Equity, Capital and Other Interests EQR Common Shares (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Common Shares outstanding at January 1,	361,148,189	360,479,260
Common Shares Issued:
Conversion of OP Units	18,043
Exercise of share options	493,995
Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)	37,928
Restricted Share Grants Net	162,349
Conversion Of Restricted Shares To Ltip Units Shares	(12,146)
Stock Repurchased And Retired	(31,240)
Units
Common Shares And Units Outstanding	375,523,508
Units Ownership Interest in Operating Partnership	3.80%
Limited Partner [Member]
Common Shares Issued:
Conversion Of Restricted Shares To Ltip Units Shares	12,146
Units
Total Units Outstanding	14,375,319	14,180,376
Issuance Of LTIPs	200,840
Shares Issued During Period Shares Conversion Of Units To Common Shares	(18,043)