XML 73 R55.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.8.0.1

Real Estate and Lease Intangibles - Acquisitions and Dispositions - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2016
Real Estate [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Net gain on sales of real estate properties | $ 17,328 | $ 90,036 | $ 141,761 | $ 3,870,871
Net gain (loss) on sales of land parcels |  | $ 4,037 | $ 19,170 | $ 15,759

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

X
- 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
Name: | us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfInvestmentRealEstate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RealEstateAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration