CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	PREFERRED SHARES [Member]	COMMON SHARES [Member]	ACCUMULATED DISTRIBUTIONS IN EXCESS OF NET INCOME [Member]	NONREDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS [Member]	Total	Preferred Series A [Member] ACCUMULATED DISTRIBUTIONS IN EXCESS OF NET INCOME [Member]	Preferred Series A [Member]	Preferred Series B [Member] ACCUMULATED DISTRIBUTIONS IN EXCESS OF NET INCOME [Member]	Preferred Series B [Member]
Balance at Apr. 30, 2014	$ 138,674	$ 843,268	$ (389,758)	$ 128,362	$ 720,546
Balance (in shares) at Apr. 30, 2014	5,750	109,019
Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust and noncontrolling interests			(151)	(157)	(308)
Distributions - common shares and units			(14,264)		(17,004)
Distributions - common shares and units				(2,740)
Distributions - preferred shares					(2,879)	$ (593)	$ (593)	$ (2,286)	$ (2,286)
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan		$ 20,926			20,926
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan (in shares)		2,422
Share-based compensation		$ 1,889			1,889
Share-based compensation (in shares)		204
Redemption of units for common shares		$ 18,332		(18,332)	0
Redemption of units for common shares (in shares)		3,118
Contributions from nonredeemable noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities				3,212	3,212
Other				(185)	(185)
Balance (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2014	5,750	114,763
Balance at Jul. 31, 2014	$ 138,674	$ 884,415	(407,052)	110,160	726,197
Balance at Apr. 30, 2015	$ 138,674	$ 951,868	(438,432)	88,844	740,954
Balance (in shares) at Apr. 30, 2015	5,750	124,455
Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust and noncontrolling interests			4,540	194	4,734
Distributions - common shares and units			(16,200)		(18,015)
Distributions - common shares and units				(1,815)
Distributions - preferred shares					(2,879)	$ (593)	$ (593)	$ (2,286)	$ (2,286)
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan		$ 5,241			5,241
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan (in shares)		766
Share-based compensation		$ 22			22
Share-based compensation (in shares)		220
Partnership units issued				0	0
Redemption of units for common shares		$ 576		(576)	0
Redemption of units for common shares (in shares)		79
Other				(170)	(170)
Balance (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2015	5,750	125,520
Balance at Jul. 31, 2015	$ 138,674	$ 957,707	$ (452,971)	$ 86,477	$ 729,887