ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Description of the Business Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation, a Maryland corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries (we, our, us, the Company or MREIC), operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) deriving its income primarily from real estate rental operations. We were founded in 1968 and are one of the oldest public equity REITs in the world. As of September 30, 2019 and 2018, rental properties consisted of 114 and 111 property holdings, respectively. These properties are located in 30 states: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. As of September 30, 2019, our weighted average lease maturity was 7.6 years and our annualized average base rent per occupied square foot was $6.20. As of September 30, 2019, the weighted average building age, based on the square footage of our buildings, was 9.2 years. We also opportunistically invest in marketable securities of other REITs. Historically, we have aimed to limit the size of our REIT securities portfolio to no more than approximately 10% of our undepreciated assets, which we define as total assets excluding accumulated depreciation. As we announced earlier this year, it is now our goal to gradually reduce the size of our REIT securities portfolio to no more than 5% of our undepreciated assets. Total assets excluding accumulated depreciation were $2.1 billion as of September 30, 2019. We held $185.3 million in marketable REIT securities as of September 30, 2019, representing 8.7% of our undepreciated assets. Use of Estimates In preparing the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP), we are required to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions. Segment Reporting & Financial Information Our primary business is the ownership and management of real estate properties. We invest in well-located, modern, single-tenant, industrial buildings leased primarily to investment-grade tenants or their subsidiaries on long-term net leases. We review operating and financial information for each property on an individual basis and, therefore, each property represents an individual operating segment. We evaluate financial performance using Net Operating Income (NOI) from property operations. NOI is a non-GAAP financial measure, which we define as recurring Rental and Reimbursement Revenue, less Real Estate Taxes and Operating Expenses, such as insurance, utilities and repairs and maintenance. We have aggregated the properties into one reportable segment as the properties share similar long-term economic characteristics and have other similarities, including the fact that they are operated as industrial properties subject to long-term net leases primarily to investment-grade tenants or their subsidiaries. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the Company and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. In 2005, we formed MREIC Financial, Inc., a taxable REIT subsidiary which has had no activity since inception. In 2007, we merged with Monmouth Capital Corporation (Monmouth Capital), with Monmouth Capital surviving as our wholly-owned subsidiary. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Buildings and Improvements Buildings and improvements are stated at the lower of depreciated cost or net realizable value. Depreciation is computed based on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. These lives are 39 years for buildings and range from 3 to 39 years for improvements. We apply Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 360-10, Property, Plant & Equipment (ASC 360-10) to measure impairment in real estate investments. Rental properties are individually evaluated for impairment when conditions exist which may indicate that it is probable that the sum of expected future cash flows (on an undiscounted basis without interest) from a rental property is less than its historical net cost basis. These expected future cash flows consider factors such as future operating income, trends and prospects as well as the effects of leasing demand, competition and other factors. Upon determination that an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred, rental properties are reduced to their fair value. For properties to be disposed of, an impairment loss is recognized when the fair value of the property, less the estimated cost to sell, is less than the carrying amount of the property measured at the time there is a commitment to sell the property and/or it is actively being marketed for sale. A property to be disposed of is reported at the lower of its carrying amount or its estimated fair value, less its cost to sell. Subsequent to the date that a property is held for disposition, depreciation expense is not recorded. Gains (Losses) on Sale of Real Estate Gains (losses) on the sale of real estate investments are recognized when the profit (loss) on a given sale is determinable, and the seller is not obliged to perform significant activities after the sale to earn such profit (loss). Acquisitions We account for our property acquisitions as acquisitions of assets. In an acquisition of assets, certain acquisition costs are capitalized to real estate investments as part of the purchase price. In addition, acquisitions that do not meet the definition of a business combination are accounted for as asset acquisitions whereby the consideration incurred is allocated to the individual assets acquired on a relative fair value basis. Marketable Securities Investments in securities available for sale primarily consist of marketable common and preferred stock securities of other REITs. Historically, we have aimed to limit the size of our REIT securities portfolio to no more than approximately 10% of our undepreciated assets, which we define as total assets excluding accumulated depreciation. As we announced earlier this year, it is now our goal to gradually reduce the size of our REIT securities