18. Commitments and Contingencies Litigation From time to time, the Company is a party to various litigation matters incidental to the conduct of the Companys business. While the resolution of such matters cannot be predicted with certainty, based on currently available information, the Company does not believe that the final outcome of any of these matters will have a material effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity. Property and Acquisition Related In connection with ownership and operation of real estate, the Company may potentially be liable for cost and damages related to environmental matters. The Company is not aware of any non-compliance, liability, claim, or other environmental condition that would have a material effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity. As part of acquisitions closed during the years ended 2019, 2018, and 2017, the Company assumed six separate lease agreements that provided for a total of $2,517, $0, and $2,777, respectively, in tenant improvement allowances. Balances associated with tenant improvement allowances are included in Accounts payable and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows: December 31, (in thousands) 2019 2018 Tenant improvement allowances $ 2,706 $ 2,125 The Company is a party to three separate Tax Protection Agreements (Agreements) with the contributing members (Protected Members) of three distinct UPREIT transactions conducted in October 2017, February 2016, and November 2015. The Agreements require the Company to pay monetary damages in the event of a sale, exchange, transfer or other disposal of the contributed property in a taxable transaction that would cause a Protected Member to recognize a Protected Gain, as defined in the Agreements and subject to certain exceptions. In such an event, the Company will pay monetary damages to the Protected Members in the amount of the aggregate federal, state, and local income taxes incurred as a result of the income or gain allocated or recognized by the Protected Member as an outcome of the transaction, subject to certain caps and limitations contained in the Agreements. The Company is required to allocate to the Protected Members, an amount of nonrecourse liabilities that is at least equal to the Minimum Liability Amount for each Protected Member, as contained in the Agreements. The minimum liability amount and the associated allocation of nonrecourse liabilities are calculated in accordance with applicable tax regulations, are completed at the OP level, and do not represent GAAP accounting. Therefore, there is no impact to the Consolidated Financial Statements. If the nonrecourse liabilities allocated do not meet the requirement, the Company will pay monetary damages to the Protected Members in the amount of the aggregate federal, state, and local income taxes incurred as a result of the income or gain allocated or recognized by the Protected Member as an outcome to the default. The maximum aggregate amount the Company may be liable for under the Agreements is approximately $12,300. Based on information available, the Company does not believe that the events resulting in damages as detailed above have occurred. Upon closing the Internalization, the Company entered into an additional tax protection agreement with the Founding Owners (see Note 19). Obligations Under Operating Leases The Company leases land at certain properties under non-cancellable operating leases with initial lease terms ranging from 2034 to 2066. These leases contain provisions for fixed monthly payments, subject to rent escalations. One lease requires the Company to make annual rent payments calculated based upon sales generated at the property (percentage rent). None of the leases are subject to any sublease agreement. The following table summarizes the total lease costs associated with these leases, reported as a component of Property and operating expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income: For the years ended December 31, (in thousands) 2019 2018 Operating lease costs $ 139 $ 59 Variable lease costs 46 23 Total lease costs $ 185 $ 82 The following table summarizes payments associated with obligations under operating leases, reported as Cash flows from operating activities on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows: For the years ended December 31, (in thousands) 2019 2018 Operating lease payments $ 158 $ 52 Estimated future lease payments required under non-cancelable operating leases at December 31, 2019, and a reconciliation to the lease liabilities, is as follows: (in thousands) 2020 $ 114 2021 114 2022 116 2023 118 2024 119 Thereafter 2,411 Total undiscounted cash flows 2,992 Less imputed interest (1,783 ) Lease liabilities $ 1,209 The above rental payments include future minimum lease payments due during the initial lease terms. Such amounts exclude any contingent amounts associated with percentage rent that may become due in future periods.