<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <Version>2.4.0.6</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>280</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>339</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>122</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>8</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document And Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document And Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements Of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements Of Operations</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Consolidated Statement Of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfStockholdersEquityDeficit</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statement Of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/BasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Real Estate Acquisitions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/RealEstateAcquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>Real Estate Acquisitions</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Investment Property</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/InvestmentProperty</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment Property</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - Transfers Of Financial Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/TransfersOfFinancialAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Transfers Of Financial Assets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Notes And Other Receivables</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/NotesAndOtherReceivables</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes And Other Receivables</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Intangibles</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/Intangibles</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangibles</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Investment In Affiliates</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/InvestmentInAffiliates</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment In Affiliates</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Consolidated Variable Interest Entities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/ConsolidatedVariableInterestEntities</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Variable Interest Entities</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Debt And Lines Of Credit</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/DebtAndLinesOfCredit</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt And Lines Of Credit</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Equity Transactions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/EquityTransactions</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Transactions</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/ShareBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Other Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/OtherIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Income</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/SegmentReporting</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivities</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Financial Instruments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2117100 - Disclosure - Recent Accounting Pronouncements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/RecentAccountingPronouncements</Role>
      <ShortName>Recent Accounting Pronouncements</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2118100 - Disclosure - Commitments And Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments And Contingencies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2301301 - Disclosure - Real Estate Acquisitions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/RealEstateAcquisitionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Real Estate Acquisitions (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302301 - Disclosure - Investment Property (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/InvestmentPropertyTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment Property (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - Transfers Of Financial Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/TransfersOfFinancialAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Transfers Of Financial Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - Notes And Other Receivables (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/NotesAndOtherReceivablesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes And Other Receivables (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - Investment In Affiliates (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/InvestmentInAffiliatesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment In Affiliates (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Consolidated Variable Interest Entities Consolidated Variable Interest Entities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/ConsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesConsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Variable Interest Entities Consolidated Variable Interest Entities (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - Debt And Lines Of Credit (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/DebtAndLinesOfCreditTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt And Lines Of Credit (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - Disclosure - Other Income (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/OtherIncomeTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Income (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312301 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/SegmentReportingTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2315301 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401402 - Disclosure - Real Estate Acquisitions , Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/RealEstateAcquisitionsScheduleOfPurchasePriceAllocationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Real Estate Acquisitions , Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401403 - Disclosure - Real Estate Acquisitions , Pro Forma Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/RealEstateAcquisitionsProFormaInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Real Estate Acquisitions , Pro Forma Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401404 - Disclosure - Real Estate Acquisitions , Schedule of Revenue and Net Income from acquistions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/RealEstateAcquisitionsScheduleOfRevenueAndNetIncomeFromAcquistionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Real Estate Acquisitions , Schedule of Revenue and Net Income from acquistions (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401405 - Disclosure - Real Estate Acquisitions , Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/RealEstateAcquisitionsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Real Estate Acquisitions , Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402402 - Disclosure - Investment Property (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/InvestmentPropertyDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment Property (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403402 - Disclosure - Transfers Of Financial Assets , Repurchase price percentage (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/TransfersOfFinancialAssetsRepurchasePricePercentageDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Transfers Of Financial Assets , Repurchase price percentage (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403403 - Disclosure - Transfers Of Financial Assets , Schedule of collateralized loans (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/TransfersOfFinancialAssetsScheduleOfCollateralizedLoansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Transfers Of Financial Assets , Schedule of collateralized loans (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403404 - Disclosure - Transfers Of Financial Assets , Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/TransfersOfFinancialAssetsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Transfers Of Financial Assets , Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - Notes And Other Receivables , Schedule of notes and other receivables (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/NotesAndOtherReceivablesScheduleOfNotesAndOtherReceivablesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes And Other Receivables , Schedule of notes and other receivables (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404403 - Disclosure - Notes And Other Receivables , Schedule of Installment Notes Receivable (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/NotesAndOtherReceivablesScheduleOfInstallmentNotesReceivableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes And Other Receivables , Schedule of Installment Notes Receivable (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404404 - Disclosure - Notes And Other Receivables , Allowance for collateralized and installment notes receivable (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/NotesAndOtherReceivablesAllowanceForCollateralizedAndInstallmentNotesReceivableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes And Other Receivables , Allowance for collateralized and installment notes receivable (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404405 - Disclosure - Notes And Other Receivables , Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/NotesAndOtherReceivablesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes And Other Receivables , Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405401 - Disclosure - Intangibles (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/IntangiblesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangibles (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - Investment In Affiliates , Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/InvestmentInAffiliatesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment In Affiliates , Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406403 - Disclosure - Investment In Affiliates , Schedule of Investments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/InvestmentInAffiliatesScheduleOfInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment In Affiliates , Schedule of Investments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Consolidated Variable Interest Entities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/ConsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Variable Interest Entities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - Debt And Lines Of Credit , Table - Schedule of debt and lines of credit (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/DebtAndLinesOfCreditTableScheduleOfDebtAndLinesOfCreditDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt And Lines Of Credit , Table - Schedule of debt and lines of credit (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408403 - Disclosure - Debt And Lines Of Credit , Table - Maturities and Amortization of debt and lines of credit (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/DebtAndLinesOfCreditTableMaturitiesAndAmortizationOfDebtAndLinesOfCreditDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt And Lines Of Credit , Table - Maturities and Amortization of debt and lines of credit (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408404 - Disclosure - Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Collateralized Term Loans (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/DebtAndLinesOfCreditNarrativeCollateralizedTermLoansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Collateralized Term Loans (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408405 - Disclosure - Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Aspen Preferred OP Units and Series B-3 preferred OP units (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/DebtAndLinesOfCreditNarrativeAspenPreferredOpUnitsAndSeriesB3PreferredOpUnitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Aspen Preferred OP Units and Series B-3 preferred OP units (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408406 - Disclosure - Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Mortgage Notes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/DebtAndLinesOfCreditNarrativeMortgageNotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Mortgage Notes (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408407 - Disclosure - Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Line of Credit (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/DebtAndLinesOfCreditNarrativeLineOfCreditDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Line of Credit (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409401 - Disclosure - Equity Transactions Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/EquityTransactionsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Transactions Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410401 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation , Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation , Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - Other Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/OtherIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Income (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412402 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting Segment Reporting (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/SegmentReportingSegmentReportingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting Segment Reporting (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities , Derivative Contracts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDerivativeContractsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities , Derivative Contracts (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413403 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities , Balance Sheet Location (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesBalanceSheetLocationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities , Balance Sheet Location (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413404 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities , Statement of Operation Location (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesStatementOfOperationLocationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities , Statement of Operation Location (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414401 - Disclosure - Income Taxes , Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes , Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415402 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share , Calculation of Numerator and Denominator (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/EarningsPerShareCalculationOfNumeratorAndDenominatorDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share , Calculation of Numerator and Denominator (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415403 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share , Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Loss Per Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/EarningsPerShareAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfLossPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share , Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Loss Per Share (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments , By Balance Sheet Grouping (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsByBalanceSheetGroupingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Financial Instruments , By Balance Sheet Grouping (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416403 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments , Measurement Inputs (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsMeasurementInputsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Financial Instruments , Measurement Inputs (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418401 - Disclosure - Commitments And Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.suncommunities.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments And Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element sui_VariableInterestEntitiesConsolidatedDebt had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentageRateRangeMaximum had a mix of decimals attribute values: 3 4.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate had a mix of decimals attribute values: 3 4.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage had a mix of decimals attribute values: 2 3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAmountOutstanding had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Shares' elements on report '1001501 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2401403 - Disclosure - Real Estate Acquisitions , Pro Forma Information (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2401405 - Disclosure - Real Estate Acquisitions , Narrative (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2403404 - Disclosure - Transfers Of Financial Assets , Narrative (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2404405 - Disclosure - Notes And Other Receivables , Narrative (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2407402 - Disclosure - Consolidated Variable Interest Entities (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2408404 - Disclosure - Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Collateralized Term Loans (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2408406 - Disclosure - Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Mortgage Notes (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2408407 - Disclosure - Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Line of Credit (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2409401 - Disclosure - Equity Transactions Narrative (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2412402 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting Segment Reporting (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2413403 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities , Balance Sheet Location (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2413404 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities , Statement of Operation Location (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2418401 - Disclosure - Commitments And Contingencies (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Mar. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001501 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements Of Operations</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1003000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1005000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012'</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>sui-20130331.xml</File>
    <File>sui-20130331.xsd</File>
    <File>sui-20130331_cal.xml</File>
    <File>sui-20130331_def.xml</File>
    <File>sui-20130331_lab.xml</File>
    <File>sui-20130331_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
