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Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies | Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, and its wholly owned subsidiaries, joint ventures and subsidiaries in which we have a controlling interest. We also consolidate certain entities when control of such entities can be achieved through means other than voting rights (“variable interest entities” or “VIEs”) if the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of such entities. All material intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. A VIE is broadly defined as an entity with one or more of the following characteristics: (a) the total equity investment at risk is insufficient to finance the entity’s activities without additional subordinated financial support; (b) as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack (i) the ability to make decisions about the entity’s activities through voting or similar rights, (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (iii) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; or (c) the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportional to their economic interests, and substantially all of the entity’s activities either involve, or are conducted on behalf of, an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights. We evaluate our arrangements with VIEs to identify entities for which control is achieved through means other than voting rights and to determine which business enterprise is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. In accordance with FASB guidance, management must evaluate each of the Company’s contractual relationships which creates a variable interest in other entities. If the Company has a variable interest and the entity is a VIE, then management must determine whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. If it is determined that the Company is the primary beneficiary, NHI would consolidate the VIE. We identify the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise that has both: (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could be significant to the entity. We perform this analysis on an ongoing basis. If the Company has determined that an entity is not a VIE, the Company assesses the need for consolidation under all other provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810, Consolidation. These provisions provide for consolidation of majority-owned entities where a majority voting interest held by the Company demonstrates control of such entities in the absence of any legal constraints. Effective April 1, 2022 and at December 31, 2023, our consolidated total assets and liabilities include two consolidated ventures comprising our SHOP activities, each formed with a separate partner - Merrill Gardens, L.L.C. (“Merrill”) and DSHI NHI Holiday LLC (the “Discovery member”), a related party of Discovery Senior Living (“Discovery”). We consider both ventures to be VIEs as the members of each, as a group, lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest. We are deemed to be the primary beneficiary of each VIE because we have the ability to control the activities that most significantly impact each VIE’s economic performance. Reference Notes 5 and 17 for further discussion of our SHOP ventures. We also consolidate two real estate partnerships formed with our partners, Discovery Senior Housing Investor XXIV, LLC, a related party of Discovery, beginning in June 2019, and LCS Timber Ridge LLC (“LCS”), beginning in January 2020, to invest in senior housing facilities. We consider both partnerships to be VIEs as either the members, as a group, lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or the total equity at risk is insufficient to finance activities without additional subordinated financial support. NHI directs the activities that most significantly impact economic performance of these partnerships, subject to limited protective rights extended to our partners for specified business decisions. Because of our control of these partnerships, we include their assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests and operations in our consolidated financial statements. Reference Note 17 for further discussion of these real estate partnerships. We use the equity method of accounting when we own an interest in an entity whereby we can exert significant influence over but cannot control the entity’s operations. We discontinue equity method accounting if our investment in an entity (and net advances) is reduced to zero unless we have guaranteed obligations of the entity or are otherwise committed to provide further financial support for the entity. Reference Note 6 for further discussion of our equity method investment. We have concluded that the Company is not the primary beneficiary for certain investments where we lack either directly or through related parties the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the investments’ economic performance. Accordingly, we account for our transactions with these entities and their subsidiaries at either amortized cost or net realizable value for straight-line rents receivable, excluding our investments accounted for under the equity method. See Note 17 for information on unconsolidated VIEs. Noncontrolling Interests - Contingently redeemable noncontrolling interests are recorded at their initial carrying amounts upon issuance and are subsequently adjusted to reflect their share of gains or losses and distributions attributable to the noncontrolling interests. In periods where they are or will become probable of redemption, an adjustment to the redemption value of the noncontrolling interests is also recognized through “Capital in excess of par value” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and included in our computation of earnings per share. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Merrill SHOP venture noncontrolling interest was classified in mezzanine equity, as discussed further in Note 10. The noncontrolling interests associated with our consolidated real estate partnerships, and our Discovery member SHOP venture were classified in equity as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Use of Estimates - The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, 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. Significant assumptions and estimates include purchase price allocations to record investments in real estate, impairment of real estate, and allowance for credit losses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Earnings Per Share - Our unvested restricted stock awards contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends, and accordingly, these awards are deemed to be participating securities. Therefore, the Company applies the two-class method to calculate basic and diluted earnings. Under the two-class method, we allocate net income attributable to stockholders to common stockholders and holders of unvested restricted stock by using the weighted-average shares of each class outstanding for quarter-to-date and year-to-date periods, based on their respective participation rights to dividends declared and undistributed earnings. Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share reflects the effect of dilutive securities. We apply the treasury stock method to any convertible debt instruments, the effect of which is that conversion will not be assumed for purposes of computing diluted earnings per share unless the average share price of our common stock for the period exceeds the conversion price per share. Diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2021 includes the potential dilutive impact of our convertible debt that was repaid in 2021. Reclassifications - In prior years, the Company presented "Cumulative dividends in excess of net income" as a single line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the Consolidated Statements of Equity. Beginning January 1, 2023, the Company separated this line item into two components, "Retained earnings" and "Cumulative dividends," and reclassified prior year information to conform to the current period presentation. Fair Value Measurements - Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A three-level fair value hierarchy is required to prioritize the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows: Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs. If the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the entire fair value measurement falls is the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. When an event or circumstance alters our assessment of the observability and thus the appropriate classification of an input to a fair value measurement which we deem to be significant to the fair value measurement as a whole, we will transfer that fair value measurement to the appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy. Real Property Owned - Real estate properties are recorded at cost or, if acquired through business combination, at fair value, including the fair value of contingent consideration, if any. Cost or fair value at the time of acquisition is allocated among land, buildings, improvements, personal property and lease and other intangibles. For properties acquired in transactions accounted for as asset purchases, the purchase price, which includes transaction costs, is allocated based on the relative fair values of the assets acquired. Cost includes the amount of contingent consideration, if any, deemed to be probable at the acquisition date. Contingent consideration is deemed to be probable to the extent that a significant reversal in amounts recognized is not likely to occur when the uncertainty associated with the contingent consideration is subsequently resolved. Cost also includes capitalized interest during construction periods. We use the straight-line method of depreciation for buildings over their estimated useful lives of 40 years, and improvements, including any equipment related to the SHOP segment, over their estimated useful lives ranging from 5 to 25 years. For contingent consideration arising from business combinations, the liability is adjusted to estimated fair value at each reporting date through earnings. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets - We evaluate the recoverability of the carrying amount of our long-lived assets when events or circumstances, including significant physical changes, significant adverse changes in general economic conditions or significant deterioration of the underlying cash flows of the long-lived assets, indicate that the carrying amount of the long-lived asset may not be recoverable. The need to recognize an impairment charge is based on estimated undiscounted future cash flows compared to the carrying amount. If recognition of an impairment charge is necessary, it is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the property exceeds the estimated fair value of the long-lived asset. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we recognized impairment charges of approximately $1.6 million, $51.6 million and $51.8 million, respectively, included in “Loan and realty losses, net” in our Consolidated Statements of Income. Reference Note 3 for more discussion. Leases - All of our leases within the Real Estate Investment segment are classified as operating leases and generally have an initial leasehold term of 10 to 15 years followed by one or more five-year tenant renewal options. The leases are “triple-net leases” under which the tenant is responsible for the payment of all taxes, utilities, insurance premiums, repairs and other charges relating to the operation of the properties, including required levels of capital expenditures each year. The tenant is obligated at its expense to keep all improvements, fixtures and other components of the properties covered by “all risk” insurance in an amount equal to at least the full replacement cost thereof, and to maintain specified minimal personal injury and property damage insurance. The leases also require the tenant to indemnify and hold us harmless from all claims resulting from the use, occupancy and related activities of each property by the tenant, and to indemnify us against all costs related to any release, discovery, clean-up and removal of hazardous substances or materials, or other environmental responsibility with respect to each facility. While we do not incorporate residual value guarantees, the lease provisions and considerations discussed above impact our expectation of realizable value from our properties upon the expiration of their lease terms. The residual value of our real estate under lease is still subject to various market, asset, and tenant-specific risks and characteristics. As the classification of our leases is dependent on the fair value of estimated cash flows at lease commencement, management’s projected residual values represent significant assumptions in our accounting for operating leases. Similarly, the exercise of renewal options is also subject to these same risks, making a tenant’s lease term another significant variable in a lease’s cash flows. Initial direct costs that are incremental to entering into a lease are capitalized in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 842. FASB Lease Modifications Related to Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic - In accordance with the FASB’s question-and-answer document issued in April 2020, we elected to account for qualified rent concessions provided as a result of the coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19”) as variable lease payments, recorded as rental income when received and not as lease modifications under ASC Topic 842. This guidance was applicable to certain rent concessions granted in 2021 and 2022. Reference Note 3 for more detail. Financial Instruments - Credit Losses - We estimate and record an allowance for credit losses upon origination of the loan, based on expected credit losses over the term of the loan and update this estimate each reporting period. We calculate the estimated credit losses on mortgages by pooling these loans into two groups – investments in existing or new mortgages and construction mortgages. Mezzanine, revolving lines of credit and loans designated as non-performing are evaluated at the individual loan level. We estimate the allowance for credit losses by utilizing a loss model that relies on future expected credit losses, rather than incurred losses. This loss model incorporates our historical experience, adjusted for current conditions and our forecasts, using the probability of default and loss given default method. Incorporated into the construction mortgage loss model is an estimate of the probability that NHI will acquire the property. Using the resulting estimate, a portion of the outstanding construction mortgage balance which we currently expect will be reduced by our acquisition of the underlying property when construction is complete, is deducted from the construction mortgage balance included in the expected loss calculation. Mezzanine loans, revolving lines of credit and loans designated as non-performing are also based on the loss model to recognize expected future credit losses and are applied to each individual loan using borrower specific information. We also perform a qualitative assessment beyond model estimates and apply adjustments as necessary. The credit loss estimate is based on the net amortized cost balance of our mortgage and other notes receivables as of the balance sheet date. Calculation of the allowance for credit losses involves significant judgment. It is possible that actual credit losses will differ materially from our current estimates. Write-offs are deducted from the allowance for credit losses when we judge the principal to be uncollectible. Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash - Cash equivalents consist of all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less. Restricted cash includes amounts required to be held on deposit or subject to an agreement (e.g. with a qualified intermediary subject to an exchange agreement pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”) or in accordance with agency agreements governing our mortgages). The following table sets forth our “Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash” reported within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ($ in thousands):
| As of December 31, |  |
| 2023 |  | 2022 |  |
Beginning of period: |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 19,291 |  |  | $ | 37,412 |  |  |
Restricted cash (included in Other assets, net) | 2,225 |  |  | 2,073 |  |  |
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | $ | 21,516 |  |  | $ | 39,485 |  |  |
End of period: |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 22,347 |  |  | $ | 19,291 |  |  |
Restricted cash (included in Other assets, net) | 2,270 |  |  | 2,225 |  |  |
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | $ | 24,617 |  |  | $ | 21,516 |  |  |
Assets Held for Sale - We consider properties to be assets held for sale when (1) management commits to a plan to sell the property, (2) it is unlikely that the disposal plan will be significantly modified or discontinued; (3) the property is available for immediate sale in its present condition; (4) actions required to complete the sale of the property have been initiated; (5) sale of the property is probable and we anticipate the completed sale will occur within one year; and (6) the property is actively being marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable given our estimate of current market value. Upon designation of a property as an asset held for sale, we record the property’s value at the lower of its carrying value or its estimated fair value, less estimated transaction costs. Depreciation and amortization of the property are discontinued. If a property subsequently no longer meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale, it is reclassified as held and used and measured at the lower of i) its original carrying amount before the asset was classified as held for sale, adjusted for any depreciation expense not recognized while it was classified as held for sale, and ii) its fair value. Concentration of Credit Risks - Our credit risks primarily relate to cash and cash equivalents and investments in mortgage and other notes receivable. Cash and cash equivalents are primarily held in bank accounts and overnight investments. We maintain our bank deposit accounts with large financial institutions in amounts that may exceed federally insured limits. We have not experienced any losses in such accounts. Our mortgages and other notes receivable consist primarily of secured loans on facilities. Our financial instruments, principally our investments in notes receivable, are subject to the possibility of loss of the carrying values as a result of the failure of other parties to perform according to their contractual obligations which may make the instruments less valuable. We obtain collateral in the form of mortgage liens and other protective rights for notes receivable and continually monitor these rights in order to reduce such possibilities of loss. We evaluate the need to provide for reserves for potential losses on our financial instruments based on management’s periodic review of our portfolio on an instrument-by-instrument basis. Deferred Loan Costs - Costs incurred to acquire debt are capitalized and amortized by the straight-line method, which approximates the effective-interest method, over the term of the related debt. Deferred Income - Deferred income primarily includes rents received in advance from tenants and residents and non-refundable commitment fees received by us, which are amortized into income over the expected period of the related loan or lease. In the event that our financing commitment to a potential borrower or tenant expires, the related commitment fees are recognized into income immediately. Commitment fees may be charged based on the terms of the lease agreements and the creditworthiness of the parties. Revenue Recognition Rental Income - Our leases generally provide for rent escalators throughout the term of the lease. Base rental income is recognized using the straight-line method over the term of the lease to the extent that lease payments are considered collectible and the lease provides for specific contractual escalators. Under certain leases, we receive additional contingent rent, which is calculated on the increase in revenues of the tenant over a target threshold. We recognize contingent rent periodically based on the actual revenues of the tenant once the target threshold has been achieved. Lease payments that depend on a factor directly related to future use of the property, such as an increase in annual revenues over a base year, are considered to be contingent rent payments and are excluded from the determination of minimum lease payments. If rental income calculated on a straight-line basis exceeds the cash rent due under a lease, the difference is recorded as an increase to straight-line rents receivable in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and an increase in rental income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. If rental income on a straight-line basis is calculated to be less than cash received, there is a decrease in the same accounts. Property operating expenses that are reimbursed by our operators are recorded as “Rental income” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Accordingly, we record a corresponding expense, reflected in “Taxes and insurance on leased properties” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Rental income includes reimbursement of property operating expenses for the years ended December 2023, 2022 and 2021, totaling $11.5 million, $9.8 million and $11.6 million, respectively. Rental income is reduced for the non-cash amortization of payments made upon the eventual settlement of commitments and contingencies originally identified and recorded as lease inducements. We record lease inducements to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal of amounts recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the contingent consideration is subsequently resolved. The Company reviews its operating lease receivables for collectability on a regular basis, taking into consideration changes in factors such as the tenant’s payment history, the financial condition of the tenant, business conditions in which the tenant operates and economic conditions in the area where the property is located. In the event that collectability with respect to any tenant is not probable, a direct write-off of the receivable is made as an adjustment to rental income and any future rental revenue is recognized only when the tenant makes a rental payment. As of December 31, 2023, we had three tenants, including Bickford Senior Living (“Bickford”), on the cash basis of revenue recognition for their lease arrangements. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we placed three operators on the cash basis of rental income recognition. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we placed Holiday Retirement (“Holiday”) on cash basis for its master lease which was terminated in 2022 upon the formation of the SHOP ventures. Reference Note 3 for further discussion of cash basis tenants. Resident Fees and Services - Resident fee and services revenue associated with our SHOP activities is recognized as the related performance obligations are satisfied and includes resident room charges, community fees and other resident charges. Residency agreements are generally short term (30 days to one year), and entitle the resident to certain room and care services for a monthly fee billed in advance. Revenue for certain related services is billed monthly in arrears. The Company has elected the lessor practical expedient within ASC Topic 842, Leases, not to separate the lease and nonlease components within our resident agreements as the timing and pattern of transfer to the resident are the same. The Company has determined that the nonlease component is the predominant component within the contract and will recognize revenue under ASC Topic 606, Revenue Recognition from Contracts with Customers. Interest Income from Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable - Interest income is recognized based on the interest rates and principal amounts outstanding on the notes receivable. We identify a mortgage note as non-performing based on various criteria including timeliness of required payments, compliance with other provisions under the related note agreement, and an evaluation of the borrower’s current financial condition for indicators that it is probable it cannot pay its contractual amounts. A non-performing loan is returned to accrual status at such time as the note becomes contractually current and management believes all future principal and interest will be received according to the contractual terms of the note. As of December 31, 2023, we had two mortgage notes receivable and a mezzanine loan totaling an aggregate of $26.6 million with affiliates of two operators/borrowers, including Bickford, designated as non-performing. Derivatives - In the normal course of business, we are subject to risk from adverse fluctuations in interest rates. Occasionally, we may choose to manage this risk through the use of derivative financial instruments, primarily interest rate swaps. Counterparties to these contracts are major financial institutions. We are exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by these counterparties. We do not use derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Our objective in managing exposure to market risk is to limit the impact on cash flows relating to the change in market interest rates on our variable rate debt. To qualify for hedge accounting, our interest rate swaps must effectively reduce the risk exposure that they are designed to hedge. In addition, at inception of a qualifying cash flow hedging relationship, the underlying transaction or transactions must be, and be expected to remain, probable of occurring in accordance with our related assertions. All of our hedges are cash flow hedges. We recognize all derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives required to be bifurcated, as assets or liabilities at their fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges or that do not meet the criteria of hedge accounting are recognized in earnings. For derivatives designated in qualifying cash flow hedging relationships, the change in fair value of the effective portion of the derivatives is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), whereas the change in fair value of any ineffective portion is recognized in earnings. Gains and losses are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings once the underlying hedged transaction is recognized in earnings. Income Taxes - We intend at all times to qualify as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, we will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, provided that we continue to qualify as a REIT and make distributions to stockholders equal to or in excess of 90% of our taxable income. A failure to qualify under the applicable REIT qualification rules and regulations would have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Certain activities that we undertake may be conducted by subsidiary entities that have elected to be treated as TRSs. TRSs are subject to federal, state, and local income taxes. Accordingly, a provision for income taxes has been made in the consolidated financial statements. Earnings and profits, which determine the taxability of dividends to stockholders, differ from net income reported for financial reporting purposes due primarily to differences in the basis of assets, estimated useful lives used to compute depreciation expense, gains on sales of real estate, non-cash compensation expense and recognition of commitment fees. Our tax returns filed for years beginning in 2020 are subject to examination by taxing authorities. We classify interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, in our Consolidated Statements of Income as a component of income tax expense. Segments - We operate our business through two reportable segments: Real Estate Investments and SHOP. In our Real Estate Investments segment, we invest in (i) senior housing and healthcare real estate and lease those properties to healthcare operating companies under primarily triple-net leases that obligate tenants to pay all property-related expenses and (ii) mortgage and other notes receivable throughout the United States. Our SHOP segment is comprised of the operations of 15 ILFs located throughout the United States that are operated on behalf of the Company by independent managers pursuant to the terms of separate management agreements. Reference Notes 5 and 16 for additional information. Recent Accounting Pronouncements - In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The ASU enhances segment disclosures by requiring public entities to provide investors with additional, more detailed information about a reportable segment’s expenses. The ASU also requires disclosure of the chief operating decision maker’s (“CODM”) title and position on an annual basis, as well as an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measures and other disclosures. The amendment is effective for the Company for the year ending December 31, 2024.

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