10-Q 1 form10q.htm ESSEX PORTFOLIO, LP 10-Q 3-31-2013 form10q.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013

OR

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

For the transition period from ________to _________

Commission file number 333-44467-01

ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P.
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

California
 
77-0369575
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

925 East Meadow Drive
Palo Alto, California    94303
(Address of Principal Executive Offices including Zip Code)

(650) 494-3700
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES  x NO  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES x NO o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” ”accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer  o Accelerated filer  o Non-accelerated filer  x Smaller reporting company  o
    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  o No  x
 


 
 

 
 
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P.
FORM 10-Q

   
Page No.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1.
3
     
 
4
     
 
5
     
 
6
     
 
7
     
 
9
     
Item 2.
20
     
Item 3.
27
     
Item 4.
27
     
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1.
28
     
Item 1A.
28
     
Item 6.
29
     
30
 
 
2

 
Part I -- Financial Information


Essex Portfolio, L.P., a California limited partnership, (the "Operating Partnership") effectively holds the assets and liabilities and conducts the operating activities of Essex Property Trust, Inc. (“Essex” or the “Company”).   Essex Property Trust, Inc., a real estate investment trust incorporated in the State of Maryland is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership.

The information furnished in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations and comprehensive income, capital, and cash flows of the Operating Partnership reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the aforementioned condensed consolidated financial statements for the interim periods and are normal and recurring in nature, except as otherwise noted.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to such unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations herein.  Additionally, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Operating Partnership's Amendment No. 1 on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 12, 2013.

 
3

 
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except unit amounts)

`
 
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Assets
 
 
   
 
 
Real estate:
           
Rental properties:
           
Land and land improvements
  $ 1,054,229     $ 1,003,171  
Buildings and improvements
    4,167,500       4,030,501  
                 
      5,221,729       5,033,672  
Less accumulated depreciation
    (1,127,030 )     (1,081,517 )
                 
      4,094,699       3,952,155  
Real estate under development
    65,568       66,851  
Co-investments
    579,654       571,345  
                 
      4,739,921       4,590,351  
Cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted
    30,844       18,606  
Cash and cash equivalents-restricted
    24,790       23,520  
Marketable securities
    80,432       92,713  
Notes and other receivables
    11,359       66,163  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    28,329       35,003  
Deferred charges, net
    20,784       20,867  
                 
Total assets
  $ 4,936,459     $ 4,847,223  
                 
Liabilities and Capital
               
Mortgage notes payable
  $ 1,559,079     $ 1,565,599  
Unsecured debt
    1,112,159       1,112,084  
Lines of credit
    102,300       141,000  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    86,461       64,858  
Construction payable
    8,768       5,392  
Distributions payable
    50,396       45,052  
Derivative liabilities
    6,107       6,606  
Other liabilities
    22,625       22,167  
                 
Total liabilities
    2,947,895       2,962,758  
Commitments and contingencies
               
Cumulative convertible Series G preferred interest (liquidation value of $4,456)
    4,349       4,349  
Capital:
               
General Partner:
               
Common equity (37,276,204 and 36,442,994 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)
    1,867,536       1,762,856  
Preferred interest (liquidation value of $73,750)
    71,209       71,209  
      1,938,745       1,834,065  
Limited Partners:
               
Common equity (2,154,510 and 2,122,381 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)
    44,569       45,593  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (67,195 )     (68,231 )
Total partners' capital
    1,916,119       1,811,427  
Noncontrolling interest
    68,096       68,689  
Total capital
    1,984,215       1,880,116  
                 
Total liabilities and capital
  $ 4,936,459     $ 4,847,223  
 
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
4

 
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARES
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts)

   
March 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Revenues:
 
 
       
Rental and other property
  $ 146,394     $ 125,474  
Management and other fees from affiliates
    2,948       2,444  
      149,342       127,918  
Expenses:
               
Property operating, excluding real estate taxes
    32,608       28,751  
Real estate taxes
    14,156       11,413  
Depreciation
    47,144       40,734  
General and administrative
    6,626       5,400  
Cost of management and other fees
    1,701       1,640  
      102,235       87,938  
                 
Earnings from operations
    47,107       39,980  
                 
Interest expense before amortization
    (25,211 )     (24,658 )
Amortization expense
    (2,930 )     (2,871 )
Interest and other income
    5,023       2,413  
Equity income in co-investments
    4,211       2,340  
Gain on remeasurement of co-investment
    -       -  
Gain on sales of real estate
    1,503       -  
Income before discontinued operations
    29,703       17,204  
Income from discontinued operations
    -       10,037  
Net income
    29,703       27,241  
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    (1,631 )     (1,569 )
Net income attributable to controlling interest
    28,072       25,672  
Preferred interest distributions - Series G & H
    (1,368 )     (1,368 )
Net income available to common units
    26,704       24,304  
                 
Comprehensive income
  $ 30,739     $ 29,592  
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    (1,631 )     (1,569 )
Comprehensive income attributable to controlling interest
  $ 29,108     $ 28,023  
                 
Per unit data:
               
Basic:
               
Income before discontinued operations available to common units
  $ 0.68     $ 0.39  
Income from discontinued operations
    -       0.28  
Net income available to common units
  $ 0.68     $ 0.67  
Weighted average number of common units outstanding during the period
    39,083,372       36,273,056  
                 
Diluted:
               
Income before discontinued operations available to common units
  $ 0.68     $ 0.39  
Income from discontinued operations
    -       0.28  
Net income available to common units
  $ 0.68     $ 0.67  
Weighted average number of common units outstanding during the period
    39,171,502       36,396,641  

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
5

 
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)
(Dollars and units in thousands)

   
General Partner
   
Limited Partners
   
Accumulated
             
               
Preferred
               
other
             
   
Common Equity
   
Equity
   
Common Equity
   
comprehensive
   
Noncontrolling
       
   
Units
   
Amount
   
Amount
   
Units
   
Amount
   
(loss) income
   
Interest
   
Total
 
Balances at December 31, 2012
    36,443     $ 1,762,856     $ 71,209       2,122     $ 45,593     $ (68,231 )   $ 68,689     $ 1,880,116  
Net income
    -       25,203       1,368       -       1,501       -       1,631       29,703  
Reversal of unrealized gains upon the sale of marketable securities
    -       -       -       -       -       (1,767 )     -       (1,767 )
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges and amortization of gain on settlement of swap
    -       -       -       -       -       2,665               2,665  
Changes in fair value of marketable securities
    -       -       -       -       -       138       -       138  
Issuance of common units under:
                                                               
Stock and unit based compensation plans
    16       1,956       -       -       -       -       -       1,956  
Sale of common stock by the general partner
    817       122,905       -       -       -       -       -       122,905  
Stock and unit based compensation costs
    -       (256 )     -       33       575       -       -       319  
Redemptions
    -       -       -       -       (428 )     -       (901 )     (1,329 )
Distribution to noncontrolling interests
    -       -       -       -       -       -       (1,323 )     (1,323 )
Distributions declared
    -       (45,128 )     (1,368 )     -       (2,672 )     -       -       (49,168 )
Balances at March 31, 2013
    37,276     $ 1,867,536     $ 71,209       2,155     $ 44,569     $ (67,195 )   $ 68,096     $ 1,984,215  
 
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
6

 
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
   
 
 
Net income
  $ 29,703     $ 27,241  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Gain on sale of marketable securities
    (1,767 )     -  
Co-investments
    (391 )     862  
Amortization expense
    2,930       2,871  
Amortization of discount on notes receivables
    (844 )     (466 )
Amortization of discount on marketable securities
    (1,377 )     (1,256 )
Gain on the sales of real estate
    (1,503 )     (10,870 )
Depreciation
    47,144       40,828  
Equity-based compensation
    1,132       986  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    1,764       (2,563 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    8,443       14,610  
Other liabilities
    458       (83 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    85,692       72,160  
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Additions to real estate:
               
Acquisitions of real estate
    (175,950 )     (38,900 )
Improvements to recent acquisitions
    (2,601 )     (2,296 )
Redevelopment
    (6,573 )     (8,008 )
Revenue generating capital expenditures
    (304 )     (611 )
Lessor required capital expenditures
    (768 )     -  
Non-revenue generating capital expenditures
    (4,019 )     (1,200 )
Acquisitions of and additions to real estate under development
    (3,332 )     (6,789 )
Dispositions of real estate
    9,051       16,816  
Changes in restricted cash and deposits
    19,980       517  
Purchases of marketable securities
    (6,541 )     (5,438 )
Sales and maturities of marketable securities
    20,335       1,348  
Collections of notes and other receivables
    52,473       7,164  
Contributions to co-investments
    (45,518 )     (12,945 )
Distributions from co-investments
    38,030       6,291  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (105,737 )     (44,051 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Borrowings under debt agreements
    235,282       159,394  
Repayment of debt
    (279,854 )     (177,984 )
Additions to deferred charges
    (716 )     (293 )
Equity related issuance cost
    (225 )     (150 )
Net proceeds from stock options exercised
    1,367       933  
Net proceeds from issuance of common units
    122,905       31,590  
Distributions to noncontrolling interest
    (1,323 )     (1,382 )
Redemption of limited partners common units and of noncontrolling interest
    (1,329 )     (435 )
Common units and preferred interests distributions paid
    (43,824 )     (38,927 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    32,283       (27,254 )
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    12,238       855  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    18,606       12,889  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 30,844     $ 13,744  
 
(Continued)
 
 
7

 
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
           
Cash paid for interest, net of $3.7 million, and $1.6 million capitalized in 2013 and 2012, respectively
  $ 23,863     $ 22,603  
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
               
Transfer from real estate under development to rental properties
  $ 67     $ 242  
Contribution of note receivable to co-investment
  $ -     $ 12,325  
Change in accrual of distributions
  $ 5,344     $ 2,484  
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities
  $ 570     $ 396  
Change in fair value of marketable securities
  $ 1,629     $ 379  
Change in construction payable
  $ 3,376     $ 3,168  

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
 
 
8

 
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
March 31, 2013 and 2012
(Unaudited)
(1)  Organization and Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements present the accounts of Essex Portfolio, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”) and its subsidiaries, prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented have been included and are normal and recurring in nature.  These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Operating Partnership’s Amendment No. 1 on Form S-4 filed with the SEC on March 12, 2013.

All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 include the accounts of the Operating Partnership.  Essex Property Trust, Inc. (the “Company”)  is the sole general partner in the Operating Partnership, with a 94.5% general partnership interest as of March 31, 2013.  Total Operating Partnership units outstanding were 2,154,510 and 2,122,381 as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, and the redemption value of the units, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock totaled $324.4 million and $311.2 million, as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

As of March 31, 2013, the Operating Partnership owned or had ownership interests in 166 apartment communities, aggregating 34,343 units, excluding the Operating Partnership’s ownership in preferred interest co-investments,  (collectively, the “Communities”, and individually, a “Community”), five commercial buildings and eight active development projects (collectively, the “Portfolio”).  The Communities are located in Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties), Northern California (the San Francisco Bay Area) and the Seattle metropolitan area.

Marketable Securities

The Operating Partnership reports its available for sale securities at fair value, based on quoted market prices (Level 2 for the unsecured bonds and Level 1 for the common stock and investment funds, as defined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) standard for fair value measurements as discussed later in Note 1), and any unrealized gain or loss is recorded as other comprehensive income (loss).  Realized gains and losses, interest and dividend income, and amortization of purchase discounts are included in interest and other income on the condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income.

As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, marketable securities consisted primarily of investment-grade unsecured bonds, common stock, investments in mortgage backed securities and investment funds that invest in U.S. treasury or agency securities.  As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Operating Partnership classified its investments in mortgage backed securities, which mature in November 2019 and September 2020, as held to maturity, and accordingly, these securities are stated at their amortized cost.  The estimated fair values of the mortgage backed securities (Level 2 securities) are approximately equal to the carrying values.

 
9


ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2013 and 2012
(Unaudited)

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2012 marketable securities consist of the following ($ in thousands):

   
March 31, 2013
 
   
Cost/
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
       
   
Cost
   
Gain
   
Carrying Value
 
Available for sale:
                 
Investment-grade unsecured bonds
  $ 5,119     $ 96     $ 5,215  
Investment funds - US treasuries
    15,365       721       16,086  
Common stock
    5,642       85       5,727  
Held to maturity:
                       
Mortgage backed securities
    53,404       -       53,404  
Total
  $ 79,530     $ 902     $ 80,432  
 
   
December 31, 2012
 
   
Cost/
   
Gross
   
 
 
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
 
 
   
Cost
   
Gain
   
Carrying Value
 
Available for sale:
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Investment-grade unsecured bonds
  $ 5,143     $ 98     $ 5,241  
Investment funds - US treasuries
    14,120       729       14,849  
Common stock
    18,917       1,704       20,621  
Held to maturity:
                       
Mortgage backed securities
    52,002       -       52,002  
Total
  $ 90,182     $ 2,531     $ 92,713  
 
The Operating Partnership uses the specific identification method to determine the cost basis of a security sold and to reclassify amounts from accumulated other comprehensive income for securities sold.  For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the proceeds from sales of available for sale securities totaled $20.3 million which resulted in a realized gain of $1.8 million.  For the three months ended March 31, 2012, there were no sales of available for sale securities.

Variable Interest Entities

The Operating Partnership consolidates 19 DownREIT limited partnerships (comprising twelve communities) since the Operating Partnership is the primary beneficiary of these variable interest entities (“VIEs”).  Total DownREIT units outstanding were 1,033,474 and 1,039,431 as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, and the redemption value of the units, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock totaled $155.6 million and $152.4 million, as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.  The consolidated total assets and liabilities related to these VIEs, net of intercompany eliminations, were approximately $202.4 million and $181.1 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2013 and $201.1 million and $178.6 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2012.  Interest holders in VIEs consolidated by the Operating Partnership are allocated income equal to the cash payments made to those interest holders.  The remaining results of operations are allocated to the Operating Partnership.  As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Operating Partnership did not have any other VIEs of which it was deemed to be the primary beneficiary.

Equity Based Compensation

The Operating Partnership accounts for equity based compensation using the fair value method of accounting.  The estimated fair value of stock options granted by the Company is being amortized over the vesting period of the stock options.  The estimated grant date fair values of the long term incentive plan units are being amortized over the expected service periods.

 
10

 
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2013 and 2012
(Unaudited)
 
Stock-based compensation expense for options and restricted stock totaled $0.6 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The intrinsic value of the stock options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 totaled $0.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively.  As of March 31, 2013, the intrinsic value of the stock options outstanding totaled $14.6 million.  As of March 31, 2013, total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation granted under the stock option and restricted stock plans totaled $5.8 million.  The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1 to 5 years for the stock option plans and is expected to be recognized straight-line over a period of 1 to 7 years for the restricted stock awards.

The Operating Partnership has adopted an incentive program involving the issuance of Series Z-1 Incentive Units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership.  Stock-based compensation expense for Z-1 Units totaled $0.5 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.  Stock-based compensation for Z-1 units capitalized totaled $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, and 2012, respectively.  As of March 31, 2013, the intrinsic value of the Z-1 Units subject to future vesting totaled $16.1 million.  As of March 31, 2013, total unrecognized compensation cost related to Z-1 Units subject to future vesting totaled $6.8 million.  The unamortized cost is expected to be recognized up to 14 years subject to the achievement of the stated performance criteria.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Management believes that the carrying amounts of its amounts outstanding under lines of credit, notes receivable and notes and other receivables approximate fair value as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, because interest rates, yields and other terms for these instruments are consistent with yields and other terms currently available for similar instruments.  Management has estimated that the fair value of the Operating Partnership’s $2.12 billion of fixed rate debt, including unsecured bonds, at March 31, 2013 is approximately $2.21 billion and the fair value of the Operating Partnership’s $551.6 million of variable rate debt, excluding borrowings under the lines of credit, at March 31, 2013 is $632.7 million based on the terms of existing mortgage notes payable, unsecured bonds and variable rate demand notes compared to those available in the marketplace.  Management believes that the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, construction payables, other liabilities and dividends payable approximate fair value as of March 31, 2013 due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.  The fair values of the Operating Partnership’s investments in mortgage backed securities are approximately equal to the amortized cost carrying value of these securities.  Marketable securities and derivatives are carried at fair value as of March 31, 2013.

Capitalization of Costs

The Operating Partnership’s capitalized internal costs related to development and redevelopment projects totaled $1.6 million and $1.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, most of which relates to development projects.  These totals include capitalized salaries of $0.6 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
 
Co-investments

The Operating Partnership owns investments in joint ventures (“co-investments”) in which it has significant influence, but its ownership interest does not meet the criteria for consolidation in accordance with the accounting standards.  Therefore, the Operating Partnership accounts for these investments using the equity method of accounting.  Under the equity method of accounting, the investment is carried at the cost of assets contributed, plus the Operating Partnership’s equity in earnings less distributions received and the Operating Partnership’s share of losses.  The significant accounting policies of the Operating Partnership’s co-investments entities are consistent with those of the Operating Partnership in all material respects.  For preferred equity investments the Operating Partnership recognizes its preferred interest as equity in earnings.

Upon the acquisition of a controlling interest of a co-investment, the co-investment entity is consolidated and a gain or loss is recognized upon the remeasurement of co-investments in the consolidated statement of operations equal to the amount by which the fair-value of the co-investment interest the Operating Partnership previously owned exceeds its carrying value.

A majority of the co-investments, excluding the preferred equity investments, compensate the Operating Partnership for its asset management services and may provide promote distributions if certain financial return benchmarks are achieved.  Asset management fees are recognized when earned, and promote fees are recognized when the earnings events have occurred and the amount is determinable and collectible.
 
 
11

 
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2013 and 2012
(Unaudited)
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component

         
Unrealized
       
   
Change in fair
   
gains/(losses) on
       
   
value and amortization of
   
available for sale
       
   
derivatives
   
securities
   
Total
 
Balance at December 31, 2012
  $ (70,762 )   $ 2,531     $ (68,231 )
Other comprehensive income before reclassification
    534       138       672  
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
    2,131       (1,767 )     364  
Net other comprehensive income (loss)
    2,665       (1,629 )     1,036  
Balance at March 31, 2013
  $ (68,097 )   $ 902     $ (67,195 )
 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with derivatives are recorded in interest expense before amortization on the condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income.  Realized gains and losses on available for sale securities are included in interest and other income on the condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income.

Accounting Estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, requires the Operating Partnership to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Operating Partnership evaluates its estimates, including those related to acquiring, developing and assessing the carrying values of its real estate portfolio, its investments in and advances to joint ventures and affiliates,  and its notes receivables. The Operating Partnership bases its estimates on historical experience, current market conditions, and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may vary from those estimates and those estimates could be different under different assumptions or conditions.

(2)  Significant Transactions During the First Quarter of 2013 and Subsequent Events

Acquisitions

In January 2013, the Operating Partnership acquired Annaliese, a 56 unit community located in Seattle, Washington for $19.0 million.  The property was built in 2009 and is located in the South Lake Union submarket.

In February 2013, the Operating Partnership purchased Fox Plaza, a 444 unit property located in San Francisco, California, for $135.0 million. Built in 1968, the property is a 29 story high rise tower with Fox Plaza apartments located on floors 14 through 29. The purchase price did not include floors 1 through 12 of commercial office space but did include an adjacent two-story building comprised of approximately 37,800 square feet of space leased to retail and office tenants and a two story underground parking garage comprised of 405 stalls.

Common Stock

During the first quarter, the Company sold 817,445 shares of common stock for $122.9 million, net of commissions, at an average per share price of $151.82 and the Company contributed such net proceeds to the Operating Partnership.  For the common stock sales, an equal number of common units were issued by the Operating Partnership to the Company.  Subsequent to quarter end, the Company has not sold any shares of common stock.

Unsecured Bond Offering

In April 2013, the Operating Partnership issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of its 3.25% Senior Notes due on May 1, 2023 (the "Notes").  The net proceeds from the issuance of Notes were approximately $295.2 million, after deducting the underwriters' discounts and estimated offering expenses.

 
12


ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2013 and 2012
(Unaudited)
 
Dispositions

In January, the Operating Partnership sold the land parcel held for future development located in Palo Alto, California for $9.1 million, resulting in a gain of $1.5 million.

(3) Co-investments

The Operating Partnership has co-investments, which are accounted for under the equity method.  The co-investments own, operate and develop apartment communities.  The following table details the Operating Partnership's co-investments (dollars in thousands):

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Membership interest in Wesco I
  $ 143,051     $ 143,874  
Partnership interest in Fund II
    27,121       53,601  
Membership interest in a limited liability company that owns Expo
    18,714       18,752  
Membership interest in Wesco III
    9,821       9,941  
Total operating co-investments
    198,707       226,168  
                 
Membership interests in limited liability companies that own and are developing Epic, Connolly Station, Mosso I. & II. , and Elkhorn
    221,247       186,362  
Membership interests in limited liability companies that own and are developing The Huxley and The Dylan
    16,928       16,552  
Total development co-investments
    238,175       202,914  
                 
Membership interest in Wesco II that owns a preferred equity interest in Parkmerced with a preferred return of 10.1%
    92,550       91,843  
Preferred interest in related party limited liability company that owns Sage at Cupertino with a preferred return of  9.5%
    15,055       14,438  
Preferred interest in a related party limited liability company that owns Madison Park at Anaheim with a preferred return of 13%
    13,232       13,175  
Preferred interest in limited liability company that owns an apartment community in downtown Los Angeles with a preferred return 10%
    13,068       13,068  
Preferred interest in related limited liability company that owns an apartment development in Redwood City with a preferred return of 9.5%
    8,867       -  
Preferred interests in limited liability companies that own apartment communities in downtown Los Angeles with preferred returns of 9% repaid in March 2013
    -       9,739  
Total preferred interest investments
    142,772       142,263  
                 
Total co-investments
  $ 579,654     $ 571,345  

In January 2013, the Operating Partnership invested $8.6 million as a preferred equity interest investment in an apartment development in Redwood City, California.  The investment has a preferred return of 9.5% and matures in January 2016.

In March 2013, the Operating Partnership received the redemption of $9.7 million of preferred equity related to two properties located in downtown Los Angeles.  The Operating Partnership recorded $0.4 million in redemption penalties due to the early redemption of these preferred equity investments.

 
13


ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2013 and 2012
(Unaudited)
 
The combined summarized balance sheet and statements of operations for co-investments are as follows (dollars in thousands).

 
 
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
 
Balance sheets:
           
Rental properties and real estate under development
  $ 1,709,065     $ 1,745,147  
 Other assets
    85,039       168,061  
 
               
Total assets
  $ 1,794,104     $ 1,913,208  
 
               
Debt
  $ 785,459     $ 820,895  
Other liabilities
    54,877       91,922  
Equity
    953,768       1,000,391  
 
               
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 1,794,104     $ 1,913,208  
 
               
Operating Partnership's share of equity
  $ 579,654     $ 571,345  
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
March 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
 
Statements of operations:
           
Property revenues
  $ 27,859     $ 34,323  
Property operating expenses
    (9,828 )     (13,137 )
Net property operating income
    18,031       21,186  
 
               
Interest expense
    (6,778 )     (8,545 )
General and administrative
    (1,514 )     (796 )
Depreciation and amortization
    (11,019 )     (13,896 )
 
               
Net loss
  $ (1,280 )   $ (2,051 )
 
               
Operating Partnership's share of net income
  $ 4,211     $ 2,340  

 
14

 
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2013 and 2012
(Unaudited)
 
(4) Notes and Other Receivables
 
Notes receivable secured by real estate, and other receivables consist of the following as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (dollars in thousands):
 
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
 
   
 
 
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 8.0%, due November 2013
  $ 971     $ 971  
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 4.0%, due December 2014 (1)
    3,212       3,212  
Notes and other receivables from affiliates
    4,085       28,896  
Other receivables
    3,091       3,785  
Note receivable, secured, bearing interest at 8.8%, paid in full March 2013
    -       10,800  
Note receivable, secured, effective interest at 9.6%, paid in full March 2013
    -       18,499  
    $ 11,359     $ 66,163  

(1)
The borrower funds an impound account for capital replacement.

During the quarter, the Operating Partnership received the repayment of two notes receivables totaling $29.5 million.  One of the notes was repaid early, and as such the Operating Partnership recorded $0.8 million of income related to a change in estimate on the discount to the note receivable.

In March 2013, Wesco III repaid the Operating Partnership for a $26.0 million short-term bridge loan at LIBOR + 2.5% to assist with the purchase of Haver Hill.  Wesco III used the proceeds from a $27.3 million loan secured by Haver Hill at 3.1% for a term of seven years to repay the bridge loan.

(5) Related Party Transactions

Management and other fees from affiliates include management, development and redevelopment fees from co-investments of $2.8 million and $2.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  All of these fees are net of intercompany amounts eliminated by the Operating Partnership.

The Company’s Chairman and founder, Mr. George Marcus, is the Chairman of The Marcus & Millichap Company (“TMMC”), which is a holding company for certain real estate brokerage services and other subsidiary companies.  As described in Note 3, the Operating Partnership invested $8.6 million as a preferred equity interest investment in an entity affiliated with TMMC that owns an apartment development in Redwood City, California.  Independent members of the Company’s Board of Directors that serve on the Nominating and Corporate Governance and Audit Committees approved the investment in this entity.

