CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2014		Apr. 30, 2013
Real estate investments
Property owned	$ 1,996,031		$ 2,032,970	[1]
Less accumulated depreciation	(424,288)		(420,421)	[1]
Total property owned	1,571,743		1,612,549	[1]
Development in progress	104,609		46,782	[1]
Unimproved land	22,864		21,503	[1]
Total real estate investments	1,699,216		1,680,834	[1]
Other assets
Real estate held for sale	2,951		0	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents	47,267		94,133	[1]
Other investments	329		639	[1]
Receivable arising from straight-lining of rents, net of allowance of $796 and $830, respectively	27,096		26,354	[1]
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $248 and $563, respectively	10,206		4,534	[1]
Real estate deposits	145		196	[1]
Prepaid and other assets	4,639		5,124	[1]
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $24,071 and $27,708, respectively	32,639		40,457	[1]
Tax, insurance, and other escrow	20,880		12,569	[1]
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,041 and $1,673, respectively	1,681		1,221	[1]
Goodwill	1,100		1,106	[1]
Deferred charges and leasing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $21,068 and $18,714, respectively	21,072		22,387	[1]
TOTAL ASSETS	1,869,221		1,889,554	[1]
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	59,105		50,797	[1]
Revolving line of credit	22,500		10,000	[1]
Mortgages payable	997,689		1,049,206	[1]
Other	63,178		18,170	[1]
TOTAL LIABILITIES	1,142,472		1,128,173	[1]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 15)				[1]
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS - CONSOLIDATED REAL ESTATE ENTITIES	6,203		5,937	[1]
Statement [Line Items]
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest (Unlimited authorization, no par value, 109,019,341 shares issued and outstanding at April 30, 2014, and 101,487,976 shares issued and outstanding at April 30, 2013)	843,268		784,454	[1]
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income	(389,758)		(310,341)	[1]
Total Investors Real Estate Trust shareholders' equity	592,184		612,787	[1]
Noncontrolling interests - Operating Partnership (21,093,445 units at April 30, 2014 and 21,635,127 units at April 30, 2013)	105,724		122,539	[1]
Noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities	22,638		20,118	[1]
Total equity	720,546	[1]	755,444	[1]
TOTAL LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY	1,869,221		1,889,554	[1]
Preferred Class A [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest (Cumulative redeemable preferred shares)	27,317		27,317	[1]
Preferred Class B [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest (Cumulative redeemable preferred shares)	$ 111,357		$ 111,357	[1]

[1] (as revised)