Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

(9)  Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company has entered into interest rate swap contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $300 million that effectively fixed the interest rate on $300 million of the $350 million unsecured term loan at 2.6%.  These derivatives qualify for hedge accounting.

As of March 31, 2013 the Company also had twelve interest rate cap contracts totaling a notional amount of $187.8 million that qualify for hedge accounting as they effectively limit the Company's exposure to interest rate risk by providing a ceiling on the underlying variable interest rate for $201.6 million of the Company's tax exempt variable rate debt.

As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 the aggregate carrying value of the interest rate swap contracts was a liability of $6.1 million and $6.6 million, respectively. The aggregate carrying value of the interest rate cap contracts was zero on the balance sheet as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.