Contingencies (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Warranty reserves

Changes in our warranty reserves are as follows for the periods presented:

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
(In thousands)	2015			2014
Balance at beginning of period	$	27,681		$	16,084
Accruals for warranties issued (a)	2,615			1,525
Changes in liability related to warranties existing in prior periods (b)	10,600			14,230
Payments made (b)	(11,983		)	(4,612		)
Balance at end of period	$	28,913		$	27,227

^(a) Accruals for warranties issued is a function of the number of home closings in the period, the average selling prices of the homes closed and the rates of accrual per home estimated as a percentage of the selling price of the home. The increase in the amount of accrual in the current three-month period compared to the comparable prior-year period is due to an increase in the number of closings in the current period and the sales prices of homes closed in the respective periods, as well as increases in certain divisions' accrual rates.

^(b) Changes in liability related to warranties existing and payments made in both periods is higher than historical trends due to charges and subsequent payments related to water intrusion issues in certain of our communities located in Florida.