Applying IFRS in Real Estate

Applying IFRS in Real Estate
IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement

Fair value implications for the
real estate sector and example
disclosures for real estate
entities
January 2013

Contents
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 2
Section A – IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement: implications for the real estate sector ............................... 3
A1. Background.............................................................................................................................. 3
A2. Principal impacts ...................................................................................................................... 3
A3. The definition of fair value......................................................................................................... 4
A4. The concept of highest and best use........................................................................................... 5
A4.1 Assessment ........................................................................................................................ 5
A4.2 Valuing the highest and best use — alternative use and asset modifications .............................. 6
A4.3 Highest and best use and impairment testing ......................................................................... 6
A5. The valuation premise for property interests .............................................................................. 7
A6. Assessing whether an appraisal complies with IFRS 13 ................................................................ 8
A7. Appropriate valuation techniques .............................................................................................. 8
A8. Applying the fair value hierarchy to real estate appraisals .......................................................... 10
A9. Expanded disclosure requirements ........................................................................................... 12
A9.1 General ............................................................................................................................ 12
A9.2 Asset classes .................................................................................................................... 12
A10. Final thoughts ...................................................................................................................... 15
Section B – Illustrative set of disclosures required under IFRS 13 for a real estate entity with investment
properties ....................................................................................................................................... 16
B1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 16
B2. Illustrative disclosures – Overview ............................................................................................ 16
B3. Illustrative disclosure – Early adoption ...................................................................................... 17
B4. Illustrative disclosure – Classes of investment property .............................................................. 17
B5. Illustrative disclosure – Fair value measurement, valuation techniques, changes in valuation
techniques, inputs and other key information.................................................................................. 19
B6. Illustrative disclosure – Reconciliation of balances of classes of investment property .................... 26
B7. Illustrative disclosure – Valuation process ................................................................................. 31
B8. Illustrative disclosure – Sensitivity information .......................................................................... 32
B9. Illustrative disclosure – Highest and best use ............................................................................. 35

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Fair value implications for the real estate sector and example disclosures for real estate entities

Introduction
IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement is effective for annual periods on or after 1 January 2013. IFRS 13 establishes a single
framework for fair value measurement when it is required or permitted by IFRS.
In Section A, we focus on a number of the implications of IFRS 13 for the real estate sector. This section includes recent
discussions on critical issues on fair value measurement of real property and supersedes our previous publication,
IFRS 13 Fair value measurement — 21st century real estate values Implications for the real estate and construction
industries issued in 2011. In Section B, we provide selected illustrative disclosures of a real estate entity, which has
investment properties measured at fair value, in its first set of financial statements after adoption of IFRS 13. This
publication should be read in conjunction with Good Real Estate Group (International) Limited Illustrative financial
statements for the year ended 31 December 2012 (Good Real Estate).1
IFRS 13 prescribes the minimum disclosures required. It is often necessary to provide additional disclosures to explain
significant transactions or unusual circumstances. In addition, accounting policy choices need to be disclosed to help the
user understand the financial statements.
The challenge for any entity is to produce financial statements with disclosures that are useful for decision-making. This
publication focuses on IFRS 13 disclosures, which rely heavily on the judgement of management. While the disclosures
that are included in Section B are for illustrative purposes only, we believe that they are a good example of how the
disclosure objectives of IFRS 13 can be met by a real estate entity.2

IFRS 13 at a glance
• IFRS 13 does not change when an entity is required to use fair value. Instead, IFRS 13 describes how to measure
fair value under IFRS when it is required or permitted by IFRS.
• The current requirements in IAS 40 Investment Property relating to fair value determination will be replaced by
the requirements in IFRS 13.
• The definition of fair value in IFRS 13 is consistent with market value as defined in International Valuation
Standards (IVS). But, perhaps confusingly, it differs from the IVS definition of fair value.
• IFRS 13 includes concepts of highest and best use, valuation premise and requires application of a fair value
hierarchy.
• Whilst, in most cases, IFRS 13 does not differ from existing practice, management does need to be aware of the
conceptual differences between IFRS 13 and IVS to ensure any values used for financial reporting that are
obtained from appraisals, whether external or internal, are consistent with the objective of fair value
measurement in accordance with IFRS 13.
• A challenge for any entity is to produce financial statements with disclosures that are useful for decision-making.
IFRS 13 significantly expands disclosure requirements – and the extent and nature of IFRS 13 disclosures will rely
heavily on the judgement of management.
• IFRS 13 is effective for annual periods commencing on or after 1 January 2013.

1

This publication is available at www.ey.com/ifrs.
For a more complete discussion of the implications of IFRS 13, refer to Applying IFRS: IFRS 13 Fair value measurement (November, 2012),
which is available at www.ey.com/IFRS.

2


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Section A – IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement: implications for the real estate
sector
A1. Background
IFRS 13 was issued by the IASB3 in May 2011. IFRS 13 describes how to measure fair value under IFRS when it is
required or permitted by IFRS. The standard does not change when an entity is required to use fair value. It also sets out
certain requirements for disclosures related to fair value. As a result of the consequential amendments to other
standards upon the adoption of IFRS 13, the current requirements in IAS 40 for determining fair value will be replaced
by the requirements in IFRS 13.

A2. Principal impacts
For real estate entities, the adoption of IFRS 13 could result in significant changes to processes and procedures for
determining fair value and providing the required disclosures. While the requirement to determine fair value by
reference to market participants is not new, the definition of fair value in IFRS 13 differs from that proposed by IVS,
which are the generally accepted standards for professional appraisal practice in valuing real estate internationally. The
fair value framework set out in IFRS 13 contains specific requirements relating to highest and best use, valuation
premise, and principal (or most advantageous) market. This may require entities and their appraisers to re-evaluate and
reconsider their methods, assumptions, processes and procedures for determining fair value.
The use of external appraisers, as is common for property interests (including investment property interests), does not
reduce management’s ultimate responsibility for the fair value measurements and related disclosures in the entity’s
financial statements. Therefore, regardless of whether valuations are performed externally or internally, management
must understand the methodologies and assumptions used in the valuations and determine whether the assumptions
are reasonable and consistent with the requirements of IFRS 13.
Real estate entities may be affected by IFRS 13 in various aspects of their business when:
•

Measuring property interests at fair value

•

Testing property interests for impairment

•

Determining the fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities as part of the purchase price allocation applied in a
business combination

•

Measuring an interest in a real estate joint venture or associate at fair value using the exception under IAS 28
Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures

•

Compiling and disclosing information on the fair values of property interests, including but not limited to significant
assumptions, adjustments to unobservable inputs and qualitative and quantitative sensitivity analysis.

The principal elements of IFRS 13 that affect real estate entities are dealt with in the following sections.

3

3

International Accounting Standard Board.


A3. The definition of fair value
In IFRS 13, fair value is defined as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an
orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.”4 Accordingly, this price is an exit price. The
definition of fair value in IFRS 13 includes the assumption that fair value is measured based on a hypothetical and
orderly transaction and, until IFRS 13 was published, these concepts were not explicitly stated in IFRS.
IFRS 13 states, “The price in the principal (or most advantageous) market used to measure the fair value of the asset or
liability shall not be adjusted for transaction costs.”5 Transaction costs are defined as the costs to sell an asset (or
transfer a liability) that are directly attributable to the disposal of an asset (or the transfer of the liability), i.e., the costs
the seller would incur. However, IFRS 13 discusses transaction costs only from the perspective of the holder of the asset
(i.e., the seller). It does not discuss the costs that might be incurred by a potential buyer of the asset or whether such
costs might influence the price a buyer would be willing to pay to acquire the asset.
The definition in IFRS 13 differs from IVS, which states in its revised IVS Framework6:
“Fair value is the estimated price for the transfer of an asset or liability between identified knowledgeable and willing
parties that reflects the respective interests of those parties.”
And:
“For purposes other than use in financial statements, fair value can be distinguished from market value. Fair value
requires the assessment of the price that is fair between two identified parties taking into account the respective
advantages or disadvantages that each will gain from the transaction. It is commonly applied in judicial contexts. In
contrast, market value requires any advantages that would not be available to market participants generally to be
disregarded. ”

How we see it
IFRS requires any advantages that would not be available to market participants generally to be disregarded. This is
different from IVS. Management needs to be aware of this conceptual difference to ensure any values used for
financial reporting that are obtained from appraisals, whether external or internal, are consistent with the objective
of a fair value measurement in accordance with IFRS 13.

4
5
6

IFRS 13, Appendix A
IFRS 13, paragraph 25
International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC), International Valuation Standards, July 2011, paragraphs 39-43


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A4. The concept of highest and best use
A4.1 Assessment
Under IFRS 13, an entity’s current use of an asset is generally taken to be its highest and best use, unless market or
other factors suggest that a different use of that asset by market participants would maximise its value. If such factors
exist, management is required to consider all relevant information in determining whether the highest and best use of a
property is different from its current use at the measurement date. IFRS 13 states7:
“A fair value measurement of a non-financial asset takes into account a market participant’s ability to generate
economic benefits by using the asset in its highest and best use or by selling it to another market participant that
would use the asset in its highest and best use.
The highest and best use of a non-financial asset takes into account the use of the asset that is physically possible,
legally permissible and financially feasible, as follows:
(a) A use that is physically possible takes into account the physical characteristics of the asset that market
participants would take into account when pricing the asset (eg the location or size of a property).
(b) A use that is legally permissible takes into account any legal restrictions on the use of the asset that market
participants would take into account when pricing the asset (eg the zoning regulations applicable to a property).
(c) A use that is financially feasible takes into account whether a use of the asset that is physically possible and
legally permissible generates adequate income or cash flows (taking into account the costs of converting the
asset to that use) to produce an investment return that market participants would require from an investment in
that asset put to that use.”
The IASB states that to be taken into account to determine the fair value, the use of an asset does not need to be legal
at the measurement date, but it must not be legally prohibited in the jurisdiction.8 For example, if the government of a
particular country has prohibited building or development in a protected area, the highest and best use of the land in
that area cannot be to develop it for industrial use.
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) does not make any reference to the IFRS 13 concept of highest and
best use in its definition of fair value. Instead, its valuation concepts state:
”...where the price offered by prospective buyers generally in the market would reflect an expectation of a change in
the circumstances of the property in the future, this element of ‘hope value’ is reflected in market value.”
Examples of ’hope value’ include:
•

The prospect of development when there is no current permission for development

•

The prospect of synergistic value arising from a merger with another property

The European Group of Valuers’ Association (TEGoVA) followed the RICS methodology in its European Valuation
Standards 2012 (EVS 2012). EVS 2012 emphasises that the market value of a property reflects the full potential of that
property so far as it is recognised by others in the market. As the full potential of a property may reflect possible uses
that are not legally permissible at the valuation date, but may become so in the future, the TEGoVA’s market value
seems to include an element of hope value.
For over 30 years, the real estate valuation profession has sought to harmonise its standards and methodologies, as
evident in the development of a common definition for market value that is now endorsed by the IVSC, TEGoVA and
RICS. Unfortunately, a common definition has not led to a common interpretation. The problem has been further
complicated by the introduction of a new definition of fair value in IFRS 13. At least two of the recognised international
valuation standard setters, RICS and TEGoVA, advocate that the hope value should be considered in the assessment of
market value. However, it is unclear whether or to what extent including the hope value would be in line with the
concept of highest and best use set out in IFRS 13.
7
8

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IFRS 13, paragraphs 27 and 28
IFRS 13, Basis for Conclusions, paragraph 69


How we see it
Considerable judgement may have to be applied in determining when an anticipated change in use is legally
permissible. For example, if approval is required for re-zoning land or for an alternative use of existing property
interests, it may be necessary to assess whether such approval is perfunctory or not. Entities should document the
evidence to support their view on market participants’ assumptions about the ability to obtain the required
approvals. In particular, caution should be given to any legal restrictions.
A4.2 Valuing the highest and best use — alternative use and asset modifications
When management has determined that the highest and best use of an asset is something other than its current use, certain
valuation matters must be considered. Appraisals that reflect the effect of a reasonably anticipated change in what is legally
permissible should be carefully evaluated. If the appraised value assumes that a change in use can be obtained, the valuation
should be reduced to reflect market participant assumptions regarding the cost and profit margin associated with obtaining
approval for the change in use and transforming the asset, in addition to capturing the risk that the approval might not be
granted (i.e., uncertainty regarding the probability and timing of the approval). An entity should also evaluate inputs used in
the valuation of similar assets that do not have similar uncertainties, for example, uncertainty related to obtaining a permit.
Refer to Section A6 for considerations in assessing whether an appraisal complies with IFRS 13.
Expectations about future improvements or modifications to be made to the property interest to reflect its highest and best
use may be considered in the appraisal, e.g., the renovation of the property interest or the conversion of an office into
condominiums, but only if and when other market participants would also consider making these investments. The cash
flows used should reflect only the cash flows that market participants would take into account when assessing fair value.
This includes both the type of cash flows (e.g., future capital expenditure) and the estimated amount of cash flows. Only if
this hurdle is met would the fair value of the property interest be determined on the basis of the expected future cash flows
of the renovated or transformed asset. However, as noted above, when this is the case, the fair value measurement needs
to also capture the cost and profit margin that market participants would demand for transforming the asset.
The fair value measurement assumes that the asset is sold in its current condition with any renovation or transformation
being performed by the market participants who acquire the asset. Accordingly, management should evaluate whether
transformation costs and any associated profits resulting from the transformation process have been included in the
appraised value and if the inclusion of such amounts is appropriate.
A4.3 Highest and best use and impairment testing
The highest and best use concept is not only relevant for property interests carried at fair value. It is also relevant to the
impairment testing of investment property interests carried at cost and other non-financial assets held by real estate
entities when impairment is measured on the basis of fair value less costs of disposal.
IAS 36 Impairment of Assets stipulates that impairment arises if the recoverable amount of an asset is lower than its
carrying value. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s or cash generating unit’s fair value less costs of
disposal and its value in use. IFRS also states that:
•

If either of these amounts exceeds the asset’s carrying amount, the asset is not impaired and it is not necessary to
estimate the other amount9

•

Fair value differs from value in use, as defined in IAS 3610

Fair value reflects the assumptions market participants would use when pricing the asset; it assumes that market
participants will pay a price that reflects the highest and best use of the asset. Consequently, the highest and best use
concept applies when fair value less costs of disposal is the basis of the impairment test. In contrast, the value in use
concept reflects the reporting entity’s estimates based on its expected use of the asset, including the effects of factors
that may be specific to the entity and not applicable to entities in general. IAS 36 states11:

9

IAS 36, paragraph 19
IAS 36, paragraph 53A
11
IAS 36, paragraph 45
10


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“Because future cash flows are estimated for the asset in its current condition, value in use does not reflect:
(a) future cash outflows or related cost savings (for example reductions in staff costs) or benefits that are expected
to arise from a future restructuring to which an entity is not yet committed; or
(b) future cash outflows that will improve or enhance the asset's performance or the related cash inflows that are
expected to arise from such outflows.”

How we see it
Only in rare circumstances will it be possible to determine the fair value of an investment property based on current
prices in an active market. Accordingly, if fair value is used for impairment testing, it may have to be estimated using
other valuation techniques, such as discounted cash flow projections. If fair value is estimated using discounted cash
flow projections, care is needed to ensure the projections reflect the asset’s highest and best use.

A5. The valuation premise for property interests
When determining the highest and best use for non-financial assets, such as property interests, it is important to
determine whether the highest and best use of that property interest is its use in combination with other assets and/or
liabilities, or on a stand-alone basis. If the fair value of an asset for which highest and best use is its use in combination
with other assets and/or liabilities, fair value is determined assuming the asset is sold for use by market participants in
combination with those other complementary assets and/or liabilities. Market participants are assumed to hold those
complementary assets and/or liabilities already. In contrast, the fair value of a property interest that provides maximum
value on a stand-alone basis is measured based on the price that would be received to sell that property interest on a
stand-alone basis.
To illustrate, consider a mixed-use property interest that has residential housing, a hotel and retail space. If the
aggregate fair value of the mixed-use property interest is higher to market participants than the sum of the fair value of
the individual property interests because of synergies and complementary cash flows, the fair value of that mixed-use
property interest would be maximised as a group. That is, the fair value is determined for the mixed-use property
interest as a whole.
While the mixed-use property interest is one example in which fair value would be maximised as a group, in most cases,
it would not be appropriate to estimate fair value of property interests as a group or portfolio of assets. Entities
generally should not assume the fair value of a property interest is maximised through its use with other assets, unless
there is sufficient evidence to support this assertion. In many instances when valuing property interests, fair value is
determined based on the price that would be received in a current transaction to sell the asset on a stand-alone basis.
Determining whether the maximum value to market participants would be achieved by using a real estate asset in
combination with other real estate assets and/or liabilities, or by using the real estate asset on a stand-alone basis
requires considerable judgement of the specific facts and circumstances.
IFRS 13 sets out that the unit of account for the asset to be measured at fair value must be determined in accordance
with the IFRS that requires or permits the fair value measurement.12 If, for example, a real estate entity owns a
portfolio of several office buildings located in different cities and all of them have been classified as investment
properties under IAS 40, then each building would probably present a separate unit of account (rather than the whole
portfolio being considered as one unit of account). A block discount, which would be incurred if the portfolio of
properties were sold as a whole, cannot be considered in the fair value measurement of the individual properties.13

12
13

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A6. Assessing whether an appraisal complies with IFRS 13
Although certain of the concepts of IFRS 13 may be similar to concepts in IVS, an assessment of the appraisal should be
performed to determine that the appraised value is an appropriate measure of fair value for financial reporting (i.e., the
appraisal has been performed in accordance with the principles of IFRS 13). As a result, management may conclude that
an adjustment to the valuation is necessary to comply with IFRS 13.
Assessing compliance with IFRS 13 would include, but is not limited to, determining whether:
•

The appraisal value contemplates that the property is sold in an orderly transaction as at the measurement date,
taking into consideration current market conditions (i.e., a fair value measurement inherently assumes that as of
the measurement date market participants have the knowledge and awareness of the asset that would be
customary in a market transaction, despite the fact that in actuality this process may not have yet begun)

•

The principal market (or, in its absence, the most advantageous market) has been appropriately considered

•

Appropriate market participants (or characteristics of market participants) have been identified and the
assumptions that market participants would utilise in pricing the asset have been used

•

Adjustments to valuation input data are (a) based on observable or unobservable inputs, or (b) significant to the
overall fair value measurement (see Section A8 below)

•

All appropriate valuation approaches and techniques have been used; if multiple valuation techniques are used, the
merits of each valuation technique and the underlying assumptions embedded in each of the techniques should be
considered in evaluating and assessing the results (see Section A7 below)

•

Appropriate judgement has been applied in determining the highest and best use; in situations where the highest
and best use is not its current use, whether the expected future cash flows associated with this use are
appropriately adjusted for the cash out flows associated with the transformation or renovation costs adjusted for a
normal profit margin

•

All relevant disclosures have been provided

A7. Appropriate valuation techniques
IFRS 13 does not prescribe which valuation technique must be used in a particular circumstance. The valuation
technique used to measure fair value should be appropriate for the circumstances, and one for which sufficient data is
available. Valuation techniques that are typically used include the market approach, the income approach and the cost
approach, all of which are summarised in Table 1, with the comparative IVS guidance provided by the IVSC. As described
in Section A3 above, management needs to be aware that there is a conceptual difference between the definition of fair
value under IFRS 13 and under IVS. Accordingly, management should ensure that any values used for financial
reporting that are obtained from appraisals, whether external or internal, are consistent with the objective of a fair
value measurement in accordance with IFRS 13.


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Table 1: Valuation techniques under IFRS 13 and IVS
Approaches described in IFRS 13

IVS equivalent

Application guidance provided by IVSC14

Market
approach

Uses prices and
other relevant
information
generated by
market transactions
involving identical
or comparable
assets

Market approach
(or market
comparison
approach)

Under the market approach, the value is determined based
on comparable transactions. Although property interests
are not homogeneous, the IVSC considers the market
approach most commonly applied.

Converts future
amounts (e.g., cash
flows or income and
expenses) to a
single current
(discounted)
amount

Income
approach (e.g.,
the income
capitalisation
and discounted
cash flow
methods)

Income
approach

“In order to compare the subject of the valuation with the
price of other real property interests that have been
recently exchanged or that may be currently available in
the market, it is usual to adopt a suitable unit of
comparison. Units of comparison that are commonly used
include analysing sales prices by calculating the price per
square meter of a building or per hectare for land. Other
units used for price comparison where there is sufficient
homogeneity between the physical characteristics include a
price per room or a price per unit of output, eg, crop yields.
A unit of comparison is only useful when it is consistently
selected and applied to the subject property and the
comparable property interests in each analysis.”
Various valuation methods can be captured under this
valuation technique. They all have in common that the
valuation is based on estimated future income and profits or
cash flows. Most commonly recognised are the income
capitalisation method and the discounted cash flow method:
Under the income capitalisation method, an income stream
that is likely to remain constant is capitalised using a single
multiplier. This method is quick and simple, but cannot be
reliably used when the income is expected to change in
future periods to an extent greater than that generally
expected in the market or when a more sophisticated
analysis of risk is required.
In cases in which the income capitalisation method is not
reliable, various forms of the discounted cash flow method
can be used. These vary significantly in detail, but share the
basic characteristic that the net income for a defined future
period is adjusted to a present day value using a discount
rate.

14

9

IVSC, International Valuations Standards, July 2011, IVS 230 Real Property Interests C12 – C24.


Table 1: Valuation techniques under IFRS 13 and IVS (continued)
Approaches described in IFRS 13

IVS equivalent

Application guidance provided by IVSC15

Cost
approach

Cost approach
(e.g., the
depreciated
replacement
cost method)

IVSC considers that this method should be applied by
exception only:

Reflects the amount
that currently would
be required to
replace the service
capacity of an asset
(often referred to as
current replacement
cost)

“It is normally used when there is either no evidence of
transaction prices for similar property or no identifiable
actual or notional income stream that would accrue to the
owner of the relevant interest. It is principally used for the
valuation of specialised property, which is property that is
rarely if ever sold in the market, except by way of sale of
the business or entity of which it is part.”

In practice, the cost approach is seldom used to establish the fair value of investment property, but is sometimes used to
measure fair value for owner-occupied property (if the revaluation option under IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment is used).
The decision to use more than one valuation technique, or place more weight on one indication of value over another,
depends on the specific facts and circumstances. But, in all cases, a fair value measurement should maximise the use of
observable market inputs. When available, observable market transactions should be considered in the determination of
fair value, unless these transactions are determined not to be orderly. The objective is to use the valuation technique (or
combination of valuation techniques) that is appropriate in the circumstances and for which there is sufficient data.
IFRS 13 requires that valuation techniques used to measure fair value should be consistently applied. Changes in
valuation techniques (or their application) are appropriate only if the change results in a measurement that is equally or
more representative of fair value in the circumstances.
When it is determined that use of multiple valuation techniques is appropriate, as is often the case for real estate (e.g.,
using the results from both a market approach and an income approach), IFRS 13 indicates that the results should be
evaluated and weighted considering the reasonableness of the range indicated by those results. A fair value
measurement is the point within the range that is most representative of fair value in the circumstances. However, before
determining this point, management should gain an understanding of the differences in results. Applying a percentage
weighting to the results of each technique to determine fair value may only be appropriate in limited circumstances.

A8. Applying the fair value hierarchy to real estate appraisals
When measuring fair value, an entity is required to maximize the use of relevant observable inputs and minimise the use
of unobservable inputs. IFRS 13 includes a fair value hierarchy (described in Table 2) that prioritises the inputs in a fair
value measurement. The inputs used in measuring fair value drive categorisation of the fair value measurement (as a
whole) within the fair value hierarchy for disclosure purposes. Significant differences in disclosure requirements apply to
fair value measurements categorised within each level of the hierarchy in order to provide users with insight into the
reliability of the fair value measurement.
Table 2: Fair value hierarchy
Fair Value Hierarchy
Level 1

Quoted prices, which are not adjusted, in an active market for identical assets and
liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date

Level 2

Inputs, other than quoted prices in Level 1, that are observable, either directly or
indirectly

Level 3

Unobservable inputs

15

IVSC, International Valuations Standards, July 2011, IVS 230 Real Property Interests C12 – C24.


10

The fair value hierarchy is based on the relative reliability and relevance of the information used in the valuation.
Regardless of whether the valuation was compiled internally or externally, the reporting entity should review and
understand the inputs used in the valuation to determine the appropriate classification of those inputs in the fair value
hierarchy.
It may be appropriate to classify a market-corroborated input, which is supported by observable market data of a similar
asset, in Level 2, even though the input itself is not directly observable. This is because such an input is less subjective than
an unobservable input in Level 3. However, unless the assets are essentially the same, judgement is needed to determine
whether an adjustment is required to the corroborating observable input. For example, if there is no recent transaction for
apartments in a small residential building, Building A, an entity may consider a price per unit area data that is derived from
recent transaction prices of comparable apartments in a nearby residential building, Building B, to determine the fair value
of an apartment in Building A. However, an analysis must be performed to determine whether an adjustment is required to
the price per unit area of an apartment in Building B to determine the fair value for an apartment in Building A.
IFRS 13 requires that the significance of adjustments to observable data be considered in the context of the overall fair
value measurement. That is, when an observable input is adjusted to reflect differences between the asset being valued
and the observed transaction, the adjustment may render the entire measurement a lower level in the fair value
hierarchy, that is a Level 3 measurement instead of a Level 2 measurement.
Examples of fair value measurements categorised within Level 2 could include:
•

Residential units in an apartment block or street with a sufficient number of comparable units and a sufficient
volume of recent sales transactions for which prices could be observed

•

Office stock in a business district with many similar buildings with comparable office space and a sufficient volume
of recent sales transactions for which prices could be observed

For such properties, one would expect that the fair value would be determined using a market comparable approach
with the price per square metre as the most significant observable input. However, this should not lead to the conclusion
that the existence of any published ‘market price’ per square metre will automatically result in a fair value measurement
categorised within Level 2. In the illustrative example 17 accompanying IFRS 13, for example, commercial properties
measured using the market comparable approach are categorised within Level 3 (rather than Level 2)16.
When selecting the most appropriate inputs to a fair value measurement from multiple available values, those that
maximise the use of observable data, rather than unobservable data, should be selected. Even in a market that is
inactive, an entity should not presume that the transactions in that market do not represent fair value or that the
market is not orderly. Entities will need to consider the individual facts and circumstances in making this assessment.
Notwithstanding the need for judgement, an entity should have sufficient evidence for concluding that a current
observable market price can be ignored based on a view that it represents a liquidation or distressed sale value.

How we see it:
In market conditions in which real estate is actively purchased and sold and that have a stock of sufficient
comparable (i.e., similar but not identical) properties, the fair value measurement may be classified within Level 2.
However, that determination will depend on the facts and circumstances, including the significance of adjustments to
observable data. Accordingly, in active and transparent markets, there may be real estate valuations that are
classified within Level 2, provided that no significant adjustments have been made to the observable data of identical
properties.
However, very few properties are identical. Consequently, in many cases, valuers have to make adjustments to
observable data of similar properties to determine the fair value of a property. Since significant adjustments to
observable data will result in a Level 3 measurement, considerable judgement may be required to determine whether
the adjustments are significant.

16

11

IFRS 13, Illustrative Example, paragraph 63


Notwithstanding the foregoing, in inactive or less transparent real estate markets, we believe that it is unlikely that
real estate will be classified within Level 2. Rather, it will be classified within Level 3. Accordingly, in consecutive
years, a valuation may move up or down in the hierarchy, depending on the liquidity of the market. Therefore, care
should be taken in classifying a property valuation within Level 2.

A9. Expanded disclosure requirements
A9.1 General
The IASB significantly expanded the required disclosures related to fair value measurement to enable users of financial
statements to understand the valuation techniques and inputs used to develop fair value measurements. For each of the
disclosure requirements under IFRS 13, Table 3 below indicates whether it is currently required under IFRS. Although
the table below focuses on a comparison between the disclosure requirements in IAS 40 and IFRS 13, it is important to
note that, in most cases where fair value is used or disclosed, the disclosure requirements have been significantly
expanded as compared to current IFRS. For example, entities that measure interests in a real estate joint venture or
associate at fair value, or measure other financial instruments at fair value, will need to comply with increased
disclosure requirements for such items as well.
The additional disclosures required by IFRS 13 are mainly dependent on:
•

Whether the fair value measurement for a property (as a whole) is categorised within Level 3 or within Level 1 or
Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy

•

How the property is grouped into classes of assets for disclosure purposes

Certain IFRS 13 disclosures are only required for fair value measurements categorised within Level 3 and not for those
within Level 1 or Level 2. For example, a description of the valuation processes used by an entity is required for fair
value measurements categorised within Level 3, but not for those within Level 1 or Level 2.
A9.2 Asset classes
Many of the IFRS 13 disclosures are required for each class of assets (and liabilities). IFRS 13 requires these classes of
assets (and liabilities) be determined based on:
(a) the nature, characteristics and risks of the asset or liability; and
(b) the level of the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is categorised.
The determination of the appropriate class of assets will require significant judgement. At one end of the spectrum, the
properties in an operating segment (as defined by IFRS 8 Operating Segments) may be a class of assets for the purpose
of the disclosures required by IFRS 13. This may be the case even if there is a large number of properties in the
segment, if the properties have the same risk profile (e.g., the segment comprises residential properties in countries
with property markets of similar characteristics). At the other end of the spectrum, IFRS 13 disclosures may be required
for individual properties or small groups of properties if the individual properties or groups of properties have different
risk profiles (e.g., a real estate entity with two properties – an office building in a developed country and a shopping
centre in a developing country).
In light of this, we expect that real estate entities may define a class of assets to include only fair value measurements
that are in a single level of the fair value hierarchy.
The number of classes may need to be greater for fair value measurements categorised within Level 3 of the fair value
hierarchy because those measurements have a greater degree of uncertainty and subjectivity. Determining appropriate
classes of assets and liabilities for which disclosures about fair value measurements should be provided requires
judgement. A class of assets and liabilities will often require greater disaggregation than the line items presented in the
statement of financial position. However, an entity is required to provide information sufficient to permit reconciliation
to the line items presented in the statement of financial position.


12

When determining the appropriate classes, entities should also take note of the requirements in paragraph 92 of
IFRS 13, which require entities to consider all of the following:
“(a)

the level of detail necessary to satisfy the disclosure requirements;

(b)

how much emphasis to place on each of the various requirements;

(c)

how much aggregation or disaggregation to undertake; and

(d)

whether users of financial statements need additional information to evaluate the quantitative information
disclosed.”

In addition, the same paragraph requires entities to disclose additional information if the disclosures provided in
accordance with IFRS 13 (and other standards) are insufficient to meet the objectives of the disclosure requirements set
out in paragraph 91 of IFRS 13:
“An entity shall disclose information that helps users of its financial statements assess both of the following:
(a) for assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis in the statement of
financial position after initial recognition, the valuation techniques and inputs used to develop those
measurements.
(b) for recurring fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), the effect of the
measurements on profit or loss or other comprehensive income for the period. “
As highlighted in paragraph 94 of IFRS 13, determination of the appropriate classes will, in many cases, require
judgement. This judgment needs to be carefully exercised, as the meaningfulness of the disclosure of quantitative
information used in Level 3 fair value measurements will depend on an entity's determination of its asset and liability
classes and the level of aggregation for each class of assets and liabilities.17

17

13

IFRS 13, Basis for Conclusions, paragraph 193


Table 3: Disclosure requirements in IFRS 13
Disclosures

Investment property at fair value

Investment property at cost

(measured at fair value on a recurring basis)

(for which fair value is disclosed)

IFRS 13

IAS 40 Current
requirements

IFRS 13

IAS 40 Current
requirements

Fair value at the end of the reporting
period

√

√

√

√

Level of the fair value hierarchy
within which the fair value
measurement in its entirety is
categorised

√

Not required

√

Not required

For Level 2 and Level 3
measurements, valuation technique
and the inputs used, and changes in
the valuation technique, if
applicable, and the reasons for those
changes

√

Not required

√

Not required

For Level 3 measurements,
quantitative information regarding
the significant unobservable inputs

√

Not required

Not required

Not required

Amount of transfers between Level
1 and Level 2, the reasons and
related accounting policies

√

Not required

Not required

Not required

For Level 3 measurements,
reconciliation from the opening
balances to the closing balances
(including gains and losses,
purchases, sales, issues,
settlements, transfers in and out of
Level 3 and reasons and policies for
transfer and where all such amounts
are recognised)

√

√

Not required

Not required**

For Level 3 measurements, the total
gains or losses included in profit or
loss that are attributable to the
change in unrealised gains or losses
relating to those assets and
liabilities held at the reporting date,
and a description of where such
amounts are recognised

√

√

Not required

Not required

For Level 3 measurements, a
description of the valuation
processes used by the entity

√

Not required

Not required

Not required


14

Table 3: Disclosure requirements in IFRS 13 (continued)
Disclosures

Investment property at fair value

Investment property at cost

(measured at fair value on a recurring basis)

(for which fair value is disclosed)

IFRS 13

IAS 40 Current
requirements

IFRS 13

IAS 40 Current
requirements

For Level 3 measurements, a
narrative description of the
sensitivity of the fair value
measurement to changes in
unobservable inputs if a change in
those inputs might result in a
significantly different amount and, if
applicable, a description of
interrelationships between those
inputs and other unobservable
inputs and of how they might
magnify or mitigate the effect of
changes in the unobservable inputs

√ * disclosure may
also be required by
IAS 1***

Not required by
IAS 40, but
disclosure may be
required by IAS 1***

Not required

Not required

If the highest and best use of a
non-financial asset differs from its
current use, disclose that fact and
the reason for it

√

Not required

√

Not required

* The IASB decided not to require a quantitative sensitivity analysis for non-financial assets and liabilities at the time IFRS 13 was issued. The
proposals, which had been included in the exposure draft and which required the presentation of a quantitative sensitivity analysis, had been
heavily criticised by preparers, who were concerned about the additional cost, among other concerns. Instead, the Boards decided to defer
adding this requirement until additional outreach could be completed (see IFRS 13, BC 202-210).
** A reconciliation of the opening and closing balances of investment properties measured at fair value amounts is required. However, a
reconciliation of the opening and closing balances of investment properties measured at cost is not required.
*** IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements, paragraphs 125 and 129 require disclosure of information about assumptions an entity makes,
and other sources of estimation uncertainty, that have a significant risk of resulting in a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets
and liabilities. Hence, notwithstanding the fact that IFRS 13 does not require a quantitative sensitivity analysis, IAS 1 may still require it.
Determining when to disclose such information requires judgement. An example of such a disclosure is included in Good Real Estate.

A10. Final thoughts
While many of the concepts in IFRS 13 are consistent with current practice, certain principles and disclosure
requirements could have a significant impact on real estate entities. Careful consideration is required to identify
situations in which there may be a significant change to current practice.
Although the descriptions of valuation approaches in IFRS 13 are generally consistent with definitions in IVS, there are
still differences in fair value concepts between IFRS and IVS. For example, IVS does not include a fair value hierarchy
and IVS applies a different fair value definition. Management should be aware of these differences when assessing
appraisals prepared pursuant to IVS. Considerable judgement may be required when applying the fair value
measurement concepts included in IFRS 13. Management needs to have a good understanding of the concepts when
making judgements related to its fair value measurements.

15


Section B – Illustrative set of disclosures required under IFRS 13 for a real estate
entity with investment properties
B1. Introduction
This section sets out an illustrative set of disclosures for a real estate entity that has investment properties measured at fair
value on its statement of financial position, in its first set of financial statements following the adoption of IFRS 13. In
determining the information to be disclosed in its financial statements, an entity uses judgement in light of the principles of
materiality and aggregation in IAS 1. Hence, depending on an entity’s circumstances, more detail or more aggregation than
is contained in these illustrative disclosures may be required.
This section includes only disclosures related to investment properties that are measured at fair value. Disclosures of
fair value measurements of other assets and liabilities (e.g., financial instruments) are not covered. Entities in the real
estate sector often use derivatives (e.g., swaps or interest collars) to hedge cash flow risks that result from variable
interest loans. These derivatives are measured at fair value and are generally categorised within Level 2 of the fair value
hierarchy. IFRS 13 requires disclosures for these derivatives in addition to those required under IFRS 7 Financial
Instruments: Disclosures. However, we do not expect the amount of additional disclosures to be provided under IFRS 13
for such derivatives to be significant for many real estate entities compared with the level of additional disclosures
required for the property interests held by these entities.

Commentary 1: Where in the notes should the disclosures be made?
We recommend that entities include all the fair value disclosures for investment properties in one note (or as part of
one note) in the financial statements, rather than throughout and in the annual report. If such information was
previously included in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis or the Director’s report, it may have to be
transferred to the notes to the financial statements. Disclosures that are required by IFRS 13 need to be included in
the financial statements.

Commentary 2: Presenting information required under different standards in one table
Paragraph 99 of IFRS 13 requires an entity to present the necessary quantitative disclosures in a tabular format unless
another format is more appropriate. In some cases, it may be useful to present the information required by IFRS 13
together with the information required by IAS 40, to avoid replicating information in the financial statements and to
provide comprehensive integrated user-friendly analysis. An example would be the combination of disclosures required
under paragraph 93 (e) of IFRS 13 with the disclosures required under paragraph 76 of IAS 40.
Paragraph 93 (e) of IFRS 13 requires an entity with recurring fair value measurements categorised within Level 3 of
the fair value hierarchy to reconcile the opening balances to the closing balances.
Paragraph 76 of IAS 40 requires an entity that applies the fair value model to its investment property to provide a
reconciliation between the carrying amounts of investment property at the beginning and the end of the period.
If most or all of the entity’s investment property is categorised within Level 3, the information above could be
presented in the same table instead of separate tables.

B2. Illustrative disclosures – Overview
In the remaining sections of this document we provide illustrative disclosures on the following:
•

B3 – Early adoption

•

B4 – Classes of investment property

•

B5 – Fair value measurement, valuation techniques, changes in valuation techniques, inputs and other key
information

•

B6 – Reconciliation of balances of classes of investment property


16

•

B7 – Valuation process

•

B8 – Sensitivity information

•

B9 – Highest and best use

The illustrative disclosures supplement the disclosures in Good Real Estate.

B3. Illustrative disclosure – Early adoption
Good Real Estate Group (International) Limited (the Company) has early adopted IFRS 13 for the first time in its financial
statements as of 31 December 2012.
IFRS 13 was applied prospectively starting from 1 January 2012. Even though, in case of initial application of IFRS 13,
IFRS 13 does not require disclosure of information for the comparative period, this information was provided by
management of the Company as it believes that this enhances the meaningfulness of the fair value measurement
information.

Commentary 3: Effective date and transition
Appendix C of IFRS 13 states the following with respect to the effective date and the transition date:
“C1

An entity shall apply this IFRS for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2013. Earlier application is
permitted. If an entity applies this IFRS for an earlier period, it shall disclose that fact.

C2

This IFRS shall be applied prospectively as of the beginning of the annual period in which it is initially applied.

C3

The disclosure requirements of this IFRS need not be applied in comparative information provided for periods
before initial application of this IFRS.”

B4. Illustrative disclosure – Classes of investment property
In determining the appropriate classes of investment property the Company has considered the nature, characteristics
and risks of its properties as well as the level of the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurements are
categorised. The following factors have been applied to determine the appropriate classes:
a)

The real estate segment (retail, office or industrial)

b)

The geographical location (Estateland, Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France)

c)

The construction status (completed investment property or under construction)

d)

The level of the fair value hierarchy (Level 2 or Level 3)

This resulted in the following classes of investment properties:
•

Estateland – Office – Level 2

•

Estateland – Office – Level 3

•

Estateland – Retail – Level 3

•

Germany – Industrial – Level 3

•

Germany – Office – Level 3

•

Germany – Retail – Level 3

•

Luxembourg – Office – Level 3

•

France – Industrial properties – Level 3

•

France – Office – Level 3

•

France – Office – Investment property under construction – Level 3

17


Commentary 4: Determining appropriate classes of assets
As the nature, characteristics and risks of the properties held by Good Real Estate differ, management has applied
the factors disclosed above to determine the appropriate classes of properties for the purposes of IFRS 13
disclosure.
As significant judgement is required to determine the classes of properties, other criteria and aggregation levels for
classes of properties may also be appropriate, provided they are based on the risk profile of the properties (e.g., the
risk profile of properties in an emerging market may differ from that of properties in a mature market). Refer to
Section A9.2 for more information. Because most properties are unique, IFRS 13 may be interpreted as requiring a
preparer to provide disclosure information on a property-by-property basis. It is clear that a balance must be found
between meaningful and useful disclosure and avoiding a level of detail that for many companies would be onerous
and/or commercially sensitive.
Examples of different asset classes are:
•

Core, value-added and opportunistic

•

Geographic allocation: country level (Germany, France, Luxembourg) or area level (Europe EU, Europe non-EU,
North America, South America, China, Rest of Asia Pacific, Emerging Markets)

•

Retail, offices, industrial, residential and mixed use

Care should be taken in the assessment of asset classes, as different companies have different portfolios with
different risk profiles and concentrations. A company that, for example, has invested a significant part of its portfolio
in just a few countries may need to provide disclosure on a country-by-country basis. In contrast, a company that has
invested in property all over the world would need to disclose properties in several countries (i.e., on an area level) in
one asset class. However, some regulators, e.g. Australia, may require information on a property-by-property basis.
We expect that real estate entities may further break down asset classes that are subject to Level 2 and Level 3
valuations within the IFRS 13 hierarchy. For companies with a large number of properties that are categorised within
Level 3, it is important to establish a robust assessment process to determine the appropriate classes of assets.


18

B5. Illustrative disclosure – Fair value measurement, valuation techniques, changes in valuation techniques, inputs and other key
information
The table below presents the following for each class of investment property:
•

The fair value measurements at the end of the reporting period (IFRS 13, paragraph 93(a))

•

The level of the fair value hierarchy (e.g., Level 2 or Level 3) within which the fair value measurements are categorised in their entirety (IFRS 13, paragraph 93(b))

•

A description of the valuation techniques applied (IFRS 13, paragraph 93(d))

•

The inputs used in the fair value measurement (IFRS 13, paragraph 93(d))

•

A description of changes in valuation technique as well as the reason(s) for making them (IFRS 13, paragraph 93(d))

•

For Level 3 fair value measurements, quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement (IFRS 13, paragraph 93(d))

•

For Level 2 fair value measurements, the same disclosures in the preceding bullet on a voluntarily basis

In addition, management has provided, for each class of property, other assumptions made in the determination of fair values and other key information on the
properties. Management believes that this information is beneficial in evaluating the fair values of the investment properties.

19



20

21


* The inputs used in the determination of fair values are considered observable in case of Level 2 measurements and unobservable in case of Level 3 measurements.
** The fair value of a shopping mall in Estateland (included in the retail portfolio) was previously determined based on the income capitalisation method. The Company believes that the discounted
cash flow (DCF) method provides better transparency than the income capitalisation method and has, therefore, decided to change the valuation method.


22

The table above includes descriptions and definitions relating to valuation techniques, unobservable inputs and other assumptions made in determining the fair values:
Discounted cash flow
method (DCF)

Under the DCF method, a property’s fair value is estimated using explicit assumptions regarding the benefits and liabilities of
ownership over the asset’s life including an exit or terminal value. As an accepted method within the income approach to valuation,
the DCF method involves the projection of a series of cash flows on a real property interest. To this projected cash flow series, an
appropriate, market-derived discount rate is applied to establish the present value of the income stream associated with the real
property.
The duration of the cash flow and the specific timing of inflows and outflows are determined by events such as rent reviews, lease
renewal and related lease up periods, re-letting, redevelopment, or refurbishment. The appropriate duration is typically driven by
market behaviour that is a characteristic of the class of real property. In the case of investment properties, periodic cash flow is
typically estimated as gross income less vacancy, non recoverable expenses, collection losses, lease incentives, maintenance cost,
agent and commission costs and other operating and management expenses. The series of periodic net operating incomes, along with
an estimate of the terminal value anticipated at the end of the projection period, is then discounted.
In the case of development properties, estimates of capital outlays and construction cost, development costs, and anticipated sales
income are estimated to arrive at a series of net cash flows that are then discounted over the projected development and marketing
periods. Specific development risks such as planning, zoning, licences, and building permits need to be separately valued.
The frequency of inflows and outflows (monthly, quarterly, annually) are contract and market-derived.
An appropriate discount rate is then applied to the cash flow. If the frequency of the time points selected for the cash flow is, for
example, quarterly, the discount rate must be the effective quarterly rate and not a nominal rate. The DCF method assumes that cash
outflows occur in the same period that expenses are recorded. The exit yield is normally separately determined and differs from the
discount rate.

Income capitalisation
method

Under the income capitalisation method, a property’s fair value is estimated based on the normalised net operating income generated
by the property, which is divided by the capitalisation rate (the investor's rate of return). The difference between gross and net rental
income includes the same expense categories as those for the DCF method with the exception that certain expenses are not measured
over time, but included on the basis of a time weighted average, such as the average lease up costs. Under the income capitalisation
method, over (above market rent) and under-rent situations are separately capitalised.

Market comparable
method

Under the market comparable method (or market comparable approach), a property’s fair value is estimated based on comparable
transactions. Although property interests are not homogeneous, the IVSC considers the market approach most commonly applied. “In
order to compare the subject of the valuation with the price of other real property interests that have been recently exchanged or
that may be currently available in the market, it is usual to adopt a suitable unit of comparison ... A unit of comparison is only useful
when it is consistently selected and applied to the subject property and the comparable properties in each analysis.”
The market comparable approach is based upon the principle of substitution under which a potential buyer will not pay more for the
property than it will cost to buy a comparable substitute property. In theory, the best comparable sale would be an exact duplicate of
the subject property and would indicate, by the known selling price of the duplicate, the price for which the subject property could be
sold. The unit of comparison applied by the Company is the price per square metre (sqm). The market comparable approach is often
used in combination with either DCF or the income capitalisation method as many inputs to these methods are based on market
comparison.

23


Estimated rental value
(ERV) (per sqm p.a.)

The estimated rental value at which space could be let in the market conditions prevailing at the date of valuation.

Rent growth p.a.

The estimated average increase in rent based on both market estimations and contractual indexations.

Long term vacancy
rate

ERV of expected long term average structural vacant space divided by ERV of the whole property.
Long-term vacancy rate can also be determined based on the percentage of estimated vacant space divided by the total lettable area.

Discount rate

Rate used to discount the net cash flows generated from rental activities during the period of analysis (normally up to 10 years).

Exit yield

The capital value of the investment property at the end of the period of analysis (exit value) expressed as a percentage of the exit net
rent. The exit value is the net amount that an entity expects to obtain for an asset at the end of the period of analysis after deducting
the expected costs of disposal.

Net initial yield

Annualised net rental income based on the gross cash rents passing at the balance sheet date, less property operating expenses and
non-recoverable property expenses, divided by the market value of the property, increased by (estimated) purchasers’ costs.

Reversionary yield

Anticipated yield, to which the initial yield will rise once the rent reaches the ERV. It is calculated by dividing the ERV by the valuation.

Length of leases in
place (in years)

Remaining length of contracted unexpired lease term. It is calculated across all the tenants in a property and is weighted by either the
tenant’s lettable area or the tenant’s income against the total combined area or income of the other tenants.

Actual vacancy rate

ERV of vacant space divided by ERV of the whole property.

Passing rent
(per sqm p.a.)

The annualised contractual cash rental income expected to be received as at a certain date, excluding the net effects of straight-lining
for lease incentives. When no rent is currently being paid due to a rent-free period, the passing rent will be shown as zero.


24

Commentary 5: Table of fair value measurement, valuation techniques, changes in valuation techniques, inputs and other key information
IFRS 13, paragraph 93(a)–(d) below requires a number of disclosures that could be presented in one table.
“To meet the objectives in paragraph 91, an entity shall disclose, at a minimum, the following information for each class of assets and liabilities ... measured at fair
value ... in the statement of financial position after initial recognition:
(a)

for recurring and non-recurring fair value measurements, the fair value measurement at the end of the reporting period, and for non-recurring fair value
measurements, the reasons for the measurement [...]

(b)

for recurring and non-recurring fair value measurements, the level of the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurements are categorised in their
entirety (Level 1, 2 or 3).

(c)

for assets and liabilities held at the end of the reporting period that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, the amounts of any transfers between
Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the reasons for those transfers and the entity's policy for determining when transfers between levels are
deemed to have occurred (see paragraph 95). Transfers into each level shall be disclosed and discussed separately from transfers out of each level.

(d)

for recurring and non-recurring fair value measurements categorised within Level 2 and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, a description of the valuation
technique(s) and the inputs used in the fair value measurement. If there has been a change in valuation technique (eg changing from a market approach to an
income approach or the use of an additional valuation technique), the entity shall disclose that change and the reason(s) for making it. For fair value
measurements categorised within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, an entity shall provide quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs
used in the fair value measurement. An entity is not required to create quantitative information to comply with this disclosure requirement if quantitative
unobservable inputs are not developed by the entity when measuring fair value (eg when an entity uses prices from prior transactions or third-party pricing
information without adjustment). However, when providing this disclosure an entity cannot ignore quantitative unobservable inputs that are significant to the
fair value measurement and are reasonably available to the entity.”

For each of these classes, in order to meet the objective in paragraph 91 of IFRS 13, management provided additional information that will help users of the
financial statements to evaluate the quantitative information that is disclosed. This additional information consists of other assumptions made to determine the fair
values (i.e., assumptions that are not considered to be unobservable inputs) as well as other key information on the properties.

