Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

v3.20.4
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements of the Company include its accounts and its consolidated subsidiaries, as well as the Operating Partnership and its consolidated subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements of the Operating Partnership include its accounts and its consolidated subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company currently consolidates the Operating Partnership because it has (1) the power to direct the activities of the Operating Partnership that most significantly impact the Operating Partnership’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive the residual returns of the Operating Partnership that could be potentially significant.
We consolidate properties that are wholly-owned or properties where we own less than 100% but control such properties. Control is determined using an evaluation based on accounting standards related to the consolidation of voting interest entities and variable interest entities ("VIE"). For joint ventures that are determined to be a VIE, we consolidate the entity where we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary. Determination of the primary beneficiary is based on whether an entity has (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance, and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Our determination of the primary beneficiary considers various factors including the form of our ownership interest, our representation in an entity's governance, the size of our investment, our ability to participate in policy making decisions and the rights of the other investors to participate in the decision making process to replace us as manager and or liquidate the venture, if applicable. As of December 31, 2020, we did not have a joint venture that was a VIE.

Investments in real estate joint ventures that we do not control but may exercise significant influence on are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. These investments are recorded initially at cost and subsequently adjusted for our equity in the venture's net income or loss, cash contributions, distributions and other adjustments required under the equity method of accounting.

For certain of these investments, we record our equity in the venture's net income or loss under the hypothetical liquidation at book value (“HLBV”) method of accounting due to the structures and the preferences we receive on the distributions from our joint ventures pursuant to the respective joint venture agreements. Under this method, we recognize income and loss in each period based on the change in liquidation proceeds we would receive from a hypothetical liquidation of our investment based on depreciated book value. Therefore, income or loss may be allocated disproportionately as compared to the ownership percentages due to specified preferred return rate thresholds and may be more or less than actual cash distributions received and more or less than what we may receive in the event of an actual liquidation. In the event a basis difference is created between our underlying interest in the venture’s net assets and our initial investment, we amortize such amount over the estimated life of the venture as a component of equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures.

The carrying amount of our investments in the Charlotte, Galveston/Houston and National Harbor joint ventures are less than zero because of financing or operating distributions that were greater than net income, as net income includes non-cash charges for depreciation and amortization. We separately report investments in joint ventures for which accumulated distributions have exceeded investments in, and our share of net income or loss of, the joint ventures within other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets because we are committed and intend to provide further financial support to these joint ventures.

Noncontrolling interests - In the Company's consolidated financial statements, the “Noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership” reflects the Non-Company LP's percentage ownership of the Operating Partnership's units. "Noncontrolling interests in other consolidated partnerships" consist of outside equity interests in partnerships or joint ventures not wholly-owned by the Company or the Operating Partnership that are consolidated with the financial results of the Company and Operating Partnership because the Operating Partnership exercises control over the entities that own the properties. Noncontrolling interests are initially recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value based upon purchase price allocations. Income or losses are allocated to the noncontrolling interests based on the allocation provisions within the partnership or joint venture agreements.

Use of 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, as well as 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. Estimates are used in the calculations of impairment losses, costs capitalized to originate operating leases, costs incurred for the construction and development of properties, and the values of deferred lease costs and other intangibles related to the acquisition of properties. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Operating Segments - We focus exclusively on developing, acquiring, owning, operating, and managing outlet shopping centers. We aggregate the financial information of all outlet centers into one reportable operating segment because the outlet centers all have similar economic characteristics and provide similar products and services to similar types and classes of customers.
Rental Property - Rental properties are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Buildings, improvements and fixtures consist primarily of permanent buildings and improvements made to land such as infrastructure and costs incurred in providing rental space to tenants.

The pre-construction stage of project development involves certain costs to secure land control and zoning and complete other initial tasks essential to the development of the project. These costs are transferred from other assets to construction in progress when the pre-construction tasks are completed. Costs of unsuccessful pre-construction efforts are expensed when the project is no longer probable and, if significant, are recorded as abandoned pre-development costs in the consolidated statement of operations.

We also capitalize other costs incurred for the construction and development of properties, including interest, real estate taxes and payroll and related costs associated with employees directly involved. Capitalization of costs commences at the time the development of the property becomes probable and ceases when the property is substantially completed and ready for its intended use. We consider a construction project as substantially completed and ready for its intended use upon the completion of tenant improvements. We cease capitalization on the portion that is substantially completed and occupied or held available for occupancy, and capitalize only those costs associated with the portion under construction. The amount of payroll and related costs capitalized for the construction and development of properties is based on our estimate of the amount of costs directly related to the construction or development of these assets.

Interest costs are capitalized during periods of active construction for qualified expenditures based upon interest rates in place during the construction period until construction is substantially complete. This includes interest incurred on funds invested in or advanced to unconsolidated joint ventures for qualifying development activities until placed in service.

Payroll and related costs and interest costs capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were as follows (in thousands):
2020 2019 2018
Payroll and related costs capitalized $ 1,159  $ 1,581  $ 1,521 
Interest costs capitalized $ 107  $ 25  $ 93 

Depreciation is computed on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. We generally use estimated lives of 33 years for buildings and improvements, 15 years for land improvements and 7 years for equipment. Tenant finishing allowances are amortized over the life of the associated lease. Capitalized interest costs are amortized over lives which are consistent with the constructed assets. Expenditures for ordinary maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred while significant renovations and improvements which improve and/or extend the useful life of the asset are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful life.

Depreciation expense related to rental property included in net income for each of the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was as follows (in thousands):
2020 2019 2018
Depreciation expense related to rental property $ 101,665  $ 107,129  $ 114,198 
We allocate the purchase price of acquisitions based on the fair value of land, building, tenant improvements, debt and deferred lease costs and other intangibles, such as the value of leases with above or below market rents, origination costs associated with the in-place leases, the value of in-place leases and tenant relationships, if any. We depreciate the amount allocated to building, deferred lease costs and other intangible assets over their estimated useful lives, which range up to 33 years. The values of the above and below market leases are amortized and recorded as either an increase (in the case of below market leases) or a decrease (in the case of above market leases) to rental income over the remaining term of the associated lease. The values of below market leases that are considered to have renewal periods with below market rents are amortized over the remaining term of the associated lease plus the renewal periods when the renewal is deemed probable to occur. The value associated with in-place leases is amortized over the remaining lease term and tenant relationships are amortized over the expected term, which includes an estimated probability of the lease renewal. If a tenant terminates its lease prior to the contractual termination of the lease and no rental payments are being made on the lease, any unamortized balance of the related intangibles is written off. The tenant improvements and origination costs are amortized as an expense over the remaining life of the lease (or charged against earnings if the lease is terminated prior to its contractual expiration date). We assess fair value based on estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount and capitalization rates and available market information. These cash flow projections may be derived from various observable and unobservable inputs and assumptions. Also, we may utilize third-party valuation specialists. As a part of acquisition accounting, the amount by which the fair value of our previously held equity method investment exceeds the carrying book value is recorded as a gain on previously held interest in acquired joint venture.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash - All highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents. Cash balances at a limited number of banks may periodically exceed insurable amounts. We believe that we mitigate our risk by investing in or through major financial institutions.

Deferred Charges - Deferred charges include deferred lease costs and other intangible assets consisting of fees and costs incurred to originate operating leases and are amortized over the expected lease term. Deferred lease costs capitalized, including amounts paid to third-party brokers and internal leasing costs for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were as follows (in thousands):
2020 2019 2018
Deferred lease costs capitalized- payroll and related costs $ 1,343  $ 679  $ 6,007 
Total deferred lease costs capitalized $ 3,061  $ 5,142  $ 6,703 

Due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842 "Leases" ("ASC 842") on January 1, 2019, only direct internal leasing costs are capitalized and indirect internal leasing costs previously capitalized are now expensed. Deferred lease costs and other intangible assets also include the value of leases and origination costs deemed to have been acquired in real estate acquisitions.

Deferred financing costs - Deferred financing costs include fees and costs incurred to obtain long-term financing and are amortized over the terms of the respective loans. Unamortized deferred financing costs are charged to expense when debt is retired before the maturity date.

Captive Insurance - We have a wholly-owned captive insurance company that is responsible for losses up to certain deductible levels per occurrence for property damage (including wind damage from hurricanes) prior to third-party insurance coverage. Insurance losses are reflected in property operating expenses and include estimates of costs incurred, both reported and unreported.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets - Rental property held and used by us is reviewed for impairment in the event that facts and circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In such an event, we compare the estimated future undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset to the asset's carrying amount, and if less than such carrying amount, recognize an impairment loss in an amount by which the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. The cash flow estimates used both for determining recoverability and estimating fair value are inherently judgmental and reflect current and projected trends in rental, occupancy, capitalization, and discount rates, and estimated holding periods for the applicable assets. The estimated fair value is based primarily on the income approach. The income approach involves discounting the estimated income stream and reversion (presumed sale) value of a property over an estimated holding period to a present value at a risk-adjusted rate. Discount rates and terminal capitalization rates utilized in this approach are derived from property-specific information, market transactions and other financial and industry data.

During the first quarter and fourth quarter of 2020, we recorded $45.7 million and $19.2 million in impairment charges, respectively, related to our Foxwoods outlet center in our consolidated statement of operations which equaled the excess of the carrying value over its estimated fair value.

During the fourth quarter of 2020, fourth quarter of 2019 and third quarter 2018 , we recorded $2.4 million, $37.6 million and $49.7 million, in impairment charges respectively, related to our Jeffersonville outlet center in our consolidated statement of operations which equaled the excess of the carrying value of over its estimated fair value. See Note 10 for additional information on the fair market value calculations.

See Note 5 for discussion of our share of the impairment charges recognized in our unconsolidated joint ventures at the Saint Suveur, Quebec outlet center in 2020 and the Bromont, Quebec and Saint Sauveur, Quebec outlet centers during 2018.

If the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic cause economic and market conditions to deteriorate beyond our current expectations or if our expected holding periods for assets change, subsequent tests for impairment could result in additional impairment charges in the future. For example, the Foxwoods outlet center, which is part of a casino property, and our Atlantic city outlet center both continue to face leasing challenges that could lead to further declines in occupancy, rental revenues and cash flows in the future. Such challenges could result in additional impairments. We can provide no assurance that material impairment charges with respect to our properties will not occur in future periods.

Rental Property Held For Sale - Rental properties designated as held for sale are stated at the lower of their carrying value or their fair value less costs to sell. We classify rental property as held for sale when our Board of Directors approves the sale of the assets and it meets the requirements of current accounting guidance. Subsequent to this classification, no further depreciation is recorded on the assets.

Impairment of Investments - On a periodic basis or if circumstances exist, we assess whether there are any indicators that the value of our investments in unconsolidated joint ventures may be impaired. An investment is impaired only if management's estimate of the value of the investment is less than the carrying value of the investments, and such decline in value is deemed to be other than temporary. To the extent an other than temporary impairment has occurred, the loss shall be measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the investment over the value of the investment. Our estimates of value for each joint venture investment are based on a number of assumptions that are subject to economic and market uncertainties including, among others, estimated hold period, demand for space, competition for tenants, discount and capitalization rates, changes in market rental rates and operating costs of the property. As these factors are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may alter our assumptions, the values estimated by us in our impairment analysis may not be realized.

Sales of Real Estate - For sales of real estate where we have consideration to which we are entitled in exchange for transferring the real estate, the related assets and liabilities are removed from the balance sheet and the resultant gain or loss is recorded in the period the transaction closes. Any post sale involvement is accounted for as separate performance obligations and when the separate performance obligations are satisfied, the sales price allocated to each is recognized.
For transactions that do not meet the criteria for a sale, we evaluate the nature of the continuing involvement, including put and call provisions, if present, and account for the transaction as a financing arrangement, profit-sharing arrangement, leasing arrangement or other alternate method of accounting, rather than as a sale, based on the nature and extent of the continuing involvement. Some transactions may have numerous forms of continuing involvement. In those cases, we determine which method is most appropriate based on the substance of the transaction.

Discontinued Operations - Properties that are sold or classified as held for sale are classified as discontinued operations provided that the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on our operations and financial results (e.g., a disposal of a major geographical area, a major line of business, a major equity method investment or other major parts of an entity).

Derivatives - We selectively enter into interest rate protection agreements to mitigate the impact of changes in interest rates on our variable rate borrowings. The notional amounts of such agreements are used to measure the interest to be paid or received and do not represent the amount of exposure to loss. None of these agreements are used for speculative or trading purposes.

We recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets and measure those instruments at their fair value. We formally document our derivative transactions, including identifying the hedge instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk management objectives and strategies for entering into the hedge transaction.

Income Taxes - We operate in a manner intended to enable the Company to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. A REIT which distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its shareholders each year and which meets certain other conditions is not taxed on that portion of its taxable income which is distributed to its shareholders. We intend to continue to qualify as a REIT and to distribute substantially all of the Company's taxable income to its shareholders. Accordingly, no provision has been made in the Company's consolidated financial statements for Federal income taxes. As a partnership, the allocated share of income or loss for the year with respect to the Operating Partnership is included in the income tax returns for the partners; accordingly, no provision has been made for Federal income taxes in the Operating Partnership's consolidated financial statements. In addition, we continue to evaluate uncertain tax positions. The tax years 2017 - 2020 remain open to examination by the major tax jurisdictions to which we are subject.

With regard to the Company's unconsolidated Canadian joint ventures, deferred tax assets result principally from depreciation deducted under United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") that exceed capital cost allowances claimed under Canadian tax rules. A valuation allowance is provided if we believe all or some portion of the deferred tax asset may not be realized. We have determined that a full valuation allowance is required as we believe it is not probable that the deferred tax assets will be realized.
For income tax purposes, distributions paid to the Company's common shareholders consist of ordinary income, capital gains, return of capital or a combination thereof. Dividends per share for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were taxable as follows:
Common dividends per share: 2020 2019 2018
Ordinary income $ 0.7125  $ 1.3261  $ 1.3919 
Capital gain —  —  0.0006 
Return of capital —  0.0889  — 
$ 0.7125  $ 1.4150  $ 1.3925 

The following reconciles net income (loss) available to the Company's shareholders to taxable income available to common shareholders for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):
2020 2019 2018
Net income (loss) available to the Company's shareholders $ (36,278) $ 87,855  $ 43,655 
Book/tax difference on:
Depreciation and amortization 71,896  51,602  58,208 
Sale of assets and interests in unconsolidated entities (6,021) (41,138) (3,243)
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures 9,642  1,447  18,444 
Share-based payment compensation 7,859  8,246  6,269 
Other differences 13,536  8,948  (630)
Taxable income (loss) available to common shareholders $ 60,634  $ 116,960  $ 122,703 

Revenue Recognition - As a lessor, substantially all of our revenues are earned from arrangements that are within the scope of ASC 842. We utilized the practical expedient in ASU 2018-11 to account for lease and non-lease components as a single component which resulted in all of our revenues associated with leases being recorded as rental revenues in the consolidated statements of operations. Base rentals are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Tenant expense reimbursements are recognized in the period the applicable expenses are incurred. As a result of combining all components of a lease, all fixed contractual payments, including consideration received from certain executory costs, are now recognized on a straight-line basis. Straight-line rent adjustments are recorded as a receivable in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. Common area maintenance expense reimbursements are based on the tenant's proportionate share of the allocable operating expenses for the property.

