Q1 '15 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, 2015

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 30, 2015 was 363,988,765.



Table of Contents

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This report combines the reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015 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, 2015 owned an approximate 96.2% ownership interest in, ERPOP. The remaining 3.8% 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 limited partnership interests in ERPOP (“OP Units”) (on a one-for-one Common Share per OP 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
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                      and Results of Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Table of Contents

EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands except for share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate
 
 
 
 
Land
 
$
6,357,580

 
$
6,295,404

Depreciable property
 
20,024,497

 
19,851,504

Projects under development
 
1,269,784

 
1,343,919

Land held for development
 
143,997

 
184,556

Investment in real estate
 
27,795,858

 
27,675,383

Accumulated depreciation
 
(5,600,485
)
 
(5,432,805
)
Investment in real estate, net
 
22,195,373

 
22,242,578

Cash and cash equivalents
 
49,418

 
40,080

Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
89,284

 
105,434

Deposits – restricted
 
203,800

 
72,303

Escrow deposits – mortgage
 
50,659

 
48,085

Deferred financing costs, net
 
55,791

 
58,380

Other assets
 
384,723

 
383,754

Total assets
 
$
23,029,048

 
$
22,950,614

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable
 
$
4,957,876

 
$
5,086,515

Notes, net
 
5,430,806

 
5,425,346

Line of credit and commercial paper
 
470,826

 
333,000

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
202,110

 
153,590

Accrued interest payable
 
84,670

 
89,540

Other liabilities
 
383,057

 
389,915

Security deposits
 
75,294

 
75,633

Distributions payable
 
208,954

 
188,566

Total liabilities
 
11,813,593

 
11,742,105

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership
 
541,866

 
500,733

Equity:
 
 
 
 
Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
Preferred Shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value;
 
 
 
 
100,000,000 shares authorized; 803,600 shares issued and
outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and 1,000,000 shares
issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2014
 
40,180

 
50,000

Common Shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value;
 
 
 
 
1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 363,968,420 shares issued
and outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and 362,855,454
shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2014
 
3,640

 
3,629

Paid in capital
 
8,539,115

 
8,536,340

Retained earnings
 
1,928,449

 
1,950,639

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
 
(180,022
)
 
(172,152
)
Total shareholders’ equity
 
10,331,362

 
10,368,456

Noncontrolling Interests:
 
 
 
 
Operating Partnership
 
219,566

 
214,411

Partially Owned Properties
 
122,661

 
124,909

Total Noncontrolling Interests
 
342,227

 
339,320

Total equity
 
10,673,589

 
10,707,776

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
23,029,048

 
$
22,950,614


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,
 
 
2015
 
2014
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
Rental income
 
$
664,606

 
$
630,725

Fee and asset management
 
1,765

 
2,717

Total revenues
 
666,371

 
633,442

 
 
 
 
 
EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
Property and maintenance
 
124,560

 
125,566

Real estate taxes and insurance
 
86,432

 
82,094

Property management
 
21,444

 
22,118

Fee and asset management
 
1,321

 
1,662

Depreciation
 
194,521

 
185,167

General and administrative
 
19,922

 
17,576

Total expenses
 
448,200

 
434,183

 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
218,171

 
199,259

 
 
 
 
 
Interest and other income
 
120

 
605

Other expenses
 
70

 
(664
)
Interest:
 
 
 
 
Expense incurred, net
 
(108,622
)
 
(113,049
)
Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
(2,589
)
 
(2,792
)
Income before income and other taxes, income (loss) from investments in unconsolidated entities, net
gain (loss) on sales of real estate properties and land parcels and discontinued operations
 
107,150

 
83,359

Income and other tax (expense) benefit
 
(43
)
 
(240
)
Income (loss) from investments in unconsolidated entities
 
2,963

 
(1,409
)
Net gain on sales of real estate properties
 
79,951

 

Net (loss) on sales of land parcels
 
(1
)
 
(30
)
Income from continuing operations
 
190,020

 
81,680

Discontinued operations, net
 
204

 
1,052

Net income
 
190,224

 
82,732

Net (income) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests:
 
 
 
 
Operating Partnership
 
(7,059
)
 
(3,093
)
Partially Owned Properties
 
(643
)
 
(504
)
Net income attributable to controlling interests
 
182,522

 
79,135

Preferred distributions
 
(891
)
 
(1,036
)
Premium on redemption of Preferred Shares
 
(2,789
)
 

Net income available to Common Shares
 
$
178,842

 
$
78,099

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share – basic:
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations available to Common Shares
 
$
0.49

 
$
0.21

Net income available to Common Shares
 
$
0.49

 
$
0.22

Weighted average Common Shares outstanding
 
363,098

 
360,470

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share – diluted:
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations available to Common Shares
 
$
0.49

 
$
0.21

Net income available to Common Shares
 
$
0.49

 
$
0.22

Weighted average Common Shares outstanding
 
380,327

 
376,384

 
 
 
 
 
Distributions declared per Common Share outstanding
 
$
0.5525

 
$
0.50









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,
 
 
2015
 
2014
Comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
190,224

 
$
82,732

Other comprehensive (loss):
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive (loss) income – derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding (losses) arising during the period
 
(11,788
)
 
(11,952
)
Losses reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income
 
4,338

 
4,129

Other comprehensive (loss) income – foreign currency:
 
 
 
 
Currency translation adjustments arising during the period
 
(420
)
 
91

Other comprehensive (loss)
 
(7,870
)
 
(7,732
)
Comprehensive income
 
182,354

 
75,000

Comprehensive (income) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
(7,402
)
 
(3,302
)
Comprehensive income attributable to controlling interests
 
$
174,952

 
$
71,698



See accompanying notes
4

Table of Contents

EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
190,224

 
$
82,732

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 
194,521

 
185,167

Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
2,589

 
2,792

Amortization of above/below market leases
 
846

 
829

Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt
 
(3,751
)
 
(2,938
)
Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments
 
4,205

 
3,996

Write-off of pursuit costs
 
493

 
452

(Income) loss from investments in unconsolidated entities
 
(2,963
)
 
1,409

Distributions from unconsolidated entities – return on capital
 
516

 
914

Net (gain) on sale of investment securities
 

 
(21
)
Net (gain) on sales of real estate properties
 
(79,951
)
 

Net loss on sales of land parcels
 
1

 
30

Net (gain) on sales of discontinued operations
 

 
(71
)
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments
 
24

 
(3
)
Compensation paid with Company Common Shares
 
13,610

 
12,981

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Decrease (increase) in deposits – restricted
 
290

 
(418
)
(Increase) decrease in mortgage deposits
 
(456
)
 
375

(Increase) decrease in other assets
 
(4,237
)
 
18,613

Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
45,450

 
55,263

(Decrease) in accrued interest payable
 
(4,870
)
 
(169
)
(Decrease) in other liabilities
 
(8,307
)
 
(26,194
)
(Decrease) increase in security deposits
 
(339
)
 
1,143

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
347,895

 
336,882

 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate – acquisitions
 
(6,720
)
 
(148,535
)
Investment in real estate – development/other
 
(146,194
)
 
(122,340
)
Capital expenditures to real estate
 
(38,170
)
 
(32,191
)
Non-real estate capital additions
 
(469
)
 
(159
)
Interest capitalized for real estate and unconsolidated entities under development
 
(15,313
)
 
(12,792
)
Proceeds from disposition of real estate, net
 
142,931

 

Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
(2,410
)
 
(6,254
)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities – return of capital
 
18,969

 
7,680

Proceeds from sale of investment securities
 

 
21

(Increase) decrease in deposits on real estate acquisitions and investments, net
 
(131,787
)
 
12,904

(Increase) in mortgage deposits
 
(59
)
 
(91
)
Net cash (used for) investing activities
 
(179,222
)
 
(301,757
)







See accompanying notes
5

Table of Contents

EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Debt financing costs
 
$

 
$
(60
)
Mortgage deposits
 
(2,059
)
 
