Summary of significant accounting policies (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023 USD ($) property	Mar. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Property, plant and equipment depreciated on a straight-line basis using an estimated life
Maximum expected period of sale of property (in years)	1 year
Cost method investment ownership percentage	10.00%
Percentage of total revenues	96.80%
Contract with customer, asset, adjustment for allowance for credit loss	$ 0
Contract with customer, asset, allowance for credit loss	$ 20,400
Minimum percentage of taxable income to be distributed	90.00%
Percent of taxable income, generally distributed as dividend	100.00%
Income from rentals
Operating leases	$ 677,422	$ 603,513
Direct financing and sales-type leases	648	1,020
Revenues subject to the new lease accounting standard	678,070	604,533
Revenue	$ 700,795	615,065
Land improvements | Maximum
Property, plant and equipment depreciated on a straight-line basis using an estimated life
Estimated useful life	20 years
Buildings and building improvements | Maximum
Property, plant and equipment depreciated on a straight-line basis using an estimated life
Estimated useful life	40 years
Canada
Property, plant and equipment depreciated on a straight-line basis using an estimated life
Number of real estate properties | property	11
China
Property, plant and equipment depreciated on a straight-line basis using an estimated life
Number of real estate properties | property	1
Income from rentals
Income from rentals
Revenue	$ 687,949	612,554
Income from rentals | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 - Revenue from Contract with Customers
Income from rentals
Revenues subject to the revenue recognition accounting standard	9,879	8,021
Other income
Income from rentals
Revenue	$ 12,846	$ 2,511
Revenues subject to other accounting guidance
Property, plant and equipment depreciated on a straight-line basis using an estimated life
Percentage of total revenues	3.20%
Income from rentals
Revenue	$ 22,700