Reportable Segments - Consolidated Net Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$ (48,316)	$ (38,332)	$ (93,714)	$ (77,356)
Gain (loss) on sale of real estate, net	0	0	(59)	0
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Income from other investments, net	14,185	9,680	24,706	20,739
General and administrative	(10,228)	(10,609)	(20,740)	(21,464)
Other expenses	(800)	(639)	(1,498)	(1,227)
Interest and related amortization	(27,131)	(26,249)	(53,406)	(52,322)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	1,068	1,064	1,936	1,271
Early debt retirement	(755)	0	(2,784)	(1,054)
Consolidated net income	64,080	48,853	133,067	119,577
Total assets	4,824,007	4,268,174	4,824,007	4,268,174	$ 4,418,969
Capital improvements	62,945	54,188	119,723	103,147
Property Operations
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Income from other investments, net	14,185	9,680	24,706	20,739
Total assets	4,566,507	3,998,462	4,566,507	3,998,462
Capital improvements	41,306	37,552	77,774	70,157
Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Total assets	257,500	269,712	257,500	269,712
Capital improvements	21,639	16,636	41,949	32,990
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operations revenues	314,459	251,277	607,800	529,303
Operations expenses	(167,181)	(130,472)	(310,135)	(262,837)
Income from segment operations	147,278	120,805	297,665	266,466
Interest income	1,720	1,787	3,483	3,590
Depreciation and amortization	(48,316)	(38,332)	(93,714)	(77,356)
Gain (loss) on sale of real estate, net	0		(59)
Income (loss) from operations	100,682	84,260	207,375	192,700
Operating Segments | Property Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operations revenues	285,378	238,155	558,933	500,629
Operations expenses	(140,667)	(119,296)	(266,204)	(237,194)
Income from segment operations	144,711	118,859	292,729	263,435
Interest income	1,252	1,061	2,400	2,136
Depreciation and amortization	(45,631)	(35,611)	(88,409)	(71,831)
Gain (loss) on sale of real estate, net	0		(59)
Income (loss) from operations	100,332	84,309	206,661	193,740
Operating Segments | Home Sales and Rentals Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operations revenues	29,081	13,122	48,867	28,674
Operations expenses	(26,514)	(11,176)	(43,931)	(25,643)
Income from segment operations	2,567	1,946	4,936	3,031
Interest income	468	726	1,083	1,454
Depreciation and amortization	(2,685)	(2,721)	(5,305)	(5,525)
Gain (loss) on sale of real estate, net	0		0
Income (loss) from operations	350	(49)	714	(1,040)
Segment Reconciling Items
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Corporate interest income	22	4	26	8
Income from other investments, net	1,222	1,022	2,158	1,665
General and administrative	(10,228)	(10,609)	(20,740)	(21,464)
Other expenses	(800)	(639)	(1,498)	(1,227)
Interest and related amortization	(27,131)	(26,249)	(53,406)	(52,322)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	1,068	1,064	1,936	1,271
Early debt retirement	$ (755)	$ 0	$ (2,784)	$ (1,054)