Reportable Segments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 17, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Total property operations expenses		$ 172,444	$ 195,037	$ 486,483	$ 501,687
Revenue for Reportable Segment		196,783	183,881	573,417	536,331
Operating Costs and Expenses		102,213	94,229	287,953	267,836
Operating Income Loss Before Depreciation And Other		94,570	89,652	285,464	268,495
Interest Income		1,881	2,072	5,605	5,809
Real Estate Depreciation Expense and Rental Homes		(27,831)	(26,460)	(83,234)	(81,793)
Amortization of Intangible Assets for Continuing Operations		(1,075)	(485)	(3,791)	(803)
Operating Income (Loss)		67,545	64,779	204,044	191,708
Major customers description				All revenues are from external customers and there is no customer who contributed 10% or more of our total revenues during the quarters or nine months ended September 30, 2014 or 2013.
Corporate Interest Income		21	128	872	364
Income from other investments, net		1,869	1,885	6,098	5,989
General and Administrative Expense		(7,623)	(7,606)	(20,178)	(21,261)
Interest Expense, Debt		(27,864)	(29,206)	(84,177)	(89,706)
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount		(5,087)	(36,530)	(5,087)	(37,911)
Rent Control Initiatives Expenses and Other		(751)	(521)	(2,063)	(2,377)
Equity income from unconsolidated joint ventures		1,237	439	3,768	1,624
Gain (Loss) on Condemnation	900	929	0	929	0
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation During Phase-out Period, Net of Tax		0	982	0	7,215
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax		0	40,586	0	41,544
Consolidated net income		30,276	34,936	104,206	97,189
Total Assets		3,451,148	3,397,130	3,451,148	3,397,130	3,392,309
Capital improvements				41,645	48,571
Maximum [Member]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments				2
Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Total property operations expenses		91,715	86,579	261,188	249,148
Revenue for Reportable Segment		184,046	174,657	540,859	512,587
Operating Costs and Expenses		91,715	86,579	261,188	249,148
Operating Income Loss Before Depreciation And Other		92,331	88,078	279,671	263,439
Interest Income		696	856	2,266	2,589
Real Estate Depreciation Expense and Rental Homes		(25,010)	(24,730)	(74,815)	(76,704)
Amortization of Intangible Assets for Continuing Operations		(1,075)	(485)	(3,791)	(803)
Operating Income (Loss)		66,942	63,719	203,331	188,521
Total Assets		3,170,718	3,099,625	3,170,718	3,099,625
Capital improvements				22,111	17,787
Home Sales And Rentals [Member]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Total property operations expenses		10,498	7,650	26,765	18,688
Revenue for Reportable Segment		12,737	9,224	32,558	23,744
Operating Costs and Expenses		10,498	7,650	26,765	18,688
Operating Income Loss Before Depreciation And Other		2,239	1,574	5,793	5,056
Interest Income		1,185	1,216	3,339	3,220
Real Estate Depreciation Expense and Rental Homes		(2,821)	(1,730)	(8,419)	(5,089)
Amortization of Intangible Assets for Continuing Operations		0	0	0	0
Operating Income (Loss)		603	1,060	713	3,187
Total Assets		280,430	297,505	280,430	297,505
Capital improvements				$ 19,534	$ 30,784