FORM 10-Q

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended SEPTEMBER 30, 2003

 

OR

 

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

 

Commission File Number: 0-24920

 

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

(312) 474-1300

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

http://www.equityapartments.com

(Registrant’s web site)

 

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 ý  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes ý  No o

 

 

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

		September 30, 2003			December 31, 2002
ASSETS
Investment in real estate
Land		$	1,816,571		$	1,803,577
Depreciable property		11,062,709			11,240,245
Construction in progress		2,617			2,441
Investment in real estate		12,881,897			13,046,263
Accumulated depreciation		(2,303,479		)	(2,112,017		)
Investment in real estate, net of accumulated depreciation		10,578,418			10,934,246
Cash and cash equivalents		372,586			29,875
Investments in unconsolidated entities		521,750			509,789
Rents receivable		1,038			2,926
Deposits – restricted		287,838			141,278
Escrow deposits – mortgage		44,648			50,565
Deferred financing costs, net		31,616			32,144
Goodwill, net		30,000			30,000
Other assets		122,204			80,094
Total assets		$	11,990,098		$	11,810,917
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
Liabilities:
Mortgage notes payable		$	2,818,321		$	2,927,614
Notes, net		2,748,345			2,456,085
Line of credit		—			140,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		89,545			64,369
Accrued interest payable		71,767			63,151
Rents received in advance and other liabilities		178,280			165,095
Security deposits		44,987			45,333
Distributions payable		145,214			140,844
Total liabilities		6,096,459			6,002,491
Commitments and contingencies
Minority Interests – Partially Owned Properties		8,034			9,811
Partners’ capital:
Preference Units		994,661			946,157
Preference Interests		246,000			246,000
Junior Preference Units		5,846			5,846
General Partner		4,329,129			4,306,873
Limited Partners		344,766			349,646
Deferred compensation		(5,535		)	(12,118		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(29,262		)	(43,789		)
Total partners’ capital		5,885,605			5,798,615
Total liabilities and partners’ capital		$	11,990,098		$	11,810,917

 

See accompanying notes

 

2

 

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in thousands except per OP Unit data)

(Unaudited)

 

		Nine Months Ended September 30,						Quarter Ended September 30,
		2003			2002			2003			2002
REVENUES
Rental income		$	1,393,278		$	1,396,069		$	469,893		$	466,379
Fee and asset management		10,961			6,957			3,083			2,647
Total revenues		1,404,239			1,403,026			472,976			469,026
EXPENSES
Property and maintenance		384,772			358,252			132,406			123,887
Real estate taxes and insurance		149,202			141,624			50,008			47,087
Property management		48,827			56,101			16,633			18,438
Fee and asset management		5,556			5,409			1,949			1,789
Depreciation		341,723			322,615			115,346			109,331
General and administrative		28,854			33,000			8,708			10,673
Impairment on technology investments		872			872			291			291
Impairment on corporate housing business		—			17,122			—			17,122
Total expenses		959,806			934,995			325,341			328,618
Operating income		444,433			468,031			147,635			140,408
Interest and other income		13,740			11,526			6,612			2,231
Interest:
Expense incurred, net		(246,793		)	(252,892		)	(82,792		)	(83,141		)
Amortization of deferred financing costs		(4,406		)	(4,267		)	(1,319		)	(1,344		)
Income before allocation to Minority Interests, loss from investments in unconsolidated entities, net gain (loss) on sales of unconsolidated entities and discontinued operations		206,974			222,398			70,136			58,154
Allocation to Minority Interests – Partially Owned Properties		(77		)	(1,584		)	166			(259		)
Loss from investments in unconsolidated entities		(3,594		)	(1,746		)	(1,850		)	(1,979		)
Net gain (loss) on sales of unconsolidated entities		4,673			(626		)	(2		)	(5,872		)
Income from continuing operations		207,976			218,442			68,450			50,044
Net gain on sales of discontinued operations		218,975			61,209			77,983			32,763
Discontinued operations, net		9,494			42,252			(7		)	11,137
Net income		$	436,445		$	321,903		$	146,426		$	93,944
ALLOCATION OF NET INCOME:
Preference Units		$	57,713		$	57,568		$	19,564		$	19,055
Preference Interests		$	15,159		$	15,158		$	5,053		$	5,052
Junior Preference Units		$	243		$	243		$	81		$	81
General Partner		$	335,896		$	229,867		$	112,575		$	64,473
Limited Partners		27,434			19,067			9,153			5,283
Net income available to OP Units		$	363,330		$	248,934		$	121,728		$	69,756
Earnings per OP Unit – basic:
Income from continuing operations available to OP Units		$	0.46		$	0.49		$	0.15		$	0.09
Net income available to OP Units		$	1.24		$	0.84		$	0.41		$	0.24
Weighted average OP Units outstanding		293,900			295,483			295,032			296,519
Earnings per OP Unit – diluted:
Income from continuing operations available to OP Units		$	0.46		$	0.49		$	0.15		$	0.08
Net income available to OP Units		$	1.23		$	0.83		$	0.41		$	0.23
Weighted average OP Units outstanding		296,184			298,690			297,941			299,057
Distributions declared per OP Unit outstanding		$	1.2975		$	1.2975		$	0.4325		$	0.4325

 

See accompanying notes

 

3

 

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands except per OP Unit data)
(Unaudited)

 

		Nine Months Ended September 30,						Quarter Ended September 30,
		2003			2002			2003			2002
Comprehensive income:
Net income		$	436,445		$	321,903		$	146,426		$	93,944
Other comprehensive income (losses) – derivative and other instruments:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period		8,355			(10,602		)	6,476			(11,687		)
Equity in unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period – unconsolidated entities		4,997			(2,003		)	2,238			(2,908		)
Losses reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income		1,175			615			474			230
Comprehensive income		$	450,972		$	309,913		$	155,614		$	79,579

 

See accompanying notes

 

4

 

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2003			2002
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income		$	436,445		$	321,903
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Allocation to Minority Interests – Partially Owned Properties		77			1,584
Depreciation		354,898			353,206
Amortization of deferred financing costs		4,544			4,350
Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt		(728		)	(589		)
Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments		556			(238		)
Impairment on corporate housing business		—			17,122
Impairment on technology investments		872			872
Loss from investments in unconsolidated entities		3,594			1,746
Net (gain) on sales of discontinued operations		(218,975		)	(61,209		)
Net (gain) loss on sales of unconsolidated entities		(4,673		)	626
Loss on debt extinguishments		1,465			468
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments		(115		)	383
Compensation paid with Company Common Shares		11,545			15,158
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in rents receivable		1,580			(551		)
(Increase) decrease in deposits – restricted		(2,002		)	8,186
(Increase) decrease in other assets		(19,530		)	11,849
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses		25,189			32,102
Increase in accrued interest payable		8,619			5,365
(Decrease) in rents received in advance and other liabilities		(4,306		)	(579		)
(Decrease) in security deposits		(702		)	(1,037		)
Net cash provided by operating activities		598,353			710,717
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in real estate – acquisitions		(308,689		)	(232,097		)
Investment in real estate – development/other		(6,818		)	(86,115		)
Improvements to real estate		(128,479		)	(110,291		)
Additions to non-real estate property		(2,307		)	(5,562		)
Interest capitalized for real estate under development		—			(6,952		)
Interest capitalized for unconsolidated entities under development		(16,013		)	(12,492		)
Proceeds from disposition of real estate, net		750,433			291,368
Proceeds from disposition of furniture rental business		—			28,741
Proceeds from disposition of unconsolidated entities		8,595			34,796
Proceeds from refinancing of unconsolidated entities		—			4,375
Investments in unconsolidated entities		(13,587		)	(97,582		)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities		16,800			31,021
(Increase) decrease in deposits on real estate acquisitions, net		(144,565		)	42,046
Decrease in mortgage deposits		6,062			19,605
Business combinations, net of cash acquired		(487		)	(658		)
Consolidation of previously Unconsolidated Properties		(827		)	—
Acquisition of Minority Interests – Partially Owned Properties		(125		)	—
Other investing activities, net		(10,147		)	192
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities		149,846			(99,605		)

 

See accompanying notes

 

5

 

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2003			2002
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Loan and bond acquisition costs		$	(4,416	)	$	(10,495	)
Mortgage notes payable:
Proceeds		48,680			104,572
Lump sum payoffs		(211,240		)	(283,681		)
Scheduled principal repayments		(23,958		)	(24,351		)
Prepayment premiums/fees		(1,557		)	(468		)
Notes, net:
Proceeds		398,816			397,064
Lump sum payoffs		(100,000		)	(225,000		)
Scheduled principal repayments		(4,480		)	(4,669		)
Line of credit:
Proceeds		172,000			368,500
Repayments		(312,000		)	(528,500		)
(Payments on) settlement of derivative instruments		(12,999		)	(1,534		)
Proceeds from sale of OP Units		5,559			8,425
Proceeds from exercise of EQR options		50,669			28,542
Proceeds from sale of Preference Units		150,000			—
Payment of offering costs		(5,273		)	(170		)
Redemption of Preference Units		(100,000		)	—
Distributions:
OP Units – General Partner		(353,211		)	(354,683		)
Preference Units		(55,012		)	(57,919		)
Preference Interests		(15,158		)	(15,185		)
Junior Preference Units		(243		)	(243		)
OP Units – Limited Partners		(28,910		)	(29,859		)
Minority Interests – Partially Owned Properties		(2,755		)	(11,568		)
Principal receipts on employee notes, net		—			263
Net cash (used for) financing activities		(405,488		)	(640,959		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		342,711			(29,847		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		29,875			51,603
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	372,586		$	21,756
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the period for interest		$	255,456		$	270,885
Real estate acquisitions/dispositions:
Mortgage loans assumed		$	81,024		$	14,000
Valuation of OP Units issued		$	105		$	—
Mortgage loans (assumed) by purchaser		$	(31,668	)	$	(8,840	)
Consolidation of previously Unconsolidated Properties:
Mortgage loans assumed		$	28,084		$	—
Valuation of OP Units issued		$	4,231		$	—
Investments in unconsolidated entities		$	1,159		$	—
Net (assets) liabilities recorded		$	579		$	—

 

See accompanying notes

 

6

 

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

 

1.                                      Business

 

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”).  EQR is a Maryland real estate investment trust (“REIT”) formed in March 1993 and is a fully integrated real estate company engaged in the acquisition, ownership, management and operation of multifamily properties.

 

EQR is the general partner of, and as of September 30, 2003 owned an approximate 92.6% ownership interest in ERPOP.  ERPOP is, directly or indirectly, a partner, member or shareholder of numerous partnerships, limited liability companies and corporations which have been established primarily to own fee simple title to multifamily properties or to conduct property management activities and other businesses related to the ownership and operation of multifamily residential real estate.  As used herein, the term “Operating Partnership” includes ERPOP and those entities owned or controlled by it.  As used herein, the term “Company” means EQR and the Operating Partnership.

 

As of September 30, 2003, the Operating Partnership owned or had investments in 990 properties in 34 states consisting of 212,147 units.  An ownership breakdown includes:

 

 

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.  Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2003.

 

The balance sheet at December 31, 2002 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.

 

For further information, including definition of capitalized terms not defined herein, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Operating Partnership’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

Prior to 2003, the Company had chosen to account for its stock-based compensation in accordance with APB No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, which resulted in no

 

7

 

compensation expense for options issued with an exercise price equal to or exceeding the market value of EQR’s Common Shares on the date of grant (intrinsic method).  The Company has elected to expense its stock-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123 and its amendment (SFAS No. 148), Accounting for Stock Based Compensation, effective in the first quarter of 2003, which resulted in compensation expense being recorded based on the fair value of the stock compensation granted or modified.  Any Common Shares issued pursuant to EQR’s incentive equity compensation and employee share purchase plans will result in the Operating Partnership issuing OP Units to EQR on a one-for-one basis, with the Operating Partnership receiving the net cash proceeds of such issuances.

 

SFAS No. 148 provides three transition methods for entities that adopt the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123.  The Company has chosen to use the “Prospective Method”.  This method requires that companies apply the recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to only employee awards granted or modified after the beginning of the fiscal year in which the recognition provisions are first applied, or January 1, 2003.  Compensation expense under all of the Company’s plans is generally recognized over periods ranging from three months to five years.  Therefore, the cost related to stock-based employee compensation included in the determination of net income for the nine months and quarter ended September 30, 2003 is less than that which would have been recognized if the fair value based method had been applied to all awards since the original effective date of SFAS No. 123.

 

The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per OP Unit if the fair value based method had been applied to all outstanding and unvested awards in each period presented:

 

		Nine Months Ended September 30,						Quarter Ended September 30,
		2003			2002			2003			2002
		(Amounts in thousands except per OP Unit amounts)
Net income available to OP Units – as reported		$	363,330		$	248,934		$	121,728		$	69,756
Add:  Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income:
EQR’s restricted/performance shares		8,157			15,204			2,911			5,060
EQR’s share options (1)		2,321			—			307			—
EQR’s ESPP discount		1,049			—			244			—
Deduct:  Stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards:
EQR’s restricted/performance shares		(8,157		)	(15,204		)	(2,911		)	(5,060		)
EQR’s share options (1)		(5,503		)	(4,616		)	(1,338		)	(1,565		)
EQR’s ESPP discount		(1,049		)	(1,194		)	(244		)	(269		)
Net income available to OP Units – pro forma		$	360,148		$	243,124		$	120,697		$	67,922
Earnings per OP Unit:
Basic – as reported		$	1.24		$	0.84		$	0.41		$	0.24
Basic – pro forma		$	1.23		$	0.82		$	0.41		$	0.23
Diluted – as reported		$	1.23		$	0.83		$	0.41		$	0.23
Diluted – pro forma		$	1.22		$	0.81		$	0.41		$	0.23

 

(1)       Share options for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 included $1.4 million of expense recognition related to options granted in the first quarter of 2003 to EQR’s former chief executive officer.  These options vested immediately upon grant.

 

8

 

Other

 

In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44 and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections.  SFAS No. 145, among other items, rescinds the automatic classification of costs incurred on debt extinguishment as extraordinary charges.  Instead, gains and losses from debt extinguishment should only be classified as extraordinary if they meet the “unusual and infrequently occurring” criteria outlined in APB No. 30.  SFAS No. 145 is effective for fiscal years beginning after May 15, 2002.  The Operating Partnership adopted the standard effective January 1, 2003.

 

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.  FIN No. 46 requires a variable interest entity to be consolidated if a company is subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity’s activities or entitled to receive a majority of the entity’s residual returns or both.  The Operating Partnership will adopt FIN No. 46 as required effective December 31, 2003.  FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FIN 46-6 deferred the effective date for applying the provisions of FIN No. 46 (for entities created before February 1, 2003) from July 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003.  The Operating Partnership has preliminarily determined that its unconsolidated stabilized development projects and projects under development (see Note 7) are variable interest entities in which the Operating Partnership is the primary beneficiary as of the date of the original formation of the respective joint ventures.  On such respective formation dates, the fair value of the assets, liabilities and non-controlling interests of these development projects approximates carryover basis.  If these development projects had been consolidated as of September 30, 2003, the Operating Partnership’s investment in real estate and mortgage notes payable would have increased by $1.4 billion and $890.3 million, respectively, and investments in unconsolidated entities would have decreased by $514.6 million.  The Operating Partnership does not anticipate that the adoption of FIN No. 46 will have any material effect on net income.

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity.  SFAS No. 150 establishes standards for classifying and measuring as liabilities certain financial instruments that embody obligations of the issuer and have characteristics of both liabilities and equity.  On November 7, 2003, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 150-3, which deferred for an indefinite period the classification and measurement provisions, but not the disclosure provisions (see discussion below), of SFAS No. 150 as it relates to noncontrolling interests that are classified as equity in the financial statements of a subsidiary but would be classified as a liability in the parent’s financial statements under SFAS No. 150 (e.g., minority interests in consolidated limited-life subsidiaries).  The Operating Partnership does not have any mandatorily redeemable preferred shares/units that fall within the scope of SFAS No. 150.

 

With regards to the aforementioned disclosure provisions, the Operating Partnership is presently the controlling partner in various consolidated partnerships consisting of 36 properties and 6,931 units.  These partnerships contain provisions that require the partnerships to be liquidated through the sale of its assets upon reaching a date specified in each respective partnership agreement.  The Operating Partnership, as controlling partner, has an obligation to cause the property owning partnerships to distribute proceeds of liquidation to the Minority Interests in these Partially Owned Properties only to the extent that the net proceeds received by the partnerships from the sale of its assets warrant a distribution based on the partnership agreements.  As of September 30, 2003, the Operating Partnership estimates the value of Minority Interest distributions would have been approximately $100 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 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 September 30, 2003 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 Minority Interests in the Operating Partnership’s Partially Owned Properties is subject to change.  To the extent that the partnerships’ underlying assets are worth less than the underlying liabilities, the Operating Partnership has no obligation to remit any

 

9

 

consideration to the Minority Interests in Partially Owned Properties.

 

On July 31, 2003, the SEC clarified its position with respect to Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Topic D-42, The Effect on the Calculation of Earnings per Share for the Redemption or Induced Conversion of Preferred Stock.  Under the SEC’s revised interpretation, in connection with the redemption of preferred shares/units, the original issuance costs of these shares/units must be treated in a manner similar to preferred distributions and deducted from net income in arriving at net income available to OP Units.  The clarification of EITF Topic D-42 was required to be adopted effective July 1, 2003 on a retroactive basis by restating prior periods included in the current financial statements.  The adoption of the clarification of EITF Topic D-42 did not have any impact on the Operating Partnership’s consolidated financial position or cash flows nor did it impact the reported consolidated results of operations for the periods presented herein.

 

3.                                      Partners’ Capital

 

The following table presents the changes in the Operating Partnership’s issued and outstanding units of limited partnership interest (“OP Units”) for the nine months ended September 30, 2003:

 

 

The limited partners of the Operating Partnership as of September 30, 2003 include various individuals and entities that contributed their properties to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP Units (the “Limited Partners”) and own an approximate 7.4% ownership interest in ERPOP.  Subject to applicable securities law restrictions, the Limited Partners may exchange their OP Units for EQR Common Shares on a one-for-one basis.

 

EQR contributes all net proceeds from its various equity offerings (including proceeds from exercise of options for EQR Common Shares) to the Operating Partnership.  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).

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Operating Partnership issued 159,427 OP Units to various limited partners at an average price of $27.48 per unit.

 

The following table presents the Operating Partnership’s issued and outstanding “Preference Units” as of September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002:

 

10

 

		Annual Dividend Rate per Unit (1)			Amounts in thousands
					September 30, 2003			December 31, 2002
Preference Units:
9 1/8% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units; liquidation value $250 per unit; 500,000 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002		$	22.81252		$	125,000		$	125,000
9 1/8% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units; liquidation value $250 per unit; 460,000 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002		$	22.81252		115,000			115,000
8.60% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units; liquidation value $250 per unit; 700,000 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002		$	21.50		175,000			175,000
7.00% Series E Cumulative Convertible Preference Units; liquidation value $25 per unit; 2,488,290 and 2,548,114 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively		$	1.75		62,207			63,703
7 1/4% Series G Convertible Cumulative Preference Units; liquidation value $250 per unit; 1,264,692 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002		$	18.125		316,173			316,173
7.00% Series H Cumulative Convertible Preference Units; liquidation value $25 per unit; 51,228 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002		$	1.75		1,281			1,281
8.29% Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units; liquidation value $50 per unit; 1,000,000 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002		$	4.145		50,000			50,000
7.625% Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units; liquidation value $25 per unit; 0 and 4,000,000 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively		(2		)	—			100,000
6.48% Series N Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units; liquidation value $250 per unit; 600,000 and 0 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively (3)		$	16.20		150,000			—
					$	994,661		$	946,157

 

(1)          Dividends on all series of Preference Units are payable quarterly at various pay dates.  Dividend rates listed for Series B, C, D, G and N are Preference Unit rates and the equivalent depositary unit annual dividend rates are $2.281252, $2.281252, $2.15, $1.8125 and $1.62, respectively.

 

(2)         On June 19, 2003, the Operating Partnership redeemed all of its outstanding Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units at liquidation value for total cash consideration of $100.0 million in conjunction with the concurrent redemption of the corresponding Preferred Shares of EQR.  The Operating Partnership did not incur any original issuance costs as these units were issued by Merry Land and Investment Company, Inc. prior to its merger with the Company.

 

(3)         On June 19, 2003, EQR issued 600,000 Series N Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares in a public offering.  The Company received $145.3 million in net proceeds from this offering after payment of the underwriters’ fee.  These net proceeds were contributed by EQR to the Operating Partnership in exchange for 600,000 of the Operating Partnership’s 6.48% Series N Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units.

 

11

 

The following table presents the issued and outstanding “Preference Interests” as of September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002:

 

		Annual Dividend Rate per Unit (1)			Amounts in thousands
					September 30, 2003			December 31, 2002
Preference Interests:
8.00% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preference Interests; liquidation value $50 per unit; 800,000 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002		$	4.00		$	40,000		$	40,000
8.50% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units; liquidation value $50 per unit; 1,100,000 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002		$	4.25		55,000			55,000
8.50% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units; liquidation value $50 per unit; 220,000 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002		$	4.25		11,000			11,000
8.375% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units; liquidation value $50 per unit; 420,000 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002		$	4.1875		21,000			21,000
8.50% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units; liquidation value $50 per unit; 1,000,000 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002		$	4.25		50,000			50,000
8.375% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units; liquidation value $50 per unit; 180,000 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002		$	4.1875		9,000			9,000
7.875% Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units; liquidation value $50 per unit; 510,000 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002		$	3.9375		25,500			25,500
7.625% Series H Cumulative Convertible Redeemable Preference Units; liquidation value $50 per unit; 190,000 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002		$	3.8125		9,500			9,500
7.625% Series I Cumulative Convertible Redeemable Preference Units; liquidation value $50 per unit; 270,000 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002		$	3.8125		13,500			13,500
7.625% Series J Cumulative Convertible Redeemable Preference Units; liquidation value $50 per unit; 230,000 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002		$	3.8125		11,500			11,500
					$	246,000		$	246,000

 

(1)          Dividends on all series of Preference Interests are payable quarterly on March 25^th, June 25^th, September 25^th, and December 25^th of each year.

 

The following table presents the Operating Partnership’s issued and outstanding Junior Convertible Preference Units (the “Junior Preference Units”) as of September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002:

 

12

 

		Annual Dividend Rate per Unit (1)			Amounts in thousands
					September 30, 2003			December 31, 2002
Junior Preference Units:
Series A Junior Convertible Preference Units; liquidation value $100 per unit; 56,616 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002		$	5.46934		$	5,662		$	5,662
Series B Junior Convertible Preference Units; liquidation value $25 per unit; 7,367 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002		$	2.00		184			184
					$	5,846		$	5,846

 

(1)          Dividends on both series of Junior Preference Units are payable quarterly at various pay dates.

 

4.                                      Real Estate Acquisitions

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Operating Partnership acquired the entire equity interest in the eight properties listed below from unaffiliated parties, and two additional units at an existing property, for a total purchase price of $389.7 million.

 

 

(1)          Includes 8,167 square feet of retail space.

(2)          Includes 36,326 square feet of office space and a 324-space parking garage.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Operating Partnership acquired the remaining third party equity interests it did not previously own in the following three properties:

 

•                  Liberty Park, a 202-unit property located in Braintree, Massachusetts;

•                  Hickory Mill II, a 44-unit property located in Hurricane, West Virginia (property was subsequently sold – see Note 5); and

•                  Winter Woods II, a 44-unit property located in Winter Garden, Florida.

 

These properties were accounted for under the equity method of accounting and subsequent to each purchase were consolidated.  The Operating Partnership recorded $34.9 million in investment in real estate at carryover basis and the following:

 

•                  Assumed $28.1 million in mortgage debt;

•                  Issued 153,851 OP Units having a value of $4.2 million;

•                  Reduced investments in unconsolidated entities by $1.2 million;

 

13

 

•                  Paid cash of $0.8 million; and

•                  Assumed $0.6 million of other liabilities net of other assets acquired.

 

5.                                      Real Estate Dispositions

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Operating Partnership disposed of the sixty-three properties and various individual condominium units listed below to unaffiliated parties.  The Operating Partnership recognized a net gain on sales of discontinued operations of approximately $219.0 million and a net gain on sales of unconsolidated entities of approximately $4.7 million.

 

 

14

 

 

(1)          The Operating Partnership was leasing the land under a long-term operating ground lease.

(2)          The Operating Partnership attempted to sell this property subject to assumption of the existing mortgage debt.  When the lender would not accept a credit-worthy purchaser to assume the debt, title to this property was transferred to the lender in a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure transaction.  The Operating Partnership recognized a net gain on debt extinguishment of approximately $92,000 as a component of interest and other income.

(3)          Disposition listed represents the Operating Partnership’s share of the net disposition proceeds.  Culbreath Key was sold for $26.4 million with a portion of the net sales proceeds used to payoff the mortgage debt of $16.2 million.

 

6.                                      Commitments to Acquire/Dispose of Real Estate

 

As of November 4, 2003, in addition to the properties that were subsequently acquired as discussed in Note 18, the Operating Partnership had entered into separate agreements to acquire seven multifamily properties containing 2,265 units from unaffiliated parties.  The Operating Partnership expects a combined purchase price of approximately $220.4 million, including the assumption of mortgage debt of approximately $21.5 million.

 

As of November 4, 2003, in addition to the properties that were subsequently disposed of as discussed in Note 18, the Operating Partnership had entered into separate agreements to dispose of thirty-three

 

15

 

multifamily properties containing 8,404 units to unaffiliated parties.  The Operating Partnership expects a combined disposition price of approximately $456.9 million.

 

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

 

7.                                      Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

 

The Operating Partnership has co-invested in various properties with unrelated third parties.  The following table summarizes the Operating Partnership’s investments in unconsolidated entities as of September 30, 2003 (amounts in thousands except for project and unit amounts):

 

		Institutional Joint Ventures			Stabilized Development Projects (1)			Projects Under Development			Lexford/ Other			Totals
Total projects		45			12			16			22			95		(2)
Total units		10,846			3,812			4,336			2,616			21,610		(2)
Operating Partnership’s percentage share of outstanding debt		25.0		%	100.0		%	100.0		%	11.0		%
Operating Partnership’s share of outstanding debt (4)		$	121,200		$	331,063		$	559,201	(3)	$	5,089		$	1,016,553

 

(1)          The Operating Partnership determines a project to be stabilized once it has maintained an average physical occupancy of 90% or more for a three-month period or one year from the cessation of major development activities, whichever is earlier.

 

(2)          Includes nine projects under development containing 2,356 units, which are not included in the Operating Partnership’s property/unit counts at September 30, 2003.   Totals exclude Fort Lewis Military Housing consisting of one property and 3,799 units, which is not accounted for under the equity method of accounting.  The Fort Lewis Military Housing is included in the Operating Partnership’s property/unit counts at September 30, 2003.

 

(3)          A total of $706.3 million is available for funding under this construction debt, of which $559.2 million was funded and outstanding at September 30, 2003.

 

(4)          As of November 4, 2003, the Operating Partnership has funded $44.0 million as additional collateral on selected debt (see Note 8).  All remaining debt is non-recourse to EQR and the Operating Partnership.

 

Investments in unconsolidated entities include the Unconsolidated Properties as well as various development properties under construction or pending construction.  These investments are accounted for utilizing the equity method of accounting.  Under the equity method of accounting, the net equity investment of the Operating Partnership is reflected on the consolidated balance sheets and after the project is completed, the consolidated statements of operations include the Operating Partnership’s share of net income or loss from the unconsolidated entity.  Prior to the project being completed, the Operating Partnership capitalizes interest on its equity contribution in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 58, Capitalization of Interest Cost in Financial Statements That Include Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, the Operating Partnership capitalized $16.0 million and $12.5 million, respectively, in interest cost related to its unconsolidated

 

16

 

development projects (which reduced interest expense incurred in the consolidated statements of operations).

 

The Operating Partnership generally contributes between 25% and 35% of the project cost of the unconsolidated projects under development (constituting 100% of the equity), with the remaining cost financed through third-party construction mortgages.  Voting rights are shared equally between the Operating Partnership and its respective development partners.

 

See Note 2 for further discussion regarding FIN No. 46 and its anticipated effect on the Operating Partnership’s unconsolidated development projects.

 

8.                                      Deposits - Restricted

 

As of September 30, 2003, deposits-restricted totaled $287.8 million and primarily included the following:

 

•                  Deposits in the amount of $51.0 million held in third party escrow accounts to provide collateral for third party construction financing in connection with unconsolidated development projects;

•                  Approximately $169.5 million in tax-deferred (1031) exchange proceeds; and

•                  Approximately $67.3 million for resident security, utility, and other deposits.

 

9.                                      Mortgage Notes Payable

 

As of September 30, 2003, the Operating Partnership had outstanding mortgage indebtedness of approximately $2.8 billion.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Operating Partnership:

 

•                  Repaid $235.2 million of mortgage loans;

•                  Assumed $109.1 million of mortgage debt on certain properties in connection with their acquisitions and/or consolidation;

•                  Obtained $48.7 million of mortgage loans on certain properties; and

•                  Relinquished $31.7 million of mortgage debt assumed by the purchaser on disposed properties.

 

As of September 30, 2003, scheduled maturities for the Operating Partnership’s outstanding mortgage indebtedness were at various dates through October 1, 2033.  At September 30, 2003, the interest rate range on the Operating Partnership’s mortgage debt was 1.04% to 12.465%.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the weighted average interest rate on the Operating Partnership’s mortgage debt was 5.84%.

 

10.                               Notes

 

As of September 30, 2003, the Operating Partnership had outstanding unsecured notes of approximately $2.7 billion.

 

On June 5, 2003, the Operating Partnership filed a Form S-3 registration statement with the SEC to register $2.0 billion of debt securities.  The SEC declared this registration statement effective on June 11, 2003.  In addition, the Operating Partnership carried over $280.0 million related to the registration statement effective on September 8, 2000.  As of September 30, 2003, $2.28 billion remained available for issuance under this registration statement.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Operating Partnership:

 

•                  Issued $400.0 million of ten-year 5.20% fixed-rate public notes, receiving net proceeds of $397.5

 

17

 

million;

•                  Repaid $100.0 million of floating rate public notes at maturity; and

•                  Repaid $4.5 million of other unsecured notes.

 

As of September 30, 2003, scheduled maturities for the Operating Partnership’s outstanding notes were at various dates through 2029.  At September 30, 2003, the interest rate range on the Operating Partnership’s notes was 4.75% to 7.75%. During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the weighted average interest rate on the Operating Partnership’s notes was 6.48%.

 

11.                               Line of Credit

 

The Operating Partnership has a revolving credit facility with potential borrowings of up to $700.0 million.  As of September 30, 2003, no amounts were outstanding and $57.0 million was restricted (dedicated to support letters of credit and not available for borrowing) on the line of credit.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the weighted average interest rate was 1.85%.  EQR has guaranteed the Operating Partnership’s line of credit up to the maximum amount and for the full term of the facility.

 

12.                               Derivative Instruments

 

The following table summarizes the consolidated derivative instruments at September 30, 2003 (dollar amounts are in thousands):

 

		Cash Flow Hedges			Fair Value Hedges			Forward Starting Swaps			Interest Rate Caps			Offsetting Receive Floating Swaps/Caps			Offsetting Pay Floating Swaps/Caps
Current Notional Balance		$	150,000		$	120,000		$	150,000		$	37,000		$	255,121		$	255,121
Lowest Possible Notional		$	150,000		$	120,000		$	150,000		$	37,000		$	251,410		$	251,410
Highest Possible Notional		$	150,000		$	120,000		$	150,000		$	37,000		$	431,444		$	431,444
Lowest Interest Rate		3.683		%	7.25		%	4.34		%	6.50		%	4.53		%	4.46		%
Highest Interest Rate		3.683		%	7.25		%	4.48		%	6.50		%	6.00		%	6.00		%
Earliest Maturity Date		2005			2005			2014			2004			2003			2003
Latest Maturity Date		2005			2005			2014			2004			2007			2007
Estimated Asset (Liability) Fair Value		$	(7,433	)	$	7,464		$	2,576		$	—		$	478		$	(486	)

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Operating Partnership paid approximately $13.0 million to terminate eight forward starting interest rate swaps in conjunction with the issuance of $400.0 million of ten-year unsecured notes.  The $13.0 million payment has been deferred and will be recognized as additional interest expense over the ten-year life of the unsecured notes.

 

At September 30, 2003, certain unconsolidated development partnerships in which the Operating Partnership invested had entered into swaps to hedge the interest rate risk exposure on unconsolidated floating rate construction mortgage loans.  The Operating Partnership has recorded its proportionate share of these hedges on its consolidated balance sheets.  These swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges with a current aggregate notional amount of $307.5 million (notional amounts range from $76.5 million to $335.9 million over the terms of the swaps) at interest rates ranging from 1.78% to 6.94% maturing at various dates ranging from 2003 to 2005 with a net liability fair value of $7.8 million.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Operating Partnership recognized an unrealized gain of $1.1 million due to ineffectiveness of certain of these unconsolidated development derivatives (included in loss from investments in unconsolidated entities).

 

On September 30, 2003, the net derivative instruments were reported at their fair value as other assets of approximately $10.0 million, as other liabilities of approximately $7.4 million and as a reduction to investments in unconsolidated entities of approximately $7.8 million.  As of September 30, 2003, there were approximately $28.9 million in deferred losses, net, included in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

 

18

 

Based on the estimated fair values of the net derivative instruments at September 30, 2003, the Operating Partnership may recognize an estimated $11.7 million of accumulated other comprehensive loss as additional interest expense ($6.1 million related to its consolidated derivatives) or as additional loss on investments in unconsolidated entities ($5.6 million related to its unconsolidated development partnerships) during the twelve months ending September 30, 2004.

 

13.                               Calculation of Net Income Per Weighted Average OP Unit

 

The following tables set forth the computation of net income per OP Unit – basic and net income per OP Unit – diluted:

 

		Nine Months Ended September 30,						Quarter Ended September 30,
		2003			2002			2003			2002
		(Amounts in thousands except per OP Unit amounts)
Numerator for net income per OP Unit – basic:
Income from continuing operations		$	207,976		$	218,442		$	68,450		$	50,044
Allocation to Preference Units		(57,713		)	(57,568		)	(19,564		)	(19,055		)
Allocation to Preference Interests		(15,159		)	(15,158		)	(5,053		)	(5,052		)
Allocation to Junior Preference Units		(243		)	(243		)	(81		)	(81		)
Income from continuing operations available to OP Units		134,861			145,473			43,752			25,856
Net gain on sales of discontinued operations		218,975			61,209			77,983			32,763
Discontinued operations, net		9,494			42,252			(7		)	11,137
Numerator for net income per OP Unit – basic		$	363,330		$	248,934		$	121,728		$	69,756
Numerator for net income per OP Unit – diluted:
Income from continuing operations		$	207,976		$	218,442		$	68,450		$	50,044
Allocation to Preference Units		(57,713		)	(57,568		)	(19,564		)	(19,055		)
Allocation to Preference Interests		(15,159		)	(15,158		)	(5,053		)	(5,052		)
Allocation to Junior Preference Units		(243		)	(243		)	(81		)	(81		)
Effect of dilutive securities:
Distributions on convertible preference units/interests		—			—			—			—
Income from continuing operations available to OP Units		134,861			145,473			43,752			25,856
Net gain on sales of discontinued operations		218,975			61,209			77,983			32,763
Discontinued operations, net		9,494			42,252			(7		)	11,137
Numerator for net income per OP Unit – diluted		$	363,330		$	248,934		$	121,728		$	69,756
Denominator for net income per OP Unit – basic and diluted:
Denominator for net income per OP Unit – basic		293,900			295,483			295,032			296,519
Effect of dilutive securities:
Convertible preference units/interests		—			—			—			—
Dilution for OP Units issuable upon assumed exercised/vesting of EQR’s share options/restricted shares		2,284			3,207			2,909			2,538
Denominator for net income per OP Unit – diluted		296,184			298,690			297,941			299,057
Net income per OP Unit – basic		$	1.24		$	0.84		$	0.41		$	0.24
Net income per OP Unit – diluted		$	1.23		$	0.83		$	0.41		$	0.23

 

19

 

		Nine Months Ended September 30,						Quarter Ended September 30,
		2003			2002			2003			2002
		(Amounts in thousands except per OP Unit amounts)
Net income per OP Unit – basic:
Income from continuing operations available to OP Units		$	0.46		$	0.49		$	0.15		$	0.09
Net gain on sales of discontinued operations		0.75			0.21			0.26			0.11
Discontinued operations, net		0.03			0.14			—			0.04
Net income per OP Unit – basic		$	1.24		$	0.84		$	0.41		$	0.24
Net income per OP Unit – diluted:
Income from continuing operations available to OP Units		$	0.46		$	0.49		$	0.15		$	0.08
Net gain on sales of discontinued operations		0.74			0.20			0.26			0.11
Discontinued operations, net		0.03			0.14			—			0.04
Net income per OP Unit – diluted		$	1.23		$	0.83		$	0.41		$	0.23

 

Convertible preference units/interests that could be converted into 14,932,069 and 15,461,855 weighted average Common Shares (which would be contributed to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP Units) for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively, and 14,911,158 and 15,095,576 weighted average Common Shares for the quarters ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively, were outstanding but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per OP Unit because the effects would be anti-dilutive.

 

14.                               Discontinued Operations

 

The Operating Partnership has presented separately as discontinued operations in all periods the results of operations for all wholly owned assets disposed of on or after January 1, 2002 (the date of adoption of SFAS No. 144).

 

The components of discontinued operations are outlined below and include the results of operations for the respective periods that the Operating Partnership owned such assets during the nine months and quarters ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, including the following:

 

•                  The sixty-one Wholly Owned Properties and various individual condominium units containing 15,673 units sold during 2003 (see Note 5); and

•                  The fifty-two Wholly Owned Properties and various individual condominium units containing 9,586 units and the furniture rental business sold during 2002.

 

20

 

		Nine Months Ended September 30,						Quarter Ended September 30,
		2003			2002			2003			2002
		(Amounts in thousands)
REVENUES
Rental income		$	51,306		$	127,964		$	8,050		$	37,069
Furniture income		—			1,361			—			—
Total revenues		51,306			129,325			8,050			37,069
EXPENSES (1)
Property and maintenance		20,639			37,680			4,345			12,031
Real estate taxes and insurance		5,994			13,504			777			3,745
Property management		103			123			(9		)	40
Depreciation		13,175			30,591			2,160			9,029
Furniture expenses		—			1,303			—			—
Total expenses		39,911			83,201			7,273			24,845
Discontinued operating income		11,395			46,124			777			12,224
Interest and other income		175			26			53			—
Interest:
Expense incurred, net		(1,938		)	(3,815		)	(722		)	(1,069		)
Amortization of deferred financing costs		(138		)	(83		)	(115		)	(18		)
Discontinued operations, net		$	9,494		$	42,252		$	(7	)	$	11,137

 

(1)             Includes expenses paid in the current period for Wholly Owned Properties sold in prior periods related to the Operating Partnership’s period of ownership.

 

15.                               Commitments and Contingencies

 

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

 

The Operating Partnership is a party to a class action lawsuit in Florida state court alleging that several of the types of fees that the Operating Partnership charged when residents breached their leases were illegal, as are all efforts to collect them. We are vigorously contesting the plaintiffs’ claims and will seek immediate appellate review of the recent class action certification decision. Due to the preliminary nature of the litigation, it is not possible to determine or predict the outcome. While no assurances can be given, we do not believe that this lawsuit, if adversely determined, will have a material adverse effect on the Operating Partnership.

 

The Operating Partnership does not believe there is any other litigation pending or threatened against the Operating Partnership which, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably may be expected to

 

21

 

have a material adverse effect on the Operating Partnership.

 

As of September 30, 2003, the Operating Partnership has 16 projects in various stages of development with estimated completion dates ranging through December 31, 2004.  The three development agreements currently in place have the following key terms:

 

•                        The first development partner has the right, at any time following completion of a project, to stipulate a value for such project and offer to sell its interest in the project to the Operating Partnership based on such value.  If the Operating Partnership chooses not to purchase the interest, it must agree to a sale of the project to an unrelated third party at such value.  The Operating Partnership’s partner must exercise this right as to all projects within five years after the receipt of the final certificate of occupancy on the last developed property.   In connection with this development partner, the Operating Partnership has an obligation to provide up to $40.0 million in credit enhancements to guarantee a portion of the third party construction financing.  As of November 4, 2003, the Operating Partnership had set-aside $20.0 million towards this credit enhancement.  The Operating Partnership would be required to perform under this agreement only if there was a material default under a third party construction mortgage agreement.  This agreement expires no later than December 31, 2018.  Notwithstanding the termination of the agreement, the Operating Partnership shall have recourse against its development partner for any losses incurred.

 

•                        The second development partner has the right, at any time following completion of a project, to require the Operating Partnership to purchase the partners’ interest in that project at a mutually agreeable price.  If the Operating Partnership and the partner are unable to agree on a price, both parties will obtain appraisals.  If the appraised values vary by more than 10%, both the Operating Partnership and its partner will agree on a third appraiser to determine which original appraisal is closest to its determination of value.  The Operating Partnership may elect at that time not to purchase the property and instead, authorize its partner to sell the project at or above the agreed-upon value to an unrelated third party.  Five years following the receipt of the final certificate of occupancy on the last developed property, the Operating Partnership must purchase, at the agreed-upon price, any projects remaining unsold.

 

•                  The third development partner has the exclusive right for six months following stabilization (generally defined as having achieved 90% occupancy for three consecutive months following the substantial completion of a project) to market a project for sale.  Thereafter, either the Operating Partnership or its development partner may market a project for sale.  If the Operating Partnership’s development partner proposes the sale, the Operating Partnership may elect to purchase the project at the price proposed by its partner or defer the sale until two independent appraisers appraise the project.  If the two appraised values vary by more than 5%, a third appraiser will be chosen to determine the fair market value of the property.  Once a value has been determined, the Operating Partnership may elect to purchase the property or authorize its development partner to sell the project at the agreed-upon value.

 

In connection with one of its mergers, the Operating Partnership executed a credit enhancement agreement with respect to certain tax-exempt bonds issued to finance certain public improvements at a multifamily development project.  The Operating Partnership has the obligation to facilitate credit under this agreement for a period of eight years from the consummation of the merger or through May 2005.  The Operating Partnership would be required to perform under this agreement only if there was a material default with respect to the tax-exempt bonds.  If there should be any default in connection with this agreement, the Operating Partnership has the right, among other remedies, to select an alternate interest rate on the bonds.  As of September 30, 2003, this enhancement was still in effect at a commitment amount of $12.7 million and no outstanding liability.

 

22

 

16.                               Asset Impairment

 

For both the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, the Operating Partnership recorded $0.9 million of asset impairment charges related to its technology investments.  These charges were the result of a review of the existing investments reflected on the consolidated balance sheet.  These impairment losses are reflected on the consolidated statements of operations in total expenses and include the write-down of assets classified as other assets.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2002, the Operating Partnership recorded approximately $17.1 million of asset impairment charges related to its corporate housing business.  Following the guidance in SFAS No. 142, these charges were the result of the Operating Partnership’s decision to reduce the carrying value of its corporate housing business to $30.0 million, given the continued weakness in the economy and management’s expectations for near-term performance.  This impairment loss is reflected on the consolidated statements of operations as impairment on corporate housing business and on the consolidated balance sheets as a reduction in goodwill, net.

 

17.                               Reportable Segments

 

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by senior management.  Senior management decides how resources are allocated and assesses performance on a monthly basis.

 

The Operating Partnership’s primary business is owning, managing, and operating multifamily residential properties, which includes the generation of rental and other related income through the leasing of apartment units to residents and includes Equity Corporate Housing (“ECH”).  Senior management evaluates the performance of each of our apartment communities on an individual basis; however, each of our apartment communities has similar economic characteristics, residents, and products and services so they have been aggregated into one reportable segment.  The Operating Partnership’s rental real estate segment comprises approximately 99.2% and 99.5% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively, and approximately 99.3% and 99.4% of total revenues for the quarters ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.  The Operating Partnership’s rental real estate segment comprises approximately 99.7% of total assets at both September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002.

 

The primary financial measure for the Operating Partnership’s rental real estate segment is net operating income (“NOI”), which represents rental income less: 1) property and maintenance expense; 2) real estate taxes and insurance expense; and 3) property management expense (all as reflected in the accompanying statements of operations).  The Operating Partnership believes that NOI is helpful to investors as a supplemental measure of the operating performance of a real estate Operating Partnership because it is a direct measure of the actual operating results of the Operating Partnership’s apartment communities.  Current year NOI is compared to prior year NOI and current year budgeted NOI as a measure of financial performance.  NOI from our rental real estate totaled approximately $810.5 million and $840.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively, and approximately $270.8 million and $277.0 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

During the acquisition, development and/or disposition of real estate, the Operating Partnership considers its NOI return on total investment as the primary measure of financial performance.

 

The Operating Partnership’s fee and asset management activity is immaterial and does not meet the threshold requirements of a reportable segment as provided for in SFAS No. 131.

 

All revenues are from external customers and there is no customer who contributed 10% or more of the Operating Partnership’s total revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2003 or 2002.

 

23

 

18.                               Subsequent Events/Other

 

Subsequent to September 30, 2003 and through November 4, 2003, the Operating Partnership:

 

•                  Acquired two properties consisting of 432 units for approximately $79.2 million;

•                  Assumed $9.6 million of mortgage debt on certain properties in connection with their acquisitions and/or consolidation;

•                  Disposed of four properties and various individual condominium units consisting of 561 units for approximately $28.4 million;

•                  Repaid $23.5 million of mortgage debt;

•                  Relinquished $7.0 million of mortgage debt assumed by the purchaser on disposed properties;

•                  Repaid $40.0 million of 6.875% fixed rate public notes at maturity; and

•                  Purchased a third party’s $20.0 million participation interest in a floating rate construction loan secured by one of the Operating Partnership’s unconsolidated development properties.

 

24

 

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

 

Overview

 

For further information including definitions for capitalized terms not defined herein, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Operating Partnership’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

Forward-looking statements in this report are intended to be made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  The words “believes”, “estimates”, “expects” and “anticipates” and other similar expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events and trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters identify forward-looking statements.  Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results, performance, or achievements of the Operating Partnership to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

•                  The total number of development units, cost of development and completion dates as well as anticipated capital expenditures for replacements and building improvements all reflect the Operating Partnership’s best estimates and are subject to uncertainties arising from changing economic conditions (such as the cost of labor and construction materials), competition and local government regulation;

•                  Alternative sources of capital to the Operating Partnership or labor and materials required for maintenance, repair, capital expenditure or development are more expensive than anticipated;

•                  Occupancy levels and market rents may be adversely affected by national and local economic and market conditions including, without limitation, new construction of multifamily housing, continuing decline in employment, availability of low interest mortgages for single-family home buyers and the potential for geopolitical instability, all of which are beyond the Operating Partnership’s control; and

•                  Additional factors as discussed in Part I of the Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly those under “Risk Factors”.

 

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.  The Operating Partnership undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements, which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.  Forward-looking statements and related uncertainties are also included in Notes 6 and 12 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this report.

 

25

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table summarizes the number of properties and related units for the periods presented:

 

 

Significant changes in revenues between the nine months and quarters presented have resulted primarily from reduced rental income through increased concessions or reduced apartment rents and occupancy at many of our properties.  Significant changes in expenses have resulted from increases in property and maintenance expenses including payroll, maintenance, building, utilities and leasing and advertising as well as real estate taxes, partially offset by decreases in property management expenses.  In addition, the Operating Partnership’s acquisition, disposition and completed development activity has impacted overall results of operations for the nine months and quarters ended September 30, 2003 and 2002.  These changes are discussed in greater detail in the following paragraphs.

 

Properties that the Operating Partnership owned for the entire nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 as well as September 30, 2002 (the “Nine-Month 2003 Same Store Properties”), which represented 179,233 units and properties that the Operating Partnership owned for all of both the quarters ended September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002 (the “Third Quarter 2003 Same Store Properties”), which represented 181,656 units, also impacted the Operating Partnership’s results of operations.  Both the Nine-Month 2003 Same Store Properties and Third Quarter 2003 Same Store Properties are discussed in the following paragraphs.

 

Comparison of the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to the nine months ended September 30, 2002

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, income before allocation to Minority Interests, loss from investments in unconsolidated entities, net gain (loss) on sales of unconsolidated entities and discontinued operations decreased by approximately $15.4 million when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2002.

 

Revenues from the Nine-Month 2003 Same Store Properties decreased primarily as a result of lower overall physical occupancy, increased concessions and lower rental rates charged to both new and renewal residents.  Property operating expenses from the Nine-Month 2003 Same Store Properties increased

 

26

 

primarily due to higher payroll, maintenance, utility, real estate taxes, leasing and advertising and building costs.  The following tables provide comparative revenue, expense, net operating income (“NOI”) and weighted average occupancy for the Nine-Month 2003 Same Store Properties (NOI represents rental income less: 1) property and maintenance expense; 2) real estate taxes and insurance expense; and 3) property management expense):

 

September YTD 2003 vs. September YTD 2002
For Nine-Month Same Store Properties

 

$ in Millions – 179,233 Same-Store Units

 

 

Same Store Occupancy Statistics

 

 

The Operating Partnership’s primary financial measure for evaluating each of its apartment communities is NOI.  The Operating Partnership believes that NOI is helpful to investors as a supplemental measure of the operating performance of a real estate company because it is a direct measure of the actual operating results of the Operating Partnership’s apartment communities.

 

For properties that the Operating Partnership acquired prior to January 1, 2002 and expects to continue to own through December 31, 2003, the Operating Partnership anticipates the following same store results for the full year ending December 31, 2003:

 

2003 Same Store Assumptions

 

 

For properties that the Operating Partnership acquired prior to January 1, 2003 and expects to continue to own through December 31, 2004, the Operating Partnership anticipates the following same store results for the full year ending December 31, 2004:

 

2004 Same Store Assumptions

 

 

These 2003 and 2004 assumptions are based on current expectations and are forward-looking.

 

Rental income from properties other than Nine-Month 2003 Same Store Properties increased by

 

27

 

approximately $34.0 million primarily as a result of revenue from properties acquired in 2002 and 2003 and additional Partially Owned Properties consolidated in the fourth quarter of 2002 and the first nine months of 2003.

 

Fee and asset management revenues, net of fee and asset management expenses, increased by $3.9 million primarily as a result of additional income allocated from Ft. Lewis Military Housing.  As of September 30, 2003 and 2002, the Operating Partnership managed 18,897 units and 20,142 units, respectively, for third parties and unconsolidated entities.

 

Property management expenses include off-site expenses associated with the self-management of the Operating Partnership’s properties as well as management fees paid to third party management companies.  These expenses decreased by approximately $7.3 million or 13.0%.  This decrease is primarily attributable to a reversal of a profit sharing accrual in the first quarter of 2003 related to the 2002 calendar year as the Operating Partnership didn’t achieve its stated goals and management elected not to make a discretionary contribution to the plan.  In addition, the Company recorded lower expense in connection with granting less restricted shares and reducing the expense associated with the Company’s matched funding of its 401(k) plan during the first nine months of 2003 and not incurring an expense for any 2003 profit sharing.

 

Depreciation expense, which includes depreciation on non-real estate assets, increased $19.1 million primarily as a result of properties acquired after September 30, 2002 and additional depreciation on capital expenditures for all properties owned.

 

General and administrative expenses, which include corporate operating expenses, decreased approximately $4.1 million between the periods under comparison.  This decrease was primarily due to lower expenses recorded in connection with granting less restricted shares to employees during the first nine months of 2003 offset by approximately a $3.4 million increase related to the Operating Partnership’s decision to expense its stock based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123 and its amendment (SFAS No. 148).  In addition, lower state income and franchise taxes also contributed to this decrease.

 

The Operating Partnership recorded impairment charges on its technology investments and its corporate housing business of approximately $0.9 million and $18.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.  See Note 16 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

 

Interest and other income increased by approximately $2.2 million, primarily as a result of higher cash balances available for short-term investments throughout 2003.

 

Interest expense, including amortization of deferred financing costs, decreased approximately $6.0 million primarily due to lower variable interest rates.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Operating Partnership capitalized interest costs of approximately $16.0 million as compared to $19.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002.  This capitalization of interest primarily related to equity investments in unconsolidated entities engaged in development activities.  The effective interest cost on all indebtedness for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was 6.37% as compared to 6.60% for the nine months ended September 30, 2002.

 

Loss from investments in unconsolidated entities increased approximately $1.8 million between the periods under comparison.  This increase is primarily the result of increased operating losses from equity investments partially offset by unrealized gains on derivative instruments.

 

Net gain on sales of discontinued operations increased approximately $157.8 million between the periods under comparison.  This increase is primarily the result of a greater number of properties sold during the nine months ended September 30, 2003, as well as the fact that several properties were more fully

 

28

 

depreciated.

 

Discontinued operations, net, decreased approximately $32.8 million between the periods under comparison.  See Note 14 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

 

Comparison of the quarter ended September 30, 2003 to the quarter ended September 30, 2002

 

For the quarter ended September 30, 2003, income before allocation to Minority Interests, loss from investments in unconsolidated entities, net gain (loss) on sales of unconsolidated entities and discontinued operations increased by approximately $12.0 million when compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2002.

 

Revenues from the Third Quarter 2003 Same Store Properties decreased primarily as a result of lower overall physical occupancy, increased concessions and lower rental rates charged to both new and renewal residents.  Property operating expenses from the Third Quarter 2003 Same Store Properties increased mainly due to higher payroll, maintenance, utility, real estate taxes, building and leasing and advertising costs.  The following tables provide comparative revenue, expense, NOI and weighted average occupancy for the Third Quarter 2003 Same Store Properties:

 

Third Quarter 2003 vs. Third Quarter 2002
For Third Quarter 2003 Same Store Properties

 

$ in Millions – 181,656 Same-Store Units

 

 

Same Store Occupancy Statistics

 

 

Rental income from properties other than Third Quarter 2003 Same Store Properties increased by approximately $11.9 million primarily as a result of revenue from properties acquired in the fourth quarter of 2002 and throughout 2003.

 

Fee and asset management revenues, net of fee and asset management expenses, increased by $0.3 million primarily as a result of income from Ft. Lewis Military Housing.  As of September 30, 2003 and 2002, the Operating Partnership managed 18,897 units and 20,142 units, respectively, for third parties and unconsolidated entities.

 

Property management expenses include off-site expenses associated with the self-management of the Operating Partnership’s properties as well as management fees paid to third party management companies.  These expenses decreased by approximately $1.8 million or 9.8%.  The Company recorded lower expense in connection with granting less restricted shares and reducing the expense associated with the Company’s matched funding of its 401(k) plan during the first nine months of 2003 and not incurring an expense for any 2003 profit sharing.

 

Depreciation expense, which includes depreciation on non-real estate assets, increased $6.0 million

 

29

 

primarily as a result of properties acquired after September 30, 2002 and additional depreciation on capital expenditures for all properties owned.

 

General and administrative expenses, which include corporate operating expenses, decreased approximately $2.0 million between the periods under comparison.  This decrease was primarily due to lower expenses recorded in connection with granting less restricted shares to employees and lower accrued expenses related to deferred compensation during the quarter ended September 30, 2003 offset by a $0.6 million increase related to the Operating Partnership’s decision to expense its stock based compensation.

 

The Operating Partnership recorded impairment charges on its technology investments and corporate housing business of approximately $0.3 million and $17.4 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.  See Note 16 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

 

Interest and other income increased by approximately $4.4 million, primarily as a result of higher cash balances available for short-term investments.

 

Interest expense, including amortization of deferred financing costs, decreased approximately $0.4 million primarily due to lower variable interest rates.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2003, the Operating Partnership capitalized interest costs of approximately $5.1 million as compared to $7.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2002.  This capitalization of interest primarily related to equity investments in unconsolidated entities engaged in development activities.  The effective interest cost on all indebtedness for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 was 6.32% as compared to 6.52% for the quarter ended September 30, 2002.

 

Loss from investments in unconsolidated entities decreased approximately $0.1 million between the periods under comparison.  This decrease is primarily the result of unrealized gains on derivative instruments.

 

Net gain on sales of discontinued operations increased approximately $45.2 million between the periods under comparison.  This increase is primarily the result of a greater number of properties sold during the quarter ended September 30, 2003, as well as the fact that several properties were more fully depreciated.

 

Discontinued operations, net, decreased approximately $11.1 million between the periods under comparison.  See Note 14 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of January 1, 2003, the Operating Partnership had approximately $29.9 million of cash and cash equivalents and $499.2 million available under its line of credit (net of $60.8 million which was restricted/dedicated to support letters of credit and not available for borrowing).  After taking into effect the various transactions discussed in the following paragraphs and the net cash provided by operating activities, the Operating Partnership’s cash and cash equivalents balance at September 30, 2003 was approximately $372.6 million and the amount available on the Operating Partnership’s line of credit was $643.0 million (net of $57.0 million which was restricted/dedicated to support letters of credit and not available for borrowing).

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Operating Partnership generated proceeds from various transactions, which included the following:

 

•                  Disposed of sixty-three properties (including two Unconsolidated Properties) and received net proceeds of approximately $759.0 million;

 

30

 

•                  Issued $400.0 million of 5.20% fixed rate unsecured debt receiving net proceeds of $397.5 million;

•                  Issued $150.0 million of 6.48% Series N Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units and received net proceeds of $145.3 million;

•                  Obtained $48.7 million in new mortgage financing; and

•                  Issued approximately 2.7 million OP Units and received net proceeds of $56.2 million.

 

All of these proceeds were primarily utilized to:

 

•                  Purchase additional properties;

•                  Repay mortgage indebtedness on selected properties;

•                  Repay the line of credit;

•                  Repay public unsecured debt; and

•                  Redeem the Series L Preference Units.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Operating Partnership:

 

•                  Acquired eight properties, and two additional units at an existing property, utilizing cash of $308.7 million;

•                  Repaid $235.2 million of mortgage loans;

•                  Repaid $140.0 million on its line of credit;

•                  Repaid $100.0 million of floating rate public notes at maturity;

•                  Repaid $4.5 million of other unsecured notes; and

•                  Redeemed $100.0 million of 7.625% Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units at liquidation value.

 

Depending on its analysis of market prices, economic conditions, and other opportunities for the investment of available capital, the Company may repurchase up to an additional $85.0 million of its Common Shares pursuant to its existing share buyback program authorized by the Board of Trustees.  The Operating Partnership in turn, would repurchase $85.0 million of its OP Units held by EQR.  The Company did not repurchase any of its Common Shares during the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

 

The Operating Partnership’s total debt summary and debt maturity schedule as of September 30, 2003, are as follows:

 

31

 

Debt Summary

 

 

(1) Net of the effect of any derivative instruments.

 

Debt Maturity Schedule as of September 30, 2003

 

 

(2) Includes $300 million of unsecured debt with a final maturity of 2015 that is putable/callable in 2005.

 

(3) Includes $150 million of unsecured debt with a final maturity of 2026 that is putable in 2006.

 

On June 5, 2003, the Operating Partnership filed a Form S-3 registration statement with the SEC to register $2.0 billion of debt securities.  The SEC declared this registration statement effective on June 11, 2003.  In addition, the Operating Partnership carried over $280.0 million related to the registration statement effective on September 8, 2000.  As of September 30, 2003, $2.28 billion remained available for issuance under this registration statement.

 

The Operating Partnership’s “Consolidated Debt-to-Total Market Capitalization Ratio” as of September 30, 2003 is presented in the following table.  The Operating Partnership calculates the equity

 

32

 

component of its market capitalization as the sum of (i) the total outstanding OP Units at the equivalent market value of the closing price of EQR’s Common Shares on the New York Stock Exchange; (ii) the “OP Unit Equivalent” of all convertible preference interests/units; and (iii) the liquidation value of all perpetual preference interests/units outstanding.

 

Capitalization as of September 30, 2003

 

 

Convertible Preference Units, Preference Interests
and Junior Preference Units
as of September 30, 2003

 

 

The Operating Partnership’s policy is to maintain a ratio of consolidated debt-to-total market capitalization of less than 50%.

 

From October 1, 2003 through November 4, 2003, the Operating Partnership:

 

•                  Acquired two properties consisting of 432 units for approximately $79.2 million;

•                  Assumed $9.6 million of mortgage debt on certain properties in connection with their acquisitions and/or consolidation;

•                  Disposed of four properties and various individual condominium units consisting of 561 units for approximately $28.4 million;

•                  Repaid $23.5 million of mortgage debt;

•                  Relinquished $7.0 million of mortgage debt assumed by the purchaser on disposed properties;

•                  Repaid $40.0 million of 6.875% fixed rate public notes at maturity; and

•                  Purchased a third party’s $20.0 million participation interest in a floating rate construction loan secured by one of the Operating Partnership’s unconsolidated development properties.

 

33

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

 

As of September 30, 2003, the Operating Partnership has 16 projects in various stages of development with estimated completion dates ranging through December 31, 2004.  The three development agreements currently in place have the following key terms:

 

•                  The first development partner has the right, at any time following completion of a project, to stipulate a value for such project and offer to sell its interest in the project to the Operating Partnership based on such value.  If the Operating Partnership chooses not to purchase the interest, it must agree to a sale of the project to an unrelated third party at such value.  The Operating Partnership’s partner must exercise this right as to all projects within five years after the receipt of the final certificate of occupancy on the last developed property.   In connection with this development partner, the Operating Partnership has an obligation to provide up to $40.0 million in credit enhancements to guarantee a portion of the third party construction financing.  As of November 4, 2003, the Operating Partnership had set-aside $20.0 million towards this credit enhancement.  The Operating Partnership would be required to perform under this agreement only if there was a material default under a third party construction mortgage agreement.  This agreement expires no later than December 31, 2018.  Notwithstanding the termination of the agreement, the Operating Partnership shall have recourse against its development partner for any losses incurred.

 

•                        The second development partner has the right, at any time following completion of a project, to require the Operating Partnership to purchase the partners’ interest in that project at a mutually agreeable price.  If the Operating Partnership and the partner are unable to agree on a price, both parties will obtain appraisals.  If the appraised values vary by more than 10%, both the Operating Partnership and its partner will agree on a third appraiser to determine which original appraisal is closest to its determination of value.  The Operating Partnership may elect at that time not to purchase the property and instead, authorize its partner to sell the project at or above the agreed-upon value to an unrelated third party.  Five years following the receipt of the final certificate of occupancy on the last developed property, the Operating Partnership must purchase, at the agreed-upon price, any projects remaining unsold.

 

•                        The third development partner has the exclusive right for six months following stabilization (generally defined as having achieved 90% occupancy for three consecutive months following the substantial completion of a project) to market a project for sale.  Thereafter, either the Operating Partnership or its development partner may market a project for sale.  If the Operating Partnership’s development partner proposes the sale, the Operating Partnership may elect to purchase the project at the price proposed by its partner or defer the sale until two independent appraisers appraise the project.  If the two appraised values vary by more than 5%, a third appraiser will be chosen to determine the fair market value of the property.  Once a value has been determined, the Operating Partnership may elect to purchase the property or authorize its development partner to sell the project at the agreed-upon value.

 

In connection with one of its mergers, the Operating Partnership executed a credit enhancement agreement with respect to certain tax-exempt bonds issued to finance certain public improvements at a multifamily development project.  The Operating Partnership has the obligation to facilitate credit under this agreement for a period of eight years from the consummation of the merger or through May 2005.  The Operating Partnership would be required to perform under this agreement only if there was a material default with respect to the tax-exempt bonds.  If there should be any default in connection with this agreement, the Operating Partnership has the right, among other remedies, to select an alternate interest rate on the bonds.  As of November 4, 2003, this enhancement was still in effect at a commitment amount of $12.7 million and no outstanding liability.

 

See also Note 2 and Note 7 and the third paragraph of Note 15 in the Notes to Consolidated

 

34

 

Financial Statements for additional discussion regarding the Operating Partnership’s investments in unconsolidated entities.

 

Capitalization of Fixed Assets and Improvements to Real Estate

 

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

 

•             Replacements (inside the unit).  These include:

•                  carpets and hardwood floors;

•                  appliances;

•                  mechanical equipment such as individual furnace/air units, hot water heaters, etc;

•                  furniture and fixtures such as kitchen/bath cabinets, light fixtures, ceiling fans, sinks, tubs, toilets, mirrors, countertops, etc;

•                  flooring such as vinyl, linoleum or tile; and

•                  blinds/shades.

 

All replacements are depreciated over a five-year estimated useful life.  We expense as incurred all maintenance and turnover costs such as cleaning, interior painting of individual units and the repair of any replacement item noted above.

 

•             Building improvements (outside the unit).  These include:

•                  roof replacement and major repairs;

•                  paving or major resurfacing of parking lots, curbs and sidewalks;

•                  amenities and common areas such as pools, exterior sports and playground equipment, lobbies, clubhouses, laundry rooms, alarm and security systems and offices;

•                  major building mechanical equipment systems;

•                  interior and exterior structural repair and exterior painting and siding;

•                  major landscaping and grounds improvement; and

•                  vehicles and office and maintenance equipment.

 

All building improvements are depreciated over a five to ten-year estimated useful life.  We expense as incurred all recurring expenditures that do not improve the value of the asset or extend its useful life.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, our actual improvements to real estate totaled approximately $128.5 million.  This includes the following detail (amounts in thousands except for unit and per unit amounts):

 

Capitalized Improvements to Real Estate
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003

 

		Total Units (1)		Replacements			Avg. Per Unit			Building Improvements			Avg. Per Unit			Total			Avg. Per Unit
Established Properties (2)		169,402		$	44,960		$	265		$	53,768		$	317		$	98,728		$	582
New Acquisition Properties (3)		11,447		1,786			180			3,520			354			5,306			534
Other (4)		8,245		8,833						15,612						24,445
Total		189,094		$	55,579					$	72,900					$	128,479

 

(1)          Total units exclude 23,053 unconsolidated units.

 

35

 

(2)          Wholly Owned Properties acquired prior to January 1, 2001.

(3)          Wholly Owned Properties acquired during 2001, 2002 and 2003.  Per unit amounts are based on a weighted average of 9,931 units.

(4)          Includes properties either Partially Owned or sold during the period, commercial space, condominium conversions and $3.6 million included in building improvements spent on five specific assets related to major renovations and repositioning of these assets.

 

The Operating Partnership expects to fund approximately $30.0 million for capital expenditures for replacements and building improvements for all consolidated properties for the remainder of 2003.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Operating Partnership’s total non-real estate capital additions, such as computer software, computer equipment, and furniture and fixtures and leasehold improvements to the Operating Partnership’s property management offices and its corporate offices, was approximately $2.3 million.  The Operating Partnership expects to fund approximately $1.6 million in total additions to non-real estate property for the remainder of 2003.

 

Improvements to real estate and additions to non-real estate property were funded from net cash provided by operating activities.

 

Derivative Instruments

 

In the normal course of business, the Operating Partnership is exposed to the effect of interest rate changes.  The Operating Partnership limits these risks by following established risk management policies and procedures including the use of derivatives to hedge interest rate risk on debt instruments.

 

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

 

See Note 12 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of derivative instruments at September 30, 2003.

 

Other

 

Total distributions paid in October 2003 amounted to $147.8 million (excluding distributions on Partially Owned Properties), which included certain distributions declared during the third quarter ended September 30, 2003.

 

The Operating Partnership expects to meet its short-term liquidity requirements, including capital expenditures related to maintaining its existing properties and certain scheduled unsecured note and mortgage note repayments, generally through its working capital, net cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under its line of credit.  The Operating Partnership considers its cash provided by operating activities to be adequate to meet operating requirements and payments of distributions.  The Operating Partnership also expects to meet its long-term liquidity requirements, such as scheduled unsecured note and mortgage debt maturities, property acquisitions, financing of construction and development activities and capital improvements through the issuance of unsecured notes and equity securities, including additional OP Units, and proceeds received from the disposition of certain properties.  In addition, the Operating Partnership has certain unencumbered properties available to secure additional mortgage borrowings in the event that the public capital markets are unavailable or the cost of alternative sources of capital is too high.  The fair value of and cash flow from these unencumbered properties are in excess of the requirements the Operating Partnership must maintain in order to comply with covenants under its unsecured notes and line of credit.

 

36

 

The Operating Partnership has a revolving credit facility with potential borrowings of up to $700.0 million.  This facility matures in May 2005 and may, among other potential uses, be used to fund property acquisitions, costs for certain properties under development and short term liquidity requirements.  As of November 4, 2003, no amounts were outstanding under this facility.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

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

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, Including Goodwill

 

The Operating Partnership periodically evaluates its long-lived assets, including its investments in real estate and goodwill, for impairment indicators.  The judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on factors such as operational performance, market conditions, expected holding period of each asset and legal and environmental concerns.  Future events could occur which would cause the Operating Partnership to conclude that impairment indicators exist and an impairment loss is warranted.

 

Depreciation of Investment in Real Estate

 

The Operating Partnership depreciates the building component of its investment in real estate over a 30-year estimated useful life, building improvements over a 5-year to 10-year estimated useful life and both the furniture, fixtures and equipment and replacements components over a 5-year estimated useful life, all of which are judgmental determinations.

 

Cost Capitalization

 

See the Capitalization of Fixed Assets and Improvements to Real Estate section for discussion of the policy with respect to capitalization vs. expensing of fixed asset/repair and maintenance costs.  In addition, the Operating Partnership capitalizes the payroll and associated costs of employees directly responsible for and who spend all of their time on the supervision of major capital projects.  These costs are reflected on the balance sheet as an increase to depreciable property.

 

The Operating Partnership follows the guidance in SFAS No. 67, Accounting for Costs and Initial Rental Operations of Real Estate Projects, for all development projects and uses its professional judgment in determining whether such costs meet the criteria for capitalization or must be expensed as incurred.  The Operating Partnership capitalizes interest, real estate taxes and insurance and payroll and associated costs for those individuals directly responsible for and who spend all of their time on development activities.  The Operating Partnership expenses as incurred all payroll costs of employees working directly at our properties, except for costs that are incurred during the initial lease-up phase on a development project.  An allocated portion of payroll costs is capitalized based upon the occupancy of the project until stabilized occupancy is achieved.  Stabilized occupancy is always deemed to have occurred no later than one year from cessation of major development activities.  The incremental payroll and associated costs are capitalized to the projects under development based upon the effort directly identifiable with such projects.  These costs are reflected on the balance sheet as either construction in progress or a separate component of investments in unconsolidated entities.  The Operating Partnership ceases the capitalization of such costs as the property becomes substantially complete and ready for its intended use.

 

37

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Including Derivative Instruments

 

The valuation of financial instruments under SFAS No. 107 and SFAS No. 133 and its amendments (SFAS Nos. 137/138/149) requires the Operating Partnership to make estimates and judgments that affect the fair value of the instruments.  The Operating Partnership, where possible, bases the fair values of its financial instruments, including its derivative instruments, on listed market prices and third party quotes. Where these are not available, the Operating Partnership bases its estimates on other factors relevant to the financial instruments.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Rental income attributable to leases is recorded when due from residents and is recognized monthly as it is earned, which is not materially different than on a straight-line basis.  Leases entered into between a resident and a property for the rental of an apartment unit are generally year-to-year, renewable upon consent of both parties on an annual or monthly basis.  Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

Prior to 2003, the Company had chosen to account for its stock-based compensation in accordance with APB No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, which resulted in no compensation expense for options issued with an exercise price equal to or exceeding the market value of EQR’s Common Shares on the date of grant (intrinsic method).  The Company has elected to expense its stock-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123 and its amendment (SFAS No. 148), Accounting for Stock Based Compensation, effective in the first quarter of 2003, which resulted in compensation expense being recorded based on the fair value of the stock compensation granted or modified.  Any Common Shares issued pursuant to EQR’s incentive equity compensation and employee share purchase plans will result in the Operating Partnership issuing OP Units to EQR on a one-for-one basis, with the Operating Partnership receiving the net cash proceeds of such issuances.

 

SFAS No. 148 provides three transition methods for entities that adopt the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123.  The Company has chosen to use the “Prospective Method”.  This method requires that companies apply the recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to only employee awards granted or modified after the beginning of the fiscal year in which the recognition provisions are first applied, or January 1, 2003.  Compensation expense under all of the Company’s plans is generally recognized over periods ranging from three months to five years.  Therefore, the cost related to stock-based employee compensation included in the determination of net income for the nine months and quarter ended September 30, 2003 is less than that which would have been recognized if the fair value based method had been applied to all awards since the original effective date of SFAS No. 123.  See Note 2 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion and comparative information regarding application of the fair value method to all outstanding employee awards.

 

Funds From Operations

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, Funds From Operations (“FFO”) available to OP Units decreased $39.8 million, or 7.3%, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2002.

 

For the quarter ended September 30, 2003, FFO available to OP Units increased $4.4 million, or 2.7%, as compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2002.

 

The following is a reconciliation of net income to FFO available to OP Units for the nine months and quarters ended September 30, 2003 and 2002:

 

38

 

Funds From Operations
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

		Nine Months Ended September 30,						Quarter Ended September 30,
		2003			2002			2003			2002
Net income		$	436,445		$	321,903		$	146,426		$	93,944
Adjustments:
Depreciation		341,723			322,615			115,346			109,331
Depreciation – Non-real estate additions		(6,524		)	(6,823		)	(1,926		)	(2,250		)
Depreciation – Partially Owned Properties		(6,240		)	(5,710		)	(2,124		)	(1,959		)
Depreciation – Unconsolidated Properties		15,618			14,468			5,468			5,563
Net (gain) loss on sales of unconsolidated entities		(4,673		)	626			2			5,872
Discontinued Operations:
Depreciation		13,175			30,591			2,160			9,029
Net gain on sales of depreciable property		(211,488		)	(60,011		)	(73,383		)	(32,435		)
FFO (1)(2)		578,036			617,659			191,969			187,095
Preferred distributions		(73,115		)	(72,969		)	(24,698		)	(24,188		)
FFO available to OP Units		$	504,921		$	544,690		$	167,271		$	162,907

 

(1)       The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) defines funds from operations (“FFO”) (April 2002 White Paper) as net income (computed in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of property, plus depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.  Adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures will be calculated to reflect funds from operations on the same basis.  The April 2002 White Paper states that gain or loss on sales of property is excluded from FFO for previously depreciated operating properties only.  Once the Operating Partnership commences the conversion of units to condominiums, it simultaneously discontinues depreciation of such property.  Accordingly, the Operating Partnership included in FFO its incremental gains or losses from the sale of condominium units to third parties, which represented net gains of $7,487 and $1,198 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively, and $4,600 and $328 for the quarters ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.  Effective January 1, 2003, the Operating Partnership no longer adds back impairment losses when computing FFO in accordance with NAREIT’s definition.  As a result, FFO for the nine months and quarter ended September 30, 2002 have been reduced by $17,994 and $17,413, respectively, to conform to the current year presentation.

 

(2)       The Operating Partnership believes that FFO is helpful to investors as a supplemental measure of the operating performance of a real estate company because it provides investors an understanding of the ability of the Operating Partnership to incur and service debt and to make capital expenditures.  FFO in and of itself does not represent net income or net cash flows from operating activities in accordance with GAAP.  Therefore, FFO should not be exclusively considered as an alternative to net income or to net cash flows from operating activities as determined by GAAP or as a measure of liquidity.  The Operating Partnership’s calculation of FFO may differ from other real estate companies due to variations in cost capitalization policies for capital expenditures and, accordingly, may not be comparable to such other real estate companies.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

The Operating Partnership’s market risk has not changed materially from the amounts and information reported in Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, to the Operating Partnership’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.  See also Note 12 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of derivative instruments.

 

39

 

Item 4. Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Effective as of September 30, 2003, the Operating Partnership carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Operating Partnership’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of EQR, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Operating Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15.  Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information.  During the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2003, there were no changes to the internal controls over financial reporting of the Operating Partnership identified in connection with the Operating Partnership’s evaluation or otherwise that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Operating Partnership’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 

The Operating Partnership is a party to a class action lawsuit in Florida state court alleging that several of the types of fees that the Operating Partnership charged when residents breached their leases were illegal, as are all efforts to collect them. We are vigorously contesting the plaintiffs’ claims and will seek immediate appellate review of the recent class action certification decision. Due to the preliminary nature of the litigation, it is not possible to determine or predict the outcome. While no assurances can be given, we do not believe that this lawsuit, if adversely determined, will have a material adverse effect on the Operating Partnership.

 

Except as disclosed above, there have been no new or significant developments related to the legal proceedings that were discussed in Part I, Item III of the Operating Partnership’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

40

 

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

(A)                              Exhibits:

 

12                                    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges.

 

31.1                           Certification of Bruce W. Duncan, Chief Executive Officer of EQR.

 

31.2                           Certification of David J. Neithercut, Chief Financial Officer of EQR.

 

32.1                           Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of Bruce W. Duncan, Chief Executive Officer of Registrant’s General Partner.

 

32.2                           Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of David J. Neithercut, Chief Financial Officer of Registrant’s General Partner.

 

(B)                                Reports Filed on Form 8-K:

 

None.

 

41

 

SIGNATURES

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By:

EQUITY RESIDENTIAL

ITS GENERAL PARTNER

Date:

November 13, 2003

By:

/s/

David J. Neithercut

David J. Neithercut

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date:

November 13, 2003

By:

/s/

Michael J. McHugh

Michael J. McHugh

Executive Vice President,

Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer

 

42

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit		Document
12		Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges.
31.1		Certification of Bruce W. Duncan, Chief Executive Officer of EQR.
31.2		Certification of David J. Neithercut, Chief Financial Officer of EQR.
32.1		Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of Bruce W. Duncan, Chief Executive Officer of Registrant’s General Partner.
32.2		Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of David J. Neithercut, Chief Financial Officer of Registrant’s General Partner.

 

43