As described in Note 4, The Operating Partnership provided a $26.0 million short-term bridge loan to Wesco III to assist with the purchase of Haver Hill which was repaid during the quarter.

 
15

 
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2013 and 2012
(Unaudited)
 
(6) Unsecured Debt and Lines of Credit
 
Unsecured debt and lines of credit consist of the following as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 ($ in thousands):

               
Weighted Average
 
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
   
Maturity
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
In Years
 
                   
Bonds private placement - fixed rate
  $ 465,000     $ 465,000       6.0  
Term loan - variable rate
    350,000       350,000       3.9  
Bonds public offering - fixed rate
    297,159       297,084       9.4  
Unsecured debt
    1,112,159       1,112,084          
Lines of credit
    102,300       141,000       2.7  
Total unsecured debt and lines of credit
  $ 1,214,459     $ 1,253,084          
                         
Weighted average interest rate on fixed rate unsecured bonds
    4.2 %     4.2 %        
Weighted average interest rate on variable rate term loan
    2.6 %     2.7 %        
Weighted average interest rate on line of credit
    2.1 %     2.3 %        

As described in Note 2, in April 2013, the Operating Partnership issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of its 3.25% Senior Notes due on May 1, 2023.

(7) Segment Information

The Operating Partnership defines its reportable operating segments as the three geographical regions in which its apartment communities are located: Southern California, Northern California and Seattle Metro.  Excluded from segment revenues are properties classified in discontinued operations, management and other fees from affiliates, and interest and other income.  Non-segment revenues and net operating income included in the following schedule also consist of revenue generated from commercial properties.  Other non-segment assets include real estate under development, co-investments, cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, notes and other receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets and deferred charges.
 
 
16

 
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2013 and 2012
(Unaudited)

The revenues, net operating income, and assets for each of the reportable operating segments are summarized as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in thousands):
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Revenues:
 
 
       
Southern California
  $ 65,830     $ 58,560  
Northern California
    50,770       41,622  
Seattle Metro
    26,328       22,309  
Other real estate assets
    3,466       2,983  
Total property revenues
  $ 146,394     $ 125,474  
                 
Net operating income:
               
Southern California
  $ 44,434     $ 39,830  
Northern California
    35,283       28,942  
Seattle Metro
    17,373       14,831  
Other real estate assets
    2,540       1,707  
Total net operating income
    99,630       85,310  
                 
Management and other fees from affiliates
    2,948       2,444  
Depreciation
    (47,144 )     (40,734 )
General and administrative
    (6,626 )     (5,400 )
Cost of management and other fees
    (1,701 )     (1,640 )
Interest expense before amortization
    (25,211 )     (24,658 )
Amortization expense
    (2,930 )     (2,871 )
Interest and other income
    5,023       2,413  
Equity income from co-investments
    4,211       2,340  
Gain on sale of land
    1,503       -  
Income from continuing operations
  $ 29,703     $ 17,204  
 
Total assets for each of the reportable operating segments are summarized as follows as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
 
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Assets:
 
 
   
 
 
Southern California
  $ 1,662,493     $ 1,675,265  
Northern California
    1,632,994       1,489,095  
Seattle Metro
    711,458       699,465  
Other real estate assets
    87,754       88,330  
Net reportable operating segment - real estate assets
    4,094,699       3,952,155  
Real estate under development
    65,568       66,851  
Co-investments
    579,654       571,345  
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash
    55,634       42,126  
Marketable securities
    80,432       92,713  
Notes and other receivables
    11,359       66,163  
Other non-segment assets
    49,113       55,870  
Total assets
  $ 4,936,459     $ 4,847,223  
 
 
17


ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2013 and 2012
(Unaudited)

(8)  Net Income Per Common Unit
 
(Amounts in thousands, except per unit data)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31, 2013
   
March 31, 2012
 
   
 
   
Weighted-
   
Per
   
 
   
Weighted-
   
Per
 
   
 
   
average
   
Common
   
 
   
average
   
Common
 
   
 
   
Common
   
Unit
   
 
   
Common
   
Unit
 
   
Income
   
Units
   
Amount
   
Income
   
Units
   
Amount
 
Basic:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Income from continuing operations available to common unitholders
  $ 26,704       39,083     $ 0.68     $ 14,267       36,273     $ 0.39  
Income from discontinued operations available to common unitholders
    -       39,083       -       10,037       36,273       0.28  
      26,704             $ 0.68       24,304             $ 0.67  
                                                 
Effect of Dilutive Securities (1)
    -       88               54       124          
                                                 
Diluted:
                                               
Income from continuing operations available to common unitholders
    26,704       39,171     $ 0.68       14,321       36,397     $ 0.39  
Income from discontinued operations available to common unitholders
    -       39,171       -       10,037       36,397       0.28  
    $ 26,704             $ 0.68     $ 24,358             $ 0.67  

 
(1)
Instruments granted in equity-based payment transactions are considered participating securities prior to vesting and, therefore, are considered in computing basic earnings per unit under the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation method for calculating earnings per unit when a company’s capital structure includes either two or more classes of common equity or common equity and participating securities.  The Company’s stock options of 263,513 and 36,750 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were not included in the diluted earnings per unit calculation because the effects on earnings per unit were anti-dilutive. The Operating Partnership has the ability to redeem DownREIT limited partnership units for cash and does not consider them to be potentially dilutive securities.

All shares of Series G cumulative convertible preferred interests have been excluded in diluted earnings per unit for the three months ended March 31, 2013, respectively, as the effect was anti-dilutive.

(9)  Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Operating Partnership has entered into interest rate swap contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $300 million that effectively fixed the interest rate on $300 million of the $350 million unsecured term loan at 2.6%.  These derivatives qualify for hedge accounting.

As of March 31, 2013 the Operating Partnership also had twelve interest rate cap contracts totaling a notional amount of $187.8 million that qualify for hedge accounting as they effectively limit the Operating Partnership’s exposure to interest rate risk by providing a ceiling on the underlying variable interest rate for $201.6 million of the Operating Partnership’s tax exempt variable rate debt.

As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 the aggregate carrying value of the interest rate swap contracts was a liability of $6.1 million and $6.6 million, respectively. The aggregate carrying value of the interest rate cap contracts was zero on the balance sheet as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

(10)  Discontinued Operations

The Operating Partnership classifies real estate as "held for sale" when the sale is considered to be probable.  The Operating Partnership had no communities sold or held for sale for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.

 
18

 
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2013 and 2012
(Unaudited)

During the first quarter of 2012, the Operating Partnership sold Tierra Del Sol/Norte, a 156 unit community located in San Diego, California for $17.2 million for a gain of $7.0 million.  Also in the first quarter of 2012, the Operating Partnership sold Alpine Country, a 108 unit community located in San Diego metropolitan area, for $11.1 million for a gain of $3.9 million.

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, as described above (dollars in thousands).

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
 
   
 
 
Rental revenues
  $ -     $ 608  
Property operating expenses
    -       (260 )
Depreciation and amortization
    -       (94 )
Income from real estate sold
    -       254  
Gain on sale
    -       10,870  
Internal dispositon costs and taxes
    -       (1,087 )
                 
Income from discontinued operations
  $ -     $ 10,037  
 
(11)  Commitments and Contingencies

As of March 31, 2013, the Operating Partnership had six non-cancelable ground leases for certain apartment communities and buildings that expire between 2027 and 2080.  Ground lease payments are typically the greater of a stated minimum or a percentage of gross rents generated by these apartment communities.  Total minimum lease commitments, under ground leases and operating leases, are approximately $1.7 million per year for the next five years.
 
To the extent that an environmental matter arises or is identified in the future that has other than a remote risk of having a material impact on the financial statements, the Operating Partnership will disclose the estimated range of possible outcomes, and, if an outcome is probable, accrue an appropriate liability for remediation and other potential liability. The Operating Partnership will consider whether such occurrence results in an impairment of value on the affected property and, if so, impairment will be recognized.
 
Except with respect to three communities, the Operating Partnership has no indemnification agreements from third parties for potential environmental clean-up costs at its communities.  The Operating Partnership has no way of determining at this time the magnitude of any potential liability to which it may be the subject, arising out of unknown environmental conditions or violations with respect to the communities formerly owned by the Operating Partnership.  No assurance can be given that existing environmental studies with respect to any of the communities will reveal all environmental liabilities, that any prior owner or operator of a Property did not create any material environmental condition not known to the Operating Partnership, or that a material environmental condition does not otherwise exist as to any one or more of the communities.  The Operating Partnership has limited insurance coverage for the types of environmental liabilities described above.

The Operating Partnership may enter into transactions that may require the Operating Partnership to pay the tax liabilities of the partners in the Operating Partnership or in the DownREIT entities.  These transactions are within the Operating Partnership’s control. Although the Operating Partnership plans to hold the contributed assets or defer recognition of gain on their sale pursuant to like-kind exchange rules under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Operating Partnership can provide no assurance that it will be able to do so and if such tax liabilities are incurred they may have a material impact on the Operating Partnership’s financial position.

 
19

 
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2013 and 2012
(Unaudited)
 
There have been a number of lawsuits in recent years against owners and managers of apartment communities alleging personal injury and property damage caused by the presence of mold in residential real estate. Some of these lawsuits have resulted in substantial monetary judgments or settlements.  The Operating Partnership has been sued for mold related matters and has settled some, but not all, of such matters.   Insurance carriers have reacted to mold related liability awards by excluding mold related claims from standard policies and pricing mold endorsements at prohibitively high rates.  The Operating Partnership has, however, purchased pollution liability insurance, which includes some coverage for mold.  The Operating Partnership has adopted policies for promptly addressing and resolving reports of mold when it is detected, and to minimize any impact mold might have on residents of the property.  The Operating Partnership believes its mold policies and proactive response to address any known existence, reduces its risk of loss from these cases.  There can be no assurances that the Operating Partnership has identified and responded to all mold occurrences, but the Operating Partnership promptly addresses all known reports of mold.  Liabilities resulting from such mold related matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Operating Partnership’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.  As of March 31, 2013, potential liabilities for mold and other environmental liabilities are not considered probable or the loss cannot be quantified or estimated.

The Operating Partnership carries comprehensive liability, fire, extended coverage and rental loss insurance for each of the communities.  Under comprehensive liability claims, the Operating Partnership has insurance to cover claims in excess of $100,000 per incident.  Under property casualty claims, the Operating Partnership reinsures the primary carrier for losses up to $5.0 million deductible per incident.  There are, however, certain types of extraordinary losses, such as, for example, losses from earthquake, for which the Operating Partnership does not have insurance. Substantially all of the communities are located in areas that are subject to earthquakes.

The Operating Partnership provided a loan and construction completion guarantee to the lender in order to fulfill the lender’s standard financing requirements related to the construction of the Expo community.  The outstanding balance for the construction loan is included in the debt line item in the balance sheet of the co-investments included in Note 3.  The construction completion guarantee is for the life of the loan, which is scheduled to mature on July 1, 2014, with two, one-year extension options at the Expo joint venture’s option.  As of March 31, 2013, the Operating Partnership was in compliance with all terms of the construction loan and the construction of the community is expected to be completed on time and within budget.  The maximum exposure of the guarantee as of March 31, 2013 was $70.0 million based on the construction costs that were budgeted to be incurred to complete the construction.
 
The Operating Partnership provided a payment guarantee to the counterparties in relation to the total return swaps entered into by the joint venture responsible for the development of The Huxley (formerly Fountain at La Brea) and The Dylan (formerly Santa Monica at La Brea) communities.  Further the Operating Partnership has guaranteed completion of development and made certain debt service guarantees for The Huxley and The Dylan.  The outstanding balance for the loans is included in the debt line item in the balance sheet of the co-investments included in Note 3.  The payment guarantee is for the payment of the amounts due to the counterparty related to the total return swaps which are scheduled to mature in September and December 2016.  The maximum exposure of the guarantee as of March 31, 2013 was $68.0 million based on the aggregate outstanding debt amount.

The Operating Partnership is subject to various other lawsuits in the normal course of its business operations.  Such lawsuits are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Operating Partnership’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.


The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Operating Partnership’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes thereto included elsewhere herein and with the Operating Partnership’s 2012 Consolidated Financial Statements included in Amendment No. 1 on Form S-4 filed with the SEC on March 12, 2013.

The Operating Partnership acquires, develops, redevelops and manages apartment communities in selected residential areas located primarily in the West Coast of the United States.  The Company owns all of its interests in its real estate investments, directly or indirectly, through the Operating Partnership.  The Company is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and, as of March 31, 2013, had an approximately 94.5% general partner interest in the Operating Partnership.

The Operating Partnership’s investment strategy has two components:  constant monitoring of existing markets, and evaluation of new markets in the Operating Partnership’s current three geographical regions to identify areas with the characteristics that underlie rental growth.  The Operating Partnership’s strong financial condition supports its investment strategy by enhancing its ability to quickly shift the Operating Partnership’s acquisition, development, and disposition activities to markets that will optimize the performance of the portfolio.
 
 
20

 
As of March 31, 2013, the Operating Partnership had ownership interests in 166 apartment communities, comprising 34,343 apartment units, excluding the Operating Partnership’s ownership in preferred equity interest co-investments, and the Operating Partnership also had ownership interests in five commercial buildings with approximately 315,900 square feet.  The Operating Partnership’s apartment communities are located in the following major West Coast regions:

Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties)
Northern California (the San Francisco Bay Area)
Seattle Metro (Seattle metropolitan area)

As of March 31, 2013, the Operating Partnership’s development pipeline was comprised of two consolidated projects under development, six unconsolidated joint venture projects under development, two consolidated predevelopment projects, and one unconsolidated joint venture predevelopment projects, all aggregating 2,669 units, with total incurred costs of $528.7 million, and estimated remaining project costs of approximately $397.4 million for total estimated project costs of $926.1 million.

The Operating Partnership’s consolidated apartment communities are as follows:
 
 
 
As of March 31, 2013
   
As of March 31, 2012
 
 
 
Apartment Units
   
%
   
Apartment Units
   
%
 
Southern California
    13,656       46 %     12,941       47 %
Northern California
    9,431       32 %     8,206       30 %
Seattle Metro
    6,720       22 %     6,168       23 %
Total
    29,807       100 %     27,315       100 %
 
Co-investments, including Essex Apartment Value Fund II, L.P. ("Fund II"), and Wesco I, LLC ("Wesco I")  and Wesco III, LLC ("Wesco III")  communities, and preferred equity interest co-investment communities are not included in the table presented above for both periods.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012

The Operating Partnership’s average financial occupancies for the Operating Partnership’s stabilized apartment communities or “Quarterly Same-Property” (stabilized properties consolidated by the Operating Partnership for the quarters ended March 31, 2013 and 2012) decreased  30 basis points to 96.6% as of March 31, 2013 from 96.9% as of March 31, 2012.  Financial occupancy is defined as the percentage resulting from dividing actual rental revenue by total possible rental revenue.  Actual rental revenue represents contractual rental revenue pursuant to leases without considering delinquency and concessions.  Total possible rental revenue represents the value of all apartment units, with occupied units valued at contractual rental rates pursuant to leases and vacant units valued at estimated market rents.  We believe that financial occupancy is a meaningful measure of occupancy because it considers the value of each vacant unit at its estimated market rate.

Market rates are determined using a variety of factors such as effective rental rates at the property based on recently signed leases and asking rates for comparable properties in the market.  The recently signed effective rates at the property are used as the starting point in the determination of the market rates of vacant units.  The Operating Partnership then increases or decreases these rates based on the supply and demand in the apartment community’s market.  The Operating Partnership will check the reasonableness of these rents based on its position within the market and compare the rents against the asking rents by comparable properties in the market.  Financial occupancy may not completely reflect short-term trends in physical occupancy and financial occupancy rates as disclosed by other REITs, which may not be comparable to the Operating Partnership’s calculation of financial occupancy.

The Operating Partnership does not take into account delinquency and concessions to calculate actual rent for occupied units and market rents for vacant units.  The calculation of financial occupancy compares contractual rates for occupied units to estimated market rents for unoccupied units, thus the calculation compares the gross value of all apartment units excluding delinquency and concessions. For apartment communities that are development properties in lease-up without stabilized occupancy figures, the Operating Partnership believes the physical occupancy rate is the appropriate performance metric.  While an apartment community is in the lease-up phase, the Operating Partnerships primary motivation is to stabilize the property which may entail the use of rent concessions and other incentives, and thus financial occupancy which is based on contractual revenue is not considered the best metric to quantify occupancy.
 
