COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

9 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation.  We are subject to a variety of legal actions for personal injury or property damage arising in the ordinary course of our business, most of which are covered by liability insurance. Various claims of resident discrimination are also periodically brought, most of which are covered by insurance. While resolution of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes that the final outcome of these claims and  legal proceedings will not have a material effect on our liquidity, financial position, cash flows, or results of operations.

Environmental Matters.  Under various federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of real estate may be liable for the costs of removal of, or remediation of, certain hazardous or toxic substances in, on, around, or under the property. While we currently have no knowledge of any material violation of environmental laws, ordinances, or regulations at any of our properties, there can be no assurance that areas of contamination will not be identified at any of our properties or that changes in environmental laws, regulations, or cleanup requirements would not result in material costs to us.

Restrictions on Taxable Dispositions. Twenty-six of our properties, consisting of 4,212 apartment units, are subject to restrictions on our ability to resell in taxable transactions. These restrictions are contained in agreements we entered into with some of the sellers or contributors of the properties and are effective for varying periods. The real estate investment amount of these properties (net of accumulated depreciation) was $458.4 million at January 31, 2018.  We do not believe that these restrictions materially affect the conduct of our business or our decision as to whether to dispose of these properties during the restriction periods.

If we decide to sell one or more of these properties and are unable to structure sales of such properties as tax deferred transactions under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, we may be required to provide tax indemnification payments to the parties to these agreements.

Tax-Deferred Proceeds. As of January 31, 2018, we had $116.8 million of tax-deferred exchange proceeds remaining from the sale of our healthcare portfolio included within restricted cash on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Replacement property must be acquired by June 27, 2018 in order to complete the exchange.

Notes Receivable.  In July 2017, we originated a $16.2 million loan in a multifamily development located in New Hope, MN, a suburb of Minneapolis. The investment will be funded in installments through the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018. As of January 31, 2018, $6.0 million remained to be funded. See Note 2 for additional information.