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Equity, Capital and Other Interests - Changes in Operating Partnership's Issued and Outstanding Units (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 shares
General and Limited Partner Units
Exercise of share options	72,596
Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)	29,808
Restricted share grants, net	76,745
Restricted unit grants, net	289,081
Common Shares And Units Outstanding	380,965,229
LIMITED PARTNERS
Total Units Outstanding	14,626,075
Restricted unit grants, net	289,081
Conversion of Limited Partner OP Units to EQR Common Shares	(1,087,684)
Total Units Outstanding	13,827,472
Units Ownership Interest in Operating Partnership	3.60%
ERPOP [Member]
General and Limited Partner Units
Common Shares And Units Outstanding	380,496,999
Exercise of share options	72,596
Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)	29,808
Restricted share grants, net	76,745
Restricted unit grants, net	289,081
Common Shares And Units Outstanding	380,965,229
LIMITED PARTNERS
Total Units Outstanding	14,626,075
Restricted unit grants, net	289,081
Conversion of Limited Partner OP Units to EQR Common Shares	(1,087,684)
Total Units Outstanding	13,827,472
Units Ownership Interest in Operating Partnership	3.60%

X

- Definition

Number of all classes of common stock held by shareholders, which is net of related treasury stock, and number of all Operating Partnership Units held by various individuals and entities that contributed their properties to the Operating Partnership.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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X

- Definition

Number of units issued during the period as a result of a long-term incentive plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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X

- Definition

The number of restricted shares granted during the reporting period, net of cancellations.

+ References

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X

- Definition

OP Units converted into shares of stock during the period. An example of a convertible unit is an umbrella partnership real estate investment trust unit (UPREIT unit). Subject to certain exceptions, this unit can be exchanged for Common Shares on a one-for-one basis.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Units outstanding.

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No definition available.

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X

- Definition

Represents the noncontrolling interests (comprised of Units and LTIP Units) ownership interest in the Operating Partnership.

+ References

No definition available.

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X

- References

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- Definition

Number of shares issued during the period as a result of an employee stock purchase plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

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- Definition

Number of share options (or share units) exercised during the current period.

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

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