Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. (“ELS”), a Maryland corporation, together with MHC Operating Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”) and its other consolidated subsidiaries (the “Subsidiaries”), are referred to herein as “we,” “us,” and “our”. We are a fully integrated owner of lifestyle-oriented properties (“Properties”) consisting of property operations and home sales and rental operations primarily within manufactured home (“MH”) and recreational vehicle (“RV”) communities and marinas. We have a unique business model where we own the land which we lease to customers who own manufactured homes and cottages, RVs and/or boats either on a long-term or short-term basis. Our customers may lease individual developed areas (“Sites”) or enter into right-to-use contracts, also known as membership subscriptions, which provide them access to specific Properties for limited stays.

Our Properties are owned primarily by the Operating Partnership and managed internally by affiliates of the Operating Partnership. ELS is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, has exclusive responsibility and discretion in management and control of the Operating Partnership and held a 95.2% interest as of March 31, 2022. As the general partner with control, ELS is the primary beneficiary of, and therefore consolidates, the Operating Partnership.

Consolidation

Equity method of accounting is applied to entities in which ELS does not have a controlling interest or for variable interest entities in which ELS is not considered the primary beneficiary, but with respect to which it can exercise significant influence over operations and major decisions. Our exposure to losses associated with unconsolidated joint ventures is primarily limited to the carrying value of these investments. Accordingly, distributions from a joint venture in excess of our carrying value are recognized in earnings.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue RecognitionOur revenue streams are predominantly derived from customers renting our Sites or entering into membership subscriptions. Leases with customers renting our Sites are accounted for as operating leases. The rental income associated with these leases is accounted for in accordance with the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 842, Leases, and is recognized over the term of the respective lease or the length of a customer’s stay. MH Sites are generally leased on an annual basis to residents who own or lease factory-built homes, including manufactured homes. RV and marina Sites are leased to those who generally have an RV, factory-built cottage, boat or other unit placed on the site, including those customers renting marina dry storage slips. Annual Sites are leased on an annual basis, including those Northern Properties that are open for the summer season. Seasonal Sites are leased to customers generally for one to six months. Transient Sites are leased to customers on a short-term basis. We do not separate expenses reimbursed by our customers (“utility recoveries”) from the associated rental income as we meet the practical expedient criteria to combine the lease and non-lease components. We assessed the criteria and concluded that the timing and pattern of transfer for rental income and the associated utility recoveries are the same and, as our leases qualify as operating leases, we account for and present rental income and utility recoveries as a single component under Rental income in our Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. In addition, customers may lease homes that are located in our communities. These leases are accounted for as operating leases. Rental income derived from customers leasing homes is also accounted for in accordance with ASC 842, Leases and is recognized over the term of the respective lease. The allowance for credit losses related to the collectability of lease receivables is presented as a reduction to Rental income. Lease receivables are presented within Other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are net of an allowance for credit losses. The estimate for credit losses is a result of our ongoing assessments and evaluations of collectability, including historical loss experience, current market conditions and future expectations in forecasting credit losses.

Annual membership subscriptions and membership upgrade sales are accounted for in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Membership subscriptions provide our customers access to specific Properties for limited stays at a specified group of Properties. Payments are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the one-year period during which access to Sites at certain Properties is provided. Membership subscription receivables are presented within Other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are net of an allowance for credit losses. Membership upgrades grant certain additional access rights to the customer and require non-refundable upfront payments. The non-refundable upfront payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over 20 years. Financed upgrade sales (also known as contract receivables) are presented within Notes receivable, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are net of an allowance for credit losses.

Income from home sales is recognized when the earnings process is complete. The earnings process is complete when the home has been delivered, the purchaser has accepted the home and title has transferred. We have a limited program under which we purchase loans made by an unaffiliated lender to homebuyers at our Properties. Financed home sales (also known as chattel loans) are presented within Notes receivable, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are net of an allowance for credit losses.

Restricted Cash

Restricted CashAs of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, restricted cash consists of $29.3 million for each period, primarily related to cash reserved for customer deposits and escrows for insurance and real estate taxes.