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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  
Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include all of the accounts of the Company, and its majority-owned and/or controlled subsidiaries.  The portion of these entities not owned by the Company is presented as noncontrolling interests as of and during the periods consolidated.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

When the Company obtains an economic interest in an entity, the Company evaluates the entity to determine if the entity is deemed a variable interest entity (“VIE”), and if the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary, in accordance with authoritative guidance issued on the consolidation of VIEs. When an entity is not deemed to be a VIE, the Company considers the provisions of additional guidance to determine whether a general partner, or the general partners as a group, controls a limited partnership or similar entity when the limited partners have certain rights. The Company consolidates (i) entities that are VIEs and of which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary, and (ii) entities that are non-VIEs which the Company controls and which the limited partners do not have the ability to dissolve or remove the Company without cause nor substantive participating rights.

 

The Company adopted Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-02, Consolidation – Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, as of January 1, 2016. The Company evaluated the application of this guidance and concluded that there were no changes to any previous conclusions with respect to consolidation accounting for any of its interests in less than wholly owned joint ventures. However, the Operating Partnership now meets the criteria as a VIE. The Parent Company’s sole significant asset is its investment in the Operating Partnership. As a result, substantially all of the Parent Company’s assets and liabilities represent those assets and liabilities of the Operating Partnership. All of the Parent Company’s debt is an obligation of the Operating Partnership.

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling Interests

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued authoritative guidance regarding noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements which was effective on January 1, 2009.  The guidance states that noncontrolling interests are the portion of equity (net assets) in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to a parent.  The ownership interests in the subsidiary that are held by owners other than the parent are noncontrolling interests.  Under the guidance, such noncontrolling interests are reported on the consolidated balance sheets within equity, separately from the Company’s equity.  On the consolidated statements of operations, revenues, expenses, and net income or loss from controlled or consolidated entities that are less than wholly owned are reported at the consolidated amounts, including both the amounts attributable to the Company and noncontrolling interests.  Presentation of consolidated equity activity is included for both quarterly and annual financial statements, including beginning balances, activity for the period, and ending balances for shareholders’ equity, noncontrolling interests and total equity.

 

However, per the FASB issued authoritative guidance on the classification and measurement of redeemable securities, securities that are redeemable for cash or other assets at the option of the holder, not solely within the control of the issuer, must be classified outside of permanent equity.  This would result in certain outside ownership interests being included as redeemable noncontrolling interests outside of permanent equity in the consolidated balance sheets.  The Company makes this determination based on terms in applicable agreements, specifically in relation to redemption provisions.  Additionally, with respect to noncontrolling interests for which the Company has a choice to settle the contract by delivery of its own shares, the Company considered the FASB issued guidance on accounting for derivative financial instruments indexed to, and potentially settled in, a Company’s own stock to evaluate whether the Company controls the actions or events necessary to issue the maximum number of shares that could be required to be delivered under share settlement of the contract.  The guidance also requires that noncontrolling interests are adjusted each period so that the carrying value equals the greater of its carrying value based on the accumulation of historical cost or its redemption fair value.

 

The consolidated results of the Company include results attributable to units of the Operating Partnership that are not owned by the Company.  These interests were issued in the form of OP units and were a component of the consideration the Company paid to acquire certain self-storage properties.  Limited partners who acquired OP units have the right to require the Operating Partnership to redeem part or all of their OP units for, at the Company’s option, an equivalent number of common shares of the Company or cash based upon the fair value of an equivalent number of common shares of the Company.  However, the operating agreement contains certain circumstances that could result in a net cash settlement outside the control of the Company, as the Company does not have the ability to settle in unregistered shares.  Accordingly, consistent with the guidance discussed above, the Company will continue to record these noncontrolling interests outside of permanent equity in the consolidated balance sheets.  Net income or loss related to these noncontrolling interests is excluded from net income or loss in the consolidated statements of operations.  The Company has adjusted the carrying value of its noncontrolling interests subject to redemption value to the extent applicable.  Based on the Company’s evaluation of the redemption value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests, the Operating Partnership reflected these interests at their redemption value as of December 31, 2017, as the estimated redemption value exceeded their carrying value. The Operating Partnership recorded an increase to OP Units owned by third parties and a corresponding decrease to capital of $4.0 million as of December 31, 2017.  Disclosure of such redemption provisions is provided in note 12.

Estimates

Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Although we believe the assumptions and estimates we made are reasonable and appropriate, as discussed in the applicable sections throughout these consolidated financial statements, different assumptions and estimates could materially impact our reported results.  The current economic environment has increased the degree of uncertainty inherent in these estimates and assumptions and changes in market conditions could impact our future operating results.

Self-Storage Facilities

Self-Storage Properties

 

Self-storage properties are carried at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.  The cost of self-storage properties reflects their purchase price or development cost.  Costs incurred for the renovation of a store are capitalized to the Company’s investment in that store.  Acquisition costs and ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred; major replacements and betterments, which improve or extend the life of the asset, are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives.  The costs to develop self-storage properties are capitalized to construction in progress while the project is under development.

Purchase Price Allocation

Purchase Price Allocation

 

When stores are acquired, the purchase price is allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimated fair values.  When a portfolio of stores is acquired, the purchase price is allocated to the individual stores based upon the fair value determined using an income approach or a cash flow analysis using appropriate risk adjusted capitalization rates, which take into account the relative size, age and location of the individual store along with current and projected occupancy and rental rate levels or appraised values, if available.  Allocations to land, building and improvements, and equipment are recorded based upon their respective fair values as estimated by management.

 

In allocating the purchase price for an acquisition, the Company determines whether the acquisition includes intangible assets or liabilities.  The Company allocates a portion of the purchase price to an intangible asset attributed to the value of in-place leases.  This intangible is generally amortized to expense over the expected remaining term of the respective leases.  Substantially all of the leases in place at acquired stores are at market rates, as the majority of the leases are month-to-month contracts.  Accordingly, to date, no portion of the purchase price has been allocated to above- or below-market lease intangibles.  To date, no intangible asset has been recorded for the value of customer relationships, because the Company does not have any concentrations of significant customers and the average customer turnover is fairly frequent.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and Amortization

 

The costs of self-storage properties and improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method based on useful lives ranging from five to 39 years.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

We evaluate long-lived assets for impairment when events and circumstances such as declines in occupancy and operating results indicate that there may be an impairment.  The carrying value of these long-lived assets is compared to the undiscounted future net operating cash flows, plus a terminal value, attributable to the assets to determine if the store’s basis is recoverable.  If a store’s basis is not considered recoverable, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent the net carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value.  The impairment loss recognized equals the excess of net carrying value over the related fair value of the asset.

Long-Lived Assets Held for Sale

Long-Lived Assets Held for Sale

 

We consider long-lived assets to be “held for sale” upon satisfaction of the following criteria: (a) management commits to a plan to sell a store (or group of stores), (b) the store is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such stores, (c) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the store have been initiated, (d) the sale of the store is probable and transfer of the asset is expected to be completed within one year, (e) the store is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value, and (f) actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.

 

Typically these criteria are all met when the relevant asset is under contract, significant non-refundable deposits have been made by the potential buyer, the assets are immediately available for transfer, and there are no contingencies related to the sale that may prevent the transaction from closing.  However, each potential transaction is evaluated based on its separate facts and circumstances.  Stores classified as held for sale are reported at the lesser of carrying value or fair value less estimated costs to sell.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents are highly-liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.  The Company may maintain cash equivalents in financial institutions in excess of insured limits, but believes this risk is mitigated by only investing in or through major financial institutions.

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash

 

Restricted cash consists of purchase deposits and cash deposits required for debt service requirements, capital replacement, and expense reserves in connection with the requirements of our loan agreements.

Loan Procurement Costs

Loan Procurement Costs

 

Loan procurement costs related to borrowings were $21.4 million and $24.7 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and are reported net of accumulated amortization of $11.1 million and $9.7 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. In accordance with ASU No. 2015-03, Loan procurement costs, net are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability. If there is not an associated debt liability recorded on the consolidated balance sheets, the costs are recorded as an asset net of accumulated amortization. Loan procurement costs associated with the Company’s revolving credit facility remain in Loan procurement costs, net of amortization on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The costs are amortized over the estimated life of the related debt using the effective interest method and are reported as Loan procurement amortization expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Other Assets

Other Assets

 

Other assets are comprised of the following as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 

 

 

    

2017

    

2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $1,532 and $8,109

 

$

1,716

 

$

8,280

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

5,498

 

 

4,434

 

Deposits on future acquisitions

 

 

1,000

 

 

5,106

 

Prepaid real estate taxes

 

 

3,960

 

 

3,640

 

Prepaid insurance

 

 

2,105

 

 

1,053

 

Amounts due from affiliates (see note 13)

 

 

7,480

 

 

3,349

 

Assets held in trust related to deferred compensation arrangements

 

 

9,393

 

 

6,748

 

Other

 

 

3,438

 

 

3,904

 

Total other assets, net

 

$

34,590

 

$

36,514

 

 

Environmental Costs

Environmental Costs

 

Our practice is to conduct or obtain environmental assessments in connection with the acquisition or development of additional stores.  Whenever the environmental assessment for one of our stores indicates that a store is impacted by soil or groundwater contamination from prior owners/operators or other sources, we will work with our environmental consultants and where appropriate, state governmental agencies, to ensure that the store is either cleaned up, that no cleanup is necessary because the low level of contamination poses no significant risk to public health or the environment, or that the responsibility for cleanup rests with a third party.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

 

Management has determined that all of our leases are operating leases.  Rental income is recognized in accordance with the terms of the leases, which generally are month to month.  Property management fee income is recognized monthly as services are performed and in accordance with the terms of the related management agreements.

 

The Company recognizes gains from disposition of stores only upon closing in accordance with the guidance on sales of real estate.  Payments received from purchasers prior to closing are recorded as deposits.  Profit on real estate sold is recognized using the full accrual method upon closing when the collectability of the sales price is reasonably assured and the Company is not obligated to perform significant activities after the sale.  Profit may be deferred in whole or part until the sale meets the requirements of profit recognition on sales under this guidance.

Advertising and Marketing Costs

Advertising and Marketing Costs

 

The Company incurs advertising and marketing costs primarily attributable to internet marketing campaigns and other media advertisements.  The Company incurred $9.7 million, $9.4 million, and $8.6 million in advertising and marketing expenses for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which are included in Property operating expenses on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Equity Offering Costs

Equity Offering Costs

 

Underwriting discounts and commissions, financial advisory fees and offering costs are reflected as a reduction to additional paid-in capital.  For the years ended December 31, 2017,  2016 and 2015, the Company recognized $0.6 million, $1.6 million, and $2.5 million, respectively, of equity offering costs related to the issuance of common shares.

Other Property Related Income

Other Property Related Income

 

Other property related income consists of late fees, administrative charges, customer insurance fees, sales of storage supplies, and other ancillary revenues and is recognized in the period that it is earned.

Capitalized Interest

Capitalized Interest

 

The Company capitalizes interest incurred that is directly associated with construction activities until the asset is placed into service.  Interest is capitalized to the related assets using a weighted-average rate of the Company’s outstanding debt. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company capitalized $5.6 million, $4.6 million, and $2.6 million, respectively, of interest incurred that is directly associated with construction activities.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company carries all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value.  The Company determines the fair value of derivatives by observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data.  The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether the derivative has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and, if so, the reason for holding it.  The Company’s use of derivative instruments has been limited to cash flow hedges of certain interest rate risks.  The Company had interest rate swap agreements for notional principal amounts aggregating $100.0 million and $300.0 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, the fair value of which are included in Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

 

The Company has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust under Sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code since the Company’s commencement of operations in 2004.  In management’s opinion, the requirements to maintain these elections are being met.  Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes has been reflected in the consolidated financial statements other than for operations conducted through our taxable REIT subsidiaries.

 

Earnings and profits, which determine the taxability of distributions to shareholders, differ from net income reported for financial reporting purposes due to differences in cost basis, the estimated useful lives used to compute depreciation, and the allocation of net income and loss for financial versus tax reporting purposes.  The net tax basis in the Company’s assets was $3.4 billion and $3.2 billion as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

Distributions to shareholders are usually taxable as ordinary income, although a portion of the distribution may be designated as capital gain or may constitute a tax-free return of capital.  Annually, the Company provides each of its shareholders a statement detailing the tax characterization of dividends paid during the preceding year as ordinary income, capital gain, or return of capital.  The characterization of the Company’s dividends for 2017 consisted of an 86.602% ordinary income distribution, a 0.495% capital gain distribution, and a 12.903% return of capital distribution from earnings and profits.

 

The Company is subject to a 4% federal excise tax if sufficient taxable income is not distributed within prescribed time limits.  The excise tax equals 4% of the annual amount, if any, by which the sum of (a) 85% of the Company’s ordinary income, (b) 95% of the Company’s net capital gains, and (c) 100% of prior taxable income exceeds cash distributions and certain taxes paid by the Company.  No excise tax was incurred in 2017, 2016, or 2015.

 

Taxable REIT subsidiaries are subject to federal and state income taxes.  Our taxable REIT subsidiaries had a net deferred tax asset related to expenses which are deductible for tax purposes in future periods of $1.4 million and $1.3 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

Legislation commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) was signed into law on December 22, 2017.  The TCJA makes significant changes to the U.S. federal income tax rules for taxation of individuals and corporations (including REITs), generally effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.

Earnings per Share and Unit

Earnings per Share and Unit

 

Basic earnings per share and unit are calculated based on the weighted average number of common shares and restricted shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings per share and unit is calculated by further adjusting for the dilutive impact of share options, unvested restricted shares and contingently issuable shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method.  Potentially dilutive securities calculated under the treasury stock method were 923,000; 1,287,000, and 1,551,000 in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

Share Based Payments

Share-Based Payments

 

We apply the fair value method of accounting for contingently issued shares and share options issued under our incentive award plan.  Accordingly, share compensation expense is recorded ratably over the vesting period relating to such contingently issued shares and options.  The Company has recognized compensation expense on a straight-line method over the requisite service period, which is included in general and administrative expense on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.

 

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency

 

The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. Dollars using the period-end exchange rate for assets and liabilities and an average exchange rate for each period for revenues, expenses, and capital expenditures.  The local currency is the functional currency for the Company’s foreign subsidiaries.  Translation adjustments for foreign subsidiaries are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in shareholders’ equity.  The Company recognizes transaction gains and losses arising from fluctuations in currency exchange rates on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency in earnings as incurred.  The Pound, which represents the functional currency used by USIFB, LLP (“USIFB”), our joint venture in England, was translated at October 2, 2015, the date that the venture’s remaining asset was sold. The exchange rate was approximately 1.521600 U.S Dollars per Pound on October 2, 2015. The Pound was translated at an average exchange rate of 1.529755 for the period from January 1, 2015 to October 2, 2015. In connection with the sale of the remaining asset, the Company recorded a realized loss on foreign currency exchange of $1.2 million, which is included in Gains from sale of real estate, net on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Investments in Unconsolidated Real Estate Ventures

Investments in Unconsolidated Real Estate Ventures

 

The Company accounts for its investments in unconsolidated real estate ventures under the equity method of accounting.  Under the equity method, investments in unconsolidated joint ventures are recorded initially at cost, as investments in real estate ventures, and subsequently adjusted for equity in earnings (losses), cash contributions, less distributions. On a periodic basis, management also assesses whether there are any indicators that the value of the Company’s investments in unconsolidated real estate ventures may be other than temporarily impaired. An investment is impaired only if the fair value of the investment is less than the carrying value of the investment and the decline is other than temporary. To the extent impairment that is other than temporary has occurred, the loss shall be measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the investment over the fair value of the investment, as estimated by management.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

 

During the first quarter of 2017, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-09 – Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which requires retrospective application for the cash flow presentation of cash withheld upon restricted stock vesting and paid by the Company to a taxing authority to satisfy the employee’s related tax obligation.  See “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” below.  As a result of adopting the new guidance, $1.6 million of vested restricted shares that were withheld to satisfy employee tax obligations and paid to the taxing authorities, were reclassified from operating activities to financing activities within the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows for each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

   In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12 – Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The purpose of this updated guidance is to better align a company’s financial reporting for hedging activities with the economic objectives of those activities. The transition guidance provides companies with the option of early adopting the new standard using a modified retrospective transition method in any interim period after issuance of the update, or alternatively requires adoption for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. This adoption method will require the Company to recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying the new guidance as an adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income with a corresponding adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year that the Company adopts the update. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this new guidance.


