21 Additional Financial Instrument Disclosures

The section below provides information on the financial assets and financial liabilities not covered by IFRS 9:

• Employee benefits in accordance with IAS 19: Gross presentation of right to reimbursement arising from transferred pension obligations in the amount of € 3.9 million (Dec. 31, 2020: € 4.3 million).
• Amount by which the fair value of plan assets exceeds the corresponding obligation: € 0.5 million (Dec. 31, 2020: € 0.8 million).
• Provisions for pensions and similar obligations: € 584.5 million (Dec. 31, 2020: € 627.8 million).

The following table shows the assets and liabilities that are recognized in the balance sheet at fair value and their classification according to the fair value hierarchy:

In general, Vonovia measures its investment properties on the basis of the discounted cash flow (DCF) methodology (Level 3). The material valuation parameters and valuation results can be found in chapter [D28] Investment Properties of the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2020.

The investment properties classified as assets held for sale are recognized at the time of their transfer to assets held for sale at their new fair value, the agreed purchase price (Level 2).

No financial instruments were reclassified to different hierarchy levels as against the comparative period.

Securities are generally measured using the quoted prices in active markets (Level 1).

The increase in other investments amounts to € 3,409.9 million from the acquisition of shares in Deutsche Wohnen SE, Berlin, along with the market valuation of the shares as of June 30, 2021.

For the measurement of financial instruments, cash flows are initially calculated and then discounted. In addition to the tenor-specific EURIBOR/STIBOR rates (3M; 6M), the respective credit risk is taken as a basis for discounting. Depending on the expected cash flows, either Vonovia’s own credit risk or the counterparty risk is taken into account in the calculation.

For the consolidated financial statements, Vonovia’s own credit risk was fundamentally relevant for interest rate swaps. This credit risk is derived for material risks from rates observable on the capital markets and ranges from 10 to 100 basis points, depending on the residual maturities of financial instruments. Regarding the positive market values of the cross currency swaps, a counterparty risk of 30 basis points was taken into account.

The calculated cash flows of the cross currency swaps result from the forward curves for USD/EUR. The cash flows are discounted on the basis of the reference interest rate of each currency (LIBOR and EURIBOR) and translated into euros at the current exchange rate (Level 2).

The fair values of the cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and other financial receivables approximate their carrying amounts at the reporting date owing to their mainly short maturities. The amount of the estimated impairment loss on cash and cash equivalents was calculated based on the losses expected over a period of twelve months. It was determined that the cash and cash equivalents have a low risk of default due to the external ratings and short residual maturities and that there is no need for any material impairment of cash and cash equivalents.

Risk in the area of rent receivables was examined through an analysis of the reduced general creditworthiness (as a special forward-looking parameter of impairment losses for financial assets as defined by IFRS 9). As Vonovia receives rent payments mostly in advance, only deferred rents and similar receivables are affected. Since these receivables are very soon subject to a specific impairment loss, an additional need for impairment loss is currently not foreseeable. The further development of the receivables is continuously monitored.

In the area of receivables from the sale of properties, the credit risk is compensated for by Vonovia retaining ownership of the property until the purchase price is paid.

Vonovia is involved in a number of legal disputes resulting from normal business activities. In particular, these involve tenancy, construction and sales law disputes and, in individual cases, company law disputes (mainly following squeeze-out processes). None of the legal disputes, taken in isolation, will have any material effects on the net assets, financial position or results of operations of Vonovia.

Bochum, July 28, 2021

Rolf Buch
(CEO)

Arnd Fittkau
(CRO)

Helene von Roeder
(CFO)

Daniel Riedl
(CDO)