2.4.0.82402402 - Disclosure - Investment Property (Details)truefalseIn Thousands, unless otherwise specifiedfalse1false USDfalsefalse$I2013Q2http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000912593instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$2false USDfalsefalse$I2012Q4http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000912593instant2012-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$1true 3sui_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyLineItemssui_falsenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Real estate, investment property [Line Items]2false 4us-gaap_Landus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse191603000191603USD$falsetruefalse2truefalsefalse178993000178993USD$falsetruefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying amount as of the balance sheet date of real estate held for productive use. This excludes land held for sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6361293&loc=d3e6812-107765 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 false2Land3false 4sui_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyLandImprovementsAndBuildingssui_falsedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse17389920001738992falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse16088250001608825falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryReal estate investment property, Land improvements and buildingsNo definition available.false2Land improvements and buildings4false 4us-gaap_RentalPropertiesus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse353801000353801falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse305838000305838falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying amount of income producing properties held for rental.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(d)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 false2Rental homes and improvements5false 4us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesGrossus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse5839700058397falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse5435400054354falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryGross amount, at the balance sheet date, of long-lived, depreciable assets commonly used in offices and stores. Examples include desks, chairs, and store fixtures.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 5 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. 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