<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.1.9</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>150</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>286</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>64</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>8</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfIncomeAndComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes In Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Changes In Equity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Definition of Terms and Basis of Presentation (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/DefinitionOfTermsAndBasisOfPresentationNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Definition of Terms and Basis of Presentation (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Common Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/EarningsPerCommonShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Common Share</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Common Stock and Other Equity Related Transactions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/CommonStockAndOtherEquityRelatedTransactions</Role>
      <ShortName>Common Stock and Other Equity Related Transactions</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Investment in Real Estate</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/InvestmentInRealEstate</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Real Estate</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Investment in Joint Ventures</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/InvestmentInJointVentures</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Joint Ventures</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Notes Receivable</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/NotesReceivable</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes Receivable</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Borrowing Arrangements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/BorrowingArrangements</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowing Arrangements</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivities</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - Deferred Revenue-Right-to-use contracts and Deferred commission expense</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/DeferredRevenueRightToUseContractsAndDeferredCommissionExpense</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred Revenue-Right-to-use contracts and Deferred commission expense</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Awards</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/EquityIncentiveAwards</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Incentive Awards</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2118100 - Disclosure - Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/LongTermCashIncentivePlan</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2122100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2123100 - Disclosure - Reportable Segments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/ReportableSegments</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2203201 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/EarningsPerCommonShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Investment in Real Estate Schedule of Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/InvestmentInRealEstateScheduleOfIdentifiedAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Real Estate Schedule of Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/InvestmentInUnconsolidatedJointVenturesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312301 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2314301 - Disclosure - Deferred Revenue-Right-to-use contracts and Deferred commission expense (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/DeferredRevenueRightToUseContractsAndDeferredCommissionExpenseTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred Revenue-Right-to-use contracts and Deferred commission expense (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2323301 - Disclosure - Reportable Segments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/ReportableSegmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403403 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Common Share Calculation of numerator and denominator in eps table (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/EarningsPerCommonShareCalculationOfNumeratorAndDenominatorInEpsTableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Common Share Calculation of numerator and denominator in eps table (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406401 - Disclosure - Common Stock and Other Equity Related Transactions - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/CommonStockAndOtherEquityRelatedTransactionsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Common Stock and Other Equity Related Transactions - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Investment in Real Estate - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/InvestmentInRealEstateAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Real Estate - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - Investment in Real Estate- Real Estate Acquired (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/InvestmentInRealEstateRealEstateAcquiredDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Real Estate- Real Estate Acquired (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/InvestmentInUnconsolidatedJointVenturesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410401 - Disclosure - Notes Receivable - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/NotesReceivableAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes Receivable - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411401 - Disclosure - Borrowing Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/BorrowingArrangementsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowing Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412402 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412403 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities-Interest Rate Swaps (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesInterestRateSwapsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities-Interest Rate Swaps (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414402 - Disclosure - Deferred Revenue-Right-to-use contracts and Deferred commission expense - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/DeferredRevenueRightToUseContractsAndDeferredCommissionExpenseAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred Revenue-Right-to-use contracts and Deferred commission expense - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416401 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Awards - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/EquityIncentiveAwardsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Incentive Awards - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418401 - Disclosure - Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/LongTermCashIncentivePlanAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422401 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2423402 - Disclosure - Reportable Segments - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/ReportableSegmentsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segments - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2423403 - Disclosure - Reportable Segments- Consolidated Net Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/ReportableSegmentsConsolidatedNetIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segments- Consolidated Net Income (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2423404 - Disclosure - Reportable Segments- Income from Segment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.equitylifestyle.com/role/ReportableSegmentsIncomeFromSegmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segments- Income from Segment (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element els_DebtInstrumentInterestAdditionalInterestAboveLondonInterbankOfferedRateRate had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 4.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate had a mix of decimals attribute values: 3 4.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesPaidValue had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -4.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -4.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2403403 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2409402 - Disclosure - Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures - Additional Information (Detail)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2411401 - Disclosure - Borrowing Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2416401 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Awards - Additional Information (Detail)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2418401 - Disclosure - Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan - Additional Information (Detail)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2422401 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Mar. 31, 2014'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001501 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1004000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>els-20150331.xml</File>
    <File>els-20150331.xsd</File>
    <File>els-20150331_cal.xml</File>
    <File>els-20150331_def.xml</File>
    <File>els-20150331_lab.xml</File>
    <File>els-20150331_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
