Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest	$ 744,684				$ 675,888				$ 744,684	$ 675,888
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest									3,751	14,353	$ 14,965
Rents from single-family properties	198,980	$ 197,137	$ 193,491	$ 167,995	152,406	$ 148,815	$ 137,818	$ 120,680	757,603	559,719	376,385
Net income (loss)	9,338	(167)	(3,753)	5,028	(11,347)	(19,938)	(8,398)	(8,265)	10,446	(47,948)	(33,092)
Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders	$ 2,391	$ (21,152)	$ (10,404)	$ (4,377)	$ (20,474)	$ (28,616)	$ (17,697)	$ (17,790)	$ (33,542)	$ (84,577)	$ (66,985)
Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders per share—basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ (0.09)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.02)
Net loss attributable to common shareholders per share—diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.02)
Net loss attributable to common shareholders per share - basic and diluted (in dollars per share)					$ (0.10)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.40)	$ (0.34)
Scenario, Adjustment
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest	$ (5,700)								$ (5,700)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest									$ (5,700)