UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended SEPTEMBER 30, 2008MARCH 31, 2009

OR

 

¨

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from            to            

Commission File Number: 0-24920

 

 

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

(Exact Namename of Registrantregistrant as Specifiedspecified in its Charter)charter)

 

 

 

Illinois 36-3894853

(State or Other Jurisdictionother jurisdiction of Incorporation

incorporation or Organization)organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

Two North Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60606
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(312) 474-1300

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filerx

 Accelerated filer

x

  

Accelerated filer

¨

Non-accelerated filer

¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

  

Smaller reporting company

 

¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

 

 


ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

      September 30,    
2008
      December 31,    
2007
  March 31,
2009
  December 31,
2008

ASSETS

        

Investment in real estate

        

Land

    $3,653,808      $3,607,305      $3,675,048     $3,671,299 

Depreciable property

   13,760,599     13,556,681     14,002,717    13,908,594 

Projects under development

   852,597     828,530     762,641    855,473 

Land held for development

   366,822     340,834     258,923    254,873 
            

Investment in real estate

   18,633,826     18,333,350     18,699,329    18,690,239 

Accumulated depreciation

   (3,422,371)    (3,170,125)    (3,674,402)   (3,561,300)
            

Investment in real estate, net

   15,211,455     15,163,225     15,024,927    15,128,939 

Cash and cash equivalents

   530,050     50,831     428,596    890,794 

Investments in unconsolidated entities

   3,131     3,547     8,196    5,795 

Deposits – restricted

   395,658     253,276     187,176    152,372 

Escrow deposits – mortgage

   21,834     20,174     19,483    19,729 

Deferred financing costs, net

   54,210     56,271     55,905    53,817 

Other assets

   150,986     142,453     311,373    283,664 
            

Total assets

    $16,367,324      $15,689,777      $16,035,656     $16,535,110 
            

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

    

LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL

    

Liabilities:

        

Mortgage notes payable

    $4,493,886      $3,605,971      $4,941,277     $5,036,930 

Notes, net

   5,607,519     5,763,762     5,141,358    5,447,012 

Lines of credit

   -     139,000        

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   173,658     109,385     128,008    108,463 

Accrued interest payable

   79,572     124,717     75,268    113,846 

Other liabilities

   313,629     322,975     243,541    289,562 

Security deposits

   64,066     62,159     63,484    64,355 

Distributions payable

   141,629     141,244     142,209    141,843 
            

Total liabilities

   10,873,959     10,269,213     10,735,145    11,202,011 
            

Commitments and contingencies

        

Minority Interests – Partially Owned Properties

   26,506     26,236  
      

Capital:

    

Partners’ capital:

        

Preference Units

   209,049     209,662     208,773    208,786 

Preference Interests and Junior Preference Units

   184     184     184    184 

General Partner

   4,973,731     4,868,738     4,811,009    4,840,613 

Limited Partners

   310,572     331,626     284,332    293,795 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   (26,677)    (15,882)    (29,289)   (35,799)
            

Total partners’ capital

   5,466,859     5,394,328     5,275,009    5,307,579 

Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties

   25,502    25,520 
            

Total liabilities and partners’ capital

    $16,367,324      $15,689,777  

Total capital

   5,300,511    5,333,099 
            

Total liabilities and capital

    $    16,035,656     $    16,535,110 
      

 

See accompanying notes

2


ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in thousands except per OP Unit data)

(Unaudited)

 

      Nine Months Ended September 30,          Quarter Ended September 30,      Quarter Ended March 31,
  2008  2007  2008  2007  2009  2008

REVENUES

            

Rental income

    $1,566,821      $1,440,041      $535,932      $498,868      $512,281     $500,347 

Fee and asset management

   7,397     6,937     2,387     2,234     2,863    2,294 
                  

Total revenues

   1,574,218     1,446,978     538,319     501,102     515,144    502,641 
                  

EXPENSES

            

Property and maintenance

   409,755     378,586     141,555     132,162     133,543    132,837 

Real estate taxes and insurance

   162,470     149,521     55,206     49,765     55,964    53,327 

Property management

   59,536     68,960     18,902     21,698     19,014    21,176 

Fee and asset management

   6,154     6,604     1,983     2,100     2,003    2,180 

Depreciation

   437,935     420,347     152,157     143,987     150,045    141,195 

General and administrative

   34,040     33,182     9,849     12,366     10,394    12,417 

Impairment

   2,800     1,020     2,097     626  
                  

Total expenses

   1,112,690     1,058,220     381,749     362,704     370,963    363,132 
                  

Operating income

   461,528     388,758     156,570     138,398     144,181    139,509 

Interest and other income

   11,019     12,335     2,838     6,119     6,021    3,369 

Other expenses

   (292)   (176)

Interest:

            

Expense incurred, net

   (355,035)    (360,207)    (120,304)    (128,214)    (123,897)   (119,518)

Amortization of deferred financing costs

   (6,751)    (7,853)    (2,411)    (2,031)    (2,965)   (2,160)
                  

Income before income and other taxes, allocation to Minority Interests, income from investments in unconsolidated entities, net gain on sales of unconsolidated entities and land parcels and discontinued operations

   110,761     33,033     36,693     14,272  

Income before income and other taxes, (loss) from
investments in unconsolidated entities, net gain on sales of
unconsolidated entities and discontinued operations

   23,048    21,024 

Income and other tax (expense) benefit

   (5,941)    (1,468)    (1,317)    (770)    (2,131)   (2,995)

Allocation to Minority Interests – Partially Owned Properties

   (1,765)    (997)    (106)    (218) 

Income from investments in unconsolidated entities

   60     185     250     548  

(Loss) from investments in unconsolidated entities

   (195)   (95)

Net gain on sales of unconsolidated entities

   -     2,629     -     2,629     2,765    

Net gain on sales of land parcels

   2,976     5,230     2,976     714  
                  

Income from continuing operations

   106,091     38,612     38,496     17,175     23,487    17,934 

Discontinued operations, net

   374,344     885,144     151,041     471,404     61,934    129,594 
                  

Net income

    $480,435      $923,756      $189,537      $488,579     85,421    147,528 

Net loss (income) attributable to Noncontrolling
Interests – Partially Owned Properties

   69    (268)
      

Net income attributable to controlling interests

    $85,490     $147,260 
                  

ALLOCATION OF NET INCOME:

            

Preference Units

    $10,887      $19,157      $3,628      $4,317      $3,620     $3,633 
                  

Preference Interests and Junior Preference Units

    $11      $437      $4      $3      $    $
                  

Premium on redemption of Preference Units

    $-      $6,144      $-      $6,144  
            

General Partner

    $440,448      $841,044      $174,613      $447,246      $77,175     $134,490 

Limited Partners

   29,089     56,974     11,292     30,869     4,691    9,133 
                  

Net income available to OP Units

    $469,537      $898,018      $185,905      $478,115  

Net income available to Units

    $81,866     $143,623 
                  

Earnings per OP Unit – basic:

        

Income from continuing operations available to OP Units

    $0.33      $0.04      $0.12      $0.02  

Earnings per Unit – basic:

    

Income from continuing operations available to Units

    $0.07     $0.05 
                  

Net income available to OP Units

    $1.63      $2.97      $0.65      $1.64  

Net income available to Units

    $0.28     $0.50 
                  

Weighted average OP Units outstanding

   287,422     301,987     287,743     290,977  

Weighted average Units outstanding

   288,710    287,079 
                  

Earnings per OP Unit – diluted:

        

Income from continuing operations available to OP Units

    $0.33      $0.04      $0.12      $0.02  

Earnings per Unit – diluted:

    

Income from continuing operations available to Units

    $0.07     $0.05 
                  

Net income available to OP Units

    $1.62      $2.93      $0.64      $1.62  

Net income available to Units

    $0.28     $0.50 
                  

Weighted average OP Units outstanding

   290,267     306,052     290,795     294,331  

Weighted average Units outstanding

   288,853    289,317 
                  

Distributions declared per OP Unit outstanding

    $1.4475      $1.3875      $0.4825      $0.4625  

Distributions declared per Unit outstanding

    $0.4825     $0.4825 
                  

 

See accompanying notes

3


ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

(Amounts in thousands except per OP Unit data)

(Unaudited)

 

      Nine Months Ended September 30,          Quarter Ended September 30,          Quarter Ended March 31,    
  2008  2007  2008  2007  2009  2008

Comprehensive income:

            

Net income

    $480,435      $923,756      $189,537      $488,579      $85,421     $147,528 

Other comprehensive income (loss) – derivative and other instruments:

        

Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during the period

   (12,723)    3,849     (7,144)    (2,242) 

Other comprehensive income (loss) – derivative instruments:

    

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period

   2,660    (9,148)

Losses reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income

   1,928     1,501     712     449     1,493    513 

Other

   449    

Other comprehensive income (loss) – other instruments:

    

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period

   1,908    (396)
                  

Comprehensive income

    $469,640      $929,106      $183,105      $486,786     91,931    138,497 

Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to Noncontrolling

    

Interests – Partially Owned Properties

   69    (268)
                  

Comprehensive income attributable to controlling interests

    $    92,000     $    138,229 
      

 

See accompanying notes

4


ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

      Nine Months Ended September 30,      Quarter Ended March 31,
  2008  2007  2009  2008

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

        

Net income

    $480,435      $923,756      $85,421     $147,528 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

        

Allocation to Minority Interests – Partially Owned Properties

   1,765     997  

Depreciation

   447,936     466,035     150,488    147,580 

Amortization of deferred financing costs

   6,751     9,520     2,997    2,161 

Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt

   (3,494)    (3,835)    1,706    1,350 

Amortization of discounts on corporate notes

   (1,096)   

Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments

   893     466     1,148    168 

Impairment

   2,856     1,020  

(Income) from investments in unconsolidated entities

   (60)    (185) 

Write-off of pursuit costs

   192    175 

Transaction costs

   100    

Loss from investments in unconsolidated entities

   195    95 

Distributions from unconsolidated entities – return on capital

   71     76     59    23 

Net (gain) on sales of unconsolidated entities

   -     (2,629)    (2,765)   

Net (gain) on sales of land parcels

   (2,976)    (5,230) 

Net (gain) on sales of discontinued operations

   (365,052)    (847,490)    (61,871)   (122,517)

(Gain) loss on debt extinguishments

   (225)    3,339  

Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments

   68     (1) 

(Gain) on debt extinguishments

   (1,985)   

Compensation paid with Company Common Shares

   16,753     14,963     4,920    5,995 

Other operating activities, net

   -     164  

Changes in assets and liabilities:

        

(Increase) decrease in deposits – restricted

   (2,086)    1,509  

(Increase) in other assets

   (16,167)    (2,176) 

Decrease (increase) in deposits – restricted

   1,039    (656)

Decrease in other assets

   6,763    12,268 

Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses

   66,078     40,686     19,026    40,778 

(Decrease) in accrued interest payable

   (45,145)    (1,250)    (38,578)   (46,020)

(Decrease) in other liabilities

   (19,829)    (15,023)    (24,437)   (23,480)

Increase in security deposits

   1,907     4,124  

(Decrease) increase in security deposits

   (871)   1,027 
            

Net cash provided by operating activities

   570,479     588,836     142,451    166,476 
            

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

        

Investment in real estate – acquisitions

   (344,231)    (1,575,814)       (41,907)

Investment in real estate – development/other

   (399,339)    (327,936)    (82,171)   (125,875)

Improvements to real estate

   (131,365)    (185,301)    (26,644)   (40,744)

Additions to non-real estate property

   (2,050)    (5,962)    (712)   (1,026)

Interest capitalized for real estate under development

   (45,117)    (30,753)    (10,617)   (14,714)

Proceeds from disposition of real estate, net

   829,125     1,824,979     133,154    284,289 

Proceeds from disposition of unconsolidated entities

   2,629     -        2,629 

Investments in unconsolidated entities

   -     (191) 

Distributions from unconsolidated entities – return of capital

   405     13     110    

Investment in corporate notes/other

   (52,822)   

Proceeds from sale of corporate notes/other

   15,000    

Transaction costs

   (100)   (1)

(Increase) decrease in deposits on real estate acquisitions, net

   (168,936)    62,674     (43,020)   32,145 

(Increase) decrease in mortgage deposits

   (1,660)    2,486  

Acquisition of Minority Interests – Partially Owned Properties

   (20)    -  

Other investing activities, net

   -     1,200  

Decrease in mortgage deposits

   246    262 

Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties

   (2,823)   (20)
            

Net cash (used for) investing activities

   (260,559)    (234,605) 

Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities

   (70,399)   95,038 
            

 

See accompanying notes

5


ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)

(Amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

      Nine Months Ended September 30,          Quarter Ended March 31,    
  2008  2007  2009  2008

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

        

Loan and bond acquisition costs

    $(6,199)     $(23,118)     $(6,096)    $(3,686)

Mortgage notes payable:

        

Proceeds

   1,242,425     646,930     57,713    563,101 

Restricted cash

   28,390     (124,774)    7,177    5,574 

Lump sum payoffs

   (359,782)    (348,270)    (141,132)   (68,318)

Scheduled principal repayments

   (18,949)    (18,536)    (5,111)   (6,213)

Prepayment premiums/fees

   (41)    (3,339)    (35)   

Notes, net:

        

Proceeds

   -     993,031  

Lump sum payoffs

   (147,124)    (100,000)    (307,820)   

Scheduled principal repayments

   -     (4,286) 

Gain on debt extinguishments

   266     -     2,020    

Lines of credit:

        

Proceeds

   841,000     15,543,000        841,000 

Repayments

   (980,000)    (15,363,000)       (980,000)

(Payments on) proceeds from settlement of derivative instruments

   (13,256)    2,370  

Proceeds from (payments on) settlement of derivative instruments

   449    (13,256)

Proceeds from sale of OP Units

   5,085     5,715     2,787    2,718 

Proceeds from exercise of EQR options

   16,772     10,870     105    3,034 

OP Units repurchased and retired

   (10,935)    (1,136,844)    (1,124)   (10,935)

Redemption of Preference Units

   -     (175,000) 

Premium on redemption of Preference Units

   (4)    (14) 

Payment of offering costs

   (88)    (175)    (121)   (8)

Other financing activities, net

   (8)    (7) 

Contributions – Minority Interests – Partially Owned Properties

   1,842     10,600  

Contributions – Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties

   522    323 

Contributions – Limited Partners

   78    

Distributions:

        

OP Units – General Partner

   (391,072)    (400,907)    (131,567)   (130,113)

Preference Units

   (10,893)    (22,313)    (3,620)   (3,635)

Preference Interests and Junior Preference Units

   (11)    (450)    (4)   (4)

OP Units – Limited Partners

   (26,309)    (26,955)    (8,000)   (8,888)

Minority Interests – Partially Owned Properties

   (1,810)    (16,302) 

Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties

   (471)   (390)
            

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

   169,299     (551,774) 

Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities

   (534,250)   190,304 
            

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   479,219     (197,543) 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

   (462,198)   451,818 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

   50,831     260,277     890,794    50,831 
            

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

    $530,050      $62,734      $428,596     $502,649 
            

 

See accompanying notes

6


ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)

(Amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

      Nine Months Ended September 30,      Quarter Ended March 31,
  2008  2007  2009  2008

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

        

Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized

    $402,810      $368,545      $159,656     $164,289 
            

Net cash paid (received) for income and other taxes

    $2,302      $(266)     $564     $(526)
            

Real estate acquisitions/dispositions/other:

        

Mortgage loans assumed

    $24,946      $197,801  
      

Valuation of OP Units issued

    $849      $-  
   ��   

Mortgage loans (assumed) by purchaser

    $-      $(76,744)     $(4,387)    $
            

Amortization of deferred financing costs:

        

Investment in real estate, net

    $(1,509)     $(755)     $(1,011)    $(471)
            

Deferred financing costs, net

    $8,260      $10,275      $4,008     $2,632 
            

Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt:

        

Investment in real estate, net

    $(3)     $-      $(4)    $
            

Mortgage notes payable

    $(4,717)     $(4,688)     $(1,550)    $(1,574)
            

Notes, net

    $1,226      $853      $3,260     $2,924 
            

Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments:

        

Other liabilities

    $(1,035)     $(1,035)     $(345)    $(345)
            

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    $1,928      $1,501      $1,493     $513 
            

Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments:

    

Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments:

    

Other assets

    $(3,777)     $(2,322)     $(379)    $(4,935)
            

Mortgage notes payable

    $3,992      $4,330      $(1,186)    $3,390 
            

Notes, net

    $1,011      $2,201      $(645)    $2,907 
            

Other liabilities

    $11,279      $(8,077)     $(450)    $7,786 
            

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    $(12,437)     $3,867      $2,660     $(9,148)
            

(Payments on) proceeds from settlement of derivative instruments:

    

Proceeds from (payments on) settlement of derivative instruments:

    

Other assets

    $(39)     $2,375      $449     $(39)
            

Other liabilities

    $(13,217)     $(5)     $    $(13,217)
            

Repurchase of notes, net not yet settled:

    

Other liabilities

    $(11,356)     $-  
      

 

See accompanying notes

7


ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

7CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN CAPITAL

(Amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

Quarter Ended
    March 31, 2009    

PREFERENCE UNITS

Balance, beginning of year

  $208,786 

Conversion of 7.00% Series E Cumulative Convertible

(13)

Balance, end of period

  $208,773 

PREFERENCE INTERESTS AND JUNIOR PREFERENCE UNITS

Balance, beginning of year and end of period

  $184 

GENERAL PARTNER

Balance, beginning of year

  $4,840,613 

OP Unit Issuance:

Conversion of Preference Units into OP Units held by General Partner

13 

Conversion of OP Units held by Limited Partners into OP Units
held by General Partner

9,143 

Exercise of EQR share options

105 

EQR’s Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)

2,787 

Share-based employee compensation expense:

EQR performance shares

26 

EQR restricted shares/LTIP Units

3,385 

EQR share options

1,580 

EQR ESPP discount

492 

OP Units repurchased and retired

(1,124)

Offering costs

(121)

Net income available to Units – General Partner

77,175 

OP Units – General Partner distributions

(132,065)

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP)

13,006 

Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties

(1,227)

Adjustment for Limited Partners ownership in Operating Partnership

(2,779)

Balance, end of period

  $    4,811,009 

LIMITED PARTNERS

Balance, beginning of year

  $293,795 

Issuance of LTIP Units

78 

Conversion of OP Units held by Limited Partners into

OP Units held by General Partner

(9,143)

Net income available to Units – Limited Partners

4,691 

Units – Limited Partners distributions

(7,868)

Adjustment for Limited Partners ownership in Operating Partnership

2,779 

Balance, end of period

  $284,332 

See accompanying notes

8


ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN CAPITAL (Continued)

(Amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

PARTNERS’ CAPITAL (Continued)Quarter Ended
  March 31, 2009  

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

Balance, beginning of year

  $(35,799)

Accumulated other comprehensive income – derivative instruments:

Unrealized holding gains arising during the period

2,660 

Losses reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income

1,493 

Other

449 

Accumulated other comprehensive income – other instruments:

Unrealized holding gains arising during the period

1,908 

Balance, end of period

  $(29,289)

NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS – PARTIALLY OWNED PROPERTIES

Balance, beginning of year

  $25,520 

Net (loss) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

(69)

Contributions by Noncontrolling Interests

522 

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interests

(471)

Balance, end of period

  $25,502 

See accompanying notes

9


ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1.

Business

ERP Operating Limited Partnership (“ERPOP”), an Illinois limited partnership, was formed in May 1993 to conduct the multifamily residential property business of Equity Residential (“EQR”). EQR, a Maryland real estate investment trust (“REIT”) formed in March 1993, is an S&P 500 company focused on the acquisition, development and management of high quality apartment properties in top United States growth markets. EQR has elected to be taxed as a REIT.

EQR is the general partner of, and as of September 30, 2008March 31, 2009 owned an approximate 94.1%94.4% ownership interest in ERPOP. EQR is structured as an umbrella partnership REIT (“UPREIT”), under which all property ownership and related business operations are conducted through ERPOP and its subsidiaries. References to the “Operating Partnership” include ERPOP and those entities owned or controlled by it. References to the “Company” mean EQR and the Operating Partnership.

As of September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership, directly or indirectly through investments in title holding entities, owned all or a portion of 554537 properties in 23 states and the District of Columbia consisting of 147,326146,232 units. The ownership breakdown includes (table does not include various uncompleted development properties):

 

      Properties            Units      
      Properties          Units    

Wholly Owned Properties

  481    127,440    469   126,563 

Partially Owned Properties:

        

Consolidated

  28    5,709    26   5,406 

Unconsolidated

  44    10,446    40   9,560 

Military Housing (Fee Managed)

  1    3,731      4,703 
            
  554    147,326    537   146,232 

 

2.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) and certain reclassifications considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period financial statements in order to conform to the current year presentation. Operating results for the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2008March 31, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2008.2009.

In preparation of the Operating Partnership’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

The balance sheet at December 31, 20072008 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.

8


For further information, including definitions of capitalized terms not defined herein, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Operating Partnership’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.2008.

10


Income and Other Taxes

The Operating Partnership generally is not liable for federal income taxes as the partners recognize their proportionate share of the Operating Partnership’s income or loss in their tax returns; therefore no provision for federal income taxes has been made at the ERPOP level. Historically, the Operating Partnership has generally only incurred certain state and local income, excise and franchise taxes. The Operating Partnership has elected Taxable REIT Subsidiary (“TRS”) status for certain of its corporate subsidiaries, primarily those entities engaged in condominium conversion and corporate housing activities and as a result, these entities will incur both federal and state income taxes on any taxable income of such entities.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. These assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates for which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized in earnings in the period enacted. The Operating Partnership’s deferred tax assets are generally the result of tax affected amortization of goodwill, differing depreciable lives on capitalized assets and the timing of expense recognition for certain accrued liabilities. As of September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership has recorded a deferred tax asset of approximately $12.5$38.5 million, which was fully offset by a valuation allowance due to the uncertainty in forecasting future TRS taxable income.

Other

The Company adoptedIn December 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FAS 140-4 and FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) 46(R)-8,Disclosures by Public Entities (Enterprises) about Transfers of Financial Assets and Interests in Variable Interest Entities (“FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8”). FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8 amends SFAS No. 123(R),140,Share-Based PaymentAccounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, as required effective January 1, 2006. SFAS No. 123(R) requires allto require public companies to expense share-based compensation (such as share options)provide additional disclosures about transfers of financial assets. It also amends FIN No. 46(R) to require public enterprises, including sponsors that have a variable interest in a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”), as well as making other revisions to SFASprovide additional disclosures about their involvement with VIEs. FIN No. 123. As46 requires the Company began expensingOperating Partnership to consolidate the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the activities of its VIEs, which for the Operating Partnership includes only its development partnerships since the Operating Partnership provides substantially all share-based compensationof the capital for these ventures (other than third party mortgage debt, if any). The Operating Partnership does not have any unconsolidated FIN No. 46 assets. FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8 were effective January 1, 2003,for the Operating Partnership for the year ended December 31, 2008 and affected disclosures only. The adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) did not have a material effectthis standard has no impact on itsthe Operating Partnership’s consolidated statementsresults of operations or financial position.

Any EQR common share of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Shares”) issued pursuant to EQR’s incentive equity compensation and employee share purchase plans will result in the Operating Partnership issuing units of limited partnership interest (“OP Units”) to EQR on a one-for-one basis, with the Operating Partnership receiving the net cash proceeds of such issuances.

The Operating Partnership adopted the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 150 and FSP No. FAS 150-3,Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity, effective December 31, 2003. SFAS No. 150 and FSP No. FAS 150-3 require the Operating Partnership to make certain disclosures regarding noncontrolling interests that are classified as equity in the financial statements of a subsidiary but would be classified as a liability in the parent’s financial statements under SFAS No. 150 (e.g., minoritynoncontrolling interests in consolidated limited-life subsidiaries). The Operating Partnership is presently the controlling partner in various consolidated partnerships consisting of 2826 properties and 5,7095,406 units and various uncompleted development properties having a minoritynoncontrolling interest book value of $26.5$25.5 million at September 30, 2008.March 31, 2009. Some of these partnerships contain provisions that require the partnerships to be liquidated through the sale of its assets upon reaching a date specified in each respective partnership agreement. The Operating Partnership, as controlling partner, has an obligation to cause the property owning partnerships to distribute proceeds of liquidation to the MinorityNoncontrolling Interests (see definition below) in these Partially Owned Properties only to the extent that the net proceeds received by the partnerships from the sale of its assets warrant a distribution based on the partnership agreements. As of September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership estimates the value of MinorityNoncontrolling Interest distributions would have been approximately $102.0$62.6 million

9


(“ (“Settlement Value”) had the partnerships been liquidated. This Settlement Value is based on estimated third party consideration realized by the partnerships upon disposition of the Partially Owned Properties and is net of all other assets and liabilities, including yield maintenance on the mortgages encumbering the properties, that would have been due on September 30, 2008March 31, 2009 had those mortgages been prepaid. Due to, among other things, the inherent uncertainty in the sale of real estate assets, the amount of any potential distribution to the MinorityNoncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership’s Partially Owned Properties is subject to change. To the extent that the partnerships’ underlying assets are worth less than the underlying liabilities, the Operating Partnership has no obligation to remit any consideration to the MinorityNoncontrolling Interests in Partially Owned Properties.

In July 2006, the FASB ratified the consensus in FIN No. 48,Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. FIN No. 48 creates a single model to address uncertainty in income tax positions and prescribes a minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. It also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition and clearly scopes income taxes out of SFAS No. 5,Accounting for Contingencies. The Operating Partnership adopted FIN No. 48 as required effective January 1, 2007. The adoption of FIN No. 48 did not have a material effect on the consolidated results of operations or financial position.

11


In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157,Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. The Operating Partnership adopted SFAS No. 157 as required effective January 1, 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not have a material effect on the consolidated results of operations or financial position. See Note 11 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 157-2,Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 (“FAS 157-2”), which delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for all nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). FAS 157-2 partially defers the effective date of SFAS No. 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Operating Partnership adopted FAS 157-2 as required effective January 1, 2009. The adoption of FAS 157-2 did not have a material effect on the consolidated results of operations or financial position.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159,The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 provides a “Fair Value Option” under which a company may irrevocably elect fair value as the initial and subsequent measurement attribute for certain financial instruments. The Fair Value Option will be available on a contract-by-contract basis with changes in fair value recognized in earnings as those changes occur. SFAS No. 159 is effective beginning January 1, 2008, but the Operating Partnership has decided not to adopt this optional standard.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1,Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments (“FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1”), which requires disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods for publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. This FSP also amends APB Opinion No. 28,Interim Financial Reporting, to require those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods and is effective for the Operating Partnership for the quarterly period ending June 30, 2009. The Operating Partnership does not expect the adoption of FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 to have a material effect on the consolidated results of operations or financial position.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R),Business Combinations. SFAS No. 141(R) will significantly changechanges the accounting for business combinations. Under SFAS No. 141(R), an acquiring entity will beis required to recognize all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a transaction at the acquisition-date fair value with limited exceptions. SFAS No. 141(R) will changechanges the accounting treatment for certain specific acquisition related items including: (1) expensing acquisition related costs as incurred;incurred (amounts are included in the other expenses line item in the consolidated statements of operations); (2) valuing noncontrolling interests at fair value at the acquisition date; and (3) expensing restructuring costs associated with an acquired business. SFAS No. 141(R) also includes a substantial number of new disclosure requirements. SFAS No. 141(R) is to behas been applied prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009. We expectDue to the current decline in the Operating Partnership’s acquisition activities, the initial adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) will have an impact on our accounting for future business combinations once adopted, but we are currently assessing the impact it will havehas not had a material effect on the consolidated results of operations or financial position.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 141(R)-1,Accounting for Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise from Contingencies (“FAS 141(R)-1”), which amends and clarifies SFAS No. 141(R) to address application issues on initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement and accounting, and disclosure of assets and liabilities arising from contingencies in a business combination. FAS 141(R)-1 has been applied prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009. Due to the current decline in the Operating Partnership’s acquisition activities, the initial adoption of FAS 141(R)-1 has not had a material effect on the consolidated results of operations or financial position.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160,Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements. SFAS No. 160 establishes new accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest“Noncontrolling Interest” in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary (minority interest) is in most cases an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the Consolidated Financial Statementsconsolidated financial statements and separate from the parent company’s equity. Among other requirements, this statement requires consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both the parent and the noncontrolling interest. It also requires disclosure, on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Operations, of the amounts of consolidated

10


net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest. This statement is effective for theThe Operating Partnership onadopted SFAS No. 160 as required effective January 1, 2009. The Operating Partnership is currently evaluatingOther than modifications to presentation, the impactadoption of SFAS No. 160 willdid not have a material effect on itsthe consolidated results of operations andor financial position. See Note 3 for further discussion.

12


In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161,Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133. SFAS No. 161 is intended to improve financial standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. Among other requirements, entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about: (1) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments; (2) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 and its related interpretations; and (3) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. The Operating Partnership adopted SFAS No. 161 isas required effective for the Operating Partnership on January 1, 2009. The Operating Partnership is currently evaluatingOther than the impactenhanced disclosure requirements, the adoption of SFAS No. 161 willdid not have a material effect on itsthe consolidated financial statements. See Note 11 for further discussion.

In May 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. APB 14-1,Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement) (“APB 14-1”). APB 14-1 requires the issuer of certain convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash on conversion to separately account for the liability and equity components of the instrument in a manner that reflects the issuer’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate. The Operating Partnership adopted APB 14-1, which is applied retrospectively, isas required effective for the Operating Partnership beginning January 1, 2009. The adoption of APB 14-1 will affectaffects the accounting for the Operating Partnership’s $650.0 million ($531.1 million outstanding at March 31, 2009) 3.85% convertible unsecured notes with a maturity date ofthat were issued in August 2006 and mature in August 2026. The amount of the conversion option as of the date of issuance calculated by the Operating Partnership believes that APB 14-1 willwas $44.3 million and is being amortized to interest expense over the expected life of the convertible notes (through the first put date on August 18, 2011). Total amortization of the cash discount and conversion option discount on the unsecured notes resulted in a reduction to earnings of approximately $2.9 million for the first quarter of 2009 and is anticipated to result in a reduction to earnings of approximately $0.03$9.3 million during the full year of 2009 assuming the Operating Partnership does not repurchase any additional amounts of this debt. As a result of the adoption of APB 14-1, the Operating Partnership decreased the January 1, 2009 balance of retained earnings by $27.0 million, decreased the January 1, 2009 balance of notes by $17.3 million and increased the January 1, 2009 balance of paid in capital by $44.3 million. Due to $0.04the required retrospective application, APB 14-1 resulted in a reduction to earnings of approximately $2.5 million or $0.01 per share in 2009.for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.

 

3.

Partners’ Capital

The following tables present the changes in all of the Operating Partnership’s issued and outstanding “Units” (which includes OP Units and Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) Units) and in the changes in limited partners’ OP Units for the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2008:March 31, 2009:

 

1113


   20082009

General and Limited Partner OP Units

  

General and Limited Partner OP Units outstanding at January 1,

  287,974,981289,466,537 

Issued to General Partner:

  

Conversion of Series E Preference Units

  26,148  

Conversion of Series H Preference Units

1,448612 

Exercise of EQR options

  621,1925,246 

Employee Share Purchase Plan

  149,832196,147 

Restricted EQR share grants, net

  478,802351,065 

Issued to Limited Partners:

  

Issuance – ConsolidationsLTIP Unit issuance

  19,017155,189 

OP Units Other:

  

Repurchased and retired

  (171,161) (47,450)
   

General and Limited Partner OP Units outstanding at September 30,March 31,

      289,100,259290,127,346 
   

Limited Partner OP Units

  

Limited Partner OP Units outstanding at January 1,

  18,420,32016,679,777 

Limited Partner OP Units issued through consolidationsLTIP Unit issuance

  19,017155,189 

Conversion of Limited Partner OP Units to EQR Common Shares

  (1,361,962)  (551,590)
   

Limited Partner OP Units outstanding at September 30,March 31,

  17,077,37516,283,376 
   

Limited Partner OP Units Ownership Interest in Operating Partnership

  5.9%  5.6%

Limited Partner OPLTIP Units Issued:

  

ConsolidationsIssuance – per unit

  $44.64  0.50

ConsolidationsIssuance contribution valuation

  $0.8  $0.1 million

During the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the Company repurchased 171,16147,450 of its Common Shares at an average price of $36.78$23.69 per share for total consideration of $6.3$1.1 million. These shares were retired subsequent to the repurchases. Concurrent with these transactions, the Operating Partnership repurchased and retired 171,16147,450 OP Units previously issued to EQR. OfAll of the total shares repurchased 71,161 sharesduring the quarter ended March 31, 2009 were repurchased from employees at an average price of $38.25 per share (the average of the then current market prices)prices to cover the minimum statutory tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of employees’ restricted shares. The remaining 100,000 shares were repurchased in the open market at an average price of $35.74 per share. The Company also funded $4.6 million in January 2008 for the settlement of 125,000 Common Shares that were repurchased in December 2007 and recorded as other liabilities at December 31, 2007. EQR has authorization to repurchase an additional $469.3$466.5 million of its shares as of September 30, 2008.March 31, 2009.

The Limited Partners of the Operating Partnership as of September 30, 2008March 31, 2009 include various individuals and entities that contributed their properties to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP Units, as well as the equity positions of the LTIP Units. Subject to certain restrictions,exceptions (including the “book-up” requirements of LTIP Units), the Limited Partners may exchange their OP Units with EQR for EQR Common Shares on a one-for-one basis. The Operating Partnership has the right but not the obligation to make a cash payment to any holder of OP Units requesting an exchange from EQR at the market price of EQR’s Common Shares. However, no aspect of an exchange requires a cash settlement by the Operating Partnership under any circumstances.

EQR contributes all net proceeds from its various equity offerings (including proceeds from exercise of options for EQR Common Shares) to the Operating Partnership. In return for those contributions, EQR receives a number of OP Units in ERPOP equal to the number of Common Shares it has issued in the equity offering (or in the case of a preferred equity offering, a number of preference units in ERPOP equal in number and having the same terms as the preferred shares issued in the equity offering).

The following table presents the Operating Partnership’s issued and outstanding “Preference Units” as of September 30, 2008March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2007:2008:

 

1214


            Amounts in thousands
   Redemption
Date (1) (2)
  Conversion
Rate (2)
  Annual
Dividend per
Unit (3)
  September 30,
2008
  December 31,
2007

Preference Units:

          

7.00% Series E Cumulative Convertible Preference Units; liquidation value $25 per unit; 338,616 and 362,116 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively

  11/1/98    1.1128      $1.75      $8,465      $9,053  

7.00% Series H Cumulative Convertible Preference Units; liquidation value $25 per unit; 23,359 and 24,359 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively

  6/30/98    1.4480      $1.75     584     609  

8.29% Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units; liquidation value $50 per unit; 1,000,000 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007

  12/10/26    N/A      $4.145     50,000     50,000  

6.48% Series N Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units; liquidation value $250 per unit; 600,000 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 (4)

  6/19/08    N/A      $16.20     150,000     150,000  
              
          $209,049      $209,662  
              
            Amounts in thousands
   Redemption
  Date (1) (2)  
    Conversion  
Rate (2)
  Annual
  Dividend per  
Unit (3)
    March 31,  
2009
    December 31,  
2008

Preference Units:

          

7.00% Series E Cumulative Convertible Preference Units; liquidation value $25 per unit; 328,466 and 329,016 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively

  11/1/98  1.1128  $1.75    $8,212     $8,225 

7.00% Series H Cumulative Convertible Preference Units; liquidation value $25 per unit; 22,459 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008

  6/30/98  1.4480  $1.75   561    561 

8.29% Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units; liquidation value $50 per unit; 1,000,000 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008

  12/10/26  N/A  $4.145   50,000    50,000 

6.48% Series N Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units; liquidation value $250 per unit; 600,000 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 (4)

  6/19/08  N/A  $16.20   150,000    150,000 
              
          $208,773     $208,786 
              

 

(1)

On or after the redemption date, redeemable preference units (Series K and N) may be redeemed for cash at the option of the Operating Partnership, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to the liquidation price per unit, plus accrued and unpaid distributions, if any, in conjunction with the concurrent redemption of the corresponding EQR Preferred Shares.

 

(2)

On or after the redemption date, convertible preference units (Series E & H) may be redeemed under certain circumstances at the option of the Operating Partnership for cash (in the case of Series E) or OP Units (in the case of Series H), in whole or in part, at various redemption prices per unit based upon the contractual conversion rate, plus accrued and unpaid distributions, if any, in conjunction with the concurrent redemption/conversion of the corresponding EQR Preferred Shares.

 

(3)

Dividends on all series of Preference Units are payable quarterly at various pay dates. The dividend listed for Series N is a Preference Unit rate and the equivalent depositary unit annual dividend is $1.62 per unit.

 

(4)

The Series N Preference Units have a corresponding depositary unit that consists of ten times the number of units and one-tenth the liquidation value and dividend per unit.

The following table presents the Operating Partnership’s issued and outstanding Junior Convertible Preference Units (the “Junior Preference Units”) as of September 30, 2008March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2007:2008:

 

           Amounts in thousands           Amounts in thousands
  Redemption
Date (2)
  Conversion
Rate (2)
  Annual
Dividend

per Unit (1)
  September 30,
2008
  December 31,
2007
    Redemption  
Date (2)
    Conversion  
Rate (2)
  Annual
Dividend
  per Unit (1)  
    March 31,  
2009
    December 31,  
2008

Junior Preference Units:

                    

Series B Junior Convertible Preference Units; liquidation value $25 per unit; 7,367 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007

  7/29/09    1.020408      $2.00      $184      $184  

Series B Junior Convertible Preference Units; liquidation value $25 per unit; 7,367 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008

  7/29/09  1.020408  $2.00    $184     $184 
                        
          $184      $184            $184     $184 
                        

 

(1)

Dividends on the Junior Preference Units are payable quarterly at various pay dates.

 

(2)

On or after the tenth anniversary of the issuance (the “Redemption Date”), the Series B Junior Preference Units may be converted into OP Units at the option of the Operating Partnership based on the contractual conversion rate. Prior to the Redemption Date, the holders may elect to convert the Series B Junior Preference Units to OP Units under certain circumstances based on the contractual conversion rate. The contractual rate is based upon a ratio dependent upon the closing price of EQR’s Common Shares.

 

1315


4.

Real Estate

The following table summarizes the carrying amounts for the Operating Partnership’s investment in real estate (at cost) as of September 30, 2008March 31, 2009 and December 31, 20072008 (amounts in thousands):

 

  March 31,
2009
    December 31,  
2008
    September 30,  
2008
    December 31,  
2007

Land

    $3,653,808��     $3,607,305      $3,675,048     $3,671,299 

Depreciable property:

        

Buildings and improvements

   12,715,349     12,665,706     12,913,124    12,836,310 

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

   1,045,250     890,975     1,089,593    1,072,284 

Projects under development:

        

Land

   186,970     225,960     159,158    175,355 

Construction-in-progress

   665,627     602,570     603,483    680,118 

Land held for development:

        

Land

   296,474     296,129     205,190    205,757 

Construction-in-progress

   70,348     44,705     53,733    49,116 
            

Investment in real estate

   18,633,826     18,333,350     18,699,329    18,690,239 

Accumulated depreciation

   (3,422,371)    (3,170,125)    (3,674,402)   (3,561,300)
            

Investment in real estate, net

    $15,211,455      $15,163,225      $    15,024,927     $    15,128,939 
            

During the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership acquired the entire equity interest in the following from unaffiliated parties (purchase price in thousands):

       Properties          Units          Purchase    
Price

Rental Properties

    6      1,837      $336,863  

Uncompleted Developments

  -    -     31,705  
          

Total

    6      1,837      $368,568  
          

The Operating Partnership also acquired all of its partners’ interests in one partially owned property containing 144 units for $5.9 million and two partially owned land parcels for $1.6 million. In addition, the Company made an additional payment of $1.3 million related to an April 2006 acquisition of a partner’s interest in a now wholly-owned property,three partially funded through the issuanceowned properties consisting of 19,017 OP Units valued at $0.8833 units for $2.8 million.

During the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership disposed of the following to unaffiliated parties (sales price in thousands):

 

      Properties/    
Parcels
      Units          Sales Price          Properties            Units            Sales Price    

Rental Properties

  34    8,795      $806,999  

Rental Properties:

      

Wholly Owned

  11   1,531     $    139,573 

Partially Owned – Unconsolidated (1)

    216    20,700 

Condominium Conversion Properties

  3    98     21,644         146 

Land Parcel (one)

  -    -     3,300  
                  

Total

  37    8,893      $831,943    13   1,748     $    160,419 
                  

(1)

The Operating Partnership owned a 25% interest in this unconsolidated rental property. Sales price listed is the gross sales price.

The Operating Partnership recognized a net gain on sales of discontinued operations of approximately $61.9 million and a net gain on sales of land parcelsunconsolidated entities of approximately $365.1$2.8 million and $3.0 million, respectively, on the above sales.

 

5.

Commitments to Acquire/Dispose of Real Estate

As of OctoberApril 30, 2008,2009, the Operating Partnership had entered into separate agreementsan agreement to acquire the following (purchase price in thousands):one land parcel for $23.5 million.

14


       Properties/    
Parcels
      Units          Purchase    
Price

Operating Properties

  2    482      $58,779  

Land Parcels

  2    -     42,650  
          

Total

  4    482      $101,429  
          

As of OctoberApril 30, 2008, in addition to the properties that were subsequently disposed of as discussed in Note 16,2009, the Operating Partnership had entered into separate agreements to dispose of the following (sales price in thousands):17 properties consisting of 3,366 units for $287.3 million.

       Properties          Units          Sales Price    

Operating Properties:

      

Wholly Owned

  3    731      $46,750  

Partially Owned – Unconsolidated

  2    466     27,025  
          

Total Operating Properties

  5    1,197      $73,775  
          

The closings of these pending transactions are subject to certain conditions and restrictions, therefore, there can be no assurance that these transactions will be consummated or that the final terms will not differ in material respects from those summarized in the preceding paragraphs.

 

6.

Investments in Partially Owned Entities

The Operating Partnership has co-invested in various properties with unrelated third parties which are either consolidated or accounted for under the equity method of accounting (unconsolidated). The following table summarizes the Operating Partnership’s investments in partially owned entities as of September 30, 2008March 31, 2009 (amounts in thousands except for

16


project and unit amounts):

 

  Consolidated    Unconsolidated  
  Consolidated  Unconsolidated  Development Projects         
  Development Projects           Held for
and/or Under
  Development  
  Completed,
Not
  Stabilized (4)  
    Completed  
and
Stabilized
  Other  Total  Institutional
Joint
Ventures (5)
  Held for
and/or Under
    Development    
  Completed,
Not
    Stabilized (4)    
  Completed
and
    Stabilized    
      Other      Total      Institutional    
Joint

Ventures

Total projects (1)

   -     2     5     21     28     44              21    26    40 
                                    

Total units (1)

   -     410     1,405     3,894     5,709     10,446        760    704    3,942    5,406    9,560 
                                    

Debt – Secured (2):

                        

EQR Ownership (3)

    $467,172      $75,867      $141,206      $288,976      $973,221      $121,200      $400,041     $220,779     $108,466     $    215,820     $945,106     $121,200 

Minority Ownership

   -     -     -     13,321     13,321     363,600  

Noncontrolling Ownership

            86,310    86,310    363,600 
                                    

Total (at 100%)

    $467,172      $75,867      $141,206      $      302,297      $      986,542      $484,800      $400,041     $220,779     $108,466     $302,130     $    1,031,416     $484,800 
                                    

 

(1)

Project and unit counts exclude all uncompleted development projects until those projects are substantially completed.

(2)

All debt is non-recourse to the Operating Partnership with the exception of $106.0$125.8 million in mortgage bondsdebt on various development projects.

(3)

Represents the Operating Partnership’s current economic ownership interest.

(4)

Projects included here are substantially complete. However, they may still require additional exterior and interior work for all units to be available for leasing.

(5)

Mortgage debt is also partially collateralized by $52.9 million in unconsolidated restricted cash set aside from the net proceeds of property sales.

 

7.

Deposits – Restricted

The following table presents the Operating Partnership’s restricted deposits as of September 30, 2008March 31, 2009 and December 31, 20072008 (amounts in thousands):

 

15


      March 31,    
2009
      December 31,    
2008
  September 30,
2008
 December 31,
2007

Tax–deferred (1031) exchange proceeds

    $232,581     $63,795      $43,020     $

Earnest money on pending acquisitions

   2,950    3,050     1,200    1,200 

Restricted deposits on debt (1)

   105,101    133,491     89,052    96,229 

Resident security and utility deposits

   41,689    39,889     40,616    41,478 

Other

   13,337    13,051     13,288    13,465 
           

Totals

    $395,658     $253,276      $187,176     $152,372 
           

 

 (1)

Primarily represents amounts held in escrow by the lender and released as draw requests are made on fully funded development mortgage loans.

 

8.

Mortgage Notes Payable

As of September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership had outstanding mortgage debt of approximately $4.5$4.9 billion.

During the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership:

 

Repaid $378.7
¡

Repaid $146.2 million of mortgage loans;

Assumed $24.9 million of mortgage debt on an uncompleted development property in connection with its acquisition;

Obtained $500.0 million of mortgage loan proceeds through the issuance of an 11.5 year cross-collateralized loan with a fixed stated interest rate for 10.5 years at 5.19% secured by 13 properties;

Obtained $550.0 million of mortgage loan proceeds through the issuance of an 11.5 year cross-collateralized loan with a fixed stated interest rate for 10.5 years at approximately 6% secured by 15 properties; and

Obtained an additional $192.4 million of new mortgage loans primarily on development properties.

The Operating Partnership recorded approximately $41,000 and $0.1 million of prepayment penalties and write-offs of unamortized deferred financing costs, respectively, as additional interest related to debt extinguishment of mortgages during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

¡

Obtained $57.7 million of new mortgage loans primarily on development properties; and

¡

Was released from $4.4 million of mortgage debt assumed by the purchaser on a disposed property.

As of September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, scheduled maturities for the Operating Partnership’s outstanding mortgage indebtedness were at various dates through September 1, 2048. At September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the interest rate range on the Operating Partnership’s mortgage debt was 1.90%0.25% to 12.465%. During the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the weighted average interest rate on the Operating Partnership’s mortgage debt was 5.19%4.84%.

 

17


9.

Notes

As of September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership had outstanding unsecured notes of approximately $5.6$5.1 billion.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership repurchased $28.5at par $105.2 million of its 4.75% fixed rate public notes due June 15, 2009 and $185.2 million of its 6.95% fixed rate public notes due March 2, 2011 pursuant to a cash tender offer announced on January 16, 2009. The Operating Partnership wrote-off approximately $0.4 million of unamortized deferred financing costs and approximately $1.1 million of unamortized discounts on notes payable in connection with these repurchases.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership repurchased $17.5 million of its 3.85% convertible fixed rate public notes due August 15, 2026 at a discount to par of approximately 0.9% and11.6%. The Operating Partnership recognized a gain on early debt extinguishment gains of $0.3$2.0 million and wrote-off approximately $45,000$0.1 million of unamortized deferred financing costs. As of September 30, 2008, a transaction to repurchase $11.5costs and approximately $0.8 million of the $28.5 millionunamortized discounts on notes had not yet settled and is recorded as other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. See Note 16payable in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of additional repurchases made subsequent to September 30, 2008.connection with these repurchases.

16


As of September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, scheduled maturities for the Operating Partnership’s outstanding notes were at various dates through 2029. At September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the interest rate range on the Operating Partnership’s notes was 2.99%0.63% to 7.57%. During the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the weighted average interest rate on the Operating Partnership’s notes was 5.47%5.42%.

 

10.

Lines of Credit

The Operating Partnership has a $1.5 billion unsecured revolving credit facility maturing on February 28, 2012, with the ability to increase available borrowings by an additional $500.0 million by adding additional banks to the facility or obtaining the agreement of existing banks to increase their commitments. Advances under the credit facility bear interest at variable rates based upon LIBOR at various interest periods plus a spread (currently 0.5%) dependent upon the Operating Partnership’s credit rating or based on bids received from the lending group. EQR has guaranteed the Operating Partnership’s credit facility up to the maximum amount and for the full term of the facility.

During the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2008, one of the providers of the Operating Partnership’s unsecured revolving credit facility declared bankruptcy and as a result, the availability of a portion of the credit facility is uncertain and likely not available.bankruptcy. Under the existing terms of the credit facility, the provider’s share is up to $75.0 million of potential borrowings. IfAs a result, the Operating Partnership is unable to draw uponPartnership’s borrowing capacity under the provider’s portion of the credit facility, the Operating Partnership’s unsecured revolving credit facility would potentially behas in essence been permanently reduced to $1.425 billion of potential borrowings. The Operating Partnership is currently negotiating with other banks to replace this provider in the credit facility. The obligation to fund by all of the other providers has not changed.

As of September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the amount available on the credit facility was $1.34$1.31 billion (net of $84.1$115.2 million which was restricted/dedicated to support letters of credit and net of the $75.0 million discussed above). During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the weighted average interest rate under theThe Operating Partnership did not draw on its revolving credit facility was 4.29%.at any time during the quarter ended March 31, 2009.

 

11.

Derivative and Other Fair Value Instruments

In the normal course of business, the Operating Partnership is exposed to the effect of interest rate changes. The Operating Partnership seeks to limit these risks by following established risk management policies and procedures including the use of derivatives to hedge interest rate risk on debt instruments.

The following table summarizes the Operating Partnership’s consolidated derivative instruments at September 30, 2008March 31, 2009 (dollar amounts are in thousands):

 

  Fair Value
    Hedges (1)    
      Forward Starting    
Swaps/Treasury
Locks (2)
      Development    
Cash Flow
Hedges (3)
  Fair Value
    Hedges (1)    
  Forward
Starting
    Swaps (2)    
      Development    
Cash Flow
Hedges (3)

Current Notional Balance

    $385,693      $300,000      $235,690      $335,693     $250,000     $230,955 

Lowest Possible Notional

    $385,693      $300,000      $48,126      $335,693     $250,000     $46,753 

Highest Possible Notional

    $387,694      $300,000      $375,008      $337,694     $250,000     $320,061 

Lowest Interest Rate

   3.245%   4.573%   4.059%   3.245%   2.575%   4.059%

Highest Interest Rate

   4.800%   5.059%   6.000%   4.800%   2.610%   6.000%

Earliest Maturity Date

   2009     2019     2009     2009    2009    2009 

Latest Maturity Date

   2012     2019     2011     2012    2009    2011 

Estimated Asset (Liability) Fair Value

    $3,688      $(6,301)     $(2,236) 

(1) Fair Value Hedges – Converts outstanding fixed rate debt to a floating interest rate.

(2) Forward Starting Swaps – Designed to partially fix the interest rate in advance of a planned future debt issuance.

(3) Development Cash Flow Hedges – Converts outstanding floating rate debt to a fixed interest rate.

On September 30, 2008,

18


  (1)

Fair Value Hedges – Converts outstanding fixed rate debt to a floating interest rate.

  (2)

Forward Starting Swaps/Treasury Locks – Designed to partially fix the interest rate in advance of a planned future debt issuance.

  (3)

Development Cash Flow Hedges – Converts outstanding floating rate debt to a fixed interest rate.

The following table provides the netlocation of the Operating Partnership’s derivative instruments were reported atwithin the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and their fair market values as of March 31, 2009 (amounts in thousands):

   Asset Derivatives  Liability Derivatives
     Balance Sheet  
Location
    Fair Value      Balance Sheet  
Location
    Fair Value  

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

        

Interest Rate Contracts:

        

Fair Value Hedges

  Other assets    $    4,522   Other liabilities    $

Forward Starting Swaps/Treasury Locks

  Other assets   2,212   Other liabilities   

Development Cash Flow Hedges

  Other assets     Other liabilities   (6,377)
            

Total

      $    6,738       $    (6,377)
            

The following table provides a summary of the effect of fair value as other liabilitieshedges on the Operating Partnership’s accompanying Consolidated Statements of approximately $8.7 million and other assetsOperations for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 (amounts in thousands):

Type of Fair Value Hedge

  Location of Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in Income
on Derivative
  Amount of Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in Income
on Derivative
  Hedged Item  Income Statement
Location of Hedged
Item Gain/(Loss)
  Amount of Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in Income
on Hedged Item

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

          

Interest Rate Contracts:

          

Interest Rate Swaps

  Interest expense    $(1,831)  Fixed rate debt  Interest expense    $1,831 
              

Total

      $(1,831)        $1,831 
              

The following table provides a summary of $3.9 million. the effect of cash flow hedges on the Operating Partnership’s accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 (amounts in thousands):

   Effective Portion  Ineffective Portion

  Type of Cash Flow Hedge  

  Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
  Recognized in OCI  
on Derivative
  Location of Gain/(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI

into Income
  Amount of Gain/(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI

into Income
  Location of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in Income
on Derivative
    Location of Gain/(Loss)  
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI

into Income

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

          

Interest Rate Contracts:

          

Forward Starting Swaps/Treasury Locks

    $2,212   Interest expense    $(1,493)  N/A    $

Development Interest Rate Swaps/Caps

   448   Interest expense     N/A   
                

Total

    $2,660       $(1,493)      $
                

As of September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, there were approximately $27.0$33.0 million in deferred losses, net, included in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Based on the estimated fair values of the net derivative instruments at September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership may recognize an estimated $5.5$8.3 million of accumulated other comprehensive loss as additional interest expense during the twelve months ending September 30, 2009.March 31, 2010.

17


In February 2008,January 2009, the Operating Partnership paidreceived approximately $13.2$0.4 million to terminate three forward starting swapsa fair value hedge of interest rates in conjunction with the issuancepublic tender of a $500.0the Operating Partnership’s 4.75% fixed rate public notes due June 15, 2009. Approximately $0.2 million 11.5 year mortgage loan. The entire amountof the settlement received has been deferred as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss and will be recognized as an increase toa reduction of interest expense over the first ten yearsremaining life of the mortgage loan.notes.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership continued to invest in various investment securities in an effort to increase the amounts earned on the significant amount of unrestricted cash on hand throughout 2008 and 2009. The following table sets forth the maturity, amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, book/fair value and interest and other income of the various investment securities held as of March 31, 2009 (amounts in thousands):

19


      Other Assets   

Security

  

Maturity

    Amortized  
Cost
    Unrealized  
Gains
    Unrealized  
Losses
  Book/
  Fair Value  
  Interest and
  Other Income  

Held-to-Maturity

            

FDIC-insured promissory notes

  Less than one year    $100,000     $    $    $100,000     $241 
                      

Total Held-to-Maturity

     100,000          100,000    241 

Available-for-Sale

            

FDIC-insured certificates of deposit

  Less than one year   39,000    237       39,237    319 

Other

  Between one and five years or N/A   56,919    3,626    (123)   60,422    1,750 
                      

Total Available-for-Sale

 

     

 

95,919 

 

   

 

3,863 

 

   

 

(123)

 

   

 

99,659 

 

   

 

2,069 

 

                      

Grand Total

      $195,919     $3,863     $(123)    $199,659     $2,310 
                      

SFAS No. 157 establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels are defined as follows:

 

Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

¡

Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

 

Level 2 – Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

¡

Level 2 – Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

 

Level 3 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

¡

Level 3 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

The Operating Partnership’s derivative positions are valued using models developed by the respective counterparty as well as models developed internally by the Operating Partnership that use as their basis readily observable market parameters (such as forward yield curves and credit default swap data) and are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. In addition, employee holdings other than EQR Common Shares within the supplemental executive retirement plan (the “SERP”) have a fair value of $58.6$38.1 million as of September 30, 2008March 31, 2009 and are included in other assets and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. These SERP investments are valued using quoted market prices for identical assets and are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

The Operating Partnership’s investment securities are valued using quoted market prices or readily available market interest rate data. The quoted market prices are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy and the market interest rate data are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

 

12.

Earnings Per OP Unit

The following tables set forth the computation of net income per OP Unit – basic and net income per OP Unit – diluted (amounts in thousands except per OP Unit amounts):

 

1820


   Nine Months Ended September 30,  Quarter Ended September 30,
   2008  2007  2008  2007

Numerator for net income per OP Unit – basic and diluted:

        

Income from continuing operations

    $106,091      $38,612      $38,496      $17,175  

Allocation to Preference Units

   (10,887)    (19,157)    (3,628)    (4,317) 

Allocation to Preference Interests and Junior Preference Units

   (11)    (437)    (4)    (3) 

Allocation to premium on redemption of Preference Units

   -     (6,144)    -     (6,144) 
                

Income from continuing operations available to OP Units

   95,193     12,874     34,864     6,711  

Discontinued operations, net

   374,344     885,144     151,041     471,404  
                

Numerator for net income per OP Unit – basic and diluted

    $469,537      $898,018      $185,905      $478,115  
                

Denominator for net income per OP Unit – basic and diluted:

        

Denominator for net income per OP Unit – basic

   287,422     301,987     287,743     290,977  

Effect of dilutive securities:

        

Dilution for OP Units issuable upon assumed exercise/vesting of EQR’s share options/restricted shares

   2,845     4,065     3,052     3,354  
                

Denominator for net income per OP Unit – diluted

   290,267     306,052     290,795     294,331  
                

Net income per OP Unit – basic

    $1.63      $2.97      $0.65      $1.64  
                

Net income per OP Unit – diluted

    $1.62      $2.93      $0.64      $1.62  
                

Net income per OP Unit – basic:

        

Income from continuing operations available to OP Units

    $0.331      $0.042      $0.121      $0.023  

Discontinued operations, net

   1.303     2.931     0.525     1.621  
                

Net income per OP Unit – basic

    $1.634      $2.973      $0.646      $1.644  
                

Net income per OP Unit – diluted:

        

Income from continuing operations available to OP Units

    $0.328      $0.042      $0.120      $0.022  

Discontinued operations, net

   1.290     2.892     0.519     1.602  
                

Net income per OP Unit – diluted

    $1.618      $2.934      $0.639      $1.624  
                
   Quarter ended March 31,
   2009  2008

Numerator for net income per Unit – basic and diluted:

    

Income from continuing operations

    $23,487     $17,934 

Net loss (income) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties

   69    (268)

Allocation to Preference Units

   (3,620)   (3,633)

Allocation to Preference Interests and Junior Preference Units

   (4)   (4)
        

Income from continuing operations available to Units

   19,932    14,029 

Discontinued operations, net

   61,934    129,594 
        

Numerator for net income per Unit – basic and diluted

    $81,866     $143,623 
        

Denominator for net income per Unit – basic and diluted:

    

Denominator for net income per Unit – basic

   288,710    287,079 

Effect of dilutive securities:

    

Dilution for Units issuable upon assumed exercise/vesting
of EQR’s long-term compensation award shares/units

   143    2,238 
        

Denominator for net income per Unit – diluted

   288,853    289,317 
        

Net income per Unit – basic

    $0.28     $0.50 
        

Net income per Unit – diluted

    $0.28     $0.50 
        

Net income per Unit – basic:

    

Income from continuing operations available to Units

    $0.069     $0.049 

Discontinued operations, net

   0.214    0.451 
        

Net income per Unit – basic

    $0.283     $0.500 
        

Net income per Unit – diluted:

    

Income from continuing operations available to Units

    $0.069     $0.048 

Discontinued operations, net

   0.214    0.448 
        

Net income per Unit – diluted

    $0.283     $0.496 
        

Convertible preference interests/units that could be converted into 432,445406,031 and 713,604444,474 weighted average Common Shares (which would be contributed to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP Units) for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and 419,822 and 488,324 weighted average Common Shares for the quarters ended September 30,March 31, 2009 and 2008, and 2007, respectively, were outstanding but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per OP Unit because the effects would be anti-dilutive. In addition, the effect of the Common Shares/OP Units that could ultimately be issued upon the conversion/exchange of the Operating Partnership’s $650.0 million ($531.1 million outstanding at March 31, 2009) exchangeable senior notes was not included in the computation of diluted earnings per OP Unit because the effects would be anti-dilutive.

 

13.

Discontinued Operations

The Operating Partnership has presented separately as discontinued operations in all periods the results of operations for all consolidated assets disposed of on or after January 1, 2002 (the date of adoption of SFAS No. 144), all operations related to active condominium conversion properties effective upon their respective transfer into a TRS and all properties held for sale, if any.

The components of discontinued operations are outlined below and include the results of operations for the respective periods that the Operating Partnership owned such assets during the nine months and quarters ended September 30,March 31, 2009 and 2008 and 2007 (amounts in thousands).

 

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  Nine Months Ended September 30,  Quarter Ended September 30,  Quarter Ended March 31,
  2008  2007  2008  2007  2009  2008

REVENUES

            

Rental income

    $39,722      $168,232      $6,597      $39,857      $3,945     $25,501 
                  

Total revenues

   39,722     168,232     6,597     39,857     3,945    25,501 
                  

EXPENSES (1)

            

Property and maintenance

   16,289     58,158     3,908     15,312     2,796    8,777 

Real estate taxes and insurance

   5,312     22,208     756     5,252     528    3,235 

Property management

   (11)    287     18     23        (65)

Depreciation

   10,001     45,688     1,605     10,307     443    6,385 

General and administrative

   24     14     7     4        

Impairment

   56     -     -     -  
                  

Total expenses

   31,671     126,355     6,294     30,898     3,772    18,335 
                  

Discontinued operating income

   8,051     41,877     303     8,959     173    7,166 

Interest and other income

   252     185     126     43        (18)

Interest (2):

            

Expense incurred, net

   (29)    (3,725)    (2)    (746)    (35)   (269)

Amortization of deferred financing costs

   -     (1,667)    -     (5)    (32)   (1)

Income and other tax benefit (expense)

   1,018     984     359     1,166  

Income and other tax (expense) benefit

   (46)   199 
                  

Discontinued operations

   9,292     37,654     786     9,417     63    7,077 

Net gain on sales of discontinued operations

   365,052     847,490     150,255     461,987     61,871    122,517 
                  

Discontinued operations, net

    $374,344      $885,144      $151,041      $471,404      $61,934     $129,594 
                  

 

(1)

Includes expenses paid in the current period for properties sold or held for sale in prior periods related to the Operating Partnership’s period of ownership.

(2)

Includes only interest expense specific to secured mortgage notes payable for properties sold and/or held for sale.

For the properties sold and/or held for sale during the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2008March 31, 2009 (excluding condominium conversion properties), the investment in real estate, net of accumulated depreciation, balanceand the mortgage notes payable balances at December 31, 2007 was $457.6 million.2008 were $75.7 million and $4.4 million, respectively.

The net real estate basis of the Operating Partnership’s active condominium conversion properties owned by the TRS and included in discontinued operations (excludes the Operating Partnership’s halted conversions as they are now held for use), which were included in investment in real estate, net in the consolidated balance sheets, was $39.7$12.5 million and $47.5$12.6 million at September 30, 2008March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2007,2008, respectively.

 

14.

Commitments and Contingencies

The Operating Partnership, as an owner of real estate, is subject to various Federal, state and local environmental laws. Compliance by the Operating Partnership with existing laws has not had a material adverse effect on the Operating Partnership. However, the Operating Partnership cannot predict the impact of new or changed laws or regulations on its current properties or on properties that it may acquire in the future.

The Operating Partnership is party to a housing discrimination lawsuit brought by a non-profit civil rights organization in April 2006 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The suit alleges that the Operating Partnership designed and built approximately 300 of its properties in violation of the accessibility requirements of the Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act. The suit seeks actual and punitive damages, injunctive relief (including modification of non-compliant properties), costs and attorneys’ fees. The Operating Partnership believes it has a number of viable defenses, including that a majority of the named properties were completed before the operative dates of the statutes in question and/or were not designed or

20


built by the Operating Partnership. Accordingly, the Operating Partnership is defending the suit vigorously. Due to the pendency of the Operating Partnership’s defenses and the uncertainty of many other critical factual and legal issues, it is not possible to determine or predict the outcome of the suit and as a result, no amounts have been accrued at September 30, 2008.March 31, 2009. While no assurances can be given, the Operating Partnership does not believe that the suit, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect on the Operating Partnership.

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The Operating Partnership does not believe there is any other litigation pending or threatened against it that, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably may be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Operating Partnership.

The Operating Partnership has established a reserve and recorded a corresponding reduction to its net gain on sales of discontinued operations related to potential liabilities associated with its condominium conversion activities. The reserve covers potential product liability related to each conversion. The Operating Partnership periodically assesses the adequacy of the reserve and makes adjustments as necessary. During the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership recorded additional reserves of approximately $0.3 million for current projects and $3.2 million for various projects sold prior to 2008 and paid approximately $0.3$0.7 million in settlements. As a result, the Operating Partnership had total reserves of approximately $10.6$9.6 million at September 30, 2008.March 31, 2009. While no assurances can be given, the Operating Partnership does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these potential liabilities, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect on the Operating Partnership.

As of September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership has 10eight projects totaling 3,5682,826 units in various stages of development with estimated completion dates ranging through June 30, 2011. Some of the projects are developed solely by the Operating Partnership, while others are co-developed with various third party development partners. The development venture agreements with partners are primarily deal-specific, with differing terms regarding profit-sharing, equity contributions, returns on investment, buy-sell agreements and other customary provisions. The partner is most often the “general” or “managing” partner of the development venture. The typical buy-sell arrangements contain appraisal rights and provisions that provide the right, but not the obligation, for the Operating Partnership to acquire the partner’s interest in the project at fair market value upon the expiration of a negotiated time period (typically two to five years after substantial completion of the project). However, the buy-sell provisions with one partner covering three projects does requirerequired the Operating Partnership to purchase the partner’s interest in the projects at fair market value five years following the receipt of the final certificate of occupancy on the last developed property (in Q1 2009). Based on current estimates,property. During the ultimate payment to the partner, if any, will not be material toquarter ended March 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership’s financial position and liquidity.Partnership paid approximately $2.8 million to acquire its partner’s interest in the three projects.

 

15.

Reportable Segments

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by senior management. Senior management decides how resources are allocated and assesses performance on a monthly basis.

The Operating Partnership’s primary business is owning, managing and operating multifamily residential properties, which includeincludes the generation of rental and other related income through the leasing of apartment units to residents. Senior management evaluates the performance of each of our apartment communities individually and geographically, and both on a same store and non-same store basis; however, each of our apartment communities generally has similar economic characteristics, residents, products and services. The Operating Partnership’s operating segments have been aggregated by geography in a manner identical to that which is provided to its chief operating decision maker.

The Operating Partnership’s fee and asset management, development (including FIN No. 46 partially owned properties), condominium conversion and corporate housing (Equity Corporate Housing or “ECH”)

21


activities are immaterial and do not individually meet the threshold requirements of a reportable segment as provided for in SFAS No. 131 and as such, have been aggregated in the tables presented below.

All revenues are from external customers and there is no customer who contributed 10% or more of the Operating Partnership’s total revenues during the nine months and quarters ended September 30,March 31, 2009 and 2008, and 2007, respectively.

The primary financial measure for the Operating Partnership’s rental real estate segment is net operating income (“NOI”), which represents rental income less: 1) property and maintenance expense; 2) real estate taxes and insurance expense; and 3) property management expense (all as reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations). The Operating Partnership believes that NOI is helpful to investors as a supplemental measure of the operating performance of a real estate company because it is a direct measure of the actual operating results of the Operating Partnership’s apartment communities. Current year NOI is compared to prior year NOI and current year budgeted NOI as a measure of financial performance. The following tables present NOI for each segment from our rental real estate specific to continuing operations for the nine months and quarters ended September 30,March 31, 2009 and 2008, and 2007, respectively, as well as total assets at September 30, 2008March 31, 2009 (amounts in thousands):

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
       Northeast          Northwest          Southeast          Southwest          Other (3)          Total    

Rental income:

            

Same store (1)

    $392,167      $283,265      $287,688      $345,437      $-      $1,308,557  

Non-same store/other (2) (3)

   64,486     22,018     47,640     37,954     86,166     258,264  
                        

Total rental income

   456,653     305,283     335,328     383,391     86,166     1,566,821  

Operating expenses:

            

Same store (1)

   142,846     98,521     118,167     118,536     -     478,070  

Non-same store/other (2) (3)

   26,638     9,339     19,722     20,534     77,458     153,691  
                        

Total operating expenses

   169,484     107,860     137,889     139,070     77,458     631,761  

NOI:

            

Same store (1)

   249,321     184,744     169,521     226,901     -     830,487  

Non-same store/other (2) (3)

   37,848     12,679     27,918     17,420     8,708     104,573  
                        

Total NOI

    $287,169      $197,423      $197,439      $244,321      $8,708      $935,060  
                        

Total assets

    $4,982,980      $2,674,484      $3,074,941      $3,171,281      $2,463,638      $16,367,324  
                        

(1)

Same store includes properties owned for all of both periods ending September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007 which represented 115,713 units.

(2)

Non-same store includes properties acquired after January 1, 2007.

(3)

Other includes ECH, development, condominium conversion overhead of $2.1 million and other corporate operations. Also reflects a $10.5 million elimination of rental income recorded in Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest operating segments related to ECH.

2223


   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
       Northeast          Northwest          Southeast          Southwest          Other (3)          Total    

Rental income:

            

Same store (1)

    $375,618      $264,133      $286,679      $337,052      $-      $1,263,482  

Non-same store/other (2) (3)

   29,768     10,430     35,604     24,016     76,741     176,559  
                        

Total rental income

   405,386     274,563     322,283     361,068     76,741     1,440,041  

Operating expenses:

            

Same store (1)

   138,401     96,447     116,481     116,752     -     468,081  

Non-same store/other (2) (3)

   15,545     4,437     13,603     13,032     82,369     128,986  
                        

Total operating expenses

   153,946     100,884     130,084     129,784     82,369     597,067  

NOI:

            

Same store (1)

   237,217     167,686     170,198     220,300     -     795,401  

Non-same store/other (2) (3)

   14,223     5,993     22,001     10,984     (5,628)    47,573  
                        

Total NOI

    $251,440      $173,679      $192,199      $231,284      $(5,628)     $842,974  
                        

(1)

Same store includes properties owned for all of both periods ending September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007 which represented 115,713 units.

(2)

Non-same store includes properties acquired after January 1, 2007.

(3)

Other includes ECH, development, condominium conversion overhead of $3.7 million and other corporate operations. Also reflects a $13.0 million elimination of rental income recorded in Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest operating segments related to ECH.

   Quarter Ended September 30, 2008
       Northeast          Northwest          Southeast          Southwest          Other (3)          Total    

Rental income:

            

Same store (1)

    $136,042      $101,352      $108,275      $121,141      $-      $466,810  

Non-same store/other (2) (3)

   22,593     2,897     4,655     7,832     31,145     69,122  
                        

Total rental income

   158,635     104,249     112,930     128,973     31,145     535,932  

Operating expenses:

            

Same store (1)

   48,451     35,530     44,799     42,864     -     171,644  

Non-same store/other (2) (3)

   7,985     1,356     2,136     4,492     28,050     44,019  
                        

Total operating expenses

   56,436     36,886     46,935     47,356     28,050     215,663  

NOI:

            

Same store (1)

   87,591     65,822     63,476     78,277     -     295,166  

Non-same store/other (2) (3)

   14,608     1,541     2,519     3,340     3,095     25,103  
                        

Total NOI

    $102,199      $67,363      $65,995      $81,617      $3,095      $320,269  
                        

(1)

Same store includes properties owned for all of both quarters ending September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007 which represented 122,380 units.

(2)

Non-same store includes properties acquired after July 1, 2007.

(3)

Other includes ECH, development, condominium conversion overhead of $0.7 million and other corporate operations. Also reflects a $3.8 million elimination of rental income recorded in Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest operating segments related to ECH.

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   Quarter Ended September 30, 2007
       Northeast          Northwest          Southeast          Southwest          Other (3)          Total    

Rental income:

            

Same store (1)

    $129,824      $94,605      $107,898      $118,930      $-      $451,257  

Non-same store/other (2) (3)

   10,671     1,595     460     4,742     30,143     47,611  
                        

Total rental income

   140,495     96,200     108,358     123,672     30,143     498,868  

Operating expenses:

            

Same store (1)

   46,395     34,941     44,206     41,729     -     167,271  

Non-same store/other (2) (3)

   4,588     691     227     3,644     27,204     36,354  
                        

Total operating expenses

   50,983     35,632     44,433     45,373     27,204     203,625  

NOI:

            

Same store (1)

   83,429     59,664     63,692     77,201     -     283,986  

Non-same store/other (2) (3)

   6,083     904     233     1,098     2,939     11,257  
                        

Total NOI

    $89,512      $60,568      $63,925      $78,299      $2,939      $295,243  
                        

(1)

Same store includes properties owned for all of both quarters ending September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007 which represented 122,380 units.

(2)

Non-same store includes properties acquired after July 1, 2007.

(3)

Other includes ECH, development, condominium conversion overhead of $1.3 million and other corporate operations. Also reflects a $4.4 million elimination of rental income recorded in Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest operating segments related to ECH.

   Quarter Ended March 31, 2009
   Northeast  Northwest  Southeast  Southwest  Other (3)  Total

Rental income:

            

Same store (1)

    $140,105     $98,937     $113,319     $111,484     $    $463,845 

Non-same store/other (2) (3)

   12,554    4,541    3,175    7,813    20,353    48,436 
                        

Total rental income

   152,659    103,478    116,494    119,297    20,353    512,281 

Operating expenses:

            

Same store (1)

   55,260    35,367    48,900    38,970       178,497 

Non-same store/other (2) (3)

   5,482    2,158    1,344    3,568    17,472    30,024 
                        

Total operating expenses

   60,742    37,525    50,244    42,538    17,472    208,521 

NOI:

            

Same store (1)

   84,845    63,570    64,419    72,514       285,348 

Non-same store/other (2) (3)

   7,072    2,383    1,831    4,245    2,881    18,412 
                        

Total NOI

    $91,917     $65,953     $66,250     $76,759     $2,881     $303,760 
                        

Total assets

    $    4,786,043     $    2,736,714     $    3,129,038     $    2,988,498     $    2,395,363     $    16,035,656 
                        

(1)    Same store includes properties owned for all of both periods ending March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008 which represented 123,120 units.

(2)    Non-same store includes properties acquired after January 1, 2008.

(3)    Other includes ECH, development, condominium conversion overhead of $0.5 million and other corporate operations. Also reflects a $2.3 million elimination of rental income recorded in Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest operating segments related to ECH.

   Quarter Ended March 31, 2008
   Northeast  Northwest  Southeast  Southwest  Other (3)  Total

Rental income:

            

Same store (1)

    $    138,860     $    97,515     $    115,478     $    112,849     $    $    464,702 

Non-same store/other (2) (3)

   4,912    4,292    22    5,325    21,094    35,645 
                        

Total rental income

   143,772    101,807    115,500    118,174    21,094    500,347 

Operating expenses:

            

Same store (1)

   53,710    34,530    47,411    38,027       173,678 

Non-same store/other (2) (3)

   2,878    1,522    80    3,782    25,400    33,662 
                        

Total operating expenses

   56,588    36,052    47,491    41,809    25,400    207,340 

NOI:

            

Same store (1)

   85,150    62,985    68,067    74,822       291,024 

Non-same store/other (2) (3)

   2,034    2,770    (58)   1,543    (4,306)   1,983 
                        

Total NOI

    $87,184     $65,755     $68,009     $76,365     $    (4,306)    $293,007 
                        

(1)    Same store includes properties owned for all of both periods ending March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008 which represented 123,120 units.

(2)    Non-same store includes properties acquired after January 1, 2008.

(3)    Other includes ECH, development, condominium conversion overhead of $0.7 million and other corporate operations. Also reflects a $3.2 million elimination of rental income recorded in Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest operating segments related to ECH.

Note: Markets included in the above geographic segments are as follows:

(a)

Northeast – New England (excluding Boston), Boston, New York Metro, DC Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland.

(b)

Northwest – Central Valley, Denver, Portland, San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle/Tacoma.

(c)

Southeast – Atlanta, Jacksonville, Orlando, Raleigh/Durham, South Florida and Tampa/Ft. Myers.Tampa.

(d)

Southwest – Albuquerque, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Orange County, Phoenix, San Diego and Tulsa.

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The following table presents a reconciliation of NOI from our rental real estate specific to continuing operations for the nine months and quarters ended September 30,March 31, 2009 and 2008, and 2007, respectively (amounts in thousands):

 

  Quarter Ended March 31,
    Nine Months Ended September 30,      Quarter Ended September 30,    2009  2008
  2008  2007  2008  2007

Rental income

    $1,566,821      $1,440,041      $535,932      $498,868      $512,281     $500,347 

Property and maintenance expense

   (409,755)    (378,586)    (141,555)    (132,162)    (133,543)   (132,837)

Real estate taxes and insurance expense

   (162,470)    (149,521)    (55,206)    (49,765)    (55,964)   (53,327)

Property management expense

   (59,536)    (68,960)    (18,902)    (21,698)    (19,014)   (21,176)
                  

Total operating expenses

   (631,761)    (597,067)    (215,663)    (203,625)    (208,521)   (207,340)
                  

Net operating income

    $935,060      $842,974      $320,269      $295,243      $    303,760     $    293,007 
                  

 

16.

Subsequent Events/Other

Subsequent Events

Subsequent to September 30, 2008March 31, 2009 and through OctoberApril 30, 2008,2009, the Operating Partnership:

Sold two apartment properties consisting of 278 units for $27.8 million (excluding condominium units);

Repaid $21.1Partnership repaid $281.0 million of mortgage bonds; andloans.

