UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019

OR

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 001-36041

 

INDEPENDENCE REALTY TRUST, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

(267) 270-4800

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

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.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No   ☒

As of April 30, 2019 there were 89,834,501 shares of the Registrant’s common stock issued and outstanding.

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

 

 

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INDEPENDENCE REALTY TRUST, INC.

INDEX

 

 

 

 

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PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Independence Realty Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited and dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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Independence Realty Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited and dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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Independence Realty Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Unaudited and dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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Independence Realty Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

(Unaudited and dollars in thousands, except share information)

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements

 

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Independence Realty Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited and dollars in thousands)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

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Independence Realty Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2019

(Unaudited and dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

NOTE 1: Organization

 

Independence Realty Trust, Inc. (“IRT”), is a self-administered and self-managed Maryland real estate investment trust, or REIT, which was formed on March 26, 2009.  Our primary purposes are to acquire, own, operate, improve and manage multifamily apartment communities in non-gateway markets. As of March 31, 2019, we owned and operated 58 multifamily apartment properties, totaling 15,880 units across non-gateway U.S markets, including Atlanta, Louisville, Memphis, and Raleigh. We own substantially all of our assets and conduct our operations through Independence Realty Operating Partnership, LP, which we refer to as IROP, of which we are the sole general partner.   

 

   As used herein, the terms “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Independence Realty Trust, Inc. and, as required by context, IROP and their subsidiaries.

 

NOTE 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

a. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although we believe that the included disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018 included in our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly our consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations and cash flows are included. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year.

b. Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements reflect our accounts and the accounts of IROP and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  Pursuant to FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 810, “Consolidation”, IROP is considered a variable interest entity.  As our significant asset is our investment in IROP, substantially all of our assets and liabilities represent the assets and liabilities of IROP.

c. Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

d. Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash held in banks and highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased.  Cash, including amounts restricted, may at times exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation deposit insurance limit of $250 per institution.  We mitigate credit risk by placing cash and cash equivalents with major financial institutions.  To date, we have not experienced any losses on cash and cash equivalents.

e. Restricted Cash

Restricted cash includes escrows of our funds held by lenders to fund certain expenditures, such as real estate taxes and insurance, or to be released at our discretion upon the occurrence of certain pre-specified events.  As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had $7,122 and $6,729, respectively, of restricted cash.

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f. Investments in Real Estate

Investments in real estate are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Costs that both add value and appreciably extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

Investments in real estate are classified as held for sale in the period in which certain criteria are met including when management commits to a plan to sell, an active program to locate a buyer has been initiated, the sale is probable, and actions required to complete the plan of sale indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan of sale will be made or the plan of sale will be withdrawn.

Allocation of Purchase Price of Acquired Assets

The properties we acquire are generally accounted for as asset acquisitions. Under asset acquisition accounting, the costs to acquire real estate, including transaction costs related to the acquisition, are accumulated and then allocated to the individual assets and liabilities acquired based upon their relative fair value.  Transaction costs and fees incurred related to the financing of an acquisition are capitalized and amortized over the life of the related financing.

We estimate the fair value of acquired tangible assets (consisting of land, building and improvements), identified intangible assets (consisting of in-place leases), and assumed debt at the date of acquisition, based on the evaluation of information and estimates available at that date.

The aggregate value of in-place leases is determined by evaluating various factors, including the terms of the leases that are in place and assumed lease-up periods. The value assigned to in-place lease assets is amortized over the assumed lease up period, typically six months. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we did not acquire any in-place leases as part of related property acquisitions. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, we recorded $556 and $1,291, respectively, of amortization expense for intangible assets. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, we wrote-off fully amortized intangible assets of $813 and $1,963, respectively. As of March 31, 2019, we expect to record additional amortization expense on current in-place intangible assets of $188 for the remainder of 2019.  

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Management evaluates the recoverability of our investment in real estate assets, including related identifiable intangible assets, in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment”. This statement requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that recoverability of the assets is not assured.

Management reviews its long-lived assets on an ongoing basis and evaluates the recoverability of the carrying value when there is an indicator of impairment. An impairment charge is recorded when it is determined that the carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value. The estimated cash flows used for the impairment analysis and the determination of estimated fair value are based on our plans for the respective assets and our views of market and economic conditions. The estimates consider matters such as current and historical rental rates, occupancies for the respective and/or comparable properties, and recent sales data for comparable properties. Changes in estimated future cash flows due to changes in our plans or views of market and economic conditions could result in recognition of impairment losses, which, under the applicable accounting guidance, could be substantial.

Depreciation Expense

Depreciation expense for real estate assets is computed using a straight-line method based on a life of 40 years for buildings and improvements and five to ten years for equipment and fixtures. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, we recorded $11,891 and $9,931 of depreciation expense, respectively.

g. Revenue and Expenses

 

Rental and other property revenue

 

We apply FASB ASC Topic 842, “Leases” with respect to our accounting for rental income.  We primarily lease apartments units under operating leases generally with terms of one year or less. Rental payments are generally due monthly and rental revenues are recognized on an accrual basis when earned.  We have elected to account for lease (i.e. fixed payments including base rent) and non-lease components (i.e. tenant reimbursements and other certain service fees) as a single combined operating lease component since (1) the timing and pattern of transfer of the lease and non-lease components is the same and (2) the lease component is the predominant element and (3) the combined single lease component would be classified as an operating lease.  As a result of this treatment, certain amounts classified within prior revenue captions tenant reimbursement income and other property income have been

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combined into rental and other property revenue in the consolidated statements of operations and prior period amounts have been adjusted to conform to current period presentation.      

 

Effective January 1, 2019, we make ongoing estimates of the collectability of our base rents, tenant reimbursements, and other service fees included within rental and other property revenue.  If collectability is not probable, we adjust rental and other property income for the amount of uncollectible revenue.  For the three months ended March 31, 2019, we adjusted rental and other property income by $299 for uncollectible rental revenue.  Prior to January 1, 2019, we maintained an allowance for doubtful accounts based on an ongoing analysis of collectability and recorded changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts as bad debt expense within property operating expenses.  For the three months ended March 31, 2018, we recorded bad debt expense of $164 within property operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, we recognized revenues of $6 and $42, respectively, related to recoveries of lost rental revenue due to natural disasters and other insurable events from our insurance providers.

Advertising Expenses

For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, we incurred $548 and $533 of advertising expenses, respectively.

h. Derivative Instruments

We may use derivative financial instruments to hedge all or a portion of the interest rate risk associated with our borrowings. The principal objective of such arrangements is to minimize the risks and/or costs associated with our operating and financial structure, as well as to hedge specific anticipated transactions. While these instruments may impact our periodic cash flows, they benefit us by minimizing the risks and/or costs previously described.  The counterparties to these contractual arrangements are major financial institutions with which we and our affiliates may also have other financial relationships. In the event of nonperformance by the counterparties, we are potentially exposed to credit loss. However, because of the high credit ratings of the counterparties, we do not anticipate that any of the counterparties will fail to meet their obligations.

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”, we measure each derivative instrument (including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) at fair value and record such amounts in our consolidated balance sheets as either an asset or liability.  For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the changes in the fair value of the effective portions of the derivative are reported in other comprehensive income and changes in the fair value of the ineffective portions of cash flow hedges, if any, are recognized in earnings.  For derivatives not designated as hedges (or designated as fair value hedges), the changes in fair value of the derivative instrument are recognized in earnings.  Any derivatives that we designate in hedge relationships are done so at inception.  At inception, we determine whether or not the derivative is highly effective in offsetting changes in the designated interest rate risk associated with the identified indebtedness using regression analysis.  At each reporting period, we update our regression analysis and use the hypothetical derivative method to measure any ineffectiveness.

i. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or parameters or derived from such prices or parameters. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are applied. These valuation techniques involve management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the instruments or market and the instruments’ complexity for disclosure purposes. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their value. Hierarchical levels, as defined in FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” and directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuations of these assets and liabilities, are as follows:

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The availability of observable inputs can vary depending on the financial asset or liability and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of investment, whether the investment is new, whether the investment is traded on an active exchange or in the secondary market, and the current market condition. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by us in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.

Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant who holds the asset or owes the liability rather than an entity-specific measure. Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, our own assumptions are set to reflect those that management believes market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. We use prices and inputs that management believes are current as of the measurement date, including during periods of market dislocation. In periods of market dislocation, the observability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments. This condition could cause an instrument to be transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 or Level 2 to Level 3.

Fair value for certain of our Level 3 financial instruments is derived using internal valuation models. These internal valuation models include discounted cash flow analyses developed by management using current interest rates, estimates of the term of the particular instrument, specific issuer information and other market data for securities without an active market. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, the impact of our own credit spreads is also considered when measuring the fair value of financial assets or liabilities, including derivative contracts. Where appropriate, valuation adjustments are made to account for various factors, including bid-ask spreads, credit quality and market liquidity. These adjustments are applied on a consistent basis and are based on observable inputs where available. Management’s estimate of fair value requires significant management judgment and is subject to a high degree of variability based upon market conditions, the availability of specific issuer information and management’s assumptions.

FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments” requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value. Given that cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash are short term in nature with limited fair value volatility, the carrying amount is deemed to be a reasonable approximation of fair value and the fair value input is classified as a Level 1 fair value measurement. The fair value input for the derivatives is classified as a Level 2 fair value measurement within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value inputs for our unsecured credit facility and our former secured credit facility are classified as Level 2 fair value measurements within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of mortgage indebtedness is based on a discounted cash flows valuation technique. As this technique utilizes current credit spreads, which are generally unobservable, this is classified as a Level 3 fair value measurement within the fair value hierarchy.  We determine appropriate credit spreads based on the type of debt and its maturity. There were no transfers between levels in the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The following table summarizes the carrying amount and the fair value of our financial instruments as of the periods indicated:

 

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j. Deferred Financing Costs

Costs incurred in connection with debt financing are deferred and classified within indebtedness and charged to interest expense over the terms of the related debt agreements, under the effective interest method.

k. Office Leases

We apply FASB ASC Topic 842, “Leases”, which requires a lessee to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet at the lease commencement date for all leases, except those leases with terms of less than a year.  We lease corporate office space under leases with terms of up to 10 years and that may include extension options, but that do not include any residual value guarantees or restrictive covenants. As of March 31, 2019, we have $3,172 of operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities related to our corporate office leases. The operating lease right-of-use assets are presented within other assets and the operating lease liabilities are presented within other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet. We recorded $112 of total operating lease expense during the three months ended March 31, 2019, which is recorded within property management expense and general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.    

l. Income Taxes

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT beginning with the taxable year ended December 31, 2011.  Accordingly, we recorded no income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

To qualify as a REIT, we must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of our ordinary taxable income to stockholders.  As a REIT, we generally are not subject to federal income tax on taxable income that we distribute to our stockholders.  If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to federal income taxes on our taxable income at regular corporate rates and will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for four years following the year during which qualification is lost unless the Internal Revenue Service grants us relief under certain statutory provisions.  Such an event could materially adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to stockholders; however, we believe that we are organized and operate in such a manner as to qualify and maintain treatment as a REIT and intend to operate in such a manner so that we will remain qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.  

m. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Below is a brief description of recent accounting pronouncements that could have a material effect on our financial statements.  

Adopted Within these Financial Statements

In August 2017, the FASB issued an accounting standard update under FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.” The amendments in this update provide guidance about the application of the hedge accounting guidance in current GAAP based on the feedback received from preparers, auditors, and other stakeholders. As a result, the accounting for derivatives and hedging transactions could be impacted. The updated standard is effective for us on January 1, 2019 with early adoption permitted. We early adopted this update on October 1, 2017. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In accordance with this accounting standard update, upon adoption, we revised our approach to recognizing interest expense for our interest rate swap that was designated as an off-market cash flow hedge. Rather than record interest expense based on the hypothetical derivative method with differences from actual net settlements reflected as ineffectiveness, we will record actual net settlements to interest expense adjusted for the straight-line amortization of the inception clean value of the hedging instrument over the hedge term. The result will be that no ineffectiveness will be recorded in future periods related to our off-market interest rate swap. Since we entered into the off-market hedging relationship in 2017, no transition entry was necessary upon adoption.

In February 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard classified under FASB ASC Topic 842, “Leases”.  For lessees, this accounting standard amends lease accounting by requiring (1) the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities for those leases classified as operating leases on the balance sheet and (2) additional disclosure about leasing arrangements. For lessors, the guidance under the new lease standard is substantially similar to legacy lease accounting standards.  This standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted.  In July 2018, the FASB issued an amendment to the new standard, which provides a package of practical expedients that (1) allows lessors to not separate lease and non-lease components in a contract and allocate the consideration in the contract to the separate components if both (i) the timing and pattern of revenue recognition for the non-lease component and the related lease component are the same and (ii) the combined single lease component would be classified as an operating lease and (2) provides a transition option that permits entities to not recast the comparative periods presented when transitioning to the standard. We adopted the new standard on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach and the package of practical expedients. We did not record a cumulative-effect adjustment

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on the effective date and all prior comparative periods are presented in accordance with legacy lease accounting standards.  Our apartment leases, where we are lessor, continued to be accounted for as operating leases under the new standard and, therefore, there were not significant changes in accounting for these leases.  For our various corporate office leases, where we are lessee, we recorded a $308 right of use asset and a lease liability on our consolidated balance sheets upon adoption.

In June 2018, the FASB issued an accounting standard classified under FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation.” The amendments in this update expand the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. As a result, the accounting for share-based payment award transactions could be impacted. This standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application of the amendments in this standard is permitted. We adopted the new standard on January 1, 2019. As we have not issued share-based payments to non-employees since prior to our management internalization, the adoption of this standard has not had an effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

NOTE 3: Investments in Real Estate

As of March 31, 2019, our investments in real estate consisted of 58 apartment properties with 15,880 units.  The table below summarizes our investments in real estate:   

 

 

As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we owned three properties that were classified as held for sale. The table below summarizes our held for sale properties.

 

 

Acquisitions

In April 2019, we acquired a 224-unit property located in Atlanta, GA for $28,000.

Dispositions

In April 2019, we disposed of a 370-unit property located in Chicago, IL for $42,000. This property was previously held for sale. We expect to record a gain of approximately $12,513.

 

NOTE 4: Indebtedness

The following tables contain summary information concerning our indebtedness as of March 31, 2019:

 

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As of March 31, 2019, we were in compliance with all financial covenants contained in documents governing our indebtedness.

The following table contains summary information concerning our indebtedness as of December 31, 2018: