Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Litigation

We are not presently subject to any material litigation nor, to our knowledge, is any material litigation threatened against us, which if determined unfavorably to us, would have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Environmental Matters

We follow the policy of monitoring our properties for the presence of hazardous or toxic substances. While there can be no assurance that a material environmental liability does not exist at our properties, we are not currently aware of any environmental liability with respect to our properties that would have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Further, we are not aware of any material environmental liability or any unasserted claim or assessment with respect to an environmental liability at our properties that we believe would require additional disclosure or the recording of a loss contingency.

Rental Expense

We have ground leases and other operating leases with landlords that generally require fixed annual rental payments and may also include escalation clauses and renewal options. These leases have terms up to 99 years, excluding extension options. Future minimum lease obligations under non-cancelable ground leases and other operating leases as of December 31, 2015 are as follows (in thousands):



Year	Amount
2016	$	6,006
2017	6,148
2018	6,127
2019	6,208
2020	6,292
Thereafter	498,464
Total	$	529,245

During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, rental expense was $6.9 million, $4.8 million and $4.3 million, respectively. The amount of contingent rent and sublease rent was not significant.

Other

Our other commitments and contingencies include the usual obligations of real estate owners and operators in the normal course of business. In our opinion, these matters are not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.