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Significant Accounting Policies (UNITED DOMINION REALTY, L.P.) (Policies) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2015
Entity Information [Line Items] |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements | Recent Accounting Pronouncements In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, which incorporates a requirement that a disposition represent a strategic shift in an entity’s operations into the definition of a discontinued operation. In accordance with the ASU, a discontinued operation represents (1) a component of an entity or group of components that has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale in a single transaction and represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity’s financial results, or (2) an acquired business that is classified as held for sale on the date of acquisition. A strategic shift could include a disposal of (1) a separate major line of business, (2) a separate major geographic area of operations, (3) a major equity method investment, or (4) other major parts of an entity. The standard requires prospective application and will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted. The early adoption provision excludes components of an entity that were sold or classified as held for sale prior to the adoption of the standard. The Company elected to early adopt this standard effective January 1, 2014, which had a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as further discussed in Note 3, Discontinued Operations. Subsequent to the Company’s adoption of ASU 2014-08, the sale of real estate that does not meet the definition of a discontinued operation under the standard is included in Gain/(loss) on sale of real estate owned, net of tax on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The standard provides companies with a single model for use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific revenue guidance. The updated standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The standard specifically excludes lease contracts. The ASU allows for the use of either the full or modified retrospective transition method, and the standard will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2017; early adoption is not permitted. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and we are currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, which makes changes to both the variable interest model and the voting model of consolidation. Under ASU 2015-02, companies will need to re-evaluate whether an entity meets the criteria to be considered a variable interest entity (“VIE”) or whether the consolidation of an entity should be assessed under the voting model. The new standard specifically eliminates the presumption in the current voting model that a general partner controls a limited partnership or similar entity unless that presumption can be overcome. The new standard will be effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2016 and must be applied using a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period presented. The Company does not expect the adoption of the new standard to result in the consolidation of entities not previously consolidated or the deconsolidation of any entities previously consolidated. Upon adopting the new standard, the Company expects that the Operating Partnership and DownREIT Partnership will become VIEs as the limited partners of both entities lack substantive kick-out rights and substantive participating rights. The Company expects to be the primary beneficiary of, and continue to consolidate, both entities. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, to revise the presentation of debt issuance costs. Under ASU 2015-03, entities will present debt issuance costs in their balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the deferred costs will continue to be included in interest expense. ASU 2015-03 did not directly address presentation or subsequent measurement of issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements, which clarifies that such costs may be presented as an asset and subsequently amortized over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement. The cumulative guidance, which is to be applied retrospectively to all prior periods, is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The Company elected to early adopt ASU 2015-03 and ASU 2015-15 during the fourth quarter of 2015. As a result, for all periods presented, deferred financing costs related to secured and unsecured debt are included as reductions to Secured debt, net and Unsecured debt, net , respectively, on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and deferred financing costs related to revolving credit facilities are included within Other assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2015, $7.9 million, $5.5 million and $12.4 million of deferred financing costs were included within Other assets, Secured debt, net, and Unsecured debt, net, respectively. At December 31, 2014, the following amounts of deferred financing costs were reclassified (in thousands):
| Deferred financing costs |  | Other assets |  | Secured debt, net |  | Unsecured Debt, net
December 31, 2014 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
As previously presented | $ | 22,686 |  |  | $ | 105,202 |  |  | $ | 1,361,529 |  |  | $ | 2,221,576 |
Reclassification of deferred financing costs | (22,686 | ) |  | 4,880 |  |  | (7,208 | ) |  | (10,598 | )
As presented herein | $ | — |  |  | $ | 110,082 |  |  | $ | 1,354,321 |  |  | $ | 2,210,978 |
Real estate | Real Estate Real estate assets held for investment are carried at historical cost and consist of land, buildings and improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment and other costs incurred during their development, acquisition and redevelopment. Expenditures for ordinary repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for improvements, renovations, and replacements related to the acquisition and/or improvement of real estate assets are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives if the expenditures qualify as a betterment or the life of the related asset will be substantially extended beyond the original life expectancy. UDR purchases real estate investment properties and records the tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities acquired based on their estimated fair value. The primary, although not only, identifiable intangible asset associated with our portfolio is the value of existing lease agreements. When recording the acquisition of a community, we first assign fair value to the estimated intangible value of the existing lease agreements and then to the estimated value of the land, building and fixtures assuming the community is vacant. The Company estimates the intangible value of the lease agreements by determining the lost revenue associated with a hypothetical lease-up. Depreciation on the building is based on the expected useful life of the asset and the in-place leases are amortized over their remaining average contractual life. Property acquisition costs are expensed as incurred. Quarterly or when changes in circumstances warrant, UDR will assess our real estate properties for indicators of impairment. In determining whether the Company has indicators of impairment in our real estate assets, we assess whether the long-lived asset’s carrying value exceeds the community’s undiscounted future cash flows, which is representative of projected net operating income (“NOI”) plus the residual value of the community. Our future cash flow estimates are based upon historical results adjusted to reflect our best estimate of future market and operating conditions and our estimated holding periods. If such indicators of impairment are present and the carrying value exceeds the undiscounted cash flows of the community, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its estimated fair value. Our estimates of fair market value represent our best estimate based primarily upon unobservable inputs related to rental rates, operating costs, growth rates, discount rates, capitalization rates, industry trends and reference to market rates and transactions. For long-lived assets to be disposed of, impairment losses are recognized when the fair value of the asset less estimated cost to sell is less than the carrying value of the asset. Properties classified as real estate held for sale generally represent properties that are actively marketed or contracted for sale with the closing expected to occur within the next twelve months. Real estate held for sale is carried at the lower of cost, net of accumulated depreciation, or fair value, less the cost to sell, determined on an asset-by-asset basis. Expenditures for ordinary repair and maintenance costs on held for sale properties are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for improvements, renovations, and replacements related to held for sale properties are capitalized at cost. Depreciation is not recorded on real estate held for sale. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets which are 35 to 55 years for buildings, 10 to 35 years for major improvements, and 3 to 10 years for furniture, fixtures, equipment, and other assets. Predevelopment, development, and redevelopment projects and related costs are capitalized and reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Total real estate owned, net of accumulated depreciation. The Company capitalizes costs directly related to the predevelopment, development, and redevelopment of a capital project, which include, but are not limited to, interest, real estate taxes, insurance, and allocated development and redevelopment overhead related to support costs for personnel working on the capital projects. We use our professional judgment in determining whether such costs meet the criteria for capitalization or must be expensed as incurred. These costs are capitalized only during the period in which activities necessary to ready an asset for its intended use are in progress and such costs are incremental and identifiable to a specific activity to get the asset ready for its intended use. These costs, excluding the direct costs of development and redevelopment and capitalized interest, for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 were $6.3 million, $9.0 million and $11.1 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, total interest capitalized was $16.1 million, $20.2 million, and $29.4 million, respectively. As each home in a capital project is completed and becomes available for lease-up, the Company ceases capitalization on the related portion and depreciation commences over the estimated useful life.
Cash and cash equivalents | Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, demand deposits with financial institutions and short-term, highly liquid investments. We consider all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The majority of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are held at major commercial banks.
Restricted cash | Restricted Cash Restricted cash consists of escrow deposits held by lenders for real estate taxes, insurance and replacement reserves, and security deposits.
Derivative financial instruments | Derivative Financial Instruments The Company utilizes derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk and generally designates these financial instruments as cash flow hedges. Derivative financial instruments are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as either an asset or liability and measured quarterly at their fair value. The changes in fair value for cash flow hedges that are deemed effective are reflected in other comprehensive income/(loss) and for non-designated derivative financial instruments in earnings. The ineffective component of cash flow hedges, if any, is recorded in earnings.
Revenue and real estate sales gain recognition | Revenue and Real Estate Sales Gain Recognition Rental income related to leases is recognized on an accrual basis when due from residents and tenants in accordance with GAAP. Rental payments are generally due on a monthly basis and recognized when earned. The Company recognizes interest income, management and other fees and incentives when earned, and the amounts are fixed and determinable. For sale transactions meeting the requirements for full accrual profit recognition, we remove the related assets and liabilities from our Consolidated Balance Sheets and record the gain or loss in the period the transaction closes. For sale transactions that do not meet the full accrual sale criteria due to our continuing involvement, we evaluate the nature of the continuing involvement and account for the transaction under an alternate method of accounting. Unless certain limited criteria are met, non-monetary transactions, including property exchanges, are accounted for at fair value. Sales to entities in which we retain or otherwise own an interest are accounted for as partial sales. If all other requirements for recognizing profit under the full accrual method have been satisfied and no other forms of continuing involvement are present, we recognize profit proportionate to the outside interest in the buyer and defer the gain on the interest we retain. The Company recognizes any deferred gain when the property is sold to a third party. In transactions accounted for by us as partial sales, we determine if the buyer of the majority equity interest in the venture was provided a preference as to cash flows in either an operating or a capital waterfall. If a cash flow preference has been provided, we recognize profit only to the extent that proceeds from the sale of the majority equity interest exceed costs related to the entire property.
