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SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

In August 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted amendments to update and simplify disclosure requirements as well as eliminate outdated, superseded and/or redundant requirements with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, (“SEC Simplification”). The amendments are effective for all SEC filings made on or after November 5, 2018. As a result of the amendments, the Company will no longer provide ratios of earnings to fixed charges in our exhibits to our annual and quarterly filings with the SEC. Additionally, the amendments removed certain SEC guidance that conflicted with GAAP guidance, under which the Company previously followed SEC guidance and recorded Gain/(loss) on the sale of real estate owned, net of tax, after Operating income. The Company has reclassified Gain/(loss) on the sale of real estate owned within Operating income, with any income tax impact recorded within Tax (provision)/benefit, net per GAAP for all periods presented.

Additionally, as a result of the SEC Simplification, for the year ended December 31, 2016, the following retrospective changes were made to the Consolidated Statement of Operations:


Gain/(loss) on the sale of real estate owned, net of tax – as previously reported	$	210,851
Tax impact of sales of real estate owned		15,348
Gain/(loss) on the sale of real estate owned – as reported herein	$	226,199

Tax (provision)/benefit, net – as previously reported	$	3,774
Tax impact of sales of real estate owned		(15,348)
Tax (provision)/benefit, net – as reported herein	$	(11,574)

Other than as presented above, no retrospective changes were required for the year ended December 31, 2017.

In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging, Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The ASU aimed to better align a company’s financial reporting for hedging activities with the economic objectives of those activities. The updated standard would have been effective for the Company on January 1, 2019 and must be applied using a modified retrospective approach; however, early adoption of the ASU is permitted. The Company early adopted the guidance on January 1, 2018; however, the updated standard did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. Related disclosures were updated pursuant to the requirements of the ASU.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017‑01, Business Combinations (Topic 805), Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The ASU changed the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating whether a set of transferred assets is a business. As a result, the accounting for acquisitions of real estate could be impacted. The updated standard was effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The ASU was applied prospectively to any transactions occurring after adoption. The Company expects that the updated standard will result in fewer acquisitions of real estate meeting the definition of a business and fewer acquisition-related costs being expensed in the period incurred.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016‑18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Restricted Cash. The ASU addressed the presentation of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. The updated standard was effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, and was applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The updated standard did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. Related disclosures were updated pursuant to the requirements of the ASU.

As a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-18, for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the following line items in the following amounts were reclassified on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands):


	Year ended December 31,
	2017		2016
(Increase)/decrease in operating assets	$	(237)	$	(361)
Net cash provided by /(used in) operating activities	$	(237)	$	(361)

Proceeds from sales of real estate investments, net	$	-	$	(555)
Capital expenditures and other major improvements — real estate assets, net of escrow reimbursement		35		112
Net cash provided by /(used in) investing activities	$	35	$	(443)

Net increase/(decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	$	(202)	$	(804)

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016‑13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The standard requires entities to estimate a lifetime expected credit loss for most financial assets, including trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and other financial instruments, and to present the net amount of the financial instrument expected to be collected. The updated standard will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2020; however, early adoption of the ASU is permitted on January 1, 2019. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, which amends the transition requirements and scope of ASU 2016-13 and clarifies that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of the credit losses standard, but rather, should be accounted for in accordance with the leases standard. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016‑02, Leases. The standard amends the existing lease accounting guidance and requires lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases on their balance sheets. Lessees of operating leases will continue to recognize lease expense in a manner similar to current accounting. For lessors, accounting for leases under the new guidance is substantially the same as in prior periods, but eliminates current real estate-specific provisions and changes the treatment of initial direct costs. The standard became effective for the Company on January 1, 2019.

The Company is currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company intends to elect the following package of practical expedients provided by the standard which includes: (i) an entity need not reassess whether any expired or existing contract is a lease or contains a lease, (ii) an entity need not reassess the lease classification of any expired or existing leases, and (iii) an entity need not reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases. The Company also plans to elect the short-term lease exception provided for in the standard and therefore will only recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases with a term greater than one year.

The Company anticipates recognizing right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities between $85.0 million and $150.0 million on our consolidated opening balance sheets as of January 1, 2019 upon adoption of the standard. Our anticipated range of right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities to be recognized as disclosed above may change as a result of updates to the projected future minimum lease payments. The lease liabilities represent the present value of the remaining minimum lease payments related to ground leases for communities where we are the lessee. The right-of-use assets represent the lease liabilities plus any prepaid lease payments and intangible assets for ground leases acquired in the purchase of real estate. The Company plans to continue recognizing lease expense for these leases in a manner similar to current accounting upon adoption of the standard based on our election of the package of practical expedients. However, in the event we modify existing ground leases and/or enter into new ground leases subsequent to the adoption of the standard, such leases would likely be classified as finance leases under the standard and require expense recognition based on the effective interest method. Under the standard, initial direct costs for both lessees and lessors would include only those costs that are incremental to the arrangement and would not have been incurred if the lease had not been obtained. As a result, subsequent to the adoption of the standard, we will expense internal leasing costs as incurred.

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, Leases – Targeted Improvements, which provides entities with relief from the costs of implementing certain aspects of ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. The ASU provides a practical expedient which allows lessors to not separate lease and non-lease components in a contract and allocate the consideration in the contract to the separate components if both (i) the timing and pattern of revenue recognition for the non-lease component and the related lease component are the same and (ii) the combined single lease component would be classified as an operating lease. The Company intends to elect the practical expedient to account for lease and non-lease components as a single component in lease contracts where we are the lessor. The ASU also provides a transition option that permits entities to not recast the comparative periods presented when transitioning to the standard. The Company also intends to elect the transition option.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016‑01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The updated standard required certain equity securities to be measured at fair value on the balance sheet, with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The standard was effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The Company holds one investment in equity securities subject to the updated guidance. As the investment does not have a readily determinable fair value, the Company elected the measurement alternative under which the investment is measured at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded gains of $2.1 million, in Interest income and other income/(expense), net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a result of measuring the investment using this measurement alternative. The Company does not view the impact, as a result of the adoption of the updated standard, to be material to the consolidated financial statements. Disclosures were updated pursuant to the requirements of the ASU.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014‑09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU No. 2014-09 amended the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) by creating ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The standard provided companies with a single model for use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP, including industry-specific revenue guidance. The standard specifically excluded lease contracts. The ASU allowed for the use of either the full or modified retrospective transition method. ASC Topic 606 was effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, at which time the Company adopted it using the modified retrospective approach. However, as the majority of the Company’s revenue is from rental income related to leases, the ASU did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. Related disclosures have been provided and/or updated pursuant to the requirements of the ASU.

Real Estate

Real estate assets held for investment are carried at historical cost and consist of land, buildings and improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment and other costs incurred during their development, acquisition and redevelopment.

Expenditures for ordinary repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for improvements, renovations, and replacements related to the acquisition and/or improvement of real estate assets are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives if the expenditures qualify as a betterment or the life of the related asset will be substantially extended beyond the original life expectancy.

UDR purchases real estate investment properties and records the tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities acquired based on their estimated fair value. The primary, although not only, identifiable intangible asset associated with our portfolio is the value of existing lease agreements. When recording the acquisition of a community, we first assign fair value to the estimated intangible value of the existing lease agreements and then to the estimated value of the land, building and fixtures assuming the community is vacant. The Company estimates the intangible value of the lease agreements by determining the lost revenue associated with a hypothetical lease-up. Depreciation on the building is based on the expected useful life of the asset and the in-place leases are amortized over their remaining average contractual life. Property acquisition costs are capitalized as incurred if the acquisition does not meet the definition of a business.

Quarterly or when changes in circumstances warrant, UDR will assess our real estate properties for indicators of impairment. In determining whether the Company has indicators of impairment in our real estate assets, we assess whether the long-lived asset’s carrying value exceeds the community’s undiscounted future cash flows, which is representative of projected net operating income (“NOI”) plus the residual value of the community. Our future cash flow estimates are based upon historical results adjusted to reflect our best estimate of future market and operating conditions and our estimated holding periods. If such indicators of impairment are present and the carrying value exceeds the undiscounted cash flows of the community, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its estimated fair value. Our estimates of fair market value represent our best estimate based primarily upon unobservable inputs related to rental rates, operating costs, growth rates, discount rates, capitalization rates, industry trends and reference to market rates and transactions.

For long-lived assets to be disposed of, impairment losses are recognized when the fair value of the asset less estimated cost to sell is less than the carrying value of the asset. Properties classified as real estate held for disposition generally represent properties that are actively marketed or contracted for sale with the closing expected to occur within the next twelve months. Real estate held for disposition is carried at the lower of cost, net of accumulated depreciation, or fair value, less the cost to sell, determined on an asset-by-asset basis. Expenditures for ordinary repair and maintenance costs on held for disposition properties are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for improvements, renovations, and replacements related to held for disposition properties are capitalized at cost. Depreciation is not recorded on real estate held for disposition.

Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets which are 35 to 55 years for buildings, 10 to 35 years for major improvements, and 3 to 10 years for furniture, fixtures, equipment, and other assets.

Predevelopment, development, and redevelopment projects and related costs are capitalized and reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Total real estate owned, net of accumulated depreciation. The Company capitalizes costs directly related to the predevelopment, development, and redevelopment of a capital project, which include, but are not limited to, interest, real estate taxes, insurance, and allocated development and redevelopment overhead related to support costs for personnel working on the capital projects. We use our professional judgment in determining whether such costs meet the criteria for capitalization or must be expensed as incurred. These costs are capitalized only during the period in which activities necessary to ready an asset for its intended use are in progress and such costs are incremental and identifiable to a specific activity to get the asset ready for its intended use. These costs, excluding the direct costs of development and redevelopment and capitalized interest, for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 were $7.5 million, $8.8 million and $7.9 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, total interest capitalized was $10.6 million, $18.6 million, and $16.5 million, respectively. As each home in a capital project is completed and becomes available for lease-up, the Company ceases capitalization on the related portion and depreciation commences over the estimated useful life.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, demand deposits with financial institutions and short-term, highly liquid investments. We consider all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The majority of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are held at major commercial banks.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash consists of escrow deposits held by lenders for real estate taxes, insurance and replacement reserves, and security deposits.

Revenue

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, utilizing the modified retrospective method, under which only contracts entered into after the effective date or not complete as of the effective date are subject to the new standard and an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings is made to recognize any required adjustments. As a result of the adoption, the Company did not make an adjustment to retained earnings because no open contracts required different treatment under the new standard.

Revenue is measured based on consideration specified in contracts with customers. The Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by providing the services specified in a contract to the customer.

The following is a description of the principal streams from which the Company generates its revenue:

Lease Revenue

Lease revenue related to leases is recognized on an accrual basis when due from residents or tenants in accordance with ASC 840, Leases. Rental payments are generally due on a monthly basis and recognized on a straight-line basis over the reasonably assured lease term. In addition, in circumstances where a lease incentive is provided to tenants, the incentive is recognized as a reduction of lease revenue on a straight-line basis over the reasonably assured lease term.

Reimbursements Revenue

Reimbursements revenue includes all pass-through revenue from retail and residential leases and common area maintenance reimbursements from retail leases. Reimbursements revenue is recognized on a gross basis as earned as the Company has determined it is the principal provider of the services.

Other Revenue

Other revenue is generated by services provided by the Company to its retail and residential tenants and other unrelated third parties. These fees are generally recognized as earned.

Joint venture management and other fees

The Joint venture management and other fees revenue consists of management fees charged to our equity method joint ventures per the terms of contractual agreements and other fees. Joint venture fee revenue is recognized monthly as the management services are provided and the fees are earned or upon a transaction whereby the Company earns a fee.

Real Estate Sales Gain Recognition

For sale transactions resulting in a transfer of a controlling financial interest of a property, the Company generally derecognizes the related assets and liabilities from its Consolidated Balance Sheets and records the gain or loss in the period in which the transfer of control occurs. If control of the property has not transferred to the counterparty, the criteria for derecognition are not met and the Company will continue to recognize the related assets and liabilities on its Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Sale transactions to entities in which the Company sells a controlling financial interest in a property but retains a noncontrolling interest are accounted for as partial sales. Partial sales resulting in a change in control are accounted for at fair value and a full gain or loss is recognized. Therefore, the Company will record a gain or loss on the partial interest sold, and the initial measurement of our retained interest will be accounted for at fair value.

Sales of real estate to joint ventures or other noncontrolled investees are also accounted for at fair value and the Company will record a full gain or loss in the period the property is contributed.

Disaggregation of Revenue

Rental income, as disclosed on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, is disaggregated by principal revenue stream and by reportable segment in the following tables (dollars in thousands). Joint venture management and other fees are not included in the tables as they are not allocable to a specific reportable segment or segments.


	December 31, (a)
	2018		2017		2016
Lease Revenue (b)
Same-Store Communities
West Region	$	371,366	$	355,904	$	328,693
Mid-Atlantic Region		204,733		199,207		194,367
Northeast Region		148,057		146,105		142,249
Southeast Region		109,190		104,106		99,451
Southwest Region		39,567		38,978		37,529
Non-Mature Communities/Other		82,986		65,474		75,478
Total segment and consolidated lease revenue	$	955,899	$	909,774	$	877,767

Reimbursements Revenue
Same-Store Communities
West Region	$	17,159	$	16,377	$	14,797
Mid-Atlantic Region		9,084		8,715		8,123
Northeast Region		2,721		2,775		2,434
Southeast Region		6,821		6,509		6,413
Southwest Region		2,197		2,098		1,930
Non-Mature Communities/Other		8,768		7,781		7,859
Total segment and consolidated reimbursements revenue	$	46,750	$	44,255	$	41,556

Other Revenue
Same-Store Communities
West Region	$	10,789	$	10,728	$	9,831
Mid-Atlantic Region		6,633		6,235		5,733
Northeast Region		3,241		2,856		2,890
Southeast Region		6,223		5,852		5,454
Southwest Region		1,945		1,916		1,814
Non-Mature Communities/Other		3,625		2,693		3,416
Total segment and consolidated other revenue	$	32,456	$	30,280	$	29,138

Total Revenue
Same-Store Communities
West Region	$	399,314	$	383,009	$	353,321
Mid-Atlantic Region		220,450		214,157		208,223
Northeast Region		154,019		151,736		147,573
Southeast Region		122,234		116,467		111,318
Southwest Region		43,709		42,992		41,273
Non-Mature Communities/Other		95,379		75,948		86,753
Total segment and consolidated total revenue	$	1,035,105	$	984,309	$	948,461

(a)

Same-Store Community population consisted of 37,673 apartment homes. Same-Store Community is defined in Note 15, Reportable Segments.

(b)

Lease Revenue is subject to recognition under ASC 840, Leases.

Notes Receivable

The following table summarizes our Notes receivable, net as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 (dollars in thousands):


	Interest rate at		Balance Outstanding
	December 31,		December 31,		December 31,
	2018		2018		2017
Note due March 2019 (a)	12.00	%	$	20,000	$	—
Note due February 2020 (b)	10.00	%		14,659		13,669
Note due October 2020 (c)	8.00	%		2,000		2,000
Note due August 2022 (d)	10.00	%		5,600		3,800
Total notes receivable, net			$	42,259	$	19,469

(a)

In March 2018, the Company entered into a secured note receivable with an unaffiliated third party with an aggregate commitment of $20.0 million, of which $20.0 million has been funded. Interest payments are due when the loan matures. The note matures in March 2019 and is secured by a parcel of land.

(b)

The Company has a secured note receivable with an unaffiliated third party with an aggregate commitment of $16.4 million, of which $14.7 million has been funded, including $1.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2018. Interest payments are due monthly. The note matures at the earliest of the following: (a) the closing of any private or public capital raising in the amount of $5.0 million or greater; (b) an acquisition; (c) acceleration in the event of default; or (d) the eighth anniversary of the date of the note (February 2020).

(c)

The Company has a secured note receivable with an unaffiliated third party with an aggregate commitment of $2.0 million, of which $2.0 million has been funded. Interest payments are due when the loan matures. The note matures at the earliest of the following: (a) the closing of any private or public capital raising in the amount of $10.0 million or greater; (b) an acquisition; (c) acceleration in the event of default; or (d) the fifth anniversary of the date of the note (October 2020).

(d)

The Company has a secured note receivable with an unaffiliated third party with an aggregate commitment of $10.0 million, of which $5.6 million has been funded, including $1.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2018. Interest payments are due monthly. The note matures at the earliest of the following: (a) the closing of any private or public capital raising in the amount of $25.0 million or greater; (b) an acquisition; (c) acceleration in the event of default; or (d) August 2022.

In January 2019, the $5.6 million note was repaid in full along with contractual accrued interest of $0.2 million and $8.5 million of promoted interest in conjunction with the unaffiliated third party being acquired.

During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, the Company recognized $4.1 million, $1.8 million and $1.8 million, respectively, of interest income from notes receivable, none of which was related party interest income. Interest income is included in Interest income and other income/(expense), net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Investment in Joint Ventures and Partnerships

We use the equity method to account for investments in joint ventures and partnerships that qualify as variable interest entities where we are not the primary beneficiary and other entities that we do not control or where we do not own a majority of the economic interest but have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee. Throughout these financial statements we use the term “joint venture” or “partnership” when referring to investments in entities in which we do not have a 100% ownership interest. The Company also uses the equity method when we function as the managing partner and our venture partner has substantive participating rights or where we can be replaced by our venture partner as managing partner without cause. For a joint venture or partnership accounted for under the equity method, our share of net earnings or losses is reflected as income/loss when earned/incurred and distributions are credited against our investment in the joint venture or partnership as received.

In determining whether a joint venture or partnership is a variable interest entity, the Company considers: the form of our ownership interest and legal structure; the size of our investment; the financing structure of the entity, including necessity of subordinated debt; estimates of future cash flows; ours and our partner’s ability to participate in the decision making related to acquisitions, disposition, budgeting and financing of the entity; obligation to absorb losses and preferential returns; nature of our partner’s primary operations; and the degree, if any, of disproportionality between the economic and voting interests of the entity. As of December 31, 2018, the Company did not determine any of our joint ventures or partnerships to be variable interest entities.

We evaluate our investments in unconsolidated joint ventures for events or changes in circumstances that indicate there may be an other-than-temporary decline in value. We consider various factors to determine if a decrease in the value of the investment is other-than-temporary. These factors include, but are not limited to, age of the venture, our intent and ability to retain our investment in the entity, the financial condition and long-term prospects of the entity, the fair value of the property of the joint venture, and the relationships with the other joint venture partners and its lenders. The amount of loss recognized is the excess of the investment’s carrying amount over its estimated fair value. If we believe that the decline in fair value is temporary, no impairment is recorded. The aforementioned factors are taken into consideration as a whole by management in determining the valuation of our equity method investments. Should the actual results differ from management’s judgment, the valuation could be negatively affected and may result in a negative impact to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company utilizes derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk and generally designates these financial instruments as cash flow hedges. Derivative financial instruments are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as either an asset or liability and measured quarterly at their fair value. The changes in fair value for cash flow hedges that are deemed effective are reflected in other comprehensive income/(loss) and for non-designated derivative financial instruments in earnings. The ineffective component of cash flow hedges, if any, is recorded in earnings.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership and DownREIT Partnership

Interests in the Operating Partnership and the DownREIT Partnership held by limited partners are represented by OP Units and DownREIT Units, respectively. The income is allocated to holders of OP Units/DownREIT Units based upon net income available to common stockholders and the weighted average number of OP Units/DownREIT Units outstanding to total common shares plus OP Units/DownREIT Units outstanding during the period. Capital contributions, distributions, and profits and losses are allocated to noncontrolling interests in accordance with the terms of the partnership agreements of the Operating Partnership and the DownREIT Partnership.

Limited partners of the Operating Partnership and the DownREIT Partnership have the right to require such partnership to redeem all or a portion of the OP Units/DownREIT Units held by the limited partner at a redemption price equal to and in the form of the Cash Amount (as defined in the partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership or the DownREIT Partnership, as applicable), provided that such OP Units/DownREIT Units have been outstanding for at least one year, subject to certain exceptions. UDR, as the general partner of the Operating Partnership and the DownREIT Partnership may, in its sole discretion, purchase the OP Units/DownREIT Units by paying to the limited partner either the Cash Amount or the REIT Share Amount (generally one share of Common Stock of the Company for each OP Unit/DownREIT Unit), as defined in the partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership or the DownREIT Partnership, as applicable. Accordingly, the Company records the OP Units/DownREIT Units outside of permanent equity and reports the OP Units/DownREIT Units at their redemption value using the Company’s stock price at each balance sheet date.

Income Taxes

Due to the structure of the Company as a REIT and the nature of the operations for the operating properties, no provision for federal income taxes has been provided for at UDR. Historically, the Company has generally incurred only state and local excise and franchise taxes. UDR has elected for certain consolidated subsidiaries to be treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRS”).

Income taxes for our TRS are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences 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 expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities from a change in tax rate is recognized in earnings in the period of the enactment date. The Company’s deferred tax assets are generally the result of differing depreciable lives on capitalized assets and timing of expense recognition for certain accrued liabilities. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, UDR’s net deferred tax asset/(liability) was less than $(0.1) million and $0.1 million, respectively.

GAAP defines a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. GAAP also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting for interim periods, disclosure and transition.

The Company recognizes its tax positions and evaluates them using a two-step process. First, UDR determines whether a tax position is more likely than not (greater than 50 percent probability) to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Second, the Company will determine the amount of benefit to recognize and record the amount that is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement.

UDR had no material unrecognized tax benefit, accrued interest or penalties at December 31, 2018. UDR and its subsidiaries are subject to federal income tax as well as income tax of various state and local jurisdictions. The tax years 2015 through 2017 remain open to examination by tax jurisdictions to which we are subject. When applicable, UDR recognizes interest and/or penalties related to uncertain tax positions in Tax (provision)/benefit, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

As of December 31, 2017, management of the Company had completed its review of the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, under which it recognized a one-time tax benefit of $1.1 million related to the recording of previously reserved receivables for REIT AMT credits that became refundable.

Principles of Consolidation

The Company accounts for subsidiary partnerships, joint ventures and other similar entities in which it holds an ownership interest in accordance with the consolidation guidance. The Company first evaluates whether each entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”). Under the VIE model, the Company consolidates an entity when it has control to direct the activities of the VIE and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Under the voting model, the Company consolidates an entity when it controls the entity through ownership of a majority voting interest.

Discontinued Operations

In accordance with GAAP, a discontinued operation represents (1) a component of an entity or group of components that has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale in a single transaction and represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity’s financial results, or (2) an acquired business that is classified as held for sale on the date of acquisition. A strategic shift could include a disposal of (1) a separate major line of business, (2) a separate major geographic area of operations, (3) a major equity method investment, or (4) other major parts of an entity.

We record sales of real estate that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation in Gain/(loss) on sale of real estate owned on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Stock-Based Employee Compensation Plans

The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of an equity instrument based on the award’s fair value on the grant date and recognizes the cost over the period during which the employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, which is generally the vesting period. The fair value for stock options issued by the Company is calculated utilizing the Black-Scholes-Merton formula. For performance based awards, the Company remeasures the fair value each balance sheet date with adjustments made on a cumulative basis until the award is settled and the final compensation is known. The fair value for market based awards issued by the Company is calculated utilizing a Monte Carlo simulation. For further discussion, see Note 9, Employee Benefit Plans.

Advertising Costs

All advertising costs are expensed as incurred and reported on the Consolidated Statements of Operations within the line item Property operating and maintenance. During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, total advertising expense was $6.7 million, $6.2 million, and $6.4 million, respectively.

Cost of Raising Capital

Costs incurred in connection with the issuance of equity securities are deducted from stockholders’ equity. Costs incurred in connection with the issuance or renewal of debt are recorded based on the terms of the debt issuance or renewal. Accordingly, if the terms of the renewed or modified debt instrument are deemed to be substantially different (i.e. a 10 percent or greater difference in the cash flows between instruments), all unamortized financing costs associated with the extinguished debt are charged to earnings in the current period and certain costs of new debt issuances are capitalized and amortized over the term of the debt. When the cash flows are not substantially different, the lender costs associated with the renewal or modification are capitalized and amortized into interest expense over the remaining term of the related debt instrument and other related costs are expensed. The balance of any unamortized financing costs associated with retired debt is expensed upon retirement. Deferred financing costs for new debt instruments include fees and costs incurred by the Company to obtain financing. Deferred financing costs are generally amortized on a straight-line basis, which approximates the effective interest method, over a period not to exceed the term of the related debt.

Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

Comprehensive income/(loss), which is defined as the change in equity during each period from transactions and other events and circumstances from nonowner sources, including all changes in equity during a period except for those resulting from investments by or distributions to stockholders, is displayed in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss). For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, the Company’s other comprehensive income/(loss) consisted of the gain/(loss) (effective portion) on derivative instruments that are designated as and qualify as cash flow hedges, (gain)/loss on derivative instruments reclassified from other comprehensive income/(loss) into earnings, and the allocation of other comprehensive income/(loss) to noncontrolling interests. The (gain)/loss on derivative instruments reclassified from other comprehensive income/(loss) is included in Interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 13, Derivatives and Hedging Activity, for further discussion. The allocation of other comprehensive income/(loss) to redeemable noncontrolling interests during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 was $0.2 million, $0.3 million, and $0.1 million, respectively.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual amounts realized or paid could differ from those estimates.

Market Concentration Risk

The Operating Partnership is subject to increased exposure from economic and other competitive factors specific to those markets where it holds a significant percentage of the carrying value of its real estate portfolio at December 31, 2018, the Operating Partnership held greater than 10% of the carrying value of its real estate portfolio in each of the Orange County, California, San Francisco, California; Metropolitan D.C. and New York, New York markets.