VALUATION
OF LEASES – INTERNATIONAL NOTE
1.0
Introduction
1.1
International Valuation Standards (IVS) General Valuation Concepts
and Principles distinguish between real estate, the physical
tangible “thing” (see Concepts/ Principles 3.0), and real
property which pertains to the rights, interests, and benefits
related to the ownership of real estate. Lease interests are a
form of real property, arising from the contractual relationship (the
terms of which are conveyed by a lease) between a lessor,
one who owns the property leased to another, anda lessee, or
tenant, one who typically receives a non-permanent right to use the
leased property in return for rental payments, or other valuable
economic consideration.
1.2
To avoid misunderstandings or misrepresentations, Valuers and users
of valuation services should recognise the important distinction
between the physical and the legal issues involved in considering the
value of lease interests.
1.3 This class of
ownership is, as for the fee simple or freehold interest, common to all
types of property assets valued. A piece of real estate may comprise
one or more property interests, each of which will have a Market
Value providing it is capable of being freely exchanged.
1.4
In no circumstances is it considered proper to value different
property interests in the same piece of real estate separately
and then to aggregate their values as an indication of the real
estate’s total value. Lease contracts establish unique legal
estates that are different from fee simple, or freehold, ownership.
1.5 International
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) (including International
Accounting Standards (IASs)) contain specific accounting requirements
for property that is either held under a lease, or subject to a lease.
1.6 The relationships
between different legal interests in the same property can be complex
and can be made more confusing by the different terminology used to
describe the various interests. This Guidance Note (GN) seeks to
address and clarify these issues.
2.0
Scope
2.1 This GN sets out definitions, principles, and important
considerations in the valuation of and related reporting for lease
interests.
2.2 This GN is to be
applied with particular reference to IVS Concepts and Principles and to
IVS 1 and 2, and IVA 1 and 2.
2.3 This GN applies in
States where a lessee holds an interest in land and/or buildings, which
is regarded as a separate legal estate. A lease interest is subordinate
to a superior interest, which itself may be either another lease
interest for a longer term or the ultimate fee simple, or freehold,
interest.
3.0
Definitions
Terms
basic to the definition and valuation of legal interests include the
following:
3.1.1
Freehold Interest. A fee simple estate, representing the
perpetual ownership in land.
3.1.2
Lease. A contract arrangement in which rights of use and
possession are conveyed from a property’s title owner (called the
landlord, or lessor) in return for a promise by another (called a
tenant, or lessee) to pay rents as prescribed by the lease. In
practice the rights and the duties of the parties can be complex, and
are dependent on the specified terms of their contract.
3.1.3
Lessor Interest. The interest held by the lessor in any of the
circumstances set out in para. 3.1.5, 3.1.6, or 3.1.7 below.
3.1.4
Lease Interest, also known as Lessee Interest, Tenant’s
Interest, or Leasehold Estate. The ownership interest
that
is created by the terms of a lease rather than the underlying rights
of real estate ownership. The lease interest is subject to the terms
of a specific lease arrangement, expires within a specified time, and
may be capable of subdivision, or subleasing to other parties.
3.1.5
Freehold subject to Lease Interest/s, has the same meaning as
Leased Fee Interest, representing the ownership interest of a lessor
owning real estate that is subject to (a) lease(s) to others.
3.1.6
Headlease, or Master Lease. A lease to a single entity
that is intended to be the holder of subsequent leases to sublessees
that will be the tenants in possession of the leased premises.
3.1.7
Headleasehold Interest has the same meaning as Sandwich Lessor
Interest. The holder of a headlease or master lease.
3.1.8
Ground Lease. Usually a long-term lease of land with the lessee
permitted to improve or build on the land and to enjoy those benefits
for the term of the lease.
3.1.9 Rent Types
3.1.9.1
Market Rent. The estimated amount for which a property, or space
within a property, should lease on the date of valuation between a
willing lessor and a willing lessee on appropriate lease terms in an
arm’s-length transaction, after proper marketing wherein the
parties had each acted knowledgeably, prudently, and without
compulsion.
Whenever
Market Rent is provided, the “appropriate lease terms”
which it reflects should also be stated.
3.1.9.2
Contract Rent, or Passing Rent. The rent specified by a
given lease arrangement; although a given contract rent may equate to
the Market Rent, in practice they may differ substantially,
particularly
for
older leases with fixed rental terms.
3.1.9.3
Turnover Rent, or Participation Rent. Any form of lease
rental arrangement in which the lessor receives a form of rental that
is based on the earnings of the lessee. Percentage rent is an example
of a turnover rent.
3.10 Marriage
Value, or Merged Interests Value. The excess value, if
any, produced by a merging of two or more interests in a property,
over-and-above the sum of the values of those individual interests.
