Name:	els_NotesReceivableStatedInterestRate
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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Period Type:	instant

The yield rate of an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the Entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date.

No definition available.

Name:	els_NotesReceivableYieldRate
Namespace Prefix:	els_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The weighted average remaining amortization period on loan receivables.

No definition available.

Name:	els_WeightedAverageRemainingAmortizationPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	els_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount billed to customers under long-term contracts or programs but not paid. Excludes amounts due that have been withheld because of retainage provisions in a contract.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.3(c))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 910
-SubTopic 310
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68065756&loc=d3e49354-109356

Name:	us-gaap_AccountsReceivableBilledForLongTermContractsOrPrograms
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The reserve to cover probable credit losses related to specifically identified fixed maturity real estate loans as well as probable credit losses inherent in the remainder of that loan portfolio.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 310
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82921503&loc=d3e21338-158488

Name:	us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesRealEstate
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The weighted average interest rate charged on contract receivables maturing after one year.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 910
-SubTopic 310
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68065756&loc=d3e49354-109356

Name:	us-gaap_ContractReceivableDueAfterOneYearWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Amount after allowance and deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Includes loans held for sale. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878