portfolio to no more than 5% of our undepreciated assets. We continue to believe that our REIT securities portfolio provides us with diversification, income, a source of potential liquidity when needed and also serves as a proxy for real estate when more favorable risk adjusted returns are not available in the private real estate markets. Our decision to reduce this threshold mainly stems from the implementation of accounting rule ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”, which took effect at the beginning of this fiscal year. This new rule requires that quarterly changes in the market value of our marketable securities flow through our Consolidated Statements of Income. The implementation of this accounting rule has resulted in increased volatility in our reported earnings and some of our key performance metrics. Going forward, to achieve our threshold investment goal, we will continually evaluate opportunities to optimize our REIT securities portfolio. These marketable securities are all publicly-traded and purchased on the open market through private transactions or through dividend reinvestment plans. These securities may be classified among three categories: held-to-maturity, trading, and available-for-sale. We normally hold REIT securities on a long-term basis and have the ability and intent to hold securities to recovery. Therefore, as of September 30, 2019 and 2018, our securities are all classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value based upon quoted market prices in active markets. Gains or losses on the sale of securities are based on average cost and are accounted for on a trade date basis. In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” ASU 2016-01 requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset, and eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. These changes became effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2018. The most significant change for us, once ASU 2016-01 was adopted, was the accounting treatment for our investments in marketable securities that are classified as available for sale. The accounting treatment used for our Consolidated Financial Statements through fiscal 2018 was that our investments in marketable securities, classified as available for sale, were carried at fair value, with net unrealized holding gains and losses being excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of Shareholders’ Equity until realized and the change in net unrealized holding gains and losses being reflected as comprehensive income (loss). Under ASU 2016-01, effective October 1, 2018, these marketable securities continue to be measured at fair value, however, the changes in net unrealized holding gains and losses are now recognized through net income on our Consolidated Statements of Income. On October 1, 2018, unrealized net holding losses of $24.7 million were reclassed to beginning Undistributed Income (Loss) to recognize the unrealized losses previously recorded in “accumulated other comprehensive income” on our consolidated balance sheets. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include all cash and investments with an original maturity of three months or less. We maintain our cash in bank accounts in amounts that may exceed federally insured limits. We have not experienced any losses in these accounts in the past. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates their current carrying amounts since all such items are short-term in nature. Intangible Assets, Capitalized Lease Costs and Financing Costs Intangible assets, consisting primarily of the value of in-place leases, are amortized to expense over the remaining terms of the respective leases. Upon termination of a lease, the unamortized portion is charged to expense. The weighted-average amortization period upon acquisition for intangible assets recorded during 2019, 2018 and 2017 was 12 years, 12 years and 13 years, respectively. Costs incurred in connection with the execution of leases are capitalized and amortized over the term of the respective leases. Unamortized lease costs are charged to expense upon cancellation of leases prior to the expiration of lease terms. Costs incurred in connection with obtaining mortgages and other financings and refinancings are deferred and are amortized over the term of the related obligations using the effective interest method. Unamortized costs are charged to expense upon prepayment of the obligation. Amortization expense related to these deferred leasing and financing costs were $2.2 million, $2.1 million and $2.1 million for the years ended September 30, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We estimate that aggregate amortization expense for existing assets will be $2.0 million, $1.8 million, $1.7 million, $1.6 million and $1.3 million for the fiscal years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively. Revenue Recognition Rental revenue from tenants with leases having scheduled rental increases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Tenant recoveries related to the reimbursement of real estate taxes, insurance, repairs and maintenance, and other operating expenses are recognized as revenue in the period the expenses are incurred. The reimbursements are recognized and presented gross, as we are generally the primary obligor and, with respect to purchasing goods and services from third-party suppliers, have discretion in selecting the supplier and bears the associated credit risk. These occupancy charges are recognized as earned. When applicable, we provide an allowance for doubtful accounts against the portion of tenant and other receivables and deferred rent receivables, which are estimated to be uncollectible. For accounts receivables that we deem uncollectible, we use the direct write-off method. We did not have an allowance for doubtful accounts balance as of September 30, 2019 and 2018 and there were no write-off’s of any receivable accounts during the fiscal years ended 2019, 2018 and 2017. Lease Termination Income Lease Termination Income is recognized in operating revenues when there is a signed termination agreement, all of the conditions of the agreement have been met, the tenant is no longer occupying the property and the termination consideration is probable of collection. Lease termination amounts are paid by tenants who want to terminate their lease obligations before the end of the contractual term of the lease by agreement with us. Only three of our 114 properties have leases that contain an early termination provision. These three properties contain 158,000 total rentable square feet, representing less than 1% of our total rentable square feet. Our leases with early termination provisions are our 36,000 square foot location in Urbandale (Des Moines), IA, our 39,000 square foot location in Rockford, IL, and our 83,000 square foot location in Roanoke, VA. Each lease termination provision contains certain requirements that must be met in order to exercise each termination provision. These requirements include: the date termination can be exercised, the time frame that notice must be given by the tenant to us and the termination fee that would be required to be paid by the tenant to us. The total potential termination fee to be paid to us from the three tenants with leases that have a termination provision amounts to $1.7 million. Net Income Per Share Basic Net Income per Common Share is calculated by dividing Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted Net Income per Common Share is calculated by dividing Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus the weighted-average number of net shares that would be issued upon exercise of stock options pursuant to the treasury stock method. In addition, common stock equivalents of 98,000, 183,000 and 136,000 shares are included in the diluted weighted average shares outstanding for fiscal years 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of September 30, 2019, 2018 and 2017, options to purchase 305,000, 65,000 and 65,000 shares, respectively, were antidilutive. Stock Compensation Plan We account for awards of stock, stock options and restricted stock in accordance with ASC 718-10, “Compensation-Stock Compensation.” ASC 718-10 requires that compensation cost for all stock awards be calculated and amortized over the service period (generally equal to the vesting period). The compensation cost for stock option grants is determined using option pricing models, intended to estimate the fair value of the awards at the grant date less estimated forfeitures. The compensation expense for restricted stock is recognized based on the fair value of the restricted stock awards less estimated forfeitures. The fair value of stock awards and restricted stock awards is equal to the fair value of our stock on the grant date. The amortization of compensation costs for the awards of stock, stock option grants and restricted stock are included in General and Administrative Expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and amounted to $784,000, $434,000 and $625,000 have been recognized in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Included in Note 9 to these consolidated financial statements are the assumptions and methodology used to calculate the fair value of stock options and restricted shares. Income Tax We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856-860 of the Code, and we intend to maintain our qualification as a REIT in the future. As a qualified REIT, with limited exceptions, we will not be taxed under Federal and certain state income tax laws at the corporate level on taxable income that we distribute to our shareholders. For special tax provisions applicable to REITs, refer to Sections 856-860 of the Code. We are subject to franchise taxes in several of the states in which we own properties. In December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the TCJA), Code Section 199A, was added to the Code and became effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026. Under the TCJA, subject to certain income limitations, individual taxpayers and trusts and estates may deduct 20% of the aggregate amount of qualified REIT dividends they receive from their taxable income. Qualified REIT dividends do not include any portion of a dividend received from a REIT that is classified as a capital gain dividend or qualified dividend income. We follow the provisions of ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, that, among other things, defines a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC Topic 740 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. Based on our evaluation, we determined that we have no uncertain tax positions and no unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2019. We record interest and penalties relating to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, as interest expense. As of September 30, 2019, the fiscal tax years 2016 through and including 2019 remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. There are currently no federal tax examinations in progress. Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other comprehensive income. Prior to our adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” on October 1, 2018, other comprehensive income consisted of unrealized holding gains or losses arising during the period on securities available for sale, less any reclassification adjustments for net gains of sales of securities transactions realized in income. Once we adopted ASU 2016-01, the changes in net unrealized holding gains and losses were no longer recognized through other comprehensive income and instead these changes are now recognized through net income on our Consolidated Statements of Income. Reclassifications Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements for the prior years have been reclassified to conform to the financial statement presentation for the current year. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” ASU 2016-01 requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset, and eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. These changes became effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2018. The most significant change for us, once ASU 2016-01 was adopted, was the accounting treatment for our investments in marketable securities that are classified as available for sale. The accounting treatment used for our Consolidated Financial Statements through Fiscal 2018 was that our investments in marketable securities, classified as available for sale, were carried at fair value, with net unrealized holding gains and losses being excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of Shareholders’ Equity until realized and the change in net unrealized holding gains and losses being reflected as comprehensive income (loss). Under ASU 2016-01, effective October 1, 2018, these marketable securities continue to be measured at fair value, however, the changes in net unrealized holding gains and losses are now recognized through net income on our Consolidated Statements of Income. On October 1, 2018, unrealized net holding losses of $24.7 million were reclassed to beginning Undistributed Income (Loss) to recognize the unrealized losses previously recorded in “accumulated other comprehensive income” on our consolidated balance sheets. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases.” ASU 2016-02 amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets and making targeted changes to lessee and lessor accounting. The standard requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial application, with an option to use certain transition relief. The most significant changes related to lessor accounting under ASU 2016-02 include bifurcating revenue into lease and non-lease components and the new standard’s narrow definition of initial direct costs for leases. Since our revenue is primarily derived from leasing activities from long-term net-leases and since we previously did not capitalize indirect costs for leases, we continue to account for our leases and related leasing costs in substantially the same manner as we previously did prior to the adoption of the ASU 2016-02 on October 1, 2019. In addition, the guidance requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for operating leases with lease terms greater than twelve months on the balance sheet. Therefore, the most significant impact for us is the recognition of our corporate office lease, while accounting where we are the lessor remains substantially the same. Upon adoption, we calculated the asset and lease liability equal to the present value of the minimum lease payments due under our corporate office lease and determined that the asset and lease liability was immaterial to our Consolidated Financial Statements. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-10, “Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases.” The amendment in ASU 2018-10 affects narrow aspects of the guidance issued earlier in ASU 2016-02 by removing certain inconsistencies and providing additional clarification related to the guidance issued earlier. In December 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-20 “Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors.” Similar to ASU 2018-10, 2018-20 affects narrow aspects of the guidance issued earlier in ASU 2016-02 as well by providing additional clarification related to the guidance issued earlier. The most significant changes related to lessor accounting under ASU 2018-20 is the clarification of how to treat payments made by a lessee directly to a third party, such as real estate taxes paid by the lessee directly to the taxing authority, whereby items paid directly by the lessee to a third party should not be reflected in the lessors income statement and, thus, should not be bifurcated and included in revenue and operating expenses. A majority of our reimbursable expenses are paid by us and are billed back to our lessees. Therefore, these reimbursable expenses will continue to be presented separately by bifurcating these revenue and expense items in our Consolidated Statements of Income. We adopted these standards effective October 1, 2019 and the adoption of these standards did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The only effect the adoption of these standards had on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures effective October 1, 2019 are instances where certain types of payments are made by a lessee directly to a third party whereas these payments are no longer presented on a gross basis in our Consolidated Statements of Income, which have an immaterial effect on our reported revenue and a net zero effect on our Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers.” The FASB issued further guidance in ASU 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients,” that provides clarifying guidance in certain narrow areas and adds some practical expedients. ASU 2014-09 replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it became effective. The effective date of ASU 2014-09 was extended by one year by ASU 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date.” The new standard is effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Therefore, we adopted the standard effective October 1, 2018. Our revenue is primarily derived from leasing activities and historically our property dispositions have been cash sales with no contingencies and no future involvement in the property. Since this standard applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other guidance, such as leases, the adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We do not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective accounting pronouncements, if adopted, would have a material effect on the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of the Business

Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation, a Maryland corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries (we, our, us, the Company or MREIC), operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) deriving its income primarily from real estate rental operations. We were founded in 1968 and are one of the oldest public equity REITs in the world. As of September 30, 2019 and 2018, rental properties consisted of 114 and 111 property holdings, respectively. These properties are located in 30 states: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. As of September 30, 2019, our weighted average lease maturity was 7.6 years and our annualized average base rent per occupied square foot was $6.20. As of September 30, 2019, the weighted average building age, based on the square footage of our buildings, was 9.2 years. We also opportunistically invest in marketable securities of other REITs. Historically, we have aimed to limit the size of our REIT securities portfolio to no more than approximately 10% of our undepreciated assets, which we define as total assets excluding accumulated depreciation. As we announced earlier this year, it is now our goal to gradually reduce the size of our REIT securities portfolio to no more than 5% of our undepreciated assets. Total assets excluding accumulated depreciation were $2.1 billion as of September 30, 2019. We held $185.3 million in marketable REIT securities as of September 30, 2019, representing 8.7% of our undepreciated assets.

Use of Estimates

In preparing the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP), we are required to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions.

Segment Reporting & Financial Information

Our primary business is the ownership and management of real estate properties. We invest in well-located, modern, single-tenant, industrial buildings leased primarily to investment-grade tenants or their subsidiaries on long-term net leases. We review operating and financial information for each property on an individual basis and, therefore, each property represents an individual operating segment. We evaluate financial performance using Net Operating Income (NOI) from property operations. NOI is a non-GAAP financial measure, which we define as recurring Rental and Reimbursement Revenue, less Real Estate Taxes and Operating Expenses, such as insurance, utilities and repairs and maintenance. We have aggregated the properties into one reportable segment as the properties share similar long-term economic characteristics and have other similarities, including the fact that they are operated as industrial properties subject to long-term net leases primarily to investment-grade tenants or their subsidiaries.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the Company and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. In 2005, we formed MREIC Financial, Inc., a taxable REIT subsidiary which has had no activity since inception. In 2007, we merged with Monmouth Capital Corporation (Monmouth Capital), with Monmouth Capital surviving as our wholly-owned subsidiary. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Buildings and Improvements

Buildings and improvements are stated at the lower of depreciated cost or net realizable value. Depreciation is computed based on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. These lives are 39 years for buildings and range from 3 to 39 years for improvements.

We apply Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 360-10, Property, Plant & Equipment (ASC 360-10) to measure impairment in real estate investments. Rental properties are individually evaluated for impairment when conditions exist which may indicate that it is probable that the sum of expected future cash flows (on an undiscounted basis without interest) from a rental property is less than its historical net cost basis. These expected future cash flows consider factors such as future operating income, trends and prospects as well as the effects of leasing demand, competition and other factors. Upon determination that an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred, rental properties are reduced to their fair value. For properties to be disposed of, an impairment loss is recognized when the fair value of the property, less the estimated cost to sell, is less than the carrying amount of the property measured at the time there is a commitment to sell the property and/or it is actively being marketed for sale. A property to be disposed of is reported at the lower of its carrying amount or its estimated fair value, less its cost to sell. Subsequent to the date that a property is held for disposition, depreciation expense is not recorded.

Gains (Losses) on Sale of Real Estate

Gains (losses) on the sale of real estate investments are recognized when the profit (loss) on a given sale is determinable, and the seller is not obliged to perform significant activities after the sale to earn such profit (loss).

Acquisitions

We account for our property acquisitions as acquisitions of assets. In an acquisition of assets, certain acquisition costs are capitalized to real estate investments as part of the purchase price. In addition, acquisitions that do not meet the definition of a business combination are accounted for as asset acquisitions whereby the consideration incurred is allocated to the individual assets acquired on a relative fair value basis.

Marketable Securities

Investments in securities available for sale primarily consist of marketable common and preferred stock securities of other REITs. Historically, we have aimed to limit the size of our REIT securities portfolio to no more than approximately 10% of our undepreciated assets, which we define as total assets excluding accumulated depreciation. As we announced earlier this year, it is now our goal to gradually reduce the size of our REIT securities portfolio to no more than 5% of our undepreciated assets. We continue to believe that our REIT securities portfolio provides us with diversification, income, a source of potential liquidity when needed and also serves as a proxy for real estate when more favorable risk adjusted returns are not available in the private real estate markets. Our decision to reduce this threshold mainly stems from the implementation of accounting rule ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”, which took effect at the beginning of this fiscal year. This new rule requires that quarterly changes in the market value of our marketable securities flow through our Consolidated Statements of Income. The implementation of this accounting rule has resulted in increased volatility in our reported earnings and some of our key performance metrics. Going forward, to achieve our threshold investment goal, we will continually evaluate opportunities to optimize our REIT securities portfolio. These marketable securities are all publicly-traded and purchased on the open market through private transactions or through dividend reinvestment plans. These securities may be classified among three categories: held-to-maturity, trading, and available-for-sale. We normally hold REIT securities on a long-term basis and have the ability and intent to hold securities to recovery. Therefore, as of September 30, 2019 and 2018, our securities are all classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value based upon quoted market prices in active markets. Gains or losses on the sale of securities are based on average cost and are accounted for on a trade date basis.

In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” ASU 2016-01 requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset, and eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. These changes became effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2018. The most significant change for us, once ASU 2016-01 was adopted, was the accounting treatment for our investments in marketable securities that are classified as available for sale. The accounting treatment used for our Consolidated Financial Statements through fiscal 2018 was that our investments in marketable securities, classified as available for sale, were carried at fair value, with net unrealized holding gains and losses being excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of Shareholders’ Equity until realized and the change in net unrealized holding gains and losses being reflected as comprehensive income (loss). Under ASU 2016-01, effective October 1, 2018, these marketable securities continue to be measured at fair value, however, the changes in net unrealized holding gains and losses are now recognized through net income on our Consolidated Statements of Income. On October 1, 2018, unrealized net holding losses of $24.7 million were reclassed to beginning Undistributed Income (Loss) to recognize the unrealized losses previously recorded in “accumulated other comprehensive income” on our consolidated balance sheets.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all cash and investments with an original maturity of three months or less. We maintain our cash in bank accounts in amounts that may exceed federally insured limits. We have not experienced any losses in these accounts in the past. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates their current carrying amounts since all such items are short-term in nature.

Intangible Assets, Capitalized Lease Costs and Financing Costs

Intangible assets, consisting primarily of the value of in-place leases, are amortized to expense over the remaining terms of the respective leases. Upon termination of a lease, the unamortized portion is charged to expense. The weighted-average amortization period upon acquisition for intangible assets recorded during 2019, 2018 and 2017 was 12 years, 12 years and 13 years, respectively.

Costs incurred in connection with the execution of leases are capitalized and amortized over the term of the respective leases. Unamortized lease costs are charged to expense upon cancellation of leases prior to the expiration of lease terms. Costs incurred in connection with obtaining mortgages and other financings and refinancings are deferred and are amortized over the term of the related obligations using the effective interest method. Unamortized costs are charged to expense upon prepayment of the obligation. Amortization expense related to these deferred leasing and financing costs were $2.2 million, $2.1 million and $2.1 million for the years ended September 30, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We estimate that aggregate amortization expense for existing assets will be $2.0 million, $1.8 million, $1.7 million, $1.6 million and $1.3 million for the fiscal years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively.

Revenue Recognition

Rental revenue from tenants with leases having scheduled rental increases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Tenant recoveries related to the reimbursement of real estate taxes, insurance, repairs and maintenance, and other operating expenses are recognized as revenue in the period the expenses are incurred. The reimbursements are recognized and presented gross, as we are generally the primary obligor and, with respect to purchasing goods and services from third-party suppliers, have discretion in selecting the supplier and bears the associated credit risk. These occupancy charges are recognized as earned.

When applicable, we provide an allowance for doubtful accounts against the portion of tenant and other receivables and deferred rent receivables, which are estimated to be uncollectible. For accounts receivables that we deem uncollectible, we use the direct write-off method. We did not have an allowance for doubtful accounts balance as of September 30, 2019 and 2018 and there were no write-off’s of any receivable accounts during the fiscal years ended 2019, 2018 and 2017.

Lease Termination Income

Lease Termination Income is recognized in operating revenues when there is a signed termination agreement, all of the conditions of the agreement have been met, the tenant is no longer occupying the property and the termination consideration is probable of collection. Lease termination amounts are paid by tenants who want to terminate their lease obligations before the end of the contractual term of the lease by agreement with us.

Only three of our 114 properties have leases that contain an early termination provision. These three properties contain 158,000 total rentable square feet, representing less than 1% of our total rentable square feet. Our leases with early termination provisions are our 36,000 square foot location in Urbandale (Des Moines), IA, our 39,000 square foot location in Rockford, IL, and our 83,000 square foot location in Roanoke, VA. Each lease termination provision contains certain requirements that must be met in order to exercise each termination provision. These requirements include: the date termination can be exercised, the time frame that notice must be given by the tenant to us and the termination fee that would be required to be paid by the tenant to us. The total potential termination fee to be paid to us from the three tenants with leases that have a termination provision amounts to $1.7 million.

Net Income Per Share

Basic Net Income per Common Share is calculated by dividing Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted Net Income per Common Share is calculated by dividing Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus the weighted-average number of net shares that would be issued upon exercise of stock options pursuant to the treasury stock method.

In addition, common stock equivalents of 98,000, 183,000 and 136,000 shares are included in the diluted weighted average shares outstanding for fiscal years 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of September 30, 2019, 2018 and 2017, options to purchase 305,000, 65,000 and 65,000 shares, respectively, were antidilutive.

Stock Compensation Plan

We account for awards of stock, stock options and restricted stock in accordance with ASC 718-10, “Compensation-Stock Compensation.” ASC 718-10 requires that compensation cost for all stock awards be calculated and amortized over the service period (generally equal to the vesting period). The compensation cost for stock option grants is determined using option pricing models, intended to estimate the fair value of the awards at the grant date less estimated forfeitures. The compensation expense for restricted stock is recognized based on the fair value of the restricted stock awards less estimated forfeitures. The fair value of stock awards and restricted stock awards is equal to the fair value of our stock on the grant date. The amortization of compensation costs for the awards of stock, stock option grants and restricted stock are included in General and Administrative Expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and amounted to $784,000, $434,000 and $625,000 have been recognized in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Included in Note 9 to these consolidated financial statements are the assumptions and methodology used to calculate the fair value of stock options and restricted shares.

Income Tax

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856-860 of the Code, and we intend to maintain our qualification as a REIT in the future. As a qualified REIT, with limited exceptions, we will not be taxed under Federal and certain state income tax laws at the corporate level on taxable income that we distribute to our shareholders. For special tax provisions applicable to REITs, refer to Sections 856-860 of the Code. We are subject to franchise taxes in several of the states in which we own properties.

In December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the TCJA), Code Section 199A, was added to the Code and became effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026. Under the TCJA, subject to certain income limitations, individual taxpayers and trusts and estates may deduct 20% of the aggregate amount of qualified REIT dividends they receive from their taxable income. Qualified REIT dividends do not include any portion of a dividend received from a REIT that is classified as a capital gain dividend or qualified dividend income.