(1,643
)
Mortgage notes payable:
 
 
 
 
Lump sum payoffs
 
(121,326
)
 

Scheduled principal repayments
 
(2,746
)
 
(3,034
)
Line of credit and commercial paper:
 
 
 
 
Line of credit proceeds
 
1,997,000

 
1,751,000

Line of credit repayments
 
(2,200,000
)
 
(1,568,000
)
Commercial paper proceeds
 
1,155,228

 

Commercial paper repayments
 
(814,600
)
 

(Payments on) settlement of derivative instruments
 
(25
)
 

Proceeds from Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
 
1,927

 
1,741

Proceeds from exercise of options
 
32,213

 
15,785

Common Shares repurchased and retired
 

 
(1,777
)
Redemption of Preferred Shares
 
(9,820
)
 

Premium on redemption of Preferred Shares
 
(2,789
)
 

Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 

 
(2,501
)
Contributions – Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 

 
5,684

Contributions – Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership
 
1

 
3

Distributions:
 
 
 
 
Common Shares
 
(181,408
)
 
(234,282
)
Preferred Shares
 
(891
)
 
(1,036
)
Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership
 
(7,149
)
 
(9,217
)
Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(2,891
)
 
(4,113
)
Net cash (used for) financing activities
 
(159,335
)
 
(51,450
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
9,338

 
(16,325
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
40,080

 
53,534

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
49,418

 
$
37,209

 


















See accompanying notes
6

Table of Contents

EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited) 
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
 
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized
 
$
113,113

 
$
112,152

Net cash paid for income and other taxes
 
$
718

 
$
596

Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable
 
$
(4,567
)
 
$
(3,506
)
Notes, net
 
$
618

 
$
568

Line of credit and commercial paper
 
$
198

 
$

Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
 
$
(133
)
 
$
(133
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
$
4,338

 
$
4,129

(Income) loss from investments in unconsolidated entities:
 
 
 
 
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$
(3,625
)
 
$
472

Other liabilities
 
$
662

 
$
937

Distributions from unconsolidated entities – return on capital:
 
 
 
 
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$
516

 
$
862

Other liabilities
 
$

 
$
52

Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Other assets
 
$
(4,963
)
 
$
7,279

Notes, net
 
$
4,842

 
$

Other liabilities
 
$
11,933

 
$
4,670

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
$
(11,788
)
 
$
(11,952
)
Interest capitalized for real estate and unconsolidated entities under development:
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate, net
 
$
(15,313
)
 
$
(12,774
)
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$

 
$
(18
)
Investments in unconsolidated entities:
 
 
 
 
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$
(130
)
 
$
(1,454
)
Other liabilities
 
$
(2,280
)
 
$
(4,800
)
Other:
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
$
420

 
$
(91
)

See accompanying notes
7

Table of Contents

EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Quarter Ended
 
 
March 31, 2015
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
PREFERRED SHARES
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
50,000

Partial redemption of 8.29% Series K Cumulative Redeemable
 
(9,820
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
40,180

 
 
 
COMMON SHARES, $0.01 PAR VALUE
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
3,629

Conversion of OP Units into Common Shares
 
1

Exercise of share options
 
8

Share-based employee compensation expense:
 
 
Restricted shares
 
2

Balance, end of period
 
$
3,640

 
 
 
PAID IN CAPITAL
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
8,536,340

Common Share Issuance:
 
 
Conversion of OP Units into Common Shares
 
3,712

Exercise of share options
 
32,205

Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
 
1,927

Share-based employee compensation expense:
 
 
Restricted shares
 
6,720

Share options
 
997

ESPP discount
 
412

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP)
 
(2,307
)
Change in market value of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership
 
(41,763
)
Adjustment for Noncontrolling Interests ownership in Operating Partnership
 
872

Balance, end of period
 
$
8,539,115

 
 
 
RETAINED EARNINGS
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
1,950,639

Net income attributable to controlling interests
 
182,522

Common Share distributions
 
(201,032
)
Preferred Share distributions
 
(891
)
Premium on redemption of Preferred Shares – cash charge
 
(2,789
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
1,928,449

 














See accompanying notes
8

Table of Contents

EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited) 
 
 
Quarter Ended
 
 
March 31, 2015
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)
 
 
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
(172,152
)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income – derivative instruments:
 
 
Unrealized holding (losses) arising during the period
 
(11,788
)
Losses reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income
 
4,338

   Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) – foreign currency:
 
 
     Currency translation adjustments arising during the period
 
(420
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
(180,022
)
 
 
 
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING PARTNERSHIP
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
214,411

Issuance of restricted units to Noncontrolling Interests
 
1

Conversion of OP Units held by Noncontrolling Interests into OP Units held by General Partner
 
(3,713
)
Equity compensation associated with Noncontrolling Interests
 
9,963

Net income attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
7,059

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interests
 
(7,913
)
Change in carrying value of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership
 
630

Adjustment for Noncontrolling Interests ownership in Operating Partnership
 
(872
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
219,566

 
 
 
PARTIALLY OWNED PROPERTIES
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
124,909

Net income attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
643

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interests
 
(2,891
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
122,661


See accompanying notes
9

Table of Contents

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate
 
 
 
 
Land
 
$
6,357,580

 
$
6,295,404

Depreciable property
 
20,024,497

 
19,851,504

Projects under development
 
1,269,784

 
1,343,919

Land held for development
 
143,997

 
184,556

Investment in real estate
 
27,795,858

 
27,675,383

Accumulated depreciation
 
(5,600,485
)
 
(5,432,805
)
Investment in real estate, net
 
22,195,373

 
22,242,578

Cash and cash equivalents
 
49,418

 
40,080

Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
89,284

 
105,434

Deposits – restricted
 
203,800

 
72,303

Escrow deposits – mortgage
 
50,659

 
48,085

Deferred financing costs, net
 
55,791

 
58,380

Other assets
 
384,723

 
383,754

Total assets
 
$
23,029,048

 
$
22,950,614

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable
 
$
4,957,876

 
$
5,086,515

Notes, net
 
5,430,806

 
5,425,346

Line of credit and commercial paper
 
470,826

 
333,000

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
202,110

 
153,590

Accrued interest payable
 
84,670

 
89,540

Other liabilities
 
383,057

 
389,915

Security deposits
 
75,294

 
75,633

Distributions payable
 
208,954

 
188,566

Total liabilities
 
11,813,593

 
11,742,105

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Redeemable Limited Partners
 
541,866

 
500,733

Capital:
 
 
 
 
Partners' Capital:
 
 
 
 
Preference Units
 
40,180

 
50,000

General Partner
 
10,471,204

 
10,490,608

Limited Partners
 
219,566

 
214,411

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
 
(180,022
)
 
(172,152
)
Total partners' capital
 
10,550,928

 
10,582,867

Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
122,661

 
124,909

Total capital
 
10,673,589

 
10,707,776

Total liabilities and capital
 
$
23,029,048

 
$
22,950,614



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,
 
 
2015
 
2014
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
Rental income
 
$
664,606

 
$
630,725

Fee and asset management
 
1,765

 
2,717

Total revenues
 
666,371

 
633,442

 
 
 
 
 
EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
Property and maintenance
 
124,560

 
125,566

Real estate taxes and insurance
 
86,432

 
82,094

Property management
 
21,444

 
22,118

Fee and asset management
 
1,321

 
1,662

Depreciation
 
194,521

 
185,167

General and administrative
 
19,922

 
17,576

Total expenses
 
448,200

 
434,183

 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
218,171

 
199,259

 
 
 
 
 
Interest and other income
 
120

 
605

Other expenses
 
70

 
(664
)
Interest:
 
 
 
 
Expense incurred, net
 
(108,622
)
 
(113,049
)
Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
(2,589
)
 
