principal to the transaction, and we recognize the gross amount of consideration expected in the exchange. If we simply arrange but do not control the goods or services being transferred to the customer, then we are considered to be an agent to the transaction, and we recognize the net amount of consideration we are entitled to retain in the exchange.

Total revenues subject to the revenue recognition accounting standard for the three months ended March 31, 2019, include $10.8 million primarily related to short term parking revenues associated with long term lease agreements. These revenues are classified within income from rentals in our consolidated income statements. Short-term parking revenues do not qualify for the single lease component practical expedient, discussed in the “Lessor Accounting” subsection of the “Lease Accounting” section within this Note 2, due to the difference in the timing and pattern of transfer of our parking service obligations and associated lease components within the same lease agreement. We recognize short-term parking revenues in accordance with the revenue recognition accounting standard when the services are provided and the performance obligations are satisfied, which normally occurs at a point in time.

Monitoring tenant credit quality

Monitoring of tenant credit quality

During the term of each lease, we monitor the credit quality and any related material changes of our tenants by (i) monitoring the credit rating of tenants that are rated by a nationally recognized credit rating agency, (ii) reviewing financial statements of the tenants that are publicly available or that are required to be delivered to us pursuant to the applicable lease, (iii) monitoring news reports regarding our tenants and their respective businesses, and (iv) monitoring the timeliness of lease payments.

Income taxes

We are organized and operate as a REIT pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). Under the Code, a REIT that distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders annually (excluding net capital gains) and meets certain other conditions is not subject to federal income tax on its distributed taxable income, but could be subject to certain federal, foreign, state, and local taxes. We distribute 100% of our taxable income annually; therefore, a provision for federal income taxes is not required. In addition to our REIT returns, we file federal, foreign, state, and local tax returns for our subsidiaries. We file with jurisdictions located in the U.S., Canada, India, China, and other international locations. Our tax returns are subject to routine examination in various jurisdictions for the 2013 through 2017 calendar years.

Employee share-based payments

Employee and non-employee share-based payments

We have implemented an entity-wide accounting policy to account for forfeitures of share-based awards granted to employees and non-employees when they occur. As a result of this policy, we recognize expense on share-based awards with time-based vesting conditions without reductions for an estimate of forfeitures. This accounting policy only applies to service condition awards. For performance condition awards, we continue to assess the probability that such conditions will be achieved. Expenses related to forfeited awards are reversed as forfeitures occur. In addition, all nonforfeitable dividends paid on share-based payment awards are initially classified in retained earnings and reclassified to compensation cost only if forfeitures of the underlying awards occur. Our employee and non-employee share-based awards are measured on the grant date and recognized over the required service period of the recipient.

Hedge accounting

We utilize interest rate hedge agreements to manage a portion of our exposure to variable interest rates primarily associated with borrowings based on LIBOR. As a result, all of our interest rate hedge agreements are designated as cash flow hedges. At inception of a hedge agreement, we are required to perform an initial quantitative assessment to determine whether a hedge is highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows associated with the hedged item. Subsequently, we may perform only a qualitative assessment, unless facts and circumstances change.

We determined that each our cash flow hedges were highly effective at inception and continue to be highly effective. Therefore, we record all changes (effective and ineffective components) in fair value of our hedges in accumulated other comprehensive income within total equity and reclassify them into earnings when the hedged item affects earnings.

In October 2018, the FASB issued an accounting standard that expands the list of U.S. benchmark interest rates permitted in the application of hedge accounting to include the overnight index swap rate based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). The accounting standard became effective for us and was adopted on January 1, 2019. We have no hedges based on SOFR; therefore, the adoption of this accounting standard had no effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Joint venture distribution

Joint venture distributions

We use the “nature of the distribution” approach to determine the classification within our statement of cash flows of cash distributions received from equity method investments, including unconsolidated joint ventures. Under this approach, distributions are classified based on the nature of the underlying activity that generated the cash distributions. If we lack the information necessary to apply this approach in the future, we will be required to apply the “cumulative earnings” approach as an accounting change on a retrospective basis. Under the cumulative earnings approach, distributions up to the amount of cumulative equity in earnings recognized are classified as cash inflows from operating activities, and those in excess of that amount are classified as cash inflows from investing activities.

Restricted cash

We present cash and cash equivalents separately from restricted cash within our consolidated balance sheets. We include restricted cash with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning of period and end of period total amounts shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows. We provide a reconciliation between the balance sheet and statement of cash flows, as required when the balance includes more than one line item for cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents. We also provide a disclosure of the nature of the restrictions related to material restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents balances.

Recent accounting pronouncements

Allowance for credit losses

In June 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard (further clarified with subsequently issued updates) that changes the impairment model for most financial instruments by requiring companies to recognize an allowance for expected losses, rather than incurred losses as required currently by the other-than-temporary impairment model. The accounting standard will apply to most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments, including trade and other receivables, loans, held-to-maturity debt securities, net investments in leases arising from sales-type and direct financing leases, and off-balance-sheet credit exposures (i.e., loan commitments). This standard applies to net investments in leases resulting from sales-type or direct financing leases recognized by a lessor and does not apply to the receivables arising from operating leases, which are accounted for under the new lease accounting standard discussed in “Lease Accounting” section within Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.” The accounting standard is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted, and will be applied as a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings as of the effective date. As of March 31, 2019, we had one lease classified as a direct financing lease with a net investment balance aggregating $39.3 million which will be subject to this new guidance. We are currently assessing the potential effect the adoption of this accounting standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.