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43 Leases

Accounting Policies

IFRS 16 “Leases,” which is applied as a mandatory requirement since January 1, 2019 introduces only one accounting model (right-of-use model) for lessees, based on which all leases are to be recognized in the balance sheet as a matter of principle. The distinction between operating and finance leases only remains in place for accounting as the lessor.

All contracts that give the Vonovia Group the right to control the use of an identified asset over a certain period of time in return for consideration are considered leases within the meaning of IFRS 16.

For all lease contracts that meet the definition of leases according to IFRS 16, Vonovia recognizes lease liabilities equal to the present value of the future lease payments, discounted using the term-specific incremental borrowing rate. Correspondingly, right-of-use assets are recognized in the amount of the lease liabilities, plus any advance payments or any initial direct costs.

The lease liabilities are adjusted in line with financial principles. They are increased by the periodic interest expenses and reduced by the lease payments made.

The right-of-use assets are generally recognized at amortized cost, taking depreciation and impairments into account. Right-of-use assets that meet the definition of investment properties (IAS 40) are recognized at fair value in line with the recognition and measurement rules set out in IAS 40.

Changes within the lease term or within the lease payments lead to a remeasurement of the present value and, as a result, to an adjustment of the lease liability and the right-of-use asset.

Periods resulting from extension or termination options granted on an unilateral basis are assessed on a case-by-case basis and are only taken into account if their use is sufficiently probable – for example, due to financial incentives.

There is an accounting option available for short-term leases and leases of low-value assets. Vonovia makes use of this option, meaning that such leases are not recognized. As far as rented IT equipment is concerned, portfolios are, in some cases, set up for lease contracts with similar terms and a single discount rate is applied to these portfolios.

Those variable lease payments, which are not included in the measurement of the lease liabilities, as well as lease payments associated with short-term leases, with leases of low-value assets and with lease contracts that do not meet the definition of leases according to IFRS 16 are recognized as expenses on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

In addition to conventional vehicle leasing over a fixed lease term of three to five years, the Vonovia Group also leases IT equipment (IT leasing), rented residential, commercial and care home properties for subleasing (interim rental agreements), heat generation plants to supply the Group’s own properties with heat (contracting), smoke detectors and heat meters (metering technology), leasing of land for the construction of owner-occupied commercial properties, as well as office buildings, office spaces, warehouse spaces and parking spaces (lease agreements). Under license agreements with public-sector institutions, Vonovia is granted the right to use public properties as storage locations or parking spaces, to lay cables or heating pipes, or to construct playgrounds. Long-term leasehold contracts, however, have the biggest impact on the company’s net assets, financial position and results of operations. These involve Vonovia leasing land for the rental of constructed residential and commercial properties. These contracts generally have a term of 99 years.

Development of Right-of-use Assets

Development of Right-of-use Assets

in € million

Dec. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2021

Right-of-use assets

Leasehold contracts

1,431.9

1,685.3

Interim rental agreements

1.3

3.8

Right-of-use assets within investment properties

1,433.2

1,689.1

Leasing of land for the construction of owner-occupied commercial properties

27.3

27.4

Lease agreements

22.9

45.1

Contracting

15.9

56.8

Vehicle leases

2.6

4.8

Tenancy and license agreements

0.6

0.5

Leases of IT equipment

3.0

2.1

Metering technology

38.2

Right-of-use assets within property, plant and equipment

72.3

174.9

1,505.5

1,864.0

As of December 2021 the right-of-use assets resulting from leases amount to € 1,864.0 million (2020: € 1,505.5 million).

The majority of the right-of-use assets amounting to € 1,689.1 million is reported under investment properties and does not only result from interim lease agreements (residential and commercial properties) and agreements on subleased care home properties (€ 3.8 million), but mainly from leasehold contracts (€ 1,685.3 million). The other right-of-use assets totaling € 174.9 million are reported under property, plant and equipment and mainly include right-of-use assets resulting from heat contracting (€ 56.8 million), concluded lease agreements (€ 45.1 million), contracts connected with leased metering technology (€ 38.2 million), the leasing of land for the construction of owner-occupied comercial properties (€ 27.4 million) and vehicle leases (€ 4.8 million).

Development of Lease Liabilities

Development of Lease Liabilities

Dec. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2021

in € million

Due within one year

Due in 1 to 5 years

Due after 5 years

Due within one year

Due in 1 to 5 years

Due after 5 years

Lease liabilities

Leasehold contracts (IAS 40)

10.6

35.3

371.9

11.5

40.3

446.1

Interim rental agreements

0.9

0.4

1.4

2.6

0.0

Leasing of land for the construction of owner-occupied commercial properties

0.1

0.5

27.3

0.1

0.5

27.4

Lease agreements

8.3

13.4

1.5

10.4

23.1

11.8

Contracting

5.0

5.7

7.9

11.8

32.1

14.1

Vehicle leases

1.5

1.1

2.2

2.6

Tenancy and license agreements

0.1

0.1

0.5

0.0

0.0

0.5

Leases of IT equipment

1.3

1.7

1.2

1.0

Metering technology

5.6

19.9

12.8

27.8

58.2

409.1

44.2

122.1

512.8

As of December 31, 2021 the lease liabilities amount to € 679.1 million (2020: € 495.1 million).

The year-over-year increase in lease liabilities of € 184.0 million is primarily acquisition-related, with € 129.8 million of this figure attributable to the takeover of Deutsche Wohnen SE as of Sep. 30, 2021. Increased lease payments and renewals of leasehold contracts led to a rise in leasing obligations of € 31.4 million. A further € 18.2 million results from the office complex in Essen leased for customer services in December 2021 (rental agreements).

Totaling € 512.8 million, the majority of the lease liabilities recognized as of December 31, 2021 are due after more than five years. Of this amount, € 446.1 million is attributable to lease liabilities from leasehold contracts. € 44.2 million is due within the next year. € 11.5 million of this amount is attributable to leasehold contracts.

The following table shows the development of the right-of-use assets reported under property, plant and equipment:

Development of the right-of-use assets reported under property, plant and equipment in the fiscal year

in € million

Carrying amount of right-of-use assets Jan. 1, 2021

Additions 2021

Depreciation 2021

Carrying amount of right-of-use assets Dec. 31, 2021

Interest expenses 2021

Leasing of land for the construction of owner-occupied commercial properties

27.3

0.3

-0.4

27.4

0.8

Lease agreements

22.9

35.1

-10.2

45.1

0.2

Contracting

15.9

47.4

-6.1

56.8

0.6

Vehicle leases

2.6

5.0

-2.7

4.8

0.0

Tenancy and license agreements

0.6

0.0

-0.1

0.5

0.0

Leases of IT equipment

3.0

1.4

-1.3

2.1

0.0

Metering technology

40.4

-1.2

38.2

0.0

72.3

129.6

-22.0

174.9

1.6

Development of the right-of-use assets reported under property, plant and equipment in the previous year

in € million

Carrying amount of right-of-use assets Jan. 1, 2020

Additions 2020

Depreciation 2020

Carrying amount of right-of-use assets Dec. 31, 2020

Interest expenses 2020

Leasing of land for the construction of owner-occupied commercial properties

26.2

1.5

-0.3

27.3

0.7

Lease agreements

21.4

9.3

-7.7

22.9

0.3

Contracting

19.7

0.8

-4.5

15.9

0.5

Vehicle leases

6.3

1.4

-4.9

2.6

Tenancy and license agreements

2.4

1.7

-1.5

0.6

Leases of IT equipment

4.4

0.2

-1.6

3.0

80.4

14.9

-20.5

72.3

1.5

The interest expenses recognized in the 2021 fiscal year resulting from leases pursuant to IFRS 16 amounted to € 15.8 million (2020: € 16.1 million), mainly from leasehold contracts (€ 14.2 million).

In the 2021 fiscal year, a total of 279 lease contracts (2020: 479) were classified as short-term leases and thus were not recognized in line with the accounting option available. The corresponding expenses, recognized in the 2021 fiscal year, amounted to € 0.7 million (2020: € 1.7 million). Expenses relating to leases of low-value assets amounting € 1.2 million in the 2021 fiscal year (2020: € 0.0 million) mostly result from leased office equipment. Expenses totaling € 7.2 million were incurred in connection with variable lease payments made in the 2021 fiscal year (2020: € 9.1 million). These have not been included in the measurement of lease liabilities.

In addition to variable lease payments as well as payments resulting from short-term leases and leases of low-value assets, each included in the cash flow from operating activities, interest payments and repayments of lease liabilities totaling € 43.1 million were incurred in the 2021 fiscal year (2020: € 38.4 million). Thus, the total cash outflow for leases in 2021 amounted to € 52.2 million (2020: € 49.2 million).

Total income from subleasing, mostly from subleasing of right-of-use assets in connection with rented residential, commercial and care home properties, amounts to € 9.4 million (2020: € 8.3 million). As of the reporting date, there were no significant non-cancellable subleases on the Spree-Bellevue property.

The loss arising from the rental of the sold Spree-Bellevue property (sale and leaseback transaction) in 2021 amounted to € 0.9 million (2020: loss of € 0.7 million). This does not have any material impact on the Group’s cash flows.