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Notes Receivable - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes receivable, net	$ 37,137,000us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet	$ 42,990,000us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet
Contract receivables	18,200,000us-gaap_AccountsReceivableBilledForLongTermContractsOrPrograms	17,200,000us-gaap_AccountsReceivableBilledForLongTermContractsOrPrograms
Receivables, allowances	5,100,000us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable	4,900,000us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable
Proceeds from receivables repaid	1,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromCollectionOfLoansReceivable
Non Cash Repossession	1,431,000els_NonCashRepossession	2,591,000els_NonCashRepossession	5,313,000els_NonCashRepossession
Chattel Loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Chattel Loans receivable	18,900,000us-gaap_LoansReceivableNet / us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis = us-gaap_MortgageReceivablesMember	21,900,000us-gaap_LoansReceivableNet / us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis = us-gaap_MortgageReceivablesMember
Loans receivable, stated interest yield per annum	7.80%els_NotesReceivableStatedInterestRate / us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis = us-gaap_MortgageReceivablesMember
Notes Receivable Yield Rate	22.30%els_NotesReceivableYieldRate / us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis = us-gaap_MortgageReceivablesMember
Loans receivable, amortization term	12 years
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate	400,000us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesRealEstate / us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis = us-gaap_MortgageReceivablesMember	400,000us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesRealEstate / us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis = us-gaap_MortgageReceivablesMember
Contract Receivable
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, allowances	$ 600,000us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable / us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis = els_ContractReceivableMember	$ 600,000us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable / us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis = els_ContractReceivableMember
Contract Receivable, weighted average rate	16.00%us-gaap_ContractReceivableDueAfterOneYearWeightedAverageInterestRate / us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis = els_ContractReceivableMember
Loans receivable, amortization term	4 years

X

- Definition

The fair value of homes recovered through repossession in noncash investing transactions.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	els_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The stated interest rate of an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the Entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	els_
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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The yield rate of an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the Entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	els_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The weighted average remaining amortization period on loan receivables.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	els_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
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Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

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

X

- Definition

Amount billed to customers under long-term contracts or programs but not paid. Excludes amounts due that have been withheld because of retainage provisions in a contract.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 910

-SubTopic 310

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6471494&loc=d3e49354-109356



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 210.5-02.3(c))

-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 02

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph c

-Article 5

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

For an unclassified balance sheet, a valuation allowance for receivables due a company that are expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 4

-Article 5



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=d3e5074-111524



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The reserve to cover probable credit losses related to specifically identified fixed maturity real estate loans as well as probable credit losses inherent in the remainder of that loan portfolio.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 310

-Section 45

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6873192&loc=d3e21338-158488

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The weighted average interest rate charged on contract receivables maturing after one year.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 910

-SubTopic 310

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6471494&loc=d3e49354-109356

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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X

- Definition

Amount after allowance and deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Includes loans held for sale. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph a

-Article 9



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Net amount of the investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, credit card receivables, notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets. Excludes trade accounts receivable with contractual maturity of one year or less and arose from the sale of goods or services.

+ 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 210.5-02.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 3

-Article 5

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Balance Type:	debit
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X

- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the collection, including prepayments, of loans receivable issued for financing of goods and services.

+ 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 12

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3179-108585

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- Details

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- Details

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