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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Sep. 14, 2012
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Sep. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2012
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Jan. 09, 2015
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2011
Oct. 18, 2012
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                        
Long-term Debt   $ 2,200,000,000els_Debtsecuredandunsecured       $ 2,200,000,000els_Debtsecuredandunsecured               $ 2,200,000,000els_Debtsecuredandunsecured $ 2,200,000,000els_Debtsecuredandunsecured          
Operating Loss Carryforwards   88,000,000us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards                       88,000,000us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards            
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance   7,110,000us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance       7,927,000us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance       6,987,000us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance       7,110,000us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance 7,927,000us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance 6,987,000us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance     7,700,000us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance  
Ordinary Income Dividends Per Share                           $ 1.217els_OrdinaryIncomeDividendsPerShare $ 0.680els_OrdinaryIncomeDividendsPerShare $ 0.810els_OrdinaryIncomeDividendsPerShare        
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid   Jan. 09, 2015 Oct. 10, 2014 Jul. 11, 2014 Apr. 11, 2014 Jan. 10, 2014 Oct. 11, 2013 Jul. 12, 2013 Apr. 12, 2013 Dec. 28, 2012 Oct. 12, 2012 Jul. 13, 2012 Apr. 13, 2012              
Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill)   12,100,000us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwill       12,100,000us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwill               12,100,000us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwill 12,100,000us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwill          
Intangible assets   4,300,000us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill       4,300,000us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill               4,300,000us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill 4,300,000us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill          
Goodwill   7,800,000us-gaap_Goodwill       7,800,000us-gaap_Goodwill               7,800,000us-gaap_Goodwill 7,800,000us-gaap_Goodwill          
Accumulated amortization of identified intangible assets   2,200,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization       1,900,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization               2,200,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization 1,900,000us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization          
Amortization of Intangible Assets                           3,999,000us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets 1,940,000us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets 45,122,000us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets        
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash   5,000,000us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents       5,200,000us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents               5,000,000us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents 5,200,000us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents          
Accumulated amortization for deferred financing costs   29,800,000us-gaap_AccumulatedAmortizationDeferredFinanceCosts       25,400,000us-gaap_AccumulatedAmortizationDeferredFinanceCosts               29,800,000us-gaap_AccumulatedAmortizationDeferredFinanceCosts 25,400,000us-gaap_AccumulatedAmortizationDeferredFinanceCosts          
Net investment in real estate U.S federal tax basis   2,800,000,000us-gaap_RealEstateFederalIncomeTaxBasis                       2,800,000,000us-gaap_RealEstateFederalIncomeTaxBasis            
Net investment in notes receivable U.S federal tax basis   38,600,000els_NotesReceivableFederalIncomeTaxBasis                       38,600,000els_NotesReceivableFederalIncomeTaxBasis            
Provision for uncollectable rents receivable   5,100,000us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable       4,900,000us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable               5,100,000us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable 4,900,000us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable          
Deferred revenue, estimated period of recognition                           31 years            
Private REIT Subsidiaries preferred stock   67,034,000us-gaap_MinorityInterestInOperatingPartnerships       69,872,000us-gaap_MinorityInterestInOperatingPartnerships               67,034,000us-gaap_MinorityInterestInOperatingPartnerships 69,872,000us-gaap_MinorityInterestInOperatingPartnerships          
Quarterly distribution paid per common share   $ 0.3250us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid $ 0.3250us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid $ 0.3250us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid $ 0.3250us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid $ 0.2500us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid $ 0.2500us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid $ 0.2500us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid $ 0.2500us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid $ 0.2188us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid $ 0.2188us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid $ 0.2188us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid $ 0.2188us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid              
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid, Taxable                           $ 0.2003els_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaidTaxable            
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized   9,765,900us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized       9,765,525us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized               9,765,900us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized 9,765,525us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized          
Peferred Stock, Shares Exchanged 5,445,765els_PeferredStockSharesExchanged                                      
Depositary Shares, Issued 5,445,765els_DepositarySharesIssued                                      
Depositary Share, Liquidation Preference Per Share $ 25.00els_DepositaryShareLiquidationPreferencePerShare                                      
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Per-Dollar-Amount $ 0.3849625us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePerDollarAmount                                      
Capital Gains Dividends Per Share                           $ 0.000els_CapitalGainsDividendsPerShare $ 0.211els_CapitalGainsDividendsPerShare $ 0.069els_CapitalGainsDividendsPerShare        
Nondividend Distribution                           $ 0.000els_NondividendDistribution $ 0.000els_NondividendDistribution $ 0.186els_NondividendDistribution        
Unrecaptured Section 1250 Gain Dividends Per Share                           $ 0.000els_UnrecapturedSection1250GainDividendsPerShare $ 0.067els_UnrecapturedSection1250GainDividendsPerShare $ 0.000els_UnrecapturedSection1250GainDividendsPerShare        
Common Stock Dividends Per Share Tax Treatment                           $ 1.217els_CommonStockDividendsPerShareTaxTreatment $ 0.958els_CommonStockDividendsPerShareTaxTreatment $ 1.065els_CommonStockDividendsPerShareTaxTreatment        
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Cost and Expense                           4,209,000us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense 5,152,000us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense 4,860,000us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense        
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deductions                           (5,026,000)us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions (4,212,000)us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions (5,573,000)us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions        
Maximum                                        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                        
Investment percentage to apply cost method accounting, maximum   5.00%els_CostMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember		                       5.00%els_CostMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember		            