 
21

 
The regional breakdown of the Operating Partnership’s Quarterly Same-Property portfolio for financial occupancy for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
 
   
Three months ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Southern California
    96.6 %     96.7 %
Northern California
    96.8 %     97.3 %
Seattle Metro
    96.6 %     96.8 %
 
The following table provides a breakdown of revenue amounts, including revenues attributable to the Quarterly Same-Property portfolio:
 
         
Three Months Ended
             
   
Number of
   
March 31,
   
Dollar
   
Percentage
 
   
Properties
   
2013
   
2012
   
Change
   
Change
 
Property Revenues (dollars in thousands)
                       
Quarterly Same-Property:
                             
Southern California
    61     $ 60,989     $ 58,560     $ 2,429       4.1 %
Northern California
    35       44,537       41,336       3,201       7.7  
Seattle Metro
    30       23,045       21,566       1,479       6.9  
Total Quarterly Same-Property revenues
    126       128,571       121,462       7,109       5.9  
Quarterly Non-Same Property Revenues (1)
            17,823       4,012       13,811       344.2  
Total property revenues
          $ 146,394     $ 125,474     $ 20,920       16.7 %

 
(1)
Includes twelve communities acquired after January 1, 2012, one redevelopment community and one commercial building.

Quarterly Same-Property Revenues increased by $7.1 million or 5.9% to $128.6 million in the first quarter of 2013 from $121.5 million in the first quarter of 2012.  The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in scheduled rents of $7.2 million as reflected in an increase of 6.7% in average rental rates from $1,425 per unit in the first quarter of 2012 to $1,520 per unit in the first quarter of 2013.  Scheduled rents increased by 4.0%, 8.3%, and 7.8% in Southern California, Northern California, and Seattle Metro, respectively.  Quarterly Same-Property financial occupancy decreased 30 basis points from the first quarter of 2012 which offset the increase in Quarterly Same-Property Revenues by $0.6 million.  On a sequential basis the Operating Partnership experienced Quarterly Same-Property revenue growth from the fourth quarter of 2012 to the first quarter of 2013 of $1.3 million or 1.1%, resulting from sequential revenue growth in all three regions mainly driven by a 0.8% increase in scheduled rents and a 50 basis point increase in occupancy compared to the fourth quarter of 2012.

Quarterly Non-Same Property Revenues increased by $13.8 million or 344% to $17.8 million in the first quarter of 2013 from $4.0 million in the first quarter of 2012.  The increase was primarily due to revenue generated from twelve communities acquired or consolidated since January 1, 2012 (Reed Square, Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place, Park Catalina, The Huntington, Montebello, Park West, Domaine, Ascent, Willow Lake, Bennett Lofts, Annaliese and Fox Plaza ).

Management and Other Fees increased by $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2013 as compared to the first quarter of 2012.  The increase is primarily due to the asset and property management fees earned from Wesco I and III co-investments formed during 2012, and development fees earned from the joint ventures to develop Epic, Expo, Connolly Station, Elkhorn, Mosso I. and II., The Huxley, The Dylan, and The Village.  The increase in management fees was offset by a reduction of $0.4 million in asset and property management fees from the sale of seven Fund II communities in 2012.  The remaining seven communities owned by Fund II are expected to be sold by the end of the third quarter of 2013.

Property operating expenses, excluding real estate taxes increased $3.9 million or 13.4% to $32.6 million in the first quarter of 2013 from $28.8 million in the first quarter of 2012, primarily due to the acquisition of twelve communities. Quarterly Same-Property operating expenses excluding real estate taxes, increased by $1.3 million or 4.7% for the first quarter of 2013 compared to the first quarter of 2012, due to a $0.6 million increase in repairs and maintenance expense, and a $0.5 million increase in salaries and administration costs.

 
22

 
Real Estate taxes increased by $2.7 million or 24.0% for the first quarter of 2013 compared to the first quarter of 2012, due primarily to the acquisition of twelve communities.  Quarterly Same-Property real estate taxes increased by $0.8 million or 7.0% for first quarter of 2013 compared to the first quarter of 2012 due to $0.5 million or a 25% increase in property taxes for the Seattle Metro due to higher assessed values for 2013, and an increase of 2% in property taxes for the majority of the properties located in California.

Depreciation expense increased by $6.4 million or 15.7% for the first quarter of 2013 compared to the first quarter of 2012, due to the acquisition of twelve communities.  Also, the increase is due to the capitalization of approximately $14.1 million in additions to rental properties through the first quarter of 2013, including $6.6 million spent on redevelopment,  and the capitalization of approximately $97.9 million in additions to rental properties in 2012, including $40.2 million spent on redevelopment, $13.7 million spent on improvement to recent acquisitions, and $7.7 million spent on revenue generating capital expenditures

General and administrative expense increased $1.2 million or 22.7% for first quarter of 2013 compared to the first quarter of 2012 primarily due to an increase of acquisitions cost of $0.2 million compared to the first quarter of 2012, annual compensation adjustments for merit, investments in technology, and the cost of hiring additional staff.

Interest and other income increased by $2.6 million for the first quarter of 2013 compared to 2012 primarily due to a gain of $1.8 million from the sale of marketable securities, and $0.8 million earned from the change in estimate for the discount  related to the Reserve Lofts notes receivable that was repaid during the first quarter of 2013.

Equity income in co-investments increased $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2013 to $4.2 million compared to $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2012 primarily due to two new preferred equity investments made in third quarter of 2012 and the first quarter of 2013 totaling $0.6 million in equity income, $0.4 million earned from the redemption of two preferred equity investments in the first quarter of 2013, and income earned from four communities acquired by the Wesco joint ventures in the second half of 2012.  The increases in equity income in the first quarter of 2013 were offset by the sale of seven communities owned by Fund II in the second half of 2012, and the acquisition of the Essex Skyline community in the second quarter of 2012 which was accounted for on the equity method for the first quarter for 2012.

Income from discontinued operations for the first quarter of 2013 was $0 as compared to income of $10.0 million in the first quarter of 2012 that included a gain of $9.8 million from the sale of Tierra del Sol/Norte and Alpine Country, net of internal disposition costs.

Liquidity and Capital

Fitch Ratings ("Fitch"), Moody’s Investor Service, and Standard and Poor's (“S&P”) credit agencies rate Essex Property Trust, Inc. and Essex Portfolio, L.P. BBB+/Stable, Baa2/Stable, and BBB/Stable, respectively.

As of March 31, 2013, the Operating Partnership had $30.8 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and $80.4 million in marketable securities, of which $27.0 million were held available for sale.  We believe that cash flows generated by our operations, existing cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities balances, availability under existing lines of credit, access to capital markets and the ability to generate cash from the disposition of real estate are sufficient to meet all of our reasonably anticipated cash needs during the next twelve months.  The timing, source and amounts of cash flows provided by financing activities and used in investing activities are sensitive to changes in interest rates and other fluctuations in the capital markets environment, which can affect our plans for acquisitions, dispositions, development and redevelopment activities.

The Operating Partnership has two lines of unsecured credit aggregating $625.0 million.  As of March 31, 2013 there was a $102.3 million outstanding balance on the $600 million unsecured line.  The underlying interest rate on the $600 million line is based on a tiered rate structure tied to the Operating Partnership’s credit ratings on the credit facility and the rate was LIBOR + 1.075% as of March 31, 2013.  This facility matures in December 2015 with two one-year extensions, exercisable by the Operating Partnership.  The Operating Partnership has a working capital unsecured line of credit agreement for $25.0 million.  This facility matures in January 2014, with a one year extension option.  As of March 31, 2013 there was no balance outstanding on this unsecured line.  The underlying interest rate on the $25.0 million line is based on a tiered rate structure tied to Fitch and S&P ratings on the credit facility of LIBOR plus 1.075%.
 
 
23

 
On March 29, 2013, the Company entered into equity distribution agreements with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co, Barclays Capital Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., BNP Paribas Securities Corp., Liquidnet, Inc., Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc., and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., which superseded the equity distribution agreements entered into in March 2012 with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., Liquidnet, Inc., Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc., and Citigroup Global Markets Inc.  During the first quarter of 2013, the Company sold 817,445 shares of common stock for $122.9 million, net of commissions, at an average per share price of $151.82, and the Company contributed such net proceeds to the Operating Partnership for an equal number of common units in the Operating Partnership.  Under this program, the Company may from time to time sell shares of common stock into the existing trading market at current market prices, and the Operating Partnership anticipates using the net proceeds to potentially acquire, develop, or redevelop properties, which primarily will be apartment communities, to make other investments and for working capital or general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of indebtedness.  As of May 7, 2013, the Company may sell an additional 5,000,000 shares under the current equity distribution program.

During March 2013, the Company and the Operating Partnership filed a new shelf registration statement with the SEC, allowing the Company to sell an undetermined number or amount of certain equity and debt securities as defined in the prospectus.  Under the shelf registration, the Operating Partnership may offer debt securities guaranteed by the Company. The debt securities may be non-convertible or convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for securities of the Company or the Operating Partnership.

During April 2013, the Operating Partnership issued $300 million of senior unsecured bonds due May 1, 2023 with a coupon rate of 3.25% per annum.  The interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing November 1, 2013 until the maturity date of May 1, 2023.  The Operating Partnership used the net proceeds of this offering to repay indebtedness under the Operating Partnership’s $600 million unsecured line of credit facility and for other general corporate and working capital purposes.

As of March 31, 2013, the Operating Partnership’s mortgage notes payable totaled $1.6 billion which consisted of $1.4 billion in fixed rate debt with interest rates varying from 4.3% to 6.4% and maturity dates ranging from 2013 to 2021 and $201.6 million of variable rate debt with a weighted average interest rate of 1.6% ($201.6 million of the variable debt is tax-exempt variable rate demand notes).  The tax-exempt variable rate demand notes have maturity dates ranging from 2013 to 2039, and $187.4 million are subject to interest rate caps.

The Company pays quarterly dividends from cash available for distribution. Until it is distributed, cash available for distribution is invested by the Operating Partnership primarily in investment grade securities held available for sale or is used by the Operating Partnership to reduce balances outstanding under its line of credit.

The Operating Partnership has benefited from borrowing from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and there are no assurances that these entities will lend to the Operating Partnership in the future.  To the extent that the Operating Partnership’s access to capital and credit is at a higher cost than the Operating Partnership has experienced in recent years (reflected in higher interest rates for debt financing or a lower stock price for equity financing) the Operating Partnership’s ability to make acquisitions, develop communities, obtain new financing, and refinance existing borrowing at competitive rates could be adversely impacted.  For the past two years the Operating Partnership has primarily issued unsecured debt and repaid secured debt when it has matured to place less reliance on mortgage debt financing, and to unencumber more of the Operating Partnership 's communities.

Derivative Activity

The Operating Partnership uses interest rate swaps and interest rate cap contracts to manage certain interest rate risks. The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves. The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts (or payments) and the discounted expected variable cash payments (or receipts). The variable cash payments (or receipts) are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. The Operating Partnership incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements.

The Operating Partnership has entered into interest rate swap contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $300 million that effectively fixed the interest rate on $300 million of the $350 million unsecured term loan at 2.6%.  These derivatives qualify for hedge accounting.

As of March 31, 2013 the Operating Partnership also had twelve interest rate cap contracts totaling a notional amount of $187.8 million that qualify for hedge accounting as they effectively limit the Operating Partnership’s exposure to interest rate risk by providing a ceiling on the underlying variable interest rate for $201.6 million of the Operating Partnership’s tax exempt variable rate debt.
 
 
24

 
As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 the aggregate carrying value of the interest rate swap contracts was a liability of $6.1 million and $6.6 million, respectively. The aggregate carrying value of the interest rate cap contracts was zero on the balance sheet as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Development and Predevelopment Pipeline

The Operating Partnership defines development activities as new properties that are being constructed, or are newly constructed and, in the case of development communities, are in a phase of lease-up and have not yet reached stabilized operations.  As of March 31, 2013, the Operating Partnership had two consolidated development projects, and six unconsolidated joint venture development projects aggregating 2,220 units for an estimated cost of $861.8 million, of which $397.4 million remains to be expended.

The Operating Partnership had two predevelopment projects and one unconsolidated joint venture predevelopment projects aggregating 449 units with an aggregate carrying value of $64.3 million as of March 31, 2013.  The Operating Partnership expects to fund the development and predevelopment pipeline by using a combination of some or all of the following sources: its working capital, amounts available on its lines of credit, net proceeds from the Company’s public equity issuances and the Operating Partnership’s public and private debt issuances, and proceeds from the disposition of properties, if any.

Alternative Capital Sources

Fund II has eight institutional investors, and the Operating Partnership, with combined partner equity contributions of $265.9 million.  The Operating Partnership contributed $75.0 million to Fund II, which represents a 28.2% interest as general partner and limited partner, and the Operating Partnership uses the equity method of accounting for its investment in Fund II.  Fund II utilized leverage equal to approximately 55% upon the initial acquisition of the underlying real estate.  Fund II invested in apartment communities in the Operating Partnership’s targeted West Coast markets and, as of December 31, 2012, owned seven apartment communities.  The Operating Partnership records revenue for its asset management, property management, development and redevelopment services when earned, and promote income when realized if Fund II exceeds certain financial return benchmarks.  Seven communities were sold during 2012 from Fund II, and the Operating Partnership has begun the sale of the remaining seven communities within the Essex Apartment.  The Operating Partnership has exercised its one-year extension which provides for the option to extend Fund II to September 2014.

Wesco I is a 50/50 programmatic joint venture with an institutional partner formed in 2011 for a total equity commitment of $300.0 million.  Each partner’s equity commitment is $150.0 million.  Wesco I will utilize debt as leverage equal to approximately 50% of the underlying real estate.  The Operating Partnership has contributed $150.0 million to Wesco I, and as of March 31, 2013, Wesco I owned nine apartment communities with 2,713 units with an aggregate carrying value of $661.2 million.

Wesco III is a 50/50 programmatic joint venture with an institutional partner formed in 2012 for a total equity commitment of $120.0 million. Each partner’s commitment is $60.0 million. Wesco III will utilize debt as leverage equal to approximately 50% of the underlying real estate.  The Operating Partnership has contributed $10.0 million to Wesco III, and provided a $26.0 million short term bridge loan to Wesco III at a rate of LIBOR + 2.5% in the fourth quarter of 2012 that was repaid by Wesco III in the first quarter of 2013.  Wesco III owned one apartment community with 264 units for a purchase price of $45.6 million.
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
The preparation of consolidated financial statements, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires the Operating Partnership to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. The Operating Partnership defines critical accounting policies as those accounting policies that require the Operating Partnership’s management to exercise their most difficult, subjective and complex judgments. The Operating Partnership’s critical accounting policies and estimates relate principally to the following key areas: (i) consolidation under applicable accounting standards for entities that are not wholly owned; (ii) assessing the carrying values of our real estate properties and investments in and advances to joint ventures and affiliates; and (iii) internal cost capitalization.  The Operating Partnership bases its estimates on historical experience, current market conditions, and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Actual results may differ from those estimates made by management.
 
 
25

 
The Operating Partnership critical accounting policies and estimates have not changed materially from information reported in Note 2, “Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies,” in the Operating Partnership’s 2012 Consolidated Financial Statements included in Amendment No. 1 on Form S-4 filed with the SEC on March 12,2013.
 
Forward Looking Statements
 
Certain statements in this "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q which are not historical facts may be considered forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding the Operating Partnership 's expectations, hopes, intentions, beliefs and strategies regarding the future. Forward looking statements include statements regarding the Operating Partnership’s expectations as to the total projected costs of predevelopment, development and predevelopment projects, the Operating Partnership’s reduced risk of loss from mold cases, beliefs as to our ability to meet our cash needs during the next twelve months, expectations as to the sources for funding the Operating Partnership’s development and redevelopment pipeline, the timing and proceeds of the sale of the Fund II properties and statements regarding the Operating Partnership 's financing activities.

Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors including, but not limited to, that the Operating Partnership will fail to achieve its business objectives, that the total projected costs of current predevelopment, development and redevelopment projects exceed expectations, that such development and redevelopment projects will not be completed, that development and redevelopment projects and acquisitions will fail to meet expectations, that estimates of future income from an acquired property may prove to be inaccurate, that future cash flows will be inadequate to meet operating requirements, that there may be a downturn in the markets in which the Operating Partnership 's properties are located, that the terms of any refinancing may not be as favorable as the terms of existing indebtedness, and that mold lawsuits will be more costly than anticipated, as well as those risks, special considerations, and other factors referred to in  “Risk Factors,” of the Operating Partnership's Amendment No. 1 on Form S-4 filed with the SEC on March 12, 2013, and those risk factors and special considerations set forth in the Operating Partnership's other filings with the SEC which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Operating Partnership to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  All forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and the Operating Partnership assumes no obligation to update this information.
 
