Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Trust, its corporate subsidiaries, and all entities in which the Trust has a controlling interest or has been determined to be the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). The equity interests of other investors are reflected as noncontrolling interests or redeemable noncontrolling interests. All significant intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. We account for our interests in joint ventures, which we do not control, using the equity method of accounting.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, referred to as “GAAP,” requires management to make estimates and assumptions that in certain circumstances affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and revenues and expenses. These estimates are prepared using management’s best judgment, after considering past, current and expected events and economic conditions. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity.” ASU 2014-08 amends the definition of a discontinued operation to include only the disposal of a component of an entity that represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major impact on an entity’s operations and financial results. The standard also requires additional disclosures about discontinued operations as well as disposal transactions that do not meet the discontinued operations criteria. The standard is applicable prospectively for all disposals initially classified as held for sale in periods after adoption. We adopted the standard effective January 1, 2014, and there was no impact to the current period financial statements.  In future periods, the adoption will result in most individual property disposals not qualifying for discontinued operations presentation and thus, the results of those disposals will remain in “income from continuing operations.”  Properties sold prior to January 1, 2014, are not subject to ASU 2014-08 and therefore, continue to be classified as discontinued operations using the previous definition.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." ASU 2014-09 supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP and replaces it with a core revenue recognition principle, that an entity will recognize revenue when it transfers control of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services, and creates a five-step model for revenue recognition in accordance with this principle. ASU 2014-09 also requires new disclosures in both interim and annual reporting periods. The guidance in ASU 2014-09 does not apply to contracts within the scope of ASC 840, Leases. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for us in the first quarter of 2017 and allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption. We are currently assessing the impact of this standard to our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.”  ASU 2014-15 provides guidance regarding management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and if such doubt exists, requires specific disclosures.  ASU 2014-15 is effective for us in the first quarter of 2017 and is not expected to have a significant impact on our financial statements.