We follow the provisions of ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, that, among other things, defines a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC Topic 740 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. Based on our evaluation, we determined that we have no uncertain tax positions and no unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2019. We record interest and penalties relating to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, as interest expense. As of September 30, 2019, the fiscal tax years 2016 through and including 2019 remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. There are currently no federal tax examinations in progress.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other comprehensive income. Prior to our adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” on October 1, 2018, other comprehensive income consisted of unrealized holding gains or losses arising during the period on securities available for sale, less any reclassification adjustments for net gains of sales of securities transactions realized in income. Once we adopted ASU 2016-01, the changes in net unrealized holding gains and losses were no longer recognized through other comprehensive income and instead these changes are now recognized through net income on our Consolidated Statements of Income.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements for the prior years have been reclassified to conform to the financial statement presentation for the current year.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” ASU 2016-01 requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset, and eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. These changes became effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2018. The most significant change for us, once ASU 2016-01 was adopted, was the accounting treatment for our investments in marketable securities that are classified as available for sale. The accounting treatment used for our Consolidated Financial Statements through Fiscal 2018 was that our investments in marketable securities, classified as available for sale, were carried at fair value, with net unrealized holding gains and losses being excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of Shareholders’ Equity until realized and the change in net unrealized holding gains and losses being reflected as comprehensive income (loss). Under ASU 2016-01, effective October 1, 2018, these marketable securities continue to be measured at fair value, however, the changes in net unrealized holding gains and losses are now recognized through net income on our Consolidated Statements of Income. On October 1, 2018, unrealized net holding losses of $24.7 million were reclassed to beginning Undistributed Income (Loss) to recognize the unrealized losses previously recorded in “accumulated other comprehensive income” on our consolidated balance sheets.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases.” ASU 2016-02 amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets and making targeted changes to lessee and lessor accounting. The standard requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial application, with an option to use certain transition relief. The most significant changes related to lessor accounting under ASU 2016-02 include bifurcating revenue into lease and non-lease components and the new standard’s narrow definition of initial direct costs for leases. Since our revenue is primarily derived from leasing activities from long-term net-leases and since we previously did not capitalize indirect costs for leases, we continue to account for our leases and related leasing costs in substantially the same manner as we previously did prior to the adoption of the ASU 2016-02 on October 1, 2019. In addition, the guidance requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for operating leases with lease terms greater than twelve months on the balance sheet. Therefore, the most significant impact for us is the recognition of our corporate office lease, while accounting where we are the lessor remains substantially the same. Upon adoption, we calculated the asset and lease liability equal to the present value of the minimum lease payments due under our corporate office lease and determined that the asset and lease liability was immaterial to our Consolidated Financial Statements. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-10, “Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases.” The amendment in ASU 2018-10 affects narrow aspects of the guidance issued earlier in ASU 2016-02 by removing certain inconsistencies and providing additional clarification related to the guidance issued earlier. In December 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-20 “Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors.” Similar to ASU 2018-10, 2018-20 affects narrow aspects of the guidance issued earlier in ASU 2016-02 as well by providing additional clarification related to the guidance issued earlier. The most significant changes related to lessor accounting under ASU 2018-20 is the clarification of how to treat payments made by a lessee directly to a third party, such as real estate taxes paid by the lessee directly to the taxing authority, whereby items paid directly by the lessee to a third party should not be reflected in the lessors income statement and, thus, should not be bifurcated and included in revenue and operating expenses. A majority of our reimbursable expenses are paid by us and are billed back to our lessees. Therefore, these reimbursable expenses will continue to be presented separately by bifurcating these revenue and expense items in our Consolidated Statements of Income. We adopted these standards effective October 1, 2019 and the adoption of these standards did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The only effect the adoption of these standards had on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures effective October 1, 2019 are instances where certain types of payments are made by a lessee directly to a third party whereas these payments are no longer presented on a gross basis in our Consolidated Statements of Income, which have an immaterial effect on our reported revenue and a net zero effect on our Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers.” The FASB issued further guidance in ASU 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients,” that provides clarifying guidance in certain narrow areas and adds some practical expedients. ASU 2014-09 replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it became effective. The effective date of ASU 2014-09 was extended by one year by ASU 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date.” The new standard is effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Therefore, we adopted the standard effective October 1, 2018. Our revenue is primarily derived from leasing activities and historically our property dispositions have been cash sales with no contingencies and no future involvement in the property. Since this standard applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other guidance, such as leases, the adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

We do not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective accounting pronouncements, if adopted, would have a material effect on the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.