Name:	sui_Debtweightedaveragetomaturitylength
Namespace Prefix:	sui_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of Real Estate Units Released

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sui_NumberofRealEstateUnitsReleased
Namespace Prefix:	sui_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of Subsidiaries

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sui_NumberofSubsidiaries
Namespace Prefix:	sui_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170532&loc=d3e12317-112629

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170532&loc=d3e12355-112629

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of units in a real estate property owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfUnitsInRealEstateProperty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying amount, as of the date of the latest financial statement presented, of real estate owned but transferred to serve as collateral for the payment of the related debt obligation, primarily a secured borrowing or repurchase agreement, and for which the transferee is not permitted to sell or re-pledge them to an unrelated party.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (b)(1)(i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64858031&loc=SL6224234-111729

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PledgedAssetsNotSeparatelyReportedRealEstate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow during the period from the repayment of aggregate short-term and long-term debt. Excludes payment of capital lease obligations.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cash outflow for payment of an obligation from a lender, including but not limited to, letter of credit, standby letter of credit and revolving credit arrangements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3291-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow to repay long-term debt that is wholly or partially secured by collateral. Excludes repayments of tax exempt secured debt.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSecuredDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date, including the current and noncurrent portions, of collateralized debt obligations (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer). Such obligations include mortgage loans, chattel loans, and any other borrowings secured by assets of the borrower.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: 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(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecuredDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=sui_RvCommunityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=sui_PropertiessecuringdebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sui_CollateralizedTermLoanDueAugust312017Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sui_CollateralizedTermLoanDueAugust12017Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sui_CollateralizedTermLoanDueMay12017Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=sui_OperatingPartnershipMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sui_FreddieMacFinancingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sui_FreddieMacFinancingLoan1Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sui_FreddieMacFinancingLoan2Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sui_FannieMaeFinancingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=sui_ManufacturedHomeCommunityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sui_FannieMaeFinancingTermLoanOneMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sui_FannieMaeFinancingTermLoanTwoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sui_NMLLoanDocumentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sui_NMLLoanDocumentsPortfolioALoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sui_NMLLoanDocumentsPortfolioBLoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sui_NMLLoanDocumentsPortfolioCLoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Collateralized Term Loans (Details)	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) sites manufactured_home	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) subsidiary promissory_note	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) loans subsidiary RV_community manufactured_home	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) sites manufactured_home	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) community	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) community sites manufactured_home Rate	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) RV_community manufactured_home	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) sites manufactured_home	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) RV_community manufactured_home	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) sites manufactured_home Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt				$ (293,000)	$ (500,000)		$ 0	$ (759,000)	$ 0
Reduction in secured borrowing balance						$ 79,100,000		$ 11,830,000	9,285,000
Number of Real Estate Units Released \| community					1	10
Weighted average interest rate	4.60%			4.60%		4.50%		4.60%		4.50%
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites						1,677				1,677
Debt weighted average to maturity, length								8 years 8 months 12 days		8 years 6 months
Total debt	$ 2,832,819,000			$ 2,832,819,000		$ 2,819,567,000		$ 2,832,819,000		$ 2,819,567,000
Repayments of Debt		$ 62,100,000		229,000,000
Repayments of Lines of Credit		$ 300,000,000						672,019,000	$ 65,913,000
Notes Payable to Banks [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount						$ 58,500,000.0				$ 58,500,000.0
Interest rate						3.33%				3.33%
Debt instrument term						7 years
Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 77,000,000.0			$ 77,000,000.0				$ 77,000,000.0
Interest rate	4.16%			4.16%				4.16%
Debt instrument term	25 years
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	4.40%			4.40%		5.20%		4.40%		5.20%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length								6 years 1 month 6 days		5 years 7 months 6 days
Total debt	$ 1,034,261,000			$ 1,034,261,000		$ 492,294,000		$ 1,034,261,000		$ 492,294,000
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net book value of properties securing collateralized term loans	$ 3,400,000,000			$ 3,400,000,000				$ 3,400,000,000
RV community [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| manufactured_home						7				7
Properties securing debt [Member] \| Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites	75,962			75,962				75,962
Collateralized Term Loan Due August 31, 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Reduction in secured borrowing balance	$ 3,900,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.54%			6.54%				6.54%
Collateralized Term Loan Due August 1, 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Defeased					$ 18,900,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					6.49%
Collateralized Term Loan Due May 1, 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Reduction in secured borrowing balance					$ 10,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					5.57%
Operating Partnership [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate			3.69%				3.69%		3.69%
Amortization term			30 years
Operating Partnership [Member] \| Freddie Mac Financing [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of subsidiaries \| subsidiary		15
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 139,000,000
Amortization term		30 years
Operating Partnership [Member] \| Freddie Mac Financing - Loan 1 [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 70,200,000
Number of loans \| promissory_note		5
Interest rate		3.93%
Debt instrument term		10 years
Operating Partnership [Member] \| Freddie Mac Financing - Loan 2 [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 68,800,000
Number of loans \| promissory_note		10
Interest rate		3.75%
Debt instrument term		7 years
Operating Partnership [Member] \| Fannie Mae Financing [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of subsidiaries \| subsidiary			17
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 338,000,000				$ 338,000,000		$ 338,000,000
Number of loans \| loans			2
Debt instrument term			10 years
Operating Partnership [Member] \| Fannie Mae Financing [Member] \| Manufactured home community [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| manufactured_home	17			17				17
Operating Partnership [Member] \| Fannie Mae Financing - Term Loan One [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 300,000,000				$ 300,000,000		$ 300,000,000
Interest rate			3.69%				3.69%		3.69%
Operating Partnership [Member] \| Fannie Mae Financing - Term Loan Two [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 38,000,000				$ 38,000,000		$ 38,000,000
Interest rate			3.67%				3.67%		3.67%
Operating Partnership [Member] \| NML Loan Documents [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of subsidiaries \| subsidiary			3
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 405,000,000				$ 405,000,000		$ 405,000,000
Number of loans \| loans			3
Operating Partnership [Member] \| NML Loan Documents - Portfolio A Loan [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of subsidiaries \| subsidiary			2
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 162,000,000				$ 162,000,000		$ 162,000,000
Interest rate			3.53%				3.53%		3.53%
Debt instrument term			10 years
Operating Partnership [Member] \| NML Loan Documents - Portfolio A Loan [Member] \| Manufactured home community [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| manufactured_home			7				7		7
Operating Partnership [Member] \| NML Loan Documents - Portfolio A Loan [Member] \| RV community [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| RV_community			1				1		1
Operating Partnership [Member] \| NML Loan Documents - Portfolio B Loan [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of subsidiaries \| subsidiary			1
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 163,000,000				$ 163,000,000		$ 163,000,000
Interest rate			3.71%				3.71%		3.71%
Debt instrument term			12 years
Operating Partnership [Member] \| NML Loan Documents - Portfolio B Loan [Member] \| Manufactured home community [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| manufactured_home			8				8		8
Operating Partnership [Member] \| NML Loan Documents - Portfolio C Loan [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 80,000,000				$ 80,000,000		$ 80,000,000
Interest rate			3.71%				3.71%		3.71%
Debt instrument term			12 years
Operating Partnership [Member] \| NML Loan Documents - Portfolio C Loan [Member] \| RV community [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| manufactured_home			1				1		1