   In February 2017, as part of the new revenue standard, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05 – Other Income – Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance, which focuses on recognizing gains and losses from the transfer of nonfinancial assets in contracts with non-customers. Specifically, the new guidance defines “in substance nonfinancial asset”, unifies guidance related to partial sales of nonfinancial assets, eliminates rules specifically addressing sales of real estate, removes exceptions to the financial asset derecognition model, and clarifies the accounting for contributions of nonfinancial assets to joint ventures. The new guidance became effective on January 1, 2018 when the entity adopted the new revenue standard. Upon adoption, the majority of its sale transactions are now treated as dispositions of nonfinancial assets rather than dispositions of a business given the FASB’s recently revised definition of a business (see ASU No. 2017-01 below). Additionally, in partial sale transactions where the Company sells a controlling interest in real estate but retains a noncontrolling interest, the Company will now fully recognize a gain or loss on the fair value measurement of the retained interest as the new guidance eliminates the partial profit recognition model.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01 - Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which changes the definition of a business to include an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. A framework is provided to evaluate when an input and a substantive process are present.  The new guidance also narrows the definition of outputs, which are defined as the results of inputs and substantive processes that provide goods or services to customers, other revenue, or investment income. The standard became effective on January 1, 2018. Upon adoption of the new guidance, the majority of future property acquisitions will now be considered asset acquisitions, resulting in the capitalization of acquisition related costs incurred in connection with these transactions and the allocation of purchase price and acquisition related costs to the assets acquired based on their relative fair values.

 

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18 - Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, which requires the statement of cash flows to explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The new guidance also requires entities to reconcile such total to amounts on the balance sheet and disclose the nature of the restrictions. The standard became effective on January 1, 2018. The standard requires the use of the retrospective transition method. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as the update primarily relates to financial statement presentation and disclosures.

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15 – Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. The eight items that the ASU provides classification guidance on include (1) debt prepayment and extinguishment costs, (2) settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments, (3) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, (4) proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, (5) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies, (6) distributions received from equity method investments, (7) beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and (8) separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. The standard became effective on January 1, 2018. The standard requires the use of the retrospective transition method. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as the update primarily relates to financial statement presentation and disclosures.

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09 - Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which is intended to simplify various aspects related to how share-based payments are accounted for and presented in the financial statements. The new guidance requires entities to make an entity-wide accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest or account for forfeitures when they occur. The Company has elected to account for forfeitures when they occur. In addition, the guidance allows employers to withhold shares to satisfy minimum statutory tax withholding requirements up to the employees’ maximum individual tax rate without causing the award to be classified as a liability. The guidance also stipulates that cash paid by an employer to a taxing authority when directly withholding shares for tax-withholding purposes should be classified as a financing activity on the statement of cash flows. The new standard became effective for the Company on January 1, 2017. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 - Leases (Topic 842), which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e. lessees and lessors). The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either financing or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee. This classification will determine whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight line basis over the term of the lease, respectively. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification.  Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases today. The new standard requires lessors to account for leases using an approach that is substantially equivalent to existing guidance for sales-type leases, direct financing leases and operating leases. The standard is effective on January 1, 2019, however early adoption is permitted.  The Company is currently assessing the impact of the adoption of the new standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures but at this time, it expects the primary impact to be related to its ten ground leases in which it serves as the ground lessee (see note 14). 

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The new guidance outlines a five-step process for customer contract revenue recognition that focuses on transfer of control as opposed to transfer of risk and rewards. The new guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows from contracts with customers. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, which amends ASU 2014-09 and is intended to address implementation issues that were raised by stakeholders. ASU 2016-12 provides practical expedients on collectability, noncash consideration, presentation of sales tax and contract modifications and completed contracts in transition. Both standards became effective on January 1, 2018. The Company finalized the impact of the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 and ASU No. 2016-12 on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and adopted the standards using the modified retrospective transition method. The standards will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated statements of financial position or results of operations primarily because most of its revenue is derived from lease contracts, which are excluded from the scope of the new guidance. The Company’s insurance fee revenue, property management fee revenue, and merchandise sale revenue are included in the scope of the new guidance, however, the Company identified similar performance obligations under this standard as compared with deliverables and separate units of account identified under its previous revenue recognition methodology. Accordingly, revenue recognized under the new guidance will not differ materially from revenue recognized under previous guidance and there will be no material prior year impact.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

The Company’s stores are located in major metropolitan and rural areas and have numerous customers per store.  No single customer represents a significant concentration of our revenues. The stores in Florida, New York, Texas, and California provided total revenues of approximately 17%,  16%,  10%, and 8%, respectively, for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. The stores in Florida, New York, Texas, and California provided total revenues of approximately 18%,  16%,  10%, and 8%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2015