Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2010

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

NOTE 8 — Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

We did not have any significant commitments related to our redevelopment activities at December 31, 2010. We enter into certain commitments for future purchases of goods and services in connection with the operations of our properties. Those commitments generally have terms of one year or less and reflect expenditure levels comparable to our historical expenditures.

As discussed in Note 5, we have committed to fund an additional $3.8 million in loans on certain properties in West Harlem in New York City. In certain circumstances, the obligor under these notes has the ability to put properties to us, which would result in a cash payment of approximately $30.6 million and the assumption of approximately $118.6 million in property debt. The ability to exercise the put is dependent upon the achievement of specified thresholds by the current owner of the properties.

As discussed in Note 11, we have a potential obligation to repurchase $20.0 million in liquidation preference of our Series A Community Reinvestment Act Preferred Stock for $14.0 million.

Tax Credit Arrangements

We are required to manage certain consolidated real estate partnerships in compliance with various laws, regulations and contractual provisions that apply to our historic and low-income housing tax credit syndication arrangements. In some instances, noncompliance with applicable requirements could result in projected tax benefits not being realized and require a refund or reduction of investor capital contributions, which are reported as deferred income in our consolidated balance sheet, until such time as our obligation to deliver tax benefits is relieved. The remaining compliance periods for our tax credit syndication arrangements range from less than one year to 15 years. We do not anticipate that any material refunds or reductions of investor capital contributions will be required in connection with these arrangements.

Legal Matters

In addition to the matters described below, we are a party to various legal actions and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, some of which are covered by our general liability insurance program, and none of which we expect to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Limited Partnerships

In connection with our acquisitions of interests in real estate partnerships and our role as general partner in certain real estate partnerships, we are sometimes subject to legal actions, including allegations that such activities may involve breaches of fiduciary duties to the partners of such real estate partnerships or violations of the relevant partnership agreements. We may incur costs in connection with the defense or settlement of such litigation. We believe that we comply with our fiduciary obligations and relevant partnership agreements. Although the outcome of any litigation is uncertain, we do not expect any such legal actions to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Environmental

Various Federal, state and local laws subject property owners or operators to liability for management, and the costs of removal or remediation, of certain potentially hazardous materials present on a property, including lead-based paint, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, petroleum-based fuels, and other miscellaneous materials. Such laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the release or presence of such materials. The presence of, or the failure to manage or remedy properly, these materials may adversely affect occupancy at affected apartment communities and the ability to sell or finance affected properties. In addition to the costs associated with investigation and remediation actions brought by government agencies, and potential fines or penalties imposed by such agencies in connection therewith, the improper management of these materials on a property could result in claims by private plaintiffs for personal injury, disease, disability or other infirmities. Various laws also impose liability for the cost of removal, remediation or disposal of these materials through a licensed disposal or treatment facility. Anyone who arranges for the disposal or treatment of these materials is potentially liable under such laws. These laws often impose liability whether or not the person arranging for the disposal ever owned or operated the disposal facility. In connection with the ownership, operation and management of properties, we could potentially be responsible for environmental liabilities or costs associated with our properties or properties we acquire or manage in the future.

We have determined that our legal obligations to remove or remediate certain potentially hazardous materials may be conditional asset retirement obligations, as defined in GAAP. Except in limited circumstances where the asset retirement activities are expected to be performed in connection with a planned construction project or property casualty, we believe that the fair value of our asset retirement obligations cannot be reasonably estimated due to significant uncertainties in the timing and manner of settlement of those obligations. Asset retirement obligations that are reasonably estimable as of December 31, 2010, are immaterial to our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Operating Leases

We are obligated under non-cancelable operating leases for office space and equipment. In addition, we sublease certain of our office space to tenants under non-cancelable subleases. Approximate minimum annual rentals under operating leases and approximate minimum payments to be received under annual subleases are as follows (in thousands):


	Operating
	Lease		Sublease
	Obligations		Receivables
2011	$	6,334	$	785
2012		4,399		658
2013		1,381		205
2014		925		—
2015		511		—
Thereafter		850		—

Total	$	14,400	$	1,648

Substantially all of the office space subject to the operating leases described above is for the use of our corporate offices and area operations. Rent expense recognized totaled $6.6 million, $7.7 million and $10.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Sublease receipts that offset rent expense totaled approximately $1.6 million, $0.7 million and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

As discussed in Note 3, during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, we commenced restructuring activities pursuant to which we vacated certain leased office space for which we remain obligated. In connection with the restructurings, we accrued amounts representing the estimated fair value of certain lease obligations related to space we are no longer using, reduced by estimated sublease amounts. At December 31, 2010, approximately $4.7 million related to the above operating lease obligations was included in accrued liabilities related to these estimates.

Additionally, during January 2011, we provided notice of our intent to terminate one of the leases included in the table above effective March 31, 2012, and we paid the required lease termination payment of approximately $1.3 million. Obligations shown in the table above reflect our revised obligations following the lease buyout.