(2,792
)
Income before income and other taxes, income (loss) from investments in unconsolidated entities, net
gain (loss) on sales of real estate properties and land parcels and discontinued operations
 
107,150

 
83,359

Income and other tax (expense) benefit
 
(43
)
 
(240
)
Income (loss) from investments in unconsolidated entities
 
2,963

 
(1,409
)
Net gain on sales of real estate properties
 
79,951

 

Net (loss) on sales of land parcels
 
(1
)
 
(30
)
Income from continuing operations
 
190,020

 
81,680

Discontinued operations, net
 
204

 
1,052

Net income
 
190,224

 
82,732

Net (income) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(643
)
 
(504
)
Net income attributable to controlling interests
 
$
189,581

 
$
82,228

 
 
 
 
 
ALLOCATION OF NET INCOME:
 
 
 
 
Preference Units
 
$
891

 
$
1,036

Premium on redemption of Preference Units
 
$
2,789

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
General Partner
 
$
178,842

 
$
78,099

Limited Partners
 
7,059

 
3,093

Net income available to Units
 
$
185,901

 
$
81,192

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per Unit – basic:
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations available to Units
 
$
0.49

 
$
0.21

Net income available to Units
 
$
0.49

 
$
0.22

Weighted average Units outstanding
 
376,696

 
374,201

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per Unit – diluted:
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations available to Units
 
$
0.49

 
$
0.21

Net income available to Units
 
$
0.49

 
$
0.22

Weighted average Units outstanding
 
380,327

 
376,384

 
 
 
 
 
Distributions declared per Unit outstanding
 
$
0.5525

 
$
0.50

 







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,
 
 
2015
 
2014
Comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
190,224

 
$
82,732

Other comprehensive (loss):
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive (loss) income – derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding (losses) arising during the period
 
(11,788
)
 
(11,952
)
Losses reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income
 
4,338

 
4,129

Other comprehensive (loss) income – foreign currency:
 
 
 
 
Currency translation adjustments arising during the period
 
(420
)
 
91

Other comprehensive (loss)
 
(7,870
)
 
(7,732
)
Comprehensive income
 
182,354

 
75,000

Comprehensive (income) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests –
Partially Owned Properties
 
(643
)
 
(504
)
Comprehensive income attributable to controlling interests
 
$
181,711

 
$
74,496


See accompanying notes
12

Table of Contents

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited) 
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
190,224

 
$
82,732

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 
194,521

 
185,167

Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
2,589

 
2,792

Amortization of above/below market leases
 
846

 
829

Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt
 
(3,751
)
 
(2,938
)
Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments
 
4,205

 
3,996

Write-off of pursuit costs
 
493

 
452

(Income) loss from investments in unconsolidated entities
 
(2,963
)
 
1,409

Distributions from unconsolidated entities – return on capital
 
516

 
914

Net (gain) on sale of investment securities
 

 
(21
)
Net (gain) on sales of real estate properties
 
(79,951
)
 

Net loss on sales of land parcels
 
1

 
30

Net (gain) on sales of discontinued operations
 

 
(71
)
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments
 
24

 
(3
)
Compensation paid with Company Common Shares
 
13,610

 
12,981

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Decrease (increase) in deposits – restricted
 
290

 
(418
)
(Increase) decrease in mortgage deposits
 
(456
)
 
375

(Increase) decrease in other assets
 
(4,237
)
 
18,613

Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
45,450

 
55,263

(Decrease) in accrued interest payable
 
(4,870
)
 
(169
)
(Decrease) in other liabilities
 
(8,307
)
 
(26,194
)
(Decrease) increase in security deposits
 
(339
)
 
1,143

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
347,895

 
336,882

 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate – acquisitions
 
(6,720
)
 
(148,535
)
Investment in real estate – development/other
 
(146,194
)
 
(122,340
)
Capital expenditures to real estate
 
(38,170
)
 
(32,191
)
Non-real estate capital additions
 
(469
)
 
(159
)
Interest capitalized for real estate and unconsolidated entities under development
 
(15,313
)
 
