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Investment in Real Estate - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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Aug. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2014 integer | Dec. 31, 2013 integer | Dec. 31, 2012 | Mar. 31, 2014 integer | Sep. 30, 2014 integer | Jul. 17, 2014 | May 31, 2013 integer | Mar. 31, 2015 integer | Dec. 30, 2014 Rate | Jan. 15, 2015 Rate integer | Mar. 10, 2014 | Jan. 07, 2014 site | Dec. 17, 2013 site | Sep. 26, 2014 site | Sep. 16, 2013 | Aug. 01, 2013 integer | May 08, 2013 | Oct. 01, 2014 site | Feb. 09, 2015 | Dec. 30, 2013
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets acquired |  |  | $ 122,366,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment | $ 133,393,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment | $ 25,000,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gain (Loss) on Condemnation |  |  | 1,457,000 us-gaap_GainLossOnCondemnation | 0 us-gaap_GainLossOnCondemnation | 0 us-gaap_GainLossOnCondemnation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Land |  |  | 1,091,550,000 us-gaap_Land | 1,025,246,000 us-gaap_Land |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Escrow Share Distribution |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 51,290 els_EscrowShareDistribution |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Community Base Rental Income |  |  | 426,886,000 els_CommunityBaseRentalIncome | 409,801,000 els_CommunityBaseRentalIncome | 394,606,000 els_CommunityBaseRentalIncome |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Depreciation Expense Adjustment |  |  |  | 3,500,000 els_DepreciationExpenseAdjustment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of acquired sites |  |  |  |  | 1,765 els_NumberOfAcquiredSites |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price |  |  |  |  | 25,000,000 els_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePrice |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Acquisitions | 9,700,000 els_UnitsIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisition |  |  | 9,686,000 els_UnitsIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisition |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Units Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisition | 240,969 els_UnitsIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisition |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Noncash, Issuance of Common OP Units |  |  | 0 els_NoncashIssuanceofCommonOPUnits | 9,686,000 els_NoncashIssuanceofCommonOPUnits | 0 els_NoncashIssuanceofCommonOPUnits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Real Estate, Discontinued Operations |  | 40,600,000 us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfRealEstateDiscontinuedOperations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment |  |  |  |  | 4,600,000 us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfPropertyPlantEquipment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment |  |  |  |  | 7,600,000 us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total liabilities assumed |  |  | 41,271,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities | 7,159,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities | 816,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from sale of property |  |  | 2,102,000 us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate | 157,975,000 us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate | 7,564,000 us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax |  |  | 0 us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationNetOfTax | 41,525,000 us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationNetOfTax | 4,596,000 us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationNetOfTax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Rental home income |  |  | 14,827,000 els_RentalHomeIncome | 14,267,000 els_RentalHomeIncome | 11,649,000 els_RentalHomeIncome |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Utility and other income |  |  | 70,209,000 els_UtilityAndOtherIncome | 63,800,000 els_UtilityAndOtherIncome | 62,470,000 els_UtilityAndOtherIncome |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest Expense, Debt |  |  | 112,295,000 us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt | 118,522,000 us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt | 123,992,000 us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest |  |  | 0 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax | 48,658,000 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax | 10,712,000 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number Of Pledged Properties |  |  | 137 els_NumberOfPledgedProperties | 147 els_NumberOfPledgedProperties |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net |  |  | (14,393,000)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt |  |  | 169,000,000 us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt | 375,500,000 us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt | 159,500,000 us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum |  |  | 3.90%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMinimum |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum |  |  | 8.90%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMaximum |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Land Improvements |  |  | 2,734,304,000 us-gaap_LandImprovements | 2,667,213,000 us-gaap_LandImprovements |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Buildings and Improvements, Gross |  |  | 562,059,000 us-gaap_BuildingsAndImprovementsGross | 535,647,000 us-gaap_BuildingsAndImprovementsGross |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost |  |  | 4,387,913,000 us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost | 4,228,106,000 us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Investment Property, Accumulated Depreciation |  |  | 1,169,492,000 us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAccumulatedDepreciation | 1,058,540,000 us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAccumulatedDepreciation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Investment Property, Net |  |  | 3,218,421,000 us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet | 3,169,566,000 us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
R V Resort [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of acquired properties |  |  |  |  | 2 els_NumberOfPropertiesAcquired / us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis = els_RVResortMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
In-place leases |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets acquired |  |  | 2,561,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember | 3,910,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember | 2,099,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Land |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets acquired |  |  | 66,390,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_LandMember | 41,022,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_LandMember | 4,410,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_LandMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Depreciable property |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets acquired |  |  | 52,329,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember | 87,306,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember | 18,491,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Manufactured homes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets acquired |  |  | 1,086,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = els_ManufacturedHomeMember | 1,155,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = els_ManufacturedHomeMember | 0 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = els_ManufacturedHomeMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Price Allocation Adjustments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Asset acquisition price adjustments period |  |  | 1 year |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Blackhawk RV Resort [Member] | R V Resort [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of acquired sites |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 490 els_NumberOfAcquiredSites / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_BlackhawkRVResortMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Lakeland RV Resort [Member] | R V Resort [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of acquired sites |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 682 els_NumberOfAcquiredSites / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_LakelandRVResortMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Neshonoc Lakeside [Member] | R V Resort [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of acquired sites |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 284 els_NumberOfAcquiredSites / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_NeshonocLakesideMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Diversified Portfolio [Member] | R V Resort [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price |  |  |  |  |  | 31,800,000 els_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePrice / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_DiversifiedPortfolioMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of manufactured home communities acquired |  |  |  |  |  | 2 els_Numberofmanufacturedhomecommunitiesacquired / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_DiversifiedPortfolioMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Colony Cove [Member] | Manufactured homes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 35,900,000 els_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePrice / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_ManufacturedHomeMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_ColonyCoveMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pine Acres Resort [Member] | R V Resort [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of acquired sites |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 421 els_NumberOfAcquiredSites / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_PineAcresResortMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Echo Farms Campground [Member] | R V Resort [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of acquired sites |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 237 els_NumberOfAcquiredSites / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_EchoFarmsCampgroundMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Mays Landing Resort [Member] | R V Resort [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of acquired sites |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 168 els_NumberOfAcquiredSites / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_MaysLandingResortMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Auction Properties [Member] | R V Resort [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 11,800,000 els_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePrice / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_AuctionPropertiesMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of manufactured home communities acquired |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3 els_Numberofmanufacturedhomecommunitiesacquired / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_AuctionPropertiesMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Mesa Spirit [Member] | R V Resort [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of acquired sites |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,600 els_NumberOfAcquiredSites / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_MesaSpiritMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 41,600,000 els_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePrice / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_MesaSpiritMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fiesta Key [Member] | R V Resort [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of acquired sites |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 324 els_NumberOfAcquiredSites / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_FiestaKeyMember |  |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 24,600,000 els_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePrice / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_FiestaKeyMember |  |  |  |  |
Riverside Portfolio [Member] | Manufactured homes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of acquired sites |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,207 els_NumberOfAcquiredSites / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_ManufacturedHomeMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_RiversidePortfolioMember |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 102,000,000 els_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePrice / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_ManufacturedHomeMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_RiversidePortfolioMember |  |  |  |
Number of manufactured home communities acquired | 3 els_Numberofmanufacturedhomecommunitiesacquired / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_ManufacturedHomeMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_RiversidePortfolioMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Seyenna Vistas [Member] | Manufactured homes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from Condemnation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,100,000 els_ProceedsfromCondemnation / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_ManufacturedHomeMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_SeyennaVistasMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gain (Loss) on Condemnation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,500,000 us-gaap_GainLossOnCondemnation / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_ManufacturedHomeMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_SeyennaVistasMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Michigan Properties [Member] | Manufactured homes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number Of Properties Disposed |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 11 els_NumberOfPropertiesDisposed / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_ManufacturedHomeMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_MichiganPropertiesMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Sites Disposed |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5,344 els_NumberOfSitesDisposed / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_ManufacturedHomeMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_MichiganPropertiesMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Price For Disposed Properties |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 165,000,000 els_PurchasePriceForDisposedProperties / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_ManufacturedHomeMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_MichiganPropertiesMember |  |  |
Space Coast RV Resort [Member] | R V Resort [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of acquired sites |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 270 els_NumberOfAcquiredSites / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_SpaceCoastRVResortMember |  |
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 6,100,000 els_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePrice / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_SpaceCoastRVResortMember |  |
Cascade [Member] | R V Resort [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Sites Disposed |  |  |  |  | 163 els_NumberOfSitesDisposed / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_CascadeMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax |  |  |  | 1,000,000 us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationNetOfTax / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_CascadeMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discontinued Operations [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Community Base Rental Income |  |  |  | 11,565,000 els_CommunityBaseRentalIncome / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember | 19,564,000 els_CommunityBaseRentalIncome / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Rental home income |  |  |  | 1,948,000 els_RentalHomeIncome / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember | 2,416,000 els_RentalHomeIncome / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Utility and other income |  |  |  | 1,384,000 els_UtilityAndOtherIncome / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember | 1,961,000 els_UtilityAndOtherIncome / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Revenue |  |  |  | 14,897,000 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember | 23,941,000 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Operating Expense |  |  |  | 6,126,000 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingExpense / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember | 9,561,000 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingExpense / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Operating Income (Loss) |  |  |  | 8,771,000 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember | 14,380,000 us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Other Real Estate |  |  |  | (78,000)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfOtherRealEstate / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember | (110,000)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfOtherRealEstate / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Other Income and Expenses |  |  |  | 332,000 els_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherIncomeandExpenses / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember | 868,000 els_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherIncomeandExpenses / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Interest Expense |  |  |  | (355,000)us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember | (534,000)us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Depreciation and Amortization |  |  |  | (1,537,000)us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember | (8,488,000)us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest |  |  |  | 7,133,000 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember | 6,116,000 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Subsequent Event [Member] | Bogue Pines & Whispering Pines [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 12,300,000 els_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePrice / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_BoguePinesWhisperingPinesMember / us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis = us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember |
Number of manufactured home communities acquired |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 els_Numberofmanufacturedhomecommunitiesacquired / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_BoguePinesWhisperingPinesMember / us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis = us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
New Credit Facilities [Member] | Manufactured homes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number Of Pledged Properties |  |  | 2 els_NumberOfPledgedProperties / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_ManufacturedHomeMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage |  |  |  | 4.46%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_ManufacturedHomeMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt |  |  |  | 375,500,000 us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_ManufacturedHomeMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
New Credit Facilities [Member] | R V Resort [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number Of Pledged Properties |  |  | 2 els_NumberOfPledgedProperties / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
New Credit Facilities [Member] | Neshonoc Lakeside [Member] | R V Resort [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt |  |  |  | 5,400,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_NeshonocLakesideMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage |  |  |  | 6.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_NeshonocLakesideMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument Maturity Year |  |  |  | 2022 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
New Credit Facilities [Member] | Diversified Portfolio [Member] | R V Resort [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt |  |  | 13,300,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_DiversifiedPortfolioMember |  |  | 18,700,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_DiversifiedPortfolioMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net |  |  | 1,000,000 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_DiversifiedPortfolioMember |  |  | 1,300,000 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_DiversifiedPortfolioMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage |  |  | 6.48%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_DiversifiedPortfolioMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
New Credit Facilities [Member] | Colony Cove [Member] | Manufactured homes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage |  |  | 4.64%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_ManufacturedHomeMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_ColonyCoveMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt |  |  | 115,000,000 us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_ManufacturedHomeMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_ColonyCoveMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
New Credit Facilities [Member] | Mesa Spirit [Member] | R V Resort [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 19,000,000 us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_MesaSpiritMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,000,000 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_MesaSpiritMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5.66%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_MesaSpiritMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument Maturity Year |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2017 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
New Credit Facilities [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number Of Pledged Properties |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 11 els_NumberOfPledgedProperties / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis = us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4.16%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis = us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 199,000,000 us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis = us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative Series D Six Percent Non-Qualified Preferred Stock [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,000.00 us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = els_CumulativeSeriesDSixPercentNonQualifiedPreferredStockMember
Cumulative Series E Eighteen Point Seventy Five Percent Non-Voting Preferred Stock [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,000.00 us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference / us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis = els_CumulativeSeriesEEighteenPointSevenFivePercentNonvotingPreferredStockMember
Minimum |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument Maturity Year |  |  | 2015 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Minimum | New Credit Facilities [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument Maturity Year |  |  | 2034 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Minimum | New Credit Facilities [Member] | Diversified Portfolio [Member] | R V Resort [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument Maturity Year |  |  | 2017 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument Maturity Year |  |  | 2039 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum | New Credit Facilities [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument Maturity Year |  |  | 2038 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum | New Credit Facilities [Member] | Diversified Portfolio [Member] | R V Resort [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument Maturity Year |  |  | 2018 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Manufactured Home Site [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Bogue Pines & Whispering Pines [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of acquired sites |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 193 els_NumberOfAcquiredSites / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_BoguePinesWhisperingPinesMember / us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis = us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember / els_TypeofSiteAxis = els_ManufacturedHomeSitesMember |
RV Sites [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Bogue Pines & Whispering Pines [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of acquired sites |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 235 els_NumberOfAcquiredSites / us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis = els_BoguePinesWhisperingPinesMember / us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis = us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember / els_TypeofSiteAxis = els_RVSitesMember |

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- Definition Amount before accumulated depreciation of building structures held for productive use including addition, improvement, or renovation to the structure, including, but not limited to, interior masonry, interior flooring, electrical, and plumbing. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (f) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6812-107765 + Details
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- Definition Amount of liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=39739317&loc=d3e4845-128472 + Details
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- Definition Amount of long-term debt due after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, assumed at the acquisition date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=39739317&loc=d3e4845-128472 + Details
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- Definition The amount of property, plant, and equipment recognized as of the acquisition date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=39739317&loc=d3e4845-128472 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 37 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744172&loc=d3e2207-128464 + Details
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- Definition Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Minimum contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition The amount of debt discount (net of debt premium) that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28555-108399 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28567-108399 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1A -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 55 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400 + Details
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- Definition Amount of gain (loss), after tax expense or benefit and not previously recognized, resulting from the sale of a business component. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 205 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6892542&loc=d3e957-107759 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 205 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1361-107760 + Details
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- Definition Amount of operating expenses attributable to the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), during the reporting period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 205 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1361-107760 + Details
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- Definition The gain (loss) is the pre-tax difference between the net condemnation award and the entity's adjusted basis of the condemned property. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
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- Definition The per share liquidation preference (or restrictions) of nonredeemable preferred stock (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) 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 Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21484-112644 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph d -Article 4 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(d)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690 + Details
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