v2.4.0.6

Description of Business (Details) | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
May 31, 2012 property | Dec. 31, 2012 property province state
Real estate properties |  |
Number of real estate properties |  | 1,400
Number of states |  | 46
Number of Canadian provinces |  | 2
Number of properties leased |  | 898
Number of properties included in investments in unconsolidated entities | 36 | 6
KINDRED |  |
Real estate properties |  |
Number of independent third party managed properties |  | 196
BROOKDALE SENIOR LIVING |  |
Real estate properties |  |
Number of independent third party managed properties |  | 148
Development projects |  |
Real estate properties |  |
Number of real estate properties |  | 3
Seniors housing communities |  |
Real estate properties |  |
Number of independent third party managed properties |  | 223

X
- Definition The number of real estate properties owned as of the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The number of states the entity operates in as of the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NumberOfStatesInWhichEntityOperates
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of properties that are managed by the independent third party. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vtr_NumberOfIndependentThirdPartyManagedProperties
Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of Properties Included in Investments in Unconsolidated Entities + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vtr_NumberOfPropertiesIncludedInInvestmentsInUnconsolidatedEntities
Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of properties owned that are leased to unaffiliated tenants under triple-net lease terms. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vtr_NumberOfPropertiesLeasedUnderTripleNetLeases
Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The number of provinces in which the entity operates as of the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vtr_NumberOfProvincesInWhichEntityOperates
Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant