v2.4.0.8

ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 2) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Revenue Recognition [Abstract] |  |
Straight-line rent receivables | $ 158,721,000 | $ 150,829,000
Allowance for Straight-Line Rent Receivable | $ (115,300,000) | $ (101,400,000)
Term of resident lease agreements, minimum | 12 months |
Term of resident lease agreements, maximum | 18 months |
Notice period to cancel lease agreements by the resident | 30 days |

X
- Definition The cumulative difference between the rental payments required by a lease agreement and the rental income or expense recognized on a straight-line basis, or other systematic and rational basis more representative of the time pattern in which use or benefit is granted or derived from the leased property, expected to be recognized in income or expense over the term of the leased property, by the lessor or lessee, respectively. Such receivable is reduced by allowances attributable to, for instance, credit risk associated with a lessee. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.8) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 35 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453741&loc=d3e40879-112712 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 25 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7501430&loc=d3e39927-112707 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 25 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7501430&loc=d3e39896-112707 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeferredRentReceivablesNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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

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- Definition Allowance for Straight-Line Rent Receivable + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vtr_AllowanceforStraightLineRentReceivable
Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Represents the notice period available to cancel lease agreements by the resident. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vtr_NoticePeriodToCancelLeaseAgreementsByResident
Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the maximum term period of resident lease agreements. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the minimum term period of resident lease agreements. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration