XML 100 R51.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
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
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     $ 122,366,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment $ 133,393,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment $ 25,000,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment                                  
Gain (Loss) on Condemnation     1,457,000us-gaap_GainLossOnCondemnation 0us-gaap_GainLossOnCondemnation 0us-gaap_GainLossOnCondemnation                                  
Land     1,091,550,000us-gaap_Land 1,025,246,000us-gaap_Land                                    
Escrow Share Distribution                         51,290els_EscrowShareDistribution                  
Community Base Rental Income     426,886,000els_CommunityBaseRentalIncome 409,801,000els_CommunityBaseRentalIncome 394,606,000els_CommunityBaseRentalIncome                                  
Depreciation Expense Adjustment       3,500,000els_DepreciationExpenseAdjustment                                    
Number of acquired sites         1,765els_NumberOfAcquiredSites                                  
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price         25,000,000els_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePrice                                  
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Acquisitions 9,700,000els_UnitsIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisition     9,686,000els_UnitsIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisition                                    
Units Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisition 240,969els_UnitsIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisition                                          
Noncash, Issuance of Common OP Units     0els_NoncashIssuanceofCommonOPUnits 9,686,000els_NoncashIssuanceofCommonOPUnits 0els_NoncashIssuanceofCommonOPUnits                                  
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Real Estate, Discontinued Operations   40,600,000us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfRealEstateDiscontinuedOperations                                        
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment         4,600,000us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfPropertyPlantEquipment                                  
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment         7,600,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment                                  
Total liabilities assumed     41,271,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities 7,159,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities 816,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities                                  
Proceeds from sale of property     2,102,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate 157,975,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate 7,564,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate                                  
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax     0us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationNetOfTax 41,525,000us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationNetOfTax 4,596,000us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationNetOfTax                                  
Rental home income     14,827,000els_RentalHomeIncome 14,267,000els_RentalHomeIncome 11,649,000els_RentalHomeIncome                                  
Utility and other income     70,209,000els_UtilityAndOtherIncome 63,800,000els_UtilityAndOtherIncome 62,470,000els_UtilityAndOtherIncome                                  
Interest Expense, Debt     112,295,000us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt 118,522,000us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt 123,992,000us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt                                  
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest     0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax 48,658,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax 10,712,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax                                  
Number Of Pledged Properties     137els_NumberOfPledgedProperties 147els_NumberOfPledgedProperties                                    
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net     (14,393,000)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet                                      
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt     169,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt 375,500,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt 159,500,000us-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     2,734,304,000us-gaap_LandImprovements 2,667,213,000us-gaap_LandImprovements                                    
Buildings and Improvements, Gross     562,059,000us-gaap_BuildingsAndImprovementsGross 535,647,000us-gaap_BuildingsAndImprovementsGross                                    
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost     4,387,913,000us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost 4,228,106,000us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost                                    
Real Estate Investment Property, Accumulated Depreciation     1,169,492,000us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAccumulatedDepreciation 1,058,540,000us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAccumulatedDepreciation                                    
Real Estate Investment Property, Net     3,218,421,000us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet 3,169,566,000us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet                                    
R V Resort [Member]                                            
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]                                            
Number of acquired properties         2els_NumberOfPropertiesAcquired
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= els_RVResortMember		                                  
In-place leases                                            
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]                                            
Assets acquired     2,561,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember		 3,910,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember		 2,099,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember		                                  
Land                                            
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]                                            
Assets acquired     66,390,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember		 41,022,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember		 4,410,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember		                                  
Depreciable property                                            
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]                                            
Assets acquired     52,329,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember		 87,306,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember		 18,491,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember		                                  
Manufactured homes                                            
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]                                            
Assets acquired     1,086,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= els_ManufacturedHomeMember		 1,155,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= els_ManufacturedHomeMember		 0us-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                           490els_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                           682els_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                             284els_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           31,800,000els_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePrice
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis
= els_RVResortMember
/ us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis
= els_DiversifiedPortfolioMember		                                
Number of manufactured home communities acquired           2els_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                         35,900,000els_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                               421els_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                               237els_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                               168els_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                               11,800,000els_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePrice
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis
= els_RVResortMember
/ us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis
= els_AuctionPropertiesMember		            
Number of manufactured home communities acquired             3els_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                     1,600els_NumberOfAcquiredSites
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis
= els_RVResortMember
/ us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis
= els_MesaSpiritMember		                      
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price                     41,600,000els_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                                 324els_NumberOfAcquiredSites
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis
= els_RVResortMember
/ us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis
= els_FiestaKeyMember		          
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price                                 24,600,000els_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                                   1,207els_NumberOfAcquiredSites
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis
= els_ManufacturedHomeMember
/ us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis
= els_RiversidePortfolioMember		        
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price                                   102,000,000els_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePrice
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis
= els_ManufacturedHomeMember
/ us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis
= els_RiversidePortfolioMember		        
Number of manufactured home communities acquired 3els_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]               2,100,000els_ProceedsfromCondemnation
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis
= els_ManufacturedHomeMember
/ us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis
= els_SeyennaVistasMember		                            
Gain (Loss) on Condemnation               1,500,000us-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                 11els_NumberOfPropertiesDisposed
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis
= els_ManufacturedHomeMember
/ us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis
= els_MichiganPropertiesMember		                          
Number of Sites Disposed                 5,344els_NumberOfSitesDisposed
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis
= els_ManufacturedHomeMember
/ us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis
= els_MichiganPropertiesMember		                          
Purchase Price For Disposed Properties                                     165,000,000els_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                                       270els_NumberOfAcquiredSites
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis
= els_RVResortMember
/ us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis
= els_SpaceCoastRVResortMember		    
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price                                       6,100,000els_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         163els_NumberOfSitesDisposed
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis
= els_RVResortMember
/ us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis
= els_CascadeMember		                                  
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax       1,000,000us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis
= els_RVResortMember
/ us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis
= els_CascadeMember		                                    
Discontinued Operations [Member]                                            
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]                                            
Community Base Rental Income       11,565,000els_CommunityBaseRentalIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember		 19,564,000els_CommunityBaseRentalIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember		                                  
Rental home income       1,948,000els_RentalHomeIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember		 2,416,000els_RentalHomeIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember		                                  
Utility and other income       1,384,000els_UtilityAndOtherIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember		 1,961,000els_UtilityAndOtherIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember		                                  
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Revenue       14,897,000us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember		 23,941,000us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember		                                  
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Operating Expense       6,126,000us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember		 9,561,000us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember		                                  
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Operating Income (Loss)       8,771,000us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember		 14,380,000us-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       332,000els_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherIncomeandExpenses
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember		 868,000els_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       7,133,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember		 6,116,000us-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                                         12,300,000els_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePrice
/ us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis
= els_BoguePinesWhisperingPinesMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember		  
Number of manufactured home communities acquired                   2els_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     2els_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       375,500,000us-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     2els_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       5,400,000us-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     13,300,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis
= els_RVResortMember
/ us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis
= els_DiversifiedPortfolioMember		     18,700,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis
= els_RVResortMember
/ us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis
= els_DiversifiedPortfolioMember		                                
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net     1,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis
= els_RVResortMember
/ us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis
= els_DiversifiedPortfolioMember		     1,300,000us-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     115,000,000us-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                     19,000,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis
= els_RVResortMember
/ us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis
= els_MesaSpiritMember		                      
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net                     1,000,000us-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                       11els_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                       $ 199,000,000us-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                                           $ 1,000.00us-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                                           $ 1,000.00us-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                                         193els_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                                         235els_NumberOfAcquiredSites
/ us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis
= els_BoguePinesWhisperingPinesMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
/ els_TypeofSiteAxis
= els_RVSitesMember