| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 3 Months Ended |
| Mar. 31, 2014 |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | ' |
| Basis of Presentation | ' |
| Basis of Presentation |
| The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) as contained within the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and the rules and regulations of the SEC. |
| Effective September 15, 2009, the ASC was established as the single source of authoritative nongovernmental GAAP. Prior to the issuance of the ASC, all GAAP pronouncements were issued in separate topical pronouncements in the form of statements, staff positions or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts, and were referred to as such. While the ASC does not change GAAP, it introduces a new structure and supersedes all previously issued non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. In addition to the ASC, the Company is still required to follow SEC rules and regulations relating to the preparation of financial statements. The Company’s accounting policies are consistent with the guidance set forth by both the ASC and the SEC. |
| Reclassifications | ' |
| Reclassifications |
| Certain amounts previously reported in our 2013 financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2014 presentation. |
| Principles of Consolidation | ' |
| Principles of Consolidation |
| Our financial statements, the financial statements of our Operating Partnership, including its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the financial statements of Self Storage REIT (REIT I) and Self Storage REIT II (REIT II), and the accounts of variable interest entities (VIEs) for which we are the primary beneficiary are consolidated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The portion of these entities not wholly-owned by us is presented as noncontrolling interests both as of and during the periods presented. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. |
| Consolidation Considerations for Our Investments in Joint Ventures | ' |
| Consolidation Considerations for Our Investments in Joint Ventures |
| Current accounting guidance provides a framework for identifying VIEs and determining when a company should include the assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests, and results of activities of the VIE in its consolidated financial statements. In general, a VIE is an entity or other legal structure used to conduct activities or hold assets that either (1) has an insufficient amount of equity to carry out its principal activities without additional subordinated financial support, (2) has a group of equity owners that are unable to make significant decisions about its activities, or (3) has a group of equity owners that do not have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns generated by its operations. Generally, a VIE should be consolidated if a party with an ownership, contractual, or other financial interest in the VIE (a variable interest holder) has the power to direct the VIE’s most significant activities and the obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits of the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. A variable interest holder that consolidates the VIE is called the primary beneficiary. Upon consolidation, the primary beneficiary generally must initially record all of the VIE’s assets, liabilities, and noncontrolling interest at fair value and subsequently account for the VIE as if it were consolidated based on majority voting interest. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had entered into contracts/interests that were deemed to be variable interests in VIEs; those variable interests included both lease agreements and equity investments. We evaluated those variable interests against the criteria for consolidation and determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of certain investments discussed further in the “Equity Investments” section of this note. |
| As of December 31, 2013, we had an equity interest in a self storage property located in San Francisco, California (“SF property”) which was deemed to be a VIE of which we were the primary beneficiary. As such, the SF property was consolidated in our consolidated financial statements since the date we first acquired our interest in the property through the REIT I merger. In January 2010, we acquired an approximately 2% additional interest in the SF property, bringing our then total interest to approximately 12%. The SF property is owned by a Delaware Statutory Trust (DST), and by virtue of the trust agreement the investors in the trust did not have the direct or indirect ability through voting rights to make decisions about the DST’s significant activities. The REIT I operating partnership (the “REIT I Operating Partnership”) had also entered into a lease agreement for the SF property, in which the REIT I Operating Partnership was the tenant, which exposed it to losses of the VIE that could be significant to the VIE and also allowed it to direct activities of the VIE that determined its economic performance by means of its operation of the leased facility. In connection with the REIT I merger, our Sponsor entered into an agreement to indemnify us for any losses as a result of potential shortfalls in the lease payments required to be made by the REIT I Operating Partnership. Despite such indemnification, we were deemed to be the primary beneficiary, as our Sponsor was not deemed to have a variable interest in the SF property. |
| During January and February 2014, we acquired an additional approximately 86% of interests in the SF property from approximately 45 third-party sellers bringing our total interest to approximately 98%. Given that we had consolidated the SF property since we acquired the original interest, the current quarter acquisition of interests was treated as an acquisition of noncontrolling interests and the SF property is now consolidated as a majority owned subsidiary whereas we previously consolidated it as a VIE. For additional discussion, see Note 3. |
| Use of Estimates | ' |
| Use of Estimates |
| The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The current economic environment has increased the degree of uncertainty inherent in these estimates and assumptions. Management adjusts such estimates when facts and circumstances dictate. The most significant estimates made include the allocation of property purchase price to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value, the determination if certain entities should be consolidated, the evaluation of potential impairment of long-lived assets and of assets held by equity method investees, and the useful lives of real estate assets and intangibles. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. |
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | ' |
| Cash and Cash Equivalents |
| We consider all short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to cash with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. |
| We may maintain cash equivalents in financial institutions in excess of insured limits, but believe this risk is mitigated by only investing in or through major financial institutions. |
| Restricted Cash | ' |
| Restricted Cash |
| Restricted cash consists primarily of impound reserve accounts for property taxes, insurance and capital improvements in connection with the requirements of certain of our loan agreements. |
| Real Estate Purchase Price Allocation | ' |
| Real Estate Purchase Price Allocation |
| We account for acquisitions in accordance with accounting guidance which requires that we allocate the purchase price of the property to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on estimated fair values. This guidance requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions, including fair value estimates, as of the acquisition date and to adjust those estimates as necessary during the measurement period (defined as the period, not to exceed one year, in which we may adjust the provisional amounts recognized for an acquisition). Acquisitions of portfolios of facilities are allocated to the individual facilities based upon an income approach or a cash flow analysis using appropriate risk adjusted capitalization rates which take into account the relative size, age, and location of the individual facility along with current and projected occupancy and rental rate levels or appraised values, if available. Allocations to the individual assets and liabilities are based upon comparable market sales information for land and estimates of depreciated replacement cost of equipment, building and site improvements. In allocating the purchase price, we determine whether the acquisition includes intangible assets or liabilities. Substantially all of the leases in place at acquired properties are at market rates, as the majority of the leases are month-to-month contracts. Accordingly, to date we have not allocated any portion of the purchase price to above or below market leases. We also consider whether in-place, market leases represent an intangible asset. We preliminarily recorded approximately $1.3 million in intangible assets to recognize the value of in-place leases related to our acquisitions during the first three months of 2014. We do not expect, nor to date have we recorded, intangible assets for the value of customer relationships because we will not have concentrations of significant customers and the average customer turnover is fairly frequent. Our acquisition-related transaction costs are required to be expensed as incurred. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we expensed approximately $0.7 million and $0.1 million, respectively, of acquisition related transaction costs. |
| Should the initial accounting for an acquisition be incomplete by the end of a reporting period that falls within the measurement period, we report provisional amounts in our financial statements. During the measurement period, we adjust the provisional amounts recognized at the acquisition date to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized as of that date and we record those adjustments to our financial statements. We apply those measurement period adjustments that we determine to be significant retrospectively to comparative information in our financial statements, potentially including adjustments to interest, depreciation and amortization expense. |
| Evaluation of Possible Impairment of Long-Lived Assets | ' |
| Evaluation of Possible Impairment of Long-Lived Assets |
| Management will continually monitor events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amounts of our long-lived assets, including those held through joint ventures, may not be recoverable. When indicators of potential impairment are present that indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable, we will assess the recoverability of the assets by determining whether the carrying value of the long-lived assets will be recovered through the undiscounted future operating cash flows expected from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. In the event that such expected undiscounted future cash flows do not exceed the carrying value, we will adjust the value of the long-lived assets to the fair value and recognize an impairment loss. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, no impairment losses have been recognized. |
| Equity Investments | ' |
| Equity Investments |
| Our investments in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures and VIEs in which we are not the primary beneficiary, where we have significant influence, but not control, are recorded under the equity method of accounting in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Under the equity method, our investments in real estate ventures are stated at cost and adjusted for our share of net earnings or losses and reduced by distributions. Equity in earnings of real estate ventures is generally recognized based on the allocation of cash distributions upon liquidation of the investment in accordance with the joint venture agreements. |
| Investments representing passive preferred equity and/or noncontrolling interests are accounted for under the cost method. Under the cost method, our investments in real estate ventures are carried at cost and adjusted for other-than-temporary declines in fair value, distributions representing a return of capital and additional investments. |
| Through mergers with REIT I and REIT II in 2009, we acquired preferred equity and/or noncontrolling interests in unconsolidated joint ventures all of which were deemed to be VIEs. We currently have two such interests and have evaluated each against the amended criteria for consolidation and determined that we are not the primary beneficiary, generally due to our inability to direct significant activities that determine the economic performance of the VIE. One of those investments is a passive or limited partner interest in two self storage facilities (such properties are owned by a DST, and by virtue of the related trust agreements, the investors have no direct or indirect ability through voting rights to make decisions about its significant activities) and is therefore accounted for under the cost method; our aggregate investment therein is approximately $0.1 million. Our ownership interest in such investment was approximately 1.49% and our risk of loss is limited to our investment therein. |
