Reportable Segments - Income from Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Revenues:
Rental income	$ 223,566	$ 206,993
Other income	10,370	13,036
Total revenues	259,090	246,025
Expenses:
Real estate taxes	15,323	14,135
Sales and marketing, gross	3,409	2,812
Right-to-use contract commissions, deferred, net	(191)	(24)
Home selling expenses	1,083	1,075
Total expenses	192,595	183,043
Income before equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	119,002	62,982
Property Operations
Revenues:
Rental income	219,982	203,478
Total revenues	246,016	231,016
Expenses:
Rental home operating and maintenance	76,744	74,908
Real estate taxes	15,323	14,135
Sales and marketing, gross	3,409	2,812
Right-to-use contract commissions, deferred, net	(191)	(24)
Total expenses	108,970	105,512
Income before equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	137,046	125,504
Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Revenues:
Rental home income	3,584	3,515
Total revenues	10,337	12,119
Expenses:
Rental home operating and maintenance	1,204	1,424
Home selling expenses	1,083	1,075
Total expenses	8,919	11,073
Income before equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	1,418	1,046
Gross revenues from home sales
Revenues:
Contract revenue	6,475	8,309
Expenses:
Cost of home sales	6,632	8,574
Gross revenues from home sales | Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Revenues:
Contract revenue	6,475	8,309
Expenses:
Cost of home sales	6,632	8,574
Brokered resale revenues, net | Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Revenues:
Contract revenue	278	282
Right-to-use annual payments
Revenues:
Contract revenue	12,316	11,519
Right-to-use annual payments | Property Operations
Revenues:
Contract revenue	12,316	11,519
Right-to-use contracts current period, gross
Revenues:
Contract revenue	3,838	3,162
Right-to-use contracts current period, gross | Property Operations
Revenues:
Contract revenue	3,838	3,162
Right-to-use contract upfront payments, deferred, net
Revenues:
Contract revenue	(1,771)	(1,285)
Right-to-use contract upfront payments, deferred, net | Property Operations
Revenues:
Contract revenue	(1,771)	(1,285)
Ancillary services | Property Operations
Revenues:
Contract revenue	1,281	1,106
Ancillary services | Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Revenues:
Contract revenue	0	13
Property management
Expenses:
Cost of home sales	13,685	13,681
Property management | Property Operations
Expenses:
Cost of home sales	$ 13,685	$ 13,681