25


B6. Illustrative disclosure – Reconciliation of balances of classes of investment property
Country
Completed IP or IPUC

Estateland

Germany

Lux

France

Total

Level

Opening balance
(1 January 2012)

IP

IP

IP

IP

IP

IP

IP

IP

IPUC

Office

Office

Retail

Industrial

Office

Retail

Industrial

Industrial

Office

Office

2

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

€ 000

Segment

IP

€ 000

€ 000

€ 000

€ 000

€ 000

€ 000

€ 000

€ 000

€ 000

8,620

16,394

49,895

70,950

0

1,261

5,000

0

0

0

0

(10,000)

0

0

0

(5,000)

12,784

(15,414)

5,484

0

0

70,286

€ 000

171,214

0

30,896

419,516

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

(931)

(5,316)

31,156

0

3,920

18,900

Transfers in fair value hierarchy*
Transfers from Level
2 into Level 3 **

(5,000)

3 into Level 2 ***

10,000

Total gains or loss for the period
Included in profit or
loss ****, *****
Included in OCI

(7,783)
0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Purachases and sales
Additions from
purchases through
business
combinations

0

0

10,000

0

20,000

10,000

0

35,000

0

0

75,000

Additions from other
purchases

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Sales

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Foreign exchange
differences

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Transfer from IPUC
to completed IP

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

10,070

Transfer from
inventory

0

0

1,047

0

0

0

0

0

0

(26,670)

(26,670)

Other movements


(10,070)
0

0
0
1,047

26

Country
Transfer to inventory

Estateland

Germany

Lux

France

Total

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

104

50

100

50

0

50

50

100

0

0

504

Straight lining of
lease incentives

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Subsequent
expenditure on IPUC

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

5,150

5,150

Interest capitalised
on IPUC

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

250

250

Other

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

5,941

6,444

73,826

55,586

25,484

10,380

65,020

210,800

10,070

30,146

493,697

Subsequent
expenditure on
completed IP

Closing balance
(31 December 2012)

* Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are deemed to have occurred at the end of the reporting period.
** Transfers from Level 2 to Level 3 amounting to €5,000,000 relate to an office building located in Smalltown/Estateland. In 2011, market activity in Smalltown decreased significantly,
so that observable market data was no longer available.
*** Transfers from Level 3 to Level 2 amounting to €10,000,000 relate to an office building located in Capitaltown/Estateland. In 2011, market activity in Capitaltown increased
significantly, so that observable market data became available.
**** Gains and losses recorded in profit or loss for recurring fair value measurements categorised within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy amount to € 26,683,000 (€ 18,900,000 +
€ 7,783,000) and are presented in the income statement in line items ‘valuation gains from completed investment property’ (€22,763,000) and ‘valuation gains from investment property
under construction’ (€3,920,000).
***** All gains and losses recorded in profit or loss for recurring fair value measurements categorised within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are attributtable to changes in unrealised
gains or losses relating to investment property (completed and under construction) held at the end of the reporting period.

27


Country
Completed IP or IPUC

Estateland

Germany

Lux

France

Total

Level

Opening balance
(1 January 2011)

IP

IP

IP

IP

IP

IP

IP

IP

IPUC

Office

Office

Retail

Industrial

Office

Retail

Industrial

Industrial

Office

Office

2

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

€000

Segment

IP

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

7,620

€000

17,394

49,895

50,950

0

1,261

70,286

104,834

0

9,540

311,780

Transfers in fair value hierarchy*
2 into Level 3 **

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

3 into Level 2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1,845

0

0

14,135

0

2,005

11,485

Total gains or loss for the period
Included in profit or
loss
Included in OCI

600

(1,500)

(4,600)

(1,000)

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Additions from
purchases through
business
combinations

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Additions from other
purchases

0

0

4,000

16,180

0

0

0

51,245

0

0

71,425

Sales

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Foreign exchange
differences

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Transfer from IPUC
to completed IP

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Transfer from
inventory

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Transfer to inventory

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Purachases and sales

Other movements


28

Country
Subsequent
expenditure on
completed IP

Estateland

Germany

Lux

France

Total

400

500

600

1,975

0

0

1,000

1,000

0

0

5,475

Straight lining of
lease incentives

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Subsequent
expenditure on IPUC

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

18,141

18,141

Interest capitalised
on IPUC

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1,210

1,210

Other

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

8,620

16,394

49,895

70,950

0

1,261

70,286

171,214

0

30,896

419,516

Closing balance
(31 December 2011)

* Gains and losses recorded in profit or loss for recurring fair value measurements categorised within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy amount to € 10,885,000 (€ 11,485,000 –
€ 600,000) and are presented in the income statement in line items ‘valuation gains from completed investment property’ (€ 8,880,000) and ‘valuation gains from investment property
under construction’ (€ 2,005,000).
** All gains and losses recorded in profit or loss for recurring fair value measurements categorised within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are attributtable to changes in unrealised gains
or losses relating to investment property (completed and under construction) held at the end of the reporting period.

29


Commentary 6: Reconciliation of balances of classes of investment property
The table above has been provided to comply with paragraph 93(e) of IFRS 13, which states that an entity has to
disclose, at a minimum, the following information for each class of assets:
“for recurring fair value measurements categorised within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, a reconciliation from the
opening balances to the closing balances, disclosing separately changes during the period attributable to the following:
(i)

total gains or losses for the period recognised in profit or loss, and the line item(s) in profit or loss in which those
gains or losses are recognised.

(ii)

total gains or losses for the period recognised in other comprehensive income, and the line item(s) in other
comprehensive income in which those gains or losses are recognised.

(iii) purchases, sales, issues and settlements (each of those types of changes disclosed separately).
(iv) the amounts of any transfers into or out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the reasons for those transfers and the
entity's policy for determining when transfers between levels are deemed to have occurred (see paragraph 95).
Transfers into Level 3 shall be disclosed and discussed separately from transfers out of Level 3.”
In addition, IFRS 13, paragraph 93(f) requires an entity to disclose, for recurring fair value measurements categorised
within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the amount of the total gains or losses for the period in paragraph 93(e)(i)
included in profit or loss that are attributable to the change in unrealised gains or losses relating to those assets and
liabilities held at the end of the reporting period, and the line items in profit or loss in which those unrealised gains or
losses are recognised. In the tables above, this information is provided in the footnotes to the table.
As outlined below, paragraph 76 of IAS 40 requires an entity to provide a similar reconciliation of investment
properties measured at fair value. If the IFRS 13 reconciliation includes all investment properties of the entity that are
measured at fair value, an entity may choose to provide a single, more detailed, reconciliation that also meets the
disclosure requirements set out in paragraph 76 of IAS 40:
“In addition to the disclosures required by paragraph 75, an entity that applies the fair value model in paragraphs
33–55 shall disclose a reconciliation between the carrying amounts of investment property at the beginning and end of
the period, showing the following:
(a)

additions, disclosing separately those additions resulting from acquisitions and those resulting from subsequent
expenditure recognised in the carrying amount of an asset;

(b)

additions resulting from acquisitions through business combinations;

(c)

assets classified as held for sale or included in a disposal group classified as held for sale in accordance with IFRS
5 and other disposals;

(d)

net gains or losses from fair value adjustments;

(e)

the net exchange differences arising on the translation of the financial statements into a different presentation
currency, and on translation of a foreign operation into the presentation currency of the reporting entity;

(f)

transfers to and from inventories and owner-occupied property; and

(g)

other changes.”


30

B7. Illustrative disclosure – Valuation process
The management group that determines the Company’s valuation policies and procedures for property valuations
comprises the Company’s chief operating officer (COO) and chief financial officer (CFO). Each year, the COO and the
CFO decide, after approval from the audit committee, which external valuer to appoint to be responsible for the external
valuations of the Company’s properties. Selection criteria include market knowledge, reputation, independence and
whether professional standards are maintained. Valuers are normally rotated every three years. In addition, the COO
and CFO are responsible for recruiting personnel in the Company’s internal valuation department. The Company’s
internal valuation department comprises two employees, both of whom hold relevant internationally recognised
professional qualifications and are experienced in valuing the types of properties in the applicable locations.
The COO and CFO decide, after discussions with the Company’s external valuers and the Company’s internal valuation
department:
•

Whether a property’s fair value can be reliably determined (this is particularly important for investment properties
under construction, which are valued at cost until such time as fair value becomes reliably determinable)

•

Which valuation method should be applied for each property (the methods that are applied for fair value
measurements categorised within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are the discounted cash flow method and the
income capitalisation method; for fair value measurements in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the market
comparison approach is used)

•

The assumptions made for unobservable inputs that are used in valuation methods (the major unobservable inputs
are estimated rental value, rent growth per annum, long term vacancy rate, discount rate and exit yield)

Valuations are performed on a quarterly basis at each interim reporting date. Valuations for interim reporting purposes
are performed internally by the Company’s internal valuation department. Internal methods are aligned with those used
by external valuers and such methods are externally validated by an independent party. However, on a sample basis (for
approximately 25% of all properties – properties are rotated every quarter), external valuations are obtained to validate
the internal valuations for interim reporting purposes or external valuers are requested to confirm the main input
variables used in the internal valuations. As at each year-end, all properties are valued by external valuers.
At each reporting date, the internal valuation department analyses the movements in each property’s value. For this
analysis, the internal valuation department verifies the major inputs applied in the latest valuation by agreeing the
information in the valuation computation to contracts (e.g., rent amounts in rental contracts), market reports (e.g.,
market rent, cap rates in property market reports) and other relevant documents. In addition, the accuracy of the
computation is tested on a sample basis. For each property, the latest valuation is also compared with the valuations in
the four preceding quarters as well as with the valuations of the two preceding annual periods. If fair value changes
(positive or negative) are more than any of the thresholds set out below, the changes are further analysed ( e.g., by
having discussions with external valuers):
•

1.0% during the most recent 3 months

•


•


•


•


•


The internal valuation department also compares each property’s change in fair value with relevant external sources
(e.g., the investment property database or other relevant benchmark) to determine whether the change is reasonable.
On a quarterly basis, after the COO and the CFO have discussed the valuations with the internal valuation department,
they present the valuation results with the Company’s external valuers, the audit committee and the Company’s
independent auditors. This includes a discussion of the major assumptions used in the valuations, with an emphasis on:
(i) properties with fair value changes outside of the relevant thresholds set out above; and (ii) investment properties
under construction.
31


Commentary 7: Valuation process
IFRS 13, paragraph 93(g) requires, for recurring and non-recurring fair value measurements categorised within
Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, a description of the valuation processes used by the entity (including, for example,
how an entity decides its valuation policies and procedures, and analyses changes in fair value measurements from
period to period).
The Illustrative Examples to IFRS 13 (IE.65 – Example 18) indicate what an entity might disclose about its valuation
process to comply with the standard:
“For fair value measurements categorised within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the IFRS requires an entity to
disclose a description of the valuation processes used by the entity. An entity might disclose the following to comply
with paragraph 93(g) of the IFRS:
(a)

for the group within the entity that decides the entity's valuation policies and procedures:
(i)

its description;

(ii)

to whom that group reports; and

(iii) the internal reporting procedures in place (eg whether and, if so, how pricing, risk management or audit
committees discuss and assess the fair value measurements);
(b)

the frequency and methods for calibration, back testing and other testing procedures of pricing models;

(c)

the process for analysing changes in fair value measurements from period to period;

(d)

how the entity determined that third-party information, such as broker quotes or pricing services, used in the
fair value measurement was developed in accordance with the IFRS; and

(e)

the methods used to develop and substantiate the unobservable inputs used in a fair value measurement.”

B8. Illustrative disclosure – Sensitivity information
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement categorised within Level 3 of the fair value
hierarchy of the entity's portfolios of investment properties are:
•

Estimated rental value (per sqm p.a.)

•

Rent growth p.a.

•

Long term vacancy rate

•

Discount rate and exit yield if DCF is applied

•

Specifically to property under development: construction costs, lease up period, construction period and
development profit

Significant increases (decreases) in estimated rental value (per sqm p.a.) and rent growth p.a. in isolation would result in
a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement. Significant increases (decreases) in long-term vacancy rate and
discount rate (and exit or yield) in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.
Generally, a change in the assumption made for the estimated rental value (per sqm p.a.) is accompanied by a
directionally:
•

Similar change in the rent growth p.a. and discount rate (and exit yield)

•

Opposite change in the long term vacancy rate


32

Significant assumptions
2012


Rental growth per
annum


Discount rate/ exit yield
or reversionary yield

Lease up period for
vacant space

Construction costs

Construction period

Development profit

A quantitative sensitivity analysis is as shown below:

Sensitivity Level

10% increase or
decrease

1% more or
less growth

1% more or
less vacancy

25 basis
points

1 month more
or less

€ 100 per
sqm

1 month
more or less

10% plus
or minus

€ 000

€ 000

€ 000

€ 000

€ 000

€ 000

€ 000

€ 000

Estateland – Offices –
Level 2

743

743

59

192

40

N/A

N/A

N/A

Estateland – Offices –
Level 3

806

806

64

208

43

N/A

N/A

N/A

9,228

9,228

738

2,381

492

N/A

N/A

N/A

6,948

6,948

556

1,793

371

N/A

N/A

N/A

Germany – Offices–
Level 3

3,186

3,186

255

822

170

N/A

N/A

N/A

Germany – Retail –
Level 3

1,298

1,298

104

335

69

N/A

N/A

N/A

Luxembourg – Offices –
Level 3

8,128

8,127

650

2,097

433

N/A

N/A

N/A

26,350

26,350

2,108

6,800

1,405

N/A

N/A

N/A

France – Offices –
Level 3

1,259

1,259

101

325

67

N/A

N/A

N/A

France – Offices–
Investment Property
under construction –
Level 3

3,768

3,768

301

972

201

2,000

200

3,000

Estateland – Retail –
Level 3
Germany – Industrial –
Level 3

France – Industrial
Properties – Level 3

33



Discount rate/ exit yield
or reversionary yield

Lease up period for
vacant space

1% more or
less growth

1% more or
less vacancy

25 basis
points

1 month
€ 100 per
more or less sqm

Construction costs

Development profit

Rental growth per
annum

10% increase
or decrease

Construction period


Significant assumptions
2011
Sensitivity Level

1 month
more or less

10% plus
or minus

€ 000

€ 000

€ 000

€ 000

€ 000

€ 000

€ 000

€ 000

Estateland – Offices – Level 2

1,078

1,078

86

278

57

N/A

N/A

N/A

Estateland – Offices – Level 3

2,049

2,049

164

529

109

N/A

N/A

N/A

Estateland – Retail – Level 3

6,237

6,237

499

1,610

333

N/A

N/A

N/A

8,869

8,869

710

2,289

473

N/A

N/A

N/A

Germany– Offices– Level 3

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Germany – Retail – Level 3

158

158

13

41

8

N/A

N/A

N/A

8,853

8,853

708

2,285

472

N/A

N/A

N/A

21,402

21,402

1,712

5,523

1,141

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

3,862

3,862

309

997

206

2,000

200

3000

Germany – Industrial –
Level 3

Luxembourg – Offices –
Level 3
France – Industrial
Properties – Level 3
France – Offices– Level 3
France – Offices–
Investment Property under
construction – Level 3

Commentary 8: Sensitivity information to be provided under IFRS 13
For investment properties measured at fair value that are categorised within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy,
paragraph 93(h) of IFRS 13 requires the following disclosures to be provided:
“… a narrative description of the sensitivity of the fair value measurement to changes in unobservable inputs if a
change in those inputs to a different amount might result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. If
there are interrelationships between those inputs and other unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement,
an entity shall also provide a description of those interrelationships and of how they might magnify or mitigate the
effect of changes in the unobservable inputs on the fair value measurement. To comply with that disclosure
requirement, the narrative description of the sensitivity to changes in unobservable inputs shall include, at a minimum,
the unobservable inputs disclosed when complying with (d).”
It is clear that IFRS 13 requires only narrative information with respect to sensitivities. However, quantitative
information on sensitivities may be useful for the users of financial statements. In Section B.8 above, the management
of Good Real Estate has voluntarily provided quantitative information on sensitivities as it believes that this
information would benefit the information needs of the users of their financial statements.


34

Commentary 9: Sensitivity analysis under IAS 1.129 (b)
Paragraph 129 of IAS 1 has not been amended as a result of the requirements of IFRS 13. Hence, companies will
have to consider whether disclosure of a quantitative sensitivity analysis is required in accordance with paragraph
129(b) of IAS 1. This analysis may not necessarily be for the same classes of assets as the IFRS 13 disclosures.
However, a detailed sensitivity may be useful in certain circumstances, e.g., when there is a significant estimation
uncertainty pertaining only to the fair value of certain properties of an entity. In line with the development of best
practice18, we believe it is meaningful to provide sensitivity information on a quantitative basis.

B9. Illustrative disclosure – Highest and best use
For all investment properties that are measured at fair value, the current use of the properties is their highest and best
use.

Commentary 10: Highest and best use
If, for recurring and non-recurring fair value measurements, the highest and best use of a non-financial asset differs
from its current use, an entity shall disclose that fact and why the non-financial asset is being used in a manner that
differs from its highest and best use (IFRS 13, paragraph 93(i)).
An example of a situation where the current use of a property differs from its highest and best use is a property that
is being used as a parking area. The entity that holds the property has determined that use of the property as an
office building, after development, will generate the most economic benefits, i.e., use as an office building is the
highest and best use of the property.

18

Reference is made to the annual financial statement survey of real estate entities conducted by Ernst & Young, which can be found at
www.ey.com/Publication/...IFRS/.../Surveying_IFRS_for_real_estate

35


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About Ernst & Young’s International Financial
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initiative in the financial reporting world, the
impact of which stretches far beyond accounting
to affect every key decision you make, not just
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© 2013 EYGM Limited.
All Rights Reserved.
EYG no. AU1419
www.ey.com/ifrs
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