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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS OF ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (Unaudited) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:    
Net income $ 190,224us-gaap_ProfitLoss $ 82,732us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation 194,521eqr_AdjustmentDepreciation 185,167eqr_AdjustmentDepreciation
Amortization of deferred financing costs 2,589eqr_AmortizationOfDeferredFinancingCosts 2,792eqr_AmortizationOfDeferredFinancingCosts
Amortization of above/below market leases 846us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets 829us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt (3,751)us-gaap_AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium (2,938)us-gaap_AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium
Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments 4,205us-gaap_AmortizationOfDeferredHedgeGains 3,996us-gaap_AmortizationOfDeferredHedgeGains
Write-off of pursuit costs 493us-gaap_NoncashProjectAbandonmentCosts 452us-gaap_NoncashProjectAbandonmentCosts
(Income) loss from investments in unconsolidated entities (2,963)eqr_IncomeLossfromInvestmentsinUnconsolidatedEntitiesAdjustment 1,409eqr_IncomeLossfromInvestmentsinUnconsolidatedEntitiesAdjustment
Distributions from unconsolidated entities - return on capital 516us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions 914us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions
Net (gain) on sale of investment securities 0us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfInvestments (21)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfInvestments
Net (gain) on sales of real estate properties (79,951)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfInvestmentRealEstate 0us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfInvestmentRealEstate
Net (gain) on sales of discontinued operations 0us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationNetOfTax (71)us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationNetOfTax
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments 24us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives (3)us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives
Compensation paid with Company Common Shares 13,610us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation 12,981us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Changes in assets and liabilities:    
Decrease (increase) in deposits – restricted 290us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCashForOperatingActivities (418)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCashForOperatingActivities
(Increase) decrease in mortgage deposits (456)eqr_IncreaseDecreaseInMortgageDeposits 375eqr_IncreaseDecreaseInMortgageDeposits
(Increase) decrease in other assets (4,237)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets 18,613us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses 45,450us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities 55,263us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
(Decrease) in accrued interest payable (4,870)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInterestPayableNet (169)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInterestPayableNet
(Decrease) in other liabilities (8,307)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities (26,194)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities
(Decrease) increase in security deposits (339)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInSecurityDeposits 1,143us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInSecurityDeposits
Net cash provided by operating activities 347,895us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities 336,882us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:    
Investment in real estate - acquisitions (6,720)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireRealEstate (148,535)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireRealEstate
Investment in real estate - development/other (146,194)us-gaap_PaymentsToDevelopRealEstateAssets (122,340)us-gaap_PaymentsToDevelopRealEstateAssets
Capital expenditures to real estate (38,170)us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements (32,191)us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements
Non-real estate capital additions (469)eqr_PaymentsToAcquireOtherCapitalAssets (159)eqr_PaymentsToAcquireOtherCapitalAssets
Interest capitalized for real estate and unconsolidated entities under development (15,313)us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized (12,792)us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized
Proceeds from disposition of real estate, net 142,931us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment 0us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment
Investments in unconsolidated entities (2,410)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments (6,254)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments
Distributions from unconsolidated entities - return of capital 18,969eqr_ProceedsFromDistributionsReceivedFromUnconsolidatedSubsidiaries 7,680eqr_ProceedsFromDistributionsReceivedFromUnconsolidatedSubsidiaries
Proceeds from sale of investment securities 0us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecurities 21us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecurities
(Increase) decrease in deposits on real estate acquisitions and investments, net (131,787)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromDepositsOnRealEstateAcquisitions 12,904us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromDepositsOnRealEstateAcquisitions
(Increase) in mortgage deposits (59)eqr_MortgageDepositsInvestingActivities (91)eqr_MortgageDepositsInvestingActivities
Net cash (used for) investing activities (179,222)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities (301,757)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:    
Debt financing costs 0us-gaap_PaymentsOfFinancingCosts (60)us-gaap_PaymentsOfFinancingCosts
Mortgage Deposits (2,059)eqr_MortgageDepositsFinancingActivities (1,643)eqr_MortgageDepositsFinancingActivities
Mortgage notes payable:    
Scheduled principal repayments (2,746)eqr_RepaymentsOfMortgageNotesPayable (3,034)eqr_RepaymentsOfMortgageNotesPayable
Line of credit and commercial paper:    
Line of credit proceeds 1,997,000eqr_ProceedsFromUnsecuredLineOfCredit 1,751,000eqr_ProceedsFromUnsecuredLineOfCredit
Line of credit repayments (2,200,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit (1,568,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit
Commercial paper proceeds 1,155,228us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommercialPaper 0us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommercialPaper
Commercial paper repayments (814,600)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfCommercialPaper 0us-gaap_RepaymentsOfCommercialPaper
(Payments on) settlement of derivative instruments (25)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromHedgeFinancingActivities 0us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromHedgeFinancingActivities
Proceeds from exercise of options 32,213us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised 15,785us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised
Partial redemption of 8.29% Series K Cumulative Redeemable (9,820)us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredParValueMethod 0us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredParValueMethod
Premium on redemption of Preference Units 2,789us-gaap_RedemptionPremium 0us-gaap_RedemptionPremium
Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interests - Partially Owned Properties 0us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAdditionalInterestInSubsidiaries (2,501)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAdditionalInterestInSubsidiaries
Contributions - Noncontrolling Interests - Partially Owned Properties 0us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders 5,684us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders
Contributions - Limited Partners 1us-gaap_ProceedsFromPartnershipContribution 3us-gaap_ProceedsFromPartnershipContribution
Distributions:    
Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties (2,891)eqr_DistributionsMinorityInterestsPartiallyOwnedProperties (4,113)eqr_DistributionsMinorityInterestsPartiallyOwnedProperties
Net Cash (used for) Financing Activities (159,335)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities (51,450)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 9,338us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease (16,325)us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 40,080us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue 53,534us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 49,418us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue 37,209us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:    
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized 113,113us-gaap_InterestPaidNet 112,152us-gaap_InterestPaidNet
Net cash paid for income and other taxes 718us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet 596us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet
Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt:    
Mortgage notes payable 4,567eqr_AmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsOnDebtMortgageNotesPayable 3,506eqr_AmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsOnDebtMortgageNotesPayable
Notes, net 618eqr_AmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsOnDebtNotesNet 568eqr_AmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsOnDebtNotesNet
Line of credit and commercial paper 198eqr_AmortizationofDiscountsandPremiumsonLineofCreditandCommercialPapernet 0eqr_AmortizationofDiscountsandPremiumsonLineofCreditandCommercialPapernet
Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments:    
Other liabilities (133)eqr_AmortizationOfDeferredSettlementsOnDerivativeInstrumentsOtherLiabilities (133)eqr_AmortizationOfDeferredSettlementsOnDerivativeInstrumentsOtherLiabilities
Losses reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income 4,338us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax 4,129us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax
(Income) Loss From Investments In Unconsolidated Entities [Abstract]    
(Income) loss from investment in unconsolidated entities (3,625)eqr_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsMerger 472eqr_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsMerger
Other Liabilities Loss From Investments in unconsolidated entities 662eqr_OtherLiabilitiesLossFromInvestmentsInUnconsolidatedEntitiesMerger 937eqr_OtherLiabilitiesLossFromInvestmentsInUnconsolidatedEntitiesMerger
Distributions from unconsolidated entities return on capital [Abstract]    
Distributions from unconsolidated entities investments in unconsolidated entities 516eqr_Distributionsfromunconsolidatedentitiesinvestmentsinunconsolidatedentities 862eqr_Distributionsfromunconsolidatedentitiesinvestmentsinunconsolidatedentities
Distributions from unconsolidated entities other liabilities 0eqr_Distributionsfromunconsolidatedentitiesotherliabilities 52eqr_Distributionsfromunconsolidatedentitiesotherliabilities
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments:    
Other assets (4,963)eqr_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsOtherAssets 7,279eqr_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsOtherAssets
Notes, net 4,842eqr_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNotesNet 0eqr_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNotesNet
Other liabilities 11,933eqr_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsOtherLiabilities 4,670eqr_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsOtherLiabilities
Unrealized holding (losses) arising during the period (11,788)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax (11,952)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
Interest capitalized for real estate and unconsolidated entities under development:    
Investment in real estate, net (15,313)eqr_InterestCapitalizedForRealEstateUnderDevelopment (12,774)eqr_InterestCapitalizedForRealEstateUnderDevelopment
Investments in unconsolidated entities 0eqr_InterestCapitalizedForUnconsolidatedEntitiesUnderDevelopment (18)eqr_InterestCapitalizedForUnconsolidatedEntitiesUnderDevelopment
Investments in unconsolidated entities [Abstract]    
Investments in unconsolidated entities 130eqr_Investmentsinunconsolidatedentities 1,454eqr_Investmentsinunconsolidatedentities
Investments in unconsolidated entities other liabilities 2,280eqr_Investmentsinunconsolidatedentitiesotherliabilities 4,800eqr_Investmentsinunconsolidatedentitiesotherliabilities
Other:    
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax 420us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax (91)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
OPERATING PARTNERSHIP    
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:    
Net income 190,224us-gaap_ProfitLoss
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= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
82,732us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation 194,521eqr_AdjustmentDepreciation
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
185,167eqr_AdjustmentDepreciation
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Amortization of deferred financing costs 2,589eqr_AmortizationOfDeferredFinancingCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
2,792eqr_AmortizationOfDeferredFinancingCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Amortization of above/below market leases 846us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
829us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt (3,751)us-gaap_AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(2,938)us-gaap_AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments 4,205us-gaap_AmortizationOfDeferredHedgeGains
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
3,996us-gaap_AmortizationOfDeferredHedgeGains
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Write-off of pursuit costs 493us-gaap_NoncashProjectAbandonmentCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
452us-gaap_NoncashProjectAbandonmentCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(Income) loss from investments in unconsolidated entities (2,963)eqr_IncomeLossfromInvestmentsinUnconsolidatedEntitiesAdjustment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
1,409eqr_IncomeLossfromInvestmentsinUnconsolidatedEntitiesAdjustment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Distributions from unconsolidated entities - return on capital 516us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
914us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Net (gain) on sale of investment securities 0us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfInvestments
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(21)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfInvestments
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Net (gain) on sales of real estate properties (79,951)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfInvestmentRealEstate
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
0us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfInvestmentRealEstate
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Net loss on sales of land parcels 1eqr_GainLossOnSaleOfLandParcels
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
30eqr_GainLossOnSaleOfLandParcels
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Net (gain) on sales of discontinued operations 0us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(71)us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments 24us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(3)us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Compensation paid with Company Common Shares 13,610us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
12,981us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Changes in assets and liabilities:    
Decrease (increase) in deposits – restricted 290us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCashForOperatingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(418)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCashForOperatingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(Increase) decrease in mortgage deposits (456)eqr_IncreaseDecreaseInMortgageDeposits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
375eqr_IncreaseDecreaseInMortgageDeposits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(Increase) decrease in other assets (4,237)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
18,613us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses 45,450us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
55,263us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(Decrease) in accrued interest payable (4,870)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInterestPayableNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(169)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInterestPayableNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(Decrease) in other liabilities (8,307)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(26,194)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(Decrease) increase in security deposits (339)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInSecurityDeposits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
1,143us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInSecurityDeposits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Net cash provided by operating activities 347,895us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
336,882us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:    
Investment in real estate - acquisitions (6,720)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireRealEstate
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(148,535)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireRealEstate
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Investment in real estate - development/other (146,194)us-gaap_PaymentsToDevelopRealEstateAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(122,340)us-gaap_PaymentsToDevelopRealEstateAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Capital expenditures to real estate (38,170)us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(32,191)us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Non-real estate capital additions (469)eqr_PaymentsToAcquireOtherCapitalAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(159)eqr_PaymentsToAcquireOtherCapitalAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Interest capitalized for real estate and unconsolidated entities under development (15,313)us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(12,792)us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Proceeds from disposition of real estate, net 142,931us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
0us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Investments in unconsolidated entities (2,410)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(6,254)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Distributions from unconsolidated entities - return of capital 18,969eqr_ProceedsFromDistributionsReceivedFromUnconsolidatedSubsidiaries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
7,680eqr_ProceedsFromDistributionsReceivedFromUnconsolidatedSubsidiaries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Proceeds from sale of investment securities 0us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecurities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
21us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecurities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(Increase) decrease in deposits on real estate acquisitions and investments, net (131,787)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromDepositsOnRealEstateAcquisitions
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
12,904us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromDepositsOnRealEstateAcquisitions
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(Increase) in mortgage deposits (59)eqr_MortgageDepositsInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(91)eqr_MortgageDepositsInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Net cash (used for) investing activities (179,222)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(301,757)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:    
Debt financing costs 0us-gaap_PaymentsOfFinancingCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(60)us-gaap_PaymentsOfFinancingCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Mortgage Deposits (2,059)eqr_MortgageDepositsFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(1,643)eqr_MortgageDepositsFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Mortgage notes payable:    
Lump sum payoffs (121,326)eqr_MortgageNotesPayableLumpSumPayoffs
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
0eqr_MortgageNotesPayableLumpSumPayoffs
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Scheduled principal repayments (2,746)eqr_RepaymentsOfMortgageNotesPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(3,034)eqr_RepaymentsOfMortgageNotesPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Line of credit and commercial paper:    
Line of credit proceeds 1,997,000eqr_ProceedsFromUnsecuredLineOfCredit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
1,751,000eqr_ProceedsFromUnsecuredLineOfCredit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Line of credit repayments (2,200,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(1,568,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Commercial paper proceeds 1,155,228us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommercialPaper
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
0us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommercialPaper
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Commercial paper repayments (814,600)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfCommercialPaper
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
0us-gaap_RepaymentsOfCommercialPaper
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(Payments on) settlement of derivative instruments (25)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromHedgeFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
0us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromHedgeFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
EQR's Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP) 1,927us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
1,741us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Proceeds from exercise of options 32,213us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
15,785us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
OP Units repurchased and retired 0eqr_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfOpUnits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(1,777)eqr_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfOpUnits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Partial redemption of 8.29% Series K Cumulative Redeemable (9,820)us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredParValueMethod
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
0us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredParValueMethod
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Premium on redemption of Preference Units (2,789)us-gaap_RedemptionPremium
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
0us-gaap_RedemptionPremium
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interests - Partially Owned Properties 0us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAdditionalInterestInSubsidiaries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(2,501)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAdditionalInterestInSubsidiaries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Contributions - Noncontrolling Interests - Partially Owned Properties 0us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
5,684us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Contributions - Limited Partners 1us-gaap_ProceedsFromPartnershipContribution
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
3us-gaap_ProceedsFromPartnershipContribution
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Distributions:    
OP Units - General Partner (181,408)eqr_PaymentsOfDividendsGeneralPartner
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(234,282)eqr_PaymentsOfDividendsGeneralPartner
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Preference Units (891)eqr_PaymentsOfDividendsPreferenceUnits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(1,036)eqr_PaymentsOfDividendsPreferenceUnits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
OP Units - Limited Partners (7,149)eqr_DistributionsLimitedPartners
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(9,217)eqr_DistributionsLimitedPartners
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties (2,891)eqr_DistributionsMinorityInterestsPartiallyOwnedProperties
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(4,113)eqr_DistributionsMinorityInterestsPartiallyOwnedProperties
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Net Cash (used for) Financing Activities (159,335)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(51,450)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 9,338us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(16,325)us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 40,080us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
53,534us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 49,418us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
37,209us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:    
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized 113,113us-gaap_InterestPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
112,152us-gaap_InterestPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
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Net cash paid for income and other taxes 718us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
596us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Amortization of discounts and premiums on debt:    
Mortgage notes payable (4,567)eqr_AmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsOnDebtMortgageNotesPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(3,506)eqr_AmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsOnDebtMortgageNotesPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Notes, net 618eqr_AmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsOnDebtNotesNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
568eqr_AmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsOnDebtNotesNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Line of credit and commercial paper 198eqr_AmortizationofDiscountsandPremiumsonLineofCreditandCommercialPapernet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
0eqr_AmortizationofDiscountsandPremiumsonLineofCreditandCommercialPapernet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Amortization of deferred settlements on derivative instruments:    
Other liabilities (133)eqr_AmortizationOfDeferredSettlementsOnDerivativeInstrumentsOtherLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(133)eqr_AmortizationOfDeferredSettlementsOnDerivativeInstrumentsOtherLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Losses reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income 4,338us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
4,129us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(Income) Loss From Investments In Unconsolidated Entities [Abstract]    
(Income) loss from investment in unconsolidated entities (3,625)eqr_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsMerger
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
472eqr_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsMerger
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Other Liabilities Loss From Investments in unconsolidated entities 662eqr_OtherLiabilitiesLossFromInvestmentsInUnconsolidatedEntitiesMerger
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
937eqr_OtherLiabilitiesLossFromInvestmentsInUnconsolidatedEntitiesMerger
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Distributions from unconsolidated entities return on capital [Abstract]    
Distributions from unconsolidated entities investments in unconsolidated entities 516eqr_Distributionsfromunconsolidatedentitiesinvestmentsinunconsolidatedentities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
862eqr_Distributionsfromunconsolidatedentitiesinvestmentsinunconsolidatedentities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Distributions from unconsolidated entities other liabilities 0eqr_Distributionsfromunconsolidatedentitiesotherliabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
52eqr_Distributionsfromunconsolidatedentitiesotherliabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments:    
Other assets (4,963)eqr_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsOtherAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
7,279eqr_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsOtherAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Notes, net 4,842eqr_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNotesNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
0eqr_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNotesNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Other liabilities 11,933eqr_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsOtherLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
4,670eqr_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsOtherLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Unrealized holding (losses) arising during the period (11,788)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(11,952)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Interest capitalized for real estate and unconsolidated entities under development:    
Investment in real estate, net (15,313)eqr_InterestCapitalizedForRealEstateUnderDevelopment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(12,774)eqr_InterestCapitalizedForRealEstateUnderDevelopment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Investments in unconsolidated entities 0eqr_InterestCapitalizedForUnconsolidatedEntitiesUnderDevelopment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(18)eqr_InterestCapitalizedForUnconsolidatedEntitiesUnderDevelopment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Investments in unconsolidated entities [Abstract]    
Investments in unconsolidated entities (130)eqr_Investmentsinunconsolidatedentities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(1,454)eqr_Investmentsinunconsolidatedentities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Investments in unconsolidated entities other liabilities (2,280)eqr_Investmentsinunconsolidatedentitiesotherliabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
(4,800)eqr_Investmentsinunconsolidatedentitiesotherliabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Other:    
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax $ 420us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
$ (91)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember