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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

The summary of significant accounting policies presented below is designed to assist in understanding the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. These accounting policies conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) in all material respects, and have been consistently applied in preparing the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC regarding interim financial reporting, including the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X, and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the statements for the interim periods presented include all adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such periods. Results for these interim periods are not necessarily indicative of full year results. The information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019, and related notes thereto, set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. The condensed consolidated financial statements should also be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the Company’s prior period condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported totals or subtotals.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions

that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Real Estate Assets, Recoverability of Real Estate Assets, Assets Held for Sale, and Disposition of Real Estate Assets

Real Estate Assets

Real estate assets are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. The Company considers the period of future benefit of each respective asset to determine the appropriate useful life. The estimated useful lives of the Company’s real estate assets by class are generally as follows:


Buildings			40 years
Site improvements			15 years
Tenant improvements			Lesser of useful life or lease term
Intangible lease assets			Lease term

Recoverability of Real Estate Assets

The Company continually monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amounts of its real estate assets may not be recoverable. Impairment indicators that the Company considers include, but are not limited to: bankruptcy or other credit concerns of a property’s major tenant, such as a history of late payments, lease concessions and other factors; a significant decrease in a property’s revenues due to lease terminations; vacancies; co-tenancy clauses; reduced lease rates; changes in anticipated holding periods; or other circumstances. When indicators of potential impairment are present, the Company assesses the recoverability of the assets by determining whether the carrying amount of the assets will be recovered through the undiscounted future cash flows expected from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. In the event that such expected undiscounted future cash flows do not exceed the carrying amount, the Company will adjust the real estate assets to their respective fair values and recognize an impairment loss. Generally, fair value is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis and recent comparable sales transactions.The Company’s impairment assessment as of September 30, 2020 was based on the most current information available to the Company, including expected holding periods. If the Company’s expected holding periods for assets change, subsequent tests for impairment could result in additional impairment charges in the future. The Company cannot provide any assurance that additional material impairment charges with respect to the Company’s real estate assets will not occur during 2020 or in future periods, particularly with respect to any negative impacts to the Company that may result from the economic disruptions caused by the current novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic. If the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic cause economic and market conditions to continue to deteriorate or if the Company’s expected holding periods for assets change, subsequent tests for impairment could result in additional impairment charges in the future. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has not identified any further impairments resulting from COVID-19 related impacts, including as a result of tenant requests for rent relief. The Company generally intends to hold its assets for the long-term; therefore, a temporary change in cash flows due to COVID-19 related impacts alone would not be an indicator of impairment. However, the Company has yet to see the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and the extent to which it may impact the Company’s tenants in the future. Indications of a tenant’s inability to continue as a going concern, changes in the Company’s view or strategy relative to a tenant’s business or industry as a result of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, or changes in the Company’s long-term hold strategies, could be indicative of an impairment indicator. Accordingly, the Company will continue to monitor circumstances and events in future periods to determine whether the carrying value of the Company’s real estate assets are recoverable. The assumptions and uncertainties utilized in the evaluation of the impairment of real estate assets are discussed in detail in Note 3 — Fair Value Measurements. See also Note 4 — Real Estate Assets for further discussion regarding real estate investment activity. Assets Held for SaleWhen a real estate asset is identified by the Company as held for sale, the Company will cease recording depreciation and amortization of the assets related to the property and estimate its fair value, net of selling costs. If, in management’s opinion, the fair value, net of selling costs, of the asset is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an adjustment to the carrying amount is then recorded to reflect the estimated fair value of the property, net of selling costs. As of December 31, 2019, the Company expected to sell a substantial portion of its anchored-shopping center portfolio and certain single-tenant properties within the next 24 months, subject to market conditions. In light of current market conditions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company cannot provide assurance that these properties will be sold within a 24-month period.Disposition of Real Estate AssetsGains and losses from dispositions are recognized once the various criteria relating to the terms of sale and any subsequent involvement by the Company with the asset sold are met. A discontinued operation includes only the disposal of a component of an entity and represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s financial results. The Company’s property dispositions during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 did not qualify for discontinued operations presentation, and, thus, the results of the properties that were sold will remain in operating income, and any associated gains or losses from the disposition are included in gain on disposition of real estate, net.

Allocation of Purchase Price of Real Estate Assets

Upon the acquisition of real properties, the Company allocates the purchase price to acquired tangible assets, consisting of land, buildings and improvements, and to identified intangible assets and liabilities, consisting of the value of above- and below-market leases and the value of in-place leases and other intangibles, based in each case on their relative fair values. The Company utilizes independent appraisals to assist in the determination of the fair values of the tangible assets of an acquired property (which includes land and buildings). The information in the appraisal, along with any additional information available to the Company’s management, is used in estimating the amount of the purchase price that is allocated to land. Other information in the appraisal, such as building value and market rents, may be used by the Company’s management in estimating the allocation of purchase price to the building and to intangible lease assets and liabilities. The appraisal firm has no involvement in management’s allocation decisions other than providing this market information.

The determination of the fair values of the real estate assets and liabilities acquired requires the use of significant assumptions with regard to the current market rental rates, rental growth rates, capitalization and discount rates, interest rates and other variables. The use of alternative estimates may result in a different allocation of the Company’s purchase price, which could materially impact the Company’s results of operations.

Acquisition-related fees and certain acquisition-related expenses related to asset acquisitions are capitalized and allocated to tangible and intangible assets and liabilities, as described above.

Restricted Cash

Restricted CashAs part of certain debt agreements, rents from certain encumbered properties are deposited directly into a lockbox account, from which the monthly debt service payment is disbursed to the lender and the excess is disbursed to the Company.

Real Estate-Related Securities

Real Estate-Related SecuritiesReal estate-related securities consists primarily of the Company’s investment in commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”). The Company determines the appropriate classification for real estate-related securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. As of September 30, 2020, the Company classified its investments as available-for-sale as the Company is not actively trading the securities; however, the Company may sell them prior to their maturity. These investments are carried at their estimated fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income (loss).

The Company monitors its available-for-sale securities for impairment. A loss is recognized when the Company determines that a decline in the estimated fair value of a security below its amortized cost has resulted from a credit loss or other factors. The Company records impairments related to credit losses through an allowance for credit losses. However, the allowance is limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. The Company considers many factors in determining whether a credit loss exists, including, but not limited to, the extent to which the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis, recent events specific to the security, industry or geographic area, the payment structure of the security, the failure of the issuer of the security to make scheduled interest or principal payments, and external credit ratings and recent changes in such ratings. The analysis of determining whether a credit loss exists requires significant judgments and assumptions. The use of alternative judgments and assumptions could result in a different conclusion.

The amortized cost of real estate-related securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity computed under the effective interest method and is recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations in interest and other expense, net. Upon the sale of a security, the realized net gain or loss is computed on the specific identification method.

Loans Held-for-Investment

The Company has acquired, and may continue to acquire, loans related to real estate assets. Additionally, the Company may acquire and originate credit investments, including commercial mortgage loans, mezzanine loans, preferred equity, and other loans and securities related to commercial real estate assets, as well as corporate loan opportunities that are consistent with the Company’s investment strategy and objectives. The Company intends to hold the loans held-for-investment for the foreseeable future or until maturity. Loans held-for-investment are carried on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets at amortized cost, net of any allowance for credit losses. Discounts or premiums, origination fees and exit fees are amortized as a component of interest income using the effective interest method over the life of the respective loans, or on a straight-line basis when it approximates the effective interest method. Loan acquisition fees paid to CMFT Management or its affiliates are expensed as incurred and are included in transaction-related expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. Upon the sale of a loan, the realized net gain or loss is computed on the specific identification method.

Interest earned is either received in cash or capitalized to loans held-for-investment and related receivables, net in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. Interest is capitalized when certain conditions are met as specified in each loan agreement.Accrual of interest income is suspended on nonaccrual loans. Loans that are past due 90 days or more as to principal or interest, or where reasonable doubt exists as to timely collection, are generally considered nonperforming and placed on nonaccrual status. Interest collected is recognized on a cash basis by crediting income when received. Loans may be restored to accrual status when all principal and interest are current and full repayment of the remaining contractual principal and interest are reasonably assured.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) (“ASU 2016-13”), as further described in “Recent Accounting Pronouncements,” on January 1, 2020. The allowance for credit losses required under ASU 2016-13 reflects the Company’s current estimate of potential credit losses related to the Company’s loans held-for-investment included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The initial allowance for credit losses recorded on January 1, 2020 is reflected as a direct charge to retained earnings on the Company’s condensed

consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity; however, subsequent changes to the allowance for credit losses are recognized through net income on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations. While ASU 2016-13 does not require any particular method for determining the allowance for credit losses, it does specify the allowance should be based on relevant information about past events, including historical loss experience, current portfolio and market conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts for the duration of each respective loan. In addition, other than a few narrow exceptions, ASU 2016-13 requires that all financial instruments subject to the credit loss model have some amount of loss reserve to reflect the GAAP principal underlying the credit loss model that all loans, debt securities, and similar assets have some inherent risk of loss, regardless of credit quality, subordinate capital, or other mitigating factors.

The Company has elected to use a discounted cash flow model to estimate the allowance for credit losses. This model requires the Company to develop cash flows which project estimated credit losses over the life of the loan and discount these cash flows at the asset’s effective interest rate. The Company then records an allowance for credit losses equal to the difference between the amortized cost basis of the asset and the present value of the expected cash flows. The Company considers loan investments that are both (i) expected to be substantially repaid through the operation or sale of the underlying collateral, and (ii) for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, to be “collateral-dependent” loans. For such loans that the Company determines that foreclosure of the collateral is probable, the Company measures the expected losses based on the difference between the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell and the amortized cost basis of the loan as of the measurement date. For collateral-dependent loans that the Company determines foreclosure is not probable, the Company applies a practical expedient to estimate expected losses using the difference between the collateral’s fair value (less costs to sell the asset if repayment is expected through the sale of the collateral) and the amortized cost basis of the loan. For the Company’s broadly syndicated loans, the Company uses a probability of default and loss given default method using an underlying third-party CMBS/CRE loan database with historical loan losses from 1998 to 2019. The Company may use other acceptable alternative approaches in the future depending on, among other factors, the type of loan, underlying collateral, and availability of relevant historical market loan loss data.

The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost. Prior to adoption, the Company had no allowance for credit losses on its condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company recorded a cumulative-effective adjustment to the opening retained earnings in its condensed consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity as of January 1, 2020 of $2.0 million.

Quarterly, the Company evaluates the risk of all loans and assigns a risk rating based on a variety of factors, grouped as follows: (i) loan and credit structure, including the as-is loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratio and structural features; (ii) quality and stability of real estate value and operating cash flow, including debt yield, dynamics of the geography, property type and local market, physical condition, stability of cash flow, leasing velocity and quality and diversity of tenancy; (iii) performance against underwritten business plan; and (iv) quality, experience and financial condition of sponsor, borrower and guarantor(s). Based on a 5-point scale, the Company’s loans are rated “1” through “5,” from least risk to greatest risk, respectively, which ratings are defined as follows:

1-Outperform — Most satisfactory asset quality and liquidity, good leverage capacity. A “1” rating maintains predictable and strong cash flows from operations. The trends and outlook for the credit's operations, balance sheet, and industry are neutral to favorable. Collateral, if appropriate, exceeds performance metrics;

2-Meets or Exceeds Expectations — Acceptable asset quality, moderate excess liquidity, modest leverage capacity. A “2” rating could have some financial/non-financial weaknesses which are offset by strengths; however, the credit demonstrates an ample current cash flow from operations. The trends and outlook for the credit's operations, balance sheet, and industry are generally positive or neutral. Collateral performance, if appropriate, meets or exceeds substantially all performance metrics included in original or current underwriting / business plan;

3-Satisfactory — Acceptable asset quality, somewhat strained liquidity, minimal leverage capacity. A “3” rating is at times characterized by acceptable cash flows from operations. The trends and conditions of the credit's operations and balance sheet are neutral. Collateral performance, if appropriate, meets or is on track to meet underwriting; business plan can reasonably be achieved;

4-Underperformance — The debt investment possesses credit deficiencies or potential weaknesses which deserve management’s close and continued attention. The portfolio company’s operations and/or balance sheet have demonstrated an adverse trend or deterioration which, while serious, has not reached the point where the liquidation of debt is jeopardized. These weaknesses are generally considered correctable by the borrower in the normal course of business but may weaken the asset or inadequately protect the Company’s credit position if not

checked or corrected. Collateral performance, if appropriate, falls short of original underwriting, material differences exist from business plan, or both; technical milestones have been missed; defaults may exist, or may soon occur absent material improvement; and

5-Default/Possibility of Loss — The debt investment is protected inadequately by the current enterprise value or paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral, if any. The underlying company’s operations has well-defined weaknesses based upon objective evidence, such as recurring or significant decreases in revenues and cash flows. Major variance from business plan; loan covenants or technical milestones have been breached; timely exit from loan via sale or refinancing is questionable; risk of principal loss. Collateral performance, if appropriate, is significantly worse than underwriting.

The Company generally assigns a risk rating of “3” to all newly originated or acquired loans-held-for-investment during a most recent quarter, except in the case of specific circumstances warranting an exception.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the dislocation it has caused to the national economy, the commercial real estate markets, and the capital markets, the Company’s ability to estimate key inputs for estimating the allowance for credit losses has been materially and adversely impacted. Key inputs to the estimate include, but are not limited to, LTV, debt service coverage ratio, future operating cash flow and performance of collateral properties, the financial strength and liquidity of borrowers and sponsors, capitalization rates and discount rates used to value commercial real estate properties, and observable transactions involving the sale or financing of commercial properties. Estimates made by management are necessarily subject to change due to the lack of observable inputs and uncertainty regarding the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftereffects.

Leases

The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components. The Company has elected to not separate non-lease components from lease components for all classes of underlying assets (primarily real estate assets) and will account for the combined components as rental and other property income. Non-lease components included in rental and other property income include certain tenant reimbursements for maintenance services (including common-area maintenance services or “CAM”), real estate taxes, insurance and utilities paid for by the lessor but consumed by the lessee. As a lessor, the Company has further determined that this policy will be effective only on a lease that has been classified as an operating lease and the revenue recognition pattern and timing is the same for both types of components. The Company is not a party to any material leases where it is the lessee.

Significant judgments and assumptions are inherent in not only determining if a contract contains a lease, but also the lease classification, terms, payments, and, if needed, discount rates. Judgments include the nature of any options, including if they will be exercised, evaluation of implicit discount rates and the assessment and consideration of “fixed” payments for straight-line rent revenue calculations.

Lease costs represent the initial direct costs incurred in the origination, negotiation and processing of a lease agreement. Such costs include outside broker commissions and other independent third-party costs and are amortized over the life of the lease on a straight-line basis. Costs related to salaries and benefits, supervision, administration, unsuccessful origination efforts and other activities not directly related to completed lease agreements are expensed as incurred. Upon successful lease execution, leasing commissions are capitalized.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from leasing activities

Rental and other property income is primarily derived from fixed contractual payments from operating leases, and therefore, is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, which typically begins the date the tenant takes control of the space. When the Company acquires a property, the terms of existing leases are considered to commence as of the acquisition date for the purpose of this calculation. Variable rental and other property income consists primarily of tenant reimbursements for recoverable real estate taxes and operating expenses which are included in rental and other property income in the period when such costs are incurred, with offsetting expenses in real estate taxes and property operating expenses, respectively, within the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company defers the recognition of variable rental

and other property income, such as percentage rents, until the specific target that triggers the contingent rental income is achieved.

The Company continually reviews whether collection of lease-related receivables, including any straight-line rent, and current and future operating expense reimbursements from tenants are probable. The determination of whether collectability is probable takes into consideration the tenant’s payment history, the financial condition of the tenant, business conditions in the industry in which the tenant operates and economic conditions in the area in which the property is located. Upon the determination that the collectability of a receivable is not probable, the Company will record a reduction to rental and other property income for amounts previously recorded and a decrease in the outstanding receivable. Revenue from leases where collection is deemed to be not probable is recorded on a cash basis until collectability becomes probable. Management’s estimate of the collectability of lease-related receivables is based on the best information available at the time of estimate. The Company does not use a general reserve approach and lease-related receivables are adjusted and taken against rental and other property income only when collectability becomes not probable.

Revenue from lending activities

Interest income from the Company’s loans held-for-investment and real estate-related securities is comprised of interest earned on loans and the accretion and amortization of net loan origination fees and discounts. Interest income on loans is accrued as earned, with the accrual of interest suspended when the related loan becomes a nonaccrual loan. Interest income on the Company’s broadly syndicated loans is accrued as earned beginning on the settlement date.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by various standard setting bodies that may have an impact on the Company’s accounting and reporting. Except as otherwise stated below, the Company is currently evaluating the effect that certain new accounting requirements may have on the Company’s accounting and related reporting and disclosures in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU 2016-13, which was subsequently amended by ASU No. 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (“ASU 2018-19”), in November 2018. Subsequently, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, ASU No. 2019-05, ASU No. 2019-10, ASU No. 2019-11 and ASU No. 2020-02 to provide additional guidance on the credit losses standard. ASU 2016-13 and the related updates are intended to improve financial reporting requiring more timely recognition of credit losses on loans and other financial instruments that are not accounted for at fair value through net income, including loans held-for-investment, held-to-maturity debt securities, net investment in leases and other such commitments. ASU 2016-13 requires that financial assets measured at amortized cost be presented at the net amount expected to be collected, through an allowance for credit losses that is deducted from the amortized cost basis. The amendments in ASU 2016-13 require the Company to measure all expected credit losses based upon historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the financial assets and eliminates the “incurred loss” methodology under current GAAP. ASU 2018-19 clarified that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of Topic 326. Instead, impairment of receivables arising from operating leases should be accounted for in accordance with ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASC 842”). ASU 2016-13 and ASU 2018-19 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 during the first quarter of fiscal year 2020. See Note 7 — Loans Held-For-Investment for a further discussion on the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”). This ASU amends and removes several disclosure requirements including the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 also modifies some disclosure requirements and requires additional disclosures for changes in unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements and requires the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The provisions of ASU 2018-13 are effective January 1, 2020 using a prospective transition method for amendments effecting changes in unrealized gains and losses, significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair

value measurements and narrative description on uncertainty of measurements. The remaining provisions of ASU 2018-13 are to be applied retrospectively, and early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2018-13 during the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, and has concluded that there is no material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-16, Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) Overnight Index Swap (“OIS”) Rate as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes (“ASU 2018-16”). The amendments in this ASU permit the use of the OIS rate based on SOFR as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes or another acceptable benchmark interest rate. The SOFR is a volume-weighted median interest rate that is calculated daily based on overnight transactions from the prior day’s activity in specified segments of the U.S. Treasury repo market. It has been selected as the preferred replacement for the U.S. dollar London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), which will be phased out by the end of 2021. ASU 2018-16 is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2018-16 is required to be adopted on a prospective basis for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after the date of adoption. The Company currently uses LIBOR as its benchmark interest rate in the Company’s interest rate swaps associated with the Company’s LIBOR-based variable rate borrowings. The Company has not entered into any new or redesignated hedging relationships on or after the date of adoption of ASU 2018-16. The Company has evaluated the effect of this new benchmark interest rate option, and does not believe this ASU will have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities (“ASU 2018-17”). The guidance changes the guidance for determining whether a decision-making fee is a variable interest. Under the new ASU, indirect interests held through related parties under common control will now be considered on a proportional basis when determining whether fees paid to decision makers and service providers are variable interests. Such indirect interests were previously treated the same as direct interests. ASU 2018-17 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU 2018-17 during the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, and has concluded that there is no material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In April 2020, the FASB issued a question and answer document (the “Lease Modification Q&A”) focused on the application of lease accounting guidance to lease concessions provided as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the business disruptions and challenges severely affecting the global economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many lessors may be required to provide rent deferrals and other lease concessions to lessees. While the lease modification guidance in ASC 842 addresses routine changes to lease terms resulting from negotiations between the lessee and the lessor, this guidance did not contemplate concessions being so rapidly executed to address the sudden liquidity constraints of some lessees arising from COVID-19 related impacts. Under existing lease guidance, the Company would have to determine, on a lease by lease basis, if a lease concession was the result of a new arrangement reached with the tenant (treated within the lease modification accounting framework) or if a lease concession was under the enforceable rights and obligations within the existing lease agreement (precluded from applying the lease modification accounting framework). The Lease Modification Q&A allows the Company, if certain criteria have been met, to bypass the lease by lease analysis, and instead elect to either apply the lease modification accounting framework or not, with such election applied consistently to leases with similar characteristics and similar circumstances.

The Company has elected to apply this guidance to avoid performing a lease by lease analysis for the lease concessions that (1) were granted as relief due to COVID-19 related impacts and (2) result in the cash flows remaining substantially the same or less than the original contract and will account for these lease concessions as if no changes were made to the leases. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company provided lease concessions, either in the form of rental deferrals or abatements, to certain tenants in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on those tenants.