CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013
Real estate investments
Property owned	$ 2,016,523	$ 2,032,970
Less accumulated depreciation	(429,376)	(420,421)
Total property owned	1,587,147	1,612,549
Development in progress	77,396	46,782
Unimproved land	20,774	21,503
Total real estate investments	1,685,317	1,680,834
Other assets
Real estate held for sale	3,969	0
Cash and cash equivalents	93,193	94,133
Other investments	640	639
Receivable arising from straight-lining of rents, net of allowance of $752 and $830, respectively	26,671	26,354
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $388 and $563, respectively	8,370	4,534
Real estate deposits	489	196
Prepaid and other assets	4,741	5,124
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $24,019 and $27,708, respectively	36,989	40,457
Tax, insurance, and other escrow	12,344	12,569
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,757 and $1,673, respectively	1,217	1,221
Goodwill	1,100	1,106
Deferred charges and leasing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $19,810 and $18,714, respectively	21,602	22,387
TOTAL ASSETS	1,896,642	1,889,554
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	52,563	50,797
Revolving line of credit	10,000	10,000
Mortgages payable	1,030,407	1,049,206
Other	32,366	18,170
TOTAL LIABILITIES	1,125,336	1,128,173
Statement [Line Items]
Series A Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest (Cumulative redeemable preferred shares, no par value, 1,150,000 shares issued and outstanding at July 31, 2013 and April 30, 2013, aggregate liquidation preference of $28,750,000)	27,317	27,317
Series B Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest (Cumulative redeemable preferred shares, no par value, 4,600,000 shares issued and outstanding at July 31, 2013 and April 30, 2013, respectively, aggregate liquidation preference of $115,000,000)	111,357	111,357
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest (Unlimited authorization, no par value, 104,226,469 shares issued and outstanding at July 31, 2013, and 101,487,976 shares issued and outstanding at April 30, 2013)	807,928	784,454
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income	(323,406)	(310,341)
Total Investors Real Estate Trust shareholders' equity	623,196	612,787
Noncontrolling interests - Operating Partnership (21,848,891 units at July 31, 2013 and 21,635,127 units at April 30, 2013)	122,334	122,539
Noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities	25,776	26,055
Total equity	771,306	761,381
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 1,896,642	$ 1,889,554