EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]
Redemption basis	one-for-one
Period to hold the beneficial interest, minimum	1 year
NUMERATOR [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations - Investors Real Estate Trust	$ 5,161	$ (671)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations - Investors Real Estate Trust	(621)	520
Net income (loss) attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust	4,540	(151)
Dividends to preferred shareholders	(2,879)	(2,879)
Numerator for basic earnings per share - net income (loss) available to common shareholders	1,661	(3,030)
Noncontrolling interests - Operating Partnership	186	(402)
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$ 1,847	$ (3,432)
DENOMINATOR [Abstract]
Denominator for basic earnings per share weighted average shares (in shares)	124,855	111,039
Effect of convertible operating partnership units (in shares)	13,951	20,293
Denominator for diluted earnings per share (in shares)	138,806	131,332
Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations - Investors Real Estate Trust - basic and diluted	$ 0.02	$ (0.03)
Loss per common share from discontinued operations - Investors Real Estate Trust - basic and diluted	(0.01)	0
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC & DILUTED (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ (0.03)