Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

          The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated and combined financial statements of the Company and the Predecessor, respectively, have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and instructions to Form 10-Q. They do not include all the information and footnotes required by U. S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring matters) necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated and combined financial statements for these interim periods have been included.

          The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company, the Operating Partnership and subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership. Third-party equity interests in the Operating Partnership are reflected as noncontrolling interests in the condensed consolidated financial statements. The condensed combined financial statements of the Predecessor reflect the Predecessor and its subsidiaries, including ventures in which the Predecessor had a controlling interest. Interests in combined entities held by an entity other than the Predecessor are reflected as noncontrolling interests in the condensed combined financial statements. The Company and Predecessor also have ownership interests in unconsolidated real estate ventures which have ownership in several property owning entities that are accounted for under the equity method. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

          The Company, which was incorporated on March 1, 2010, had no operations for the period from its formation through October 18, 2010, as its primary purpose upon formation was to facilitate completion of the Offering and, upon completion, continue the operations of the Predecessor. Since the Predecessor’s combined results of operations reflect the operations of the Company prior to its ownership of the entities which conduct these operations, the Predecessor’s condensed combined results of operations have been prepared and presented for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010.

          The unaudited interim condensed consolidated and combined financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s and the Predecessor’s audited consolidated and combined financial statements, respectively, and accompanying notes for the year ended December 31, 2010 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The results of operations and cash flows for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for other interim periods or the full year.

Use of Estimates

          The preparation of consolidated and combined financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant assumptions and estimates are used by management in recognizing construction and development revenue under the percentage of completion method, useful lives of student housing properties, valuation of investment in real estate, allocation of purchase price to newly acquired student housing properties, fair value of financial assets and liabilities, including derivatives, and allowance for doubtful accounts. It is at least reasonably possible that these estimates could change in the near term.

Investment in Real Estate

          Investment in real estate is recorded at historical cost. Major improvements that extend the life of an asset are capitalized and depreciated over a period equal to the shorter of the life of the improvement or the remaining useful life of the asset. The cost of ordinary repairs and maintenance are charged to expense when incurred. Depreciation and amortization are recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

Buildings	40 years
Improvements	20 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	3-10 years

          The cost of buildings and improvements includes all pre-development, entitlement and project costs directly associated with the development and construction of a real estate project, which include interest, property taxes and the amortization of deferred financing costs recognized while the project is under construction. Additionally, the Company capitalizes certain internal costs related to the development and construction of its student housing properties. All costs are capitalized as development in process until the asset is ready for its intended use, which is typically upon receipt of a certificate of occupancy. Upon completion, costs are transferred into the applicable asset category and depreciation commences. Interest totaling approximately $0.4 million and $0.1 million was capitalized during the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and approximately $0.8 million and $0.1 million was capitalized during the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

          Pre-development costs are capitalized until such time that management believes it is no longer probable that a contract will be executed for the acquisition of property and/or construction will commence. Because we frequently incur pre-development expenditures before a financing commitment and/or required permits and authorizations have been obtained, we bear the risk of loss of these pre-development expenditures if financing cannot ultimately be arranged on acceptable terms or we are unable to successfully obtain the required permits and authorizations. As such, management evaluates the status of projects where we have not yet acquired the target property or where we have not yet commenced construction on a periodic basis and writes off any pre-development costs related to projects whose current status indicates the acquisition or commencement of construction is not probable. Such write-offs are included within operating expenses in the consolidated and combined statements of operations. As of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we deferred approximately $1.9 million and $0.9 million, respectively, in pre-development costs related to development projects that have not yet been acquired or for which construction has not commenced. Such costs are included in development in process on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Also included in development in process on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are approximately $72.2 million and $23.3 million, respectively, of costs related to projects for which construction is in process or land has been acquired.

          Management assesses whether there has been impairment in the value of our investment in real estate whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of investment in real estate is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of a student housing property to the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the property. Impairment is recognized when estimated future undiscounted cash flows, including proceeds from disposition, are less than the carrying value of the property. The estimation of future undiscounted cash flows is inherently uncertain and relies on assumptions regarding current and future economics and market conditions. If such conditions change, then an adjustment reducing the carrying value of our long-lived assets could occur in the future period in which conditions change. To the extent that a property is impaired, the excess of the carrying amount of the property over its estimated fair value is charged to operating earnings. Fair value is determined based upon the discounted cash flows of the property, quoted market prices or independent appraisals, as considered necessary.

Property Acquisitions

          The Company allocates the purchase price of acquired properties to net tangible and identified intangible assets based on relative fair values. Fair value estimates are based on information obtained from independent appraisals, other market data, information obtained during due diligence, and information related to the marketing and leasing at the specific property. The value of in-place leases is based on the difference between (i) the property valued with existing in-place leases adjusted to market rental rates and (ii) the property valued “as-if” vacant. As lease terms are typically one year or less, rates on in-place leases generally approximate market rental rates. Factors considered in the valuation of in-place leases include an estimate of the carrying costs during the expected lease-up period considering current market conditions, nature of the tenancy and costs to execute similar leases. Carrying costs include estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up period, net of variable operating expenses. The value of in-place leases is amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining initial term of the respective leases, generally less than one year. Amortization expense was approximately $0.4 million and $0 for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and approximately $0.8 million and $0 for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The amortization of in-place leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. The purchase price of property acquisitions is not expected to be allocated to tenant relationships, considering the terms of the leases and the expected levels of lease renewals.

Deferred Financing Costs

          We defer costs incurred in obtaining financing and amortize the costs over the terms of the related loans using the effective interest method. Upon repayment of or in conjunction with a material change in the terms of the underlying debt agreement, any unamortized costs are charged to earnings. Deferred financing costs, net of amortization, are included in other assets on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of deferred financing costs, which is included in interest expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated and combined statements of operations, approximated $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and approximated $0.6 million and $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Noncontrolling Interests

          Noncontrolling interests represent the portion of equity in the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries which are not attributable to our stockholders. Accordingly, noncontrolling interests are reported as a component of equity in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets but separate from stockholders’ equity. On the condensed consolidated and combined statements of operations, operating results are reported at their consolidated and combined amounts, including both the amount attributable to us and to noncontrolling interests. See note 5.

Real Estate Ventures

          We hold interests in all properties, both under development and in operation, through interests in both consolidated and unconsolidated real estate ventures. The Company assesses its investments in real estate ventures in accordance with applicable guidance under U.S. GAAP to determine if a venture is a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”). We consolidate entities that are defined as VIEs and for which we are determined to be the primary beneficiary. In instances where we are not the primary beneficiary, we do not consolidate the entity for financial reporting purposes. For entities that are not defined as VIEs, management first considers whether we are the general partner or a limited partner (or the equivalent in such investments which are not structured as partnerships). We consolidate entities where: (i) we are the general partner (or the equivalent); and (ii) the limited partners (or the equivalent) in such investments do not have rights which would preclude control and, therefore, consolidation for financial reporting purposes.

          For entities where we are the general partner (or the equivalent) but do not control the real estate venture, as the other partners (or the equivalent) hold substantive participating rights, we use the equity method of accounting. For entities where we are a limited partner (or the equivalent), management considers factors such as ownership interest, voting control, authority to make decisions, and contractual and substantive participating rights of the partners (or the equivalent) to determine if the presumption that the general partner controls the entity is overcome. In instances where these factors indicate we control the entity, we consolidate the entity; otherwise, we record our investment using the equity method of accounting.

          Under the equity method, investments are initially recognized on the balance sheet at cost and are subsequently adjusted to reflect our proportionate share of net earnings or losses of the entity, distributions received, contributions, and certain other adjustments, as appropriate. When circumstances indicate there may have been a loss in value of an equity method investment, we evaluate the investment for impairment by estimating our ability to recover the investment from future expected discounted cash flows. If we determine the loss in value is other than temporary, we recognize an impairment charge to reflect the investment at fair value.

Student Housing Revenue

          Students are required to execute lease contracts with payment schedules that vary from annual to monthly payments. We recognize revenues on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease contracts. Generally, each executed contract is required to be accompanied by a signed parental guaranty. Amounts received in advance of the occupancy period are recorded as deferred revenues and included in other liabilities on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Service revenue is recognized when earned.

Development, Construction and Management Services

          Development and construction service revenue is recognized using the percentage of completion method, as determined by construction costs incurred relative to total estimated construction costs. Any changes in significant judgments and/or estimates used in determining construction and development revenue could significantly change the timing or amount of construction and development service revenue recognized.

          Development and construction service revenue is recognized for contracts with entities we do not consolidate. For projects where the revenue is based on a fixed price, any cost overruns incurred during construction, as compared to the original budget, will reduce the net profit ultimately recognized on those projects. Profit derived from these projects is eliminated to the extent of the Company’s ownership interest in the unconsolidated entity. Any incentive fees, net of the impact of our ownership interest if the entity is unconsolidated, are recognized when the project is complete and performance has been agreed upon by all parties, or when performance has been verified by an independent third party. If total development or construction costs at completion exceed the fixed price set forth within the related contract, such cost overruns are recorded as additional investment in the unconsolidated entity.

          Management fees, net of elimination to the extent of our ownership interest in an unconsolidated entity, are recognized when earned in accordance with each management contract for entities we do not consolidate. Incentive management fees are recognized when the incentive criteria are met.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

          Allowances for student receivables are established when management determines that collections of such receivables are doubtful. Balances are considered past due when payment is not received on the contractual due date. When management has determined that receivables are uncollectible, they are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

          In certain instances, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate swap agreements are used to manage floating interest rate exposure with respect to amounts borrowed, or forecasted to be borrowed, under credit facilities. These contracts effectively exchange existing or forecasted obligations to pay interest based on floating rates for obligations to pay interest based on fixed rates.

          All derivative instruments are recognized as either assets or liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets at their respective fair values. Changes in fair value are recognized either in earnings or as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), depending on whether the derivative has been designated as a fair value or cash flow hedge and whether it qualifies as part of a hedging relationship, the nature of the exposure being hedged, and how effective the derivative is at offsetting movements in underlying exposure. The Company discontinues hedge accounting when: (i) it determines that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of a hedged item; (ii) the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised; (iii) it is no longer probable that the forecasted transaction will occur; or (iv) management determines that designating the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate. In situations in which hedge accounting is not initially designated, or is discontinued and a derivative remains outstanding, gains and losses related to changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument are recorded in current period earnings as a component of the change in fair value of interest rate derivatives line item on the accompanying condensed consolidated and combined statements of operations. Also included within this line item are any required monthly settlements on interest rate swaps, as well as all cash settlements paid. The Company’s counterparties are major financial institutions.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

          Financial instruments consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, student receivables, interest rate caps, interest rate swaps, accounts payable, mortgages, construction notes payable and lines of credit. The carrying value of cash, cash equivalents, student receivables and accounts payable are representative of their respective fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The estimated fair values of mortgages, construction notes payable and lines of credit are determined by comparing current borrowing rates and risk spreads offered in the market to the stated interest rates and spreads on our current mortgages and construction notes payable. The fair values of mortgages, construction notes payable and lines of credit are disclosed in note 9.

          The estimated fair values of interest rate caps and swaps are determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of the derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivative, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves, implied volatilities and the creditworthiness of the swap counterparties.

          Fair value guidance for financial assets and liabilities which are recognized and disclosed in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis and nonfinancial assets on a nonrecurring basis establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to measurements involving significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

          Level 1—Observable inputs, such as quoted prices in active markets at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

          Level 2—Other inputs that are observable directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

          Level 3—Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data and which the Company makes its own assumptions about how market participants would price the asset or liability.

          Fair value is defined as the price that would be received when selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). In instances where inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety has been determined is based on the lowest level input significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

          Interest rate caps and interest rate swaps measured at fair value at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Quoted Prices in
	Active Markets for		Significant Other			Significant
	Identical Assets and		Observable Inputs			Unobservable		Balance at
	Liabilities (Level 1)		(Level 2)			Inputs (Level 3)		End of Period
Other assets:
June 30, 2011 — Interest rate caps	$	—		29			—		29
December 31, 2010 — Interest rate caps	$	—		103			—		103
Other liabilities:
June 30, 2011 — Interest rate swaps	$	—		(261	)		—		(261	)
December 31, 2010 — Interest rate swaps	$	—		(452	)		—		(452	)

Commitments and Contingencies

          Liabilities for loss contingencies, arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, penalties and other sources, are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs incurred in connection with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred.

Income Taxes

          The Company elected to be treated as a REIT under Sections 856 through 859 of the Internal Revenue Code commencing with the Company’s taxable year ended on December 31, 2010. The Company’s qualification as a REIT depends upon its ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual investment and operating results, various complex requirements under the Internal Revenue Code relating to, among other things, the sources of the Company’s gross income, the composition and values of its assets, its distribution levels and the diversity of ownership of its stock. The Company believes that it is organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code and that the Company’s intended manner of operation will enable it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.

          As a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to U.S. federal and state income tax on taxable income that it distributes currently to its stockholders. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year and does not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, the Company will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates and generally will be precluded from qualifying as a REIT for the subsequent four taxable years following the year during which it lost its REIT qualification. Accordingly, our failure to qualify as a REIT could materially and adversely affect us, including our ability to make distributions to our stockholders in the future. Even if the Company qualifies as a REIT, we will be subject to some U.S. federal, state and local taxes on our income or property and the income of our taxable REIT subsidiaries will be subject to taxation at normal corporate rates.

          The Company wholly owns four taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”) entities that manage the Company’s non-REIT activities and each is subject to federal, state and local income and franchise taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the difference between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, we recorded a federal and state income tax provision related to our TRS subsidiaries of approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

          The combined entities of the Predecessor are all limited liability companies or limited partnerships and elected to be taxed as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. As a result, no provision for income taxes has been recorded in the accompanying condensed combined financial statements of the Predecessor as all income and losses of the Predecessor are allocated to the owners for inclusion in their respective tax returns.

Comprehensive Loss

          Comprehensive loss includes net loss and other comprehensive income (loss), which consists of unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments. Comprehensive loss is presented in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity and comprehensive loss, and accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is displayed as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.

Share-Based Compensation

          The Company awards restricted stock and restricted OP unit awards that vest in equal annual installments over either a three or five year period. A restricted stock or OP unit award is an award of the Company’s common stock or OP units that are subject to restrictions on transferability and other restrictions determined by the Company’s compensation committee at the date of grant. A grant date is established for a restricted stock award or restricted OP unit award upon approval from the Company’s compensation committee and board of directors. The restrictions may lapse over a specified period of employment or the satisfaction of pre-established criteria as the Company’s compensation committee may determine. Except to the extent restricted under the award agreement, a participant awarded restricted shares or OP units has all the rights of a stockholder or OP unit holder as to these shares or units, including the right to vote the shares and the right to receive dividends or distributions on the shares or units. The fair value of the award is determined based on the market value of the Company’s common stock on the grant date and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable vesting period for the entire award with cost recognized at the end of any period being at least equal to the shares that were then vested. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, approximately $0.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively, of compensation expense was recognized in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements related to the vesting of restricted stock and restricted OP units. See note 10.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

          In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance which eliminates the option to report other comprehensive income (loss) and its components in the statement of changes in equity. Entities will have the option to present the components of net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss) in either a single continuous statement or two separate but consecutive statements. This guidance requires retrospective application and is effective for annual periods, and interim periods contained within those annual periods, beginning after December 31, 2011. We have not yet decided on the format that will be used in future periods. The standard will not change the recognition or measurement of net income (loss) or comprehensive income (loss).

          In May 2011, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which provides clarification about how fair value should be applied where it is used or permitted to be used under U.S. GAAP. This guidance requires prospective application and is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. We are currently evaluating what impact, if any, its adoption will have on our consolidated financial statements.

          In July 2010, the FASB issued new accounting guidance requiring additional disclosure related to the credit quality of certain receivables and the allowance for losses. It is effective for our annual reporting period ending December 31, 2011. We are currently evaluating what impact, if any, its adoption will have on our consolidated financial statements.

          In January 2010, the FASB issued new accounting guidance requiring additional disclosure related to the fair value of financial instruments. Transfers between the three levels within the fair value hierarchy, as well as changes in an entity’s Level 3 fair value instruments, require additional disclosure. This guidance was effective for us beginning on January 1, 2011. The adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.