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Unsecured Debt
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Unsecured Debt Unsecured Debt

Essex does not have any indebtedness as all debt is incurred by the Operating Partnership. Essex guarantees the Operating Partnership’s unsecured debt including the revolving credit facilities up to the maximum amounts and for the full term of the facilities.
 
Unsecured debt consists of the following as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 ($ in thousands):
 
2019
 
2018
 
Weighted Average
Maturity
In Years
Unsecured bonds private placement - fixed rate
$
199,820

 
$
274,624

 
1.5
Term loan - variable rate
349,189

 
348,813

 
2.1
Bonds public offering - fixed rate
4,214,197

 
3,175,879

 
7.4
Unsecured debt, net (1)
4,763,206

 
3,799,316

 
 
Lines of credit (2)
55,000

 

 
 
Total unsecured debt
$
4,818,206

 
$
3,799,316

 
 
Weighted average interest rate on fixed rate unsecured bonds private placement and bonds public offering
3.8
%
 
3.9
%
 
 
Weighted average interest rate on variable rate term loan
2.7
%
 
3.0
%
 
 
Weighted average interest rate on lines of credit
2.5
%
 
3.2
%
 
 


(1) 
Includes unamortized discount, net of premiums, of $12.2 million and $7.1 million and unamortized debt issuance costs of $24.5 million and $18.5 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
(2) 
Lines of credit, related to the Company's two lines of unsecured credit aggregating $1.24 billion, excludes unamortized debt issuance costs of $3.8 million and $3.9 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. These debt issuance costs are included in prepaid expenses and other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had $200.0 million and $275.0 million of private placement unsecured bonds outstanding at an average effective interest rate of 4.4% and 4.5%, respectively.

The following is a summary of the Company’s unsecured private placement bonds as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 ($ in thousands):
 
Maturity
 
2019
 
2018
 
Coupon
Rate
Senior unsecured private placement notes
December 2019
 

 
75,000

 
4.92
%
Senior unsecured private placement notes
April 2021
 
100,000

 
100,000

 
4.27
%
Senior unsecured private placement notes
June 2021
 
50,000

 
50,000

 
4.30
%
Senior unsecured private placement notes
August 2021
 
50,000

 
50,000

 
4.37
%
 
  
 
$
200,000

 
$
275,000

 
 



As of both December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had unsecured term loans outstanding of $350.0 million at an average interest rate of 2.7% and 3.0%, respectively. These loans are included in the line "Term loan - variable rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the carrying value, net of debt issuance costs, was $349.2 million and $348.8 million, respectively, and the term loan matures in February 2022. The Company had entered into five interest rate swap contracts, for a term of five years with a notional amount totaling $175.0 million, which will effectively convert the interest rate on $175.0 million of the term loan to a fixed rate of 2.3%. These interest rate swaps are accounted for as cash flow hedges.
In August 2019, the Company issued $400.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on January 15, 2030, with a coupon rate of 3.000% per annum (the "2030 Notes"), which are payable on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2020. The 2030 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 98.632% of the principal amount thereof. The 2030 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. In October 2019, the Company issued an additional $150.0 million of the 2030 notes at a price of 101.685% of the principal amount thereof. These additional notes have substantially identical terms as the 2030 Notes issued in August 2019. The Company used the net proceeds of these offerings to prepay, with no prepayment penalties, certain secured indebtedness under outstanding mortgage notes, to repay indebtedness under its unsecured lines of credit and for other general corporate and working capital purposes. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2019, the carrying value of the 2030 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $542.3 million.

In February 2019, the Company issued $350.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on March 1, 2029, with a coupon rate of 4.000% per annum (the "2029 Notes"), which are payable on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on September 1, 2019. The 2029 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.188% of the principal amount thereof. The 2029 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. In March 2019, the Company issued an additional $150.0 million of the 2029 Notes at a price of 100.717% of the principal amount thereof. These additional notes have substantially identical terms as the 2029 Notes issued in February 2019. The Company used the net proceeds of these offerings to repay indebtedness under its unsecured lines of credit and for other general corporate and working capital purposes. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2019, the carrying value of the 2029 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $494.1 million.

In March 2018, the Company issued $300.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on March 15, 2048 with a coupon rate of 4.500% per annum and are payable on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2018 (the "2048 Notes"). The 2048 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.591% of par value. The 2048 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the carrying value of the 2048 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $295.6 million and $295.4 million, respectively.

In April 2017, the Company issued $350.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on May 1, 2027 with a coupon rate of 3.625% per annum and are payable on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning on November 1, 2017 (the "2027 Notes"). The 2027 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.423% of par value. The 2027 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the carrying value of the 2027 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $346.3 million and $345.8 million, respectively.

In April 2016, the Company issued $450.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on April 15, 2026 with a coupon rate of 3.375% per annum and are payable on April 15th and October 15th of each year, beginning October 15, 2016 (the "2026 Notes"). The 2026 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.386% of par value. The 2026 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the carrying value of the 2026 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $445.7 million and $445.0 million, respectively.

In March 2015, the Company issued $500.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on April 1, 2025 with a coupon rate of 3.5% per annum and are payable on April 1st and October 1st of each year, beginning October 1, 2015 (the "2025 Notes"). The 2025 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.747% of par value. The 2025 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the carrying value of the 2025 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $497.1 million and $496.5 million, respectively.

In April 2014, the Company assumed $900.0 million aggregate principal amount of BRE Property Inc.’s 5.500% senior notes due 2017; 5.200% senior notes due 2021; and 3.375% senior notes due 2023 (together the "BRE Notes"). These notes are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the carrying value of the BRE Notes, plus unamortized premium was $599.4 million and $601.3 million, respectively. In March 2017, the Company paid off $300.0 million of 5.500% senior notes, at maturity.

In April 2014, the Company issued $400.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on May 1, 2024 with a coupon rate of 3.875% per annum and are payable on May 1st and November 1st of each year, beginning November 1, 2014 (the "2024 Notes"). The 2024 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.234% of par value. The 2024 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the carrying value of the 2024 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $397.1 million and $396.5 million, respectively.

In April 2013, the Company issued $300.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on May 1, 2023 with a coupon rate of 3.25% per annum and are payable on May 1st and November 1st of each year, beginning November 1, 2013 (the "2023 Notes"). The 2023 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 99.152% of par value. The 2023 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the carrying value of the 2023 Notes, net of discount and debt issuance costs was $298.2 million and $297.6 million, respectively.

During the third quarter of 2012, the Company issued $300.0 million of senior unsecured notes due August 2022 with a coupon rate of 3.625% per annum and are payable on February 15th and August 15th of each year, beginning February 15, 2013 (the "2022 Notes"). The 2022 Notes were offered to investors at a price of 98.99% of par value. The 2022 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Operating Partnership, rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Essex Property Trust, Inc. These bonds are included in the line "Bonds public offering-fixed rate" in the table above, and as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the carrying value of the 2022 Notes, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs was $298.4 million and $297.8 million, respectively.

The following is a summary of the Company’s senior unsecured notes as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 ($ in thousands):
 
Maturity
 
2019
 
2018
 
Coupon
Rate
Senior notes
March 2021
 
$
300,000

 
$
300,000

 
5.200
%
Senior notes
August 2022
 
300,000

 
300,000

 
3.625
%
Senior notes
January 2023
 
300,000

 
300,000

 
3.375
%
Senior notes
May 2023
 
300,000

 
300,000

 
3.250
%
Senior notes
May 2024
 
400,000

 
400,000

 
3.875
%
Senior notes
April 2025
 
500,000

 
500,000

 
3.500
%
Senior notes
April 2026
 
450,000

 
450,000

 
3.375
%
Senior notes
May 2027
 
350,000

 
350,000

 
3.625
%
Senior notes
March 2029
 
500,000

 

 
4.000
%
Senior notes
January 2030
 
550,000

 

 
3.000
%
Senior notes
March 2048
 
300,000

 
300,000

 
4.500
%
 
  
 
$
4,250,000

 
$
3,200,000

 
 


The aggregate scheduled principal payments of unsecured debt payable, excluding lines of credit, at December 31, 2019 are as follows ($ in thousands):
2020
$

2021
500,000

2022
650,000

2023
600,000

2024
400,000

Thereafter
2,650,000

 
$
4,800,000



As of December 31, 2019, the Company had two unsecured lines of credit aggregating $1.24 billion, including a $1.2 billion unsecured line of credit and a $35.0 million working capital unsecured line of credit. As of December 31, 2019, there was $55.0 million outstanding on the $1.2 billion unsecured line of credit. As of December 31, 2018, there was no amount outstanding on this line. The interest rate is based on a tiered rate structure tied to the Company's credit ratings and was LIBOR plus 0.825% as of December 31, 2019. In January 2020, the Company amended the $1.2 billion credit facility such that the scheduled maturity date was extended to December 2023 with one 18-month extension, exercisable at the Company's option. The interest rate on the amended line is based on a tiered rate structure tied to the Company's credit ratings and is currently at LIBOR plus 0.825%. As of both December 31, 2019 and 2018, there was no amount outstanding on the Company's $35.0 million working capital unsecured line of credit. The interest rate on the line is based on a tiered rate structure tied to the Company's credit ratings and was LIBOR plus 0.825% as of December 31, 2019.

The Company’s unsecured lines of credit and unsecured debt agreements contain debt covenants related to limitations on indebtedness and liabilities, and maintenance of minimum levels of consolidated earnings before depreciation, interest and amortization. The Company was in compliance with the debt covenants as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

In February 2020, the Operating Partnership issued $500.0 million of senior unsecured notes due on March 15, 2032 with a coupon rate of 2.650% per annum (the "2032 Notes"). See Note 18, Subsequent Events, for further details.