Reportable Segments - Income from Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Revenues:
Rental income	$ 212,007	$ 199,155	$ 435,573	$ 406,148
Other income	10,265	12,536	20,635	25,572
Total revenues	248,366	240,502	507,456	486,527
Expenses:
Real estate taxes	15,107	13,440	30,430	27,575
Sales and marketing, gross	4,214	3,305	7,623	6,117
Right-to-use contract commissions, deferred, net	(389)	(262)	(580)	(286)
Home selling expenses	1,102	973	2,185	2,048
Total expenses	202,507	192,946	395,102	375,989
Income before equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	45,859	47,556	164,861	110,538
Property Operations
Revenues:
Rental income	208,375	195,594	428,357	399,072
Total revenues	233,848	222,167	479,864	453,183
Expenses:
Rental home operating and maintenance	83,576	80,091	160,320	154,999
Real estate taxes	15,107	13,440	30,430	27,575
Sales and marketing, gross	4,214	3,305	7,623	6,117
Right-to-use contract commissions, deferred, net	(389)	(262)	(580)	(286)
Total expenses	116,893	110,046	225,863	215,558
Income before equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	116,955	112,121	254,001	237,625
Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Revenues:
Rental home income	3,632	3,561	7,216	7,076
Total revenues	11,836	13,060	22,173	25,179
Expenses:
Rental home operating and maintenance	1,292	1,629	2,496	3,053
Home selling expenses	1,102	973	2,185	2,048
Total expenses	10,558	12,234	19,477	23,307
Income before equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	1,278	826	2,696	1,872
Right-to-use annual payments (membership subscriptions)
Revenues:
Contract revenue	12,586	11,891	24,902	23,410
Right-to-use annual payments (membership subscriptions) | Property Operations
Revenues:
Contract revenue	12,586	11,891	24,902	23,410
Right-to-use contracts current period, gross (membership upgrade sales)
Revenues:
Contract revenue	5,041	3,944	8,879	7,106
Right-to-use contracts current period, gross (membership upgrade sales) | Property Operations
Revenues:
Contract revenue	5,041	3,944	8,879	7,106
Right-to-use contract upfront payments, deferred, net
Revenues:
Contract revenue	(2,912)	(2,021)	(4,683)	(3,306)
Right-to-use contract upfront payments, deferred, net | Property Operations
Revenues:
Contract revenue	(2,912)	(2,021)	(4,683)	(3,306)
Gross revenues from home sales
Revenues:
Contract revenue	7,825	9,105	14,300	17,414
Expenses:
Cost of home sales	8,164	9,632	14,796	18,206
Gross revenues from home sales | Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Revenues:
Contract revenue	7,825	9,105	14,300	17,414
Expenses:
Cost of home sales	8,164	9,632	14,796	18,206
Brokered resale revenues, net | Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Revenues:
Contract revenue	379	369	657	651
Ancillary services | Property Operations
Revenues:
Contract revenue	493	223	1,774	1,329
Ancillary services | Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Revenues:
Contract revenue	0	25	0	38
Property management
Expenses:
Cost of home sales	14,385	13,472	28,070	27,153
Property management | Property Operations
Expenses:
Cost of home sales	$ 14,385	$ 13,472	$ 28,070	$ 27,153