Number of Reportable Segments                           2us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember		            
Rental income recognition period                           1 year            
Minimum                                        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                        
Right-to-use properties contract, term                           1 year            
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2                                        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                        
Mortgage notes payable, fair value   2,300,000,000els_SecuredDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member		       2,200,000,000els_SecuredDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member		               2,300,000,000els_SecuredDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member		 2,200,000,000els_SecuredDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member		          
FLORIDA                                        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                        
Percentage of company revenue                           40.90%els_PercentageOfCompanyRevenue
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= stpr_FL		 40.70%els_PercentageOfCompanyRevenue
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= stpr_FL		 39.40%els_PercentageOfCompanyRevenue
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= stpr_FL		        
Arizona                                        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                        
Percentage of company revenue                           9.60%els_PercentageOfCompanyRevenue
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= stpr_AZ		 9.80%els_PercentageOfCompanyRevenue
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= stpr_AZ		 9.40%els_PercentageOfCompanyRevenue
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= stpr_AZ		        
California                                        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                        
Percentage of company revenue                           15.20%els_PercentageOfCompanyRevenue
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= stpr_CA		 15.70%els_PercentageOfCompanyRevenue
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= stpr_CA		 15.20%els_PercentageOfCompanyRevenue
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= stpr_CA		        
Chattel Loans                                        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                        
Loans receivable, amortization term                           12 years            
New Manufactured Home [Member]                                        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                        
Estimated useful life                           25 years            
Used Manufactured Home [Member] | Maximum                                        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                        
Estimated useful life                           25 years            
Used Manufactured Home [Member] | Minimum                                        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                        
Estimated useful life                           10 years            
Buildings and structural and land improvements                                        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                        
Estimated useful life                           30 years            
Building Improvements                                        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                        
Estimated useful life                           10 years            
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment                                        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                        
Estimated useful life                           5 years            
Preferred Stock                                        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                        
Private REIT Subsidiaries preferred stock   300,000us-gaap_MinorityInterestInOperatingPartnerships
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember		                       300,000us-gaap_MinorityInterestInOperatingPartnerships
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember		            
Cumulative Series Eight Point Zero Three Four Percent Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]                                        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                        
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share                                       $ 25.00us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= els_CumulativeSeriesEightPointZeroThreeFourPercentRedeemablePerpetualPreferredStockMember
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Per-Dollar-Amount                   $ 0.0948460us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePerDollarAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= els_CumulativeSeriesEightPointZeroThreeFourPercentRedeemablePerpetualPreferredStockMember		                    
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares                   2,554,235us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodShares
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= els_CumulativeSeriesEightPointZeroThreeFourPercentRedeemablePerpetualPreferredStockMember		                    
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Value                   64,100,000us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodValue
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= els_CumulativeSeriesEightPointZeroThreeFourPercentRedeemablePerpetualPreferredStockMember		                    
Cumulative Series C Six Point Seven Five Percent Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]                                        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                        
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage                           6.75%us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= els_CumulativeSeriesCSixPointSevenFivePercentRedeemablePerpetualPreferredStockMember		            
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized 54,458us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= els_CumulativeSeriesCSixPointSevenFivePercentRedeemablePerpetualPreferredStockMember		 54,461us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= els_CumulativeSeriesCSixPointSevenFivePercentRedeemablePerpetualPreferredStockMember		       54,461us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= els_CumulativeSeriesCSixPointSevenFivePercentRedeemablePerpetualPreferredStockMember		               54,461us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= els_CumulativeSeriesCSixPointSevenFivePercentRedeemablePerpetualPreferredStockMember		 54,461us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= els_CumulativeSeriesCSixPointSevenFivePercentRedeemablePerpetualPreferredStockMember		          
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share $ 2,500.00us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= els_CumulativeSeriesCSixPointSevenFivePercentRedeemablePerpetualPreferredStockMember		                                      
Purchase Price Allocation Adjustments                                        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                        
Final Adjustment Period Maximum Range                           1 year            
Identified Intangible Assets [Member]                                        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                        
Amortization of Intangible Assets                           $ 300,000us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= els_IdentifiedIntangibleAssetsMember		 $ 300,000us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= els_IdentifiedIntangibleAssetsMember		          
Subsequent Event [Member]                                        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                        
Quarterly distribution paid per common share                                 $ 0.325us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember		      
Scenario, Forecast [Member]                                        
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]                                        
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid, Taxable                                   $ 0.1247els_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaidTaxable
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember