CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (unaudited) (USD $)	PREFERRED SHARES [Member]	COMMON SHARES [Member]	ACCUMULATED DISTRIBUTIONS IN EXCESS OF NET INCOME [Member]	NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS [Member]	Total
Balance at Apr. 30, 2011	$ 27,317,000	$ 621,936,000	$ (237,563,000)	$ 132,600,000	$ 544,290,000
Balance, shares (in shares) at Apr. 30, 2011	1,150,000	80,523,000
Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust and nonredeemable noncontrolling interests			1,421,000	147,000	1,568,000
Distributions - common shares and units			(13,850,000)	(3,424,000)	(17,274,000)
Distributions - preferred shares			(593,000)		(593,000)
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan		4,543,000			4,543,000
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan (in shares)		562,000
Shares issued		549,000			549,000
Shares issued, shares (in shares)		66,000
Redemption of units for common shares		999,000		(999,000)	0
Redemption of units for common shares, shares (in shares)		109,000
Adjustments to redeemable noncontrolling interests		(298,000)			(298,000)
Other		(7,000)		(245,000)	(252,000)
Other, shares (in shares)		(1,000)
Balance at Jul. 31, 2011	27,317,000	627,722,000	(250,585,000)	128,079,000	532,533,000
Balance, shares (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2011	1,150,000	81,259,000
Balance at Apr. 30, 2012	27,317,000	684,049,000	(278,377,000)	132,274,000	565,263,000
Balance, shares (in shares) at Apr. 30, 2012	1,150,000	89,474,000
Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust and nonredeemable noncontrolling interests			1,679,000	317,000	1,996,000
Distributions - common shares and units			(11,734,000)	(2,679,000)	(14,413,000)
Distributions - preferred shares			(593,000)		(593,000)
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan		14,485,000			14,485,000
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan (in shares)		1,892,000
Shares issued		2,566,000			2,566,000
Shares issued, shares (in shares)		358,000
Partnership units issued				6,428,000	6,428,000
Redemption of units for common shares		337,000		(337,000)	0
Redemption of units for common shares, shares (in shares)		89,000
Other		(6,000)			(6,000)
Other, shares (in shares)		(1,000)
Balance at Jul. 31, 2012	$ 27,317,000	$ 701,431,000	$ (289,025,000)	$ 136,003,000	$ 575,726,000
Balance, shares (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2012	1,150,000	91,812,000