XML 64 R45.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.19.3.a.u2

Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) community investment partnership shares | Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) community investment partnership shares | Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) | Jan. 01, 2019 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Noncontrolling interest in operating partnership | 3.40% | 3.40% |  |  |
Real Estate Rental Properties [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Minimum threshold useful life of assets for capitalization | 1 year |  |  |  |
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Acquired in-place lease value, net | $ 1,200 | $ 100 |  |  |
Number of communities held-for-sale | community | 0 | 0 |  |  |
Asset impairment charges | $ 7,105 | $ 0 | $ 0 |  |
Other-than-temporary impairment | $ 11,500 |  |  |  |
Revenues and Gains on Sale of Real Estate [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Lease terms, minimum | 9 months |  |  |  |
Lease terms, maximum | 12 months |  |  |  |
Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Original maturities of highly liquid investments to be classified as cash equivalents, maximum | 3 months |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents - unrestricted | $ 70,087 | 134,465 | 44,620 |  |
Cash and cash equivalents - restricted | 11,007 | 16,930 | 16,506 |  |
Total unrestricted and restricted cash and cash equivalents shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows | 81,094 | 151,395 | 61,126 |  | $ 170,302
Capitalization |  |  |  |  |
Capitalized internal costs related to development and redevelopment projects | 17,900 | 18,600 | 18,800 |  |
Fair Value of Financial Instruments |  |  |  |  |
Fixed rate debt carrying amount | 5,200,000 | 5,000,000 |  |  |
Fixed rate debt fair value | 5,400,000 | 5,000,000 |  |  |
Variable rate debt carrying amount | 660,400 | 619,600 |  |  |
Variable rate debt fair value | 655,800 | 615,200 |  |  |
Mortgage-backed-securities available-for-sale fair value | $ 72,700 | $ 129,500 |  |  |
Investments, Owned, Federal Income Tax Note [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Tax cuts and jobs act of 2017, change in tax rate |  |  | 1,500 |  |
Status of cash dividends distributed |  |  |  |  |
Number of DownREIT limited partnerships | partnership | 17 | 16 |  |  |
Number of communities in DownREIT Partnerships | community | 9 | 8 |  |  |
Number of consolidated co-investments that now meet the definition of a VIE | investment | 6 | 8 |  |  |
Assets related to VIE, net intercompany eliminations | $ 1,000,000 | $ 849,800 |  |  |
Liabilities related to VIE, net intercompany eliminations | 364,300 | 261,700 |  |  |
Noncontrolling interests in VIE | $ 122,500 | $ 64,500 |  |  |
Total DownREIT units outstanding (in shares) | shares | 1,033,907 | 912,269 |  |  |
Redemption value of the variable interest entities | $ 311,100 | $ 223,700 |  |  |
Redeemable noncontrolling interest | 37,410 | 35,475 | $ 39,206 |  | $ 44,684
Redeemable noncontrolling interest, units of limited partners' interests in DownREIT VIEs | 13,000 | 14,500 |  |  |
Noncontrolling interest in limited partnerships | 97,700 | $ 32,400 |  |  |
CPPIB |  |  |  |  |
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Asset impairment charges | $ 7,105 |  |  |  |
Equity method investment, ownership percentage | 45.00% |  |  |  |
Computer Software and Equipment | Minimum |  |  |  |  |
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Depreciable life, average | 3 years |  |  |  |
Computer Software and Equipment | Maximum |  |  |  |  |
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Depreciable life, average | 5 years |  |  |  |
Interior Apartment Home Improvements |  |  |  |  |
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Depreciable life, average | 5 years |  |  |  |
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment | Minimum |  |  |  |  |
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Depreciable life, average | 5 years |  |  |  |
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment | Maximum |  |  |  |  |
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Depreciable life, average | 10 years |  |  |  |
Land Improvements and Certain Exterior Components of Real Property |  |  |  |  |
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Depreciable life, average | 10 years |  |  |  |
Real Estate Structures |  |  |  |  |
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Depreciable life, average | 30 years |  |  |  |
Accounting Standards Update 2017-12 |  |  |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |  |  |  | $ 200 |
Common Stock |  |  |  |  |
Status of cash dividends distributed |  |  |  |  |
Ordinary income | 83.81% | 79.72% | 84.04% |  |
Capital gain | 13.78% | 15.35% | 13.20% |  |
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain | 2.41% | 4.93% | 2.76% |  |
Total cash dividends distributed, percentage | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |  |
Mortgage Backed Securities |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value of Financial Instruments |  |  |  |  |
Mortgage-backed-securities held-to-maturity carrying value | $ 72,651 | $ 127,187 |  |  |

X
- Definition The carrying amount of the assets in the reporting entity's statement of financial position that relate to the reporting entity's variable interest in the Variable Interest Entity (VIE) net of intercompany eliminations. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_AssetsRelatedToVariableInterestEntitiesNetIntercompanyEliminations
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Definition The amount of for cost of asset previously incurred and capitalized separately from the capitalized amount of the associated long-lived assets. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_CapitalizedInternalCostsRelatedToDevelopmentAndRedevelopmentProjects
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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

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

X
- Definition Derivative, Accumulated Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain (Loss) + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_DerivativeAccumulatedNetHedgeIneffectivenessGainLoss
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of debt obligations and debt which accrues interest at a set, unchanging rate. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_FixedRateDebtCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value of the current and noncurrent portions, as of the balance sheet date, of debt obligations and debt which accrues interest at a set, unchanging rate. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_FixedRateDebtFairValue
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Maximum of general lease terms. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_Leasetermsmaximum
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition General minimum period of a lease. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_Leasetermsminimum
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The carrying amount of the liabilities in the reporting entity's statement of financial position that relate to the reporting entity's variable interest in the Variable Interest Entity (VIE) net intercompany eliminations. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_LiabilitiesRelatedToVariableInterestEntitiesNetOfIntercompanyEliminations
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Noncontrolling interest in Operating Partnership, which includes the Operating Partnership's vested long term incentive plan units and cumulative redeemable preferred units. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_NoncontrollingInterestOperatingPartnership
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The number of communities within the DownREIT partnerships. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_NumberOfCommunitiesWithinDownreitPartnerships
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The number of DownREIT limited partnerships the company consolidates. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_NumberOfDownreitLimitedPartnershipsConsolidatedByCompany
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of Assets Held For Sale + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_NumberofAssetsHeldForSale
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Maximum original maturities of highly liquid investments to be classified as cash equivalents. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_Originalmaturitieshighlyliquidinvestmentstermclassificationascashequivalentsmaximum
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Definition Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Carrying Amount, Variable Interest Entities + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmountVariableInterestEntities
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Description of redemption value of total variable interest entities units outstanding. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_RedemptionValueOfVariableInterestEntities
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Definition The portion of cash dividends distributed during the period relating to capital gain. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_StatusOfCashDividendCapitalGainPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The portion of cash dividends distributed during the period relating to ordinary income. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_StatusOfCashDividendOrdinaryIncomePercentage
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The portion of cash dividends distributed during the period relating to unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain (loss). + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_StatusOfCashDividendUnrecapturedSection1250CapitalGainLossPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Definition The total cash dividends distributed during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_StatusOfDividendTotalCashDividendsDistributedPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of income tax (expense) benefit for which accounting for tax effect is incomplete for remeasurement of deferred tax liability from change in tax rate pursuant to Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and no reasonable estimate is determined. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_TaxCutsAndJobsActOf2017IncompleteAccountingChangeinTaxRateDeferredTaxLiabilityProvisionalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Threshold useful life of assets for capitalization. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_Thresholdusefullifeofassetsforcapitalization
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition DownREIT Partnership's Outstanding operating partnership units owned by noncontrolling interest partners. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_UnitsOfLimitedPartnershipInterestAmount
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Variable Interest Entity, Number Of Consolidated Co-investments Determined To Be Variable Interest Entities + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_VariableInterestEntityNumberOfConsolidatedCoinvestmentsDeterminedToBeVariableInterestEntities
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The portion of the carrying amount of long-term borrowings, outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including current maturities, which accrues interest at a rate subject to change from time to time. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_VariableRateDebtCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The fair value of long-term borrowings, outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including current maturities, which accrues interest at a rate subject to change from time to time. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ess_VariableRateDebtFairValue
Namespace Prefix: | ess_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of write-down of assets recognized in the income statement. Includes, but is not limited to, losses from tangible assets, intangible assets and goodwill. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109226348&loc=d3e2420-110228 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3044-108585 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118951113&loc=d3e6676-107765 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of cash and cash equivalents, and cash and cash equivalents restricted to withdrawal or usage. Excludes amount for disposal group and discontinued operations. Cash includes, but is not limited to, currency on hand, demand deposits with banks or financial institutions, and other accounts with general characteristics of demand deposits. Cash equivalents include, but are not limited to, short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 24 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3521-108585 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3044-108585 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98513485&loc=SL98516268-108586 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition This item represents an other than temporary decline in value that has been recognized against an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the investment represents the amount of the write down which is or was reflected in earnings. The written down value is a new cost basis with the adjusted value of the investment becoming its new carrying value subject to the equity accounting method. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 35 -Paragraph 32 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118954474&loc=d3e32787-111569 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114001798&loc=d3e33918-111571 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Definition Amount after amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value of investment in debt security measured at amortized cost (held-to-maturity). + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph (aa) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118939692&loc=d3e27232-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentsOwnedFederalIncomeTaxNoteLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Carrying amount of the equity interests owned by noncontrolling partners of a limited partnership included in the entity's consolidated financial statements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_MinorityInterestInLimitedPartnerships
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value of securitized, pay-through debt securities collateralized by real estate mortgage loans classified as available-for-sale. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesAvailableForSaleFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Portion of equity (net assets) in a variable interest entity (VIE) not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the parent entity. That is, this is the portion of equity in a VIE that is attributable to the noncontrolling interest (previously referred to as minority interest). + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInVariableInterestEntity
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition As of the reporting date, the aggregate carrying amount of all noncontrolling interests which are redeemable by the (parent) entity (1) at a fixed or determinable price on a fixed or determinable date, (2) at the option of the holder of the noncontrolling interest, or (3) upon occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the (parent) entity. This item includes noncontrolling interest holder's ownership (or holders' ownership) regardless of the type of equity interest (common, preferred, other) including all potential organizational (legal) forms of the investee entity. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 480 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 3A -Subparagraph (16)(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877616&loc=SL6540498-122764 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 480 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 3A -Subparagraph 15 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877616&loc=SL6540498-122764 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 480 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 3A -Subparagraph (12)(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877616&loc=SL6540498-122764 Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 480 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 3A -Subparagraph 14 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877616&loc=SL6540498-122764 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of cash and cash equivalents restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Cash includes, but is not limited to, currency on hand, demand deposits with banks or financial institutions, and other accounts with general characteristics of demand deposits. Cash equivalents include, but are not limited to, short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(2)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119400593&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98513485&loc=SL98516268-108586 Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(1)(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3044-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | srt_CounterpartyNameAxis=ess_CanadaPensionPlanInvestmentBoardMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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

X
- Details
Name: | srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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

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

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

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

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis=us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201712Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_CommonStockMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |