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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
Consolidation
We consolidate our majority-owned Subsidiaries in which we have the ability to control the operations and all variable interest entities ("VIE") with respect to which we are the primary beneficiary. We also consolidate entities in which we have a direct or indirect controlling or voting interest. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Effective January 1, 2016, we adopted (“ASU 2015-02”) Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. ASU 2015-02 required us to evaluate whether we should consolidate certain legal entities. The adoption of this standard did not result in any changes to our accounting of interests in less than wholly-owned joint ventures; however, the Operating Partnership now meets the criteria as a VIE. We concluded that the Operating Partnership is a VIE because we are the general partner and controlling owner of approximately 93.7% of the Operating Partnership and the limited partners do not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. Our sole significant asset is our investment in the Operating Partnership, and consequently, substantially all of our assets and liabilities represent those assets and liabilities of the Operating Partnership. The Company has the power to direct the VIE's activities and the obligation to absorb its losses or the right to receive its benefits, which are significant to the VIE. Accordingly, we are the primary beneficiary and we will continue to consolidate the Operating Partnership under this new guidance.
We apply the equity method of accounting to entities in which we do not have a direct or indirect controlling interest or for variable interest entities where we are not considered the primary beneficiary, but can exercise influence over the entity with respect to its operations and major decisions.
Basis of Presentation
Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation, together with MHC Operating Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”) and other consolidated subsidiaries (“Subsidiaries”) are referred to herein as “we,” “us,” and “our.” Capitalized terms used but not defined herein are as defined in our Annual Report on Form 10-K (“2016 Form 10-K”) for the year ended December 31, 2016. These unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and regulations. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and note disclosures required by U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the 2016 Form 10-K.
The following notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements highlight significant changes to the notes included in the 2016 Form 10-K and present interim disclosures as required by the SEC. The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all adjustments and estimates necessary for a fair presentation of the interim financial statements, which are of a normal, recurring nature. Revenues and expenses are subject to seasonal fluctuations and accordingly, quarterly interim results may not be indicative of full year results.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Our financial instruments include notes receivable, accounts receivable, accounts payable, other accrued expenses, interest rate swaps and mortgage notes payable. We disclose the estimated fair value of our financial instruments according to a fair value hierarchy (Level 1, 2 and 3).
Our mortgage notes payable and term loan, excluding deferred financing costs of approximately $18.9 million as of both September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, had an aggregate carrying value of approximately $2,200.1 million and $2,110.2 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, and a fair value of approximately $2,225.4 million and $2,081.2 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The fair value was measured using quoted prices and observable inputs from similar liabilities (Level 2). At December 31, 2016, our cash flow hedge of interest rate risk included in accrued expenses and accounts payable was measured using quoted prices and observable inputs from similar assets and liabilities (Level 2). We consider our own credit risk as well as the credit risk of our counterparties when evaluating the fair value of our derivative. The cash flow hedge of interest rate risk expired during the quarter ended September 30, 2017. The fair values of our notes receivable approximate their carrying or contract values. We also utilize Level 2 and Level 3 inputs as part of our determination of the purchase price allocation for our acquisitions.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
New Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2017, the FASB issued ("ASU 2017-01") Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. ASU 2017-01 clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. ASU 2017-01 will be effective for annual reporting beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the potential impact, if any, that the adoption of this standard may have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In August 2016, the FASB issued (“ASU 2016-15”) Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230). ASU 2016-15 provides guidance on how certain cash receipts and cash payments are to be presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the potential impact, if any, that adoption of this standard may have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In June 2016, the FASB issued (“ASU 2016-13”) Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326). ASU 2016-13 requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Entities will now use forward-looking information to better form their credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 also requires enhanced disclosures to help financial statement users better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an entity’s portfolio. ASU 2016-13 will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the potential impact, if any, that adoption of this standard may have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ("ASU 2016-02") Leases. ASU 2016-02 amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets and making targeted changes to lessor accounting. ASU 2016-02 requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial application, with an option to use certain transition relief. ASU 2016-02 will continue to classify leases as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the statement of income. ASU 2016-02 will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the potential impact, if any, this standard may have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ("ASU 2014-09") Revenue from Contracts with Customers which along with related subsequent amendments will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of goods or services equal to the amount that it expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments. The new standard will be effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2018. The standard permits the use of either the full retrospective or modified retrospective transition method.
We expect to adopt ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method. We have determined that our primary source of revenue, generated through leasing arrangements, is excluded from ASU 2014-09. We are in the process of finalizing our evaluation and quantifying the impact, if any, the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on our non-lease revenue streams, including right-to-use annual payments, right-to-use contracts, and utility and other income. While we have not finalized our assessment of the impact of ASU 2014-09, based on the analysis completed to date, we do not currently anticipate that ASU 2014-09 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.