As a provision of a tenant lease, if we make a cash payment to the tenant for purposes other than funding the construction of landlord assets, we defer the amount of such payments as a lease incentive. We amortize lease incentives as a reduction of base rental revenue over the term of the lease. The majority of our leases contain provisions which provide additional rents based on tenants' sales volume (“percentage rentals”) and reimbursement of the tenants' share of advertising and promotion, common area maintenance, insurance and real estate tax expenses. Percentage rentals are recognized when specified targets that trigger the contingent rent are met. Payments received from the early termination of leases are recognized as revenue from the time the payment is receivable until the tenant vacates the space.

We have elected to apply the Lease Modification Q&A to eligible lease concessions. See Recently Adopted Accounting Standards, below.
The values of the above and below market leases are amortized and recorded as either an increase (in the case of below market leases) or a decrease (in the case of above market leases) to rental income over the remaining term of the associated lease. If a tenant terminates its lease prior to the original contractual termination of the lease and no rental payments are being made on the lease, any unamortized balance of the related above or below market lease value will be written off.
We receive development, leasing, loan guarantee, management and marketing fees from third parties and unconsolidated affiliates for services provided to properties held in joint ventures. Development and leasing fees received from unconsolidated affiliates are recognized as revenue when earned to the extent of the third party partners' ownership interest. Development and leasing fees earned to the extent of our ownership interest are recorded as a reduction to our investment in the unconsolidated affiliate. Loan guarantee fees are recognized over the term of the guarantee. Management fees and marketing fees are recognized as revenue when earned. Fees recognized from these activities are shown as management, leasing and other services in our consolidated statements of operations. Our share of fees received from consolidated joint ventures are eliminated in consolidation. Expense reimbursements from unconsolidated joint ventures are recognized in the period the applicable expenses are incurred.

Uncollectible Tenant Revenues - Due to the adoption of ASC 842 effective January 1, 2019, uncollectible tenant revenues are recorded as a contra-revenue adjustment. If it is determined collection is not probable we record revenues on a cash basis. Previously in 2018 these adjustments were recorded in general and administrative expense.

Operating Lease Receivable - Historically, our accounts receivable from tenants has not been material; however, given the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic discussed below, our net accounts receivable balance, which is recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet, has increased from approximately $4.8 million at December 31, 2019 to approximately $18.8 million at December 31, 2020. Straight-line rent adjustments recorded as a receivable in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets were approximately $65.8 million and $61.6 million as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Individual leases are assessed for collectability and upon the determination that the collection of rents is not probable, accrued rent and accounts receivable are written off as an adjustment to rental revenue. Revenue from leases where collection is deemed to be less than probable is recorded on a cash basis until collectability is determined to be probable. Further we assess whether operating lease receivables, at a portfolio level, are appropriately valued based upon an analysis of balances outstanding, historical bad debt levels and current economic trends including discussions with tenants for potential lease amendments. Our estimate of the collectability of accrued rents and accounts receivable is based on the best information available to us at the time of preparing the financial statements.

The duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, recent tenant bankruptcies and other significant uncertainties with the economy required significant judgment to be used when estimating the collection of rents through December 31, 2020. See Note 3 for amounts we recorded as a reduction of revenues for uncollectible accounts.

Concentration of Credit Risk - We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our tenants. Although the tenants operate principally in the retail industry, the properties are geographically diverse. No single tenant accounted for 10% or more of combined base and percentage rental revenues or gross leasable area during 2020, 2019 or 2018. See Note 3 for disclosures regarding credit risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information - We purchase capital equipment and incur costs relating to construction of new facilities, including tenant finishing allowances. Expenditures included in accounts payable and accrued expenses were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):
  2020 2019 2018
Costs relating to construction included in accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 22,814  $ 17,619  $ 15,772 

Interest paid, net of interest capitalized was as follows for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):
2020 2019 2018
Interest paid, net of interest capitalized $ 58,021  $ 57,237  $ 60,529 
Information related to non-cash assets and liabilities recorded as a result of the adoption of ASC 842 in 2019 was as follows (in thousands):
2019
Non-Cash operating lease right-of-use assets exchanged for operating lease liabilities $ 87,679 
Non-Cash operating lease liabilities exchanged for operating right-of-use assets $ 92,354 

The difference between the recorded operating lease liabilities and operating right-of-use assets represents the accrued straight-line rent liability of $5.0 million and our prepaid rent balances of $307,000 previously recognized under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 840 “Leases” (“ASC 840”) that were reclassified to the operating leases right-of use assets under ASC 842. 

Accounting for Equity-Based Compensation - We have a shareholder approved equity-based compensation plan, the Incentive Award Plan of Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. and Tanger Properties Limited Partnership (Amended and Restated as of April 4, 2014) (the "Plan"), which covers our independent directors, officers and our employees. We may issue non-qualified options and other equity-based awards under the Plan. We account for our equity-based compensation plan under the fair value provisions of the relevant accounting guidance and we estimate expected forfeitures in determining compensation cost.

Foreign Currency Translation - We have entered into a co-ownership agreement with RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust to develop and acquire outlet centers in Canada for which the functional currency is the local currency. The assets and liabilities related to our investments in Canada are translated from their functional currency into U.S. Dollars at the rate of exchange in effect on the balance sheet date. Income statement accounts are translated using the average exchange rate for the period. Our share of unrealized gains and losses resulting from the translation of these financial statements are reflected in equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated balance sheets.

Recently issued accounting standards

On March 12, 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) - Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference LIBOR or other reference rates expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. This ASU is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. We have not adopted any of the optional expedients or exceptions through December 31, 2020, but will continue to evaluate the possible adoption of any such expedients or exceptions during the effective period as circumstances evolve.
Recently adopted accounting standards

In April 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) staff issued a question and answer document (the “Lease Modification Q&A”) focused on the application of lease accounting guidance to lease concessions provided as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under existing accounting lease guidance under ASC 842, the Company would have to determine, on a lease by lease basis, if a lease concession was the result of a new arrangement reached with the tenant (treated within the lease modification accounting framework) or if a lease concession was under the enforceable rights and obligations within the existing lease agreement (precluded from applying the lease modification accounting framework). The Lease Modification Q&A allows the Company, if certain criteria have been met, to bypass the lease by lease analysis, and instead make an accounting policy election to account for COVID-19 related lease concessions as either a lease modification or a negative variable adjustment to rental revenue. The Lease Modification Q&A allows the Company to determine accounting policy elections at a disaggregated level, and the elections should be applied consistently by either the type of concession or another reasonable disaggregated level. We have evaluated and elected to apply the Lease Modification Q&A to eligible lease concessions. We applied modification accounting to individual leases that are in bankruptcy and those that did not qualify for the concession. As a result, for lease concessions not treated as a lease modification we have made the following policy elections by the type of concession agreed to with the respective tenant.

Rent Deferrals

We account for rental deferrals using the receivables model as described within the Lease Modification Q&A. Under the receivables model, we will continue to recognize lease revenue in a manner that is unchanged from the original lease agreement and continue to recognize lease receivables and rental revenue until such deferral is paid.

Rent Abatements

We account for rental abatements as negative variable adjustments to rental revenue as described within the Lease Modification Q&A.

See Note 3, for additional details on the impact of the Lease Modification Q&A on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 is intended to improve the effectiveness of disclosures required by entities regarding recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13 to amend the accounting for credit losses for certain financial instruments. Under the new guidance, an entity recognizes its estimate of expected credit losses as an allowance, which the FASB believes will result in more timely recognition of such losses. In November 2018, the FASB released ASU No. 2018-19 “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses.” This ASU clarifies that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of Subtopic 326-20 “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses.” Instead, impairment of receivables arising from operating leases should be accounted for under Subtopic 842-30 “Leases - Lessor.” ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.