Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Rental properties:
Land and land improvements	$ 1,083,552	$ 1,003,171
Buildings and improvements	4,360,205	4,030,501
Total Rental Properties	5,443,757	5,033,672
Less: accumulated depreciation	(1,254,886)	(1,081,517)
Net Real Estate	4,188,871	3,952,155
Real estate under development	50,430	66,851
Co-investments	677,133	571,345
Total Real Estate	4,916,434	4,590,351
Cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted	18,491	18,606
Cash and cash equivalents-restricted	35,275	23,520
Marketable securities	90,084	92,713
Notes and other receivables	68,255	66,163
Prepaid expenses and other assets	33,781	35,003
Deferred charges, net	24,519	20,867
Total assets	5,186,839	4,847,223
Liabilities and Equity
Mortgage notes payable	1,404,080	1,565,599
Unsecured debt	1,410,023	1,112,084
Lines of credit	219,421	141,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	67,183	64,858
Construction payable	8,047	5,392
Dividends payable	50,627	45,052
Derivative liabilities	2,682	6,606
Other liabilities	22,189	22,167
Total liabilities	3,184,252	2,962,758
Commitments and contingencies
Cumulative convertible Series G preferred stock	4,349	4,349
Capital:
Common stock	4	3
Cumulative redeemable 7.125% Series H preferred stock at liquidation value	73,750	73,750
Excess Stock, $.0001 par value, 330,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued or outstanding	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	2,345,763	2,204,778
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(474,426)	(444,466)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(60,472)	(69,261)
Total stockholders' equity	1,884,619	1,764,804
Noncontrolling interest	113,619	115,312
Total equity	1,998,238	1,880,116
Total liabilities and capital	5,186,839	4,847,223
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member]
Rental properties:
Land and land improvements	1,083,552	1,003,171
Buildings and improvements	4,360,205	4,030,501
Total Rental Properties	5,443,757	5,033,672
Less: accumulated depreciation	(1,254,886)	(1,081,517)
Net Real Estate	4,188,871	3,952,155
Real estate under development	50,430	66,851
Co-investments	677,133	571,345
Total Real Estate	4,916,434	4,590,351
Cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted	18,491	18,606
Cash and cash equivalents-restricted	35,275	23,520
Marketable securities	90,084	92,713
Notes and other receivables	68,255	66,163
Prepaid expenses and other assets	33,781	35,003
Deferred charges, net	24,519	20,867
Total assets	5,186,839	4,847,223
Liabilities and Equity
Mortgage notes payable	1,404,080	1,565,599
Unsecured debt	1,410,023	1,112,084
Lines of credit	219,421	141,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	67,183	64,858
Construction payable	8,047	5,392
Distributions payable	50,627	45,052
Derivative liabilities	2,682	6,606
Other liabilities	22,189	22,167
Total liabilities	3,184,252	2,962,758
Commitments and contingencies
Cumulative convertible Series G preferred stock	4,349	4,349
Capital:
Limited Partners, Common equity	45,957	45,593
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(58,940)	(68,231)
Total partners' capital	1,932,108	1,811,427
Noncontrolling interest	66,130	68,689
Total capital	1,998,238	1,880,116
Total liabilities and capital	5,186,839	4,847,223
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member] | General Partner [Member]
Capital:
General Partner	1,945,091	1,834,065
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member] | General Partner [Member] | Common Capital [Member]
Capital:
General Partner	1,873,882	1,762,856
Total capital	1,873,882	1,762,856
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member] | General Partner [Member] | Preferred Capital [Member]
Capital:
General Partner	71,209	71,209
Total capital	$ 71,209	$ 71,209