Revenue Recognition—The majority of our revenue is lease revenue derived from our real estate assets. We record these amounts as Rental Income and Tenant Recovery Income on the consolidated statements of operations. These revenue amounts are accounted for under ASC Topic 840, Leases.
We commence revenue recognition on our leases based on a number of factors. In most cases, revenue recognition under a lease begins when the lessee takes possession of or controls the physical use of the leased asset. The determination of who is the owner, for accounting purposes, of the tenant improvements determines the nature of the leased asset and when revenue recognition under a lease begins. If we are the owner, for accounting purposes, of the tenant improvements, then the leased asset is the finished space, and revenue recognition begins when the lessee takes possession of the finished space, typically when the improvements are substantially complete.
If we conclude that we are not the owner, for accounting purposes, of the tenant improvements (the lessee is the owner), then the leased asset is the unimproved space and any tenant allowances funded under the lease are treated as lease incentives, which reduce revenue recognized over the term of the lease. In these circumstances, we begin revenue recognition when the lessee takes possession of the unimproved space to construct their own improvements. We consider a number of different factors in evaluating whether we or the lessee is the owner of the tenant improvements for accounting purposes. These factors include:
| |
• | whether the lease stipulates how and on what a tenant improvement allowance may be spent; |
| |
• | whether the tenant or landlord retains legal title to the improvements; |
| |
• | the uniqueness of the improvements; |
| |
• | the expected economic life of the tenant improvements relative to the length of the lease; and |
| |
• | who constructs or directs the construction of the improvements. |
We recognize rental income on a straight-line basis over the term of each lease. The difference between rental income earned on a straight-line basis and the cash rent due under the provisions of the lease agreements is recorded as deferred rent receivable and is included as a component of Other Assets, Net. Due to the impact of the straight-line adjustments, rental income generally will be greater than the cash collected in the early years and will be less than the cash collected in the later years of a lease. Our policy for percentage rental income is to defer recognition of contingent rental income until the specified target (i.e. breakpoint) that triggers the contingent rental income is achieved.
Reimbursements from tenants for recoverable real estate taxes and operating expenses are accrued as revenue in the period in which the applicable expenses are incurred. We make certain assumptions and judgments in estimating the reimbursements at the end of each reporting period. We do not expect the actual results to materially differ from the estimated reimbursements.
We periodically review the collectability of outstanding receivables. Allowances will be recorded for those balances that we deem to be uncollectible, including any amounts relating to straight-line rent receivables and/or receivables for recoverable expenses. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the bad debt reserve for uncollectible amounts was $6.0 million and $3.3 million, respectively.
We record lease termination income if there is a signed termination agreement, all of the conditions of the agreement have been met, collectability is reasonably assured and the tenant is no longer occupying the property. Upon early lease termination, we provide for losses related to unrecovered tenant-specific intangibles and other assets.
About Revenue Disclosures
Revenue disclosures under ASC 606 explain how a company identifies performance obligations, allocates transaction prices, and determines when revenue is recognized. This section is essential for understanding whether reported revenue reflects genuine economic activity or aggressive accounting choices. Analysts examine the mix of point-in-time versus over-time recognition, which directly affects revenue timing and comparability.
Key signals: rising contract liabilities (deferred revenue) suggest strong future revenue visibility, while declining contract assets may indicate slowing project milestones. Watch for variable consideration estimates — rebates, returns, and performance bonuses that require management judgment. Significant changes in disaggregated revenue by geography or product line can reveal shifting business mix before it appears in headline numbers. Compare revenue growth against contract liability growth to assess sustainability, and scrutinize any changes in the timing of recognition that coincide with earnings pressure.