Discontinued operations | Discontinued Operations Prior to the adoption of ASU No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, the results of operations for those properties sold during the year or classified as held for sale at the end of the current year were classified as discontinued operations in the current and prior periods. Further, to meet the discontinued operations criteria, the Company will not have any significant continuing involvement in the ownership or operation of the property after the sale or disposition. Once a property is classified as held for sale, depreciation is no longer recorded. However, if the Company determines that the property no longer meets the criteria for held for sale, the Company will recapture any unrecorded depreciation on the property. The assets and liabilities, if any, of properties classified as held for sale are presented separately on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at the lower of their carrying amount or their estimated fair value less the costs to sell the assets. (See Note 3, Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale, for further discussion).
Income taxes | Income Taxes Due to the structure of the Company as a REIT and the nature of the operations for the operating properties, no provision for federal income taxes has been provided for at UDR. Historically, the Company has generally incurred only state and local excise and franchise taxes. UDR has elected for certain consolidated subsidiaries to be treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRS”). Income taxes for our TRS are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities from a change in tax rate is recognized in earnings in the period of the enactment date. The Company’s deferred tax assets are generally the result of differing depreciable lives on capitalized assets and timing of expense recognition for certain accrued liabilities. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, UDR’s net deferred tax asset of $11.8 million, net of valuation allowance of $0.1 million, and $7.0 million, which had no valuation allowance, respectively, was included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. GAAP defines a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. GAAP also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting for interim periods, disclosure and transition. The Company recognizes its tax positions and evaluates them using a two-step process. First, UDR determines whether a tax position is more likely than not (greater than 50 percent probability) to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Company will determine the amount of benefit to recognize and record the amount that is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement. UDR had no material unrecognized tax benefit, accrued interest or penalties at December 31, 2015. UDR and its subsidiaries are subject to federal income tax as well as income tax of various state and local jurisdictions. The tax years 2011 through 2014 remain open to examination by tax jurisdictions to which we are subject. When applicable, UDR recognizes interest and/or penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.
Advertising costs | Advertising Costs All advertising costs are expensed as incurred and reported on the Consolidated Statements of Operations within the line item
Comprehensive income | Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Comprehensive income/(loss), which is defined as the change in equity during each period from transactions and other events and circumstances from nonowner sources, including all changes in equity during a period except for those resulting from investments by or distributions to stockholders, is displayed in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss). For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, the Company's other comprehensive income/(loss) consisted of the gain/(loss) (effective portion) on derivative instruments that are designated as and qualify as cash flow hedges, (gain)/loss on derivative instruments and marketable securities reclassified from other comprehensive income/(loss) into earnings, and the allocation of other comprehensive income/(loss) to redeemable noncontrolling interests. The (gain)/loss on derivative instruments reclassified from other comprehensive income/(loss) is included in interest expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 13, Derivatives and Hedging Activity, for further discussion. The (gain)/loss on marketable securities reclassified from other comprehensive income/(loss) is included in Interest income and other income/(expense), net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The allocation of other comprehensive income/(loss) to redeemable noncontrolling interests during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 was $(0.3) million, $(0.1) million, and $0.3 million, respectively.
Use of estimates | Use of Estimates The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual amounts realized or paid could differ from those estimates.
Market concentration risk | Market Concentration Risk The Company is subject to increased exposure from economic and other competitive factors specific to markets where the Company holds a significant percentage of the carrying value of its real estate portfolio. At December 31, 2015, the Company held greater than 10% of the carrying value of its real estate portfolio in the Orange County, California; Metropolitan D.C.; and New York, New York markets.
United Dominion Reality L.P. |
Entity Information [Line Items] |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements | Recent Accounting Pronouncements In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, which incorporates a requirement that a disposition represent a strategic shift in an entity’s operations into the definition of a discontinued operation. In accordance with the ASU, a discontinued operation represents (1) a component of an entity or group of components that has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale in a single transaction and represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity’s financial results, or (2) an acquired business that is classified as held for sale on the date of acquisition. A strategic shift could include a disposal of (1) a separate major line of business, (2) a separate major geographic area of operations, (3) a major equity method investment, or (4) other major parts of an entity. The standard requires prospective application and will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted. The early adoption provision excludes components of an entity that were sold or classified as held for sale prior to the adoption of the standard. The Operating Partnership elected to early adopt this standard effective January 1, 2014, which had a significant impact on the Operating Partnership’s consolidated financial statements as further discussed in Note 3, Discontinued Operations. Subsequent to the Operating Partnership’s adoption of ASU 2014-08, the sale of real estate that does not meet the definition of a discontinued operation under the standard is included in Gain/(loss) on sale of real estate owned, net of tax on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The standard provides companies with a single model for use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific revenue guidance. The updated standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The standard specifically excludes lease contracts. The ASU allows for the use of either the full or modified retrospective transition method, and the standard will be effective for the Operating Partnership on January 1, 2017; early adoption is not permitted. The Operating Partnership has not yet selected a transition method and we are currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, which makes changes to both the variable interest model and the voting model of consolidation. Under ASU 2015-02, companies will need to re-evaluate whether an entity meets the criteria to be considered a variable interest entity (“VIE”) or whether the consolidation of an entity should be assessed under the voting model. The new standard specifically eliminates the presumption in the current voting model that a general partner controls a limited partnership or similar entity unless that presumption can be overcome. The new standard will be effective for the Operating Partnership beginning on January 1, 2016 and must be applied using a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period presented. The Operating Partnership does not expect the adoption of the new standard to result in the consolidation of entities not previously consolidated or the deconsolidation of any entities previously consolidated. Upon adopting the new standard, the Operating Partnership expects that the DownREIT Partnership will become a VIE as the limited partners lack substantive kick-out rights and substantive participating rights. The Operating Partnership does not expect to be the primary beneficiary of the DownREIT Partnership and will continue to record its interest as an equity method investment. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, to revise the presentation of debt issuance costs. Under ASU 2015-03, entities will present debt issuance costs in their balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the deferred costs will continue to be included in interest expense. ASU 2015-03 does not directly address presentation or subsequent measurement of issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements, which clarifies that such costs may be presented as an asset and subsequently amortized over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement. The cumulative guidance, which is to be applied retrospectively to all prior periods, is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The Operating Partnership elected to early adopt ASU 2015-03 and ASU 2015-15 during the fourth quarter of 2015. As a result, at December 31, 2015 and 2014, deferred financing costs of $2.2 million and $4.5 million, respectively, are included as a reduction to Secured debt, net on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2014, Secured debt, net previously disclosed as $932.0 million has been adjusted to $927.5 million in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments, which requires that the cumulative impact of a measurement-period adjustment, including impacts on prior periods, be recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustment amount is determined and, therefore, eliminates the requirement to retrospectively account for the adjustment in prior periods presented. The new standard will be effective for the Operating Partnership beginning on January 1, 2016 and must be applied prospectively to measurement-period adjustments that occur after the effective date. The Operating Partnership will comply with the new guidance upon adoption.
Real estate | Real Estate Real estate assets held for investment are carried at historical cost and consist of land, buildings and improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment and other costs incurred during their development, acquisition and redevelopment. Expenditures for ordinary repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for improvements, renovations, and replacements related to the acquisition and/or improvement of real estate assets are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives if the expenditures qualify as a betterment or the life of the related asset will be substantially extended beyond the original life expectancy. The Operating Partnership purchases real estate investment properties and records the tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities acquired based on their estimated fair value. The primary, although not only, identifiable intangible asset associated with our portfolio is the value of existing lease agreements. When recording the acquisition of a community, we first assign fair value to the estimated intangible value of the existing lease agreements and then to the estimated value of the land, building and fixtures assuming the community is vacant. The Operating Partnership estimates the intangible value of the lease agreements by determining the lost revenue associated with a hypothetical lease-up. Depreciation on the building is based on the expected useful life of the asset and the in-place leases are amortized over their remaining average contractual life. Property acquisition costs are expensed as incurred. Quarterly or when changes in circumstances warrant, the Operating Partnership will assess our real estate properties for indicators of impairment. In determining whether the Operating Partnership has indicators of impairment in our real estate assets, we assess whether the long-lived asset’s carrying value exceeds the community’s undiscounted future cash flows, which is representative of projected net operating income (“NOI”) plus the residual value of the community. Our future cash flow estimates are based upon historical results adjusted to reflect our best estimate of future market and operating conditions and our estimated holding periods. If such indicators of impairment are present and the carrying value exceeds the undiscounted cash flows of the community, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its estimated fair value. Our estimates of fair market value represent our best estimate based primarily upon unobservable inputs related to rental rates, operating costs, growth rates, discount rates and capitalization rates, industry trends and reference to market rates and transactions. For long-lived assets to be disposed of, impairment losses are recognized when the fair value of the asset less estimated cost to sell is less than the carrying value of the asset. Properties classified as real estate held for sale generally represent properties that are actively marketed or contracted for sale with the closing expected to occur within the next twelve months. Real estate held for sale is carried at the lower of cost, net of accumulated depreciation, or fair value, less the cost to sell, determined on an asset-by-asset basis. Expenditures for ordinary repair and maintenance costs on held for sale properties are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for improvements, renovations, and replacements related to held for sale properties are capitalized at cost. Depreciation is not recorded on real estate held for sale. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets which are 35 to 55 years for buildings, 10 to 35 years for major improvements, and 3 to 10 years for furniture, fixtures, equipment, and other assets. Predevelopment, development, and redevelopment projects and related costs are capitalized and reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Total real estate owned, net of accumulated depreciation. The Operating Partnership capitalizes costs directly related to the predevelopment, development, and redevelopment of a capital project, which include, but are not limited to, interest, real estate taxes, insurance, and allocated development and redevelopment overhead related to support costs for personnel working on the capital projects. We use our professional judgment in determining whether such costs meet the criteria for capitalization or must be expensed as incurred. These costs are capitalized only during the period in which activities necessary to ready an asset for its intended use are in progress and such costs are incremental and identifiable to a specific activity to get the asset ready for its intended use. These costs, excluding the direct costs of development and redevelopment and capitalized interest, for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 were $0.7 million, $2.0 million, and $2.5 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, total interest capitalized was $0.2 million, $2.9 million, and $5.9 million, respectively. As each home in a capital project is completed and becomes available for lease-up, the Operating Partnership ceases capitalization on the related portion and depreciation commences over the estimated useful life.
Cash and cash equivalents | Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, demand deposits with financial institutions and short-term, highly liquid investments. We consider all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The majority of the Operating Partnership’s cash and cash equivalents are held at major commercial banks.
Restricted cash | Restricted Cash Restricted cash consists of escrow deposits held by lenders for real estate taxes, insurance and replacement reserves, and security deposits.
Derivative financial instruments | Derivative Financial Instruments The General Partner utilizes derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk and generally designates these financial instruments as cash flow hedges. Derivative financial instruments associated with the Operating Partnership’s allocation of the General Partner’s debt are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as either an asset or liability and measured quarterly at their fair value. The changes in fair value for the General Partner’s cash flow hedges allocated to the Operating Partnership that are deemed effective are reflected in other comprehensive income and for non-designated derivative financial instruments in earnings. The ineffective component of cash flow hedges, if any, is recorded in earnings.
Non-controlling interests | Noncontrolling Interests The noncontrolling interests represent the General Partner’s interests in certain consolidated subsidiaries and are presented in the capital section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets since these interests are not convertible or redeemable into any other ownership interests of the Operating Partnership. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Operating Partnership corrected an error in the General Partner’s ownership interest in one of the consolidated subsidiaries. The correction increased the General Partner’s ownership interest resulting in a cumulative adjustment increasing Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests by $3.3 million on the Consolidated Statements of Operations with a corresponding increase to Noncontrolling interests on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Management believes the impact of the cumulative adjustment in 2013 is immaterial to the financial statements taken as a whole.
Revenue and real estate sales gain recognition | Revenue and Real Estate Sales Gain Recognition Rental income related to leases is recognized on an accrual basis when due from residents and tenants in accordance with GAAP. Rental payments are generally due on a monthly basis and recognized when earned. The Operating Partnership recognizes interest income, management and other fees and incentives when earned, fixed and determinable. For sale transactions meeting the requirements for full accrual profit recognition, we remove the related assets and liabilities from our Consolidated Balance Sheets and record the gain or loss in the period the transaction closes. For sale transactions that do not meet the full accrual sale criteria due to our continuing involvement, we evaluate the nature of the continuing involvement and account for the transaction under an alternate method of accounting. Unless certain limited criteria are met, non-monetary transactions, including property exchanges, are accounted for at fair value. Sales to entities in which we or our General Partner retain or otherwise own an interest are accounted for as partial sales. If all other requirements for recognizing profit under the full accrual method have been satisfied and no other forms of continuing involvement are present, we recognize profit proportionate to the outside interest in the buyer and defer the gain on the interest we or our General Partner retain. The Operating Partnership recognizes any deferred gain when the property is sold to a third party. In transactions accounted by us as partial sales, we determine if the buyer of the majority equity interest in the venture was provided a preference as to cash flows in either an operating or a capital waterfall. If a cash flow preference has been provided, we recognize profit only to the extent that proceeds from the sale of the majority equity interest exceed costs related to the entire property.
Discontinued operations | Discontinued Operations Prior to the adoption of ASU No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, the results of operations for those properties sold during the year or classified as held for sale at the end of the current year were classified as discontinued operations in the current and prior periods. Further, to meet the discontinued operations criteria, the Operating Partnership or related parties will not have any significant continuing involvement in the ownership or operation of the property after the sale or disposition. Once a property is classified as held for sale, depreciation is no longer recorded. However, if the Operating Partnership determines that the property no longer meets the criteria for held for sale, the Operating Partnership will recapture any unrecorded depreciation on the property. The assets and liabilities, if any, of properties classified as held for sale are presented separately on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at lower of their carrying amount or their estimated fair value less the costs to sell the assets. (See Note 3, Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale, for further discussion).
Earnings per Operating Partnership Unit | Basic income/(loss) per OP Unit is computed by dividing net income/(loss) attributable to general and limited partner unitholders by the weighted average number of general and limited partner units (including redeemable OP Units) outstanding during the year. Diluted income/(loss) per OP Unit reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue OP Units were exercised or converted into OP Units or resulted in the issuance of OP Units and then shared in the income/(loss) of the Operating Partnership. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, there were no dilutive instruments, and therefore, diluted income/(loss) per OP Unit and basic income/(loss) per OP Unit are the same. See Note 10, Capital Structure, for further discussion on redemption rights of OP Units.
Allocation of General and Administrative Expenses | Allocation of General and Administrative Expenses The Operating Partnership is charged directly for general and administrative expenses it incurs. The Operating Partnership is also charged with other general and administrative expenses that have been allocated by the General Partner to each of its subsidiaries, including the Operating Partnership, based on each subsidiary’s pro-rata portion of UDR’s total apartment homes. (See Note 7, Related Party Transactions.)
Income taxes | Income Taxes The taxable income or loss of the Operating Partnership is reported on the tax returns of the partners. Accordingly, no provision has been made in the accompanying financial statements for federal or state income taxes on income that is passed through to the partners. However, any state or local revenue, excise or franchise taxes that result from the operating activities of the Operating Partnership are recorded at the entity level. The Operating Partnership’s tax returns are subject to examination by federal and state taxing authorities. Net income for financial reporting purposes differs from the net income for income tax reporting purposes primarily due to temporary differences, principally real estate depreciation and the tax deferral of certain gains on property sales. The differences in depreciation result from differences in the book and tax basis of certain real estate assets and the differences in the methods of depreciation and lives of the real estate assets. The Operating Partnership follows the accounting guidance within GAAP, with respect to how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented, and disclosed in the financial statements. The guidance requires the accounting and disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Operating Partnership’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Management of the Operating Partnership is required to analyze all open tax years, as defined by the statute of limitations, for all major jurisdictions, which include federal and certain states. The Operating Partnership has no examinations in progress and none are expected at this time. Management of the Operating Partnership has reviewed all open tax years (2011 through 2014) and major jurisdictions, and concluded there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits relating to uncertain income tax positions taken or expected to be taken in future tax returns.
Advertising costs | Advertising Costs All advertising costs are expensed as incurred and reported on the Consolidated Statements of Operations within the line item General and administrative. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, total advertising expense from continuing and discontinued operations was $2.4 million, $2.5 million, and $2.5 million, respectively.
Comprehensive income | Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Comprehensive income/(loss), which is defined as the change in capital during each period from transactions and other events and circumstances from nonowner sources, including all changes in capital during a period except for those resulting from investments by or distributions to partners, is displayed in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss). For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, the Operating Partnership’s other comprehensive income/(loss) consisted of the gain/(loss) (effective portion) on derivative instruments that are designated as and qualify as cash flow hedges and (gain)/loss reclassified from other comprehensive income/(loss) into earnings. The (gain)/loss reclassified from other comprehensive income/(loss) is included in Interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 9, Derivatives and Hedging Activity, for further discussion.
Use of estimates | Use of Estimates The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual amounts realized or paid could differ from those estimates.
Market concentration risk | Market Concentration Risk The Operating Partnership is subject to increased exposure from economic and other competitive factors specific to those markets where it holds a significant percentage of the carrying value of its real estate portfolio at December 31, 2015, the Operating Partnership held greater than 10% of the carrying value of its real estate portfolio in the Orange County, California; San Francisco, California; and New York, New York markets.

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