Notes and Contracts Receivable

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Receivables [Abstract]

Notes and Contracts Receivable

Notes and Contracts Receivable

Notes receivable generally are presented at their outstanding unpaid principal balances net of any allowances, deferred fees or costs on originated loans and unamortized discounts or premiums. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Discounts or premiums are amortized to income using the interest method. In certain cases, we purchase loans made by others to finance the sales of homes to our customers (referred to as "Chattel Loans"). These loans are secured by the purchased homes.

Financial instruments that potentially could subject us to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of notes receivable. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to notes receivable are limited due to the size of the receivable and geographic diversity of the underlying Properties.

Chattel Loans

From time to time, we purchase loans ("Chattel loans") made by an unaffiliated third party lender that are secured by homes at certain Properties. These Chattel Loans require monthly principal and interest payments. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had approximately $16.5 million and $17.6 million, respectively, of these Chattel Loans included in notes receivable. As of December 31, 2016, the Chattel Loans receivable had a stated per annum average rate of approximately 7.7%, with a yield of 20.7%, and had an average term remaining of approximately 11 years. These Chattel Loans are recorded net of allowances of approximately $0.3 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Contracts Receivable

We also provide financing for nonrefundable upgrades to existing right-to-use contracts ("Contracts Receivable"). These Contracts Receivable represent loans to customers who have entered right-to-use contracts. Contracts Receivable are also generally presented at their outstanding unpaid principal balances net of an allowance reserve.

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had approximately $18.0 million and $17.8 million, respectively, of Contracts Receivable included in notes receivable. The Contracts Receivable have an average stated interest rate of 16.2%, a weighted average term remaining of approximately four years and require monthly payments of principal and interest. The Contracts Receivable recorded as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 were net of an allowance of approximately $0.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Our allowance for doubtful accounts is comprised of our reserves for amounts receivable from tenants, Contracts Receivable and Chattel Loans. The allowances reflect our best estimate of collectibility risks on outstanding receivables. Our allowance for uncollectible rents receivable was approximately $4.4 million and $4.5 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, our allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows (amounts in thousands):

	2016			2015			2014
Balance, beginning of period	$	6,470		$	7,110		$	7,927
Provision for losses	3,926			4,055			4,209
Write-offs	(5,018		)	(4,695		)	(5,026		)
Balance, end of period	$	5,378		$	6,470		$	7,110