IFRS 15 Real estate
Under IFRS 15 real estate entities recognize revenue over the construction period if certain conditions are met.
Key points
- An entity must judge whether the different elements of a contract can be separated from each other based on the distinct criteria. A more complex judgment exists for real estate developers that provide services or deliver common properties or amenities in addition to the property being sold.
- Contract modifications are common in the real estate development industry. Contract modifications might need
to be accounted for as a new contract, or combined and accounted for together with an existing contract. - Real estate managers may structure their arrangements such that services and fees are in different contracts. These contracts may meet the requirements to be accounted for as a combined contract when applying IFRS 15.
- Real estate management entities are often entitled to several different fees. IFRS 15 will require a manager to consider whether the services should be viewed as a single performance obligation, or whether some of these services are ‘distinct’ and should therefore be treated as separate performance obligations.
- Variable consideration for entities in the real estate industry may come in the form of claims, awards and incentive payments, discounts, rebates, refunds, credits, price concessions, performance bonuses, penalties or other similar items.
- Real estate developers will need to consider whether they meet any of the three criteria necessary for recognition of revenue over time.
IFRS 15 core principle
The core principle of IFRS 15 is that revenue reflects the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.