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Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Share award plans
Share-based compensation expense	$ 1,659	$ 1,445	$ 1,127
Share Award Plans
Share award plans
Remaining common shares available for issuance	2,411,065
Number of Shares
Unvested shares at the beginning of the year	118,670	102,520	77,485
Shares granted	82,450	76,850	73,450
Shares vested	(68,500)	(60,700)	(48,415)
Unvested shares at the end of the year	132,620	118,670	102,520
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested shares at the beginning of the year (in dollars per share)	$ 21.83	$ 20.04	$ 20.79
Shares granted (in dollars per share)	$ 23.84	$ 24.04	$ 18.83
Shares vested (in dollars per share)	$ 23.36	$ 23.85	$ 18.61
Unvested shares at the end of the year (in dollars per share)	$ 22.86	$ 21.83	$ 20.04
Scheduled to vest unvested shares
2012	50,440
2013	39,970
2014	27,720
2015	14,490
Estimated future compensation for the unvested shares	2,976
Closing share price (in dollars per share)	$ 22.44
Weighted average period over which the compensation expense will be recorded (in years)	1.8
Share Award Plans | Trustees
Share award plans
Common shares awarded	2,000	2,000	2,000
Aggregate market value of shares awarded	234	222	155
Market value of shares awarded to each Trustee	47	44	31
Share Award Plans | RMR | Officers and Employees
Share award plans
Common shares awarded	72,450	66,850	63,450
Aggregate market value of shares awarded	$ 1,732	$ 1,625	$ 1,228
Award vesting period (in years)	5 years

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The aggregate market value of shares newly issued during the reporting period under the plan.

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The number of unvested shares, that will vest in four years.

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Market value of shares, newly issued during the reporting period under the plan, to each individual.

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Description of the period of time over which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, which may be expressed in a variety of ways (for example, in years, month and year).

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The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

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The weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

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The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

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The weighted average fair value of nonvested awards on equity-based plans excluding option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, revenue or profit achievement stock award plan) for which the employer is contingently obligated to issue equity instruments or transfer assets to an employee who has not yet satisfied service or performance criteria necessary to gain title to proceeds from the sale of the award or underlying shares or units.

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The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

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