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Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Additional Information) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |
Adjustment Depreciation | $ 0.9 els_AdjustmentDepreciation | $ 1.0 els_AdjustmentDepreciation | $ 1.2 els_AdjustmentDepreciation
Voyager | Recreational Vehicle Resort [Member] |  |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |
Economic Interest | 50.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage / invest_InvestmentAxis = els_VoyagerMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_RecreationalVehicleResortMember |  |
Voyager | Servicing Assets |  |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |
Economic Interest | 33.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage / invest_InvestmentAxis = els_VoyagerMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_ServicingAssetsMember |  |

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- Definition The depreciation expense recognized in the current period on unconsolidated joint ventures. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | els_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- 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://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
Name: | invest_InvestmentAxis=els_VoyagerMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |