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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company included herein were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The information furnished includes all adjustments and accruals of a normal recurring nature, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of results for the interim periods. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year or any subsequent interim period.
These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 26, 2021. Except for those required by new accounting pronouncements discussed below, there have been no significant changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, other than those relating to new accounting pronouncements (see “Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements” section below).
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, the OP and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. In determining whether the Company has a controlling financial interest in a joint venture and the requirement to consolidate the accounts of that entity, management considers factors such as ownership interest, authority to make decisions and contractual and substantive participating rights of the other partners or members as well as whether the entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Substantially all of the Company’s assets and liabilities are held by the OP.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the
financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Management makes significant estimates regarding revenue recognition, purchase price allocations to record investments in real estate, income taxes, derivative financial instruments, hedging activities, equity-based compensation expenses related to the multi-year outperformance agreements entered into with the Advisor in 2018 (the “2018 OPP”) and in 2021 (the “2021 OPP”) fair value measurements, as applicable.
Revenue Recognition
The Company’s revenues, which are derived primarily from lease contracts, include rents that each tenant pays in accordance with the terms of each lease reported on a straight-line basis over the non-cancelable term of the lease. As of September 30, 2021, these leases had a weighted-average remaining lease term of 8.2 years. Because many of the Company’s leases provide for rental increases at specified intervals, straight-line basis accounting requires the Company to record a receivable for, and include in revenue from tenants, unbilled rent receivables that the Company will only receive if the tenant makes all rent payments required through the expiration of the initial term of the lease.
For new leases after acquisition of a property, the commencement date is considered to be the date the lease is executed and the tenant has access to the space. The Company defers the revenue related to lease payments received from tenants in advance of their due dates. When the Company acquires a property, the acquisition date is considered to be the commencement date for purposes of this calculation for all leases in place at the time of acquisition. In addition to base rent, the Company’s lease agreements generally require tenants to pay or reimburse the Company for all property operating expenses, which primarily reflect insurance costs and real estate taxes incurred by the Company and subsequently reimbursed by the tenant. However, some limited property operating expenses that are not the responsibility of the tenant are absorbed by the Company. Under ASC 842, the Company has elected to report combined lease and non-lease components in a single line “Revenue from tenants.” For expenses paid directly by the tenant, under both ASC 842 and 840, the Company has reflected them on a net basis.
The Company continually reviews receivables related to rent and unbilled rent receivables and determines collectability by taking into consideration the tenant’s payment history, the credit worthiness and financial condition of the tenant, business conditions in the industry in which the tenant operates and economic conditions in the area in which the property is located. Under lease accounting rules, the Company is required to assess, based on credit risk only, if it is probable that it will collect virtually all of the lease payments at the lease commencement date and it must continue to reassess collectability periodically thereafter based on new facts and circumstances affecting the credit risk of the tenant. Partial reserves, or the ability to assume partial recovery are no longer permitted. If the Company determines that it is probable it will collect virtually all of the lease payments (rent and common area maintenance), the lease will continue to be accounted for on an accrual basis (i.e. straight-line). However, if the Company determines it is not probable that it will collect virtually all of the lease payments, the lease will be accounted for on a cash basis and the straight line rent receivable would be written off where it was subsequently concluded that collection was not probable. Cost recoveries from tenants are included in revenue from tenants on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations in the period the related costs are incurred, as applicable.
On September 3, 2021 the Company entered into a lease termination agreement with one of its tenants which requires the tenant to pay the Company a termination fee of approximately £6.7 million ($9.0 million as of September 30, 2021) at the end of the lease term on January 4, 2022. This amount is being recorded in revenue from tenants evenly over the period from September 3, 2021 through the end of the lease term, and as a result, the Company recorded approximately $2.2 million in revenue from tenants during the three months ended September, 2021. The termination fee is recorded in unbilled straight-line rent on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2021.
Accounting for Leases
Lessor Accounting
As a lessor of real estate, the Company has elected, by class of underlying assets, to account for lease and non-lease components (such as tenant reimbursements of property operating expenses) as a single lease component as an operating lease because (a) the non-lease components have the same timing and pattern of transfer as the associated lease component; and (b) the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease. Additionally, only incremental direct leasing costs may be capitalized under the accounting guidance. Indirect leasing costs in connection with new or extended tenant leases, if any, are being expensed as incurred.
Update on the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The financial stability and overall health of the Company’s tenants is critical to its business. The negative effects that the global COVID-19 pandemic has had on the economy did impact the ability of some of the Company’s tenants to pay their monthly rent during 2020. The Company has taken a proactive approach to seek mutually agreeable solutions with its tenants where necessary, and, in some cases, the Company executed rent deferral agreements on leases with several tenants. For
accounting purposes, in accordance with ASC 842, normally a company would be required to assess the modification to determine if the modification should be treated as a separate lease and if not, modification accounting would be applied which would require a company to reassess the classification of the lease (i.e. operating, direct financing or sales-type). However, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic due to which many leases are being modified, the FASB and SEC provided relief that allowed companies to make a policy election as to whether they treat COVID-19 related lease amendments as a provision included in the preconcession arrangement, and therefore, not a lease modification, or to treat a lease amendment as a modification. In order to qualify for the relief, the modifications must be COVID-19 related and cash flows must be substantially the same or less than those prior to the concession. The Company elected to use this relief where applicable during 2020. In those circumstances, the Company has accounted for these arrangements as if no changes to the lease contract were made. For those leases that do not qualify for the relief, the Company performs a lease modification analysis and if required, uses lease modification accounting.
Lessee Accounting
For lessees, the accounting standard requires the application of a dual lease classification approach, classifying leases as either operating or finance leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee. Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, while lease expense for finance leases is recognized based on an effective interest method over the term of the lease. Also, lessees must recognize a right-of-use asset (“ROU”) and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Further, certain transactions where at inception of the lease the buyer-lessor accounted for the transaction as a purchase of real estate and a new lease, may now be required to have symmetrical accounting to the seller-lessee if the transaction was not a qualified sale-leaseback and accounted for as a financing transaction. For additional information and disclosures related to the Company’s operating leases, see Note 10 — Commitments and Contingencies.
Impairment of Long Lived Assets
When circumstances indicate the carrying value of a property may not be recoverable, the Company reviews the asset for impairment. This review is based on an estimate of the future undiscounted cash flows, excluding interest charges, expected to result from the property’s use and eventual disposition. These estimates consider factors such as expected future operating income, market and other applicable trends and residual value, as well as the effects of leasing demand, competition and other factors. If impairment exists due to the inability to recover the carrying value of a property, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value of the property for properties to be held and used. For properties held for sale, the impairment loss is the adjustment to fair value less estimated cost to dispose of the asset. These assessments have a direct impact on net income because recording an impairment loss results in an immediate negative adjustment to net earnings.
Goodwill
The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment at least annually or upon the occurrence of a triggering event. A triggering event is an event or circumstance that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The Company performed a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. The Company determined that the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic represented a triggering event, and, as such, performed an updated goodwill assessment during the first quarter of 2020. Based on the Company’s assessment, it determined that the goodwill was not impaired at the time of the triggering event evaluation. The Company also performed its annual goodwill impairment evaluation in the fourth quarter of 2020 and determined that goodwill was not impaired as of December 31, 2020. There were no material changes to this assessment as of September 30, 2021.
Derivative Instruments
The Company may use derivative financial instruments, including interest rate swaps, caps, options, floors and other interest rate derivative contracts to hedge all or a portion of the interest rate risk associated with its borrowings. In addition, all foreign currency denominated borrowings under the Company’s Credit Facility (as defined in Note 5 - Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan, Net) are designated as net investment hedges. Certain of the Company’s foreign operations expose the Company to fluctuations of foreign interest rates and exchange rates. These fluctuations may impact the value of the Company’s cash receipts and payments in the Company’s functional currency, the USD. The Company enters into derivative financial instruments in an effort to protect the value or fix the amount of certain obligations in terms of its functional currency.
The Company records all derivatives on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an
asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Derivatives may also be designated as hedges of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in foreign operations. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain risk, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting.
The accounting for subsequent changes in the fair value of these derivatives depends on whether each has been designed and qualifies for hedge accounting treatment. If the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting treatment (or for derivatives that do not qualify as hedges), any changes in the fair value of these derivative instruments is recognized immediately in gains (losses) on derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of operations. If a derivative is designated and qualifies for cash flow hedge accounting treatment, the change in the estimated fair value of the derivative is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) to the extent that it is effective. Any ineffective portion of a change in derivative fair value is immediately recorded in earnings.
Equity-Based Compensation
The Company has a stock-based incentive plan under which its directors, officers and other employees of the Advisor,or its affiliates who are involved in providing services to the Company are eligible to receive awards. Awards granted thereunder are accounted for under the guidance for employee share based payments. The cost of services received in exchange for a stock award is measured at the grant date fair value of the award and the expense for such awards is included in equity-based compensation on consolidated statements of operations and is recognized over the vesting period or when the requirements for exercise of the award have been met (see Note 13 — Equity-Based Compensation for additional information).
Multi-Year Outperformance Agreements
Following the end of the performance period under the 2018 OPP on June 2, 2021, the Company entered into the 2021 OPP with the Advisor (see Note 13 — Equity-Based Compensation). Under the 2018 OPP, which became effective June 2, 2018, the Company recorded equity-based compensation evenly over the requisite service period of approximately 2.8 years from the grant date. Under the 2021 OPP, which became effective June 2, 2021, the Company is recording equity-based compensation evenly over the requisite service period of approximately 3.1 years from May 3, 2021, the date that the Company’s independent directors approved the award of long-term incentive plan units of limited partner interest in the OP (“LTIP Units”) under the 2021 OPP.
Under accounting guidance adopted by the Company on January 1, 2019, total equity-based compensation expense calculated as of the adoption of the new guidance is fixed and reflected as a charge to earnings over the remaining service period. Further, in the event of a modification, any incremental increase in the value of the instrument measured on the date of the modification both before and after the modification, will result in an incremental amount to be reflected prospectively as a charge to earnings over the remaining service period. The expense for these non-employee awards is included in the equity-based compensation line item of the consolidated statements of operations. For additional information on the original terms, a February 2019 modification of the 2018 OPP, and accounting for the awards under the 2018 OPP and 2021 OPP, see Note 13 — Equity-Based Compensation.
Income Taxes
The Company elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), beginning with the taxable year ended December 31, 2013. Commencing with such taxable year, the Company was organized to operate in such a manner as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code and believes it has so qualified. The Company intends to continue to operate in such a manner to continue to qualify for taxation as a REIT, but no assurance can be given that it will operate in a manner to remain qualified as a REIT. As a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to federal corporate income tax to the extent it distributes annually all of its REIT taxable income. REITs are subject to a number of other organizational and operational requirements.
The Company conducts business in various states and municipalities within the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom and Western Europe and, as a result, the Company or one of its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states and certain foreign jurisdictions. As a result, the Company may be subject to certain federal, state, local and foreign taxes on its income and assets, including alternative minimum taxes, taxes on any undistributed income and state, local or foreign income, franchise, property and transfer taxes. Any of these taxes decrease the Company’s earnings and available cash. In addition, the Company’s international assets and operations, including those owned through direct or
indirect subsidiaries that are disregarded entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, continue to be subject to taxation in the foreign jurisdictions where those assets are held or those operations are conducted.
Significant judgment is required in determining the Company’s tax provision and in evaluating its tax positions. The Company establishes tax reserves based on a benefit recognition model, which the Company believes could result in a greater amount of benefit (and a lower amount of reserve) being initially recognized in certain circumstances. Provided that the tax position is deemed more likely than not of being sustained, the Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being ultimately realized upon settlement. The Company derecognizes the tax position when the likelihood of the tax position being sustained is no longer more likely than not.
The Company recognizes deferred income taxes in certain of its subsidiaries taxable in the U.S. or in foreign jurisdictions. Deferred income taxes are generally the result of temporary differences (items that are treated differently for tax purposes than for GAAP purposes). In addition, deferred tax assets arise from unutilized tax net operating losses, generated in prior years. The Company provides a valuation allowance against its deferred income tax assets when it believes that it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred income tax asset may not be realized. Whenever a change in circumstances causes a change in the estimated realizability of the related deferred income tax asset, the resulting increase or decrease in the valuation allowance is included in deferred income tax expense (benefit).
The Company derives most of its REIT taxable income from its real estate operations in the U.S. and has historically distributed all of its REIT taxable income to its shareholders. As such, the Company’s real estate operations are generally not subject to U.S. federal tax, and accordingly, no provision has been made for U.S. federal income taxes in the consolidated financial statements for these operations. These operations may be subject to certain state, local, and foreign taxes, as applicable.
The Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are primarily the result of temporary differences related to the following:
Basis differences between tax and GAAP for certain international real estate investments. For income tax purposes, in certain acquisitions, the Company assumes the seller’s basis, or the carry-over basis, in the acquired assets. The carry-over basis is typically lower than the purchase price, or the GAAP basis, resulting in a deferred tax liability with an offsetting increase to goodwill or the acquired tangible or intangible assets;
Timing differences generated by differences in the GAAP basis and the tax basis of assets such as those related to capitalized acquisition costs and depreciation expense; and
Tax net operating losses in certain subsidiaries, including those domiciled in foreign jurisdictions that may be realized in future periods if the respective subsidiary generates sufficient taxable income.
The Company recognizes current income tax expense for state and local income taxes and taxes incurred in its foreign jurisdictions. The Company’s current income tax expense fluctuates from period to period based primarily on the timing of its taxable income.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Pending Adoption as of September 30, 2021
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Topic 470) and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Topic 815). The new standard reduces the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock, and amends the guidance for the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity's own equity. The standard also amends and makes targeted improvements to the related earnings per share guidance. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The standard allows for either modified or full retrospective transition methods. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine the impact it may have on its consolidated financial statements.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848). Topic 848 contains practical expedients for reference rate reform related activities that impact debt, leases, derivatives and other contracts. The guidance in Topic 848 is optional and may be elected over the period March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022 as reference rate reform activities occur. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company elected to apply the hedge accounting expedients related to (i) the assertion that the Company’s hedged forecasted transactions remain probable and (ii) the assessments of effectiveness for future London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”)-indexed cash flows to assume that the index upon which future hedged transactions will be based matches the index on the corresponding derivatives. Application of these expedients preserves the presentation of the Company’s derivatives, which will be consistent with the Company’s past presentation. The
Company will continue to evaluate the impact of the guidance and may apply other elections, as applicable, as additional changes in the market occur.