Name:	els_NotesReceivableStatedInterestRate
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.

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-Publisher FASB
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Name:	us-gaap_AccountsReceivableBilledForLongTermContractsOrPrograms
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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
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Name:	us-gaap_ContractReceivableDueAfterOneYearWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Amount, after allowance for credit loss, of financing receivable. Excludes financing receivable covered under loss sharing agreement.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (b)
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(3))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
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