9. Leases
Contracts to lease assets are classified as finance leases if they transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the asset to the customer. Other contracts to lease assets are classified as operating leases.
Finance lease receivables are stated in the balance sheet at the amount of the net investment in the lease being the minimum lease payments and any unguaranteed residual value discounted at the interest rate implicit in the lease. Finance lease income is allocated to accounting periods so as to give a constant periodic rate of return before tax on the net investment. Unguaranteed residual values are subject to regular review to identify potential impairment. If there has been a reduction in the estimated unguaranteed residual value, the income allocation is revised and any reduction in respect of amounts accrued is recognised immediately.
Rental income from operating leases is credited to the income statement on a receivable basis over the term of the lease. Operating lease assets are included within Property, plant and equipment and depreciated over their useful lives (see accounting policy 6 above).
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