Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues:
Community Base Rental Income	$ 426,886	$ 409,801	$ 394,606
Rental home income	14,827	14,267	11,649
Resort base rental income	163,968	147,234	134,327
Right-to-use annual payments	44,860	47,967	47,662
Right-to-use contracts current period, gross	13,892	13,815	14,025
Right-to-use contract upfront payments, deferred, net	(5,501)	(5,694)	(6,694)
Utility and other income	70,209	63,800	62,470
Gross revenues from home sales	28,418	17,871	8,230
Brokered resale revenues, net	3,850	4,212	3,093
Interest income	8,347	8,260	8,135
Income from other investments, net	7,053	7,515	6,795
Total revenues	776,809	729,048	684,298
Expenses:
Property operating and maintenance	243,914	229,897	220,415
Rental home operating and maintenance	7,441	7,474	6,369
Real estate taxes	48,714	48,279	45,590
Sales and marketing, gross	12,418	13,509	11,437
Right-to-use contract commissions, deferred, net	(2,617)	(2,410)	(3,155)
Property management	42,638	40,193	37,999
Depreciation on real estate assets and rental homes	111,065	108,229	102,083
Amortization of Intangible Assets for Continuing Operations	(3,999)	(1,940)	(39,467)
Amortization of Intangible Assets	3,999	1,940	45,122
Cost of home sales	26,747	17,296	9,018
Home selling expenses	2,342	2,085	1,391
General and administrative	27,410	28,211	26,388
Rent control initiatives and other	2,923	2,771	1,456
Early debt retirement	5,087	37,844	0
Interest and related amortization	112,295	118,522	123,992
Total expenses	644,376	653,840	622,450
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	132,433	75,208	61,848
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	4,578	2,039	1,899
Gain (Loss) on Condemnation	1,457	0	0
Consolidated income from continuing operations	138,468	77,247	63,747
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation During Phase-out Period, Net of Tax	0	7,133	6,116
Discontinued Operations:
(Loss) income from discontinued real estate	0	41,525	4,596
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	48,658	10,712
Consolidated net income	138,468	125,905	74,459
Adjustment for fair market value of swap	546	1,663	(43)
Consolidated comprehensive income (loss)	139,014	127,568	74,416
Comprehensive (income) loss allocated to non-controlling interests – Common OP Units	119,234	108,443	54,742
Income allocated to non-controlling interests-Common OP Units	(10,463)	(9,706)	(5,067)
Net income available for Common Shares	138,468	(125,905)	59,846
Earnings per Common Share-Basic:
Net income available for Common Shares	$ 1.42	$ 1.29	$ 0.67
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share	$ 1.42	$ 0.75	$ 0.55
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share	$ 0.00	$ 0.54	$ 0.12
Earnings per Common Share-Fully Diluted:
Net income available for Common Shares	$ 1.41	$ 1.28	$ 0.66
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share	$ 1.41	$ 0.75	$ 0.54
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share	$ 0.00	$ 0.53	$ 0.12
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding-basic	83,362	83,018	82,348
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding-fully diluted	91,511	91,196	90,862
Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends	(9,274)	(9,280)	(14,613)
Net income available for Common Shares-basic	118,731	106,919	54,779
Cumulative Series Eight Point Zero Three Four Percent Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]
Earnings per Common Share-Fully Diluted:
Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends	0	0	(11,704)
Cumulative Series C Six Point Seven Five Percent Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]
Earnings per Common Share-Fully Diluted:
Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends	(9,274)	(9,280)	(2,909)
Noncontrolling Interest Of Common Units [Member]
Discontinued Operations:
Comprehensive (income) loss allocated to non-controlling interests – Common OP Units	$ (10,506)	$ (9,845)	$ (5,061)