a. IFRS defines ‘investment property’ as the property that is owned or leased under a finance lease, for the purpose of earning rent or capital appreciation or both.
b. Thus, it is not owner-occupied or held for providing goods and services.
c. Such assets may be valued using:
i. Cost Model. If the investment property is valued using the cost model, then its treatment is the same as for the tangible assets valued using the cost model.
ii. Fair Value Model. If the investment property is valued using the fair value all the changes (whether upward valuation or devaluation) impacts the net income (unlike the tangible assets, where the impact is on other comprehensive income). The fair value method may only be used if reliable estimates of fair value can be attained on a continuous basis.
The company must use the same valuation model for all the investment properties.
d. If the fair value model is used for valuation, it must be used consistently until the disposition or reclassification of the asset, even if the fair value assessment becomes difficult.
e. Investment property is reported as a separate line item on the balance sheet. Along with this, the following disclosures are also required to be made:
i. the model used for valuing the asset,
ii. method of determination of the fair value of the asset,
iii. reconciliation between the beginning and the ending balance in the asset account,
iv. if the cost model is used for a valuation then report the depreciation method, useful life, etc. as reported for the tangible assets.
f. GAAP does not specifically define the investment property. It requires the use of a historical cost model for the valuation of such assets.