v3.5.0.2

SENIOR NOTES PAYABLE AND OTHER DEBT - Narrative (Details) CAD in Thousands | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |  |  |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) | Jul. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) | May 31, 2016 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2016 CAD | May 31, 2016 CAD | Feb. 29, 2016 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2015 CAD
Debt instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Principal amount outstanding | $ 11,317,837,000 |  |  |  | $ 11,317,837,000 |  | $ 11,317,837,000 |  |  |  |  | $ 11,271,020,000 |
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net |  |  |  |  | (383,000) | $ (15,331,000) | (3,165,000) | $ (14,897,000) |  |  |  |  |
Derivative notional amount |  | $ 225,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 200,000,000 |  |
Derivative fixed interest rate |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1.132% |  |
Derivative gain |  | 1,900,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unsecured revolving credit facilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity | 2,000,000,000.0 |  |  |  | 2,000,000,000.0 |  | $ 2,000,000,000.0 |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, additional period |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 year |  |  |  |  |  |
Amount outstanding | 232,400,000 |  |  |  | 232,400,000 |  | $ 232,400,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Letters of credit outstanding | 14,100,000 |  |  |  | 14,100,000 |  | 14,100,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Unused borrowing capacity available | 1,800,000,000 |  |  |  | 1,800,000,000 |  | 1,800,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Principal amount outstanding | 232,405,000 |  |  |  | 232,405,000 |  | $ 232,405,000 |  |  |  |  | 180,683,000 |
Unsecured revolving credit facilities | LIBOR |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1.00% |  |  |  |  |  |
Unsecured Term Loan Due 2018 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity | 200,000,000.0 |  |  |  | 200,000,000.0 |  | $ 200,000,000.0 |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, term of loan |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4 years |  |  |  |  |  |
Principal amount outstanding | 200,000,000 |  |  |  | 200,000,000 |  | $ 200,000,000 |  |  |  |  | 200,000,000 |
Unsecured Term Loan Due 2018 | LIBOR |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1.05% |  |  |  |  |  |
Unsecured term loan due 2019 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity | 800,000,000.0 |  |  |  | 800,000,000.0 |  | $ 800,000,000.0 |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, term of loan |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5 years |  |  |  |  |  |
Principal amount outstanding | 373,353,000 |  |  |  | 373,353,000 |  | $ 373,353,000 |  |  |  |  | 468,477,000 |
Repayments of debt |  |  |  | $ 100,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net |  |  |  | (400,000) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unsecured term loan due 2020 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate |  |  |  |  |  |  | 97.50% |  |  |  |  |  |
Principal amount outstanding | 900,000,000 |  |  |  | 900,000,000 |  | $ 900,000,000 |  |  |  |  | 900,000,000 |
Unsecured Debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity (up to) | $ 3,500,000,000.0 |  |  |  | $ 3,500,000,000.0 |  | $ 3,500,000,000.0 |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, face amount |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 20,000,000 |
3.125% Senior Notes due 2023 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Principal amount outstanding | CAD |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | CAD 400,000 | CAD 400,000 |  |  | CAD 0
Interest rate | 3.125% |  |  |  | 3.125% |  | 3.125% |  | 3.125% | 3.125% |  |  |
Public offering price as percent of par |  |  | 100.335% |  |  |  |  |  |  | 99.343% |  |  |
Proceeds from public offering sale of debt |  |  |  | $ 397,400,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net |  |  | $ 2,100,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
1.55% Senior Notes due 2016 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Principal amount outstanding | $ 0 |  |  |  | $ 0 |  | $ 0 |  |  |  |  | $ 550,000,000 |
Repayments of debt |  | 94,500,000.0 | $ 455,500,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate | 1.55% |  |  |  | 1.55% |  | 1.55% |  | 1.55% |  |  | 1.55% | 1.55%
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net |  | $ (300,000) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
3.25% Senior Notes due 2026 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Principal amount outstanding | $ 450,000,000 |  |  |  | $ 450,000,000 |  | $ 450,000,000 |  | CAD 450,000 |  |  | $ 0 |
Interest rate | 3.25% |  |  |  | 3.25% |  | 3.25% |  | 3.25% |  |  |  |
Public offering price as percent of par | 99.811% |  |  |  | 99.811% |  | 99.811% |  | 99.811% |  |  |  |
Proceeds from public offering sale of debt | $ 449,100,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Mortgages |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ (400,000) |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, face amount | $ 254,700,000 |  |  |  | $ 254,700,000 |  | $ 254,700,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Weighted average maturity (in years) |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 years 1 month |  |  |  |  |  |

X
- Definition Aggregate notional amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 12 -Section 13 -Sentence Column B + Details
Name: | invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
Namespace Prefix: | invest_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount, before unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt. + 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(22)) -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 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 55 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement. + 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 210.5-02.22(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Fixed interest rate related to the interest rate derivative. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeFixedInterestRate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of increase in the fair value of derivatives recognized in the income statement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4C -Subparagraph (a),(c),(d),(e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5624171-113959 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4A -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5618551-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeGainOnDerivative
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 470 -SubTopic 50 -Section 40 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170532&loc=d3e12317-112629 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 470 -SubTopic 50 -Section 40 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170532&loc=d3e12355-112629 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement. + 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(22)) -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 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of current borrowing capacity under the credit facility considering any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed (for example, borrowings may be limited by the amount of current assets), but without considering any amounts currently outstanding under the facility. + 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 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility. + 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 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding). + 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 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The cash outflow during the period from the repayment of aggregate short-term and long-term debt. Excludes payment of capital lease obligations. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Debt Instrument, Term, Additional Period + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vtr_DebtInstrumentTermAdditionalPeriod
Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Debt Instrument, Weighted Average Duration of Maturity + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vtr_DebtInstrumentWeightedAverageDurationofMaturity
Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Proceeds from Public Offering Sale of Debt + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vtr_ProceedsfromPublicOfferingSaleofDebt
Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Public offering price as a percent of par. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vtr_PublicOfferingPriceAsPercentOfPar
Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanDue2018NumberTwoMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanDue2019Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanDue2020Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=vtr_SeniorNotesDue2023Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=vtr_OnePointFiveFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2016Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=vtr_SeniorNotesDue2026ThreePointTwoFivePercentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_MortgagesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |