The total amount of revenue recognized for the period from manufactured home community site operating leases.

No definition available.

Name:	els_CommunityBaseRentalIncome
Namespace Prefix:	els_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

Revenue earned during the period from renting out homes of the reporting entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	els_RentalHomeIncome
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

Rental home operating costs incurred during the reporting period and may include amounts paid to maintain the homes.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	els_RentalHomeOperatingAndMaintenanceExpenses
Namespace Prefix:	els_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of revenue recognized for the period from recreational vehicle sites.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Annual payments, which are required to be made by members during the term of the contract.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Upfront payments received from right to use contracts. The contracts give members the right to use certain properties on a continuous basis up to 21 days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Deferral of upfront payments, net of revenue recognized previously.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Deferral of commission expenses associated with right to use contracts.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	els_SalesAndMarketingDeferredCommissionsNet
Namespace Prefix:	els_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reimbursable tenant utility and other income.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Other operating costs incurred during the reporting period and may include amounts paid to maintain the property.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Reflects for the period the total of the carrying amount of the commercial, industrial and residential land and buildings sold plus certain overhead and other costs incurred to place the real estate in saleable condition, capitalized interest costs in the properties sold, and inventory impairment losses recognized. This element would most likely be used by an entity whose principal activities involve real estate or which has significant real estate operations.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CostOfRealEstateSales
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total costs of sales and operating expenses for the period.

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Balance Type:	debit
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Balance Type:	na
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- 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

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

Revenues from the sale of other goods or rendering of other services, not elsewhere specified in the taxonomy; net of (reduced by) sales adjustments, returns, allowances, and discounts.

+ 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 210.5-03.1(a),(d))

-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 1

-Article 5

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

The aggregate costs related to management of owned properties during the reporting period.

+ References

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A tax based on the assessed value of real estate by the local government. The tax is usually based on the value of property (including the land).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 720

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6419918&loc=d3e35301-107843

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Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

+ 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 210.5-03.1)

-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 1

-Article 5

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Revenue from the sale of commercial, industrial, or residential property during the period. This element is more likely than not relevant to an entity for which real estate operations are a principal activity. If real estate operations are not a principal activity, the reporting entity would likely use a gain (loss) on sale of property, plant, or equipment type element.

+ References

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- Definition

Aggregate revenue during the period from services rendered in the normal course of business, after deducting allowances and discounts.

+ 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 210.5-03.1(d))

-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 1

-Article 5

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The aggregate total amount of expenses directly related to the marketing or selling of products or services.

+ References

No definition available.

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Expenses recognized in the period that are directly related to the selling and distribution of products or services.

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Financial Information for Operation Segments (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
Revenues:
Community Base Rental Income									$ 426,886els_CommunityBaseRentalIncome	$ 409,801els_CommunityBaseRentalIncome	$ 394,606els_CommunityBaseRentalIncome
Gross revenue from home sales									28,418us-gaap_SalesOfRealEstate	17,871us-gaap_SalesOfRealEstate	8,230us-gaap_SalesOfRealEstate
Resort base rental income									163,968els_ResortBaseRentalIncome	147,234els_ResortBaseRentalIncome	134,327els_ResortBaseRentalIncome
Brokered resale revenues, net									3,850us-gaap_SalesRevenueServicesNet	4,212us-gaap_SalesRevenueServicesNet	3,093us-gaap_SalesRevenueServicesNet
Right-to-use annual payments									44,860els_RightToUseAnnualPayments	47,967els_RightToUseAnnualPayments	47,662els_RightToUseAnnualPayments
Right-to-use contracts current period, gross									13,892	13,815	14,025
Right-to-use contracts current period, deferred									(5,501)	(5,694)	(6,694)
Utility income and other									70,209els_UtilityAndOtherIncome	63,800els_UtilityAndOtherIncome	62,470els_UtilityAndOtherIncome
Expenses:
Property operating and maintenance									243,914	229,897	220,415
Cost of home sales									26,747us-gaap_CostOfRealEstateSales	17,296us-gaap_CostOfRealEstateSales	9,018us-gaap_CostOfRealEstateSales
Real estate taxes									48,714us-gaap_RealEstateTaxExpense	48,279us-gaap_RealEstateTaxExpense	45,590us-gaap_RealEstateTaxExpense
Home selling expenses									2,342us-gaap_SellingExpense	2,085us-gaap_SellingExpense	1,391us-gaap_SellingExpense
Sales and marketing, gross									12,418us-gaap_SellingAndMarketingExpense	13,509us-gaap_SellingAndMarketingExpense	11,437us-gaap_SellingAndMarketingExpense
Sales and marketing deferred commissions, net									(2,617)	(2,410)	(3,155)
Property management									42,638us-gaap_OwnedPropertyManagementCosts	40,193us-gaap_OwnedPropertyManagementCosts	37,999us-gaap_OwnedPropertyManagementCosts
Rental home operating and maintenance									7,441	7,474	6,369
Rental home income									14,827els_RentalHomeIncome	14,267els_RentalHomeIncome	11,649els_RentalHomeIncome
Total expenses									644,376us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses	653,840us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses	622,450us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses
Total revenues	190,261us-gaap_Revenues	200,778us-gaap_Revenues	189,025us-gaap_Revenues	196,745us-gaap_Revenues	180,064us-gaap_Revenues	188,161us-gaap_Revenues	176,915us-gaap_Revenues	183,908us-gaap_Revenues	776,809us-gaap_Revenues	729,048us-gaap_Revenues	684,298us-gaap_Revenues
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest									132,433	75,208	61,848
Property Operations segment
Revenues:
Community Base Rental Income									426,886	409,801	394,606
Resort base rental income									163,968	147,234	134,327
Right-to-use annual payments									44,860	47,967	47,662
Right-to-use contracts current period, gross									13,892	13,815	14,025
Right-to-use contracts current period, deferred									(5,501)	(5,694)	(6,694)
Utility income and other									70,209	63,800	62,470
Ancillary services revenues, net									2,628	3,069	1,927
Expenses:
Property operating and maintenance									243,914	229,897	220,415
Real estate taxes									48,714	48,279	45,590
Sales and marketing, gross									12,418	13,509	11,437
Sales and marketing deferred commissions, net									(2,617)	(2,410)	(3,155)
Property management									42,638	40,193	37,999
Total expenses									345,067	329,468	312,286
Total revenues									716,942	679,992	648,323
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest									371,875	350,524	336,037
Home Sales and Rentals Operations segment
Revenues:
Gross revenue from home sales									28,418	17,871	8,230
Brokered resale revenues, net									1,222	1,143	1,166
Expenses:
Cost of home sales									26,747	17,296	9,018
Home selling expenses									2,342	2,085	1,391
Rental home operating and maintenance									7,441	7,474	6,369
Rental home income									14,827	14,267	11,649
Total expenses									36,530	26,855	16,778
Total revenues									44,467	33,281	21,045
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest									$ 7,937	$ 6,426	$ 4,267