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Share Incentive Plans (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Compensation information |  |  |
Compensation Expense | $ 27,543 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense | $ 35,474 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense | $ 24,832 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Compensation Capitalized | 2,538 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount | 2,545 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount | 2,128 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount
Compensation Equity | 30,081 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue | 38,019 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue | 26,960 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue
Dividends Incurred | 2,260 eqr_ShareIncentivePlansDividendsIncurred | 1,487 eqr_ShareIncentivePlansDividendsIncurred | 1,183 eqr_ShareIncentivePlansDividendsIncurred
Restricted shares [Member] |  |  |
Compensation information |  |  |
Compensation Expense | 9,244 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_RestrictedSharesMember | 12,185 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_RestrictedSharesMember | 8,014 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_RestrictedSharesMember
Compensation Capitalized | 660 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_RestrictedSharesMember | 1,079 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_RestrictedSharesMember | 922 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_RestrictedSharesMember
Compensation Equity | 9,904 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_RestrictedSharesMember | 13,264 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_RestrictedSharesMember | 8,936 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_RestrictedSharesMember
Dividends Incurred | 1,012 eqr_ShareIncentivePlansDividendsIncurred / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_RestrictedSharesMember | 967 eqr_ShareIncentivePlansDividendsIncurred / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_RestrictedSharesMember | 949 eqr_ShareIncentivePlansDividendsIncurred / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_RestrictedSharesMember
Long Term Incentive Plan Units [Member] |  |  |
Compensation information |  |  |
Compensation Expense | 11,049 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_LongTermInvestmentPlanUnitsMember | 13,108 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_LongTermInvestmentPlanUnitsMember | 5,004 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_LongTermInvestmentPlanUnitsMember
Compensation Capitalized | 920 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_LongTermInvestmentPlanUnitsMember | 501 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_LongTermInvestmentPlanUnitsMember | 303 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_LongTermInvestmentPlanUnitsMember
Compensation Equity | 11,969 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_LongTermInvestmentPlanUnitsMember | 13,609 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_LongTermInvestmentPlanUnitsMember | 5,307 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_LongTermInvestmentPlanUnitsMember
Dividends Incurred | 1,248 eqr_ShareIncentivePlansDividendsIncurred / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_LongTermInvestmentPlanUnitsMember | 520 eqr_ShareIncentivePlansDividendsIncurred / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_LongTermInvestmentPlanUnitsMember | 234 eqr_ShareIncentivePlansDividendsIncurred / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_LongTermInvestmentPlanUnitsMember
Employee Stock Option [Member] |  |  |
Compensation information |  |  |
Compensation Expense | 6,453 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember | 9,569 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember | 10,970 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Compensation Capitalized | 896 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember | 945 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember | 782 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Compensation Equity | 7,349 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember | 10,514 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember | 11,752 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Dividends Incurred | 0 eqr_ShareIncentivePlansDividendsIncurred / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember | 0 eqr_ShareIncentivePlansDividendsIncurred / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember | 0 eqr_ShareIncentivePlansDividendsIncurred / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Employee Share Purchase Plan Discount [Member] |  |  |
Compensation information |  |  |
Compensation Expense | 797 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_EmployeeSharePurchasePlanDiscountMember | 612 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_EmployeeSharePurchasePlanDiscountMember | 844 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_EmployeeSharePurchasePlanDiscountMember
Compensation Capitalized | 62 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_EmployeeSharePurchasePlanDiscountMember | 20 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_EmployeeSharePurchasePlanDiscountMember | 121 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_EmployeeSharePurchasePlanDiscountMember
Compensation Equity | 859 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_EmployeeSharePurchasePlanDiscountMember | 632 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_EmployeeSharePurchasePlanDiscountMember | 965 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_EmployeeSharePurchasePlanDiscountMember
Dividends Incurred | $ 0 eqr_ShareIncentivePlansDividendsIncurred / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_EmployeeSharePurchasePlanDiscountMember | $ 0 eqr_ShareIncentivePlansDividendsIncurred / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_EmployeeSharePurchasePlanDiscountMember | $ 0 eqr_ShareIncentivePlansDividendsIncurred / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = eqr_EmployeeSharePurchasePlanDiscountMember

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- Definition This element represents the amount of recognized equity-based compensation during the period, that is, the amount recognized as expense in the income statement (or as asset if compensation is capitalized). Alternate captions include the words "stock-based compensation". + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 35 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415241&loc=d3e4534-113899 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 12 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=32706628&loc=d3e11149-113907 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 13 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=32706628&loc=d3e11178-113907 + Details
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- Definition Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.F) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27013229&loc=d3e301413-122809 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(1)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 14 -Section F + Details
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- Definition Represents the compensation cost capitalized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, units, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(1)(ii) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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