UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES AND COST METHOD INVESTMENT (Details) - entity	Dec. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of entities - equity method of accounting	17
Governor’s Square Company
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture, ownership percentage	47.50%
River Ridge Mall JV, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture, ownership percentage	25.00%
Parent Company | Ambassador Infrastructure, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture, ownership percentage	65.00%
Parent Company | Ambassador Town Center JV, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture, ownership percentage	65.00%
Parent Company | CBL/T-C, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture, ownership percentage	50.00%
Parent Company | CBL-TRS Joint Venture, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture, ownership percentage	50.00%
Parent Company | El Paso Outlet Outparcels, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture, ownership percentage	50.00%
Parent Company | Fremaux Town Center JV, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture, ownership percentage	65.00%
Parent Company | G&I VIII CBL Triangle LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture, ownership percentage	10.00%
Parent Company | Governor’s Square IB
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture, ownership percentage	50.00%
Parent Company | JG Gulf Coast Town Center LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture, ownership percentage	50.00%	50.00%
Parent Company | Kentucky Oaks Mall Company
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture, ownership percentage	50.00%
Parent Company | Mall of South Carolina L.P.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture, ownership percentage	50.00%
Parent Company | Mall of South Carolina Outparcel L.P.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture, ownership percentage	50.00%
Parent Company | Port Orange I, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture, ownership percentage	50.00%
Parent Company | River Ridge Mall JV, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture, ownership percentage	25.00%		25.00%
Parent Company | West Melbourne I, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture, ownership percentage	50.00%
Parent Company | York Town Center, LP
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture, ownership percentage	50.00%