Repurchased in excess of $100.0 million of its unsecured notes on the open market.

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Other

The Operating Partnership incurred impairment losses of approximately $2.9 million and $1.0 million (including discontinued operations) for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, related to the write-off of various pursuit and out-of-pocket costs for terminated acquisition, disposition (including halted condominium conversions) and development transactions.

During the nine monthsquarters ended September 30, 2008, the Operating Partnership received insurance/litigation settlement proceeds from the following, all of which were recorded as interestMarch 31, 2009 and other income:

$1.2 million for the settlement of an eminent domain case with the state of California;

$0.4 million for the settlement of insurance litigation claims from 2000 through 2002; and

$0.2 million for a breach of contract claim against the former owner of a property.

In addition, the Operating Partnership recognized $0.5 million of forfeited deposits for various terminated transactions, which are included in interest and other income.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Operating Partnership recorded approximately $0.3$0.6 million and $2.2$1.7 million of additional general and administrative expense, respectively, and $0.4 million and $0.2 million of additional property management expense, and general and administrative expense, respectively, related to cash severance for various employees. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Operating Partnership recorded approximately $0.5 million and $0.9 million of additional property management expense and general and administrative expense, respectively, relatedprimarily to cash severance for various employees.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

For further information including definitions for capitalized terms not defined herein, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Operating Partnership’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.2008.

Forward-lookingForward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements in this report are intended to be made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions made by management. While the Operating Partnership’s management believes the assumptions underlying its forward-looking statements are reasonable, such information is inherently subject to uncertainties and may involve certain risks, which could cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Operating Partnership to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Many of these uncertainties and risks are difficult to predict and beyond management’s control. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, results or events. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date hereof and the Operating Partnership undertakes no obligation to update or supplement these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to the following:

 

We intend to actively acquire and develop multifamily properties for rental operations. We may underestimate the costs necessary to bring an acquired or development property up to standards established for its intended market position. Additionally, we expect that other major real estate investors with significant capital will compete with us for attractive investment opportunities or may also develop properties in markets where we focus our development efforts. This competition may increase prices for multifamily properties or decrease the price at which we expect to sell individual properties. We may not be in a position or have the opportunity in the future to make suitable property acquisitions on favorable terms. We also plan to develop more properties ourselves in addition to co-investing with our development partners. This may increase the overall level of risk associated with our developments. The total number of development units, cost of development and estimated completion dates are subject to uncertainties arising from changing economic conditions (such as the cost of labor and construction materials), competition and local government regulation;

Sources of capital to the Operating Partnership or labor and materials required for maintenance, repair, capital expenditure or development may be more expensive than anticipated;

Occupancy levels and market rents may be adversely affected by national and local economic and market conditions including, without limitation, new construction and excess inventory of multifamily housing, slow or negative employment growth, availability of low interest mortgages for single-family home buyers and the potential for geopolitical instability, all of which are beyond the Operating Partnership’s control; and

Additional factors as discussed in Part I of the Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly those under “Risk Factors”.

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We intend to actively acquire multifamily properties for rental operations as market conditions dictate. The Operating Partnership does not currently intend to begin the development of any new wholly-owned projects but has a substantial number of properties under development now and may commence new development activities if conditions warrant. We may underestimate the costs necessary to bring an acquired property up to standards established for its intended market position or to complete a development property. Additionally, we expect that other major real estate investors with significant capital will compete with us for attractive investment opportunities or may also develop properties in markets where we focus our development efforts. This competition may increase prices for multifamily properties. We may not be in a position or have the opportunity in the future to make suitable property acquisitions on favorable terms. To the extent that we do develop more properties if conditions warrant, we expect to do so ourselves in addition to co-investing with our development partners. The total number of development units, cost of development and estimated completion dates are subject to uncertainties arising from changing economic conditions (such as the cost of labor and construction materials), competition and local government regulation;

¡

Sources of capital to the Operating Partnership or labor and materials required for maintenance, repair, capital expenditure or development may be more expensive than anticipated;

¡

Occupancy levels and market rents may be adversely affected by national and local economic and market conditions including, without limitation, new construction and excess inventory of multifamily housing and single family housing, slow or negative employment growth, availability of low interest mortgages for single family home buyers and the potential for geopolitical instability, all of which are beyond the Operating Partnership’s control; and

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Additional factors as discussed in Part I of the Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly those under “Item 1A. Risk Factors”.

Forward-looking statements and related uncertainties are also included in Notes 2, 5, 11 and 14 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this report.

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Overview

ERP Operating Limited Partnership (“ERPOP”), an Illinois limited partnership, was formed in May 1993 to conduct the multifamily residential property business of Equity Residential (“EQR”). EQR, a Maryland real estate investment trust (“REIT”) formed in March 1993, is an S&P 500 company focused on the acquisition, development and management of high quality apartment properties in top United States growth markets. EQR has elected to be taxed as a REIT.

EQR is one of the largest publicly traded real estate companies and is the largest publicly traded owner of multifamily properties in the United States (based on the aggregate market value of its outstanding Common Shares, the number of apartment units wholly owned and total revenues earned). The Operating Partnership’s corporate headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois and the Operating Partnership also operates property management offices

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throughout the United States. TheAs of April 30, 2009, the Operating Partnership has approximately 4,7004,600 employees who provide real estate operations, leasing, legal, financial, accounting, acquisition, disposition, development and other support functions.

EQR is the general partner of, and as of March 31, 2009 owned an approximate 94.4% ownership interest in ERPOP. EQR is structured as an umbrella partnership REIT (“UPREIT”) under which all property ownership and related business operations are conducted through ERPOP and its subsidiaries. References to the “Operating Partnership” include ERPOP and those entities owned or controlled by it. References to the “Company” mean EQR and the Operating Partnership.

Business Objectives and Operating Strategies

The Operating Partnership seeks to maximize current income, capital appreciation of each property and the total return for its shareholders. The Operating Partnership’s strategy for accomplishing these objectives includes:

 

Leveraging our size and scale in four critical ways:

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Leveraging our size and scale in four critical ways:

 

Investing in apartment communities located in strategically targeted markets, to maximize our total return on an enterprise level;

Meeting the needs of our residents by offering a wide array of product choices and a commitment to service;

Engaging, retaining, and attracting the best employees by providing them with the education, resources and opportunities to succeed; and

Sharing resources, customers and best practices in property management and across the enterprise.

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Investing in apartment communities located in strategically targeted markets to maximize our total return on an enterprise level;

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Meeting the needs of our residents by offering a wide array of product choices and a commitment to service;

¡

Engaging, retaining and attracting the best employees by providing them with the education, resources and opportunities to succeed; and

¡

Sharing resources, customers and best practices in property management and across the enterprise.

 

Owning a highly diversified portfolio by investing in target markets defined by a combination of the following criteria:

¡

Owning a highly diversified portfolio by investing in target markets defined by a combination of the following criteria:

 

High barrier-to-entry (low supply);

Strong economic predictors (high demand); and

Attractive quality of life (high demand and retention).

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High barrier-to-entry (low supply);

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Strong economic predictors (high demand); and

¡

Attractive quality of life (high demand and retention).

 

Giving residents reasons to stay with the Operating Partnership by providing a range of product options available in our diversified portfolio and by enhancing their experience through our employees and our services.

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Giving residents reasons to stay with the Operating Partnership by providing a range of product options available in our diversified portfolio and by enhancing their experience through our employees and our services.

 

Being open and responsive to market realities to take advantage of investment opportunities that align with our long-term vision.

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Being open and responsive to market realities to take advantage of investment opportunities that align with our long-term vision.

Acquisition, Development and Disposition Strategies

The Operating Partnership anticipates that future property acquisitions, developments and dispositions will occur within the United States. Acquisitions and developments may be financed from various sources of capital, which may include retained cash flow, issuance of additional equity and debt securities, sales of properties, joint venture agreements and collateralized and uncollateralized borrowings. In addition, the

27


Operating Partnership may acquire properties in transactions that include the issuance of limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership (“OP Units”) as consideration for the acquired properties. Such transactions may, in certain circumstances, enable the sellers to defer, in whole or in part, the recognition of taxable income or gain that might otherwise result from the sales. In addition, ERPOP may acquire or develop multifamily properties specifically to convert directly into condominiums as well as upgrade and sell existing properties as individual condominiums. ERPOP may also acquire land parcels to hold and/or sell based on market opportunities.

When evaluating potential acquisitions, developments and dispositions, the Operating Partnership generally considers the following factors:

 

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strategically targeted markets;

¡

income levels and employment growth trends in the relevant market;

¡

employment and household growth and net migration of the relevant market’s population;

¡

barriers to entry that would limit competition (zoning laws, building permit availability, supply of undeveloped or developable real estate, local building costs and construction costs, among other factors);

¡

the location, construction quality, condition and design of the property;

strategically targeted markets;

income levels and employment growth trends in the relevant market;27

employment and household growth and net migration of the relevant market’s population;

barriers to entry that would limit competition (zoning laws, building permit availability, supply of undeveloped or developable real estate, local building costs and construction costs, among other factors);

the location, construction quality, condition and design of the property;

the current and projected cash flow of the property and the ability to increase cash flow;

the potential for capital appreciation of the property;

the terms of resident leases, including the potential for rent increases;

the potential for economic growth and the tax and regulatory environment of the community in which the property is located;

the occupancy and demand by residents for properties of a similar type in the vicinity (the overall market and submarket);

the prospects for liquidity through sale, financing or refinancing of the property;

the benefits of integration into existing operations;

purchase prices and yields of available existing stabilized properties, if any;

competition from existing multifamily properties, residential properties under development and the potential for the construction of new multifamily properties in the area; and

opportunistic selling based on demand and price of high quality assets, including condominium conversions.


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the current and projected cash flow of the property and the ability to increase cash flow;

¡

the potential for capital appreciation of the property;

¡

the terms of resident leases, including the potential for rent increases;

¡

the potential for economic growth and the tax and regulatory environment of the community in which the property is located;

¡

the occupancy and demand by residents for properties of a similar type in the vicinity (the overall market and submarket);

¡

the prospects for liquidity through sale, financing or refinancing of the property;

¡

the benefits of integration into existing operations;

¡

purchase prices and yields of available existing stabilized properties, if any;

¡

competition from existing multifamily properties, comparably priced single family homes or rentals, residential properties under development and the potential for the construction of new multifamily properties in the area; and

¡

opportunistic selling based on demand and price of high quality assets, including condominium conversions.

The Operating Partnership generally reinvests the proceeds received from property dispositions primarily to achieve its acquisition, development and developmentrehab strategies and at times to fund its sharedebt and equity repurchase activities. In addition, when feasible, the Operating Partnership may structure these transactions as tax-deferred exchanges.

Current Environment

The increasing slowdown in the economy, which accelerated in the fourth quarter of 2008 and has continued into 2009, coupled with continued job losses and/or lack of job growth leads us to be cautious regarding expected performance for the remainder of 2009. Since the fourth quarter of 2008 and 2009. Revenue growthcontinuing into the second quarter of 2009, our revenue has moderateddeclined in most of our major markets as the economic slowdown continues to impact existing and prospective residents. Markets with little employment loss should perform better than markets with employment issues.issues, although all of our markets are continuing to experience job losses. Should the current credit crisis continue and the economygeneral economic recession continue, to show signs of recessionary pressure, the Operating Partnership may continue to experience a period of limited revenue growth or even declining revenues, which would adversely impact the Operating Partnership’s results of operations. The vast majority of our leases are for terms of 12 months or less. As a result, we quickly feel the impact of an economic downturn which limits our ability to raise rents or causes us to lower rents on turnover units and lease renewals. ContinuedSince the second half of 2008, continued job losses and a lack oflower household formation have hamperedcaused us to lower rents (sometimes significantly) for new residents. While we have generally been able to maintain existing rent levels with renewing residents, we have seen declines in certain markets.

After two consecutive years of modest expense growth (same store expenses grew 2.2% between 2008 and 2007 and 2.1% between 2007 and 2006), the Operating Partnership anticipates that 2009 expenses will increase at a higher rate primarily due to cost pressures from non-controllable areas such as utilities and real estate taxes. Accordingly, quarter over quarter same store expenses increased 2.8% during the quarter ended March 31, 2009. The combination of expected declines in revenues and higher overall expense levels will have a negative impact on the Operating Partnership’s ability to increase rents as it replaces vacating units with new residents. Additionally, in recent months it has become increasingly difficult to raise rents with our renewing

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residents.results of operations for 2009.

The continued credit crisis has negatively impacted the availability and pricing of debt capital. During this time, the multifamily residential sector has benefited from the continued liquidity provided by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. A vast majority of the properties we sold this yearin 2008 and 2009 were financed for the purchaser by one of these agencies. Furthermore, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have provided us with over $1.0approximately $1.6 billion of secured mortgage financing in 2008 at attractive rates. While the Operating Partnership believesrates when compared to other sources of credit. Should these agencies will continue to providediscontinue providing liquidity to our sector, should they discontinue fundinghave their mandates changed or reduced or be disbanded or reorganized by the multifamily sector or fail,government, it would significantly reduce our access to debt capital and/or increase borrowing costs and would significantly reduce our sales of assets.

In response to the recession and liquidity issues prevalent in the debt markets, the Operating Partnership began inwe took a number of steps to better position ourselves. In early 2008, we began pre-funding itsour maturing debt obligations. obligations with approximately $1.6 billion in secured mortgage financing obtained from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. We also significantly reduced our acquisition activity. During the second half of 2008 and into the first quarter of 2009, we only acquired one property while we continued selling non-core assets. We expect to continue to be a net seller of assets during 2009 should current conditions continue. Additionally, we significantly reduced our development activities, starting only two new projects in the first half of 2008 and none in the second half of the year or in the first quarter of 2009. We also reduced the number of planned development projects we will undertake in the future and took a $116.4 million impairment charge in 2008 to reduce the value of five assets that we no longer plan on pursuing. We do not currently anticipate starting any new

28


wholly-owned development projects during 2009 unless market conditions improve significantly. Finally, during 2009 we also expect to continue our focus on our expense control initiatives.

Our specific current expectations regarding our results for 2009 and certain items that will affect them are set forth under Results of Operations below.

We believe that cash and cash equivalents, securities readily convertible to cash and current availability on our revolving credit facility will provide sufficient liquidity to meet our funding obligations relating to debt retirement and existing development projects through 2010.into 2011. We expect that our remaining funding obligations for the period after 20102011 and subsequent periods will be met through new borrowings, property dispositions and cash generated from operations.

Despite the challenging conditions noted above, we believe that the Operating Partnership is well-positioned to withstand the continuing economic downturn. Our properties are nearly 95%geographically diverse and were approximately 93% occupied as of March 31, 2009, little new multifamily rental supply has been added to most of our markets, the national single family home ownership rate continues to decline and the long-term demographic picture is positive.

We believe we are well-positioned with a strong balance sheet and relatively low levels ofsufficient liquidity to cover debt maturities and development fundings in the near term, which should allow us to take advantage of investment opportunities should distressed assets become available at significant discounts. When economic conditions improve, the short termshort-term nature of our leases and the limited supply of new rental housing being constructed should allow us to quickly realize revenue growth and improvement in our operating results.

Results of Operations

In conjunction with our business objectives and operating strategy, the Operating Partnership has continued to invest or recycle its capital investment in apartment communities located in strategically targeted markets during the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2008. Recently, the Operating Partnership has focused more on property dispositions than acquisitions in order to preserve liquidity. In summary, we:March 31, 2009 as follows:

 

Acquired $336.9 million of properties consisting of 6 properties and 1,837 units and an uncompleted development property for $31.7 million, all of which we deem to be in our strategic targeted markets; and

Sold $807.0 million of properties consisting of 34 properties and 8,795 units, as well as 98 condominium units for $21.6 million and a vacant land parcel for $3.3 million.

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Sold $160.3 million of apartment properties consisting of 12 properties and 1,747 units, as well as 1 condominium unit for $0.1 million.

The Operating Partnership’s primary financial measure for evaluating each of its apartment communities is net operating income (“NOI”). NOI represents rental income less property and maintenance expense, real estate tax and insurance expense and property management expense. The Operating Partnership believes that NOI is helpful to investors as a supplemental measure of the operating performance of a real estate company because it is a direct measure of the actual operating results of the Operating Partnership’s apartment communities.

Properties that the Operating Partnership owned for all of both of the nine monthsquarters ended September 30,March 31, 2009 and 2008 and 2007 (the “Nine-Month 2008“First Quarter 2009 Same Store Properties”), which represented 115,713 units, and properties that the Operating Partnership owned for all of both of the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 (the “Third Quarter 2008 Same Store Properties”), which represented 122,380123,120 units, impacted the Operating Partnership’s results of operations. Both the Nine-Month 2008 Same Store Properties and the ThirdThe First Quarter 20082009 Same Store Properties are discussed in the following paragraphs.

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The Operating Partnership’s acquisition, disposition and completed development activities also impacted overall results of operations for the nine months and quarters ended September 30, 2008March 31, 2009 and 2007.2008. The impacts of these activities are discussed in greater detail in the following paragraphs.

Comparison of the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2008March 31, 2009 to the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2007March 31, 2008

For the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, income from continuing operations increased by approximately $67.5$5.6 million or 31.0% when compared to the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2007.March 31, 2008. The increase in continuing operations is discussed below.

Revenues from the Nine-Month 2008First Quarter 2009 Same Store Properties increased $45.1decreased $0.9 million primarily as a result of higheran increase in move-in concessions offered to residents and a decline in occupancy, partially offset by a minor increase in average rental rates charged to residents. Expenses from the Nine-Month 2008First Quarter 2009 Same Store Properties increased $10.0$4.8 million primarily due to higher utilities, real estate taxes, payroll and payroll.utility costs. The following tables provide comparative results and statistics for the Nine-Month 2008First Quarter 2009 Same Store Properties:

September YTD

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First Quarter 2009 vs. First Quarter 2008 vs. September YTD 2007

YTDQuarter over YTDQuarter Same Store Results/Statistics

$ in Thousandsthousands (except for Average Rental Rate) – 115,713123,120 Same Store Units

 

  Results  Statistics  Results  Statistics

Description

    Revenues          Expenses        NOI      Average    
Rental

Rate (1)
      Occupancy          Turnover          Revenues      Expenses  NOI  Average
Rental
Rate (1)
      Occupancy          Turnover    

YTD 2008

    $  1,308,557      $478,070      $    830,487      $1,330      94.6%    48.1%

YTD 2007

    $  1,263,482      $468,081      $    795,401      $1,283      94.7%    48.8%

Q1 2009

    $    463,845     $    178,497     $    285,348     $    1,341    93.7%  13.5%

Q1 2008

    $464,702     $173,678     $291,024     $1,337    94.2%  13.7%
                                    

Change

    $45,075      $9,989      $35,086      $47      (0.1%)     (0.7%)     $(857)    $4,819     $(5,676)    $4    (0.5%)  (0.2%)
                                    

Change

   3.6%   2.1%   4.4%   3.7%       (0.2%)   2.8%   (2.0%)   0.3%    

(1)

(1) Average rental rate is defined as total rental revenues divided by the weighted average occupied units for the period.

The following table presents a reconciliation of operating income per the consolidated statements of operations to NOI for the Nine-Month 2008First Quarter 2009 Same Store Properties:

 

  Quarter Ended March 31,
  Nine Months Ended September 30,  2009  2008
  2008 2007  (Amounts in thousands)
  (Amounts in thousands)

Operating income

    $461,528   $388,758      $144,181     $139,509 

Adjustments:

       

Non-same store operating results

   (104,573)   (47,573)    (18,412)   (1,983)

Fee and asset management revenue

   (7,397)   (6,937)    (2,863)   (2,294)

Fee and asset management expense

   6,154    6,604     2,003    2,180 

Depreciation

   437,935    420,347     150,045    141,195 

General and administrative

   34,040    33,182     10,394    12,417 

Impairment

   2,800    1,020  
           

Same store NOI

    $830,487   $795,401      $    285,348     $    291,024 
           

For properties that the Operating Partnership acquired prior to January 1, 20072008 and expects to continue to own through December 31, 2008,2009, the Operating Partnership anticipates the following same store results for the full year ending December 31, 2008:2009:

 

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20082009 Same Store Assumptions

Physical occupancy

  94.5%  93.5%

Revenue change

  3.25%  (4.50%) to (1.50%)

Expense change

  2.25%  2.50% to 3.50%

NOI change

  3.75%  (9.25%) to (3.75%)

These 20082009 assumptions are based on current expectations and are forward-looking.

Non-same store operating results increased $57.0approximately $16.4 million and consist primarily of properties acquired in calendar yearsyear 2008, and 2007 as well as operations from completed development properties and our corporate housing business.

See also Note 15 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion regarding the Operating Partnership’s segment disclosures.

Fee and asset management revenues, net of fee and asset management expenses, increased $0.9approximately $0.7 million primarily due to an increase in revenue earned on the management of our military housing venture at Fort Lewis along with the addition of McChord Air Force Base, as well as a decrease in asset management expenses. As of September 30,March 31, 2009 and 2008, and 2007, the Operating Partnership managed 14,47214,263 and 14,40314,472 units, respectively, primarily for unconsolidated entities and our military housing ventureventures at Fort Lewis.Lewis and McChord Air Force Base.

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Property management expenses from continuing operations include off-site expenses associated with the self-management of the Operating Partnership’s properties as well as management fees paid to any third party management companies. These expenses decreased by approximately $9.4$2.2 million or 13.7%10.2%. This decrease is primarily attributable to lower overall payroll-related costs as a result of a decrease in the number of properties in the Operating Partnership’s portfolio, as well as a decrease in legal and professional fees.portfolio.

Depreciation expense from continuing operations, which includes depreciation on non-real estate assets, increased $17.6approximately $8.9 million or 6.3% primarily as a result of additional depreciation expense on properties acquired in 20072008, the reclassification of 2008 depreciation expense to discontinued operations for properties sold subsequent to January 1, 2008 and 2008, as well as capital expenditures for all properties owned.

General and administrative expenses from continuing operations, which include corporate operating expenses, increased $0.9 million primarily as a result of a $1.2 million increase in severance related costs in 2008 (see Note 16) as well as a $1.7 million expense recovery recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 related to a certain lawsuit in Florida, partially offset by lower overall payroll-related costs as a result of a decrease in the number of properties in the Operating Partnership’s portfolio. The Operating Partnership anticipates that general and administrative expenses will approximate $45.0 million to $46.0 million for the year ending December 31, 2008. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.

Impairment from continuing operations increased $1.8 million primarily as a result of an increase in the write-offs of various pursuit and out-of-pocket costs for terminated development transactions and halted condominium conversion properties during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Interest and other income from continuing operations decreased $1.3 million primarily as a result of a decrease in interest earned on restricted deposits, partially offset by an increase in interest earned on cash balances, insurance/litigation settlement proceeds received in 2008 and an increase in forfeited deposits and gains on debt extinguishment. The Operating Partnership anticipates that interest and other income will approximate $27.5 million to $28.5 million for the year ending December 31, 2008. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.

Interest expense from continuing operations, including amortization of deferred financing costs, decreased approximately $6.3 million primarily as a result of a significant reduction in debt extinguishment

31


costs and write-offs of unamortized deferred financing costs in 2008 as well as lower overall effective interest rates, partially offset by higher overall debt levels outstanding due to the Company’s 2007 share repurchase activity and its pre-funding of its 2008 and 2009 debt maturities. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Operating Partnership capitalized interest costs of approximately $45.1 million as compared to $30.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. This capitalization of interest primarily relates to consolidated projects under development. The effective interest cost on all indebtedness for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was 5.54% as compared to 5.99% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The Operating Partnership anticipates that interest expense will approximate $480.0 million to $490.0 million for the year ending December 31, 2008. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.

Income and other tax expense from continuing operations increased $4.5 million primarily due to a change in the estimate of Texas state taxes and additional California state income taxes incurred and/or expected to be incurred in 2008. The Operating Partnership anticipates that income and other tax expense will approximate $5.0 million to $6.0 million for the year ending December 31, 2008. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.

Income from investments in unconsolidated entities decreased $0.1 million as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2007 due to income received in 2007 from the sale of the Operating Partnership’s 7.075% ownership interest in Wellsford Park Highlands Corporation, an entity which owns a condominium development in Denver, Colorado.

Net gain on sales of unconsolidated entities decreased $2.6 million between the periods under comparison as the Operating Partnership recognized a $2.6 million gain on the sale of an unconsolidated institutional joint venture property during the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

Net gain on sales of land parcels decreased $2.3 million primarily as a result of a higher gain recognized on the sale of a vacant land parcel located in New York during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 versus the sale of vacant land located in Florida during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Discontinued operations, net decreased approximately $510.8 million between the periods under comparison. This decrease is primarily due to the number and mix of properties sold during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007 and the operations of those properties. See Note 13 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Comparison of the quarter ended September 30, 2008 to the quarter ended September 30, 2007

For the quarter ended September 30, 2008, income from continuing operations increased by approximately $21.3 million when compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2007. The increase in continuing operations is discussed below.

Revenues from the Third Quarter 2008 Same Store Properties increased $15.6 million primarily as a result of higher rental rates charged to residents. Expenses from the Third Quarter 2008 Same Store Properties increased $4.4 million primarily due to higher real estate taxes, utilities and payroll. The following tables provide comparative same store results and statistics for the Third Quarter 2008 Same Store Properties:

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Third Quarter 2008 vs. Third Quarter 2007

Quarter over Quarter Same Store Results/Statistics

$ in Thousands (except for Average Rental Rate) – 122,380 Same Store Units

   Results  Statistics

    Description    

      Revenues          Expenses      NOI      Average    
Rental

Rate (1)
      Occupancy          Turnover    

Q3 2008

    $466,810      $171,644      $295,166      $1,348    94.4%    18.6%  

Q3 2007

    $451,257      $167,271      $283,986      $1,305    94.3%    19.1%  
                      

Change

    $15,553      $4,373      $11,180      $43    0.1%    (0.5%)  
                      

Change

   3.4%   2.6%   3.9%   3.3%    

(1)

Average rental rate is defined as total rental revenues divided by the weighted average occupied units for the period.

The following table presents a reconciliation of operating income per the consolidated statements of operations to NOI for the Third Quarter 2008 Same Store Properties:

   Quarter Ended September 30,
   2008  2007
   (Amounts in thousands)

Operating income

    $  156,570      $138,398  

Adjustments:

    

Non-same store operating results

   (25,103)    (11,257) 

Fee and asset management revenue

   (2,387)    (2,234) 

Fee and asset management expense

   1,983     2,100  

Depreciation

   152,157     143,987  

General and administrative

   9,849     12,366  

Impairment

   2,097     626  
        

Same store NOI

    $  295,166    $283,986  
        

Non-same store operating results increased $13.8 million and consist primarily of properties acquired in calendar years 2008 and 2007 as well as operations from completed development properties and our corporate housing business.

See also Note 15 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion regarding the Operating Partnership’s segment disclosures.

Fee and asset management revenues, net of fee and asset management expenses, increased $0.3 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2008 primarily due to an increase in revenue earned on the management of our military housing venture at Fort Lewis as well as a decrease in asset management expenses.

Property management expenses from continuing operations include off-site expenses associated with the self-management of the Operating Partnership’s properties as well as management fees paid to any third party management companies. These expenses decreased by approximately $2.8$2.0 million or 12.9%. This decrease is16.3% primarily attributabledue to lower overall payroll-related costs as a result of a decrease in the number of properties in the Operating Partnership’s portfolio, as well as a decrease in legal and professional fees.

Depreciation expense from continuing operations, which includes depreciation on non-real estate assets, increased $8.2 million primarily as a result of additional depreciation expense on newly acquired properties, as well as capital expenditures for all properties owned.

General and administrative expenses from continuing operations, which include corporate operating expenses, decreased $2.5 million primarily as a result of a $0.9$1.1 million decrease in severance related costs in

33


2008 (see Note 16), as well as lower overall payroll-related costs.

Impairment from continuing operations increased $1.5 2009. The Operating Partnership anticipates that general and administrative expenses will approximate $40.0 million primarily as a result of an increase into $42.0 million for the write-offs of various pursuityear ending December 31, 2009. The above assumption is based on current expectations and out-of-pocket costs for terminated development transactions and halted condominium conversion properties during the quarter ended September 30, 2008.is forward-looking.

Interest and other income from continuing operations decreased $3.3increased approximately $2.7 million or 78.7% primarily as a result of interest earned on the Operating Partnership’s investment in corporate notes (see Note 11) as well as a significant$2.0 million gain recognized during the quarter ended March 31, 2009 related to the partial debt extinguishment of the Operating Partnership’s August 2026 convertible notes (see Note 9). This was partially offset by a decrease in interest earned on restricted1031 exchange and security deposits partially offset by an increasedue primarily to the decline in the Operating Partnership’s transaction activities and a decrease in interest earned on cash and cash equivalents due to a decrease in interest rates and overall balances, as well as less litigation settlement proceeds received in 2009. The Operating Partnership anticipates that interest and gainsother income will approximate $11.0 million to $14.0 million for the year ending December 31, 2009. The above assumption is based on debt extinguishmentcurrent expectations and is forward-looking.

Other expenses increased approximately $0.1 million primarily due to the Operating Partnership’s adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) on January 1, 2009, which required the expensing of transaction costs associated with the Operating Partnership’s acquisition of all of its partner’s interest in three previously partially owned properties consisting of 833 units during the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2007.March 31, 2009.

Interest expense from continuing operations, including amortization of deferred financing costs, decreasedincreased approximately $7.5$5.2 million or 4.3% primarily due to lower overall effective interest rates, partially offset byas a result of higher overall debt levels outstanding due to the Company’s 2007 share repurchase activity and itsOperating Partnership’s pre-funding of its 2008 and 2009 debt maturities.maturities and lower capitalized interest, partially offset by lower overall effective interest rates. During the quarter ended September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership capitalized interest costs of approximately $15.6$10.6 million as compared to $12.9$14.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007.March 31, 2008. This capitalization of interest primarily relates to consolidated projects under development. The effective interest cost on all indebtedness for the quarter ended September 30, 2008March 31, 2009 was 5.54%5.41% as compared to 5.94%5.61% for the quarter ended September 30, 2007.March 31, 2008. The Operating Partnership anticipates that interest expense will approximate $475.0 million to $495.0 million for the year ending December 31, 2009. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.

Income and other tax expense from continuing operations increased $0.5decreased approximately $0.9 million or 28.8% primarily due to an increasea change in California and otherestimate for Texas state income taxes, partially offset by a decreasean increase in Texas statebusiness taxes for Washington, D.C. The Operating Partnership anticipates that income and other tax expense will approximate $3.0 million to $4.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008.year ending December 31, 2009. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.

IncomeLoss from investments in unconsolidated entities decreased $0.3increased approximately $0.1 million mainly dueas compared to income received during the quarter ended September 30, 2007March 31, 2008 primarily due to the recognition of operating losses from the saleone of the Operating Partnership’s 7.075% ownership interest in Wellsford Park Highlands Corporation, an entity which owns a condominium development in Denver, Colorado.partially owned unconsolidated entities.

Net gain on sales of unconsolidated entities decreased $2.6increased approximately $2.8 million between the periods under comparison as the Operating Partnership recognized a $2.6$2.8 million gain on the sale of an unconsolidated institutional joint venture property during the quarter ended September 30, 2007.

Net gain on sales of land parcels increased $2.3 million primarily due to a higher gain recognized on the sale of one vacant land parcel during the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 when one vacant land parcel was also sold.March 31, 2009.

Discontinued operations, net decreased approximately $320.4$67.7 million or 52.2% between the periods under comparison. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in the number and mix of properties sold during the quarter ended September 30, 2008 as

31


March 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 20072008 and the operations of those properties. See Note 13 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of January 1, 2008,2009, the Operating Partnership had approximately $50.8$890.8 million of cash and cash equivalents and $1.28$1.29 billion available under its revolving credit facility (net of $80.8$130.0 million which was restricted/dedicated to support letters of credit and $75.0 million which had been committed by a now bankrupt financial institution and is not available for borrowing and net of the $139.0 million balance outstanding)borrowing). After taking into effect the various transactions discussed in the following paragraphs and the net cash provided by operating activities, the Operating Partnership’s cash and cash equivalents balance at September 30, 2008March 31, 2009 was approximately $530.1$428.6 million and the amount available on the Operating Partnership’s revolving credit facility was $1.34$1.31 billion (net of $84.1$115.2 million which was restricted/dedicated to support letters of credit and net of the $75.0 million which had been committed by a now bankrupt financial institution and is likely not available for borrowing)discussed above). The significant increase inIn 2008, the Operating Partnership’sPartnership built a significant cash and cash equivalents balance since December 31,

34


2007 isas a direct result of its decision to pre-fund its 2008 and 2009 debt maturities with the closing of a $500.0 millionthree secured mortgage pool in March 2008 and an additional $550.0 million secured mortgage pool in August 2008. See Notes 8 and 10loan pools totaling $1.6 billion. The decline in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.Operating Partnership’s cash and cash equivalents balance since December 31, 2008 is a direct result of the application of the pre-funded cash on hand towards the Operating Partnership’s debt tender and debt repurchase activities.

During the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership generated proceeds from various transactions, which included the following:

 

Disposed of 34 properties and various individual condominium units, receiving net proceeds of approximately $829.1 million;

Obtained $1.2 billion in new mortgage financing and terminated three forward starting swaps designated to hedge the first $150.0 million of one of the loan issuances, making payments of $13.2 million; and

Issued approximately 0.8 million OP Units and received net proceeds of $21.9 million.

¡

Disposed of 13 properties and one condominium unit, receiving net proceeds of approximately $133.2 million;

¡

Obtained $57.7 million of new mortgage loans primarily on development properties; and

¡

Issued approximately 0.2 million Units and received net proceeds of $2.9 million.

During the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the above proceeds were primarily utilized to:

 

Invest $399.3 million primarily in development projects;

Acquire six rental properties and one uncompleted development property, utilizing cash of $344.2 million;

Repurchase 0.2 million OP Units and settle 0.1 million OP Units, utilizing cash of $10.9 million (see Note 3);

Repay $130.0 million of fixed rate private notes;

Repurchase $28.5 million of fixed rate public notes; and

Repay $378.7 million of mortgage loans.

¡

Invest $82.2 million primarily in development projects;

¡

Repurchase 47,450 OP Units, utilizing cash of $1.1 million (see Note 3);

¡

Repurchase $307.8 million of fixed rate public notes; and

¡

Repay $146.2 million of mortgage loans.

Depending on its analysis of market prices, economic conditions and other opportunities for the investment of available capital, the Company may repurchase its Common Shares pursuant to its existing share repurchase program authorized by the Board of Trustees. EQR repurchased $6.3$1.1 million (171,161(47,450 shares at an average price per share of $36.78)$23.69) of its Common Shares during the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2008.March 31, 2009. Concurrent with these transactions, the Operating Partnership repurchased and retired 171,16147,450 OP Units previously issued to EQR. As of September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, EQR had authorization to repurchase an additional $469.3$466.5 million of its shares. The Company has no current intention to make any material repurchases. See Note 3 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

The Operating Partnership’s total debt summary and debt maturity schedules as of September 30, 2008March 31, 2009 are as follows:

 

3532


Debt Summary as of September 30, 2008March 31, 2009

(Amounts in thousands)

 

  Amounts (1)    % of Total      Weighted  
Average

Rates (1)
  Weighted
Average
    Maturities    
(years)
    Amounts (1)        % of Total          Weighted    
Average
Rates (1)
      Weighted    
Average
Maturities
(years)

Secured

    $4,493,886    44.5%  5.19%  8.6      $4,941,277   49.0%  4.84%  8.3 

Unsecured

   5,607,519    55.5%  5.47%  5.7     5,141,358   51.0%  5.42%  5.5 
                        

Total

    $    10,101,405    100.0%  5.35%  6.9      $10,082,635   100.0%  5.14%  6.8 
                        

Fixed Rate Debt:

                

Secured – Conventional

    $3,283,251    32.5%  6.01%  7.2      $3,681,350   36.5%  5.97%  7.2 

Unsecured – Public/Private

   4,845,410    48.0%  5.67%  5.9     4,429,508   43.9%  5.99%  5.7 

Unsecured – Tax Exempt

   111,390    1.1%  5.06%  20.6     75,790   0.8%  5.20%  20.2 
                        

Fixed Rate Debt

   8,240,051    81.6%  5.78%  6.6     8,186,648   81.2%  5.97%  6.5 
                        

Floating Rate Debt:

                

Secured – Conventional

   592,374    5.9%  3.89%  4.3     624,022   6.2%  2.11%  2.1 

Secured – Tax Exempt

   618,261    6.1%  2.58%  20.7     635,905   6.3%  0.79%  21.3 

Unsecured – Public/Private

   650,719    6.4%  4.02%  1.7     600,460   6.0%  1.49%  1.3 

Unsecured – Tax Exempt

   35,600   0.3%  0.46%  19.7 

Unsecured – Revolving Credit Facility

   -    -    4.29%  3.4       -  -  2.8 
                        

Floating Rate Debt

   1,861,354    18.4%  3.50%  8.5     1,895,987   18.8%  1.43%  8.3 
                        

Total

    $10,101,405    100.0%  5.35%  6.9      $    10,082,635   100.0%  5.14%  6.8 
                        

 

(1)

Net of the effect of any derivative instruments. Weighted average rates are for the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2008.March 31, 2009.

Note: The Operating Partnership capitalized interest of approximately $45.1$10.6 million and $30.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Operating Partnership capitalized interest of approximately $15.6 million and $12.9$14.7 million during the quarters ended September 30,March 31, 2009 and 2008, and 2007, respectively.

Debt Maturity Schedule as of September 30, 2008March 31, 2009

(Amounts in thousands)

 

Year

        Fixed      
      Rate (1)      
        Floating      
Rate (1)
  Total        % of Total        Weighted Average
Rates on Fixed
Rate Debt (1)
  Weighted Average
Rates on

Total Debt (1)
  Fixed
Rate (1)
  Floating
Rate (1)
  Total      % of Total        Weighted Average  
Rates on Fixed

Rate Debt (1)
    Weighted Average  
Rates on

Total Debt (1)

2008

    $6,313      $10,200      $16,513    0.2%  7.56%  5.65%

2009

   425,874     519,134     945,008    9.3%  6.44%  5.16%    $155,979     $463,187     $619,166   6.1%  7.53%  4.03%

2010 (2)

   290,192     635,409     925,601    9.2%  7.02%  4.60%   274,993    670,053    945,046   9.4%  7.23%  3.22%

2011 (3)

   1,544,508     48,665     1,593,173    15.8%  5.59%  5.63%   1,253,533    78,417    1,331,950   13.2%  5.56%  5.35%

2012

   907,930     2,889     910,819    9.0%  6.08%  6.08%   924,579    3,673    928,252   9.2%  6.01%  6.01%

2013

   566,320     -     566,320    5.6%  5.93%  5.93%   565,865       565,865   5.6%  5.93%  5.93%

2014

   517,462     -     517,462    5.1%  5.28%  5.28%   516,959       516,959   5.1%  5.28%  5.28%

2015

   355,592     -     355,592    3.5%  6.41%  6.41%   355,081       355,081   3.5%  6.41%  6.41%

2016

   1,089,314     -     1,089,314    10.8%  5.32%  5.32%   1,088,709       1,088,709   10.8%  5.32%  5.32%

2017

   803,645     456     804,101    8.0%  6.01%  6.01%   1,345,997    456    1,346,453   13.4%  5.87%  5.87%

2018+

   1,732,901     644,601     2,377,502    23.5%  5.85%  5.66%
2018   335,500    44,677    380,177   3.8%  5.96%  5.61%
2019+   1,369,453    635,524    2,004,977   19.9%  5.85%  4.91%
                                    

Total

    $8,240,051      $1,861,354      $    10,101,405    100.0%  5.84%  5.56%    $    8,186,648     $    1,895,987     $    10,082,635   100.0%  5.83%  5.18%
                                    

 

(1)

Net of the effect of any derivative instruments. Weighted average rates are as of September 30, 2008.March 31, 2009.

(2)

Includes the Operating Partnership’s $500.0 million floating rate term loan facility, which matures on October 5, 2010, subject to two one-year extension options exercisable by the Operating Partnership.

(3)

Includes $650.0$531.1 million face value of 3.85% convertible unsecured debt with a final maturity of 2026. The notes are callable by the Operating Partnership on or after August 18, 2011. The notes are putable by the holders on August 18, 2011, August 15, 2016 and August 15, 2021.

36


The following table provides a summary of the Operating Partnership’s unsecured debt as of September 30, 2008:March 31, 2009:

33


Unsecured Debt Summary as of September 30, 2008March 31, 2009

(Amounts in thousands)

 

      Coupon    
Rate
  Due
Date
   Face
Amount
  Unamortized
Premium/
(Discount)
  Net
        Balance        
  Coupon
Rate
  Due
      Date      
   Face
    Amount    
    Unamortized  
Premium/
(Discount)
  Net
Balance

Fixed Rate Notes:

                      
  4.750%  06/15/09   (1)    $271,520      $(176)     $271,344    4.750%  06/15/09 (1)    $122,239     $(26)    $122,213 
  6.950%  03/02/11      300,000     2,256     302,256    6.950%  03/02/11 (2)   114,806    1,914    116,720 
  6.625%  03/15/12      400,000     (1,015)    398,985    6.625%  03/15/12    400,000    (868)   399,132 
  5.500%  10/01/12      350,000     (1,381)    348,619    5.500%  10/01/12    350,000    (1,208)   348,792 
  5.200%  04/01/13      400,000     (533)    399,467    5.200%  04/01/13    400,000    (473)   399,527 
  5.250%  09/15/14      500,000     (366)    499,634    5.250%  09/15/14    500,000    (337)   499,663 
  6.584%  04/13/15      300,000     (727)    299,273    6.584%  04/13/15    300,000    (672)   299,328 
  5.125%  03/15/16      500,000     (399)    499,601    5.125%  03/15/16    500,000    (372)   499,628 
  5.375%  08/01/16      400,000     (1,453)    398,547    5.375%  08/01/16    400,000    (1,360)   398,640 
  5.750%  06/15/17      650,000     (4,450)    645,550    5.750%  06/15/17    650,000    (4,196)   645,804 
  7.125%  10/15/17      150,000     (587)    149,413    7.125%  10/15/17    150,000    (554)   149,446 
  7.570%  08/15/26      140,000     -     140,000    7.570%  08/15/26    140,000       140,000 
  3.850%  08/15/26   (2)   650,000     (7,279)    642,721    3.850%  08/15/26 (3)   531,092    (20,477)   510,615 

Floating Rate Adjustments

     (1)   (150,000)    -     (150,000)      (1)   (100,000)      (100,000)
                            
        4,861,520     (16,110)    4,845,410          4,458,137    (28,629)   4,429,508 
                            

Fixed Rate Tax Exempt Notes:

                      
  4.750%  12/15/28   (3)   35,600     -     35,600    5.200%  06/15/29 (4)   75,790       75,790 
  5.200%  06/15/29   (3)   75,790     -     75,790                
              

Floating Rate Tax Exempt Notes:

           
        111,390     -     111,390    7-Day SIFMA  12/15/28 (4)   35,600       35,600 
                            

Floating Rate Notes:

                      
    06/15/09   (1)   150,000     -     150,000      06/15/09 (1)   100,000       100,000 

FAS 133 Adjustments – net

     (1)   719     -     719       (1)   460       460 

Term Loan Facility

  L+0.50%  10/05/10   (3)(4)   500,000     -     500,000    LIBOR+0.50%  10/05/10 (4) (5)   500,000       500,000 
                            
        650,719     -     650,719          600,460       600,460 
                            

Revolving Credit Facility:

  L+0.50%  02/28/12   (5)   -     -     -    LIBOR+0.50%  02/28/12 (6)         
                            

Total Unsecured Debt

         $    5,623,629      $(16,110)     $5,607,519           $    5,169,987     $    (28,629)    $    5,141,358 
                            

Note: SIFMA stands for the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association and is the tax-exempt index equivalent of LIBOR.

 

(1)

$150.0100.0 million in fair value interest rate swaps converts a portion of the 4.750% notes due June 15, 2009 to a floating interest rate. During the quarter ended September 30, 2008,On January 27, 2009, the Operating Partnership repurchased $28.5$105.2 million of these notes at par pursuant to a discount to parcash tender offer announced on January 16, 2009. In conjunction with the tender offer, the Operating Partnership terminated $50.0 million of the $150.0 million in fair value swaps outstanding at January 1, 2009 and received approximately 0.9% and recognized a gain on early debt extinguishment of $0.3$0.4 million.

(2)

On January 27, 2009, the Operating Partnership repurchased $185.2 million of these notes at par pursuant to a cash tender offer announced on January 16, 2009.

(3)

Convertible notes mature on August 15, 2026. The notes are callable by the Operating Partnership on or after August 18, 2011. The notes are putable by the holders on August 18, 2011, August 15, 2016 and August 15, 2021. During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership repurchased $17.5 million of these notes at a discount to par of approximately 11.6% and recognized a gain on early debt extinguishment of $2.0 million. Effective January 1, 2009, the Operating Partnership adopted FSP APB 14-1, which requires companies to expense the implied option value inherent in convertible debt. In conjunction with this adoption, the Operating Partnership recorded an adjustment of $17.3 million to the beginning balance of the discount on its convertible notes.

(3)(4)

Notes are private. All other unsecured debt is public.

(4)(5)

Represents the Operating Partnership’s $500.0 million term loan facility, which matures on October 5, 2010, subject to two one-year extension options exercisable by the Operating Partnership.

(5)(6)

As of September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, there was no amount outstanding and approximately $1.34$1.31 billion available on the Operating Partnership’s unsecured revolving credit facility.

As of OctoberApril 30, 2008,2009, an unlimited amount of debt securities remains available for issuance by the Operating Partnership under a registration statement that became automatically effective upon filing with the SEC in June 2006December

34


2008 (under SEC regulations enacted in 2005, the registration statement automatically expires on June 29, 2009December 21, 2011 and does not contain a maximum issuance amount). As of OctoberApril 30, 2008, $956.5 million in2009, an unlimited amount of equity securities remains available for issuance by EQR under a registration statement the SEC declared effective in February 1998.December 2008 (under SEC regulations enacted in 2005, the registration statement automatically expires on December 15, 2011 and does not contain a maximum issuance amount). Per the terms of ERPOP’s partnership agreement, EQR contributes the net proceeds of all equity offerings to the capital of the Operating Partnership in exchange for additional OP Units (on a one-for-one Common Share per OP Unit basis) or preference units (on a one-for-one preferred

37


share per preference unit basis).

The Operating Partnership’s “Consolidated Debt-to-Total Market Capitalization Ratio” as of September 30, 2008March 31, 2009 is presented in the following table. The Operating Partnership calculates the equity component of its market capitalization as the sum of (i) the total outstanding OP Units at the equivalent market value of the closing price of EQR’s Common Shares on the New York Stock Exchange; (ii) the “OP Unit Equivalent” of all convertible preference units;units/interests; and (iii) the liquidation value of all perpetual preference units outstanding.

Capital Structure as of September 30, 2008March 31, 2009

(Amounts in thousands except for unit and per unit amounts)

 

Secured Debt

      $4,493,886    44.5%        $4,941,277   49.0%  

Unsecured Debt

     5,607,519    55.5%       5,141,358   51.0%  
                    

Total Debt

     10,101,405    100.0%  43.6%     10,082,635   100.0%  64.6%

OP Units

   289,100,259        

Units

   290,127,346       

OP Unit Equivalents (see below)

   418,153           405,555       
                  

Total outstanding at quarter-end

   289,518,412           290,532,901       

EQR Common Share Price at September 30, 2008

    $44.41        

EQR Common Share Price at March 31, 2009

    $18.35       
                  
     12,857,513    98.5%       5,331,279   96.4%  

Perpetual Preference Units (see below)

     200,000    1.5%       200,000   3.6%  
                    

Total Equity

     13,057,513    100.0%  56.4%     5,531,279   100.0%  35.4%

Total Market Capitalization

      $    23,158,918      100.0%      $    15,613,914     100.0%

Convertible Preference Units as of September 30, 2008March 31, 2009

(Amounts in thousands except for unit and per unit amounts)

 

Series

    Redemption  
Date
    Outstanding  
Units
    Liquidation  
Value
    Annual  
Dividend
Per Unit
     Annual    
Dividend
Amount
  Weighted
Average
Rate
    Conversion  
Ratio
  OP Unit
  Equivalents  
  Redemption 
Date
  Outstanding 
Units
  Liquidation 
Value
 Annual
 Dividend 
Per Unit
 Annual
 Dividend 
Amount
  Weighted 
Average
Rate
  Conversion 
Ratio
 OP Unit
 Equivalents 

Preference Units:

                       

7.00% Series E

  11/1/98    338,616      $8,465      $1.75     $593      1.1128    376,812   11/1/98 328,466    $    8,212    $    1.75    $575   1.1128  365,517 

7.00% Series H

  6/30/98    23,359     584     1.75    41      1.4480    33,824   6/30/98 22,459   561   1.75   39   1.4480  32,521 

Junior Preference Units:

                       

8.00% Series B

  7/29/09    7,367     184     2.00    15      1.020408    7,517   7/29/09 7,367   184   2.00   15   1.020408  7,517 
                               

Total Convertible Preference Units

    369,342      $9,233       $649    7.03%    418,153    358,292    $8,957     $    629  7.02%  405,555 

Perpetual Preference Units as of September 30, 2008March 31, 2009

(Amounts in thousands except for unit and per unit amounts)

 

Series

   Redemption  
Date
   Outstanding  
Units
   Liquidation  
Value
     Annual    
Dividend
Per Unit
     Annual    
Dividend
Amount
 Weighted
Average
Rate
    Redemption  
Date
    Outstanding  
Units
    Liquidation  
Value
  Annual
  Dividend  
Per Unit
  Annual
  Dividend  
Amount
    Weighted  
Average
Rate

Preference Units:

                  

8.29% Series K

 12/10/26   1,000,000     $50,000     $4.145     $4,145     12/10/26  1,000,000     $50,000     $    4.145     $4,145   

6.48% Series N

 6/19/08   600,000    150,000    16.20    9,720     6/19/08  600,000    150,000    16.20    9,720   
                        

Total Perpetual Preference Units

  1,600,000     $200,000      $13,865   6.93%    1,600,000     $    200,000       $    13,865   6.93%

35


The Operating Partnership generally expects to meet its short-term liquidity requirements, including capital expenditures related to maintaining its existing properties and certain scheduled unsecured note and mortgage note repayments, generally through its working capital, net cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under its revolving credit facility. TheUnder normal operating conditions, the Operating Partnership considers its cash provided by operating activities to be adequate to meet operating requirements and payments of distributions. However, there may be times when the Operating Partnership experiences shortfalls in its coverage of distributions, which may cause the Operating Partnership to consider reducing its distributions and/or using the proceeds from property dispositions or additional financing transactions to make up the difference. Should these shortfalls occur for lengthy periods of time or be material in nature, the Operating Partnership’s financial condition may be adversely affected and it may not be able to maintain its current distribution levels. The Operating Partnership also expects to meet its long-term liquidity requirements, such as scheduled unsecured

38


note and mortgage debt maturities, property acquisitions, financing of construction and development activities and capital improvements through the issuance of unsecured notes and equity securities, including additional OP Units, and proceeds received from the disposition of certain properties as well as joint ventures. In addition, the Operating Partnership has significant unencumbered properties available to secure additional mortgage borrowings in the event that the public capital markets are unavailable or the cost of alternative sources of capital is too high. The fair value of and cash flow from these unencumbered properties are in excess of the requirements the Operating Partnership must maintain in order to comply with covenants under its unsecured notes and line of credit. Of the $18.6$18.7 billion in investment in real estate on the Operating Partnership’s balance sheet at September 30, 2008, $11.4March 31, 2009, $11.1 billion or 61.3%59.6%, was unencumbered. However, there can be no assurances that these sources of capital will be available to the Operating Partnership in the future.

As of OctoberApril 30, 2008,2009, the Operating Partnership’s senior debt credit ratings from Standard & Poors (“S&P”), Moody’s and Fitch are BBB+, Baa1 and A-, respectively. As of OctoberApril 30, 2008,2009, EQR’s preferred equity ratings from S&P, Moody’s and Fitch are BBB-, Baa2 and BBB+, respectively.

The Operating Partnership has a long-term revolving credit facility with available borrowings as of $1.34March 31, 2009 of $1.31 billion whichthat matures in February 2012 (see Note 10 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion). This facility may, among other potential uses, be used to fund property acquisitions, costs for certain properties under development and short termshort-term liquidity requirements. As of OctoberApril 30, 2008,2009, no amounts were outstanding under this facility.

See Note 16 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of the events which occurred subsequent to September 30, 2008.March 31, 2009.

Capitalization of Fixed Assets and Improvements to Real Estate

Our policy with respect to capital expenditures is generally to capitalize expenditures that improve the value of the property or extend the useful life of the component asset of the property. We track improvements to real estate in two major categories and several subcategories:

 

 ¡ 

Replacements (inside the unit). These include:

 o¡

flooring such as carpets, hardwood, vinyl, linoleum or tile;

 o¡

appliances;

 o¡

mechanical equipment such as individual furnace/air units, hot water heaters, etc;

 o¡

furniture and fixtures such as kitchen/bath cabinets, light fixtures, ceiling fans, sinks, tubs, toilets, mirrors, countertops, etc; and

 o¡

blinds/shades.

All replacements are depreciated over a five-year estimated useful life. We expense as incurred all make-ready maintenance and turnover costs such as cleaning, interior painting of individual units and the repair of any replacement item noted above.

 

 ¡ 

Building improvements (outside the unit). These include:

 o¡

roof replacement and major repairs;

 o¡

paving or major resurfacing of parking lots, curbs and sidewalks;

 o¡

amenities and common areas such as pools, exterior sports and playground equipment, lobbies, clubhouses, laundry rooms, alarm and security systems and offices;

 o¡

major building mechanical equipment systems;

 o¡

interior and exterior structural repair and exterior painting and siding;

36


 o¡

major landscaping and grounds improvement; and

 o¡

vehicles and office and maintenance equipment.

All building improvements are depreciated over a five to ten-year estimated useful life. We capitalize building improvements and upgrades only if the item: (i) exceeds $2,500 (selected projects must exceed $10,000); (ii) extends the useful life of the asset; and (iii) improves the value of the asset.

39


For the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, our actual improvements to real estate totaled approximately $131.4$26.6 million. This includes the following (amounts in thousands except for unit and per unit amounts):

Capitalized Improvements to Real Estate

For the Nine MonthsQuarter Ended September 30, 2008March 31, 2009

 

  Total
    Units (1)    
      Replacements      Avg.
    Per Unit    
  Building
    Improvements    
  Avg.
    Per Unit    
  Total  Avg.
    Per Unit    
  Total
  Units (1)  
      Replacements          Avg.    
Per Unit
        Building      
    Improvements    
  Avg.
  Per Unit  
          Total          Avg.
  Per Unit  

Established Properties (2)

  106,135      $29,759      $280      $42,088      $397      $71,847      $677    112,050     $8,556     $    76     $6,398     $    57     $14,954     $    133 

New Acquisition Properties (3)

  20,543     4,255     228     13,847     743     18,102     971    13,784    724    54    1,642    121    2,366    175 

Other (4)

  6,471     32,650       8,766       41,416      6,135    8,125      1,199      9,324   
                                    

Total

  133,149      $66,664        $64,701        $    131,365      131,969     $    17,405       $    9,239       $    26,644   
                                    

 

(1)

Total units – Excludes 10,4469,560 unconsolidated units and 3,7314,703 military housing (fee managed) units, for which capitalized improvements to real estate are self-funded and do not consolidate into the Operating Partnership’s results.

(2)

Established Properties – Wholly Owned Properties acquired prior to January 1, 2006.2007.

(3)

New Acquisition Properties – Wholly Owned Properties acquired during 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2008.2009. Per unit amounts are based on a weighted average of 18,64313,524 units.

(4)

Other – IncludesPrimarily includes properties either partially owned or sold during the period, commercial space and corporate housing and condominium conversions.housing. Also includes $25.2$7.4 million included in replacements spent on various assets related to major renovations and repositioning of these assets.

For 2008,2009, the Operating Partnership estimates an annual stabilized run rate of approximately $1,100$925 per unit of capital expenditures for its established properties. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.

During the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership’s total non-real estate capital additions, such as computer software, computer equipment, and furniture and fixtures and leasehold improvements to the Operating Partnership’s property management offices and its corporate offices, were approximately $2.1$0.7 million. The Operating Partnership expects to fund approximately $1.7$1.3 million in additions to non-real estate property for the remainder of 2008.2009. The above assumption is based on current expectations and is forward-looking.

Improvements to real estate and additions to non-real estate property are generally funded from net cash provided by operating activities.activities and from investment cash flow.

Derivative Instruments

In the normal course of business, the Operating Partnership is exposed to the effect of interest rate changes. The Operating Partnership seeks to limit these risks by following established risk management policies and procedures including the use of derivatives to hedge interest rate risk on debt instruments.

The Operating Partnership has a policy of only entering into contracts with major financial institutions based upon their credit ratings and other factors. When viewed in conjunction with the underlying and offsetting exposure that the derivatives are designed to hedge, the Operating Partnership has not sustained a material loss from those instruments nor does it anticipate any material adverse effect on its net income or financial position in the future from the use of derivatives it currently has in place.

See Note 11 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of derivative instruments at September 30, 2008.March 31, 2009.

 

4037


Other

Total distributions paid in October 2008April 2009 amounted to $142.0$142.6 million (excluding distributions on Partially Owned Properties), which included certain distributions declared during the thirdfirst quarter ended September 30, 2008.March 31, 2009.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

The Operating Partnership has co-invested in various properties that are unconsolidated and accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Management does not believe these investments have a materially different impact upon the Operating Partnership’s liquidity, cash flows, capital resources, credit or market risk than its property management and ownership activities. During 2000 and 2001, the Operating Partnership entered into institutional ventures with an unaffiliated partner. At the respective closing dates, the Operating Partnership sold and/or contributed 45 properties containing 10,846 units to these ventures and retained a 25% ownership interest in the ventures. The Operating Partnership’s joint venture partner contributed cash equal to 75% of the agreed-upon equity value of the properties comprising the ventures, which was then distributed to the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership’s strategy with respect to these ventures was to reduce its concentration of properties in a variety of markets. The Operating Partnership sold three properties consisting of 670 units and one property consisting of 400 units during the yearyears ended December 31, 2007.2008 and 2007, respectively. In addition, the Operating Partnership sold one property consisting of 216 units during the quarter ended March 31, 2009. The Operating Partnership and its joint venture partner currently intend to wind up these investments over the next few years by selling the related assets. The Operating Partnership cannot estimate what, if any, profit it will receive from these dispositions or if the Operating Partnership will in fact receive its equity back.

As of September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership has 10eight projects totaling 3,5682,826 units in various stages of development with estimated completion dates ranging through June 30, 2011. The development agreements currently in place are discussed in detail in Note 14 of the Operating Partnership’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

See also Notes 2 and 6 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion regarding the Operating Partnership’s investments in partially owned entities.

The Operating Partnership’s contractual obligations for the next five years and thereafter have not changed materially from the amounts and disclosures included in its annual report on Form 10-K, other than as it relates to scheduled debt maturities. See the updated debt maturity schedule included in Liquidity and Capital Resources for further discussion.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. If our judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions had been different or different assumptions were made, it is possible that different accounting policies would have been applied, resulting in different financial results or different presentation of our financial statements.

The Operating Partnership has identified six significant accounting policies as critical accounting policies. These critical accounting policies are those that have the most impact on the reporting of our financial condition and those requiring significant judgments and estimates. With respect to these critical accounting policies, management believes that the application of judgments and estimates is consistently applied and produces financial information that fairly presents the results of operations for all periods presented. The six critical accounting policies are:

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, Including Goodwill

The Operating Partnership periodically evaluates its long-lived assets, including its investments in real estate and goodwill, for indicators of permanent impairment. The judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on factors such as operational performance, market conditions expected holding period of each asset and legal and environmental concerns.concerns, as well as the Operating Partnership’s ability to hold and its intent with regard to each asset. Future events could occur which would cause the Operating Partnership to conclude that impairment indicators exist and an impairment loss is warranted.

41


Depreciation of Investment in Real Estate

The Operating Partnership depreciates the building component of its investment in real estate over a 30-year estimated useful life, building improvements over a 5-year to 10-year estimated useful life and both the furniture, fixtures

38


and equipment and replacements components over a 5-year estimated useful life, all of which are judgmental determinations.

Cost Capitalization

See theCapitalization of Fixed Assets and Improvements to Real Estate section for discussion of the policy with respect to capitalization vs. expensing of fixed asset/repair and maintenance costs. In addition, the Operating Partnership capitalizes the payroll and associated costs of employees directly responsible for and who spend all of their time on the supervision of major capital and/or renovation projects. These costs are reflected on the balance sheet as an increase to depreciable property.

The Operating Partnership follows the guidance in SFAS No. 67,Accounting for Costs and Initial Rental Operations of Real Estate Projects, for all development projects and uses its professional judgment in determining whether such costs meet the criteria for capitalization or must be expensed as incurred. The Operating Partnership capitalizes interest, real estate taxes and insurance and payroll and associated costs for those individuals directly responsible for and who spend all of their time on development activities, with capitalization ceasing no later than 90 days following issuance of the certificate of occupancy. These costs are reflected on the balance sheet as construction-in-progress for each specific property. The Operating Partnership expenses as incurred all payroll costs of on-site employees working directly at our properties, except as noted above on our development properties prior to certificate of occupancy issuance and on specific major renovations at selected properties when additional incremental employees are hired.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Including Derivative Instruments

The Operating Partnership follows the guidance under SFAS No. 157 when valuing its financial instruments. The valuation of financial instruments under SFAS No. 107 and SFAS No. 133, as amended, requires the Operating Partnership to make estimates and judgments that affect the fair value of the instruments. The Operating Partnership, where possible, bases the fair values of its financial instruments, including its derivative instruments, on listed market prices and third party quotes. Where these are not available, the Operating Partnership bases its estimates on current instruments with similar terms and maturities or on other factors relevant to the financial statements.instruments.

Revenue Recognition

Rental income attributable to residential leases is recorded on a straight-line basis, which is not materially different than if it were recorded when due from residents and recognized monthly as it wasis earned. Leases entered into between a resident and a property for the rental of an apartment unit are generally year-to-year, renewable upon consent of both parties on an annual or monthly basis. Fee and asset management revenue and interest income are recorded on an accrual basis.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for its share-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R),Share-Based Payment, effective January 1, 2006, which results in compensation expense being recorded based on the fair value of the share compensation granted.

Any EQR Common Shares issued pursuant to EQR’s incentive equity compensation and employee share purchase plans will result in the Operating Partnership issuing OP Units to EQR on a one-for-one basis, with the Operating Partnership receiving the net cash proceeds of such issuances.

42


The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. This model is only one method of valuing options and the Company’s use of this model should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its accuracy. Because the Company’s share options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management’s opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its share options and the actual value of the options may be significantly different.

39


Funds From Operations

For the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, Funds From Operations (“FFO”) available to OP Units increaseddecreased by $17.0$2.1 million or 3.2%, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2008, FFO available to OP Units increased by $16.8 million, or 9.7%1.2%, as compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2007.March 31, 2008.

The following is a reconciliation of net income to FFO available to OP Units for the nine months and quarters ended September 30, 2008March 31, 2009 and 2007:2008:

Funds From Operations

(Amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

  Nine Months Ended September 30,  Quarter Ended September 30,  Quarter Ended March 31,
  2008  2007  2008  2007  2009  2008 (3)

Net income

    $480,435      $923,756      $189,537      $488,579      $85,421     $147,528 

Adjustments:

            

Net loss (income) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests –
Partially Owned Properties

   69    (268)

Depreciation

   437,935     420,347     152,157     143,987     150,045    141,195 

Depreciation – Non-real estate additions

   (6,057)    (6,137)    (1,976)    (1,964)    (1,898)   (2,051)

Depreciation – Partially Owned and Unconsolidated Properties

   3,103     3,262     1,063     1,181     183    1,034 

Net gain on sales of unconsolidated entities

   -     (2,629)    -     (2,629)    (2,765)   

Discontinued operations:

            

Depreciation

   10,001     45,688     1,605     10,307     443    6,385 

Net gain on sales of discontinued operations

   (365,052)    (847,490)    (150,255)    (461,987)    (61,871)   (122,517)

Net incremental (loss) gain on sales of condominium units

   (2,643)    18,773     447     5,186     (64)   366 
                  

FFO (1) (2)

   557,722     555,570     192,578     182,660     169,563    171,672 

Preferred distributions

   (10,898)    (19,594)    (3,632)    (4,320)    (3,624)   (3,637)

Premium on redemption of Preference Units

   -     (6,144)    -     (6,144) 
                  

FFO available to OP Units (1) (2)

    $546,824      $529,832      $188,946      $172,196  
            

FFO available to Units (1) (2)

    $    165,939     $    168,035 
      

 

(1)

The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) defines funds from operations (“FFO”) (April 2002 White Paper) as net income (computed in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”)), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of depreciable property, plus depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. Adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures will be calculated to reflect funds from operations on the same basis. The April 2002 White Paper states that gain or loss on sales of property is excluded from FFO for previously depreciated operating properties only. Once the Operating Partnership commences the conversion of units to condominiums, it simultaneously discontinues depreciation of such property. FFO available to OP Units is calculated on a basis consistent with net income available to OP Units and reflects adjustments to net income for preferred distributions and premiums on redemption of preference units/interests in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

 

(2)

The Operating Partnership believes that FFO and FFO available to OP Units are helpful to investors as supplemental measures of the operating performance of a real estate company, because they are recognized measures of performance by the real estate industry and by excluding gains or losses related to dispositions of depreciable property and excluding real estate depreciation (which can vary among owners of identical assets in similar condition based on historical cost accounting and useful life estimates), FFO and FFO available to OP Units can help compare the operating performance of a company’s real estate between periods or as compared to different companies. FFO and FFO available to OP Units do not represent net income, net income available to OP Units or net cash flows from operating activities in accordance with GAAP. Therefore, FFO and FFO available to OP Units should not be exclusively considered as alternatives to net income, net

43


income available to OP Units or net cash flows from operating activities as determined by GAAP or as measures of liquidity. The Operating Partnership’s calculation of FFO and FFO available to OP Units may differ from other real estate companies due to, among other items, variations in cost capitalization policies for capital expenditures and, accordingly, may not be comparable to such other real estate companies.

(3)

Net income, FFO and FFO available to Units have all been reduced by approximately $2.5 million in the first quarter of 2008 for the retrospective application of FSP APB 14-1 on convertible debt, which the Operating Partnership adopted as required on January 1, 2009.

40


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Operating Partnership’s market risk has not changed materially from the amounts and information reported in Item 7A,7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, to the Operating Partnership’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.2008. See theCurrent Environment section of Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations as well as an update to our risk factors discussed in Part II, Item 1A,Risk Factors, relating to market risk and the current economic environment. See also Note 11 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of derivative instruments.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures:

Effective as of September 30, 2008,March 31, 2009, the Operating Partnership carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Operating Partnership’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of EQR, of the effectiveness of the Operating Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Operating Partnership in its Exchange Act filings is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting:

There were no changes to the internal control over financial reporting of the Operating Partnership identified in connection with the Operating Partnership’s evaluation referred to above that occurred during the thirdfirst quarter of 20082009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

4441


PART II.         OTHER INFORMATION

PART II.OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The Operating Partnership does not believe that there have been any material developments in the legal proceedings that were discussed in Part I, Item 3 of the Operating Partnership’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.2008.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Except for the risk factors set forth below, thereThere have been no material changes to the risk factors that were discussed in Part I, Item 1A of the Operating Partnership’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. The risk factors set forth below are disclosed to provide additional information.2008.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(c)DisruptionsOP Units Repurchased in the Financial Markets Could Adversely Affect Our Ability to Obtain Debt Financing and Impact our Acquisitions and DispositionsQuarter Ended March 31, 2009

The United States credit markets have experienced, and could continueOperating Partnership repurchased the following OP Units during the quarter ended March 31, 2009:

Period

      Total Number    
of OP Units
Purchased (1)
  Average
Price
    Paid Per    
Unit (1)
  Total Number of
  OP Units Purchased  
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans

or Programs (1)
    Dollar Value of OP  
Units that May

Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs (1)

January 2009

      $      $467,660,443 

February 2009

  47,450     $23.69   47,450     $466,536,298 

March 2009

      $      $    466,536,298 
              

First Quarter 2009

  47,450     $    23.69   47,450   

(1)

The OP Units repurchased during the quarter ended March 31, 2009 represent OP Units redeemed in response to repurchases of Common Shares under the Company’s publicly announced share repurchase program approved by its Board of Trustees. All of the shares repurchased during the quarter ended March 31, 2009 were repurchased from employees at an average price of $23.69 per share (the average of the then current market prices) to cover the minimum statutory tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of employees’ restricted shares. EQR has authorization to repurchase an additional $466.5 million of its shares as of March 31, 2009.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to experience, significant dislocations and liquidity disruptions. These circumstances have materially impacted liquidity ina Vote of Security Holders

Pursuant to a Consent Solicitation Statement dated February 6, 2009 (as filed with the debt markets, making financing terms for us less attractive, and resulted inSEC), the unavailabilityOperating Partnership solicited the consent of its limited partners to certain typesamendments to the Operating Partnership’s limited partnership agreement (the “Amendments”) primarily relating to the issuance, under EQR’s long-term compensation plan, of debt financing. If the capital and credit markets continuea class of partnership interests, known as LTIP Units, to experience volatility and the availabilityofficers of funds remains limited, we will incur increased costs associated with issuing debt instruments. In addition, it is possible that our abilityEQR as an alternative to access the capital and credit markets may be limitedEQR’s restricted shares. Limited partners holding 13,264,459 OP Units, or precluded by these or other factors at a time when we would like, or need, to do so, which would have an impact on our ability to refinance maturing debt and/or react to changing economic and business conditions. Due to disruptions in the floating rate tax exempt bond market where the interest rates reset weekly and in the credit market’s perception of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, who guaranty and provide liquidity for these bonds, we have experienced and could continue to experience an increase in interest rates on these debt obligations. Uncertainty in the credit markets could negatively impact our ability to make acquisitions and make it more difficult or not possible for us to sell properties or may adversely affect the price we receive for properties that we do sell, as prospective buyers may experience increased costs of debt financing or difficulties in obtaining debt financing. Potential continued disruptions in the financial markets could also have other unknown adverse effects on us or the economy generally.

Non-Performance by Our Counterparties Could Adversely Affect Our Performance

Although we have not experienced any material counterparty non-performance, the disruption in financial and credit markets could, among other things, impede the ability of our counterparties to perform on their contractual obligations. There are multiple financial institutions that are individually committed to lend us varying amounts as part of our revolving credit facility. One of the financial institutions, with a commitment of $75.0 million, has recently declared bankruptcy and it is unlikely that they would honor their financial commitment. While we are currently negotiating with other banks to replace this provider, if we are unsuccessful, our borrowing capacity under the credit facility could be permanently reduced. In addition, the parent of one79.52% of the Operating Partnership’s insurance providers has also experienced liquidity issuesissued and while there has yetoutstanding OP Units as of the record date for the solicitation, voted on this matter, which received the affirmative consent of limited partners holding in excess of 67% of the outstanding OP Units required to be any non-performance, should any occur it could negatively impactapprove the Operating Partnership.

A Significant Downgrade in Our Credit Ratings Could Adversely Affect Our Performance

A significant downgrade in our credit ratings, while not affecting our ability to draw proceeds underAmendments. The results of the revolving credit facility, would cause our borrowing costs to increase under the facility and also would impact our ability to borrow secured and unsecured debt by increasing borrowing costs and causing shorter borrowing periods, or otherwise limit our access to capital.vote are as follows:

 

45


Item 5.  Other Information

EQR’s compensatory plans and agreements with certain of its executive officers and eligible employees provide for certain benefits upon retirement at or after age 62. As of November 4, 2008, but effective as of January 1, 2009, EQR changed the definition of retirement for employees (including all officers but not members of EQR’s Board of Trustees) under its 2002 Share Incentive Plan and 1993 Share Option and Share Award Plan (collectively, the “Plans”) and other compensatory agreements. For employees hired prior to January 1, 2009, retirement generally will mean the termination of employment (other than for cause): (i) on or after age 62; or (ii) prior to age 62 after meeting the requirements of the Rule of 70 (described below). For employees hired after January 1, 2009, retirement generally will mean the termination of employment (other than for cause) after meeting the requirements of the Rule of 70.

The Rule of 70 is met when an employee’s years of service with EQR (which must be at least 15 years) plus his or her age (which must be at least 55 years) on the date of termination equals or exceeds 70 years. In addition, the employee must give EQR at least 6 months’ advance written notice of his or her intention to retire and sign a release upon termination of employment, releasing EQR from customary claims and agreeing to ongoing non-competition and employee non-solicitation provisions.

The following executive officers of EQR will become eligible for retirement under the new definition of retirement of employees in the next three years: Frederick C. Tuomi, President—Property Management – 2009; Bruce C. Strohm, Executive Vice President and General Counsel – 2010; and David J. Neithercut, Chief Executive Officer and President – 2011.

For employees hired prior to January 1, 2009, who retire at or after age 62, such employee’s unvested restricted shares and share options would immediately vest, and share options would continue to be exercisable for the balance of the applicable ten-year option period, as was provided under the Plans prior to the adoption of the Rule of 70.

For all other employees (those hired after January 1, 2009 and those hired before such date who choose to retire prior to age 62), upon such retirement under the new definition of retirement of employees, such employee’s unvested restricted shares and share options would continue to vest per the original vesting schedule (subject to immediate vesting upon the occurrence of a subsequent change in control of EQR or the employee’s death), and options would continue to be exercisable for the balance of the applicable ten-year option period, subject to the employee’s compliance with the non-competition and employee non-solicitation provisions. If an employee violates these provisions after such retirement, all unvested restricted shares and unvested and vested share options at the time of the violation would be void, unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Trustees of EQR.

The new definition of retirement of employees will similarly apply to the Executive Retirement Benefits Agreements entered into between each of Mr. Neithercut, Mr. Tuomi, Mr. Strohm and Alan George, EQR’s Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, and EQR in February 2001, and the Split Dollar Agreements entered into by such executives and EQR in December 1997.

           FOR                  AGAINST                  ABSTAIN        

Total OP Units

  12,192,976   1,009,240   62,243 

% of Voted OP Units

  91.92%  7.61%  0.47%

% of Outstanding

  73.10%  6.05%  0.37%

Item 6. ExhibitsSee the Exhibit Index

 

4642


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

BY: EQUITY RESIDENTIAL

ITS GENERAL PARTNER

Date:May 7, 2009

 ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By:  /s/    Mark J. Parrell

 BY:EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
ITS GENERAL PARTNER
Date:November 6, 2008By:

/s/                Mark J. Parrell

                     Mark J. Parrell

                Executive Vice President and

 

                Chief Financial Officer

Date:May 7, 2009

                 Executive Vice President and

By:  /s/    Ian S. Kaufman

                 Chief Financial Officer
Date:November 6, 2008By:

/s/                Ian S. Kaufman

                     Ian S. Kaufman

                First Vice President and

  ��              First Vice President and

                Chief Accounting Officer

 

4743


EXHIBIT INDEX

The exhibits listed below are filed as part of this report. References to exhibits or other filings under the caption “Location” indicate that the exhibit or other filing has been filed, that the indexed exhibit and the exhibit referred to are the same and that the exhibit referred to is incorporated by reference. The Commission file number for our Exchange Act filings referenced below is 0-24920.

 

Exhibit

  

Description

  

Location

10.1

3.1

  First Amendment to Equity Residential

Sixth Amended and Restated 2002 Share Incentive Plan.Agreement of Limited Partnership for ERP Operating Limited Partnership dated as of March 12, 2009.

  

Included as Exhibit 10.1 to EQR’sthe Operating Partnership’s Form 8-K dated March 12, 2009, filed on March 18, 2009.

10.1*

Form of First Amendment to Amended and Restated Change in Control/Severance Agreement with each executive officer.

Included as Exhibit 10.1 to Equity Residential’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008.March 31, 2009.

10.2

10.2*

  Fourth Amendment to

Change in Control Agreement dated as of March 13, 2009 by and between Equity Residential 1993 Share Option and Share Award Plan.Mark J. Parrell, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Registrant’s General Partner.

  

Included as Exhibit 10.2 to EQR’sthe Operating Partnership’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008.8-K dated March 12, 2009, filed on March 18, 2009.

10.3

31.1

  Form of Letter Agreement between Equity Residential and each of David J. Neithercut, Frederick C. Tuomi, Alan W. George and Bruce C. Strohm.Included as Exhibit 10.3 to EQR’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008.
10.4The Equity Residential Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan as Amended and Restated Effective November 1, 2008.Included as Exhibit 10.4 to EQR’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008.
31.1

Certification of David J. Neithercut, Chief Executive Officer of Registrant’s General Partner.

  

Attached herein.

31.2

  

Certification of Mark J. Parrell, Chief Financial Officer of Registrant’s General Partner.

  

Attached herein.

32.1

  

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of David J. Neithercut, Chief Executive Officer of Registrant’s General Partner.

  

Attached herein.

32.2

  

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of Mark J. Parrell, Chief Financial Officer of Registrant’s General Partner.

  

Attached herein.

* Management contracts and compensatory plans or arrangements filed as exhibits to this report are identified by an asterisk.