Annual Statements Open main menu

EQUITY RESIDENTIAL - Quarter Report: 2016 March (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended MARCH 31, 2016

OR
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                 to                

Commission File Number: 1-12252 (Equity Residential)
Commission File Number: 0-24920 (ERP Operating Limited Partnership)


EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland (Equity Residential)
13-3675988 (Equity Residential)
Illinois (ERP Operating Limited Partnership)
36-3894853 (ERP Operating Limited Partnership)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
Two North Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 474-1300
 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Equity Residential Yes x    No ¨
ERP Operating Limited Partnership Yes x      No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Equity Residential Yes x    No ¨
ERP Operating Limited Partnership Yes x      No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Equity Residential:
 
Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company ¨
ERP Operating Limited Partnership:
 
Large accelerated filer ¨
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer x (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). 
Equity Residential Yes ¨    No x
ERP Operating Limited Partnership Yes ¨      No x 
The number of EQR Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.01 par value, outstanding on April 29, 2016 was 365,502,137.



Table of Contents

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This report combines the reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016 of Equity Residential and ERP Operating Limited Partnership. Unless stated otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references to “EQR” mean Equity Residential, a Maryland real estate investment trust (“REIT”), and references to “ERPOP” mean ERP Operating Limited Partnership, an Illinois limited partnership. References to the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” mean collectively EQR, ERPOP and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by EQR and/or ERPOP. References to the “Operating Partnership” mean collectively ERPOP and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by ERPOP. The following chart illustrates the Company's and the Operating Partnership's corporate structure:
            
EQR is the general partner of, and as of March 31, 2016 owned an approximate 96.1% ownership interest in, ERPOP. The remaining 3.9% interest is owned by limited partners. As the sole general partner of ERPOP, EQR has exclusive control of ERPOP's day-to-day management.

The Company is structured as an umbrella partnership REIT (“UPREIT”) and EQR contributes all net proceeds from its various equity offerings to ERPOP. In return for those contributions, EQR receives a number of OP Units (see definition below) in ERPOP equal to the number of Common Shares it has issued in the equity offering. Contributions of properties to the Company can be structured as tax-deferred transactions through the issuance of OP Units in ERPOP, which is one of the reasons why the Company is structured in the manner shown above. Based on the terms of ERPOP's partnership agreement, OP Units can be exchanged with Common Shares on a one-for-one basis. The Company maintains a one-for-one relationship between the OP Units of ERPOP issued to EQR and the Common Shares.
    
The Company believes that combining the reports on Form 10-Q of EQR and ERPOP into this single report provides the following benefits:

enhances investors' understanding of the Company and the Operating Partnership by enabling investors to view the business as a whole in the same manner as management views and operates the business;

eliminates duplicative disclosure and provides a more streamlined and readable presentation since a substantial portion of the disclosure applies to both the Company and the Operating Partnership; and

creates time and cost efficiencies through the preparation of one combined report instead of two separate reports.

Management operates the Company and the Operating Partnership as one business. The management of EQR consists of the same members as the management of ERPOP.

The Company believes it is important to understand the few differences between EQR and ERPOP in the context of how EQR and ERPOP operate as a consolidated company. All of the Company's property ownership, development and related business operations are conducted through the Operating Partnership and EQR has no material assets or liabilities other than its investment in ERPOP. EQR's primary function is acting as the general partner of ERPOP. EQR also issues equity from time to time and guarantees certain debt of ERPOP, as disclosed in this report. EQR does not have any indebtedness as all debt is incurred by the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership holds substantially all of the assets of the Company, including the Company's ownership interests in its joint ventures. The Operating Partnership conducts the operations of the business and is structured as a partnership with no publicly traded equity. Except for the net proceeds from equity offerings by EQR, which are contributed to



Table of Contents

the capital of ERPOP in exchange for additional partnership interests in ERPOP (“OP Units”) (on a one-for-one Common Share per OP Unit basis) or additional preference units in ERPOP (on a one-for-one preferred share per preference unit basis), the Operating Partnership generates all remaining capital required by the Company's business. These sources include the Operating Partnership's working capital, net cash provided by operating activities, borrowings under its revolving credit facility and/or commercial paper program, the issuance of secured and unsecured debt and equity securities and proceeds received from disposition of certain properties and joint ventures.

Shareholders' equity, partners' capital and noncontrolling interests are the main areas of difference between the consolidated financial statements of the Company and those of the Operating Partnership. The limited partners of the Operating Partnership are accounted for as partners' capital in the Operating Partnership's financial statements and as noncontrolling interests in the Company's financial statements. The noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership's financial statements include the interests of unaffiliated partners in various consolidated partnerships and development joint venture partners. The noncontrolling interests in the Company's financial statements include the same noncontrolling interests at the Operating Partnership level and limited partner OP Unit holders of the Operating Partnership. The differences between shareholders' equity and partners' capital result from differences in the equity issued at the Company and Operating Partnership levels.

To help investors understand the differences between the Company and the Operating Partnership, this report provides separate consolidated financial statements for the Company and the Operating Partnership; a single set of consolidated notes to such financial statements that includes separate discussions of each entity's debt, noncontrolling interests and shareholders' equity or partners' capital, as applicable; and a combined Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section that includes discrete information related to each entity.

This report also includes separate Part I, Item 4. Controls and Procedures sections and separate Exhibits 31 and 32 certifications for each of the Company and the Operating Partnership in order to establish that the requisite certifications have been made and that the Company and the Operating Partnership are compliant with Rule 13a-15 or Rule 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. §1350.

 
In order to highlight the differences between the Company and the Operating Partnership, the separate sections in this report for the Company and the Operating Partnership specifically refer to the Company and the Operating Partnership. In the sections that combine disclosure of the Company and the Operating Partnership, this report refers to actions or holdings as being actions or holdings of the Company. Although the Operating Partnership is generally the entity that directly or indirectly enters into contracts and joint ventures and holds assets and debt, reference to the Company is appropriate because the Company is one business and the Company operates that business through the Operating Partnership.

 
As general partner with control of ERPOP, EQR consolidates ERPOP for financial reporting purposes, and EQR essentially has no assets or liabilities other than its investment in ERPOP. Therefore, the assets and liabilities of the Company and the Operating Partnership are the same on their respective financial statements. The separate discussions of the Company and the Operating Partnership in this report should be read in conjunction with each other to understand the results of the Company on a consolidated basis and how management operates the Company.



Table of Contents


TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
PAGE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Table of Contents

EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands except for share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
March 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate
 
 
 
 
Land
 
$
5,777,206

 
$
5,864,046

Depreciable property
 
18,115,815

 
18,037,087

Projects under development
 
1,073,822

 
1,122,376

Land held for development
 
154,023

 
158,843

Investment in real estate
 
25,120,866

 
25,182,352

Accumulated depreciation
 
(4,977,274
)
 
(4,905,406
)
Investment in real estate, net
 
20,143,592

 
20,276,946

Real estate held for sale
 

 
2,181,135

Cash and cash equivalents
 
368,049

 
42,276

Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
66,476

 
68,101

Deposits – restricted
 
241,741

 
55,893

Escrow deposits – mortgage
 
59,355

 
56,946

Other assets
 
422,079

 
428,899

Total assets
 
$
21,301,292

 
$
23,110,196

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable, net
 
$
4,223,681

 
$
4,685,134

Notes, net
 
4,360,137

 
5,848,956

Line of credit and commercial paper
 

 
387,276

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
215,817

 
187,124

Accrued interest payable
 
69,404

 
85,221

Other liabilities
 
347,553

 
366,387

Security deposits
 
63,592

 
77,582

Distributions payable
 
191,313

 
209,378

Total liabilities
 
9,471,497

 
11,847,058

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership
 
521,080

 
566,783

Equity:
 
 
 
 
Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
Preferred Shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value;
100,000,000 shares authorized; 745,600 shares issued and
outstanding as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015
 
37,280

 
37,280

Common Shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value;
1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 365,496,019 shares issued
and outstanding as of March 31, 2016 and 364,755,444
shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2015
 
3,655

 
3,648

Paid in capital
 
8,658,169

 
8,572,365

Retained earnings
 
2,490,861

 
2,009,091

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
 
(126,193
)
 
(152,016
)
Total shareholders’ equity
 
11,063,772

 
10,470,368

Noncontrolling Interests:
 
 
 
 
Operating Partnership
 
240,544

 
221,379

Partially Owned Properties
 
4,399

 
4,608

Total Noncontrolling Interests
 
244,943

 
225,987

Total equity
 
11,308,715

 
10,696,355

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
21,301,292

 
$
23,110,196


See accompanying notes
2

Table of Contents

EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Amounts in thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
Rental income
 
$
616,165

 
$
664,606

Fee and asset management
 
2,918

 
1,765

Total revenues
 
619,083

 
666,371

 
 
 
 
 
EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
Property and maintenance
 
109,165

 
124,560

Real estate taxes and insurance
 
80,196

 
86,432

Property management
 
23,495

 
22,765

General and administrative
 
16,717

 
19,762

Depreciation
 
172,885

 
194,521

Total expenses
 
402,458

 
448,040

 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
216,625

 
218,331

 
 
 
 
 
Interest and other income
 
3,058

 
169

Other expenses
 
(2,556
)
 
70

Interest:
 
 
 
 
Expense incurred, net
 
(213,492
)
 
(108,782
)
Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
(5,394
)
 
(2,589
)
(Loss) income before income and other taxes, (loss) income from investments in unconsolidated entities,
net gain (loss) on sales of real estate properties and land parcels and discontinued operations
 
(1,759
)
 
107,199

Income and other tax (expense) benefit
 
(350
)
 
(43
)
(Loss) income from investments in unconsolidated entities
 
(1,104
)
 
2,963

Net gain on sales of real estate properties
 
3,723,479

 
79,951

Net gain (loss) on sales of land parcels
 
11,722

 
(1
)
Income from continuing operations
 
3,731,988

 
190,069

Discontinued operations, net
 
(157
)
 
155

Net income
 
3,731,831

 
190,224

Net (income) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests:
 
 
 
 
Operating Partnership
 
(143,309
)
 
(7,059
)
Partially Owned Properties
 
(764
)
 
(643
)
Net income attributable to controlling interests
 
3,587,758

 
182,522

Preferred distributions
 
(773
)
 
(891
)
Premium on redemption of Preferred Shares
 

 
(2,789
)
Net income available to Common Shares
 
$
3,586,985

 
$
178,842

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share – basic:
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations available to Common Shares
 
$
9.84

 
$
0.49

Net income available to Common Shares
 
$
9.84

 
$
0.49

Weighted average Common Shares outstanding
 
364,592

 
363,098

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share – diluted:
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations available to Common Shares
 
$
9.76

 
$
0.49

Net income available to Common Shares
 
$
9.76

 
$
0.49

Weighted average Common Shares outstanding
 
382,243

 
380,327

 
 
 
 
 
Distributions declared per Common Share outstanding
 
$
8.50375

 
$
0.5525









See accompanying notes
3

Table of Contents

EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
3,731,831

 
$
190,224

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) – derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding (losses) arising during the period
 
(2,906
)
 
(11,788
)
Losses reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income
 
28,654

 
4,338

Other comprehensive income (loss) – foreign currency:
 
 
 
 
Currency translation adjustments arising during the period
 
75

 
(420
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
25,823

 
(7,870
)
Comprehensive income
 
3,757,654

 
182,354

Comprehensive (income) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
(145,070
)
 
(7,402
)
Comprehensive income attributable to controlling interests
 
$
3,612,584

 
$
174,952



See accompanying notes
4

Table of Contents

EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
3,731,831

 
$
190,224

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 
172,885

 
194,521

Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
5,394

 
2,589

Amortization of above/below market leases
 
851

 
846

Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt
 
(19,563
)
 
(3,751
)
Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments
 
28,585

 
4,205

Write-off of pursuit costs
 
1,448

 
493

Loss (income) from investments in unconsolidated entities
 
1,104

 
(2,963
)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities – return on capital
 
655

 
516

Net (gain) on sales of investment securities and other investments
 
(556
)
 

Net (gain) on sales of real estate properties
 
(3,723,479
)
 
(79,951
)
Net (gain) loss on sales of land parcels
 
(11,722
)
 
1

Net (gain) on sales of discontinued operations
 
(15
)
 

Realized/unrealized loss on derivative instruments
 

 
24

Compensation paid with Company Common Shares
 
9,967

 
13,610

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Decrease in deposits – restricted
 
7,823

 
290

(Increase) in mortgage deposits
 
(455
)
 
(456
)
Decrease (increase) in other assets
 
17,175

 
(4,237
)
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
32,964

 
45,450

(Decrease) in accrued interest payable
 
(15,817
)
 
(4,870
)
(Decrease) in other liabilities
 
(23,703
)
 
(8,307
)
(Decrease) in security deposits
 
(13,990
)
 
(339
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
201,382

 
347,895

 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate – acquisitions
 
(160,680
)
 
(6,720
)
Investment in real estate – development/other
 
(150,164
)
 
(146,194
)
Capital expenditures to real estate
 
(33,902
)
 
(38,170
)
Non-real estate capital additions
 
(1,205
)
 
(469
)
Interest capitalized for real estate under development
 
(14,246
)
 
(15,313
)
Proceeds from disposition of real estate, net
 
6,303,904

 
142,931

Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
(900
)
 
(2,410
)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities – return of capital
 
336

 
18,969

Proceeds from sale of investment securities and other investments
 
1,430

 

(Increase) in deposits on real estate acquisitions and investments, net
 
(193,533
)
 
(131,787
)
Decrease (increase) in mortgage deposits
 
196

 
(59
)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities
 
5,751,236

 
(179,222
)










See accompanying notes
5

Table of Contents

EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Debt financing costs
 
$
(397
)
 
$

Mortgage deposits
 
(2,150
)
 
(2,059
)
Mortgage notes payable, net:
 
 
 
 
Lump sum payoffs
 
(482,601
)
 
(121,326
)
Scheduled principal repayments
 
(2,208
)
 
(2,746
)
Notes, net:
 
 
 
 
Lump sum payoffs
 
(1,500,000
)
 

Line of credit and commercial paper:
 
 
 
 
Line of credit proceeds
 
246,000

 
1,997,000

Line of credit repayments
 
(246,000
)
 
(2,200,000
)
Commercial paper proceeds
 
1,324,784

 
1,155,228

Commercial paper repayments
 
(1,712,472
)
 
(814,600
)
(Payments on) settlement of derivative instruments
 

 
(25
)
Proceeds from Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
 
982

 
1,927

Proceeds from exercise of options
 
20,687

 
32,213

Redemption of Preferred Shares
 

 
(9,820
)
Premium on redemption of Preferred Shares
 

 
(2,789
)
Other financing activities, net
 
(138
)
 

Contributions – Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership
 
1

 
1

Distributions:
 
 
 
 
Common Shares
 
(3,122,652
)
 
(181,408
)
Preferred Shares
 
(773
)
 
(891
)
Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership
 
(123,127
)
 
(7,149
)
Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(26,781
)
 
(2,891
)
Net cash (used for) financing activities
 
(5,626,845
)
 
(159,335
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
325,773

 
9,338

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
42,276

 
40,080

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
368,049

 
$
49,418

 





















See accompanying notes
6

Table of Contents

EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited) 
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
 
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized
 
$
220,385

 
$
113,113

Net cash paid for income and other taxes
 
$
524

 
$
718

Real estate acquisitions/dispositions/other:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage loans assumed
 
$
43,400

 
$

Amortization of deferred financing costs:
 
 
 
 
Other assets
 
$
763

 
$
764

Mortgage notes payable, net
 
$
1,868

 
$
843

Notes, net
 
$
2,763

 
$
982

Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable, net
 
$
(21,515
)
 
$
(4,567
)
Notes, net
 
$
1,540

 
$
618

Line of credit and commercial paper
 
$
412

 
$
198

Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
 
$
(69
)
 
$
(133
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
$
28,654

 
$
4,338

Write-off of pursuit costs:
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate, net
 
$
982

 
$
434

Other assets
 
$
389

 
$
59

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
$
77

 
$

Loss (income) from investments in unconsolidated entities:
 
 
 
 
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$
709

 
$
(3,625
)
Other liabilities
 
$
395

 
$
662

Realized/unrealized loss on derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Other assets
 
$
(6,878
)
 
$
(4,963
)
Notes, net
 
$
6,878

 
$
4,842

Other liabilities
 
$
2,906

 
$
11,933

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
$
(2,906
)
 
$
(11,788
)
Investments in unconsolidated entities:
 
 
 
 
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$

 
$
(130
)
Other liabilities
 
$
(900
)
 
$
(2,280
)
Debt financing costs:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable, net
 
$
(397
)
 
$

Other:
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
$
(75
)
 
$
420


See accompanying notes
7

Table of Contents

EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Quarter Ended
 
 
March 31, 2016
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
PREFERRED SHARES
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
37,280

Balance, end of period
 
$
37,280

 
 
 
COMMON SHARES, $0.01 PAR VALUE
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
3,648

Exercise of share options
 
6

Share-based employee compensation expense:
 
 
Restricted shares
 
1

Balance, end of period
 
$
3,655

 
 
 
PAID IN CAPITAL
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
8,572,365

Common Share Issuance:
 
 
Conversion of OP Units into Common Shares
 
144

Exercise of share options
 
20,681

Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
 
982

Share-based employee compensation expense:
 
 
Restricted shares
 
5,133

Share options
 
810

ESPP discount
 
173

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP)
 
1,341

Change in market value of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership
 
55,478

Adjustment for Noncontrolling Interests ownership in Operating Partnership
 
1,062

Balance, end of period
 
$
8,658,169

 
 
 
RETAINED EARNINGS
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
2,009,091

Net income attributable to controlling interests
 
3,587,758

Common Share distributions
 
(3,105,215
)
Preferred Share distributions
 
(773
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
2,490,861

 
 
 
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
(152,016
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) – derivative instruments:
 
 
Unrealized holding (losses) arising during the period
 
(2,906
)
Losses reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income
 
28,654

   Accumulated other comprehensive income – foreign currency:
 
 
     Currency translation adjustments arising during the period
 
75

Balance, end of period
 
$
(126,193
)
 









See accompanying notes
8

Table of Contents

EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited) 
 
 
Quarter Ended
 
 
March 31, 2016
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING PARTNERSHIP
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
221,379

Issuance of restricted units to Noncontrolling Interests
 
1

Conversion of OP Units held by Noncontrolling Interests into OP Units held by General Partner
 
(144
)
Equity compensation associated with Noncontrolling Interests
 
9,335

Net income attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
143,309

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interests
 
(122,499
)
Change in carrying value of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership
 
(9,775
)
Adjustment for Noncontrolling Interests ownership in Operating Partnership
 
(1,062
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
240,544

 
 
 
PARTIALLY OWNED PROPERTIES
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
4,608

Net income attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
764

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interests
 
(26,781
)
Other
 
25,808

Balance, end of period
 
$
4,399


See accompanying notes
9

Table of Contents

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
March 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate
 
 
 
 
Land
 
$
5,777,206

 
$
5,864,046

Depreciable property
 
18,115,815

 
18,037,087

Projects under development
 
1,073,822

 
1,122,376

Land held for development
 
154,023

 
158,843

Investment in real estate
 
25,120,866

 
25,182,352

Accumulated depreciation
 
(4,977,274
)
 
(4,905,406
)
Investment in real estate, net
 
20,143,592

 
20,276,946

Real estate held for sale
 

 
2,181,135

Cash and cash equivalents
 
368,049

 
42,276

Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
66,476

 
68,101

Deposits – restricted
 
241,741

 
55,893

Escrow deposits – mortgage
 
59,355

 
56,946

Other assets
 
422,079

 
428,899

Total assets
 
$
21,301,292

 
$
23,110,196

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable, net
 
$
4,223,681

 
$
4,685,134

Notes, net
 
4,360,137

 
5,848,956

Line of credit and commercial paper
 

 
387,276

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
215,817

 
187,124

Accrued interest payable
 
69,404

 
85,221

Other liabilities
 
347,553

 
366,387

Security deposits
 
63,592

 
77,582

Distributions payable
 
191,313

 
209,378

Total liabilities
 
9,471,497

 
11,847,058

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Redeemable Limited Partners
 
521,080

 
566,783

Capital:
 
 
 
 
Partners' Capital:
 
 
 
 
Preference Units
 
37,280

 
37,280

General Partner
 
11,152,685

 
10,585,104

Limited Partners
 
240,544

 
221,379

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
 
(126,193
)
 
(152,016
)
Total partners' capital
 
11,304,316

 
10,691,747

Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
4,399

 
4,608

Total capital
 
11,308,715

 
10,696,355

Total liabilities and capital
 
$
21,301,292

 
$
23,110,196


See accompanying notes
10

Table of Contents

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Amounts in thousands except per Unit data)
(Unaudited) 
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
Rental income
 
$
616,165

 
$
664,606

Fee and asset management
 
2,918

 
1,765

Total revenues
 
619,083

 
666,371

 
 
 
 
 
EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
Property and maintenance
 
109,165

 
124,560

Real estate taxes and insurance
 
80,196

 
86,432

Property management
 
23,495

 
22,765

General and administrative
 
16,717

 
19,762

Depreciation
 
172,885

 
194,521

Total expenses
 
402,458

 
448,040

 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
216,625

 
218,331

 
 
 
 
 
Interest and other income
 
3,058

 
169

Other expenses
 
(2,556
)
 
70

Interest:
 
 
 
 
Expense incurred, net
 
(213,492
)
 
(108,782
)
Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
(5,394
)
 
(2,589
)
(Loss) income before income and other taxes, (loss) income from investments in unconsolidated entities,
net gain (loss) on sales of real estate properties and land parcels and discontinued operations
 
(1,759
)
 
107,199

Income and other tax (expense) benefit
 
(350
)
 
(43
)
(Loss) income from investments in unconsolidated entities
 
(1,104
)
 
2,963

Net gain on sales of real estate properties
 
3,723,479

 
79,951

Net gain (loss) on sales of land parcels
 
11,722

 
(1
)
Income from continuing operations
 
3,731,988

 
190,069

Discontinued operations, net
 
(157
)
 
155

Net income
 
3,731,831

 
190,224

Net (income) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(764
)
 
(643
)
Net income attributable to controlling interests
 
$
3,731,067

 
$
189,581

 
 
 
 
 
ALLOCATION OF NET INCOME:
 
 
 
 
Preference Units
 
$
773

 
$
891

Premium on redemption of Preference Units
 
$

 
$
2,789

 
 
 
 
 
General Partner
 
$
3,586,985

 
$
178,842

Limited Partners
 
143,309

 
7,059

Net income available to Units
 
$
3,730,294

 
$
185,901

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per Unit – basic:
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations available to Units
 
$
9.84

 
$
0.49

Net income available to Units
 
$
9.84

 
$
0.49

Weighted average Units outstanding
 
378,289

 
376,696

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per Unit – diluted:
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations available to Units
 
$
9.76

 
$
0.49

Net income available to Units
 
$
9.76

 
$
0.49

Weighted average Units outstanding
 
382,243

 
380,327

 
 
 
 
 
Distributions declared per Unit outstanding
 
$
8.50375

 
$
0.5525

 






See accompanying notes
11

Table of Contents

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands except per Unit data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
3,731,831

 
$
190,224

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) – derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding (losses) arising during the period
 
(2,906
)
 
(11,788
)
Losses reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income
 
28,654

 
4,338

Other comprehensive income (loss) – foreign currency:
 
 
 
 
Currency translation adjustments arising during the period
 
75

 
(420
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
25,823

 
(7,870
)
Comprehensive income
 
3,757,654

 
182,354

Comprehensive (income) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(764
)
 
(643
)
Comprehensive income attributable to controlling interests
 
$
3,756,890

 
$
181,711


See accompanying notes
12

Table of Contents

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited) 
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
3,731,831

 
$
190,224

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 
172,885

 
194,521

Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
5,394

 
2,589

Amortization of above/below market leases
 
851

 
846

Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt
 
(19,563
)
 
(3,751
)
Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments
 
28,585

 
4,205

Write-off of pursuit costs
 
1,448

 
493

Loss (income) from investments in unconsolidated entities
 
1,104

 
(2,963
)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities – return on capital
 
655

 
516

Net (gain) on sales of investment securities and other investments
 
(556
)
 

Net (gain) on sales of real estate properties
 
(3,723,479
)
 
(79,951
)
Net (gain) loss on sales of land parcels
 
(11,722
)
 
1

Net (gain) on sales of discontinued operations
 
(15
)
 

Realized/unrealized loss on derivative instruments
 

 
24

Compensation paid with Company Common Shares
 
9,967

 
13,610

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Decrease in deposits – restricted
 
7,823

 
290

(Increase) in mortgage deposits
 
(455
)
 
(456
)
Decrease (increase) in other assets
 
17,175

 
(4,237
)
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
32,964

 
45,450

(Decrease) in accrued interest payable
 
(15,817
)
 
(4,870
)
(Decrease) in other liabilities
 
(23,703
)
 
(8,307
)
(Decrease) in security deposits
 
(13,990
)
 
(339
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
201,382

 
347,895

 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate – acquisitions
 
(160,680
)
 
(6,720
)
Investment in real estate – development/other
 
(150,164
)
 
(146,194
)
Capital expenditures to real estate
 
(33,902
)
 
(38,170
)
Non-real estate capital additions
 
(1,205
)
 
(469
)
Interest capitalized for real estate under development
 
(14,246
)
 
(15,313
)
Proceeds from disposition of real estate, net
 
6,303,904

 
142,931

Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
(900
)
 
(2,410
)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities – return of capital
 
336

 
18,969

Proceeds from sale of investment securities and other investments
 
1,430

 

(Increase) in deposits on real estate acquisitions and investments, net
 
(193,533
)
 
(131,787
)
Decrease (increase) in mortgage deposits
 
196

 
(59
)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities
 
5,751,236

 
(179,222
)
 









See accompanying notes
13

Table of Contents

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Debt financing costs
 
$
(397
)
 
$

Mortgage deposits
 
(2,150
)
 
(2,059
)
Mortgage notes payable, net:
 
 
 
 
Lump sum payoffs
 
(482,601
)
 
(121,326
)
Scheduled principal repayments
 
(2,208
)
 
(2,746
)
Notes, net:
 
 
 
 
Lump sum payoffs
 
(1,500,000
)
 

Line of credit and commercial paper:
 
 
 
 
Line of credit proceeds
 
246,000

 
1,997,000

Line of credit repayments
 
(246,000
)
 
(2,200,000
)
Commercial paper proceeds
 
1,324,784

 
1,155,228

Commercial paper repayments
 
(1,712,472
)
 
(814,600
)
(Payments on) settlement of derivative instruments
 

 
(25
)
Proceeds from EQR's Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
 
982

 
1,927

Proceeds from exercise of EQR options
 
20,687

 
32,213

Redemption of Preference Units
 

 
(9,820
)
Premium on redemption of Preference Units
 

 
(2,789
)
Other financing activities, net
 
(138
)
 

Contributions – Limited Partners
 
1

 
1

Distributions:
 
 
 
 
OP Units – General Partner
 
(3,122,652
)
 
(181,408
)
Preference Units
 
(773
)
 
(891
)
OP Units – Limited Partners
 
(123,127
)
 
(7,149
)
Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(26,781
)
 
(2,891
)
Net cash (used for) financing activities
 
(5,626,845
)
 
(159,335
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
325,773

 
9,338

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
42,276

 
40,080

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
368,049

 
$
49,418

 





















See accompanying notes
14

Table of Contents

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
 
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized
 
$
220,385

 
$
113,113

Net cash paid for income and other taxes
 
$
524

 
$
718

Real estate acquisitions/dispositions/other:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage loans assumed
 
$
43,400

 
$

Amortization of deferred financing costs:
 
 
 
 
Other assets
 
$
763

 
$
764

Mortgage notes payable, net
 
$
1,868

 
$
843

Notes, net
 
$
2,763

 
$
982

Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable, net
 
$
(21,515
)
 
$
(4,567
)
Notes, net
 
$
1,540

 
$
618

Line of credit and commercial paper
 
$
412

 
$
198

Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
 
$
(69
)
 
$
(133
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
$
28,654

 
$
4,338

Write-off of pursuit costs:
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate, net
 
$
982

 
$
434

Other assets
 
$
389

 
$
59

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
$
77

 
$

Loss (income) from investments in unconsolidated entities:
 
 
 
 
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$
709

 
$
(3,625
)
Other liabilities
 
$
395

 
$
662

Realized/unrealized loss on derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Other assets
 
$
(6,878
)
 
$
(4,963
)
Notes, net
 
$
6,878

 
$
4,842

Other liabilities
 
$
2,906

 
$
11,933

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
$
(2,906
)
 
$
(11,788
)
Investments in unconsolidated entities:
 
 
 
 
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$

 
$
(130
)
Other liabilities
 
$
(900
)
 
$
(2,280
)
Debt financing costs:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable, net
 
$
(397
)
 
$

Other:
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
$
(75
)
 
$
420


See accompanying notes
15

Table of Contents

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN CAPITAL
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Quarter Ended
 
 
March 31, 2016
PARTNERS' CAPITAL
 
 
 
 
 
PREFERENCE UNITS
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
37,280

Balance, end of period
 
$
37,280

 
 
 
GENERAL PARTNER
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
10,585,104

OP Unit Issuance:
 
 
Conversion of OP Units held by Limited Partners into OP Units held by General Partner
 
144

Exercise of EQR share options
 
20,687

EQR's Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
 
982

Share-based employee compensation expense:
 
 
EQR restricted shares
 
5,134

EQR share options
 
810

EQR ESPP discount
 
173

Net income available to Units – General Partner
 
3,586,985

OP Units – General Partner distributions
 
(3,105,215
)
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP)
 
1,341

Change in market value of Redeemable Limited Partners
 
55,478

Adjustment for Limited Partners ownership in Operating Partnership
 
1,062

Balance, end of period
 
$
11,152,685

 
 
 
LIMITED PARTNERS
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
221,379

Issuance of restricted units to Limited Partners
 
1

Conversion of OP Units held by Limited Partners into OP Units held by General Partner
 
(144
)
Equity compensation associated with Units – Limited Partners
 
9,335

Net income available to Units – Limited Partners
 
143,309

Units – Limited Partners distributions
 
(122,499
)
Change in carrying value of Redeemable Limited Partners
 
(9,775
)
Adjustment for Limited Partners ownership in Operating Partnership
 
(1,062
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
240,544

 
 
 
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
(152,016
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) – derivative instruments:
 
 
Unrealized holding (losses) arising during the period
 
(2,906
)
Losses reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income
 
28,654

Accumulated other comprehensive income – foreign currency:
 
 
Currency translation adjustments arising during the period
 
75

Balance, end of period
 
$
(126,193
)
 










See accompanying notes
16

Table of Contents

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN CAPITAL (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Quarter Ended
 
 
March 31, 2016
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
 
 
 
 
 
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS – PARTIALLY OWNED PROPERTIES
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
4,608

Net income attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
764

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interests
 
(26,781
)
Other
 
25,808

Balance, end of period
 
$
4,399


See accompanying notes
17

Table of Contents

EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
1.
Business

Equity Residential (“EQR”), a Maryland real estate investment trust (“REIT”) formed in March 1993, is an S&P 500 company focused on the acquisition, development and management of high quality apartment properties in top United States growth markets. ERP Operating Limited Partnership ("ERPOP"), an Illinois limited partnership, was formed in May 1993 to conduct the multifamily residential property business of Equity Residential. EQR has elected to be taxed as a REIT. References to the "Company," "we," "us" or "our" mean collectively EQR, ERPOP and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by EQR and/or ERPOP. References to the "Operating Partnership" mean collectively ERPOP and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by ERPOP. Unless otherwise indicated, the notes to consolidated financial statements apply to both the Company and the Operating Partnership.

EQR is the general partner of, and as of March 31, 2016 owned an approximate 96.1% ownership interest in, ERPOP. All of the Company's property ownership, development and related business operations are conducted through the Operating Partnership and EQR has no material assets or liabilities other than its investment in ERPOP. EQR issues public equity from time to time but does not have any indebtedness as all debt is incurred by the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership holds substantially all of the assets of the Company, including the Company's ownership interests in its joint ventures. The Operating Partnership conducts the operations of the business and is structured as a partnership with no publicly traded equity.

As of March 31, 2016, the Company, directly or indirectly through investments in title holding entities, owned all or a portion of 317 properties located in 11 states and the District of Columbia consisting of 83,992 apartment units. The ownership breakdown includes (table does not include various uncompleted development properties):
 
 
Properties
 
Apartment Units
Wholly Owned Properties
 
291

 
73,226

Master-Leased Properties – Consolidated
 
3

 
853

Partially Owned Properties – Consolidated
 
18

 
3,471

Partially Owned Properties – Unconsolidated
 
3

 
1,281

Military Housing (A)
 
2

 
5,161

 
 
317

 
83,992

(A)
The Company sold its interest in the management contracts and related rights associated with the military housing ventures at Joint Base Lewis McChord effective April 1, 2016.

2.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) and certain reclassifications considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period financial statements in order to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications did not have an impact on net income previously reported. Operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016.

In preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, management makes 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 as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

The balance sheets at December 31, 2015 have been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.

18

Table of Contents


For further information, including definitions of capitalized terms not defined herein, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s and the Operating Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Income and Other Taxes

Due to the structure of EQR as a REIT and the nature of the operations of its operating properties, no provision for federal income taxes has been made at the EQR level. In addition, ERPOP generally is not liable for federal income taxes as the partners recognize their proportionate share of income or loss in their tax returns; therefore no provision for federal income taxes has been made at the ERPOP level. Historically, the Company has generally only incurred certain state and local income, excise and franchise taxes. The Company has elected Taxable REIT Subsidiary (“TRS”) status for certain of its corporate subsidiaries and as a result, these entities will incur both federal and state income taxes on any taxable income of such entities after consideration of any net operating losses.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities applicable to the TRS are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. These assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates for which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effects of changes in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized in earnings in the period enacted. The Company’s deferred tax assets are generally the result of tax affected suspended interest deductions, net operating losses, differing depreciable lives on capitalized assets and the timing of expense recognition for certain accrued liabilities. As of March 31, 2016, the Company has recorded a deferred tax asset, which is fully offset by a valuation allowance due to the uncertainty of realization.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard entitled Revenue from Contracts with Customers that will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance. The new standard specifically excludes lease revenue. The new standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Companies will likely need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under current revenue recognition guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration, if any, to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. The new standard will be effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2018 and early adoption will be permitted beginning on January 1, 2017. The new standard may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or prospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of adoption. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new standard on its consolidated results of operations and financial position.

In August 2014, the FASB issued a new standard that will explicitly require management to assess an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures in certain circumstances. In connection with each annual and interim period, management will assess whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the issuance date. Disclosures will be required if conditions give rise to substantial doubt. However, to determine the specific disclosures, management will need to assess whether its plans will alleviate substantial doubt. The new standard is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016 and for interim periods thereafter. The Company does not expect that this will have a material effect on its consolidated results of operations or financial position.

In February 2015, the FASB issued new consolidation guidance which makes changes to both the variable interest model and the voting model. Among other changes, the new standard specifically eliminates the presumption in the current voting model that a general partner controls a limited partnership or similar entity unless that presumption can be overcome. Generally, only a single limited partner that is able to exercise substantive kick-out rights will consolidate. The Company adopted this standard as required effective January 1, 2016. While adoption of this standard did not result in any changes to conclusions about whether a joint venture was consolidated or unconsolidated, the Company has determined that certain of its joint ventures and the Operating Partnership now qualify as variable interest entities ("VIEs") and therefore require additional disclosures. See Note 6 for further discussion.

In April 2015, the FASB issued a new standard which requires companies to present debt financing costs as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the associated debt liability rather than as an asset, consistent with the presentation of debt discounts on the consolidated balance sheets.  Companies will be permitted to present debt issuance costs related to line of credit

19

Table of Contents

arrangements as an asset and amortize these costs over the term of the arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the arrangement. The new standard must be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the consolidated financial statements.  The Company adopted this standard as required effective January 1, 2016 and other than presentation on the consolidated balance sheets, it did not have a material effect on its consolidated results of operations or financial position. As of March 31, 2016, $6.1 million, $18.3 million and $24.6 million of deferred financing costs were included within other assets, mortgage notes payable, net and notes, net, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2015, the following amounts of deferred financing costs were reclassified (amounts in thousands):
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
As Originally
Presented
 
Reclassification
Adjustments
 
As Presented
Herein
Deferred financing costs, net
 
$
54,004

 
$
(54,004
)
 
$

Other assets
 
$
422,027

 
$
6,872

 
$
428,899

Mortgage notes payable, net
 
$
4,704,870

 
$
(19,736
)
 
$
4,685,134

Notes, net
 
$
5,876,352

 
$
(27,396
)
 
$
5,848,956


In January 2016, the FASB issued a new standard which requires companies to measure all equity securities with readily determinable fair values at fair value on the balance sheet, with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The new standard will be effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2018. The Company does not expect that this will have a material effect on its consolidated results of operations or financial position.

In February 2016, the FASB issued a new leases standard 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 finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase of the leased asset by the lessee. This classification will determine whether the lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. 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 new standard is expected to impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements as the Company has certain operating ground lease arrangements for which it is the lessee. The new standard will be effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new standard on its consolidated results of operations and financial position.

Other

The Company is the controlling partner in various consolidated partnerships owning 18 properties and 3,471 apartment units having a noncontrolling interest book value of $4.4 million at March 31, 2016. The Company is required to make certain disclosures regarding noncontrolling interests in consolidated limited-life subsidiaries. Of the consolidated entities described above, the Company is the controlling partner in limited-life partnerships owning five properties having a noncontrolling interest deficit balance of $9.4 million. These five partnership agreements contain provisions that require the partnerships to be liquidated through the sale of their assets upon reaching a date specified in each respective partnership agreement. The Company, as controlling partner, has an obligation to cause the property owning partnerships to distribute the proceeds of liquidation to the Noncontrolling Interests in these Partially Owned Properties only to the extent that the net proceeds received by the partnerships from the sale of their assets warrant a distribution based on the partnership agreements. As of March 31, 2016, the Company estimates the value of Noncontrolling Interest distributions for these five properties would have been approximately $54.0 million (“Settlement Value”) had the partnerships been liquidated. This Settlement Value is based on estimated third party consideration realized by the partnerships upon disposition of the five Partially Owned Properties and is net of all other assets and liabilities, including yield maintenance on the mortgages encumbering the properties, that would have been due on March 31, 2016 had those mortgages been prepaid. Due to, among other things, the inherent uncertainty in the sale of real estate assets, the amount of any potential distribution to the Noncontrolling Interests in the Company's Partially Owned Properties is subject to change. To the extent that the partnerships' underlying assets are worth less than the underlying liabilities, the Company has no obligation to remit any consideration to the Noncontrolling Interests in these Partially Owned Properties.





20

Table of Contents

3.
Equity, Capital and Other Interests

Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests of Equity Residential

The following tables present the changes in the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Shares and “Units” (which includes OP Units and restricted units) for the quarter ended March 31, 2016:
 
 
2016
Common Shares
 
 
Common Shares outstanding at January 1,
 
364,755,444

Common Shares Issued:
 
 
Conversion of OP Units
 
5,577

Exercise of share options
 
582,435

Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
 
15,506

Restricted share grants, net
 
137,057

Common Shares outstanding at March 31,
 
365,496,019

Units
 
 
Units outstanding at January 1,
 
14,427,164

Restricted unit grants, net
 
282,030

Conversion of OP Units to Common Shares
 
(5,577
)
Units outstanding at March 31,
 
14,703,617

Total Common Shares and Units outstanding at March 31,
 
380,199,636

Units Ownership Interest in Operating Partnership
 
3.9
%
    
The equity positions of various individuals and entities that contributed their properties to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP Units, as well as the equity positions of the holders of restricted units, are collectively referred to as the “Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership”. Subject to certain exceptions (including the “book-up” requirements of restricted units), the Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership may exchange their Units with EQR for Common Shares on a one-for-one basis. The carrying value of the Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership (including redeemable interests) is allocated based on the number of Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units in total in proportion to the number of Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units in total plus the number of Common Shares. Net income is allocated to the Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership based on the weighted average ownership percentage during the period.

The Operating Partnership has the right but not the obligation to make a cash payment instead of issuing Common Shares to any and all holders of Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units requesting an exchange of their OP Units with EQR. Once the Operating Partnership elects not to redeem the Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units for cash, EQR is obligated to deliver Common Shares to the exchanging holder of the Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units.

The Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units are classified as either mezzanine equity or permanent equity. If EQR is required, either by contract or securities law, to deliver registered Common Shares, such Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership are differentiated and referred to as “Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership”. Instruments that require settlement in registered shares cannot be classified in permanent equity as it is not always completely within an issuer’s control to deliver registered shares. Therefore, settlement in cash is assumed and that responsibility for settlement in cash is deemed to fall to the Operating Partnership as the primary source of cash for EQR, resulting in presentation in the mezzanine section of the balance sheet. The Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership are adjusted to the greater of carrying value or fair market value based on the Common Share price of EQR at the end of each respective reporting period. EQR has the ability to deliver unregistered Common Shares for the remaining portion of the Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units that are classified in permanent equity at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

The carrying value of the Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership is allocated based on the number of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units in proportion to the number of Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units in total. Such percentage of the total carrying value of Units which is ascribed to the Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership is then adjusted to the greater of carrying value or fair market value as described above. As of March 31, 2016, the Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership have a redemption value of approximately $521.1 million, which represents the value of Common Shares that would be issued in exchange for the Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units.


21

Table of Contents

The following table presents the changes in the redemption value of the Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):
 
 
2016
Balance at January 1,
 
$
566,783

Change in market value
 
(55,478
)
Change in carrying value
 
9,775

Balance at March 31,
 
$
521,080


Net proceeds from EQR Common Share and Preferred Share (see definition below) offerings are contributed by EQR to ERPOP. In return for those contributions, EQR receives a number of OP Units in ERPOP equal to the number of Common Shares it has issued in the equity offering (or in the case of a preferred equity offering, a number of preference units in ERPOP equal in number and having the same terms as the Preferred Shares issued in the equity offering). As a result, the net offering proceeds from Common Shares and Preferred Shares are allocated between shareholders’ equity and Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership to account for the change in their respective percentage ownership of the underlying equity of ERPOP.

The Company’s declaration of trust authorizes it to issue up to 100,000,000 preferred shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share (the “Preferred Shares”), with specific rights, preferences and other attributes as the Board of Trustees may determine, which may include preferences, powers and rights that are senior to the rights of holders of the Company’s Common Shares.

The following table presents the Company’s issued and outstanding Preferred Shares as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts in thousands
 
 
Redemption
Date (1)
 
Annual
Dividend per
Share (2)
 
March 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Preferred Shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value;
100,000,000 shares authorized:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.29% Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred; liquidation
value $50 per share; 745,600 shares issued and outstanding
at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015
 
12/10/26
 

$4.145

 
$
37,280

 
$
37,280

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
37,280

 
$
37,280

(1)
On or after the redemption date, redeemable preferred shares may be redeemed for cash at the option of the Company, in whole or
in part, at a redemption price equal to the liquidation price per share, plus accrued and unpaid distributions, if any.
(2)
Dividends on Preferred Shares are payable quarterly.

Capital and Redeemable Limited Partners of ERP Operating Limited Partnership

The following tables present the changes in the Operating Partnership’s issued and outstanding Units and in the limited partners’ Units for the quarter ended March 31, 2016:

22

Table of Contents

 
 
2016
General and Limited Partner Units
 
 
General and Limited Partner Units outstanding at January 1,
 
379,182,608

Issued to General Partner:
 
 
Exercise of EQR share options
 
582,435

EQR’s Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
 
15,506

EQR's restricted share grants, net
 
137,057

Issued to Limited Partners:
 
 
Restricted unit grants, net
 
282,030

General and Limited Partner Units outstanding at March 31,
 
380,199,636

Limited Partner Units
 
 
Limited Partner Units outstanding at January 1,
 
14,427,164

Limited Partner restricted unit grants, net
 
282,030

Conversion of Limited Partner OP Units to EQR Common Shares
 
(5,577
)
Limited Partner Units outstanding at March 31,
 
14,703,617

Limited Partner Units Ownership Interest in Operating Partnership
 
3.9
%

The Limited Partners of the Operating Partnership as of March 31, 2016 include various individuals and entities that contributed their properties to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP Units, as well as the equity positions of the holders of restricted units. Subject to certain exceptions (including the “book-up” requirements of restricted units), Limited Partners may exchange their Units with EQR for Common Shares on a one-for-one basis. The carrying value of the Limited Partner Units (including redeemable interests) is allocated based on the number of Limited Partner Units in total in proportion to the number of Limited Partner Units in total plus the number of General Partner Units. Net income is allocated to the Limited Partner Units based on the weighted average ownership percentage during the period.
    
The Operating Partnership has the right but not the obligation to make a cash payment instead of issuing Common Shares to any and all holders of Limited Partner Units requesting an exchange of their OP Units with EQR. Once the Operating Partnership elects not to redeem the Limited Partner Units for cash, EQR is obligated to deliver Common Shares to the exchanging limited partner.

The Limited Partner Units are classified as either mezzanine equity or permanent equity. If EQR is required, either by contract or securities law, to deliver registered Common Shares, such Limited Partner Units are differentiated and referred to as “Redeemable Limited Partner Units”. Instruments that require settlement in registered shares cannot be classified in permanent equity as it is not always completely within an issuer's control to deliver registered shares. Therefore, settlement in cash is assumed and that responsibility for settlement in cash is deemed to fall to the Operating Partnership as the primary source of cash for EQR, resulting in presentation in the mezzanine section of the balance sheet. The Redeemable Limited Partner Units are adjusted to the greater of carrying value or fair market value based on the Common Share price of EQR at the end of each respective reporting period. EQR has the ability to deliver unregistered Common Shares for the remaining portion of the Limited Partner Units that are classified in permanent equity at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

The carrying value of the Redeemable Limited Partner Units is allocated based on the number of Redeemable Limited Partner Units in proportion to the number of Limited Partner Units in total. Such percentage of the total carrying value of Limited Partner Units which is ascribed to the Redeemable Limited Partner Units is then adjusted to the greater of carrying value or fair market value as described above. As of March 31, 2016, the Redeemable Limited Partner Units have a redemption value of approximately $521.1 million, which represents the value of Common Shares that would be issued in exchange for the Redeemable Limited Partner Units.

The following table presents the changes in the redemption value of the Redeemable Limited Partners for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):
 
 
2016
Balance at January 1,
 
$
566,783

Change in market value
 
(55,478
)
Change in carrying value
 
9,775

Balance at March 31,
 
$
521,080


23

Table of Contents


EQR contributes all net proceeds from its various equity offerings (including proceeds from exercise of options for Common Shares) to ERPOP. In return for those contributions, EQR receives a number of OP Units in ERPOP equal to the number of Common Shares it has issued in the equity offering (or in the case of a preferred equity offering, a number of preference units in ERPOP equal in number and having the same terms as the preferred shares issued in the equity offering).

The following table presents the Operating Partnership's issued and outstanding “Preference Units” as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts in thousands
 
 
Redemption
Date (1)
 
Annual
Dividend per
Unit (2)
 
March 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Preference Units:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.29% Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units;
liquidation value $50 per unit; 745,600 units issued and
outstanding at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015
 
12/10/26
 

$4.145

 
$
37,280

 
$
37,280

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
37,280

 
$
37,280

(1)
On or after the redemption date, redeemable preference units may be redeemed for cash at the option of the Operating Partnership, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to the liquidation price per unit, plus accrued and unpaid distributions, if any, in conjunction with the concurrent redemption of the corresponding Company Preferred Shares.
(2)
Dividends on Preference Units are payable quarterly.

Other

In September 2009, the Company announced the establishment of an At-The-Market (“ATM”) share offering program which would allow EQR to sell Common Shares from time to time into the existing trading market at current market prices as well as through negotiated transactions. Per the terms of ERPOP's partnership agreement, EQR contributes the net proceeds from all equity offerings to the capital of ERPOP in exchange for additional OP Units (on a one-for-one Common Share per OP Unit basis). On July 30, 2013, the Board of Trustees approved an increase to the amount of shares which may be offered under the ATM program to 13.0 million Common Shares and extended the program maturity to July 2016. EQR has not issued any shares under this program since September 14, 2012.

Effective July 30, 2013, the Board of Trustees approved an increase and modification to the Company's share repurchase program to allow for the potential repurchase of up to 13.0 million Common Shares. No shares were repurchased during the quarter ended March 31, 2016. As of March 31, 2016, EQR has remaining authorization to repurchase an additional 12,968,760 of its shares.

4.    Real Estate, Real Estate Held for Sale and Lease Intangibles

The following table summarizes the carrying amounts for the Company’s investment in real estate (at cost) as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (amounts in thousands):
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Land
 
$
5,777,206

 
$
5,864,046

Depreciable property:
 
 
 
 
Buildings and improvements
 
16,430,979

 
16,346,829

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
 
1,219,444

 
1,207,098

In-Place lease intangibles
 
465,392

 
483,160

Projects under development:
 
 
 
 
Land
 
247,568

 
284,995

Construction-in-progress
 
826,254

 
837,381

Land held for development:
 
 
 
 
Land
 
114,149

 
120,007

Construction-in-progress
 
39,874

 
38,836

Investment in real estate
 
25,120,866

 
25,182,352

Accumulated depreciation
 
(4,977,274
)
 
(4,905,406
)
Investment in real estate, net
 
$
20,143,592

 
$
20,276,946


24

Table of Contents


The following table summarizes the carrying amounts for the Company's above and below market ground and retail lease intangibles as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (amounts in thousands):
Description
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ground lease intangibles – below market
 
Other Assets
 
$
178,251

 
$
178,251

Retail lease intangibles – above market
 
Other Assets
 
1,260

 
1,260

Lease intangible assets
 
 
 
179,511

 
179,511

Accumulated amortization
 
 
 
(14,582
)
 
(13,451
)
Lease intangible assets, net
 
 
 
$
164,929

 
$
166,060

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ground lease intangibles – above market
 
Other Liabilities
 
$
2,400

 
$
2,400

Retail lease intangibles – below market
 
Other Liabilities
 
5,270

 
5,270

Lease intangible liabilities
 
 
 
7,670

 
7,670

Accumulated amortization
 
 
 
(3,694
)
 
(3,414
)
Lease intangible liabilities, net
 
 
 
$
3,976

 
$
4,256


During the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company amortized approximately $1.1 million and $1.1 million, respectively, of above and below market ground lease intangibles which is included (net increase) in property and maintenance expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and approximately $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of above and below market retail lease intangibles which is included (net increase) in rental income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

The following table provides a summary of the aggregate amortization expense for above and below market ground lease intangibles and retail lease intangibles for each of the next five years (amounts in thousands):
        
 
 
Remaining
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ground lease intangibles
 
$
3,241

 
$
4,321

 
$
4,321

 
$
4,321

 
$
4,321

 
$
4,321

Retail lease intangibles
 
(667
)
 
(540
)
 
(71
)
 
(71
)
 
(71
)
 
(67
)
Total
 
$
2,574

 
$
3,781

 
$
4,250

 
$
4,250

 
$
4,250

 
$
4,254


Acquisitions and Dispositions

During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the Company acquired the entire equity interest in the following from unaffiliated parties (purchase price in thousands):
 
 
Properties
 
Apartment Units
 
Purchase Price
Rental Properties – Consolidated (1)
 
3

 
479

 
$
204,134

Total
 
3

 
479

 
$
204,134

(1)
Purchase price includes an allocation of approximately $80.9 million to land and $123.2 million to depreciable property.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the Company disposed of the following to unaffiliated parties (sales price in thousands):
 
 
Properties
 
Apartment Units
 
Sales Price
Rental Properties – Consolidated (1)
 
80

 
26,162

 
$
6,314,953

Land Parcels
 

 

 
27,455

Total
 
80

 
26,162

 
$
6,342,408

(1)
Includes the Starwood portfolio sale (see further discussion below) representing 72 operating properties consisting of 23,262 apartment units for $5.365 billion.

The Company recognized a net gain on sales of real estate properties of approximately $3.7 billion (inclusive of $3.2 billion on the Starwood portfolio sale) and a net gain on sales of land parcels of approximately $11.7 million on the above sales.

25

Table of Contents


Starwood Disposition

Following the approval by the Company's Board of Trustees, the Company executed an agreement with controlled affiliates of Starwood Capital Group ("Starwood") on October 23, 2015 to sell a portfolio of 72 operating properties consisting of 23,262 apartment units located in five markets across the United States for $5.365 billion (the "Starwood Transaction"). As of December 31, 2015, Starwood had deposited $250.0 million in cash into escrow as earnest money, which was non-refundable unless the Company defaulted on the sales agreement. On January 26 and 27, 2016, the Company closed on the sale of the entire portfolio described above. As a result, the Starwood Transaction met the held for sale criteria at December 31, 2015. In accordance with this classification, the Company ceased depreciation on all assets in the Starwood portfolio as of November 1, 2015 and the following assets were classified as held for sale in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2015 (amounts in thousands):
 
 
December 31, 2015
Land
 
$
602,737

Depreciable property:
 
 
Buildings and improvements
 
2,386,489

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
 
335,565

In-Place lease intangibles
 
35,554

Real estate held for sale before accumulated depreciation
 
3,360,345

Accumulated depreciation
 
(1,179,210
)
Real estate held for sale
 
$
2,181,135


The following table provides the operating segments/locations of the properties and apartment units sold in the Starwood Transaction, which represents substantially all of the assets in the Company's South Florida and Denver markets and certain assets in the Washington D.C., Seattle and Inland Empire, California (part of Los Angeles) markets. The sale of these properties represents the continuation of the Company's long-term strategy of investing in high barrier to entry urban markets. See Note 11 for further discussion.
Markets/Metro Areas
 
Properties
 
Apartment Units
South Florida
 
33

 
10,742

Denver
 
18

 
6,635

Washington D.C.
 
10

 
3,020

Seattle
 
8

 
1,721

Inland Empire, CA (part of Los Angeles)
 
3

 
1,144

Total
 
72

 
23,262


The Company used proceeds from the Starwood Transaction and other sales discussed above to pay a special dividend of $8.00 per share/unit (approximately $3.0 billion) on March 10, 2016 to shareholders and holders of OP Units of record as of March 3, 2016. The Company used the majority of the remaining proceeds to reduce aggregate indebtedness in order to make the transaction leverage neutral. See Note 8 for further discussion.

5.
Commitments to Acquire/Dispose of Real Estate

The Company has not entered into any separate agreements to acquire rental properties or land parcels as of May 5, 2016.

The Company has entered into separate agreements to dispose of the following (sales price in thousands):

 
 
Properties
 
Apartment Units
 
Sales Price
Rental Properties
 
4

 
772

 
$
134,450

Land Parcels (three)
 

 

 
66,550

Total
 
4

 
772

 
$
201,000



26

Table of Contents

The closings of these pending transactions are subject to certain conditions and restrictions, therefore, there can be no assurance that these transactions will be consummated or that the final terms will not differ in material respects from those summarized in the preceding paragraphs.

6.    Investments in Partially Owned Entities

The Company has co-invested in various properties with unrelated third parties which are either consolidated or accounted for under the equity method of accounting (unconsolidated). The following tables and information summarize the Company’s investments in partially owned entities as of March 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands except for property and apartment unit amounts):

 
 
Consolidated
 
Unconsolidated
 
 
(VIE)
 
(Non-VIE)
 
(VIE)
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total properties
 
18

 
2

 
1

 
3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total apartment units
 
3,471

 
945

 
336

 
1,281

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance sheet information at 3/31/16 (at 100%):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate
 
$
665,996

 
$
234,383

 
$
229,599

 
$
463,982

Accumulated depreciation
 
(209,424
)
 
(24,991
)
 
(49,194
)
 
(74,185
)
Investment in real estate, net
 
456,572

 
209,392

 
180,405

 
389,797

Cash and cash equivalents
 
15,051

 
7,836

 
1,201

 
9,037

Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
48,797

 

 

 

Deposits – restricted
 
351

 
242

 
47

 
289

Other assets
 
25,948

 
103

 
786

 
889

       Total assets
 
$
546,719

 
$
217,573

 
$
182,439

 
$
400,012

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable, net (1)
 
$
317,801

 
$
145,423

 
$
29,269

 
$
174,692

Accounts payable & accrued expenses
 
2,786

 
1,729

 
351

 
2,080

Accrued interest payable
 
1,099

 
691

 

 
691

Other liabilities
 
521

 
258

 
216

 
474

Security deposits
 
1,939

 
510

 
159

 
669

       Total liabilities
 
324,146

 
148,611

 
29,995

 
178,606

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties/Partners' equity
 
4,399

 
63,809

 
108,968

 
172,777

Company equity/General and Limited Partners' Capital
 
218,174

 
5,153

 
43,476

 
48,629

       Total equity/capital
 
222,573

 
68,962

 
152,444

 
221,406

       Total liabilities and equity/capital
 
$
546,719

 
$
217,573

 
$
182,439

 
$
400,012


27

Table of Contents

 
 
Consolidated
 
Unconsolidated
 
 
(VIE)
 
(Non-VIE)
 
(VIE)
 
Total
Operating information for the quarter ended 3/31/16 (at 100%):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
 
$
22,997

 
$
6,528

 
$
2,913

 
$
9,441

Operating expenses
 
5,598

 
2,196

 
1,153

 
3,349

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net operating income
 
17,399

 
4,332

 
1,760

 
6,092

Property management
 
811

 
190

 
19

 
209

General and administrative/other
 
15

 

 
86

 
86

Depreciation
 
5,369

 
2,621

 
1,858

 
4,479

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)
 
11,204

 
1,521

 
(203
)
 
1,318

Interest and other income
 
20

 

 

 

Interest:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expense incurred, net
 
(4,038
)
 
(2,072
)
 
(272
)
 
(2,344
)
Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
(147
)
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income and other taxes and (loss) from
investments in unconsolidated entities
 
7,039

 
(551
)
 
(475
)
 
(1,026
)
Income and other tax (expense) benefit
 
(12
)
 

 

 

(Loss) from investments in unconsolidated entities
 
(369
)
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
6,658

 
$
(551
)
 
$
(475
)
 
$
(1,026
)
(1)
All debt is non-recourse to the Company.
Note: The above tables exclude EQR's ownership interest in ERPOP and the Company's interests in unconsolidated joint ventures entered into with AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (“AVB”) in connection with the acquisition of certain real estate related assets from Archstone Enterprise LP (such assets are referred to herein as "Archstone"). These ventures owned certain Archstone assets and succeeded to certain residual Archstone liabilities/litigation, as well as responsibility for tax protection arrangements and third-party preferred interests in former Archstone subsidiaries. The preferred interests had an aggregate liquidation value of $42.2 million at March 31, 2016. The ventures are owned 60% by the Company and 40% by AVB. See below for further discussion.

Operating Properties

The Company has various equity interests in certain limited partnerships owning 17 properties containing 3,039 apartment units. Each partnership owns a multifamily property. The Company is the general partner of these limited partnerships and is responsible for managing the operations and affairs of the partnerships as well as making all decisions regarding the businesses of the partnerships. The limited partners are not able to exercise substantive kick-out or participating rights. As a result, the partnerships qualify as VIEs. The Company has a controlling financial interest in the VIEs and, thus, is the VIEs' primary beneficiary. The Company has both the power to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact the VIEs' economic performance as well as the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIEs that could potentially be significant to the VIEs. As a result, the partnerships are required to be consolidated on the Company's balance sheet.

The Company has a 75% equity interest in the Wisconsin Place joint venture. The project contains a mixed-use site located in Chevy Chase, Maryland consisting of residential, retail, office and accessory uses, including underground parking facilities. The joint venture owns the 432 unit residential component, but has no ownership interest in the retail and office components. At March 31, 2016, the residential component had a net book value of $174.5 million. The Company is the managing member and is responsible for conducting all administrative day-to-day matters and affairs of the joint venture as well as implementing all decisions with respect to the joint venture. The limited partner is not able to exercise substantive kick-out or participating rights. As a result, the joint venture qualifies as a VIE. The Company has a controlling financial interest in the VIE and, thus, is the VIE's primary beneficiary. The Company has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance as well as the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. As a result, the entity that owns the residential component is required to be consolidated on the Company's balance sheet.

The Wisconsin Place joint venture also retains an unconsolidated interest in an entity that owns the land underlying the entire project and owns and operates the parking facility. At March 31, 2016, the basis of this investment was $48.8 million. The joint venture, as a limited partner, does not have substantive kick-out or participating rights in the entity. As a result, the entity qualifies as a VIE. The joint venture does not have a controlling financial interest in the VIE and is not the VIE's primary beneficiary. The joint venture does not have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance or the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to

28

Table of Contents

the VIE. As a result, the entity that owns the land and owns and operates the parking facility is unconsolidated and recorded using the equity method of accounting.

The Company has a 20% equity interest in the Waterton Tenside joint venture which owns a 336 unit apartment property located in Atlanta, Georgia and had a basis of $3.9 million at March 31, 2016. The partner is the managing member and its predecessor by merger developed the project. The project is encumbered by a non-recourse mortgage loan that has a current outstanding balance of $29.3 million, bears interest at 3.66% and matures December 1, 2018. The Company, as the limited partner, does not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. As a result, the entity qualifies as a VIE. The Company does not have a controlling financial interest in the VIE and is not the VIE's primary beneficiary. The Company does not have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance or the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. As a result, the entity is unconsolidated and recorded using the equity method of accounting.

The Company has a 20% equity interest in each of the Nexus Sawgrass and Domain joint ventures. The Nexus Sawgrass joint venture owns a 501 unit apartment property located in Sunrise, Florida and the Company's interest had a basis of $4.9 million at March 31, 2016. The Domain joint venture owns a 444 unit apartment property located in San Jose, California and the Company's interest had a basis of $9.8 million at March 31, 2016. Nexus Sawgrass and Domain were completed and stabilized during the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and March 31, 2015, respectively. Construction on both properties was predominantly funded with long-term, non-recourse secured loans from the partner. The mortgage loan on Nexus Sawgrass has a current unconsolidated outstanding balance of $48.6 million, bears interest at 5.60% and matures January 1, 2021. The mortgage loan on Domain has a current unconsolidated outstanding balance of $96.8 million, bears interest at 5.75% and matures January 1, 2022. While the Company is the managing member of both of the joint ventures, was responsible for constructing both of the properties and gave certain construction cost overrun guarantees, the joint venture partner has significant participating rights and has active involvement in and oversight of the operations. As a result, the entities do not qualify as VIEs. The Company alone does not have the power to direct the activities of the entities that most significantly impact the entities' economic performance and as a result, the entities are unconsolidated and recorded using the equity method of accounting. The Company currently has no further funding obligations related to these properties.

Other

As the sole general partner of ERPOP, EQR has exclusive control of ERPOP's day-to-day management. The limited partners are not able to exercise substantive kick-out or participating rights. As a result, ERPOP qualifies as a VIE. EQR has a controlling financial interest in ERPOP and, thus, is ERPOP's primary beneficiary. EQR has the power to direct the activities of ERPOP that most significantly impact ERPOP's economic performance as well as the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from ERPOP that could potentially be significant to ERPOP. As a result, ERPOP is required to be consolidated on EQR's balance sheet.

On February 27, 2013, in connection with the acquisition of Archstone, subsidiaries of the Company and AVB entered into three limited liability company agreements (collectively, the “Residual JV”). The Residual JV owned certain Archstone assets and succeeded to certain residual Archstone liabilities/litigation. The Residual JV is owned 60% by the Company and 40% by AVB. The Company's initial investment was $147.6 million and the Company's basis at March 31, 2016 was a net obligation of $0.9 million. The Residual JV is managed by a Management Committee consisting of two members from each of the Company and AVB. Both partners have equal participation in the Management Committee and all significant participating rights are shared by both partners. As a result, the Residual JV does not qualify as a VIE. The Company alone does not have the power to direct the activities of the Residual JV that most significantly impact the Residual JV's economic performance and as a result, the Residual JV is unconsolidated and recorded using the equity method of accounting. The Residual JV has sold all of the real estate assets that were acquired as part of the acquisition of Archstone, including all of the German assets, and is in the process of winding down all remaining activities.
    
On February 27, 2013, in connection with the acquisition of Archstone, a subsidiary of the Company and AVB entered into a limited liability company agreement (the “Legacy JV”), through which they assumed obligations of Archstone in the form of preferred interests, some of which are governed by tax protection arrangements. At March 31, 2016, the remaining preferred interests had an aggregate liquidation value of $42.2 million, our share of which is included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Obligations of the Legacy JV are borne 60% by the Company and 40% by AVB. The Legacy JV is managed by a Management Committee consisting of two members from each of the Company and AVB. Both partners have equal participation in the Management Committee and all significant participating rights are shared by both partners. As a result, the Legacy JV does not qualify as a VIE. The Company alone does not have the power to direct the activities of the Legacy JV that most significantly impact the Legacy JV's economic performance and as a result, the Legacy JV is unconsolidated and recorded using the equity method of accounting.


29

Table of Contents

7.    Deposits – Restricted and Escrow Deposits – Mortgage

The following table presents the Company’s restricted deposits as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (amounts in thousands):

 
 
March 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Tax-deferred (1031) exchange proceeds
 
$
195,636

 
$

Earnest money on pending acquisitions
 

 
1,000

Restricted deposits on real estate investments
 
4,974

 
6,077

Resident security and utility deposits
 
38,635

 
48,458

Other
 
2,496

 
358

Totals
 
$
241,741

 
$
55,893


The following table presents the Company’s escrow deposits as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (amounts in thousands):
 
 
March 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Real estate taxes and insurance
 
$
2,432

 
$
1,977

Replacement reserves
 
3,766

 
3,962

Mortgage principal reserves/sinking funds
 
52,305

 
50,155

Other
 
852

 
852

Totals
 
$
59,355

 
$
56,946


8.    Debt

EQR does not have any indebtedness as all debt is incurred by the Operating Partnership. EQR guarantees the Operating Partnership’s revolving credit facility up to the maximum amount and for the full term of the facility. See Note 2 for a discussion regarding adoption of the new accounting standard impacting deferred financing costs.

Mortgage Notes Payable

As of March 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding mortgage debt of approximately $4.2 billion.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the Company:
Repaid $440.8 million of 6.256% mortgage debt held in a Fannie Mae loan pool maturing in 2017 and incurred a prepayment penalty of approximately $29.3 million;
Repaid $41.8 million of various tax-exempt mortgage bonds maturing in 2026 through 2034 and incurred a prepayment penalty of approximately $0.2 million;
Repaid $2.2 million of scheduled principal repayments on various mortgage debt; and
Assumed $43.4 million of mortgage debt on one acquired property.

The Company recorded $1.2 million of write-offs of unamortized deferred financing costs during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 as additional interest expense related to debt extinguishment of mortgages. The Company also recorded $20.6 million of write-offs of net unamortized premiums during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 as a reduction of interest expense related to debt extinguishment of mortgages.

As of March 31, 2016, the Company had $627.0 million of secured debt subject to third party credit enhancement.

As of March 31, 2016, scheduled maturities for the Company’s outstanding mortgage indebtedness were at various dates through May 1, 2061. At March 31, 2016, the interest rate range on the Company’s mortgage debt was 0.10% to 7.25%. During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the weighted average interest rate on the Company’s mortgage debt was 4.33%.





30

Table of Contents

Notes

As of March 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding unsecured notes of approximately $4.4 billion.
    
During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the Company:
Repaid $228.9 million of 5.125% unsecured notes maturing in 2016 and incurred a prepayment penalty of approximately $1.4 million and repaid the remaining $271.1 million of 5.125% unsecured notes at maturity;
Repaid $400.0 million of 5.375% unsecured notes maturing in 2016 and incurred a prepayment penalty of approximately $9.5 million;
Repaid $255.9 million of 5.750% unsecured notes maturing in 2017 and incurred a prepayment penalty of approximately $16.5 million;
Repaid $46.1 million of 7.125% unsecured notes maturing in 2017 and incurred a prepayment penalty of approximately $4.6 million;
Repaid $250.0 million of 4.625% unsecured notes maturing in 2021 and incurred a prepayment penalty of approximately $31.6 million; and
Repaid $48.0 million of 7.570% unsecured notes maturing in 2026 and incurred a prepayment penalty of approximately $19.3 million.

The Company recorded $1.9 million of write-offs of unamortized deferred financing costs during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 as additional interest expense related to debt extinguishment of unsecured notes. The Company also recorded $25.2 million of write-offs of net unamortized premiums/discounts/OCI/treasury locks during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 as additional interest expense related to debt extinguishment of unsecured notes.

As of March 31, 2016, scheduled maturities for the Company’s outstanding notes were at various dates through June 1, 2045. At March 31, 2016, the interest rate range on the Company’s notes was 2.375% to 7.57%. During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the weighted average interest rate on the Company’s notes was 4.62%.
 
Line of Credit and Commercial Paper

On January 11, 2013, the Company replaced its existing $1.75 billion facility with a $2.5 billion unsecured revolving credit facility maturing April 1, 2018. The Company has the ability to increase available borrowings by an additional $500.0 million by adding additional banks to the facility or obtaining the agreement of existing banks to increase their commitments. The interest rate on advances under the facility will generally be LIBOR plus a spread (currently 0.95%) and the Company pays an annual facility fee (currently 15 basis points). Both the spread and the facility fee are dependent on the credit rating of the Company's long-term debt.

On February 2, 2015, the Company entered into an unsecured commercial paper note program in the United States. The Company may borrow up to a maximum of $500.0 million under this program subject to market conditions. The notes will be sold under customary terms in the United States commercial paper note market and will rank pari passu with all of the Company's other unsecured senior indebtedness. As of March 31, 2016, there was no commercial paper outstanding. The notes bear interest at various floating rates with a weighted average of 0.96% for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.

As of March 31, 2016, the amount available on the revolving credit facility was $2.44 billion (net of $64.5 million which was restricted/dedicated to support letters of credit). During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the weighted average interest rate on the revolving credit facility was 1.36%.

9.
Derivative and Other Fair Value Instruments

The valuation of financial instruments requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the fair value of the instruments. The Company, where possible, bases the fair values of its financial instruments, including its derivative instruments, on listed market prices and third party quotes. Where these are not available, the Company bases its estimates on current instruments with similar terms and maturities or on other factors relevant to the financial instruments.

In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to the effect of interest rate changes. The Company seeks to manage these risks by following established risk management policies and procedures including the use of derivatives to hedge interest rate risk on debt instruments. The Company may also use derivatives to manage its exposure to foreign exchange rates or manage commodity prices in the daily operations of the business.

31

Table of Contents


A three-level valuation hierarchy exists for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels are defined as follows:

Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 – Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

Level 3 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

The Company’s derivative positions are valued using models developed by the respective counterparty as well as models developed internally by the Company that use as their basis readily observable market parameters (such as forward yield curves and credit default swap data). Employee holdings other than Common Shares within the supplemental executive retirement plan (the “SERP”) are valued using quoted market prices for identical assets and are included in other assets and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership/Redeemable Limited Partners are valued using the quoted market price of Common Shares. The fair values disclosed for mortgage notes payable and unsecured debt (including its commercial paper) were calculated using indicative rates provided by lenders of similar loans in the case of mortgage notes payable and the private unsecured debt (including its commercial paper) and quoted market prices for each underlying issuance in the case of the public unsecured notes.

The carrying values of the Company’s mortgage notes payable and unsecured notes were approximately $4.2 billion and $4.4 billion, respectively, at March 31, 2016. The fair values of the Company’s mortgage notes payable and unsecured notes were approximately $4.4 billion (Level 2) and $4.7 billion (Level 2), respectively, at March 31, 2016. The carrying values of the Company's mortgage notes payable and unsecured debt (including its commercial paper) were approximately $4.7 billion and $6.2 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2015. The fair values of the Company’s mortgage notes payable and unsecured debt (including its commercial paper) were approximately $4.6 billion (Level 2) and $6.5 billion (Level 2), respectively, at December 31, 2015. The fair values of the Company’s financial instruments (other than mortgage notes payable, unsecured notes, commercial paper and derivative instruments), including cash and cash equivalents and other financial instruments, approximate their carrying or contract values.

The following table summarizes the Company’s consolidated derivative instruments at March 31, 2016 (dollar amounts are in thousands):

 
 
Fair Value
Hedges (1)
 
Forward
Starting
Swaps (2)
Current Notional Balance
 
$
450,000

 
$
50,000

Lowest Possible Notional
 
$
450,000

 
$
50,000

Highest Possible Notional
 
$
450,000

 
$
50,000

Lowest Interest Rate
 
2.375
%
 
2.500
%
Highest Interest Rate
 
2.375
%
 
2.500
%
Earliest Maturity Date
 
2019

 
2026

Latest Maturity Date
 
2019

 
2026

(1)
Fair Value Hedges – Converts outstanding fixed rate unsecured notes ($450.0 million 2.375% notes due July 1, 2019) to a floating interest rate of 90-Day LIBOR plus 0.61%.
(2)
Forward Starting Swaps – Designed to partially fix interest rates in advance of a planned future debt issuance. This swap has a mandatory counterparty termination in 2017, and is targeted to a 2016 issuance.

The following tables provide a summary of the fair value measurements for each major category of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the location within the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively (amounts in thousands):


32

Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Description
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
3/31/2016
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Hedges
 
Other Assets
 
$
10,533

 
$

 
$
10,533

 
$

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
 
Other Assets
 
114,123

 
114,123

 

 

Total
 
 
 
$
124,656

 
$
114,123

 
$
10,533

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward Starting Swaps
 
Other Liabilities
 
$
3,579

 
$

 
$
3,579

 
$

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
 
Other Liabilities
 
114,123

 
114,123

 

 

Total
 
 
 
$
117,702

 
$
114,123

 
$
3,579

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests –
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Partnership/Redeemable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Limited Partners
 
Mezzanine
 
$
521,080

 
$

 
$
521,080

 
$


 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Description
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
12/31/2015
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Hedges
 
Other Assets
 
$
3,655

 
$

 
$
3,655

 
$

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
 
Other Assets
 
105,942

 
105,942

 

 

Total
 
 
 
$
109,597

 
$
105,942

 
$
3,655

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward Starting Swaps
 
Other Liabilities
 
$
673

 
$

 
$
673

 
$

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
 
Other Liabilities
 
105,942

 
105,942

 

 

Total
 
 
 
$
106,615

 
$
105,942

 
$
673

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests –
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Partnership/Redeemable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Limited Partners
 
Mezzanine
 
$
566,783

 
$

 
$
566,783

 
$

The following tables provide a summary of the effect of fair value hedges on the Company’s accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively (amounts in thousands):


33

Table of Contents

March 31, 2016
Type of Fair Value Hedge
 
Location of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
 
Hedged Item
 
Income Statement
Location of
Hedged Item
Gain/(Loss)
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income
on Hedged Item
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Swaps
 
Interest expense
 
$
6,878

 
Fixed rate debt
 
Interest expense
 
$
(6,878
)
Total
 
 
 
$
6,878

 
 
 
 
 
$
(6,878
)
 
March 31, 2015
Type of Fair Value Hedge
 
Location of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
 
Hedged Item
 
Income Statement
Location of
Hedged Item
Gain/(Loss)
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income
on Hedged Item
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Swaps
 
Interest expense
 
$
4,842

 
Fixed rate debt
 
Interest expense
 
$
(4,842
)
Total
 
 
 
$
4,842

 
 
 
 
 
$
(4,842
)

The following tables provide a summary of the effect of cash flow hedges on the Company’s accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively (amounts in thousands):
 
 
Effective Portion
 
Ineffective Portion
March 31, 2016
Type of Cash Flow Hedge
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
OCI on
Derivative
 
Location of Gain/
(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated
OCI into Income
 
Amount of Gain/
(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated
OCI into Income
 
Location of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
 
Amount of Gain/
(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated
OCI into Income
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward Starting Swaps
$
(2,906
)
 
Interest expense
 
$
(28,654
)
 
N/A
 
$

Total
 
$
(2,906
)
 
 
 
$
(28,654
)
 
 
 
$

 
 
 
Effective Portion
 
Ineffective Portion
March 31, 2015
Type of Cash Flow Hedge
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
OCI on
Derivative
 
Location of Gain/
(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated
OCI into Income
 
Amount of Gain/
(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated
OCI into Income
 
Location of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
 
Amount of Gain/
(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated
OCI into Income
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward Starting Swaps
 
$
(11,788
)
 
Interest expense
 
$
(4,338
)
 
N/A
 
$

Total
 
$
(11,788
)
 
 
 
$
(4,338
)
 
 
 
$


As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, there were approximately $126.0 million and $151.8 million in deferred losses, net, included in accumulated other comprehensive (loss), respectively, related to derivative instruments. Based on the estimated fair values of the net derivative instruments at March 31, 2016, the Company may recognize an estimated $20.8 million of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) as additional interest expense during the twelve months ending March 31, 2017.


34

Table of Contents

10.    Earning Per Share and Earnings Per Unit

Equity Residential

The following tables set forth the computation of net income per share – basic and net income per share – diluted for the Company (amounts in thousands except per share amounts):
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Numerator for net income per share – basic:
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations
 
$
3,731,988

 
$
190,069

Allocation to Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership, net
 
(143,315
)
 
(7,053
)
Net (income) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(764
)
 
(643
)
Preferred distributions
 
(773
)
 
(891
)
Premium on redemption of Preferred Shares
 

 
(2,789
)
Income from continuing operations available to Common Shares, net of Noncontrolling Interests
 
3,587,136

 
178,693

Discontinued operations, net of Noncontrolling Interests
 
(151
)
 
149

Numerator for net income per share – basic
 
$
3,586,985

 
$
178,842

Numerator for net income per share – diluted:
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations
 
$
3,731,988

 
$
190,069

Net (income) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(764
)
 
(643
)
Preferred distributions
 
(773
)
 
(891
)
Premium on redemption of Preferred Shares
 

 
(2,789
)
Income from continuing operations available to Common Shares
 
3,730,451

 
185,746

Discontinued operations, net
 
(157
)
 
155

Numerator for net income per share – diluted
 
$
3,730,294

 
$
185,901

Denominator for net income per share – basic and diluted:
 
 
 
 
Denominator for net income per share – basic
 
364,592

 
363,098

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
OP Units
 
13,697

 
13,598

Long-term compensation shares/units
 
3,954

 
3,631

Denominator for net income per share – diluted
 
382,243

 
380,327

Net income per share – basic
 
$
9.84

 
$
0.49

Net income per share – diluted
 
$
9.76

 
$
0.49

Net income per share – basic:
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations available to Common Shares, net of Noncontrolling Interests
 
$
9.84

 
$
0.49

Discontinued operations, net of Noncontrolling Interests
 

 

Net income per share – basic
 
$
9.84

 
$
0.49

Net income per share – diluted:
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations available to Common Shares
 
$
9.76

 
$
0.49

Discontinued operations, net
 

 

Net income per share – diluted
 
$
9.76

 
$
0.49


ERP Operating Limited Partnership

The following tables set forth the computation of net income per Unit – basic and net income per Unit – diluted for the Operating Partnership (amounts in thousands except per Unit amounts):


35

Table of Contents

 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Numerator for net income per Unit – basic and diluted:
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations
 
$
3,731,988

 
$
190,069

Net (income) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(764
)
 
(643
)
Allocation to Preference Units
 
(773
)
 
(891
)
Allocation to premium on redemption of Preference Units
 

 
(2,789
)
Income from continuing operations available to Units
 
3,730,451

 
185,746

Discontinued operations, net
 
(157
)
 
155

Numerator for net income per Unit – basic and diluted
 
$
3,730,294

 
$
185,901

Denominator for net income per Unit – basic and diluted:
 
 
 
 
Denominator for net income per Unit – basic
 
378,289

 
376,696

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
Dilution for Units issuable upon assumed exercise/vesting of the Company’s long-term
compensation shares/units
 
3,954

 
3,631

Denominator for net income per Unit – diluted
 
382,243

 
380,327

Net income per Unit – basic
 
$
9.84

 
$
0.49

Net income per Unit – diluted
 
$
9.76

 
$
0.49

Net income per Unit – basic:
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations available to Units
 
$
9.84

 
$
0.49

Discontinued operations, net
 

 

Net income per Unit – basic
 
$
9.84

 
$
0.49

Net income per Unit – diluted:
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations available to Units
 
$
9.76

 
$
0.49

Discontinued operations, net
 

 

Net income per Unit – diluted
 
$
9.76

 
$
0.49


11.
Individually Significant Dispositions and Discontinued Operations

In April 2014, the FASB issued new guidance for reporting discontinued operations. Only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations that has a major effect on a company’s operations and financial results will be presented as discontinued operations. Companies are required to expand their disclosures about discontinued operations to provide more information on the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of the discontinued operations. Companies are also required to disclose the pre-tax income attributable to a disposal of a significant part of a company that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. Application of this guidance is prospective from the date of adoption and early adoption was permitted, but only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that had not been reported in financial statements previously issued. The new standard was effective January 1, 2015, but the Company early adopted it as allowed effective January 1, 2014. Adoption of this standard resulted in and will likely continue to result in substantially fewer of the Company's dispositions meeting the discontinued operations qualifications.
    
Individually Significant Dispositions

The Company concluded that the Starwood Transaction does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting as it does not represent a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results. The Company has been investing only in its six coastal, high barrier to entry markets (Boston, New York, Washington D.C., Southern California, San Francisco and Seattle) and has not been acquiring or developing any new assets in its other markets. Over the past several years, the Company has been repositioning its portfolio by selling assets located in low barrier to entry markets and reducing its exposure to these markets. However, the Company concluded that the Starwood Transaction does qualify as an individually significant component of the Company as the amount received upon disposal exceeded 10% of total assets and NOI (see definition in Note 13) of the Starwood portfolio represents approximately 4.5% (for the approximate one-month period owned in 2016) and 16.0%, respectively, of consolidated NOI for the Company for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. In addition, the Starwood Transaction met the held for sale criteria at December 31, 2015 and was classified as held for sale in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2015 (see Note 4 for further discussion). In accordance with this classification, the Company ceased depreciation on all assets in the Starwood portfolio as of November 1, 2015. As a result, the following table summarizes the results of operations attributable to the Starwood Transaction for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (amounts in thousands):


36

Table of Contents

 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
REVENUES
 
 

 
 

Rental income
 
$
30,117

 
$
103,709

Total revenues
 
30,117

 
103,709

 
 
 
 
 
EXPENSES (1)
 
 

 
 

Property and maintenance
 
7,890

 
19,086

Real estate taxes and insurance
 
2,872

 
12,147

Property management
 
2

 
3

General and administrative
 
1

 
1

Depreciation
 

 
26,194

Total expenses
 
10,765

 
57,431

 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
19,352

 
46,278

 
 
 
 
 
Interest and other income
 
2

 

Interest (2):
 
 
 
 
Expense incurred, net
 
(328
)
 
(164
)
Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
(707
)
 
(24
)
Net gain on sales of real estate properties
 
3,161,221

 

 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations attributable to controlling interests – Operating Partnership
 
3,179,540

 
46,090

Income from operations attributable to Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership
 
(122,132
)
 
(1,754
)
Income from operations attributable to controlling interests – Company
 
$
3,057,408

 
$
44,336

(1)
Includes expenses paid in the current period for properties held for sale.
(2)
Includes only interest expense specific to secured mortgage notes payable for properties held for sale which was repaid at or before closing.

Discontinued Operations

The Company has presented separately as discontinued operations in all periods the results of operations for all consolidated assets disposed of and all properties held for sale, if any, for properties sold in 2013 and prior years. The amounts included in discontinued operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 represent trailing activity for properties sold in 2013 and prior years. None of the properties sold during the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 met the new criteria for reporting discontinued operations.

The components of discontinued operations are outlined below and include the results of operations for the respective periods that the Company owned such assets for properties sold in 2013 and prior years during the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (amounts in thousands).


37

Table of Contents

 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
Rental income
 
$
118

 
$
161

Total revenues
 
118

 
161

 
 
 
 
 
EXPENSES (1)
 
 
 
 
Property and maintenance
 
(3
)
 
(67
)
Real estate taxes and insurance
 
1

 
52

General and administrative
 
4

 
6

Total expenses
 
2

 
(9
)
 
 
 
 
 
Discontinued operating income
 
116

 
170

 
 
 
 
 
Other expenses
 
(280
)
 

Income and other tax (expense) benefit
 
(8
)
 
(15
)
 
 
 
 
 
Discontinued operations
 
(172
)
 
155

Net gain on sales of discontinued operations
 
15

 

 
 
 
 
 
Discontinued operations, net
 
$
(157
)
 
$
155

(1)
Includes expenses paid in the current period for properties sold in prior periods related to the Company’s period of ownership.

12.
Commitments and Contingencies

The Company, as an owner of real estate, is subject to various Federal, state and local environmental laws. Compliance by the Company with existing laws has not had a material adverse effect on the Company. However, the Company cannot predict the impact of new or changed laws or regulations on its current properties or on properties that it may acquire in the future.

The Company is party to a housing discrimination lawsuit brought by a non-profit civil rights organization in April 2006 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The suit as presently configured alleges that the Company designed and built many of its properties in violation of the accessibility requirements of the Fair Housing Act (“FHA”) and Americans With Disabilities Act (“ADA”). The suit seeks actual and punitive damages, injunctive relief (including modification of non-compliant properties), costs and attorneys’ fees. In the 10 years the case has been pending, the Court has made several important rulings, including that the plaintiff lacks standing under the ADA and thus cannot pursue claims under that statute. On March 31, 2016, the Court found that certain features at seven of the Company’s properties do not satisfy the accessibility requirements of the FHA. The Court also found that six of the Company's properties do not belong in the case based on date of design/construction or the fact that the Company did not participate in design/construction. It is unclear at this time what effect the Court’s recent rulings will have on as yet unresolved liability issues as well as potential remedies for violations found. The Company will continue to defend the suit vigorously, and due to the uncertainty of the many critical factual and legal issues, it is not possible to determine or predict the outcome of the suit or a possible loss or a range of loss, and no amounts have been accrued at March 31, 2016. While no assurances can be given, the Company does not believe that the suit, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect on the Company.
The Company has established a reserve related to various litigation matters associated with its Massachusetts properties and periodically assesses the adequacy of the reserve and makes adjustments as necessary. During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the Company recorded a reduction to the reserve of approximately $0.5 million, resulting in a total reserve of approximately $2.5 million at March 31, 2016. While no assurances can be given, the Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of any of these remaining litigation matters, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect on the Company.

The Company does not believe there is any other litigation pending or threatened against it that, individually or in the aggregate, may reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

As of March 31, 2016, the Company has 10 wholly owned projects totaling 3,983 apartment units in various stages of development with commitments to fund of approximately $626.2 million and estimated completion dates ranging through September 30, 2017, as well as other completed development projects that are in various stages of lease up or are stabilized.

As of March 31, 2016, the Company has two completed unconsolidated development properties that are stabilized. Both properties were co-developed with the same third party development partner in different ventures. The development venture agreements with this partner are primarily deal-specific regarding profit-sharing, equity contributions, returns on investment, buy-

38

Table of Contents

sell agreements and other customary provisions. The Company currently has no further funding obligations related to these properties. While the Company is the managing member of both of the joint ventures, was responsible for constructing both of the properties and gave certain construction cost overrun guarantees, the joint venture partner has significant participating rights and has active involvement in and oversight of the ongoing operations. The buy-sell arrangements contain provisions that provide the right, but not the obligation, for the Company to acquire the partner’s interests or sell its interests at any time following the occurrence of certain pre-defined events (including at stabilization) described in the development venture agreements. See Note 6 for further discussion.

13.
Reportable Segments
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that engage in business activities from which they may earn revenues and incur expenses and about which discrete financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker. The chief operating decision maker decides how resources are allocated and assesses performance on a recurring basis at least quarterly.

The Company’s primary business is the acquisition, development and management of multifamily residential properties, which includes the generation of rental and other related income through the leasing of apartment units to residents. The chief operating decision maker evaluates the Company's operating performance geographically by market and both on a same store and non-same store basis. The Company’s operating segments located in its coastal markets represent its reportable segments. As of March 31, 2016, the Company has revised the presentation of Southern California to show separate results for Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange County, along with a subtotal of the three markets combined, for both the current and comparable periods. The Company's operating segments located in its other markets that are not material have been included in the tables presented below. See also Note 4 for further discussion of the Starwood Transaction and the operating segments/locations in which properties were sold.

The Company’s fee and asset management and development activities are other business activities that do not constitute an operating segment and as such, have been included in the "Other" category in the tables presented below.

All revenues are from external customers and there is no customer who contributed 10% or more of the Company’s total revenues during the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The primary financial measure for the Company’s rental real estate segment is net operating income (“NOI”), which represents rental income less: 1) property and maintenance expense and 2) real estate taxes and insurance expense (all as reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income). As of March 31, 2016, NOI no longer includes an allocation of property management expenses either in the current or comparable periods. The Company believes that NOI is helpful to investors as a supplemental measure of its operating performance because it is a direct measure of the actual operating results of the Company’s apartment properties. Current year NOI is compared to prior year NOI and current year budgeted NOI as a measure of financial performance.

The following table presents a reconciliation of NOI from our rental real estate specific to continuing operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively (amounts in thousands):
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Rental income
 
$
616,165

 
$
664,606

Property and maintenance expense
 
(109,165
)
 
(124,560
)
Real estate taxes and insurance expense
 
(80,196
)
 
(86,432
)
Total operating expenses
 
(189,361
)
 
(210,992
)
Net operating income
 
$
426,804

 
$
453,614


The following tables present NOI for each segment from our rental real estate specific to continuing operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, as well as total assets and capital expenditures at March 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):


39

Table of Contents

 
 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2016
 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2015
 
 
Rental Income
 
Operating Expenses
 
NOI
 
Rental Income
 
Operating Expenses
 
NOI
Same store (1)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

  Los Angeles
 
$
90,150

 
$
26,359

 
$
63,791

 
$
84,654

 
$
26,189

 
$
58,465

  San Diego
 
21,428

 
5,835

 
15,593

 
20,231

 
5,661

 
14,570

  Orange County
 
19,314

 
4,733

 
14,581

 
18,321

 
4,688

 
13,633

  Subtotal – Southern California
 
130,892

 
36,927

 
93,965

 
123,206

 
36,538

 
86,668

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  New York
 
113,204

 
40,141

 
73,063

 
110,123

 
39,507

 
70,616

  Washington D.C.
 
104,268

 
31,425

 
72,843

 
103,340

 
32,037

 
71,303

  San Francisco
 
90,674

 
22,198

 
68,476

 
82,784

 
21,519

 
61,265

  Boston
 
62,325

 
17,648

 
44,677

 
60,512

 
19,124

 
41,388

  Seattle
 
37,243

 
10,572

 
26,671

 
35,131

 
9,807

 
25,324

  All Other Markets
 
9,070

 
3,765

 
5,305

 
8,643

 
4,131

 
4,512

Total same store
 
547,676

 
162,676

 
385,000

 
523,739

 
162,663

 
361,076

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-same store/other (2) (3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Los Angeles
 
7,264

 
2,573

 
4,691

 
7,339

 
2,384

 
4,955

  Orange County
 
1,158

 
334

 
824

 

 

 

  Subtotal – Southern California
 
8,422

 
2,907

 
5,515

 
7,339

 
2,384

 
4,955

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  New York
 
7,086

 
3,625

 
3,461

 
292

 
432

 
(140
)
  Washington D.C.
 
959

 
170

 
789

 
1,047

 
197

 
850

  San Francisco
 
4,298

 
1,550

 
2,748

 
83

 
221

 
(138
)
  Boston
 
2,634

 
710

 
1,924

 
946

 
202

 
744

  Seattle
 
5,679

 
1,259

 
4,420

 
1,941

 
496

 
1,445

  Other (3)
 
39,411

 
16,464

 
22,947

 
129,219

 
44,397

 
84,822

Total non-same store/other
 
68,489

 
26,685

 
41,804

 
140,867

 
48,329

 
92,538

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
616,165

 
$
189,361

 
$
426,804

 
$
664,606

 
$
210,992

 
$
453,614

(1)
Same store primarily includes all properties acquired or completed that are stabilized prior to January 1, 2015, less properties subsequently sold, which represented 73,222 apartment units.
(2)
Non-same store primarily includes properties acquired after January 1, 2015, plus any properties in lease-up and not stabilized as of January 1, 2015.
(3)
Other includes development, other corporate operations and operations prior to sale for properties sold from 2014 through 2016 that do not meet the new discontinued operations criteria.


40

Table of Contents

 
 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2016
 
 
Total Assets
 
Capital Expenditures
Same store (1)
 
 

 
 

  Los Angeles
 
$
2,567,837

 
$
5,031

  San Diego
 
483,643

 
673

  Orange County
 
266,770

 
1,738

  Subtotal – Southern California
 
3,318,250

 
7,442

 
 
 
 
 
  New York
 
4,348,318

 
3,994

  Washington D.C.
 
3,993,480

 
5,556

  San Francisco
 
2,518,610

 
4,891

  Boston
 
1,811,047

 
3,626

  Seattle
 
1,053,316

 
2,345

  All Other Markets
 
126,515

 
254

Total same store
 
17,169,536

 
28,108

 
 
 
 
 
Non-same store/other (2) (3)
 
 
 
 
  Los Angeles
 
459,013

 
3,164

  Orange County
 
77,324

 
12

  Subtotal – Southern California
 
536,337

 
3,176

 
 
 
 
 
  New York
 
440,315

 
19

  Washington D.C.
 
45,975

 

  San Francisco
 
262,882

 

  Boston
 
170,841

 
294

  Seattle
 
334,233

 
258

Other (3)
 
2,341,173

 
2,047

Total non-same store/other
 
4,131,756

 
5,794

Total
 
$
21,301,292

 
$
33,902

(1)
Same store primarily includes all properties acquired or completed that are stabilized prior to January 1, 2015, less properties subsequently sold, which represented 73,222 apartment units.
(2)
Non-same store primarily includes properties acquired after January 1, 2015, plus any properties in lease-up and not stabilized as of January 1, 2015.
(3)
Other includes development, other corporate operations and capital expenditures for properties sold.
Note: Markets/Metro Areas included in the above All Other Markets segment are as follows:
(a) New England (excluding Boston) and Phoenix.

14.
Subsequent Events/Other

Subsequent Events

Subsequent to March 31, 2016, the Company:

Sold its interest in the management contracts and related rights associated with the military housing ventures at Joint Base Lewis McChord located in Tacoma, Washington for approximately $63.3 million (consisted of 5,161 apartment units); and
Partially paid down $2.9 million on one tax-exempt mortgage bond.

Other

During the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company incurred charges of $1.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively, related to property acquisition costs, such as survey, title and legal fees, on the acquisition of operating properties and $1.5 million and $0.5 million, respectively, related to the write-off of various pursuit and out-of-pocket costs for terminated acquisition, disposition and development transactions. These costs, totaling $2.8 million and $0.6 million, respectively, are included in other expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
    

41

Table of Contents

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

For further information including definitions for capitalized terms not defined herein, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s and the Operating Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements in this report are intended to be made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions made by management. While the Company's management believes the assumptions underlying its forward-looking statements are reasonable, such information is inherently subject to uncertainties and may involve certain risks, which could cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Many of these uncertainties and risks are difficult to predict and beyond management's control. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, results or events. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or supplement these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to the following:

We intend to actively acquire, develop and rehab multifamily properties for rental operations as market conditions dictate. We may also acquire multifamily properties that are unoccupied or in the early stages of lease up. We may be unable to lease up these apartment properties on schedule, resulting in decreases in expected rental revenues and/or lower yields due to lower occupancy and rates as well as higher than expected concessions or higher than expected operating expenses. We may not be able to achieve rents that are consistent with expectations for acquired, developed or rehabbed properties. We may underestimate the costs necessary to bring an acquired property up to standards established for its intended market position, to complete a development property or to complete a rehab. Additionally, we expect that other real estate investors with capital will compete with us for attractive investment opportunities or may also develop properties in markets where we focus our development and acquisition efforts. This competition (or lack thereof) may increase (or depress) prices for multifamily properties. We may not be in a position or have the opportunity in the future to make suitable property acquisitions on favorable terms. We have acquired in the past and intend to continue to pursue the acquisition of properties and portfolios of properties, including large portfolios, that could increase our size and result in alterations to our capital structure. The total number of apartment units under development, costs of development and estimated completion dates are subject to uncertainties arising from changing economic conditions (such as the cost of labor and construction materials), competition and local government regulation;
Debt financing and other capital required by the Company may not be available or may only be available on adverse terms;
Labor and materials required for maintenance, repair, capital expenditure or development may be more expensive than anticipated;
Occupancy levels and market rents may be adversely affected by national and local economic and market conditions including, without limitation, new construction and excess inventory of multifamily and owned housing/condominiums, increasing portions of owned housing/condominum stock being converted to rental use, rental housing subsidized by the government, other government programs that favor single family rental housing or owner occupied housing over multifamily rental housing, governmental regulations, slow or negative employment growth and household formation, the availability of low-interest mortgages or the availability of mortgages requiring little or no down payment for single family home buyers, changes in social preferences and the potential for geopolitical instability, all of which are beyond the Company's control; and
Additional factors as discussed in Part I of the Company's and the Operating Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly those under “Item 1A. Risk Factors”.

Forward-looking statements and related uncertainties are also included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this report.

Overview

Equity Residential (“EQR”), a Maryland real estate investment trust (“REIT”) formed in March 1993, is an S&P 500 company focused on the acquisition, development and management of high quality apartment properties in top United States growth markets. ERP Operating Limited Partnership (“ERPOP”), an Illinois limited partnership, was formed in May 1993 to conduct the multifamily residential property business of Equity Residential. EQR has elected to be taxed as a REIT. References

42

Table of Contents

to the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” mean collectively EQR, ERPOP and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by EQR and/or ERPOP. References to the “Operating Partnership” mean collectively ERPOP and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by ERPOP.
EQR is the general partner of, and as of March 31, 2016 owned an approximate 96.1% ownership interest in, ERPOP. All of the Company’s property ownership, development and related business operations are conducted through the Operating Partnership and EQR has no material assets or liabilities other than its investment in ERPOP. EQR issues equity from time to time but does not have any indebtedness as all debt is incurred by the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership holds substantially all of the assets of the Company, including the Company’s ownership interests in its joint ventures. The Operating Partnership conducts the operations of the business and is structured as a partnership with no publicly traded equity.
The Company’s corporate headquarters is located in Chicago, Illinois and the Company also operates property management offices in each of its six core coastal markets. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had approximately 2,900 employees who provided real estate operations, leasing, legal, financial, accounting, acquisition, disposition, development and other support functions.

Available Information

You may access our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to any of those reports we file with the SEC free of charge at our website, www.equityresidential.com. These reports are made available at our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we file them with the SEC. The information contained on our website, including any information referred to in this report as being available on our website, is not a part of or incorporated into this report.

Business Objectives and Operating and Investing Strategies
The Company invests in high quality apartment communities located in strategically targeted markets with the goal of maximizing our risk adjusted total return (operating income plus capital appreciation) on invested capital.
We seek to maximize the income and capital appreciation of our properties by investing in markets that are characterized by conditions favorable to multifamily property operations and appreciation. We are focused on the six coastal, high barrier to entry markets of Boston, New York, Washington D.C., Southern California (including Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego), San Francisco and Seattle. These markets generally feature one or more of the following characteristics that allow us to increase rents:
High barriers to entry where, because of land scarcity or government regulation, it is difficult or costly to build new apartment properties, creating limits on new supply;
High home ownership costs;
Strong economic growth leading to job growth and household formation, which in turn leads to high demand for our apartments;
Urban core locations with an attractive quality of life leading to high resident demand and retention; and
Favorable demographics contributing to a larger pool of target residents with a high propensity to rent apartments.
We believe our strategy also capitalizes on the increasing preference of renters of all ages to live in the urban core of cities or dense suburban locations near transit, entertainment and cultural amenities. Millennials, the 83 million people between ages 18 and 34, are a prime apartment rental demographic. They value both the locational values described above as well as the flexibility that rental apartments offer.
Our operating focus is on balancing occupancy and rental rates to maximize our revenue while exercising tight cost control to generate the highest possible return to our shareholders. Revenue is maximized by attracting qualified prospects to our properties, cost-effectively converting these prospects into new residents and keeping our residents satisfied so they will renew their leases upon expiration. While we believe that it is our high-quality, well-located assets that bring our customers to us, it is the customer service and superior value provided by our on-site personnel that keeps them renting with us and recommending us to their friends.

We use technology to engage our customers in the way that they want to be engaged. Many of our residents utilize our web-based resident portal which allows them to sign and renew their leases, review their accounts and make payments, provide feedback and make service requests on-line.


43

Table of Contents

Acquisitions and developments may be financed from various sources of capital, which may include retained cash flow, issuance of additional equity and debt, sales of properties and joint venture agreements. In addition, the Company may acquire properties in transactions that include the issuance of partnership interests in the Operating Partnership (“OP Units”) as consideration for the acquired properties. Such transactions may, in certain circumstances, enable the sellers to defer, in whole or in part, the recognition of taxable income or gain that might otherwise result from the sales. As part of its strategy, the Company purchases completed and fully occupied apartment properties, partially completed or partially occupied properties and may acquire land parcels to hold and/or sell based on market opportunities as well as options to buy more land in the future. The Company may also seek to acquire properties by purchasing defaulted or distressed debt that encumbers desirable properties in the hope of obtaining title to property through foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure proceedings.
Over the past several years, the Company has done an extensive repositioning of its portfolio from low barrier to entry markets to high barrier to entry markets. Since 2005, the Company has sold over 194,000 apartment units primarily in low barrier to entry markets for an aggregate sales price of approximately $22.9 billion, acquired over 68,000 apartment units primarily in high barrier to entry markets for approximately $20.0 billion and began approximately $5.7 billion of development projects primarily in its high barrier to entry markets. We are currently seeking to acquire and develop assets in the following six core coastal metropolitan areas: Boston, New York, Washington D.C., Southern California, San Francisco and Seattle. We intend to hold a diversified portfolio of assets across our target markets. As of March 31, 2016, no single market/metropolitan area accounted for more than 19.4% of NOI, though no guarantee can be made that NOI concentration may not increase in the future. The sale of the Starwood portfolio combined with the other 2016 dispositions has resulted in the Company's exit from the South Florida and Denver markets and should ultimately complete the Company's planned exit from the Phoenix market as well as certain New England submarkets. See further discussion below regarding the Company's 2016 disposition activity.
We endeavor to attract and retain the best employees by providing them with the education, resources and opportunities to succeed. We provide many classroom and on-line training courses to assist our employees in interacting with prospects and residents as well as extensively train our customer service specialists in maintaining our properties and improvements, equipment and appliances. We actively promote from within and many senior corporate and property leaders have risen from entry level or junior positions. We monitor our employees' engagement by surveying them annually and have consistently received high engagement scores.
We have a commitment to sustainability and consider the environmental impacts of our business activities. Sustainability and social responsibility are key drivers of our focus on creating the best apartment communities for residents to live, work and play. We have a dedicated in-house team that initiates and applies sustainable practices in all aspects of our business, including investment activities, development, property operations and property management activities. With its high density, multifamily housing is, by its nature, an environmentally friendly property type. Our recent acquisition and development activities have been primarily concentrated in pedestrian-friendly urban locations near public transportation. When developing and renovating our properties, we strive to reduce energy and water usage by investing in energy saving technology while positively impacting the experience of our residents and the value of our assets. We continue to implement a combination of irrigation, lighting, HVAC and renewable energy improvements at our properties that will reduce energy and water consumption. The Company was named the 2015 Global Residential Sector Leader by the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark ("GRESB") survey, a globally recognized analysis of the sustainability indicators of more than 700 real estate portfolios worldwide. For additional information regarding our sustainability efforts, see our December 2015 Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Report at our website, www.equityresidential.com. For 2016, we have added an express company-wide goal regarding enhanced sustainability efforts. Employees, including our executives, will have their performance against this goal evaluated as part of our annual performance review process.

Current Environment
    
Following the approval by the Company's Board of Trustees, the Company executed an agreement with controlled affiliates of Starwood Capital Group ("Starwood") on October 23, 2015 to sell a portfolio of 72 operating properties consisting of 23,262 apartment units located in five markets across the United States for $5.365 billion (the "Starwood Transaction"). On January 26 and 27, 2016, the Company closed on the sale of the entire portfolio described above. The sale of the Starwood portfolio, combined with other 2016 dispositions, has resulted in the Company's exit from the South Florida and Denver markets and should ultimately complete the Company's planned exit from the Phoenix market as well as certain New England submarkets. The Company used and expects to use the majority of the proceeds from the Starwood Transaction and other planned 2016 dispositions to pay two special dividends to its shareholders and holders of OP Units of between $10.00 and $12.00 per share/unit in the aggregate. On February 22, 2016, the Board of Trustees declared a special dividend of $8.00 per share/unit which was paid on March 10, 2016 to shareholders/unitholders of record as of March 3, 2016. The Company expects to pay an additional special dividend of approximately $2.00 to $4.00 per share/unit later in 2016. All future dividends remain subject to the discretion of the Company's Board of Trustees. The Company used the majority of the remaining proceeds to reduce aggregate indebtedness in order to make the transaction leverage neutral. The Company retired approximately $2.0 billion in secured and unsecured debt, the majority of

44

Table of Contents

which was scheduled to mature in 2016 and 2017, improving the Company's already strong credit metrics. These sales have narrowed the Company's focus, which will now be entirely directed towards our high barrier to entry coastal markets, and has essentially completed the Company's portfolio reconfiguration which started approximately ten years ago. We believe the assets sold will have lower long-term returns (as compared to investments in our high barrier to entry coastal markets) and that we sold them for prices that we believe are favorable. Given the strong demand for multifamily assets in our high barrier to entry coastal markets from institutional investors and the challenge in recycling $6 billion of capital in this competitive marketplace, the Company believes the best risk-adjusted use of the sale proceeds is to distribute a portion to our shareholders and repay outstanding debt.

As a result of the Starwood Transaction and the other 2016 completed and planned dispositions, the Company's portfolio has changed significantly from the portfolio summary included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following table sets forth certain information by market relating to the Company's properties at March 31, 2016 as compared to December 31, 2015:

 
 
Portfolio Summary as of December 31, 2015
 
Portfolio Summary as of March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
% of
 
Average
 
 
 
 
 
% of
 
Average
 
 
 
 
Apartment
 
Stabilized
 
Rental
 
 
 
Apartment
 
Stabilized
 
Rental
Markets/Metro Areas
 
Properties
 
Units
 
NOI (A)
 
Rate (B)
 
Properties
 
Units
 
NOI (A)
 
Rate (B)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Los Angeles
 
70

 
16,064

 
14.5
%
 
$
2,209

 
68

 
15,218

 
17.5
%
 
$
2,285

Orange County
 
12

 
3,684

 
3.1
%
 
1,918

 
12

 
3,684

 
3.8
%
 
1,933

San Diego
 
13

 
3,505

 
3.1
%
 
2,097

 
13

 
3,505

 
3.7
%
 
2,115

Subtotal – Southern California
 
95

 
23,253

 
20.7
%
 
2,144

 
93

 
22,407

 
25.0
%
 
2,198

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New York
 
40

 
10,835

 
17.3
%
 
3,835

 
40

 
10,632

 
19.4
%
 
3,740

San Francisco
 
52

 
13,212

 
14.9
%
 
2,661

 
51

 
11,401

 
17.7
%
 
2,875

Washington DC
 
57

 
18,656

 
17.1
%
 
2,182

 
47

 
15,637

 
17.6
%
 
2,300

Boston
 
35

 
8,018

 
9.6
%
 
2,632

 
31

 
7,744

 
11.3
%
 
2,648

Seattle
 
44

 
8,756

 
7.6
%
 
1,955

 
37

 
7,096

 
7.8
%
 
2,056

South Florida
 
34

 
10,934

 
7.2
%
 
1,682

 

 

 

 

Denver
 
19

 
6,935

 
4.6
%
 
1,556

 

 

 

 

All Other Markets
 
13

 
2,633

 
1.0
%
 
1,183

 
13

 
2,633

 
1.2
%
 
1,194

Total
 
389

 
103,232

 
100.0
%
 
2,306

 
312

 
77,550

 
100.0
%
 
2,531

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unconsolidated Properties
 
3

 
1,281

 

 

 
3

 
1,281

 

 

Military Housing (C)
 
2

 
5,139

 

 

 
2

 
5,161

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Grand Total
 
394

 
109,652

 
100.0
%
 
$
2,306

 
317

 
83,992

 
100.0
%
 
$
2,531

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: Projects under development are not included in the Portfolio Summary until construction has been completed.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(A) % of Stabilized NOI – For the March 31, 2016 Portfolio Summary, represents budgeted 2016 NOI for stabilized properties and projected annual NOI at stabilization (defined as having achieved 90% occupancy for three consecutive months) for properties that are in lease-up. For the December 31, 2015 Portfolio Summary, represents actual 2015 NOI for stabilized properties and projected annual NOI at stabilization (defined as having achieved 90% occupancy for three consecutive months) for properties that are in lease-up.
(B) Average Rental Rate – Total residential rental revenues divided by the weighted average occupied apartment units for the reporting period presented.
(C) The Company sold its interest in the management contracts and related rights associated with the military housing ventures at Joint Base Lewis McChord effective April 1, 2016.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the Company acquired three consolidated rental properties consisting of 479 apartment units for $204.1 million. The Company acquired these properties in order to protect the tax status of certain unaffiliated third parties arising from the Starwood Transaction. During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the Company sold eighty consolidated rental properties consisting of 26,162 apartment units for $6.3 billion, which includes the sale of the Starwood portfolio described above. In addition, the Company sold two land parcels for $27.5 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2016. The Company currently budgets consolidated rental acquisitions of approximately $600.0 million ($204.1 million of which already occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2016) during the year ending December 31, 2016 to be funded with proceeds from rental dispositions. The Company currently budgets consolidated rental dispositions of approximately $7.4 billion ($6.3 billion of which already occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2016) during the year ending December 31, 2016, which includes the sale of the Starwood portfolio and the other planned 2016 dispositions discussed above.

45

Table of Contents

    
The Company did not start or complete any development projects during the quarter ended March 31, 2016. The Company has budgeted starting approximately $350.0 million of new development projects in 2016. We currently budget spending approximately $600.0 million on development costs during the year ending December 31, 2016. We expect that this capital will be primarily sourced with excess operating cash flow, disposition proceeds, expected debt offerings in 2016 and borrowings on our revolving credit facility and/or commercial paper program.

We currently have access to multiple sources of capital including the equity markets as well as both the secured and unsecured debt markets. In February 2015, the Company entered into a $500.0 million commercial paper program, which allows for daily, weekly or monthly borrowings at low floating rates of interest. We believe this commercial paper program allows the Company to continue to reduce its already low cost of capital and we will use the program to replace a portion of the amount that otherwise would have been outstanding under our revolving line of credit. In May 2015, the Company completed a $450.0 million unsecured ten year note offering with a coupon of 3.375% and an all-in effective interest rate of approximately 3.81% as well as a $300.0 million unsecured thirty year note offering with a coupon of 4.5% and an all-in effective interest rate of approximately 4.55%. The Company used the proceeds from these offerings to repay the outstanding balance on its revolving credit facility and commercial paper program. The Company has budgeted $200.0 million to $250.0 million of secured or unsecured debt offerings during 2016, excluding usage of the commercial paper program.

We believe that cash and cash equivalents, securities readily convertible to cash, current availability on our revolving credit facility and commercial paper program, expected debt offerings and disposition proceeds for 2016 will provide sufficient liquidity to meet our funding obligations relating to asset acquisitions, debt maturities, existing development projects and special dividends through 2016. We expect that our remaining longer-term funding requirements will be met through some combination of new borrowings, equity issuances, property dispositions, joint ventures and cash generated from operations.

Through their lender originator networks, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the “Government Sponsored Enterprises” or “GSEs”) are significant lenders both to the Company and to buyers of the Company's properties. The GSEs have a mandate to support multifamily housing through their financing activities. Any changes to their mandates, reductions in their size or the scale of their activities or loss of key personnel could have an impact on the Company and may, among other things, lead to lower values for our assets and higher interest rates on our borrowings. The Company has access to multiple other forms of public and private capital and over time, we would expect that other lenders, including banks, the commercial mortgage-backed securities market and life insurance companies, will become larger sources of debt capital to the multifamily market, particularly as it relates to the Company's high quality apartment properties.
The Company anticipates that 2016 same store revenues will increase 4.5% to 5.0% (as compared to the original guidance range of 4.5% to 5.25% that we provided in February 2016) and anticipates that 2016 same store NOI will increase 5.0% to 6.0% (as compared to the original guidance range of 5.0% to 6.5% that we provided in February 2016). While the midpoint of both ranges are modestly lower than the original guidance ranges provided in February 2016, driven primarily by a slow start to the year in New York as discussed below, our revised expectations remain well above historical trends. Improving labor markets, favorable demographics, robust household formations and increasing consumer preferences for the flexibility of rental housing should keep demand for rental housing relatively high in 2016.

Washington D.C. has seen record absorption despite anemic job growth in 2014 and 2015. However, we have noted recent improvements in professional services hiring. We expect continued slow improvement in the Washington D.C. market throughout 2016, but growth will still lag the remainder of the Company's portfolio due to continuing substantial deliveries of new supply in the market combined with modest but recently improving job growth due to weakness in government hiring and spending. We expect to produce same store revenue growth of approximately 1% to 1.3% in this market in 2016.

In the New York market, elevated deliveries of new supply in the Upper West Side, Brooklyn and Jersey City submarkets are having an impact on our ability to raise rents. In order to remain competitive with this new supply, we offered rent concessions in the early part of the year. Despite the relatively slow start to the year, we still expect the New York market to perform well because of strong demand fundamentals. We expect to produce same store revenue growth of approximately 3% in this market in 2016.

We have a cautious outlook for Boston as the market continues to feel the impact from an elevated level of deliveries of new supply in the downtown submarket. We expect to produce same store revenue growth of approximately 3% for the full year. Absorption has been very favorable and most lease ups of new developments are near completion, creating a window of stability through the end of the year.


46

Table of Contents

Seattle is producing solid rental rate growth. Strong demand is being driven by the continued growth in technology jobs in the market. With limited new supply on the horizon and the limited capacity of construction personnel, we would expect Seattle to perform well through 2016, producing same store revenue growth of more than 5%.

San Francisco continues to be one of the strongest apartment rental markets in the country and we expect will be our top performing market in 2016. The market features strong demand being driven by the technology sector and long-term restraints on new supply, though certain submarkets are experiencing elevated levels of new supply in the short-term. We expect to produce same store revenue growth in the high single digits in this market in 2016.

Los Angeles (and Southern California in general) is performing very well and is well positioned to be one of our best performing markets in 2016. Local supply constraints and very good economic growth in the market are driving strong revenue growth. We expect to produce same store revenue growth of more than 5% in this market in 2016.

The Company anticipates that 2016 same store expenses will increase 2.5% to 3.0% (as compared to the original guidance range of 2.5% to 3.5% that we provided in February 2016). As more fully explained below, the decline in utility costs enabled us to modestly lower our same store expense guidance range for 2016. Increases in real estate taxes are expected to approximate 5.25% to 5.75% for the full year 2016. The anticipated increase in real estate taxes is primarily due to rate and value increases in certain states and municipalities, reflecting those states' and municipalities' continued economic challenges and the dramatic improvement in apartment values and fundamentals as well as the contractual annual reduction in the benefits of 421a tax abatements in New York City. We expect full year 2016 utility costs to decline 4.0% to 6.0% due to lower commodity costs and a milder winter in the Northeast. We anticipate same store payroll costs to grow 2.0% to 3.0% in 2016 over 2015.

The Company expects total overhead costs (property management expense and general and administrative expense) to decline slightly in 2016 over 2015 while it expects total revenues to decline more significantly as a result of the Starwood Transaction and other 2016 dispositions. As certain of the Company's overhead costs are fixed and/or not quickly scalable, the Company anticipates overhead costs as a percentage of total revenues will increase in 2016 as compared to 2015.

We believe that the Company is well-positioned as of March 31, 2016 because our properties are geographically diverse, had strong occupancy and the long-term demographic picture in our core coastal markets is positive. As of March 31, 2016, the Company's same store occupancy was 96.2%, its non-same store occupancy was 60.4% (consisting of approximately 20 newly acquired and lease-up properties) and its total portfolio-wide occupancy was 93.9%. We believe many of our markets/metro areas, especially Washington D.C., New York, Boston and San Francisco, will see increased near term multifamily supply, especially in our urban core locations, and there will likely be periods of disruption as new development projects lease up. We believe over the longer term that our markets will absorb future supply without material marketwide disruption because of the strong demand in these markets as exhibited by our current high occupancy levels and increasing household formations. We have seen evidence of this in Seattle as elevated levels of new supply have been absorbed and rental rates continue to grow. We believe our strong balance sheet and ample liquidity will allow us to fund our debt maturities and development costs in the near term and should also allow us to take advantage of investment opportunities in the future.

The current environment information presented above is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.

Results of Operations

In conjunction with our business objectives and operating strategy, the Company continued to invest in apartment properties located in our high barrier to entry markets and sell apartment properties located in our low barrier to entry markets during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 as follows:

Acquired three consolidated apartment properties consisting of 479 apartment units for $204.1 million at a weighted average Acquisition Cap Rate (see definition below) of 4.9%; and
Sold eighty consolidated apartment properties consisting of 26,162 apartment units for $6.3 billion, which includes the sale of the Starwood portfolio consisting of 72 consolidated rental properties containing 23,262 apartment units for $5.365 billion, at a weighted average Disposition Yield (see definition below) of 5.3% and generating an Unlevered IRR (see definition below) of 11.8%.

The Company's primary financial measure for evaluating each of its apartment communities is net operating income (“NOI”). NOI represents rental income less direct property operating expenses (including real estate taxes and insurance). The Company believes that NOI is helpful to investors as a supplemental measure of its operating performance because it is a direct measure of the actual operating results of the Company's apartment properties.


47

Table of Contents

    
The definitions of certain terms described above are as follows:

Acquisition Cap Rate – NOI that the Company anticipates receiving in the next 12 months less an estimate of property management costs/management fees allocated to the project (generally ranging from 2.0% to 4.0% of revenues depending on the size and income streams of the asset) and less an estimate for in-the-unit replacement capital expenditures (generally ranging from $100-$450 per apartment unit depending on the age and condition of the asset) divided by the gross purchase price of the asset. The weighted average Acquisition Cap Rate for acquired properties is weighted based on the projected NOI streams and the relative purchase price for each respective property.
Disposition Yield – NOI that the Company anticipates giving up in the next 12 months less an estimate of property management costs/management fees allocated to the project (generally ranging from 2.0% to 4.0% of revenues depending on the size and income streams of the asset) and less an estimate for in-the-unit replacement capital expenditures (generally ranging from $100-$450 per apartment unit depending on the age and condition of the asset) divided by the gross sale price of the asset. The weighted average Disposition Yield for sold properties is weighted based on the projected NOI streams and the relative sales price for each respective property.
Unlevered Internal Rate of Return (“IRR”) – The Unlevered IRR on sold properties refers to the internal rate of return calculated by the Company based on the timing and amount of (i) total revenue earned during the period owned by the Company and (ii) the gross sales price net of selling costs, offset by (iii) the undepreciated capital cost of the properties at the time of sale and (iv) total direct property operating expenses (including real estate taxes and insurance) incurred during the period owned by the Company. Each of the items (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) is calculated in accordance with GAAP.
    
Properties that the Company owned and were stabilized (see definition below) for all of both of the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (the "First Quarter 2016 Same Store Properties"), which represented 73,222 apartment units, impacted the Company's results of operations. The First Quarter 2016 Same Store Properties are discussed in the following paragraphs.

The following tables provide a rollforward of the apartment units included in Same Store Properties and a reconciliation of apartment units included in Same Store Properties to those included in Total Properties for the quarter ended March 31, 2016:

 
 
Quarter Ended
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
 
Properties
Apartment
Units
Same Store Properties at Beginning of Period
 
358

96,286

2014 acquisitions
 
4

1,011

2016 dispositions
 
(80
)
(26,162
)
2016 dispositions not yet included in same store
 
2

396

Lease-up properties stabilized
 
7

1,690

Other
 

1

Same Store Properties at March 31, 2016
 
291

73,222



48

Table of Contents

 
 
Quarter Ended
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
 
Properties
Apartment
Units
Same Store
 
291

73,222

 
 
 
 
Non-Same Store:
 
 
 
2016 acquisitions
 
3

479

2015 acquisitions
 
4

625

Master-Leased properties (1)
 
3

853

   Lease-up properties not yet stabilized (2)
 
9

2,085

Properties removed from same store (3)
 
1

285

   Other
 
1

1

Total Non-Same Store
 
21

4,328

Unconsolidated properties
 
3

1,281

Military Housing (not consolidated)
 
2

5,161

Total Properties and Apartment Units
 
317

83,992

Note: Properties are considered "stabilized" when they have achieved 90% occupancy for three consecutive months. Properties are included in Same Store when they are stabilized for all of the current and comparable periods presented.
(1)
Includes three properties containing 853 apartment units that are owned by the Company but the entire projects are master leased to a third party corporate housing provider and the Company earns monthly net rental income.
(2)
Includes properties in various stages of lease-up and properties where lease-up has been completed but the properties were not stabilized for the comparable periods presented.
(3)
Represents one property containing 285 apartment units (Playa Pacifica in Hermosa Beach, California) which was removed from the same store portfolio in 2015 due to a major renovation in which significant portions of the property are being taken offline for extended time periods. As of March 31, 2016, the property had 148 apartment units removed from service and an occupancy of only 31.6%. This property will not return to the same store portfolio until it is stabilized for all of the current and comparable periods presented.

The Company’s acquisition, disposition and completed development activities also impacted overall results of operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. The impacts of these activities are discussed in greater detail in the following paragraphs.

Comparison of the quarter ended March 31, 2016 to the quarter ended March 31, 2015

For the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the Company reported diluted earnings per share/unit of $9.76 compared to $0.49 per share/unit in the same period of 2015. The difference is primarily due to approximately $3.6 billion in higher gains on property sales in 2016 compared to 2015 and lower depreciation expense in the first quarter of 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 as a direct result of the significant sales activity, partially offset by significantly higher debt extinguishment costs in 2016 as compared to 2015.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2016, income from continuing operations increased approximately $3.5 billion when compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2015. The increase in continuing operations is discussed below.

Revenues from the First Quarter 2016 Same Store Properties increased $23.9 million primarily as a result of an increase in average rental rates charged to residents. Expenses from the First Quarter 2016 Same Store Properties were generally flat, with increases in real estate taxes largely offset by lower utility costs and a decrease in repairs and maintenance expenses. The following tables provide comparative same store results and statistics for the First Quarter 2016 Same Store Properties:


49

Table of Contents

First Quarter 2016 vs. First Quarter 2015
Same Store Results/Statistics for 73,222 Same Store Apartment Units
$ in thousands (except for Average Rental Rate)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Results
 
Statistics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average
Rental
Rate (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Physical
Occupancy (2)
 
 
Description
 
Revenues
 
Expenses
 
NOI
 
 
 
Turnover (3)
Q1 2016
 
$
547,676

 
$
162,676

 
$
385,000

 
$
2,500

 
95.9
%
 
10.8
%
Q1 2015
 
$
523,739

 
$
162,663

 
$
361,076

 
$
2,390

 
96.0
%
 
10.9
%
Change
 
$
23,937

 
$
13

 
$
23,924

 
$
110

 
(0.1
%)
 
(0.1
%)
Change
 
4.6
%
 
0.0
%
 
6.6
%
 
4.6
%
 
 
 
 
(1)
Average Rental Rate – Total residential rental revenues divided by the weighted average occupied apartment units for the reporting period presented.
(2)
Physical Occupancy – The weighted average occupied apartment units for the reporting period divided by the average of total apartment units available for rent for the reporting period.
(3)
Turnover – Total residential move-outs divided by total residential apartment units, including inter-property and intra-property transfers.

The following table provides comparative same store operating expenses for the First Quarter 2016 Same Store Properties:
 
First Quarter 2016 vs. First Quarter 2015
Same Store Operating Expenses for 73,222 Same Store Apartment Units
$ in thousands
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual
Q1 2016
 
Actual
Q1 2015
 
$
Change
 
%
Change
 
% of Actual
Q1 2016
Operating
Expenses
Real estate taxes
 
$
66,712

 
$
63,244

 
$
3,468

 
5.5
%
 
41.0
%
On-site payroll (1)
 
36,662

 
36,710

 
(48
)
 
(0.1
%)
 
22.5
%
Utilities (2)
 
24,187

 
26,648

 
(2,461
)
 
(9.2
%)
 
14.9
%
Repairs and maintenance (3)
 
19,394

 
20,603

 
(1,209
)
 
(5.9
%)
 
11.9
%
Insurance
 
4,356

 
4,195

 
161

 
3.8
%
 
2.7
%
Leasing and advertising
 
2,145

 
2,102

 
43

 
2.0
%
 
1.3
%
Other on-site operating expenses (4)
 
9,220

 
9,161

 
59

 
0.6
%
 
5.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Same store operating expenses
 
$
162,676

 
$
162,663

 
$
13

 
0.0
%
 
100.0
%
(1)
On-site payroll – Includes payroll and related expenses for on-site personnel including property managers, leasing consultants and maintenance staff.
(2)
Utilities – Represents gross expenses prior to any recoveries under the Resident Utility Billing System (“RUBS”). Recoveries are reflected in rental income.
(3)
Repairs and maintenance – Includes general maintenance costs, apartment unit turnover costs including interior painting, routine landscaping, security, exterminating, fire protection, snow removal, elevator, roof and parking lot repairs and other miscellaneous building repair and maintenance costs.
(4)
Other on-site operating expenses – Includes ground lease costs and administrative costs such as office supplies, telephone and data charges and association and business licensing fees.
    
The following table presents a reconciliation of operating income per the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income to NOI for the First Quarter 2016 Same Store Properties:
 

50

Table of Contents

 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Operating income
 
$
216,625

 
$
218,331

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
Non-same store operating results
 
(41,804
)
 
(92,538
)
Fee and asset management revenue
 
(2,918
)
 
(1,765
)
Property management
 
23,495

 
22,765

General and administrative
 
16,717

 
19,762

Depreciation
 
172,885

 
194,521

Same store NOI
 
$
385,000

 
$
361,076


For properties that the Company acquired or completed that were stabilized prior to January 1, 2015 and that the Company expects to continue to own through December 31, 2016, the Company anticipates the following same store results for the full year ending December 31, 2016:
2016 Same Store Assumptions
Physical occupancy
95.9%
Revenue change
4.5% to 5.0%
Expense change
2.5% to 3.0%
NOI change
5.0% to 6.0%

The Company anticipates consolidated rental acquisitions of $600.0 million and consolidated rental dispositions of $7.4 billion (which includes the sale of the Starwood portfolio and 2016 dispositions discussed above) and expects that the Acquisition Cap Rate will be 0.75% lower than the Disposition Yield for the full year ending December 31, 2016.

These 2016 assumptions are based on current expectations and are forward-looking.
    
Non-same store operating results decreased approximately $50.7 million compared to the first quarter of 2015 and consist primarily of properties acquired in calendar years 2015 and 2016, operations from the Company’s development properties and operations prior to disposition from 2016 sold properties (including the Starwood portfolio). This decrease primarily resulted from:

The lost NOI from 2015 and 2016 dispositions of $65.2 million;
A decrease in operating activities from other miscellaneous properties (including three master-leased properties) of $1.7 million;
A decrease in operating activities from other miscellaneous operations; and
A partial offset from development and newly stabilized development properties in lease-up of $10.3 million and operating properties acquired in 2015 and 2016 of $3.2 million.

See also Note 13 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion regarding the Company’s segment disclosures.

Fee and asset management revenues increased approximately $1.2 million or 65.3% primarily as a result of final estimates of fees earned on management of the Company's military housing ventures at Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force base prior to the sale of the contracts and related rights effective April 1, 2016.

Property management expenses from continuing operations include off-site expenses associated with the self-management of the Company’s properties as well as management fees paid to any third party management companies. These expenses increased approximately $0.7 million or 3.2%. This increase is primarily attributable to increases in computer operations costs, performance bonuses and education conference fees, partially offset by a decrease in other payroll costs. The Company anticipates that property management expenses will approximate $82.0 million to $84.0 million for the year ending December 31, 2016. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.

General and administrative expenses from continuing operations, which include corporate operating expenses, decreased approximately $3.0 million or 15.4% primarily due to a decrease in payroll-related costs. The Company anticipates that general and administrative expenses will approximate $58.0 million to $60.0 million for the year ending December 31, 2016, inclusive

51

Table of Contents

of approximately $4.0 million of severance costs but excluding charges of approximately $1.4 million related to the Company's current executive compensation program. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.

Depreciation expense from continuing operations, which includes depreciation on non-real estate assets, decreased approximately $21.6 million or 11.1% primarily as a result of no depreciation or a partial period of depreciation expense during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 related to the significant property sales in 2016 (including the Starwood portfolio), partially offset by additional depreciation expense on properties acquired in 2016 and development properties placed in service.

Interest and other income from continuing operations increased approximately $2.9 million primarily due to an increase in interest earned on significant cash and cash equivalent balances on hand during the first quarter of 2016 from the Company's dispositions as well as proceeds received from the sale of other investments during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 that did not occur in 2015. The Company anticipates that interest and other income will approximate $3.0 million to $4.0 million for the year ending December 31, 2016, excluding certain non-comparable items. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.

Other expenses from continuing operations increased approximately $2.6 million primarily due to an increase in property acquisition costs incurred in conjunction with the Company's 2016 acquisitions and an increase in the expensing of overhead (pursuit cost write-offs) as a result of fewer new development opportunities.

Interest expense from continuing operations, including amortization of deferred financing costs, increased approximately $107.5 million or 96.5% primarily as a result of prepayment penalties and debt extinguishment costs associated with the repayment of approximately $1.7 billion in debt principal prior to scheduled maturity. During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the Company capitalized interest costs of approximately $14.2 million as compared to $15.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. This capitalization of interest relates to consolidated projects under development. The effective interest cost on all indebtedness for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 was 4.67% as compared to 4.64% for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. The Company anticipates that interest expense from continuing operations, excluding debt extinguishment costs/prepayment penalties, will approximate $354.6 million to $370.8 million and capitalized interest will approximate $47.0 million to $53.0 million for the year ending December 31, 2016. The above assumptions are based on current expectations and are forward-looking.

Income and other tax expense from continuing operations increased approximately $0.3 million primarily due to increases in estimated taxes related to properties sold by the Company's TRS in 2016 vs. 2015. The Company anticipates that income and other tax expense will approximate $1.0 million to $2.0 million for the year ending December 31, 2016. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.

Loss from investments in unconsolidated entities increased by $4.1 million primarily due to a partial litigation settlement received by the Company's joint ventures with AVB during the quarter ended March 31, 2015 that did not reoccur in 2016.

Net gain on sales of real estate properties increased approximately $3.6 billion as a result of the sale of 80 consolidated apartment properties (including the Starwood portfolio) during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 as compared to only three consolidated apartment property sales during the quarter ended March 31, 2015, all of which did not meet the new criteria for reporting discontinued operations. See Note 11 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Net gain on sales of land parcels increased $11.7 million due to the gain on sale of two land parcels during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 as compared to no land sales during the quarter ended March 31, 2015.

Discontinued operations, net decreased approximately $0.3 million between the periods under comparison primarily due to the timing of trailing activity for properties sold in 2013 and prior years. The Company adopted the new discontinued operations standard effective January 1, 2014 and as a result, none of the properties sold during the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 met the new criteria for reporting discontinued operations.  See Note 11 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

EQR issues public equity from time to time and guarantees certain debt of the Operating Partnership. EQR does not have any indebtedness as all debt is incurred by the Operating Partnership.
As of January 1, 2016, the Company had approximately $42.3 million of cash and cash equivalents and the amount available on its revolving credit facility was $2.07 billion (net of $45.1 million which was restricted/dedicated to support letters of credit and net of $387.5 million outstanding on the commercial paper program). After taking into effect the various transactions

52

Table of Contents

discussed in the following paragraphs and the net cash provided by operating activities, the Company's cash and cash equivalents balance at March 31, 2016 was approximately $368.0 million and the amount available on its revolving credit facility was $2.44 billion (net of $64.5 million which was restricted/dedicated to support letters of credit).
During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the Company generated proceeds from various transactions, which included the following:

Disposed of 80 consolidated rental properties (including the Starwood portfolio) and two land parcels, receiving net proceeds of approximately $6.3 billion; and
Issued approximately 0.6 million Common Shares related to share option exercises and ESPP purchases and received net proceeds of $21.7 million, which were contributed to the capital of the Operating Partnership in exchange for additional OP Units (on a one-for-one Common Share per OP Unit basis).

During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the above proceeds along with net cash flow from operations and availability on the Company's revolving line of credit and commercial paper program were primarily utilized to:

Acquire three consolidated rental properties for approximately $160.7 million in cash;
Invest $150.2 million primarily in development projects;
Pay a special dividend of $8.00 per share/unit (approximately $3.0 billion) on March 10, 2016 to shareholders/unitholders of record as of March 3, 2016;
Repay $484.8 million of mortgage loans and incur a prepayment penalty of approximately $29.5 million;
Repay $500.0 million of 5.125% unsecured notes maturing in 2016 and incur a prepayment penalty of approximately $1.4 million;
Repay $400.0 million of 5.375% unsecured notes maturing in 2016 and incur a prepayment penalty of approximately $9.5 million;
Repay $255.9 million of 5.750% unsecured notes maturing in 2017 and incur a prepayment penalty of approximately $16.5 million;
Repay $46.1 million of 7.125% unsecured notes maturing in 2017 and incur a prepayment penalty of approximately $4.6 million;
Repay $250.0 million of 4.625% unsecured notes maturing in 2021 and incur a prepayment penalty of approximately $31.6 million; and
Repay $48.0 million of 7.570% unsecured notes maturing in 2026 and incur a prepayment penalty of approximately $19.3 million.

In September 2009, EQR announced the establishment of an At-The-Market (“ATM”) share offering program which would allow EQR to sell Common Shares from time to time into the existing trading market at current market prices as well as through negotiated transactions. Per the terms of ERPOP’s partnership agreement, EQR contributes the net proceeds from all equity offerings to the capital of ERPOP in exchange for additional OP Units (on a one-for-one Common Share per OP Unit basis). EQR may, but shall have no obligation to, sell Common Shares through the ATM share offering program in amounts and at times to be determined by EQR. Actual sales will depend on a variety of factors to be determined by EQR from time to time, including (among others) market conditions, the trading price of EQR’s Common Shares and determinations of the appropriate sources of funding for EQR. On July 30, 2013, the Board of Trustees approved an increase to the amount of shares which may be offered under the ATM program to 13.0 million Common Shares and extended the program maturity to July 2016. EQR has not issued any shares under this program since September 14, 2012. Through April 29, 2016, EQR has cumulatively issued approximately 16.7 million Common Shares at an average price of $48.53 per share for total consideration of approximately $809.9 million.

Depending on its analysis of market prices, economic conditions and other opportunities for the investment of available capital, EQR may repurchase its Common Shares pursuant to its existing share repurchase program authorized by the Board of Trustees. Effective July 30, 2013, the Board of Trustees approved an increase and modification to the Company's share repurchase program to allow for the potential repurchase of up to 13.0 million shares. EQR repurchased approximately $1.8 million (31,240 shares at a price of $56.87 per share) of its Common Shares (all related to the vesting of employees' restricted shares) during the quarter ended March 31, 2014. No open market repurchases have occurred since 2008. As of April 29, 2016, EQR has remaining authorization to repurchase an additional 12,968,760 of its shares. See Note 3 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Depending on its analysis of prevailing market conditions, liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors, the Company may from time to time seek to repurchase and retire its outstanding debt in open market or privately negotiated transactions.


53

Table of Contents

The Company’s total debt summary and debt maturity schedules as of March 31, 2016 are as follows:
Debt Summary as of March 31, 2016
(Amounts in thousands)
 
 
Amounts (1)
 
% of Total
 
Weighted
Average
Rates (1)
 
Weighted
Average
Maturities
(years)
Secured
 
$
4,223,681

 
49.2
%
 
4.33
%
 
7.1

Unsecured
 
4,360,137

 
50.8
%
 
4.50
%
 
10.8

Total
 
$
8,583,818

 
100.0
%
 
4.42
%
 
9.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed Rate Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Secured – Conventional
 
$
3,565,891

 
41.5
%
 
4.99
%
 
5.5

Unsecured – Public
 
3,901,694

 
45.5
%
 
4.96
%
 
11.7

Fixed Rate Debt
 
7,467,585

 
87.0
%
 
4.97
%
 
8.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floating Rate Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Secured – Conventional
 
7,893

 
0.1
%
 
0.49
%
 
18.1

Secured – Tax Exempt
 
649,897

 
7.6
%
 
0.68
%
 
15.3

Unsecured – Public (2)
 
458,443

 
5.3
%
 
1.19
%
 
3.3

Unsecured – Revolving Credit Facility
 

 

 
1.36
%
 
2.0

Unsecured – Commercial Paper Program (3)
 

 

 
0.96
%
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floating Rate Debt
 
1,116,233

 
13.0
%
 
0.90
%
 
10.5

Total
 
$
8,583,818

 
100.0
%
 
4.42
%
 
9.0

(1)
Net of the effect of any derivative instruments. Weighted average rates are for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.
(2)
Fair value interest rate swaps convert the $450.0 million 2.375% notes due July 1, 2019 to a floating interest rate of 90-Day LIBOR plus 0.61%.
(3)
As of March 31, 2016, there was no commercial paper outstanding.
Note: The Company capitalized interest of approximately $14.2 million and $15.3 million during the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Note: The Company recorded approximately $9.0 million and $0.5 million of net debt discount/deferred derivative settlement amortization as additional interest expense during the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Debt Maturity Schedule as of March 31, 2016
(Amounts in thousands)
Year
 
Fixed
Rate (1)
 
Floating
Rate (1)
 
Total
 
% of Total
 
Weighted Average
Rates on Fixed
Rate Debt (1)
 
Weighted Average
Rates on
Total Debt (1)
2016
 
$
63,918

 
$

 
$
63,918

 
0.8
%
 
6.60
%
 
6.60
%
2017
 
605,426

 
456

 
605,882

 
7.1
%
 
6.19
%
 
6.19
%
2018
 
83,706

 
97,660

 
181,366

 
2.1
%
 
5.57
%
 
3.08
%
2019
 
807,650

 
481,299

 
1,288,949

 
15.0
%
 
5.47
%
 
3.75
%
2020
 
1,679,598

 
809

 
1,680,407

 
19.6
%
 
5.49
%
 
5.49
%
2021
 
946,265

 
856

 
947,121

 
11.0
%
 
4.63
%
 
4.64
%
2022
 
266,240

 
905

 
267,145

 
3.1
%
 
3.27
%
 
3.28
%
2023
 
1,327,965

 
956

 
1,328,921

 
15.5
%
 
3.74
%
 
3.74
%
2024
 
2,498

 
1,010

 
3,508

 
0.0
%
 
4.97
%
 
5.14
%
2025
 
452,625

 
1,069

 
453,694

 
5.3
%
 
3.38
%
 
3.39
%
2026+
 
1,271,816

 
599,434

 
1,871,250

 
21.8
%
 
4.76
%
 
3.48
%
Deferred Financing Costs
 
(32,895
)
 
(10,004
)
 
(42,899
)
 
(0.5
%)
 
N/A

 
N/A

Premium/(Discount)
 
(7,227
)
 
(58,217
)
 
(65,444
)
 
(0.8
%)
 
N/A

 
N/A

Total
 
$
7,467,585

 
$
1,116,233

 
$
8,583,818

 
100.0
%
 
4.81
%
 
4.27
%
(1)
Net of the effect of any derivative instruments. Weighted average rates are as of March 31, 2016.

54

Table of Contents


The following table provides a summary of the Company’s unsecured debt as of March 31, 2016:
 
Unsecured Debt Summary as of March 31, 2016
(Amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
Rate
 
Due
Date
 
Amount
Fixed Rate Notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.750%
 
06/15/17
  
$
394,077

 
 
7.125%
 
10/15/17
  
103,898

 
 
4.750%
 
07/15/20
 
600,000

 
 
4.625%
 
12/15/21
 
750,000

 
 
3.000%
 
04/15/23
  
500,000

 
 
3.375%
 
06/01/25
 
450,000

 
 
7.570%
 
08/15/26
 
92,025

 
 
4.500%
 
07/01/44
  
750,000

 
 
4.500%
 
06/01/45
 
300,000

Deferred Financing Costs and Unamortized (Discount)
 
 
 
 
 
(38,306
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
3,901,694

Floating Rate Notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
 
07/01/19
 
450,000

Fair Value Derivative Adjustments
 
(1)
 
07/01/19
 
10,534

Deferred Financing Costs and Unamortized (Discount)
 
 
 
 
 
(2,091
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
458,443

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Line of Credit and Commercial Paper:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facility (2) (3)
 
LIBOR+0.95%
 
04/01/18
 

Commercial Paper Program (2) (4)
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Unsecured Debt
 
 
 
 
 
$
4,360,137

(1)
Fair value interest rate swaps convert the $450.0 million 2.375% notes due July 1, 2019 to a floating interest rate of 90-Day LIBOR plus 0.61%.
(2)
Facility/program is private. All other unsecured debt is public.
(3)
The interest rate on advances under the $2.5 billion revolving credit facility maturing April 1, 2018 will generally be LIBOR plus a spread (currently 0.95%) and an annual facility fee (currently 15 basis points). Both the spread and the facility fee are dependent on the credit rating of the Company's long-term debt. As of March 31, 2016, there was approximately $2.44 billion available on this facility (net of $64.5 million which was restricted/dedicated to support letters of credit).
(4)
The Company may borrow up to a maximum of $500.0 million on the commercial paper program subject to market conditions. The notes bear interest at various floating rates with a weighted average of 0.96% for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. No amounts were outstanding as of March 31, 2016.
 
EQR and ERPOP currently have an active universal shelf registration statement for the issuance of equity and debt securities that automatically became effective upon filing with the SEC on July 30, 2013 and expires on July 30, 2016. Per the terms of ERPOP’s partnership agreement, EQR contributes the net proceeds of all equity offerings to the capital of ERPOP in exchange for additional OP Units (on a one-for-one Common Share per OP Unit basis) or preference units (on a one-for-one preferred share per preference unit basis).

The Company’s “Consolidated Debt-to-Total Market Capitalization Ratio” as of March 31, 2016 is presented in the following table. The Company calculates the equity component of its market capitalization as the sum of (i) the total outstanding Common Shares and assumed conversion of all Units at the equivalent market value of the closing price of the Company’s Common Shares on the New York Stock Exchange and (ii) the liquidation value of all perpetual preferred shares outstanding.

55

Table of Contents

 
Equity Residential 
Capital Structure as of March 31, 2016
(Amounts in thousands except for share/unit and per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Secured Debt
 
 
 
 
 
$
4,223,681

 
49.2
%
 
 
Unsecured Debt
 
 
 
 
 
4,360,137

 
50.8
%
 
 
Total Debt
 
 
 
 
 
8,583,818

 
100.0
%
 
23.1
%
Common Shares (includes Restricted Shares)
 
365,496,019

 
96.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Units (includes OP Units and Restricted Units)
 
14,703,617

 
3.9
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Shares and Units
 
380,199,636

 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Share Price at March 31, 2016
 
$
75.03

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28,526,379

 
99.9
%
 
 
Perpetual Preferred Equity (see below)
 
 
 
 
 
37,280

 
0.1
%
 
 
Total Equity
 
 
 
 
 
28,563,659

 
100.0
%
 
76.9
%
Total Market Capitalization
 
 
 
 
 
$
37,147,477

 
 
 
100.0
%

Equity Residential
Perpetual Preferred Equity as of March 31, 2016
(Amounts in thousands except for share and per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series
 
Redemption
Date
 
Outstanding
Shares
 
Liquidation
Value
 
Annual
Dividend
Per Share
 
Annual
Dividend
Amount
Preferred Shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.29% Series K
 
12/10/26
 
745,600

 
$
37,280

 
$
4.145

 
$
3,091

Total Perpetual Preferred Equity
 
 
 
745,600

 
$
37,280

 
 
 
$
3,091


The Operating Partnership’s “Consolidated Debt-to-Total Market Capitalization Ratio” as of March 31, 2016 is presented in the following table. The Operating Partnership calculates the equity component of its market capitalization as the sum of (i) the total outstanding Units at the equivalent market value of the closing price of the Company’s Common Shares on the New York Stock Exchange and (ii) the liquidation value of all perpetual preference units outstanding.
 
ERP Operating Limited Partnership 
Capital Structure as of March 31, 2016
(Amounts in thousands except for unit and per unit amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Secured Debt
 
 
 
$
4,223,681

 
49.2
%
 
 
Unsecured Debt
 
 
 
4,360,137

 
50.8
%
 
 
Total Debt
 
 
 
8,583,818

 
100.0
%
 
23.1
%
Total outstanding Units
 
380,199,636

 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Share Price at March 31, 2016
 
$
75.03

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28,526,379

 
99.9
%
 
 
Perpetual Preference Units (see below)
 
 
 
37,280

 
0.1
%
 
 
Total Equity
 
 
 
28,563,659

 
100.0
%
 
76.9
%
Total Market Capitalization
 
 
 
$
37,147,477

 
 
 
100.0
%
 

56

Table of Contents

ERP Operating Limited Partnership
Perpetual Preference Units as of March 31, 2016
(Amounts in thousands except for unit and per unit amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series
 
Redemption
Date
 
Outstanding
Units
 
Liquidation
Value
 
Annual
Dividend
Per Unit
 
Annual
Dividend
Amount
Preference Units:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.29% Series K
 
12/10/26
 
745,600

 
$
37,280

 
$
4.145

 
$
3,091

Total Perpetual Preference Units
 
 
 
745,600

 
$
37,280

 
 
 
$
3,091

The Company generally expects to meet its short-term liquidity requirements, including capital expenditures related to maintaining its existing properties and scheduled unsecured note and mortgage note repayments, through its working capital, net cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility and commercial paper program. Under normal operating conditions, the Company considers its cash provided by operating activities to be adequate to meet operating requirements and payments of distributions.

The Company has a flexible dividend policy which it believes will generate payouts closely aligned with the actual annual operating results of the Company’s core business and provide transparency to investors. Beginning in 2014, the Company began paying its annual dividend based on 65% of the midpoint of the range of Normalized FFO guidance customarily provided as part of the Company's fourth quarter earnings release. The Company expects the 2016 annual dividend payout will be $2.015 per share/unit and the Company intends to pay four quarterly dividends of $0.50375 per share/unit in 2016. The Company's anticipated 2016 regular annual dividend will decrease by approximately 8.8% as compared to the $2.21 per share/unit for 2015 due to the large property sales described above. In addition to the regular quarterly dividends, the Company anticipates paying two special dividends to its shareholders and holders of OP Units of between $10.00 and $12.00 per share/unit in the aggregate. On February 22, 2016, the Board of Trustees declared a special dividend of $8.00 per share/unit that was paid on March 10, 2016 to shareholders/unitholders of record as of March 3, 2016. The Company expects to pay an additional special dividend of approximately $2.00 to $4.00 per share/unit later in 2016 from the proceeds of additional asset sales. All future dividends remain subject to the discretion of the Board of Trustees. The above assumptions are based on current expectations and are forward-looking.

While our current dividend policy makes it less likely that we will over distribute, it will also lead to a dividend reduction more quickly should operating results deteriorate or large portfolio sales occur. However, whether due to changes in the dividend policy or otherwise, there may be times when the Company experiences shortfalls in its coverage of distributions, which may cause the Company to consider reducing its distributions and/or using the proceeds from property dispositions or additional financing transactions to make up the difference. Should these shortfalls occur for lengthy periods of time or be material in nature, the Company's financial condition may be adversely affected and it may not be able to maintain its current distribution levels. The Company believes that its expected 2016 operating cash flow will be sufficient to cover capital expenditures and regular dividends/distributions, while net sales proceeds will cover the special dividends.

The Company also expects to meet its long-term liquidity requirements, such as lump sum unsecured note and mortgage debt maturities, property acquisitions, financing of construction and development activities through the issuance of secured and unsecured debt and equity securities, including additional OP Units, proceeds received from the disposition of certain properties and joint ventures and cash generated from operations after all distributions. In addition, the Company has significant unencumbered properties available to secure additional mortgage borrowings in the event that the public capital markets are unavailable or the cost of alternative sources of capital is too high. The fair value of and cash flow from these unencumbered properties are in excess of the requirements the Company must maintain in order to comply with covenants under its unsecured notes, line of credit and commercial paper program. Of the $25.1 billion in investment in real estate on the Company’s balance sheet at March 31, 2016, $18.3 billion or 72.7% was unencumbered. However, there can be no assurances that these sources of capital will be available to the Company in the future on acceptable terms or otherwise.

ERPOP's long-term senior debt ratings and short-term commercial paper ratings as well as EQR's long-term preferred equity ratings as of April 29, 2016 are as follows:

57

Table of Contents

 
 
Standard & Poor's
 
Moody's
 
Fitch
ERPOP's long-term senior debt rating
 
A-
 
Baa1 (1)
 
A-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ERPOP's short-term commercial paper rating
 
A-2
 
P-2
 
F-2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EQR's long-term preferred equity rating
 
BBB
 
Baa2 (2)
 
BBB

(1)
Moody's rated ERPOP's long-term senior debt with a positive outlook.
(2)
Moody's rated EQR's long-term preferred equity with a positive outlook.

The long-term credit ratings listed above were reaffirmed following the Company's announcement of the Starwood Transaction and other 2016 dispositions. EQR does not have short-term credit ratings.

On January 11, 2013, the Company replaced its existing $1.75 billion facility with a $2.5 billion unsecured revolving credit facility maturing April 1, 2018. The Company has the ability to increase available borrowings by an additional $500.0 million by adding additional banks to the facility or obtaining the agreement of existing banks to increase their commitments. The interest rate on advances under the facility will generally be LIBOR plus a spread (currently 0.95%) and the Company pays an annual facility fee (currently 15 basis points). Both the spread and the facility fee are dependent on the credit rating of the Company’s long-term debt.
On February 2, 2015, the Company entered into an unsecured commercial paper note program in the United States. The Company may borrow up to a maximum of $500.0 million on this program subject to market conditions. The notes will be sold under customary terms in the United States commercial paper note market and will rank pari passu with all of the Company's other unsecured senior indebtedness. As of April 29, 2016, no amounts were outstanding on the commercial paper program.

As of April 29, 2016, the amount available on the revolving credit facility was $2.47 billion (net of $27.0 million which was restricted/dedicated to support letters of credit). This facility may, among other potential uses, be used to fund property acquisitions, costs for certain properties under development and short-term liquidity requirements.

See Note 14 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of the events which occurred subsequent to March 31, 2016.

Capitalization of Fixed Assets and Improvements to Real Estate

Our policy with respect to capital expenditures is generally to capitalize expenditures that improve the value of the property or extend the useful life of the component asset of the property. We track improvements to real estate in two major categories and several subcategories:

Replacements (inside the apartment unit). These include:
flooring such as carpets, hardwood, vinyl or tile;
appliances;
mechanical equipment such as individual furnace/air units, hot water heaters, etc;
furniture and fixtures such as kitchen/bath cabinets, light fixtures, ceiling fans, sinks, tubs, toilets, mirrors, countertops, etc; and
blinds.
All replacements are depreciated over a five to ten-year estimated useful life. We expense as incurred all make-ready maintenance and turnover costs such as cleaning, interior painting of individual apartment units and the repair of any replacement item noted above.

Building improvements (outside the apartment unit). These include:
roof replacement and major repairs;
paving or major resurfacing of parking lots, curbs and sidewalks;
amenities and common areas such as pools, exterior sports and playground equipment, lobbies, clubhouses, laundry rooms, alarm and security systems and offices;
major building mechanical equipment systems;
interior and exterior structural repair and exterior painting and siding;
major landscaping and grounds improvement; and
vehicles and office and maintenance equipment.

58

Table of Contents

All building improvements are depreciated over a five to fifteen-year estimated useful life. We capitalize building improvements and upgrades only if the item: (i) exceeds $2,500 (selected projects must exceed $10,000); (ii) extends the useful life of the asset; and (iii) improves the value of the asset.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2016, our actual improvements to real estate totaled approximately $33.9 million. This includes the following (amounts in thousands except for apartment unit and per apartment unit amounts):

Capital Expenditures to Real Estate
For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
Apartment
Units (1)
 
Replacements
 (2)
 
Avg. Per
Apartment
Unit
 
Building
Improvements (3)
 
Avg. Per
Apartment
Unit
 
Total
 
Avg. Per
Apartment
Unit
Same Store Properties (4)
 
73,222

 
$
15,806

 
$
216

 
$
12,302

 
$
168

 
$
28,108

 
$
384

Non-Same Store Properties (5)
 
4,328

 
1,164

 
298

 
2,583

 
662

 
3,747

 
960

Other (6)
 

 
1,618

 
 
 
429

 
 
 
2,047

 
 
Total
 
77,550

 
$
18,588

 
 
 
$
15,314

 
 
 
$
33,902

 
 
 
(1)
Total Apartment Units – Excludes 1,281 unconsolidated apartment units and 5,161 military housing apartment units for which repairs and maintenance expenses and capital expenditures to real estate are self-funded and do not consolidate into the Company's results.
(2)
Replacements – Includes new expenditures inside the apartment units such as appliances, mechanical equipment, fixtures and flooring, including carpeting. Replacements for same store properties also include $10.2 million spent during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 on apartment unit renovations/rehabs (primarily kitchens and baths) on 866 same store apartment units (equating to about $11,800 per apartment unit rehabbed) designed to reposition these assets for higher rental levels in their respective markets.
(3)
Building Improvements – Includes roof replacement, paving, amenities and common areas, building mechanical equipment systems, exterior painting and siding, major landscaping, vehicles and office and maintenance equipment.
(4)
Same Store Properties – Primarily includes all properties acquired or completed that are stabilized prior to January 1, 2015, less properties subsequently sold.
(5)
Non-Same Store Properties – Primarily includes all properties acquired during 2015 and 2016, plus any properties in lease-up and not stabilized as of January 1, 2015. Per apartment unit amounts are based on a weighted average of 3,904 apartment units.
(6)
Other – Primarily includes expenditures for properties sold and properties under development.

Based on the approximately 70,000 apartment units expected to be included in same store properties by December 31, 2016, the Company estimates that it will spend approximately $2,200 per apartment unit of capital expenditures, inclusive of apartment unit renovation/rehab costs, or $1,600 per apartment unit excluding apartment unit renovation/rehab costs during 2016. In 2016, the Company expects to spend approximately $40.0 million for all unit renovation/rehab costs (primarily on same store properties) at a weighted average cost of $10,000 per apartment unit rehabbed. These anticipated amounts represent a relatively constant amount as a percentage of rental revenues, an increase in the cost per unit over 2015, but a decline in the absolute dollar amounts, which is primarily driven by the Company's more valuable urban apartment footprint. We will continue to create value from our properties by doing those rehabs that meet our investment parameters. The above assumptions are based on current expectations and are forward-looking.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the Company’s total non-real estate capital additions, such as computer software, computer equipment, and furniture and fixtures and leasehold improvements to the Company’s property management offices and its corporate offices, were approximately $1.2 million. The Company expects to fund approximately $2.9 million in total non-real estate capital additions for the remainder of 2016. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.

Capital expenditures to real estate and non-real estate capital additions are generally funded from net cash provided by operating activities and from investment cash flow.

Derivative Instruments

In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to the effect of interest rate changes. The Company seeks to manage these risks by following established risk management policies and procedures including the use of derivatives to hedge interest rate risk on debt instruments. The Company may also use derivatives to manage its exposure to foreign exchange rates or manage commodity prices in the daily operations of the business.


59

Table of Contents

The Company has a policy of only entering into contracts with major financial institutions based upon their credit ratings and other factors. When viewed in conjunction with the underlying and offsetting exposure that the derivatives are designed to hedge, the Company has not sustained a material loss from these instruments nor does it anticipate any material adverse effect on its net income or financial position in the future from the use of derivatives it currently has in place.

See Note 9 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of derivative instruments at March 31, 2016.

Other

Total distributions paid in April 2016 amounted to $191.3 million (excluding distributions on Partially Owned Properties), which included certain distributions declared during the first quarter ended March 31, 2016.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

The Company has various unconsolidated interests in certain joint ventures. The Company does not believe that these unconsolidated investments have a materially different impact on its liquidity, cash flows, capital resources, credit or market risk than its consolidated operating and/or other activities.

Operating Properties

The Company has a 75% equity interest in the Wisconsin Place joint venture. The project contains a mixed-use site located in Chevy Chase, Maryland consisting of residential, retail, office and accessory uses, including underground parking facilities. The joint venture owns the 432 unit residential component, but has no ownership interest in the retail and office components. The joint venture also retains an unconsolidated interest in an entity that owns the land underlying the entire project and owns and operates the parking facility. At March 31, 2016, the basis of this investment was $48.8 million. The joint venture, as a limited partner, does not have substantive kick-out or participating rights in the entity. As a result, the entity qualifies as a VIE. The joint venture does not have a controlling financial interest in the VIE and is not the VIE's primary beneficiary. The joint venture does not have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance or the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. As a result, the entity that owns the land and owns and operates the parking facility is unconsolidated and recorded using the equity method of accounting.

The Company has a 20% equity interest in the Waterton Tenside joint venture which owns a 336 unit apartment property located in Atlanta, Georgia and had a basis of $3.9 million at March 31, 2016. The partner is the managing member and developed the project. The project is encumbered by a non-recourse mortgage loan that has a current outstanding balance of $29.3 million, bears interest at 3.66% and matures December 1, 2018. The Company, as the limited partner, does not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. As a result, the entity qualifies as a VIE. The Company does not have a controlling financial interest in the VIE and is not the VIE's primary beneficiary. The Company does not have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance or the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. As a result, the entity is unconsolidated and recorded using the equity method of accounting.

The Company has a 20% equity interest in each of the Nexus Sawgrass and Domain joint ventures. The Nexus Sawgrass joint venture owns a 501 unit apartment property located in Sunrise, Florida and the Company's interest had a basis of $4.9 million at March 31, 2016. The Domain joint venture owns a 444 unit apartment property located in San Jose, California and the Company's interest had a basis of $9.8 million at March 31, 2016. Nexus Sawgrass and Domain were completed and stabilized during the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and March 31, 2015, respectively. Construction on both properties was predominantly funded with long-term, non-recourse secured loans from the partner. The mortgage loan on Nexus Sawgrass has a current unconsolidated outstanding balance of $48.6 million, bears interest at 5.60% and matures January 1, 2021. The mortgage loan on Domain has a current unconsolidated outstanding balance of $96.8 million, bears interest at 5.75% and matures January 1, 2022. While the Company is the managing member of both of the joint ventures, was responsible for constructing both of the properties and gave certain construction cost overrun guarantees, the joint venture partner has significant participating rights and has active involvement in and oversight of the ongoing operations. As a result, the entities do not qualify as VIEs. The Company alone does not have the power to direct the activities of the entities that most significantly impact the entities' economic performance and as a result, the entities are unconsolidated and recorded using the equity method of accounting. The Company currently has no further funding obligations related to these properties.



60

Table of Contents


Other

On February 27, 2013, in connection with the acquisition of Archstone, subsidiaries of the Company and AVB entered into three limited liability company agreements (collectively, the “Residual JV”). The Residual JV owned certain Archstone assets and succeeded to certain residual Archstone liabilities/litigation. The Residual JV is owned 60% by the Company and 40% by AVB. The Company's initial investment was $147.6 million and the Company's basis at March 31, 2016 was a net obligation of $0.9 million. The Residual JV is managed by a Management Committee consisting of two members from each of the Company and AVB. Both partners have equal participation in the Management Committee and all significant participating rights are shared by both partners. As a result, the Residual JV does not qualify as a VIE. The Company alone does not have the power to direct the activities of the Residual JV that most significantly impact the Residual JV's economic performance and as a result, the Residual JV is unconsolidated and recorded using the equity method of accounting. The Residual JV has sold all of the real estate assets that were acquired as part of the acquisition of Archstone, including all of the German assets, and is in the process of winding down all remaining activities.
    
On February 27, 2013, in connection with the acquisition of Archstone, a subsidiary of the Company and AVB entered into a limited liability company agreement (the “Legacy JV”), through which they assumed obligations of Archstone in the form of preferred interests, some of which are governed by tax protection arrangements. At March 31, 2016, the remaining preferred interests had an aggregate liquidation value of $42.2 million, our share of which is included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Obligations of the Legacy JV are borne 60% by the Company and 40% by AVB. The Legacy JV is managed by a Management Committee consisting of two members from each of the Company and AVB. Both partners have equal participation in the Management Committee and all significant participating rights are shared by both partners. As a result, the Legacy JV does not qualify as a VIE. The Company alone does not have the power to direct the activities of the Legacy JV that most significantly impact the Legacy JV's economic performance and as a result, the Legacy JV is unconsolidated and recorded using the equity method of accounting.

As of March 31, 2016, the Company has 10 wholly owned projects totaling 3,983 apartment units in various stages of development with estimated completion dates ranging through September 30, 2017, as well as other completed development projects that are in various stages of lease up or are stabilized. See also Note 12 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion regarding the Company's development projects.

See also Notes 2 and 6 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion regarding the Company’s investments in partially owned entities.

As a result of the significant debt extinguishments which were completed in the first quarter of 2016 using proceeds from the Starwood Transaction and other 2016 dispositions, the Company’s contractual obligations for the next five years and thereafter have changed materially from the amounts and disclosures included in the Company’s and the Operating Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and are summarized below as of March 31, 2016:

Payments Due by Year (in thousands)
Contractual Obligations
 
Remaining 2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
Thereafter
 
Total
Debt:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

Principal (a)
 
$
63,918

 
$
605,882

 
$
181,366

 
$
1,288,949

 
$
1,680,407

 
$
947,121

 
$
3,816,175

 
$
8,583,818

Interest (b)
 
275,983

 
349,984

 
317,592

 
265,726

 
207,108

 
173,640

 
1,398,660

 
2,988,693

Operating Leases:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Minimum Rent Payments (c)
 
11,841

 
15,748

 
15,740

 
15,594

 
15,185

 
14,943

 
825,162

 
914,213

Other Long-Term Liabilities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Deferred Compensation (d)
 
768

 
1,387

 
1,722

 
1,128

 
1,079

 
1,079

 
4,383

 
11,546

Total
 
$
352,510

 
$
973,001

 
$
516,420

 
$
1,571,397

 
$
1,903,779

 
$
1,136,783

 
$
6,044,380

 
$
12,498,270

(a)
Amounts include aggregate principal payments only.
(b)
Amounts include interest expected to be incurred on the Company’s secured and unsecured debt based on obligations outstanding at March 31, 2016 and inclusive of capitalized interest. For floating rate debt, the current rate in effect for the most recent payment through March 31, 2016 is assumed to be in effect through the respective maturity date of each instrument.
(c)
Minimum basic rent due for various office space the Company leases and fixed base rent due on ground leases for 11 properties.
(d)
Estimated payments to the Company's Chairman, Vice Chairman and one former CEO based on actual and planned retirement dates.



61

Table of Contents


Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. If our judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions had been different or different assumptions were made, it is possible that different accounting policies would have been applied, resulting in different financial results or different presentation of our financial statements.

The Company has identified five significant accounting policies as critical accounting policies. These critical accounting policies are those that have the most impact on the reporting of our financial condition and those requiring significant judgments and estimates. With respect to these critical accounting policies, management believes that the application of judgments and estimates is consistently applied and produces financial information that fairly presents the results of operations for all periods presented. The five critical accounting policies are:

Acquisition of Investment Properties

The Company allocates the purchase price of properties to net tangible and identified intangible assets acquired based on their fair values. In making estimates of fair values for purposes of allocating purchase price, the Company utilizes a number of sources, including independent appraisals that may be obtained in connection with the acquisition or financing of the respective property, our own analysis of recently acquired and existing comparable properties in our portfolio and other market data. The Company also considers information obtained about each property as a result of its pre-acquisition due diligence, marketing and leasing activities in estimating the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company periodically evaluates its long-lived assets, including its investments in real estate, for indicators of impairment. The judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on factors such as operational performance, market conditions and legal and environmental concerns, as well as the Company’s ability to hold and its intent with regard to each asset. Future events could occur which would cause the Company to conclude that impairment indicators exist and an impairment loss is warranted.

Depreciation of Investment in Real Estate

The Company depreciates the building component of its investment in real estate over a 30-year estimated useful life, building improvements over a 5-year to 15-year estimated useful life and both the furniture, fixtures and equipment and replacement components over a 5-year to 10-year estimated useful life, all of which are judgmental determinations.
    
Cost Capitalization
See the Capitalization of Fixed Assets and Improvements to Real Estate section for a discussion of the Company’s policy with respect to capitalization vs. expensing of fixed asset/repair and maintenance costs. In addition, the Company capitalizes an allocation of the payroll and associated costs of employees directly responsible for and who spend their time on the execution and supervision of major capital and/or renovation projects. These costs are reflected on the balance sheets as increases to depreciable property.
    
For all development projects, the Company uses its professional judgment in determining whether such costs meet the criteria for capitalization or must be expensed as incurred. The Company capitalizes interest, real estate taxes and insurance and payroll and associated costs for those individuals directly responsible for and who spend their time on development activities, with capitalization ceasing no later than 90 days following issuance of the certificate of occupancy. These costs are reflected on the balance sheets as construction-in-progress for each specific property. The Company expenses as incurred all payroll costs of on-site employees working directly at our properties, except as noted above on our development properties prior to certificate of occupancy issuance and on specific major renovations at selected properties when additional incremental employees are hired.

During the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company capitalized $5.7 million and $6.2 million, respectively, of payroll and associated costs of employees directly responsible for and who spend their time on the execution and supervision of development activities as well as major capital and/or renovation projects.



62

Table of Contents


Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Including Derivative Instruments

The valuation of financial instruments requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the fair value of the instruments. The Company, where possible, bases the fair values of its financial instruments, including its derivative instruments, on listed market prices and third party quotes. Where these are not available, the Company bases its estimates on current instruments with similar terms and maturities or on other factors relevant to the financial instruments.

Funds From Operations and Normalized Funds From Operations

For the quarter ended March 31, 2016, Funds From Operations ("FFO") available to Common Shares and Units / Units and Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units decreased $120.8 million, or 40.4%, and $9.5 million, or 3.2%, respectively, as compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2015.
    
The following is the Company’s and the Operating Partnership’s reconciliation of net income to FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units and Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:
Funds From Operations and Normalized Funds From Operations
(Amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
Net income
 
$
3,731,831

 
$
190,224

Net (income) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(764
)
 
(643
)
Preferred/preference distributions
 
(773
)
 
(891
)
Premium on redemption of Preferred Shares/Preference Units
 

 
(2,789
)
Net income available to Common Shares and Units / Units
 
3,730,294

 
185,901

 
 
 
 
 
Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 
172,885

 
194,521

Depreciation – Non-real estate additions
 
(1,408
)
 
(1,261
)
Depreciation – Partially Owned Properties
 
(994
)
 
(1,079
)
Depreciation – Unconsolidated Properties
 
1,233

 
1,228

Net (gain) on sales of real estate properties
 
(3,723,479
)
 
(79,951
)
Discontinued operations:
 
 
 
 
Net (gain) on sales of discontinued operations
 
(15
)
 

FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units (1) (3) (4)
 
178,516

 
299,359

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
Asset impairment and valuation allowances
 

 

Property acquisition costs and write-off of pursuit costs
 
3,084

 
(4,825
)
Debt extinguishment (gains) losses, including prepayment penalties, preferred
 
 
 
 
    share/preference unit redemptions and non-cash convertible debt discounts
 
120,097

 
1,473

(Gains) losses on sales of non-operating assets, net of income and other tax expense (benefit)
 
(12,278
)
 
1,658

Other miscellaneous non-comparable items
 
62

 
1,337

Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units (2) (3) (4)
 
$
289,481

 
$
299,002

 
 
 
 
 
 
FFO (1) (3)
 
$
179,289

 
$
303,039

Preferred/preference distributions
 
(773
)
 
(891
)
Premium on redemption of Preferred Shares/Preference Units
 

 
(2,789
)
FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units (1) (3) (4)
 
$
178,516

 
$
299,359

 
 
 
 
 
 
Normalized FFO (2) (3)
 
$
290,254

 
$
299,893

Preferred/preference distributions
 
(773
)
 
(891
)
Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units (2) (3) (4)
 
$
289,481

 
$
299,002


(1)
The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) defines funds from operations (“FFO”) (April 2002 White Paper) as net income (computed in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”)), excluding gains

63

Table of Contents

(or losses) from sales and impairment write-downs of depreciable operating properties, plus depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. Adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures will be calculated to reflect funds from operations on the same basis. The April 2002 White Paper states that gain or loss on sales of property is excluded from FFO for previously depreciated operating properties only.

(2)
Normalized funds from operations (“Normalized FFO”) begins with FFO and excludes:
the impact of any expenses relating to non-operating asset impairment and valuation allowances;
property acquisition and other transaction costs related to mergers and acquisitions and pursuit cost write-offs;
gains and losses from early debt extinguishment, including prepayment penalties, preferred share/preference unit redemptions and the cost related to the implied option value of non-cash convertible debt discounts;
gains and losses on the sales of non-operating assets, including gains and losses from land parcel sales, net of the effect of income tax benefits or expenses; and
other miscellaneous non-comparable items.

(3)
The Company believes that FFO and FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units are helpful to investors as supplemental measures of the operating performance of a real estate company, because they are recognized measures of performance by the real estate industry and by excluding gains or losses related to dispositions of depreciable property and excluding real estate depreciation (which can vary among owners of identical assets in similar condition based on historical cost accounting and useful life estimates), FFO and FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units can help compare the operating performance of a company’s real estate between periods or as compared to different companies. The Company also believes that Normalized FFO and Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units are helpful to investors as supplemental measures of the operating performance of a real estate company because they allow investors to compare the Company’s operating performance to its performance in prior reporting periods and to the operating performance of other real estate companies without the effect of items that by their nature are not comparable from period to period and tend to obscure the Company’s actual operating results. FFO, FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units, Normalized FFO and Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units do not represent net income, net income available to Common Shares / Units or net cash flows from operating activities in accordance with GAAP. Therefore, FFO, FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units, Normalized FFO and Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units should not be exclusively considered as alternatives to net income, net income available to Common Shares / Units or net cash flows from operating activities as determined by GAAP or as a measure of liquidity. The Company’s calculation of FFO, FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units, Normalized FFO and Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units may differ from other real estate companies due to, among other items, variations in cost capitalization policies for capital expenditures and, accordingly, may not be comparable to such other real estate companies.

(4)
FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units and Normalized FFO available to Common Shares and Units / Units are calculated on a basis consistent with net income available to Common Shares / Units and reflects adjustments to net income for preferred distributions and premiums on redemption of preferred shares/preference units in accordance with GAAP. The equity positions of various individuals and entities that contributed their properties to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP Units are collectively referred to as the “Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership”. Subject to certain restrictions, the Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership may exchange their OP Units for Common Shares on a one-for-one basis.

Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

As a result of the significant debt extinguishments which were completed in the first quarter of 2016 using proceeds from the Starwood Transaction and other 2016 dispositions, certain of the Company’s and the Operating Partnership's market risks have changed materially from the amounts and information reported in Part II, Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, to the Company’s and the Operating Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and have been updated in the following paragraphs.
Market risks relating to the Company’s financial instruments result primarily from changes in short-term LIBOR interest rates and changes in the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association ("SIFMA") index for tax-exempt debt. The Company also has foreign exchange exposure related to undistributed cash remaining after the sale of its interests in German residential real estate that were acquired as part of the Archstone Transaction but the Company estimates this exposure is now less than $5.0 million.
The Company’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates to the unsecured revolving credit facility and commercial paper program, the floating rate tax-exempt debt and the fair value hedges that convert fixed rate debt to floating rate debt as well as exposure on the refinancing of its debt. The Company typically incurs fixed rate debt obligations to finance acquisitions while it typically incurs floating rate debt obligations to finance working capital needs and as a temporary measure in advance of securing long-term fixed rate financing. The Company continuously evaluates its level of floating rate debt with respect to total debt and other factors, including its assessment of the current and future economic environment. To the extent the Company carries substantial cash balances, this will tend to partially counterbalance any increase or decrease in interest rates.
The Company also utilizes certain derivative financial instruments to manage market risk. Interest rate protection agreements are used to convert floating rate debt to a fixed rate basis or vice versa as well as to partially lock in rates on future debt issuances. Derivatives are used for hedging purposes rather than speculation. The Company does not enter into financial

64

Table of Contents

instruments for trading purposes. See also Note 9 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of derivative instruments.
The fair values of the Company’s financial instruments (including such items in the financial statement captions as cash and cash equivalents, other assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other liabilities) approximate their carrying or contract values based on their nature, terms and interest rates that approximate current market rates. The fair value of the Company’s mortgage notes payable and unsecured debt were approximately $4.4 billion and $4.7 billion, respectively, at March 31, 2016.
At March 31, 2016, the Company had total outstanding floating rate debt of approximately $1.1 billion, or 13.0% of total debt, net of the effects of any derivative instruments. If market rates of interest on all of the floating rate debt permanently increased by 9 basis points (a 10% increase from the Company’s existing weighted average interest rates), the increase in interest expense on the floating rate debt would decrease future earnings and cash flows by approximately $1.0 million. If market rates of interest on all of the floating rate debt permanently decreased by 9 basis points (a 10% decrease from the Company’s existing weighted average interest rates), the decrease in interest expense on the floating rate debt would increase future earnings and cash flows by approximately $1.0 million.
At March 31, 2016, the Company had total outstanding fixed rate debt of approximately $7.5 billion, or 87.0% of total debt, net of the effects of any derivative instruments. If market rates of interest permanently increased by 50 basis points (a 10% increase from the Company’s existing weighted average interest rates), the estimated fair value of the Company’s fixed rate debt would be approximately $6.8 billion. If market rates of interest permanently decreased by 50 basis points (a 10% decrease from the Company’s existing weighted average interest rates), the estimated fair value of the Company’s fixed rate debt would be approximately $8.3 billion.
These amounts were determined by considering the impact of hypothetical interest rates on the Company’s financial instruments. The foregoing assumptions apply to the entire amount of the Company’s debt and derivative instruments and do not differentiate among maturities. These analyses do not consider the effects of the changes in overall economic activity that could exist in such an environment. Further, in the event of changes of such magnitude, management would likely take actions to further mitigate its exposure to the changes. However, due to the uncertainty of the specific actions that would be taken and their possible effects, this analysis assumes no changes in the Company’s financial structure or results.
The Company cannot predict the effect of adverse changes in interest rates on its debt and derivative instruments and, therefore, its exposure to market risk, nor can there be any assurance that long-term debt will be available at advantageous pricing. Consequently, future results may differ materially from the estimated adverse changes discussed above.

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

Equity Residential

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures:
Effective as of March 31, 2016, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in its Exchange Act filings is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting:
There were no changes to the internal control over financial reporting of the Company identified in connection with the Company’s evaluation referred to in Item 4(a) above that occurred during the first quarter of 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

ERP Operating Limited Partnership

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures:
Effective as of March 31, 2016, the Operating Partnership carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Operating Partnership’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of EQR, of the effectiveness of the Operating Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Operating Partnership in its Exchange Act filings is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

65

Table of Contents


(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting:
There were no changes to the internal control over financial reporting of the Operating Partnership identified in connection with the Operating Partnership’s evaluation referred to in Item 4(a) above that occurred during the first quarter of 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

66

Table of Contents

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.
Legal Proceedings

The Company is party to a housing discrimination lawsuit brought by a non-profit civil rights organization in April 2006 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The suit as presently configured alleges that the Company designed and built many of its properties in violation of the accessibility requirements of the Fair Housing Act (“FHA”) and Americans With Disabilities Act (“ADA”). The suit seeks actual and punitive damages, injunctive relief (including modification of non-compliant properties), costs and attorneys’ fees. In the 10 years the case has been pending, the Court has made several important rulings, including that the plaintiff lacks standing under the ADA and thus cannot pursue claims under that statute. On March 31, 2016, the Court found that certain features at seven of the Company’s properties do not satisfy the accessibility requirements of the FHA. The Court also found that six of the Company's properties do not belong in the case based on date of design/construction or the fact that the Company did not participate in design/construction. It is unclear at this time what effect the Court’s recent rulings will have on as yet unresolved liability issues as well as potential remedies for violations found. The Company will continue to defend the suit vigorously, and due to the uncertainty of the many critical factual and legal issues, it is not possible to determine or predict the outcome of the suit or a possible loss or a range of loss, and no amounts have been accrued at March 31, 2016. While no assurances can be given, the Company does not believe that the suit, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect on the Company.
The Company does not believe there is any other litigation pending or threatened against it that, individually or in the aggregate, may reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors that were discussed in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s and the Operating Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(a) Unregistered Common Shares Issued in the Quarter Ended March 31, 2016 - Equity Residential

During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, EQR issued 5,577 Common Shares in exchange for 5,577 OP Units held by various limited partners of ERPOP. OP Units are generally exchangeable into Common Shares on a one-for-one basis or, at the option of ERPOP, the cash equivalent thereof, at any time one year after the date of issuance. These shares were either registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or issued in reliance on an exemption from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as these were transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering. In light of the manner of the sale and information obtained by EQR from the limited partners in connection with these transactions, EQR believes it may rely on these exemptions.

Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5.
Other Information

None.

Item 6.
Exhibits – See the Exhibit Index.

67

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 5, 2016
 
By:
 
/s/ Mark J. Parrell
 
 
 
 
 
Mark J. Parrell
 
 
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 5, 2016
 
By:
 
/s/ Ian S. Kaufman
 
 
 
 
 
Ian S. Kaufman
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
 
 
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
BY: EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
ITS GENERAL PARTNER
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 5, 2016
 
By:
 
/s/ Mark J. Parrell
 
 
 
 
 
Mark J. Parrell
 
 
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 5, 2016
 
By:
 
/s/ Ian S. Kaufman
 
 
 
 
 
Ian S. Kaufman
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
 
 
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)




Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX
The exhibits listed below are filed as part of this report. References to exhibits or other filings under the caption “Location” indicate that the exhibit or other filing has been filed, that the indexed exhibit and the exhibit referred to are the same and that the exhibit referred to is incorporated by reference. The Commission file numbers for our Exchange Act filings referenced below are 1-12252 (Equity Residential) and 0-24920 (ERP Operating Limited Partnership).
 
Exhibit
  
Description
  
Location
 
 
 
 
 
12
 
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges.
 
Attached herein.
 
 
 
 
 
31.1
  
Equity Residential – Certification of David J. Neithercut, Chief Executive Officer.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
 
31.2
  
Equity Residential – Certification of Mark J. Parrell, Chief Financial Officer.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
 
 
31.3
  
ERP Operating Limited Partnership – Certification of David J. Neithercut, Chief Executive Officer of Registrant’s General Partner.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
 
31.4
  
ERP Operating Limited Partnership – Certification of Mark J. Parrell, Chief Financial Officer of Registrant’s General Partner.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
 
 
32.1
  
Equity Residential – Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of David J. Neithercut, Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
 
 
32.2
  
Equity Residential – Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of Mark J. Parrell, Chief Financial Officer of the Company.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
 
32.3
  
ERP Operating Limited Partnership – Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of David J. Neithercut, Chief Executive Officer of Registrant’s General Partner.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
 
32.4
  
ERP Operating Limited Partnership – Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of Mark J. Parrell, Chief Financial Officer of Registrant’s General Partner.
  
Attached herein.
 
 
 
 
 
101
  
XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language). The following materials from Equity Residential’s and ERP Operating Limited Partnership’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2016, formatted in XBRL: (i) consolidated balance sheets, (ii) consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, (iii) consolidated statements of cash flows, (iv) consolidated statement of changes in equity (Equity Residential), (v) consolidated statement of changes in capital (ERP Operating Limited Partnership) and (vi) notes to consolidated financial statements.
  
Attached herein.