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Borrowing Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended |  |  |
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Mar. 31, 2015 Rate Property | Mar. 31, 2014 | Mar. 02, 2015 integer | Apr. 08, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 Property | Mar. 25, 2015 | Jan. 16, 2015 Property
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Mortgage notes payable | $ 2,011,738,000us-gaap_SecuredDebt |  |  |  | $ 2,012,246,000us-gaap_SecuredDebt |  |
Weighted average interest rate | 5.10%us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate |  |  |  |  |  |
Stated interest rate, minimum | 3.45%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMinimum |  |  |  |  |  |
Stated interest rate, maximum | 8.87%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMaximum |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of pledged properties | 130els_NumberOfPledgedProperties |  |  |  | 137els_NumberOfPledgedProperties |  |
Pledged assets, not separately reported | 2,269,000,000us-gaap_PledgedAssetsNotSeparatelyReportedRealEstate |  |  |  | 2,382,000,000us-gaap_PledgedAssetsNotSeparatelyReportedRealEstate |  |
New mortgage notes payable financing proceeds | 395,323,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt | 0us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt |  |  |  |  |
Payments of debt extinguishment costs | 17,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts |  |  |  |  |  |
Unsecured debt | 200,000,000us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt |  |  |  | 200,000,000us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt |  |
Old Credit Facilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Weighted average interest rate |  |  |  |  |  | 5.58%us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_OldCreditFacilitiesMember |
Number of pledged properties |  |  |  |  |  |  | 32els_NumberOfPledgedProperties / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_OldCreditFacilitiesMember
Repayments of long-term debt | 370,200,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_OldCreditFacilitiesMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum borrowing capacity |  | 380,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_OldCreditFacilitiesMember |  |  |  |  |
Expiration date |  | Sep. 15, 2016 |  |  |  |  |
Line of credit facility potential term extension period |  | 1 year |  |  |  |  |
New Credit Facilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Weighted average interest rate |  |  |  |  |  | 3.93%us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember |
Number of pledged properties |  |  |  |  |  | 26els_NumberOfPledgedProperties / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember |
New mortgage notes payable financing proceeds | 395,300,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, term | 21 years |  |  |  |  |  |
Amended Line Of Credit Facility |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum borrowing capacity | 400,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_AmendedLineOfCreditFacilityMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Additional borrowing capacity | 100,000,000els_LineofCreditFacilityAdditionalBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_AmendedLineOfCreditFacilityMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Expiration date | Jul. 17, 2018 |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitment fee amount | 3,500,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_AmendedLineOfCreditFacilityMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Line of credit facility potential term extension period | 1 year |  |  |  |  |  |
Minimum |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument maturity year | 2015 |  |  |  |  |  |
Minimum | Old Credit Facilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument maturity year | 2015 |  |  |  |  |  |
Variable rate in addition to LIBOR rate |  | 1.40%els_DebtInstrumentInterestAdditionalInterestAboveLondonInterbankOfferedRateRate / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_OldCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate during period |  | 0.25%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateDuringPeriod / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_OldCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember |  |  |  |  |
Minimum | Amended Line Of Credit Facility |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Variable rate in addition to LIBOR rate | 1.20%els_DebtInstrumentInterestAdditionalInterestAboveLondonInterbankOfferedRateRate / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_AmendedLineOfCreditFacilityMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate during period | 0.20%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateDuringPeriod / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_AmendedLineOfCreditFacilityMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument maturity year | 2040 |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum | Old Credit Facilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument maturity year | 2016 |  |  |  |  |  |
Variable rate in addition to LIBOR rate |  | 2.00%els_DebtInstrumentInterestAdditionalInterestAboveLondonInterbankOfferedRateRate / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_OldCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate during period |  | 0.40%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateDuringPeriod / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_OldCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember |  |  |  |  |
Maximum | Amended Line Of Credit Facility |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Variable rate in addition to LIBOR rate | 1.65%els_DebtInstrumentInterestAdditionalInterestAboveLondonInterbankOfferedRateRate / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_AmendedLineOfCreditFacilityMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate during period | 0.35%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateDuringPeriod / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_AmendedLineOfCreditFacilityMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Term Loans | Old Credit Facilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unsecured debt |  | 200,000,000us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_OldCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_LoansPayableMember |  |  |  |  |
Maturity date |  | Jun. 30, 2017 |  |  |  |  |
Maturity years |  | 3 years |  |  |  |  |
Start date to repay debt without penalty on prepayment |  | Jul. 01, 2014 |  |  |  |  |
Maturity date |  | Jul. 01, 2014 |  |  |  |  |
Term Loans | New Credit Facilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unsecured debt | 200,000,000us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_LoansPayableMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Maturity date | Jan. 10, 2020 |  |  |  |  |  |
Maturity years | 3 years |  |  |  |  |  |
Term Loans | Minimum | Old Credit Facilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Variable rate in addition to LIBOR rate |  | 1.85%els_DebtInstrumentInterestAdditionalInterestAboveLondonInterbankOfferedRateRate / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_OldCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_LoansPayableMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember |  |  |  |  |
Term Loans | Minimum | New Credit Facilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Variable rate in addition to LIBOR rate | 1.35%els_DebtInstrumentInterestAdditionalInterestAboveLondonInterbankOfferedRateRate / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_LoansPayableMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Term Loans | Maximum | Old Credit Facilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Variable rate in addition to LIBOR rate |  | 2.80%els_DebtInstrumentInterestAdditionalInterestAboveLondonInterbankOfferedRateRate / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_OldCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_LoansPayableMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember |  |  |  |  |
Term Loans | Maximum | New Credit Facilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Variable rate in addition to LIBOR rate | 1.95%els_DebtInstrumentInterestAdditionalInterestAboveLondonInterbankOfferedRateRate / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_NewCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_LoansPayableMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Manufactured homes | Old Credit Facilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Repayments of long-term debt |  |  | 13,300,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_OldCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_ManufacturedHomeMember |  |  |  |
Number of loans |  |  | 1us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNumberOfLoans / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_OldCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_ManufacturedHomeMember |  |  |  |
Stated interest rate |  |  | 5.20%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_OldCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_ManufacturedHomeMember |  |  |  |
Subsequent Event | R V Resort | Old Credit Facilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of pledged properties |  |  |  | 3els_NumberOfPledgedProperties / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_OldCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis = us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember |  |  |
Repayments of long-term debt |  |  |  | $ 35,400,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_OldCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis = us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember |  |  |
Stated interest rate |  |  |  | 5.93%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = els_OldCreditFacilitiesMember / us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis = els_RVResortMember / us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis = us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember |  |  |

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- Definition Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 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 210.5-02.22(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Maximum contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 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 210.5-02.22(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Minimum contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 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 210.5-02.22(a)(2)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 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 210.5-02.22(a)(2)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Date the credit facility terminates, in CCYY-MM-DD format. + 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 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -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 19, 22 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition The effective interest rate during the reporting period. + 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 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -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 19, 22 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility. + 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 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -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 19, 22 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition The cash outflow for incremental, external costs directly pertaining to an early extinguishment of debt, including legal costs and prepayment penalties, and excluding interest and repayment of debt principal. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The carrying amount, as of the date of the latest financial statement presented, of real estate owned but transferred to serve as collateral for the payment of the related debt obligation, primarily a secured borrowing or repurchase agreement, and for which the transferee is not permitted to sell or re-pledge them to an unrelated party. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 860 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1A -Subparagraph (b)(1)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34720971&loc=SL6224234-111729 + Details
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