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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2015
Jan. 31, 2014
Jan. 31, 2015
Jan. 31, 2014
Apr. 30, 2014
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Total property cost subject to purchase options $ 2,093,148,000us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost   $ 2,093,148,000us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost   $ 1,996,031,000us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost
Total gross rental revenue from properties subject to purchase options 60,440,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementLeaseRevenue 56,156,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementLeaseRevenue 176,401,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementLeaseRevenue 164,256,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementLeaseRevenue  
Redemption basis     one-for-one    
Period to hold the beneficial interest, minimum     1 year    
Number of consecutive trading days for valuation     10 days    
Aggregate redemption value of UPREIT Units of operating partnership owned by limited partners 122,000,000iret_RedemptionValueOfUpreitUnits 186,900,000iret_RedemptionValueOfUpreitUnits 122,000,000iret_RedemptionValueOfUpreitUnits 186,900,000iret_RedemptionValueOfUpreitUnits  
Tenant Improvements 9,300,000us-gaap_TenantImprovements   9,300,000us-gaap_TenantImprovements    
Commitment period for tenant improvements     12 months    
Anticipated Total Cost 379,870,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost   379,870,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost    
Project costs incurred to date 263,105,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate [1]   263,105,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate [1]    
Construction interest capitalized 1,400,000us-gaap_RealEstateInventoryCapitalizedInterestCostsIncurred 778,000us-gaap_RealEstateInventoryCapitalizedInterestCostsIncurred 3,600,000us-gaap_RealEstateInventoryCapitalizedInterestCostsIncurred 2,100,000us-gaap_RealEstateInventoryCapitalizedInterestCostsIncurred  
Subject to purchase options [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Number of properties subject to purchase options 15us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_SubjectToPurchaseOptionsMember		   15us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_SubjectToPurchaseOptionsMember		    
Total property cost subject to purchase options 120,500,000us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_SubjectToPurchaseOptionsMember		   120,500,000us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_SubjectToPurchaseOptionsMember		    
Total gross rental revenue from properties subject to purchase options     7,700,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementLeaseRevenue
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_SubjectToPurchaseOptionsMember		    
Number of properties subject to restrictions on taxable dispositions 15us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_SubjectToPurchaseOptionsMember		   15us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_SubjectToPurchaseOptionsMember		    
Subject to restrictions on taxable dispositions [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Number of properties subject to purchase options 95us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_SubjectToRestrictionsOnTaxableDispositionsMember		   95us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_SubjectToRestrictionsOnTaxableDispositionsMember		    
Number of properties subject to restrictions on taxable dispositions 95us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_SubjectToRestrictionsOnTaxableDispositionsMember		   95us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_SubjectToRestrictionsOnTaxableDispositionsMember		    
Area of real estate property subject to restrictions on taxable dispositions 4,100,000us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_SubjectToRestrictionsOnTaxableDispositionsMember		   4,100,000us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_SubjectToRestrictionsOnTaxableDispositionsMember		    
Number of apartment units at properties subject to restrictions on taxable dispositions 4,831us-gaap_NumberOfUnitsInRealEstateProperty
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_SubjectToRestrictionsOnTaxableDispositionsMember		   4,831us-gaap_NumberOfUnitsInRealEstateProperty
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_SubjectToRestrictionsOnTaxableDispositionsMember		    
Real estate investment amount of properties (net of accumulated depreciation) 726,900,000us-gaap_RealEstateInvestments
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_SubjectToRestrictionsOnTaxableDispositionsMember		   726,900,000us-gaap_RealEstateInvestments
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_SubjectToRestrictionsOnTaxableDispositionsMember		    
Commons at Southgate, Minot, North Dakota [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Number of apartment units 233iret_NumberOfApartmentUnits
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_CommonsAtSouthgateMinotNorthDakotaMember		 [2]   233iret_NumberOfApartmentUnits
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_CommonsAtSouthgateMinotNorthDakotaMember		 [2]    
Anticipated Total Cost 37,201,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_CommonsAtSouthgateMinotNorthDakotaMember		 [2]   37,201,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_CommonsAtSouthgateMinotNorthDakotaMember		 [2]    
Project costs incurred to date 34,612,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_CommonsAtSouthgateMinotNorthDakotaMember		 [1],[2]   34,612,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_CommonsAtSouthgateMinotNorthDakotaMember		 [1],[2]    
Interest in joint venture (in hundredths) 52.90%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_CommonsAtSouthgateMinotNorthDakotaMember		 [2]   52.90%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_CommonsAtSouthgateMinotNorthDakotaMember		 [2]    
Bismarck, North Dakota [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Number of apartment units pending acquisition 119iret_NumberOfApartmentUnitsPendingAcquisition
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_BismarckNorthDakotaMember		   119iret_NumberOfApartmentUnitsPendingAcquisition
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_BismarckNorthDakotaMember		    
Purchase Price of Pending Acquisition     15,000,000iret_PurchasePriceofPendingAcquisition
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_BismarckNorthDakotaMember		    
Value of limited partnership units to be issued in pending acquisition 700,000iret_ValueOfLimitedPartnershipUnitsToBeIssuedInPending
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_BismarckNorthDakotaMember		   700,000iret_ValueOfLimitedPartnershipUnitsToBeIssuedInPending
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_BismarckNorthDakotaMember		    
Cash to be paid for pending acquisition 14,300,000iret_CashToBePaidForPendingAcquisition
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_BismarckNorthDakotaMember		   14,300,000iret_CashToBePaidForPendingAcquisition
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_BismarckNorthDakotaMember		    
Cardinal Point, Grand Forks, North Dakota [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Number of apartment units 251iret_NumberOfApartmentUnits
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_CardinalPointGrandForksNorthDakotaMember		   251iret_NumberOfApartmentUnits
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_CardinalPointGrandForksNorthDakotaMember		    
Anticipated Total Cost 40,042,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_CardinalPointGrandForksNorthDakotaMember		   40,042,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_CardinalPointGrandForksNorthDakotaMember		    
Project costs incurred to date 19,885,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_CardinalPointGrandForksNorthDakotaMember		 [1]   19,885,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_CardinalPointGrandForksNorthDakotaMember		 [1]    
Estimated year for completion     2Q 2016    
Cypress Court - St. Cloud, MN [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Number of apartment units 64iret_NumberOfApartmentUnits
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_CypressCourtStCloudMnMember		 [3]   64iret_NumberOfApartmentUnits
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_CypressCourtStCloudMnMember		 [3]    
Anticipated Total Cost 7,028,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_CypressCourtStCloudMnMember		 [3]   7,028,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_CypressCourtStCloudMnMember		 [3]    
Project costs incurred to date 6,638,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_CypressCourtStCloudMnMember		 [1],[3]   6,638,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_CypressCourtStCloudMnMember		 [1],[3]    
Interest in joint venture (in hundredths) 86.10%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_CypressCourtStCloudMnMember		 [3]   86.10%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_CypressCourtStCloudMnMember		 [3]    
Grand Forks, ND [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Number of apartment units pending acquisition 74iret_NumberOfApartmentUnitsPendingAcquisition
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_GrandForksNdMember		   74iret_NumberOfApartmentUnitsPendingAcquisition
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_GrandForksNdMember		    
Purchase Price of Pending Acquisition     9,300,000iret_PurchasePriceofPendingAcquisition
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_GrandForksNdMember		    
Value of limited partnership units to be issued in pending acquisition 400,000iret_ValueOfLimitedPartnershipUnitsToBeIssuedInPending
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_GrandForksNdMember		   400,000iret_ValueOfLimitedPartnershipUnitsToBeIssuedInPending
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_GrandForksNdMember		    
Cash to be paid for pending acquisition 8,900,000iret_CashToBePaidForPendingAcquisition
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_GrandForksNdMember		   8,900,000iret_CashToBePaidForPendingAcquisition
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_GrandForksNdMember		    
Arcata Apartments, Golden Valley, Minnesota [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Number of apartment units 165iret_NumberOfApartmentUnits
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_ArcataApartmentsGoldenValleyMinnesotaMember		   165iret_NumberOfApartmentUnits
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_ArcataApartmentsGoldenValleyMinnesotaMember		    
Anticipated Total Cost 33,448,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_ArcataApartmentsGoldenValleyMinnesotaMember		   33,448,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_ArcataApartmentsGoldenValleyMinnesotaMember		    
Project costs incurred to date 30,384,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_ArcataApartmentsGoldenValleyMinnesotaMember		 [1]   30,384,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_ArcataApartmentsGoldenValleyMinnesotaMember		 [1]    
Chateau II, Minot, North Dakota [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Number of apartment units 72iret_NumberOfApartmentUnits
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_ChateauIiMinotNorthDakotaMember		   72iret_NumberOfApartmentUnits
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_ChateauIiMinotNorthDakotaMember		    
Anticipated Total Cost 14,711,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_ChateauIiMinotNorthDakotaMember		   14,711,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_ChateauIiMinotNorthDakotaMember		    
Project costs incurred to date 11,257,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_ChateauIiMinotNorthDakotaMember		 [1]   11,257,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_ChateauIiMinotNorthDakotaMember		 [1]    
Estimated year for completion     1Q 2016    
Eagan, MN - Unimproved Land [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Sales price of pending disposition     325,000iret_SaleAmountOfPendingDisposition
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_EaganMNUnimprovedLandMember		    
Deer Ridge - Jamestown, ND [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Number of apartment units 163iret_NumberOfApartmentUnits
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_DeerRidgeJamestownNdMember		   163iret_NumberOfApartmentUnits
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_DeerRidgeJamestownNdMember		    
Anticipated Total Cost 24,519,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_DeerRidgeJamestownNdMember		   24,519,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_DeerRidgeJamestownNdMember		    
Project costs incurred to date 11,202,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_DeerRidgeJamestownNdMember		 [1]   11,202,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_DeerRidgeJamestownNdMember		 [1]    
Estimated year for completion     2Q 2016    
RED 20 - Minneapolis, MN [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Area of real estate property subject to restrictions on taxable dispositions 10,625us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_Red20MinneapolisMnMember		 [4]   10,625us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_Red20MinneapolisMnMember		 [4]    
Number of apartment units 130iret_NumberOfApartmentUnits
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_Red20MinneapolisMnMember		 [4]   130iret_NumberOfApartmentUnits
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_Red20MinneapolisMnMember		 [4]    
Anticipated Total Cost 29,462,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_Red20MinneapolisMnMember		 [4]   29,462,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_Red20MinneapolisMnMember		 [4]    
Project costs incurred to date 28,330,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_Red20MinneapolisMnMember		 [1],[4]   28,330,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_Red20MinneapolisMnMember		 [1],[4]    
Interest in joint venture (in hundredths) 58.60%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_Red20MinneapolisMnMember		 [4]   58.60%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_Red20MinneapolisMnMember		 [4]    
Eagan - Eagan, MN [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Sales price of pending disposition     950,000iret_SaleAmountOfPendingDisposition
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_EaganEaganMnMember		    
Maple Grove, MN [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Sales price of pending disposition     2,700,000iret_SaleAmountOfPendingDisposition
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_MapleGroveMnMember		    
Minot Office Center - Minot, ND [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Area of real estate property subject to restrictions on taxable dispositions 7,963us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_MinotOfficeCenterMinotNDMember		   7,963us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_MinotOfficeCenterMinotNDMember		    
Anticipated Total Cost 2,923,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_MinotOfficeCenterMinotNDMember		   2,923,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_MinotOfficeCenterMinotNDMember		    
Project costs incurred to date 1,802,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_MinotOfficeCenterMinotNDMember		 [1]   1,802,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_MinotOfficeCenterMinotNDMember		 [1]    
Estimated year for completion     1Q 2016    
71 France Phase I - Edina, MN [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Number of apartment units 181iret_NumberOfApartmentUnits
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_FrancePhaseIEdinaMnMember		 [5]   181iret_NumberOfApartmentUnits
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_FrancePhaseIEdinaMnMember		 [5]    
Anticipated Total Cost 52,055,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_FrancePhaseIEdinaMnMember		 [5]   52,055,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_FrancePhaseIEdinaMnMember		 [5]    
Project costs incurred to date 20,787,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_FrancePhaseIEdinaMnMember		 [1],[5]   20,787,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_FrancePhaseIEdinaMnMember		 [1],[5]    
Estimated year for completion     3Q 2016 [5]    
71 France Phase I - Edina, MN [Member] | Footnote (6) [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Area of real estate property subject to restrictions on taxable dispositions 21,772us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_Footnote6Member
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_FrancePhaseIEdinaMnMember		 [5]   21,772us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_Footnote6Member
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_FrancePhaseIEdinaMnMember		 [5]    
Number of apartment units 241iret_NumberOfApartmentUnits
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_Footnote6Member
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_FrancePhaseIEdinaMnMember		 [5]   241iret_NumberOfApartmentUnits
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_Footnote6Member
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_FrancePhaseIEdinaMnMember		 [5]    
Anticipated Total Cost 69,900,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_Footnote6Member
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_FrancePhaseIEdinaMnMember		 [5]   69,900,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_Footnote6Member
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_FrancePhaseIEdinaMnMember		 [5]    
Interest in joint venture (in hundredths) 52.60%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_Footnote6Member
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_FrancePhaseIEdinaMnMember		 [5]   52.60%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ iret_AdditionalProjectInformationAxis
= iret_Footnote6Member
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_FrancePhaseIEdinaMnMember		 [5]    
PrairieCare Medical - Brooklyn Park, MN [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Area of real estate property subject to restrictions on taxable dispositions 72,895us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_PrairiecareMedicalBrooklynParkMnMember		   72,895us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_PrairiecareMedicalBrooklynParkMnMember		    
Anticipated Total Cost 24,251,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_PrairiecareMedicalBrooklynParkMnMember		   24,251,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_PrairiecareMedicalBrooklynParkMnMember		    
Project costs incurred to date 12,195,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_PrairiecareMedicalBrooklynParkMnMember		 [1]   12,195,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_PrairiecareMedicalBrooklynParkMnMember		 [1]    
Estimated year for completion     2Q 2016    
Renaissance Heights I Apartments, Williston, North Dakota [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Number of apartment units 288iret_NumberOfApartmentUnits
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_RenaissanceHeightsIApartmentsWillistonNorthDakotaMember		 [6]   288iret_NumberOfApartmentUnits
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_RenaissanceHeightsIApartmentsWillistonNorthDakotaMember		 [6]    
Anticipated Total Cost 62,362,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_RenaissanceHeightsIApartmentsWillistonNorthDakotaMember		 [6]   62,362,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_RenaissanceHeightsIApartmentsWillistonNorthDakotaMember		 [6]    
Project costs incurred to date 54,713,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_RenaissanceHeightsIApartmentsWillistonNorthDakotaMember		 [1],[6]   54,713,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_RenaissanceHeightsIApartmentsWillistonNorthDakotaMember		 [1],[6]    
Estimated quarter for completion     46,000,000iret_RealEstateConstructionEstimatedQuarterForCompletion
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_RenaissanceHeightsIApartmentsWillistonNorthDakotaMember		 [6]    
Estimated year for completion     1Q 2016 [6]    
Interest in joint venture (in hundredths) 70.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_RenaissanceHeightsIApartmentsWillistonNorthDakotaMember		 [6]   70.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_RenaissanceHeightsIApartmentsWillistonNorthDakotaMember		 [6]    
Minneapolis, MN [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Sales price of pending disposition     7,000,000iret_SaleAmountOfPendingDisposition
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_MinneapolisMNMember		    
Weston, WI [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Sales price of pending disposition     5,300,000iret_SaleAmountOfPendingDisposition
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_WestonWIMember		    
Edina 6565 France SMC III - Edina, MN [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Area of real estate property subject to restrictions on taxable dispositions 57,479us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_Edina6565FranceSmcIiiEdinaMnMember		   57,479us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_Edina6565FranceSmcIiiEdinaMnMember		    
Anticipated Total Cost 34,665,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_Edina6565FranceSmcIiiEdinaMnMember		   34,665,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_Edina6565FranceSmcIiiEdinaMnMember		    
Project costs incurred to date 16,668,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_Edina6565FranceSmcIiiEdinaMnMember		 [1]   16,668,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_Edina6565FranceSmcIiiEdinaMnMember		 [1]    
Estimated year for completion     1Q 2016    
Minot Wells Fargo Bank - Minot, ND [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Area of real estate property subject to restrictions on taxable dispositions 4,998us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_MinotWellsFargoBankMinotNdMember		   4,998us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_MinotWellsFargoBankMinotNdMember		    
Anticipated Total Cost 3,288,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_MinotWellsFargoBankMinotNdMember		   3,288,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_MinotWellsFargoBankMinotNdMember		    
Project costs incurred to date 3,185,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_MinotWellsFargoBankMinotNdMember		 [1]   3,185,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_MinotWellsFargoBankMinotNdMember		 [1]    
Roseville 3075 Long Lake Rd - Roseville, MN [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Area of real estate property subject to restrictions on taxable dispositions 202,807us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_Roseville3075LongLakeRdRosevilleMnMember		   202,807us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_Roseville3075LongLakeRdRosevilleMnMember		    
Anticipated Total Cost 13,915,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_Roseville3075LongLakeRdRosevilleMnMember		   13,915,000iret_AnticipatedTotalCost
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_Roseville3075LongLakeRdRosevilleMnMember		    
Project costs incurred to date 8,900,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_Roseville3075LongLakeRdRosevilleMnMember		 [1]   8,900,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_Roseville3075LongLakeRdRosevilleMnMember		 [1]    
Estimated year for completion     4Q 2015    
Minnesota Portfolio [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Sales price of pending disposition     26,600,000iret_SaleAmountOfPendingDisposition
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= iret_MinnesotaPortfolioMember		    
Other [Member]          
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]          
Project costs incurred to date $ 2,547,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_PartiallyOwnedPropertiesMember		 [1]   $ 2,547,000iret_ProjectCostsIncurredToDate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_PartiallyOwnedPropertiesMember		 [1]    
[1] Includes costs related to development projects that are placed in service in phases (Renaissance Heights - $46.0 million).
[2] The Company is currently an approximately 52.9% partner in the joint venture entity constructing this project; the anticipated total cost amount given is the total cost to the joint venture entity.
[3] The Company is an approximately 86.1% partner in the joint venture entity constructing this project; the anticipated total cost amount given is the total cost to the joint venture entity.
[4] The Company is an approximately 58.6% partner in the joint venture entity constructing this project; the anticipated total cost amount given is the total cost to the joint venture entity. The anticipated total cost includes approximately 10,625 square feet of retail space.
[5] The project will be constructed in three phases, and at the conclusion of construction of the third phase, the Company will have an approximately 52.6% interest in the joint venture entity constructing the project. The anticipated total cost amount given in the table above is the total cost to the joint venture entity of the projects first and second phase. The expected total project cost for all three phases is approximately $73.3 million for a total of approximately 241 residential units and approximately 21,772 square feet of retail space.
[6] The Company is an approximately 70% partner in the joint venture entity constructing this project; the anticipated total cost amount given is the total cost to the joint venture entity.