3.11 Sale and Leaseback.
A simultaneous sale of real estate and lease of the same property to
the seller. The buyer becomes the lessor, or landlord, and the seller
becomes the lessee, or tenant. Because there may be unique
circumstances or relationships between the parties, sale and leaseback
transactions may or may not involve typical market terms.
4.0
Relationship to Accounting Standards
4.1
Leased property is accounted for differently from freehold property,
plant and equipment under IFRSs/IASs.The valuation requirements are
summarized
in IVA 1 and Addendum A to IVA 1.
5.0
Guidance
5.1 Lease interests are
valued on the same general principles as freeholds, but with
recognition of the differences created by the lease contract
encumbering the freehold interest, which may cause the interest to be
unmarketable or restricted.
5.2 Lease interests, in
particular, are often subject to restrictive covenants or alienation
provisions.
5.3 Freeholds subject to
an operating lease are for accounting purposes generally
considered investment property, and as such are valued on the
basis of Market Value. Head leasehold interests are also
commonly valued on the basis of Market Value.
5.4
In some States a lessee may have a statutory right to purchase the
lessor’s interest, usually the freehold, or may have an absolute or
conditional right to a renewal of the lease for a term of years. The
Valuer should draw attention to the existence of statutory rights and
indicate in the Valuation Report or Certificate whether or not regard
has been paid to them.
5.5
The importance of the distinction between the physical matter and the
legal interest in it is critical to valuation. For example, a lease
might specify that the lessee has no right to sell or transfer the
leasehold interest, causing it to be unmarketable during the term of
the lease. Its value to the lessee, therefore, lies solely in the
rights of use and occupancy. The leasehold value may be expressed in
monetary terms but is not a Market Value as the interest
cannot be sold in the market. However, the lessor’s interest
(leased fee value) does have a Market Value, based on the
value of the rental income during the lease together with any
residual value remaining at the end of the lease.
5.6
Each legal interest in a property shall be valued as a separate
entity and not treated as though merged with another interest. Any
calculation of merged interests value or marriage value
should be referred to in supplementary advice only and may be
undertaken as a valuation based on specific assumptions only and
where the Valuer’s Report is appropriately qualified.
5.7
Onerous lease covenants may adversely affect the Market Value of
a lease interest. The Valuer must draw attention in the Valuation
Report to the
existence of such circumstances. The most common situation where this
adverse effect arises involves restrictions on assignment, or on the
right to sublet.
5.8
Inter-Company Leases
5.8.1
Where a property is subject to a lease or tenancy agreement
between two companies in the same group, it is acceptable to take
account of the existence of that agreement, providing the
relationship between the parties is disclosed in the report, and that
the agreement is on arm’s-length terms in accordance with normal
commercial practice. When the valuation is being undertaken for
inclusion in a financial statement, it is acceptable to reflect any
inter-company leases, providing the interests of one of the parties
to the lease are being valued. However, if the interest of the group
is being valued for inclusion in its consolidated accounts, the
existence of any inter-company leases should be disregarded.
(International Accounting Standard 40, para B21)
5.9
Leasehold Alterations
5.9.1
When valuing any property interest that is subject to a lease, it
is important that Valuers establish whether any alterations or
adaptations have been made to the property by the lessee. If so the
following questions need to be addressed:
a)
has the lessee complied with any lease conditions or restrictions
relating to the alterations?
b)
what is the impact of any state laws on the rights of the parties in
relation to the alterations?
c)are
the alterations obligatory or voluntary? (see below)
d)is there any obligation on the lessor to compensate the lessee for
the cost or value of the work, or on the lessee to remove the
alterations at the lease end?
5.9.2
Leasehold alterations fall into two main categories:
a)
Obligatory alterations: These usually arise where a property
is leased in a basic state or constructed to a “shell”
specification that is not suitable for occupation without the lessee
undertaking further building or fitting-out work. The lease will
often impose a condition that such work be carried out by the lessee
within a certain timescale
b)
Voluntary alterations:Typically these arise where a property
is leased in a completed state ready for immediate occupation, but
where the lessee elects to undertake work to improve or adapt the
accommodation to suit the lessee’s own particular requirements.
Although
the tenant may regard these as alterations, the general market may
not.
5.9.3
Obligatory alterations will usually have a beneficial impact on
the Market Rent. Voluntary alterations may have a beneficial,
neutral or detrimental effect on the Market Rent, depending
upon their nature and degree of specialisation. The degree to which
the impact on the Market Rent is reflected in the value of
either the lessor’s or the lessee’s interest will depend upon the
answers to the questions in 5.9.1.
5.10
Negative Market Values
5.10.1 Where lease
interests are liabilities to an undertaking, they may have a negative Market
Value.
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5.11
General
Due
to the relative complexity of lease interest valuations, it is
essential that the client or the client’s legal advisor provide the
Valuer with either copies of all the leases or, for multitenanted
property, typical sample leases together with a summary of lease
terms on the other leases.
6.0
Effective Date
6.1
This International Valuation Guidance Note became effective 31
January 2005.
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