Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 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 2.29%.  These derivatives qualify for hedge accounting.

As of June 30, 2013 the Company also had eleven interest rate cap contracts totaling a notional amount of $186.1 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 substantially all of the Company's tax exempt variable rate debt.

As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 the aggregate carrying value of the interest rate swap contracts was a liability of $1.9 million and $6.6 million, respectively. The aggregate carrying value of the interest rate cap contracts was zero on the balance sheet as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.