Reportable Segments - Consolidated Net Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Information
Depreciation and amortization	$ (155,131)	$ (152,110)	$ (137,209)
Gain on sale of real estate, net	0	52,507	0
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Income from other investments, net	46,008	43,063	51,935
General and administrative	(39,276)	(35,679)	(37,684)
Other expenses	(2,567)	(2,865)	(1,483)
Interest and related amortization	(102,771)	(104,223)	(104,993)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	5,399	8,755	4,939
Early debt retirement	(10,786)	(1,491)	(1,071)
Consolidated net income	241,416	295,922	226,386
Total assets	4,418,969	4,151,275	3,925,808
Capital improvements	217,082	257,993	181,622
Property Operations
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Income from other investments, net			51,935
Total assets	4,160,216	3,878,770	3,692,510
Capital improvements	157,467	116,349	94,015
Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Total assets	258,753	272,505	233,298
Capital improvements	59,615	141,644	87,607
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information
Operations revenues	1,080,268	1,020,521	968,286
Operations expenses	(544,900)	(506,228)	(482,766)
Income from segment operations	535,368	514,293	485,520
Interest income	7,139	7,180	7,272
Depreciation and amortization	(155,131)	(152,110)	(137,209)
Gain on sale of real estate, net	0	52,507	0
Income (loss) from operations	387,376	421,870	355,583
Operating Segments | Property Operations
Segment Reporting Information
Operations revenues	1,017,249	969,560	916,565
Operations expenses	(488,153)	(461,128)	(434,360)
Income from segment operations	529,096	508,432	482,205
Interest income	4,385	3,856	3,374
Depreciation and amortization	(144,235)	(141,472)	(127,399)
Gain on sale of real estate, net	0	52,507	0
Income (loss) from operations	389,246	423,323	358,180
Operating Segments | Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Segment Reporting Information
Operations revenues	63,019	50,961	51,721
Operations expenses	(56,747)	(45,100)	(48,406)
Income from segment operations	6,272	5,861	3,315
Interest income	2,754	3,324	3,898
Depreciation and amortization	(10,896)	(10,638)	(9,810)
Gain on sale of real estate, net	0	0	0
Income (loss) from operations	(1,870)	(1,453)	(2,597)
Segment Reconciling Items
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Corporate interest income	15	27	253
Income from other investments, net	4,026	9,528	10,842
General and administrative	(39,276)	(35,679)	(37,684)
Other expenses	(2,567)	(2,865)	(1,483)
Interest and related amortization	(102,771)	(104,223)	(104,993)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	5,399	8,755	4,939
Early debt retirement	$ (10,786)	$ (1,491)	$ (1,071)