| The other interest is in a net leased industrial property (“Hawthorne property”) in California with 356,000 rentable square feet leased to a single tenant. This investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting and our risk of loss is limited to our investment, including our maximum exposure under the terms of a debt guarantee. We own a 12% interest in Westport LAX LLC, the joint venture that acquired the Hawthorne property and the carrying value in such investment is approximately $1.3 million. Hawthorne LLC, an affiliate of our Sponsor, owns 78% of Westport LAX LLC, and we have a preferred equity interest in Hawthorne LLC which entitles us to distributions equal to 10% per annum on our investment of approximately $6.9 million and a non-interest bearing receivable of approximately $0.4 million. The preferred equity interest has a redemption date in November 2014, subject to extension at our sole discretion. The preferred equity interest may be called at any time in whole or part by Hawthorne LLC or redeemed at any time by us. The remaining 10% interest in Westport LAX LLC is owned by a third party, who is also the co-manager, along with our Sponsor, of the Hawthorne property. Such third party is the acting property manager and directs the operating activities of the property that determine its economic performance. We, along with other non-affiliated parties, are guarantors on the approximately $18.8 million loan used to secure the Hawthorne property; the loan has a maturity date of August 1, 2020. As of March 31, 2014, our maximum exposure to loss as a result of our involvement with this VIE, consisting of our investment balances and our guarantee of the secured debt, totaled approximately $27.4 million. |
| Revenue Recognition | ' |
| Revenue Recognition |
| Management believes that all of our leases are operating leases. Rental income is recognized in accordance with the terms of the leases, which generally are month-to-month. Revenues from any long-term operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The excess of rents received over amounts contractually due pursuant to the underlying leases is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets and contractually due but unpaid rent is included in other assets. |
| Allowance for Doubtful Accounts | ' |
| Allowance for Doubtful Accounts |
| Tenant accounts receivable are reported net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Management’s estimate of the allowance is based upon a review of the current status of tenant accounts receivable. It is reasonably possible that management’s estimate of the allowance will change in the future. |
| Real Estate Facilities | ' |
| Real Estate Facilities |
| Real estate facilities are recorded at cost. We capitalize costs incurred to develop, construct, renovate and improve properties, including interest and property taxes incurred during the construction period. The construction period begins when expenditures for the real estate assets have been made and activities that are necessary to prepare the asset for its intended use are in progress. The construction period ends when the asset is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. |
| Depreciation of Real Property Assets | ' |
| Depreciation of Real Property Assets |
| Our management is required to make subjective assessments as to the useful lives of our depreciable assets. We consider the period of future benefit of the asset to determine the appropriate useful lives. |
| Depreciation of Personal Property Assets | ' |
| Depreciation of Personal Property Assets |
| Personal property assets, consisting primarily of furniture, fixtures and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives generally ranging from 3 to 5 years, and are included in other assets on our consolidated balance sheets. |
| Intangible Assets | ' |
| Intangible Assets |
| We have allocated a portion of our real estate purchase price to in-place leases. We are amortizing in-place leases on a straight-line basis over the estimated future benefit period. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, accumulated amortization of in-place lease intangibles totaled approximately $46.3 million and $44.6 million, respectively. |
| Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs | ' |
| Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs |
| Costs incurred in connection with obtaining financing are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the related loan, which is not materially different than the effective interest method. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, accumulated amortization of deferred financing costs totaled approximately $6.1 million and $5.9 million, respectively. |
| Foreign Currency Translation | ' |
| Foreign Currency Translation |
| For non-U.S. functional currency operations, assets and liabilities are translated to U.S. dollars at current exchange rates. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average rates for the period. All related adjustments are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of equity. Transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the related operation are recorded at rates of exchange in effect at the date of the transaction. Gains or losses on foreign currency transactions are recorded in other income (expense). For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we recorded a loss of approximately $265,000 and $111,000, respectively. |
| Accounting for Equity Awards | ' |
| Accounting for Equity Awards |
| The cost of restricted stock is required to be measured based on the grant-date fair value and the cost to be recognized over the relevant service period. |
| Fair Value Measurements | ' |
| Fair Value Measurements |
| The accounting standard for fair value measurements and disclosures defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and provides for expanded disclosure about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined by the accounting standard for fair value measurements and disclosures as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. It also establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three levels. The following summarizes the three levels of inputs and hierarchy of fair value we use when measuring fair value: |
|
| • | | Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access; |
|
| • | | Level 2 inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals; and |
|
| • | | Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the assets or liabilities that are typically based on an entity’s own assumptions as there is little, if any, related market activity. |
| In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement will fall within the lowest level that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. |
| The accounting guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures provides a framework for measuring fair value and establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. In determining fair value, we utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible as well as consider counterparty credit risk in our assessment of fair value. Considerable judgment is necessary to interpret Level 2 and 3 inputs in determining fair value of our financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the fair values we present herein are indicative of amounts that may ultimately be realized upon sale or other disposition of these assets. |
| Financial and non-financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis in our consolidated financial statements consist of real estate and related assets and investments in unconsolidated joint ventures and related liabilities assumed and equity consideration related to our acquisitions. The fair values of these assets, liabilities and equity consideration were determined as of the acquisition dates using widely accepted valuation techniques, including (i) discounted cash flow analysis, which considers, among other things, leasing assumptions, growth rates, discount rates and terminal capitalization rates, (ii) income capitalization approach, which considers prevailing market capitalization rates, and (iii) comparable sales activity. In general, we consider multiple valuation techniques when measuring fair values. However, in certain circumstances, a single valuation technique may be appropriate. All of the fair values of the assets, liabilities and equity consideration as of the acquisition dates were derived using Level 3 inputs. |
| The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, customer accounts receivable, other assets, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, distributions payable and amounts due to affiliates approximate fair value because of the relatively short-term nature of these instruments. |
| The table below summarizes our fixed rate notes payable at March 31, 2014. The estimated fair value of financial instruments is subjective in nature and is dependent on a number of important assumptions, including discount rates and relevant comparable market information associated with each financial instrument. The fair value of the fixed rate notes payable was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities. The use of different market assumptions and estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the reported estimated fair value amounts. Accordingly, the estimates presented below are not necessarily indicative of the amounts we would realize in a current market exchange. |
| As of March 31, 2014, we had an interest rate swap on one of our loans (See Notes 5 and 6). The valuation of this instrument was determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash payments and the discounted expected variable cash receipts. The variable cash receipts are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. |
| To comply with GAAP, we incorporate credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both our own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of our derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, we have considered the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts, and guarantees. |
| Although we have determined that the majority of the inputs used to value our derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with our derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by us and our counterparties. However, as of March 31, 2014, we have assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of our derivative positions and have determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of our derivatives. As a result, we have determined that our derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. As of March 31, 2014, we had approximately $247,000 of Level 2 derivatives (interest rate swap) classified in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. |
| Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities | ' |
| Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities |
| The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. Derivatives used to hedge exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows or other types of forecasted transactions are considered cash flow hedges. |
| For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item related to the hedged risk are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is initially reported in other comprehensive income, outside of earnings and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings. |
| Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Entities | ' |
| Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Entities |
| We account for the noncontrolling interest in our Operating Partnership in accordance with amended accounting guidance. Due to our control through our general partnership interest in our Operating Partnership and the limited rights of the limited partner, our Operating Partnership, including its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is consolidated with the Company and the limited partner interest is reflected as a noncontrolling interest in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. In addition, we account for the noncontrolling interest in the SF property in accordance with the amended accounting guidance. The noncontrolling interests shall continue to be attributed their share of income and losses, even if that attribution results in a deficit noncontrolling interest balance. |
| Income Taxes | ' |
| Income Taxes |
| We made an election to be taxed as a Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”), under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2008. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of the REIT’s ordinary taxable income to stockholders. As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to Federal income tax on taxable income that we distribute to our stockholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will then be subject to Federal income taxes on our taxable income at regular corporate rates and will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for Federal income tax purposes for four years following the year during which qualification is lost unless the IRS grants us relief under certain statutory provisions. Such an event could materially adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to stockholders. However, we believe that we will be organized and operate in such a manner as to qualify for treatment as a REIT and intend to operate in the foreseeable future in such a manner that we will remain qualified as a REIT for Federal income tax purposes. We have concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition or disclosure in our consolidated financial statements. |
| Even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain state and local taxes on our income and property, and Federal income and excise taxes on our undistributed income. |
| We have filed an election to treat the TRSs as taxable REIT subsidiaries. In general, the TRSs may perform additional services for our customers and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate related business. The TRSs are subject to corporate Federal and state income tax. The TRSs follow accounting guidance which requires the use of the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes will represent the tax effect of future differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities. |
| Per Share Data | ' |
| Per Share Data |
| Basic earnings per share attributable for all periods presented are computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding, including all restricted stock grants as though fully vested. For each of the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, 6,250 shares, of unvested restricted stock were not included in the diluted weighted average shares as such shares were antidilutive. |
