Asset Acquisitions and Dispositions - Pro forma adjustments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Revenues from consolidated statement of operations	$ 23,665	$ 4,401	$ 66,413	$ 44,700
Net loss from consolidated statement of operations	$ (42,916)	(57,638)	$ (147,980)	(166,824)
HOME SFR Transaction
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Revenues from consolidated statement of operations		4,401		44,700
Add: historical revenues of acquired properties not reflected in consolidated statement of operations		14,310		41,321
Unaudited pro forma revenues		18,711		86,021
Net loss from consolidated statement of operations		(57,638)		(166,824)
Plus: historical net income of acquired properties not reflected in consolidated statement of operations		8,416		25,566
Less: pro forma depreciation and amortization		(5,157)		(15,472)
Less: pro forma interest expense		(4,737)		(14,212)
Less: pro forma management fees		(601)		(2,620)
Unaudited pro forma net loss		$ (59,717)		$ (173,562)