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Notes Receivable - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]    
Loans receivable, net $ 18.5us-gaap_LoansReceivableNet $ 18.9us-gaap_LoansReceivableNet
Contract receivables 17.8us-gaap_AccountsReceivableBilledForLongTermContractsOrPrograms 18.2us-gaap_AccountsReceivableBilledForLongTermContractsOrPrograms
Chattel Loans    
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]    
Loans receivable, stated interest yield per annum 7.80%els_NotesReceivableStatedInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageReceivablesMember
 
Notes receivable yield rate 21.90%els_NotesReceivableYieldRate
/ us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageReceivablesMember
 
Weighted average remaining amortization period 11 years  
Notes receivable, allowance 0.3us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesRealEstate
/ us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageReceivablesMember
0.4us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesRealEstate
/ us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageReceivablesMember
Contract Receivable    
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]    
Weighted average remaining amortization period 4 years  
Provision for uncollectible receivable $ 0.4us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable
/ us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis
= els_ContractReceivableMember
$ 0.6us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable
/ us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis
= els_ContractReceivableMember
Contracts Receivable, yield interest at a stated per annum average 16.00%us-gaap_ContractReceivableDueAfterOneYearWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis
= els_ContractReceivableMember