CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
REVENUE
Real estate rentals	$ 212,969	$ 196,149	$ 189,245
Tenant reimbursement	46,437	42,929	44,931
TOTAL REVENUE	259,406	239,078	234,176
EXPENSES
Depreciation/amortization related to real estate investments	61,996	56,426	55,080
Utilities	19,172	17,442	18,020
Maintenance	29,237	26,354	28,955
Real estate taxes	34,380	31,581	30,637
Insurance	3,927	3,502	2,256
Property management expenses	15,408	18,651	20,348
Provision	1,008	(142)	665
Administrative expenses	7,904	6,694	6,617
Advisory and trustee services	590	687	605
Other expenses	2,173	1,898	1,747
Amortization related to non-real estate investments	3,274	3,216	2,679
Impairment of real estate investments	305	0	0
TOTAL EXPENSES	179,374	166,309	167,609
Gain on involuntary conversion	5,084	274	0
Operating income	85,116	73,043	66,567
Interest expense	(62,900)	(64,066)	(62,735)
Interest income	222	148	259
Other income	526	638	282
Income from continuing operations	22,964	9,763	4,373
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	7,008	(57)	19,978
NET INCOME	29,972	9,706	24,351
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests - Operating Partnership	(3,633)	(1,359)	(4,449)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities	(809)	(135)	180
Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust	25,530	8,212	20,082
Dividends to preferred shareholders	(9,229)	(2,372)	(2,372)
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS	$ 16,301	$ 5,840	$ 17,710
Earnings per common share from continuing operations - Investors Real Estate Trust - basic and diluted	$ 0.11	$ 0.07	$ 0.02
Earnings (loss) per common share from discontinued operations - Investors Real Estate Trust - basic and diluted	$ 0.06	$ 0.00	$ 0.20
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC & DILUTED	$ 0.17	$ 0.07	$ 0.22