Net Operating Income (“NOI”)

Same-property net operating income (“NOI”) is considered by management to be an important supplemental performance measure to earnings from operations included in the Operating Partnership’s consolidated statements of operations.   The presentation of same-property NOI assists with the presentation of the Operating Partnership’s operations prior to the allocation of depreciation and any corporate-level or financing-related costs.  NOI reflects the operating performance of a community and allows for an easy comparison of the operating performance of individual communities or groups of communities.  In addition, because prospective buyers of real estate have different financing and overhead structures, with varying marginal impacts to overhead by acquiring real estate, NOI is considered by many in the real estate industry to be a useful measure for determining the value of a real estate asset or group of assets.  The Operating Partnership defines same-property NOI as same-property revenue less same-property operating expenses, including property taxes.  Please see the reconciliation of earnings from operations to same-property NOI, which in the table below is the NOI for stabilized properties consolidated by the Operating Partnership for the periods presented:

   
Three months ended March 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Earnings from operations
  $ 47,107     $ 39,980  
Adjustments:
               
General and administrative
    6,626       5,400  
Cost of management and other fees
    1,701       1,640  
Depreciation
    47,144       40,734  
Management and other fees from affiliates
    (2,948 )     (2,444 )
NOI
    99,630       85,310  
Less: Non same-property NOI
    (11,623 )     (2,360 )
Same-property NOI
  $ 88,007     $ 82,950  

 
26

 

Interest Rate Hedging Activities

The Operating Partnership’s objective in using derivatives is to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements or other identified risks.  To accomplish this objective, the Operating Partnership uses interest rate swaps as part of its cash flow hedging strategy.  As of March 31, 2013, the Operating Partnership has entered into ten interest rate swap contracts to mitigate the risk of changes in the interest-related cash outflows on $300.0 million of the variable rate five-year unsecured term debt.  As of March 31, 2013, the Operating Partnership also had $201.6 million of variable rate indebtedness, of which $187.4 million is subject to interest rate cap protection.   All of the Operating Partnership’s derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges, and the Operating Partnership does not have any fair value hedges as of March 31, 2013.  The following table summarizes the notional amount, carrying value, and estimated fair value of the Operating Partnership’s derivative instruments used to hedge interest rates as of March 31, 2013.  The notional amount represents the aggregate amount of a particular security that is currently hedged at one time, but does not represent exposure to credit, interest rates or market risks.  The table also includes a sensitivity analysis to demonstrate the impact on the Operating Partnership’s derivative instruments from an increase or decrease in 10-year Treasury bill interest rates by 50 basis points, as of March 31, 2013.

               
Carrying and
   
Estimated Carrying Value
 
   
Notional
   
Maturity
   
Estimated Fair
    + 50     - 50  
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
   
Date Range
   
Value
   
Basis Points
   
Basis Points
 
Cash flow hedges:
                                 
Interest rate swaps
  $ 300,000       2016-2017     $ (6,107 )   $ (311 )   $ (10,760 )
Interest rate caps
    187,788       2013-2018       -       63       -  
Total cash flow hedges
  $ 487,788       2013-2018     $ (6,107 )   $ (248 )   $ (10,760 )
 
Interest Rate Sensitive Liabilities
 
The Operating Partnership is exposed to interest rate changes primarily as a result of its lines of credit and long-term tax exempt variable rate debt and unsecured term debt.  The Operating Partnership interest rate risk management objective is to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower its overall borrowing costs. To achieve its objectives the Operating Partnership borrows primarily at fixed rates and may enter into derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps, caps and treasury locks in order to mitigate its interest rate risk on a related financial instrument. The Operating Partnership does not enter into derivative or interest rate transactions for speculative purposes.
 
The Operating Partnership’s interest rate risk is monitored using a variety of techniques. The table below presents the principal amounts and weighted average interest rates by year of expected maturity to evaluate the expected cash flows.
 
For the Years Ended
 
2013
     
2014
   
2015
   
2016
     
2017
     
Thereafter
   
Total
   
Fair value
 
                                                         
(In thousands)
                                                       
Fixed rate debt
  $ 37,811         47,717       68,555       162,589         224,646         1,578,329       $ 2,119,647     $ 2,211,356  
Average interest rate
    5.6 %       5.2 %     5.2 %     4.5 %       5.5 %       5.4 %       5.3 %        
Variable rate debt
  $ 19,420   (1)     -       102,300       200,000   (2)     150,000   (2)     182,171   (2)   $ 653,891     $ 632,704  
Average interest rate
    1.2 %       0.0 %     2.1 %     2.6 %       2.6 %       1.6 %       2.2 %        
 
(1)
$187.4 million subject to interest rate caps.
(2)
$300.0 million subject to interest rate swap agreements.

The table incorporates only those exposures that exist as of March 31, 2013; it does not consider those exposures or positions that could arise after that date. As a result, our ultimate realized gain or loss, with respect to interest rate fluctuations and hedging strategies would depend on the exposures that arise prior to settlement.


As of March 31, 2013, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our General Partner’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)).  Based upon that evaluation, our General Partner’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of March 31, 2013, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms and that such disclosure controls and procedures were also effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our General Partner’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 
27

 
There were no changes in the Operating Partnership 's internal control over financial reporting, that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2013, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Operating Partnership 's internal control over financial reporting.
 
Part II -- Other Information


Recently there has been an increasing number of lawsuits against owners and managers of apartment communities alleging personal injury and property damage caused by the presence of mold in residential real estate.  Some of these lawsuits have resulted in substantial monetary judgments or settlements.  The Operating Partnership has been sued for mold related matters and has settled some, but not all, of such matters.  Insurance carriers have reacted to mold related liability awards by excluding mold related claims from standard policies and pricing mold endorsements at prohibitively high rates.  The Operating Partnership has, however, purchased pollution liability insurance, which includes some coverage for mold.  The Operating Partnership has adopted policies for promptly addressing and resolving reports of mold when it is detected, and to minimize any impact mold might have on residents of the property.  The Operating Partnership believes its mold policies and proactive response to address any known existence, reduces its risk of loss from these cases.  There can be no assurances that the Operating Partnership has identified and responded to all mold occurrences, but the Operating Partnership promptly addresses all known reports of mold.  Liabilities resulting from such mold related matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Operating Partnership’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.  As of March 31, 2013, no potential liabilities for mold and other environmental liabilities are quantifiable and an estimate of possible loss cannot be made.

The Operating Partnership carries comprehensive liability, fire, extended coverage and rental loss insurance for each of the Operating Partnership’s communities.  Insured risks for comprehensive liability covers claims in excess of $100,000 per incident, and property insurance covers losses in excess of a $5.0 million deductible per incident.  There are, however, certain types of extraordinary losses, such as, for example, losses for earthquake, for which the Operating Partnership does not have insurance. Substantially all of the Operating Partnership’s properties are located in areas that are subject to earthquakes.

The Operating Partnership is subject to various other lawsuits in the normal course of its business operations.  Such lawsuits could, but are not expected to, have a material adverse effect on the Operating Partnership’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.


There were no material changes to the Risk Factors disclosed in the Operating Partnership’s Amendment No. 1 on Form S-4 filed with the SEC on March 12, 2013 and available at www.sec.gov.

 
28



 
A.
Exhibits
 
 
4.1
Indenture, dated April 15, 2013, among Essex Portfolio, L.P., Essex Property Trust, Inc., and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, including the form of 3.25% Senior   Notes due 2023 and the guarantee thereof, attached as Exhibit 4.1 to the Form 8-K, filed on April 15, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.

 
10.1
Essex Property Trust, Inc. Executive Severance Plan (as Amended and Restated effective March       12, 2013), attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K, filed on March 18, 2013, and incorporated herein by reference.*

 
10.2
Form of Equity Distribution Agreement between Essex Property Trust, Inc. and various entities,         dated March 29, 2013, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K, filed on April 2, 2013, and incorporated herein by reference.

 
Second  Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated August 30, 2012.

 
Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated January 22, 2013.

 
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

 
Certification of Michael J. Schall, Chief Executive Officer of General Partner, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 
Certification of Michael T. Dance, Chief Financial Officer of General Partner, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 
Certification of Michael J. Schall, Chief Executive Officer of General Partner, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 
Certification of Michael T. Dance, Chief Financial Officer of General Partner, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 

 
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

 
29

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
ESSEX PORTFOLIO, L.P.
 
(Registrant)
   
 
by ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
 
its general partner
   
 
Date: May 8, 2013
   
 
By:  /S/ BRYAN G. HUNT
   
 
Bryan G. Hunt
 
First Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer
   
 
By:  /S/ MICHAEL T. DANCE
   
 
Michael T. Dance
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(Authorized Officer, Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
30