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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 14, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2012 | Mar. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Jan. 09, 2015 | Mar. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Oct. 18, 2012
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term Debt |  | $ 2,200,000,000 els_Debtsecuredandunsecured |  |  |  | $ 2,200,000,000 els_Debtsecuredandunsecured |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 2,200,000,000 els_Debtsecuredandunsecured | $ 2,200,000,000 els_Debtsecuredandunsecured |  |  |  |  |
Operating Loss Carryforwards |  | 88,000,000 us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 88,000,000 us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards |  |  |  |  |  |
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance |  | 7,110,000 us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance |  |  |  | 7,927,000 us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance |  |  |  | 6,987,000 us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance |  |  |  | 7,110,000 us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance | 7,927,000 us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance | 6,987,000 us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance |  |  | 7,700,000 us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance |
Ordinary Income Dividends Per Share |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1.217 els_OrdinaryIncomeDividendsPerShare | $ 0.680 els_OrdinaryIncomeDividendsPerShare | $ 0.810 els_OrdinaryIncomeDividendsPerShare |  |  |  |
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid |  | Jan. 09, 2015 | Oct. 10, 2014 | Jul. 11, 2014 | Apr. 11, 2014 | Jan. 10, 2014 | Oct. 11, 2013 | Jul. 12, 2013 | Apr. 12, 2013 | Dec. 28, 2012 | Oct. 12, 2012 | Jul. 13, 2012 | Apr. 13, 2012 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill) |  | 12,100,000 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwill |  |  |  | 12,100,000 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwill |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 12,100,000 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwill | 12,100,000 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwill |  |  |  |  |
Intangible assets |  | 4,300,000 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill |  |  |  | 4,300,000 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4,300,000 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill | 4,300,000 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill |  | 7,800,000 us-gaap_Goodwill |  |  |  | 7,800,000 us-gaap_Goodwill |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7,800,000 us-gaap_Goodwill | 7,800,000 us-gaap_Goodwill |  |  |  |  |
Accumulated amortization of identified intangible assets |  | 2,200,000 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization |  |  |  | 1,900,000 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,200,000 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization | 1,900,000 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization |  |  |  |  |
Amortization of Intangible Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,999,000 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets | 1,940,000 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets | 45,122,000 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash |  | 5,000,000 us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents |  |  |  | 5,200,000 us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5,000,000 us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents | 5,200,000 us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents |  |  |  |  |
Accumulated amortization for deferred financing costs |  | 29,800,000 us-gaap_AccumulatedAmortizationDeferredFinanceCosts |  |  |  | 25,400,000 us-gaap_AccumulatedAmortizationDeferredFinanceCosts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 29,800,000 us-gaap_AccumulatedAmortizationDeferredFinanceCosts | 25,400,000 us-gaap_AccumulatedAmortizationDeferredFinanceCosts |  |  |  |  |
Net investment in real estate U.S federal tax basis |  | 2,800,000,000 us-gaap_RealEstateFederalIncomeTaxBasis |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,800,000,000 us-gaap_RealEstateFederalIncomeTaxBasis |  |  |  |  |  |
Net investment in notes receivable U.S federal tax basis |  | 38,600,000 els_NotesReceivableFederalIncomeTaxBasis |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 38,600,000 els_NotesReceivableFederalIncomeTaxBasis |  |  |  |  |  |
Provision for uncollectable rents receivable |  | 5,100,000 us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable |  |  |  | 4,900,000 us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5,100,000 us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable | 4,900,000 us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable |  |  |  |  |
Deferred revenue, estimated period of recognition |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 31 years |  |  |  |  |  |
Private REIT Subsidiaries preferred stock |  | 67,034,000 us-gaap_MinorityInterestInOperatingPartnerships |  |  |  | 69,872,000 us-gaap_MinorityInterestInOperatingPartnerships |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 67,034,000 us-gaap_MinorityInterestInOperatingPartnerships | 69,872,000 us-gaap_MinorityInterestInOperatingPartnerships |  |  |  |  |
Quarterly distribution paid per common share |  | $ 0.3250 us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid | $ 0.3250 us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid | $ 0.3250 us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid | $ 0.3250 us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid | $ 0.2500 us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid | $ 0.2500 us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid | $ 0.2500 us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid | $ 0.2500 us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid | $ 0.2188 us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid | $ 0.2188 us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid | $ 0.2188 us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid | $ 0.2188 us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid, Taxable |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 0.2003 els_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaidTaxable |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized |  | 9,765,900 us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized |  |  |  | 9,765,525 us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 9,765,900 us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized | 9,765,525 us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized |  |  |  |  |
Peferred Stock, Shares Exchanged | 5,445,765 els_PeferredStockSharesExchanged |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Depositary Shares, Issued | 5,445,765 els_DepositarySharesIssued |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Depositary Share, Liquidation Preference Per Share | $ 25.00 els_DepositaryShareLiquidationPreferencePerShare |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Per-Dollar-Amount | $ 0.3849625 us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePerDollarAmount |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Capital Gains Dividends Per Share |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 0.000 els_CapitalGainsDividendsPerShare | $ 0.211 els_CapitalGainsDividendsPerShare | $ 0.069 els_CapitalGainsDividendsPerShare |  |  |  |
Nondividend Distribution |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 0.000 els_NondividendDistribution | $ 0.000 els_NondividendDistribution | $ 0.186 els_NondividendDistribution |  |  |  |
Unrecaptured Section 1250 Gain Dividends Per Share |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 0.000 els_UnrecapturedSection1250GainDividendsPerShare | $ 0.067 els_UnrecapturedSection1250GainDividendsPerShare | $ 0.000 els_UnrecapturedSection1250GainDividendsPerShare |  |  |  |
Common Stock Dividends Per Share Tax Treatment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1.217 els_CommonStockDividendsPerShareTaxTreatment | $ 0.958 els_CommonStockDividendsPerShareTaxTreatment | $ 1.065 els_CommonStockDividendsPerShareTaxTreatment |  |  |  |
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Cost and Expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4,209,000 us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense | 5,152,000 us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense | 4,860,000 us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense |  |  |  |
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deductions |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (5,026,000)us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions | (4,212,000)us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions | (5,573,000)us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions |  |  |  |
Maximum |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investment percentage to apply cost method accounting, maximum |  | 5.00%els_CostMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5.00%els_CostMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Reportable Segments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Rental income recognition period |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 year |  |  |  |  |  |
Minimum |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Right-to-use properties contract, term |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 year |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Mortgage notes payable, fair value |  | 2,300,000,000 els_SecuredDebtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  |  |  | 2,200,000,000 els_SecuredDebtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,300,000,000 els_SecuredDebtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member | 2,200,000,000 els_SecuredDebtFairValue / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  |  |  |  |
FLORIDA |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of company revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 40.90%els_PercentageOfCompanyRevenue / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = stpr_FL | 40.70%els_PercentageOfCompanyRevenue / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = stpr_FL | 39.40%els_PercentageOfCompanyRevenue / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = stpr_FL |  |  |  |
Arizona |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of company revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 9.60%els_PercentageOfCompanyRevenue / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = stpr_AZ | 9.80%els_PercentageOfCompanyRevenue / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = stpr_AZ | 9.40%els_PercentageOfCompanyRevenue / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = stpr_AZ |  |  |  |
California |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of company revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 15.20%els_PercentageOfCompanyRevenue / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = stpr_CA | 15.70%els_PercentageOfCompanyRevenue / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = stpr_CA | 15.20%els_PercentageOfCompanyRevenue / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = stpr_CA |  |  |  |
Chattel Loans |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loans receivable, amortization term |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 12 years |  |  |  |  |  |
New Manufactured Home [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated useful life |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 25 years |  |  |  |  |  |
Used Manufactured Home [Member] | Maximum |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated useful life |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 25 years |  |  |  |  |  |
Used Manufactured Home [Member] | Minimum |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated useful life |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 10 years |  |  |  |  |  |
Buildings and structural and land improvements |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated useful life |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 30 years |  |  |  |  |  |
Building Improvements |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated useful life |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 10 years |  |  |  |  |  |
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated useful life |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5 years |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferred Stock |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Private REIT Subsidiaries preferred stock |  | 300,000 us-gaap_MinorityInterestInOperatingPartnerships / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_PreferredStockMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 300,000 us-gaap_MinorityInterestInOperatingPartnerships / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = us-gaap_PreferredStockMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative Series Eight Point Zero Three Four Percent Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 25.00 us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = els_CumulativeSeriesEightPointZeroThreeFourPercentRedeemablePerpetualPreferredStockMember
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Per-Dollar-Amount |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 0.0948460 us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePerDollarAmount / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = els_CumulativeSeriesEightPointZeroThreeFourPercentRedeemablePerpetualPreferredStockMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,554,235 us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodShares / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = els_CumulativeSeriesEightPointZeroThreeFourPercentRedeemablePerpetualPreferredStockMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Value |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 64,100,000 us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodValue / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = els_CumulativeSeriesEightPointZeroThreeFourPercentRedeemablePerpetualPreferredStockMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative Series C Six Point Seven Five Percent Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 6.75%us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = els_CumulativeSeriesCSixPointSevenFivePercentRedeemablePerpetualPreferredStockMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized | 54,458 us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = els_CumulativeSeriesCSixPointSevenFivePercentRedeemablePerpetualPreferredStockMember | 54,461 us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = els_CumulativeSeriesCSixPointSevenFivePercentRedeemablePerpetualPreferredStockMember |  |  |  | 54,461 us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = els_CumulativeSeriesCSixPointSevenFivePercentRedeemablePerpetualPreferredStockMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 54,461 us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = els_CumulativeSeriesCSixPointSevenFivePercentRedeemablePerpetualPreferredStockMember | 54,461 us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = els_CumulativeSeriesCSixPointSevenFivePercentRedeemablePerpetualPreferredStockMember |  |  |  |  |
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share | $ 2,500.00 us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = els_CumulativeSeriesCSixPointSevenFivePercentRedeemablePerpetualPreferredStockMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Price Allocation Adjustments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Final Adjustment Period Maximum Range |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 year |  |  |  |  |  |
Identified Intangible Assets [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortization of Intangible Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 300,000 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = els_IdentifiedIntangibleAssetsMember | $ 300,000 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = els_IdentifiedIntangibleAssetsMember |  |  |  |  |
Subsequent Event [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Quarterly distribution paid per common share |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 0.325 us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid / us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis = us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember |  |  |
Scenario, Forecast [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid, Taxable |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 0.1247 els_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaidTaxable / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember |  |

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- Definition The per share liquidation preference (or restrictions) of depositary shares that has a preference in involuntary liquidation considerably in excess of the par or stated value of the shares. The liquidation preference is the difference between the preference in liquidation and the par or stated values of the share. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition A share presenting a fraction of the underlying share. A depositary share is entitled to any dividends or other benefits associated with the underlying share. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Purchase price adjustments may be made within one year following any acquisition and applied retroactively to the date of acquisition. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The per share non-taxable portion of a distribution. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Percentage of revenue concentration, by state, greater than 10% of company revenues. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the portion of common stock dividends declared or paid during the period that are taxable as the unrecaptured section 1250 gain. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Date the declared dividend will be paid, in CCYY-MM-DD format. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4304-108586 + Details
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- Definition Accumulated amount of amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
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