UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
[ x ]
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019
 
 
[ ]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For the transition period from _____________ to _____________

Commission File Number 001-10822
National Health Investors, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland
 
62-1470956
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
222 Robert Rose Drive, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
 
37129
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(615) 890-9100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes [ x ] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer          [ x ]
 
Accelerated filer                      [ ]
Non-accelerated filer            [ ]
 
Smaller reporting company     [ ]
Emerging growth company  [ ]
 
 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [ x ]
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each Class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
NHI
New York Stock Exchange

There were 43,199,318 shares of common stock outstanding of the registrant as of May 3, 2019 .


Table of Contents

 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2
Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 
March 31,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
 
(unaudited)
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
Real estate properties:
 
 
 
Land
$
207,380

 
$
202,196

Buildings and improvements
2,676,127

 
2,599,526

Construction in progress
19,810

 
16,643

 
2,903,317

 
2,818,365

Less accumulated depreciation
(468,562
)
 
(451,483
)
Real estate properties, net
2,434,755

 
2,366,882

Mortgage and other notes receivable, net
257,481

 
246,111

Cash and cash equivalents
5,177

 
4,659

Straight-line rent receivable
75,123

 
105,620

Assets held for sale, net
3,745

 
—

Other assets
29,987

 
27,298

Total Assets
$
2,806,268

 
$
2,750,570

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
Debt
$
1,287,205

 
$
1,281,675

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
22,532

 
19,890

Dividends payable
45,359

 
42,700

Lease deposit liabilities
10,638

 
10,638

Deferred income
24,550

 
5,954

Total Liabilities
1,390,284

 
1,360,857

 
 
 
 
Commitments and Contingencies

 

 
 
 
 
Stockholders' Equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, $.01 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized;
 
 
 
43,199,318 and 42,700,411 shares issued and outstanding
432

 
427

Capital in excess of par value
1,406,822

 
1,369,919

Cumulative net income in excess of dividends
8,388

 
18,068

Accumulated other comprehensive income
342

 
1,299

Total Stockholders' Equity
1,415,984

 
1,389,713

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
$
2,806,268

 
$
2,750,570


The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2018 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date.


3
Table of Contents

NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
(unaudited)
Revenues:
 
 
 
Rental income
$
70,953

 
$
69,253

Interest income and other
5,154

 
3,493

 
76,107

 
72,746

Expenses:
 
 
 
Depreciation
18,491

 
17,335

Interest
13,518

 
11,614

Legal
270

 
111

Franchise, excise and other taxes
545

 
346

General and administrative
4,014

 
4,170

Property taxes and insurance on leased properties
1,090

 
—

Loan and realty losses
2,500

 
—

 
40,428

 
33,576

 
 
 
 
Income before loss on convertible note retirement
35,679

 
39,170

Loss on convertible note retirement
—

 
(738
)
Net income
$
35,679

 
$
38,432

 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
Basic
42,825,824

 
41,532,154

Diluted
43,125,032

 
41,576,876

 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
Net income per common share - basic
$
.83

 
$
.93

Net income per common share - diluted
$
.83

 
$
.92



The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

4
Table of Contents

NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
35,679

 
$
38,432

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
Increase (decrease) in fair value of cash flow hedges
(665
)
 
1,646

Reclassification for amounts recognized as interest expense
(292
)
 
276

Total other comprehensive income (loss)
(957
)
 
1,922

Comprehensive income
$
34,722

 
$
40,354



The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

5
Table of Contents

NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
( unaudited )
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
35,679

 
$
38,432

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation
18,491

 
17,335

Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discounts
1,263

 
1,069

Amortization of commitment fees and note receivable discounts
(119
)
 
(552
)
Amortization of lease incentives
168

 
63

Straight-line rent income
(5,228
)
 
(5,962
)
Non-cash interest income on construction loans
(548
)
 
(436
)
Loss on convertible note retirement
—

 
738

Loan and realty losses
2,500

 
—

Payment of lease incentives
(1,250
)
 
—

Non-cash stock-based compensation
2,001

 
1,425

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Other assets
2,961

 
(3,876
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
1,597

 
585

Deferred income
16,322

 
56

Net cash provided by operating activities
73,837

 
48,877

 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Investments in mortgage and other notes receivable
(11,002
)
 
(5,905
)
Collections of mortgage and other notes receivable
300

 
2,535

Investments in real estate
(50,122
)
 
(14,404
)
Investments in renovations of existing real estate
(4,215
)
 
(1,812
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(65,039
)
 
(19,586
)
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from revolving credit facility
95,000

 
56,000

Payments on revolving credit facility
(90,000
)
 
(15,000
)
Payments on term loans
(296
)
 
(285
)
Debt issuance costs
(67
)
 
—

Taxes remitted on employee stock awards
(1,006
)
 
—

Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net
35,913

 
(56
)
Convertible note redemption
—

 
(29,958
)
Dividends paid to stockholders
(42,700
)
 
(39,456
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(3,156
)
 
(28,755
)
 
 
 
 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
5,642

 
536

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period
9,912

 
8,075

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period
$
15,554

 
$
8,611


The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

6
Table of Contents

NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
(in thousands)

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
(unaudited)
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized
$
11,901

 
$
9,904

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
 
 
 
Change in accounts payable related to investments in real estate construction
$
(1,048
)
 
$
290

Change in accounts payable related to investments in real estate acquisition
$
1,178

 
$
—

Change in straight-line rent receivable related to investments in real estate
$
38,000

 
$
—

Change in other assets related to investments in real estate
$
176

 
$
—

Tenant investment in leased asset
$
—

 
$
1,275



The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

7
Table of Contents

NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share amounts)




 
Common Stock
 
Capital in Excess of Par Value
 
Cumulative Net Income in Excess of Dividends
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Total Stockholders’ Equity
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
Balances at December 31, 2018
42,700,411

 
$
427

 
$
1,369,919

 
$
18,068

 
$
1,299

 
$
1,389,713

Total comprehensive income
—

 
—

 
—

 
35,679

 
(957
)
 
34,722

Issuance of common stock, net
462,925

 
5

 
35,908

 
—

 
—

 
35,913

Taxes paid on employee stock awards
—

 
—

 
(1,006
)
 
—

 
—

 
(1,006
)
Shares issued on stock options exercised
35,982

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Stock-based compensation
—

 
—

 
2,001

 
—

 
—

 
2,001

Dividends declared, $1.05 per common share
—

 
—

 
—

 
(45,359
)
 
—

 
(45,359
)
Balances at March 31, 2019
43,199,318

 
$
432

 
$
1,406,822

 
$
8,388

 
$
342

 
$
1,415,984


 
Common Stock
 
Capital in Excess of Par Value
 
Cumulative Net Income in Excess of Dividends
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Total Stockholders’ Equity
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
Balances at December 31, 2017
41,532,154

 
$
415

 
$
1,289,919

 
$
32,605

 
$
(822
)
 
$
1,322,117

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
—

 
—

 
—

 
(235
)
 
235

 
—

Total comprehensive income
—

 
—

 
—

 
38,432

 
1,922

 
40,354

Equity component in redemption of convertible notes
—

 
—

 
(2,427
)
 
—

 
—

 
(2,427
)
Equity offerring costs
—

 
—

 
(56
)
 
—

 
—

 
(56
)
Stock-based compensation
—

 
—

 
1,425

 
—

 
—

 
1,425

Dividends declared, $1.00 per common share
—

 
—

 
—

 
(41,532
)
 
—

 
(41,532
)
Balances at March 31, 2018
41,532,154

 
$
415

 
$
1,288,861

 
$
29,270

 
$
1,335

 
$
1,319,881






The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

8
Table of Contents

NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2019
(unaudited)

NOTE 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

We, the management of National Health Investors, Inc., (“NHI” or the “Company”) believe that the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of which these notes are an integral part include all normal, recurring adjustments that are necessary to fairly present the condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of NHI in all material respects. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2018 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date. We assume that users of these condensed consolidated financial statements have read or have access to the audited December 31, 2018 consolidated financial statements and that the adequacy of additional disclosure needed for a fair presentation, except regarding material contingencies, may be determined in that context. Accordingly, notes and other disclosures which would substantially duplicate those contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 have been omitted. This condensed consolidated financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to, acquisitions and dispositions, changes in interest rates, rents and the timing of debt and equity financings. For a better understanding of NHI and its condensed consolidated financial statements, we recommend reading these condensed consolidated financial statements in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 , which are included in our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), a copy of which is available at our web site: www.nhireit.com .

Principles of Consolidation - The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, joint ventures, partnerships and consolidated variable interest entities (“VIE”), if any. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

A VIE is broadly defined as an entity with one or more of the following characteristics: (a) the total equity investment at risk is insufficient to finance the entity’s activities without additional subordinated financial support; (b) as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack (i) the ability to make decisions about the entity’s activities through voting or similar rights, (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (iii) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; or (c) the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportional to their economic interests, and substantially all of the entity’s activities either involve, or are conducted on behalf of, an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights.

We apply Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance for our arrangements with VIEs which requires us to identify entities for which control is achieved through means other than voting rights and to determine which business enterprise is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. In accordance with FASB guidance, management must evaluate each of the Company’s contractual relationships which creates a variable interest in other entities. If the Company has a variable interest and the entity is a VIE, then management must determine whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. If it is determined that the Company is the primary beneficiary, NHI would consolidate the VIE. We identify the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise that has both: (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could be significant to the entity. We perform this analysis on an ongoing basis.

If the Company has determined that an entity is not a VIE, the Company assesses the need for consolidation under all other provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810 Consolidation . These provisions provide for consolidation of majority-owned entities where a majority voting interest held by the Company demonstrates control of such entities in the absence of any legal constraints.

At March 31, 2019 , we held an interest in six unconsolidated VIEs, and, because we generally lack either directly or through related parties any material input in the activities that most significantly impact their economic performance, we have concluded that NHI is not the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, we account for our transactions with these entities and their subsidiaries at amortized cost.

Our VIEs are summarized below by date of initial involvement. For further discussion of the nature of the relationships, including the sources of our exposure to these VIEs, see the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements cross-referenced below.

9

Date
Name
Source of Exposure
Carrying Amount
Maximum Exposure to Loss
Note Reference
2012
Bickford Senior Living
Various 1
$
59,943,000

$
80,228,000

Notes 2, 3
2014
Senior Living Communities
Notes and straight-line receivable
$
46,678,000

$
58,921,000

Notes 2, 3
2015
Timber Ridge, LCS affiliate
Notes receivable
$
58,765,000

$
59,790,000

Note 3
2016
Senior Living Management
Notes and straight-line receivable
$
26,632,000

$
26,632,000

Note 3
2017
Evolve Senior Living
Note receivable
$
9,933,000

$
9,933,000

—
2018
Sagewood, LCS affiliate
Notes receivable
$
91,013,000

$
178,283,000

Note 3
1 Notes, straight-line rent receivables, and unamortized lease incentives
 
We are not obligated to provide support beyond our stated commitments to these tenants and borrowers whom we classify as VIEs, and accordingly, our maximum exposure to loss as a result of these relationships is limited to the amount of our commitments, as shown above and discussed in the notes. When the above relationships involve leases, some additional exposure to economic loss is present. Generally, additional economic loss on a lease, if any, would be limited to that resulting from a short period of arrearage and non-payment of monthly rent before we are able to take effective remedial action, as well as costs incurred in transitioning the lease to a new tenant. The potential extent of such loss will be dependent upon individual facts and circumstances, cannot be quantified, and is therefore not included in the tabulation above. Typically, the only carrying amounts involving our leases are accumulated straight-line receivables and unamortized lease incentives. For VIE relationships listed above without a note reference, refer to our financial statements included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 .

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash - Cash equivalents consist of all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less. Restricted cash includes amounts required to be held on deposit in accordance with agency agreements governing our Fannie Mae and HUD mortgages.

The following table sets forth our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands) :
 
March 31,
2019
 
March 31,
2018
Cash and cash equivalents
$
5,177

 
$
3,230

Restricted cash
10,377

 
5,381

 
$
15,554

 
$
8,611


Leases - We record our operating leases under the guidance of ASC Topic 842, Leases . Our leases generally have an initial leasehold term of 10 to 15 years followed by one or more 5 -year tenant renewal options. The leases are “triple net leases” under which the tenant is responsible for the payment of all taxes, utilities, insurance premiums, repairs and other charges relating to the operation of the properties, including required levels of capital expenditures each year. The tenant is obligated at its expense to keep all improvements, fixtures and other components of the properties covered by “all risk” insurance in an amount equal to at least the full replacement cost thereof, and to maintain specified minimal personal injury and property damage insurance, protecting us as well as the tenant. The leases also require the tenant to indemnify and hold us harmless from all claims resulting from the use, occupancy and related activities of each property by the tenant, and to indemnify us against all costs related to any release, discovery, clean-up and removal of hazardous substances or materials, or other environmental responsibility with respect to each facility. These provisions, along with a growing senior demographic and the historical propensity for real estate to hold its value, collectively constitute much of the means by which the risk associated with the residual value of our properties is mitigated. Additionally, in monitoring the performance of our properties, we are positioned to respond appropriately to declines in physical plant or tenant performance. While we do not incorporate residual value guarantees, the above lease provisions and considerations inform our expectation of realizable value from our properties upon the expiration of their lease terms. The residual value of our real estate under lease is still subject to various market, asset, and tenant-specific risks and characteristics. As the classification of our leases is dependent on the fair value of estimated cash flows at lease commencement, residual values represent significant assumptions in our accounting for operating leases. Similarly, the exercise of options is also subject to these same risks, making a tenant’s lease term another significant variable in a lease’s cash flows.

Most of our existing leases contain annual fixed escalators in rent payments, and, for financial statement purposes, rental income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Other operators lease from us under leases that provide for variable escalation in lease payments based on contingent factors not determinable in advance. Principally, variable revenue from two operators constitutes 21% of our total revenue and derives from either an index applied to the measured level of operations or the

10

consumer price index. Additionally, we derive variable payments from those operators discussed under the sub-heading “Tenant Transition” for which variable payments are determined as discussed later in Note 2. Our variable revenue from these operators is recognized when received. A summary of future minimum lease payments as of March 31, 2019, can be found in Note 2.

Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Earnings Per Share - The weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period is used to calculate basic earnings per common share. Diluted earnings per common share assumes the exercise of stock options using the treasury stock method, to the extent dilutive. Diluted earnings per share also incorporate the potential dilutive impact of our convertible senior notes. We apply the treasury stock method to our convertible debt instruments, the effect of which is that conversion will not be assumed for purposes of computing diluted earnings per share unless the average share price for the period exceeds the conversion price per share.

Reclassifications - We have reclassified certain balances where necessary to conform the presentation of prior periods to the current period. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income.

New Accounting Pronouncements - For a review of recent accounting pronouncements pertinent to our operations and management’s judgment as to the impact that the eventual adoption of these pronouncements will have on our financial position and results of operations, see Note 10.

NOTE 2. REAL ESTATE

As of March 31, 2019 , we owned 220 health care real estate properties located in 33 states and consisting of 143 senior housing communities (“SHO”), 72 skilled nursing facilities (“SNF”), 3 hospitals and 2 medical office buildings. Our senior housing communities include assisted living facilities, senior living campuses, independent living facilities, and entrance-fee communities. These investments (excluding our corporate office of $2,471,000 ) consisted of properties with an original cost of approximately $2,900,846,000 rented under triple-net leases to 30 lessees.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019 , we made the following real estate investments and commitments as described below ($ in thousands) :
Operator
 
Date
 
Properties
 
Asset Class
 
Amount
Wingate Healthcare
 
January 2019
 
1
 
SHO
 
$
52,200

Holiday Retirement
 
January 2019
 
1
 
SHO
 
38,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
90,200


Wingate

On January 15, 2019, we acquired a 267 -unit senior living campus in Massachusetts for a purchase price of $50,300,000 , including closing costs of $300,000 . The facility is being leased to Wingate Healthcare, Inc. (“Wingate”) for a term of 10 years , with three five -year renewal options, at an initial lease rate of 7.5% plus annual fixed escalators. We have committed to the additional funding of up to $1,900,000 in capital improvements, and the lease provides for incentive payments up to $5,000,000 to become available beginning in 2020 upon the attainment of certain operating metrics. NHI will have a right of first offer on two additional Wingate-operated facilities. We accounted for the transaction as an asset purchase.

Major Tenants

Holiday

In November 2018, we entered into a lease amendment and guaranty release (“the Agreement”) with an affiliate of Holiday Retirement (“Holiday”). Among other provisions, the Agreement decreased base rent beginning in 2019 from $39,000,000 to $31,500,000 , extended the term of the original lease through 2035, and increased required minimum capital expenditure per unit. As consideration for amending provisions included in the original 2013 lease, Holiday agreed to pay NHI $55,125,000 in cash or real estate and forfeit $10,637,000 of their original $21,275,000 security deposit.


11

On January 31, 2019, we acquired a senior housing facility in Vero Beach, Florida from Holiday consisting of 157 independent living and 71 assisted living units in exchange for $38,000,000 toward the $55,125,000 receivable arising from the lease amendment, discussed above. The property was added to the master lease at a 6.71% lease rate. Under the restructured master lease, annual lease escalators ranging from 2% to 3% , based on portfolio revenue growth, will go into effect on November 1, 2020. Holiday settled the remaining commitment to NHI with cash of $17,125,000 at closing. Acquisition of the property and collection of residual cash flowed through our accounts as adjustments to lease receivables and resulted in the change of our straight-line receivable from Holiday at the beginning of the year into a straight-line payable, which is included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as “deferred income” at March 31, 2019.

As of March 31, 2019 , we leased 26 independent living facilities to Holiday. Of our total revenues, $9,930,000 ( 13% ) and $10,954,000 ( 15% ) were derived from Holiday for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, including $1,630,000 and $1,530,000 in straight-line rent income, respectively. Our tenant operates the facilities pursuant to a management agreement with a Holiday-affiliated manager.

Bickford

As of March 31, 2019 , our Bickford Senior Living (“Bickford”) lease portfolio consists of the following ($ in thousands) :
 
Lease Expiration
 
 
June 2023
September 2027
May 2031
April 2033
Total
Number of Properties
13

4

28

5

50

2019 Contractual Rent
$
11,468

$
1,576

$
30,765

$
4,826

$
48,635

2019 Straight Line Rent
358

195

3,937

843

5,333

 
$
11,826

$
1,771

$
34,702

$
5,669

$
53,968


Of our total revenues, $13,244,000 ( 17% ) and $11,445,000 ( 16% ) were recognized as rental income from Bickford for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , including $1,371,000 and $1,169,000 in straight-line rent income, respectively.

Senior Living Communities

As of March 31, 2019 , we leased 11 retirement communities totaling 2,216 units to Senior Living Communities, LLC (“Senior Living”). The 15 -year master lease, which began in December 2014 , contains two 5 -year renewal options and provides for an annual escalator of 3% effective January 1, 2019.

Of our total revenues, $11,532,000 ( 15% ) and $11,449,000 ( 16% ) in rental income were derived from Senior Living for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, including $1,058,000 and $1,359,000 in straight-line rent income, respectively.

NHC

As of March 31, 2019 , we leased 42 facilities under two master leases to National HealthCare Corporation (“NHC”), a publicly-held company. The facilities leased to NHC consist of 3 independent living facilities and 39 skilled nursing facilities ( 4 of which are subleased to other parties for whom the lease payments are guaranteed to us by NHC). These facilities are leased to NHC under the terms of an amended master lease agreement originally dated October 17, 1991 (“the 1991 lease”) which includes our 35 legacy properties and a master lease agreement dated August 30, 2013 (“the 2013 lease”) which includes 7 skilled nursing facilities acquired in 2013.

The 1991 lease expiration is December 31, 2026. There are two additional 5 -year renewal options, each at fair rental value as negotiated between the parties and determined without including the value attributable to any improvements to the leased property voluntarily made by NHC at its expense. Under the terms of the 1991 lease, the base annual rental is $30,750,000 and rent escalates by 4% of the increase, if any, in each facility’s revenue over a 2007 base year. The 2013 lease provides for a base annual rental of $3,450,000 and has a lease expiration of August 2028. Under the terms of the 2013 lease, rent escalates 4% of the increase, if any, in each facility’s revenue over the 2014 base year. For both the 1991 lease and the 2013 lease, we refer to this additional rent component as “percentage rent.” During the last three years of the 2013 lease, NHC will have the option to purchase the facilities for $49,000,000 .





12

The following table summarizes the percentage rent income from NHC ( in thousands ):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Current year
$
877

 
$
853

Prior year final certification 1
334

 
285

Total percentage rent income
$
1,211

 
$
1,138

1 For purposes of the percentage rent calculation described in the master lease agreement, NHC’s annual revenue by facility for a given year is certified to NHI by March 31st of the following year.

Of our total revenues, $9,748,000 ( 13% ) and $9,674,000 ( 13% ) in rental income were derived from NHC for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively.

The chairman of our board of directors is also a director on NHC’s board of directors. As of March 31, 2019 , NHC owned 1,630,462 shares of our common stock.

Purchase Options

Certain of our operators hold purchase options allowing them to acquire properties they currently lease from NHI. For options open or coming open in the near future, we are engaged in preliminary negotiations to continue as lessor or in some other capacity.

A summary of these tenant options is presented below ( $ in thousands ):
Asset
Number of
Lease
1st Option
Option
Contractual
Type
Properties
Expiration
Open Year
Basis
Rent
MOB
1
February 2025
Open
i
$
302

SHO
4
September 2027
Open
iv
$
1,560

HOSP
1
September 2027
2020
ii
$
2,673

SHO
8
December 2024
2020
ii
$
6,027

HOSP
1
March 2025
2020
iv
$
1,900

SHO
2
May 2031
2021
iv
$
4,892

HOSP
1
June 2022
2022
i
$
3,460

SNF
7
August 2028
2025
iii
$
3,732

SNF
1
September 2028
2028
iii
$
463


Tenant purchase options generally give the lessee an option to purchase the underlying property for consideration determined by i) greater of fixed base price or fair market value; ii) a fixed base price plus a specified share in any appreciation; iii) fixed base price; or iv) a fixed capitalization rate on lease revenue.

Other Portfolio Activity

Tenant Transition

As of March 31, 2019, we continued to transition three lease portfolios to new operators as a result of non-compliance with our lease terms. The properties consist of three former Regency buildings, five former LaSalle Autumn Leaves properties and a property formerly leased to Landmark. To expedite stabilization of the facilities, NHI has committed to specified income-generating capital expenditures for the re-branding and refurbishment of certain of these properties. While the transition is now underway, during the first quarter of 2019, some agreements concerning the transition were informal in nature. Background of the tenant relationships is described in the financial statements included in Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

In June 2018, East Lake Capital Management LLC (“East Lake”) and certain related entities, including SH Regency Leasing, LLC (for three assisted living facilities in Tennessee, Indiana and North Carolina referred to as “Regency”), filed suit against NHI in Texas seeking injunctive and declaratory relief and unspecified monetary damages. We countered with motions calling for the immediate appointment of a receiver and for pre-judgment possession. Resulting from these claims and counterclaims, on December 6, 2018, the plaintiff parties entered into an agreement resulting in Regency vacating the facilities in December 2018. NHI arranged with experienced third-party operators to operate the three buildings. Until operations become stabilized or

13

more formal long-term lease agreements are entered into, NHI is to receive 95% of operating cash flow, after management fees, generated by the Tennessee facility, and 100% of operating cash flow from a similar arrangement for the Indiana facility. The Charlotte facility remains closed while undergoing significant upgrades which are expected to be completed in June 2019. NHI has committed $3,100,000 toward these upgrades as well as anticipated facility operating losses.

Another of our tenants, The LaSalle Group (“LaSalle”), has been in default on its rent payments since November 2018. With no rent payment forthcoming in the first quarter of 2019, we began the process to transition to a new tenant, and on April 16, 2019, we placed the five buildings with a new tenant with NHI to receive 100% of operating cash flow, after management fees, generated by the facilities pending stabilization of the operations of the facility. We also commenced litigation for the recovery of certain funds owed under the lease and against the principal executive personally under the guaranty agreement

At December 31, 2018, we had a single-property lease in Wisconsin with Landmark Senior Living (”Landmark”) that was non-performing. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, we recorded $625,000 in lease income for amounts collected during the period. In February 2019, we transitioned the lease to BAKA Enterprises, (“BAKA”), temporarily acting under a management agreement with Landmark. Under terms of the new lease, after regulatory approval, NHI will receive 95% of operating cash flow, after management fees, as generated by the facilities. Upon the establishment of an operational baseline, beginning in year two, the agreement calls for a rent reset to fair value. The agreement provides for a term of 8 years , subject to renewal.

As we seek to stabilize the operations of these facilities, if our resulting tenants or operating partners do not have adequate liquidity to accept the risks and rewards of a tenant-lessee, NHI might be deemed the primary beneficiary of the operations and might be required to consolidate those statements of financial position and results of operations of the managers or operating partners into our consolidated financial statements.

Of our total revenue, $702,000 ( 1% ) and $3,172,000 ( 4% ) in lease revenues were derived from the above properties for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively.

Assets Held For Sale

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we identified two assisted living properties for disposal and began active marketing of the properties. The buildings are smaller than are typical of our portfolio and are no longer considered to be an appropriate investment for NHI. In January we ceased recording depreciation on the properties, and we booked an adjustment to lease revenues to write off the associated $124,000 in straight-line receivables. We recognized an impairment loss of $2,500,000 to write down the properties to their estimated net realizable value of $3,745,000 and have classified the assets as available for sale on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2019.

Future Minimum Lease Payments

With the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842, Leases , as discussed in Note 10, our minimum lease payments are now determined under guidance different from that required as of December 31, 2018, when we were subject to ASC Topic 840 Leases . Presented in the following table are future minimum lease payments, as of March 31, 2019 , to be received by us under our operating leases, as determined under ASC 842 ( in thousands ):
 
March 31,
2019
2019
$
192,261

2020
256,991

2021
257,610

2022
259,674

2023
253,653

Thereafter
1,719,019

 
$
2,939,208


We assess the collectibility of our lease receivables, including deferred rents receivable, based on several factors, including payment history, the financial strength of the tenant and any guarantors, historical operations and operating trends of the property, and current economic conditions. If our evaluation of these factors indicates it is not probable that we will be to recover substantially all of the receivable, we de-recognize the deferred rent receivable asset and record as a reduction in rental revenue.



14

NOTE 3. MORTGAGE AND OTHER NOTES RECEIVABLE

At March 31, 2019 , we had net investments in mortgage notes receivable with a carrying value of $213,563,000 , secured by real estate and UCC liens on the personal property of 12 facilities, and other notes receivable with a carrying value of $43,918,000 , guaranteed by significant parties to the notes or by cross-collateralization of properties with the same owner. All our notes receivable were on full accrual basis and no allowance for doubtful accounts was considered necessary at March 31, 2019 or December 31, 2018 .

Bickford

At March 31, 2019 , our construction loans to Bickford are summarized as follows:
Commencement
 
Rate
 
Maturity
 
Commitment
 
Drawn
 
Location
July 2016
 
9%
 
5 years
 
$
14,000,000

 
$
(13,047,000
)
 
Illinois
January 2017
 
9%
 
5 years
 
14,000,000

 
(13,191,000
)
 
Michigan
January 2018
 
9%
 
5 years
 
14,000,000

 
(6,134,000
)
 
Virginia
July 2018
 
9%
 
5 years
 
14,700,000

 
(4,042,000
)
 
Michigan
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
56,700,000

 
$
(36,414,000
)
 
 

The construction loans are secured by first mortgage liens on substantially all real and personal property as well as a pledge of any and all leases or agreements which may grant a right of use to the property. Usual and customary covenants extend to the agreements, including the borrower’s obligation for payment of insurance and taxes. NHI has a fair market value purchase option on the properties at stabilization of the underlying operations. On these development projects, Bickford as borrower is entitled to up to $2,000,000 per project in incentive loan draws based on the achievement of predetermined operational milestones and, if funded, will increase the principal amount and NHI's future purchase price and eventual NHI lease payment.

Our loans to Bickford represent a variable interest. Bickford is structured to limit liability for potential claims for damages, is capitalized to achieve that purpose and is considered a VIE within the definition set forth in Note 1.

Life Care Services - Sagewood

On December 21, 2018 we entered into an agreement to lend LCS-Westminster Partnership IV LLP (“LCS-WP IV”), an affiliate of Life Care Services (“LCS”), the manager of the facility, up to $180,000,000 . The loan agreement conveys a mortgage interest and will facilitate the construction of Phase II of Sagewood, a Type-A Continuing Care Retirement Community in Scottsdale, AZ. As an affiliate of a larger company, LCS-WP IV is structured to limit liability for potential damage claims, is capitalized to achieve that purpose and is considered a VIE within the definition set forth in Note 1.

The loan takes the form of two notes under a master credit agreement. The senior note (“Note A”) totals $118,800,000 at a 7.25% interest rate with 10 basis-point annual escalators after year three and has a term of 10 years . We have funded $77,118,000 of Note A as of March 31, 2019 . Note A is interest-only and is locked to prepayment until January 2021. After 2020, the prepayment penalty starts at 2% and declines to 1% in 2022. The second note (“Note B”) is a construction loan for up to $61,200,000 at an annual interest rate of 8.5% and carries a five -year maturity. The total amount funded on Note B was $15,612,000 as of March 31, 2019 .

Life Care Services - Timber Ridge

In February 2015 , we entered into an agreement with LCS-Westminster Partnership III LLP (“LCS-WP III”), an affiliate of LCS, the manager of the facility, to lend up to $154,500,000 . The loan agreement conveys a mortgage interest and facilitated the construction of Phase II of Timber Ridge at Talus (“Timber Ridge”), a Type-A continuing care retirement community in Issaquah, Washington. Our loan to LCS-WP III represents a variable interest. As an affiliate of a larger company, LCS-WP III is structured to limit liability for potential damage claims, is capitalized to achieve that purpose and is considered a VIE within the definition set forth in Note 1.

The loan took the form of two notes under a master credit agreement. The senior note (“Note A”) totals $60,000,000 at an initial rate of 6.75% (currently 6.95% ) with 10 basis-point escalators after year three and has a term of 10 years . We have funded $58,975,000 of Note A as of March 31, 2019 . Note A is interest-only and is locked to prepayment for three years . Beginning in February 2018, the prepayment penalty started at 5% and will decline 1% annually for five years . Note B was a construction loan for up to $94,500,000 , with the remaining outstanding balance being fully repaid during the first quarter of 2018.


15

NHI has an option to purchase the entire Timber Ridge property for the greater of a mutually agreed-upon fair market value or $115,000,000 during a window of 120 days that opened in February 2019.

Senior Living Communities

In connection with the acquisition in December 2014 of properties leased to Senior Living, we provided a $15,000,000 revolving line of credit, the maturity of which mirrors the 15 -year term of the master lease. Borrowings are used to finance construction projects within the Senior Living portfolio, including building additional units. Up to $5,000,000 of the facility may be used to meet general working capital needs. Amounts outstanding under the facility, $2,758,000 at March 31, 2019 , bear interest at an annual rate equal to the prevailing 10 -year U.S. Treasury rate, 2.41% at March 31, 2019 , plus 6% .

NHI has two mezzanine loans of up to $12,000,000 and $2,000,000 , respectively, to affiliates of Senior Living, whose purpose was to partially fund construction of a 186 -unit senior living campus on Daniel Island in South Carolina, which opened in April 2018. The loans bear interest payable monthly at a 10% annual rate and mature in March 2021 . The loans were fully drawn at March 31, 2019 , and provide NHI with a purchase option on the development upon its meeting certain operational metrics. The option is to remain open during the term of the loans, plus any extensions.

Our loans to Senior Living and its subsidiaries represent a variable interest. Senior Living is structured to limit liability for potential claims for damages, is appropriately capitalized for that purpose and is considered a VIE.

Senior Living Management

In August 2016 , we entered into an agreement to furnish to our current tenant, Senior Living Management, Inc. (“SLM”), through its affiliates, loans of up to $24,500,000 to facilitate SLM’s acquisition of five senior housing facilities that it currently operates. The loans consist of two notes under a master credit agreement, include both a mortgage and a corporate loan, and bear interest at 8.25% with terms of five years , plus optional one and two -year extensions. NHI has a right of first refusal if SLM elects to sell the facilities. The loans were fully funded as of March 31, 2019 .

Our loans to SLM represent a variable interest. SLM is structured to limit liability for potential damage claims, is capitalized for that purpose and is considered a VIE.

NOTE 4. OTHER ASSETS

Other assets consist of the following ( in thousands ):
 
March 31,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
Accounts receivable and other assets
$
2,864

 
$
6,381

Regulatory escrows
8,208

 
8,208

Unamortized lease incentive payments
8,538

 
7,456

Restricted cash
10,377

 
5,253

 
$
29,987

 
$
27,298


Restricted cash consists of reserves for replacement, insurance and tax escrows required to be held on deposit in accordance with regulatory agreements governing our Fannie Mae and HUD mortgages.


16

NOTE 5. DEBT

Debt consists of the following ( in thousands ):
 
March 31,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
Revolving credit facility - unsecured
$
89,000

 
$
84,000

Bank term loans - unsecured
550,000

 
550,000

Private placement term loans - unsecured
400,000

 
400,000

HUD mortgage loans (net of discount of $1,299 and $1,320)
42,717

 
42,906

Fannie Mae term loans - secured, non-recourse
95,958

 
96,044

Convertible senior notes - unsecured (net of discount of $1,199 and $1,391)
118,802

 
118,609

Unamortized loan costs
(9,272
)
 
(9,884
)
 
$
1,287,205

 
$
1,281,675


Aggregate principal maturities of debt as of March 31, 2019 , and for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows ( in thousands ):
Twelve months ended March 31,
 
2020
$
1,196

2021
1,244

2022
121,291

2023
465,340

2024
351,390

Thereafter
358,513

 
1,298,974

Less: discount
(2,497
)
Less: unamortized loan costs
(9,272
)
 
$
1,287,205


Revolving credit facility and bank term loans - unsecured

Our unsecured bank credit facility consists of $250,000,000 and $300,000,000 term loans and a $550,000,000 revolving credit facility. The $250,000,000 term loan and $550,000,000 revolving facility mature in August 2022 , and the $300,000,000 term loan matures in September 2023 . On March 22, 2019, we entered into swap agreements to fix the interest rates on $200,000,000 of the $300,000,000 term loans through December 2021, when LIBOR is scheduled to cease automatic recalculation.

The revolving facility fee is currently 20 basis points per annum, and based on our current leverage ratios, the facility presently provides for floating interest on the revolver and the term loans at 30-day LIBOR plus 115 and a blended 127 bps, respectively. At March 31, 2019 and December 2018 , 30-day LIBOR was 249 and 250 bps, respectively. Within the facility, the employment of interest rate swaps for a portion of our fixed term debt leaves only our revolving credit facility and $100,000,000 of our term loans exposed to interest rate risk through April 2019, when our $40,000,000 swap expires. Our swaps and the financial instruments to which they relate are described in the table below, under the caption “Interest Rate Swap Agreements.”

At March 31, 2019 , we had $461,000,000 available to draw on the revolving portion of our credit facility, subject to usual and customary covenants. Among other stipulations, the unsecured credit facility agreement requires that we maintain certain financial ratios within limits set by our creditors. At March 31, 2019 , we were in compliance with these ratios.

Pinnacle Bank is a participating member of our banking group. A member of NHI’s board of directors and chairman of our audit committee is also the chairman of Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc., the holding company for Pinnacle Bank. NHI’s local banking transactions are conducted primarily through Pinnacle Bank.





17

Private placement term loans - unsecured

Our unsecured private placement term loans, payable interest-only, are summarized below ( in thousands ):
Amount
 
Inception
 
Maturity
 
Fixed Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
125,000

 
January 2015
 
January 2023
 
3.99%
50,000

 
November 2015
 
November 2023
 
3.99%
75,000

 
September 2016
 
September 2024
 
3.93%
50,000

 
November 2015
 
November 2025
 
4.33%
100,000

 
January 2015
 
January 2027
 
4.51%
$
400,000

 
 
 
 
 
 

Except for specific debt-coverage ratios, covenants pertaining to the private placement term loans are generally conformed with those governing our credit facility.

HUD mortgage loans

Our HUD mortgage loans are secured by ten properties leased to Bickford and having a net book value of $50,437,000 at March 31, 2019 . Nine mortgage notes require monthly payments of principal and interest from 4.3% to 4.4% (inclusive of mortgage insurance premium) and mature in August and October 2049. One additional HUD mortgage loan assumed in 2014, at a discount, requires monthly payments of principal and interest of 2.9% (inclusive of mortgage insurance premium) and matures in October 2047. The loan has an outstanding principal balance of $8,652,000 and a carrying value of $7,353,000 , which approximates fair value.

Fannie Mae term loans - secured, non-recourse

In March 2015 we obtained $78,084,000 in Fannie Mae financing. The term debt financing consists of interest-only payments at an annual rate of 3.79% and a 10 -year maturity. The mortgages are non-recourse and secured by thirteen properties leased to Bickford. In a December 2017 acquisition, we assumed additional Fannie Mae debt that amortizes through 2025 when a balloon payment will be due, is subject to prepayment penalties until 2024, bears interest at a nominal rate of 4.60% , and has remaining balance of $17,874,000 at March 31, 2019 . All together, these notes are secured by facilities having a net book value of $137,416,000 at March 31, 2019 .

Convertible senior notes - unsecured

In March 2014 we issued $200,000,000 of 3.25% senior unsecured convertible notes due April 2021 (the “Notes”) with interest payable April 1st and October 1st of each year. The Notes were convertible at an initial rate of 13.93 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount, representing a conversion price of approximately $71.81 per share for a total of approximately 2,785,200 underlying shares. The conversion rate is subsequently adjusted upon each occurrence of certain events, as defined in the indenture governing the Notes, including the payment of dividends at a rate exceeding that prevailing in 2014. The conversion option was accounted for as an “optional net-share settlement conversion feature,” meaning that upon conversion, NHI’s conversion obligation may be satisfied, at our option, in cash, shares of common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock. Because we have the ability and intent to settle the convertible securities in cash upon exercise, we use the treasury stock method to account for potential dilution.

As of March 31, 2019 , our senior unsecured convertible notes were convertible at a rate of 14.47 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount, representing a conversion price of approximately $69.11 per share for a total of 1,736,340 remaining underlying shares. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 , dilution resulting from the conversion option within our convertible debt is 223,513 shares. If NHI’s current share price increases above the adjusted $69.11 conversion price, further dilution will be attributable to the conversion feature. On March 31, 2019 , the value of the convertible debt, computed as if the debt were immediately eligible for conversion, exceeded its face amount by $16,390,000 .

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

Our existing interest rate swap agreements will collectively continue through December 2021 to hedge against fluctuations in variable interest rates applicable to $450,000,000 of our bank term loans. During the next year, approximately $881,000 of gains, which are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), are projected to be reclassified into earnings.

18


As of March 31, 2019 , we employ the following interest rate swap contracts to mitigate our interest rate risk on our bank term loans described above ( dollars in thousands ):
Date Entered
 
Maturity Date
 
Fixed Rate
 
Rate Index
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
May 2012
 
April 2019
 
2.84%
 
1-month LIBOR
 
$
40,000,000

 
$
31

June 2013
 
June 2020
 
3.41%
 
1-month LIBOR
 
$
80,000,000

 
$
230

March 2014
 
June 2020
 
3.46%
 
1-month LIBOR
 
$
130,000,000

 
$
298

March 2019
 
December 2021
 
3.46%
 
1-month LIBOR
 
$
100,000,000

 
$
(92
)
March 2019
 
December 2021
 
3.47%
 
1-month LIBOR
 
$
100,000,000

 
$
(127
)

If the fair value of the hedge is an asset, we include it in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets among other assets, and, if a liability, as a component of accrued expenses. See Note 9 for fair value disclosures about our interest rate swap agreements. Net asset (liability) balances for our hedges included as components of consolidated other comprehensive income on March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were $339,000 and $1,297,000 , respectively.

The following table summarizes interest expense ( in thousands ):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Interest expense on debt at contractual rates
$
13,074

 
$
10,527

Losses reclassified from accumulated other
 
 
 
comprehensive income (loss) into interest expense
(292
)
 
276

Capitalized interest
(157
)
 
(24
)
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount
893

 
835

Total interest expense
$
13,518

 
$
11,614


NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the normal course of business, we enter into a variety of commitments, typically funding of revolving credit arrangements, construction and mezzanine loans to our operators to conduct expansions and acquisitions for their own account, and commitments for the funding of construction for expansion or renovation to our existing properties under lease. In our leasing operations, we offer to our tenants and to sellers of newly-acquired properties a variety of inducements which originate contractually as contingencies but which may become commitments upon the satisfaction of the contingent event. Contingent payments earned will be included in the respective lease bases when funded. The tables below summarize our existing, known commitments and contingencies as of March 31, 2019 according to the nature of their impact on our leasehold or loan portfolios.

 
Asset Class
 
Type
 
Total
 
Funded
 
Remaining
Loan Commitments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LCS Sagewood Note A
SHO
 
Construction
 
$
118,800,000

 
$
(77,118,000
)
 
$
41,682,000

LCS Sagewood Note B
SHO
 
Construction
 
61,200,000

 
(15,612,000
)
 
45,588,000

LCS Timber Ridge Note A
SHO
 
Construction
 
60,000,000

 
(58,975,000
)
 
1,025,000

Bickford Senior Living
SHO
 
Construction
 
56,700,000

 
(36,415,000
)
 
20,285,000

Senior Living Communities
SHO
 
Revolving Credit
 
15,000,000

 
(2,758,000
)
 
12,242,000

 
 
 
 
 
$
311,700,000

 
$
(190,878,000
)
 
$
120,822,000


See Note 3 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for full details of our loan commitments. As provided above, loans funded do not include the effects of discounts or commitment fees.


19

 
Asset Class
 
Type
 
Total
 
Funded
 
Remaining
Development Commitments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ignite Medical Resorts
SNF
 
Construction
 
$
25,350,000

 
$
(6,621,000
)
 
$
18,729,000

Woodland Village
SHO
 
Renovation
 
7,450,000

 
(7,268,000
)
 
182,000

Senior Living Communities
SHO
 
Renovation
 
6,830,000

 
(5,808,000
)
 
1,022,000

Senior Living Communities
SHO
 
Renovation
 
3,100,000

 
—

 
3,100,000

Bickford Senior Living
SHO
 
Renovation
 
1,750,000

 
(1,750,000
)
 
—

Navion Senior Solutions
SHO
 
Construction
 
650,000

 
—

 
650,000

Discovery Senior Living
SHO
 
Renovation
 
500,000

 
(302,000
)
 
198,000

 
 
 
 
 
$
45,630,000

 
$
(21,749,000
)
 
$
23,881,000


 
Asset Class
 
Type
 
Total
 
Funded
 
Remaining
Contingencies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bickford Senior Living
SHO
 
Lease Inducement
 
$
10,000,000

 
$
(8,750,000
)
 
$
1,250,000

Bickford Senior Living
SHO
 
Incentive Loan Draws
 
8,000,000

 
(250,000
)
 
7,750,000

Wingate Healthcare
SHO
 
Lease Inducement
 
5,000,000

 
—

 
5,000,000

Navion Senior Solutions
SHO
 
Lease Inducement
 
4,850,000

 
—

 
4,850,000

Ignite Medical Resorts
SNF
 
Lease Inducement
 
2,000,000

 
—

 
2,000,000

 
 
 
 
 
$
29,850,000

 
$
(9,000,000
)
 
$
20,850,000


Contingent lease inducement payments of $10,000,000 related to the five Bickford development properties constructed in 2016 and 2017 include a licensure incentive of $250,000 per property and a three-tiered operator incentive schedule paying up to an additional $1,750,000 , based on the attainment of certain performance metrics. Upon funding, these payments are added to the lease base and amortized against rental income.

Litigation

See Note 2 for a discussion of our litigation involving our former tenants East Lake Capital Management LLC, SH Regency Leasing LLC and The LaSalle Group, including our transition of properties to other operators.

Our facilities are subject to claims and suits in the ordinary course of business. Our lessees and borrowers have indemnified, and are obligated to continue to indemnify us, against all liabilities arising from the operation of the facilities, and are further obligated to indemnify us against environmental or title problems affecting the real estate underlying such facilities. While there may be lawsuits pending against certain of the owners and/or lessees of the facilities, management believes that the ultimate resolution of all such pending proceedings will have no material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

NOTE 7. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

We recognize stock-based compensation for all stock options granted over the requisite service period using the fair value of these grants as estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model. All restricted stock granted (if any) is recognized over the requisite service period using the market value of our publicly-traded common stock on the date of grant.

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (“the Committee”) has the authority to select the participants to be granted options; to designate whether the option granted is an incentive stock option (“ISO”), a non-qualified option, or a stock appreciation right; to establish the number of shares of common stock that may be issued upon exercise of the option; to establish the vesting provision for any award; and to establish the term any award may be outstanding. The exercise price of any ISO’s granted will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the date granted, and the term of an ISO may not be more than ten years. The exercise price of any non-qualified options granted will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the date granted unless so determined by the Committee.

In May 2012, our stockholders approved the 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (“the 2012 Plan”) pursuant to which 1,500,000 shares of our common stock were made available to grant as stock-based payments to employees, officers, directors or consultants. Through a vote of our shareholders on May 7, 2015, we increased the maximum number of shares under the plan from 1,500,000

20

shares to 3,000,000 shares; increased the automatic annual grant to non-employee directors from 15,000 shares to 20,000 shares; and limited the Company’s ability to re-issue shares under the Plan. Through a second amendment approved on May 4, 2018, our shareholders voted to increase the maximum number of shares under the plan to 3,500,000 and to increase the automatic annual grant to non-employee directors to 25,000 . The individual restricted stock and option grant awards may vest over periods up to five years . The term of the options under the 2012 Plan is up to ten years from the date of grant. As of March 31, 2019 , there were 319,669 shares available for future grants under the 2012 Plan.

On May 3, 2019, our stockholders approved the 2019 Stock Incentive Plan (“the 2019 Plan”) pursuant to which 3,000,000 shares of our common stock were made available to grant as stock-based payments to employees, officers, directors or consultants. The individual option grant awards may vest over periods up to five years . The term of the options under the 2019 Plan is up to ten years from the date of grant.

Compensation expense is only recognized for the awards that ultimately vest. Accordingly, pre-vesting forfeitures that were not expected will result in the reversal of previously recorded compensation expense. Non-cash compensation expense reported for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was $2,001,000 and $1,425,000 , respectively and is included in general and administrative expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

At March 31, 2019 , we had, net of expected forfeitures, $2,298,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options which is expected to be expensed over the following periods: 2019 - $1,430,000 , 2020 - $776,000 and 2021 - $92,000 .

The weighted average fair value per share of options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was $6.17 and $4.49 , respectively. The fair value of each grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
 
2019
 
2018
Dividend yield
5.5%
 
6.5%
Expected volatility
18.6%
 
19.4%
Expected lives
2.9 years
 
2.9 years
Risk-free interest rate
2.50%
 
2.39%
The following table summarizes our outstanding stock options:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Options outstanding January 1,
920,346

 
859,182

Options granted under 2012 Plan
602,000

 
560,000

Options exercised under 2012 Plan
(352,830
)
 
—

Options forfeited under 2012 Plan
—

 
(15,000
)
Options outstanding, December 31,
1,169,516

 
1,404,182

 
 
 
 
Exercisable at December 31,
678,997

 
949,160


NOTE 8. EARNINGS AND DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE

The weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period is used to calculate basic earnings per common share. Diluted earnings per common share assume the exercise of stock options and the conversion of our convertible debt using the treasury stock method, to the extent dilutive. If our average stock price for the period increases over the conversion price of our convertible debt, the conversion feature will be considered dilutive.









21

The following table summarizes the average number of common shares and the net income used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Net income
$
35,679

 
$
38,432

 
 
 
 
BASIC:
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
42,825,824

 
41,532,154

 
 
 
 
DILUTED:
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
42,825,824

 
41,532,154

Stock options
75,695

 
44,722

Convertible subordinated debentures
223,513

 
—

Weighted average dilutive common shares outstanding
43,125,032

 
41,576,876

 
 
 
 
Net income per common share - basic
$
.83

 
$
.93

Net income per common share - diluted
$
.83

 
$
.92

 
 
 
 
Incremental anti-dilutive shares excluded:
 
 
 
Net share effect of stock options with an exercise price in excess of the average market price for our common shares
17,415

 
118,639

 
 
 
 
Regular dividends declared per common share
$
1.05

 
$
1.00


NOTE 9. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value (based on the hierarchy of the three levels of inputs described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K) on a recurring basis have included marketable securities, derivative financial instruments and contingent consideration arrangements. Derivative financial instruments include our interest rate swap agreements. Contingent consideration arrangements relate to certain provisions of recent real estate purchase agreements involving asset acquisitions.

Derivative financial instruments . Derivative financial instruments are valued in the market using discounted cash flow techniques. These techniques incorporate Level 1 and Level 2 inputs. The market inputs are utilized in the discounted cash flow calculation considering the instrument’s term, notional amount, discount rate and credit risk. Significant inputs to the derivative valuation model for interest rate swaps are observable in active markets and are classified as Level 2 in the hierarchy.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows (in thousands) :
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurement
 
Balance Sheet Classification
 
March 31,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
Level 2
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap asset
Other assets
 
$
559

 
$
1,297

Interest rate swap liability
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
$
(219
)
 
$
—







22

Carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments that are not carried at fair value at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows ( in thousands ):
 
Carrying Amount
 
Fair Value Measurement
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Level 2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Variable rate debt
$
633,401

 
$
628,010

 
$
639,000

 
$
634,000

Fixed rate debt
$
653,804

 
$
653,665

 
$
653,455

 
$
644,745

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage and other notes receivable
$
257,481

 
$
246,111

 
$
260,119

 
$
244,206


Fixed rate debt. Fixed rate debt is classified as Level 2 and its value is based on quoted prices for similar instruments or calculated utilizing model derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable in active markets.

Mortgage and other notes receivable. The fair value of mortgage and other notes receivable is based on credit risk and discount rates that are not observable in the marketplace and therefore represents a Level 3 measurement.

Carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. The fair value of our borrowings under our revolving credit facility and other variable rate debt are reasonably estimated at their notional amounts at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , due to the predominance of floating interest rates, which generally reflect market conditions.

NOTE 10. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In February 2016 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases , which has been codified under ASC Topic 842. In July and December 2018 the FASB updated the pending Topic 842 with ASU 2018-11, Leases - Targeted Improvements, and ASU 2018-20, Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors, respectively. ASU 2018-11 provides a simplified transition method under which we applied the new leases standard as of the adoption date and recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment, as appropriate, to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. Consequently, our reporting for the comparative periods presented in the financial statements in which we adopted the new leases standard will continue to be in accordance with prior GAAP (Topic 840, Leases).

ASU 2018-20 was issued to address implementation issues related to Topic 842. We adopted Topic 842 on January 1, 2019 (the “application date”), and, effective with our adoption, we elected the package of practical expedients allowing, among other provisions, for transition with no reassessment of the lease classification for any expired or existing leases. Further, we elected the available practical expedient under ASU 2018-11 that allows us to make an accounting policy election and assess whether a contract is predominantly lease or service-based and recognize the entire contract under the relevant accounting guidance. No cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings was necessary, based on our analysis.
The Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors under ASU 2018-20 requires NHI to exclude from variable payments, and therefore revenue, our costs paid by our tenants directly to third parties. Some of our leases require property tax and insurance costs be covered by our tenants through escrow reimbursement. We serve as the administrative agent for these escrow transactions and ASU 2018-20 requires the associated revenue and expense to be included in our consolidated financial statements. We have included $1,090,000 reimbursement as both a revenue and expense item in our condensed consolidated income statement for the three months ended March 31, 2019, under the captions “Rental income“ and “Property taxes and insurance on leased properties,” respectively.

The principal difference between Topic 842 and previous guidance is that, for lessees, lease assets and lease liabilities arising from operating leases will be recognized in the balance sheet. While the accounting applied by a lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under previous GAAP, changes have been made to align i) certain lessor and lessee accounting guidance, and ii) key aspects of the lessor accounting model with the revenue recognition guidance in Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which we adopted January 1, 2018. Under Topic 842 and unlike prior GAAP, a buyer-lessor in a sale-leaseback transaction will be required to apply the sale and leaseback guidance to determine whether the transaction qualifies as a sale. Topic 842 includes provisions which generally conform with Topic 606, and the presence of a seller-lessee repurchase option on real estate in a sale and leaseback transaction will result in recording the transaction as a financing that would otherwise meet the lease accounting requirements for buyer-lessors under previous guidance. Going forward under Topic 842, for us as lessor, existing sale-leaseback or other leases that undergo modifications may trigger reconsideration of continued accounting for the lease.

23


NHI has largely ceased inclusion of purchase options in new sale-leaseback transactions, and there were no material effects from the change in sale-leaseback guidance as it relates to repurchase options.

In April 2018, we entered into a ground lease as lessee in connection with our acquisition of certain real estate assets. In accordance with transition elections allowed under Topic 842, discussed above, we have continued to account for the lease as an operating lease. Upon adoption of the standard, as lessee we recognized a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the adoption date. No cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings was required to effect a net balance sheet adjustment resulting in an additional operating lease liability and right-of-use asset approximating $1,176,000 , as a result of our adoption of Topic 842, which were included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2019 among “Accounts payable and accrued expenses” and “Real estate assets,” respectively.

Consistent with present standards, upon the adoption of Topic 842, NHI continues to account for lease revenue on a straight-line basis for most leases. Under Topic 842 only initial direct costs that are incremental to the lessor are capitalized, a standard consistent with NHI’s current practice. Under provisions of ASU 2018-20, discussed above, we continue to exclude from variable payments lessor costs paid by our lessees directly to third parties, as consistent with our prior practice.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses . ASU 2016-13 will require more timely recognition of credit losses associated with financial assets. While current GAAP includes multiple credit impairment objectives for instruments, the previous objectives generally delayed recognition of the full amount of credit losses until the loss was probable of occurring. The amendments in ASU 2016-13, whose scope is asset-based and not restricted to financial institutions, eliminate the probable initial recognition threshold in current GAAP and, instead, reflect an entity’s current estimate of all expected credit losses. Currently, when credit losses were measured under GAAP, we generally only considered past events and current conditions in measuring the incurred loss. The amendments in ASU 2016-13 broaden the information that we must consider in developing our expected credit loss estimate for assets measured either collectively or individually. The use of forecasted information incorporates more timely information in the estimate of expected credit loss that will be more useful to users of the financial statements. ASU 2016-13 is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, aligns the transition requirements and clarifies that operating lease receivables are excluded from the scope of ASU 2016-13. Instead, impairment of operating lease receivables is to be accounted for under ASC 842. Because we are likely to continue to invest in loans and generate related notes receivable, adoption of ASU 2016-13 in 2020 will have some effect on our accounting for our loan investments, though the nature of those effects will depend on the composition of our loan portfolio at that time; accordingly, we are in the initial stages of evaluating the extent of the effects that adopting the provisions of ASU 2016-13 in 2020 will have on NHI.

NOTE 11. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

Comfort Care

On April 30, 2019, we acquired a newly-constructed 60 unit assisted living facility in Michigan which has 14 memory care units under construction with an expected summer 2019 opening. The purchase price was $10,800,000 , inclusive of closing costs. We leased the property to Comfort Care Senior Living (“Comfort Care”), providing for an initial 7.75% lease rate, with annual fixed escalators beginning in year three over the term of 10 years plus two five -year renewal options. The lease includes a $3,000,000 earnout incentive which will be added to the lease base when funded. We accounted for the acquisition as an asset purchase.

24

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

Forward Looking Statements

References throughout this document to NHI or the Company include National Health Investors, Inc., and its consolidated subsidiaries. In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s “Plain English” guidelines, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q has been written in the first person. In this document, the words “we”, “our”, “ours” and “us” refer only to National Health Investors, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries and not any other person. Unless the context indicates otherwise, references herein to “the Company” include all of our consolidated subsidiaries.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other materials we have filed or may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as information included in oral statements made, or to be made, by our senior management contain certain “forward-looking” statements as that term is defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements regarding our expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, funds from operations, continued performance improvements, ability to service and refinance our debt obligations, ability to finance growth opportunities, and similar statements including, without limitation, those containing words such as “may,” “will,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” and other similar expressions, are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from those projected or contemplated in the forward-looking statements as a result of factors including, but not limited to, the following:

*
We depend on the operating success of our tenants and borrowers for collection of our lease and note payments;

*
We depend on the success of property development and construction activities, which may fail to achieve the operating results we expect;

*
We are exposed to the risk that our tenants and borrowers may become subject to bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings;

*
Certain tenants in our portfolio account for a significant percentage of the rent we expect to generate from our portfolio, and the failure of any of these tenants to meet their obligations to us could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

*
We are exposed to the risk that the illiquidity of real estate investments could impede our ability to respond to adverse changes in the performance of our properties;

*
We are exposed to risks related to governmental regulations and payors, principally Medicare and Medicaid, and the effect that lower reimbursement rates would have on our tenants’ and borrowers’ business;

*
Legislative, regulatory, or administrative changes could adversely affect us or our security holders.

*
We are exposed to the risk that the cash flows of our tenants and borrowers would be adversely affected by increased liability claims and liability insurance costs;

*
We are exposed to risks related to environmental laws and the costs associated with liabilities related to hazardous substances;

*
We are exposed to the risk that we may not be fully indemnified by our lessees and borrowers against future litigation;

*
We depend on the success of our future acquisitions and investments;

*
We depend on our ability to reinvest cash in real estate investments in a timely manner and on acceptable terms;

*
We may need to refinance existing debt or incur additional debt in the future, which may not be available on terms acceptable to us;

*
We have covenants related to our indebtedness which impose certain operational limitations and a breach of those covenants could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations;

*
When interest rates increase, our common stock may decline in price;

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Table of Contents

*
We depend on revenues derived mainly from fixed rate investments in real estate assets, while a portion of our debt capital used to finance those investments bears interest at variable rates;

*
We are exposed to the risk that our assets may be subject to impairment charges;

*
We depend on the ability to continue to qualify for taxation as a Real Estate Investment Trust;

*
Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forego otherwise attractive acquisition opportunities or liquidate otherwise attractive investments, which could materially hinder our performance;

*
We have ownership limits in our charter with respect to our common stock and other classes of capital stock which may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders;

*
We are subject to certain provisions of Maryland law and our charter and bylaws that could hinder, delay or prevent a change in control transaction, even if the transaction involves a premium price for our common stock or our stockholders believe such transaction to be otherwise in their best interests.

*
If our efforts to maintain the privacy and security of Company information are not successful, we could incur substantial costs and reputational damage, and could become subject to litigation and enforcement actions.

See the notes to the annual audited consolidated financial statements in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 , and “Business” and “Risk Factors” under Item 1 and Item 1A therein for a further discussion of these and of various governmental regulations and other operating factors relating to the healthcare industry and the risk factors inherent in them. You should carefully consider these risks before making any investment decisions in the Company. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones facing the Company. There may be additional risks that we do not presently know of and or that we currently deem immaterial. If any of the risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our shares of stock could decline and you may lose part or all of your investment. Given these risks and uncertainties, we can give no assurance that these forward-looking statements will, in fact, occur and, therefore, caution investors not to place undue reliance on them.

Executive Overview

National Health Investors, Inc., established in 1991 as a Maryland corporation, is a self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”) specializing in sale-leaseback, joint-venture, mortgage and mezzanine financing of need-driven and discretionary senior housing and medical facility investments. Our portfolio consists of real estate investments in independent living facilities, assisted living facilities, entrance-fee communities, senior living campuses, skilled nursing facilities, specialty hospitals and medical office buildings. We fund our real estate investments primarily through: (1) operating cash flow, (2) debt offerings, including bank lines of credit and term debt, both unsecured and secured, and (3) the sale of equity securities.

Portfolio

As of March 31, 2019 , we had investments in real estate and mortgage and other notes receivable involving 232 facilities located in 33 states. These investments involve 151 senior housing properties, 76 skilled nursing facilities, 3 hospitals, 2 medical office buildings and other notes receivable. These investments (excluding our corporate office of $2,471,000 ) consisted of properties with an original cost of approximately $2,900,846,000 , rented under triple-net leases to 30 lessees, and $257,481,000 aggregate net carrying value of mortgage and other notes receivable due from 10 borrowers.

Our investments in real estate are located within the United States and our investments in mortgage loans are secured by real estate located within the United States. We are managed as one unit for internal reporting and decision making. Therefore, our reporting reflects our financial position and operations as a single segment.

We classify all of the properties in our portfolio as either senior housing or medical properties. Because our leases represent different underlying revenue sources and result in differing risk profiles, we further classify our senior housing communities as either need-driven (assisted living and memory care communities and senior living campuses) or discretionary (independent living and entrance-fee communities.)


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Table of Contents

Senior Housing – Need-Driven includes assisted living and memory care communities (“ALF”) and senior living campuses (“SLC”) which primarily attract private payment for services from residents who require assistance with activities of daily living. Need-driven properties are subject to regulatory oversight.

Senior Housing – Discretionary includes independent living (“ILF”) and entrance-fee communities (“EFC”) which primarily attract private payment for services from residents who are making the lifestyle choice of living in an age-restricted multi-family community that offers social programs, meals, housekeeping and in some cases access to healthcare services. Discretionary properties are subject to limited regulatory oversight. There is a correlation between demand for this type of community and the strength of the housing market.

Medical Facilities within our portfolio receive payment primarily from Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance. These properties include skilled nursing facilities (“SNF”), medical office buildings (“MOB”) and hospitals that attract patients who have a need for acute or complex medical attention, preventative medicine, or rehabilitation services. Medical properties are subject to state and federal regulatory oversight and, in the case of hospitals, Joint Commission accreditation.

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Table of Contents

The following tables summarize our investments in real estate and mortgage and other notes receivable as of March 31, 2019 (dollars in thousands) :

 
 
 
Properties

 
Beds/Sq. Ft.*

 
Revenue
 
%
 
Investment
Real Estate Properties
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Housing - Need-Driven
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assisted Living
91

 
4,800

 
$
19,499

 
25.6
%
 
$
847,677

 
 
Senior Living Campus
11

 
1,625

 
4,071

 
5.4
%
 
211,911

 
 
Total Senior Housing - Need-Driven
102

 
6,425

 
23,570

 
31.0
%
 
1,059,588

 
Senior Housing - Discretionary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent Living
31

 
3,644

 
11,372

 
14.9
%
 
592,691

 
 
Entrance-Fee Communities
10

 
2,306

 
12,782

 
16.8
%
 
604,270

 
 
Total Senior Housing - Discretionary
41

 
5,950

 
24,154

 
31.7
%
 
1,196,961

 
 
Total Senior Housing
143

 
12,375

 
47,724

 
62.7
%
 
2,256,549

 
Medical Facilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Skilled Nursing Facilities
72

 
9,433

 
20,020

 
26.3
%
 
577,840

 
 
Hospitals
3

 
207

 
1,998

 
2.6
%
 
55,971

 
 
Medical Office Buildings
2

 
88,517

*
167

 
0.2
%
 
10,486

 
 
Total Medical Facilities
77

 
 
 
22,185

 
29.1
%
 
644,297

 
 
Total Real Estate Properties
220

 
 
 
$
69,909

 
91.8
%
 
$
2,900,846

 
 
Current Year Disposals and Held for Sale
 
 
 
 
(46
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Escrow Funds Received From Tenants
 
 
 
 
1,090

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Rental Income
 
 
 
 
$
70,953

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Housing - Need-Driven
6

 
372

 
$
1,196

 
1.6
%
 
$
56,348

 
Senior Housing - Discretionary
2

 
857

 
2,713

 
3.5
%
 
149,778

 
Medical Facilities
4

 
270

 
168

 
0.2
%
 
7,437

 
Other Notes Receivable
—

 
—

 
1,041

 
1.4
%
 
43,918

 
 
Total Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable
12

 
1,499

 
$
5,118

 
6.7
%
 
$
257,481

 
 
Other Income
 
 
 
 
36

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Revenue


 
 
 
$
76,107

 


 



Portfolio Summary
Properties

 
 
 
Revenue
 
%
 
Investment
 
Real Estate Properties
220

 
 
 
$
69,909

 
93.2
%
 
$
2,900,846

 
Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable
12

 
 
 
5,118

 
6.8
%
 
257,481

 
 
Total Portfolio
232

 
 
 
$
75,027

 
100.0
%
 
$
3,158,327

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Portfolio by Operator Type
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public
74

 
 
 
$
18,800

 
25.1
%
 
$
538,428

 
National Chain (Privately-Owned)
28

 
 
 
12,643

 
16.9
%
 
681,156

 
Regional
126

 
 
 
42,685

 
56.9
%
 
1,886,355

 
Small
4

 
 
 
899

 
1.1
%
 
52,388

 
 
Total Portfolio
232

 
 
 
$
75,027

 
100.0
%
 
$
3,158,327


For the three months ended March 31, 2019 , operators of facilities which provided more than 3% of our total revenues were (in alphabetical order): Bickford Senior Living; Chancellor Health Care; The Ensign Group; Health Services Management; Holiday Retirement; Life Care Services; National HealthCare Corporation; and Senior Living Communities.