(12,792
)
Proceeds from disposition of real estate, net
 
142,931

 

Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
(2,410
)
 
(6,254
)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities – return of capital
 
18,969

 
7,680

Proceeds from sale of investment securities
 

 
21

(Increase) decrease in deposits on real estate acquisitions and investments, net
 
(131,787
)
 
12,904

(Increase) in mortgage deposits
 
(59
)
 
(91
)
Net cash (used for) investing activities
 
(179,222
)
 
(301,757
)
 









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,
 
 
2015
 
2014
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Debt financing costs
 
$

 
$
(60
)
Mortgage deposits
 
(2,059
)
 
(1,643
)
Mortgage notes payable:
 
 
 
 
Lump sum payoffs
 
(121,326
)
 

Scheduled principal repayments
 
(2,746
)
 
(3,034
)
Line of credit and commercial paper:
 
 
 
 
Line of credit proceeds
 
1,997,000

 
1,751,000

Line of credit repayments
 
(2,200,000
)
 
(1,568,000
)
Commercial paper proceeds
 
1,155,228

 

Commercial paper repayments
 
(814,600
)
 

(Payments on) settlement of derivative instruments
 
(25
)
 

Proceeds from EQR's Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
 
1,927

 
1,741

Proceeds from exercise of EQR options
 
32,213

 
15,785

OP Units repurchased and retired
 

 
(1,777
)
Redemption of Preference Units
 
(9,820
)
 

Premium on redemption of Preference Units
 
(2,789
)
 

Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 

 
(2,501
)
Contributions – Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 

 
5,684

Contributions – Limited Partners
 
1

 
3

Distributions:
 
 
 
 
OP Units – General Partner
 
(181,408
)
 
(234,282
)
Preference Units
 
(891
)
 
(1,036
)
OP Units – Limited Partners
 
(7,149
)
 
(9,217
)
Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties
 
(2,891
)
 
(4,113
)
Net cash (used for) financing activities
 
(159,335
)
 
(51,450
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
9,338

 
(16,325
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
40,080

 
53,534

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
49,418

 
$
37,209

 


















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,
 
 
2015
 
2014
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
 
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized
 
$
113,113

 
$
112,152

Net cash paid for income and other taxes
 
$
718

 
$
596

Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage notes payable
 
$
(4,567
)
 
$
(3,506
)
Notes, net
 
$
618

 
$
568

Line of credit and commercial paper
 
$
198

 
$

Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
 
$
(133
)
 
$
(133
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
$
4,338

 
$
4,129

(Income) loss from investments in unconsolidated entities:
 
 
 
 
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$
(3,625
)
 
$
472

Other liabilities
 
$
662

 
$
937

Distributions from unconsolidated entities – return on capital:
 
 
 
 
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$
516

 
$
862

Other liabilities
 
$

 
$
52

Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Other assets
 
$
(4,963
)
 
$
7,279

Notes, net
 
$
4,842

 
$

Other liabilities
 
$
11,933

 
$
4,670

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
$
(11,788
)
 
$
(11,952
)
Interest capitalized for real estate and unconsolidated entities under development:
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate, net
 
$
(15,313
)
 
$
(12,774
)
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$

 
$
(18
)
Investments in unconsolidated entities:
 
 
 
 
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
$
(130
)
 
$
(1,454
)
Other liabilities
 
$
(2,280
)
 
$
(4,800
)
Other:
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
$
420

 
$
(91
)

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, 2015
PARTNERS' CAPITAL
 
 
 
PREFERENCE UNITS
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
50,000

Partial redemption of 8.29% Series K Cumulative Redeemable
(9,820
)
Balance, end of period
$
40,180

 
 
GENERAL PARTNER
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
10,490,608

OP Unit Issuance:
 
Conversion of OP Units held by Limited Partners into OP Units held by General Partner
3,713

Exercise of EQR share options
32,213

EQR's Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
1,927

Share-based employee compensation expense:
 
EQR restricted shares
6,722

EQR share options
997

EQR ESPP discount
412

Net income available to Units – General Partner
178,842

OP Units – General Partner distributions
(201,032
)
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP)
(2,307
)
Change in market value of Redeemable Limited Partners
(41,763
)
Adjustment for Limited Partners ownership in Operating Partnership
872

Balance, end of period
$
10,471,204

 
 
LIMITED PARTNERS
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
214,411

Issuance of restricted units to Limited Partners
1

Conversion of OP Units held by Limited Partners into OP Units held by General Partner
(3,713
)
Equity compensation associated with Units – Limited Partners
9,963

Net income available to Units – Limited Partners
7,059

Units – Limited Partners distributions
(7,913
)
Change in carrying value of Redeemable Limited Partners
630

Adjustment for Limited Partners ownership in Operating Partnership
(872
)
Balance, end of period
$
219,566

 
 
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
(172,152
)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income – derivative instruments:
 
Unrealized holding (losses) arising during the period
(11,788
)
Losses reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income
4,338

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) – foreign currency:
 
Currency translation adjustments arising during the period
(420
)
Balance, end of period
$
(180,022
)
 








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, 2015
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
 
 
 
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS – PARTIALLY OWNED PROPERTIES
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
124,909

Net income attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
643

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interests
(2,891
)
Balance, end of period
$
122,661


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, 2015 owned an approximate 96.2% 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, 2015, the Company, directly or indirectly through investments in title holding entities, owned all or a portion of 389 properties located in 12 states and the District of Columbia consisting of 108,793 apartment units. The ownership breakdown includes (table does not include various uncompleted development properties):
 
 
Properties
 
Apartment
Units
Wholly Owned Properties
 
362

 
97,825

Master-Leased Properties – Consolidated
 
3

 
853

Partially Owned Properties – Consolidated
 
19

 
3,771

Partially Owned Properties – Unconsolidated
 
3

 
1,281

Military Housing
 
2

 
5,063

 
 
389

 
108,793


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, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015.

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, 2014 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, 2014.

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, 2015, the Company has recorded a deferred tax asset, which is fully offset by a valuation allowance due to the uncertainty in forecasting future TRS taxable income.

Other

The Company is the controlling partner in various consolidated partnerships owning 19 properties and 3,771 apartment units and various completed and uncompleted development properties having a noncontrolling interest book value of $122.7 million at March 31, 2015. 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 six properties having a noncontrolling interest deficit balance of $11.0 million. These six 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, 2015, the Company estimates the value of Noncontrolling Interest distributions for these six properties would have been approximately $63.3 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 six 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, 2015 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.

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (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. See Note 11 for further discussion.
    
In May 2014, 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 contracts. 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

19

Table of Contents

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, 2017 and early adoption is not permitted. The new standard may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or retrospectively 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. 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 new standard will be effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2016 and early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The new standard must be applied using a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity/capital as of the beginning of the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period presented. 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 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.  The new standard will be effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2016 and early adoption is permitted.  The new standard must be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the consolidated financial statements.  The Company does not expect that this will have a material effect on its consolidated results of operations or financial position.

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 (formerly known as Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) Units)) for the quarter ended March 31, 2015:

20

Table of Contents

 
 
2015
Common Shares
 
 
Common Shares outstanding at January 1,
 
362,855,454

Common Shares Issued:
 
 
Conversion of OP Units
 
154,050

Exercise of share options
 
770,012

Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
 
30,151

Restricted share grants, net
 
158,753

Common Shares outstanding at March 31,
 
363,968,420

Units
 
 
Units outstanding at January 1,
 
14,298,691

Restricted units, net
 
333,304

Conversion of OP Units to Common Shares
 
(154,050
)
Units outstanding at March 31,
 
14,477,945

Total Common Shares and Units outstanding at March 31,
 
378,446,365

Units Ownership Interest in Operating Partnership
 
3.8
%
    
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 can not 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, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

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, 2015, the Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership have a redemption value of approximately $541.9 million, which represents the value of Common Shares that would be issued in exchange with the Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership Units.

The following table presents the changes in the redemption value of the Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests – Operating Partnership for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 (amounts in thousands):

21

Table of Contents

 
 
2015
Balance at January 1,
 
$
500,733

Change in market value
 
41,763

Change in carrying value
 
(630
)
Balance at March 31,
 
$
541,866

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, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts in thousands
 
 
Redemption
Date (1)
 
Annual
Dividend per
Share (2)
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
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; 803,600 shares issued and outstanding
at March 31, 2015 and 1,000,000 shares issued and
outstanding at December 31, 2014 (3)
 
12/10/26
 

$4.145

 
$
40,180

 
$
50,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
40,180

 
$
50,000

 
(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.
(3)
Effective January 26, 2015, the Company repurchased and retired 196,400 Series K Preferred Shares with a par value of $9.82 million for total cash consideration of approximately $12.7 million. As a result of this partial redemption, the Company incurred a cash charge of approximately $2.8 million which was recorded as a premium on the redemption of Preferred Shares.

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, 2015:

22

Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
 
2015
General and Limited Partner Units
 
 
General and Limited Partner Units outstanding at January 1,
 
377,154,145

Issued to General Partner:
 
 
Exercise of EQR share options
 
770,012

EQR’s Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
 
30,151

EQR's restricted share grants, net
 
158,753

Issued to Limited Partners:
 
 
Restricted units, net
 
333,304

General and Limited Partner Units outstanding at March 31,
 
378,446,365

Limited Partner Units
 
 
Limited Partner Units outstanding at January 1,
 
14,298,691

Limited Partner restricted units, net
 
333,304

Conversion of Limited Partner OP Units to EQR Common Shares
 
(154,050
)
Limited Partner Units outstanding at March 31,
 
14,477,945

Limited Partner Units Ownership Interest in Operating Partnership
 
3.8
%
The Limited Partners of the Operating Partnership as of March 31, 2015 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 can not 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, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
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, 2015, the Redeemable Limited Partner Units have a redemption value of approximately $541.9 million, which represents the value of Common Shares that would be issued in exchange with 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, 2015 (amounts in thousands):
 
 
2015
Balance at January 1,
 
$
500,733

Change in market value
 
41,763

Change in carrying value
 
(630
)
Balance at March 31,
 
$
541,866


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, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts in thousands
 
 
Redemption
Date (1)
 
Annual
Dividend per
Unit (2)
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Preference Units:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.29% Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units;
liquidation value $50 per unit; 803,600 units issued and
outstanding at March 31, 2015 and 1,000,000 units
issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 (3)
 
12/10/26
 

$4.145

 
$
40,180

 
$
50,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
40,180

 
$
50,000

 
(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.
(3)
Effective January 26, 2015, the Operating Partnership repurchased and retired 196,400 Series K Preference Units with a par value of $9.82 million for total cash consideration of approximately $12.7 million, in conjunction with the concurrent redemption of the corresponding Company Preferred Shares. As a result of this partial redemption, the Operating Partnership incurred a cash charge of approximately $2.8 million which was recorded as a premium on the redemption of Preference Units.

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, 2015. As of March 31, 2015, EQR has remaining authorization to repurchase an additional 12,968,760 of its shares.

4.
Real Estate and Lease Intangibles

The following table summarizes the carrying amounts for the Company’s investment in real estate (at cost) as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (amounts in thousands):

24

Table of Contents

 
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Land
 
$
6,357,580

 
$
6,295,404

Depreciable property:
 
 
 
 
Buildings and improvements
 
18,109,892

 
17,974,337

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
 
1,401,801

 
1,365,276

In-Place lease intangibles
 
512,804

 
511,891

Projects under development:
 
 
 
 
Land
 
423,359

 
466,764

Construction-in-progress
 
846,425

 
877,155

Land held for development:
 
 
 
 
Land
 
109,726

 
145,366

Construction-in-progress
 
34,271

 
39,190

Investment in real estate
 
27,795,858

 
27,675,383

Accumulated depreciation
 
(5,600,485
)
 
(5,432,805