Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Reconciliation of NOI to net income
Net income	$ 141,590	$ 235,781
Indirect operating expenses, net of corporate income	18,082	16,297
Investments and investment management expense	1,643	1,321
Expensed acquisition, development and other pursuit costs, net of recoveries	800	728
Interest expense, net	55,113	49,295
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net	397	0
General and administrative expense	13,664	13,206
Equity in income of unconsolidated real estate entities	(1,740)	(16,672)
Depreciation expense	159,059	140,621
Income tax expense	0	20
Casualty and impairment loss (gain), net	(58)	11,688
Gain on sale of communities	0	(87,949)
Loss (gain) on other real estate transactions	47	(366)
Net operating income from real estate assets sold or held for sale	(2,144)	(8,101)
Net operating income	$ 386,453	$ 355,869