As of March 31, 2019 , our average effective annualized rental income was $8,489 per bed for skilled nursing facilities, $10,460 per unit for senior living campuses, $16,185 per unit for assisted living facilities, $12,782 per unit for independent living facilities, $22,171 per unit for entrance-fee communities, $38,604 per bed for hospitals, and $8 per square foot for medical office buildings.


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Table of Contents

Areas of Focus

We are evaluating and will likely make real estate and note investments during the remainder of 2019 while we continue to monitor and improve our existing properties. We seek tenants who will become mission-oriented partners in relationships where our business goals are aligned. This approach aims to fuel steady, and thus, enduring growth for those partners and for NHI. Within the context of our growth model, we rely on a cost-effective access to debt and equity capital to finance acquisitions that will drive our earnings. There is significant competition for healthcare assets from other REITs, both public and private, and from private equity sources. Large-scale portfolios continue to command premium pricing, due to the continued abundance of private and foreign buyers seeking to invest in healthcare real estate. This combination of circumstances places a premium on our ability to execute acquisitions and negotiate leases that will generate meaningful earnings growth for our shareholders. We emphasize growth with our existing tenants and borrowers as a way to insulate us from other competition.

With lower capitalization rates for existing healthcare facilities, there has been increased interest in constructing new facilities in hopes of generating better returns on invested capital. Using our relationship-driven model, we continue to look for opportunities to support new and existing tenants and borrowers with the capital needed to expand existing facilities and to initiate ground-up development of new facilities. We concentrate our efforts in those markets where there is both a demonstrated demand for a particular product type and where we perceive we have a competitive advantage. The projects we agree to finance have attractive upside potential and are expected to provide above-average returns to our shareholders to mitigate the risks inherent with property development and construction.

Following three 25 basis-point increases in 2017, the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve announced four further increases during 2018. As inflation is expected to rise, officials have forecast a total of two increases in 2019. However, the actual path the federal funds rate takes will depend on the changing economic outlook as informed by incoming data. The anticipation of past and further increases in the federal funds rate in 2019 and beyond has been a primary source of much volatility in REIT equity markets. As a result, there will be pressure on the spread between our cost of capital and the returns we earn. We expect that pressure to be partially mitigated by market forces that would tend to result in higher capitalization rates for healthcare assets and higher lease rates indicative of historical levels. Our cost of capital has increased over the past year as we transition some of our short-term revolving borrowings into debt instruments with longer maturities and fixed interest rates. Managing long-term risk involves trade-offs with the competing alternative goal of maximizing short-term profitability. Our intention is to strike an appropriate balance between these competing interests within the context of our investor profile. As interest rates rise, our share price may decline as investors adjust prices to reflect a dividend yield that is sufficiently in excess of a risk-free rate.

For the three months ended March 31, 2019 , approximately 27% of our revenue was derived from operators of our skilled nursing facilities that receive a significant portion of their revenue from governmental payors, primarily Medicare and Medicaid. Such revenues are subject annually to statutory and regulatory changes and in recent years have been reduced due to federal and state budgetary pressures. Over the past few years, we have selectively diversified our portfolio by directing a significant portion of our investments into properties which do not rely primarily on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, but rather on private pay sources (assisted living and memory care facilities, senior living campuses, independent living facilities and entrance-fee communities). We will occasionally acquire skilled nursing facilities in good physical condition with a proven operator and strong local market fundamentals, because diversification implies a periodic rebalancing, but our recent investment focus has been on acquiring need-driven and discretionary senior housing assets.

For individual tenant revenue as a percentage of total lease revenue, Bickford is our largest assisted living tenant, an affiliate of Holiday is our largest independent living tenant, NHC is our largest skilled nursing tenant and Senior Living Communities is our largest entrance-fee community tenant. Our shift toward private payor facilities, as well as our expansion into the discretionary senior housing market, has further resulted in a portfolio whose current composition is relatively balanced between medical facilities, need-driven and discretionary senior housing.

We manage our business with a goal of increasing the regular annual dividends paid to shareholders. Our Board of Directors approves a regular quarterly dividend which is reflective of expected taxable income on a recurring basis. Our transactions that are infrequent and non-recurring that generate additional taxable income have been distributed to shareholders in the form of special dividends. Taxable income is determined in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code and differs from net income for financial statements purposes determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Our goal of increasing annual dividends requires a careful balance between identification of high-quality lease and mortgage assets in which to invest and the cost of our capital with which to fund such investments. We consider the competing interests of short and long-term debt (interest rates, maturities and other terms) versus the higher cost of new equity. We accept some level of risk associated with leveraging our investments. We intend to continue to make new investments that meet our underwriting criteria and where the spreads over our cost of capital will generate sufficient returns to our shareholders.


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In February 2019, we announced an increase in our quarterly dividend to $1.05 per common share ($4.20 on an annual basis). Our dividends per share for the last two years are as follows:
2018
 
2017
$
4.00

 
$
3.80


Our investments in healthcare real estate have been partially accomplished by our ability to effectively leverage our balance sheet. However, we continue to maintain a lower-leverage balance sheet when compared with many in our peer group. We believe that our fixed charge coverage ratio, which is the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, including amounts in discontinued operations, excluding real estate asset impairments and gains on dispositions) to fixed charges (interest expense at contractual rates net of capitalized interest and principal payments on debt), and the ratio of consolidated net debt to Adjusted EBITDA are meaningful measures of our ability to service our debt. We use these two measures as a useful basis to compare the strength of our balance sheet with those in our peer group. We also believe this gives us a competitive advantage when accessing debt markets.

We calculate our fixed charge coverage ratio as approximately 5.1x for the three months ended March 31, 2019 (see our discussion under the heading Adjusted EBITDA including a reconciliation to our net income). Giving effect to our acquisitions and financings on an annualized basis, our consolidated net debt to Annualized Adjusted EBITDA ratio is approximately 4.6x for the three months ended March 31, 2019 (in thousands) :

Consolidated Total Debt
$
1,287,205

Less: cash and cash equivalents
(5,177
)
Consolidated Net Debt
$
1,282,028

 
 
Adjusted EBITDA
$
68,233

Annualizing Adjustment
204,699

Annualized impact of recent investments
5,953

 
$
278,885

 
 
Consolidated Net Debt to Annualized Adjusted EBITDA
4.6
x

According to the Administration on Aging (“AoA”) of the US Department of Health and Human Services, in 2016, the latest year for which data is available, 49.2 million people were age 65 or older in the United States (a 33% increase over the last ten years). Census estimates showed that, by 2040, those 65 or older are expected to constitute 21.7% of the population. The population aged 85 and above is projected to rise from 6.4 million in 2016 to 14.6 million in the US by 2040 (a 129% increase).

Per the AoA, in 2015, the median value of homes owned by older homeowners age 75 and over was $150,000 (with a median purchase price of $53,000). In comparison, the median home value of all homeowners was $180,000. Of the 11.9 million households headed by persons age 75 and over in 2015, 76% were owners. About 78% of these older homeowners in 2015 owned their homes free and clear. Home ownership provides the elderly with greater freedom to choose their lifestyles.

Equipped with the basics of financial security, many will be economically able to enter the market for senior housing. These strong demographic trends provide the context for continued growth in senior housing in 2019 and the years ahead. We plan to fund any new real estate and mortgage investments during 2019 using our liquid assets and debt financing. As the weight of additional debt resulting from new acquisitions suggests the need to rebalance our capital structure, we would then expect to access the capital markets through an at-the-market (“ATM”) or other equity offering. Our disciplined investment strategy implemented through measured increments of debt and equity sets the stage for access to capital at the lowest possible rates, annual dividend growth, continued low leverage, a portfolio of diversified, high-quality assets, and business relationships with experienced operators whom we make our priority, continue to be the key drivers of our business plan.


30
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Critical Accounting Policies

See our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of critical accounting policies including those concerning revenue recognition, our status as a REIT, principles of consolidation, evaluation of impairments and allocation of property acquisition costs.

Major Tenants

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, we have four lessees (including their affiliated entities, which are the legal tenants) from whom we individually derive at least 10% of our rental income as follows ( dollars in thousands ):
 
 
 
 
 
Rental Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
Lease
 
Asset Class
 
Amount
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 
Renewal
Senior Living Communities
EFC
 
$
597,000

 
$
11,532

17%
 
$
11,449

17%
 
2029
Holiday Retirement
ILF
 
531,378

 
9,930

14%
 
10,954

16%
 
2035
Bickford Senior Living
ALF
 
525,576

 
13,244

19%
 
11,445

17%
 
Various
National HealthCare Corporation
SNF
 
171,297

 
9,748

14%
 
9,674

14%
 
2026
All others
Various
 
1,075,595

 
25,409

36%
 
25,731

36%
 
Various
 
 
 
$
2,900,846

 
$
69,863

 
 
$
69,253


 
 

Straight-line rent of $1,630,000 and $1,530,000 was recognized from the Holiday lease for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Straight-line rent of $1,058,000 and $1,359,000 was recognized from the Senior Living Communities lease for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Straight-line rent of $1,371,000 and $1,169,000 was recognized from the Bickford leases for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. For NHC, rent escalations are based on a percentage increase in revenue over a base year and do not give rise to non-cash, straight-line rental income. The table above, for the three months ended March 31, 2019 , excludes $1,090,000 of property tax and insurance costs covered by our tenants through escrow reimbursement.

Our operators report to us the results of their operations on a periodic basis, which we in turn subject to further analysis as a means of monitoring potential concerns within our portfolio. We have identified EBITDARM (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, rent and management fees) as the most elemental barometer of success for our tenants, based on results they have reported to us. We believe EBITDARM is useful in our most fundamental analyses, as it is a property level measure of our operators’ success, by eliminating the effects of the operator’s method of acquiring the use of its assets (interest and rent), its non-cash expenses (depreciation and amortization), expenses that are dependent on its level of success (income taxes), and also excluding the effect of the operator’s payment of its management fees, as typically those fees are contractually subordinate to our lease payment. For operators of our entrance-fee communities, our calculation of EBITDARM includes other cash flow adjustments typical of the industry which may include, but are not limited to, net cash flows from entrance fees; amortization of deferred entrance fees; adjustments for tenant rent obligations, depreciation and amortization; and management fee true-ups. The eliminations and adjustments reflect covenants in our leases and provide a comparable basis for assessing our various relationships

We believe that EBITDARM is a useful way to analyze the cash potential of a group of assets. From EBITDARM we calculate a lease coverage ratio (EBITDARM/Cash Rent), measuring the ability of the operator to meet its monthly rental obligation. In addition to EBITDARM and the lease coverage ratio, we rely on, a careful balance sheet analysis, and other analytical procedures to help us identify potential areas of concern relative to our operators’ ability to generate sufficient liquidity to meet their obligations, including their obligation to continue to pay the rent due to us. Typical among our operators is a varying lag in reporting to us the results of their operations. Across our portfolio, however, our operators report their results, at the latest, within ninety days of month’s end. For computational purposes, we exclude development and lease-up properties that have been in operation less than 24 months and selected immaterial properties identified in 2019 as available for sale. For stabilized acquisitions in the portfolio less than 24 months and renewing leases with changes in scheduled rent, we include pro forma cash rent. For this reporting period, we have excluded results from SH Regency Leasing, LLC, as noted below under the heading Other Portfolio Activity .






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The results by asset type are presented below on a trailing twelve-month basis, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 (the most recent periods available):
Total Portfolio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SHO
SNF
HOSP
MOB
TOTAL
 
 
Properties
133
72
3
2
210
 
 
4Q17
1.23x
2.50x
2.05x
3.85x
1.65x
 
 
4Q18
1.16x
2.66x
1.85x
4.76x
1.63x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Need Driven
Need Driven excl. Bickford
Need Driven excl. Bickford & BKD
Discretionary
Discretionary excl. SLC & Holiday
Medical
Medical excl. NHC
Properties
96
48
39
37
3
77
35
4Q17
1.18x
1.16x
1.17x
1.29x
2.08x
2.48x
1.59x
4Q18
1.08x
1.07x
1.11x
1.24x
2.22x
2.60x
1.72x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NHC
SLC
Bickford
Holiday
 
 
 
Properties
42
9
48
25
 
 
 
4Q17
3.60x
1.30x
1.20x
1.16x
 
 
 
4Q18
3.72x
1.18x
1.09x
1.16x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Same-Store Portfolio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SHO
SNF
HOSP
MOB
Total
 
 
Properties
118
72
3
2
195
 
 
4Q17
1.26x
2.50x
2.05x
3.85x
1.69x
 
 
4Q18
1.19x
2.66x
1.85x
4.76x
1.68x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Need Driven
Need Driven excl. Bickford
Need Driven excl. Bickford & BKD 2
Discretionary
Discretionary excl. SLC & Holiday
Medical
Medical excl. NHC
Properties
81
42
33
37
3
77
35
4Q17
1.22x
1.20x
1.22x
1.29x
2.08x
2.48x
1.59x
4Q18
1.14x
1.14x
1.21x
1.24x
2.22x
2.60x
1.72x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NHC
SLC
Bickford
Holiday
 
 
 
Properties
42
9
39
25
 
 
 
4Q17
3.60x
1.30x
1.23x
1.16x
 
 
 
4Q18
3.72x
1.18x
1.15x
1.16x
 
 
 
1 NHC based on corporate-level FCCR and includes 3 independent living facilities
2 Brookdale

Fluctuations in portfolio coverage are a result of market and economic trends, local market competition, and regulatory factors as well as the operational success of our tenants. We use the results of individual leases to inform our decision making with respect to specific tenants, but trends described above by property type and operator bear analysis. Our Need-Driven SHO portfolio shows a decline brought about primarily by a softening in occupancy within particular markets, as well as rising wage pressures. For many of the affected operators, as is typical of our portfolio in general, NHI has significant security deposits in place and/or corporate guarantees should actual cash rental shortfalls eventually materialize. In certain instances, our operators may elect to increase their security deposits with us in an amount equal to the coverage shortfall, and, upon subsequent compliance with the required lease coverage ratio, the operator would then be entitled to a full refund. The metrics presented in the tables above give no effect to the presence of these security deposits. For Skilled Nursing, coverage in the All Other segment of our portfolio has improved due to a better operating environment for the segment, as a whole, and for the Ensign portfolio transition,

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in particular. Each MOB’s coverage is driven by the underlying performance of its on-campus hospital as the tenant or guarantor under the lease. In Texas, the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2017 witnessed the shut-down of the guarantor hospital for a few days resulting in lost revenue, overtime and other one-time charges, negatively impacting the hospital’s bottom-line and resultant coverage ratios for that MOB. Within the context of this event-specific occurrence, it is also typical of MOB operations that there may be other large fluctuations in coverage resulting from hospital operations.

Potential Effects of Medicare Reimbursement

Our SNF operators receive a significant portion of their revenues from governmental payors, primarily Medicare (federal) and Medicaid (states). Changes in reimbursement rates and limits on the scope of services reimbursed to skilled nursing facilities could have a material impact on the operators’ liquidity and financial condition. On August 1, 2018, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) announced the CMS Skilled Nursing Prospective Payment System (“PPS”) final rule whereby, effective October 1, 2019, its Patient-Driven Payment Model (“PDPM”) will replace Resource Utilization Groups (“RUGs”)-IV. Facilities will have one year to transition to PDPM from RUGs-IV by the October 1, 2019 implementation date. PDPM is designed as a more simplified payment model than RUGs-IV and is projected to reduce administrative costs and foster innovation to improve care to patients. Regulators forecast a $2 billion reduction in provider costs over 10 years as a result of simplified paperwork requirements for resident assessments. The new model shifts care delivery under Medicare away from fee-for-service, which in the past has based reimbursement on the amount of care provided, to focus on value-based care, which will base reimbursement on clinical complexity and the resident’s conditions and care needs. The final rule also established a 2.4% market basket increase beginning October 1, 2018. On April 19, 2019, CMS proposed a net 2.5% increase to Medicare skilled nursing payments for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2019.  We believe a rate increase in line with inflation, along with general demographic growth among the oldest seniors, will help to stabilize lease coverages among our skilled nursing tenants at a time when they are implementing the PDPM payment model.

We currently estimate that our borrowers and lessees will find these Medicare increases to be adequate in the near term due to their credit quality, profitability and their debt or lease coverage ratios, although no assurances can be given as to what the ultimate effect that PDPM increases on an annual basis will have on each of our borrowers and lessees. According to industry studies, state Medicaid funding is not expected to keep pace with inflation. Any future acquisitions by NHI of skilled nursing facilities are planned on a selective basis, with emphasis on operator quality and newer construction.

Investment Highlights

Since January 1, 2019 , we have made or announced the following investments ($ in thousands) :
 
 
Date
 
Properties
 
Asset Class
 
Amount
Wingate Healthcare
 
January 2019
 
1
 
SHO
 
$
52,200

Holiday Retirement
 
January 2019
 
1
 
SHO
 
38,000

Comfort Care Senior Living
 
April 2019
 
1
 
SHO
 
10,800

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
101,000


Wingate

On January 15, 2019, we acquired a 267 -unit senior living campus in Massachusetts for a purchase price of $50,300,000 , including closing costs of $300,000 . The facility is being leased to Wingate Healthcare, Inc. (“Wingate”) for a term of 10 years , with three five -year renewal options, at an initial lease rate of 7.5% plus annual fixed escalators. We have committed to the additional funding of up to $1,900,000 in capital improvements, and the lease provides for incentives of $5,000,000 to become available beginning in 2020 upon the attainment of certain operating metrics. NHI will have a right of first offer on two additional Wingate-operated facilities. We accounted for the transaction as an asset purchase.

Holiday

In November 2018, we entered into a lease amendment and guaranty release (“the Agreement”) with an affiliate of Holiday Retirement (“Holiday”). Among other provisions, the Agreement decreased base rent beginning in 2019 from $39,000,000 to $31,500,000, extended the term of the original lease through 2035, improved the credit position of the tenant and increased required minimum capital expenditure per unit. As consideration for amending provisions included in the original 2013 lease, Holiday agreed to pay NHI $55,125,000 in cash or real estate and forfeit $10,637,000 of their original $21,275,000 security deposit.

On January 31, 2019, we acquired a senior housing facility in Vero Beach, Florida from Holiday consisting of 157 independent living and 71 assisted living units in exchange for $38,000,000 toward the $55,125,000 receivable arising from the lease amendment,

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Table of Contents

discussed above. The property was added to the master lease at a 6.71% lease rate. Under the restructured master lease, annual lease escalators ranging from 2% to 3% , based on portfolio revenue growth, will go into effect on November 1, 2020. Holiday settled the remaining commitment to NHI with cash of $17,125,000 at closing. Initial lease payments from Holiday for 2019 under the amended lease are scheduled to be $33,838,000 , while straight-line rent income is scheduled to be $40,459,000 .

Comfort Care

On April 30, 2019, we acquired a newly-constructed 60 unit assisted living facility in Michigan which has 14 memory care units under construction with an expected summer 2019 opening. The purchase price was $10,800,000 , inclusive of closing costs. We leased the property to Comfort Care Senior Living (“Comfort Care”), through a lease providing for an initial 7.75% lease rate, with annual fixed escalators beginning in year three over the term of 10 years plus two five -year renewal options. The lease includes a $3,000,000 earnout incentive which will be added to the lease base when funded. We accounted for the acquisition as an asset purchase.

Other Portfolio Activity

Tenant Transition

As of March 31, 2019, we continued to transition three lease portfolios to new operators as a result of non-compliance with our lease terms. The properties consist of three former Regency buildings, five former LaSalle Autumn Leaves properties and a property formerly leased to Landmark. To expedite stabilization of the facilities, NHI has committed to specified income-generating capitalized expenditures for the re-branding and refurbishment of certain of these properties. While transitioning is now well under way, during the first quarter of 2019, some agreements concerning the transition were informal in nature. Background of the tenant relationships is described in Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

In June 2018, East Lake Capital Management LLC (“East Lake”) and certain related entities, including SH Regency Leasing, LLC (for three assisted living facilities in Tennessee, Indiana and North Carolina referred to as “Regency”), filed suit against NHI in Texas seeking injunctive and declaratory relief and unspecified monetary damages. We countered with motions calling for the immediate appointment of a receiver and for pre-judgment possession. Resulting from these claims and counterclaims, on December 6, 2018, the plaintiff parties entered into an agreement resulting in Regency vacating the facilities in December 2018. Due to a significant decrease in occupancy and the deferral of needed maintenance and capital expenditures, NHI arranged with experienced third-party operators to operate the three buildings. Until operations become stabilized or more formal long-term lease agreements are entered into, NHI is to receive 95% of operating cash flow, after management fees, generated by the Tennessee facility, and 100% of operating cash flow from a similar arrangement for the Indiana facility. The Charlotte facility remains closed while undergoing significant upgrades which are expected to be completed in June 2019. NHI has committed $3,100,000 toward these upgrades as well as anticipated facility operating losses.

Another of our tenants, The LaSalle Group (“LaSalle”), has been in default on its rent payments since November 2018. With no rent payment forthcoming in the first quarter of 2019, we began the process of transition, and on April 16, 2019, we placed the five buildings with a new tenant under similar arrangements to those in place over the former Regency buildings, with NHI to receive 95% of operating cash flow, after management fees, generated by the facilities pending stabilization. We also commenced litigation for the recovery of certain funds owed under the lease and against the principal executive personally under the guaranty agreement.

At December 31, 2018, we had a single-property lease in Wisconsin with Landmark Senior Living (”Landmark”) that was non-performing. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, we recorded $625,000 in lease income for amounts collected during the period. In February 2019, we transitioned the lease to BAKA Enterprises, (“BAKA”), temporarily acting under a management agreement with Landmark. Under terms of the new lease, after regulatory approval, NHI will receive 95% of operating cash flow, after management fees, as generated by the facilities. Upon the establishment of an operational baseline, beginning in year two, the agreement calls for a rent reset to fair value. The agreement provides for a term of 8 years, subject to renewal.

As we seek to stabilize the operations of these facilities and if our resulting tenants or operating partners do not have adequate liquidity to accept the risks and rewards of a tenant-lessee, NHI might be deemed the primary beneficiary of the operations and might be required to consolidate those statements of financial position and results of operations of the managers or operating partners into our consolidated financial statements.

Of our total revenue, $702,000 ( 1% ) and $3,172,000 ( 4% ) in lease revenues were derived from the above properties for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively.


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Table of Contents

The following table summarizes the transition properties for the three months ended March 31, 2019 ( $ in thousands ):
Former Tenant / Facility Name (New Tenant)
Units
Location
Occupancy 5
Lease Revenue
SH-Regency Leasing, LLC
 
 
 
 
    The Cypress of College Park (SLC) 1
148
IN
18.2%
$
—

    The Charlotte (SLC) 1
98
NC
—%
—

    Maybelle Carter (Vitality) 2
135
TN
73.3%
77,000

LaSalle Autumn Leaves (Chancellor) 3
196
IL/TX
74.7%
—

Landmark Senior Living (BAKA) 4
120
WI
67.6%
625,000

 
697
 
50.7%
$
702,000

1 Two buildings transitioned December 7, 2018 to Senior Living Communities
2 One building transitioned December 14, 2018 to Vitality Living
3 Five buildings transitioned April 16, 2019 to Chancellor Health Care
4 One building transitioned February 19, 2019 to BAKA Enterprises; final settlement of $625,000 was received from Landmark
5 Monthly Average, as of March 31, 2019

Other

Our leases are typically structured as “triple net leases” on single-tenant properties having an initial leasehold term of 10 to 15 years with one or more 5-year renewal options. As such, there may be reporting periods in which we experience few, if any, lease renewals or expirations. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 , we did not have any significant renewing or expiring leases.

Most of our existing leases contain annual escalators in rent payments. For financial statement purposes, rental income on our operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Certain of our operators hold purchase options allowing them to acquire properties they currently lease from NHI. We regularly engage in negotiations with these tenants to continue as lessor or in some other capacity.

We adjust rental income for the amortization of lease inducements paid to our tenants. Current outstanding commitments and contingencies are listed under our discussion of liquidity and capital resources. Amortization of these payments against revenues was $168,000 and $63,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively.

Real Estate and Mortgage Write-downs

Our borrowers and tenants experience periods of significant financial pressures and difficulties similar to those encountered by other health care providers. Governments at both the federal and state levels have enacted legislation to lower, or at least slow, the growth in payments to health care providers. Furthermore, the cost of professional liability insurance has increased significantly during this same period. Since inception, a number of our facility operators and mortgage loan borrowers have undergone bankruptcy. Others have been forced to surrender properties to us in lieu of foreclosure or, for certain periods, have failed to make timely payments on their obligations to us.

We believe that the carrying amounts of our real estate properties are recoverable and that mortgage and other notes receivable are realizable and supported by the value of the underlying collateral. However, it is possible that future events could require us to make significant adjustments to these carrying amounts.

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Results of Operations

The significant items affecting revenues and expenses are described below ( in thousands ):
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
March 31,
 
Period Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
$
 
%
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rental income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ALFs leased to Bickford Senior Living
$
11,873

 
$
10,275

 
$
1,598

 
15.6
 %
SLC leased to Wingate Healthcare
804

 
—

 
804

 
NM

SNFs leased to Ensign Group
5,842

 
5,103

 
739

 
14.5
 %
SHOs leased to Senior Living Communities
10,474

 
10,090

 
384

 
3.8
 %
SHOs leased to SH Regency Leasing
—

 
1,262

 
(1,262
)
 
NM

ILFs leased to an affiliate of Holiday Retirement
8,300

 
9,424

 
(1,124
)
 
(11.9
)%
ALFs leased to The LaSalle Group
—

 
1,094

 
(1,094
)
 
NM

Other new and existing leases
27,342

 
26,043

 
1,299

 
5.0
 %
 
64,635

 
63,291

 
1,344

 
2.1
 %
Straight-line rent adjustments, new and existing leases
5,228

 
5,962

 
(734
)
 
(12.3
)%
Escrow funds received from tenants
1,090

 
—

 
1,090

 
NM

Total Rental Income
70,953

 
69,253

 
1,700

 
2.5
 %
Interest income and other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life Care Services mortgages and construction loans
2,622

 
913

 
1,709

 
NM

Bickford construction loans
785

 
425

 
360

 
84.7
 %
Other existing mortgages and notes
1,711

 
2,122

 
(411
)
 
(19.4
)%
Total Interest Income from Mortgage and Other Notes
5,118

 
3,460

 
1,658

 
47.9
 %
Other income
36

 
33

 
3

 
9.1
 %
Total Revenues
76,107

 
72,746

 
3,361

 
4.6
 %
Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ALFs leased to Bickford Senior Living
3,649

 
3,107

 
542

 
17.4
 %
SNFs leased to Ensign Group
1,851

 
1,555

 
296

 
19.0
 %
SHOs leased to Senior Living Communities
3,760

 
3,580

 
180

 
5.0
 %
Other new and existing assets
9,231

 
9,093

 
138

2

1.5
 %
Total Depreciation
18,491

 
17,335

 
1,156

3

6.7
 %
Interest
13,518

 
11,614

 
1,904

 
16.4
 %
Payroll and related compensation expenses
1,202

 
1,799

 
(597
)
 
(33.2
)%
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense
2,001

 
1,425

 
576

 
40.4
 %
Loan and realty losses
2,500

 
—

 
2,500

 
NM

Property taxes and insurance on leased properties
1,090

 
—

 
1,090

 
NM

Other expenses
1,626

 
1,403

 
223

 
15.9
 %
Total Expenses
40,428

 
33,576

 
6,852

 
20.4
 %
Income before investment and other gains and losses
35,679

 
39,170

 
(3,491
)
 
(8.9
)%
Loss on convertible note retirement
—

 
(738
)
 
738

 
NM

Net income
$
35,679

 
$
38,432

 
$
(2,753
)
 
(7.2
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NM - not meaningful
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

36

Financial highlights of the quarter ended March 31, 2019 , compared to the same quarter of 2018 were as follows:

•
The rental income increase of $1,344,000 includes the impact of $155,644,000 of new investments in 2018 and $90,200,000 so far in 2019 . This impact was partially offset by a $1,124,000 decline in rental income received from affiliates of Holiday Retirement as a result of the lease amendment described in Note 2. The increase in rental income was also offset by a $1,262,000 decline in rental income from SH Regency Leasing and a $1,094,000 decline in rental income received from The LaSalle Group, both of which resulted in transitions to new tenants described herein under the heading Tenant Transitioning .

•
The increase in rental income included a $734,000 decrease in straight-line rent adjustments. Generally accepted accounting principles require rental income to be recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease to give effect to scheduled rent escalators that are determinable at lease inception. Future increases in rental income depend on our ability to make new investments which meet our underwriting criteria.

•
Interest income from mortgage and other notes increased $1,658,000 primarily due to interest income received on loans to Bickford Senior Living and Life Care Services.

•
Depreciation expense increased $1,156,000 primarily due to new real estate investments completed in 2018 and 2019 .

•
Interest expense, including amortization of debt discount and issuance costs, increased $1,904,000 primarily as a result of both an increase in 30-day LIBOR, which is the benchmark for our revolving debt, and the September 2018 conversion of $300,000,000 of debt initially drawn on our revolving facility into a five-year term loan.

•
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense increased due primarily to fluctuations in the valuation assumptions used in the Black-Scholes pricing model.

•
Payroll and related compensation expenses decreased $597,000 due primarily to the timing and amount of incentive compensation related to achieving certain company goals.

•
Loan and realty losses of $2,500,000 represent a writedown related to two facilities classified as held for sale with an estimated net realizable value of $3,745,000 at March 31, 2019.

•
Escrow funds received from tenants totaling $1,090,000 were used to pay property taxes and insurance which is a typical structure of a triple-net lease. Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors under ASU 2018-20 requires these items of revenue and expense be included in our condensed consolidated financial statements.

37

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources and Uses of Funds

Our primary sources of cash include rent payments, principal and interest payments on mortgage and other notes receivable, proceeds from the sales of real property, net proceeds from offerings of equity securities and borrowings from our term loans and revolving credit facility. Our primary uses of cash include debt service payments (both principal and interest), new investments in real estate and notes, dividend distributions to our shareholders and general corporate overhead.

These sources and uses of cash are reflected in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as summarized below (dollars in thousands) :
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
One Year Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
$
 
%
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, January 1
$
9,912

 
$
8,075

 
$
1,837

 
22.7
 %
Net cash provided by operating activities
73,837

 
48,877

 
24,960

 
51.1
 %
Net cash used in investing activities
(65,039
)
 
(19,586
)
 
(45,453
)
 
232.1
 %
Net cash used in financing activities
(3,156
)
 
(28,755
)
 
25,599

 
(89.0
)%
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, December 31
$
15,554

 
$
8,611

 
$
6,943

 
80.6
 %

Operating Activities – Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was favorably impacted by new real estate investments in 2018 and 2019 , an increase in lease payment collections arising from escalators on existing leases and the funding of lease incentives.

Investing Activities – Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was comprised primarily of $65,339,000 of investments in real estate and notes, and was partially offset by the collection of principal on mortgage and other notes receivable.

Financing Activities – The change in net cash related to financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 is primarily the result of (1) net proceeds of $35,913,000 from the issuance of common shares in 2019, (2) $29,958,000 used to complete targeted repurchases of a portion of our outstanding convertible notes during 2018 and (3) dividend payments which increased $3,244,000 over the same period in 2018 .

Liquidity

Apart from operations, the main source of our liquidity is our unsecured bank credit facility. At March 31, 2019 , we had $461,000,000 available to draw on our revolving credit facility.

Our bank credit facility derives from the Credit Agreement dated as of August 3, 2017 (the "2017 Agreement"), and the Term Loan Agreement dated as of September 17, 2018 (the "2018 Agreement"). Together these agreements establish our unsecured $1,100,000,000 bank credit facility, which consists of $250,000,000 and $300,000,000 term loans and a $550,000,000 revolving credit facility. The $250,000,000 term loan and $550,000,000 revolving facility mature in August 2022, and the $300,000,000 term loan is to mature in September 2023. With the 2018 Agreement, we converted $300,000,000 of debt initially drawn on our revolving facility into a five-year term loan.

The revolving facility fee is currently 20 basis points per annum, and floating interest on the revolver and the term loans are presently set at 30-day LIBOR plus 115 and a blended 127 bps, respectively. At March 31, 2019 and December 2018 , 30-day LIBOR was 249 and 250 bps, respectively. Within the facility, the employment of interest rate swaps for our fixed term debt leaves only our revolving credit facility and $100,000,000 of our newly issued $300,000,000 term loan exposed to interest rate risk through April 2019, when our $40,000,000 swap expires. Our swaps and the financial instruments to which they relate are described in the table below, under the caption “Interest Rate Swap Agreements.” The current interest spreads and facility fee reflect our leverage-ratio compliance based on the applicable margin for LIBOR loans, measuring debt to “Total Asset Value,” at Level 2 in the Interest Rate Schedule provided below in abridged format:






38

Interest Rate Schedule
 
 
LIBOR Margin
 
Level
Leverage Ratio
Revolver
$300m Term Loan
$250m Term Loan
Facility Fee
1
< 0.35
1.10%
1.20%
1.25%
0.15%
2
≥ 0.35 & < 0.40
1.15%
1.25%
1.30%
0.20%
3
≥ 0.40 & < 0.45
1.20%
1.30%
1.35%
0.20%
4
≥ 0.45 & < 0.50
1.25%
1.40%
1.45%
0.25%

Beyond the applicable ratios detailed above, increasing levels of leverage (not shown) will subject our debt to defined increases in interest rates and fees.

The 2017 Agreement requires that we calculate specified financial statement metrics and meet or exceed a variety of financial ratios, which are usual and customary in nature. These ratios are calculated quarterly and as of March 31, 2019 were within required limits.

The calculation of our leverage ratio involves intermediate determinations of our “total indebtedness” and of our “total asset value,” as defined in the 2017 Agreement. We are near the upper bounds delineated by Level 2 in the Interest Rate Schedule, above.

Aside from a more favorable rate, the 2018 Agreement generally calls for the same covenants and financial statement metrics required for compliance with terms of the 2017 Agreement. Although we are currently eligible under the 2017 and 2018 Agreements to transact in our unsecured bank credit facilities at the respective scheduled rates represented by Level 2, the movement of our leverage ratio into Level 3 or 4 at current levels of debt would result in additional annual costs from $375,000 to $1,300,000, respectively, assuming an average revolver balance of approximately $200,000,000. Further movement of our leverage ratio beyond levels currently contemplated by management would be subject to escalating increases in interest. If, in addition to changes in the leverage ratio, certain qualitative indicators of our risk profile were to materially change, further interest-rate escalations may result.

Our at-the-market (“ATM”) offering represents an additional source of liquidity. Through the program in 2019, we issued 462,925 common shares, with an average price for shares sold of $78.95, resulting after commissions in net proceeds of $35,999,000. Cash from these issuances was initially used to pay down our revolving credit facility.

As we continue our activity in the ATM program in 2019, we intend to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include future acquisitions and repayment of indebtedness, including borrowings under our credit facility. Acquisitions, if any, whose magnitude would entail an equity match unable to be efficiently sourced through the ATM would likely trigger a prospectus supplement and an underwritten or overnight offering of NHI common stock, rather than placement through the ATM. Offerings under the ATM program are made pursuant to a prospectus dated February 22, 2017, which constitutes a part of NHI’s effective shelf registration statement that was previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Traditionally, debt financing and operating and financing cash flows derived from proceeds of lease and mortgage collections, loan payoffs and the recovery of previous write-downs, have been used to satisfy our operational and investing needs and to provide a return to our shareholders. We expect to continue to access these sources of capital to meet those operational and investing needs, which are necessary to maintain and cultivate our funding sources and have generally fallen into three categories: debt service, REIT operating expenses, and new real estate investments.













39

NHI’s ATM offerings were initially made pursuant to a prospectus dated March 18, 2014, and a related prospectus supplement dated February 17, 2015, which constitute a part of our effective shelf registration statement that was previously filed with the SEC. We filed a new registration statement and commenced a new ATM program effective February 22, 2017. The following table summarizes the issuances since inception on our ATM as of March 31, 2019 :
 
Shares
Weighted Average Share Price
Net Proceeds
2015
830,506

$
60.33

$
49,389,000

2016
1,395,642

$
75.79

104,190,000

2017
1,661,161

$
74.87

122,500,000

2018
1,112,363

$
74.84

82,001,000

2019
462,925

$
78.95

35,999,000

 
5,462,597

 
$
394,079,000


The table above does not include indirect legal and accounting costs associated with updating and maintaining our shelf registration statement.

The use of funds from our ATM program effects a rebalancing of our leverage in response to our acquisitions and has kept our options flexible for further expansion. We continue to explore various other funding sources including bank term loans, convertible debt, traditional equity placement, unsecured bonds and senior notes, debt private placement and secured government agency financing. We view our ATM program as an effective way to match-fund our smaller acquisitions by exercising control over the timing and size of transactions and achieving a more favorable cost of capital as compared to larger follow-on offerings.

We anticipate continued use of proceeds from the ATM program for general corporate purposes, which may include future acquisitions and repayment of indebtedness, including borrowings under our credit facility. Acquisitions, if any, whose magnitude would entail an equity match unable to be efficiently sourced through the ATM would likely trigger a prospectus supplement and an underwritten or overnight offering of NHI common stock, rather than placement through the ATM.

We expect that borrowings on our revolving credit facility, borrowings on term loans, and our ATM program will allow us to continue to make real estate investments during 2019. However, we anticipate that our historically low cost of debt capital will continue to rise in the near to mid-term, as the federal government prolongs the upward transitioning of the federal funds rate. In response to the changed interest-rate environment, we may find it advisable within the coming year to acquire a public credit rating as a tool for managing our interest costs.

Concurrent with the amendments to our credit facility and with the exception of specific debt-coverage ratios, covenants pertaining to our private placement term loans were generally conformed with those governing the credit facility.

As of March 31, 2019 , our senior unsecured convertible notes were convertible at a rate of 14.47 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount, representing a conversion price of approximately $69.11 per share for a total of 1,736,340 remaining underlying shares. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 , dilution resulting from the conversion option within our convertible debt is 223,513 shares. If NHI’s current share price increases above the adjusted $69.11 conversion price, further dilution will be attributable to the conversion feature. On March 31, 2019 , the value of the convertible debt, computed as if the debt were immediately eligible for conversion, exceeded its face amount by $16,390,000 .

We may continue from time to time to seek to retire or purchase some of our outstanding convertible notes through cash open market purchases, privately-negotiated transactions or otherwise. As with our 2018 repurchases, amounts and timing of further repurchases or exchanges, if any, will be dependent on prevailing market conditions, liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors.

When we take on new debt or when we modify or replace existing debt, we incur debt issuance costs. These costs are subject to amortization over the term of the new debt instrument and may result in the write-off of fees associated with debt which has been replaced or modified. Sustaining long-term dividend growth will require that we consider all sources of capital mentioned above, with the goal of maintaining a low-leverage balance sheet as mitigation against potential adverse changes in the business of our industry, tenants and borrowers.





40

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

To mitigate our exposure to interest rate risk, we have in place the following interest rate swap contracts in place to hedge against floating rates on our $250,000,000 bank term loan as of March 31, 2019 ( dollars in thousands ):
Date Entered
 
Maturity Date
 
Fixed Rate
 
Rate Index
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
May 2012
 
April 2019
 
2.84%
 
1-month LIBOR
 
$
40,000,000

 
$
31

June 2013
 
June 2020
 
3.41%
 
1-month LIBOR
 
$
80,000,000

 
$
230

March 2014
 
June 2020
 
3.46%
 
1-month LIBOR
 
$
130,000,000

 
$
298

March 2019
 
December 2021
 
3.46%
 
1-month LIBOR
 
$
100,000,000

 
$
(92
)
March 2019
 
December 2021
 
3.47%
 
1-month LIBOR
 
$
100,000,000

 
$
(127
)

For instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative has been reported as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”), and reclassified into earnings in the same period, or periods, during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness have been recognized in earnings.

In July 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority (the authority that regulates LIBOR) announced it intends to stop compelling banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021. The Alternative Reference Rates Committee (“ARRC”) has proposed that the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) is the rate that represents best practice as the alternative to USD-LIBOR for use in derivatives and other financial contracts that are currently indexed to USD-LIBOR. ARRC has proposed a paced market transition plan to SOFR from USD-LIBOR and organizations are currently working on industry wide and company specific transition plans as it relates to derivatives and cash markets exposed to USD-LIBOR. The Company has material contracts that are indexed to USD-LIBOR and is monitoring this activity and evaluating the related risks.

We intend to comply with REIT dividend requirements that we distribute at least 90% of our annual taxable income for the year ending December 31, 2019 and thereafter. Dividends declared for the fourth quarter of each fiscal year are paid by the end of the following January and are, with some exceptions, treated for tax purposes as having been paid in the fiscal year just ended as provided in IRS Code Sec. 857(b)(8). We declare special dividends when we compute our REIT taxable income in an amount that exceeds our regular dividends for the fiscal year.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

We currently have no outstanding guarantees. As described in Note 1 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, our leases, mortgages and other notes receivable with certain entities represent variable interests in those enterprises. However, because we do not control these entities, nor do we have any role in their day-to-day management, we are not their primary beneficiary. Except as discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, under Contractual Obligations and Contingent Liabilities, we have no further material obligations arising from our transactions with these entities, and we believe our maximum exposure to loss at March 31, 2019 , due to this involvement would be limited to our contractual commitments and contingent liabilities and the amount of our current investments with them, as detailed further in Notes 1, 2, 3 and 6 to the condensed consolidated financial statements. As of March 31, 2019 , we furnished no direct support to any of these entities.

In March 2014 we issued $200,000,000 of convertible notes, the conversion feature being intended to broaden the Company’s credit profile and as a means to obtain a more favorable coupon rate. For this feature we calculate the dilutive effect using market prices prevailing over the reporting period. Because the dilution calculation is market-driven, and per share guidance we provide is based on diluted amounts, the theoretical effects of the conversion feature result in per share unpredictability.

Additional disclosure requirements also give widely ranging results depending on market price variability. The notes will be freely convertible in the last six months of their contractual life, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2020; however, generally accepted accounting principles require us to periodically report the amount by which the notes’ convertible value exceeds their principal amount, without regard to the current availability of the conversion feature. Further, the mechanics of the calculation require the use of an end-of-period stock price, so that using that amount for the remaining notes outstanding of $120,000,000 at March 31, 2019 , delivers an excess of $16,390,000 , whereas the use of another price point would give a different result.

The conversion feature is generally available to the noteholders entering the last six months of the notes’ term but may also become actionable if the market price of NHI’s common stock should, for 20 of 30 consecutive trading days within a calendar quarter, sustain a level in excess of 130% of the adjusted conversion price, or $90.44 per share, down from $93.55 per share, initially. The notes are “optional net-share settlement” instruments, meaning that NHI has the ability and intent to settle the principal amount of the indebtedness in cash, with possible dilutive share issuances for any excess, at NHI’s option. Settlement of the notes

41

requires management to allocate the consideration we ultimately pay between the debt component and the equity conversion feature as though they were separate instruments. The allocation is effected by valuing the debt component first, with any remainder allocated to the conversion feature. Amounts expended to settle the notes will be recognized first as a settlement of the notes at par and then will be recognized in income to the extent the portion allocated to the debt instrument differs from par value. The remainder of the allocation, if any, will be treated as settlement of equity and adjusted through our paid in capital account.

Contractual Obligations and Contingent Liabilities

For our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2018 , see our Management’s Discussion and Analysis contained in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 .

Commitments and Contingencies

The following tables summarize information as of March 31, 2019 related to our outstanding commitments and contingencies which are more fully described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
 
Asset Class
 
Type
 
Total
 
Funded
 
Remaining
Loan Commitments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LCS Sagewood Note A
SHO
 
Construction
 
$
118,800,000

 
$
(77,118,000
)
 
$
41,682,000

LCS Sagewood Note B
SHO
 
Construction
 
61,200,000

 
(15,612,000
)
 
45,588,000

LCS Timber Ridge Note A
SHO
 
Construction
 
60,000,000

 
(58,975,000
)
 
1,025,000

Bickford Senior Living
SHO
 
Construction
 
56,700,000

 
(36,415,000
)
 
20,285,000

Senior Living Communities
SHO
 
Revolving Credit
 
15,000,000

 
(2,758,000
)
 
12,242,000

 
 
 
 
 
$
311,700,000

 
$
(190,878,000
)
 
$
120,822,000


See Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for full details of our loan commitments. As provided above, loans funded do not include the effects of discounts or commitment fees. We expect to incrementally fund the LCS Sagewood Note A during 2019. Funding of the promissory note commitments to Bickford is expected to transpire monthly throughout 2019.

 
Asset Class
 
Type
 
Total
 
Funded
 
Remaining
Development Commitments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ignite Medical Resorts
SNF
 
Construction
 
$
25,350,000

 
$
(6,621,000
)
 
$
18,729,000

Woodland Village
SHO
 
Renovation
 
7,450,000

 
(7,268,000
)
 
182,000

Senior Living Communities
SHO
 
Renovation
 
6,830,000

 
(5,808,000
)
 
1,022,000

Senior Living Communities
SHO
 
Renovation
 
3,100,000

 
—

 
3,100,000

Bickford Senior Living
SHO
 
Renovation
 
1,750,000

 
(1,750,000
)
 
—

Navion Senior Solutions
SHO
 
Construction
 
650,000

 
—

 
650,000

Discovery Senior Living
SHO
 
Renovation
 
500,000

 
(302,000
)
 
198,000

 
 
 
 
 
$
45,630,000

 
$
(21,749,000
)
 
$
23,881,000


 
Asset Class
 
Type
 
Total
 
Funded
 
Remaining
Contingencies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bickford Senior Living
SHO
 
Lease Inducement
 
$
10,000,000

 
$
(8,750,000
)
 
$
1,250,000

Bickford Senior Living
SHO
 
Incentive Loan Draws
 
8,000,000

 
(250,000
)
 
7,750,000

Wingate Healthcare
SHO
 
Lease Inducement
 
5,000,000

 
—

 
5,000,000

Navion Senior Solutions
SHO
 
Lease Inducement
 
4,850,000

 
—

 
4,850,000

Ignite Medical Resorts
SNF
 
Lease Inducement
 
2,000,000

 
—

 
2,000,000

 
 
 
 
 
$
29,850,000

 
$
(9,000,000
)
 
$
20,850,000


Contingent lease inducement payments of $10,000,000 related to the five Bickford development properties constructed in 2016 and 2017 include a licensure incentive of $250,000 per property and a three-tiered operator incentive schedule paying up to an additional $1,750,000, based on the attainment of certain performance metrics. Upon funding, these payments are added to the lease base and amortized against rental income.


42
Table of Contents

For a discussion of incentive loan draws of $8,000,000 available to Bickford related to borrowings for the development of its properties in Illinois, Michigan, and Virginia, see Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Litigation

See “Other Portfolio Activity” above for a discussion of the status of our litigation with East Lake Capital Management, LLC and certain related entities, including SH Regency Leasing LLC (“Regency”).

Our facilities are subject to claims and suits in the ordinary course of business. Our lessees and borrowers have indemnified, and are obligated to continue to indemnify us, against all liabilities arising from the operation of the facilities, and are further obligated to indemnify us against environmental or title problems affecting the real estate underlying such facilities. While there may be lawsuits pending against certain of the owners and/or lessees of the facilities, management believes that the ultimate resolution of all such pending proceedings will have no material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

FFO, AFFO & FAD

These supplemental operating performance measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other REITs. Consequently, our Funds From Operations (“FFO”), Normalized FFO, Normalized Adjusted Funds From Operations (“AFFO”) and Normalized Funds Available for Distribution (“FAD”) may not provide a meaningful measure of our performance as compared to that of other REITs. Since other REITs may not use our definition of these operating performance measures, caution should be exercised when comparing our Company’s FFO, Normalized FFO, Normalized AFFO and Normalized FAD to that of other REITs. These financial performance measures do not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) (these measures do not include changes in operating assets and liabilities) and therefore should not be considered an alternative to net earnings as an indication of operating performance, or to net cash flow from operating activities as determined by GAAP as a measure of liquidity, and are not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs.

Funds From Operations - FFO

Our FFO per diluted common share for the three months ended March 31, 2019 decreased $0.03 ( 2.2% ) over the same period in 2018 due primarily to the dilutive impact of 1,667,164 common shares issued since March 31, 2018. FFO, as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) and applied by us, is net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of real estate property, plus real estate depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures, if any. The Company’s computation of FFO may not be comparable to FFO reported by other REITs that do not define the term in accordance with the current NAREIT definition or have a different interpretation of the current NAREIT definition from that of the Company; therefore, caution should be exercised when comparing our Company’s FFO to that of other REITs. Diluted FFO assumes the exercise of stock options and other potentially dilutive securities.

Our normalized FFO per diluted common share for the three months ended March 31, 2019 decreased $0.04 ( 3.0% ) over the same period in 2018 due primarily to the dilutive impact of 1,667,164 common shares issued since March 31, 2018. Normalized FFO excludes from FFO certain items which, due to their infrequent or unpredictable nature, may create some difficulty in comparing FFO for the current period to similar prior periods, and may include, but are not limited to, impairment of non-real estate assets, gains and losses attributable to the acquisition and disposition of assets and liabilities, and recoveries of previous write-downs.

FFO and normalized FFO are important supplemental measures of operating performance for a REIT. Because the historical cost accounting convention used for real estate assets requires depreciation (except on land), such accounting presentation implies that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values instead have historically risen and fallen with market conditions, presentations of operating results for a REIT that uses historical cost accounting for depreciation could be less informative, and should be supplemented with a measure such as FFO. The term FFO was designed by the REIT industry to address this issue.

Adjusted Funds From Operations - AFFO

Our normalized AFFO per diluted common share for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $1.22 , unchanged over the same period in 2018 due primarily to the dilutive impact of 1,667,164 common shares issued since March 31, 2018. In addition to the adjustments included in the calculation of normalized FFO, normalized AFFO excludes the impact of any straight-line rent revenue, amortization of the original issue discount on our convertible senior notes and amortization of debt issuance costs.

43
Table of Contents

Normalized AFFO is an important supplemental measure of operating performance for a REIT. GAAP requires a lessor to recognize contractual lease payments into income on a straight-line basis over the expected term of the lease. This straight-line adjustment has the effect of reporting lease income that is significantly more or less than the contractual cash flows received pursuant to the terms of the lease agreement. GAAP also requires the original issue discount of our convertible senior notes and debt issuance costs to be amortized as non-cash adjustments to earnings. Normalized AFFO is useful to our investors as it reflects the growth inherent in the contractual lease payments of our real estate portfolio.

Funds Available for Distribution - FAD

Our normalized FAD for the three months ended March 31, 2019 increased $2,153,000 ( 4.1% ) over the same period in 2018 due primarily to the impact of new investments completed since March 31, 2018. In addition to the adjustments included in the calculation of normalized AFFO, normalized FAD excludes the impact of non-cash stock based compensation. Normalized FAD is an important supplemental measure of liquidity for a REIT as a useful indicator of the ability to distribute dividends to shareholders.

The following table reconciles net income, the most directly comparable GAAP metric, to FFO, Normalized FFO, Normalized AFFO and Normalized FAD and is presented for both basic and diluted weighted average common shares (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) :
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Net income
$
35,679

 
$
38,432

Elimination of certain non-cash items in net income:
 
 
 
Depreciation
18,491

 
17,335

Impairment of real estate
2,500

 
—

NAREIT FFO
56,670

 
55,767

Loss on convertible note retirement
—

 
738

Recognition of unamortized note receivable commitment fees
—

 
(515
)
Normalized FFO
56,670

 
55,990

Straight-line rent revenue, net
(5,228
)
 
(5,962
)
Amortization of lease incentives
168

 
63

Amortization of original issue discount
193

 
221

Amortization of debt issuance costs
700

 
614

Normalized AFFO
52,503

 
50,926

Non-cash stock-based compensation
2,001

 
1,425

Normalized FAD
$
54,504

 
$
52,351

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BASIC
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
42,825,824

 
41,532,154

NAREIT FFO per common share
$
1.32

 
$
1.34

Normalized FFO per common share
$
1.32

 
$
1.35

Normalized AFFO per common share
$
1.23

 
$
1.23

 
 
 
 
DILUTED
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
43,125,032

 
41,576,876

NAREIT FFO per common share
$
1.31

 
$
1.34

Normalized FFO per common share
$
1.31

 
$
1.35

Normalized AFFO per common share
$
1.22

 
$
1.22


44
Table of Contents

Adjusted EBITDA

We consider Adjusted EBITDA to be an important supplemental measure because it provides information which we use to evaluate our performance and serves as an indication of our ability to service debt. We define Adjusted EBITDA as consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, excluding real estate asset impairments and gains on dispositions and certain items which, due to their infrequent or unpredictable nature, may create some difficulty in comparing Adjusted EBITDA for the current period to similar prior periods. These items include, but are not limited to, impairment of non-real estate assets, gains and losses attributable to the acquisition and disposition of assets and liabilities, and recoveries of previous write-downs. Since others may not use our definition of Adjusted EBITDA, caution should be exercised when comparing our Adjusted EBITDA to that of other companies. EBITDA reflects GAAP interest expense, which excludes amounts capitalized during the period.

The following table reconciles net income, the most directly comparable GAAP metric, to Adjusted EBITDA:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Net income
$
35,679

 
$
38,432

Interest expense
13,518

 
11,614

Franchise, excise and other taxes
545

 
346

Depreciation
18,491

 
17,335

Loss on convertible note retirement
—

 
738

Recognition of unamortized note receivable commitment fees
—

 
(515
)
Adjusted EBITDA
$
68,233

 
$
67,950

 
 
 
 
Interest expense at contractual rates
$
13,074

 
$
10,527

Principal payments
296

 
285

Fixed Charges
$
13,370

 
$
10,812

 
 
 
 
Fixed Charge Coverage
5.1x

 
6.3x



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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

At March 31, 2019 , we were exposed to market risks related to fluctuations in interest rates on approximately $189,000,000 of variable-rate indebtedness (excludes $450,000,000 of variable-rate debt that has been hedged through interest-rate swap contracts) and on our mortgage and other notes receivable. The unused portion ( $461,000,000 at March 31, 2019 ) of our revolving credit facility, should it be drawn upon, is subject to variable rates.

Interest rate fluctuations will generally not affect our future earnings or cash flows on our fixed rate debt and loans receivable unless such instruments mature or are otherwise terminated. However, interest rate changes will affect the fair value of our fixed rate instruments. Conversely, changes in interest rates on variable rate debt and investments would change our future earnings and cash flows, but not significantly affect the fair value of those instruments. Assuming a 50 basis-point increase or decrease in the interest rate related to variable-rate debt, and assuming no change in the outstanding balance as of March 31, 2019 , net interest expense would increase or decrease annually by approximately $945,000 or $0.02 per common share on a diluted basis.

We use derivative financial instruments in the normal course of business to mitigate interest rate risk. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. Derivatives are included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair value. We may engage in hedging strategies to manage our exposure to market risks in the future, depending on an analysis of the interest rate environment and the costs and risks of such strategies.

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our debt (dollar amounts in thousands) :
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Balance 1
 
% of total
 
Rate 3
 
Balance 1
 
% of total
 
Rate 3
Fixed rate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Convertible senior notes
$
120,000

 
9.2
%
 
3.25
%
 
$
120,000

 
9.3
%
 
3.25
%
Unsecured term loans
650,000

 
50.0
%
 
3.84
%
 
650,000

 
50.2
%
 
3.99
%
HUD mortgage loans 2
44,016

 
3.4
%
 
4.04
%
 
44,226

 
3.4
%
 
4.04
%
Fannie Mae loans
95,958

 
7.4
%
 
3.94
%
 
96,044

 
7.4
%
 
3.94
%
Variable rate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unsecured term loan
300,000

 
23.1
%
 
3.56
%
 
300,000

 
23.2
%
 
3.77
%
Unsecured revolving credit facility
89,000

 
6.9
%
 
3.64
%
 
84,000

 
6.5
%
 
3.92
%
 
$
1,298,974

 
100.0
%
 
3.72
%
 
$
1,294,270

 
100.0
%
 
3.88
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1  Differs from carrying amount due to unamortized discounts and loan costs.
 
 
 
 
 
 
2  Includes 10 HUD mortgages; rate is a weighted average inclusive of a mortgage insurance premium
 
 
 
 
 
 
3  Total is weighted average rate
 
 
 
 
 
 

The unsecured term loans in the table above reflect the effect of $40,000,000, $80,000,000, $130,000,000, and two $100,000,000 notional amount interest rate swaps with maturities of April 2019, June 2020, June 2020 and December 2021, respectively, that effectively convert variable rate debt to fixed rate debt. These loans bear interest at LIBOR plus a spread, currently a blended 127 basis points, based on our Leverage-Based Applicable Margin, as defined.

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To highlight the sensitivity of our convertible senior notes and secured mortgage debt to changes in interest rates, the following summary shows the effects on fair value (“FV”) assuming a parallel shift of 50 basis points (“bps”) in market interest rates for a contract with similar maturities as of March 31, 2019 (dollar amounts in thousands) :
 
Balance
 
Fair Value 1
 
FV reflecting change in interest rates
Fixed rate:
 
 
 
 
-50 bps
 
+50 bps
Private placement term loans - unsecured
$
400,000

 
$
392,465

 
$
402,272

 
$
382,937

Convertible senior notes
120,000

 
124,007

 
125,249

 
122,779

Fannie Mae loans
95,958

 
92,129

 
94,632

 
89,699

HUD mortgage loans
44,016

 
44,853

 
47,942

 
42,037

1  The change in fair value of our fixed rate debt was due primarily to the overall change in interest rates.

At March 31, 2019 , the fair value of our mortgage and other notes receivable, discounted for estimated changes in the risk-free rate, was approximately $260,119,000 . A 50 basis-point increase in market rates would decrease the estimated fair value of our mortgage and other loans by approximately $4,874,000 , while a 50 basis point decrease in such rates would increase their estimated fair value by approximately $1,079,000 .

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Control and Procedures. As of March 31, 2019 , an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Accounting Officer (“CAO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of management’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934) to ensure information required to be disclosed in our filings under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, is (i) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms; and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and our CAO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving desired control objectives, and management is necessarily required to apply its judgment when evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of potential controls and procedures. Based upon the evaluation, the CEO and CAO concluded that the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2019 .

There were no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in management’s evaluation during the three months ended March 31, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. The Company successfully completed a migration to new accounting software effective January 1, 2019.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

Our health care facilities are subject to claims and suits in the ordinary course of business. Our lessees and borrowers have indemnified, and are obligated to continue to indemnify us, against all liabilities arising from the operation of the facilities, and are further obligated to indemnify us against environmental or title problems affecting the real estate underlying such facilities. While there may be lawsuits pending against certain of the owners and/or lessees of our facilities, management believes that the ultimate resolution of all such pending proceedings will have no material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2018, East Lake Capital Management LLC and certain related entities, including Regency (for three assisted living facilities in Tennessee, Indiana and North Carolina), filed suit against NHI in Texas seeking injunctive and declaratory relief and unspecified monetary damages. We countered with motions calling for the immediate appointment of a receiver and for pre-judgment possession. Resulting from these claims and counterclaims, on December 6, 2018, the plaintiff parties entered into an agreement resulting in Regency vacating the facilities in December 2018.

The LaSalle Group has been in default on its rent payments since November 2018. With no rent payment forthcoming in the first quarter of 2019, we began the process of transitioning the properties to a new operator and on April 16, 2019, we placed the five buildings with a new tenant under similar arrangements to those in place over the former Regency buildings, with NHI to receive 95% of operating cash flow, after management fees, generated by the facilities pending stabilization. We also commenced litigation for the recovery of certain funds owed under the lease and against the principal executive personally under the guaranty agreement.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019 , there were no material changes to the risk factors that were disclosed in Item 1A of National Health Investors, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 .

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Item 6. Exhibits.

Exhibit No.
Description
3.1
Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form S-11 Registration Statement No. 33-41863, filed in paper - hyperlink is not required pursuant to Rule 105 of Regulation S-T)
3.2
Amendment to Articles of Incorporation    (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed March 21, 2009)
3.3
Amendment to Articles of Incorporation approved by shareholders on May 2, 2014   (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed August 4, 2014)
3.4
Restated Bylaws  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Form 10-K filed February 15, 2013)
3.5
Amendment No. 1 to Restated Bylaws dated February 14, 2014   (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Form 10-K filed February 14, 2014)
4.1
Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 39 to Form S-11 Registration Statement No. 33-41863, f iled in paper - hyperlink is not required pursuant to Rule 105 of Regulation S-T )
4.2
4.3
10.1
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of February 15, 2019, by and between the Company and D. Eric Mendelsohn  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed February 22, 2019)
31.1
31.2
32
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

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SIGNATURES

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

 
 
NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
Date:
May 6, 2019
/s/ D. Eric Mendelsohn
 
 
D. Eric Mendelsohn
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
(duly authorized officer)
 
 
 
Date:
May 6, 2019
/s/ Roger R. Hopkins
 
 
Roger R. Hopkins
 
 
Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

50


Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


I, D. Eric Mendelsohn, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the registrant, National Health Investors, Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:
May 6, 2019
/s/ D. Eric Mendelsohn
 
 
D. Eric Mendelsohn
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 





Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


I, Roger R. Hopkins, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the registrant, National Health Investors, Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions) :
a.
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:
May 6, 2019
/s/ Roger R. Hopkins
 
 
Roger R. Hopkins
 
 
Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)





Exhibit 32
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


The undersigned hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as added by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the undersigned's best knowledge and belief, the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for National Health Investors, Inc. ("Issuer") for the period ended March 31, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"):

(a)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(b)
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Issuer.

Date:
May 6, 2019
/s/ D. Eric Mendelsohn
 
 
D. Eric Mendelsohn
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer,
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 6, 2019
/s/ Roger R. Hopkins
 
 
Roger R. Hopkins
 
 
Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)