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Real Estate (Narrative) (Details) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |
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Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) a Master_Leases properties beds_or_units renewalOptions shares | Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) properties | Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) a Master_Leases properties beds_or_units renewalOptions shares | Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties | 207 |  |  |  | 207 |  |
Number of States in which Entity Operates | 32 |  |  |  | 32 |  |
Nonportfolio Assets, Original Cost | $ 1,298,000 |  |  |  | $ 1,298,000 |  |
Real Estate Investment Property, Portfolio Assets | $ 2,619,622,000 |  |  |  | $ 2,619,622,000 |  |
Number of Lessees | 29 |  |  |  | 29 |  |
Payments to Acquire Real Estate |  |  |  |  | $ 133,251,000 | $ 288,965,000 |
Lessee Payment To Acquire Purchase Option |  |  |  |  | 1,250,000 | 0 |
Remaining Unfunded Development Commitment | $ 57,299,000 |  |  |  | 57,299,000 |  |
Real Estate Investments During The Period |  |  |  |  | 134,501,000 |  |
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue | 68,204,000 | $ 59,272,000 |  |  | 197,077,000 | 171,374,000 |
Deferred Rent Receivables, Net | 90,224,000 |  |  |  | 90,224,000 |  | $ 72,518,000
Straight Line Rent |  |  |  |  | 18,956,000 | 16,583,000 |
Gain on sale of real estate | $ 0 | 0 |  |  | $ 50,000 | 4,582,000 |
Ravn Senior Solutions [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties, Number Acquired | properties |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | beds_or_units | 86 |  |  |  | 86 |  |
Payments to Acquire Real Estate |  |  |  |  | $ 16,100,000 |  |
Asset Purchase Transaction Costs |  |  |  |  | $ 100,000 |  |
Lessor, Operating Lease, Term of Contract |  |  |  |  | 15 years |  |
Initial lease rate | 7.35% |  |  |  | 7.35% |  |
Real Estate Investments During The Period |  |  |  |  | $ 16,100,000 |  |
Capital Improvements Commitment | $ 207,000 |  |  |  | 207,000 |  |
Lease Incentive Commitment Assessed As Not Probable |  |  |  |  | 1,500,000 |  |
Payments to acquire real estate, seller earnout, contingent, not probable |  |  |  |  | $ 1,000,000 |  |
Holiday Acquisition Holdings [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties | 25 |  |  |  | 25 |  |
Lessor, Operating Lease, Term of Contract |  |  |  |  | 17 years |  |
Lease Escalator Rate, After Lease Year 3 | 3.50% |  |  |  | 3.50% |  |
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue | $ 10,954,000 | $ 10,954,000 |  |  | $ 32,863,000 | $ 32,863,000 |
Percentage of Continuing Revenue | 15.00% | 17.00% |  |  | 16.00% | 18.00% |
Straight Line Rent | $ 1,849,000 | $ 2,241,000 |  |  | $ 5,547,000 | $ 6,724,000 |
National Healthcare Corporation [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties | 42 |  |  |  | 42 |  |
Number of Master Leases | Master_Leases | 2 |  |  |  | 2 |  |
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue | $ 9,318,000 | $ 9,270,000 |  |  | $ 28,149,000 | $ 28,357,000 |
Percentage of Continuing Revenue | 13.00% | 15.00% |  |  | 14.00% | 15.00% |
Lessor Equity Shares Owned, Significant Lessee | shares | 1,630,462 |  |  |  | 1,630,462 |  |
Percentage rent | $ 782,000 | $ 733,000 |  |  | $ 2,539,000 | $ 2,746,000 |
National Healthcare Corporation [Member] | NHC - 1991 Lease [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties | 35 |  |  |  | 35 |  |
Number Of Additional Lease Renewal Options | renewalOptions | 2 |  |  |  | 2 |  |
Lease Renewal Period In Years |  |  |  |  | 5 years |  |
Percentage Rent Rate |  |  |  |  | 0.04 |  |
Minimum Annual Lease Income |  |  |  |  | $ 30,750,000 |  |
National Healthcare Corporation [Member] | NHC - 2013 Lease [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired | properties |  |  |  |  | 7 |  |
Percentage Rent Rate |  |  |  |  | 0.04 |  |
Minimum Annual Lease Income |  |  |  |  | $ 3,450,000 |  |
Purchase Option Amount | $ 49,000,000 |  |  |  | $ 49,000,000 |  |
Bickford Senior Living [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties, Number Acquired | properties |  |  |  |  | 1 |  |
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties | 43 |  |  |  | 43 |  |
Number of Real Estate Properties To Be Constructed | properties | 2 |  |  |  | 2 |  |
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue | $ 10,897,000 | $ 8,528,000 |  |  | $ 30,170,000 | $ 21,999,000 |
Percentage of Continuing Revenue | 15.00% | 13.00% |  |  | 15.00% | 12.00% |
Straight Line Rent | $ 1,600,000 | $ 484,000 |  |  | $ 3,416,000 | $ 482,000 |
Joint Venture Contributed Properties Ownership Interest Retained | 85.00% |  |  |  | 85.00% |  |
Joint Venture Contributed Properties Ownership Interest Surrendered | 15.00% |  |  |  | 15.00% |  |
Minimum Annual Lease Income |  |  |  |  | $ 36,494,000 |  |
Bickford Senior Living [Member] | Bickford Development Properties [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Initial lease rate | 9.00% |  |  |  | 9.00% |  |
Number of Real Estate Properties To Be Constructed | properties | 5 |  |  |  | 5 |  |
Free Rent Lease Period, Number of Months |  |  |  |  | 6 months |  |
Bickford Senior Living [Member] | Bickford RIDEA Properties [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties | 35 |  |  |  | 35 |  |
Bickford Senior Living [Member] | Real Estate Acquisition [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | beds_or_units | 60 |  |  |  | 60 |  |
Asset Purchase Transaction Costs |  |  |  |  | $ 200,000 |  |
Lessor, Operating Lease, Term of Contract |  |  |  |  | 14 years |  |
Initial lease rate | 7.25% |  |  |  | 7.25% |  |
Real Estate Investments During The Period |  |  |  |  | $ 10,400,000 |  |
Capital Improvements Commitment | $ 475,000 |  |  |  | 475,000 |  |
Transition Tenant [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received | $ 1,500,000 |  |  |  | $ 1,500,000 |  |
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | beds_or_units | 126 |  |  |  | 126 |  |
Lessor, Operating Lease, Term of Contract |  |  |  |  | 10 years |  |
Lease Escalator Rate Lease Year 2 to Lease Year 4 | 4.00% |  |  |  | 4.00% |  |
Lease Escalator Rate after Lease Year 4 | 3.00% |  |  |  | 3.00% |  |
Purchase Option Amount | $ 21,400,000 |  |  |  | $ 21,400,000 |  |
Purchase Option, Amount, Forward Rent, Capitalization Rate | 8.50% |  |  |  | 8.50% |  |
Senior Living Communities [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties | 9 |  |  |  | 9 |  |
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | 1,970 |  |  |  | 1,970 |  |
Lessor, Operating Lease, Term of Contract |  |  |  |  | 15 years |  |
Lease Escalator Rate Lease Year 2 to Lease Year 4 | 4.00% |  |  |  | 4.00% |  |
Lease Escalator Rate after Lease Year 4 | 3.00% |  |  |  | 3.00% |  |
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue | $ 11,431,000 | $ 9,855,000 |  |  | $ 34,293,000 | $ 29,566,000 |
Percentage of Continuing Revenue | 16.00% | 16.00% |  |  | 17.00% | 16.00% |
Straight Line Rent | $ 1,746,000 | $ 1,795,000 |  |  | $ 5,238,000 | $ 5,386,000 |
Number Of Additional Lease Renewal Options | 2 |  |  |  | 2 |  |
Lease Renewal Period In Years |  |  |  |  | 5 years |  |
Prestige Senior Living [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties, Number Acquired | properties |  |  |  |  | 1 |  |
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | beds_or_units | 102 |  |  |  | 102 |  |
Payments to Acquire Real Estate |  |  |  |  | $ 26,200,000 |  |
Asset Purchase Transaction Costs |  |  |  |  | $ 112,000 |  |
Lessor, Operating Lease, Term of Contract |  |  |  |  | 12 years |  |
Initial lease rate | 7.00% |  |  |  | 7.00% |  |
Real Estate Investments During The Period |  |  |  |  | $ 26,200,000 |  |
Lease Escalator Rate Lease Year 2 to Lease Year 4 | 3.50% |  |  |  | 3.50% |  |
Lease Escalator Rate after Lease Year 4 | 2.50% |  |  |  | 2.50% |  |
Lease Incentive Commitment Assessed As Not Probable |  |  |  |  | $ 1,000,000 |  |
Payments to acquire real estate, seller earnout, contingent, not probable |  |  |  |  | $ 1,000,000 |  |
The Lasalle Group [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties, Number Acquired | properties |  |  |  |  | 5 |  |
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | beds_or_units | 223 |  |  |  | 223 |  |
Payments to Acquire Real Estate |  |  |  |  | $ 61,800,000 |  |
Asset Purchase Transaction Costs |  |  |  |  | $ 65,000 |  |
Lessor, Operating Lease, Term of Contract |  |  |  |  | 15 years |  |
Initial lease rate | 7.00% |  |  |  | 7.00% |  |
Real Estate Investments During The Period |  |  |  |  | $ 61,865,000 |  |
Lease Escalator Rate, From Lease Year 1 to Lease Year 3 | 3.50% |  |  |  | 3.50% |  |
Lease Escalator Rate, After Lease Year 3 | 2.50% |  |  |  | 2.50% |  |
Lease Incentive Commitment Assessed As Not Probable |  |  |  |  | $ 5,000,000 |  |
Payments to acquire real estate, seller earnout, contingent, not probable |  |  |  |  | $ 2,500,000 |  |
Ensign Group [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties, Number Acquired | properties |  |  |  |  | 1 |  |
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | beds_or_units | 126 |  |  |  | 126 |  |
Payments to Acquire Real Estate |  |  |  |  | $ 13,846,000 |  |
Lessee Payment To Acquire Purchase Option |  |  |  |  | $ 1,250,000 |  |
Lessor, Operating Lease, Term of Contract |  |  |  |  | 14 years |  |
Initial lease rate | 8.35% |  |  |  | 8.35% |  |
Real Estate Properties, Commitment To Purchase | properties | 3 |  |  |  | 3 |  |
Real Estate Investments During The Period |  |  |  |  | $ 15,096,000 |  |
Acadia Healthcare [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate Properties, Number Acquired | properties |  |  |  |  | 1 |  |
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue | $ 638,000 | $ 608,000 |  |  | $ 1,854,000 | $ 1,824,000 |
Acadia Healthcare [Member] | Real Estate Acquisition [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Lessor, Operating Lease, Term of Contract |  |  |  |  | 10 years |  |
Initial lease rate | 7.00% |  |  |  | 7.00% |  |
Land Subject to Ground Leases | a | 10 |  |  |  | 10 |  |
Real Estate Investments During The Period |  |  |  |  | $ 4,840,000 |  |
Default Tenant [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of Continuing Revenue |  |  |  |  | 4.00% |  |
Deferred Rent Receivables, Net | $ 3,200,000 |  |  |  | $ 3,200,000 |  |
Senior Housing Community [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties | 134 |  |  |  | 134 |  |
Skilled Nursing Facility [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties | 68 |  | 2 |  | 68 |  |
Gain on sale of real estate |  |  |  | $ 2,805,000 |  |  |
Asset Held For Sale, Agreed Selling Price |  |  | $ 24,600,000 |  |  |  |
Skilled Nursing Facility [Member] | Lease Maturity Extension [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties | 6 |  |  |  | 6 |  |
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received | $ 9,800,000 |  |  |  | $ 9,800,000 |  |
Lessor, Operating Lease, Term of Contract |  |  |  |  | 12 years |  |
Skilled Nursing Facility [Member] | National Healthcare Corporation [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties | 39 |  |  |  | 39 |  |
Skilled Nursing Facility [Member] | National Healthcare Corporation [Member] | Subleased Facilities [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties | 4 |  |  |  | 4 |  |
Skilled Nursing Facility [Member] | Health Services Management [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received | $ 7,241,000 |  |  |  | $ 7,241,000 |  |
Hospital [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties | 3 |  |  |  | 3 |  |
Medical Office Building [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties | 2 |  |  |  | 2 |  |
Independent Living Facility [Member] | National Healthcare Corporation [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties | 3 |  |  |  | 3 |  |
Vacant Land [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gain on sale of real estate |  |  | 123,000 |  |  |  |
Grangeville, ID [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue |  |  | $ 73,000 |  |  |  |
Gain on sale of real estate |  |  |  | 1,654,000 |  |  |
Real Estate Held-for-sale |  |  |  | 1,346,000 |  |  |
Asset Held For Sale, Agreed Selling Price |  |  |  | $ 3,000,000 |  |  |

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- Definition This element represents the agreed selling price for an asset classified at the balance sheet date as held for sale. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This element represents the total amount of capital improvements that an entity has committed to complete. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This item represents the number of free rent months allowed at the inception of a new lease. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The initial rate charged under a lease entered into in connection with the purchase of a property. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This item represents the percentage of ownership interest which is retained subsequent to contribution into a joint venture. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This item represents the percentage of ownership interest which is surrendered subsequent to contribution into a joint venture. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The initial escalator rate charged from lease year 3 through the end of the lease term under a lease entered into in connection with the purchase of a property. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The initial escalator rate charged from lease year 1 and through lease year 3 under a lease entered into in connection with the purchase of a property. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The initial lease escalator rate charged from lease year 2 through lease year 4 under a lease entered into in connection with the purchase of a property. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The initial lease escalator to be charged starting after lease year 4 under a lease entered into in connection with the purchase of a property. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This item represents the amount of a payment or a series of payments related to a lease incentive commitment which has been assessed as not probable and therefore is not recorded as payable. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This item represents a lessee's payment to acquire a purchase option. + References No definition available. + Details
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Balance Type: | debit
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- Definition This item represents the number of shares of a lessor that are owned by a significant lessee as of the end of the reporting period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This element represents the minimum annual lease income to be received. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | nhi_
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Balance Type: | credit
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- Definition This item represents the original cost of corporate assets that are not part of the investment portfolio. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Number Of Additional Lease Renewal Options + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The number of lessees of real estate property at the end of the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This element represents the number of real estate properties to be constructed, based on an agreement or commitment. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Number of Master Leases + References No definition available. + Details
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Period Type: | instant

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- Definition This element represents the amount of payments to be made to the seller of a real estate property contingent upon the occurrence of specific events. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This element represents the percentage of income recognized from a lease tenant. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This element represents the rental revenue rate earned during the period from lessee-operators based on revenues generated in their operations, generally in excess of a base amount. Generally stipulated in the lease agreement, it usually will provide for a fixed percentage of revenue to be paid as additional (or possibly only) rent due the lessor, and may be based on gross revenues, net revenues, or multiple variations thereof. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This item represents the amount of an outstanding purchase option. + References No definition available. + Details
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Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition This item represents the percentage rate to be applied to 12 month forward rent to determine the amount of a purchase option on real estate. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The element represents the original cost of all portfolio leased assets. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Real Estate Investments During The Period + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This item represents the number of real estate properties for which the entity has made a binding commitment to purchase. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This item refers to the number of properties acquired during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This item represents the remaining unfunded development commitment related to a lease property. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | nhi_
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- Definition The cumulative difference between the rental payments required by a lease agreement and the rental income or expense recognized on a straight-line basis, or other systematic and rational basis more representative of the time pattern in which use or benefit is granted or derived from the leased property, expected to be recognized in income or expense over the term of the leased property, by the lessor or lessee, respectively. Such receivable is reduced by allowances attributable to, for instance, credit risk associated with a lessee. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 35 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77913719&loc=d3e40879-112712 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 25 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77902458&loc=d3e39927-112707 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 210.5-02.8) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 25 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77902458&loc=d3e39896-112707 + Details
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- Definition The net gain (loss) resulting from sales and other disposals of real estate owned for investment purposes. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.14(d)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882 + Details
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- Definition Area of land subject to a ground lease. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Term of the lessor's leasing arrangement renewal, 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 Term of the lessor's leasing arrangement, 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 Amount of lease payments to be received by lessor for operating lease. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 842 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 12 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77888428&loc=SL77919396-209981 + Details
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- Definition The number of real estate properties owned as of the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The number of states the entity operates in as of the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The number of units in a real estate property owned as of the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The total amount of revenue recognized for the period from operating leases, including minimum lease revenue, contingent revenue, percentage revenue and sublease revenue. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 25 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77902458&loc=d3e39896-112707 + Details
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- Definition The cash outflow from the acquisition of a piece of land, anything permanently fixed to it, including buildings, structures on it and so forth; includes real estate intended to generate income for the owner; excludes real estate acquired for use by the owner. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3213-108585 + Details
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- Definition This element represents the rental revenue earned during the period from lessee-operators based on revenues generated in their operations, generally in excess of a base amount. Such rental revenue is generally stipulated in the lease agreement, usually will provide for a fixed percentage of revenue to be paid as additional (or possibly only) rent due the lessor, and may be based on gross revenues, net revenues, or multiple variations thereof. Percentage rent is often required under leases with retail outlets located on premises owned by hoteliers, cruise lines, others in the hospitality industry, and shopping mall operators, among others. + 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(e)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
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- Definition Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of investments in land and buildings held for sale, excluding real estate considered to be inventory of the entity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(f)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 + Details
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- Definition Difference between actual rental income due and rental income recognized on a straight-line basis. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
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