CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income from rental operations
Real estate rental income	$ 93,330	$ 68,706
Tenant reimbursements	3,852	2,230
Total income from rental operations	97,182	70,936
Expenses from rental operations
Interest	16,475	12,495
Depreciation and amortization	20,240	14,038
Real estate taxes	7,852	5,320
Property management fees	9,617	6,511
Utilities	7,220	5,614
Repairs and maintenance	17,726	11,721
Insurance	2,292	1,647
Loss on lease termination		58
Loss on impairment of property	412	0
Total expenses from rental operations	81,834	57,404
Administration of REIT
Administrative expenses	338	281
Advisory fees	2,401	1,855
Acquisition and disposition expenses	2,323	4,201
Trustee fees	51	56
Legal and accounting	534	431
Total Administration of REIT	5,647	6,824
Total expenses	87,481	64,228
Income from operations	9,701	6,708
Other income (expense)
Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates	957	1,086
Dividend and interest income	59	376
Gain on sale of real estate investments	470	69
Gain on involuntary conversion	197	398
Gain on disposal of marketable securities		666
Total other income	1,683	2,595
Net income	11,384	9,303
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in operating partnership	7,684	6,715
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in partially owned properties	(586)	9
Net income attributable to Sterling Real Estate Trust	$ 4,286	2,579
Loss on extinguishment of debt		$ (18)
Net income per common share, basic and diluted	$ 0.59	$ 0.47
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 11,384	$ 9,303
Other comprehensive income - change in fair value of interest rate swaps	53	37
Comprehensive income	11,437	9,340
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	7,134	6,750
Comprehensive income attributable to Sterling Real Estate Trust	$ 4,303	$ 2,590