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Real Estate and Lease Intangibles - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2016
Land held for development: |  |
Amortization of above/below market leases | $ 856 | $ 851
Net gain on sales of real estate properties | 36,707 | 3,723,479
Net gain (loss) on sales of land parcels | 19,193 | 11,722
Ground Lease [Member] |  |
Land held for development: |  |
Amortization of above/below market leases | 1,100 | 1,100
Retail Site [Member] |  |
Land held for development: |  |
Amortization of above/below market leases | $ 200 | $ 200

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- Definition The difference between the book value and the sale price of land parcels sold within the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | eqr_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Land held for development [Abstract] + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | eqr_LandheldfordevelopmentAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | eqr_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16225-109274 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 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The net gain (loss) resulting from sales and other disposals of real estate owned for investment purposes. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.14(d)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=eqr_GroundLeaseMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_RetailSiteMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |