XML 39 R76.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.1.9

Segment Financial Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
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, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue for Reportable Segment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 761,409 els_RevenueforReportableSegment | $ 713,273 els_RevenueforReportableSegment | $ 669,368 els_RevenueforReportableSegment
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 132,433 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments | 75,208 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments | 61,848 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Operations expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (381,597)us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses | (356,323)us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses | (329,064)us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses
Operating Income Loss Before Depreciation And Other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 379,812 els_OperatingIncomeLossBeforeDepreciationAndOther | 356,950 els_OperatingIncomeLossBeforeDepreciationAndOther | 340,304 els_OperatingIncomeLossBeforeDepreciationAndOther
Interest income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7,450 els_InterestIncome | 7,770 els_InterestIncome | 7,689 els_InterestIncome
Income from operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 272,198 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss | 254,551 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss | 206,443 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Reconciliation to Net income available for Common Shares |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Corporate Interest Income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 897 els_CorporateInterestIncome | 490 els_CorporateInterestIncome | 446 els_CorporateInterestIncome
General and administrative |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (7,053)els_OtherRevenues | (7,515)els_OtherRevenues | (6,795)els_OtherRevenues
Transaction costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (5,087)us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount | (37,844)us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount | 0 us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
Interest and related amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (27,410)us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense | (28,211)us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense | (26,388)us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
Rent Control Initiatives Expenses and Other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (2,923)els_RentControlInitiativesExpensesAndOther | (2,771)els_RentControlInitiativesExpensesAndOther | (1,456)els_RentControlInitiativesExpensesAndOther
Interest Expense, Debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (112,295)us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt | (118,522)us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt | (123,992)us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4,578 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments | 2,039 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments | 1,899 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Consolidated income from continuing operations | 34,262 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest | 30,276 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest | 30,040 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest | 43,890 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest | 28,713 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest | 34,936 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest | 21,786 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest | 40,470 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest | 138,468 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest | 77,247 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest | 63,747 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Consolidated net income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 138,468 us-gaap_ProfitLoss | 125,905 us-gaap_ProfitLoss | 74,459 us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Gain (Loss) on Condemnation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,457 us-gaap_GainLossOnCondemnation | 0 us-gaap_GainLossOnCondemnation | 0 us-gaap_GainLossOnCondemnation
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation During Phase-out Period, Net of Tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodNetOfTax | 7,133 us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodNetOfTax | 6,116 us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodNetOfTax
Total Assets | 3,446,339 us-gaap_Assets |  |  |  | 3,392,309 us-gaap_Assets |  |  |  | 3,446,339 us-gaap_Assets | 3,392,309 us-gaap_Assets | 3,398,622 us-gaap_Assets
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 119,852 us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation
Capital Improvements |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 63,721 us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements | 64,714 us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements | 75,260 us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements
Depreciation on real estate assets and rental homes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 111,065 els_RealEstateDepreciationExpenseAndRentalHomes | 108,229 els_RealEstateDepreciationExpenseAndRentalHomes | 102,083 els_RealEstateDepreciationExpenseAndRentalHomes
Amortization of Intangible Assets for Continuing Operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (3,999)els_AmortizationofIntangibleAssetsforContinuingOperations | (1,940)els_AmortizationofIntangibleAssetsforContinuingOperations | (39,467)els_AmortizationofIntangibleAssetsforContinuingOperations
Property Operations segment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue for Reportable Segment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 716,942 els_RevenueforReportableSegment / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember | 679,992 els_RevenueforReportableSegment / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember | 648,323 els_RevenueforReportableSegment / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 371,875 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember | 350,524 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember | 336,037 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember
Operations expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (345,067)us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember | (329,468)us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember | (312,286)us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember
Operating Income Loss Before Depreciation And Other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 371,875 els_OperatingIncomeLossBeforeDepreciationAndOther / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember | 350,524 els_OperatingIncomeLossBeforeDepreciationAndOther / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember | 336,037 els_OperatingIncomeLossBeforeDepreciationAndOther / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember
Interest income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,984 els_InterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember | 3,397 els_InterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember | 3,075 els_InterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember
Income from operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 270,880 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember | 250,607 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember | 203,999 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember
Reconciliation to Net income available for Common Shares |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total Assets | 3,178,883 us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember |  |  |  | 3,096,826 us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember |  |  |  | 3,178,883 us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember | 3,096,826 us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember |
Capital Improvements |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 35,973 us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember | 26,430 us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember | 30,863 us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember
Depreciation on real estate assets and rental homes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 99,980 els_RealEstateDepreciationExpenseAndRentalHomes / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember | 101,374 els_RealEstateDepreciationExpenseAndRentalHomes / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember | 96,419 els_RealEstateDepreciationExpenseAndRentalHomes / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember
Amortization of Intangible Assets for Continuing Operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (3,999)els_AmortizationofIntangibleAssetsforContinuingOperations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember | (1,940)els_AmortizationofIntangibleAssetsforContinuingOperations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember | (38,694)els_AmortizationofIntangibleAssetsforContinuingOperations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember
Home Sales and Rentals Operations segment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue for Reportable Segment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 44,467 els_RevenueforReportableSegment / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember | 33,281 els_RevenueforReportableSegment / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember | 21,045 els_RevenueforReportableSegment / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7,937 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember | 6,426 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember | 4,267 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember
Operations expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (36,530)us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember | (26,855)us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember | (16,778)us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember
Operating Income Loss Before Depreciation And Other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7,937 els_OperatingIncomeLossBeforeDepreciationAndOther / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember | 6,426 els_OperatingIncomeLossBeforeDepreciationAndOther / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember | 4,267 els_OperatingIncomeLossBeforeDepreciationAndOther / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember
Interest income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4,466 els_InterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember | 4,373 els_InterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember | 4,614 els_InterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember
Income from operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,318 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember | 3,944 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember | 2,444 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember
Reconciliation to Net income available for Common Shares |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total Assets | 267,456 us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember |  |  |  | 295,483 us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember |  |  |  | 267,456 us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember | 295,483 us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember |
Capital Improvements |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 27,748 us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember | 38,284 us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember | 44,397 us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember
Depreciation on real estate assets and rental homes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 11,085 els_RealEstateDepreciationExpenseAndRentalHomes / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember | 6,855 els_RealEstateDepreciationExpenseAndRentalHomes / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember | 5,664 els_RealEstateDepreciationExpenseAndRentalHomes / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember
Amortization of Intangible Assets for Continuing Operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 els_AmortizationofIntangibleAssetsforContinuingOperations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember | 0 els_AmortizationofIntangibleAssetsforContinuingOperations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember | (773)els_AmortizationofIntangibleAssetsforContinuingOperations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember
Maximum |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Reportable Segments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember |  |
Continuing Operations [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Reconciliation to Net income available for Common Shares |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,278,770 us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember
Continuing Operations [Member] | Property Operations segment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Reconciliation to Net income available for Common Shares |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,985,162 us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember
Continuing Operations [Member] | Home Sales and Rentals Operations segment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Reconciliation to Net income available for Common Shares |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 293,608 us-gaap_Assets / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember / us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis = us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember

X
- Definition The aggregate expense charged against earnings for continuing operations to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in continuing operations using the indirect method. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | els_AmortizationofIntangibleAssetsforContinuingOperations
Namespace Prefix: | els_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Corporate Interest Income + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | els_CorporateInterestIncome
Namespace Prefix: | els_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Interest income per reportable segment. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | els_InterestIncome
Namespace Prefix: | els_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Reportable segment income (loss) before interest income, depreciation and amortization. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | els_OperatingIncomeLossBeforeDepreciationAndOther
Namespace Prefix: | els_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Revenues for corporate interest income and income from other investments, net. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | els_OtherRevenues
Namespace Prefix: | els_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Current period depreciation expense on real-estate and rental homes that reflects the allocation of the cost over the asset’s useful life. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | els_RealEstateDepreciationExpenseAndRentalHomes
Namespace Prefix: | els_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Expenses associated with efforts to receive equitable rent from certain properties and other costs. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | els_RentControlInitiativesExpensesAndOther
Namespace Prefix: | els_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Revenue for Reportable Segment + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | els_RevenueforReportableSegment
Namespace Prefix: | els_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.18) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 12 -Article 7 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 18 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_Assets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount classified as assets attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 205 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6892542&loc=d3e1107-107759 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition After tax income (loss) from operations of a business component (exclusive of any gain (loss) on disposal, or provision therefore) during the reporting period, until its disposal. + 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 (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1361-107760 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Gross amount of debt extinguished. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Definition The aggregate total of expenses of managing and administering the affairs of an entity, including affiliates of the reporting entity, which are not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income or expense before Income or Loss from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest. + References Reference 1: 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.(h)(1)(i)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 19 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7656940&loc=SL4569616-111683 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 9 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35755396&loc=d3e33749-111570 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.12) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 11 -Article 7 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense for debt. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 8 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Definition Number of segments reported by the entity. A reportable segment is a component of an entity for which there is an accounting requirement to report separate financial information on that component in the entity's financial statements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Generally recurring costs associated with normal operations except for the portion of these expenses which can be clearly related to production and included in cost of sales or services. Excludes Selling, General and Administrative Expense. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The cash outflow for acquisition of or capital improvements to properties held for investment (operating, managed, leased) or for use. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 4K -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35736750&loc=SL4591552-111686 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 19 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7656940&loc=SL4569616-111683 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1A -Subparagraph (a),(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=18733093&loc=SL4573702-111684 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 4J -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35736750&loc=SL4591551-111686 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=els_HomeSalesAndRentalsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=els_PropertyOperationsSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis=us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |