Organization and Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Organization and Basis of Presentation

Organization and 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.

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.

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and regulations for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. 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 consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. All adjustments to the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements are of a normal, recurring nature and, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of results for these interim periods. Revenues and expenses are subject to seasonal fluctuations and accordingly, quarterly interim results may not be indicative of full year results. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified on our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements to conform with current year presentation.